cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
German Kabarett and its Appropriation in Kurt Weill's "Seerauber Jenny"

Kabarett, a short-lived countercultural movement in Germany, managed to leave a mark on the world of Western music despite its brief existence. Through simple musical structures and pointed lyrics, Kabarett music captured the attention of the German public from the 1900s to the 1930s. Following Kabarett’s vogue, composers of “high art” genres such as lieder, opera, and musicals appropriated the Kabarett style into the realm of Western art music. In 1928, Kurt Weill utilized a Kabarett sound in his “play with music,” The Threepenny Opera . This paper will analyze selected Kabarett pieces from early 20th Century Germany to establish the harmonic, textual, and formal components that constitute the basis of Kabarett style. These tenets of Kabarett style will then be compared and contrasted with Weill’s “Seerauber Jenny,” an art piece influenced by the genre, in order to determine the extent of aesthetic borrowing or departure. Previous research on Kabarett has been limited mainly to its history and social implications; this writing will contribute to the academic discourse by examining Kabarett from a music analytical perspective.
Globalizacija ir intelektualo atsakomybė II

The question of intellectual responsibility in confrontation with globalization is the philosophical question from Socratic to modern philosophies. In brief, it is impossible to practice philosophy and not to raise this question. It is well known that Socrates stood his ground unto death with the demand that he and others have a duty to interrogate all claims to truth regardless of their origin. Intellectual honesty was for him a requirement to keep open the discursive domain – called the polis – wherein the search for truth could be pursued. This means that the task of philosophy as such is identical with the maintenance of an open polis wherein all theories and propositions can be tested and contested. Hence, when we raise the question of the responsibility of the intellectual, we must recall the task for philosophy set by Socrates. Yet our situation is quite different from that of classical Athens. We are confronted by modern philosophy in its ontological and metaphysical guises that require a serious consideration whether we can even think of the relationship between intellectual and responsibility. It is our task, then, to consider what sort of position will open up for an intellectual that would be worthy of philosophy.
Failure of postpartum lactogenesis due to isolated prolactin deficiency

Objective: To review a case of a postpartum female with lactation failure due to isolated prolactin deficiency. Methods: We describe the presentation of isolated prolactin deficiency, found during the evaluation of a postpartum woman withabsence of postpartum lactogenesis. Results: A 31-year-old G1P1 female five weeks post-partum presented for evaluation of lactation failure. She had an uncomplicatedpregnancy and delivery, with no retained placental fragments. The patient was unable to lactate despite regularbreast stimulation through early and regular infant latch and subsequent bilateral breast pumping. The patient had a historyof Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but was otherwise healthy. There was no history of alcohol abuse or breast disease. A prolactinlevel measured after a session of breast pumping was 12.4 ng/ml (reference range 122-370 ng/ml). Evaluation of other pituitaryhormones was normal. An MRI of the pituitary was unremarkable. Conclusion: Isolated prolactin deficiency is a rare disorder, presenting postpartum with lack of breast milk production. The causeof this condition is unclear, but may be related to autoimmune destruction of lactotrophs in some patients. In the future, treatmentwith recombinant human prolactin may be used to treat this rare disorder.
Non-intrusive load monitoring: A power consumption based relaxation

Obtaining per-device energy consumption estimates in Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) has proven to be a challenging task. We present Power Consumption Clustered Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (PCC-NILM), a relaxation of the NILM problem that estimates the energy consumed by devices operating in different power ranges. The Approximate Power Trace Decomposition Algorithm (APTDA) is presented as an unsupervised, data-driven solution to the PCC-NILM problem. We show that reliable energy estimates can be obtained by crowdsourcing the results from using 1,456 event detectors applied to the publicly available BLUED dataset.
Multireference Character for 4d Transition Metal-Containing Molecules

Four diagnostic criteria have been examined to identify the suitability of single-reference wave function-based quantum chemistry methods for a set of 118 4d transition metal species. These diagnostics include the weight of the leading configuration of the CASSCF wave function, C02; the Frobenius norm of the coupled cluster amplitude vector related to single excitations, T1; the matrix 2-norm of the coupled cluster T1 amplitude vector arising from coupled cluster calculations, D1; and the percent total atomization energy, %TAE, corresponding to a relationship between energies determined with CCSD and CCSD(T) calculations. New criteria, namely, T1 ≥ 0.045, D1 ≥ 0.120, and %TAE ≥ 10%, are herein proposed as a gauge for 4d transition metal-containing molecules to predict the possible need to employ multireference (MR) wave function-based methods to describe energetic and spectroscopic properties.
Characteristics of Pocket Gophers Along an Altitudinal Transect

Pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) were examined in relation to the vegetation along an altitudinal transect in the Beartooth Mountains, Wyo¬ming. Stations were established in the Alpine, Canadian, and Transition life zones. Proximate analysis of the vegetation for protein, lipid, crude fiber, and carbohydrate showed protein to be highest at the Alpine station, carbohydrate at the Canadian station, and crude fiber at the Transition station. Stomach content materials showed a similar relationship to altitude but were much higher in protein and lipid than the vegetation at each of the collecting sites. Body size was significantly larger at the Alpine station but population numbers and adrenal size were larger at the Canadian station. Skeletal measurements were similar at all stations when the effects of total size were removed, indicating a similar genotype. Population num¬bers fluctuated in synchrony at the three stations over a 6-year period
Advances in B-lymphoblastic leukemia: cytogenetic and genomic lesions.

