cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical and biological variation in repeated sweat chloride concentrations in clinical trials for CFTR modulator therapy.

Abstract Background Using sweat chloride as a biomarker for CFTR modifying drugs requires knowledge of analytical and biological variation. Methods 979 sweat chloride concentrations from 128 subjects enrolled in the placebo arm of 2 multicenter, investigational drug trials were analyzed to determine coefficients of variation (CV) as well as reference change value (RCV) and index of individuality (II). Results For these populations, calculated values for the two studies were: analytical variation (3.9, 4.1%); within-subject variation (4.4, 6.0%); between-subject variation (8.9, 7.0%); RCV (13.7, 17.0%) and II (0.7, 1.0). Sweat chloride variation was not affected by sex, collection site or sample weight; but was slightly affected by age in one of the two studies. Conclusion Through determination of analytical as well as between- and within-subject variation, and with a larger sample size, our data allows improved estimates of the RCV and II, and can contribute to future trials of CFTR modulators and inform the design and interpretation of n of 1 trials in both research and clinical settings.
Report on Developing a US-China Joint Project on CO2-Based Fracturing Techniques:

Author(s): Wan, Jiamin | Abstract: There are several types of hydraulic fracturing methods that have been investigated in the past decades that use little or no water. The criteria for selecting an optimal hydraulic fracturing fluids are many, and no single fluid can meet all the desired characteristics. Developing a set of technologies by using different fracturing fluids can better meet individual geologic, economic, and environmental needs. CO2 as an alternative of water for hydraulic fracturing has its unique place among all other fracturing fluids, and can meet both economic and environmental objectives under certain circumstances. There are three main categories of CO2-based fracturing fluids, simple liquid CO2 (LCO2), directly thickened LCO2, and CO2-foams/emulsions. Although LCO2 has many advantages, critical disadvantages arise due to its high operating pressure, low viscosity, poor proppant-carrying capacity, and generation of shallower fracture networks. To date, techniques for direct thickening of LCO2 to overcome these limitations have proven ineffective. To increase the apparent viscosity of CO2, we propose to further develop CO2-foam (and emulsion) fracturing techniques. While CO2-foams have long been used in EOR, the required properties for hydraulic fracturing are different, and relatively few peer-reviewed publications and field test reports are available regarding their applications in fracturing, and the surfactants and additives used are often proprietary This report describes a brief state-of-the-art analysis of CO2-based hydraulic fracturing methods and then discusses a joint plan for a long-term RaD collaboration to advance the most promising CO2-based hydraulic fracturing techniques as part of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, Water Energy Technology (CERC-WET). The objective of this U.S.-China joint research project is to design and laboratory test a CO2-foam fracturing fluid system, and then conduct pilot field-tests on them in China’s Jilin Oilfield. This joint research project will benefit both U.S. and China for advancing their shared goal of developing better technologies for CO2-based fracturing. The Chinese CERC-WET has two teams joining the project, one from RIPED, responsible for aboveground infrastructure design and construction. Another team from the Jilin Oilfield will be responsible for the field test design and conducting the test. The U.S.CERC-WET team at LBNL will be responsible for providing the CO2-foam formulations and their rheology parameters to be tested in the field (a challenging task and a key to success); participating in the equipment design and field test design; assisting in analyzing field data; and reporting to U.S. DOE and CERC-WET.
Synthesis and Analysis of Low Profile, Metal-Only Stepped Parabolic Reflector Antenna

This paper describes an intuitive approach for synthesizing metal-only, low-profile, high-gain stepped reflector antennas that can aid emerging technologies in the areas of communications and remote sensing. The required reflector aperture is synthesized using a family of confocal parabolic sections, each of which scatters in phase to provide a focused beam in the far field. The parabolic sections provide a distinct advantage over the conventional Fresnel zone plate (FZP) antenna, since the radiation is inherently unidirectional. Furthermore, the metal-only structure avoids the need for dielectric characterization, which is essential for reflectarrays. Using this technique, it is possible to achieve depths of the order of one wavelength while ensuring high efficiencies. Starting from a symmetric stepped reflector synthesis, two distinct approaches to synthesize offset stepped reflectors are explored in this paper. We highlight several interesting tradeoffs between electromagnetic performance and mechanical complexity that arise for each of these approaches. A thorough analysis of the frequency performance of stepped parabolic reflectors is also presented. Comprehensive simulations using both physical optics and multilevel fast multipole method validate our theoretical predictions. The formulations presented in this paper are especially relevant at mmWave frequencies and beyond, which has attracted significant interest for modern technologies.
Infant Signs Reveal Infant Minds to Early Childhood Professionals

