cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rationing and the Americans With Disabilities Act

LAST year, when the Bush administration rejected Oregon's plan to ration medical care, it surprised observers with its reliance on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) as the basis for the rejection. 1 When limitations in health care coverage have been challenged under other laws protecting the disabled, courts have not been sympathetic. In addition, in concluding that quality of life and functional status should not be taken into account at all in making rationing decisions, 2 the Bush administration called into question any serious attempts to ration health care ( Am Med News . November 9, 1992:1). Nevertheless, there were problems with the Oregon plan. For example, there was unfair discrimination in Oregon's decision to deny liver transplants to rehabilitated patients with alcoholic liver disease but not to patients with other causes of liver failure. 3 Oregon modified its plan in response to the rejection and in response to further objections
Mitotic recombination: why? when? how? where?

DNA damage repair, loss of heterozygosity, and chromosome rearrangement are important aspects of genome stability, and all are tied to mitotic recombination. Despite the importance of mitotic recombination, the most basic questions about this process remain poorly understood. This is in part because mitotic recombination, in contrast to meiotic recombination, is rare on a per cell division basis [1]. A number of systems have been devised to detect or select for mitotic recombination. In this issue of PLoS Genetics, Lee et al. [2] describe a novel system that represents a major step forward in the study of spontaneous mitotic recombination events. Their studies have given us new insights into the why, when, how, and where of mitotic recombination. Mitotic recombination was first described by Stern in his classic Drosophila experiments [3]. For Stern, “recombination” referred only to reciprocal crossovers (RCOs) (Figure 1A). A severe limitation of most RCO assays is that only one of the two reciprocal products can be recovered. Barbera and Petes [4] devised a clever method to recover both products of RCOs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They used this method to measure rates of spontaneous and induced mitotic recombination. Lee et al. have brought increased power to this assay by performing it in diploids with ∼0.5% heterology between the sequences of homologous chromosomes. This design allowed mapping of RCOs at high resolution, and also allowed study of another aspect of recombination—gene conversion (Figure 1C and 1D). Their analysis led to several key findings that provide unique and sometimes surprising insights into questions about mitotic recombination. Figure 1 Reciprocal crossovers and gene conversion.
Operating ranges of mesoscale numerical models and meteorological wind tunnels for the simulation of sea and land breezes

The operating ranges of mesoscale numerical models and meteorological wind tunnels for sea- and land-breeze simulations are defined in this paper based on a review of the theoretical and practical limitations of these two approaches. Numerical-model operating ranges are limited by the choice of governing equations, the numerical methods used to solve the governing equations, the scales of the surface or atmospheric forcing and the atmospheric response, the specified grid resolution and domain size, and the available computer resources. Wind-tunnel operating ranges are limited by the dimensions of the simulated circulations and of the tunnel itself, the tunnel flow speed and turbulence characteristics, the temperature gradients within the tunnel, the lack of Coriolis force and moist processes, and the characteristics of the measurement instrumentation. The operating ranges of these two simulation methods are shown to overlap. In this common range, results of simulations from both approaches can be compared so as to strengthen the validity of the results and to help in the development and improvement of parameterizations of physical processes in numerical models. In addition, the coupling of meteorological wind tunnels and mesoscale numerical models offers a larger range of operating conditions than can be achieved by either approach alone. Together, they can be used in a hybrid form to predict atmospheric conditions at the scale of a few meters for complex terrain (e.g., buildings, hills, etc.) within larger mesoscale atmospheric flow regimes. In the case of sea and land breezes, the sea-land transition zone and coastal internal boundary layer can be studied using both approaches.
Routing of VoIP traffic in multilayered satellite networks

Broadband satellite constellation networks will be required to carry all types of IP traffic, real time interactive traffic as well as nonreal time traffic, warranting the need for appropriate QoS for these different traffic flows. In this paper we investigate advantages of employing constraint-based routing using MPLS in a multilayered hierarchical satellite constellation. Bandwidth availability or residual bandwidth on a satellite link is taken into account when setting up routes for high priority real-time traffic e.g. VoIP, which is sensitive to delay and jitter. Also to protect the VoIP traffic from being swamped by bursty best-effort traffic we propose to have a separate queue for high priority traffic. The performance of the prioritized load balancing routing algorithm on a multi-layered satellite network is simulated and analyzed.
Access to Care Provided by Better Safety Net Systems for the Uninsured: Measuring and Conceptualizing Adequacy:

This descriptive study assesses the access to care provided by five model and diverse safety net programs that enroll uninsured adults in a coordinated system offering primary care, hospital care, prescription drugs, and most specialist services. Physician use by safety net program members was similar to insured groups. However, there was less use of hospitals in the two programs that relied on uncompensated charity care. Considering access measures commonly used in population-based surveys, the uninsured in these five communities fared no better than uninsured elsewhere. However, respondents may consider enrollment in a well-structured safety net program to be equivalent to insurance. If so, population surveys may be least accurate in identifying uninsured people in the very communities that have the best safety net programs. On balance the five safety net systems profiled here meet the needs of low-income uninsured residents at a level that is roughly similar to that for people with insurance.
Policy Disputes, Political Survival, and the Onset and Severity of State Repression