Abstract The genomic profiling of B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) subtypes are characterized by a constellation of genetic changes involving structural rearrangements, submicroscopic DNA copy number alterations, and sequence mutations. Several of these genetic changes have relevant implications for risk stratification and targeted therapeutic interventions. In this review, we summarize some of the well-known and recently identified genomic risk factors for B-ALL, with emphasis on their associated prognoses and methods of detection. Alterations in genes that regulate B-cell development are hallmarks of B-ALL. In particular, deletions of IKZF1 , a gene determining early lymphoid differentiation, are associated with high-risk Ph+and Ph-like B-ALL subtypes. About 20% of B-ALL patients harbor genetic alterations that result in aberrant activation of protein tyrosine kinases. The genetic alterations include rearrangements of the cytokine receptor gene CRLF2 ; rearrangements of ABL1 , JAK2 , and PDGFRB ; and mutations of JAK1 and JAK2. B-ALL with these genetic alterations may respond to targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Recurrent genetic alterations involving TP53 , CREBBP , and NT5C2 are enriched in relapsed B-ALL and may confer drug resistance. Future challenges include implementing genomic profiling into the clinic to guide risk stratification and the use of targeted therapies.
Estimating Ultimate Performance Levels of New Retail Outlets

Information that tells how well a new retail outlet meets the performance expectations is especially valuable to that store's management during the first few weeks or months after the store opens. Strategic decisions based on such information must be made for all the store's marketing activities; since whether a store becomes a profitable enterprise depends on these decisions. The major difficulty with the store performance information flow in most new retail enterprises is not so much in the type of information available but in the timing of their availability. By the time one can collect and analyze enough information for a decision, the optimum timing for that decision may have passed. Any procedure that can substantially advance the time at which an assessment of performance can be made for a new retail outlet should be given careful consideration.
Negotiating Conflicts Across Cultures

The choice of decision making and the logical approach to negotiations, in the past has seen advancements in progressing towards a new trajectory paradigm, as well as a prospering enthusiasm in the field for both research and practices. Researchers have built upon the work in behavioral and decision-making theories, analyzing the ways in which negotiators perform in cross cultural negotiations. From the Neanderthal era till the present, there has been renewed interests in sociocultural factors, as works on social connections, ego-centrism, interpretations, and attributions were amalgamated into our understanding of negotiations. Many encouraging areas of research have risen lately, drawing from other disciplines including perceived minds, feelings, social stigmas, the role of media, access to justice and cultural contrast.
Analysis of surveillance results of drinking water quality at railway area in Wuwei

Objective:To understand the sanitary status of drinking water in railway area under Wuwei,and provide scientific basis for improving the quality of drinking water.Methods:A total of 94 domestic potable water samples were collected during 2007-2011 at Wuwei railway area and examined according to GB/T 5750-2006.Results:68 samples were qualified,the qualified rate was 72.3%,the unqualified items included total coliform bacteria,fluoride,sulfate,total dissolved solid,chloride,visible property and total hardness,the pass rates for centralized water supply and decentralized water were 88.5% and 52.4%,respectively and there were significant differences between the two(χ2=15.12,Ρ0.01);the qualified rates for deep water wells and water storage wells were 85.3% and 21.1%,respectively,there was significant difference between them(χ2=31.31,Ρ0.01).Conclusion:The quality of drinking water in railway area in Wuwei was low,microbial contamination of drinking water was more serious,so,the purification and disinfection of the drinking water should been strengthened.
Clinical Presentation of Restless Legs Syndrome

To understand restless legs syndrome (RLS), it is important to understand in a fundamental way the five diagnostic clinical features (see Table 1.1). Ultimately, RLS has one key symptom: a need or urge to move that is usually associated with unpleasant feelings in the legs. The other diagnostic features say when this symptom occurs and what can relieve it. An acronym to remember this is “URGES”:
One-Child Policy

The one-child policy is a system of regulation created by the Chinese government to limit the number of births by each family in the People's Republic of China. The National Population and Family Planning Commission is responsible for the implementation and regulation of population growth. Those living in urban areas are subject to the strictest application of the policy. China has also offered financial incentives and educational opportunities to its citizens to bear one child. By contrast, those who violate the policy forego these benefits. Pregnant women who do not have permission to bear a child have been taken to clinics where their pregnancies are terminated. An unintended consequence of the policy is an unbalanced sex ratio. Due to the strong preference for sons among Chinese, baby girls are often abandoned so that their parents can get permission to try for a second child. Keywords: abortion; birth; child; economy; family law; government; human rights; politics and law; pregnancy
Economic Aspects of Death and Dying in Oncology

