cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA nuclease activity of Rev-coupled transition metal chelates

Artificial nucleases containing Rev-coupled metal chelates based on combinations of the transition metals Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ and the chelators DOTA, DTPA, EDTA, NTA, tripeptide GGH, and tetrapeptide KGHK have been tested for DNA nuclease activity. Originally designed to target reactive transition metal chelates (M-chelates) to the HIV-1 Rev response element mRNA, attachment to the arginine-rich Rev peptide also increases DNA-binding affinity for the attached M-chelates. Apparent KD values ranging from 1.7 to 3.6 µM base pairs for binding of supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA by Ni–chelate–Rev complexes were observed, as a result of electrostatic attraction between the positively-charged Rev peptide and negatively-charged DNA. Attachment of M-chelates to the Rev peptide resulted in enhancements of DNA nuclease activity ranging from 1-fold (no enhancement) to at least 13-fold (for Cu–DTPA–Rev), for the rate of DNA nicking, with second order rate constants for conversion of DNAsupercoiled to DNAnicked up to 6 × 106 M−1 min−1, and for conversion of DNAnicked to DNAlinear up to 1 × 105 M−1 min−1. Freifelder–Trumbo analysis and the ratios of linearization and nicking rate constants (klin/knick) revealed concerted mechanisms for nicking and subsequent linearization of plasmid DNA for all of the Rev-coupled M-chelates, consistent with higher DNA residency times for the Rev-coupled M-chelates. Observed rates for Rev-coupled M-chelates were less skewed by differing DNA-binding affinities than for M-chelates lacking Rev, as a result of the narrow range of DNA-binding affinities observed, and therefore relationships between DNA nuclease activity and other catalyst properties, such as coordination unsaturation, the ability to consume ascorbic acid and generate diffusible radicals, and the identity of the metal center, are now clearly illustrated in light of the similar DNA-binding affinities of all M-chelate–Rev complexes. This work paints a clearer picture of the factors governing DNA nuclease activity by redox active M-chelates than was previously possible. The results demonstrate enhancement of DNA cleavage by use of a targeting sequence, but also clearly underscore that significant orientational factors are required for optimal reactivity at the metal center. Moreover, the studies confirm high selectivity for the target HIV RRE RNA at the most likely dosage concentrations, lending further support to the feasibility of designing and applying targeted catalytic metallodrugs.
A neutropenic patient with rapidly progressive lung lesion.

42-year-old African-American woman presented to an outpatient hematology-oncology clinic for follow-up after a bone marrow transplant with a chief complaint of pain in her extremities. Her medical history was remarkable for acute lymphoblastic leukemia positive for CD10, CD19, CD34, and Philadelphia chromosome. Ten weeks previously, she underwent a matched allogeneic unrelated donor bone marrow transplant. Her immediate posttransplant course was uneventful, and she was discharged to home 4 days prior to the current presentation. A physical examination revealed severe desquamation of her hands, legs, and scalp. She was subsequently admitted to the oncology ward with an initial diagnosis of graft-vs-host disease. Her treatment of graft-vs-host disease included dexamethasone, 12 mg/d; cyclosporin, 100 mg bid; and pimecrolimus 1% cream. The inpatient stay was lengthy with many complications, including both cutaneous and hepatic manifestations of graft-vs-host disease, cytomegalovirus infection, and pancytopenia. She was profoundly neutropenic and thrombocytopenic, with an absolute neutrophil count ranging
Phonons and Local Elastic Moduli in Symmetrical Tilt Boundaries

Lattice vibrations and atomic level elastic moduli have been studied for a bicrystal containing a fully relaxed symmetrical tilt boundary in Au. Central force many body potentials have been employed to describe atomic interactions. In the long-wavelength limit the phonons localized at grain boundaries can be identified with Stoneley waves known from continuum analyses. These waves are localized at the grain boundary and their velocity agrees well with that evaluated using the local effective elastic moduli of the interfacial region. However, the usually used continuum model assuming an ideal match across the interface is not sufficient to analyze these waves fully and an explicit description of interfacial properties need to be included into the continuum models of interfaces.
Abstract IA10: Pathology of lung neuroendocrine tumors: In search of evidence for classification

