cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annual Rehabilitation Costs Estimation for a Bridge Network

The objective of this paper is to present an integrated multi-year rehabilitation planning model (IMRPM) for a bridge network. A multi-year capital program can provide an explicit, steady vision for financial and expenditure strategies as well as improve the efficiency of the allocation of limited resources. Estimating the precise annual rehabilitation needs for sound bridge management is essential to achieving the goals of a multi-year capital program; however, the current rehabilitation planning techniques tend to underestimate the annual rehabilitation costs by overlooking the potential rehabilitation needs which can arise by delaying of Maintenance/Repair (M/R) projects due to insufficient annual funding. The presented model integrates a multi-year rehabilitation capital program into an M/R program within the same multi-year period. The model engages a genetic algorithm for a project-level analysis process to identify M/R and rehabilitation projects over a defined multi-year analysis period (e.g., three, five, or ten years) for each M/R program and rehabilitation program. As a result of this process, the annual rehabilitation costs during a multi-year period initially can be estimated. Then, the initial annual rehabilitation costs can be finalized by including newly-identified rehabilitation needs, which are developed through the annual reanalysis process resulting from the delay of M/R projects in prior years. The annual reanalysis process considers the concept of time floats for M/R projects. The presented model is expected to be useful to efficiently control delayed M/R projects and to provide more reliable estimation for annual rehabilitation needs.
Design and Implement of Financial Risk Early-warning System

The detailed developing process of Chinese financial risk early-warning system are explored, and are proposed the two important problems emerged in the research which should be solved in the coming days.
Status and progress in the utilization of coal gangue resources

The properties of coal gangue are introduced,and the main directions of utilizing coal gangue are listed.On the basis of previous studies,the new field of coal gangue utilization,lightweight aggregate,is put forward.Coal gangue ceramsite lightweight aggregate has good performances,which are consistent with the national industrial policies.The concrete made up with lightweight aggregate can meet the high-rise building development requirements of lightweight and high strength.Meanwhile,many research progresses at home and abroad promote the application and development of coal gangue ceramsite,which make the technological process and parameters of coal gangue ceramsite more reasonable.
Detection of urinary cancer with urinalysis sediment.

AbstractExamination of urinalysis sediments stained with toluidine blue from 1,208 men and women more than 40 years old revealed 58 abnormal specimens. Of these specimens 5 were positive with a routine cytologic examination and histopathologic confirmation. This detection rate of 1 bladder cancer in 1,000 examinations makes this simple examination worthwhile, the preparation of which has been done mainly in clinical microscopy.
Gene-Culture Coevolution of Prosocial Rituals

It has been argued that costly socially learned rituals have the potential to generate prosocial emotional responses arising from genetically based behavioral dispositions, hijacking these behavioral dispositions to solve otherwise intractable cooperation problems. An example is the innovation of synchronous movement rituals which seem to engage the same altruistic response as instinctual mimicry. Arguments against this hypothesis are based in the idea that cheap markers of altruistic intent ("Green Beards")are vulnerable to manipulation from non-cooperating free-riders that are similarly marked. This paper formally models the gene-culture coevolutionary dynamics of a system in which a costly socially learned ritual practice coevolves with the genes underpinning the prosocial response. This takes a 'genetic mismatch' hypothesis (where fast evolution of socially learned behaviors create a temporary mismatch with the coevolving genes, which take longer to evolve to equilibrium) and models it dynamically. The genetic and cultural fitness equations are first analyzed for equilibrium and then simulations are used to predicting trajectories for both the socially learned behavior and the hijacked genetic trait over time. Relying on fast culture and slow genes, it demonstrates how high levels of ritual efficacy may be established, at least temporarily, through gene culture interaction. It also shows how longer term feedbacks on the genes from culture may lead to decreases in the prosocial gene in the population and reduced overall population mean fitness, despite high levels of altruism in the population.
Towards Process-based Range Modeling of Many Species

Understanding and forecasting species' geographic distributions in the face of global change is a central priority in biodiversity science. The existing view is that one must choose between correlative models for many species versus process-based models for few species. We suggest that opportunities exist to produce process-based range models for many species, by using hierarchical and inverse modeling to borrow strength across species, fill data gaps, fuse diverse data sets, and model across biological and spatial scales. We review the statistical ecology and population and range modeling literature, illustrating these modeling strategies in action. A variety of large, coordinated ecological datasets that can feed into these modeling solutions already exist, and we highlight organisms that seem ripe for the challenge.
Accessing non-natural reactivity by irradiating nicotinamide-dependent enzymes with light

