cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semi-Infinite System

The Basic Dichotomy A natural counterpart to the finite interval is the first-passage properties of the semi-infinite interval [0,∞] with absorption at x = 0. Once again, this is a classical geometry for studying first-passage processes, and many of the references mentioned at the outset of Chap. 2 are again pertinent. In particular, the text by Karlin and Taylor (1975) gives a particularly comprehensive discussion about first-passage times in the semi-infinite interval with arbitrary hopping rates between neighboring sites. Once again, however, our focus is on simple diffusion or the nearest-neighbor randomwalk. For these processes, the possibility of a diffusing particle making arbitrarily large excursions before certain trapping takes place leads to an infinite mean lifetime. On the other hand, the recurrence of diffusion in one dimension means that the particle must eventually return to its starting point. This dichotomy between infinite lifetime and certain trapping leads to a variety of extremely surprising first-passage-related properties both for the semi-infinite interval and the infinite system. Perhaps the most amazing such property is the arcsine law for the probability of long leads in a symmetric nearest-neighbor random walk in an unbounded domain. Although this law applies to the unrestricted random walk, it is intimately based on the statistics of returns to the origin and thus fits naturally in our discussion of first-passage on the semi-infinite interval. Our natural expectation is that, for a random walk which starts at x = 0, approximately one-half of the total time would be spent on the positive axis and the remaining one-half of the time on the negative axis. Surprisingly, this is the least probable outcome.
Insulation systems for liquid filled transformers

Liquid dielectrics have been successfully used for many years for the major insulation system impregnate for transformer applications above 10–25 KV operating levels. Extensive use of liquid insulants is based primarily on their ability to satisfy the prime design requirements of low cost, long service life with a minimum of maintenance, good dielectric, thermal properties and compatibility with other materials. Not all insulating fluids meet these individual requirements to the same degree, therefore, the selection of a particular liquid solid system should represent the best compromise in these desired properties.
Constraints on the optical properties of ice Clouds and Airborne dust based on passive and active remote sensing observations

Ice clouds and dust aerosols are two important atmospheric constituents. To reliably assess the radiativeforcings and to accurately infer the microphysical and optical properties of these two atmospheric components, it is necessary to use appropriate optical properties of ice crystals and dust particles. In this talk we will discuss the use of remote sensing techniques based on observations by passive and active sensors to constrain the optical properties. Specifically, we will use the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), POLDER (POLarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances), MISR (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer), and CALIOP/CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization on the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) measurements in combination of theoretical light scattering simulations to identify the optimal single-scattering properties (extinction coefficient, single-scattering albedo, and phase matrix) of nonspherical/inhomogeneous ice crystals and dust particles.
Gamma radiation effects in amorphous silicon and silicon nitride photonic devices

Understanding radiation damage is of significant importance for devices operating in radiation-harsh environments. In this Letter, we present a systematic study on gamma radiation effects in amorphous silicon and silicon nitride guided wave devices. It is found that gamma radiation increases the waveguide modal effective indices by as much as 4×10-3 in amorphous silicon and 5×10-4 in silicon nitride at 10 Mrad dose. This Letter further reveals that surface oxidation and radiation-induced densification account for the observed index change.
Systematic variation of Late Pleistocene fault scarp height in the Teton Range, Wyoming, USA: Variable fault slip rates or variable landform ages?

Fault scarps of strongly varying height cut glacial and alluvial sequences mantling the faulted front of the Teton Range (western USA). Scarp heights vary from 11.2 to 37.6 m and are systematically higher on geomorphically older landforms. Fault scarps cutting a deglacial surface, known from cosmogenic radionuclide exposure dating to immediately postdate 14.7 ± 1.1 ka, average 12.0 m in height, and yield an average postglacial offset rate of 0.82 ± 0.13 m/k.y. using simple scarp height (average 11.2 m, offset rate 0.76 ± 0.11 m/k.y. using vertical separation). We apply the offset rate to higher fault scarps to develop preliminary age estimates for the geomorphically older landforms, with an initial assumption of constant offset rate through time. The landform age estimates of 16.2 ± 3.9 ka to 45.9 ± 11.0 ka imply that glaciation and alluviation influenced the range front during marine isotope stages 2 and 3. However, fault offset rate variability, suggested by previous work to be attributable to Yellowstone ice cap deglacial processes, suggests that the fault scarp height pattern might also be interpreted as a reflection of strongly variable offset rates in landforms of only slightly contrasting age. These results demonstrate the need for detailed geochronology of isochronous landforms and sediments of multiple ages, in order to understand both faulting and glaciation on faulted range fronts.
Species specificity and receptor domain interaction of a small molecule Tpo receptor agonist, SB-497115