Neuroendocrine (NE) tumors comprise approximately 25% of all tumors in human lung. As a group they continue to provide challenges at biological, molecular and pathological level for uniform classification. The prototype of NE tumors is the highly aggressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that accounts 15% of human lung cancers. For years lung cancers were clinically classified mainly into SCLCs and non-SCLCs (NSCLCs) while it has become evident that lung NE tumors actually form a complex spectrum from SCLC to carcinoid with shifting boundaries. The current WHO classification recognizes SCLC, its variant form combined SCLC, typical and atypical carcinoids as well as large cell NE carcinoma (LCNEC) and its variant form combined large cell carcinoma, the last two cancers under the main NSCLC category of large cell carcinoma. With the exception of the LCNEC, it is expected that the diagnoses will be rendered by routine hematoxylin-eosin stain according the established criteria. Benign entities include diffuse idiopathic pulmonary NE cell hyperplasia which is described in the chapter of preinvasive lesions. Over time there have been several efforts to place lung NE tumors into two to four-tier categories according to their malignant potential (high versus low grade) or degree of differentiation often leaving behind confusing terminology that is later misused. Unlike surgically resected NSCLCs, most NE tumors are frequently diagnosed from biopsies which remains a seldom recognized fact that may create its own biases. The diagnosis that experts most often agree with is SCLC, while distinctions between atypical carcinoid and LCNEC that are in the middle of the spectrum are often disputed. Many molecular studies have also “correctly” classified the endpoints of the NE spectrum while grouping in the middle of it has produced varied results. Moreover, several studies have suggested that NSCLCs with NE features (NSCLC-NEs) is a distinct carcinoma type with worse prognosis than ordinary non-NE NSCLC, while others disagree. Biologically this category is very interesting as NSCLCs and SCLCs are ultimately thought to be derived from the same cell. The regulation of NE differentiation is poorly understood. The proneural achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1), a lineage-dependent oncogene may be a key factor for NE differentiation. On the other hand, it was recently shown that the deletion of the tumor suppressor genes Rb1 and p53 specifically in NE cells, a subpopulation of cells in normal airways, or in alveolar non-NE type2 pneumocytes of mice resulted in SCLCs closely mimicking human disease. These results provide experimental evidence for the close relationship of NE and non-NE epithelial cells in carcinogenesis.
Relative Unemployment and Gubernatorial Popularity

Considerable debate exists over whether the public holds the governor accountable for the state's economy. Part of the controversy stems from weak design and limitations in data, but part also from weakness in theory. We argue that voters recognize the limitations of state governments to affect the state economy and that they judge their governors on the state's unemployment situation relative to the unemployment situation of the national economy. To test this theory we use the Official State Job Approval Ratings (JAR) database. Our analysis finds that citizens grade the governor's job performance consistent with our theory: no matter the level of unemployment in the state, when state unemployment is lower than the national average, governors are rewarded; when it is higher than the national average, governors are punished with lower approval levels.
Electrical Reliability of Giant Magneto-Resistive Recording Sensors

The electrical reliability of Ta/NiMn/NiFe/Co/Cu/Co/NiFe/Ta top spin valve sensors was studied. Electrical current densities in the range of 20-50 MA/cm2 were applied at 70°C ambient temperature. The combined Joule and ambient heating correspond to peak sensor temperatures of 170-300°C. Resistance and giant magneto-resistive (GMR) amplitude of the sensors were measured with time up to 800 hours. Device reliability was predicted from the Arrhenius plots of time to failure (TTF). Microstructure of sensors after stress was studied by scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The device failure mechanism is discussed on the scope of inter-layer diffusion and electromigration.
A Comparison of the Academic Progress of Students with EBD and Students with LD.

In this article, we present findings from a study that compared academic progress over 5 years for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and students with learning disabilities (LD). Additionally, a set of factors related to academic achievement (attendance, behavior offenses, type of special education setting, school mobility, and early retention) were examined as to their contribution to achievement over time for these two groups of students. Findings indicated that students with LD made significant progress over time in reading, and this progress was associated with receiving less full-time special education services. Similar findings, however, were not found for students with EBD. For both groups of students, early retention was associated with lower achievement over time.
Optimizing utilization of pediatric echocardiography and implications for telemedicine.

Telemedicine can deliver tertiary level services to remote communities where subspecialty care is limited. Locally performed echocardiography has been initiated at several locations around Iowa. The goal of this study was to examine utilization and diagnostic yield of community-based echocardiographic services. Community physicians selected patients for remote echocardiograms (echoes), and studies were performed locally by sonographers trained in recording pediatric echoes. Echoes were sent to the pediatric echocardiography laboratory by mail or via telemedicine systems. Echoes were also ordered locally by pediatric cardiologists during outreach clinics in the same communities. Numbers of normal and abnormal echoes ordered by community physicions and pediatric cardiologists were compared by chi-square analysis. Since January 1996, community physicians ordered 378 echoes, whereas 154 echoes were ordered by pediatric cardiologists at outreach clinics. Stratifying echoes by patient age found that the percentage of normal studies in patients 1 year of age (83% normal by community physicians vs 25%; chi-square 80.2; p 1 year of age if patients are first evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist, and (3) patient selection will impact cost effectiveness of remotely obtained echoes.
Mechanisms of vascular calcification in uremia.

Vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease mortality are highly correlated with increased serum phosphate levels in end-stage renal disease patients. Mechanistic studies in cultured human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) indicate that increased phosphate levels induces both calcification and phenotypic transition through a pathway requiring a sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter. Thus, in addition to contributing to increased calcium × phosphate product (Ca × P), hyperphosphatemia may have direct effects on SMCs that predispose these cells to calcium deposition in end-stage renal disease patients.
Transport and Two-Species Capture of Electrons and Holes in Ultrapure Germanium at MilliKelvin Temperature

This work describes the transport and capture processes of electrons and holes in ultrapure germanium $$\langle 100 \rangle $$ at low temperature and low electric field. Dynamic space-charge effects are responsible for the most significant systematics of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search. To understand the relationship of transport dynamics to space charge evolution, it is important that we understand charge carrier transport under these nonequilibrium operating conditions. Here, we present measured data and a consistent model of electron and hole dynamics and capture. A charged and a neutral capture probability for both electrons and holes appears to explain the multiple, field-dependent power laws observed in data. This offers a quantitative understanding why germanium crystals operating under these conditions should “neutralize” when grounded, but accrue space charge while under bias.
Evidence for Long-distance Swimming Capabilities in Red Squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Abstract While kayaking in Lake Superior, I observed a red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) swimming. I followed the squirrel for approximately 1.5 km until it safely arrived on an island, which is approximately 2 km from the shores of mainland Wisconsin. This is the first published observation of a red squirrel swimming in one of the Great Lakes, as well as the longest documented swim of a red squirrel. Further investigations are needed to determine whether swimming is a significant form of dispersal and island colonization for red squirrels in North America.
Research and Leadership Development through Participation on a Inter professional Research Team

This case study details one research team and includes a conceptual tri-level leadership model for team participation and project organization. Participants included seven students and one assistant professor. Findings highlight team development, recruitment, expectations, leadership gains, and implications for the profession.
DIFFICULT-TO-RECRUIT RESPONDENTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON PREVALENCE ESTIMATES IN AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEY

Generous contact efforts were used to recruit 3,004 respondents into the first wave of the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) project, a psychiatric epidemiologic study of the general population, conducted from 1981-1982. These efforts were analyzed to establish which sociodemographic characteristics or current psychiatric disorders were determinants of difficulty in recruitment. Being young, male, black, a nonrural resident, educated, and full-time employed were the demographic characteristics associated with increased contact efforts. Persons currently meeting criteria for an alcohol disorder required almost 20% more contact attempts than those without the disorder; this difficulty lay both in their being less available for an initial contact and refusing at a higher rate once contacted. An optimal recruitment effort cutoff point is provided, and a method is suggested for detecting that optimal point in the course of ongoing studies.
Total OH Loss Rate Measurement

A new instrument has been developed to measure the total decay rate of OH in ambient air. The instrument is based on the discharge flow technique in which OH generated within the instrument is reacted with ambient air pulled into the flow tube. The OH decay is monitored by laser-induced fluorescence. This total decay rate is compared to the sum of the individual decay rates of OH with each trace species measured in the air to test for missing OH reactants. OH decay rates measured in an urban environment in the summer of 1999 illustrates the promise of this technique.
The acid hydrolysis of glycosides

Abstract Isopropyl and 2-chloroethyl 3-O-methyl-β- d -glucopyranosiduronic acids, but not the corresponding β- d -glucopyranosides, are hydrolyzed in acid solution at a rate higher than that for the unmethylated compounds. The hydrolysis of 6-O-methyl-β- d -glucopyranosides is independent of the polarity of the aglycon. Several 5-C-substituted methyl α- d -xylopyranosides are hydrolyzed at rates inversely proportional to the electron affinity of the substituent on C-5. It was shown that, in N sulfuric acid, the contribution of the carboxylate anion to the rate cannot be ignored. The rate of hydrolysis of methyl α- d -glucopyranosiduronic acid is 15 times that calculated on the basis of polar effects, suggesting anchimeric assistance of the carboxyl group.
Influence of chemical doping on the magnetic properties of EuO

We report on the magnetic field dependence of the apparent ferromagnetic ordering temperature (${T}_{\mathrm{F}}$) of the ferromagnetic semiconductor EuO doped with $8%$ Gd, La, or Lu. Chemical doping is a common method to increase the ${T}_{\mathrm{F}}$ of EuO. Recent findings demonstrate that in thin films only a fraction of the dopants donate electrons into the conduction band. We show that the ${T}_{\mathrm{F}}$ of doped EuO determined by the standard procedure drastically increases with applied magnetic fields. The comparison of measured data to theoretical models is in agreement with large fractions of dopant electrons being localized and the presence of magnetic disorder.
Pressure gradients in the splanchnic bed of the monkey during hemorrhagic shock.

