cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Necrotic Oophoritis in Gilts Associated with Experimental Inoculation of a Viral Gene-deletion Mutant Pseudorabies Vaccine:

Previous work on the reproductive effects of various herpesviruses has demonstrated adverse effects on reproductive function in several host species. Although herpesviral vaccines are used in several species to ameliorate the clinical effects of infection, pathogenicity for reproductive tissue, associated with diminished reproductive efficiency, has been reported to be retained in a live-attenuated vaccine strain of the herpesvirus, bovine herpesvirus-1. The objective of this study was to determine if a gene-deletion mutant, thymidine kinase negative, pseudorabies virus retained acute pathogenicity for the reproductive tract of swine following intravenous inoculation during estrus. Estrous cycles of nulliparous gilts were synchronized by administration of a gonadotropin and daily exposure to a boar. During estrus, six gilts were inoculated intravenously with twice the recommended intramuscular dose of a commercially available viral gene-deletion mutant pseudorabies vaccine. Six control gilts in estrus were sham inoculated intravenously with vaccine diluent during estrus. All animals were euthanatized 10 days postinoculation, and the ovaries and uterus were collected for histopathology following gross examination. All reproductive tracts were grossly normal. Histologically, four of six treated gilts had a mild to moderate, multifocal, necrotizing oophoritis, with the lesions limited to corpora lutea and the adjacent stroma. Ovaries of control gilts exhibited to necrotizing lesions. Both control and pseudorabies vaccine-inoculated gilts had occasional minimal focal mononuclear infiltrates in the ovaries. These data show that live attenuated viral gene-deletion mutant pseudorabies vaccine administered to swine during estrus can result in acute pathogenicity in ovarian corpora lutea. No endocrinologic data is available in these pigs, so the impact on pregnancy maintenance is unknown.
Complementary or Substitutive Effects? Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Poison Pill Repeal

A significant amount of research has examined firms’ decisions to adopt poison pills; however, firms today are increasingly repealing or allowing poison pills to expire. Based on agency theory, the authors examine competing perspectives of governance mechanisms as having complementary or substitutive effects within the context of poison pill repeal. They test whether firms repeal poison pills when governance is strong (complementary effects) or allow for other governance mechanisms to compensate for potential agency costs associated with poison pill renewal (substitutive effects). Using a sample of 288 firms who made decisions to terminate or renew poison pills, the authors find that firms with CEO duality, fewer directors nominated by the CEO, and higher levels of outside director ownership and pressure-resistant institutional shareholdings are more likely to repeal poison pills. A curvilinear relationship between managerial ownership and poison pill repeal is also found. The results provide greater supp...
Long-term Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Sports: What Is the Evidence?

Although the immediate neurocognitive effects of sports-related concussion are well known, less is known about the intermediate or long-term effects of sports-related concussions. A sample of selected studies of high-school and collegiate athletes is reviewed and the intermediate effects of concussive injuries are discussed, because no long-term empiric data are available with these populations. The evidence for intermediate neurocognitive effects is mixed and not convincing at present in these groups of athletes. Selected studies of professional boxers and American professional football players are also reviewed, and the available data regarding long-term neurocognitive and neuropathologic effects are assessed. The evidence for long-term adverse neurocognitive effects in professional boxers is compelling. Suggestions for future research on relevant biopsychosocial variables affecting response to concussive injury are presented.
(U-Th)/He thermochronologic constraints on the evolution of the northern Rio Grande Rift, Gore Range, Colorado, and implications for rift propagation models

The Rio Grande Rift system tapers northward into the center of the southern Rocky Mountains. How rift initiation and evolution are related to development of the Rocky Mountains is not well understood. The Gore Range and adjacent Blue River Valley of central Colorado are the northernmost significant fault-related manifestations of the rift. New apatite (U-Th)/He data from the range record only middle and late Cenozoic exhumation phases, unlike neighboring Rocky Mountain uplifts that record a single phase of Late Cretaceous–early Tertiary unroofing. Middle Tertiary dates require that Gore Range basement remained covered by sedimentary rocks until at least the Middle Eocene. Normal faulting initiated during the Oligocene, inducing exhumation of basement to the surface and deposition of synrift fill in the Blue River Valley. Major cooling and unroofing in the Miocene were restricted to the southern Gore Range and continued until at least 7 Ma, with ∼2.3 km of total displacement along the Blue River normal fault. This middle to late Tertiary unroofing history is strikingly similar to that inferred for other rift flank uplifts to the south, and suggests broad synchroneity in the middle Tertiary onset and subsequent evolution of >700 km of the Rio Grande Rift. The results highlight that the notion of a northward-propagating rift, as suggested by its northward-tapering geometry, is incorrect, and preclude models invoking rift propagation to explain late Cenozoic elevation gain of the Rocky Mountains.
Optimal Algorithm for Metabolomics Classification and Feature Selection varies by Dataset