The study of economic issues relevant to oncology, death, and dying is – and should be – an important component of a multifaceted analysis of our healthcare system. This includes the analysis and design of practices and policies of healthcare providers and individual physician and patient-consumer decision-making processes.
Acute mobilization and migration of bone marrow-derived stem cells following anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Summary Objective Little is known regarding acute local and systemic processes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. No study has elucidated whether bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mobilized into circulation and recruited to the injured joint. Methods In Part 1, Lewis rats were randomized to noninvasive ACL rupture (Rupture) or non-injured (Control) (n = 6/group). After 72 h, whole blood MSC concentration was assessed using flow cytometry. Synovial fluid and serum were assayed for stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α and cartilage degeneration biomarkers, respectively. In Part 2, 12 additional rats were randomized and intravenously-injected with fluorescently-labeled allogenic MSCs. Cell tracking was performed using longitudinal, in vivo and ex vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging and histology. Synovium SDF-1α and interleukin (IL)-17A immunostaining was performed. Serum was assayed for SDF-1α and 29 other cytokines. Results In Part 1, there was a significant increase in MSC concentration and synovial fluid SDF-1α in Rupture. No differences in cartilage biomarkers were observed. In Part 2, Rupture had significantly higher NIR signal at 24, 48, and 72 h, indicating active recruitment of MSCs to the injured joint. Ex vivo cell tracking demonstrated MSC localization in the synovium and myotendinous junction (MTJ) of the quadriceps. Injured synovia exhibited increased synovitis grade and higher degree of IL-17A and SDF-1α immunostaining. Conclusion ACL rupture induced peripheral blood mobilization of MSCs and migration of intravenously-injected allogenic MSCs to the injured joint, where they localized in the synovium and quadriceps MTJ.
Retrospective analysis of glioblastoma patients treated with bevacizumab who presented with multifocal disease at diagnosis.

2080 Background: Glioblastoma patients who present with multifocal disease have an extremely poor prognosis – a recent analysis at our institution demonstrated a median survival of 6 months, versus 11 months for a cohort of unifocal glioblastoma patients matched for age, extent of resection, and KPS. Bevacizumab is frequently used to treat patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma. However, its benefit in the setting of multifocal disease is unproven, particularly in light of the concern that antiangiogenic treatment may promote a more invasive, multifocal, and potentially treatment-resistant phenotype. Methods: Between 2004 to 2010, 368 patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma at our institution. We identified 46 patients with multifocal disease on initial presentation, and retrospectively reviewed their clinical course and treatment history. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Wilcoxon tests were used to assess survival distribution. Results: Of the 46 patients with multifocal disease, 12 were treated...
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Angiography of the Head and Neck and Related Applications

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has become an increasingly widespread and useful component of the neuroimaging armamentarium, offering automated bone removal, metallic artifact reduction, and improved characterization of iodinated contrast enhancement. The application of these techniques to CT neuroangiography enables a number of benefits including more efficient 3D post-processing, contrast dose reduction opportunities, successful differentiation of hemorrhage from contrast staining following thromboembolic recanalization therapy, improved detection of active contrast extravasation in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage, and more precise characterization of atheromatous steno-occlusive disease.
Assessing land leveling needs and performance with unmanned aerial system

Land leveling is the initial step for increasing irrigation efficiencies in surface irrigation systems. The objective of this paper was to evaluate potential utilization of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with a digital camera to map ground elevations of a grower’s field and compare them with field measurements. A secondary objective was to use UAS data to obtain a digital terrain model before and after land leveling. UAS data were used to generate orthomosaic images and three-dimensional (3-D) point cloud data by applying the structure for motion algorithm to the images. Ground control points (GCPs) were established around the study area, and they were surveyed using a survey grade dual-frequency GPS unit for accurate georeferencing of the geospatial data products. A digital surface model (DSM) was then generated from the 3-D point cloud data before and after laser leveling to determine the topography before and after the leveling. The UAS-derived DSM was compared with terrain elevation measurements acquired from land surveying equipment for validation. Although 0.3% error or root mean square error of 0.11 m was observed between UAS derived and ground measured ground elevation data, the results indicated that UAS could be an efficient method for determining terrain elevation with an acceptable accuracy when there are no plants on the ground, and it can be used to assess the performance of a land leveling project.
Understanding and addressing hepatitis C reinfection in the oral direct acting antiviral era