SummaryAnalysis of pressure gradients in the splanchnic bed of the monkey during a standardized hemorrhagic shock procedure has indicated a preponderant increase in intrahepatic resistance with minimal change in mesenteric (intestinal) resistance during oligemia. Following restoration of the bleeding volume, the control pressure relationship was reestablished. The marked elevation of portal venous pressure, so typical of the dog in this phase of the hemorrhagic shock procedure, was not seen in the monkey. Moreover, the intestine of this species appeared pale and ischemic at autopsy, contrasted to the congested and bloody intestine of the dog. The possible significance of the differences in behavior of splanchnic vasculature in the primate and canine species is considered in the light of the etiology of irreversible shock.
DEVELOPMENT OF TURBULENCE MODELS FOR AERODYNAMIC APPLICATIONS

Recent efforts to develop and improve turbulence models for aerodynamic applications are described. The models under consideration are two-equation models related to the SST model of Menter that has been successful in predicting complex aerodynamic flows. The SST model, although successful, has certain deficiencies that have stimulated efforts to make further improvements. These are being sought in the areas of free shear flows, curvature and rotation, recovery from separation and the development of coordinate invariant models that are independent of wall distance. The latter type of improvement is the primary focus of this paper. One of the new models is applied to a variety of free shear layer and attached and separated boundary layer flows with encouraging results. Additional versions of the model as well as other models and applications are also discussed.
Supporting Peer Instruction with Evidence-Based Online Instructional Templates

This work examines whether templates designed from principles of multimedia learning design, and learning sciences research, can support peer instruction in creating more effective educational content on the web. Initial results show that the structure and guidelines within these templates can help novices produce meaningful learning content while improving the overall learning experience. This experiment provides insights into how to design and implement structured outlines online for web users to share learning content, and potentially shift researchers' focus to more learner-centered online education.
Clinical Research of Hand-foot-mouth Disease Complicated with Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective To explore the clinical features of hand-footmouth disease(HFMD) complicated with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 117 hospitalized children with HFMD and acute lower respiratory tract infection(respiratory tract infection group) and 1,008 hospitalized HFMD children without acute lower respiratory tract infection(control group). Results The incidence rate of HFMD children complicated with acute lower respiratory tract infection was 10.4%.Bronchitis,asthmatic bronchitis and pneumonia were the most frequent complications in HFMD children.Among respiratory tract infection group,most of the cases were the children aged 1～3 years,and the high incidence period was from October to December;there were statistically significant differences between respiratory tract infection group and control group(P0.05).Among the 117 cases of respiratory tract infection group,112 cases had fever(95.73%).All cases had cough,6 cases had wheeze(5.13%),and 22 cases had breathlessness(18.80%).Most of the children in respiratory tract infection group had anemia,there were statistically significant differences between respiratory tract infection group and control group(P0.05).The changes of the chest radiograph in respiratory tract infection group were texture shadows,disorders and some flakes. Conclusions The acute lower respiratory tract infection was the most frequent complication of HFMD.The respiratory symptoms were obvious,but the severe case was seldom seen.Most of the cases were the children aged 1~3 years,and the high incidence period was from October to December.The major pathogen was enterovirus,including EV71.Enterovirus complicated by mycoplasma infection occurred frequently,too.
Selection of intestinal segments for bladder substitution: physical and physiological characteristics.

AbstractDetubularized bowel segments provide greater capacity at lower pressure and require a shorter length of intestine than do intact segments. Four factors account for their superiority: 1) their configuration takes advantage of the geometric fact that volume increases by the square of the radius so that a patch or pouch has a larger diameter than a tube, 2) they accommodate to filling more readily because, as LaPlace’s law states, the container with the greater radius and, thus, the greater mural tension will hold larger volumes at lower pressure, 3) compliance is superior to that of the tubular bowel and 4) contractile ability is blunted by the failure of contractions to encompass the entire circumference. For these reasons detubularized segments store more urine at lower pressures.
State Safe Haven Laws

Sometimes parents abandon or discard infants very early in life and this often leads to their death. Regardless of the circumstances, this is generally considered a form of neglect. The most universal response to this in the United States has been to pass “safe haven” laws—or laws that allow parents to legally relinquish infants in designated areas without any criminal consequence. Today, all states in the U.S. have safe haven laws. This chapter discusses the history, purpose, and use of these laws. The primary concerns of safe haven laws is that they are easy to pass and implement, but that they do not address unwanted pregnancies or help to support parents who may be feeling desperate enough to relinquish a child. Further, despite the options that they present to parents, there is no evidence to date that safe haven laws lead to fewer deaths of children.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in South Asians: A Review of the Literature

