cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative comparison of terrestrial herbaceous food consumption by Pan paniscus in the Lomako Forest, Zaire, and Pan troglodytes in the Kibale Forest, Uganda

Differences in the social organization and dental morphology of Pan paniscus (bonobos) and Pan troglodytes (chimpanzees) have been related to differences in the spatiotemporal availability of food and its exploitation. The presence of abundant terrestrial herbaceous vegetation (THV) in the bonobo's habitat and the apparent greater reliance on herbs for food has been used to explain differences in party size and, by extension, social organization. Using fecal analysis, we assess quantitatively the amount of herbaceous foods consumed by Pan paniscus in the Lomako Forest, Zaire, compared to similar data for Pan troglodytes in the Kibale Forest, Uganda. We examine this data in the context of spatiotemporal patterns of availability of herbaceous foods and fruit, as well as their nutritional content. The results support the suggestion that bonobos consume more herbaceous food than do the Kibale chimpanzees and that these foods are more prevalent in the bonobo's habitat than in the Kibale Forest. However, temporal changes in fruit availability and herb consumption, along with nutritional analyses, suggest that chimpanzees consume herbs as a fallback source of carbohydrates, whereas bonobos consume herbs as a source of protein regardless of season or fruit abundance. Available data suggest that party size while feeding on terrestrial herbs is restricted at both sites, but a determination of the relative strength of this constraint is not possible at this time. Difficulties in methods used for data collection are discussed and areas where more information is needed are highlighted. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Warp: A Programmable Systolic Array Processor

CMU is currently building a programmable, 32-bit floating-point systolic array processor using only off-the-shelf components. The 10-cell processor, with one cell implemented on one board, can process 1024-point complex FFI's at a rate of one FFT every 600 μs. Under program control, the same processor can perform many other primitive computations in signal, image, and vision processing, including two-dimensional convolution, dynamic programming, and real or complex matrix multiplication, at a rate of 100 million floating-point operations per second. This particular systolic array processor is called the Warp, suggesting that it can perform a variety of transformations at a very high speed. For a mobile robot demonstration planned in 1985, the Warp is expected to speed up the navigation process by at least one order of magnitude. The Warp has a relatively simple architecture given its performance. The processor is a linear array of cells (or processing elements) that in general takes inputs from one end. and produces outputs at the other end. The processor can efficiently implement many systolic algorithms where communication between adjacent cells is intensive. The processor can also efficiently implement many non-systolic algorithms where each cell operates on its own data independently from the rest. This paper describes the structure of the Warp.
Crosstalk between NF-κB and β-catenin pathways in bacterial-colonized intestinal epithelial cells

Salmonella-epithelial cell interactions are known to activate the proinflammatory NF-kappaB signaling pathway and have recently been found to also influence the beta-catenin signaling pathway, an important regulator of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, using polarized epithelial cell models, we demonstrate that these same bacteria-mediated effects also direct the molecular crosstalk between the NF-kappaB and beta-catenin signaling pathways. Convergence of these two pathways is a result of the direct interaction between the NF-kappaB p50 subunit and beta-catenin. We show that PhoP(c), the avirulent derivative of a wild-type Salmonella strain, attenuates NF-kappaB activity by stabilizing the association of beta-catenin with NF-kappaB. In cell lines expressing constitutively active beta-catenin, IkappaBalpha protein was indirectly stabilized and NF-kappaB activity was repressed after wild-type Salmonella colonization. Accordingly, constitutively active beta-catenin was found to inhibit the secretion of IL-8. Thus our findings strongly suggest that the crosstalk between the beta-catenin and NF-kappaB signaling pathways is an important regulator of intestinal inflammation.
Building The Case For Educating Business Leaders On The Importance Of Public Relations

An organizations well-developed strategic plan and reputation can crumble in minutes if it mishandles key communications, particularly during crises. Todays leaders need to appreciate the value of professional public relations and how it helps organizational effectiveness by building strategic relationships, maintaining a favorable reputation, minimizing damage from crisis, and generating revenue. Graduate business schools, educating future business leaders, need to include strategic communication and public relations as part of the required curriculum. This paper makes a case for educating business leaders on the importance of public relations as a critical management function.
Application of Systemic Insecticides at Planting: Effects on Sunflower Stem Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larvae Numbers, Plant Lodging, and Seed Yield in North Dakota

