cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eosinophilic esophagitis strongly linked to chronic rhinosinusitis

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the relative risk of having eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) coexist with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in probands and their families using the Utah Population Database (UPDB). Methods This retrospective observational cohort study with population-based matched controls utilized the UPDB, a genealogical database linked to medical records. It was used to identify CRS and EoE patients diagnosed at any age between 2008 and 2012. The familial risks of an EoE diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 530.13) in CRS probands, and vice versa, and their first- through fifth-degree relatives and spouses were calculated using logistic regression models in comparison to controls randomly selected from the Utah population and individually matched 6:1 on sex and birth year. Results Probands with CRS demonstrated a 3.4-fold increased risk of having EoE themselves (P < 10−15). First-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of CRS probands had a 1.5-fold increased risk of having EoE (P < 10−4), whereas more distant relatives did not show a significant increased risk. Spouses of probands had a 1.4-fold increased risk of having EoE (P = 0.055). Conversely, risk estimates of having CRS in EoE probands were consistent. Conclusion We observed an increased risk of comorbid EoE in patients with CRS and their families. An association between CRS and EoE as comorbid conditions suggests that a familial component is contributing to the etiology of both diseases. Further analyses regarding the pathophysiology of the development of CRS in these specific patients will lead to a better understanding of both disease processes and may help target therapy. Level of Evidence 3b. Laryngoscope, 126:1279–1283, 2016
Effect of estrogen upon thyroxine secretion rate in intact female rats.

SummaryThe effect of various levels of estradiol benzoate (E.B.) upon thyroxine secretion rate (TSR) has been studied in young mature female rats. A dose of 3.6 μg/day E.B. caused significant increase of 35.5% in TSR over average control value of 1.24 μg/100 g/day l-thyroxine while 1, 15 or 50 μg/day had no effect. In another experiment, body weight and thyroid weight/100 g were not affected by injecting 1 or 3.6 μg/day E.B. for 5 days. Thyroid weight/100 g was significantly increased while appetite and body weight were markedly reduced following 15 or 50 μg/day for same period. Pituitary weight/100 g was significantly increased in all but the 1 μg/day group. Adrenal weights/100 g were lower in all groups with significant depression occurring in 50 μg/day group. These data are discussed in relation to stimulation or depression of thyroid activity by estrogen.
Studies on blood platelet phospholipids

Column chromatography on silicic acid was carried out on phospholipids from acetone-dried, chloroform-extracted human blood platelets. Fractions recovered had the following components : Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) plus phosphatidylserine (PS) plus inositol phosphatide, PE plus PS, lecithin plus sphingomyelin, and PS alone. Eluates containing only phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine were rechromatographed to obtain more complete separation. The resulting fractions appeared to contain one component, but on hydrolysis of these materials it was apparent that each was still contaminated with small amounts of the other. However, on high dilution of each of these mixtures, blood thromboplastin formation was promoted; this suggested that both PE and PS could act as platelet thromboplastic factor in vitro. Inhibitory activity was not noted. The presence of choline phosphatides in the fractions resulted in loss of activity. Plasmalogens were identified and estimated to comprise 23 per cent of total platelet cephalins. They were more closely associated with phosphatidylethanolamine than phosphatidylserine. Lysolecithin could not be detected in the mixed platelet extract or the separated fractions.
The fatty acid composition of the lipids of some Pacific sardine tissues in relation to ovarian maturation and diet

Gas-liquid chromatographic analyses of the C12 to C22 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of lipids from Pacific sardine ovaries, mesenteric fat, whole blood, and planktonic eggs are presented and compared. Lipids from planktonic eggs and ovaries, with ova in different stages of maturation, have strikingly similar and constant fatty acid compositions. Changes are shown to occur in the fatty acid pattern of mesenteric fat, blood, and ovarian lipids when sardines are fed an artificial diet rich in oleic and linoleic acids. Lipids from sardines fed chiefly on a natural crustacean diet were analyzed for comparison. In general, whole blood lipids have a fatty acid composition similar to the ovary; mesenteric fat differs from ovarian and blood lipids by having a lower content of linoleic acid.
Determination of the Clinical Significance of an Unclassified Variant

After completion of Human Genome Project (HGP) in 2003, as well as the new technology development in genomic research, the most accurate genetics blueprint of human is available. Researchers started to dissect and understand the genetic map of the human species. As a consequence, analyses of novel or unclassified genetic variations become increasingly important in translational medicine. One of the medical specialties in modern medicine is clinical genetics, which is overseen by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG). In 2008, ABMG published a guideline for interpretation of new variants using ACMG Standards and Guidelines (Richards et al. Genet Med 10:294-300, 2008). In this chapter, we provide updated procedures of evaluating different databases, computational tools, and structural analysis methods that we currently utilize to assist in clinical interpretation.
Expansion of capacities for iron transport and sequestration reflects plasma volumes and heart mass among white-blooded notothenioid fishes