The availability of effective, simple, well-tolerated oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) hepatitis C regimens has raised optimism for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination at the population level. HCV reinfection in key populations such as people who inject drugs (PWID) and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) however threatens the achievement of this goal from a patient, provider and population perspective. The goal of this review was to synthesize our current understanding of estimated rates and factors associated with HCV reinfection. This review also proposes interventions to aid understanding of and reduce hepatitis C reinfection among PWID and HIV-infected MSM in the oral direct-acting antiviral era.
Malignant tumors misdiagnosed as benign vascular anomalies

Background Malignant soft tissue tumors are rare and difficult to diagnose in children. These can initially be misdiagnosed as benign vascular anomalies. Management of these two conditions differs drastically and delay in diagnosis may impact overall survival. Purpose To predict qualities that may increase the index of suspicion for malignancy in patients presenting with lesions initially considered vascular anomalies. Methods A retrospective review at a quaternary hemangioma and vascular malformation center of all patients who presented between 2008 and 2016 with an initial diagnosis of a benign vascular malformation, which on further work-up was noted to be a malignancy. Demographics, clinical presentation, and laboratory and radiologic studies were analyzed. Results Eleven patients were identified; the median age at presentation was 2 months (0-24years). Ten out of 11 lesions had rapid growth, which prompted biopsy. Pain was an inconsistent finding (36%). Tumor markers were positive in only one case. Median follow-up was 3 years (range 6 months to 8 years); seven patients have no evidence of disease, two patients are under treatment for progression or relapse of disease, and two patients have died. Conclusion Although malignant vascular tumors are rare, a clear index of suspicion needs to be maintained particularly with rapid growth or increasing symptoms. Differentiation of malignant tumor from benign lesions relies on the comprehensive evaluation of clinical manifestations, evolution of the lesion, and abnormal clinical behavior, by an experienced multidisciplinary vascular malformation team. There should be a low threshold for biopsy of unclear vascular lesions.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams

I first fell in love with chemistry in high school, admiring the patterns in the periodic table which allowed prediction of the properties of the different elements, enjoying the challenge of balancing equations and stoichiometry, and recognizing the potential for solving societal problems with chemistry. Even before that I had fallen in love with babies. This chapter describes my journey combining motherhood and a career in higher education, loving chemistry.
New Perspectives on Stigma and Psychological Well-Being

What are the affective, cognitive, and behavioral implications of being stigmatized-of being socially devalued and targeted by negative stereotypes, prejudicial attitudes, and discrimination? This question is central to understanding the phenomenology and effects of stigmatization. Stigma is the possession of, or belief that one possesses, some attribute or characteristic that conveys a social identity that is devalued in a particular social context (Crocker, Major, & Steele, 1998). Although psychologists have long been interested in studying stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, only recently have they begun to examine in earnest the psychological effects of these processes on those who are their targets. As reflected in the chapters in this volume, researchers have begun to investigate a variety of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral consequences of stigmatization, including selfstereotyping, group identification, collective self-esteem, outgroup-directed hostility, task performance, social interactions, and personal self-esteem, among other outcomes.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Trends in Radiation Doses and Patterns of Care 2004-2015.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Since 2009, studies have advocated for low-dose radiotherapy (<30 Gy) given it results in similar response rates and less toxicity compared to higher doses (≥30 Gy). We aimed to see if low-dose radiotherapy has been adopted on a national scale in the USA. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 11,292 adult patients with CTCL were identified in the National Cancer Database. Logistic regression models were created to evaluate predictors for use of low-dose radiotherapy. RESULTS A minority of patients received low-dose radiotherapy (22.4%). The annual percentage of patients receiving low-dose radiotherapy increased from 17.2% in 2009 to 38.4% in 2015. High-volume facilities were associated with use of low-dose radiotherapy (5th quintile vs. bottom two quintiles, odds ratio(OR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval(CI)=1.22-2.54, p=0.003). CONCLUSION Although the radiotherapy dose administered is decreasing, most patients with CTCL are still receiving doses that may be higher than needed to palliate their disease effectively.
Identification of new biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia using metabolomics

To identify new biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm neonates. Metabolomic study of prospectively collected tracheal aspirate (TA) samples from preterm neonates admitted in 2 neonatal intensive care units measured by a mass spectroscopy-based assay and analysed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis. We evaluated 160 TA samples from 68 neonates, 44 with BPD and 24 without BPD in the first week of life. A cluster of 53 metabolites was identified as characteristic of BPD, with 18 select metabolites being highly significant in the separation of BPD versus No BPD. To control for the gestational age (GA) differences, we did a sub-group analyses, and noted that the amino acids histidine, glutamic acid, citrulline, glycine and isoleucine levels were higher in neonates with BPD. In addition, acylcarnitines C16-OH and C18:1-OH were also higher in neonates who developed BPD, but especially in the most preterm infants (neonates with GA < 27 weeks). Metabolomics is a promising approach to identify novel specific biomarkers for BPD.
Preliminary assessment of adaptive evolution of mitochondrial protein coding genes in darters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae)