Under what conditions will a state repress its citizens? The literature examining human rights violations lacks consensus over exactly how repression and dissent are interrelated. I argue that contradictions have arisen because scholars have not derived expectations consistent with modeling three common assumptions: (1) dissent and repression are causally interrelated (2) states and groups are in conflict over some policy or good and (3) authorities repress to remain in office. I develop a formal model based on these principles, and I predict that changes in the same independent variable can have divergent effects on the onset and severity of repression. Using coded event data for all states from 1990 to 2004 and a two-tiered estimator, I find that increases in executive job security decrease the likelihood that repression will occur in the first place, but increase the severity of observed violations.
A Program for Analyzing Transient and Steady‐State Soil Gas Pump Tests

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is a widely used method for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the unsaturated zone. With this technique, a vacuum is applied to wells screened above the water table. This induces soil gas flow towards the wells, resulting in the evaporation of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), and the removal of VOC vapors from the unsaturated zone. The field determination of unsaturated zone properties controlling the gas flow is an important part of the SVE system design process. Soil gas pump tests are commonly performed to identify important unsaturated zone parameters such as the effective gas permeability tensor and the influence of tight or leaky confining units. An interactive FORTRAN computer program called GASSOLVE has been developed for analyzing these tests under both transient and steady-state conditions. The code uses one of two general analytical solutions for radially symmetric gas flow to a well: the solution for transient compressible gas flow to a partially penetrating well in which the ground surface is open to the atmosphere; and the solution of transient compressible gas flow to a partially penetrating well bounded above by a leaky confining layer. Pump tests involving steady-state conditions, fully penetrating wells, or tight confiningmore » layers are considered as special cases of these solutions. The field gas pressure data from multiple observation wells are inverted using a multidimensional nonlinear optimization routine to provide a best fit of the data with the selected analytical solution.« less
A hybrid technique for ventriculoatrial shunt implantation—technical note

Purpose The aim of the article is to present the new hybrid technique for ventriculoatrial shunt implantation.
The Wisdom of Crowds of Doctors Their Average Predictions Outperform Their Individual Ones

Background. Evidence suggests that the average prediction across groups is more accurate than for individuals. Our goals were therefore to investigate accuracy of the average predictions for groups of clinicians and to compare this accuracy with a published statistical prediction model. Methods. Twenty-four expert clinicians attending an advisory board meeting were asked to make predictions for 25 patients from a research registry regarding the probability of having a positive bone scan 1 year from today if left untreated. Comparisons were made between the accuracy of average responses and that of an appropriate previously published statistical prediction model. Results. This study suggests that the mean of the clinicians’ predictions can quickly approach the accuracy of the best clinician using as few as 5 clinicians. When all 24 clinicians’ predictions were averaged, the concordance index reached 0.750, still far below that of the published statistical model with 0.812. Conclusions. Averaging clinician ...
Training in Biomaterials

A session on training in biomaterials was held on Saturday morning, April 6, 1968. There were four main presentations by Professors George Bugliarello, Edward Leonard, Wen Ko and Dean Frederick Eirich. The remaining portion of this session was devoted to a group discussion.
Complex Networked Control Systems: Introduction to the Special Section

This special section focuses on the study of network architectures and their formation as well as on the description of dynamical processes that take place over networks. A common thread throughout the five articles is the role of distributed processing and control, as well as the search for network-growth mechanisms that give rise to the desired structure and behavior.
Expression of fibronectin and HIF-1α in renal cell carcinomas: relationship to von Hippel-Lindau gene inactivation

Abstract The von Hippel-Lindau ( VHL ) tumor suppressor gene (TSG) at 3p25 is mutated in approximately 50% of conventional (clear cell) renal cell carcinomas (cRCC). VHL normally regulates the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and VHL inactivation results in increased cellular HIF-1α expression. VHL protein (pVHL) also interacts with fibronectin (Fn) and VHL inactivation results in defective Fn extracellular matrix assembly. The present study investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for Fn and HIF-1α in 11 cRCC and the relationship of the staining to VHL inactivation by gene deletion, mutation, or hypermethylation. Evidence for VHL inactivation by 3p deletions and VHL mutations were found in six tumors. Fn-positive IHC staining of tumor cells and negative to weak staining of extracellular stroma was found in five cases having exon 1 or exon 2 mutations. In contrast, Fn staining was absent in tumor cells and positive in the stroma of five tumors without VHL inactivation and in one tumor with a C-terminal exon 3 mutation. HIF-1α tumor cell staining was present in the cRCC with VHL inactivation but was also present in two tumors having 3p deletions but neither mutation nor hypermethylation of VHL . These two cRCC showed a tumor cell–negative and stroma-positive pattern of Fn staining. The findings indicate that VHL inactivation plays a role in the development of some cRCC by altering Fn cell–stroma relationships. They also suggest that some C-terminal mutations may not interfere with Fn assembly and that a 3p TSG in addition to VHL influences HIF-1α degradation.
Mechanical property studies of poly(ethylene terephthalate) crystallized by nonreactive liquids

