cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intragenomic Variation and Evolution of the Internal Transcribed Spacer of the rRNA Operon in Bacteria

Variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rRNA (rrn) operon is increasingly used to infer population-level diversity in bacterial communities. However, intragenomic ITS variation may skew diversity estimates that do not correct for multiple rrn operons within a genome. This study characterizes variation in ITS length, tRNA composition, and intragenomic nucleotide divergence across 155 Bacteria genomes. On average, these genomes encode 4.8 rrn operons (range: 2–15) and contain 2.4 unique ITS length variants (range: 1–12) and 2.8 unique sequence variants (range: 1–12). ITS variation stems primarily from differences in tRNA gene composition, with ITS regions containing tRNA-Ala + tRNA-Ile (48% of sequences), tRNA-Ala or tRNA-Ile (10%), tRNA-Glu (11%), other tRNAs (3%), or no tRNA genes (27%). Intragenomic divergence among paralogous ITS sequences grouped by tRNA composition ranges from 0% to 12.11% (mean: 0.94%). Low divergence values indicate extensive homogenization among ITS copies. In 78% of alignments, divergence is <1%, with 54% showing zero variation and 81% containing at least two identical sequences. ITS homogenization occurs over relatively long sequence tracts, frequently spanning the entire ITS, and is largely independent of the distance (basepairs) between operons. This study underscores the potential contribution of interoperon ITS variation to bacterial microdiversity studies, as well as unequivocally demonstrates the pervasiveness of concerted evolution in the rrn gene family.
Tailored Silicon Nanopost Arrays for Resonant Nanophotonic Ion Production

Nanostructures that have dimensions commensurate with the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation exhibit near-field effects and, as optical antennas, can couple laser radiation to the local environment. Laser-induced silicon microcolumn arrays behave as nanophotonic ion sources that can be modulated by rotating the plane of light polarization. However, the limited range of surface morphologies available for these substrates makes it difficult to study the underlying mechanism that governs ion production. Here we demonstrate that nanopost arrays (NAPAs) can be tailored to exhibit resonant ion production. Ion yields from posts with subwavelength diameter show sharp resonances at high aspect ratios. The resonant enhancement in ion intensities can be modulated by adjusting the periodicity. In addition to strong molecular ion formation, the presence of high-energy fragmentation channels is observed. Ion yields from NAPAs exhibit dramatic differences for p- and s-polarized laser beams, indicating that ener...
Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux: current practice and the need for multifactorial assessment.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affects around 1% of all children. It carries an increased risk of febrile urinary-tract infections (UTIs) and is associated with impaired renal function. Antibiotic prophylaxis is an established approach to managing the condition, but it does not protect against UTI and encourages bacterial resistance. Ureteral re-implantation (open surgery) is a relatively traumatic procedure typically requiring hospitalization, and there is a risk of significant post-treatment complications. Endoscopic treatment with NASHA/Dx gel (Deflux®) is minimally invasive, well tolerated and provides cure rates approaching those of open surgery: 80–90% in several studies. It has also been shown to be effective in a variety of ‘complicated’ cases. Thus, endoscopic treatment is generally preferable to open surgery and long-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Non-treatment of VUR is being discussed as an alternative option, although this mainly appears suitable for children with low-grade reflux and normal kidneys. A new approach to managing VUR may be considered, with treatment decisions based not only on the grade of reflux but also on factors such as age, sex, renal scarring and bladder dysfunction. Open surgery would be reserved only for use in the 10–15% of children not responding to endoscopic treatment and those with severe ureteral anomalies.
Dynamic mechanical properties of porcine lacrimal canaliculus.

To better understand the mechanisms of tear drainage, the mechanical properties of porcine canaliculus were measured in compression mode while submerged in isotonic fluid by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The storage modulus (E′) for the porcine canaliculus is about 3 kPa at 1 Hz and increases to about 5 kPa at 25 Hz. The loss modulus (E″) increases from about 0.8 kPa at 1 Hz to about 4.5 kPa at 25 Hz. The ratio of loss to storage moduli increases with frequency and is about 1 at 25 Hz, which is the relevant frequency during the blink phase. The moduli for 6- to 9-month pigs does not differ significantly from > 2-year-old pigs. The canalicular tissue relaxes at the same timescale as the pressure relaxes in a human canaliculi suggesting that the drainage of tears through the canaliculi is controlled by the mechanical properties of the canaliculi.
Compensatory bone remodelling in moose: a study of age, sex, and cross-sectional cortical bone dimensions in moose at Isle Royale National Park