Background: Mitochondrial DNA of vertebrates contains genes for 13 proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Some of these genes have been shown to undergo adaptive evolution in a variety of species. This study examines all mitochondrial protein coding genes in 11 darter species to determine if any of these genes show evidence of positive selection. Methods: The mitogenome from four darter was sequenced and annotated. Mitogenome sequences for another seven species were obtained from GenBank. Alignments of each of the protein coding genes were subject to codon-based identification of positive selection by Selecton, MEME and FEL. Results: Evidence of positive selection was obtained for six of the genes by at least one of the methods. CYTB was identified as having evolved under positive selection by all three methods at the same codon location. Conclusions: Given the evidence for positive selection of mitochondrial protein coding genes in darters, a more extensive analysis of mitochondrial gene evolution in all the extant darter species is warranted.
Trends in overall, cardiovascular and cancer-related mortality among individuals with diabetes reported on death certificates in the United States between 2007 and 2017

The determination of diabetes as underlying cause of death by using the death certificate may result in inaccurate estimation of national mortality attributed to diabetes, because individuals who die with diabetes generally have other conditions that may contribute to their death. We investigated the trends in age-standardised mortality due to diabetes as underlying or contributing cause of death and cause-specific mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), complications of diabetes and cancer among individuals with diabetes listed on death certificates in the USA from 2007 to 2017. Using the US Census and national mortality database, we calculated age-standardised mortality due to diabetes as underlying or contributing cause of death and cause-specific mortality rates among adults over 20 years with diabetes listed on death certificates. A total of 2,686,590 deaths where diabetes was underlying or contributing cause of death were analysed. We determined temporal mortality rate patterns by joinpoint regression analysis with estimates of annual percentage change (APC). Age-standardised diabetes mortality rates compared among underlying cause of death, contributing cause of death and all-cause mortality were 32.2 vs 75.7 vs 105.1 per 100,000 individuals during the study period. The age-standardised mortality rates due to diabetes as underlying or contributing cause of death declined from 112.2 per 100,000 individuals in 2007 to 104.3 per 100,000 individuals in 2017 with the most pronounced decline noted from 2007 to 2014 (APC −1.4%; 95% CI −1.9%, −1.0%) and stabilisation in decline from 2014 to 2017 (APC 1.1%; 95% CI −0.6%, 2.8%). In terms of cause-specific mortality among individuals with diabetes listed on death certificates, the age-standardised mortality rates for CVD declined at an annual rate of 1.2% with a marked decline of 2.3% between 2007 and 2014. Age-standardised diabetes-specific mortality rates as underlying cause of death decreased from 2007 to 2009 (APC −4.5%) and remained stable from 2009 to 2017. Age-standardised mortality rates for cancer steadily decreased with an average APC of −1.4% (95% CI −1.8%, −1.0%) during the 11-year period. Mortality in the subcategory of CVD demonstrated significant differences. Current national estimates capture about 30% of all-cause mortality among individuals with diabetes listed as underlying or contributing cause of death on death certificates. The age-standardised mortality due to diabetes as underlying or contributing cause of death and cause-specific mortality from CVD in individuals with diabetes listed as underlying or contributing cause of death plateaued from 2014 onwards except for hypertensive heart disease and heart failure.
Chemical separation in a binary liquid aerosol by filtration using electrospun membranes

Abstract Binary liquid aerosols were filtered using electrospun fiber membranes for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of changing aerosol composition through size selection. The impacts of filtration on the particle size distribution and the overall composition of the aerosols were studied and correlated to the filter properties. The binary liquid aerosols comprised di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, with median mobility diameters between 200 nm and 300 nm. Droplet size-resolved measurements of aerosol composition, performed using a combination of cascade impactor and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), revealed size-dependent compositional variation. Electrospun membranes of polyacrylonitrile with four different fiber diameters, ranging from 300 nm to 1 μm, were tested. The membranes with small fiber diameters were more likely to have significant impact on both the size and composition of the aerosols. Electrospun membranes consisting of 300 nm diameter fibers altered the median particle diameter by as much as 4%, and the overall composition of the aerosols by as much as 30%. Membranes with large fiber diameters, on the other hand, exhibited negligible effects on the aerosol systems with regard to both aerosol size and composition. Electrospun cellulose acetate membranes of different thicknesses were also tested on a binary aerosol system with the same components. Thicker filters resulted in greater decrease in mean particle size and greater change of aerosol composition, up to 16%. The changes in aerosol size distribution and composition upon filtration were correlated through the droplet size-dependence of the aerosol composition.
Topology Optimization of Energy-Dissipating Plastic Structures with Shear Modified Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman Model

AbstractThis paper presents a density-based topology optimization framework for designing energy-dissipating plastic structures. In order to mitigate the material damage during the plastic energy d...
Delays and Gaps in Progressing Through the Hepatitis C Virus Cascade of Care: An Underserved Safety-net Hospital Experience.