4929 Compounds in the diazo/hydrazino acid class require expression of Tpo receptor (TpoR) for activity. These compounds have demonstrated a remarkable species specificity in their Tpo receptor agonist activity, i.e., the activation of signalling pathways by this class of compounds has only been demonstrated in human and chimpanzee platelets, but not in platelets of other species such as cynomolgus macaques. In order to demonstrate in vivo activity of SB-497115, a single dose and 5 daily dose pharmacology and safety study in chimpanzees was conducted. All procedures involving the care and use of animals were reviewed and approved by the appropriate Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Female chimpanzees were administered vehicle or SB-497115 at doses of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day by oral gavage. SB-497115 was well tolerated in chimpanzees at all doses tested. Following 5 daily doses of 10 mg/kg/day SB-497115, there was a 1.3- to 2.4-fold increase in circulating platelet counts in 3/3 chimpanzees. A similar change in reticulated platelet counts was observed preceding this increase. To elucidate the mechanism by which this species specificity occurs, HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with a STAT-activated reporter gene along with chimeric and mutated receptors and treated with SKF-57626, a representative compound from the diazo class. A series of cyno and human TpoR chimeras were constructed in which the complement receptor homology region 1 (CRH1), CRH2 and the transmembrane (TM) and cytoplasmic domains were interchanged. Functionality of all chimeric receptors was confirmed by response to rhTpo. The minimal human composition of the chimeric TpoR activated by SKF-57626 was composed of human sequence within the membrane proximal region of the CRH2 domain and the TM domain. Two amino acids in this region are different between cyno and human, a Thr to Ala change in the extracellular CRH2 domain and a Leu at residue 499 in cynos, rather than His in humans, in the TM domain. Sequencing of the TpoR transmembrane domain confirmed that chimpanzee TpoR is similar to human and contains His499. To verify the requirement for His499 in the TM domain, a point mutation replacing only Leu499 with His in the cyno TpoR conferred activity when treated with compound. Further experiments utilized mutations in the murine G-CSF receptor (mGCSFR). Human TpoR and mGCSFR have little homology in their TM domains and there is no detectable signalling in GCSFR expressing cells by either compound or rhTpo. However, a mGSFR mutated to contain a His residue nine amino acids into the hydrophobic TM domain of GCSFR (corresponding to His499 in the human TpoR) responded to SB-497115. These results suggest a model in which these TpoR agonist compounds interact with His499 to change the conformation of TpoR or to induce dimerization, resulting in activation of the signal transduction pathways of TpoR and imparting biologically relevant function.
Factors influencing use of family planning in women living in crisis affected areas of Sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the literature

Abstract Background far too many women continue to die from pregnancy and childbirth related causes. While rates have decreased in the past two decades, some areas of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa continue to have very high maternal mortality rates. One intervention that has been demonstrated to decrease maternal mortality is use of family planning and modern contraception, yet rates of use in sub-Saharan countries with the highest rates of maternal death remain very low. Aim to review available research and summarize the factors that inhibit or promote family planning and contraceptive use among refugee women and women from surrounding areas living in Sub-Saharan Africa. Design a review of the literature. Data sources Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), OVID, power search, and PubMed databases. Review methods studies included were: (1) published in English from 2007 to present; (2) primary research; and (3) focused on family planning and contraceptive use among refugee women and women in surrounding areas. Findings were discussed within the framework of the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior. Findings twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Utilization of modern contraceptive methods was low. Women were socially influenced to avoid the use of contraceptives by husbands and others in the community. Reasons were a lack of trust in western medicine and the desire to have large families. Low socioeconomic status and proximity of family planning clinics were barriers to access. Women believed that health care providers were unqualified, many described being treated with disrespect in the health clinics. Knowledge and understanding of contraceptives was low; while most women knew different methods were available, there were many misconceptions. Believing that certain contraceptives cause death, infertility and side effects, contributed to fear of use. This lack of knowledge and fear, even with the desire to space and limit births, affected motivation to use contraception. Conclusions developing new approaches to educating women, men (husbands), community leaders as well as healthcare providers is needed to address the multi-factorial issues that contribute to underuse of family planning services, thus contraceptive use. Implications for practice while lack of access to family planning is a barrier to use, interventions that improve access must be affordable and include education regarding contraceptive methods, preferably from those within the community. However, education and access is not sufficient unless the issue of disrespect by healthcare providers is addressed. Respectful and culturally sensitive care for all women, regardless of socio-economic status or country of origin, must be provided by midwives and other women health providers.
Return Physiology to Center Stage: Some Personal Thoughts

The 38th World Congress of IUPS in Rio de Janeiro marks the beginning of my tenure as the President of IUPS for 2017–2021. It is indeed an honor that, together with the stellar group of physiologists on the Executive Committee and Council, I am bestowed with the privilege to provide service to the
Infino: a Bayesian hierarchical model improves estimates of immune infiltration into tumor microenvironment