Enzymes are ideal for use in asymmetric catalysis by the chemical industry, because their chemical compositions can be tailored to a specific substrate and selectivity pattern while providing efficiencies and selectivities that surpass those of classical synthetic methods. However, enzymes are limited to reactions that are found in nature and, as such, facilitate fewer types of transformation than do other forms of catalysis. Thus, a longstanding challenge in the field of biologically mediated catalysis has been to develop enzymes with new catalytic functions. Here we describe a method for achieving catalytic promiscuity that uses the photoexcited state of nicotinamide co-factors (molecules that assist enzyme-mediated catalysis). Under irradiation with visible light, the nicotinamide-dependent enzyme known as ketoreductase can be transformed from a carbonyl reductase into an initiator of radical species and a chiral source of hydrogen atoms. We demonstrate this new reactivity through a highly enantioselective radical dehalogenation of lactones-a challenging transformation for small-molecule catalysts. Mechanistic experiments support the theory that a radical species acts as an intermediate in this reaction, with NADH and NADPH (the reduced forms of nicotinamide adenine nucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, respectively) serving as both a photoreductant and the source of hydrogen atoms. To our knowledge, this method represents the first example of photo-induced enzyme promiscuity, and highlights the potential for accessing new reactivity from existing enzymes simply by using the excited states of common biological co-factors. This represents a departure from existing light-driven biocatalytic techniques, which are typically explored in the context of co-factor regeneration.
Gating Currents in Hv1 Proton Channels Reveal a Voltage Sensor Mode Shift/Relaxation

The concept of electromechanical coupling between voltage sensor (VS) activation and pore opening is firmly established for tetrameric voltage-gated cation channels (VGCs). Coupling of VS activation to opening of the intrinsic ‘aqueous’ H+ conductance (GAQ) in Hv1 channels is not well understood, in part because of technical difficulties inherent to measuring gating current in isolation from GAQ-mediated ionic current and achieving sufficiently high protein expression. Here we show that a combination of point mutations simultaneously accelerates activation kinetics and blocks outward current carried by GAQ.
RADIOIODINE CONCENTRATION IN FETAL HUMAN THYROID FROM FALLOUT.

Abstract—From July, 1959 to January, 1963, 139 human fetal, 87 adult, 12 child and 154 hog thyroid glands were counted in a spectrometer well-counter system capable of detecting 1.5 pc I131/g of tissue. Neck muscle counts served as background. Using published MPD values of 0.5 rems (population) and 1.5 rems (individual), hog thyroid radioactivity exceeded individual MPD once in September, 1959, and once in September, 1962; exceeded population MPD three times in November, 1961, and three times in August–September, 1962. Human fetal counts never reached the MPD and only once rose to more than half adult thyroid radioactivity. Fetal: maternal thyroid radioactivity in a pregnant woman dying suddenly was 1.08 pc/g: 0.82 pc/g. High radioactivity concentration in hog thyroid always preceded high radioactivity in human adult and fetal thyroids. It is concluded that hog thyroid gland monitoring can be used in lieu of human adult and fetal thyroid gland monitoring until very high concentrations of I131 are found in hog thyroid.
Shale gas storage in kerogen nanopores with surface heterogeneities

Abstract Recent advances in drilling and well stimulation technologies have led to rapid development of shale formations as an important natural gas resource. However a comprehensive understanding of the source rock geochemistry is currently needed in order to identify key factors in resource shale hydrocarbon assessment and production forecasting. Previous works indicated that significant amount of methane is stored in kerogen in adsorbed state. Adsorption is controlled by surface area and surface properties of the kerogen nanopore walls. In this paper using molecular simulations we investigate the influence of surface chemistry and heterogeneity on methane storage in model kerogen pores. The results show excess amount of methane due to nanopore confinement effect, which is found to be most pronounced under the subsurface conditions when the reservoir pore pressure is in the range of 1000–5000 psi. Among the investigated surface heterogeneities, nitrogen-doped graphene surfaces are the most influential on methane storage. Doping affects strongly the Langmuir parameters related to the adsorption capacity. These results indicate that kerogen maturation and the associated changes in its composition has the potential to impact gas storage in resource shale formations. The work gives new insights into the potential impact of the surface chemistry on natural gas storage in kerogen and emphasizes the significance of source rock geochemistry.
Dynamic Rheology for the Prediction of Surgical Outcomes in Autologous Fat Grafting.

Background:Because of the abundance and biocompatibility of fat, lipotransfer has become an attractive method for treating soft-tissue deficits. However, it is limited by unpredictable graft survival and retention. Currently, little is known about the viscoelastic properties of fat after various inj
Experiencing medieval manuscripts using touch technology

ABSTRACTArduino boards, a current trending open-source platform technology, are being used by museums and other institutions to create interactive exhibits for their patrons. Academic libraries are often faced with the challenge of finding new inspirations to educate and engage patrons. The Illuminated Lifestyles exhibit at Binghamton University was an attempt to teach library users about the sensory experiences of medieval manuscripts using touch technology. Relatively inexpensive, these boards can be incorporated in various ways to make an exhibit interactive. In this case, the boards were used in conjunction with large-scale frames covered with digitized replicas of manuscript leaves that spoke to the viewer as they touched the images. This case study explains the technology and platforms used within the exhibit and what the long-term impacts and benefits, if any, the library experienced.
Genetic Risk Prediction in Breast Cancer