Systemic insecticides applied to soil at planting reduced the number of larvae of sunflower stem weevil, Cylindrocopturus adspersus (LeConte), infesting stems of cultivated sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). Carbamate insecticides were more effective than the organophosphate insecticide terbufos in reducing C. adspersus larval numbers in 1981. Carbamates aldicarb and carbofuran at the higher rates tested lowered larva densities 32 and 79%, respectively, compared with the control. At eight locations in 1983, aldicarb and carbofuran lowered larva densities an average of 63 and 81%, respectively, compared with untreated plots. In 1983, there was a significant difference between number of larvae and percent lodging of plants in treated and untreated plots. A significant difference was observed between seed yield of plots treated with carbofuran and untreated plants (1983). As a management strategy, use of systemic insecticides applied to soil at planting can be beneficial in lowering population densities of sunflower stem weevil larvae, reducing lodging, and preventing yield lossesin areas where C. adspersus has caused economic damage.
Dasyscyphae on Conifers in North America. III. Dasyscypha Pini

Investigation of a large-spored, brown-excipled Dasyscypha species, associated with a destructive canker of native Pinus Strobus, P. monticola and P. albicaulis in North America and on P. sylvestri...
Crooked Neck: An Inherited Condition in Japanese Quail,

Abstract A crooked neck condition in Japanese quail in which affected birds did not deviate phenotypically from normal ones until six to seven days post hatch and which appeared in both sexes was shown to be inherited. Mode of inheritance of this condition could not be determined. Possibilities are (1) a single pair of recessive genes with low penetrance (2) multiple genes. Inbreeding degeneration may also be involved.
Regional neurodegeneration and gliosis are amplified by mild traumatic brain injury repeated at 24-hour intervals.

Most traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that occur every year are classified as ‘mild’. Individuals involved in high-risk activities may sustain multiple mild TBIs. We evaluated the acute physiological and histopathological consequences of mild TBI in a mouse model, comparing sham injury, single impact, or 5 impacts at a 24- or 48-hour inter-injury interval. A single closed skull impact resulted in bilateral gliosis in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex that was proportional to impact depth. Midline impact, at a depth just above the threshold to induce transient unconsciousness, produced occasional axonal injury and degenerating neurons accompanied by astrogliosis in the entorhinal cortex and cerebellum. Mild TBI repeated every 24 hours resulted in bilateral hemorrhagic lesions in the entorhinal cortex along with significantly increased neurodegeneration and microglial activation despite diminished durations of apnea and unconsciousness with subsequent impacts. Astrogliosis and diffusely distributed axonal injury were also observed bilaterally in the cerebellum and the brainstem. When the interval between mild TBIs was increased to 48 hours, the pathological consequences were comparable to a single TBI. Together, these data suggest that in mice the brain remains at increased risk for damage for 24 hours after mild TBI despite reduced acute physiological responses to subsequent mild impacts.
Ecological, agricultural, genetic, and commercial considerations in the deployment of insect-resistant germplasm

We make an attempt to identify the agricultural and ecological factors of greatest importance in assessing the applicability of different modalities (antibiosis, antixenosis, tolerance) and levels of insect resistance to the pest management requirements of different crops and cropping systems. Emphasis is placed on the importance of matching the type and level of resistance to the pest's biology (e.g., feeding habits, development on the crop, alternate hosts, patterns of invasion of the crop, number of generations passed in the crop) and the production requirements of the crop. We illustrate how, depending on context, the use of a particular modality and level of resistance may simplify pest management, reduce crop losses without simplifying pest management, or by changing a pest whose occurrence in damaging populations is highly predictable to one whose occurrence is irregular and unpredictable, complicate pest management. The HELSIM Heliothis zea population dynamics model is used to illustrate how simulation models can be used to explore the consequences of deploying particular modalities and levels of insect resistance. In exploring genetic considerations in the use of insect-resistant germplasm, we focus on the problem of maximizing the durability of insect resistance by minimizing selection for virulent biotypes. We examine whether some modalities of resistance are inherently more stable than others regarding selection of virulent biotypes, and argue that in judging the inherent durability of a particular resistance, exclusive focus on the genetic nature of the plant resistance is inadequate. Knowledge of the genetic variability of the target pest vis a vis the plant resistance and an understanding of the direct biological effects of the resistance on the insect are also essential. The selection pressure for virulent insect biotypes exerted by resistant crop cultivars is shown to be dependent upon the modality of resistance as well as the agricultural and ecological context in which it is deployed. Simulation models are used to illustrate how different deployment strategies can affect the durability of resistance.
A New Approach For Acceleration Tracking of Shake Tables Using Combined Acceleration and Force Feedback Control

This presentation introduces a new acceleration control method for shake tables that provides high-performance and robustness. Unlike the conventional displacement feedback control that is used in most servo hydraulic shake tables, the proposed control method adopts direct acceleration feedback control. While acceleration feedback is not practically employed due to stability issues associated with table drift, the proposed method allows the use of acceleration feedback by adding force feedback loop for stabilization. In this study, controllers for the acceleration and force feedback loops are designed using loop shaping techniques incorporating control-structure interaction. The proposed control method was experimentally investigated at the Johns Hopkins University under two loading conditions: without payload and with payload close to the capacity of the shake table. Experimental results showed that the proposed acceleration control method combining acceleration and force feedback provides better acceleration tracking and wider controllable frequency range than the conventional displacement feedback control in both loading conditions. This presentation will cover basic theory of the proposed method, experimental results, and requirements to upgrade existing shake tables with the proposed control method.
Koch’s Postulates: An Interventionist Perspective