Metabolomics, the systematic identification and quantification of all metabolites in a biological system, is increasingly applied towards identification of biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis and risk prediction. Applications of metabolomics extend across the health spectrum including Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, and trauma. Despite the continued interest in metabolomics there are numerous techniques for analyzing metabolomics datasets with the intent to classify group membership (e.g. Control or Treated). These include Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis, Support Vector Machines, Random Forest, Regularized Generalized Linear Models, and Prediction Analysis for Microarrays. Each classification algorithm is dependent upon different assumptions and can potentially lead to alternate conclusions. This project seeks to conduct an in depth comparison of algorithm performance on both simulated and real datasets to determine which algorithms perform best given alternate dataset structures. Three simulated datasets were generated to validate algorithm performance and mimic 'real' metabolomics data: (Han et al., 2011) independent null dataset (no correlation, no discriminatory variables), (Davis, Schiller, Eurich, & Sawyer, 2012) correlated null (no discriminating variables), (Guan et al., 2009) correlated discriminatory. This comparison is also applied to 3 open-access datasets including two Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and one Mass Spectrometry (MS) dataset. Performance was evaluated based on the Robustness-Performance-Trade-off (RPT) incorporating a balance between model classification accuracy and feature selection stability. We also provide a free, open-source R Bioconductor package (OmicsMarkeR) that conducts the analyses herein. The proposed work provides an important advancement in metabolomics analysis and helps alleviate the confusion of potentially paradoxical analyses thereby leading to improved exploration of disease states and identification of clinically important biomarkers.
Origins of decoherence in coherent X-ray diffraction experiments

The propagation of the mutual intensity function from an incoherent synchrotron source to the sample is discussed. It is shown how coherency properties of the beam are changed by propagation through random optical elements, such as Be windows and mirrors present in the beamline. The mutual intensity function in this case cannot be described by one coherence length but will rather have several components with different coherence lengths. With computer simulations it is shown how such multicomponent mutual intensity function can affect the reconstruction of nanoparticles in coherent X-ray diffraction experiments.
Two noncentral chi-square generalizations

Generalizations of two known noncentral chi-square results are presented. The first generalization concerns extending the expression for the probability that one (first-order) Ricean random variable exceeds another to the expression that one nth-order Ricean random variable exceeds another nth-order Ricean random variable. This latter result is shown to be equivalent to the probability of one noncentral chi-square random variable with 2n degrees of freedom exceeding another. The form of the resulting expression is such that it can easily be evaluated by a recurrence relation. The second generalization deals with the fact that the noncentral chi-square distribution function, with d degrees of freedom, differs from the complementary probability of detection, 1-P/sub N/(X, Y), only in that the latter is restricted to even degrees of freedom. We can expand the techniques and expressions developed for the robust, efficient, and accurate calculation of the P/sub N/(X, Y), or equivalently, the generalized Marcum (1960) Q-function, to the calculation of the noncentral chi-square distribution function and its complement.
Space-time precoding with mean and covariance feedback: implications for wideband systems

This paper focuses on optimizing the capacity of a cellular "downlink" in which the base station (BS) is equipped with multiple antennas, while the mobile has a single antenna. The BS has access to both the first and second order statistics of the channel, obtained from mean feedback and covariance feedback, respectively. Our results apply to wideband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, where accurate covariance feedback is obtained without overhead by averaging uplink measurements. Mean feedback is obtained from uplink measurements using reciprocity for time division duplex (TDD) systems, and would require explicit feedback for frequency division duplex (FDD) systems. Since mean feedback degrades rapidly with feedback delay for mobile channels, and requires feedback overhead for FDD systems, our purpose is to quantify the tradeoffs in using covariance feedback alone versus using both covariance and mean feedback.
The Engineered Barrier System: Performance Issues

The engineered barrier system (EBS) for geologic disposal of high-level waste may typically consist of the waste solid, a container, and a porous backfill. Whether the surrounding rock is part of the EBS is arguable, but the properties of the surrounding rock strongly affect the EBS performance. The EBS functions and performance issue are addressed.
Recent advances in the molecular genetics of retinitis pigmentosa.

In recent years a rapid development in gene cloning techniques has been seen which has, in part, been responsible for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in many hereditary diseases. Most noteworthy is the rapid detection of mutations in various genes associated with various retinal
Information Fusion of Passive Sensors for Detection of Moving Targets in Dynamic Environments