The family Channichthyidae or “icefishes” (suborder Notothenioidei) represents the only vertebrates lacking hemoglobin (Hb) as adults. Several icefish species also do not express cardiac myoglobin ...
After oxidation, zinc nanoparticles lose their ability to enhance responses to odorants

Electrical responses of olfactory sensory neurons to odorants were examined in the presence of zinc nanoparticles of various sizes and degrees of oxidation. The zinc nanoparticles were prepared by the underwater electrical discharge method and analyzed by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Small (1.2 ± 0.3 nm) zinc nanoparticles significantly enhanced electrical responses of olfactory neurons to odorants. After oxidation, however, these small zinc nanoparticles were no longer capable of enhancing olfactory responses. Larger zinc oxide nanoparticles (15 nm and 70 nm) also did not modulate responses to odorants. Neither zinc nor zinc oxide nanoparticles produced olfactory responses when added without odorants. The enhancement of odorant responses by small zinc nanoparticles was explained by the creation of olfactory receptor dimers initiated by small zinc nanoparticles. The results of this work will clarify the mechanisms for the initial events in olfaction, as well as to provide new ways to alleviate anosmia related to the loss of olfactory receptors.
The Global Wave of Refugees and Migrants: Complex Challenges for European Policy Makers

This article reviews the burdensome problem posed by the arrival in the European countries of large number of refugees and migrants from countries at war or with little economic opportunities. It differentiates the issues of migrants (for economic reasons) and refugees (humanitarian grounds). This wave of refugees currently poses huge challenges to European policy makers. The article suggests some policy initiatives that could solve or at least control the present chaos, disorder, and uncertainty created by the arrival of this unprecedented number of refugees.
Fatigue damage assessment of unfilled polymers including self-heating effects

Abstract Cyclic plasticity and fatigue damage mechanisms dissipate part of the supplied strain energy to the system to induce either inelastic deformations and/or microflaws within the material system. Polymer material systems exhibit lower lifetimes when the self-heating phenomenon become significant that may lead to heat softening and thermal damage. Self-heating effect in cyclic loading of polymers can be correlated to the cyclic dissipative mechanisms. This work aims at developing a fully coupled elastic, plastic, thermal, and fatigue damage computational tool for unfilled polymers to investigate the role of self-heating in lifetime prognoses. The thermodynamics principles are incorporated to formulate the coupling between dissipative energies and thermomechanical constitutive laws. Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) is utilized to link microscale damage mechanisms to macroscale failures. The computational framework is implemented into a commercial FEA code (Abaqus) through user-defined coding. It is shown that the developed computational platform correlates well with the observed experimental data and it may constitute a powerful design tool for future developments.
David Oliver: Is the NHS trying to help or bully social care?

Social care in England has been hit hard by deliberate cuts in local authority funding imposed by the coalition government.1 Its funding is not ringfenced from funding for other local authority services, and, unlike NHS care, provision is based on means tested eligibility criteria and is now being severely rationed.2 Local authorities must also operate within their means and without the last minute bailouts available to NHS providers, further constrained by the political compromises and short term planning that inevitably arise from local electoral accountability. An estimated 400 000 fewer people now receive statutory support than in 2010.3 Most social care provision is commissioned from private providers, which have suffered from the impact of Brexit and the living wage on the labour market …
Clinical Reasoning: A 46-year-old man with persistent hiccups, cognitive dysfunction, and imbalance.

A 46-year-old, right-handed, African American man presented to the emergency department after 1 week of persistent hiccups and 3 days of nausea and vomiting. His family member also noted that he had been experiencing right-hand tremor and gait imbalance for the last 3 months. Over the 6 months prior to presentation, the patient's coworkers had noticed that he was completing his work more slowly, that he was forgetting how to perform simple tasks, and that several times he had come to work at the wrong hours. The patient had a history of HIV diagnosed 10 years earlier and reported good adherence to an antiretroviral regimen consisting of tenofovir, emtricitabine, and atazanavir boosted by ritonavir, without any changes for several years. His viral load was undetectable when tested 8 months prior to presentation.
Hydronephrosis: A View from the Inside

Unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common prenatally detected disease leading to hydronephrosis. The obstructive anatomic lesion leads to varying degrees of hydronephrosis, ranging from no apparent effect on renal function to atrophy. Furthermore, the natural course of hydronephrosis varies from spontaneous resolution to progressive deterioration and may take upwards of 3 years for a kidney to declare itself. The objectives of this article are to update our knowledge regarding the evaluation and management of UPJO in depth and to discuss the emerging value of urinary proteome analysis to the clinical arena.
Study of a new PET detector design with combined DOI/TOF features

