cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential Anatomical Basis for Attentional Modulation of Hippocampal Neurons

Lesions of the hippocampus and related structures produce profound anterograde amnesia. The amnesia is specific to what has been called "explicit," "declarative," and "episodic" memory. These memories are frequently believed to be central to the human condition, requiring such advanced cognitive functions as attention and even consciousness. However, the hippocampus and associated structures are evolutionarily conserved, which argues that the memories of lower mammals should be qualitatively similar in nature. Just as attention and arousal are critical components of appropriate memory formation in humans, an emerging body of evidence suggests that these processes bear on the firing patterns of hippocampal neurons in rodents. Here the evidence favoring this hypothesis is discussed and then the potential anatomical basis for such modulation is considered.
HealthTweets.org: A Platform for Public Health Surveillance Using Twitter

We present HealthTweets.org, a new platform for sharing the latest research results on Twitter data with researchers and public officials. In this demo paper, we describe data collection, processing, and features of the site.The goal of this service is to transition results from research to practice.
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Myeloid malignancies exemplified by acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are all characterized by abnormal proliferation of stem cells. AML is characterized by proliferation of myeloid blasts that ultimately perturb normal bone marrow (BM) function and suppress hematopoiesis. The hallmarks of MDS are cytopenias (anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia), impaired differentiation in one or more of myeloid cell lines, and ineffective hematopoiesis (Tiu et al. 2011a). MPNs manifest with proliferation of one or more cell lines in the BM with accompanying BM fibrosis and extramedullary hematopoiesis (Fig. 1). When features of both MDS and MPN coexist in the same patient, the disease is called MDS/MPN overlap neoplasms. The recognition that some MDS patients have overlapping MPN features led to the coining of the term MDS/MPN overlap. This group was first described in 1997 at the clinical advisory meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) (Harris et al. 1999) and later adapted in the 2001 WHO classification (Harris et al. 2001). As in the case of MDS and MPNs, MDS/MPN patients are also at risk for AML evolution. Within this overlapping class, four different disease entities were classified: Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (BCR-ABL1 negative) (aCML), and MDS/MPN-unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U), which also included the provisional disease category, refractory anemia with ring sideroblast associated with marked thrombocytosis (RARS-T). Of note, each of these disease entities has a defined natural history, influenced by a variety of factors such as BM blast counts, presence of concomitant diseases (e.g., systemic mastocytosis with associated clonal hematologic non-mast cell lineage disease [SM-AHNMD]), and different cytogenetic and epigenetic/molecular profile which may explain the clinicopathologic diversity of these diseases.
Manipulation of Th responses by oral tolerance.

The gastrointestinal tract is the major site of antigenic contact in the body. A complex and precise gastrointestinal immune system allows the accomplishment of two distinct features: absorption of nutrients avoiding hypersensitivity to food antigens and exclusion of microbiologic pathogens (Kagnoee 1996; Newby 1984; Strobel 1990).
Thymic overexpression of Ttg-1 in transgenic mice results in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.

Abstract T-cell translocation gene 1 (Ttg-1), also called rhombotin, is deregulated upon translocation into the alpha/delta T-cell receptor loci in acute lymphoblastic leukemias bearing the t(11;14)(p15;q11). Ttg-1 encodes a nuclear protein, expressed predominantly in neuronal cells, which belongs to a novel family of transcription factors possessing LIM domains. We utilized the lck proximal promoter to overexpress this candidate oncogene in immature thymocytes of transgenic mice. lckPr Ttg-1 mice develop immature, aggressive T-cell leukemia/lymphomas. Tumor incidence is proportional to the level of Ttg-1 expression. Most tumors contain CD4+8+ cells as well as CD4-8+ cells, which have an immature rather than a mature peripheral phenotype. Ttg-1-induced tumorigenesis preferentially affects a minority population of thymocytes representing an immature CD4-8+ intermediate stage between double-negative CD4-8- cells and double-positive CD4+8+ cells. This model indicates that the aberrant expression of putative transcription factors plays a primary role in the genesis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias.
Biophotonics and the Future of Personal Health Monitoring

Medical Optics provides unique, dynamic information about tissue structure and biochemical composition. Matching technologies with clinical needs will reduce health care costs and drive the development of wearable, bedside technologies for personalized medicine.
A Graphic Representation of Thyroid Response to Stimulation by Thyrotropic Hormone

ConclusionWe have described a micrometric method of representing the thyrotropic effect on the thyroid gland of test animals. Since each increased dosage of the hormone caused a characteristic curve, this procedure affords a quantitative method of determining the effects of the thyrotropic hornioiie on the thyroid of the guinea pig.
Effection of H_2SO_4 Treatment on Photocatalytic Activity TiO_2 Thin Film on Glass for Degradation of Methylene Blue

