cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective Randomized Comparison of High-Frequency Oscillatory and Conventional Ventilation in Respiratory Distress Syndrome

A prospective randomized trial with a crossover design was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of two distinct strategies of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) to conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (CV) in the management of respiratory distress syndrome. Only premature neonates with a birth weight less than 1.751 kg were eligible for enrollment into the study. Of 83 patients studied, 26 patients were assigned to CV-only, 27 to HFOV for 72 hours followed by CV (HFOV/CV), and 30 to HFOV-only until extubation. There was no difference among the three groups with respect to the incidence of pulmonary airleak, intraventricular hemorrhage, or death. The highest incidence of chronic lung disease was in the CV-only group. Although both HFOV groups had a lower incidence of chronic lung disease assessed at 30 days and 36 weeks postconception age, the difference was statistically significant only between the CV-only and HFOV-only groups (65% vs 30% at 30 days; P = .008; 38% vs 10% at 36 weeks postconception age, P = .013). These results suggest that use of HFOV as the predominant mode of ventilation in the management of respiratory distress syndrome is as safe as CV and can contribute to a decreased incidence of chronic lung disease. Furthermore, a short (72-hour) period of HFOV support does not provide the same advantage as continuous HFOV.
Fire Station Siting

Fire protection and emergency response is a critical public service provided to communities. The importance of first responders is without question, saving lives, protecting property, preserving the environment and antiquities, and ensuring general safety and security. These services, however, are not cheap, often consuming a significant portion of a community’s annual budget. Associated costs for fire protection include building stations (and acquiring property), equipment, maintenance and staffing. Good planning and administrative oversight is therefore essential, especially given financial hardships faced by all communities and local governments. Such management includes anticipating future needs and deciding where new fire stations should be sited, but also reassessment of existing stations relative to changing demands for service. This chapter details issues of fire protection in a city in California experiencing sustained population growth and urban development. A location planning model is applied to support long term, cost effective fire station response through the siting of new facilities combined with strategic changes to the existing system.
Exergetic Analysis of a Cross-Flow Microchannel Heat Exchanger for Bleed Air Cooling in Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines

A current issue with high-pressure-ratio compressors found in aircraft engines is the temperature of the air exiting the compressor. The exiting air is used as coolant for engine components found in later stages of the engine such as first-stage turbine blades, and afterburner walls. A viable option for reducing outlet temperature of high-pressure-ratio compressors is to “bleed-off” a fraction of the air which is cooled in a heat exchanger by rejecting heat into the liquid fuel stream and then use the air for cooling critical components downstream. Bleeding off air from the outlet of the compressor has two benefits: (1) air temperature is reduced, and (2) fuel temperature is elevated. Along with reduced air temperatures, the fuel will ultimately receive the heat lost from the air, making the fuel more ideal for combustion purposes. The higher temperature the fuel is received in the combustion process, the greater the work output will be according to the basics of thermodynamic combustion. The objective of this case study is to optimize the efficiency of the cross-flow micro channel heat exchanger, with respect to (1) volume (1.75–2.75 mm3) and heat transfer, and (2) weight (0.15–.25 N) and heat transfer. The optimization of the heat exchanger will be evaluated within the bounds of the 2nd law of thermodynamics (exergy). The only effective way to measure the 2nd law of thermodynamics is through exergy destruction or its equivalent form: entropy generation as a factor of dead state temperature. With relations and equations obtained to design an optimal heat exchanger, applications to high performance aircraft gas turbine engines is considered through exergy. The importance of developing an exergetic analysis for a thermal system is highly effective for identifying area’s within the system that have the path of highest resistance to work potential through various modes of heat transfer and pressure loss. Thus, optimization to reduce exergy destruction is sought after through this design method alongside verifying other heat exchanger methods through effectiveness.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
'I Never Made a Decision on My Own:' The Role of Social Networks in Women's Household Compounds of a Polio Vaccine Uptake Study

The voices of women, especially mothers of young children, their relatives, and friends are crucial for making decisions within household compounds about the health care of children. Based on field surveys of household compounds in Bauchi and Kano, we found that many mothers of young children rely on the social networks within household compounds to make crucial decisions about whether or not accept polio vaccinations. This paper examines some of the dynamics of women’s social communication networks within household compounds.
Quinine for Leg Cramps.