471 Objectives In an effort to enhance image quality and quantification we propose a PET detector design featuring both photon depth of interaction (DoI) and time of flight (ToF). The DoI design also enables 3D positioning of individual photon interactions for multi-interaction events. If successful, such a PET system enables uniform spatial resolution across the FOV, enhanced image SNR and contrast resolution. Methods The proposed design uses stacked layers of detectors, each comprising 3 mm width LYSO crystals coupled 1-to-1 to 4x4 arrays of, fast, high-gain silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) with 3 mm pixels. DoI (and 3D positioning) information is directly determined by which crystal in a layer within the stack is hit (DoI resolution=crystal height). Sample SiPMs were characterized in terms of thermal noise and intrinsic timing. Optical photon tracking simulations were performed to guide the choice of crystal parameters for the DOI scheme based upon the light collection efficiency and the photon transit time within the crystal volume as a function of crystal length, DoI and crystal surface treatment. Results A SiPM intrinsic time resolution of 460 ps FWHM was experimentally measured, limited by the detected light rate and not by the dark count rate. Simulations show that for best DOI performance 3 mm long scintillation crystals (3 mm DoI resolution) with rough surfaces result in the best trade-off between light collection efficiency (>64%), mean photon transit time of (~70 ps), and DOI positioning linearity. Conclusions A combined DOI-TOF PET detector architecture is proposed as a promising design for enhanced image quality and more accurate quantification in clinical PET.
Validation of a clinical prediction rule for the differentiation between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children.

Background:The differentiation between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children can be difficult. The purpose of the present study was to validate a previously published clinical prediction rule for this differentiation in a new patient population.Methods:We prospectively stud
Sense and Sensibility: Relating Behavior Control Issues with Self-Regulation of Sensory Input

Jennifer was referred for a neuropsychological evaluation as a supplement to a psychological evaluation for behavior problems and a previous history of academic difficulties. Her prenatal development, birth, and early infancy were normal. Early developmental milestones were attained at the normal rate for both motor and language functions. There were no significant head injuries and no other neurological insults. Since 5 years of age, during times of stress, she has gone through episodes lasting up to a month of often closing her eyes and shaking her head. Her primary care physician had ruled out Tourette's disorder, but she had not had a neurological evaluation. Jennifer's parents reported in interview that she has always shown very high sensitivity to sound, touch, and smell. Vision and hearing screening tests were normal.
Slow in Motion but Smart in Learning and Memory: Behavioral Changes in Adult NR3A Knockout Mice

The expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR3A is high in the neonatal brain but low in adults. However, its functional role in the adult brain is obscure. Using wild-type (WT) and NR3A knockout (KO) mice, we show here that NR3A plays imperative roles in multiple behavioral functions in adults. NR3A deletion produced a slow locomotor phenotype with enhanced memory capacities. Hippocampal slices from juvenile and adult NR3A KO mice showed greater long-term potentiation (LTP) compared to WT slices. NR3A deletion resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII inhibition abrogated the enhanced LTP in NR3A KO slices. NR3A KO mice were also more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. These data reveal for the first time that NR3A, despite its low expression, plays several critical roles in behavioral activities in adults and may be a therapeutic target for modulating behaviors under normal and pathological conditions.
Erratum for Penewit et al., "Efficient and Scalable Precision Genome Editing in Staphylococcus aureus through Conditional Recombineering and CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Counterselection".

Volume 9, no. 1, e00067-18, 2018, [https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00067-18][1]. We have discovered an error in Table S2 in the supplemental material. There was an incorrect name and sequence of the recombineering oligonucleotide listed in line 52. The sequence of the correct oligonucleotide (
‘Ethiopia is misunderstood’: transnationalism among second-generation Ethiopian Americans

ABSTRACTA growing literature has examined the prevalence of transnational engagement among children of immigrants worldwide. However, the research strongly focused on Asian, Latin American and Cari...
Toward an institutional theory of escalation of commitment within sport management: A review and future directions

Abstract Over the past decade, escalation of commitment theory has gained traction and relevance in the sport management literature. The purpose of this paper was to review the current progress of escalation of commitment research within sport management and provide a new perspective for evaluating and researching potential cases of escalation within sport contexts. To this end, the authors proposed a model that accounts for the different institutional logics that likely impact decision-making and evaluations of success. Consistent with previous research of institutions, the authors contend that the perceptions and attached meanings to courses of action should be accounted for when examining escalation of commitment. The implications of this approach and how it addresses shortcomings of previous research are detailed. Finally, the authors provide suggestions for future research of escalation of commitment in sport contexts.
Surface Chemistry-Mediated Near-Infrared Emission of Small Coinage Metal Nanoparticles