This paper addresses the problem of target detection in dynamic environments in a semi-supervised data-driven setting with low-cost passive sensors. A key challenge here is to simultaneously achieve high probabilities of correct detection with low probabilities of false alarm under the constraints of limited computation and communication resources. In general, the changes in a dynamic environment may significantly affect the performance of target detection due to limited training scenarios and the assumptions made on signal behavior under a static environment. To this end, an algorithm of binary hypothesis testing is proposed based on clustering of features extracted from multiple sensors that may observe the target. First, the features are extracted individually from time-series signals of different sensors by using a recently reported feature extraction tool, called symbolic dynamic filtering. Then, these features are grouped as clusters in the feature space to evaluate homogeneity of the sensor responses. Finally, a decision for target detection is made based on the distance measurements between pairs of sensor clusters. The proposed procedure has been experimentally validated in a laboratory setting for mobile target detection. In the experiments, multiple homogeneous infrared sensors have been used with different orientations in the presence of changing ambient illumination intensities. The experimental results show that the proposed target detection procedure with feature-level sensor fusion is robust and that it outperforms those with decision-level and data-level sensor fusion.
Inference about parameters in Binomial-Poisson distribution with additional incomplete data

ABSTRACTThis article considers the distribution of Binomial-Poisson random vector which has two components and includes two parameters: one is the rate of a Poisson distribution, the other is the proportion in a Binomial distribution. The inference about the two parameters is usually made based on only paired observations. However, the number of paired observations is, in general, not large enough because of either technical difficulty or budget limitation, and so one can not make efficient inferences with only paired data. Instead, it is often much easier and not too costly to have incomplete observation on only one component independently. In this article we will combine both the paired complete data and unpaired incomplete data for estimating the two parameters. The performances of various estimators are compared both analytically and numerically. It is observed that fully using the unpaired incomplete data can always improve the inference, and the improvement is very significant in the case when there...
Carbon Sequestration and Sedimentation in Mangrove Swamps Influenced by Hydrogeomorphic Conditions and Urbanization in Southwest Florida

This study compares carbon sequestration rates along two independent tidal mangrove creeks near Naples Bay in Southwest Florida, USA. One tidal creek is hydrologically disturbed due to upstream land use changes; the other is an undisturbed reference creek. Soil cores were collected in basin, fringe, and riverine hydrogeomorphic settings along each of the two tidal creeks and analyzed for bulk density, total organic carbon profiles, and sediment accretion. Radionuclides 137Cs and 210Pb were used to estimate recent sediment accretion and carbon sequestration rates. Carbon sequestration rates (mean ± standard error) for seven sites in the two tidal creeks on the Naples Bay (98 ± 12 g-C m−2·year−1 (n = 18)) are lower than published global means for mangrove wetlands, but consistent with other estimates from the same region. Mean carbon sequestration rates in the reference riverine setting were highest (162 ± 5 g-C m−2·year−1), followed by rates in the reference fringe and disturbed riverine settings (127 ± 6 and 125 ± 5 g-C m−2·year−1, respectively). The disturbed fringe sequestered 73 ± 10 g-C m−2·year−1, while rates within the basin settings were 50 ± 4 g-C m−2·year−1 and 47 ± 4 g-C m−2·year−1 for the reference and disturbed creeks, respectively. These data support our hypothesis that mangroves along a hydrologically disturbed tidal creek sequestered less carbon than did mangroves along an adjacent undisturbed reference creek.
Improved Coefficient of Restitution Estimation for Free Rocking Members

AbstractIn 1963, a geometry-dependent approach to estimate the coefficient of restitution (COR) was proposed for free rocking structures. Since then, this estimation has been reported as being consistently lower than results obtained from experimental data. An assumption used by the original model is shown to be the cause of this underestimation. Identifying that the rocking takes place over a contact region, this study introduces a modified formulation for free rocking bodies and proposes an improved COR estimation to accurately quantify the energy dissipation of these structures. Using experimental data, it is shown that the improved CORs consistently provide better correlation to those established from tests than the COR obtained from the original approach.
Longitudinal Data Collection

Over the last three decades of the 20 th century, longitudinal research designs, in which the same people or other units of observation are measured repeatedly over time, have become social sciences' most powerful tools for studying cause and consequence. By measuring the same people over time, social scientists can better understand how conditions or characteristics at one time shape ideas, decisions, or outcomes at a later time. This approach also allows social scientists to ensure that the temporal order among measures matches the temporal order embedded in causal hypotheses themselves. In this sense, longitudinal measurement designs are similar to the calendar-type measurement designs described in Chapters 5 and 6. However, where calendar methods are explicitly retrospective, longitudinal designs are explicitly prospective, or intended to take measures forward over time. This gives longitudinal designs advantages for studying phenomena that are difficult to measure retrospectively, such as attitudes and values, mental health, relationship content and quality, or plans and expectations. A key issue in the use of longitudinal data to answer questions of cause and consequence is that initial (time one) conditions or characteristics are rarely randomly assigned. Lack of random assignment violates a key aspect of experimental design and renders observed relationships open to the threat that they are the spurious product of some other unmeasured factor (Campbell and Stanley 1963; Winship and Morgan 1999).
The Use of the Robinson in vitro Agar Culture Assay in Adult Acute Leukemia