Robust quantification of immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment may shed light on why only a small proportion of patients benefit from checkpoint therapy. The immune cells surrounding a tumor have been suggested to mediate an effective response to immunotherapy. However, traditional measurement of immune cell content around a tumor by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, or mass cytometry allows measurement of only up to a few dozen markers at a time, limiting the number of immune cell types identified. Immune cell type abundances may instead be estimated in silico by deconvolving gene expression mixtures from bulk RNA sequencing of tumor tissue. By measuring tens of thousands of transcripts at once, bulk RNA-seq provides a rich input to algorithms that quantify cell type abundances in the tumor microenvironment, affording the potential to quantify the states of a greater number of immune cell types (given adequate training data). Here, we first review existing methods for deconvolution and evaluate their performance on synthetic mixtures. Then we develop a Bayesian inference approach, named infino , that learns to distinguish immune cell expression phenotypes and deconvolve mixtures. In contrast to earlier approaches, infino accepts RNA sequencing data, models transcript expression variability, and exploits the relationships between cell types to improve deconvolution accuracy and allow interrogation from the level of broad categories to the level of finest granularity. The resulting probability distributions of immune infiltration could be applied to numerous questions concerning the diverse ecology of immune cell types, including assessment of the association of immune infiltration with response to immunotherapy, and study of the expression profile and presence of elusive T cell subcompartments, such as T cell exhaustion.
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor ACY241 enhances anti-tumor activities of antigen-specific central memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes against multiple myeloma and solid tumors

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are therapeutic targets in multiple cancers. ACY241, an HDAC6 selective inhibitor, has shown anti-multiple myeloma (MM) activity in combination with immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors. Here we show ACY241 significantly reduces the frequency of CD138+ MM cells, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, and HLA-DRLow/-CD11b+CD33+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells; and decreases expression of PD1/PD-L1 on CD8+ T cells and of immune checkpoints in bone marrow cells from myeloma patients. ACY241 increased B7 (CD80, CD86) and MHC (Class I, Class II) expression on tumor and dendritic cells. We further evaluated the effect of ACY241 on antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated with heteroclitic XBP1unspliced184–192 (YISPWILAV) and XBP1spliced367–375 (YLFPQLISV) peptides. ACY241 induces co-stimulatory (CD28, 41BB, CD40L, OX40) and activation (CD38) molecule expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and anti-tumor activities, evidenced by increased perforin/CD107a expression, IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α production, and antigen-specific central memory CTL. These effects of ACY241 on antigen-specific memory T cells were associated with activation of downstream AKT/mTOR/p65 pathways and upregulation of transcription regulators including Bcl-6, Eomes, HIF-1 and T-bet. These studies therefore demonstrate mechanisms whereby ACY241 augments immune response, providing the rationale for its use, alone and in combination, to restore host anti-tumor immunity and improve patient outcome.
Underserved Patient Populations

The experience of crisis and trauma does not limit itself to anyone based upon their age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or race. However, the integration of that experience into one’s life can be quite different depending upon various developmental and cultural factors.
Assessment of primary energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and peak electric load for a residential fuel cell using empirical natural gas and electricity use profiles

Abstract This analysis uses empirical data for 20 single-family homes from a smart grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas to create intra-day natural gas and electricity use profiles on one-minute intervals based on cooling and heating degree days. Combining these intra-day energy use profiles with emissions factors and a linear programming model, temporal energy use profiles were evaluated to quantify primary energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and peak electric load for a house with a residential fuel cell used as on-site power generation versus being connected to the electric grid. Results showed that natural gas use primarily peaked in the morning, while electricity use peaked in the afternoon. For fuel cell capacities of 0–3.0 kW e and efficiency of 40%, total CO2 emissions, including the fuel cell for the cooling day, were 1.7–1.9 times higher than the heating day. For a fuel cell capacity of 1.0 kW e and efficiency of 40%, peak electric load decreased during on-peak hours (14:00–20:00) for the cooling and heating days by 60% and 44%, respectively. Effects of fuel cell capacity and efficiency on total primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions showed that as the fuel cell capacity and efficiency increased, primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions were reduced from the baseline values that represent conventional homes’ patterns. These results show that the use of residential fuel cells can offer environmental benefits from reducing primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and grid reliability benefits by reducing peak electric load.
A rapid in vitro method to flip back the double-floxed inverted open reading frame in a plasmid