ConspectusFrom size-dependent luminescence to localized surface plasmon resonances, the optical properties that emerge from common materials with nanoscale dimensions have been revolutionary. As na...
Analyzing and Theorizing Writing Teachers’ Approaches to Using New Media Technologies

Abstract After numerous calls for writing teachers to be critical users of technology, this study take up these calls and empirically examines teachers’ approaches to using new media in teaching FYW classes. Findings of this mixed-method study show that while 23% of participants (N = 146) appeared to be critical users of technology, they are outnumbered by instrumental users. I argue that these findings indicate a gap in the availability and effectiveness of technology professional development opportunities offered to writing faculty. I propose that findings of this study and the extensive analytical framework developed provide a fitting theoretical foundation for future research on using technology in teaching writing and for designing tailored professional development programs.
An increased rate of longitudinal cognitive decline is observed in Parkinson's disease patients with low CSF Aß42 and an APOE ε4 allele

Abstract Objective Low concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-beta (Aβ-42) are associated with increased risk of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). We sought to determine whether APOE genotype modifies the rate of cognitive decline in PD patients with low CSF Aβ-42 compared to patients with normal levels. Methods The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is a longitudinal, ongoing study of de novo PD participants, which includes APOE genotyping, CSF Aβ-42 determinations, and neuropsychological assessments. We used linear mixed effects models in three PD groups (PD participants with low CSF Aβ at baseline, PD participants with normal CSF Aβ, and both groups combined). Having at least one copy of the APOE ɛ4 allele, time, and the interaction of APOE ɛ4 and time were predictor variables for cognitive change, adjusting for age, gender and education. Results 423 de novo PD participants were followed up to 5 years with annual cognitive assessments. 103 participants had low baseline CSF Aβ-42 (39 APOE e4+, 64 APOE e4-). Compared to participants with normal CSF Aβ-42, those with low CSF Aβ-42 declined faster on most cognitive tests. Within the low CSF Aβ-42 group, APOE e4+ participants had faster rates of decline on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (primary outcome; 0.57 points annual decline, p = .005; 5-year standardized change of 1.2) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (1.4 points annual decline, p = .002; 5-year standardized change of 0.72). Discussion PD patients with low CSF Aβ-42 and APOE e4+ showed a higher rate of cognitive decline early in the disease. Tests of global cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) were the most sensitive to early cognitive decline. Results suggest that CSF Aβ-42 and APOE e4 might interact to promote early cognitive changes in PD patients.
Quorum sensing inhibition as a promising method to control biofilm growth in metalworking fluids.

Microbial contamination in metalworking systems is a critical problem. This study determined the microbial communities in metalworking fluids (MWFs) from two machining shops and investigated the effect of quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) on biofilm growth. In both operations, biofilm-associated and planktonic microbial communities were dominated by Pseudomonadales (60.2–99.7%). Rapid recolonization was observed even after dumping spent MWFs and meticulous cleaning. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as a model biofilm organism, patulin (40 µM) and furanone C-30 (75 µM) were identified as effective QSI agents. Both agents had a substantially higher efficacy compared to α-amylase (extracellular polymeric substance degrading enzyme) and reduced biofilm formation by 63% and 76%, respectively, in MWF when compared to untreated controls. Reduced production of putatively identified homoserine lactones and quinoline in MWF treated with QS inhibitors support the effect of QSI on biofilm formation. The results highlight the effectiveness of QSI as a potential strategy to eradicate biofilms in MWFs.
Challenging the concept that late recurrence and death from tumor are common after fractionated radiotherapy for benign meningioma.

Abstract Background There is debate about the curability of benign meningioma and the value of long-term follow-up. A major Scandinavian study reports a high recurrence rate after surgery alone, with the majority of recurrences presenting after 10 years and death from tumor in the majority of patients with recurrence. The purpose of our study is to report the rate and time-course of recurrence ≥10 years after fractionated radiotherapy for benign meningioma with visible tumor at the time of RT and to compare these results to surgery-alone series. Methods A single-institution study of all (149) adults treated with fractionated radiotherapy (50–52 Gy at 1.7–1.8 Gy in the vast majority) for visible intracranial benign meningioma between 1984 and 2006. The median follow-up in patients alive at last follow-up was 12.0 years. Results Seven (5%) of 149 patients developed recurrent meningioma with an actuarial recurrence rate of 3% at 10 years, 5% at 15 years, and 8% at 20 years. The majority (58%) of recurrences presented at least 10 years after radiotherapy. Only 4% of 149 patients died of recurrent meningioma but death was the result of recurrent meningioma in almost all (86%) patients with recurrence. Conclusion Our results contradict the conclusion based on patients treated with surgery-alone that recurrence of benign meningioma is common with long-term follow-up. After fractionated radiotherapy, the 20-year control rate is approximately 90%. Our results confirm that a substantial percentage of recurrences present >10 years after treatment. These findings have important implications for the choice of initial treatment and follow-up duration.
Wissenschaftliches Denken von Schülerinnen und Schülern bei der Beurteilung gegebener Beweisbeispiele aus der Geometrie

