cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective IgA Deficiency in Charcot-Marie-Topth Disease

A selective IgA deficiency was found in five of 15 random patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Immunologic studies of 32 members of the five families showed low IgA in 17 of the members, associated with elevated IgM in 20, without other significant immune abnormalities. The immunoglobulin pattern and the variability of symptoms in this familial peripheral neuropathy suggest that a thymic or gut-associated immune deficiency or both, may be causally related to the disease process.
Transnational Integration in the Digital Age

We analyze the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) and multinationals' propensity for transnational integration. We extend the knowledge-based view (KBV) of the multinational firm and propose that although the net effect of ICT increases the propensity for transnational integration, orientation of ICT usage have competing influences. Hence, we further argue that internally-focused ICT, that is, ICT geared towards reducing knowledge transmission costs between internal firm units, enhances the propensity for transnational integration because it complements internal combinative capabilities. In contrast, externally-focused ICT, that is, ICT that aids in lowering knowledge transmission costs between a firm and external organizations, decreases the propensity for transnational integration because it substitutes for internal combinative capabilities.
The 17O(γ,no)16O Reaction and the Lane-Lynn Theory of Radiative Capture

The 17O(γ,no)16O reaction was found to provide an ideal demonstration of the theory of radiative capture of Lane and Lynn.1 The reaction mechanisms of this theory are internal, potential and channel capture. The effects of these capture mechanisms were observed unambiguously for the first time. In particular, a novel interference pattern, observed in this reaction, was interpreted in terms of a unique property of channel capture. Previous studies2 of channel capture phenomena involved analysis of a large number of resonances where statistical properties and correlation effects were invoked in order to describe the nature of the resonances. The observed differential cross section section for the 17O(γ,n0)16O reaction was interpreted in terms of a multilevel R-matrix analysis which includes, in a self-consistent way, the reaction mechanisms3 for the 16O(n,n)16O reaction.
Combinatorial metabolic pathway assembly in the yeast genome with RNA-guided Cas9

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important industrial platform for the production of grain and cellulosic ethanol, isobutanol, butanediol, isoprenoids, and other chemicals. The construction of a successful production strain usually involves multiple gene knockouts and chromosomal integration of expression cassettes to redirect the metabolic fluxes for the conversion of sugars and other feed stocks into the desired product. RNA-guided Cas9 based genome editing has been demonstrated in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts including S. cerevisiae, in which it has been additionally exploited as a tool for metabolic engineering. To extend the utilization of RNA-guided Cas9 as a metabolic pathway building tool, we demonstrated the direct assembly and chromosomal integration of up to 17 overlapping DNA fragments encoding the beta-carotene biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, we generated a combinatorial strain library for the beta-carotene biosynthetic pathway, directly integrated into the yeast genome to create a diverse library of strains. This enabled the screening of combinatorial libraries in stable chromosomally integrated strains for rapid improvements of product titers. This combinatorial approach for pathway assembly will significantly accelerate the current speed of metabolic engineering for S. cerevisiae as an industrial platform, and increase the number of strains that can be simultaneously evaluated for enzyme screening, expression optimization and protein engineering to achieve the titer, rate and yield necessary for the commercialization of new industrial fermentation products.
Early Diagnostic Value of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Combined with Indirect Immunofluorescence Method for Atypical Pathogens Infection of Lower Respiratory Tract in Children

Objective To evaluate the early diagnostic value of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) combined with indirect immunofluorescence(IIF) method(RT-PCR+IIF) for atypical pathogens infection of lower respiratory tract in children.Methods One hundred and fifty-two children with suspecting of atypical pneumonia were detected mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP),legione-lla pneumophila(LP),chlamydia pneumoniae(CP) and rickettsia burneti(QP)by RT-PCR+IIF method;and indirect hemagglutination me-thod,immumofluorescence method and micro condensation experiment were performed at the same time as control.The detection ratio of MP,LP,CP and QP by every method were contrasted and analyzed,and according to these detection result,sensitive antibiotics was used for all the children with atypical pathogenic bacteria,the heart rate,respiration,body temperature and WBC changs and clinical symptom improv condition of children post-treatment were observed.Results The diagnosis ratio of MP,LP,CP and QP were not different significantly between RT-PCR and IIF method(Pa0.05).While the diagnosis ratio of MP and LP with RT-PCR+IIF method were higher than any of other 3 methods significantly(Pa0.05).According to the results by RT-PCR+IIF method to use sensitive antibiotics for the children,the therapeutic efficacy was better.Conclusions RT-PCR+IIF can enhance the diagnosis ratio of MP and LP,and it can well avoid the missed diagnosis,whether the diagnosis ratio of CP and QP can be enhanced need further study.
Aerospace Applications of Particulate Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

In this paper,four main kinds of preparation technology of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites are reviewed,excellences and disadvantages of every methods are analyzed.A series of significant aerospace applications of particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites at home and abroad are summarized.At the same time,some advices are brought forward to develop particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites in China.
The health belief model and determinants of oral hygiene practices and beliefs in preteen children: a pilot study.