Previous in vitro classification of adult acute leukemia incorporating morphology has been complex and difficult to understand. We have devised a simplified classification based solely on leukemic proliferation in vitro. Forty-four patients with adult acute leukemia previously untreated were included in this study and received identical chemotherapy. Three in vitro groups were recognized.
Local Circuits of V1 Layer 4B Neurons Projecting to V2 Thick Stripes Define Distinct Cell Classes and Avoid Cytochrome Oxidase Blobs

Decades of anatomical studies on the primate primary visual cortex (V1) have led to a detailed diagram of V1 intrinsic circuitry, but this diagram lacks information about the output targets of V1 cells. Understanding how V1 local processing relates to downstream processing requires identification of neuronal populations defined by their output targets. In primates, V1 layers (L)2/3 and 4B send segregated projections to distinct cytochrome oxidase (CO) stripes in area V2: neurons in CO blob columns project to thin stripes while neurons outside blob columns project to thick and pale stripes, suggesting functional specialization of V1-to-V2 CO streams. However, the conventional diagram of V1 shows all L4B neurons, regardless of their soma location in blob or interblob columns, as projecting selectively to CO blobs in L2/3, suggesting convergence of blob/interblob information in L2/3 blobs and, possibly, some V2 stripes. However, it is unclear whether all L4B projection neurons show similar local circuitries. Using viral-mediated circuit tracing, we have identified the local circuits of L4B neurons projecting to V2 thick stripes in macaque. Consistent with previous studies, we found the somata of this L4B subpopulation to reside predominantly outside blob columns; however, unlike previous descriptions of local L4B circuits, these cells consistently projected outside CO blob columns in all layers. Thus, the local circuits of these L4B output neurons, just like their extrinsic projections to V2, preserve CO streams. Moreover, the intra-V1 laminar patterns of axonal projections identify two distinct neuron classes within this L4B subpopulation, including a rare novel neuron type, suggestive of two functionally specialized output channels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Conventional diagrams of primate primary visual cortex (V1) depict neuronal connections within and between different V1 layers, but lack information about the cells9 downstream targets. This information is critical to understanding how local processing in V1 relates to downstream processing. We have identified the local circuits of a population of cells in V1 layer (L)4B that project to area V2. These cells9 local circuits differ from classical descriptions of L4B circuits in both the laminar and functional compartments targeted by their axons, and identify two neuron classes. Our results demonstrate that both local intra-V1 and extrinsic V1-to-V2 connections of L4B neurons preserve CO-stream segregation, suggesting that across-stream integration occurs downstream of V1, and that output targets dictate local V1 circuitry.
What is the potential growth rate of the U.S. economy, and how might policy affect it?

The answer to the question “What will future potential growth be?” is as important as it is unknowable. This paper attempts to predict future U.S. potential output growth by combining what is unknown (future productivity growth, the performance of the labor market) with what is known (the evolution of the age structure of the population). It does so in two ways. First, this paper uses the historical experience of potential labor productivity growth, labor force participation, and weekly hours to simulate a range of outcomes for future potential growth—finding a 90% confidence interval that ranges from 0.7% annual growth to 3.0% annual growth, centered by construction around the Congressional Budget Office projection of 1.8% annual growth. Second, the paper examines a range of specific economic policies that the Trump Administration might pursue in terms of their impact on economic growth both in the short run and over the next decade—finding that an outer bound of these policies could be plus or minus 0.5 percentage point on the annual growth rate, but that these policies would most likely subtract a small amount from growth.
Machine replacement under evolving deterministic and stochastic costs

The infinite-horizon cost minimization and the real-option stopping problem are used to analyze serial replacement of a single asset under improving technology. It is shown that both techniques produce the same (equal life) replacement policy when exponential technological improvements affect the operating cost and new asset cost in the same way. Next, this result is extended to the stopping problem under evolving stochastic costs. Under general improving technology, the expected asset lifetimes appear to be different for sequential replacement cycles and depend on the future cost evolution. Numeric experiments are provided and managerial implications of the obtained outcomes are discussed.
DNPEP is not the only peptidase that produces SPAK fragments in kidney

Abstract SPAK (STE20/SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase) regulates Na + and Cl − reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule, and possibly in the thick ascending limb of Henle. This kinase phosphorylates and activates the apical Na‐Cl cotransporter in the DCT. Western blot analysis reveals that SPAK in kidney exists as a full‐length protein as well as shorter fragments that might affect NKCC2 function in the TAL. Recently, we showed that kidney lysates exerts proteolytic activity towards SPAK, resulting in the formation of multiple SPAK fragments with possible inhibitory effects on the kinase. The proteolytic activity is mediated by a Zn 2+ metalloprotease inhibited by 1,10‐phenanthroline, DTT, and EDTA. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the protease was a high‐molecular‐weight protein. Protein identification by mass‐spectrometry analysis after ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography identified multiple proteases as possible candidates and aspartyl aminopeptidase, DNPEP, shared all the properties of the kidney lysate activity. Furthermore, recombinant GST‐DNPEP produced similar proteolytic pattern. No mouse knockout model was, however, available to be used as negative control. In this study, we used a DNPEP‐mutant mouse generated by EUCOMM as well as a novel CRISPR/cas9 mouse knockout to assess the activity of their kidney lysates towards SPAK. Two mouse models had to be used because different anti‐DNPEP antibodies provided conflicting data on whether the EUCOMM mouse resulted in a true knockout. We show that in the absence of DNPEP, the kidney lysates retain their ability to cleave SPAK, indicating that DNPEP might have been misidentified as the protease behind the kidney lysate activity, or that the aspartyl aminopeptidase might not be the only protease cleaving SPAK in kidney.
Braveheart and the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the Discovery of the Ring Nebula, and the 1913 Great Meteor Procession