The idea that infants communicate prior to their first words is not new to anyone who has spent time with infants. However, the recognition that preverbal children can communicate both intentionally and symbolically prior to speech, through use of infant signs, also known as symbolic gestures or Baby Signs®, has opened a window into the mind of the infant for scientists, parents, and early childhood educators. For a parent, a child’s use of signs can reveal the mental contents—desires, needs, memories—of the individual infant whose mind they most want to know. For scientists, symbolic gestures can reveal the general capacities of the infant mind—what preverbal children are capable of thinking, feeling, remembering, and representing about their lived experiences. For early childhood educators, who are charged with caring for groups of young children, and with continually enhancing their own knowledge of child development to develop as professionals, infant signs are a tool to both understand individual children in their care, and learn about the often underestimated social, cognitive, and communicative capacities of preverbal children. In this chapter, we describe our theoretical frameworks for understanding the use of infant signs, summarize existing research on infant signs in early childhood settings, reflect on the effects it has on professional development, and describe the principles and practices for using signs effectively. Finally, we discuss our concerns and current questions about this practice.
High Speed DNA Sequencing and the Analysis of the Human Genome

The Human Genome Initiative is a massive international effort now underway to decode the total genetic content of Homo sapiens. The resultant information will provide a tool for fundamental biological and medical research of unprecedented power. The genome is encoded on 23 pairs of chromosomes and contains over three billion units of DNA sequence. The characterization of this immense structure is a project four orders of magnitude larger than any other such project ever undertaken. Accordingly, the major emphasis of the project is in the development of the new technologies required to make this undertaking feasible.
Micron-Scaled Defects on Cryogenic Targets: An Assessment of Condensate Sources

Debris with footprints smaller than 40 μm2 on the outer and inner surfaces with heights of <10 μm on outer surfaces and [approximately]1 μm on inner surfaces is present on cryogenic targets used fo...
HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING CHELONIANS IN AN URBAN SECTION OF THE BRONX RIVER, NEW YORK, USA

The Bronx River in Bronx, New York, US spans an area of significant human development and has been subject to historic and ongoing industrial contamination. We evaluated the health of freeranging native common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and nonnative invasive red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) in a segment of the Bronx River between May and July 2012. In 18 snapping turtles and nine sliders, complete physical examinations were performed, ectoparasites collected, and blood was analyzed for contaminants (mercury, thallium, cadmium, arsenic, lead, selenium, oxychlordane, alpha-chlordane, dieldrin, DDD, DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls). Complete blood counts and the presence of hemoparasites were determined in 16 snapping turtles and nine sliders. Swabs of the choana and cloaca were screened for ranavirus, adenovirus, herpesvirus, and Mycoplasma spp. by PCR in 39 snapping turtles and 28 sliders. Both turtle species exhibited bioaccumulation of various environmental contaminants, particularly organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls. Molecular screening revealed a unique herpesvirus in each species. A Mycoplasma sp. previously isolated from emydid turtles was detected in red-eared sliders while a unique Mycoplasma sp. was identified in common snapping turtles. Ranaviruses and adenoviruses were not detected. Our study established a baseline health assessment to which future data can be compared. Moreover, it served to expand the knowledge and patterns of health markers, environmental contaminants, and microorganisms of freeranging chelonians.
Determinants of Risk for Childhood Obesity.

The body-fat content of a healthy full-term infant rises sharply from 10 to 14% at birth to 25 to 30% at 6 months of age,1 with a consequent 30% increase in the body-mass index (BMI). The accrual o...
The synthesis of thiol-modified cellulose composites for the chelation of ions from water

Abstract A thiol-cellulose composite was prepared and used as an adsorbent for the extraction of copper ions from water. Two particular reaction paths were developed and investigated for thiol coupling efficiency and adsorption capacity. Reaction path “FCys,” which utilized N-(9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)-S-(trityl)-L-cysteine, possessed a maximum adsorption capacity of 454 μg/g. Reaction path “Cys” involved the coupling of cysteine onto microcrystalline cellulose using 1,1′ carbonyldiimidazole as a linkage agent under mild reaction conditions. For this reaction, the calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 3333 μg/g. Fitting the resulting data indicated that the adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir isotherm model. An ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer verified the success of the coupling reaction, while an inductively-coupled mass spectrometer measured the copper concentration. The results reveal that the synthesized composite acts as an effective adsorbent for copper ions.
Does Time in Migration Exacerbate Posttraumatic Symptoms Among Internationally Displaced East African Refugees

Refugees often experience a prolonged period of migration. We examined the potential moderating influence of time in migration on the relationship between trauma exposure and psychological distress...
Russellizing Russell: A reply to his “A critique of Lehrer's coherentism”