We studied interrelationships among age, sex, and cross-sectional cortical bone dimensions using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scans of metatarsal bones of 180 moose (Alces alces) that died in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan. As a large-bodied quadruped with demanding ecological constraints on movement and behaviour, a moose experiences different weight-bearing and mechanical stressors than humans, to whom most existing studies of mechanical adaptations of bone pertain. In moose, both sexes showed significant subperiosteal expansion and an increase in medullary area, with an overall increase in cortical bone area over time. Female moose did not exhibit cortical thinning or reduction in cross-sectional area with age, rather they showed an increase in cortical bone area with periosteal apposition exceeding endosteal resorption, similar to the males. We also found that moose undergo changes in bone geometry through remodelling of bone similar to humans, suggesting a compensatory mechanism for increasing bone strength under conditions of decline in bone mineral density with age. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Corepressor Silencing Mediator for Retinoid and Thyroid Hormone Receptor Facilitates Cellular Recovery from DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Cells are frequently challenged by DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) that threaten their normal function and survival. In mammalian cells, the repair of DSBs is predominantly mediated by the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex. We unexpectedly found that the corepressor silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) associates with the DNA-PK repair complex. The SMRT/histone deacetylase 3 complex is required for the transcriptional repressive property of the Ku70 subunit of the repair complex. Moreover, SMRT, but not the related Nuclear Receptor Corepressor, is required for cellular recovery from DNA DSBs induced by ionizing radiation or DNA damage-inducing drugs. Thus, the corepressor SMRT plays a novel and critical role in the cellular response to DSBs.
Order of Entry and the Moderating Role of Comparison Brands in Brand Extension Evaluation

The current research proposes that order of entry moderates the impact of fit on brand extension evaluation. We conceptualize a model in which new brands enter the market dynamically, driving consumers to engage in differential processing as a function of pioneer and follower evaluation scenarios. We posit that consumers rely on singular evaluative processing in pioneer contexts and comparative evaluation in follower contexts, producing unique moderating effects based on the existence of comparison brands. Experimental results indicate that follower brands can actually benefit from comparison with pioneering brands that have a relatively lower fit with the extension category.
Echo Objects: The Cognitive Work of Images

Echo Objects: The Cognitive Work of Images BARBARA MARIA STAFFORD Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007 296 pages, ISBN: 0226770516 (hbk); $45.00 Echo Objects is an exploration of what Barbara...
Remote sensing of ice crystal asymmetry parameter using multi-directional polarization measurements – Part 1: Methodology and evaluation with simulated measurements

Abstract. We present a new remote sensing technique to infer the average asymmetry parameter of ice crystals near cloud top from multi-directional polarization measurements. The method is based on previous findings that (a) complex aggregates of hexagonal crystals generally have scattering phase matrices resembling those of their components; and (b) scattering phase matrices systematically vary with aspect ratios of crystals and their degree of microscale surface roughness. Ice cloud asymmetry parameters are inferred from multi-directional polarized reflectance measurements by searching for the closest fit in a look-up table of simulated polarized reflectances computed for cloud layers that contain individual, randomly oriented hexagonal columns and plates with varying aspect ratios and roughness values. The asymmetry parameter of the hexagonal particle that leads to the best fit with the measurements is considered the retrieved value. For clouds with optical thickness less than 5, the cloud optical thickness must be retrieved simultaneously with the asymmetry parameter, while for optically thicker clouds the asymmetry parameter retrieval is independent of cloud optical thickness. Evaluation of the technique using simulated measurements based on the optical properties of a number of complex particles and their mixtures shows that the ice crystal asymmetry parameters are generally retrieved to within 5%, or about 0.04 in absolute terms. The retrieval scheme is largely independent of calibration errors, range and sampling density of scattering angles and random noise in the measurements. The approach can be applied to measurements of past, current and future airborne and satellite instruments that measure multi-directional polarized reflectances of ice-topped clouds.
Rectification nonlinearity in cortical end-stopped perceptive fields

End-stopped perceptive fields associated with line targets were demonstrated previously with length and width Westheimer functions. In this study we investigated rectifying non-linearity in these perceptive fields to examine whether they directly reflect the organization of cortical receptive fields. Specifically, we reversed the polarity of parts of the background field associated with a specific perceptive field sub-region and examined threshold changes in corresponding length or width Westheimer functions. Results showed full-wave rectification in end-stopping and half-wave rectification in center summation and flank-inhibition preceding linear summation in end-stopped perceptive fields. Half-wave rectification in center summation and surround-inhibition preceding linear summation was also found in circular perceptive fields associated with spot targets. These results are inconsistent with direct links between perceptive fields and cortical receptive fields. Rather they suggest that these perceptive fields are likely the second-order fields formed by pooled non-linearly rectified outputs from cortical receptive fields.
Achieving Balance: Secondary Physical Education Gender-Grouping Options

(2004). Achieving Balance: Secondary Physical Education Gender-Grouping Options. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 33-39.
The short-period mutant, toc1-1, alters circadian clock regulation of multiple outputs throughout development in Arabidopsis thaliana