Quinine is moderately effective in decreasing the frequency and intensity of muscle cramps, but it is also associated with an increase in minor adverse effects. In addition, there is a risk of rare but serious adverse effects.
New Concepts of Pathogenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The precise etiology and mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still unclear. Nevertheless, several concepts are gaining acceptance and constitute the basis for a better understanding of its pathogenesis and for improved therapy. The association of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with ‘western’ lifestyle is well recognized, and is considered a reason for the increasing frequency of CD and UC in countries with previously low incidence. Proposed linkages of CD and UC with particular human leukocyte antigen haplotypes suggest a genetic predisposition, but no uniform or consistent patterns have emerged. Similarly, the study of susceptibility or disease markers has not offered reproducible results. The search for specific infectious agents is being pursued, and the measles virus is presently considered a possible culprit. A true explosion has occurred in the area of animal models, and a large number of chemically or genetically induced experimental colitides are at hand. Immunological factors continue to dominate the bulk of basic research in IBD. This area is vast and complex, and autoantibodies, immune, epithelial and mesenchymal cells, lipid mediators, cytokines, neuropeptides and oxygen metabolites are under investigation. Finally, other factors whose role in IBD is uncertain, including smoking and possible abnormalities of intestinal permeability or mucus composition, continue to receive attention. These extensive and varied efforts are yielding some profits, and new forms of therapy are being devised. Based mostly on studies of soluble mediators, a number of novel immunosuppressive and highly specific blocking agents are being developed and undergoing clinical trials.
Activity of TH-6041 and TH-6042 Against Stored-Product Insects

Two experimental insecticides, TH-6041 [ N , 3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1 H -pyrazole-1-carboxamide] and TH-6042 [ N , 3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-phenyl-1 H -pyrazole-1-carboxamide] were relatively toxic on wheat to the adult stages of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), granary weevil. S. granarius (L.), and lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (LD95 ≤ 6 ppm). The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), and almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker), were more tolerant (LD95 ≥ 35 ppm). TH-6042 was very effective as a progeny suppressant against all Coleoptera (ID95 < 5 ppm) but only marginally active against Lepidoptera (ID95 < 48 ppm). TH-6041 had good activity against progeny of the rice weevil, granary weevil, sawtoothed grain beetle, and lesser grain borer (ID95 ≤ 26 ppm).
Portosystemic shunting in children during the era of endoscopic therapy: improved postoperative growth parameters.

BACKGROUND: Surgical portosystemic shunting has been performed less frequently in recent years. In this retrospective study, recent outcomes of portosystemic shunting in children are described, to evaluate its role in the era of endoscopic therapy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children who underwent surgical portosystemic shunt procedures between October 1994 and October 1997. RESULTS: Twelve children (age range, 1-16 years) underwent shunting procedures. The causes of portal hypertension were extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (n = 6), congenital hepatic fibrosis (n = 2), hepatic cirrhosis (n = 2), and other (n = 2). None of the patients were immediate candidates for liver transplantation. Types of shunt included: distal splenorenal (n = 10), portocaval (n = 1), and other (n = 1). Median follow-up was 35 months (range, 24-48 months). All patients are currently alive and well with patent shunts. The mean hospital stay was 8 days. Three patients required readmission for further interventions because of shunt stenosis in two and small bowel obstruction in the other. Mild portosystemic encephalopathy was seen in one child with pre-existing neurobehavioral disturbance. Excluding a patient who underwent placement of a portosystemic shunt for a complication of liver transplantation, mean weight-for-age z score in nine prepubertal patients improved from -1.16 SD to +0.15 SD (P = 0.023), and mean height-for-age z score from -1.23 SD to 0.00 SD (P = 0.048) by 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical portosystemic shunting is a safe and effective method for the management of portal hypertension in childhood. Patients show significant improvements in growth parameters after the procedure. Surgical portosystemic shunting should be actively considered in selected children with portal hypertension.
Sleepless in CKD: a novel risk factor for CKD progression?

Disorders of sleep have been associated with adverse outcomes in both the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease. McMullan et al. add to this literature by demonstrating an association between short sleep duration and more rapid decline in glomerular filtration rate. We discuss the potential implications of these results but also offer some caution in over-interpretation of the data, given limitations in both the assessment of sleep as well as the kidney outcomes.
Providing educational goals in social medicine for the practicing physician in basic medical education

Social Medicine has a long and successful tradition in providing public medical care, but it does not have a long-standing academic tradition. To this very date, some medical faculties have neither a representative of the discipline nor a corresponding institute. Although the topics of Social Medicine are manifold, there is a discrepancy in the time allotted for teaching within the medical curriculum. Social Medicine must offer practical and orientational knowledge. In the medical faculties, Social Medicine also represents the health sciences, and in the Schools of Public Health it has the function of a bridge discipline and is the most prominent representative of medicine.
Beyond the Big City: The Question of Size in Planning for Urban Sustainability