Russell's attempt to demonstrate the insufficiency and nonnecessity of Lehrer's epistemology fails on both counts. His modified Nogot example does not constitute a counterexample to Lehrer's theory, though it does establish the insufficiency of (RTK). The relevant versions of both of his counterexamples to necessity occasion radically conflicting intuitions and, as a result, are far from decisive. Moreover, if they work against Lehrer's theory, and it is by no means obvious that they do, then they also demonstrate the nonnecessity of Russell's theory. In the final analysis, we may conclude that if Russell's three counterexamples demonstrate anything, they demonstrate that Lehrer's epistemology is superior to (RTK).
THU0251 ASSOCIATION OF SMOKING STATUS AND TOTAL AND INDIVIDUAL DAMAGE INDEX IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background: Smoking is a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has been associated with increased disease activity and decreased effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in cutaneous lupus. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the association between smoking status and total and individual damage items in SLE. Methods: We analyzed data from the Hopkins Lupus Cohort. Damage was recorded using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index. Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon test were used in exploratory analysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between damage and smoking status (ever/never). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Stratification by ethnicity was done for individual damage items that were found to be significantly associated with smoking. Results: The prevalence of ever smokers in our cohort was 36%. SLE patients who ever smoked had higher odds of total damage with higher mean total damage index scores (p The association between cataract and smoking was still present after adjusting for ethnicity, diabetes, and prednisone use in a multivariate regression model (OR= 1.4, p= 0.0083). Stratification by ethnicity showed that African- American SLE patients who ever smoked were more likely to have cataract, scarring chronic alopecia, extensive scarring, skin ulceration, pulmonary hypertension, cerebrovascular events, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes compared to non-smokers. Caucasian SLE patients who ever smoked were more likely to have extensive scarring, gastrointestinal infarction and resection, and muscle atrophy (Table 1). N/C: data are not sufficient for calculating odds ratio Conclusion: Smoking is a modifiable factor for organ damage in SLE. It is already known that it interferes with the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine. Now we are able to prove that smokers have more cutaneous damage (scarring) even after stratification for ethnicity. As expected, smokers had more cardiovascular damage. New findings include associations with gastrointestinal damage, cataracts, pulmonary hypertension, pancreatitis and diabetes. Disclosure of Interests: Romy Kallas: None declared, Jessica Li: None declared, Michelle A Petri Shareholder of: Pfizer, Merck, Grant/research support from: AstraZeneca, Exagen, Consultant for: Eli Lilly, GSK, Merck EMD Serono, Janssen, Amgen, Novartis, Quintiles, Exagen, Inova Diagnostics, AstraZeneca, Blackrock, Glenmark, UCB, and the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences
Note on Löwner’s theorem on matrix monotone functions in several commuting variables of Agler, McCarthy and Young

In this brief note, we show that the hypotheses of Lowner’s theorem on matrix monotonicity in several commuting variables as proved by Agler, and Young can be significantly relaxed. Specifically, we extend their theorem from continuously differentiable locally matrix monotone functions to arbitrary locally matrix monotone functions using mollification techniques.
Long-term tolerance of islet allografts in nonhuman primates induced by apoptotic donor leukocytes

Immune tolerance to allografts has been pursued for decades as an important goal in transplantation. Administration of apoptotic donor splenocytes effectively induces antigen-specific tolerance to allografts in murine studies. Here we show that two peritransplant infusions of apoptotic donor leukocytes under short-term immunotherapy with antagonistic anti-CD40 antibody 2C10R4, rapamycin, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor and anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody induce long-term (≥1 year) tolerance to islet allografts in 5 of 5 nonsensitized, MHC class I-disparate, and one MHC class II DRB allele-matched rhesus macaques. Tolerance in our preclinical model is associated with a regulatory network, involving antigen-specific Tr1 cells exhibiting a distinct transcriptome and indirect specificity for matched MHC class II and mismatched class I peptides. Apoptotic donor leukocyte infusions warrant continued investigation as a cellular, nonchimeric and translatable method for inducing antigen-specific tolerance in transplantation. Injection of donor apoptotic cells induces graft tolerance in mice. Here the authors combine this approach with short immunosuppressive therapy to achieve long-term tolerance to allogeneic islets and restoration of normoglycemia in diabetic nonhuman primates, and delineate cellular and molecular correlates of tolerance induction.
Deconstructing Google Dataset Search

This essay examines the beta tool from Google, Google Dataset Search. The Google Dataset Search, announced in September 2018, is a search engine specific to finding research data published on the i...
Reduced Plasma Fibronectin Leads to Delayed Thrombus Growth in the Injured Arterioles in Vivo.