The mechanical properties of initially amorphous, unoriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films crystallized in acetone and dioxane at room temperature were studied under tensile testing conditions. It was found that the nature of the liquid, the morphology it induced, and its significant residual level trapped within the PET following this type of crystallization all influenced the observed mechanical behavior. Further, thermally treating PET at 70, 90, and 174°C prior to the liquid treatments appeared to inhibit the effects of the liquids on the resultant mechanical behavior. Finally, because these liquids penetrated the polymer as distinct fronts, laminate-type structures were generated in the films. It then was shown that an ideal parallel element laminate could adequately model the mechanical behavior of the films.
The Ethics of Identity by Kwame Anthony Appiah

Anthony Appiah is no Cornel West. This is not to insinuate any kind of failing on his part—it is more to warn you, reader, not to seek the comfort of that aggressively democratizing strand of Black...
Numerical Investigation of Strain Rate Effect for CRS Consolidation of Normally Consolidated Soil

Constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests are commonly used to measure consolidation properties of fine-grained soils. A series of numerical simulations was conducted using the CCRS1 model to investigate the effect of applied strain rate on accuracy of data analysis methods given by ASTM D4186/D4186M-12e1. The simulations consider six normally consolidated soils, each with rate-independent constitutive relationships, constant coefficient of consolidation, and constant coefficient of compressibility or compression index. Results indicate that high values of applied strain rate can introduce significant error for calculated consolidation properties (compressibility, hydraulic conductivity, coefficient of consolidation) using both linear and nonlinear analysis methods. Results also indicate that the normalized strain rate β governs CRS consolidation behavior and that CRS tests generally should be conducted with β ≤ 0.1. Finally, correction factors are proposed for calculated values of coefficient of consolidation from CRS tests on normally consolidated soils.
Objective Sepsis Surveillance Using Electronic Clinical Data

Multiple studies have reported a 2- to 3-fold rise in severe sepsis incidence over the past several decades, accompanied by substantial decreases in case fatality rates.1–6 Almost all of these estimates are based upon claims data, however, and may therefore be biased by increasingly vigilant diagnosis and coding practices.7–9 Indeed, we previously demonstrated that the sensitivity of sepsis codes for capturing the most overt form of sepsis, bacteremia with concurrent vasopressors or lactic acidosis, has increased significantly over time, and that improving documentation of acute organ dysfunction is also likely biasing estimates of changing sepsis severity and burden.10,11 Given the questionable reliability of administrative claims to track severe sepsis incidence and outcomes, we developed a surveillance definition that uses clinical data instead of diagnosis codes and is potentially applicable using electronic health record (EHR) data. Our aim was to characterize the accuracy and stability of this definition over time and compare it with claims-based definitions, using manual medical chart reviews with the international consensus definition as the reference standard. We then estimated and compared changes in severe sepsis incidence and mortality rates using the clinical vs claims-based surveillance definitions.
Brachyuran Taphonomy in a Modern Tidal-Flat Environment: Preservation Potential and Anatomical Bias

Abstract The scarcity of fossil crabs compared to heavier calcified taxa implies either: (1) crab remains are rarely preserved (taphonomic hypothesis); (2) crab remains are frequently overlooked/misidentified (taxonomic hypothesis); or (3) crabs were less abundant in ancient ecosystems (ecological hypothesis). To evaluate the taphonomic hypothesis, the preservational potential of the yellow shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, was evaluated in a modern tidal pool of False Bay, San Juan Islands, Washington, USA. Crab remains were compared to molluscan taxa, which served as a taphonomic reference standard. The surface crab remains (4.2 parts per m2) displayed an anatomical bias: carapace and cheliped remains were more numerous than predicted, while leg remains were underrepresented. Crab remains often were disarticulated, but other alterations (bioerosion, dissolution, or encrustation) were virtually absent. This contrasts with non-crab material (bivalves, gastropods, and barnacles), which was abundant in t...
Lymphoplasmacytic Cells and Mast Cells Are Targets for Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec, Glivec) in Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia.