The uniform transparent TiO2 nanometer thin film was prepared with sol-gel method at 400℃ for 2 h.The as-calcined TiO2 nanometer thin film was treated in different H2SO4 aqueous solution for 24 h.Finally, the treated TiO2 thin film was again heat-treated at300℃400℃、500℃ for 0.5h respectively.The structure of TiO2 thin film before and after tAS surface acid treatment was characterized by XRD、AFM、UV-vis. Studied the effect of concentration of H2SO4 on photodegradation of methylene blue, the results show that photocatalytic activity of treated TiO2 thin film was effectively enhanced.The analysis of XRD、 ultraviolet absorption and AFM show that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin film depends strongly on the change of surface microstructure and size of particle. The H2SO4 optimum concentration is 0.4mol/L
Cultural Studies and Deleuze-Guattari, Part 2: From Affect to Conjunctures†

ABSTRACTThis paper considers the state of the ‘field’ of affect studies and its development – partly through the involvement of one of its authors – over the course of decades. It argues that rather than identifying affect as the ‘other’ of signification and representation, thus ‘subtracting’ it from the conjuncture, one should understand the question of affect to point to the multiplicity of forms of sign behaviours – or, better, of forms of expression or collective assemblages of enunciation (in the terms of Deleuze and Guattari) that constitute a conjuncture in all its complexity. This article attempts to map this multiplicity by refining and expanding Guattari’s ‘mixed semiotics’. Finally, it offers a brief example of how such multiplicities (and their resulting hybridities) might be used to compare the ‘affective topographies’ and structures of feelings that have differentially enabled oppositional movements in the 1960s and the current moment.
Purification and properties of the GABA/benzodiazepine/barbiturate receptor protein from rat brain

The major postsynaptic receptor for the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a complex protein containing a chloride channel and modulatory sites for two classes of drugs, the benzodiazepines (BZ) and anti-convulsants/barbiturates (Olsen, 1982). These GABA receptors are also defined by sensitivity to the agonist muscimol and the antagonist bicuculline (Enna, 1983). Barbiturates and related depressants like pyrazolopyridines that enhance GABA-activated chloride permeability at the tissue and cellular level (Nicoll and colleagues, this volume) also are able to enhance benzodiazepine and GABA receptor binding at the molecular level (Leeb-Lundberg et al., 1980, 1981; Olsen & Snowman, 1982; Wong et al., 1984b). These in vitro barbiturate interactions are dependent on the presence of physiological levels of chloride or other anions able to permeate GABA ion channels, and are blocked by picrotoxin and related chloride channel antagonists, as well as by bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonist.
Coal Slurries Desulfurization by Flotation Using Thiophilic Bacteria for Pyrite Depression

A new process for the removal of pyritic sulfur from coal slurries using bacterial conditioning prior to froth flotation has been developed and tested on two high sulfur coals. The results showed that over 90% of the pryritic sulfur can be removed from each coal. The coals tested were from Upper Freeport (2.1% total sulfur) and Pittsburgh No. 8 (4.42% total sulfur). The pyritic sulfur of the Upper Freeport coal was reduced from 1.59% to 0.13%, while that of Pittsburgh No. 8 was reduced from 3.8% to 0.36% using this process. The coal (Btu) recovery was only slightly affected by the bacterial treatment. The bacterial conditioning time was varied between 5-30min. It was concluded that most of the bacterial action takes place in the first l0min.
SEA-DEFENCE WORKS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST BETWEEN THE LOIRE AND GIRONDE

Between the Loire and the Gironde, the Atlantic Ocean runs along a succession of zones, the level of which is lower than that of the Spring tides. The main ones are: In the North, the marsh of Vendee, between the Loire and the Bocage (woody district): 50,000 hectares. In the Center, the marsh of Poitou, between the Bocage and Aunis; 80,000 hectares. In the South, the marsh of Saintonge, between Aunis and Saintonge: 50,000 hectares. Natural defences (sand-hills, shingle beaches) exist in some places. But more often than not, the protection is assured by artificial defences. Seaside resorts (Chetelaillon, Royan) are protected by other works. Ahead of the coast line lie large islands (Noirmoutier, Re, Oleron) which include lowlands even more threatened than those on the continent. Therefore,this coast offers a great number of interesting works for the specialized engineer.
361. IV Gene Therapy Corrects Feline GM1 Gangliosidosis Long Term