Purpose There is limited understanding of children's behavioral decisions for practicing good oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may motivate children to practice good oral hygiene. Methods Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), eight focus groups of 42 American children (second through fifth graders) were interviewed concerning their histories with caries, perceived confidence in brushing, self-perceived susceptibility and vulnerability for caries and/or poor oral health, and perceived benefits and barriers to practicing oral hygiene. Results Most children equated good oral health as being central to their overall health; however, some viewed poor oral health as occurring only in the elderly while others believed poor oral health could begin at any age. Children cited esthetic appearance of teeth and the desire to please others by brushing without reminders as motivators of good oral hygiene. The greatest barriers to performing oral hygiene were a perceived lack of time and limited access to toothbrushes and dentifrice when away. Conclusions To motivate children in this age range, emphasis should be placed on the positive aspects of maintaining good oral hygiene for its contribution to appearance and its implication for an overall healthy body and self-image.
ACTIVABLE TRACERS IN THE STUDY OF AEROSOL DEPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION IN LUNG

Abstract Rodents were exposed to samarium labeled monodisperse polystyrene latex spheres, 0,3 μm diameter, to evaluate the aerosol deposition efficiency in respiratory airways. The lungs were then removed, encapsulated, neutron-activated in a reactor, and the 103 kev gamma ray of 153 Sm decay was measured by the Ge(Li) spectrometry. The concentration of aerosol particles inhaled during the experiment was obtained by deposition on filter paper followed by activation and counting in the same way as the lung samples. The fraction of aerosol deposited in the rat lung was then calculated from the ratio of 153 Sm activity found in the rat lung to that of the inhaled air during the experiment. The deposition efficiency of the aerosol, in rat lungs ranges from 7 to 16%. The advantage of this technique is that no radioactivity is present during the production and deposition of aerosol in the animal.
Engineering Methods for Decision Making on Relative Sustainability: Process Simulation Approaches

Computer-aided simulation has been an established technique for designing and optimizing new and retrofit processes, especially in chemical process industries. Process optimization has given rise to highly useful techniques of process integration and process intensification that over the years have reduced resource use and cost. These reductions contribute to sustainable technologies no doubt but do not capture the totality of sustainability as understood in the context of simultaneous reduction of environmental, economic, and human health impacts of technologies. More and more researchers are beginning to be engaged in attempts at incorporating the remaining sustainability indicators in simulation methods. Various commercially available tools can be used as springboard for developing newer tools that would be useful to designing processes that from a holistic viewpoint are more sustainable. This chapter is a discussion on such opportunities. The field of computer-based methods of design and optimization is already very mature. This discussion is not a tutorial in that sense but an introduction to the possibilities ahead.
Intensive Care Unit Educators: A Multicenter Evaluation of Behaviors Residents Value in Attending Physicians.

Rationale: It is important for attending physicians to know which behaviors influence learner perceptions. To date, two studies focusing on general medicine attending physicians have been published addressing internal medicine residents’ perceptions of attending physicians; there are no data on intensive care unit (ICU) attending physicians.Objectives: We sought to expand the evidence regarding this topic through a multicenter study at four geographically diverse academic medical centers. Our study focused on identifying the teaching behaviors of ICU physicians that learners observe in attending physicians who they value as effective educators.Methods: The study was conducted at Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN), Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD), University of California–San Francisco (San Francisco, CA), and University of Washington (Seattle, WA). Internal medicine residents completed an anonymous online survey rating the importance of behaviors of ICU attending physician role models. We crea...
Is Adjuvant Therapy Necessary for All Patients with Localized Pancreatic Cancer Who Have Received Neoadjuvant Therapy