Knowledge related to genetic susceptibility in breast cancer, in particular the identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, has greatly enhanced the accuracy of breast cancer prediction for the subset of individuals with heritable disorders. Genetic testing for hereditary syndromes can aid in early detection and prevent cancer through screening, surgical prophylaxis, and chemoprevention. Genetic risk prediction can improve survival when combined with early detection and targeted therapy. Unfortunately, most patients who carry a genetic mutation for hereditary breast cancer are not tested (Drohan et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19(6):1732–7). Failure to notify mutation carriers prior to developing cancer robs them of the opportunity to utilize preventive strategies, direct surgical management, select systemic therapy, manage other at-risk organs, determine a follow-up approach, and manage recurrent disease.
Preflight Medical Clearance: Nonurgent Travel via Commercial Aircraft

When considering nonurgent commercial air travel, preflight medical evaluation is important for certain patients with pre-existing medical conditions, whether chronic or recently developed. Medical considerations are numerous and discussed below in this chapter. Considerations which the physician must review, beyond those involving specific medical factors related to the illness or injury, include the length of the anticipated trip, the presence of medical escort during flight, and the ability of the aircraft to divert in the event of an in-flight medical emergency. And, of course, common sense, employed by the clinician, the patient, and the airline, is a very important consideration. It must be remembered that a commercial aircraft is not a medical mission; thus, the expectation that trained personnel and appropriate equipment are present on such aircraft, allowing for the delivery of comprehensive medical, is absurd.
Intravenous I-131 Chlorotoxin (TM601): Imaging and pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with primary malignant glioma or cerebral metastatic solid tumors

2234 Objectives: Initial patient therapy studies with I-131 Chlorotoxin (Transmolecular Inc) have been performed utilizing intracavitary injections. Recent investigations have utilized intravenous administrations of I-131 Chlorotoxin therapy. The purpose of the study was to perform pharmacokinetic analysis and image localization studies with intravenous I-131 Chlorotoxin in patients with primary malignant glioma or cerebral metastatic solid tumors. Methods: Six patients received from 1 to 3 treatment doses intravenously (10 to 30 mCi/dose) of I-131 Chlorotoxin. Multiple whole body images were obtained at 1 hour and up to 72 hours after radiopharmaceutical injection (5 images). Blood samples were obtained following each whole body image and urine was collected for the first 24 hours post injection. Blood and urine activity was counted and blood activity clearance was determined. The blood pool and total urine activity at 24 hours was calculated and expressed as a percent of injected dose (ID). Patient images were evaluated for tumor specific uptake. Results: Evaluation of blood pool activity demonstrated a biexponential clearance with an initial and delayed T1/2b of 7.6 hrs ± 2.6 hrs (SD n=10) and 83.0 hrs ± 14.9 hrs (SD n=11), respectively. Blood pool and urine activity levels at 24 hours were 4.5% ID ± 0.02% ID and 49.7% ID ± 0.1% ID, respectively, indicating rapid blood pool clearance and rapid urinary accumulation of I-131 Chlorotoxin. Of the 6 patients, 1 patient’s study was incomplete and tumor specific uptake was observed in 3 of the remaining 5 patients. Conclusions: Imaging and pharmacokinetic analysis of I-131 Chlorotoxin was performed. Rapid blood clearance and urine accumulation of I-131 Chlorotoxin was noted. Tumor specific uptake was observed in 3 of 6 patients.
Ixodid and Argasid Ticks: Keys to their Identification

Ticks of the Ixodidae family are important ectoparasites of humans and animals. Of the 80 or so species found in the United States, about 20 are of veterinary importance. Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as carriers of human pathogens. The ixodid (or hard) ticks are the most common and are represented by the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Dermacentor. Accurate identification of the species of ixodid ticks within an area is a prerequisite to control and eradication. Therefore, veterinarians should have a working knowledge of the biology and identity of the more common mammalian-parasitizing ticks in the United States. In the United States, the argasid (or soft) ticks are less common than the ixodid (or hard) ticks. Argasids are represented by the genera Argas, Ornithodoros, and Otobius. Although the overall anatomy of the various species of argasids is similar, their functional approaches to feeding, reproduction, host finding and preference, tick-host behavior, tick relationship to their environment, and disease association vary among species. Accurate identification of the species of argasid ticks within an area is useful in their control.
Writing a Better Brief: The Civil Appeals Style Manual of the Office of the Maryland Attorney General

The office of the Attorney General of Maryland conducts the Civil Appellate Brief Writing Program in order to improve the level of written appellate advocacy of its attorneys. The program centers on the Office's Civil Appeals Style Manual. The Manual's principles have improved the office's appellate brief writing.
Adolescent Substance Use and Effects on the Birth Experience

Depression, violence, and infant complications are recognized risk factors for negative birth experiences. Substance use, which often co-occurs with these risk factors, is unexplored for its role upon the birth experience. The frequency of these risk factors among childbearing adolescents suggests a need for research in this area. This study revealed direct and indirect effects by all risk factors on the adolescent's birth experience. Implications for nursing practice suggest collaboration between maternal child health and mental health nurses in prenatal, hospital, and follow-up healthcare settings to provide essential assessment of risk factors and resources and referrals across the perinatal period.
Future Proofing the News: Preserving the First Draft of History

The digital revolution has ushered in a challenging mix of message forms and information-seeking behavior. This has led us to find new ways to preserve today’s news and information products, just a...
Phylogenetic relationships and divergence dating in the Glass Lizards (Anguinae).