GM1 gangliosidosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects all ages. Intracranial injection of adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy has resulted in a >6 fold increase in lifespan. While untreated GM1 cats live to 8.0±0.6 months, many treated cats are still alive at 5-6 years of age (Sci Transl Med 2014. 6, 231). To bypass the invasiveness of brain injection, AAV9 at 1.5e13 vg/kg was injected into the cephalic vein in two GM1 cats at one month of age. Currently over 2 years of age (Fig. 1AFig. 1A), IV treated cats have been followed with biomarkers derived from blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), electrodiagnostics, abdominal ultrasound, 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR spectroscopy. Neurologic abnormalities are limited to mild hindlimb muscle atrophy and fine ear tremors, with remarkable preservation of brain architecture (Fig. 1BFig. 1B). Evaluation of CSF showed complete normalization (p<0.05) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) compared to untreated GM1 cats (Fig 1. CFig 1. C). The defective lysosomal enzyme, β-galactosidase, was increased to ~15 fold normal levels in CSF (Fig. 1DFig. 1D). MR spectroscopy revealed correction of brain metabolites associated with microgliosis (myoinositol; Ins), neuroaxonal loss (N-acetylaspartate; NAA) and demyelination (glycerophosphocholine and phosphocholine; GPC+PCh) (Fig. 1EFig. 1E), and metabolite levels correlated with clinical signs (R2 = 0.66, 0.50 and 0.63, respectively). No evidence of tumorigenesis or peripheral toxicity has been noted. Intravenous administration of AAV gene therapy shows promise as an alternative for intracranial administration, although further experiments are required to determine maximum survival.Figure 1Effect of IV gene therapy in the GM1 cat. A) Survival curve of GM1+AAV cats. B) 7T T2 weighted MRI of normal, GM1 and GM1+AAV treated cats. C) CSF levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). D) CSF levels of the therepeutic enzyme β-galactosidease (β-gal). D) MR spectroscopy of the feline brain * p<0.05 and **p<0.01 from normal; l p<0.05 and l p<0.01 from GM1 cats.View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Phase I trial of autologous CD19-targeted CAR-modified t cells as consolidation after purine analog-based first-line therapy in patients with previously untreated CLL.

7020 Background: In order to address the previously recognized limitation of autologous T cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 in patients (pts) with chemotherap...
High-efficiency multiphase DC-DC converters for powering processors with turbo mode based on configurable current sharing ratios and intelligent phase management

Efficiency is one of the key performance factors for the multiphase voltage regulators (VRs), especially for the workstation and server applications. To further improve the efficiency, a new topology by having different phase inductances in multiphase VRs is proposed in this paper. However, the phase interleaving, current sharing, and dynamic phase shedding (DPS) functions would become more challenging in this proposed topology. In order to overcome those challenges, a programmable current sharing ratio scheme is considered to improve the phase interleaving and current sharing of the proposed topology. In addition, a fast phase adding logic is also presented to improve the load transient response speed. All of these efforts aim at realizing fast transient response and high efficiency simultaneously for a multiphase VR. The simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed topology and the control scheme.
Extending exponential stabilizers for nonholonomic systems from kinematic controllers to dynamic controllers

Abstract This paper describes an approach for extending (time-varying) exponential stabilizers for nonholonomic systems from controllers which command input velocity to controllers which com-mand input torques. Due to the nondifferentiable nature of exponential stablizers, additional structure is required in order to ensure that the extended controllers generate continuous control actions. In this paper we show how to extend homogeneous controllers which use a nonstandard dilation adapted to the problem. We also give conditions under which a non-homogeneous controller can be extended.
The effects of various estrogenic preparations; the influence of equivalent amounts of several estrogens on the vaginal mucosa of nonmenstruating women.

Abstract 1. 1. Forty-one women were treated with one or more injections of equivalent amounts of seven estrogenic preparations to a total of 57 tests. In thirty-nine tests, changes occurred in the vaginal mucosa; of these, however, seven were difficult to evaluate in relation to the administration of the estrogen. No objective response followed any of the remaining eighteen injections. 2. 2. Free estrone, free estradiol, and the benzoic acid and dipropionic acid esters of the latter were the estrogens employed in these tests. Estrone was given in doses of 4 mg. and each estradiol preparation in amounts of 1 mg. per injection. Estrone was used as an equeous suspension only. Free estradiol was similarly employed, and also as a solution in propylene glycol and sesame oil, respectively. Estradiol dipropionate was prepared as a solution in sesame oil only; the benzoate was administered in menstrua of peanut oil and propylene glycol, respectively. 3. 3. Daily vaginal smears were taken for a control period of approximately one week prior to therapy and for an average period of ten days thereafter. Approximately 900 smears were studied. 4. 4. The average lag-time (hours between injection and vaginal response) for each preparation was as follows: estradiol dipropionate in sesame oil, 88; estradiol benzoate in peanut oil, 90; estradiol in aqueous suspension, 90; estrone in aqueous suspension, 100; estradiol in sesame oil, 108; estradiol in propylene glycol, 114; and estradiol benzoate in propylene glycol (one case), 120. 5. 5. The average duration in hours of the vaginal response initiated by estradiol dipropionate in sesame oil was 100; by estradiol benzoate in peanut oil, 82; by estradiol in sesame oil, 36; by estradiol in propylene glycol, 120; by estradiol in aqueous suspension, 109; and by estrone in aqueous suspension, 110. 6. 6. The degree of follicular activity varied widely with the preparation used and from subject to subject, but in any given instance, was directly proportional to the duration of the vaginal changes. 7. 7. Climacteric patients reported symptomatic relief starting one to three days following injection and persisting for from three to ten days thereafter.
Radiation dose rate distributions of spent fuel dry casks estimated with MAVRIC based on detailed geometry and continuous-energy models