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are national and global epidemics. The disease is characterized by a spectrum of liver steatosis (fat deposition), inflammation (in NASH) and fibrosis. NAFLD and specifically NASH can lead to cirrhosis, which carry risks of progression to portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH is also associated with higher mortality from cardiovascular causes. Most of the data for NAFLD has been obtained from the perspective of developed nations, although the disease is increasing and threatening to reach epidemic proportions across the world. Emerging data is notable for high prevalence of NAFLD in South Asian populations, presumably resulting from a combination of underlying genetic polymorphisms and changes in socio-economic status. It is also notable that an ‘Asian Paradox’ has been defined for NAFLD based upon the observation of lower than pre-defined body mass index (BMI), otherwise termed as “lean NAFLD”, among this population. Yet, data remains limited in regards to the characteristics of NAFLD/NASH in this population. In this article, we present a review of the literature and discuss the prevalence, associated risk factors and burden of HCC in South Asians with NAFLD.
A Proposal for Public Sociology as Localized Intervention and Collective Enterprise: The Makings and Impact of Invisible in Austin

What can local public sociology look like, and what does it accomplish? This essay tracks the origins, makings and impacts of the book Invisible in Austin to evaluate its model of public sociology: as a collective enterprise with a local aim. Invisible in Austin: Life and Labor in an American City, the culmination of a three-year collaborative qualitative research project between a professor and twelve graduate students, depicts social suffering as lived for 11 individuals in Austin, Texas—a booming, highly segregated city with one of the country’s highest levels of income inequality. In its design, production, and effects, it envisions public sociology in a two-fold sense—in its joint, horizontal making, and in its intent to intervene in the local public sphere to make visible the daily lived experience of social marginality for those whose labor allows Austin to survive and thrive as a hip, creative technopolis—house cleaners, office machine repairers, cab drivers, restaurant cooks and dish washers, exotic dancers, musicians, and roofers, among them. Reflecting on the origins of the book, its joint assembling, and its outcomes thus far, we take stock of the lessons learned. In so doing, we provide a rubric for evaluating the wide spectrum of possible impacts of a public sociological intervention: through direct and indirect audience engagements, on the project’s subjects, and on local public policy. This reflection concludes with three suggestions: to approach public sociology as collective enterprise, to take narrative seriously, and to seek wide exposure.
Mixed integer programming with dose-volume constraints in intensity-modulated proton therapy.

Background In treatment planning for intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), we aim to deliver the prescribed dose to the target yet minimize the dose to adjacent healthy tissue. Mixed-integer programming (MIP) has been applied in radiation therapy to generate treatment plans. However, MIP has not been used effectively for IMPT treatment planning with dose-volume constraints. In this study, we incorporated dose-volume constraints in an MIP model to generate treatment plans for IMPT. Methods We created a new MIP model for IMPT with dose volume constraints. Two groups of IMPT treatment plans were generated for each of three patients by using MIP models for a total of six plans: one plan was derived with the Limited-memory Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (L-BFGS) method while the other plan was derived with our MIP model with dose-volume constraints. We then compared these two plans by dose-volume histogram (DVH) indices to evaluate the performance of the new MIP model with dose-volume constraints. In addition, we developed a model to more efficiently find the best balance between tumor coverage and normal tissue protection. Results The MIP model with dose-volume constraints generates IMPT treatment plans with comparable target dose coverage, target dose homogeneity, and the maximum dose to organs at risk (OARs) compared to treatment plans from the conventional quadratic programming method without any tedious trial-and-error process. Some notable reduction in the mean doses of OARs is observed. Conclusions The treatment plans from our MIP model with dose-volume constraints can meet all dose-volume constraints for OARs and targets without any tedious trial-and-error process. This model has the potential to automatically generate IMPT plans with consistent plan quality among different treatment planners and across institutions and better protection for important parallel OARs in an effective way.
Management of Kawasaki disease in adults.

Kawasaki disease is the most common childhood vasculitis in the USA and the most common cause of acquired cardiac disease in children in developed countries. Since the vast majority of Kawasaki disease initially presents at
Artifact or Artifice? The Epistolary Image of Mary Hays (1759–1843)

Many of the misconceptions surrounding Mary Hays stem from the first edition of her letters The Love-Letters of Mary Hays 1778–1780 (1925) edited by her great-great-niece A. F. Wedd. This edition obscures the revolutionary feminism and unconventionality that brought Hays infamy in her time, depicting her instead as a satellite of the Wollstonecraft/Godwin circle. Wedd frames the early letters to replace Hays the revolutionary author with “Poor Mary” the sentimental heroine, a product of the conventions of her time rather than a contributor to its intellectual circles. This chapter shows that if we acknowledge Wedd’s biographical paratext as a constructed narrative, we can contribute to undoing the editorial reduction of one of the most innovative and actively intellectual women of the late eighteenth century.
Reading Comprehension Theories : A View from the Top Down