Astronomical analysis can help to solve mysteries about historical events. Our Texas State University group used hydrographic calculations of tide levels, astronomical calculations of lunar phases, analysis of calendars, and study of archival primary sources to derive new results for the three examples described in this chapter.
Termination and correctness analysis of cyclic control

The utility of including cyclic flow of control in plans has been long recognized by the planning community. Loops in a plan increase both its applicability and the compactness of representation. However, progress in finding such plans has been limited largely due to lack of methods for reasoning about the correctness and applicability of loops of actions. We present an overview of recent results for determining the class of problems that a plan with loops can solve. These methods can be used to direct the construction of a rich new form of generalized plans that solve a desired class of problems.
Correlation of nuclear acceptor sites for oestrogen receptors with gene transcription in vitro.

Abstract The interaction of oestrogen receptors with their nuclear acceptor sites was studied to ascertain whether these acceptor sites are involved in the regulation of ovalbumin-gene expression in the chick oviduct. As previously described, two distinct oestrogen-receptor species exist, and both are translocated into the nucleus after oestrogen administration in vivo [Smith, Clarke, Zalta & Taylor (1979) J. Steroid Biochem. 10, 31–35]. In the present investigation we observed that the tubular-gland-cell concentrations of cytoplasmic receptors (800–900/cell) do not vary with prolonged withdrawal, nor do the relative ratios of the two receptor types change; however, the nuclear accumulation and retention of these receptors after secondary oestrogen administration are attenuated in a time-dependent fashion. Chicks were withdrawn from oestrogen for 24–84h. Some animals were then restimulated with oestrogen and killed after 4h, when oviduct nuclei were isolated. These nuclei were assayed for nuclear receptor concentrations and for their capacity to synthesize ovalbumin mRNA in vitro. Although an equal number of cytoplasmic receptors appeared to be translocated, oestrogen-receptor occupancy within the nucleus was not equal, but was inversely proportional to the preceding length of withdrawal. This decrease in nuclear acceptor sites was accompanied by a similar decrease in the capacity of these same nuclei to transcribe ovalbumin mRNA in vitro. A statistical evaluation of nuclear oestrogen-receptor concentrations and ovalbumin-mRNA synthesis in vitro was made. Correlation analysis revealed a Pearson coefficient r=0.87 (P<0.001, n=17), indicating that a high degree of correlation exists between these two parameters. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that nuclear oestrogen-receptor-acceptor complexes may correspond to initiation sites for RNA polymerase II transcription of an oestrogen-regulated gene.
The Utility of the Proposition

The analysis of the Proposition proposed in Chapter Four has precisely the right results for the problems raised in Chapter One. Given the analysis of Chapter Four, the Sentence in (1a) is comprised of two parts — the aux nil and the Proposition hengeemali ’ariqu0073.
Vitamin D Status Is Associated With Development of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Critically Ill Surgical Patients

Background Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) typically develop following critical illness due to immobility and suboptimal perfusion. Vitamin D helps to maintain epithelial cell integrity, particularly at barrier sites such as skin. It is unclear whether vitamin D status is a modifiable risk factor for HAPIs in critically ill patients. Our goal was to investigate the relationship between admission 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels with the development of HAPIs in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to surgical ICUs at a major teaching hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. To investigate the association of 25OHD levels with subsequent development of HAPIs, we performed logistic regression analyses, controlling for body mass index, Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score, ICU length of stay, and cumulative ICU caloric or protein deficit. Results A total of 402 patients comprised our analytic cohort. Each unit increment in 25OHD was associated with 11% decreased odds of HAPIs (odds ratio [OR] 0.89; 95% CI 0.840.95). When vitamin D status was dichotomized, patients with 25OHD 2 times as likely to develop HAPIs (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.065.97) compared with patients with 25OHD >20 ng/mL. Conclusion In our cohort of critically ill surgical patients, vitamin D status at ICU admission was linked to subsequent development of HAPIs. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess whether optimizing 25OHD levels in the ICU can reduce the incidence of HAPIs and improve other clinically relevant outcomes in critically ill patients.
Continuous synthesis of elastomeric macroporous microbeads