Abstract This study presents a detailed comparison of the dose rate distributions of a dry TN-32 fuel cask with two geometry models and two cross-sectional datasets. The accuracies of radiation dose rate estimation and computational efficiencies of each geometry model with two cross-sectional data-sets are compared. The use of automated variance reduction techniques can significantly improve the computational efficiency of such a realistic, deep penetration problem that involves radiation transport from different volumetric sources, thereby eliciting only a small statistical error. Monaco with Automated Variance Reduction using Importance Calculations (MAVRIC) is a computational sequence within the SCALE 6.2 code package based on consistent adjoint driven importance sampling (CADIS), a type of automated variance reduction technique. Homogenous and full fuel assembly models are built herein, and two nuclear cross-section libraries (V7-200N47G and continuous energy) are applied in this work. Based on the detailed comparisons, we found that neutron dose rate estimation is more dependent on geometry modeling than on cross-section data. For neutron-induced gamma rays, the dose rate distribution depends on both the spatial self-shielding effect and the cross-section library. The primary gamma rays respectively contribute to the total dose rate by ∼91% and ∼99% on the side and top surfaces, and the dose rate accuracy is more dependent on the cross-section library than on geometry modeling. In terms of the computation efficiency and efforts spent on geometry modeling, the homogenous fuel assembly model with the MG library can produce an acceptable dose rate distribution, but the detailed fuel assembly model with the continuous-energy library is required for more precise dose rate estimation.
Bishop Frames and Reference Frames Along the Discretized Curve

Two of the three frames associated with an edge of a discretized curve are discussed in this chapter: a Bishop frame and a reference frame. Both of these frames are continually updated as the rod deforms and a pair of rotation operators are used to perform these updates. The operators are known as a space-parallel transport operator and a time-parallel transport operator, respectively. These operators combined with a rotation about the tangent vector to an edge will be used later to define the torsion of the discrete elastic rod. The chapter concludes with a simple example of a discrete rod with two edges. This example is used to illustrate the transport operators and the concept of reference twist.
The Evolution of Terrestrial Locomotion

Although the derivation of tetrapods from rhipidistians is now generally accepted (Szarski, 1962 and this volume; Schaeffer, 1965; Schmalhausen, 1968; Jarvik, 1968), the selective pressures which led to terrestrial locomotion are still an area of dispute. Nearly all workers in this field have agreed that the tetrapod limb evolved as a locomotor organ which allowed movement away from the pond or swamp habitat of the rhipidistians and onto the land. Both biotic and abiotic stimuli have been invoked as the proximate factors pushing the Rhipidistia landward.
Crises and Productivity in Good Booms and in Bad Booms

Credit booms usually precede financial crises. However, some credit booms end in a crisis (bad booms) and other booms do not (good booms). We document that, while all booms start with an increase in the growth of Total Factor Productivity (TFP), such growth falls much faster subsequently for bad booms. We then develop a simple framework to explain this. Firms finance investment opportunities with short-term collateralized debt. If agents do not produce information about the collateral quality, a credit boom develops, accommodating firms with lower quality projects and increasing the incentives of lenders to acquire information about the collateral, eventually triggering a crisis. When the quality of investment opportunities also grow, the credit boom may not end in a crisis because there is a gradual adoption of low quality projects, but those projects are also of better quality, not inducing information about collateral.
Modelling and Fusion of Imperfect Implication Rules

In this paper, we develop a method to find the uncertain consequent by fusing the uncertain antecedent and the uncertain implication rule. In particular with Dempster-Shafer theoretic models utilized to capture the uncertainty intervals associated with the antecedent and the rule itself, we derive bounds on the confidence interval associated with the rule consequent. We derive inequalities for the belief and plausibility values of the consequent and with least commitment choice they become equations. We also demonstrate the consistency of our model with probability and classical logic.
Radiation Units, Radiation Exposure, and Absorbed Dose

Definition of radiation units and various radiation-related terms are given in this chapter. Sources of radiation exposure and calculation of external radiation exposure and internal absorbed dose are presented in detail. Several pertinent tables related to absorbed doses are included in the chapter. A table includes absorbed doses to different organs from administration of different radiopharmaceuticals to humans. NRC dose limits to radiation workers, the public, minor, and pregnant women are given. Effective dose is defined and explained, and its values from different radiopharmaceuticals are presented in a table.
Sexual and Domestic Abuse

This chapter offers an example of the vicarious experience of people who are subject to sexual abuse and literary representations of violence more generally. Many such patients do not readily disclose the abusive nature of the physical ailments they present to healthcare workers, and the engagement with such experience in literary narratives, as Dr. Vannatta narrates in the vignette to this chapter, allows providers to more fully understand and engage with their patients. In addition to Dr. Vannatta’s vignette of encountering a long-time patient who presents, but does not describe, symptoms of physical violence, the chapter offers Edgar Allan Poe’s harrowing story “Berenice” and W. B. Yeats’s meditation on violence in “Leda and the Swan.”
Anya, U. (2016). Racialized identities in second language learning: Speaking blackness in Brazil. Routledge. 262 pp. ISBN 13 9781138927780.:

Review of Uju Anya, Racialized identities in second language learning: Speaking blackness in Brazil. Routledge, 2016.
Disparities in Implantable Ventricular Assist Device Utilization: Observation from Nationwide Inpatient Database

Introduction Implantable ventricular assist devices (IVADs) use is rising in the United-States as a heart transplant bridge or as destination therapy to improve survival in individuals with advanced heart failure. Previous studies have indicated gender, racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in patients selected to receive IVADs. Methods This retrospective cohort study used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify all patients above 18 years who underwent IVAD implantation from 2011 to 2017. All data was weight as recommended by Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Results A total of 25,503 patients had an IVAD implanted. Since 2011, there has been an average annual increase in implantation of IVADs of 9.6% per year (See Figure 1). Mean patient age was 57 ± 13 years, and the majority were men (77%). Most patients receiving IVADs self-identified as White (63%) or Black (24%), with fewer patients of Hispanic (6%), Asian or Pacific Islander (2%), or Native American ( Conclusion Although IVAD utilization in the US has substantially increased in the past decade, there still remains important disparities in various areas including gender, race, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. Further study is needed to evaluate the reasons for, and implications of, these disparities.
Unsupervised Machine Learning of LGE Patterns on Cardiac MRI Identifies Patients at Risk for Right Ventricular Failure After LVAD

Introduction Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD), however predicting RVF remains challenging. Hypothesis We hypothesized that an analysis of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) patterns on pre-operative cardiac MRI (cMRI) could identify patients at risk for RVF after LVAD. Methods We analyzed reports for cMRIs performed on patients within one year prior to LVAD at our institution and abstracted LGE patterns using the 17-segment model. Patients were then grouped into clusters by similarities in LGE patterns using an unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithm of hierarchical agglomerative clustering. Statistical comparison of the resulting clusters was then performed. Results Patients (N=31) were grouped into 3 clusters (Figure) with varying patterns of LGE. Cluster 1 patients (n=16) had no LGE or atypical LGE patterns and were significantly younger (age 42 ± 18) than other clusters (p=0.029). Cluster 2 patients (n=11) had extensive transmural LGE patterns and were more likely to have hypertension (p=0.006) and dyslipidemia (p=0.002) than other groups. Cluster 3 patients (n=4) had some degree of subendocardial LGE but no extensive transmural LGE patterns. No patients in cluster 2 developed RVF after LVAD, while 4 patients (25%) in cluster 1 and 2 patients in cluster 3 (50%) had RVF after LVAD, though the difference between groups did not reach statistical significance due to small number of patients in the cohort overall (p=0.058). Importantly, traditional factors associated with RVF including hemodynamics and echocardiographic/MRI parameters of LV and RV function were not significantly different between clusters. Further, LGE enhancement of the RV myocardium or RV insertion points were not associated with RVF after LVAD. Conclusions Unsupervised ML of LGE patterns on cMRI can identify clusters of patients at risk for RVF. LGE patterns on cMRI may identify patients with non-ischemic (cluster 1) and mixed (cluster 3) etiologies of their heart failure who are at higher risk for developing RVF due to global biventricular myocardial involvement than patients with a truly ischemic etiology of their heart failure (cluster 2). Future research in a larger cohort is needed to confirm this hypothesis. Figure: Dendrogram produced from agglomerative hierarchal clustering of LGE analysis of cardiac MRIs using standardized myocardial segmentation
Abstract 17042: CCL20 in Psoriasis: A Potential Biomarker of Disease Severity, Inflammation, and Impaired Vascular Health

Introduction: CV risk calculators that incorporate traditional risk factors underestimate CV risk in psoriasis and guidelines now suggest incorporating psoriasis into clinical decision making. Ther...
Abstract 15848: Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on D2B Activations in a Single, Tertiary Care, Urban Medical Center in the United States

Introduction: Initial reports suggest that patients may delay seeking medical attention during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our aim was to determine if the COVID-19 outbreak is...
Exchange rates, money, and relative prices: The dollar-pound in the 1920s

Abstract This paper applies the monetary approach to exchange rate determination to the analysis of the monthly dollar/pound exchange rate during the period preceding the return of Britain to gold in 1925. The analytical framework emphasizes that the exchange rate is influenced by real and monetary factors. Special attention is given to the relationship between the exchange rate and the relative price of traded to non-traded goods. The estimated elasticity of the exchange rate with respect to this relative price is shown to be about 0.4 which provides an independent measure of the relative share of spending on non-traded goods.
Survival After Resection for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal cancers. To achieve long term survival, surgical resection is essential in the treatment paradigm. While the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic resections have improved dramatically, our understanding of the biology of the disease continues to be limited. Identifying and understanding predictors of long-term overall and disease-free survival continues to evolve. As survival after resection improves with further treatment advancements, quality of life after an operation becomes an increasingly important factor that will weigh into preoperative surgical decision-making. Validated patient-reported outcome measure tools will prove useful to inform future patients and manage their expectations.
Machine Intelligence for Individualized Decision Making Under a Counterfactual World: A Rejoinder

We give our special thanks to Professor Dylan Small for organizing these interesting joint discussions of Qiu et al. (2020) and Cui and Tchetgen Tchetgen (2020b). We are grateful to the discussants...
Pediatric Urology and International Medical Volunteerism: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?