The coordination of developmental and physiological events with environmental signals is facilitated by the action of the circadian clock. Here we report a new set of circadian clock-controlled phenotypes for Arabidopsis thaliana. We use these markers together with the short-period mutant, toc1-1, and the clock-controlled cab2::luciferase reporter gene to assess the nature of the circadian clock throughout development and to suggest the position of TOC1 within the circadian clock system. In dark-grown seedlings, the toc1-1 lesion conferred a short period to the cycling of cab2::luciferase luminescence, as previously found in light-grown plants, indicating that the circadian clocks in these two divergent developmental states share at least one component. Stomatal conductance rhythms were similarly approximately 3 hours shorter than wild type in toc1-1, suggesting that a cell-autonomous clockwork may be active in guard cells in 5- to 6-week-old leaves. The effect of daylength on flowering time in the C24 ecotype was diminished by toc1-1, and was nearly eliminated in the Landsberg erecta background where the plants flowered equally early in both short and long days. Throughout a 500-fold range of red light intensities, both the wild type and the mutant showed an inverse log-linear relationship of fluence rate to period, with a 2-3 hour shorter period for the mutant at all intensities. These results indicate that TOC1 acts on or within the clock independently of light input. Temperature entrainment appears normal in toc1-1, and the period-shortening effects of the mutant remain unchanged over a 20 degrees C temperature range. Taken together our results are consistent with the likelihood that TOC1 codes for an oscillator component rather than for an element of an input signaling pathway. In addition, the pervasive effect of toc1-1 on a variety of clock-controlled processes throughout development suggests that a single circadian system is primarily responsible for controlling most, if not all, circadian rhythms in the plant.
Effect of energy shortage and land use on auto occupancy

This study attempts to investigate the characteristics of the automobile occupancy rates in the Milwaukee metropolitan area by analyzing data for a 4-yr period to determine the effects of gasoline shortage, land use characteristics, and peak hour periods on occupancy rates. The fluctuation in the occupancy rates were statistically examined by segregating the land-use characteristics of the area into two classifications of low and high intensity areas. Furthermore, the statistical analyses were extended to examine the effects of price increases and unavailability of gasoline on the occupancy rates during the conduct of this study. The results indicated that the unavailability of gasoline is the most influential factor in increasing occupancy rates while the higher prices of gasoline induced a temporary increase in occupancy rates. The study revealed that the areas with a high intensity of land use are generally associated with high occupancy rates. It was also determined that the occupancy rates were independent of time and no significant trends were established.
Electrochemical Charge and Protein Adsorption

The amount of albumin adsorbed to three dental crown and bridge alloys (high- and low-gold content and silver-palladium), platinum, silver, and stainless steel was quantitated for the as-immersed conditions as well as with anodic and cathodic charge transfers in artifical saliva at a pH = 6.8. A methanolchloroform technique was utilized prior to protein assay which precipitated protein by phase separation. Amido black staining of protein on nitrocellulose filter paper was evaluated for optical density and compared to a standard curve of known quantities of protein. Cathodic charges decreased the quantity of adsorbed protein while anodic charges both increased and decreased adsorbed protein depending upon metal or alloy. Quantities adsorbed ranged from 0.5 to 8 μg/cm2. Interaction of positive oxidized species with the excess negative charges of the albumin molecules is thought to have increased protein adsorption. Formation of corrosion products with inorganic conponents is thought to have masked positive charges from protein thereby decreasing adsorption.
Acute Withdrawal From Alcohol

Acute alcoholic withdrawal is a common clinical problem, and delirium tremens is its most severe form. Symptoms of withdrawal must be evaluated carefully and treated aggressively. The severity of the withdrawal syndrome cannot always be predicted on the basis of quantity or duration of alcohol ingestion. Sedation must be handled with extreme care, and special attention to fluid and electrolyte balance is of the utmost importance.
Estimatingwater conductivityof sand-based root zone materials from particle size distribution: effects of peat amendments

Sand and peat mixtures are widely used in constructed root zones of golf course putting greens and sports fields,containerized horticulture,and water filtering systems.Direct measurement of hydraulic properties often is time consuming.One of the objectives of this study was to test if saturated water flow is laminar and obeys Darcy's law when a large amount of peat is mixed with sand that conform to the USGA specifications.Another objective was to evaluate a previously developed multiple linear regression(MLR)model for predictingsaturated water conductivity(Ksat)as affected by peat types and organic matter(OM)content.Woody sphagnum peat(Peat,Inc.Minnesota,USA),sphagnum peat moss(Sun Gro Horticulture,Maryland,USA),and reed sedge peat(Dakota Peat,North Dakota,USA)were mixed with sand at 0%,0.2%,0.4%,0.8%,1.6%,4%,8%,and 10%(w/w)in the final mixtures.The model tested was Log10(Ksat)=5.340 7-0.528 6ρb-1.2846CP-0.044 2c+0.0612φ5-0.6095φ95,withρbas bulk density(g/cm3),CP as capillary porosity(%),c as silt content(%),andφ5,φ10,φ16,φ84,φ95values from the particle size distribution curve representing grain size in phi(φ)unit.Briefly,φx=-log(2,d),with x representing the percentage of sand mass smaller than d in size in a traditional particle size distribution curve.Results showed that Darcy's law prevailed at hydraulic pressure gradients up to 3.Results also showed that,with exception of less humified sphagnum peat moss at4%,the model provided fair predictions of Ksat(R2=0.74)for OM content up to 10%.
Analysis on food poisoning in China 2006-2010 and its prevention and control countermeasures