Recently, we demonstrated that in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM), clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells (LPC) appear to derive growth and survival signals from excess mast cells (MC) present in the bone marrow (BM). (Tournilhac et al, JCO 2004 22:571S). We therefore have sought agents which could target both LPC and MC. One such candidate is imatinib mesylate which has shown activity in certain mast cell disorders likely on the basis of its ability to target the tyrosine kinases, CD117 (Stem Cell Factor Receptor, c-kit), and Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor (PDGFa-R). By flow cytometric analysis, we demonstrated CD117 expression on sorted LPC from 17/22 (76.2%) WM patients, above 20% in 13 cases, whose expressionwe confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Moreover, we also demonstrated expression of PDGFa-R along with its ligand PDGFa in BM LPC from 16/18 (88.9%) and 7/10 (70%) WM patients.. In addition to CD117, we found by RT-PCR analysis a PDGFa expression in LAD and HMC-1 MC lines and in KU the basophilic cell lines KU as well as in sorted BM MC (FcER1+ CD117+) from 3/10 (30%) WM patients. Importantly, co-culture of sorted LPC from WM patients along with 0.5% paraformaldehyde fixed LAD cells or ex vivo expanded (EVE) BM MC induced proliferation of sorted LPC from WM patients, which was inhibited at pharmacologically achievable levels of imatinib mesylate with an IC50 of 0.5–10 μmoles/L. Moreover, imatinib mesylate inhibited the LAD, HMC-1 and KU cell lines as well as EVE cord blood MC or EVE BM MC at an IC50 of 0.01–1 μmoles/L. Lastly, imatinib mesylate also inhibited proliferation of both MC and LPC when unfixed LAD or ex vivo MC were incubated with WM LPC with an IC50 of 1–10 μmoles/L. These studies therefore demonstrate that both LPC and MC are therapeutic targets for imatinib mesylate, and provide the framework for clinical studies evaluating its use in WM.
A kinetic study of the dissolution of uraninite

The kinetics of uraninite dissolution in water may be summarized by the equation: R = (-d(uran)/dt) = 10/sup 20/./sup 25/ (SS) (RF)/sup -1/ (10/sup -3.38-10.8 NOC/) (a/sub ..sigma..CO/sub 2//) (D.O.) (a/sub H/sup +//) exp (-7045/T) day/sup -1/ where R is the rate of the dissolution reaction, SS is the specific surface area (cm/sup 2/-gm/sup -1/), RF is an organic retardation factor, NOC is the mole fraction of nonuranium cations in the uraninite, D.O. is the dissolved oxygen content of the water (ppM), ..sigma..CO/sub 2/ is the total dissolved carbonate, and T is the absolute temperature. Application of these data may allow better understanding of factors influencing oxidation of uraninite and the resulting mobility of uranium in natural waters.
Effect of Polymer Chain Folding on the Transition from H- to J-Aggregate Behavior in P3HT Nanofibers

A combination of wavelength-, time-, and polarization-resolved photoluminescence imaging on isolated P3HT nanofibers of varying molecular weight (from 10 to 65 kDa) has revealed a transition in dominant exciton coupling from primarily interchain (H-aggregation) for low molecular weight nanofibers, to predominantly intrachain (J-aggregation) coupling for high molecular weight nanofibers. Based on nanofiber width measurement from TEM imaging, the driving force for this transition appears to be folding of individual polymer chains within the lamellae, resulting in enhanced chain planarity and reduced torsional disorder.
Energy Levels of B 10

The neutron spectrum at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and at 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from the ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}(d,n){\mathrm{B}}^{10}$ reaction has been investigated by means of nuclear emulsions. Energy levels of ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}$ at 0.77, 1.79, 2.22, 3.59, 4.79, 5.12, 5.91, 6.11, 6.57, and 6.81 Mev have been observed as have possible levels at 5.58, 5.68, and 6.38 Mev. There is evidence for multiplicities at 5.12 and, possibly, at 6.11 Mev. No neutron groups were observed which would correspond to levels at 1.4 and 2.85 Mev. This result is in disagreement with the picture of equally spaced levels in ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}$. An attempt is made to explain the results that led to this picture.
Fourier Analysis of Inexact Parallel Block-Jacobi Splitting with Transport Synthetic Acceleration

A Fourier analysis is conducted for the discrete ordinates, or S N , approximation of the neutron transport problem solved with Richardson iteration (source iteration) and Richardson iteration preconditioned with transport synthetic acceleration (TSA), using the inexact parallel block-Jacobi (IPBJ) algorithm both in slab and two-dimensional Cartesian geometry. Both traditional, or "beta," TSA (TTSA) and a modified TSA (MTSA), in which only the scattering in the low-order equations is reduced by some nonnegative factor β < 1, are considered. The results for the unaccelerated algorithm show that convergence of IPBJ can degrade, leading in particular to stagnation of the generalized minimum residual method with restart parameter m, GMRES(m), in problems containing optically thin subdomains. The IPBJ algorithm preconditioned with TTSA can be effective, provided the β parameter is properly tuned for a given scattering ratio c, but is potentially unstable. Compared to TTSA, MTSA is less sensitive to the choice of β, more effective for the same computational effort, measured in terms of the effective scattering ratio c', and it is unconditionally stable.
An Uncanny Era: Conversations between Václav Havel and Adam Michnik