This paper develops a theory of size (distinct from scale) as a means to better understand how urban contexts shape and are shaped by various aspects of sustainability and livability. After considering the question of size in a broad conceptual way, the analysis turns to how size has been considered within urban geography. The paper then explores the opportunities and challenges for a size-based analysis of urban livability and sustainability and the questions posed by the experience of smaller cities. This discussion is a prospectus of potential areas of consideration and research on the issue of size, sustainability, and livability.
Generation of self-healing beams via four-wave mixing optical mode conversion

We present the experimental conversion of a spatially-Gaussian optical mode into a self-healing, approximate Bessel-Gauss mode by a non-collinear, spatially-multimode four-wave mixing process in warm atomic vapor. In addition to the mode conversion, a second, spatially-separate conjugate beam is created in a non-Gaussian mode that mimics that of the resulting converted probe beam. Additionally, we show that these resulting beams exhibit the ability to partially self-heal their mode profiles after encountering an obstacle in their paths. This multi-spatial-mode nonlinear gain platform may thus be used as a new method for all-optically generating pairs of self-healing beams.
'Unladylike Commotion': Early feminism and nursing's role in gender/trans dialogue.

From nursing's history comes the impetus and grounding for our current voice in gender/trans dialogue. Modern nursing struggled its way into being against restrictive, unjust, and oppressive social structures. Many of the obstructions and constraints that nurses and nursing leaders faced were shared by the general populace of women, and yet nurses were different from other women. Nurses worked outside the home, caring for strangers, including unrelated men, in a period when women were otherwise confined to the home. Nurses fought for women's suffrage, for child labor laws, for the welfare of factory workers, for garment workers, for unionization, for vaccination, for housing reform, for the humane treatment of mentally ill persons, for access to birth control, for the amelioration of a panoramic terrain of terrible social injustices, and for the control of nursing education, registration, and practice. For 150 years, nursing has been intrinsically, practically, and politically feminist. The hard-fought gains would eventually position nursing in tension with emerging trans issues. And yet, its history is exactly what situates nursing for fruitful participation in the developing trans discourse and to address issues of transinvisibility and unjust social and health structures that impede dignified and respectful health care.
Statins and vulnerable plaque.

Background Atherosclerosis is a systemic, progressive lipid-driven inflammatory disease of the arterial vascular wall leading progressively to plaque development. The vulnerable plaque, the one considered to be the leading cause of cardiovascular events seems to exhibit a large and soft lipid-rich necrotic core covered by a thin and inflamed fibrous cap. Statin treatment is considered as one of the most effective methods for vulnerable plaque stabilization, currently being the principal drug in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Objective We sought to evaluate the beneficial effect of statins on biological processes involved in the evolution of vulnerable plaques Method: We performed a systematic review of the literature searching MEDLINE via Pubmed for all experimental and human studies implementing statins in vulnerable plaque. Results Statins seem to have a beneficial role in plaque stabilization and patient outcome. It seems that this effect is mediated by improving endothelial function, decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing inflammatory activation and inhibiting thrombogenic response. Although these data are quite promising, it remains to be determined the extent of a potent benefit of the pleiotropic effects of statin therapy in clinical setting. Conclusion Prospective randomized trials should be conducted in order to further elucidate differences among type and dose of statin therapy, duration of treatment and association with LDL levels and clinical outcome.
Introduction: Doctrinal and Non-doctrinal Interpretations of Plato and Plato’s Socrates

As related to our concerns, Dewey (1930), in the essay, “From Absolutism to Experimentalism” intimates a unique view of Plato that is, for the most part, foreign to many educators teaching the philosophy of education, philosophical foundations of education, and paradigms of research, namely, those embracing a “traditional or “doctrinal” view of Plato, which amounts to anachronistically conceiving Plato in terms of a contemporary professional philosophy professor and academic. Although Dewey does not develop this “unique” position, he gestures toward an understanding of Plato’s philosophy and view of education, and by extension, Plato’s Socrates, which might be referred to as “non-doctrinal” or “non-systematic” in nature—an “anti-Mouthpiece” interpretation—i.e., a non-formalized view of Plato’s Socrates’ practice of philosophy. This includes a “non-institutionalized” or “anti-programmatic” view of education and learning that is present to the dialogues and developed throughout the three chapters of this book. Dewey refuses to reduce Plato’s vast and inventive thought to an “all-comprehensive and overriding system” (21), and emphatically claims that nothing “would be more helpful to present philosophizing than a ‘Back to Plato’ movement,” which our reading, in its own modest way, seeks to inspire in education literature. This entails our turning “back to the dramatic, restless, co-operatively inquiring Plato of the Dialogues, trying one mode of attack or another to see what it might yield,” and in this move we remain highly skeptical of “the artificial Plato constructed by unimaginative commentators who treat him as the original university professor” (21).
Ethnography of Language Planning and Policy.