Background and Objective While highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies exist, gaps in the cascade of care remain. Disparities in the HCV cascade are prominent among underserved safety-net populations. We aim to evaluate the HCV cascade among an urban safety-net cohort of HCV patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated adults with chronic HCV to determine rates of linkage to care (LTC), retention to care, and receiving HCV treatment from 2002 to 2018. Comparisons between groups utilized Chi-square testing; comparisons of median time to LTC and HCV treatment were evaluated with Student's t-test and analysis of variance. Results Among 600 chronic HCV patients (60.7% male, 20.7% non-Hispanic white, 49.2% African American, 92.5% treatment naive, 26.8% cirrhosis), successful LTC within one year of HCV diagnosis was 57.7%, among which, 91.6% were successfully retained into care. In those with successful LTC, 72.6% received HCV treatment, 91.8% completed treatment, and 89% achieved SVR12. Women with HCV experienced longer delays from LTC to HCV treatment (331 vs. 206 days in men, P < 0.05), as did African Americans (280 vs. 165 days in non-Hispanic whites, P < 0.05). Compared to the non-Hispanic whites, HCV treatment was lower in African Americans (70.4% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion Women with HCV experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade, with median time of over 2 years from diagnosis to treatment. African Americans also experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade of care. However, sex and race/ethnicity were not found to be significant predictors of overall LTC or treatment.
151 Factors influencing sale and bid price of sport-trained horses and ponies sold at online auctions

Online auctions are becoming popular as technological availability and need for virtual sale options within the United States sport horse industry increase. Private treaty has been the predominant outlet for sport horse sales, resulting in limited information on factors impacting online sale prices. Our objective was to determine factors affecting online auction sale price for horses and ponies trained in sport classified disciplines. Data was collected from online sport horse auctions spanning from 2012 to 2020 (n = 75, Professional Horse Auctions, LLC). A horse's lot number, sex, breed, registration status, breeding/lineage, and level of training were collected. Seller's ratings of the horse's disposition, professional training, and suitability for riding and training were recorded. If included in the sale description, the type and number of pictures, and video count were collected. Data were assessed using ANOVA and mean comparisons (α = 0.05), with Tukey's pairwise post hoc analysis where appropriate (STATA 16). A total of 2,454 horses were listed, but only 41.7% resulted in a successful sale (n = 1024) with a wide range of accepted bids impacting mean bid price (mean ± SD, 5164 ± 5345 USD; minimum bid = 200 USD, maximum bid = 41,250 USD). Auction month had a significant effect on sold outcome, with horses more likely to sell in March, June, and September (P = 0.005). Color (k = 17) impacted mean bid price, with black horses (n = 66) yielding the highest price (7,559 ± 6,734 USD, P 0.05). Professional training did not affect sale outcome but did result in a higher mean bid when reported (professional training 5297 ± 6122 USD, no professional training 3901 ± 4160, P = 0.006). Horses were more likely to sell with lower levels of experience (scores of 1–5 on a 10-point scale, where 1 = least experienced and 10 = most experienced) over those with more experience (P = 0.06), but ratings did not affect bid price. The number of pictures, ranging from 1 to 19, included in the listing impacted sale (P = 0.006) and bid (P
ORGANOLEPTIC ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF pH AND MOISTURE CONTENT IN ROHU, Labeo rohita AND CATLA, Catla catla FROM DIFFERENT FISH LANDING CENTERS DURING THE PRE AND POST - MONSOON PERIOD

The present research work was carried out with an aim to determine the pH and moisture content status of Rohu, Labeo rohita and Catla, Catla catla fish after it was brought into the local market for sale. The study was carried out at three fish landing centers viz., Arnala (Palghar District), Malad (Mumbai) and Mumbai Central (Mumbai). The Organoleptic analysis was within the range of 4 – 6. According to the Organoleptic analysis the minimum score is 0 means the fish is very fresh while the score from 1 – 10 indicates that the fish is in acceptable condition. The pH readings from all the centers for the Pre and Post - monsoon period was 6 i.e. slightly acidic. According to the Food and Agricultural Products Research and Technology Center a freshly caught fresh water fish muscles pH ranges from 6.8 to 7.3. So, only a slight drop in the pH of the fresh water fish muscles from all the three fish landing centers during the Pre and Post - monsoon period is observed. This clearly indicates that the preservation and processing procedures were in place to increase the shelf life of fishes. Also the Moisture content was within the range of minimum to maximum 66 % to 74.62 % respectively. Moisture content in freshly caught fresh water fish is reported to be between 70 and 80% of the total weight. The fishes under study were within the acceptable and edible range of the consumer. Thus, this clearly states that, all the three fish landing centers viz., Arnala (Palghar District), Malad (Mumbai) and Mumbai Central (Mumbai) the fish preservation is practiced by fishermen and vendors.
Intracranial meningioma surveillance using volumetrics from T2-weighted MRI