A collection of conversations between Vaclav Havel and Adam Michnik from various moments between 1991 and 2008 makes perfect sense: they were not only prominent representatives of the dissident mov...
Volume fraction,mass fraction and void fraction of hybrid fiber composite material

The definition and function of the volume fraction and mass fraction for the hybrid fiber composite material was approached.In this paper,the theoretical formulae which the volume fraction is determined in terms of the mass fraction or the mass fraction is determined in terms of the volume fraction were derived.The definition of the void fraction and the calculation formula for the void fraction determining were given.Because the single fiber composite material is the special case of the hybrid fiber composite material,the calculation formulae in this paper can also apply to the single fiber composite material.
A Novel Method for Determination of Monomer Conversion During Emulsion Polymerization by Headspace Gas Chromatography

A headspace gas chromatographic(HS/GC) method was developed for the determination of monomer conversion during emulsion polymerization process.A small weight-based size of process sample was mixed with a large volume of water to avoid of a further polymerization of the sample during the storage.The diluted sample solution was placed in a headspace sample vial at a desired temperature and the equilibrated vapor phase of the solution was then measured by GC.The monomer conversion during the polymerization could be calculated based on the GC peak signals of the given weight of the samples at the initial(t=0) and any given time(t=t) during the process.The results showed that the presented method was simple,rapid and accurate,and was suitable for the study on reaction kinetics and mechanism of emulsion polymerization.
Optimal Reinsurance Revisited – Point of View of Cedent and Reinsurer

It is known that the partial stop-loss contract is an optimal reinsurance form under the VaR risk measure. Assuming that market premiums are set according to the expected value principle with varying loading factors, the optimal reinsurance parameters of this contract are obtained under three alternative single and joint party reinsurance criteria: (i) strong minimum of the total retained loss VaR measure; (ii) weak minimum of the total retained loss VaR measure and maximum of the reinsurer's expected profit; (iii) weak minimum of the total retained loss VaR measure and minimum of the total variance risk measure. New conditions for financing in the mean simultaneously the cedent's and the reinsurer's required VaR economic capital are revealed for situations of pure risk transfer (classical reinsurance) or risk and profit transfer (design of internal reinsurance or reinsurance captive owned by the captive of a corporate firm).
20 Years of Advances in Keratoprosthesis

Keratoprosthesis (KPro) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with severe corneal diseases who do not benefit from allogeneic corneal transplantation. Since the introduction of KPro over 200 years ago, numerous designs and techniques have been suggested. Of these, the Boston keratoprosthesis and osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP) are the two most commonly used keratoprostheses worldwide. Over the past few decades, various improvements in designs, surgical techniques, and postoperative care have expanded the indications for the Boston KPro. With better control of devastating ocular complications, such as endophthalmitis and extrusion, glaucoma has become the most common long-term complication leading to blindness. OOKP involves a more complex surgical procedure compared to the Boston KPro, but has gained traction due to its effectiveness in treating very severe ocular surface diseases. The current trend of Boston KPro studies focuses on better intraocular assessment tools to diagnose and manage glaucoma, as well as alternative biomaterials to improve biocompatibility and retention rates. Recent improvements in OOKP mainly focus on augmentation techniques of the biological skirt to prevent or decrease both keratolysis and laminar resorption.
Anthropogenic impact on Antarctic surface mass balance, currently masked by natural variability, to emerge by mid-century

Global and regional climate models robustly simulate increases in Antarctic surface mass balance (SMB) during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in response to anthropogenic global warming. Despite these robust model projections, however, observations indicate that there has been no significant change in Antarctic SMB in recent decades. We show that this apparent discrepancy between models and observations can be explained by the fact that the anthropogenic climate change signal during the second half of the twentieth century is small compared to the noise associated with natural climate variability. Using an ensemble of 35 global coupled climate models to separate signal and noise, we find that the forced SMB increase due to global warming in recent decades is unlikely to be detectable as a result of large natural SMB variability. However, our analysis reveals that the anthropogenic impact on Antarctic SMB is very likely to emerge from natural variability by the middle of the current century, thus mitigating future increases in global sea level.
Advancing pharmaceutical quality oversight during the lifecycle of generic drug products

To meet the challenge of ensuring quality medicines to the American public and proactively prevent drug shortage situations, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has formed its newest super-...
VHL Brings Warburg into the Memory Spotlight

Previous studies suggest mitochondrial metabolic pathways are essential for the generation of memory T cells. In this issue of Immunity, Phan et al. (2016) describe the formation of memory in T cells with constitutive glycolytic metabolism, suggesting that fuel does not necessarily dictate function.
Regulation of cytotoxic T-cell responses by p53 in cancer