The LoxP site based genetic switch, the FLEX, also known as DIO (Double-Floxed Inverted Open reading frame), was invented to turn on gene expression via Cre-mediated recombination. Since its first publication, numerous FLEX switch plasmids have been generated. These plasmids are designed to only work in combination with Cre. However on many occasions it is necessary to covert these FLEX plasmids back into constitutive expression plasmids so that they can also be used in non-Cre-expressing cells and in non-genetically modified animal models. Therefore developing a universal protocol for this purpose is useful as it could save a lot of valuable time and lab resources. Here we report a simple, quick, and cost-efficient protocol to invert the orientation of the open reading frame (ORF) within FLEX switch containing plasmids using commercial Cre recombinase. This protocol, requiring as little as 30 min and 50 ng of plasmid, has a cloning efficiency of 40–50%. To our surprise, single step recombination efficiency between the two mutant Lox2272 sites turned out very low. To understand this, we performed in vitro recombination assays. These assays revealed, significant impairment in recombination between Lox2272 sites as compared wild type LoxP sites in the FLEX plasmids. We have presented an in vitro protocol to invert the ORF in FLEX based plasmids. This protocol is simple and highly efficient. Thus this method expends current molecular biology toolbox. We also demonstrate that the recombination between Lox2272 sites is much less efficient than wild type LoxP sites. This result has important implication for evaluating the efficacy of FLEX switch in biological systems and provides a rationale for future development of higher efficiency LoxP mutants.
Examining Functions Within the School Counselor Role

The results of a counselor role questionnaire presented to central Texas school counselors and their principals are given. The questionnaire examined activities counselors reported engaging in duri...
Use of Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer and Management Trends Across Risk Groups in the United States, 2010-2015.

This cancer epidemiology study uses SEER data to examine US trends in use of active surveillance, watchful waiting, radiotherapy, and surgical management of localized prostate cancer among men with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease treated between 2010 and 2015.
Canine ocular and periocular snakebites requiring enucleation: A report of 19 cases.

PURPOSE To describe the clinical and histopathologic features secondary to ocular and periocular snakebites in dogs requiring enucleation. METHODS Retrospective review of patients with recorded snakebite envenomation from the archives of the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW) and Texas AM PB = 3/19). Dogs affected were typically older (median 8 years; range 1-18), and both sexes were equally represented. Left eyes (14/19) were more likely to sustain snake-induced trauma compared to right eyes (5/19). Fifteen breeds were identified, with terriers (9/19) commonly represented. Snakes bites occurred in six US states, with the majority of cases from Texas (7/19), California (5/19), and Arizona (4/19). Common clinical signs included facial edema, corneal ulceration, keratomalacia, uveitis, hyphema, and secondary glaucoma. All eyes demonstrated vision loss prior to enucleation. Histologically, the ocular and periocular tissues contained extensive necrosis associated with envenomation. Retinal detachment, lens capsule rupture, and intraocular hemorrhage/inflammation were commonly found. CONCLUSIONS Snakebite envenomation is a largely necrotizing disease process that can result in profound infiltrative and destructive ocular changes presumed to be related to the proteolytic factors and necrotoxins in venom. Ocular alterations secondary to snakebites may be irreversible regardless of supportive therapy instituted.
Designing Hierarchical Nanostructures from Conformable and Deformable Thin Materials

This Perspective focuses on the design of hierarchical structures in deformable thin materials by patterning mechanical instabilities. Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures with multiple...
Strategies to identify candidates for D variant genotyping.