Abstract The Glass Lizards are a subfamily (Anguinae) of Anguid Lizards with an elongated limbless body plan that occur throughout the Northern Hemisphere primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia, but also have a presence in North Africa and Indonesia. We used twenty-five nuclear loci (15,191 bp) and 2090 bp of the mtDNA genome to generate a phylogeny containing all known species groups to explore species relationships within the group as well as divergence dating. We also examined the group in the context of a coalescent species tree analysis and species delimitation. All major lineages were found to be monophyletic with potential cryptic diversity in some. The Anguinae first appeared in the Eocene and most lineages were present by the beginning of the Miocene. The Anguinae originated in Europe from an Anguidae ancestor that crossed the Thulean land bridge, spreading to Asia after the drying of the Turgai Sea, then across Beringia as the climate permitted. A species tree analyses found support for the major Anguinae lineages and species delimitation supported accepted species.
Effects of Brief Intermittent Walking Bouts on Step Count Accuracy of Wearable Devices

Purpose: To examine the effect of brief, intermittent stepping bouts on step counts from 10 physical activity monitors (PAMs). Methods: Adults (N = 21; M ± SD, 26 ± 9.0 yr) wore four PAMs on the wr...
Fabrication of Low-Cost Patient-Specific Vascular Models for Particle Image Velocimetry.

Particle image velocimetry (PIV), an in vitro experimentation technique that optically measures velocity components to analyze fluid velocity fields, has become increasingly popular to study flow dynamics in various vascular territories. However, it can be difficult and expensive to create patient-specific clear models for PIV due to the importance of refractive index matching of the model and the fluid. We aim to implement and test the use of poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) in a lost-core casting technique to create low-cost, patient-specific models for PIV. Anonymized patient vascular anatomies were segmented and processed in Mimics/3Matic to create patient-specific cores from 3D digital subtraction angiographies. The cores were 3D-printed with PVA and post-processed with a 80:20 water:glue mixture to smooth the surface. Two silicones, Sylgard 184 and Solaris, were used to encapsulate the model and the PVA core was dissolved using warm water. Computed tomography scans were used to evaluate geometric accuracy using circumferences and surface differences in the model. Mean geometric differences in circumference along the inlet centerline and the mean surface difference in the aneurysm between the final Silicone Model and the desired STL Print geometry were statistically insignificant (0.6 mm, 95% CI [− 1.4, 2.8] and 0.3 mm 95% CI [− 0.1, 0.7], respectively). Particle illumination within each model was successful. The cost of one 10 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm model was $69. This technique was successful to implement and test the use of PVA in a lost-core casting technique to create low-cost, patient-specific in vitro models for PIV experimentation.
An altered response in macrophage phenotype following damage in aged human skeletal muscle: implications for skeletal muscle repair

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that macrophage polarization is altered in old compared to young skeletal muscle, possibly contributing to the poor satellite cell response obse...
Return to Collegiate Hockey After Repair of Chronic Biceps Femoris Tendon Transection at the Knee: A Case Report.

Case A 22-year-old man sustained complete transection of his right distal biceps femoris tendon by a hockey skate. He experienced persistent pain and disability, symptoms of peroneal neuritis, and an inability to return to hockey. At 3-months postinjury, he underwent biceps femoris repair and peroneal neurolysis. At 9-months postoperatively, the patient returned to full activity and played a full season collegiate hockey. Conclusions Isolated distal biceps femoris transection is rare and may be associated with peroneal neuritis. Primary repair and peroneal neurolysis is a viable treatment option (even 3 months postinjury), with satisfactory outcomes and full return to high-level activity.
A machine-compiled database of genome-wide association studies.