An intriguing aspect of the tumor suppressor p53 is its ability to communicate to the adaptive immune system and control the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to cancer cells. Wild-type p53 (wtp53) communicates with CTLs through proteins involved in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation pathway [e.g., transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) and endoplasmic reticulum amino peptidase 1 (ERAP1)], the apoptosis signal receptor Fas/APO-1, and the inhibitory immune-checkpoint programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The presence of wtp53 in cancer cells ultimately promotes effector CTL-induced tumor cell death. Analogously, wtp53 in tumors unleashes the CTL response via inhibition of PD-L1 and enhances their effectiveness by upregulating Fas/APO-1 and MHC I. Given that p53 is mutated in approximately 50% of human cancers and also impacts the immunoreactivity of cancer cells, a significant number of patients can be affected by the impaired CTL response that results from non-functional p53. An attenuated CTL response due to p53 mutations could decrease response rates to immunotherapeutic drugs, leading to poor patient prognoses. This review article will summarize how p53 can regulate the cell-mediated adaptive immune response to cancer.
Ethical Leadership: Not Everyone Responds Equally

ABSTRACTTheoretical frameworks associated with ethical leadership have not fully considered the nature of the leader–follower exchange, and, in addition, few studies have considered the impact of follower individual differences in reactions to ethical leadership. Our research extends the customary social exchange perspective of transactional and relational resources by accounting for the ideological resources (i.e., value-oriented principles) that can also imbue the leader–subordinate relationship. Second, differences in equity sensitivity are hypothesized to moderate the influence of ethical leadership on employee attachment to the organization. We predicted that the impact of ethical leadership on organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and organizational identification is greater for individuals with a more benevolent orientation. In Study 1 (N = 223), equity sensitivity moderated the influence of ethical leadership on organizational commitment and organizational identification. In Study 2 (N = 24...
Engineering Copper Carboxylate Functionalities on Water Stable Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhancement of Ammonia Removal Capacities

Functionalization of copper carboxylate groups on a series of UiO-66 metal organic framework (MOF) analogues and their corresponding impact on humid and dry ammonia adsorption behavior were studied. Relative locations of possible carboxylic acid binding sites for copper on the MOF analogues were varied on ligand and missing linker defect sites. Materials after copper incorporation exhibited increased water vapor and ammonia affinity during isothermal adsorption and breakthrough experiments, respectively. The introduction of copper markedly increased ammonia adsorption capacities for all adsorbents possessing carboxyl binding sites. In particular, the new MOF UiO-66-(COOCu)2 displayed the highest ammonia breakthrough capacities of 6.38 and 6.84 mmol g–1 under dry and humid conditions, respectively, while retaining crystallinity and porosity. Relative carboxylic acid site locations were also found to impact sorbent stability, as missing linker defect functionalized materials degraded under humid conditions ...
Infectious Disease in Kidney Transplantation

Infection is a common and significant source of morbidity and mortality in the kidney transplant population. In a detailed review of Medicare claims data for 64,751 patients receiving kidney transplant between 1991 and 1998, 51 % suffered some type of infection within their first year of transplant, 31 % with bacterial and 23 % with viral infections [1]. The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) reports that infection was the second most common cause of death with a functioning graft among kidney transplant recipients between 2004 and 2008, exceeded only by cardiovascular disease (21 % vs. 30 %), but that infection surpassed cardiac disease as a cause of hospitalization following transplant during this time, at approximately 33 admissions per 100 patient years in the first year, compared to approximately 15 per 100 patient years [2].
The effect of n‐acetyl‐cysteine on recovery of the facial nerve after crush injury

Objective Facial nerve dysfunction can vary in severity and recovery is dependent on the character of the injury. N-acetyl-cysteine prevents oxidative stress and cellular damage, and its use in the setting of nerve dysfunction from crush injury has not yet been established. In this study, rats with facial nerve crush injury will be treated with n-acetyl-cysteine or control and functional recovery and electrophysiologic outcome will be compared. Study design Prospective, randomized animal study. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats underwent unilateral facial nerve crush injury. Rats were implanted with a subcutaneous osmotic pump filled with saline (n = 12) or n-acetyl-cysteine 50 mg/kg/day (n = 12). Functional and electromyographic recovery was recorded at two and four weeks postoperatively. Results When compared to untreated rats, n-acetyl-cysteine treated rats had a greater electromyography amplitude recovery at 2 weeks with regard to eye blink (p=0.006) but not vibrissae function. At four weeks, the electromyography amplitude recovery of the vibrissae function was greater in n-acetyl-cysteine treated rats (P=0.001), but the amplitude recovery difference in eye blink was only marginally significant between groups (p=0.07). The functional score was higher in n-acetyl-cysteine-treated rats than in untreated rats at all of the time points. Conclusion This study demonstrated that n-acetyl-cysteine facilitated facial nerve recovery with improved functional and electromyography outcomes in the setting of crush injury. Level of evidence NA.
Were Juan Gerson the Illustrator and Gaspar de Torres the Author of the Voynich Codex