Background RhD variants have altered D epitopes and/or decreased antigen copies per red cell. Individuals carrying these variants may test antigen negative, weakly positive, or positive by serology, and may or may not be at risk of alloimmunisation after exposure. There have been recommendations to perform RHD genotyping of patients, pregnant women and females of childbearing potential with serological weak D phenotype, to guide prophylactic use of Rh immune globulin (RhIG), and better conserve D-negative blood products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a set of empirical criteria to identify such patients. Materials and methods A two-method strategy of gel testing (GT) and tube testing (TT) was used for Rh typing of patients with no historical blood type in the present institution. A monoclonal-polyclonal blend anti-D was used for Rh typing by TT at immediate spin. Three empirical criteria were used to identify candidates for genotyping: C1: discrepancy between the two test methods and a GT reaction strength >2+ stronger than TT; C2: weak serological reaction, defined as reaction strength ≤2+ regardless of testing method if both GT and TT were performed or reaction strength ≤2+ if only GT was performed, or reaction strength ≤1+ if only TT was performed; C3: presence of anti-D in D-positive patients with no history of RhIG use in the preceding 3 months and in whom alloanti-D is suspected. Results Overall, 50 patients, ranging from newly born to 93 years old, were identified. Genomic testing confirmed D variants in 49/50 cases with a positive predictive value of 98%. Discussion This two-method strategy is a powerful screening tool for identifying candidates for RHD genotyping. This strategy meets the current requirements of two blood type determinations/two specimens in pre-transfusion testing while simultaneously identifying candidates for RHD genotyping with a minimal increase in work load and cost.
Family-centered alcohol use prevention for African American adolescents: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE The efficacy of the Strong African American Families (SAAF) alcohol use prevention program was tested. SAAF is a 7-session family skills training program offered in community settings. To overcome limitations of a past trial that used intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses, a Complier Average Causal Effect (CACE) analysis was used to estimate intervention effects and to determine the precise dosage of the intervention needed to achieve alcohol deterrence. METHOD A sample of 472 African American youth and their caregivers were recruited randomly from public schools in 7 rural Georgia counties. Families were assigned randomly to receive SAAF or a no-treatment control. Youth provided data on their alcohol use during the past 3 months at 4 home visits, the final occurring 34 months after baseline and 28 months after the intervention. RESULTS Efficacy was tested with Poisson latent growth curve models. SAAF deterred growth in alcohol use in models using both ITT and CACE estimation. CACE analyses revealed that, among participants who received a full dose of the intervention (7 sessions), a large treatment effect on slowed growth in alcohol use emerged (β = -.83, p < .001). Dose-response analyses in CACE models revealed a medium-sized effect (d [95% CI] = 1.51 [1.25, 1.75]) when participants attended at least 5 of the 7 sessions offered. CONCLUSIONS Replication of SAAF in a second randomized prevention trial supports the robustness of program effects. It is critical, however, that participant engagement protocols be designed to encourage participation in as at least 5 of the 7 sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Bacterial cellulose/hyaluronic acid nanocomposites production through co-culturing Gluconacetobacter hansenii and Lactococcus lactis under different initial pH values of fermentation media

Providing additives into the culture media is a traditional method to manufacture bacterial cellulose (BC) based nanocomposites. This study employed a novel fermentation process, which is to co-culture Gluconacetobacter hansenii (G. hansenii) with genetically modified Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) under static conditions, to synthesize BC/HA (hyaluronic acid) nanocomposites. The HA concentration produced by L. lactis and the dry weight of BC/HA during co-culture were regulated by the initial pH values of culture media. The incorporation of HA into the cellulose network increased the crystal sizes when the initial pH values were at 7.0, 6.2, and 5.5. The strain at break was also increased while Young’s modulus was decreased when comparing BC/HA to pure BC produced under the initial pH values of culture media at 7.0 and 6.2. When the initial pH value was 4.0, the HA concentration in the culture media exhibited the lowest level observed, which was 20.4 ± 2.3 mg/L. The BC/HA composite synthesized under this condition exhibited an improved Young’s modulus of 5029 ± 1743 MPa from 2705 ± 656 MPa associated with the pure BC. The FESEM images showed that the presence of HA dramatically changed the distribution of ribbon width in BC/HA compared to that of pure BC. The BC/HA produced by co-culture fermentation didn’t need to add extra and expensive HA during production and could be used in biomedical applications such as wound dressing and tissue engineering.
Macrophage immunity and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is rivalled only by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a communicable cause of death. Yet of an estimated 2 billion individuals who have been infected with the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), less than 10% will develop disease. For the remainder, natural immunity appears sufficient to limit bacterial growth. An integral component of host protection to TB is the activated macrophage. Mtb recognition, phagocytosis, vacuolar trafficking and redox-based killing are all enlisted as part of this cell’s anti-tubercular arsenal. When assembled together with lymphocytes and stromal elements as part of the tuberculoid granuloma, macrophages also provide a physical constraint to further dissemination. The liaison between macrophages and T cells in particular forms much of the current basis of vaccination in immunologically naive subjects. Recent experimentation with post-exposure vaccines, however, suggests that cellular immunity may not be fully elicited by the existing single-dose regimen. New approaches that embrace small molecule chemistry to enhance or mimic macrophage effector mechanisms, or which sensitise Mtb to further immunologic insult, could help address this issue. Harnessing the macrophage as a therapeutic target could thus prove a useful adjunct to TB vaccination and chemotherapy in the future.
The effect of preterm birth, recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion, and postnatal maturation on hyoid and thyroid movements, and their coordination in infant feeding.