We argue that Koch's postulates are best understood within an interventionist account of causation, in the sense described in Woodward (2003). We show how this treatment helps to resolve interpretive puzzles associated with Koch's work and how it clarifies the different roles the postulates play in providing useful, yet not universal criteria for disease causation. Our paper is an effort at rational reconstruction; we attempt to show how Koch's postulates and reasoning make sense and are normatively justified within an interventionist framework and more difficult to understand within alternative frameworks for thinking about causation.
C-Peptide: A New Molecule with Anti-Inflammatory Properties

C-peptide, once thought to be a biologically inactive molecule, has emerged as a new molecule with proven anti-inflammatory effects. C-peptide is a 31 amino acid peptide secreted in equimolar amounts with insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells. In healthy individuals, C-peptide circulates in nanomolar concentrations; however, in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), C-peptide is decreased or absent. In type 1 diabetics, a group at increased risk of developing micro- and macrovascular complications, C-peptide replacement has ameliorated some of these complications as discussed in other chapters. As inflammatory mechanisms play a central role in vascular disease, strategies targeting inflammation are crucial to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with T1D. In this chapter, the anti-inflammatory properties of C-peptide on the vasculature and on other models of inflammation will be discussed. In addition, we will discuss C-peptide’s binding to cellular membranes and internalization as well as intracellular signaling pathways affected by C-peptide in inflammatory responses.
Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndromes are defined as disorders of organ or tissue function caused by cancer, but not a direct result of tumor invasion. Paraneoplastic syndromes can affect any portion of the nervous system, either a single area or cell type (e.g., Purkinje cells of the cerebellum) or cause more widespread damage (e.g., encephalomyelitis). The disorders are believed to be a result of an immune response to antigens shared by a cancer and the nervous system. Similar disorders occur with a lesser incidence in patients without cancer. The identification of paraneoplastic antibodies in serum can establish the diagnosis of a paraneoplastic syndrome and often suggests the primary site of the cancer. Treatment usually requires both cancer therapy and immunosuppression. The prognosis for the cancer seems better in patients with paraneoplastic syndromes.
An Interactionist Approach to the Social Construction of Deities

This paper examines the ways people construct and signify deities. Utilizing responses from an ethnographic study as well as analyses of existing studies of religion, we elaborate ways people construct the existence and characteristics of deities by engaging in “deity work,” which we define as the work people do to give meaning to deities as well as to themselves, others, or social phenomena related to deities. In so doing, we demonstrate how people may accomplish this in many settings by engaging in strategies of identity work including (1) defining, (2) coding, and (3) affirming the meanings of a given deity in social interaction. In conclusion, we draw out implications for understanding (1) the importance of examining deity work, and (2) some ways a focus on deity work processes may expand existing religious and interactionist studies.
Contemporary outcome of unplanned right ventricular assist device for severe right heart failure after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device insertion

OBJECTIVES The timely use of a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) becomes necessary for severe right heart failure (RHF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion. This study evaluates outcomes in patients who required unplanned RVAD support early after continuous-flow (CF) LVAD insertion. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 305 patients who underwent HeartMate II/HeartWare CF-LVAD insertion between 2009 and 2014. Twenty-seven (9%) patients required unplanned RVAD for severe RHF early after LVAD insertion. We compared early and late outcomes in patients with and without RVAD. RESULTS The median time to RVAD implantation after primary CF-LVAD implantation was 1.0 (0-3) day. Seventeen (63%) patients could be weaned from RVAD after median of 14 (10-18) days. In 278 patients in the isolated LVAD group, overall survival at 3 and 12 months was 95% and 86%, whereas 59% and 54% in the unplanned RVAD group, respectively ( P < 0.001). The 12-month overall survival rate in patients who were weaned from RVAD was 75% ( P = 0.189 vs isolated LVAD group), whereas in patients who could not be weaned from RVAD, the overall survival was 20% ( P < 0.001 vs RVAD weaning group and isolated LVAD group). Readmission free rate for RHF at 1 year was 53% in the unplanned RVAD group and 90% in the isolated LVAD group ( P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Among patients who required unplanned RVAD after CF-LVAD implantation, above 60% of the patients could be weaned from RVAD. However, careful attention should be paid to the recurrent or sustained RHF.
The Pharmaceuticalization of the Tobacco Industry

The use and acceptance of e-cigarettes and other noncombustible tobacco products have been growing. The authors point to a concerted effort by tobacco companies to rehabilitate their image as provi...
Vulnerability and Robustness of Civil Infrastructure Systems to Hurricanes