In verschiedenen Studien haben sich die Schwierigkeiten gezeigt, die Schulerinnen und Schuler beim Beurteilen gegebener Beweisbeispiele haben. Diese Schwachen scheinen durch ein Zusammenspiel eines in erster Linie an formalen Merkmalen orientierten Bildes von Beweisen einerseits und Einschrankungen im praadoleszenten wissenschaftlichen Denken andererseits begunstigt zu werden. Die in diesem Beitrag zur Diskussion gestellten Beobachtungen sprechen dafur, dass dieser Zusammenhang auch in textlichen Eigenproduktionen von Schulerinnen und Schulern, die unter offenen und wenig strukturierten Bedingungen entstanden sind, in Erscheinung tritt.
Associations between subjective social status and physical and mental health functioning among patients with hypertension

We examine the cross-sectional association between subjective social status and self-rated physical and mental health functioning in 518 Black and White patients enrolled in a community-based hypertension control research study. We found that (1) subjective social status, measured using both a proximal and distal referent group, was positively associated with physical and mental health functioning scores independent of educational level, household income, or both; (2) the effect of subjective social status on physical and mental health functioning differed significantly by race when using the distal, not the proximal, referent group. When the associations differed, they were stronger for Whites than Blacks.
Incorporating Clinical Trials in Your Practice

Academic surgeons should recognize the importance of clinical trials and consider participation as an essential component of advancing surgical knowledge. For investigators who wish to initiate or take leadership roles in trial research, experience in clinical research and clinical expertise are essential. Early investigators should seek to define a focus area and take advantage of early career research opportunities. Industry-sponsored and non-industry-sponsored trial opportunities should be pursued where they overlap with clinical interests and expertise. The commitment can vary from site-level co-investigator to national principal investigator. Familiarity with the mechanics of clinical trial conduct is essential for enrolling suitable patients and assuring compliance. Both Investigators and study enrollees benefit from participation in clinical trials as long as they are conducted ethically.
Microwave Specular Returns and Ocean Surface Roughness

Remote sensing measurements have been an important data source of ocean surface roughness. Scatterometers operating at moderate and high incidence angles provide information on the Bragg resonance spectral components of the ocean surface waves. Monostatic and bistatic reflectometers provide spectrally integrated information of ocean waves longer than several times the incident electromagnetic (EM) wavelengths. The integrated surface roughness is generally expressed as the lowpass mean square slope (LPMSS). Tilting modification of the local incidence angle for the specular facets located on slanted background surfaces is an important factor in relating the LPMSS and microwave specular returns. For very high wind condition, it is necessary to consider the modification of relative permittivity by air in foam and whitecaps produced by wave breaking. This paper describes the application of these considerations to monostatic and bistatic microwave specular returns from the ocean surface. Measurements from Ku band altimeters and L band reflectometers are used for illustration. It remains a challenge to acquire sufficient number of high wind collocated and simultaneous reference measurements for algorithm development or validation and verification effort. Solutions from accurate forward computation can supplement the sparse high wind databases. Modeled specular normalized radar cross sections (NRCSs) for L, C, X, Ku, and Ka bands with wind speeds up to 99 m/s are provided.
COL2A1 Is a Novel Biomarker of Melanoma Tumor Repopulating Cells

Soft 3D-fibrin-gel selected tumor repopulating cells (TRCs) from the B16F1 melanoma cell line exhibit extraordinary self-renewal and tumor-regeneration capabilities. However, their biomarkers and gene regulatory features remain largely unknown. Here, we utilized the next-generation sequencing-based RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technique to discover novel biomarkers and active gene regulatory features of TRCs. Systems biology analysis of RNA-seq data identified differentially expressed gene clusters, including the cell adhesion cluster, which subsequently identified highly specific and novel biomarkers, such as Col2a1, Ncam1, F11r, and Negr1. We validated the expression of these genes by real-time qPCR. The expression level of Col2a1 was found to be relatively low in TRCs but twenty-fold higher compared to the parental control cell line, thus making the biomarker very specific for TRCs. We validated the COL2A1 protein by immunofluorescence microscopy, showing a higher expression of COL2A1 in TRCs compared to parental control cells. KEGG pathway analysis showed the JAK/STAT, hypoxia, and Akt signaling pathways to be active in TRCs. Besides, the aerobic glycolysis pathway was found to be very active, indicating a typical Warburg Effect on highly tumorigenic cells. Together, our study revealed highly specific biomarkers and active cell signaling pathways of melanoma TRCs that can potentially target and neutralize TRCs.
Dispersion and spin wave "tunneling" in nano-structured magnetostatic spin waveguides

