cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of a Spectrum Analysis System for Characterization of Malignant Melanoma

A spectrum analysis system has been designed, tested, and interfaced with a clinical ultrasonic B-scan system. The spectral system has been employed during clinical examination sessions to study a variety of diseases. Spectral results descriptive of power reflectance spectra from selected tissue segments are available for immediate inspection in the clinic. Subsequently, clinical data and calibration spectra are digitized for computer normalization, curve fitting, and cataloging according to disease. Attenuation estimates are also computed digitally by one of several methods depending on size, nature, and location of the pathology under study.
Intelligent Agents Applied to Reconfiguration of Mesh Structured Power Systems

In this paper, the authors propose a multiagent system based reconfiguration methodology for mesh structured power systems. One of the important features of this multiagent architecture is that the intelligent agents in the multiagent system work in a completely decentralized manner. There is no central controller in the system. In this multiagent system, an agent can send/receive signals to/from a major electric component in the power system. Each agent only communicates with its immediate neighboring agents. A simulation platform is also introduced for validating the proposed reconfiguration methodology. In the simulation platform, the intelligent agents are implemented using Java agent development framework. The power system is implemented in a real time digital simulator. The simulation results show the proposed reconfiguration methodology is effective and promising.
Influence of concrete-related environmental stressors on biomineralizing bacteria used in self-healing concrete

Abstract Biogenic calcium carbonate precipitation has been identified as a way to improve durability and remediate cracks in cement-based materials. However, conditions that occur in cement-based materials (e.g., elevated temperature, nutrient depletion, and high pH) might impede microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP) in these systems. Thus, the effects of heat, nutrient depletion, and pH treatments, all designed to mimic conditions in fresh cement paste, on the ureolytic bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii were examined; specifically, impacts to bacterial viability, ability to hydrolyze urea, and surface charge were assessed. Viability and urea hydrolysis were most impacted by exposure to extreme temperature (55 °C) and extreme pH (13.6), but the impact was greatly reduced with exposure to milder temperature (45 °C) and pH (12.9) conditions. The zeta potential of S. pasteurii cells, which was used to approximate surface charge, was minimally affected by all tested conditions; the negative surface charge of S. pasteurii cells suggested that the cells might serve as heterogeneous nucleation sites for calcium carbonate precipitation. This was supported by the observation of substantially higher calcite concentrations in bacterial pastes containing viable cells or cells inactivated by autoclaving as compared to cell-free pastes. These new findings provide important insight as to how the conditions within cement paste could influence the viability of microorganisms and MICCP within cement-based materials. Overall, this study shows the importance of bacteria, whether viable or not, as potential heterogeneous nucleation sites for MICCP in cement-based materials.
Targeting Disciplines for GIS Outreach Using Bibliometric Analysis

Academic libraries increasingly offer geospatial services to support the teaching and research activities of all university disciplines. Ironically, services tend to be most used by those who are already routinely using geographic information systems (GIS) in their research and similar activities. We present a workflow by which library-based GIS service providers can identify, connect, and foster relationships with potential GIS users who stand to benefit the most from their services. Potential users include those who are not currently aware of GIS and its potential contribution to their particular discipline. The workflow begins with a bibliometric analysis to assess trends in the usage of GIS across a variety of disciplines. The result of the bibliometric analysis is a categorized list of those departments that stand to benefit the most from GIS services, based on Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Library-based GIS service providers can partner with liaison-librarians who serve as “change agents” to bring...
Increasing Computational Asynchrony in OpenSHMEM with Active Messages

Recent reports on challenges of programming models at extreme scale suggest a shift from traditional block synchronous execution models to those that support more asynchronous behavior. The OpenSHMEM programming model enables HPC programmers to exploit underlying network capabilities while designing asynchronous communication patterns. The strength of its communication model is fully realized when these patterns are characterized with small low-latency data transfers. However, for cases with large data payloads coupled with insufficient computation overlap, OpenSHMEM programs suffer from underutilized CPU cycles.
Teachers’ Reported Knowledge and Implementation of Research-Based Classroom and Behavior Management Strategies:

Teachers’ reported knowledge about and implementation of research-based classroom and behavior management strategies were examined. A total of 160 elementary teachers from two districts in differen...
Comparison of Incidence of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Among Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block Versus Those With Normal QRS Duration.