Civil infrastructure systems play an important role in community resilience. Without proper functioning of the infrastructure, especially power delivery, society will not recover quickly from disruptive events such as hurricanes. In this paper, the vulnerability, response and recovery of selected infrastructure at the system level for several hurricanes in the USA are modeled using geo-statistical methods and employing post-event data. Inoperability is the main variable modeled for each infrastructure system. In this paper, robustness is a property considered to be the opposite of vulnerability and it plays an important role in the resiliency modeling. The infrastructure systems examined in this paper are electric power delivery and telecommunications. Connections among the systems are briefly explored.
Can de facto dosing practices bridge the knowledge gap in pediatric medication recommendations

A knowledge gap exists in pediatric medication dosing recommendations due in part to the complexity of researching medication efficacy and safety in children. One possible resource resides in the electronic prescribing practices of pediatric clinicians. In this study, de facto pediatric weight-based levothyroxine dosing practices were studied as a potential source for pediatric medication clinical decision support. This was accomplished by extracting physical exam and prescription details from a well-used clinical data warehouse to calculate weight-based dosing practices, and comparing the results with established medication recommendations. Of the 854 prescriptions, 85.2% were under the recommended range, 9.37% were within the range and 5.39% were over the range. Thus, real world prescribing practices may differ from recommendations. Such information may be a valuable resource in pediatric clinical decision support, particularly where practice differs from recommendations, and can help close the knowledge gap where pediatric medication dosing information is sparse or unavailable.
Validating genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 function in the non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Genome-wide mutational screens are central to understanding the genetic underpinnings of evolved and engineered phenotypes. The widespread adoption of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing has enabled such screens in many organisms, but identifying functional sgRNAs still remains a challenge. To address this limitation, we developed a methodology to quantify the cutting efficiency of each sgRNA in a genome-scale library in the biotechnologically important yeast Yarrowia lipolytica . Screening in the presence and absence of native DNA repair enabled high-throughput quantification of sgRNA function leading to the identification of high efficiency sgRNAs that cover 94% of genes. Library validation enhanced the classification of essential genes by identifying inactive guides that create false negatives and mask the effects of successful disruptions. Quantification of guide effectiveness also creates a dataset from which functional determinants of CRISPR-Cas9 can be identified. Finally, application of the library identified mutations that led to high lipid accumulation and eliminated pseudohyphal morphology.
Organocatalytic Atom-Transfer C(sp3)–H Oxidation

Predictably site-selective catalytic methods for intermolecular C(sp3)–H hydroxylation and amination hold great promise for the synthesis and late-stage modification of complex molecules. Transition-metal catalysis has been the most common approach for early investigations of this type of reaction. In comparison, there are far fewer ­reports of organocatalytic methods for direct oxygen or nitrogen insertion into C–H bonds. Herein, we provide an overview of early efforts in this area, with particular emphasis on our own recent development of an iminium salt that catalyzes both oxygen and nitrogen insertion. 1 Introduction 2 Background: C–H Oxidation Capabilities of Heterocyclic Oxidants 3 Oxaziridine-Mediated Catalytic Hydroxylation 4 Dioxirane-Mediated Catalytic Hydroxylation 5 Iminium Salt Catalysis of Hydroxylation and Amination 6 Conclusion and Outlook
Research on Rural Caregiving

Caregiving in older adulthood has become an increasingly popular research area in the field of gerontology. In the United States, informal (i.e., unpaid) caregivers of older persons provide an average of 26 h a week of care to friends or family, a statistic that has not changed over the past decade. During this same period of time, the number of informal caregivers in the United States has increased from 3.2 to 3.4 million (Center on an Aging Society, 2005). Using the keyword search term “family caregivers,” there have been over 10,000 articles added to the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database since 1990. Despite this sizeable area of inquiry, only a small effort has been made to fully understand the caregiving experience in the rural context.
Optical Trapping of Glass Microspheres in Air and Vacuum

Chapter 3 provides the details of launching glass microspheres to air, and trapping microspheres in air and vacuum with a counter-propagating dual-beam optical tweezer. It also describes the vacuum system and the first generation of our detection system.
Corrosion Behavior of SS 304 with Ball Milling and Electrolytic Plasma Treatment in NaCl Solution

Electrolytic plasma process (EPP) was used as a fast annealing treatment on ball milled surfaces. With localized melting of EPP, the surface morphology and the chemical composition can be drastically changed. Annealed, ball milled and EPP treated stainless steel 304 samples were examined and EPP treatment has been shown to improve the overall corrosion and localized corrosion. Materials were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, SEM. The 24 hours of exposure in NaCl solution, the sample open-circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were measured to estimate the anti corrosion properties.
Approximating the Log of the Normal Cumulative