Abstract Objective To determine the current landscape of international medical volunteerism (IMV) in pediatric urology. Methods A questionnaire regarding IMV participation was distributed to Societies for Pediatric Urology members (SPU), pediatric urology fellows (PUFs), and pediatric urology fellowship program directors (PDs). Questions related to IMV interest, experience, and perceived barriers, as well as the importance of trainee participation. Results 98 of 733 SPU members queried responded; 62/98 (63%) having volunteered. There was no difference in gender, age, or years in practice between volunteers and non-volunteers (P >.05). Non-volunteers were generally interested in participating (26/36; 72%), with lack of time and knowledge of opportunities cited as limitations. 27/46 PUFs and 16/27 PDs submitted responses. 10/27 (37%) of PUFs have participated in IMV. The main perceived barrier to their participation was lack of protected time off. While 2 PUFs (7%) stated IMV was a mandatory component of fellowship, 11/27 (41%) of PUFs vs 2/16 (13%) of PDs believe IMV should be part of the curriculum (P = .11). PUFs and PDs similarly ranked importance of trainee IMV participation on Likert scale (median 73 vs 70, P = 0.67). Volunteering SPU respondents ranked trainee participation higher than non-volunteers (median 80 vs 50, P = 0.0004). Conclusion While pediatric urology IMV opportunities exist, disseminating this information to interested parties and lack of time are barriers to participation. Amongst SPU members, there is a divide in attitudes regarding the importance of trainee participation. Trainees, however, strongly support IMV participation.
Rethinking Farkas: Updating Cephalic Index Norms in a Large, Diverse Population.

Background Cephalic index, the ratio of head width to length, is one normative indicator used by insurers to derive criteria for plagiocephaly helmet authorization. Current norms were established by a small sample of white children in the 1987 Farkas and Munro data set. This study establishes updated cephalic index values for infants and children in a large, diverse patient population. Methods Children aged 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 9 to 12 months, 2 to 3 years, and 12 to 14 years were recruited at their well-child appointment. Cephalic index was calculated for each age group and compared to previously established norms. Results Eight hundred seventy patients met inclusion criteria. The means for boys and girls between 0 and 6 months were 83.5 (n = 155, SD 6.01) and 83.5 (n = 191, SD 5.80), respectively. Established means for boys and girls between 0 and 6 months were 74.4 (n = 38, SD 5.2) and 74.3 (n = 49, SD 6.1), respectively. The difference between norms is highly statistically significant (p 83.7 for boys and >82.7 for girls. Using previous norms, 74 boys (44.6 percent) and 104 girls (54.5 percent) would meet criteria for a helmet under current guidelines. Conclusions The mean cephalic index of children has changed. The reasons could include diversifying populations in the United States and the introduction of the Back to Sleep campaign. Over 50 percent of children may inappropriately meet criteria for a helmet based on prior norms. Updating norms could change the definition of plagiocephaly for a helmet orthosis.
The Relationship Between COVID-19 Related Stress and Medication Adherence Among High-Risk Adults During the Acceleration Phase of the US Outbreak.

Purpose To assess the relationship between stress regarding COVID-19 and medication adherence. Patients and Methods Older adults with ≥1 chronic condition(s) were recruited from 4 active, federally funded studies in Chicago to participate in a longitudinal telephone survey. Participants self-reported stress regarding COVID-19 in the last week. Adherence was measured via the ASK-12 survey. Results Most participants reported feeling stressed "some of the time" (54.0%), while 18.2% felt stressed "most" or "all of the time" and 27.8% "never" felt stressed. In bivariate analyses, participants who reported being stressed "most" or "all of the time" had worse medication adherence than participants who reported being stressed "some of the time" or "never" (p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, participants who reported feeling stressed "most" or "all of the time" had worse adherence than those who "never" felt stressed (Adjusted Least Square Mean (Standard Error): 21.3 (0.6) vs 19.7 (0.6), p=0.01). Conclusion Stress due to COVID-19 has significantly impacted medication adherence, which has negative implications for the course of both COVID-19 and comorbid conditions. Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential impact of COVID-19 on patients' mental and physical well-being and consider ways to routinely assess patient experiences.
Mycobacterium avium complex: An unusual cause of hypercalcemia.