This chapter discusses the implications for embracing this shift in focus in the context of theories and models of reading comprehension. It provides an overview of the main challenges the shift in focus poses for our existing theoretical frameworks, methods, and definitions. The complexity of reading comprehension demands a theory that describes the cognitive and linguistic processes involved, as well as their respective interactions across development. The Construction-Integration model posits that comprehension involves two phases – construction and integration. Strategic processes are intentional, voluntary, and generally fully conscious; they are also more amenable to self-regulation and tend to rely more on serial processing. In contrast, passive processes are effortless, unintentional, and generally outside conscious awareness; they are also difficult to stop or regulate and typically rely on a parallel type of processing. Comprehension of discourse requires the cooperative completion of many component processes.
Arm Contouring: Review and Current Concepts

Arm contour improvement is a desired goal of the massive weight loss and the aging population who want to maintain the arm aesthetics. Brachioplasty is a growing and safe procedure to improve the arm contour and different approaches and innovative treatment options have been described since the 1930s. This paper reviews the relevant literature in arm contouring including surgical and nonsurgical procedures used to aesthetically improve the arm. A comprehensive literature review was performed using the words "brachioplasty," "arm lift," "arm contouring," "arm liposuction," "noninvasive arm lift," "minimally invasive arm lift." Commonly used techniques, classification systems, and procedure outcomes are described. The review demonstrated that there are several methods to accomplish good arm contouring. There is no consensus about the best incision type and location, but the classification systems help guide treatment. Assessment of fat excess, skin excess, and location of the deformity (proximal, entire arm, arm and chest) help determine the best approach including liposuction only, skin resection only, a combination of liposuction and excision, or even the use of nonsurgical devices. Infection, hematoma, and unsatisfactory scars are the most commonly reported complications. Brachioplasty is a growing procedure and can be performed with low complication rates and good patient satisfaction. Classification systems stratify deformities to the ideal treatment but no studies have shown the superiority of any technique. Nonsurgical fat removal and skin tightening of the arms are promising procedures for selected patients and higher levels of evidence are needed to show clear indication for different technologies and devices.
Rib Lake School Forest, Wisconsin, United States of America

Abstract: The 200 acre (81 hectare) Rib Lake School Forest is located in north-central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin school forest program was initially designed to promote reforestation of the Wisconsin landscape through school programs, and it now serves a broader need as outdoor classrooms for kindergarten through 12th grade educational systems. In 2005, a forest stewardship plan was developed, with the objectives of practising sustainable forestry while providing educational opportunities for the Rib Lake School District. There is considerable recreational use of the school forest by members of the public, and challenges arise from esthetic concerns associated with timber harvesting. The Rib Lake School Forest is considered a working outdoor classroom and, therefore, the plan developed may be of interest to other similar types of landowners.
Martingales and Stochastics

This chapter is to introduce the vocabulary for describing the evolution of random systems over time. It will also cover the basic results of classical martingale theory and mention some basic processes such as Markov chains, Poisson processes, and Brownian motion. This chapter should be treated as a reference source for chapters to come.
Academic Testing in Aviation Education: Can a Better Job Be Done?

The evaluation of student progress in aviation is one of the most important duties of the aviation instructor. Many persons who have reponsibility in this area have minimal training in accepted test and measurement techniques. The author has been engaged in the last several years in developing test questions for use in private, instrument, commercial and instructor ground training courses at a major four year university. Included in this document are a review of testing theory and its application to aviation education, test item construction, and statistical results obtained from the author's investigation.
Ancient DNA evidence for the regional trade of bear paws by Chinese diaspora communities in 19th-century western North America

Abstract This study presents the results of ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of a bear paw bone recovered from the Market Street Chinatown, a 19th-century Chinese community in San Jose, California. This analysis reveals that this bone derived from a Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) sharing genetic markers found only in Brown Bear populations living in southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia, Canada. These data indicate regional trade of bear paws in 19th-century western North America, and they challenge previous archaeological models of Chinese diaspora food supply that primarily emphasize local and international food sources at the expense of regional trade. These results show that aDNA analysis can make important contributions to understanding the trade of wild animal products such as bear paws. Further, this study demonstrates the potential for historical archaeological analyses to contribute new knowledge about the trade of animals to the understanding of recent, well-documented time periods.
Utility of Routine versus Triggered Evaluations of Rejection Greater Than Two Years Following Heart Transplant