Background and purpose The gold standard for imaging of meningiomas is MRI with gadolinium-based contrast agent. Due to increased costs, time, and uncertain chronic effects of gadolinium exposure, use of noncontrast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) in lieu of contrast-enhanced MRI has been an increasing focus of research across various diagnostic scenarios. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of T2WI in detecting changes in meningioma tumor volume. Methods Imaging and clinical data were reviewed for 82 consecutive patients undergoing MR-surveillance of intracranial meningioma. Using volumetric-T2WI, two neuroradiologists independently calculated tumor volumes. Measurements were compared to a baseline study contrast-enhanced T1 tumor volume. Using contrast-enhanced sequences as the reference standard, statistical analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of T2WI in detecting changes of meningioma volume. Results Using only T2WI, readers detected meningioma volume change ≥ 20% in 19/82 patients and volume change 1 ml, reader accuracy for detecting change in tumor volume on T2WI ≥20% was 0.90, sensitivity 0.78, specificity 0.95, PPV 0.88, and NPV 0.91. Change in tumor volume on T2WI ≥20% was detected with 100% accuracy for posterior fossa meningiomas. Inter-reader agreement for all meningiomas was moderate (κ = 0.45) improving to substantial agreement (κ = 0.77) with tumor volumes >1 ml. Conclusion Volumetric-T2WI detects changes in meningioma volume with comparable accuracy to gold standard T1 postcontrast imaging, particularly with higher tumor volumes and posterior fossa locations.
Tonsillectomy and hematologic malignancy: Should routine pediatric tonsillectomy specimens be sent to pathology?

Abstract Objectives Routine pediatric tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy (T ± A) is one of the most common procedures for children worldwide, accounting for approximately 2000 procedures per year at our institution. To determine the utility of pathologic analysis of routine, nonsuspicious pediatric tonsil specimens, we investigated the incidence of hematologic and lymphoid malignancy diagnosed at the time of or following T ± A. Methods Retrospective review of patients 0–18 years undergoing T ± A between 2012 and 2020 with or without pathologic analysis. Results Included were 14,141 patients who underwent routine T ± A (mean age 11 ± 4.6 years, 48% female). Of these, tonsils of 2464 patients were sent to pathology, where zero were found to harbor malignancy. Seven patients (0.050%) developed malignancy after T ± A. Of these, 4 had unremarkable tonsils per pathology, and 3 did not have tonsils analyzed. There were 5 cases of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL, 0.035%), 1 case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (0.007%), and 1 case of Lymphoma (0.007%). The average length of time from T ± A to diagnosis was 2.4 ± 1.8 years. Conclusion No cases of occult malignancy were identified in specimens from routine T ± A with pathologic analysis, even among patients who later developed malignancy. This study suggests that sending routine pediatric T ± A specimens for formal pathologic analysis is an inefficient use of resources without appreciably improving the quality and safety of patient care.
Biological Self Reorganization

Self reorganization is a common phenomenon in the sciences, especially in chemistry and biology. In this chapter we will turn attention to a particular type of self reorganization called biological cell sorting. Motivation is derived from biological experiments in which separated tissues self reorganized (Antonelli, Rogers and Willard (1973), Greenspan (1981(b)), Matela and Fletterick (1980), Rogers and Goel (1978), Steinberg (1963)).
Characterization of Dense Sulfonated Polysulfone Membranes

Sulfonated polysulfone has been shown to possess desirable physical properties for use as a reverse osmosis desalination membrane. An extensive study of dense membranes made from sulfonated polysulfone having 0.16, 0.34, 0.42, 0.53, 0.68, and 1.0 degree of sulfonation is described. The effect of the degree of the sulfonation and the counter ion, namely Na and K, on the properties of the membrane were examined. The nature of the water within the membrane was found by infrared spectroscopy to be less hydrogen-bonded when compared to the bulk water. The stoichiometry of the surface of the membrane was different by ESCA analysis from the bulk of the material. Electrical properties of the membranes were investigated by measuring the conductance of the membrane. The electrolyte/ /membrane/electrolyte system showed ohmic behavior. The membrane conductance under applied transient current was greatly dependent on the nature of the cation, whereas the nature of the anion had no effect. The activation energy for ion transport had minimal dependence on the membrane thickness, but depended on the nature of the electrolyte system. The effective size of the current-carrying channels seemed to increase with higher degrees of sulfonation, probably due to a swelling process.
Nisbett, Richard E

Richard E. Nisbett is the Theodore M. Newcomb Distinguished Professor of Social Psychology and co-director of the Culture and Cognition program at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He received the A.B. degree in psychology from Tufts University in 1962, and the Ph.D. from Columbia University in social psychology in 1966. From 1966 to1971, he served as assistant professor of psychology at Yale University, in 1971 moving to the University of Michigan, where he has occupied a variety of research roles, including research professor in the Institute for Social Research since 2003. Keywords: attribution theory; cognition; reasoning
High Precision Formation Control of Mobile Robots Using Virtual Structures