A decade ago, Hornberger & Johnson proposed that the ethnography of language planning and policy (ELPP) offers a useful way to understand how people create, interpret, and at times resist language policy and planning (LPP). They envisioned ethnographic investigation of layered LPP ideological and implementational spaces, taking up Hornberger's plea five years earlier for language users, educators, and researchers to fill up and wedge open ideological and implementational spaces for multiple languages, literacies, identities, and practices to flourish and grow rather than dwindle and disappear. With roots going back to the 1980s and 1990s, ethnographic research in LPP had been gathering momentum since the turn of the millennium. This review encompasses selected ethnographic LPP research since 2000, exploring affordances and constraints of this research in yielding comparative and cumulative findings on how people interpret and engage with LPP initiatives. We highlight how common-sense wisdom about the perennial gap between policy and practice is given nuance through ethnographic research that identifies and explores intertwining dynamics of top-down and bottom-up LPP activities and processes, monoglossic and heteroglossic language ideologies and practices, potential equality and actual inequality of languages, and critical and transformative LPP research paradigms.
Eribulin inhibits the growth of small cell lung cancer cell lines alone and with radiotherapy

Objectives Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients of all stages are treated with etoposide and cisplatin or carboplatin with or without surgery or chest radiotherapy. Initial response rates are ≥70% however the majority of patients relapse and are resistant to additional therapies due to pan-resistance to these salvage therapies. Therefore, new treatments are urgently needed. The non-taxane microtubule inhibitor eribulin has produced responses in heavily pretreated breast cancer patients. We evaluated the efficacy of eribulin alone and in combination with radiation in a panel of SCLC cell lines established from patients prior to or after receiving chemotherapy and or radiation. Material and methods Growth inhibition by eribulin alone, radiation alone and the combination was assessed by MTS assay and clonogenic survival. Eribulin induced cell cycle arrest was evaluated by FACS. Apoptosis was evaluated by using the Caspase-GLO 3/7 luminescent plate assay and by the Vybrant apoptosis assay with analysis by FACS. Results Eribulin mesylate inhibited the growth of all 17-SCLC lines at concentrations of ≤10 nM which is a clinically achievable dose. Growth inhibition was not significantly different between cell lines established prior to or after chemotherapy (p = .5). Concurrent eribulin + radiation induced a greater G2-M arrest, an increase in apoptotic cells and increased growth inhibition over radiation alone. Conclusions Eribulin was highly active alone and in combination with radiation in treatment naive SCLC lines and lines established from previously treated patients. In vivo pre-clinical studies of eribulin alone and in combination with radiation should be considered in SCLC cell lines.
The Countenance of Marketing: A View From the 21stCentury Ivory Tower

In this “thought piece”, as a marketing academic, the author reflects on what truly matters in terms of research into marketing in this century. Based upon a careful scan of the “goings on” in the world, he first offers a configuration that may aid in research idea or specific topic generation and then culls out broad areas that are worthy of academic enquiry by marketers of this new millennium.
NADPH Oxidases and Mitochondria in Vascular Senescence

Aging is the major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Oxidative stress caused by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or by reduced expression of antioxidant enzymes is a major contributor to the progression of vascular senescence, pathologic remodeling of the vascular wall, and disease. Both oxidative stress and inflammation promote the development of senescence, a process by which cells stop proliferating and become dysfunctional. This review focuses on the role of the mitochondria and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases Nox1 and Nox4 in vascular senescence, and their contribution to the development of atherosclerosis. Recent findings are reviewed, supporting a critical role of the mitochondrial regulator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), the inflammatory gene nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), zinc, the zinc transporters (ZnTs) ZnT3 and ZnT10, and angiotensin II (Ang II) in mitochondrial function, and their role in telomere stability, which provides new mechanistic insights into a previously proposed unified theory of aging.
Theorems for Finite Sets of Primes.

A YOUNG mathematics student needs to formulate conjectures, to check their reasonableness, to state theorems of his own, and to verify them. In the early secondary grades, since he cannot always reason on the basis of a set of postulates, he sometimes needs to establish a theorem by simply checking all possible cases. Case-by-case inspection is, of course, only one method of proof, but it is one of im portance for theorems about finite sets. The discovery and proof of such theorems as are in this paper should supplement work with general theorems capable of inductive proof. Because relatively little is known about the properties of the set of all prime num bers, one rare opportunity is commonly missed for just the kind of intuitive ex perimentation that is needed by students beginning to learn about proofs in the early secondary grades. There are hun dreds of theorems that hold, not neces sarily for all primes, but for the first primes, where is a specified counting number. These theorems can be exciting to the beginner, and many are well within his grasp. It is remarkable enough to a junior high student, for example, that one of his conjectures results in a theorem for the set of numbers consisting of the first ten primes. The fact that his conjecture does not work for the eleventh prime, while significant, does not destroy the value of his theorem. Examples of interesting theorems for finite sets of primes follow. Questions sug gest experimentation leading to many more theorems, so that a teacher will not only be able to help students arrive at the stated theorems, but will also be able to suggest similar patterns of investigation that lead to different theorems created by individual students.
The Consequences of Friend-Related Stress Across Early Adolescence:

The current study investigated early adolescents’ experiences of friend-related stress across middle school and its developmental consequences following the transition to high school. Using a sampl...
Expert System Tool Evaluation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a framework of evaluation criteria and a methodology for selecting an expert system tool. Evaluating and choosing a tool requires matching a tool to its intended use including all aspects of the problem domain, the problem itself, and the anticipated project. Because of the evolving and inconsistent terminology in this new field, comparing features of different tools is of limited utility and limited longevity. Instead, the capabilities provided by these features must be analyzed, evaluated, and compared. The framework shows how to use specific assessment techniques to apply specific metrics to specific capabilities of a tool for a specific application in a specific context. The development of expert system is reflected in the importance of issues, such as integration, database access, portability, fielding, maintainability, robustness, reliability, concurrent access, performance, user interface, debugging support, and documentation. Though the difficulty of comparing and selecting tools may be daunting to a developer faced with a decision, this difficulty is largely a result of the richness of the field and the bewildering pace at which new ideas are being incorporated into tools. The evaluation approach is offered, not as a final answer to a fixed problem, but as a strategy for dealing with a dynamic problem whose complexity reflects the health of a research area whose impact on software engineering is only beginning to be felt.
Nearly Isotropic Conjugated Polymer Aggregates with Efficient Local Exciton Diffusion

To bridge the gap between single-molecule and bulk thin film studies of organic semiconductors and understand the influence of molecular structure on photophysical properties across scales, we prepared and characterized aggregates containing a few to more than a thousand single chains via well-controlled solvent vapor swelling of an inert polymeric matrix containing the conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV). The single chains were initially immobilized in conformations with few interchain contacts, which can support exciton funneling on the single-molecule level. We show that aggregates prepared via solvent swelling and templated on such molecules result in largely isotropic aggregates. Analysis of aggregate polarization anisotropy, photoluminescence transient decay, and photoluminescence spectra as a function of aggregate size suggests that in these aggregates exciton diffusion is locally enhanced upon initial aggregation but does not reach extended length...
BRCA1 mutation influences progesterone response in human benign mammary organoids

Women, who carry a germline BRCA1 gene mutation, have a markedly increased risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. While BRCA1 carriers frequently develop triple-negative, basal-like, aggressive breast tumors, hormone signaling is important in the genesis of BRCA1 mutant breast cancers. We investigated the hormone response in BRCA1-mutated benign breast tissue using an in vitro organoid system. Scaffold-free, multicellular human breast organoids generated from benign breast tissues from non-carrier or BRCA1 mutation carriers were treated in vitro with a stepwise menstrual cycle hormone regimen of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) over the course of 28 days. Breast organoids exhibited characteristics of the native breast tissue, including expression of hormone receptors, collagen production, and markers of luminal and basal epithelium, and stromal fibroblasts. RNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct gene expression in response to hormone treatment in the non-carrier and BRCA1-mutated organoids. The selective progesterone receptor modulator, telapristone acetate (TPA), was used to identify specifically PR regulated genes. Specifically, extracellular matrix organization genes were regulated by E2+P4+TPA in the BRCA1-mutated organoids but not in the non-carrier organoids. In contrast, in the non-carrier organoids, known PR target genes such as the cell cycle genes were inhibited by TPA. These data show that BRCA1 mutation influences hormone response and in particular PR activity which differs from that of non-carrier organoids. Our organoid model system revealed important insights into the role of PR in BRCA1-mutated benign breast cells and the critical paracrine actions that modify hormone receptor (HR)-negative cells. Further analysis of the molecular mechanism of BRCA1 and PR crosstalk is warranted using this model system.
Grain boundary structure in high-entropy alloys

We report atomistic simulation studies of grain boundary structure in a high-entropy FCC alloy. The simulations are based on empirical interatomic potentials and use massively parallel molecular dynamics techniques at the atomistic level to study the local structure. The studies address a series of pure tilt grain boundaries with random misorientations around the [110] crystallographic axis. We study the relaxed structures using various models and visualization techniques, including analyzing the dislocation content of the boundary region. A main focus is the role that the local composition in the random alloy plays in the structure and energy of the boundaries. This is performed by comparing the structures obtained for the complex random alloy with a corresponding “average atom” material that has the same average properties, but no local randomness. The implications for the overall properties of high-entropy alloys are discussed.
Characteristics of influenza A (H3N2) virus hemagglutinin genes in Fujian province from 2014 to 2016