Purpose Routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsies (EMBx) are recommended for 6-12 months after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) though may be replaced by gene expression profiling (Allomap) in low-risk patients after 6-months. There are limited data on the utility of routine studies after the second post-transplant year. Methods We retrospectively identified adult patients who underwent OHT from 2007-2015 and who survived ≥760 days post-OHT. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were obtained on chart review. All Allomaps and EMBx during years 2-5 were extracted from the medical record, and their clinical context reviewed to determine if they were performed routinely or were triggered by a change in clinical status defined by symptoms, imaging, or biomarkers. Significant rejection was defined as ≥2R acute cellular rejection (ACR), any antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), or treated biopsy-negative rejection. Studies within one year of a significant rejection episode were considered triggered. Patients were categorized based on whether the treating cardiologist intended to continue routine studies after the second post-OHT year. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors predictive of surveillance strategy. Results 217 patients met the above criteria, totaling 1,368 patient-years. 1020 studies were performed after day 760 of which 835 (81.9%) were routine (201 EMBx, 634 Allomaps). Of the routine EMbx, two (1%) demonstrated rejection—one 2R ACR and one pAMR2; both patients had BNP elevations. The remaining studies were negative for significant rejection. Routinely ordered Allomaps triggered 36 EMBx (5.7%), of which 1 (0.2%) demonstrated rejection requiring treatment. 53 patients followed a “no routine surveillance” strategy and 159 a “routine surveillance” strategy. There were no differences in heart failure hospitalization, revascularization, or death between the groups. On multivariable logistic regression, treating cardiologist was the only predictor of surveillance strategy (p Conclusion Although acute rejection is rare after the second post-OHT year, routine studies were performed commonly at our institution. Treating cardiologist but not clinical risk factors predicted choice of surveillance strategy. These data do not justify routine evaluations for rejection after two years.
What is the clinical role of non-invasive atherosclerosis imaging?

Abstract Non-invasive atherosclerosis findings have been demonstrated to provide incremental diagnostic and predictive values for ischemia, acute coronary syndrome, and cardiovascular outcomes. The challenge is to translate research findings to a clinical role. Here, we review the current utility of atherosclerotic imaging and the incremental value of plaque imaging. We also evaluate future clinical and research implications for three patient populations: asymptomatic prevention, stable chest pain, and acute chest pain.
ReaxFF Simulations of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) Formation for Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites

Irradiation of polymer films by a CO2 infrared laser under ambient conditions converts the polymer into porous graphene or laser-induced graphene (LIG). Here, we simulate the formation of LIG from ...
Visual search errors are persistent in a laboratory analog of the incidental finding problem

When radiologists search for a specific target (e.g., lung cancer), they are also asked to report any other clinically significant “incidental findings” (e.g., pneumonia). These incidental findings are missed at an undesirably high rate. In an effort to understand and reduce these errors, Wolfe et al. (Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 2:35, 2017) developed “mixed hybrid search” as a model system for incidental findings. In this task, non-expert observers memorize six targets: half of these targets are specific images (analogous to the suspected diagnosis in the clinical task). The other half are broader, categorically defined targets, like “animals” or “cars” (analogous to the less well-specified incidental findings). In subsequent search through displays for any instances of any of the targets, observers miss about one third of the categorical targets, mimicking the incidental finding problem. In the present paper, we attempted to reduce the number of errors in the mixed hybrid search task with the goal of finding methods that could be deployed in a clinical setting. In Experiments 1a and 1b, we reminded observers about the categorical targets by inserting non-search trials in which categorical targets were clearly marked. In Experiment 2, observers responded twice on each trial: once to confirm the presence or absence of the specific targets, and once to confirm the presence or absence of the categorical targets. In Experiment 3, observers were required to confirm the presence or absence of every target on every trial using a checklist procedure. Only Experiment 3 produced a marked decline in categorical target errors, but at the cost of a substantial increase in response time.
Sequential Hypothesis Criterion Based Optimal Caching Schemes Over Mobile Wireless Networks

The sequential hypothesis testing technique has been broadly applied in a large number of engineering applications because it provides the efficient rules to make a decision of accepting one of hypotheses at any stage of the experiment. One important application is the optimal caching scheme design in 5G and beyond mobile wireless networks through observing the data contents requested by mobile users as an experiment and making a decision on what distribution of the requested data-content is. Making this decision, cache stations in mobile wireless network are able to estimate the popularity of requested data contents in the future and thus proactively cache the popular data contents in nearby mobile users to avoid the retransmission and its delay for the same data, optimizing the time-sensitive data download services. Towards this end, we model the optimal caching as the estimation strategy problem of future data popularity through developing the optimal stopping and decision rules under the Zipf sequential hypothesis testing. First, we show that our developed Zipf sequential hypothesis testing is exponentially bounded. Then, we derive the lower bound of the stopping time. Finally, we derive the closed-form solution of optimal stopping and decision rules for sequential hypothesis testing under the Zipf distribution.
Performance of a short, self-report adherence scale in a probability sample of persons using HIV antiretroviral therapy in the United States.