Tens of thousands of genotype-phenotype associations have been discovered to date, yet not all of them are easily accessible to scientists. Here, we describe GWASkb, a machine-compiled knowledge base of genetic associations collected from the scientific literature using automated information extraction algorithms. Our information extraction system helps curators by automatically collecting over 6,000 associations from open-access publications with an estimated recall of 60–80% and with an estimated precision of 78–94% (measured relative to existing manually curated knowledge bases). This system represents a fully automated GWAS curation effort and is made possible by a paradigm for constructing machine learning systems called data programming. Our work represents a step towards making the curation of scientific literature more efficient using automated systems. Most databases of genotype-phenotype associations are manually curated. Here, Kuleshov et al. describe a machine curation system that extracts such relationships from the GWAS literature and synthesizes them into a structured knowledge base called GWASkb that can complement manually curated databases.
High predictability for identifying Lynch syndrome via microsatellite instability testing or immunohistochemistry in all Lynch-associated tumor types

Lynch syndrome is an inherited cancer-prone syndrome identified in ~3% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and ~2% of all endometrial cancer (EC) patients (1-3). It is defined by identification of a germline mutation in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes ( MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM ) whose proteins function to maintain replication fidelity of DNA prior to mitosis, and sets it apart from other hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndromes such as Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X and Polymerase Proofreading Polyposis syndrome (3).
Cobble community DNA as a tool to monitor patterns of biodiversity within kelp forest ecosystems.

Kelp forest ecosystems dominate 150,000 km of global temperate coastline, rivalling the coastal occurrence of coral reefs. Despite the astounding biological diversity and productive ecological communities associated with kelp forests, patterns of species richness and composition are difficult to monitor and compare. Crustose coralline algae are a critically important substrate for propagule settlement for a range of kelp forest species. Coralline-covered cobbles are home to hundreds of species of benthic animals and algae and form a replicable unit for ecological assays. Here, we use DNA metabarcoding of bulk DNA extracts sampled from cobbles to explore patterns of species diversity in kelp forests of the central California coast. The data from 97 cobbles within kelp forest ecosystems at three sites in Central California show the presence of 752 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) and 53 MOTUs assigned up to the species level with >95% similarity to current databases. We are able to detect spatial patterns of important management targets such as abalone recruits, and localized abundance of sea stars in 2012. Comparison of classic ecological surveys of these sites reveals large differences in species targets for these two approaches. In order to make such comparisons more quantitative, we use Presence/Absence Metabarcoding, using the fraction of replicate cobbles showing a species as a measure of its local abundance. This approach provides a fast and repeatable survey method that can be applied for biodiversity assessments across systems to shed light on the impact of different ecological disturbances and the role played by marine protected areas.
Local labour market impacts of climate-related disasters: a demand-and-supply analysis

Using US county-level data from 1991 to 2015, the labour market impacts from various climate-related disasters are examined. It is found that different disasters have statistically and economically...
Decoding LDPC Codes with Probabilistic Local Maximum Likelihood Bit Flipping

Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are high-performance linear error correcting codes with application to communication channels and digital storage media. LDPC codes are decoded using graph algorithms wherein a channel message sample is decoded with the aid of information from its adjacent graph neighborhood, called the syndrome. This work studies the conditional probability of a channel error given syndrome information at a particular decoding iteration to formulate a new algorithm called Probabilistic Local Maximum Likelihood Bit Flipping (PLMLBF). The PLMLBF algorithm uses a three dimensional Multi-iteration Probability Flip Matrix (MIPFM) to quantify the frequency of errors in a noise corrupted message frame being decoded using a specific LDPC code. The matrix is used to probabilistically decode noise corrupted message frames. The motivation for this work is to provide a theoretical framework for constructing probabilistic and noisy bit-flipping algorithms, such as the Noisy Gradient Descent Bit Flipping (NGDBF) algorithm, which up to now have been mainly heuristic in nature.
Hospitalization Duration Following Uncomplicated Cesarean Delivery: Predictors, Facility Variation, and Outcomes.

Objectives This study was designed to: (1) characterize stay duration following cesarean delivery, (2) ascertain whether facility variation exists, and (3) determine whether shorter stays are associated with rates of readmission or costs. Study Design The 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to identify uncomplicated cesarean deliveries. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess for facility variation in percentage of patients discharged within 2 days. Similar models were used to assess for associations between probability of readmission within 30 days and facility-level rates of discharge within 2 days. Results In total, 456,312 patients from 1,535 hospitals were included. The median facility discharged 46.8% of patients within 2 days, with the 25th percentile of hospitals 23.7% and the 75th percentile 71.2%. In adjusted regression, there was significant facility heterogeneity (p Conclusion Unexplained facility variation in percentage of patients discharged within 2 days of cesarean delivery was not associated with differences in readmissions. Key Points
Efficacy of a conversion from filgrastim to filgrastim-sndz in stem cell transplant patients undergoing mobilization.