Approximation formulas are obtained for ln Ф, where Ф is the cumulative distribution function for the normal distribution.
ISOTOPIC EFFECTS IN HYDRIDES OF LANTHANUM-NICKEL ALLOYS

ABSTRACT Low melting alloys containing large amounts of hydrogen-absorbing lanthanide metal can serve as efficient tritium getters in future thermonuclear reactor applications. A detailed knowledge of the isotopic effects in these alloys is essential to be able to predict their operating characteristics. To this end, we have studied the isotopic effect in a prototype alloy, La5.25Ni (melting point 800 K). Data on the equilibrium pressure in the low concentration, Sieverts' region, for hydrogen and deuterium dissolved in this alloy are reported. For comparison, we include similar data for all three hydrogen isotopes in lanthanum metal. We also discuss the terminal solubilities and the equilibrium plateau pressures for the three metal hydrides and estimate similar data for the hydrides of the alloy.
Incorporating Companion Dogs into Cancer Rehab: Emotional Support

Attachment to pets provides support and reduced isolation and stress for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Pets enhance their owners’ sense of good health and social engagement. Pet owners tend to be more involved in neighborhood activities than individuals without pets. Dog owners report their relationship with their dog often helps them connect with neighbors and their community.
Epigenetics of metabolic syndrome

The dramatic increase in global prevalence of metabolic disease is inexplicable when considering only environmental or only genetic factors, leading to the need to explore the possible roles of epigenetic factors. A great deal of progress has been made in this interdisciplinary field in recent years, with many studies investigating various aspects of the metabolic syndrome and its associated epigenetic changes. Rodent models of metabolic diseases have been particularly illuminating because of the ability to leverage tools such as genetic and environmental modifications. The current review summarizes recent breakthroughs regarding epigenetic markers in studies of obesity, Type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, the three major disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. We also discuss open questions and future directions for integrating genomic, epigenomic, and phenotypic big biodata toward understanding metabolic syndrome etiology.
Estimating outdoor temperature from CPU temperature for IoT applications in agriculture

In the paper, we investigate using CPU temperature from small, low cost, single-board computers to predict out-door temperature in IoT-based precision agricultural settings. Temperature is a key metric in these settings that is used to inform and actuate farm operations such as irrigation scheduling, frost damage mitigation, and greenhouse management. Using cheap single-board computers as temperature sensors can drive down the cost of sensing in these applications and make it possible to monitor a large number of micro-climates concurrently. We have developed a system in which devices communicate their CPU measurements to an on-farm edge cloud. The edge cloud uses a combination of calibration, smoothing (noise removal), and linear regression to make predictions of the outdoor temperature at each device. We evaluate the accuracy of this approach for different temperature sensors, devices, and locations, as well as different training and calibration durations.
Detrital zircon constraints on Grenville sedimentation at the margin of Laurentia

Abstract The southern Grenville Province is made up of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks that were formed and metamorphosed as part of the Mesoproterozoic active margin of Laurentia. Grenville Supergroup quartzites from the Adirondack Highlands (New York), the Morin terrane (Quebec), and New Jersey Highlands were analyzed to determine detrital and metamorphic zircon U-Pb ages and to help constrain Mesoproterozoic tectonics. These Grenville quartzites have broadly similar detrital age populations as each other, suggesting similar sedimentary source regions and depositional settings in back-arc basin environments at the Laurentian Margin during Geon 12. All samples contain detrital zircon with 1.45–1.25 Ga ages, consistent with proximal Grenville source regions. They also contain detrital ages that point to derivation from the Mazatzal (1.7–1.6 Ga), Yavapai (1.8–1.7 Ga), and Penokean (1.9–1.8Ga) orogens of the North American Midcontinent, and have a diverse population of Archean ages. These results and published data from Adirondack Lowlands metasediments (Chiarenzelli et al., 2015, 2017) show distinctly Laurentian sources, and the related and likely connected nature of the sedimentary histories of the Adirondack Highlands and Lowlands, Morin terrane and New Jersey Highlands. Metamorphic zircon formation is common in high-grade quartzites, and ages are variable between samples depending on the metamorphic history of each terrane and the melt productivity of different rocks (Peck et al., 2010a). Adirondack Highlands samples experienced metamorphic zircon grown during the Shawinigan orogeny and anorthosite-suite emplacement (1.19–1.14 Ga). Morin terrane samples are from the Morin Shear Zone, which was active and caused metamorphic zircon growth during the Ottawan phase of the Grenvillian orogeny (1.09–1.02 Ga). The New Jersey Highlands sample has metamorphic zircon formed during the Rigolet phase of the Grenvillian orogeny (1010–980 Ma).
Evaluation of a Multiplex Fully Automated Treponemal and Nontreponemal (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Assay