In addition to von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen, plasma fibronectin (pFN) contributes significantly to thrombus development in arteries. Complete deficiency of plasma fibronectin (in pFN conditional knockout mice) affects thrombus formation and growth and subsequent occlusion of injured arterioles in vivo. We wanted to study a more physiological decrease of plasma fibronectin without having to induce interferon production in the mice to excise the FN gene. Reduced pFN levels are common in patients with liver disease, sepsis and following trauma or surgery. To evaluate the effect of a reduced amount of plasma fibronectin on thrombus formation at arterial shear rate, we used the ferric chloride model of arterial injury in fibronectin heterozygote mice which have 50% of the normal plasma level of FN. Two groups of mice were observed by intravital microscopy - FN heterozygote (FN+/−) and corresponding age matched wild-type controls (FN +/+). The reduced level of pFN did not affect the early platelet interaction with subendothelium but caused a delay of several minutes in appearance of the first thrombus in the injured arteriole (15 min in FN +/− vs 6 min in FN+/+, p<0.001). Although the thrombi were stably anchored to the vessel wall, the growth of the thrombus was slowed down because of the constant platelet shedding in fibronectin heterozygote mice. Consequently, this lack of firm adhesion of the platelets led to occlusion delay (36 min in FN +/− vs 28 min in FN+/+, p<0.01) with the majority of arterioles in the FN+/− mice not occluding by 40 minutes after injury. In conlusion, the phenotype of thrombosis in the mice with 50% of normal pFN level strikingly resembles the phenotype observed in mice with induced complete deficiency of pFN. This further emphasizes the fundamental role of this plasma protein in thrombosis in vivo in the arterial system.
Role of echocardiography in diagnostic evaluation of patients admitted to observation unit.

BACKGROUND Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness due to transient decrease in cerebral perfusion. Syncope accounts for a 3-6% of all emergency department visits. Etiology of syncope can be neural, cardiogenic, or vascular. Previous studies have evaluated the types and management of syncope. Echocardiography is a commonly used test in the evaluation of causes of syncope. Whether the benefit compared to financial burden of this diagnostic study is in all subsets of syncope cases remains unclear. AIM To evaluate the impact of echocardiography in the diagnostic evaluation of syncope and to evaluate the subset of patients that would benefit more from this diagnostic imaging. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of patients > 18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of syncope in a period of January 1st 2015-January 31st 2017. Our inclusion criteria included patients > 18 years of age who were admitted to the observation floor with the primary complaint as syncope, had a normal or abnormal physical examination for syncope, had a normal or abnormal electrocardiogram during admission, had an echocardiography performed at admission. Our exclusion criteria included patients with seizures, hypoglycemia, myocardial infarction, patients who didn't get echocardiography, and patients who had a positive marker of cardiac injury. RESULTS A total of 369 patients were initially identified with a primary diagnosis of syncope, however only 120 of these patients fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of n=25 of included patients had either an abnormal physical exam or abnormal echocardiography. Among this "high risk" group, 24% (n=6) of the patients had an abnormal finding on their transthoracic echocardiography. On the other hand, in the "low risk" group with a normal physical examination and electrocardiogram (EKG), 14 had a trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) positive for cause of syncope, that led to a change in medication, workup, or intervention in 6.7% (n=8) of the patients. CONCLUSION The analysis of our study suggested that the diagnostic yield of transthoracic echocardiography in syncope is very limited in the absence of an abnormal physical exam or electrocardiogram, and it increase the health care cost burden with no additional benefits.
Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorders

Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare disorders that occur remote from a malignant neoplasm or metastases and can affect any organ system (Tarin D, Cancer Metastasis Rev, 32:707–721, 2013). Well-described paraneoplastic disorders include cancer cachexia, hypercalcemia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (Pelosof LC, Gerber DE, Mayo Clin Proc, 85:838–854, 2010). Collectively, paraneoplastic syndromes can affect up to 70% of cancer patients, with neurological paraneoplastic disorders affecting approximately 0.01–0.2%, though this is likely an underestimate (Dalmau J, Rosenfeld MR, Lancet Neurol, 7:327–340, 2008). In general, paraneoplastic disorders are the result of two main process: (1) synthesis and secretion of cytokines, hormones, or bioactive molecules and (2) immune reactions to tumor-related antigens (Pelosof LC, Gerber DE, Mayo Clin Proc, 85:838–854, 2010). Paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs) predominately affect the nervous system and are almost all the product of an immune response to onconeural antigens of tumors that cross-react with the nervous system (Iorio R, Lennon VA, Immunol Rev, 248:104–121, 2012). PNDs are often the first sign of an asymptomatic or occult cancer and/or cancer relapse (Titulaer MJ, Soffietti R, Dalmau J, Gilhus NE, Giometto B, Graus F, Eur J Neurol, 18:19-e3, 2011). Neurological immune-related adverse events (nirAEs) following immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment for cancer are similar in many respects to PNDs (Cuzzubbo S, Javeri F, Tissier M, Roumi A, Barlog C, Doridam J, Eur J Cancer, 73:1–8, 2017). Given the expanding use of ICI in the treatment of a variety of cancers and since PNDs can present at diagnosis, treatment, and relapse of cancer, it is crucial for both neurologists and oncologists to be familiar with the presentation and pathophysiology of PNDs. This chapter will review the presentation of PNDs, their association with specific autoantibodies and cancers, treatment, pathogenesis, and similarities with nirAEs following ICI therapy for cancer.
Role of Ecto-ATPase in Lymphocyte Function