During autologous stem cell transplant, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) serve the integral role of mobilizing hematopoietic cells into the peripheral blood for subsequent collection ...
Reoperative techniques and management in Hirschsprung disease: a narrative review

The majority of children who undergo operative management for Hirschsprung disease have favorable results. A subset of patients, however, have long-term dysfunctional stooling, characterized by either frequent soiling or obstructive symptoms. The evaluation and management of a child with poor function after pull-through for Hirschsprung disease should be conducted by an experienced multidisciplinary team. A systematic workup is focused on detecting pathologic and anatomic causes of pull-through dysfunction. This includes an exam under anesthesia, pathologic confirmation including a repeat biopsy, and a contrast enema, with additional studies depending on the suspected etiology. Obstructive symptoms may be due to technique-specific types of mechanical obstruction, histopathologic obstruction, or dysmotility—each of which may benefit from reoperative surgery. The causes of soiling symptoms include loss of the dentate line and damage to the anal sphincter, which generally do not benefit from revision of the pull-through, and pseudo-incontinence, which may reveal underlying obstruction. A thorough understanding of the types of complications associated with various pull-through techniques aids in the evaluation of a child with postoperative dysfunction. Treatment is specifically tailored to the patient, guided by the etiology of the patient’s symptoms, with options ranging from bowel management to redo pull-through procedure. This review details the workup and management of patients with complications after pull-through, with a focus on the perioperative management and technical considerations for those who require reoperation.
Protein Affinity Purification using Intein/Chitin Binding Protein Tags

Isolation of highly purified recombinant protein is essential for a wide range of biochemical and biophysical assays. Affinity purification in which a tag is fused to the desired protein and then specifically bound to an affinity column is a widely used method for obtaining protein of high purity. Many of these methods have the drawbacks of either leaving the recombinant tag attached to the protein or requiring the addition of a protease which then must be removed by further chromatographic steps. The fusion of a self-cleaving intein sequence followed by a chitin-binding domain (CBD) allows for one-step chromatographic purification of an untagged protein through the thiol-catalyzed cleavage of the intein sequence from the desired protein. The affinity purification is highly specific and can yield pure protein without any undesired N- or C-terminal extensions. This protocol is based on the IMPACT™-System (intein mediated purification with an affinity chitin-binding tag) marketed by New England Biolabs.
Psoriasis Flares Following Systemic Glucocorticoid Exposure in Patients With a History of Psoriasis.

Importance To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the rate of any type of psoriasis flare during or immediately following the administration of systemic corticosteroids in patients with a known history of psoriasis. Objective To determine the rates and types of psoriasis flares during or within 3 months after concluding systemic corticosteroid administration in adult patients with a known history of psoriasis. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study assessed adult patients (≥18 years at the time of psoriasis diagnosis) evaluated in the Marshfield Clinic Health System (Marshfield, Wisconsin) with an established diagnosis of psoriasis and exposure to at least 1 systemic corticosteroid from October 31, 2012, to July 1, 2018. Exclusion criteria were patients younger than 18 years, patients with a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and patients receiving only topical, intraarticular, or intrabursal corticosteroids. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was rate of psoriasis flares during or within 3 months of discontinuation of the patient’s first course of systemic corticosteroids. Secondary measures included rates of specific types of psoriasis flares, including pustular, erythrodermic, and worsening plaque stage psoriasis. Results Of 516 cohort patients, 288 (55.8%) were women, and the mean (SD) age at first psoriasis diagnosis was 49.6 (17.0) years. Among 1970 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis before receiving systemic corticosteroids, a 1.42% (95% CI, 0.72%-2.44%) psoriasis flare rate of any type was identified when prescribed their first course of systemic corticosteroids. Further stratification identified only 1 severe flare (erythroderma) among all flares reported, with no pustular psoriasis flares identified (0.07%; 95% CI, 0.00%-0.26%). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, the rates of psoriasis flares were low, especially for severe psoriasis flares. Our results suggest that systemic steroids may be much less likely to trigger severe flares in patients with psoriasis than what is traditionally taught in dermatology.
Task-specific performance fatigability and the bilateral deficit during isokinetic leg extensions.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to compare the fatigue-induced changes in performance fatigability, bilateral deficit, and patterns of responses for the electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF), during unilateral and bilateral maximal, fatiguing leg extensions. METHODS Nine men (Mean±SD; age =21.9±2.4 yrs; height =181.8±11.9 cm; body mass =85.8±6.2 kg) volunteered to perform 50 consecutive maximal, bilateral (BL), unilateral dominant (DL), and unilateral non-dominant (NL) isokinetic leg extensions at 180°·s-1, on 3 separate days. Electromyographic and MMG signals from both vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVAs were utilized to examine mean differences in normalized force, EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, MMG MPF and the bilateral deficit. RESULTS The results demonstrated a Condition × Repetition interaction for normalized force (p=0.004, η2p=0.222) and EMG MPF (p=0.034, η2p=0.214) and main effects for Repetition for EMG AMP (p=0.019, η2p=0.231), MMG AMP (p<0.001, η2p=0.8550), MMG MPF (p=0.009, η2p=0.252), and the bilateral deficit (p<0.001, η2p=0.366). CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrated less performance fatigability during the BL than the unilateral tasks, likely due to a reduced relative intensity via interhemispheric inhibition that attenuated the development of excitation-contraction coupling failure during the BL task.
Post-acute COVID-19 functional movement disorder