The bizarre Voynich Codex, discovered in 1912 in Italy by the Polish book dealer Wilfrid Voynich (1864-1930), is written in a coded language with has eluded decipherment despite repeated attempts by world renowned cryptologists. Plant, animal, and mineral identifications as well as iconographic evidence indicate that the Voynich Codex is a 16 th century work of New Spain. A typographical ligature based on the initials “JGT” in the first botanical image (folio 1v) suggests that artist was Juan Gerson, Tlacuilo , indigenous painter known for the apocalypse paintings in the monastery Asuncion de Nuestra Senora of Tecamachalco. The name “Gasp. Torres” also embedded in the first botanical image suggests that the author could be Gaspar de Torres, medical doctor, estate lawyer, master of students at the College of Santa Cruz in Tlatelolco from 1568-1572, and Governor of Cuba in 1580. Iconographic similarities between the paintings of Juan Gerson and the Voynich Codex, along with a biography of Gaspar de Torres provide additional support for this conjecture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15835/nbha45210693 Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ( http://www.notulaebotanicae.ro )
A Comprehensive Risk Score to Predict Prolonged Hospital Length of Stay After Heart Transplantation.

Background Prolonged hospital length of stay (PLOS) after heart transplantation increases cost and morbidity. To better inform care, we developed a risk score to identify patients at risk for PLOS after heart transplantation. Methods We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database for adult patients who underwent isolated heart transplantation from 2003 to 2012. The population was randomly divided into a derivation cohort (80%) and a validation cohort (20%). The outcome of interest was PLOS, defined as a posttransplant hospital length of stay of more than 30 days. Associated univariables ( p Results During the study period, 16,723 patients underwent heart transplantation with an average PLOS of 19 ± 21 days, and 2,020 orthotopic heart transplant recipients (12%) had PLOS. Baseline characteristics were similar between the derivation and validation cohorts. Twenty-four recipient and nine donor variables, cold ischemic time, and center volume were tested as univariables. Seventeen covariates significantly affected PLOS and comprised the prolonged hospitalization after heart transplant risk score, which was stratified into three risk groups. The risk model was subsequently validated, and predicted rates of PLOS correlated well with observed rates ( R = 0.79). Rates of PLOS in the validation cohort were 8.3%, 11%, and 22% for low, moderate, and high risk groups, respectively. Conclusions The risk of PLOS after heart transplantation can be determined at the time of transplant. The prolonged hospitalization after heart transplant score may lead to individualized postoperative management strategies to reduce duration of hospitalization for patients at high risk.
Alcohol, Retinoic Acid, and Cancer

The first observation potentially linking alcohol consumption and vitamin A deficiency was published over 70 years ago (Patek and Haig 1939). Since then, numerous studies have provided solid evidence that alcohol indeed interferes with vitamin A and its analogs, collectively termed retinoids, both in experimental models and in humans. In addition, many experimental and epidemiological studies demonstrated that such interferences might result in impaired tissue regeneration and cancer development. Furthermore, since vitamin A deficiency (or excess) increases the risk for a number of human cancers, and since alcohol impairs the body’s retinoid homeostasis, interactions between vitamin A and alcohol may represent central mechanisms by which alcohol induces multiorgan pathology and carcinogenesis.
Soil Erosion and Land Degradation: The Global Risks

The total land area of the world exceeds 13 billion hectares, but less than half of it can be used for agriculture, including grazing. The world’s potentially arable land is estimated at 3031 million hectares, or 22% of the total land area. The potential cultivable land is distributed as follows: 2154 and 877 million hectares, respectively, in developing and developed countries representing 28% and 15% of the land area (Dudal, 1982). About 1461 million hectares or 40% of the world potentially arable land is cultivated (Dregne, 1982; Dudal, 1982), with 784 and 677 million hectares representing 36% and 77% of the potentially cultivable land in developing and developed countries, respectively. Ironically, the 1461 million hectares of land now being cultivated does not include an estimated 2000 million hectares of once biologically productive land that has been degraded or destroyed.
Assessing performance status and clinical outcomes with wearable activity monitors.

6571Background: Performance status (PS) is assessed to inform treatment decisions and predict outcomes in cancer. PS is often evaluated using ECOG or KPS scales, limited by their subjective and sta...
Predicting the Circulation Rate in Pachuca Tanks with Full Height Draft Tubes

Pachuca tanks are used widely as reactors for treating gold slimes, and for alumina digestion and uranium leaching. In some designs, slurry mixing in the tank is achieved by introducing air at the base of a draft tube, which is the full height of the tank. A buoyant air-slurry mixture rises in the draft tube and is discharged at the top. The slurry flows back through the bulk of the tank volume. Little information is available to predict the relationship between slurry flow rate in the draft tube, and the volume of air added at the base of the tube. Most current designs are based on the energy balance proposed by Lamont 25 years ago. Recent two-phase flow theory is used to develop a momentum balance for the flow in the draft tube, and a new, accurate design equation is derived. Bubble slip, frictional (wall) losses, entrance losses, and acceleration effects all contribute to the pressure gradient in the draft tube. None of these factors may be neglected under typical operating conditions. The new design equation accounts for all of these factors, and finds good agreement with Lamont’s experimental example. Also, the new equation demonstrates that it is uneconomical to operate the draft tube with high air flow rates.
An Aquatic Wireless Biosensor for Electric Organ Discharge With an Integrated Analog Front End