Objectives In June 2017, Bio-Rad Laboratories received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for its BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR (rapid plasma reagin) assay. It is the first fully automated treponemal/nontreponemal multiplex flow immunoassay, simultaneously detecting Treponema pallidum and reagin antibodies and an RPR titer. We compared the performance of the BioPlex Syphilis Total & RPR assay with the LIAISON Treponema Assay and the manual BD Macro-Vue RPR 18-mm Circle Test. Methods In total, 314 serum specimens were tested for treponemal immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M and RPR with the LIAISON Treponema Assay, the BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR assay, and the manual BD Macro-Vue RPR card test. All discordant results were further tested with the T pallidum particle agglutination assay from Fujirebio Diagnostics. Results The overall percent agreement for the BioPlex assay for treponemal antibodies with the LIAISON Treponema Assay was 96.1%. Sensitivity and specificity for the BioPlex RPR assay were 90.5% and 97.2%, respectively (the manual RPR assay was considered the gold standard). Conclusions The BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR assay performance was comparable to the LIAISON Treponema Assay and the manual RPR test. Compared with the manual RPR, the automation of RPR testing offered labor savings, objective result reporting, and improved workflow.
Out Where the West Begins, Volume 2, Creating and Civilizing the American West

Review of: "Out Where the West Begins, Volume 2, Creating and Civilizing the American West" by Philip F. Anschutz
Generation and functional assessment of nonhuman primate regulatory dendritic cells and their therapeutic efficacy in renal transplantation

Nonhuman primates (NHP) are important pre-clinical models for evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the most promising potential therapeutic advances in organ transplantation based on rodent studies. Although rare, dendritic cells (DC) play important roles in preservation of self tolerance and DC with immunoregulatory properties (regulatory DC; DCreg) can promote transplant tolerance in rodents when adoptively transferred to allograft recipients. NHP DCreg can be generated ex vivo from bone marrow precursors or blood monocytes of cynomolgus or rhesus macaques or baboons. NHP DCreg generated in the presence of anti-inflammatory factors that confer stability and resistance to maturation, subvert alloreactive T cell responses. When infused into rhesus renal allograft recipients before transplant, they safely prolong MHC mis-matched graft survival, associated with attenuation of anti-donor immune reactivity. In this concise review we describe the properties of NHP DCreg and discuss their influence on T cell responses, alloimmunity and organ transplant survival.
Development of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Wellness and Injury Management at an Intensive Youth Orchestra Summer Festival

Introduction: The life cycle of a musician may begin as early as age three and rigorous training often begins before the age of eight. Playing-related musculoskeletal problems (PRMPs) are common in adult musicians and can result in the inability to play for a period of time. Studies also suggest PRMPs are common in children and that risk factors may be similar. Promoting health and wellness and early injury treatment in a youth orchestra summer festival may provide learning tools to promote wellness and avoid time lost from playing for musicians performing across the life cycle. A brief history of the program as well as data from 2017 and 2018 are discussed.
What is replication

Credibility of scientific claims is established with evidence for their replicability using new data. According to common understanding, replication is repeating a study’s procedure and observing whether the prior finding recurs. This definition is intuitive, easy to apply, and incorrect. We propose that replication is a study for which any outcome would be considered diagnostic evidence about a claim from prior research. This definition reduces emphasis on operational characteristics of the study and increases emphasis on the interpretation of possible outcomes. The purpose of replication is to advance theory by confronting existing understanding with new evidence. Ironically, the value of replication may be strongest when existing understanding is weakest. Successful replication provides evidence of generalizability across the conditions that inevitably differ from the original study; Unsuccessful replication indicates that the reliability of the finding may be more constrained than recognized previously. Defining replication as a confrontation of current theoretical expectations clarifies its important, exciting, and generative role in scientific progress.
Development and Application of Mass Spectroscopy Assays for Nε-(1-Carboxymethyl)-L-Lysine and Pentosidine in Renal Failure and Diabetes.

BACKGROUND Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed via the nonenzymatic glycation of sugars with amino acids. Two AGEs, Ne-(1-carboxymethyl)-L-Lysine (CML) and pentosidine, have been observed to be elevated in subjects suffering from a multitude of chronic disease states, and accumulation of these compounds may be related to the pathophysiology of disease progression and aging. METHODS We describe here the development and validation of a specific and reproducible LC-MS/MS method to quantify CML and pentosidine in human serum with lower limits of quantitation of 75 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL, respectively. The analyte calibration curve exhibited excellent linearity at a range of 0-10 900 ng/mL for CML and 0-800 ng/mL for pentosidine. High-low linearity of 5 serum pairs was assessed, with a mean recovery of 103% (range 94-116%) for CML, and 104% (range 97-116%) for pentosidine. RESULTS Serum concentrations of CML and pentosidine were quantified in 30 control and 30 subjects with chronic renal insufficiency. A significant increase in both analytes was observed in renal failure compared to control subjects (2.1-fold and 8.4-fold, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). In a separate cohort of 49 control versus 95 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), serum CML but not serum pentosidine, was significantly elevated in the T2DM patients, and CML was also correlated with glycemic control, as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These mass spectroscopy-based assays for serum CML and pentosidine should be useful in accurately evaluating circulating levels of these key AGEs in various disease states.
Minimizing infection risk: The factors influencing