Objective To investigate the genetic characteristics and mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) genes of influenza A subtype H3N2 viruses isolated in Fujian province during 2014—2016. Methods HA gene fragments of 44 randomly selected influenza A (H3N2) viruses were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Obtained sequences were analyzed by bioinformatics software and online websites. Results Pair-wise similarity among HA genes of the 44 strains was between 97.3%-100.0% at nucleotide level. The average variations between epidemic strains and corresponding vaccine strains in the year of 2014, 2015 and 2016 were 0.012, 0.008 and 0.009, respectively. The genotype of epidemic strains in 2014 was 3C.3a rather than 3C.1 of the vaccine strain. Notably, variations at some antigenic sites, receptor binding sites (RBSs) and N-Glycosylation sites were identified despite the fact that the genotypes were identical between epidemic and vaccine strains in 2015 and 2016. Conclusion Variations at the HA genes of influenza A (H3N2) viruses in Fujian province occurred during the year of 2014—2016, reflecting the ability of circulating strains to escape the vaccine-induced immunity. Sustainable influenza surveillance and prompt identification of viral variants would benefit influenza prevention and control. Key words: Influenza A subtype H3N2; Hemagglutinin (HA); Genetic characteristic; Mutation
College Student Concealment and Disclosure of Mental Health Issues in the Classroom: Students’ Perceptions of Risk and Use of Contextual Criteria

Through an application of Communication Privacy Management Theory, this study examines students’ perceptions of risk and the criteria that influence student decisions to conceal or disclose mental ...
Effects of smoking on bariatric surgery postoperative weight loss and patient satisfaction

While general population studies have demonstrated a relationship between cigarette smoking and weight loss, this association is not well established among the bariatric patient population. Given that bariatric patients are inherently weight-concerned, understanding the effects of smoking on postoperative weight loss is essential. We examined the association of preoperative smoking, postoperative smoking and changes in smoking status with weight loss after bariatric surgery. In addition, we examined the association of changes in smoking status with subjective indices of patient satisfaction while controlling for weight loss. Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent Sleeve Gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for weight loss at a single institution between August 2000 and November 2017. Additional follow up was obtained by telephone survey. Statistical analysis utilized multivariate logistical regressions. Our study included 512 patients. Majority were female (n = 390, 76.2%) and underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 362, 70.7%). Average age was 46.8 years and average follow up was 6.99 years. Preoperative, postoperative and changes in smoking status were not significantly associated with weight loss. Former smokers were significantly more likely to report postoperative satisfaction with self-overall OR 10.62 (p < 0.01), satisfaction with postoperative outcomes OR 4.18 (p = 0.02), and improvement in quality of life OR 4.05 (p = 0.04) compared to continued smokers independent of weight loss. No difference in rates of satisfaction were found between former smokers and never smokers. Smoking cessation and weight loss were independently predictive of positive responses to these satisfaction indices. We found no association between preoperative smoking, postoperative smoking or changes in smoking status with postoperative weight loss. Smoking cessation was associated with patient satisfaction and improvement in quality of life compared to continued smokers. Smoking cessation and postoperative weight loss were independently predictive of increased patient satisfaction.
How do healthcare providers manage depression in people with spinal cord injury

An online survey. To describe how healthcare providers manage depression after spinal cord damage (SCD) and to identify factors that predict use of recommended depression management practices. An international cohort of respondents who provide clinical care to individuals with SCD. An online survey was distributed to clinicians caring for individuals with SCD. The 20-question survey inquired about participant demographic and professional information, their knowledge and beliefs about depression after SCD, their methods of treating depression in SCD, and perceived barriers to treatment of depression. One hundred eleven individuals took this survey. Participants estimated on average that 48.7% of their patients with SCD have depression, and nearly two-thirds (62.2%) reported using their own clinical judgment to identify the condition. Respondents cited barriers to depression treatment including patient denial of depression (47.7%), stigmas attached to depression (41.4%), and lack of availability and high cost of counseling (45.9% and 35.1%, respectively) and antidepressant medications (5.4% and 10.8%, respectively). The belief that one is well trained to handle depressive symptoms predicted increased frequency of screening for depression and implementation of recommended treatments for depression. Respondents to this survey under-utilize valid screening measures and likely over-estimate the prevalence of depression in SCD. They cited a number of barriers to treatment for depression. Our results underscore the need for improved mental health education among SCD providers and the use of valid depression screening measures to help focus limited mental health services and treatments on those who need them.
An oral bacterial cocktail for kidney protection.