Abstract Mycobacterium avium-complex (MAC) is an infectious granulomatous disease which is associated with hypercalcemia especially in immunocompromised patients. We present an unusual case of MAC infection in an immunocompetent patient presenting as hypercalcemia.A 76-year-old immunocompetent male was admitted for hypercalcemia of 12.6 mg/dl found on outpatient evaluation for fatigue. PTH level was low 8 pmol/L, Vitamin D 25hydroxy was 29 ng/ml, 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2 vitamin D) levels was low at 11 pg/ml, PTH related peptide was 1.1 pmol/L. Hypercalcemia resolved with intravenous hydration and bisphosphonate administration. CT chest identified a nodule with central cavity in the right upper lobe. Pathology from percutaneous biopsy of thenodule demonstrated granulomatous inflammation. AFB culture came positive for MAC. Patient was treated with Azithromycin, Rifabutin and Ethambutol for twelve months.Granulomatous diseases like MAC cause hypercalcemia via activation of macrophages which express extrarenal 1- alpha -hydroxylase. It converts vitamin D to its active form 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D causing its excess, leading to hypercalcemia. Interestingly, in our patient calcium level was elevated with appropriately low PTH but 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D level was also low. There are few reported cases of hypercalcemia in granulomatous disease with normal levels of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D levels, and our case is the first one to have MAC associated hypercalcemia with low 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D levels, suggesting an alternative mechanism for hypercalcemia in these patients
Principles and Methods of Law and Economics: Enhancing Normative Analysis

Introduction: innovation in legal thinking Part I. Principles: 1. From formal logic to normative reasoning 2. Social welfare versus moral philosophy 3. From political philosophy to game theory 4. The importance of distribution of wealth 5. Coase and law's irrelevance 6. More failures of coasean irrelevance Part II. Methods: 7. Mathematical modelling 8. Confronting uncertainty: basic probability theory 9. Advanced probability: distributions as the shape of randomness 10. How to price uncertainty: finance 11. Finance and probability: options and derivatives 12. Using spreadsheets 13. Statistics 14. Conclusion: importing methodological innovations.
Study of the isotopic features of Swan bands in comets

It is shown from a detailed statistical equilibrium calculation of the 12C13C molecule that the interpretation of the observed intensities of Swan bands of the normal and the isotopic molecule of C2 in terms of the abundance ratio of 12C and 13C is a reasonable one. The synthetic profile of some isotopic features in the (0, 0) Swan band is compared with the observed profiles for comet West.
Michael Francis Laffan, Islamic Nationhood and Colonial Indonesia: The umma below the winds

Michael Francis Laffan, Islamic Nationhood and Colonial Indonesia: The umma below the winds London: Routledge, 2003. xvi, 294 pp.
Hypermutation at A/T Sites during G·U Mismatch Repair in Vitro by Human B-cell Lysates

Somatic hypermutation in the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes is required to produce high affinity antibody molecules. Somatic hypermutation results by processing G·U mismatches generated when activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) deaminates C to U. Mutations at C/G sites are targeted mainly at deamination sites, whereas mutations at A/T sites entail error-prone DNA gap repair. We used B-cell lysates to analyze salient features of somatic hypermutation with in vitro mutational assays. Tonsil and hypermutating Ramos B-cells convert C→U in accord with AID motif specificities, whereas HeLa cells do not. Using tonsil cell lysates to repair a G·U mismatch, A/T and G/C targeted mutations occur about equally, whereas Ramos cell lysates make fewer mutations at A/T sites (∼24%) compared with G/C sites (∼76%). In contrast, mutations in HeLa cell lysates occur almost exclusively at G/C sites (>95%). By recapitulating two basic features of B-cell-specific somatic hypermutation, G/C mutations targeted to AID hot spot motifs and elevated A/T mutations dependent on error-prone processing of G·U mispairs, these cell free assays provide a practical method to reconstitute error-prone mismatch repair using purified B-cell proteins.
Dark matter superfluidity and galactic dynamics

Abstract We propose a unified framework that reconciles the stunning success of MOND on galactic scales with the triumph of the ΛCDM model on cosmological scales. This is achieved through the physics of superfluidity. Dark matter consists of self-interacting axion-like particles that thermalize and condense to form a superfluid in galaxies, with ∼ mK critical temperature. The superfluid phonons mediate a MOND acceleration on baryonic matter. Our framework naturally distinguishes between galaxies (where MOND is successful) and galaxy clusters (where MOND is not): dark matter has a higher temperature in clusters, and hence is in a mixture of superfluid and normal phase. The rich and well-studied physics of superfluidity leads to a number of striking observational signatures.
Paul Krugman's Nostalgianomics: Economic Policies, Social Norms, and Income Inequality