Macroporous microbeads are synthesized by microfluidic production of silica-loaded polymeric microdroplets followed by porogen removal via selective etching. Microdroplets are produced in a flow-focusing microreactor to ensure monodispersity with uniform porogen loading. Effects of porogen size and polymer network density on the porosity and effective modulus of the microbeads are studied.
Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Haploidentical Blood or Marrow Transplant (BMT) Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) Is Associated with Higher Non-Relapse-Related Mortality, Despite Rarity of Disease

Abstract Introduction: CMV infection is associated with direct and indirect morbidities in BMT recipients. Understanding cumulative morbidity associated with infections is difficult, as time-to-first event analyses do not represent recurrent events. We characterized infectious outcomes and non-relapse mortality (NRM) in a large cohort of haploidentical BMT recipients at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) using novel analytic methods to detail recurrent events and estimate cumulative risks. Material and Methods: Demographics, transplant variables, CMV reactivation (DNAemia) and disease, and other outcomes (infections, GVHD and hospitalizations) were collected on sequential haploidentical BMT recipients at JHH (2004-2015). Infectious events were longitudinally depicted. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate effects of infections on 1-year survival, adjusted for age, disease related index (DRI), GVHD, time to engraftment, and transplant year. Survival and NRM differences were assessed by Kaplan Meier and competing risks functions, respectively. Results:683 people who received non-myeloablative haploidentical BMT using PTCy, mycophenolate and tacrolimus were included. CMV reactivation occurred in 268 (39%), with organ disease documented in 19 (2.8%). Recurrent reactivation was recorded in 83 (12% of cohort), predominating in seropositive recipients of negative donors (D-/R+). Neutropenia occurred in 24/123 (28%) of subjects with ganciclovir-treated 1st reactivation, increasing to 41% and 60% with 2nd and 3rd episodes. Patients who had CMV reactivation had higher mean numbers of bacteremias (0.48 vs. 0.36, p=0.006), clinical pneumonias (0.24 vs. 0.18, p= 0.03) invasive fungal infections (IFI, 0.23 vs. 0.15, p= 0.05), non-CMV viral infections (0.53 vs. 0.39, p=0.008), and hospitalizations (1.68 vs. 1.27, p=0.001). Patients with CMV reactivation had lower 1-year survival (68% vs. 76%, p=0.016), with higher NRM in competing risk analyses. Associations between CMV reactivation and other infections were appreciated in longitudinal analyses. In regression analysis, risks for death were associated with DRI (HR 4.3 - 2.5, p Conclusion: CMV reactivation and recurrence is common in seropositive haploidentical BMT recipients, especially with seronegative donors, but disease is rare. Longitudinal modeling of reactivation and treatment-associated neutropenia suggests that reactivation is implicated in secondary infections that increase risks for death. These findings may instruct better-targeted prophylaxis strategies. Disclosures Marr: MycoMed Technologies: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.
Watching the rich and famous: the cultivation effect of reality television shows and the mediating role of parasocial experiences

ABSTRACTThis study used cultivation theory to explore the relationship between exposure to reality television shows and college students’ beliefs about wealth and materialism. In addition, this stu...
Prediction of Bridge Component Ratings Using Ordinal Logistic Regression Model

Prediction of bridge component condition is fundamental for well-informed decisions regarding the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation (MRR) of highway bridges. The National Bridge Inventory (NBI) condition rating is a major source of bridge condition data in the United States. In this study, a type of generalized linear model (GLM), the ordinal logistic statistical model, is presented and compared with the traditional regression model. The proposed model is evaluated in terms of reliability (the ability of a model to accurately predict bridge component ratings or the agreement between predictions and actual observations) and model fitness. Five criteria were used for evaluation and comparison: prediction error, bias, accuracy, out-of-range forecasts, Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC), and log likelihood (LL). In this study, an external validation procedure was developed to quantitatively compare the forecasting power of the models for highway bridge component deterioration. The GLM method described in this study allows modeling ordinal and categorical dependent variable and shows slightly but significantly better model fitness and prediction performance than traditional regression model.
Models of Alfalfa Yield and Evapotranspiration

Data of per-cutting yields and annual yields from four cuttings were collected over six consecutive years for alfalfa grown on three lysimeters. Corresponding evapotranspiration was obtained from weekly water balances. Differences in water management created a range of conditions from water for annual yields of 10 ton/acre (22.4 ko m - ²) to 50% yield reductions caused by inadequate soil moisture required to satisfy evapotranspiration demands. Yield and water use efficiency, both annual and per-cutting data, were compared in correlation tests with their corresponding amounts of evapotranspiration. Annual and per-cutting yields were found to be statistically proportional to their evapotranspiration. Annual water use efficiency was not statistically significant with annual evapotranspiration. Although a questionable percentage of the data explained the variance, water use efficiency per cutting and evapotranspiration per cutting had a statistically significant negative correlation.
The origin of purpose clause markers in Proto-Omagua-Kukama

Abstract This article explores the diachrony of three purpose clause markers in Proto-Omagua-Kukama (Tupi-Guarani; Amazonia): *-taɾa, *-maiɾa, and *=tsenuni. I explain an absolutive pattern of control in these clauses via an account in which the markers originate in a combination of nominalizers, a purpose suffix, and a postposition. I show that a similar system is attested in at least one other related language, Kamaiura.
Application of Different Commercial Tourniquets by Laypersons: Would Public-access Tourniquets Work Without Training?