A key problem in cooperative robotics is the maintenance of a geometric configuration during movement. To address this problem, the concept of a Virtual Structure is introduced. Using this idea, a general control strategy is developed to force an ensemble of robots to behave as if they were particles embedded in a rigid structure. The method was instantiated and tested using both simulation and experimentation with a set of 3 differential drive mobile robots. Results are presented that demonstrate that this approach is capable of achieving high precision movement that is fault tolerant and exhibits graceful degradation of performance. In addition, this algorithm does not require leader selection as in other cooperative robotic strategies. Finally, the method is inherently highly flexible in the kinds of geometric formations that can be maintained.
Intention to Engage in Social Commerce: Uses and Gratifications Approach

As businesses are seeking to leverage the benefits of social networks, social commerce has emerged to achieve greater economic value by combining the power of online social networks with online shopping. Whereas the importance of social commerce is widely recognized in current literature, there are limited studies on factors that affect the intention of individuals to engage in social commerce. The online consumer behavior typology suggests that people engage in online activities to fulfill transactional, informational and social needs. Previous social commerce studies have investigated each of these needs separately. Thus, this study uses Trust theory and Users and Gratifications theory to develop a research model that covers all the online consumer behavior typology to explain intention to adopt social commerce. The study found that trust related factors such as privacy, security, word of mouth quality and competency of referees encourages individuals to engage in social commerce. Also, information quality, familiarity, the cool and new trend of social commerce, and subjective norms positively influence intention to engage in social commerce.
Autoantibodies from Synovial Lesions in Chronic, Antibiotic Treatment-Resistant Lyme Arthritis Bind Cytokeratin-10

Although the causative agent of Lyme disease is definitively known to be the tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiology of chronic joint inflammation that ensues in a subset of patients remains less well understood. Persistence of arthritis after apparent eradication of the spirochete suggests an autoimmune reaction downstream of the original bacterial infection. We have generated recombinant Ab probes from synovial lesions within affected arthritic joints in an attempt to recapitulate disease-relevant Ag-binding specificities at the site of injury. Using this panel of intra-articular probes, as well as Ab fragments derived from patient peripheral blood, we have identified cytokeratin 10, present in synovial microvascular endothelium, as a target ligand and a putative autoantigen in chronic, antibiotic treatment-resistant Lyme arthritis. Furthermore, there is cross-reactivity between cytokeratin 10 and a prominent B. burgdorferi Ag, outer surface protein A. Release of the self protein in the context of inflammation-induced tissue injury and the resulting in situ response to it could set in motion a feed-forward loop, which amplifies the inflammatory process, thereby rendering it chronic and self-perpetuating, even in the absence of the inciting pathogen.
A comparison of the content of potassium in maternal and placental serum

Abstract 1. 1. The average for the potassium content of placental serum is 38.5 mg. per 100 c.c., almost twice that for normal children and adults. 2. 2. The average for the maternal serum is 20.7 mg. per 100 c.c.
Robustness analysis of a self-oscillating molecular network in Dictyostelium discoideum

Robustness is an important feature of biochemical systems. We investigate the parametric robustness of a model of self-oscillating network in Dictyostelium discoideum. Robustness to single parameter perturbations is studied through bifurcation theory. Multiparametric robustness is studied using structured singular value (/spl mu/) analysis.
CD4+ T cell memory is limited by cellular competition for sub-threshold ligands (IRC9P.704)

The requirements for the maintenance of CD4+ memory T cells are not clear. While memory CD4+ T cells are relatively short lived in hosts with an intact repertoire of T cells, their lifespan is dramatically prolonged in T-deficient hosts. Accordingly, MCC-specific 5C.C7 T cells primed in intact hosts briefly expand before clonally contracting - while those in T-deficient hosts do not undergo significant contraction. As a result, 6 weeks after immunization, T-deficient hosts support >200 fold more 5C.C7 memory T cells than intact hosts. Pre-populating T-deficient hosts with polyclonal CD4+ T cells from an intact host was sufficient to restore the contraction phase to a subsequent 5C.C7 response. However neither CD8s nor other monoclonal CD4+ TCR transgenic T cells had an analogous impact. We had previously reported a similar principle regulating naive and tolerant 5C.C7 T cell survival; and in that case a single TCR (Vα2+/Vβ3) screened from over 6000 polyclonal T cells was able to replicate the inhibitory activity of the complete repertoire. Surprisingly, naive Vα2+ T cells also had only a modest impact on memory 5C.C7 T cell frequencies. However, pre-activating the Vα2+ T cells enabled them to robustly control the size of the memory 5C.C7 T cell population. As the Vα2+ T cell shares an endogenous sub-threshold ligand (STL) with 5C.C7, but not agonist-specificity, these data suggest that the CD4+ memory pool is limited by non-clonal competition for STLs between memory T cells.