Objective To analyze the national food poisoning incidents and distribution,provide the scientific basis for the related department to develop measures on the prevention of food poisoning.Methods All reports of food poisoning data were computerized with a retrospective epidemiological methods,and analyzed by the time of occurrence,the cause of poisoning food,and the locations of poisoning food with SPSS17.0 software.Results National food poisoning type of emergent public health events reported 2 024 food poisoning events from 2006 to 2010,including 62 828 food poisoning cases,973 deaths,61 involving more than 100 people of food poisoning.Most food poisoning events occurred in July,August and September.The food poisoning was mainly caused by microorganism,and occurred in household.Conclusion It is suggested to strengthen on the effective implementation capacity of the food poisoning,and propagandize widely incidence of the food poisoning,which are effective measures to prevent and control food poisoning.
Numerical Simulation of Flow Field with Moving and Deforming Objects

Infiltration of blast waves in a structure with limited opening in the front wall is investigated numerically.Numerical methods deal with generation of moving and deforming unstructured mesh,moving boundary condition and topological change of geometry are used to blast-structure interactions.Movements of door located at the opening,collision of door with a baffle,fracture of door and displacement of fragment are considered.It is concluded that the methods are suitable to deal with blast-structure interaction.
Comparative Analysis of Common Guide Wire versus Exchange Guide Wire in PCI Patients Undergoing Transradial Artery Approach

Objective To study the safety and clinical efficacy of common guide wire instead of exchange guide wire for guiding catheter exchange in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention( PCI) by transradial artery approach. Methods One hundred and twelve patients requiring a PCI procedure were randomly assigned into two groups,with 56 cases in each group. TERUMO ultra-smooth exchange guide wire was used in the exchange guide wire group and TERUMO general ultra-smooth guide wire was used in common guide wire group. To perform a comparative analysis on the perspective time from guide wire delivering into the aortic root and retrieving resident wire( PT1) at end of coronary anagiography( CAG),CAG catheter delivering and retrieving time( T1),perspective time of guide wire delivering into resident catheter to aortic root before PCI( PT2),time of guide catheter delivering into aortic root( T2),total perspective time( PT) : the sum of PT1 and PT2,the total time( T) : the sum of T1 and T2,the costs and complications of two groups. Results PT1,T1,PT,T2 and T in the common guide wire group were significantly shorter than those in the exchange guide group( P 0. 01). PT2 in the common guide wire group was significantly longer than that in the exchange guide group( P 0. 01). The costs of guide wire in the exchange guide wire group was significantly more than that in the common guide wire group. But there was no significant difference in the complications between two groups( P 0. 05).Conclusion During PCI treatment via transradial artery approach,the application of common ultra-smooth guide wire instead of exchange guide wire is of less perspective time,convenient,easy,economical and practical. Its security is as same as that of exchange guide wire.
Value of Small Airway Disease on Predicting Asymptomatic Asthma in Children with Chronic Cough

Objective To investigate the value of small airway disease(SAD) on predicting asymptomatic asthma in children with chronic cough.Methods One hundred and seventy-six children with chronic cough(aged from 5 to 12 years) were retrospectively selected who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Jun.2007 to Jun.2010.Parameters of pulmonary function test(PFT) and bronchial provocation test(BPT) were performed,and the relationship of SAD,airway hyper-responsiveness(AHR) and asthma were analyzed.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results PFT and BPT were completely performed in 170 cases of 176 children with chronic cough during the 3 years.Of which,48(28.24%) children had SAD.Se-venty-eight(45.88%) children had positive BPT.The rate of BPT-positive in children with SAD was significantly higher than that in normal pulmonary function group(87.50% vs 29.51%,χ2=46.655,P0.01).After followed-up,72 cases of 78 children with BPT-positive were diagnosed as asthma.The incidence of asthma in children with SAD(85.42%) was significantly higher than that in normal pulmonary function group(25.41%)(χ2=50.803,P0.01).Conclusions SAD is significantly associated with AHR,and it seems be a good predictive factor for asymptomatic asthma in children with chronic cough,which may be a suitable replacement for asthma screening,especially in health care institutions without instrument for BPT in country.
III-Nitride nanowires lasers

Nanowires have gained interest as coherent, nanoscale light sources. Using a top-down approach, high quality III-nitride-based nanowires with controllable height, pitch and diameter have been realized. Here, the fabrication, and lasing characteristics of GaN-based and GaN/InGaN based nanowires fabricated by this approach will be presented, along with schemes for single optical mode selection, polarization control, beam shaping, and wavelength tuning.
Reducing infection risk in implant-based breast-reconstruction surgery: challenges and solutions