We compared the incidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) among patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) to a matched cohort of patients with a narrow QRS duration
Exploring the Impact of Social Networking on Communication in Organizations

ABSTRACTSocial networking technology has the potential to transform how organizations communicate, cooperate, and connect with key stakeholders. Our research explores how social networking technologies are deployed within organizations and how the use of these technologies is related to effectiveness in organizational communication and promotion. We also identify the facilitating factors and constraints around the use of social networking tools for communication. To examine these questions, we conducted interviews with 131 senior level executives across a broad range of organizations and employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. The executives were asked to rate numerically and then discuss in narrative form a series of questions about IT strategy and issues affecting social networking in their organization. We find important differences both in the types of tools used as well as how they are used and discuss the implications of our findings for companies seeking to more effectively ...
Examining the controllability of sepsis using genetic algorithms on an agent-based model of systemic inflammation.

Abstract Sepsis, a manifestation of the body’s inflammatory response to injury and infection, has a mortality rate of between 28%-50% and affects approximately 1 million patients annually in the United States. Currently, there are no therapies targeting the cellular/molecular processes driving sepsis that have demonstrated the ability to control this disease process in the clinical setting. We propose that this is in great part due to the considerable heterogeneity of the clinical trajectories that constitute clinical “sepsis,” and that determining how this system can be controlled back into a state of health requires the application of concepts drawn from the field of dynamical systems. In this work, we consider the human immune system to be a random dynamical system, and investigate its potential controllability using an agent-based model of the innate immune response (the Innate Immune Response ABM or IIRABM) as a surrogate, proxy system. Simulation experiments with the IIRABM provide an explanation as to why single/limited cytokine perturbations at a single, or small number of, time points is unlikely to significantly improve the mortality rate of sepsis. We then use genetic algorithms (GA) to explore and characterize multi-targeted control strategies for the random dynamical immune system that guide it from a persistent, non-recovering inflammatory state (functionally equivalent to the clinical states of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis) to a state of health. We train the GA on a single parameter set with multiple stochastic replicates, and show that while the calculated results show good generalizability, more advanced strategies are needed to achieve the goal of adaptive personalized medicine. This work evaluating the extent of interventions needed to control a simplified surrogate model of sepsis provides insight into the scope of the clinical challenge, and can serve as a guide on the path towards true “precision control” of sepsis.
Analyzing Thermal Stability of Cell Membrane of Salmonella Using Time-Multiplexed Impedance Sensing

Abstract Heat treatment is one of the most widely used methods for inactivation of bacteria in food products. Heat-induced loss of bacterial viability has been variously attributed to protein denaturation, oxidative stress, or membrane leakage; indeed, it is likely to involve a combination of these processes. We examine the effect of mild heat stress (50–55°C for ≤12 min) on cell permeability by directly measuring the electrical conductance of samples of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to answer a fundamental biophysical question, namely, how bacteria die under mild heat stress. Our results show that when exposed to heat shock, the cell membrane is damaged and cells die mainly due to the leakage of small cytoplasmic species to the surrounding media without lysis (confirmed by fluorescent imaging). We measured the conductance change, Δ Y , of wild-type versus genetically modified heat-resistant (HR) cells in response to pulse and ramp heating profiles with different thermal time constants. In addition, we developed a phenomenological model to correlate the membrane damage, cytoplasmic leakage, and cell viability. This model traces the differential viability and Δ Y of wild-type and HR cells to the difference in the effective activation energies needed to permeabilize the cells, implying that HR cells are characterized by stronger lateral interactions between molecules, such as lipids, in their cell envelope.
The Macrofungi Collection Consortium

Premise of the study The Macrofungi Collection Consortium (MaCC) is a digitization project funded by the National Science Foundation's Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections program. The main scientific objective of the MaCC project was to provide baseline data for determining the extent and distribution of macrofungal diversity. Methods and results Between 2012 and 2017, 39 participating institutions digitized approximately 1,250,000 specimens of macrofungi from U.S. herbaria. These newly digitized data, combined with existing data and contributions from the Microfungi Collections Consortium, have created a database of approximately 3.4 million specimen records that are shared online through MyCoPortal, a Symbiota-based data portal. In addition to the digitized herbarium specimen data, MyCoPortal also contains descriptions, illustrations, and observational records. Discussion The database of digitized specimen data created through this project is a resource for both amateur and professional mycologists. The data provided through MyCoPortal will provide a foundation for a comprehensive Mycoflora of North America. Such a project is now under development as a collaboration between the professional and amateur mycological communities, with the goal of documenting the macrofungi of North America with gene sequences as well as phenotypic descriptions and images.
Particle therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