Magnetostatic spin wave dispersion and loss are measured in micron scale spin wave-guides in ferromagnetic, metallic CoTaZr. Results are in good agreement with model calculations of spin wave dispersion. The measured attenuation lengths, of the order of 3um, are several of orders of magnitude shorter than that predicted from eddy currents in these thin wires. Spin waves effectively "tunnel" through air gaps, produced by focused ion beam etching, as large as 1.5 um.
Short-Term Outcomes After Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Treatment

This is a retrospective chart review of 20 patients treated with a consensus-driven treatment algorithm in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children patients across a wide clinical spectrum. Their treatments and clinical status are described as well as their favorable return to functional baseline by 30 days post presentation.
Multi-faceted strategies improve collection compliance and sample acceptance rate for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) active surveillance testing.

Background Active surveillance testing (AST) is one element of a comprehensive Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) prevention strategy. However, the utility of AST may be impacted by compliance with sample collection and the quality of specimens. Here, we describe strategies used to optimize a CRE AST program at a large academic medical center. Methods Tests ordered, collected, rejected, and processed were tracked weekly for each participating unit. Sample collection compliance and acceptance rates were calculated and tracked weekly. Strategies were implemented to improve collection compliance and sample acceptance rates, including computerized provider order entry, printed educational materials, and audit and feedback. Weekly dedicated Infection Preventionist (IP) time was estimated. Results Over 35 months, mean collection compliance increased from 82.7% to 91.2%, and then decreased to 86.2%. Over 27 months, sample acceptance rate increased from 57.7% to 83.6%, and then remained stable at 83.4%. Over 39 months, dedicated weekly IP time decreased 92%. Discussion Use of evidence-based quality improvement strategies optimized our CRE AST program. Optimizing the AST process aids in early CRE detection, leading to timely isolation and preventing the spread of CRE to other patients. Other hospitals may benefit from these lessons and enhance local AST programs.
Single-shot mixture characterization

The characterization of mixtures of non-interacting, spectroscopically similar quantum components has important applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science. We introduce an approach based on quantum tracking control that allows for determining the relative concentrations of constituents in a quantum mixture in a single shot, using a pulse which enhances the distinguishability of components of the mixture and has a length that scales linearly with the number of mixture constituents. To illustrate the method, we consider two very distinct model systems: mixtures of diatomic molecules in the gas phase, as well as solid-state materials composed of a mixture of components. A set of numerical analyses are presented, showing strong performance in both settings.
“Eleven of us think he’s guilty”: Utilizing 12 Angry Men to teach symbolic convergence theory

Group and Team Communication, Communication Theory, Rhetorical/Media Criticism.The aims of this single-class activity are to (1) illustrate the basic concepts, processes, and properties of symbolic...
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: An Emphasis on Colorectal Cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers originate in the GI track, ranging from the esophagus to rectum. Together, these cancers account for a quarter of cancer incidences and more than a third of cancer-related deaths. Of GI cancers, colorectal cancer (CRC) comprises the largest of GI cancer incidence and death burden. Due to the vast array of GI cancers, the survival rate and risk factors vary. The COVID-19 pandemic began in early December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Originally the virus was reported to the World Health Organization as multiple cases of pneumonia. It was later found to be a novel strain of the coronavirus. Since December, there have been more than 28.3 million cases worldwide spread over 214 countries, and this number is consistently increasing. The main method of transmission of COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets, which has made it very difficult to contain. The incidence of COVID-19 is highest among the adult population with the median age of patients between 34 and 59. However, COVID is more likely to affect those with chronic comorbidities and immunosuppression, such as cancer. Due to the novelty of coronavirus and the vagueness of symptoms (cough, congestion, fever, nausea, vomiting), many clinics have stopped doing unnecessary procedures such as endoscopies and colonoscopies. This has led to a decrease in CRC detection and screening. Delayed screenings can be detrimental to the survival of patients with CRC. It has been shown that surgical delays greater than 7–8 weeks have resulted in lower survival rates. It is vital that medical professionals implement safety protocols and provide safe ways for patients to receive routine checkups.
Primary Frequency Control Using Motor Drives for Short Term Grid Disturbances

Industrial motor systems make up a quarter of all electric sales in the United States. Variable speed drives (VSDs) can provide energy efficiency savings to the customer by regulating motor speed based on specific and varying needs. In addition to the benefits provided to the customer, VSDs can provide support to the grid through ancillary services. The Center for Ultra-Wide-Area Resilient Electric Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT) developed a power electronics converter-based grid emulator to allow testing of various power system architectures and demonstration of key technologies in monitoring, control, actuation, and visualization. This paper proposes using an active front-end VSD's connected motor load to provide frequency regulation to a large scale power grid. Each part of the emulator is described including motor and power electronics model and control. The proposed frequency regulation is implemented in VSDs and modeled in both a transmission system in EMTDC/PSCAD and verified on CURENT's hardware testbed.
Serpentine Integrated Grating Spectrometer