Implant-based procedures are the most commonly performed method for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. While donor-site morbidity is low, these procedures are associated with a higher risk of reconstructive loss. Many of these are related to infection of the implant, which can lead to prolonged antibiotic treatment, undesired additional surgical procedures, and unsatisfactory results. This review combines a summary of the recent literature regarding implant-related breast-reconstruction infections and combines this with a practical approach to the patient and surgery aimed at reducing this risk. Prevention of infection begins with appropriate reconstructive choice based on an assessment and optimization of risk factors. These include patient and disease characteristics, such as smoking, obesity, large breast size, and immediate reconstructive procedures, as well as adjuvant therapy, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For implant-based breast reconstruction, preoperative planning and organization is key to reducing infection. A logical and consistent intraoperative and postoperative surgical protocol, including appropriate antibiotic choice, mastectomy-pocket creation, implant handling, and considered acellular dermal matrix use contribute toward the reduction of breast-implant infections.
Gastrostomy tube placement: An opportunity for establishing patient-centered goals of care.

Background Surgeons and other health care providers are frequently consulted for gastrostomy tube placement in seriously ill patients at risk of outcomes poorly aligned with patient goals. Palliative care assessments have been recommended to guide decision-making in this setting. We aimed to characterize patient-centered outcomes and define the extent of unmet palliative care need in patients receiving gastrostomy tubes. Methods This is a retrospective study of all adult, nontrauma inpatients who underwent gastrostomy tube placement over 16 months at an urban academic medical center. Outcomes included in-hospital and 1-year mortality, functional status at discharge, and receipt of palliative care assessment preprocedure. Results Gastrostomy tubes were placed in 205 patients. In-hospital and 1-year mortality rates were 8% and 19%, respectively. Of patients surviving to discharge, 69% were unable to live independently. Among patients with acute brain injury or respiratory failure, 90% died in the hospital or were severely disabled at discharge. Only 12% of patients received a documented palliative care assessment preprocedure. Conclusion Given high risks of mortality and poor functional outcomes, consideration of gastrostomy tube placement is an appropriate but underutilized trigger for palliative care assessment. This study highlights an untapped opportunity to optimize the goal concordance of treatment in operative intervention.
‘He used to be a Pollero’ the securitisation of migration and the smuggler/migrant nexus at the Mexico-Guatemala border

ABSTRACTBased on ethnographic fieldwork in an unmonitored crossing along the Mexico-Guatemala border, this article explores how enhanced border securitisation made migration and border smuggling more suspect, illicit, and risky. In a region where identities have been fluid, official documentation is uneven, and immigration policing is racialised, border residents increasingly use racial stereotypes and fears to conjure the Central American migrant ‘other’ to protect themselves from being mistaken as smugglers and as migrants. Residents cope with an unpredictable landscape through silence, rumour, and distancing themselves from migrants which further justifies securitised migration policies and makes migrants and residents less secure.
Cervical spine osteomyelitis in head and neck cancer patients: Looking twice for posterior hypopharyngeal dehiscence

Abstract Cervical spinal osteomyelitis due to breakdown of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx is a rare complication following surgery and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy of head and neck cancer. Very few such cases have been reported in literature. We report 2 cases of cervical spine osteomyelitis in head and neck cancer patients due to posterior hypopharyngeal dehiscence. In the first patient, a 74 year old woman with total laryngectomy performed 12 years ago; the osteomyelitis followed an iatrogenic tear from balloon dilatation of a chronic radiation induced neopharyngeal stricture. There was a slit-like defect on MRI in the posterior wall at the junction of the neopharynx and esophagus immediately anterior to C5-6 osteomyelitis. The second, a 53 year old male patient developed this complication from a spontaneous breakdown of the posterior hypopharynx 4 months after completing chemoradiation for tonsillar cancer. There was failure to recognize the sinus tract on the immediate post-treatment neck CT which predated the onset of osteomyelitis. Both patients were treated with broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and discontinuation of oral feeding. Awareness and diligent detection of hypopharyngeal dehiscence is important in cases of cervical spinal osteomyelitis occurring in head and neck cancer patients.
A GABAergic Dysfunction in the Olivary-Cerebellar-Brainstem Network May Cause Eye Oscillations and Body Tremor. II. Model Simulations of Saccadic Eye Oscillations