The finite range of proton beams in tissues offers unique dosimetric advantages that theoretically allow the dose to the target to be escalated while minimizing exposure of surrounding tissues and thereby minimizing radiation-induced toxicity. These theoretical advantages have led to widespread adoption of proton therapy around the world for a wide variety of tumors at different anatomic sites. Many treatment-planning comparisons have shown that proton therapy has substantial dosimetric advantages over conventional photon (X-ray) radiation therapy. However, given the typically significant difference in cost between proton therapy versus conventional photon therapy, strong evidence of proton therapy’s clinical benefits in terms of toxicity and survival is warranted. Some findings from retrospective studies, single-arm prospective studies, and a very few randomized clinical trials comparing these modalities are beginning to emerge. In this review, we examine the available data on proton therapy for (non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC). We begin by discussing the unique challenges involved in treating moving targets with significant tissue heterogeneity and the technologic efforts underway to overcome these challenges. We then discuss the rationale for minimizing normal tissue toxicity, particularly pulmonary, cardiac, and hematologic toxicity, within the context of previously unsuccessful attempts at dose escalation for lung cancer. Finally, we explore strategies for accelerating the development of trials aimed at measuring meaningful clinical endpoints and for maximizing the value of proton therapy by personalizing its use for individual patients.
Odyssey of Patent Foramen Ovale: Closure in Cryptogenic Stroke: The Canary in the Coal Mine of Clinical Trials?

Cryptogenic stroke is defined as a symptomatic cerebral infarct for which no probable cause is identified after a standard diagnostic workup. They may be more common in younger patients,[1][1] in whom traditional stroke and atherosclerotic risk factors are less common, although there is no
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

It is now possible to identify specific Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs that can be classified as criminal gangs based on member’s involvement in organized crime and leaders participation in the planning and execution of these criminal activities. This chapter identifies those specific clubs: the Big Five Motorcycle Gangs, their puppet/support gangs, and those gangs considered to be the major independent outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Spatial modeling using graphical Markov models and wavelets

Partially ordered Markov models (POMMs) are Markov random fields (MRPs) with neigh­ borhood structures derivable from an associated partially ordered set. The most attractive feature of POMMs is that their joint distributions can be written in closed and product form. Therefore, simulation and maximum likelihood estimation for the models is quite straightfor­ ward, which is not the case in general for MRP models. In practice, one often has to modify the likelihood to account for edge components; the resulting composite likelihood for POMMs is similarly straightforward to maximize. In this article, we use a martingale approach to derive the asymptotic properties of maximum (composite) likelihood estimators for POMMs. One of our results establishes that, under regularity conditions that include Dobrushin's condition for spatial mixing, the maximum composite likelihood estimator is consistent, asymptotically normal, and also asymptotically efficient. AMS 1991 subject classifications: Primary 62M40; secondary 62F12.
Decarboxylative Elimination of N-Acyl Amino Acids via Photoredox/Cobalt Dual Catalysis

A dual-catalytic strategy for the synthesis of enamides and enecarbamates directly from easily accessible and inexpensive amino acids has been realized. This mild and efficient protocol makes use of an organic photoredox catalyst and a cobaloxime catalyst to achieve decarboxylative elimination using hydrogen evolution to drive the oxidation. Thus, the reaction occurs without a stoichiometric oxidant or the forcing conditions previously employed in attempts to achieve similar eliminations.
Genetics of Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare heterogenous disorder associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and can present in a wide variety of clinical manifestations including thrombosis and pregnancy complications. Although the etiology of APS remains poorly understood, there is strong support for considering APS as a complex genetic disease in which multiple genetic risk factors, in conjunction with environmental factors, affect its onset, progression, and severity. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of the genetic basis of APS, which remains in its infancy. Most genetic studies to date in APS were performed in small cohorts of patients. As a result, only few genetic associations reported are convincing. Several reports suggested genetic associations with HLA class II alleles in APS, and only two genetic loci outside of the HLA region (STAT4 and C1D) reached the threshold for genome-wide level of significance (P < 5 × 10−8). In this review, we also shed light on the genetic differences among the diverse clinical subsets of APS and briefly discuss the role that DNA methylation changes might play in the pathophysiology of this disease. The genetic basis of APS remains poorly characterized. Larger collaborative multicenter studies using well-characterized patients are needed to comprehensively understand the role of genetic susceptibility in APS.
What drives the gap? Applying the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method to examine generational differences in transportation-related attitudes

Considerable recent work suggests that Millennials’ behaviors may be converging with those of Generation X as they enter later life stages, but few have investigated whether attitudes, which are often strong predictors of behavior, are undergoing the same convergence. In this study, we analyze the existing generational gap in four transportation-related attitudes (currently pro-urban, long-term pro-urban, pro-car ownership, and pro-environment), and examine the differential effects of other characteristics, including life-stage variables, on these attitudinal gaps. We apply the threefold Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method to a statewide (weighted) sample of 1029 Millennials and 946 Generation Xers from California to unravel these effects. The method distinguishes among: (1) effects due to the cohorts having different characteristics (endowments); (2) effects due to those characteristics having different influences on attitudes (coefficients); and (3) the interaction of those two effects. We observe that Millennials’ attitudes: (1) differ from those of Generation X only by small, albeit statistically significant, amounts on average; and (2) are closer to those of Generation X as they gain on a host of life-stage variables such as marital status, income, and education. For example, if Millennials were married, employed, and earning higher incomes at the same rates as Generation X (but retaining their own model coefficients), the generational gap in the currently pro-urban attitude would be reduced by 24%. This study brings an econometric approach to the study of generational divides in transportation-related attitudes, with findings suggesting that Millennials might be leaving part of their uniqueness behind as they enter later life stages.
Fully Learnable Front-End for Multi-Channel Acoustic Modeling Using Semi-Supervised Learning