Abstract Movements of the hyoid and thyroid are critical for feeding. These structures are often assumed to move in synchrony, despite evidence that neurologically compromised populations exhibit altered kinematics. Preterm infants are widely considered to be a neurologically compromised population and often experience feeding difficulties, yet measuring performance, and how performance matures in pediatric populations is challenging. Feeding problems are often compounded by complications arising from surgical procedures performed to ensure the survival of preterm infants, such as damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during patent ductus arteriosus correction surgery. Here, we used a validated infant pig model for infant feeding to test how preterm birth, postnatal maturation, and RLN lesion interact to impact hyoid and thyroid excursion and their coordination. We filmed infant pigs when feeding using videofluorscopy at seven days old (1–2 months human equivalent) and 17 days old (6–9 months human equivalent) and tracked movements of the hyoid and thyroid on both days. We found that preterm birth impacted the coordination between hyoid and thyroid movements, but not their actual excursion. In contrast, excursion of the two structures increased with postnatal age in term and preterm pigs. RLN lesion decreased thyroid excursion, and primarily impacted hyoid movements by increasing variation in hyoid excursion. This work demonstrates that RLN lesion and preterm birth have distinct, but pervasive effects on feeding performance in infants, and suggest that interventions targeted towards reducing dysphagia should be prescribed based off the etiology driving dysphagia, rather than the prognosis of dysphagia.
Ab initio investigation of the ground and excited states of RuO+,0,− and their reaction with water

High-level quantum chemical calculations on RuO0,± elucidate the electronic structure of their low-lying electronic states. For thirty-two states, we report the electronic configurations, bond lengths, vibrational frequencies, spin–orbit splittings, and excitation energies. The electronic states of RuO can be generated from those of RuO+ by adding one electron to the σ non-bonding orbital closely resembling the 5s atomic orbital of Ru. The ground states for RuO and RuO− are clearly identified as 5Δ and 4Δ, but the two states (4Δ and 2Π) compete for RuO+. The difficulty of calculations is revealed by our small binding energies compared to the experimental values. In addition, we studied the reaction of the three species with water in their ground and selected low-lying electronic states. We found a consistent decrease of the activation energy barriers and higher exothermicity as we add electrons to the system. RuO− is found to facilitate the reaction for both kinetic and thermodynamic reasons.
Biopsy Validated Study of Biomarkers for Liver Fibrosis and Transplant Prediction in Inherited Cholestasis

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) are inherited cholestatic disorders with risk of developing end-stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation (LT). We investigated aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), and conjugated bilirubin as biomarkers to assess fibrosis severity and risk for LT among children with ALGS and PFIC. This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 64 children with ALGS or PFIC (per genetics or strict clinical criteria) with APRI, FIB-4, and conjugated bilirubin levels collected within ±90 days of their most recent liver biopsy. A single, blinded pathologist staged all biopsies (metavir; F0-F2: nonsevere, F3-F4: severe). Logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUC) were used to assess biomarker associations with fibrosis severity and risk for LT. In ALGS, only APRI distinguished F3-F4 (AUC 0.72, P = 0.012), with a cutoff greater than 2.97 demonstrating a sensitivity of 61.5% (95% confidence interval 0.32, 0.86) and specificity of 81.5% (0.62, 0.94). In ALGS, a 50% increase of APRI increased the odds of F3-F4 by 1.31-fold (1.04, 1.65; P = 0.023). In ALGS, APRI (AUC 0.87; P < 0.001) and FIB-4 (AUC 0.84; P < 0.001) were able to predict risk for LT. In PFIC, only APRI distinguished F3-4 (AUC 0.74, P = 0.039), with a cutoff greater than 0.99 demonstrating a sensitivity of 80% (0.44, 0.98) and specificity of 64.3% (0.35, 0.87). In PFIC, only FIB-4 was able predict risk for LT (AUC 0.80; P = 0.002). In ALGS or PFIC, conjugated bilirubin could not distinguish F3-F4 or predict risk for LT. Conclusion: This liver biopsy-validated study suggests that APRI is able to distinguish F3-F4 from F0-F2 in ALGS and PFIC. APRI and FIB-4 may also serve as predictors of risk for LT in ALGS (APRI and FIB-4) and PFIC (FIB-4).
Evaluating a Web-based Point-of-care Ultrasound Curriculum for the Diagnosis of Intussusception.