The serpentine integrated grating spectrometer uses a meandering delay line and outcoupling grating rows to implement a crossed-dispersion wide-bandwidth integrated spectrometer with resolving power of 105 and 104 spectral bins in a few cm3 volume.
Nursing Home Applications

Nursing homes are significant health care providers in developed nations. As the life expectancy of the population has increased over the years, demand for nursing home services has also increased. The population of the US over 65 years old has increased to about ten percent during the past decade. The number of people over 85 years old increased by more than one-third (36.8 %). The percentage of persons with out-of-pocket expenses was the largest in the age group of those over 65 years; more than 96 % of persons over 65 had out-of-pocket expenses that were more than $1,000.00 (National Center for Health Statistics, United States 2005).
Biology’s Unique Phase Transition Drives Cell Function

Systematic designs, physical characterizations and data analyses of elastic-contractile model proteins have given rise to a series of physical concepts associated with phase transitions of hydrophobic association and with the nature of elasticity that provide new insight into the function of a number of protein machines, namely, 1) Complex III of the electron transport chain wherein electron transfer pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, 2) the F1-motor of ATP synthase that uses return of protons to produce the great majority of ATP in living organisms, 3) the myosin II motor of muscle contraction that uses ATP hydrolysis to produce movement, 4) the kinesin bipedal motor that walks along microtubules to transport cargo within the cell, and 5) the calcium-gated potassium channel. The physical processes utilize an understanding of the change in Gibbs free energy due to hydrophobic association, Δ G HA , the water-mediated repulsion between hydrophobic domains and charged groups, Δ G ap , and stretching of interconnecting chain segments that attends hydrophobic association
Chronic pulmonary sporotrichosis: report of a case, including morphologic and mycologic studies.

The mycology of a case of chronic pulmonary sporotrichosis is presented. Some pitfalls in laboratory procedure which may lead to a misdiagnosis are emphasized, for example, misinterpretation of colonial growth, delay in specimen staining, the application of an inappropriate Gram-staining procedure to sputum smears, and failure to persevere in the microscopic examination of stained specimen materials. Although serologic tests have not been applied routinely, evidence suggests that utilization of the yeast phase agglutination test would be helpful in diagnosing pulmonary sporotrichosis. In addition, it is believed that cavity formation provides sufficient grounds for including sporotrichosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease. The increased number of reported cases of pulmonary sporotrichosis over the last decade is evidence that this infection is not as rare as was once supposed, and reflects a greater awareness of the role of fungi in the etiology of pulmonary disease.
A quantitative study on traffic network throughput

This paper develops a set of formulas for computing the throughput of traffic in a network when an alternative route to alleviate the congestion for the primary route is available. Decision on route choice can be made by the driver (i.e. routing strategy) based on calculations with these formulas. Furthermore, automated route suggestion devices can also use this production. Models for both non-congested and congested networks are developed.
Laser-cooling molecules

Certain molecules, it seems, may be laser cooled by methods technically similar to those applied with abundant success in atomic physics. We discuss the spectroscopic criteria molecules should meet to make methods of Doppler cooling technically feasible and identify diatomic candidates. Some candidates, such as the alkaline-earth monohydrides (e.g. BeH and CaH), are paramagnetic and amenable to magneto-optical trapping. Our experimental study concentrates on CaH, and we present our recent high-resolution, molecular-beam-based measurements of low-J rotational lines within the A-X(0,0) band of CaH. From these measurements we report hyperfine separations in the A-state, as important to laser-cooling spectroscopy, and centroidal transition frequencies for comparison with existing values. We conclude with an outline of a possible magneto-optical trap for CaH.
Cyclopropanes : XXXII. The mechanism of Grignard formation

Abstract Further evidence for the radical nature of the Grignard formation reaction is provided. Based on product analysis from the reaction of 1-halo-1-methyl-2,2-diphenylcyclopropane with magnesium metal in perdeuterated diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran solvents, it is concluded that the radical intermediates formed largely disproportionate on the surface of the magnesium and not in solution. The stereochemical results, when optically active substrates are used, are consistent with a surface-radical mechanism. Neither the particle size nor the purity of the magnesium have any effect on the stereochemistry of the reaction.
Nucleotide sequence and topography of chicken c-fps: Genesis of a retroviral oncogene encoding a tyrosine-specific protein kinase☆