In this work, we investigated the teacher-student training paradigm to train a fully learnable multi-channel acoustic model for far-field automatic speech recognition (ASR). Using a large offline teacher model trained on beamformed audio, we trained a simpler multi-channel student acoustic model used in the speech recognition system. For the student, both multi-channel feature extraction layers and the higher classification layers were jointly trained using the logits from the teacher model. In our experiments, compared to a baseline model trained on about 600 hours of transcribed data, a relative word-error rate (WER) reduction of about 27.3% was achieved when using an additional 1800 hours of untran-scribed data. We also investigated the benefit of pre-training the multi-channel front end to output the beamformed log-mel filter bank energies (LFBE) using L2 loss. We find that pre-training improves the word error rate by 10.7% when compared to a multi-channel model directly initialized with a beamformer and mel-filter bank coefficients for the front end. Finally, combining pre-training and teacher-student training produces a WER reduction of 31% compared to our baseline.
Experimental Results from the 1.2 ma, 2.2 m Diameter Linear Transformer Driver at Sandia National Labs

Herein we describe the design, simulation and performance of a 118-GW linear transformer driver (LTD) cavity at Sandia National Laboratories. The cavity consists of 20 to 24 “Bricks”. Each brick is comprised of two 80 nF, 100 kV capacitors connected electrically in series with a custom, 200 kV, three-electrode, field-distortion gas switch. The brick capacitors are bi-polar charged to a total of 200 kV. Typical brick circuit parameters are 40 nF (two 80 nF capacitors in series) and 160 nH inductance. Over the course of over 10,000 shots the cavity generated a peak electrical current and power of 1.19 MA and 118 GW.
CHAPTER 19 – Lymph Nodes

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of lymph nodes. The immune system encompasses the body. This is accomplished in part by means of lymph nodes. Lymph node lymphocytes are constantly circulating and, thus, provide the body with a network of immunologic protection, an essential surveillance system. Lymph nodes possess the two anatomical and functional divisions of the immune system. Lymph nodes are located strategically throughout the body where they provide protection against environmental pathogens. Lymphatic capillaries end blindly in tissue spaces where they can capture lymph. Lymph is produced normally, but it may occasionally contain antigenic material or other infectious agents. Gaining access to the lymphoid system via the lymphatics, the lymph eventually connects to nodes via larger afferent vessels where it is then transported to the nodes. In this way, the antigenic material is in a position to be captured by macrophages. Depending on the nature of the antigen, either T lymphocytes or B lymphocytes will be stimulated to effect cell-mediated responses or humoral immune responses with the production of antibodies.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis, unilateral malignant pleural effusion with bilateral hydronephrosis post-radical gastrectomy in a signet-ring gastric cancer patient: a case report.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Signet-ring cell type is the most malicious subtype. We report a case of advanced s...
Differences in distress: Variance and production of American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) distress calls in Belize.

Acoustic communication of American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) is relatively understudied. Our overall aim was to determine the acoustic structure of wild American Crocodile distress calls, distinguish call differences among size classes (hatchling, juvenile, sub-adult, and adult), and investigate call production on a gradient of human disturbance. American Crocodile distress calls have strong frequency modulation and are comprised of multiple harmonics in a downsweeping pattern. Measured parameters (total duration, first quartile duration, maximal frequency, first quartile frequency, end frequency, slope of first quartile, slope of last quartiles) differed significantly among size classes (p < .05). Hatchling distress calls are higher in frequency and strongly modulated, whereas calls produced by sub-adults and adults showed little modulation, are lower in frequency, and have greater overall duration. Proportion of crocodiles that produced distress calls during capture differed by size class and sampling location, particularly adult distress calls which are reported here to be produced with undocumented frequency. We determined that American Crocodiles of all size classes produce distress calls at varying rates among study sites. Our results demonstrate that American crocodiles produce distress call more frequently at sites with higher anthropogenic activity. Measured call parameters of juveniles and hatchling American crocodiles also varied among sites in relation to human disturbance. Calls recorded at sites of high anthropogenic impact have increased duration and less modulation which may adversely affect response to emitted distress calls. Proportional and call parameter variances suggest anthropogenic activity as a driver for increased call production and alteration of call parameters at high human-impacted sites.
A comparison of perioperative pain control in total shoulder arthroplasty: preoperative tramadol is associated with decreased long-term opiate use when compared with traditional opioids