Background The White House "Stop the Bleed" campaign has renewed interest in public-access bleeding kits and the use of tourniquets by the lay public. The objective of this study was to determine which type of tourniquet could be applied most effectively by the lay public using only manufacturer instructions included with each tourniquet. Methods This prospective study randomized participants to one of four different tourniquets (SOFTT-W, CAT, RMT, SWAT-T). Participants were all over 18 years of age. Individuals with prior military, EMS, or patient-care medical experience were excluded. Using only the manufacturer's packaging instructions, participants were asked to apply a tourniquet on a simulated bleeding arm. A trained observer noted if tourniquet application by the participant was effective, partially effective, or ineffective based on reduction or cessation of simulated blood flow. Participant's application of the tourniquet was also timed (in seconds) by the observer. The primary outcome of our study was the effectiveness of application for each of the four tourniquets. Secondary outcome was time to effective application. Results A total of 176 participants were enrolled. For untrained laypersons the RMT had the highest effective application rate of 64.4% and was also the most rapidly applied at 100.9 ± 8.8 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI] = 83.1 to 118.6). The SWAT-T had the highest ineffective application rate (55.5%) than any other tourniquet type (p = 0.002). There was no effect of age or education on time to application for any tourniquet type. Effective applications were performed significantly faster than partially effective or ineffective applications (93.4 ± 5.8 [95% CI = 81.7 to 104.9] vs. 136.7 ± 8.7 [95% CI = 118.8 to 154.7] vs. 151.9 ± 8.3 [95% CI = 135.2 to 168.6]; p ≤ 0.001). There was no difference in time between partial and ineffective applications (p = 0.261). Conclusions Our study suggests that laypersons could benefit from prior training to effectively apply tourniquets in emergency situations. Of the tourniquets studied, the RMT was the most effectively and most rapidly applied.
Chapter 4 – Delay in Digital Controllers

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the increased delay in the control loop generated by digital controllers, explaining how engineers employing digital controllers should comprehend the impact of sampling delay. The sampling process adds delay in up to three independent processes: sample-and hold, calculation time, and, for many motion-control systems, velocity estimation. The delay from a sample-and-hold results from using stored data. Calculation delay can vary from a small portion of the sample interval to nearly the entire interval. It is a function of the complexity of the control laws and the skill with which they are coded. The third form of delay is caused by estimating velocity from position. Only motion-control systems that rely on position sensors are subject to this delay. The ultimate performance of a digital system can be estimated based on a combination of the sample interval and assumptions about the elements of the control loop. Aggressive assumptions rely on the sample time's being the limiting factor of performance.
Cicada endosymbionts contain tRNAs that are processed despite having genomes that lack tRNA processing activities

Gene loss and genome reduction are defining characteristics of nutritional endosymbiotic bacteria. In extreme cases, even essential genes related to core cellular processes such as replication, transcription, and translation are lost from endosymbiont genomes. Computational predictions on the genomes of the two bacterial symbionts of the cicada Diceroprocta semicincta, “Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola” (Alphaproteobacteria) and “Ca. Sulcia muelleri” (Betaproteobacteria), find only 26 and 16 tRNA, and 15 and 10 aminoacyl tRNA synthetase genes, respectively. Furthermore, the original “Ca. Hodgkinia” genome annotation is missing several essential genes involved in tRNA processing, such as RNase P and CCA tRNA nucleotidyltransferase, as well as several RNA editing enzymes required for tRNA maturation. How “Ca. Sulcia” and “Ca. Hodgkinia” preform basic translation-related processes without these genes remains unknown. Here, by sequencing eukaryotic mRNA and total small RNA, we show that the limited tRNA set predicted by computational annotation of “Ca. Sulcia” and “Ca. Hodgkinia” is likely correct. Furthermore, we show that despite the absence of genes encoding tRNA processing activities in the symbiont genomes, symbiont tRNAs have correctly processed 5’ and 3’ ends, and seem to undergo nucleotide modification. Surprisingly, we find that most “Ca. Hodgkinia”and “Ca. Sulcia” tRNAs exist as tRNA halves. Finally, and in contrast with other related insects, we show that cicadas have experienced little horizontal gene transfer that might complement the activities missing from the endosymbiont genomes. We conclude that “Ca. Sulcia” and “Ca. Hodgkinia” tRNAs likely function in bacterial translation, but require host-encoded enzymes to do so.
பிலிப்புஸ் பால்டியூஸ் ஆவணங்கள் வழங்கும் கி.பி 17ம் நூற்றாண்டு தூத்துக்குடி பற்றிய வரலாற்றுக் குறிப்புகள் (The 17th century Historical References to Thoothukudi by Fr.Philippus Baldaeus)