Abstract We isolated molecular clones of chicken DNA that carry portions of the cellular protooncogene c- fps and then determined the nucleotide sequence of all regions of the gene that are related to the retroviral oncogene v- fps . The homology of v- fps within c- fps resides on at least 19 interspersed segments, 17 of which represent complete exons and two of which may represent only portions of exons. Fusion of these segments reconstructs a facsimile of v- fps . The arrangement of introns and exons within c- fps differs from that of the related proto-oncogene c- src in the domains of the two genes that encode tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity. It therefore appears likely that the introns arose subsequent to the gene duplication that engendered c- src and c- fps . The data also reveal potential junctions between viral and cellular domains in the genomes of two independently isolated avian sarcoma viruses (the PRCII and Fujinami strains). The lefthand junctions can be well defined: they occur at the same position in c- fps but at different positions in the viral gene gag . The righthand junctions cannot be defined as precisely because they include a sequence of 10 to 15 nucleotides whose origin is not known. In the genome of PRCII virus, the composition of this sequence suggests that it arose from the polyadenylated 3′ terminus of the c- fps messenger RNA. If this deduction proves to be correct, the data will provide direct evidence that the righthand recombination during transduction by retroviruses occurs between RNA intermediates. Irrespective of these ambiguities, both junctions are located within exons of c- fps , and both may have been formed by non-homologous recombination (although the evidence for the latter statement is not decisive). A sequence of 1020 nucleotides has been deleted from the transduced version of c- fps in the genome of PRCII virus, apparently by homologous recombination between sequences repeated within c- fps . Fujinami virus may contain the entire coding domain of c- fps , but mutations have created 26 amino acid substitutions in the viral version of the gene. By contrast, the partially deleted version of c- fps in PRCII virus contains no mutations that would alter the amino acid sequence.
Foreign Direct Investment, the Rule of Law, and the New Institutionalism: Explaining FDI in the Developing World

This papers examines the relationship between the rule of law and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the developing world. It combines statistical analysis with the results of an original survey of U.S.-based investors. I find protecting physical integrity rights and contract and property rights are related to FDI. Given the importance of the rule of law for attracting FDI, why do countries with a weak rule of law still attract significant investment? The survey analysis shows investors perceive strong personal relationships as potentially mitigating the uncertainty found in contexts where the rule of law is weak. That is, investors seem to believe personal relationships can offer guarantees similar to those provided by the formal rule of law. Drawing these findings together, I argue that mechanisms for mitigating uncertainty such as the two identified here – a strong rule of law and robust personal relationships – are important factors affecting FDI levels across the developing world.
Sparse median graphs estimation in a high-dimensional semiparametric model

We propose a unified framework for conducting inference on complex aggregated data in high-dimensional settings. We assume the data are a collection of multiple non-Gaussian realizations with underlying undirected graphical structures. Using the concept of median graphs in summarizing the commonality across these graphical structures, we provide a novel semiparametric approach to modeling such complex aggregated data, along with robust estimation of the median graph, which is assumed to be sparse. We prove the estimator is consistent in graph recovery and give an upper bound on the rate of convergence. We further provide thorough numerical analysis on both synthetic and real datasets to illustrate the empirical usefulness of the proposed models and methods.
Individual aerosol particles in ambient and updraft conditions below convective cloud bases in the Oman mountain region

An airborne study of cloud microphysics provided an opportunity to collect aerosol particles in ambient and updraft conditions of natural convection systems for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Particles were collected simultaneously on lacey carbon and calcium-coated carbon (Ca-C) TEM grids, providing information on particle morphology and chemistry and a unique record of the particle's physical state on impact. In total, 22 particle categories were identified, including single, coated, aggregate, and droplet types. The fine fraction comprised up to 90% mixed cation sulfate (MCS) droplets, while the coarse fraction comprised up to 80% mineral-containing aggregates. Insoluble (dry), partially soluble (wet), and fully soluble particles (droplets) were recorded on Ca-C grids. Dry particles were typically silicate grains; wet particles were mineral aggregates with chloride, nitrate, or sulfate components; and droplets were mainly aqueous NaCl and MCS. Higher numbers of droplets were present in updrafts (80% relative humidity (RH)) compared with ambient conditions (60% RH), and almost all particles activated at cloud base (100% RH). Greatest changes in size and shape were observed in NaCl-containing aggregates (>0.3 µm diameter) along updraft trajectories. Their abundance was associated with high numbers of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and cloud droplets, as well as large droplet sizes in updrafts. Thus, compositional dependence was observed in activation behavior recorded for coarse and fine fractions. Soluble salts from local pollution and natural sources clearly affected aerosol-cloud interactions, enhancing the spectrum of particles forming CCN and by forming giant CCN from aggregates, thus, making cloud seeding with hygroscopic flares ineffective in this region.