Abstract Background Prolonged opiate use has been associated with adverse patient outcomes and high societal costs. While tramadol, an alternative to traditional opiate pain medications, has evidence-based support for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, no clear guidance exists in the shoulder arthroplasty literature to guide perioperative prescribing practices. Methods All patients from a private insurance database who underwent total or reverse shoulder arthroplasty between 2008 and 2015 were identified. These patients were grouped into 3 mutually exclusive cohorts based on perioperative pain management regimes: those who received (1) traditional opiates only, (2) tramadol only, (3) nonopioids only. These groups were compared for length of stay, prolonged opioid use (defined as opioid use >3 months after surgery), emergency department (ED) visits, 90-day readmissions, and medical complication Results From 2008 to 2015, 5,797 shoulder arthroplasty patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Of those, 498 (8.6%) received pre- and postoperative tramadol, 2001 (34.5%) traditional opioids, and 3289 (56.7%) nonopioids only. Traditional opioid use was weakly associated with a higher risk of minor medical complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.97, P = .048), ED visits (OR 1.22, CI 19 1.03-1.43, P = .017), and 90-day readmission (OR 1.29, 1.03-1.62, P = .025) compared to nonopioid only users. Additionally, these patients had a markedly higher risk of prolonged narcotic use (OR 6.72, CI 5.89-7.68, P Conclusions Shoulder arthroplasty who received perioperative tramadol were less likely than those who received traditional opioids to require prolonged opiate pain medication. Given the well-established negative consequences of prolonged opiate use and lack of association between tramadol use and medical complications found in the current study, tramadol should be considered in shoulder arthroplasty candidates. However, tramadol is not without its own risks, and the risk of prolonged postoperative narcotic use is still higher within this population compared to those patients who take no opioids. These results should help inform preoperative pain management plans in patients who are likely to undergo eventual TSA. Level of Evidence Level III; Retrospective Cohort Study
Drowning in the elderly in Paraíba-Brazil

Drowning is a global problem, and is among the leading causes of death in the world, and the elderly are part of this new reality
GABA administration limits viral replication and pneumonitis in a mouse model of COVID-19

Despite the availability of vaccines for COVID-19, serious illness and death induced by coronavirus infection will remain a global health burden because of vaccination hesitancy, possible virus mutations, and the appearance of novel coronaviruses. Accordingly, there is a need for new approaches to limit severe illness stemming from coronavirus infections. Cells of the immune system and lung epithelia express receptors for GABA (GABA-Rs), a widely used neurotransmitter within the CNS. GABA-R agonists have anti-inflammatory effects and can limit acute lung injury. We previously showed that GABA treatment effectively reduced disease severity and death rates in mice following infection with a coronavirus (MHV-1) which provides a potentially lethal model of COVID-19. Here, we report that GABA treatment also reduced viral load in the lungs, suggesting that GABA-Rs may provide a new druggable target to limit pulmonary coronavirus replication. Histopathological analysis revealed that GABA treatment reduced lung inflammatory infiltrates and damages. Since GABA is safe for human consumption, inexpensive, and available worldwide, it is a promising candidate to help treat COVID-19.
Diffusion barriers and adaptive carbon uptake strategies enhance the modeled performance of the algal CO2-concentrating mechanism

Abstract Many photosynthetic organisms enhance the performance of their CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco by operating a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Most CCMs in eukaryotic algae supply concentrated CO2 to Rubisco in an organelle called the pyrenoid. Ongoing efforts seek to engineer an algal CCM into crops that lack a CCM to increase yields. To advance our basic understanding of the algal CCM, we develop a chloroplast-scale reaction-diffusion model to analyze the efficacy and the energy efficiency of the CCM in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We show that achieving an effective and energetically efficient CCM requires a physical barrier such as thylakoid stacks or a starch sheath to reduce CO2 leakage out of the pyrenoid matrix. Our model provides insights into the relative performance of two distinct inorganic carbon uptake strategies: at air-level CO2, a CCM can operate effectively by taking up passively diffusing external CO2 and catalyzing its conversion to HCO3−, which is then trapped in the chloroplast; however, at lower external CO2 levels, effective CO2 concentration requires active import of HCO3−. We also find that proper localization of carbonic anhydrases can reduce futile carbon cycling between CO2 and HCO3−, thus enhancing CCM performance. We propose a four-step engineering path that increases predicted CO2 saturation of Rubisco up to seven-fold at a theoretical cost of only 1.5 ATP per CO2 fixed. Our system-level analysis establishes biophysical principles underlying the CCM that are broadly applicable to other algae and provides a framework to guide efforts to engineer an algal CCM into land plants. Significance Statement Eukaryotic algae mediate approximately one-third of CO2 fixation in the global carbon cycle. Many algae enhance their CO2-fixing ability by operating a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Our model of the algal CCM lays a solid biophysical groundwork for understanding its operation. The model’s consistency with experimental observations supports existing hypotheses about the operating principles of the algal CCM and the functions of its component proteins. We provide a quantitative estimate of the CCM’s energy efficiency and compare the performance of two distinct CO2 assimilation strategies under varied conditions. The model offers a quantitative framework to guide the engineering of an algal CCM into land plants and supports the feasibility of this endeavor.
The high prevalence of Clostridioides difficile among nursing home elders associates with a dysbiotic microbiome