Extracellular nucleotides are now recognized as mediators of immune and non-immune cell function. The effects of extracellular nucleotides also vary with tissue. For example, extracellular ATP in micromolar concentrations can form pores in cell membranes, resulting in osmotic changes that are detrimental to the cell1. In bone marrow and thymocytes, extracellular ATP stimulates DNA synthesis, but it inhibits DNA synthesis in spleen, lymph nodes and peripheral blood lymphocytes2. The nucleotide also has cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on some tumor cells3, but the mechanism is unknown. In addition, ATP triggers histamine secretion from mast cells4–6 and the secretion of granules from neutrophils and monocytes7, 8, but inhibits macrophage-9, 10, NK cell-11–13 mediated cytotoxicities. Furthermore, extracellular ATP may serve as a substrate for ectoprotein kinases14 which have been identified on neutrophils13, erythrocytes16, neuronal cells17 and fibroblasts18.
Increasing Financial Empowerment among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Growth Curve Analysis.

Financial empowerment interventions are often used with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) to improve their financial well-being. However, few evaluations actually measure financial empowerment as an outcome. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a conceptual model for financial empowerment and then use the model to evaluate the effectiveness of a financial literacy intervention at increasing financial empowerment for survivors. The conceptual model was guided by Christens' nomological network for psychological empowerment and included four components: emotional, cognitive, relational, and behavioral. The analyses used data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating Moving Ahead, a financial literacy program developed for IPV survivors (n = 449). To determine whether this intervention was effective at increasing financial empowerment for survivors over time, confirmatory factor analyses were run to test for longitudinal measurement invariance, followed by a curve-of-factors growth model (CFM) with assignment as a time-invariant predictor of change. Strict partial longitudinal measurement invariance was achieved and CFM results found assignment to be significantly associated with both initial status (.054, p = .042) and change over time (.114, p = .000). Results suggest that this conceptual model for financial empowerment fit the data well and the intervention was effective.
Exploring Accessibility to Employment Opportunities in African Cities: A First Benchmark

This paper presents an analysis of transit accessibility to employment for 11 African cities. The use of identical methodologies and similar data sets allows for the creation of the first benchmark to compare accessibility across urban areas in Africa through different metrics and visuals. The study shows how the spatial pattern of land use and transport systems perform in connecting people to employment opportunities in these various settings. This first comparable benchmark is achieved by overcoming two significant data hurdles that are common in many developing country cities and in Africa in particular: (i) the scarcity of information on the distribution of employment and (ii) the lack of information on transit routes and travel times. These data gaps are filled through a novel methodology to estimate the distribution of employment in urban areas (Employment Opportunity Areas) as well as a comprehensive mapping of informal transit networks. The analysis developed here can be replicated in different cities in the future. The computation of these baseline accessibility studies also opens up the possibility to assess the impacts of future transport investments and/or land use changes, through the use of counterfactual scenarios, which could assist decision makers in these cities. Finally, this analysis can serve as a demonstration that the computation of accessibility metrics is achievable, including in data scarce environments, and should be considered as a progress indicator for Sustainable Development Goal 11.2, which focuses on safe and affordable transport for all, including public transport.
Machine learning enabled reduced-order scenario generation for stochastic analysis of solar power forecasts

Abstract With increased reliance on solar-based energy generation in modern power systems, the problem of managing uncertainty in power system operation becomes crucial. However, in order to properly capture the uncertainty spread of the power forecast time series along with all its statistical properties, a large number of scenarios are normally required to be simulated at significant computational cost. This work presents a novel and efficient method to generate statistically accurate scenarios from probabilistic forecasts and a method based on unsupervised machine learning to reduce the number of scenarios and speed up the computations, while preserving the statistical properties of the original set. Through a systematic parametric study, an optimum clustering-based machine learning method and its associated parameters are derived. This approach yields statistically equivalent characteristics as a full set with a substantially reduced cardinality (from 7000 to 20). The reduced set of scenarios also preserves the temporal correlation, which is imperative in time-series data and complies with the non-parametric distribution of power obtained from a probabilistic forecast at any particular time. Applying the optimal algorithm to the benchmark RTS-GMLC and the actual California ISO yearly solar production data, it is shown that the uncertainty in the estimation of the statistical moments is reduced to less than 2% and 4.5% of the respective daily peak power values.
[Viral pathogenic spectrum analysis of severe acute respiratory infection cases in Luohe City, Henan province from 2017 to 2019].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of viral pathogen spectrum and the epidemiological characteristics of each viral pathogen in hospitalized cases associated with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Luohe City, Henan Province from 2017 to 2019. Methods: Based the SARI Case Surveillance Platform, SARI cases were collected in Central Hospital of Luohe City, Henan Province from November 2017 to February 2019. In the end, 783 SARI cases were included, whose throat swabs were taken within 24 h of admission, as well as their demographic characteristics, onset time, clinical characteristics and other information recorded. At the same time, viral identification was performed, and the age and time distribution of each virus were analyzed. Results: The age of 783 SARI cases shown as M (P25, P75) was 3 (1, 5) years old, ranging from 1 month to 95 years old. Children under 5 years old were the majority (71.01%). The males (61.81%) were more than females (38.18%). Among the 783 SARI cases, a total of 9 kind of viruses were identified with 64.88% (508/783) of the throat swabs tested positive for at least one virus. The positive rate of influenza virus and human respiratory syncytial virus were both 20.18% (158 cases), which was the highest among all the detected respiratory virus. The co-infection rate was 15.84% (124/783), among which double infection was the most common, accounting for 85.48% (106/124) of the co-infected cases. And human respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus and influenza virus were the most common pathogen in co-infection cases. Moreover, the viral positive rate was 68.71% in children aged 5 years and 63.27% in people aged 60-95 years. Influenza and human respiratory syncytial virus dominated in winter and spring, while human parainfluenza virus was the main infection in summer. Conclusion: Influenza virus and human respiratory syncytial virus were the main viruses in throat swabs of SARI cases from 2017 to 2019 in Luohe City, Henan Province. There were differences in the age and seasonal epidemiological characteristics of each virus.
First-principles surface characterization and water adsorption of Fe3P schreibersite