Objectives Intussusception is a pediatric medical emergency that can be difficult to diagnose. Radiology-performed ultrasound is the diagnostic study of choice but may lead to delays due to lack of availability. Point-of-care ultrasound for intussusception (POCUS-I) studies have shown excellent accuracy and reduced lengths of stay, but there are limited POCUS-I training materials for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study assessing PEM physicians undergoing a primarily Web-based POCUS-I curriculum. We developed the POCUS-I curriculum using Kern's six-step model. The curriculum included a Web-based module and a brief, hands-on practice that was developed with a board-certified pediatric radiologist. POCUS-I technical skill, knowledge, and confidence were determined by a direct observation checklist, multiple-choice test, and a self-reported Likert-scale survey, respectively. We assessed participants immediately pre- and postcourse as well as 3 months later to assess for retention of skill, knowledge, and confidence. Results A total of 17 of 17 eligible PEM physicians at a single institution participated in the study. For the direct observation skills test, participants scored well after the course with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) score of 20 of 22 (20-21) and maintained high scores even after 3 months (20 [20-21]). On the written knowledge test, there was significant improvement from 57.4% (95% CI = 49.8 to 65.2) to 75.3% (95% CI = 68.1 to 81.6; p < 0.001) and this improvement was maintained at 3 months at 81.2% (95% CI = 74.5 to 86.8). Physicians also demonstrated improved confidence with POCUS-I after exposure to the curriculum, with 5.9% reporting somewhat or very confident prior to the course to 76.5% both after the course and after 3 months (p < 0.001). Conclusion After a primarily Web-based curriculum for POCUS-I, PEM physicians performed well in technical skill in POCUS-I and showed improvement in knowledge and confidence, all of which were maintained over 3 months.
Swimming in a Tuxedo: A Systems Theory Approach to Understanding Politics

This chapter seeks to explain the broad dissatisfaction among the general population of observed political outcomes. To illustrate this, this chapter discusses the growth of the federal tax code over the last century. Despite there being near universal public support for a tax code that is shorter, simpler, and contains fewer loopholes, the precise opposite is provided each year. To explain the disconnect between desires and outcomes, this chapter puts forth a systems theory of politics. Where markets can be thought of as a system driven by competition, politics is best thought of as a system driven by precedent.
How Explaining the Nature and Benefits of Organic Food in Advertising for Processed Products May Increase Purchase Intent

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent providing more information about the nature and benefits of an organic food item in an advertisement would move a U.S. consumer closer to t...
Self-Analysis: The Capacity for Self-Analysis Through Self-Reflection

The capacity for self-analysis through self-reflection is described as comprising the ability to (a) describe one’s own emotional, thought, and action patterns; (b) review one’s own developmental history; (c) link patterns to history of development. This ability to analyze one’s own experience critically in order to gain self-knowledge is seen to promote psychosocial maturation.
The Near Field Effect in Transmitter Design for Incoherent Millimeter-Wave Imaging

The use of incoherent signal illumination is seeing increasing interest for millimeter-wave imaging applications, due to the fact that the transmitters and receivers need not be synchronized in such systems. Furthermore, exact knowledge of the transmit waveforms and the resultant radiation pattern is not required either, so long as the spatiotemporal radiation pattern is sufficiently uncorrelated. Designing the transmit systems to ensure such spatio-temporal properties is not always straight-forward, especially when a small number of transmitters is used, since the image plane is typically in the near-field of the array. In this paper, we discuss the connection between the near field and spatiotemporal incoherence for illuminating signals in incoherent millimeter-wave imaging.
Introduction To The Session: Defining SoTL And The SoTL Faculty Learning Community At Mason

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Faculty Learning Community is sponsored by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University. To join, find more information, or find the SoTL resources they have collected as a community, please visit their website. If the link doesn't work, copy/paste the following url into your search engine: https://sotl.gmu.edu
Rigid and Fluctuating Surfaces: A Series of Synchrotron X-ray Scattering Studies of Interacting Stacked Membranes

In these lectures we discuss fluctuation phenomena encountered in interacting multilayered fluid membranes using synchrotron x-ray scattering as the primary tool. We consider very dilute Lα phases with inter-layer separations as large as ≈600 A. While most Lα phases consist of flat membranes with large bending rigidity kc ≫ kBT, with their interlayer interactions determined by detailed microscopic interactions such as hydration and van der Waals, the stability of these phases is due to an effectively long-range interaction arising from the mutual hinderance of fluctuating membranes with a very small rigidity kc ≈ kBT. This regime, which because of its entropic origin exhibits universality, can be accessed from the microscopic regime by thinning and thus lowering the modulus kc of an initially rigid membrane.
Improving hospital-wide early resource allocation through machine learning

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which early determination of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) can be used for better allocation of scarce hospital resources. When elective patients seek admission, the true DRG, currently determined only at discharge, is unknown. We approach the problem of early DRG determination in three stages: (1) test how much a Naive Bayes classifier can improve classification accuracy as compared to a hospital's current approach; (2) develop a statistical program that makes admission and scheduling decisions based on the patients' clincial pathways and scarce hospital resources; and (3) feed the DRG as classified by the Naive Bayes classifier and the hospitals' baseline approach into the model (which we evaluate in simulation). Our results reveal that the DRG grouper performs poorly in classifying the DRG correctly before admission while the Naive Bayes approach substantially improves the classification task. The results from the connection of the classification method with the mathematical program also reveal that resource allocation decisions can be more effective and efficient with the hybrid approach.
Liraglutide: effects beyond glycaemic control in diabetes treatment.