Clostridioides difficile disproportionally affects the elderly living in nursing homes (NHs). Our objective was to explore the prevalence of C. difficile in NH elders, over time and to determine wh...
Superficial vs. deep serratus anterior plane block for analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy: A randomized prospective trial

Abstract Study objective In the initial description of the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), both superficial and deep SAPB provided effective blockade. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in opioid consumption and postoperative analgesia between superficial and deep SAPB for patients undergoing mastectomy. Design Randomized prospective trial. Setting Academic hospital. Patients 64 women, >18 years of age, ASA I-III, undergoing single or bilateral mastectomy, with and without lymph node biopsy, with and without tissue expander reconstruction. Intervention Either superficial or deep SAPB by an ultrasound-guided technique in addition to multimodal analgesia. Measurements The primary outcome was opioid consumption in the first 24 h. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, satisfaction scores, incidence of PONV, length of stay and block performance time. Results Subjects who received a deep SAPB required 30% less oral morphine equivalents (OME) (113.5 mg vs. 147 mg, p = 0.009) and reported lower pain scores. There were no significant differences in satisfaction scores, incidence of PONV, LOS, or block performance time between the two groups. Conclusion There was a significant difference in opioid consumption between the deep and superficial SAPB groups. Subjects in the deep SAPB group had lower pain scores at 12 h; however, the difference was not statistically significant at other time points. While both the superficial and the deep SAPB can be used for post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy, our study suggests that the deep SAPB may improve analgesia to a greater degree than the superficial SAPB as shown through decreased opioid consumption of 30% over a 24-h period post-block. Clinical trial number and registry URL clinicaltrials.gov : NCT03154658
Opioid-sparing Strategies in Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Introduction Pain and discomfort are frequently experienced following mastectomy with concomitant breast implant- or tissue expander-based alloplastic breast reconstruction (AlBR). Unfortunately, postoperative opioids have decreased efficacy in AlBR, short-term complication profiles, and are fraught by long-term dependence. This systematic review aims to identify opioid-sparing pain management strategies in AlBR. Methods A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register was performed in September 2018. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018107911). The search identified 1184 articles. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients 18 years or older undergoing AlBR. Results Fourteen articles were identified assessing opioid-sparing strategies in AlBR. This literature included articles evaluating enhanced recovery protocols (two), intercostal blocks (two), paravertebral blocks (four), liposomal bupivacaine (three), diclofenac (one), and local anesthesia infusion pumps (two). The literature included five randomized trials and nine cohort studies. Study characteristics, bias (low to high risk), and reporting outcomes were extensively heterogeneous between articles. Qualitative analysis suggests reduced opioid utilization in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways, paravertebral blocks, and use of liposomal bupivacaine. Conclusions A variety of opioid-sparing strategies are described for pain management in AlBR. Multimodal analgesia should be provided via ERAS pathways as they appear to reduce pain and spare opioid use. Targeted paravertebral blocks and liposomal bupivacaine field blocks appear to be beneficial in sparing opioids and should be considered as essential components of ERAS protocols. Additional prospective, randomized trials are necessary to delineate the efficacy of other studied modalities.
Electrospun membranes filtering 100 nm particles from air flow by means of the van der Waals and Coulomb forces