Eye and body oscillations are shared features of several neurological diseases, yet their pathophysiology remains unclear. Recently we published a report on two tennis players with a novel presentation of eye and body oscillations following self-administration of performance-enhancing substances. Opsoclonus/flutter and limb tremor were diagnosed in both patients. Common causes of opsoclonus/flutter were excluded. High-resolution eye movement recordings from one patient showed novel spindle-shaped, asymmetric saccadic oscillations (at ~3.6 Hz) and ocular tremor (~40-60 Hz). Based on these findings we proposed that the oscillations are the result of increased GABAA receptor sensitivity in a circuit involving the cerebellum (vermis and fastigial nuclei), the inferior olives and the brain stem saccade pre-motor neurons (excitatory and inhibitory burst neurons, and omnipause neurons). We present a mathematical model of the saccadic system, showing that the proposed dysfunction in the network can reproduce the types of saccadic oscillations seen in these patients.
Abstract 16712: Calcineurin Inhibitor-free Regimens in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients - Outcomes of Empiric Transition to Sirolimus

Introduction: Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors including sirolimus have been successfully used in adult heart transplant patients (pts) to attenuate graft arterial vasculopathy (CAV) and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity. Of interest in pediatric pts is the potential offered by mTOR inhibitors to decrease morbidity related to CAV, CNI related nephrotoxicity and PTLD. Here, we report our updated experience with transition to sirolimus in a CNI-free regimen in pediatric heart transplant pts. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all pediatric heart transplant pts with attempted transition from a CNI to a sirolimus regimen. Patients were also treated routinely with an anti-metabolite medication with or without steroids. Results and Discussion: We identified 31 pts (mean age at transplant 8.3 years, 55% male) for whom transition was attempted. Transition trials occurred a mean of 30 months post-transplant. Eight pts discontinued sirolimus due to side effects (pneumonitis, aphthous ulcers, diarrhea or proteinuria). All pts with a history of Fontan and protein losing enteropathy (PLE, N = 3) developed significant proteinuria while on sirolimus, requiring discontinuation. Twenty-three of 31 pts (mean age at transplant 7.6 years, 65% male) successfully completed transition to a CNI-free protocol, over a mean of 71 days. Follow-up was available for a mean of 4.3 years post-conversion. No pts were diagnosed with CAV during this short-term follow-up. There was no significant difference between the rate of rejection while taking CNIs (prior to transition) relative to the rate when on the CNI-free regimen (p = NS). Glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73m2) increased from 79 pre-transition to 89 post-transition and further to 94 at latest follow-up. However, this trend did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: In this cohort of pediatric heart transplant pts, a sirolimus-based, CNI-free immunosuppressive regimen was not associated with increased rejection rate. All pts with PLE before transplant developed proteinuria on sirolimus. Transition to sirolimus in a CNI-free regimen for pediatric heart transplant pts was effective in most and has the potential to improve graft and patient survival.
Simple Trinitarianism and empty names

According to Simple Trinitarianism, God is mereologically simple, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not identified with any entities in our ontology. Thus the Simple Trinitarian is able to avoid conflating Persons or multiplying Gods, and does not have to identify the Persons with minor entities or entities partly disjoint from God. However, to maintain that Trinitarian sentences are nonetheless true, the Simple Trinitarian will need a non-standard semantics. I explore one option for this, involving taking ‘the Father’, ‘the Son’, and ‘the Holy Spirit’ to be empty names. By adopting a positive, Free Logic, we can take these names to make semantic contributions and play roles in true sentences, while blocking problematic inferences.
Lask’s Theory of Judgment

Lask’s theory of judgment has to be understood in the light of two other theories: the Kantian and the more recent Bolzano-Husserl theories. Let me therefore begin with a brief statement of these two theories.
Methods Discussion and Active Learning in a Volatile Age: A Reflection and Analysis

AbstractFrom 2012 to 2016, American news headlines were dominated at various times by the killing of black men either stopped by police or presumed to be engaging in suspicious activity, and protes...
Myoepithelial Lesions and Tumors of the Breast

A number of conditions can lead to metaplastic or proliferative changes in the myoepithelial cell layer of the breast, resulting in a variety of benign and malignant myoepithelial cell lesions. Nonneoplastic myoepithelial lesions are common, often observed as an incidental finding in the breast, and include myoepithelial hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, and collagenous spherulosis. Myoepithelial neoplasms are uncommon and include adenomyoepithelioma, malignant adenomyoepithelioma, and myoepithelial carcinoma.
Toward an ecobehavioral model of early language development

Abstract Language development is an important milestone in early childhood that has implications for later achievement. Although a variety of contemporary models have been offered to describe the process of language acquisition, ecobehavioral models provide descriptive and actionable information on both the causal mechanisms of behavior change and development, as well as variables of influence (e.g., settings, environment, policies). Grounded within sociolinguistic theory and empirical literature, we propose and describe an ecobehavioral model of language development that assumes language is learned through the opportunities afforded by caregiver–child interactions. Functional variables of (a) caregiver knowledge, beliefs, and behavior, (b) environmental components and resource availability, and (c) policies and practices are further described as increasingly distal influences on the timing, frequency, and quality of these interactions. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Multi-Agent Planning for Coordinated Robotic Weed Killing