Abstract The incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is projected to increase as utilization of total knee replacements (TKR) grows. Two-stage removal and reimplantation operations are devastating for patients and place large economic burdens on hospitals. To prevent PJI, body mass index, nutrition, and diabetic control (hemoglobin A1c) should be considered preoperatively. Intraoperatively, expeditious surgery, minimizing tissue trauma, and betadine irrigation decrease PJI risk. The use of antimicrobial surgical dressings and avoidance of blood transfusions can reduce PJI postoperatively. Overall, to minimize PJI in TKRs, the entire surgical episode must be considered to examine the factors influencing the likelihood of PJI.
Modeling of collaterally sensitive drug cycles, and optimization of the drug effect in the spirit of adaptive therapy

In previous work, we focused on the optimal therapeutic strategy with a pair of drugs which are collaterally sensitive to each other, that is, a situation in which evolution of resistance to one drug induces sensitivity to the other, and vice versa. Here, we have extended this exploration to the optimal strategy with a collaterally sensitive drug sequence of an arbitrary length, N(≥2). To explore this, we have developed a dynamical model of sequential drug therapies with N drugs. In this model, tumor cells are classified as one of N subpopulations represented as {Ri|i=1,2,...,N}. Each subpopulation, Ri, is resistant to Drug i and each subpopulation, Ri−1 (or RN, if i=1), is sensitive to it, so that Ri increases under Drug i as it is resistant to it, and after drug-switching, decreases under Drug i+1 as it is sensitive to that drug(s). Similar to our previous work examining optimal therapy with two drugs, we found that there is an initial period of time in which the tumor is 9shaped9 into a specific makeup of each subpopulation, at which time all the drugs are equally effective (R*). After this shaping period, all the drugs are quickly switched with duration relative to their efficacy in order to maintain each subpopulation, consistent with the ideas underlying adaptive therapy. Additionally, we have developed methodologies to administer the optimal regimen under clinical or experimental situations in which no drug parameters and limited information of trackable populations data (all the subpopulations or only total population) are known. The therapy simulation based on these methodologies showed consistency with the theoretical effect of optimal therapy.
Finite-time Attitude Consensus Control of a Multi-Agent Rigid Body System

In this paper, finite-time attitude consensus control laws for multi-agent rigid body systems are presented using rotation matrices. The control objective is to stabilize the relative configurations in a finite convergence time. First, the control design is done on the kinematic level where the angular velocities are the control signals. Next, the design is conducted on the dynamic level in the framework of the tangent bundle TSO(3) associated with SO(3), where the torques implement the feedback control of relative attitudes and angular velocities. The Lyapunov-based almost global finite-time stability of the consensus subspace is demonstrated for both cases. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed consensus control algorithms.
Effects of Momentum Transfer Deflection Efforts on Small-Body Rotational State

An investigation into the effects of momentum transfer deflection methods, specifically kinetic impact and nuclear detonation, on the rotational state of a deflected object is presented. Initially,...
Relationships between predischarge and postdischarge infectious complications, length of stay, and unplanned readmissions in the ACS NSQIP database

Abstract Background Postoperative complications, length of index hospital stay, and unplanned hospital readmissions are important metrics reflecting surgical care quality. Postoperative infections represent a substantial proportion of all postoperative complications. We examined the relationships between identification of postoperative infection prehospital and posthospital discharge, length of stay, and unplanned readmissions in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database across nine surgical specialties. Methods The 30-day postoperative infectious complications including sepsis, surgical site infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection were analyzed in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program inpatient data during the period from 2012 to 2017. General, gynecologic, vascular, orthopedic, otolaryngology, plastic, thoracic, urologic, and neurosurgical inpatient operations were selected. Results Postoperative infectious complications were identified in 5.2% (137,014/2,620,450) of cases; 81,929 (59.8%) were postdischarge. The percentage of specific complications identified postdischarge were 73.4% of surgical site infections (range across specialties 63.7–93.1%); 34.9% of sepsis cases (27.4–58.1%); 26.5% of pneumonia cases (18.9%–36.3%); and 53.2% of urinary tract infections (48.3%–88.0%). The relative risk of readmission among patients with postdischarge versus predischarge surgical site infection, sepsis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection was 5.13 (95% confidence interval: 4.90–5.37), 9.63 (8.93–10.40), 10.79 (10.15–11.45), and 3.32 (3.07–3.60), respectively. Over time, mean length of stay decreased but postdischarge infections and readmission rates significantly increased. Conclusion Most postoperative infectious complications were diagnosed postdischarge. These were associated with an increased risk of readmission. The trend toward shorter length of stay over time was observed along with an increase both in the percentage of infections detected after discharge and the rate of unplanned related postoperative readmissions over time. Postoperative surveillance of infections should extend beyond hospital discharge of surgical patients.
A retrospective analysis of cases of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in cirrhosis patients.