The meteoritic mineral schreibersite, e.g., Fe3P, is a proposed abiotic source of phosphorus for phosphate ion (PO4-) production, needed for nucleobases, phospholipids, and other life building materials. Schreibersite could have acted as both a source of elemental phosphorus and as a catalyst, and the hostile conditions on early Earth could have accelerated its degradation in different environments. Here, we present results from quantum calculations of bulk schreibersite and of its low Miller index surfaces. We also investigate water surface adsorption and identify possible dissociation pathways on the most stable facet. Our calculations provide useful chemical insights into schreibersite interactions in aqueous environments, paving the way for further detailed investigation on more reactive surfaces. Our results help provide a ``bottom-up'' understanding for phosphorylated organic synthesis on the primitive planet and its role in producing life building molecules.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae: an emerging and model pathogenic fungus.

This chapter first reviews the evidence (i.e., clinical reports and incidence) that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an emerging opportunistic pathogen, how and why S. cerevisiae is found clinically (e.g., acquisition and host factors), and species identification and typing. The chapter describes the analysis (e.g., genetic, phenotypic, and experimental infections) of clinical S. cerevisiae isolates and clinically derived S. cerevisiae strains. In addition to making some specific comparisons of S. cerevisiae with other pathogenic fungi, the chapter describes classical genetic analysis of the ability of S. cerevisiae to survive in and kill mice. There is evidence that S. cerevisiae infections (and/or carriage) can be acquired nosocomially, through use in baking, sexually (and/or from person to person), and orally by direct ingestion. The tests used in clinical microbiology laboratories to distinguish different species of fungi, which include assimilation tests and microscopic examination, are not sufficient to distinguish the Saccharomyces sensu stricto species, that is, the taxonomically accepted biological sibling species of S. cerevisiae which include S. paradoxus, S. bayanus, S. cariocanus, S. kudriavzevii, and S. mikatae. The analysis of clinical (and nonclinical) isolates of S. cerevisiae benefits immensely from the use of sensitive, high-throughput genotyping technologies, such as the Affymetrix yeast genome arrays, that readily detect deletions, changes in gene copy numbers, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms across the entire genome.
Optimizing on mobile usage cost for the lower income group: insights and recommendations

There is an increasing trend in the penetration of mobile phones towards the lower strata (lower income) group of the society. Cost is perceived as the governing factor which determines the adoption of mobile phones in this group. This paper explores the effect of cost on the usage of mobile phones and proposes an enhanced design with features that optimize its usage cost for lower income group. These features help determine and restrict call duration, proactively alert user on usage deviations and avoid early call terminations. Preliminary evaluations of the enhanced design were decidedly positive about the effectiveness in controlling and optimizing mobile usage cost.
Low cost CPU I/O analyzer under system conditions

This paper describes new methodology of component I/O testing under system conditions, enabling analog validation of modem buses without the need for full system functionality. The inexpensive implementation is appropriate for chips with IBIST-DFT functionality.
Probing stem cell behavior using nanoparticle‐based approaches

Stem cells hold significant clinical potential to treat numerous debilitating diseases and injures that currently have no treatment plan. While several advances have been made in developing stem cell platforms and methods to induce their differentiation, there are two critical aspects need to be addressed: (1) efficient delivery of nucleic acids and small molecules for stem cell differentiation, and (2) effective, noninvasive, and real-time tracking of transplanted stem cells. To address this, there has been a trend of utilizing various types of nanoparticles to not only deliver biomolecules to targeted site but also track the location of transplanted stem cells in real time. Over the past decade, various types of nanoparticles, including magnetic nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles, have been developed to serve as vehicles for targeted biomolecule delivery. In addition of being biocompatible without causing adverse side effect to stem cells, these nanoparticles have unique chemical and physical properties that allow tracking and imaging in real time using different imaging instruments that are commonly found in hospitals. A summary of the landmark and progressive demonstrations that utilize nanoparticles for stem cell application is described. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:759–778. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1346 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Role of Actin in Anchoring Postsynaptic Receptors in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons: Differential Attachment of NMDA versus AMPA Receptors