The oral delivery of a microencapsulated bacterial cocktail into animal models of kidney disease promotes the degradation of nitrogenous waste in the gut, thereby supporting renal function.
Robust Imaging-Free Object Recognition Through Anderson Localizing Optical Fiber

Recognizing objects directly from optical fiber output images is useful in endoscopic applications when forming a clear image of the object is unnecessary or rather difficult. Conventional fiber-optic systems, such as multicore-fiber-based and multimode-fiber-based systems, suffer from the sensitivity of the fiber to external perturbations. For example, a slight movement of the fiber (a-few-millimeters translation of the tip for meter-long multicore fibers or multimode fibers) can greatly change the output images of the system. In this work, we utilize the light guidance stability of recently proposed glass-air Anderson localizing optical fiber (GALOF) to achieve robust imaging-free objection recognition. We transport five classes of cell images through an 80-cm straight GALOF. A deep convolutional neural network is trained to classify the output images and tested on images never seen, namely, images collected when the fiber is bent or when the fiber facet is placed several millimeters away from the object without any distal optics. Bending-invariant high classification accuracy (86.8% on average) is observed all the way to the maximum bending offset distance of 45 cm (∼74thinsp;° bending angle). High classification accuracy (91.2%) is also preserved when the fiber facet is 0.5 mm away from the object.
Applicant and examiner citations in U.S. patents: An overview and analysis

Prior art patent citations have become a popular measure of patent quality and knowledge flow between firms. Interpreting these measurements is complicated, in some cases, because prior art citations are added by patent examiners as well as by patent applicants. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) adopted new reporting procedures in 2001, making it possible to measure examiner and applicant citations separately for the first time. We analyzed prior art citations listed in all U.S. patents granted in 2001–2003, and found that examiners played a significant role in identifying prior art, adding 63% of citations on the average patent, and all citations on 40% of patents granted. An analysis of variance found that firm-specific variables explain most of the variation in examiner-citation shares. Using multivariate regression, we found that foreign applicants to the USPTO had the highest proportion of citations added by examiners. High-volume patent applicants had a greater proportion of examiner citations, and a substantial number of firms won patents without listing a single applicant citation. In terms of technology, we found higher examiner shares among patents in electronics, communications, and computer-related fields. Taken together, our findings suggest that firm-level patenting practices, particularly among high-volume applicants, have a strong influence on citation data and merit additional research.
Corporate Social and Financial Performance in Chemical Industry in the United States

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of corporation social performance (CSP) on corporate financial performance (CFP). This study uses return on assets (ROA) to measure corporate financial performance. This study uses KLD index and TRI index to measure corporate social performance separately. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to analyze data from the sample of 123 U.S chemical firms from 2009-2018, this paper finds that KLD index has a significantly positive impact on CFP, while TRI index does not have a significantly impact on CFP. Meanwhile, this paper also finds that the seven individual dimensions of CSP have a significantly impact on CFP except for the environment dimension. The result contributes to the effect of CSP measurement methods in a single industry and the impact of various dimensions of CSP,expands the importance of CSP measurement methods from cross-industry research to single industry research.
Clinical reviewA systematic review of neuroimaging data during visceral stimulation

Objectives The application of functional imaging to study visceral sensation has generated considerable interest regarding insight into the function of the brain-gut axis, but also some contradictory and confusing results that require appraisal.
Pathophysiological Determinants of Gastroesophageal Reflux, and the Role of Esophageal and Airway Receptors

Although the human body is well equipped to counteract the occurrence of a reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus and possibly into the more proximal airway, regurgitation does occur, especially in elderly subjects and in newborns. In healthy subjects, physiological mechanisms offer a well-developed degree of protection against gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as shown by its absence even in subjects maintained in a head-down posture [1]. The most common disorder leading to GER is a functional or structural abnormality of the lower esophageal sphincter affecting either one of its two components: smooth muscle or striated muscle from the crural portion of the diaphragm [1].
Activating KIR: iN Kase of KIR-ligand mismatch.

In this issue of Blood, Mancusi et al demonstrate that haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) ligand–mismatched donors with concomitant activating KIRs reduces nonrelapse mortality (NRM).1
El peón y la muerte: el caso transnacional de Macario (1960)

El articulo se propone mostrar, a partir del analisis de la pelicula Macario (1960) dirigida por Roberto Gavaldon, el tema de la muerte y su representacion en la literatura y la tradicion oral en diversos contextos. Ademas de demostrar la existencia de ciertas variantes o conexiones con otras versiones que aluden al tema senalado.
Sound generated by a single cambered blade in wake cutting