Background & aims Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is an infection in patients with cirrhosis and carries significant mortality. The management of SBP is evolving with the rise of multidrug resistant organisms. Our aim was to perform a retrospective analysis to determine if identification of bacteria in culture could aid in prognosis and provide information regarding optimal treatment. Methods We analyzed our 10-year experience of SBP in a single academic center (Northwestern Memorial Hospital). We obtained information regarding SBP prophylaxis, culture data and resistance patterns of bacteria, choice/duration of inpatient antibiotics, and key laboratory measurements and determined outcomes including mortality, hospital duration, and ICU stay. Results Patients with SBP had a 17.8% mortality and had culture positive SBP 34.4% of the time. Antimicrobial resistance was seen in 21.3% of cases and trended towards worsening mortality, with worsened mortality associated with first line use of piperacillin-tazobactam (p = 0.0001). Patients on SBP prophylaxis who developed SBP had improved mortality (p<0.0001) unless there was a positive culture, in which case patients had worsened mortality (p = 0.019). Patient with a higher PMN counts after repeat paracentesis had higher mortality (p = 0.02). Conclusions Our results show that SBP continues to be a morbid and deadly condition and identification of an organism is key in treatment. The standard initial antibiotic for SBP may need to be modified to reflect emerging resistant pathogens and gram-positive organisms. Further, antibiotic prophylaxis should be utilized only in select cases to prevent development of resistance.
Clinical considerations for the management of androgen indifferent prostate cancer

Many systemic therapies for advanced prostate cancer work by disrupting androgen receptor signaling. Androgen indifferent prostate cancer (AIPC) variants, including aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC), neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), and double-negative prostate cancer (DNPC), are increasingly common and often overlapping resistance phenotypes following treatment with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and are associated with poor outcomes. Understanding the underlying biology and identifying effective therapies for AIPC is paramount for improving survival for men with prostate cancer. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on AIPC variants, including our current understanding of the clinical, morphologic, and molecular features as well as current therapeutic approaches. We also explore emerging therapies and biomarkers aimed at improving outcomes for men with AIPC. Establishing consensus definitions, developing novel biomarkers for early and accurate detection, further characterization of molecular drivers of each phenotype, and developing effective therapies will be critical to improving outcomes for men with AIPC. Significant progress has been made toward defining the clinical and molecular characteristics of AVPC, NEPC, and DNPC. Novel diagnostic approaches, including cell-free DNA, circulating tumor cells, and molecular imaging are promising tools for detecting AIPC in clinical practice. Building on previous treatment advances, several clinical trials are underway evaluating novel therapeutic approaches in patients with AIPC informed by an understanding of variant-specific biology. In this review, we discuss how these recent and ongoing studies will help to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy for men with AIPC.
Quasi-static modal analysis for reduced order modeling of geometrically nonlinear structures

Abstract When modeling dynamic structures, the quasi-static modal analysis (QSMA) approach seeks to very accurately resolve the force-displacement behavior of each individual mode but neglects dynamic modal coupling, while many other reduced order modeling (ROM) methods take an opposite view, capturing static and dynamic modal coupling but using polynomials that limit the fidelity with which the force-displacement behavior of each individual mode can be captured. This work contrasts these two approaches both theoretically and by applying them to geometrically nonlinear structures of varying complexity. The comparison reveals a potential deficiency in the QSMA approach in which the secant approximation that was typically used to estimate the effective natural frequency from the load-displacement curves is found to be inaccurate for some of the strongly nonlinear structures considered in this work. Conversely, the examples demonstrate that the low-order polynomial typically employed by ROM methods such as implicit condensation and expansion (ICE) is often insufficient to describe the force-displacement behavior with adequate fidelity when a single mode is used. These examples prompt the creation of a new method that is a hybrid between QSMA and ICE, which fits a high order polynomial to the modal response curve of a single mode. Several case studies show that the resulting single-mode ICE ROM, here dubbed a SICE-ROM, can capture the resonant behavior in the vicinity of the mode very accurately, but to do so the force-displacement relationship must be captured with extremely high accuracy. These comparisons highlight the importance of static coupling in these structures, suggesting that it is often far more important than dynamic coupling even in cases where the latter had been previously thought to be very important. The geometrically nonlinear structures studied in this work include FE models of a flat beam and an exhaust cover plate and a highly nonlinear curved beam where the Riks method is used to obtain the force-displacement curves through the snap-through regime.