Abstract Nonwoven fibrous filter membranes are widely used in filtration because of their low cost. They are less effective in intercepting airborne particles of the order of 100 nm, which is of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus’s size. Many diseases, including COVID-19, predominantly spread by droplets released by breathing, coughing, sneezing, or medical procedures. It was shown that the smallest droplets can evaporate in air before settling, thus, making viruses airborne and easily penetrating even the best masks and filters. As a result, air-filtering membranes, which are capable of effectively interception of ∼100 nm nanoparticles are highly desirable. A traditional way to improve filtration efficiency by overlapping several layers of nonwoven fabrics increases the required pressure drop, and thus, should be avoided as much as possible. Here, we propose and demonstrate an innovated approach to enhance performance of filtration membranes based on (i) a dramatic reduction in the fiber size, and (ii) metal coating of the fibers. The first component of this approach allows one to incorporate a novel physical mechanism of filtration, the short-range van der Waals forces, whereas the second one adds the long-range electric Coulomb forces if the oncoming nanoparticles are pre-charged and the metal-plated membrane grounded. In the present work, the ∼100 nm Aluminum nanoparticles are filtered as a model of commensurate airborne single COVID-19 viruses, and Platinum is used as the sputter-coated material for the fiber coating. The resulting filtration efficiency enhanced by the electric Coulomb forces alone is increased by the factor of 1.77, while the filtration efficiency additionally facilitated by the van der Walls forces increased by the factor of 2.44. In comparison to the filter membranes with ∼500 nm fibers without the electric forces involved, the van-der-Waals-electric filter membrane with fibers ∼90 nm is 2.24 × 1.77 = 3.96 times more effective. The quality factor of a membrane which combines the van der Waals and Coulomb forces is 10.6 psi−1, which almost three times that of a comparable membrane without the electric Coulomb force (with only van der Waals forces being used).
Continuity and Change in Irish Poetry, 1966–2010

Introduction 1. Refashioning Irish poetry, 1966-1974 2. Triangular Muldoon 3. McGuckian's histories 4. Carson's city 5. Ni Dhomhnaill along the spine 6. Conclusion: 'recent Irish poetry'.
FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF ROUGH RICE DRYING

ABSTRACT Milled, brown and rough rice samples were dried in the laboratory with heated air and diffusivities of the endosperm, bran and husk were evaluated with a search technique using the finite element method. The endosperm had the highest diffusivity. The husk had a slightly higher diffusivity than the bran because the trapped air inside the husk was considered as an integral part of the husk. The finite element method predicted rough rice drying that was in good agreement with experimental results.
The growth of smooth muscle and sympathetic ganglia in organotypic tissue cultures

Abstract The relationships that develop between autonomic ganglia and intestinal smooth muscle tissue grown in vitro have been studied. The tissue was taken from fetal mice 17–19 days in utero. Ganglia and muscle alone, and combinations of these tissues, were grown on collagen-coated cover-slips and maintained in Maximow slide assemblies for up to 70 days. The cultures were either vitally stained with methylene-blue for light microscopy or fixed in phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. General observations indicated that, although smooth muscle tissue grown alone often continues to contract for some time, the presence of adrenergic nerves maintains rhythmic contractions for up to 70 days in vitro. Methylene-blue staining showed that, in the combined cultures, a dense network of nerve fibres develop within the smooth muscle tissue. Amongst these fibres were occasional parasympathetic neurons. In the smooth muscle tissue grown alone, parasympathetic neurons and their processes were the only nervous elements. Ultrastructurally, some axons were seen to be in very close association with the smooth muscle cells. Different populations of axons based on their vesicular content were identified. Occasional membrane thickening of closely-apposed axonal and muscle cell membranes were seen. Muscle cells were classed as immature or mature, depending on the organization of organelles within the cell, especially myofilaments. Degenerating smooth muscle cells are also described. It is shown that morphologically, at least, the sympathetic nerves innervate the smooth muscle tissue. There is some indication that these nerves help to maintain the rhythmic contractions of the muscle tissue. Also, the morphology of the autonomic ganglia and smooth muscle grown in vitro compares closely with the in vivo situation.
Comparison of ubiquinol and cytochrome c terminal oxidases: An alternative view

There have been numerous instances in the recent literature where the properties of ubiquinol and cytochrome c terminal oxidases are compared. Here we specifically examine the cytochrome bo3-type ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli and the cytochrome aa3-type cytochrome c oxidases. A second redox-active copper site (CuA) is present only in the cytochrome c oxidases and the physiological electron donors for the two enzymes are different (ubiquinol-8 vs. ferrocytochrome c). In our opinion, these differences are significant and most likely indicate that distinct turnover mechanisms are operative in the two enzymes.
Foreshocks during the nucleation of stick‐slip instability