This work presents a strategy for coordinated multi-agent weeding under conditions of partial environmental information. The goal of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of coordination strategies for improving the weeding performance of autonomous agricultural robots. We show that, given a sufficient number of agents, the algorithm can successfully weed fields with various initial seed bank densities, even when multiple days are allowed to elapse before weeding commences. Furthermore, the use of coordination between agents is demonstrated to strongly improve system performance as the number of agents increases, enabling the system to eliminate all the weeds in the field, as in the case of full environmental information, when the planner without coordination failed to do so. As a domain to test our algorithms, we have developed an open source simulation environment, Weed World, which allows real-time visualization of coordinated weeding policies, and includes realistic weed generation. In this work, experiments are conducted to determine the required number of agents and their required transit speed, for given initial seed bank densities and varying allowed days before the start of the weeding process.
Objective continuous monitoring of alcohol consumption for three months among alcohol use disorder treatment outpatients.

Abstract Background Transdermal alcohol sensing technology allows for objective continuous monitoring of alcohol use. The purpose of this study was to characterize alcohol consumption measured with this technology among alcohol use disorder treatment outpatients in two clinical trials. Methods Participants were community-based alcohol treatment outpatients in usual care (N = 63) during the first three years of studies that monitored drinking with the secure continuous remote alcohol monitor (SCRAMx®) ankle bracelet. Research visits for uploading SCRAMx data occurred every other week in Study 1 (n = 43) and once weekly in Study 2 (n = 20), for 3 months. Staff used timeline follow-back procedures to collect self-reports of drinking frequency and magnitude at each research visit. Results In the 90 days before intake, 85.7% (n = 54) of participants reported consuming alcohol, and consumption occurred on a median (interquartile range) 35.7% (29.0%) of days. During the treatment period, per SCRAMx versus self-report, the percentage who drank was 92.1% (n = 58) versus 46.6% (n = 30), p = .03, and consumption occurred on 16.5% (36.5%) versus 0.0% (21.4%) of days, respectively, p Conclusions This is the first study to quantify alcohol consumption among alcohol treatment outpatients using transdermal sensor technology. Results indicate that most patients drank while in outpatient care. Issues to consider for future applications of this technology and implications for alcohol treatment are discussed.
Enhancing Accessibility of Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Pilot Study on Women's Experiences With Integrating Yoga Into Group Prenatal Care.

Introduction:Health guidelines suggest that pregnant women should participate in daily physical activity, yet rarely do they meet these guidelines. Means to enhance accessibility of physical activi...
Increased tactile sensitivity and deficient feed-forward inhibition in pathological hair pulling and skin picking.

Abstract An increasing body of evidence has linked pathological body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) to excessive sensory sensitivity and difficulty modulating sensory inputs. Likewise, neurobiological evidence points to deficits in feed-forward inhibition and sensory habituation in conditions with similar symptomatology. There is currently little evidence regarding potential physiological sensory abnormalities in BFRBs. The current study compared 46 adults with pathological hair pulling and/or skin picking to 46 age-matched healthy control participants on a series of self-report measures and objective psychophysical tests of neurophysiological sensory functions. Persons in the BFRB group reported increased scores on the Sensory Gating Inventory (U = 320.50, p
Mechanistic Insights into Specific G Protein Interactions with Adenosine Receptors

Coupling between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the G proteins is a key step in cellular signaling. Despite extensive experimental and computational studies, the mechanism of specific GPCR-G protein coupling remains poorly understood. This has greatly hindered effective drug design of GPCRs that are primary targets of ∼1/3 of currently marketed drugs. Here, we have employed all-atom simulations using a robust Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) method to decipher the mechanism of the GPCR-G protein interactions. Adenosine receptors (ARs) were used as model systems based on very recently determined cryo-EM structures of the A1AR and A2AAR coupled with the Gi and Gs proteins, respectively. Changing the Gi protein to the Gs led to increased fluctuations in the A1AR and agonist adenosine (ADO), while agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) binding in the A2AAR could be still stabilized upon changing the Gs protein to the Gi. Free energy calculations identified one stable low-energy conformation for each of the A1AR-Gi and A2AAR-Gs complexes as in the cryo-EM structures, similarly for the A2AAR-Gi complex. In contrast, the ADO agonist and Gs protein sampled multiple conformations in the A1AR-Gs system. GaMD simulations thus indicated that the A1AR preferred to couple with the Gi protein to the Gs, while the A2AAR could couple with both the Gs and Gi proteins, being highly consistent with experimental findings of the ARs. More importantly, detailed analysis of the atomic simulations showed that the specific AR-G protein coupling resulted from remarkably complementary residue interactions at the protein interface, involving mainly the receptor transmembrane 6 helix and the Gα α5 helix and α4-β6 loop. In summary, the GaMD simulations have provided unprecedented insights into the dynamic mechanism of specific GPCR-G protein interactions at an atomistic level.
A risk-based optimization framework for integrated supply chains using genetic algorithm and artificial neural networks