BACKGROUND Excellent adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a cornerstone of HIV care. A three-item adherence self-report scale was recently developed and validated, but the scale has not been previously tested in a nationally representative sample. DESIGN We administered the adherence scale to participants in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Medical Monitoring Project, which is a probability sample of US adults with diagnosed HIV. METHODS We combined sociodemographic and clinical participant data from three consecutive cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project (6/2015-5/2018). We used medical record reviews to determine most recent viral load, and whether viral loads were suppressed at all measurement points in the past 12 months. We describe the relationship between adherence scale score and two measures of viral load suppression (most recent and sustained), and estimate linear regression models using sampling weights to determine independent predictors of ART adherence scores. RESULTS Of those using ART, the median adherence score was 93 (100 = perfect adherence), and the standardized Cronbach's alpha was 0.83. For both measures of viral load suppression, the relationship with the adherence score was generally linear; there was no 'cutoff' point indicating good vs. poor adherence. In the multivariable model, younger age, nonwhite race, poverty, homelessness, depression, binge-drinking, and both non-IDU and IDU were independently associated with lower adherence. CONCLUSION The adherence measure had good psychometric qualities and a linear relationship with viral load, supporting its use in both clinical care and research. Adherence interventions should focus on persons with the highest risk of poor adherence.
Uncertainty and the reporting of intellectual disability on death certificates: a cross-sectional study of US mortality data from 2005 to 2017

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether uncertainty surrounding the death is associated with the inaccurate reporting of intellectual disability as the underlying cause of death. DESIGN National Vital Statistics System 2005-2017 US Multiple Cause-of-Death Mortality files. SETTING USA. PARTICIPANTS Adults with an intellectual disability reported on their death certificate, aged 18 and over at the time of death. The study population included 26 555 adults who died in their state of residence between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2017. PRIMARY OUTCOME AND MEASURES Decedents with intellectual disability reported on their death certificate were identified using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code for intellectual disability (F70-79). Bivariate analysis and multilevel logistic regression models were used to investigate whether individual-level and state-level characteristics indicative of increased uncertainty at the time of death were associated with the inaccurate reporting of intellectual disability as the underlying cause of death. RESULTS Inaccurate reporting of intellectual disability as the underlying cause of death was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, death context characteristics and comorbidities indicative of an increased amount of uncertainty surrounding the death. Most striking were increased odds of having intellectual disability reported as the underlying cause of death for decedents who had a choking event (OR=14.7; 95% CI 12.9 to 16.6, p<0.001), an external cause of death associated with a high degree of uncertainty, reported on their death certificate. CONCLUSION It is imperative that medical personnel not let increased uncertainty lead to the inaccurate reporting of intellectual disability as the underlying cause of death as this practice obscures cause of death trends for this population. Instead, even in instances when increased uncertainty surrounds the death, certifiers should strive to accurately identify the disease or injury causing death, and report the disability in Part II of the death certificate.
Liquid Fuel Visualization Using Laser-Induced Fluoresence During Cold Start

The presence of liquid fuel inside the engine cylinder is believed to be a strong contributor to the high levels of hydrocarbon emissions from spark ignition (SI) engines during the warm-up period. Quantifying and determining the fate of the liquid fuel that enters the cylinder is the first step in understanding the process of emissions formation. This work uses planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) to visualize the liquid fuel present in the cylinder. The fluorescing compounds in indolene, and mixtures of iso-octane with dopants of different boiling points (acetone and 3-pentanone) were used to trace the behavior of different volatility components. Images were taken of three different planes through the engine intersecting the intake valve region. A closed valve fuel injection strategy was used, as this is the strategy most commonly used in practice. Background subtraction and masking were both performed to reduce the effect of any spurious fluorescence. The images were analyzed on both a time and crank angle (CA) basis, showing the time of maximum liquid fuel present in the cylinder and the effect of engine events on the inflow of liquid fuel. The results show details of the liquid fuel distribution as it enters the engine as a function of crankangle degree, volatility and location in the cylinder. A. semi-quantitative analysis based on the integration of the image intensities provides additional information on the temporal distribution of the liquid fuel flow. © 1998 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
Fundamental Operative Approaches in Acute Care Surgery

A 55-year-old business woman is seen by the acute care surgeon for diffuse peritonitis. She is diaphoretic and hemodynamically labile. The patient stated that the onset of the sharp abdominal pain was abrupt and occurred 24 hours ago. Which of the following is the management approach of choice? (A) Celiotomy (B) Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation (C) Computed tomography evaluation (D) Laparoscopy (E) Antimicrobial therapy and intensive care unit monitoring