This paper presents a novel wireless underwater data acquisition system for sensing electric organ discharge (EOD) signals generated from the weakly electric fish S. macrurus . Variation in frequency and amplitude of the EOD signals are of interest by biologists to study behavioral and environmental effects on electric organ cells. In order to record the EOD signals, a miniature wearable wireless sensing system is designed for the target fish. The system consists of a custom-designed integrated analog front-end (AFE), an ATmega328p microcontroller unit and a wireless transmitter (TX), as well as a battery with a power management module. In order to save TX power, the wireless sensor only transmits the calculated frequency and amplitude information of the EOD signal based on a proposed gain-feedback control method. A receiver attached to a host computer receives the wirelessly transmitted EOD data to perform further analysis. A wearable waterproof backpack for the fish is designed to house the wireless sensor and battery. The overall system has been successfully tested in a clinical experiment with the weakly electric fish. The AFE integrated circuit, which includes a novel rail-to-rail dynamic comparator, is fabricated in a 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS process. The total area of the core circuit is 1.0 mm2. The LNPA achieved a noise efficiency factor of 1.8. The AFE power consumption is 2.2 $\mu \text{W}$ from a single +1.8 V supply, whereas the overall system power consumption is 15 mW. The proposed gain-feedback control structure for frequency and amplitude measurement saves the transmitter data rate by 3,756 times compared with sending the raw data.
The Independent Plastic Surgery Match (2010-2018): Applicant and Program Trends, Predictors of a Successful Match, and Future Directions

Objectives Changes were made to the independent plastic surgery residency in 2009 to 2010 that included full prerequisite training and increased from 2 to 3 years of independent residency. The authors sought to determine subsequent match trends and predictors of a successful match. Methods With American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons approval, the San Francisco Match provided data for the independent match (2010-2018). Trends in the independent plastic surgery were reviewed. Applicant variables were analyzed to determine correlation with a successful match and a match at top-ranked programs using Doximity Residency Navigator. Results Total independent applicants per cycle decreased 18% while foreign medical school applicants increased from 19.4% to 27%. Available positions decreased from 97 to 66 (32%) and match rate decreased from 82% to 78%. Applicants who matched were from US medical schools, had higher USMLE Step 1 scores, were from University and top General surgery residencies, and averaged more interviews (p Conclusions Since 2010, independent plastic surgery applicant and program participation have decreased. Greater number of interviews, university-based prerequisite training, and allopathic medical school background are variables that correlate with a successful match. Factors predictive of a match at top-ranked Doximity Residency Navigator plastic surgery programs include high Step 1 scores, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, and prerequisite training at the same institution.
Journals of the Century in the Visual Arts

Identification des revues les plus importantes sur les arts visuels: periodiques de musees (USA et Europe), societes et associations d'histoire de l'art (USA et Europe), publications universitaires, iconographie, critique d'art, histoire de l'art. Revues classees selon la periode chronologique depuis l'antiquite, selon l'aire geographique, puis le type d'art
Cost-Effective Care Coordination for People With Dementia at Home

Background and objectives People with dementia (PWD) represent some of the highest-need and highest-cost individuals living in the community. Maximizing Independence (MIND) at Home is a potentially cost-effective and scalable home-based dementia care coordination program that uses trained, nonclinical community workers as the primary contact between the PWD and their care partner, supported by a multidisciplinary clinical team with expertise in dementia care. Research design and methods Cost of care management services based on actual time spent by care management personnel over first 12 months of MIND at Home intervention was calculated for 342 MIND at Home recipients from Baltimore, Maryland and surrounding areas participating in a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funded Health Care Innovation Award demonstration project. Difference-in-differences analysis of claims-based Medicaid spending of 120 dually-eligible MIND at Home participants with their propensity score matched comparison group (n = 360). Results The average cost per enrollee per month was $110, or $1,320 per annum. Medicaid expenditures of dually-eligible participants grew 1.12 percentage points per quarter more slowly than that of the matched comparison group. Most savings came from slower growth in inpatient and long-term nursing home use. Net of the cost of the 5-year MIND at Home intervention, 5-year Medicaid savings are estimated at $7,052 per beneficiary, a 1.12-fold return on investment. Discussion and implications Managed care plans with the flexibility to engage community health workers could benefit from a low-cost, high-touch intervention to meet the needs of enrollees with dementia. Limitations for using and reimbursing community health workers exist in Medicare fee-for-service, which CMS should address to maximize benefit for PWD.