We used actin-perturbing agents and detergent extraction of primary hippocampal cultures to test directly the role of the actin cytoskeleton in localizing GABAA receptors, AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors, and potential anchoring proteins at postsynaptic sites. Excitatory postsynaptic sites on dendritic spines contained a high concentration of F-actin that was resistant to cytochalasin D but could be depolymerized using the novel compound latrunculin A. Depolymerization of F-actin led to a 40% decrease in both the number of synaptic NMDA receptor (NMDAR1) clusters and the number of AMPA receptor (GluR1)-labeled spines. The nonsynaptic NMDA receptors appeared to remain clustered and to coalesce in cell bodies. α-Actinin-2, which binds both actin and NMDA receptors, dissociated from the receptor clusters, but PSD-95 remained associated with both the synaptic and nonsynaptic receptor clusters, consistent with a proposed cross-linking function. AMPA receptors behaved differently; on GABAergic neurons, the clusters redistributed to nonsynaptic sites, whereas on pyramidal neurons, many of the clusters appeared to disperse. Furthermore, in control neurons, AMPA receptors were detergent extractable from pyramidal cell spines, whereas AMPA receptors on GABAergic neurons and NMDA receptors were unextractable. GABAA receptors were not dependent on F-actin for the maintenance or synaptic localization of clusters. These results indicate fundamental differences in the mechanisms of receptor anchoring at postsynaptic sites, both regarding the anchoring of a single receptor (the AMPA receptor) in pyramidal cells versus GABAergic interneurons and regarding the anchoring of different receptors (AMPA vs NMDA receptors) at a single class of postsynaptic sites on pyramidal cell dendritic spines.
Modeling of Ancient-style Chinese Character and Its Application to CCC Robot

This paper describes the modeling of Chinese character written in ancient style and its application in Chinese character calligraphy robot (CCC robot). First, the image of a Chinese character written in ancient style is thinned. Chinese character skeleton is detected from the thinned image. Then the skeleton is modeled by B-splines. Finally, the model of the Chinese character is used to control a CCC robot to perform the ancient style Chinese character calligraphy. The experiment results show that the ancient style Chinese character is modeled precisely and the model is useful for CCC robot to perform ancient style Chinese character calligraphy
Histochemistry of a cotylocercous cercaria. II. Hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes in Plagioporus lepomis.

Abstract Histochemical techniques were used successfully to investigate the oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes of a Cotylocercous cercaria tentatively identified as the larva of Plagioporus lepomis Dobrovolny. In tests for 11 hydrolytic enzymes, nonspecific esterase was detected in the nervous system, leucine aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase activities were found in the excretory system, and three phosphatases and phorylase were located in the subcuticular area, in the caudal region, or in the suckers. The possible functions of these enzymes are discussed with respect to their location. Results of tests for 13 oxidative enzymes suggest the presence of a glycolytic pathway, pentose phosphate pathway, Kreb's cycle, respiratory chain, and lipid synthesis. Sites of intensive oxidative enzyme activity include the subcuticular area, oral and ventral suckers, nervous system, and parenchyma.
Shear-induced platelet aggregation can be mediated by vWF released from platelets, as well as by exogenous large or unusually large vWF multimers, requires adenosine diphosphate, and is resistant to aspirin

Fluid shear stress in arteries and arterioles partially obstructed by atherosclerosis or spasm may exceed the normal time-average level of 20 dyne/cm2. In vitro, at fluid shear stresses of 30 to 60 dyne/cm2 applied for 30 seconds, platelet aggregation occurs. At these shear stresses, either large or unusually large von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers in the suspending fluid exogenous to the platelets mediates aggregation. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) is also required and, in these experiments, was released from the platelets subjected to shear stress. At 120 dyne/cm2, the release of endogenous platelet vWF multimers can substitute for exogenous large or unusually large vWF forms in mediating aggregation. Endogenous released platelet vWF forms, as well as exogenous large or unusually large vWF multimers, must bind to both glycoproteins Ib and the IIb/IIIa complex to produce aggregation. Shear- induced aggregation is the result of shear stress alteration of platelet surfaces, rather than of shear effects on vWF multimers. It is mediated by either large plasma-type vWF multimers, endogenous released platelet vWF forms, or unusually large vWF multimers derived from endothelial cells, requires ADP, and is not inhibited significantly by aspirin. This type of aggregation may be important in platelet thrombus formation within narrowed arterial vessels, and may explain the limited therapeutic utility of aspirin in arterial thrombosis.
Leader selection for minimizing convergence error in leader-follower systems: A supermodular optimization approach