Movement disorders are rare compared to other neurological manifestations of COVID-19. Patients who have recovered from acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection continue to have multiple debilitating symptoms months later. We report a case of 54-year-old man who presented with repetitive flexion movement of head which started 2 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. Extensive work-up including neurological examination, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and electroencephalogram were normal. The self-reported questionnaires for depression and anxiety were suggestive of severe anxiety and depression. The patient continued to have the jerky movements besides cognitive impairment, frequent headaches, intermittent shortness of breath, sleeping difficulties, fatigue, and dizziness at 1-year follow-up. This case highlights the presentation of functional movement disorder as one of the manifestations of underlying neuropsychiatric condition. Our patient had significant effect on quality of life with high symptom burden which further highlights the struggle and unmet needs of the patients with multiple symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.
CuIn (1−x) Ga x Se 2 Recrystallization by Metal Halide Treatments

CuIn (1−x) Ga x Se 2 (CIGS) photovoltaics have limited market success due to high capital costs largely attributed to a slow, high-temperature deposition procedure. To reduce such costs we show that a high-rate, low-temperature approach including a short recrystallization step using metal halides can dramatically increase grain size in CIGS. We have demonstrated this both with high-rate evaporated films and amorphous films sputtered at room temperature. Both approaches can greatly increase throughput and reduce the costs of CIGS deposition. We review previous results for a number of metal halides and specifically focus on InCl 3 and AgBr as the most promising. We show that using high-temperature x-ray diffraction that crystallization begins at 270°C and ends at 380°C and is greatly accelerated by the metal halides, resulting in much larger grains over the same temperature range.
Durchschußlängenverteilungen und Theorie der Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung, 2. Mitt.: Die Durchschußlängenverteilung für ein Rotationsellipsoid

Der Einflus der Partikelgestalt auf die Intensitat der Rontgenkleinwinkelstreuung last sich anhand der Durchschuslangenverteilungsfunktion untersuchen, wenn die untereinander identischen, nicht miteinander in Wechselwirkung stehenden Partikel, die konstante Elektronenverteilung besitzen, sich in einer verd. Suspension in einem Losungsmittel von ebenfalls konstanter Elektronendichte befinden. Die Durchschuslange (auch Sehne) ist eine gerade Strecke, deren beide Enden auf der Grenzflache der Partikel liegen. Die Durchschuslangenverteilungsfunktion G(M) ist so definiert, das G(M) dM die Wahrscheinlichkeit dafur darstellt, das die Durchschuslange eine Grose zwischenM undM+dM besitzt. Mit Hilfe bereits fruher entwickelter Methoden auf Basis der Differential- und Integralgeometrie konnten die exakten Ausdrucke von G(M) fur das Rotationsellipsoid und das elliptische Plattchen erhalten werden. Fur das Rotationsellipsoid wurde auch die sog. Charakteristische Funktion errechnet. Uber die Durchschuslangenverteilung G(M) fur das Rotationsellipsoid ist ein asymptotischer Ausdruck fur die Streuintensitat im Bereich der dem auseren Teil der Rontgenkleinwinkelstreuungskurve entsprechenden Winkel zuganglich.
Choice of Law in Fraudulent Joinder Litigation

INTRODUCTION 604 I. LEGAL PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO CHOICE OF LAW IN FRAUDULENT JOINDER LITIGATION 606 A. Diversity Jurisdiction and Its Justifications 606 B. Development of Fraudulent Joinder Law 609 1. The Supreme Court’s Elaboration of Fraudulent Joinder ...... 610 2. The Lower Courts and Modern Fraudulent Joinder Standards 612 a. No Reasonable Basis Standard 613 b. No Possibility of Recovery Standard 613 c. No Reasonable Possibility of Recovery Standard 614 3. Extrinsic Evidence 615 C. Choice of Law Approaches 616 1. Traditional Approach 617 2. Interest Analysis Approach 618 3. Most Significant Relationship Approach 618 II. CONFLICTING APPROACHES TO CHOICE OF LAW IN FRAUDULENT JOINDER LITIGATION 619 A. Refusing to Engage in Choice of Law 619 B. Reasonable Possibility Test 621 C. Resolving Ambiguity in Favor of Plaintiff ’s Choice of Law 623 D. Applying Forum Law 623
Deconvolution for the Pompeiu Problem on the Heisenberg Group, I

We consider variations on the Pompeiu transform for the Heisenberg group H n and focus on cases where the transform is known to be injective; in particular the cases of averages over a sphere and a ball, or two balls of appropriate radii. In these cases we develop a method which provides for the reconstruction of the function f from its integrals.
Affected sib pair tests in inbred populations.