தமிழகததின கடநத ஐநூறு ஆணடுகால வரலாறறை அறிநது கொளள ஐரோபபியரகளின ஆவணஙகள முககிய பஙகாறறுகினறன. வரலாறறு ஆயவுகளில ஈடுபடுபவரகள பெருமபாலும ஐரோபபியரகளின ஆவணஙகள எனுமபோது பெருமபாலும தமிழ இலககியஙகளிலும அதறகு அடுதத நிலையில ஆஙகிலேய அதிகாரிகளது ஆவணஙகளையும கவனததில எடுததுக கொளளும அளவிறகு டசசுககாரரகள, ஜெரமானியரகள அலலது டேனிஷரகள போனறோரது ஆவணஙகளை ஆயவுககுடபடுததுவது மிகக குறைவு. இநதக கடடுரை அககுறையைச சுடடிக காடடி கி.பி. 17ம நூறறாணடில ஹாலநது நாடடிலிருநது இலஙகைககு வநது அஙகு சில ஆணடுகள தஙகியிருநது, பினனர தமிழகம வநது அஙகு டசசு கிழககிநதிய நிறுவனததின அமைசசராகப பணிபுரிநத பாதிரியார பிலிபபுஸ பாலடியுஸ எழுதி வைதத ஆவணஙகளையும அவர உருவாககிய வரைபடஙகளையும அறிமுகபபடுததுகினறது. பாதிரியார பாலடியுஸ அவரகளது ஆவணஙகள தமிழகததில தூததுககுடி பகுதியில நிலவிய வணிக நிலவரஙகளையும, டசசு கிழககிநதியக கமபெனியின செயலபாடுகளையும, அருகாமை பகுதிகளான ராமேஸவரம பறறிய செயதிகளையும, அககாலததில நிலவிய போரததுககசியரகளுடனான சவாலகள நிறைநத வணிக முயறசிகளைப பறறியும விவரிககினறன. பாதிரியார பாலடியூஸ அவரகள நிலவரைபபட தயாரிபபுகளில தனிக கவனம செலுததி செயலபடடமையினால இனறு தமிழக வரலாறறில குறிபபிடட சில செயதிகளை இவரது வரைபடஙகளின வழியாக நமமால அறிநது கொளள முடிகினறது. இநத ஆயவுக கடடுரை, தமிழக வரலாறறின கடநத ஐநூறு ஆணடுகால வரலாறறை ஆயவு செயவோர டசசுககாரரகள உருவாககிய ஆவணஙகளையும வரைபடஙகளையும ஆயவுககுடபடுதத வேணடும எனற கருததையும முனவைககினறது.
Fabrication and Characterization of 3D Printed Out-of-Plane Torsional Comb-Drive Actuators for Microrobotics

This work presents 3D printed torsional electrostatic actuators in which a 3D design of circular combs and torsional springs enables an out-of-plane angular movement. The actuators were fabricated by a novel 3D printing process using two-photon polymerization (TPP) followed by sputtering and etch steps. The quasi-static behavior of the actuator was characterized with respect to applied voltage, and a maximum angular displacement of 13.8° was achieved at 190 V. Viscoelastic behavior of the 3D printed material was observed during actuation, but 10,000 cycles of repeated actuation were tested without failure. The 3D actuator design enabled pure rotary motion, with a linear correlation between the angular displacement and the square of voltage.
Thermodynamic and Transport Properties in the Hubbard Model

I present here a progress report on our study of the Hubbard model; in the present work the Hubbard Hamiltonian is approximated by a static, random, self-consistent potential which allows a quantitative treatment over the whole range of values of the relevant parameters.
Community Partnership Interprofessional Program as Pedagogy: Process Outcomes and Faculty Impressions

Background: Since 1992, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has augmented traditional health professions curricula with community-based, experiential learning through the Community Partnership Interprofessional Rural Health Program. The program was expanded in 2005 by including more interprofessional faculty, students, and community partners. Interprofessional teams of students and faculty work with community organizations to identify health needs and assets and implement health education programs or services. Methods and Findings: Course process outcomes were compiled from a survey of section reports and presentations. Faculty impressions of being involved in the course were gathered through conducting interviews with five interprofessional faculty. From 2005–2011, community partners included individuals, groups, and organizations within seven counties in Tennessee. Forty programs and services have been implemented through the program during the past seven years. Faculty reported the main reasons for being involved are their interests in interprofessional education and working in communities. Faculty also cited 12 different types of teaching strategies (pedagogical approaches) employed through the course. Conclusions: The Community Partnership Interprofessional Rural Health Program at ETSU is a testing ground for the unique combination of communitybased learning and interprofessional health education. Study findings demonstrate how the course has benefited faculty, students, and communities.