[1] We report on laboratory experiments which investigate interactions between aseismic slip, stress changes, and seismicity on a critically stressed fault during the nucleation of stick-slip instability. We monitor quasi-static and dynamic changes in local shear stress and fault slip with arrays of gages deployed along a simulated strike-slip fault (2 m long and 0.4 m deep) in a saw cut sample of Sierra White granite. With 14 piezoelectric sensors, we simultaneously monitor seismic signals produced during the nucleation phase and subsequent dynamic rupture. We observe localized aseismic fault slip in an approximately meter-sized zone in the center of the fault, while the ends of the fault remain locked. Clusters of high-frequency foreshocks (Mw ~ −6.5 to −5.0) can occur in this slowly slipping zone 5–50 ms prior to the initiation of dynamic rupture; their occurrence appears to be dependent on the rate at which local shear stress is applied to the fault. The meter-sized nucleation zone is generally consistent with theoretical estimates, but source radii of the foreshocks (2 to 70 mm) are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the theoretical minimum length scale over which earthquake nucleation can occur. We propose that frictional stability and the transition between seismic and aseismic slip are modulated by local stressing rate and that fault sections, which would typically slip aseismically, may radiate seismic waves if they are rapidly stressed. Fault behavior of this type may provide physical insight into the mechanics of foreshocks, tremor, repeating earthquake sequences, and a minimum earthquake source dimension.
Organizational Partnerships and the Virtual Corporation

Organizations are transforming their relationships with their business partners. For example, instead of playing off dozens or even hundreds of competing suppliers against each other, many firms are finding it more profitable to work closely with only a small number of “partners”. While these firms generally increase their amount of outsourcing, by focusing on a small number of partners they create value networks that are often referred to as “value-added-partnerships”, “virtual organizations” or “modular corporations”. In this work we explore some causes and consequences of this transformation. We apply the economic theory of incomplete contracts to study the optimal number of business partners, with particular attention to the role of information technology. Surprisingly, we find that organizations will often maximize profits by limiting their options and reducing their own bargaining power. This may seem paradoxical in an age of cheap communications costs and aggressive competition. However, unlike earlier studies that focused on coordination costs, we focus on the critical importance of providing incentives for business partners. Our results spring from the need to make it worthwhile for business partners to invest in “non-contractibles” like innovation, responsiveness and information sharing. Such incentives will be stronger when the number of competing partners is small. The findings of the theoretical models appear to be consistent with observations from empirical research which highlight the key role of information technology in enabling this transformation.
Fractal dust grains

Dust particles in the interstellar medium are almost certainly not spherical or any other shape which allows an analytical calculation of the extinction curve, even in the Rayleigh limit. Particles in soot and interplanetary dust particles are aggregates formed by subclusters which stick together. This paper uses the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) to compute the absorption and extinction curves for fractal shapes generated by this clustering process. For fractals made from graphite the UV extinction curve shows a bump near the observed 220 nm feature, and a far infrared emission efficiency many times greater than that for spheres.
Analog circuit techniques utilizing BiCMOS technology

The author focuses on analog design utilizing BiCMOS technology, illustrating the techniques used by circuit examples. An overview of the process and some device characteristics are given, and simple current cell, a latched comparator, and a sample/hold amplifier are described. These devices illustrate several useful analog functions. Several BiCMOS systems are also described, demonstrating the power and flexibility of BiCMOS technology. >
LPS-induced MCP-1, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in isolated erythrocyte-perfused rat kidney

The capacity of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated isolated erythrocyte-perfused rat kidney (IEPK) to produce monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA was investigated. The IEPK was chosen to exclude the influence of circulating neutrophils and monocytes that can produce both these mediators when exposed to LPS. The control minimal LPS group (LPS < 10 pg/ml) showed a small increase in mRNA expression for MCP-1, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha in the cortex and medulla after 80 min of perfusion when compared with the unperfused left kidney in which no IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha mRNA and only minimal amounts of MCP-1 mRNA were detected. LPS stimulation (1 microgram/ml for 40 or 80 min) increased MCP-1, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression, which was found predominately in peritubular capillary endothelial cells by in situ hybridization. The changes were not due to a marked perturbation of LPS on renal hemodynamics. The renal vascular resistance (RVR) remained constant (40 min LPS exposure) or increased only slightly during the last 5-10 min (80 min LPS exposure) compared with a progressive increase in RVR of the minimal LPS group. The hemodynamic effects of LPS on the IEPK appear to counteract the gradual increase in RVR seen in the minimal LPS group.
Asymptotic Expansions for i.i.d. Sums Via Lower-order Convolutions

In this article, we introduce new asymptotic expansions for probability functions of sums of independent and identically distributed random variables. Results are obtained by efficiently employing information provided by lower-order convolutions. In comparison with Edgeworth-type theorems, advantages include improved asymptotic results in the case of symmetric random variables and ease of computation of main error terms and asymptotic crossing points. The first-order estimate can perform quite well against the corresponding renormalized saddlepoint approximation and, pointwise, requires evaluation of only a single convolution integral. While the new expansions are fairly straightforward, the implications are fortuitous and may spur further related work.