The unsteady lift force on and the sound generated by an isolated cambered blade were measured in wake cutting, i.e., when subjected to periodic flow disturbances created by passing wakes. Depending on the orientation of the blade relative to the wake passage, significant difference was found in transient pressure signatures and in radiated sound. Furthermore, the sound field calculated from the fluctuating lift by Curie's formula did agree quite well with the measured value.
Mechanism of interferon action: Stability and translation of simian virus-40 early mRNA coding for T-antigen is comparable in untreated and interferon-treated monkey cells

Abstract The effect of interferon treatment on the translation and the stability of simian virus 40 (SV40) early mRNA coding for T-antigen was examined in ts A-infected monkey kidney BSC-1 cells at 40°. Neither the translation nor the stability of SV40 early mRNA was altered by interferon under cellular conditions where the synthesis of reovirus polypeptides was significantly inhibited by interferon. SV40 early mRNA decayed with a half-life of about 3 hours as measured by T-antigen synthesis; the decay rate was indistinguishable between untreated and interferon-treated cells.
Isolation and Identification of 3-(2'-Methyl-4'-amino-5'-pyrimidylmethyl)-4-methylthiazole-5-acetic Acid (Thiamine Acetic Acid) and 2-Methyl-4-amino-5-formylaminomethylpyrimidine as Metabolites of Thiamine in the Rat

Abstract The compounds 3-(2'-methyl-4'-amino-5'-pyrimidylmethyl)-4-methylthiazole-5-acetic acid (thiamine acetic acid) and 2-methyl-4-amino-5-formylaminomethylpyrimidine have been identified as metabolites of thiamine in the rat. Evidence is presented which indicates that 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole is also an important metabolite of thiamine in the rat.
Structural features of absorptive cell and microvillus membrane preparations from rat small intestine

Absorptive cells of the small intestine are highly polarized cells with distinct microvillus membrane (MVM) and basolateral plasma membrane domains. We compared membrane structure in the following preparations of rat small intestine commonly used for in vitro study of MVM function: epithelial sheets, isolated epithelial cells, and four different MVM vesicle preparations, using electron microscopy of thin sections and freeze fracture replicas. We also quantitated mean vesicle diameter of the four MVM preparations by quasielastic light scattering and determined their actin content. Epithelial sheets maintained their plasma membrane polarity as judged by intramembrane particle (IMP) distribution for at least 30 min after isolation. In contrast, the plasma membrane of isolated cells showed redistribution of IMPs, indicating considerable loss of polarity in the few minutes required for cell recovery. The P-face IMPs in MVM prepared by Ca++ precipitation were randomly distributed but became aggregated after exposure to potassium thiocyanate, which removed approximately 50% of core actin. The P-face IMPs in Mg++ precipitated MVM were aggregated whether or not core actin was depleted with potassium thiocyanate. The shape and size of MVM vesicles differed considerably with different preparative techniques. The extremely rapid loss of plasma membrane polarity of isolated intestinal epithelial cells and the striking structural heterogeneity of MVM vesicles prepared by commonly used techniques should be considered in the interpretation of functional studies with these preparations.
Experimental demonstration of active equalization and ASE suppression of three 2.5-Gbit/s WDM-network channels over 2500 km using AOTF as transmission filters

Summary form only given. In this paper, we demonstrate the active equalization of the nonunifom EDFA gain and ASE suppression by using acoustic-optic tunable filters as transmission filters with active feedback. After 2500 km, the power differential is reduced from over 20 dB down to 2 db for three 2.5-Gbit/s WDM channels covering an 8-nm wavelength range. Furthermore, the active feedback fully compensates for dynamic variations in individual channel powers.
Partial body weight treadmill training in persons with chronic stroke

Purpose: A series of pilot studies were conducted to examine the effects of partial body weight (PBW) ambulation in people with chronic stroke. Methods: First, we compared gait characteristics during 3 modes of walking: level ground ambulation; level ground ambulation with PBW; and treadmill ambulation with PBW. Second, we examined the effects of repeated PBW treadmill training during level ground ambulation. Results: Improved symmetry in stance/swing times and sEMG activity of pre-tibialis and quadriceps muscle groups during PBW either over level ground or on the treadmill occurred in 10 chronic stroke subjects. Increased single limb support and decreased double limb support improved overall gait symmetry during level ground ambulation in 8 subjects following 6–8 weeks repeated PBW treadmill training. Tinetti Balance score also significantly improved. No changes in sEMG were observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that PBW treadmill may help normalize gait and improve balance in the person with chronic stroke.
Cemeteries as archives: who says dead men tell no tales?

iv Introduction 1 Traditional Cemetery Records 12 Cemeteries as a Scholarly Resource 22 The Cemetery is an Archives 29 Practical Concerns with the Cemetery as an Archives 48 Case Study: Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, Washington 54 Conclusions 68 Bibliography 74