Summary The affected-sib-pair (ASP) method for detecting linkage between a disease locus and marker loci was first established 50 years ago, and since then numerous modifications have been made. We modify two identity-by-state (IBS) test statistics of Lange (Lange, 1986a, 1986b) to allow for inbreeding in the population. We evaluate the power and false positive rates of the modified tests under three disease models, using simulated data. Before estimating false positive rates, we demonstrate that IBS tests are tests of both linkage and linkage disequilibrium between marker and disease loci. Therefore, the null hypothesis of IBS tests should be no linkage and no LD. When the population inbreeding coefficient is large, the false positive rates of Lange's tests become much larger than the nominal value, while those of our modified tests remain close to the nominal value. To estimate power with a controlled false positive rate, we choose the cutoff values based on simulated datasets under the null hypothesis, so that both Lange's tests and the modified tests generate same false positive rate. The powers of Lange's z-test and our modified z-test are very close and do not change much with increasing inbreeding. The power of the modified chi-square test also stays stable when the inbreeding coefficient increases. However, the power of Lange's chi-square test increases with increasing inbreeding, and is larger than that of our modified chi-square test for large inbreeding coefficients. The power is high under a recessive disease model for both Lange's tests and the modified tests, though the power is low for additive and dominant disease models. Allowing for inbreeding is therefore appropriate, at least for diseases known to be recessive.
Integral Points on Elliptic Curves

An elliptic curve may have infinitely many rational points, although the Mordell—Weil theorem at least assures us that the group of rational points is finitely generated. Another natural Diophantine question is that of determining, for a given (affine) Weierstrass equation, which rational points actually have integral coordinates. In this chapter we will prove a theorem of Siegel which says that there are only finitely many such integral points. Siegel gave two proofs of his theorem, which we present in sections 3 and 4. Both proofs make use of techniques from the theory of Diophantine approximation, and so do not provide an effective procedure for actually finding all of the integral points. However, his second method of proof reduces the problem to that of solving the so-called “unit equation”, which in turn can be effectively resolved using transcendence theory. We will discuss this method, without giving proofs, in section 5.
Seven dimensions of contemporary participation disentangled

Participation is today central to many kinds of research and design practice in information studies and beyond. From user-generated content to crowdsourcing to peer production to fan fiction to citizen science, the concept remains both unexamined and heterogeneous in its definition. Intuitions about participation are confirmed by some examples, but scandalized by others, and it is difficult to pinpoint why participation seems to be robust in some cases and partial in others. In this paper we offer an empirically based, comparative analysis of participation that demonstrates its multidimensionality and provides a framework that allows clear distinctions and better analyses of the role of participation. We derive 7 dimensions of participations from the literature on participation and exemplify those dimensions using a set of 102 cases of contemporary participation that include uses of the Internet and new media.
Elections in Black and White: Race, Perceptions, and Voting Behavior In U.S. House Elections

While there is a strong scholarly consensus that race continues to play a central role in American politics, research on the effects of the race of candidates on electoral behavior have been decidedly mixed. Using American National Election Studies data and a non-linear systems of equations approach to estimation, I show that race-based misperceptions of candidate's ideologies have a significant indirect impact on voting decisions in elections to the U.S. House of Representatives. The indirect effects of race on voting behavior outweigh any direct effects of racial prejudice by a large margin. More specifically, I show that white citizens tend to perceive black candidates to be more liberal than white candidates who adopt similar policy positions, and that these race-based misperceptions disadvantage black candidates at the ballot box.
Droplet Characteristics and Near Nozzle Dispersion of Cold and Thermal Fog

Abstract : In an effort to improve application methods for controlling sand flies in desert environments, a hand-held ultra-low volume (ULV) aerosol generator, a truck-mounted ULV aerosol generator, and a hand-held thermal fogger were evaluated. The velocity and temperature of the air and characteristics of droplets generated by these aerosol generators were measured at various distances from the nozzle. The droplet size characteristics were measured for three flow rates each of BVA-13 mineral oil and a mixture of water and nonionic surfactant with a phase Doppler particle analyzer. Moving 0.9 m away from the nozzle, the velocity of air produced by the two hand-held sprayers decreased to 5 m/s, whereas the truck-mounted sprayer still had an air velocity of 15 m/s. The air produced by truck-mounted cold fogger, thermal fogger and hand-held ULV applicator was 38, 49.2, and 8.5 deg C above ambient temperature respectively. Increases in flow rate, generally, did not affect the droplet size for the two hand-held units; however the droplet size increased as the flow rate increased on the truck- mounted sprayer. For all three aerosol generators droplet concentration increased with increasing flow rates. Both ULV generators showed an increase in droplet size and a decrease in droplet concentration as the distance from nozzle increased. However, the droplet size decreased and the droplet concentration increased when applied using the thermal fogger.
Application development by endusers

Traditionally, application development has been an activity performed by computer programmers with the goal of producing computer programs which satisfy the intent of the application specialists. Since both programmer and application specialist make use of the computer, each can be viewed as a user where the application of the programmer is the development of a computer program.
Impact of oxidative stress on signal transduction control by phosphotyrosine phosphatases.

Phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) serve as important regulators of cellular signal transduction pathways. PTPs are sensitive targets of oxidative stress and may be inhibited by treatments that in...