Summary Aims: To review the non-glycaemic effects of liraglutide, including potential improvements in body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pancreatic beta-cell function. Key findings: Liraglutide induced weight loss of around 2–3 kg compared with weight increases of 1–2 kg with active comparators such as insulin glargine, rosiglitazone and glimepiride. Exenatide demonstrated similar weight benefits to liraglutide, but the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sitagliptin, saxagliptin and vildagliptin, were weight neutral. Liraglutide was associated with decreases in SBP of 2–7 mmHg, whereas exenatide, vildagliptin and sitagliptin demonstrated SBP reductions of around 2–3 mmHg. Measures of pancreatic beta-cell function were improved with liraglutide vs. placebo, rosiglitazone and exenatide. However, DPP-4 inhibitors appear to have less effect on beta-cell function than glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Conclusions: In addition to glycaemic control, liraglutide and the other incretin-based therapies offer additional non-glycaemic benefits to varying degrees. The ability of GLP-1 receptor agonists to provide modest, but clinically relevant improvements in body weight and SBP, and to potentially benefit beta-cell function make them an exciting therapeutic option for individuals with diabetes. In contrast, DPP-4 inhibitors are weight neutral and may have lesser benefits on beta-cell function.
The Energetics of Entrainment Across a Density Interface

Abstract A theory of the fluid entrainment rate into a turbulent, mixed layer across a horizontal density interfaceis presented. By integrating the turbulent kinetic energy equation over the depth of the mixed layer and assuming that turbulence dissipation rates are proportional to production rates, an equation is derived relatingthe potential energy change and entrainment rate to four major terms: 1) buoyant production of energy dueto heating at the earths surface; 2) mechanical production due to wind shear at the earths surface; 3) mechanical production due to wind shear and dynamic instabilities such as Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at theversion interface; and 4) energy losses due to internal gravity waves. It is shown that most previously published theories are just special cases of this more general energetics theory.
"NX" BORE-HOLE CAMERA

The "NX" bore-hole camera was designed and developed by Remington-Rand Corp. and the Army Corps of Engineers for photographing subsurface conditions on the walls of small-diameter borings in rock. The increasing practicality and availability of such equipment for foundation studies and mineral explorations is creating further interest in its use in the study of rocks, some soils, and even in large but otherwise inaccessible openings. Some of the camera's capabilities are presented with techniques of operation and methods of interpretion of geologic features as photographed on either colored or black and white film. Each film frame is a doughnut-shaped picture of a section of the wall of a hole. A graphic method is described for interpreting from a flat photograph the true orientation of the features on the wall of the hole, such as fractures, mineral veins, or geologic contacts and also for determining the true lengths of the lines on the projection. Some examples of interpretative results are also given.
The Psychology of Procedural Preference: How Litigants Evaluate Legal Procedures Ex Ante

This Article reports the findings of the first multi-jurisdictional study of litigants’ perceptions of legal procedures shortly after their cases are filed in court. It begins by explaining why research on how litigants assess procedures could be used to advance procedural justice and mitigate the negative impact that the economic downturn has had on the resolution of civil cases. It then presents analyses regarding: (1) how attractive litigants find various legal procedures (e.g., Negotiation, Mediation, Non-binding Arbitration, Binding Arbitration, Jury Trials, Judge Trials); (2) how they assess the relative probability that they will use each procedure; (3) how their attraction ratings and “expected use” estimates compare for each procedure; and (4) whether demographic, case type, relationship, and attitudinal factors predict their attraction to each procedure. The analyses revealed that litigants preferred Mediation, the Judge Trial, and Attorneys Negotiate with Clients Present to all other examined procedures. The lack of relations between attraction to procedures and many of the predictor variables (i.e., demographic, case type, relationship, and attitudinal factors) suggests that some factors previously associated with ex ante perceptions are not significant predictors when evaluated concurrently. The major findings are discussed in the context of dispute resolution systems design in courts, client counseling protocols, procedural justice, and the psychology of litigants more broadly.
Rational Competition Policy and Reverse Payment Settlements in Hatch-Waxman Patent Litigation

This paper examines the problem of 'reverse payment' settlements in patent litigation under the Hatch-Waxman Act. A reverse payment settlement involves a payment from a branded pharmaceutical company to a generic manufacturer, usually in return for the generic manufacturer’s agreement to delay market entry. Federal appellate courts, regulatory agencies and commentators are divided about the legality of such agreements. This paper argues that the importance of product market definition has been overlooked in existing treatments of the issue. The paper develops an empirically-based 'Settlement Competition Index' that could be used by courts and regulatory agencies to evaluate reverse payment settlements. A formula to calculate the Settlement Competition Index is provided and tested with hypothetical and real-world examples.