In leader-follower systems, follower nodes receive inputs from a set of leader nodes, exchange information, and update their states according to an iterative algorithm. In such algorithms, the node states may deviate from their desired values before the algorithm converges, leading to disruptions in network performance. In this paper, we study the problem of choosing leader nodes in order to minimize convergence errors. We first develop a connection between a class of weighted averaging algorithms and random walks on graphs, and then show that the convergence error is a supermodular function of the set of leader nodes. Based on the supermodularity of the convergence error, we derive efficient algorithms for selecting leader nodes that are within a provable bound of the optimum. Our approach is demonstrated through a simulation study.
Robin sequence and oligodactyly in mother and son

A combination of the Robin sequence with pre- and postaxial oligodactyly was observed in a mother and her son. This familial association has not been reported before and probably represents a previously unrecognized heritable malformation syndrome.
The Limits of Collaboration.

Abstract The premise of the essay is that collaborative public relations is unfeasible in some situations. Certain types of conflicts virtually require asymmetric or win-lose public relations efforts. The involvement of multiple parties in a dispute or the timing of a dispute, may necessitate reactive and confrontational responses on the part of public relations personnel. Practitioners sometimes perceive few degrees of freedom in how they may respond to a situation. There are also cases in which activist publics are motivated to pursue confrontation and to avoid open communication and collaboration.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome in men. Clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic features.

Although primary Sjogren's syndrome is a common rheumatic disorder in women, it is not well recognized in men. This study represents the first report of the clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic features of a group of 36 men with primary Sjogren's syndrome, which are contrasted with those of a group of 69 women with primary Sjogren's syndrome. The majority of male patients had extraglandular involvement including articular (78 percent), neurologic (39 percent), inflammatory vascular (25 percent), and lymphoproliferative disorders (17 percent). Although men were at the same risk for the development of extraglandular complications, there were significant serologic and immunogenetic differences. In sharp contrast to women with Sjogren's syndrome, men with Sjogren's syndrome were seronegative with respect to the presence of serum rheumatoid factor (p = 0.008) and antibodies to Ro(SS-A) (p = 0.016). The supertypic specificity, MT2 (DRw52), as in women, was strongly associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in men when compared with race-matched control subjects (p = 0.0015). In men, however, the frequency of HLA-B8 and HLA-DR3, the most common DR locus specificity observed in women, was not statistically different from that observed in the normal control group.
Physiological characterization of antibiotic resistant mutants ofBacillus subtilis

Ten antibiotic resistance mutants inBacillus subtilis have been tested forin vitro resistance in cell-free amino acid incorporating systems. Seven of these mutants,str-1, ole-2, spc-2, mic-1, bry-2, nea-1, andlin-2 are shown to have alterations in ribosomal function.neo-2, kan-2 andery-1 did not showin vitro alterations. Extensive cross-resistance and some cross-sensitivity to ribosomal antibiotics are determined by these mutations.
A survey of visual analytics for knowledge discovery and content analysis

ABSTRACT This survey paper provides a review of tools and concepts of visual analytics, and the challenges faced by researchers developing application for knowledge discovery. A comparison is made based on analytic features, its ability to categorize data, the modeling procedures, visual representation, interoperability, and its reliability and portability. The issues related to heterogeneous data, its scalability and multi-dimensionality is also explored. An efficient, intelligent, interactive and robust visual analytics system allows the discovery of information hidden in a massive and dynamic volume of data, especially in a surveillance system thus creating an effective situation awareness of the environment. While visual analytics is hugely important in knowledge discovery, it is necessary for developers to avoid information overload due to inappropriate, irrelevant and uncertain data due to random or fuzzy sensor inputs, also known as noise. The discovered knowledge is the basis for adaptive situation awareness, as it often provides information beyond the perception of human cognitive mind. The tools and concepts researched for this article includes addressing the human computer interaction aspect for intelligent, adaptive decision making from multiple information resources. An attempt is made in this paper to combine the strengths of smart search and data analysis with visual perception and interactive analysis capability of the user. Keywords: Visual Analytics, Adaptive Situation Awareness, Knowledge Discovery, Surveillance Systems, Heterogeneous Data, Scalability, Multi-Dimensionality, In formation Overload, Interactive and Uncertainty.
Spasm of the gastroepiploic artery used for coronary artery bypass grafting

The GEA, though similar to the internal mammary artery in size and flow characteristics, is different histologically as well as physiologically. When used as a free graft, the GEA is very vasospastic, which may influence its long-term patency. When it is necessary to use the GEA as a conduit, it may be preferable to use it in situ rather than as a pedicle graft.
On the stability of the center manifold

Gronwall's inequality is used to prove a new lemma in the theory of center manifolds. From it the essential stability properties (asymptotic phase and Pliss reduction principle) can be deduced simply and directly.