Abstract Modern supply chains are complicated networks that stretch over different geographical locations, which make them vulnerable to a variety of risks. An effective supply chain management provides a competitive advantage by reducing overhead costs and delays in product deliveries. To cope with internal and external risks, an integrated planning scheme can effectively adjust supply chain network operations and minimize negative effects of unexpected changes and failures. This paper proposes a risk-based optimization framework that handles supply chain's strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. A supply chain is considered as a network of suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and markets. The proposed model deals with uncertainties associated with demands, facility interruptions, lead times, and failures in supply, production, and distribution channels. To study more realistic supply chain operations, delays uncertainties are also included in the model. The structural design, communication between different centers, and inventory decisions are determined based on the risk perspective of the decision maker. To solve the proposed model, a new genetic algorithm is designed which is integrated with artificial neural network that learns from previous plans and search for better ones by minimizing any mismatch between supply and demand. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is investigated by comparing its results with those obtained from traditional techniques and regular GA. The results show that including adjustable tactical plans and incorporating learning mechanism considerably reduces inventory level and increases the profit level in supply chain systems.
Is there a relationship between femoral neck-shaft angle and ischiofemoral impingement in patients with hip pain?

Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) is a cause of deep gluteal space syndrome. The prevalence of radiographic findings in patients with hip pain is unknown. To assess if there is a correlation between femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA) and the distance of the ischiofemoral space (IFS) and quadratus femoris space (QFS) and to determine the prevalence of quadratus femoris (QF) edema in patients with hip pain. A retrospective case series was conducted involving 100 consecutive hip or pelvis magnetic resonance imaging scans on patients presenting with hip pain. NSA, IFS and QFS distances were measured and presence of QF edema was noted. Analysis of the groups (QF edema vs no edema) was performed using two-tailed t-test and Pearson correlation. There were 18 hips in the edema group (mean age 51.11 years ± 10.5) and 82 hips in the non-edema group (mean age 40.79 years ± 15.9). Within the edema group, there was a moderate positive correlation between NSA and QFS (r = 0.498, P = 0.036) and a weak positive correlation between NSA and IFI (0.312, P = 0.208). The prevalence of QF edema in this study was 18% with only 28% of those subjects having clinical symptoms of IFI. Patients with QF edema had significantly narrower QFS and IFS distances (P < 0.001). The prevalence of QF edema is 18% in a consecutive sample of adults with hip pain. In patients with QF edema, only 28% have symptoms of IFI. In patients with QF edema, there was a moderate positive correlation between NSA and QFS.
188 Trajectory of salivary miRNA gene expression in children with concussion

Purpose Up to one-third of children with concussion develop persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS), which can give rise to subsequent problems for years post-injury. This pilot study aimed to (1) monitor gene expression of a panel of salivary miRNAs over time post-concussion and (2) identify biomarkers that differentiate concussed children who develop PPCS from those who do not. Methods Saliva samples were collected from concussed children ages 11–17 at ≤1 week, 2-weeks, and 4-weeks post-injury. Post-concussion symptoms were also monitored daily throughout enrollment. PPCS was defined as a symptom score of 5 or higher than pre-injury level beyond 28 days post-injury. Changes in salivary miRNA expression over time post-injury were analyzed using the NanoString nCounter® human v3 miRNA panel to compare children with and without PPCS. Results Of the 23 children studied (64 saliva samples provided), the average age was 14.4 years, 52.2% were male, and 34.7% (n=8) experienced PPCS. Of the 798 different human miRNAs analyzed, 46 (5.8%) had gene expression levels above threshold in at least 75% of the saliva samples analyzed. Six miRNAs that were differentially expressed in the PPCS group were significantly under expressed within one week of injury (p Conclusion Additional studies are needed to verify our findings and to examine the biological regulatory or inflammatory mechanisms of the differently expressed miRNAs. Significance The identification of clinically-relevant biomarker miRNAs could inform the development of individually-tailored treatment plans for children at risk for PPCS.
Initial Experience Prescribing Commercial Tafamidis, the Most Expensive Cardiac Medication in History

This economic evaluation study examines the authors’ experience of prescribing tafamidis in terms of their cost and the insurance status of patients.
A Class of C2 Interpolating Splines

We present a class of non-polynomial parametric splines that interpolate the given control points and show that some curve types in this class have a set of highly desirable properties that were not previously demonstrated for interpolating curves before. In particular, the formulation of this class guarantees that the resulting curves have C2 continuity everywhere and local support, such that only four control points define each curve segment between consecutive control points. These properties are achieved directly due to the mathematical formulation used for defining this class, without the need for a global numerical optimization step. We also provide four example spline types within this class. These examples show how guaranteed self-intersection-free curve segments can be achieved, regardless of the placement of control points, which has been a limitation of prior interpolating curve formulations. In addition, they present how perfect circular arcs and linear segments can be formed by splines within this class, which also have been challenging for prior methods of interpolating curves.