What accounts for the rise in income inequality since the 1970s? According to most economists, the answer lies in structural changes in the economy - in particular, technological changes that have raised the demand for highly skilled workers and thereby boosted their pay. Opposing this prevailing view, however, is Princeton economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in economics. According to Krugman and a group of like-minded scholars, structural explanations of inequality are inadequate. They argue instead that changes in economic policies and social norms have played a major role in the widening of the income distribution.Krugman and company have a point. For the quarter century or so after World War II, incomes were much more compressed than they are today. Since then, American society has experienced major changes in both political economy and cultural values. And both economic logic and empirical evidence provide reasons for concluding that those changes have helped to restrain low-end income growth while accelerating growth at the top of the income scale.However, Krugman and his colleagues offer a highly selective and misleading account of the relevant changes. Looking back at the early postwar decades, they cherry-pick the historical record in a way that allows them to portray that time as an enlightened period of well-designed economic policies and healthy social norms. Such a rosy-colored view of the past fails as objective historical analysis. Instead, it amounts to ideologically motivated nostalgia.Once those bygone policies and norms are seen in their totality, it should be clear that nostalgia for them is misplaced. The political economy of the early postwar decades, while it generated impressive results under the peculiar conditions of the time, is totally unsuited to serve as a model for 21st-century policymakers. And as to the social attitudes and values that under girded that political economy, it is frankly astonishing that self-described progressives could find them attractive.
Proving Equality Theorems with Hyper-Linking

Hyper-linking is an instance-based refutation theorem proving strategy for first-order logic, recently developed by Lee and Plaisted[4]. An implementation of hyper-linking is the theorem prover CLIN[3]. We extend hyper-linking to support equality by using Brand's E-modification[1]. We discuss how term rewriting is added to improve performance. We describe a number of other improvements, both in support of equality theorems and on-equality theorems.
Human milk benefits and breastfeeding

Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and represents the perfect example of individualization in Pediatrics. Human milk is not a uniform body fluid but a secretion of the mammary gland of changing composition. Foremilk differs from hindmilk, and colostrum is strikingly different from transitional and mature milk. Milk changes with time of day and during the course of lactation. Extensive research has demonstrated health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits of human milk. Breastfeeding results in improved infant and maternal health outcomes in both the industrialized and developing world. Some specific topics will be discussed such as the preventive effect of human milk on infections, overweight, obesity and diabetes, malignant disease, neurodevelopmental outcomes, reduction of necrotizing enterocolitis. Important health benefits of breastfeeding and lactation are also described for mothers. Finally, contraindications to breastfeeding and supplementation of breastfed infants are presented. Interventions to promote breastfeeding are relatively simple and inexpensive. Infant feeding should not be regarded as a lifestyle choice but rather as a basic health issue.
Book reivew: LOGIC PROGRAMMING: FUNCTIONS, RELATIONS AND EQUATIONS. Edited by Doug DeGroot and Gary Lindstrom (Prentice-Hall)

This is an advanced monograph in Combinatorics dealing with what quite often is called "Hungarian" combinatorics; hypergraphs, set systems, etc. Presently, the connections of this part of Combinatorics to Artificial Intelligence and Databases are rather loose, the only application that comes to mind are topics related to cyclic and acyclic databases. Hence we should pose to ourselves the following question: is it worth it (from the professional point of view, of course) to read such books at all and is it worth it, in particular, to review them in a specialized bulletin like SIGART news? Generally the answer to both questions is, in the opinion of this reviewer, negative. Let us point out however that the combinatorics treated in Bollobas book is very interesting and sometimes stunning in its beauty. I wish programs (like AM, Eurisco, etc.) were able to produce such estetic results. For a moment, though, we have no hope of building programs mimicking inventiveness of mathematicians and, finally I do not expect to see such programs written during my lifespan.
Suspended rectangular/circular patch antennas with electromagnetically coupled inverted microstrip feed for dual polarization/frequency

The paper demonstrates suspended rectangular and circular patch antennas with eletromagnetically coupled inverted microstrip feed for linear as well as dual linear polarization/frequency applications. The measured results include the return loss and the impedance bandwidth of the antennas.
Alcoholism and Nutrition: A Seminar

Malnutrition and alcoholism are commonly associated. Thirty years ago, researchers considered the possibility that malnutrition promotes alcoholism, yet more recently, this theory has been abandoned. Indeed, it is now generally accepted that vitamin therapy does not reduce addiction to alcohol in man. Malnutrition is now considered a result of chronic alcohol consumption. The pathogenesis of malnutrition, however, is complex and may be related to nutritional intake, digestion and absorption, tissue transport, organ injury, nutrient catabolism, direct effects of ethanol, and genetic predisposition. Many of these complex interactions are illustrated by the articles presented in this seminar.
A case study of Korean outbound travelers’ destination images by using correspondence analysis

Abstract This study delineates destination–country images perceived by Korean travelers to Asia/Pacific, North America, and Europe, respectively. The results from the frequency analysis show that travelers to Asia/Pacific and North America felt their travel destinations possessed an “adventuresome” image, while those who traveled to Europe perceived it had “many interesting places”. To further reveal the unique images of Asia/Pacific, North America, and Europe, a correspondence analysis on 17 image attributes was employed. Various suggestions are provided to help practitioners launch effective strategies to entice future tourist demand, as well as meeting needs concerning the study of “image”.