Among patients with localized pancreatic cancer (PC), the benefit of adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant therapy and surgery is unknown. Patients with localized PC who completed all intended neoadjuvant therapy and surgery were categorized based on the receipt of adjuvant therapy and by pathologic lymph node status (LN−/LN+). Data was available from 234 consecutive patients, 121 (52%) with resectable and 113 (48%) with borderline resectable PC. Of the 234 patients, 92 (39%) were LN+ and 142 (61%) were LN−. The median overall survival (OS) for the 234 patients was 39 months, 42.3 months for patients who received any adjuvant therapy and 34.1 months for those who did not (p = 0.29). Of the 92 LN+ patients, the median OS with and without adjuvant therapy was 29.5 and 23.2 months, respectively (p = 0.02). Of the142 LN− patients, the median OS was 45 months with or without adjuvant therapy (p = 0.86). In an adjusted hazard model, additional adjuvant therapy had a significant protective effect among LN+ patients (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.21–0.70; p = 0.002) but not in LN− patients (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.53–1.52; p = 0.68). Among patients with localized PC who received neoadjuvant therapy and surgery, the benefit of adjuvant therapy was limited to those with node-positive disease.
The effect of hole transfer layers and anodes on indium-free TiO2/Ag/TiO2 electrode and ITO electrode based P3HT:PCBM organic solar cells

Abstract Transparent composite electrodes (TCE), TiO2/Ag/TiO2 (TAgT), have been demonstrated as a promising alternative of indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic solar cell application. TiO2/Ag/TiO2 have been incorporated into bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs) to replace ITO as the anode. Two different hole transfer layers (HTL), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and MoO3, are compared in terms of their compatibility with the TiO2/Ag/TiO2 anode. The MoO3 layer has been shown to be a beneficial HTL for TiO2/Ag/TiO2 based OSC. However, the wettability of MoO3 for polymer blend is not as good as PEDOT:PSS, and results in a relatively thin active layer in OSCs. On the other hand, ITO based OSCs using PEDOT:PSS and MoO3 as the HTL are fabricated as control samples to compare the performance of TAgT and ITO anodes. Results of the investigation shows that the superior electrical property of TAgT anodes contributes to the effective collection of photo-carriers and its lower optical transmittance barely degrades the light absorption in OSCs. In a few words, the higher Haacke figure of merit of TAgT enables better performance of OSCs with MoO3 HTL, in comparison with ITO based OSC.
Data documenting the performance of the PT/INR line correction method for reconciling INR discrepancies between central laboratory coagulation analyzers using different thromboplastins during the evaluation of a portable Coagulometer.

Abstract The data presented here was produced as part of an evaluation of the performance of the CoaguChek XS point-of-care coagulation analyzer, which is discussed in the research article “POCT PT INR – Is it adequate for Patient Care? A Comparison of the Roche Coaguchek XS vs. Stago Star vs. Siemens BCS in Patients Routinely Seen in an Anticoagulation Clinic” (Baker et al., in press) [1] . An effort to reconcile discrepancies in the patient INR result distributions from different central lab instruments (Stago Star and Siemens BCS) with the PT/INR line method is described (Poller et al., 2010, 2011; Ibrahim et al., 2011) [2] , [3] , [4] . While regression analysis of the ECAA Poller calibrant data provided a linear PT/INR line for all methods, Pearson's chi-squared and one-way repeated measures ANOVA analyses showed that central lab INR measurements continued to exhibit measurement site dependence after the PT/INR line correction was applied. According to paired t-test analysis, only the human thromboplastin dependent methods (CoaguChek XS and Siemens BCS both before and after PT/INR line correction) showed statistically significant agreement (p-value >0.05).
Development of the Human Mycobiome over the First Month of Life and across Body Sites.

ABSTRACT With the advent of next-generation sequencing and microbial community characterization, we are beginning to understand the key factors that shape early-life microbial colonization and associated health outcomes. Studies characterizing infant microbial colonization have focused mostly on bacteria in the microbiome and have largely neglected fungi (the mycobiome), despite their relevance to mucosal infections in healthy infants. In this pilot study, we characterized the skin, oral, and anal mycobiomes of infants over the first month of life ( n = 17) and the anal and vaginal mycobiomes of mothers ( n = 16) by internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) amplicon sequencing. We found that infant mycobiomes differed by body site, with the infant mycobiomes at the anal sites being different from those at the skin and oral sites. The relative abundances of body site-specific taxa differed by birth mode, with significantly more Candida albicans fungi present on the skin of vaginally born infants on day 30 and significantly more Candida orthopsilosis fungi present in the oral cavity of caesarean section-born infants throughout the first month of life. We found the mycobiomes within individual infants to be variable over the first month of life, and vaginal birth did not result in infant mycobiomes that were more similar to the mother’s vaginal mycobiome. Therefore, although vertical transmission of specific fungal isolates from mother to infant has been reported, it is likely that other sources (environment, other caregivers) also contribute to early-life mycobiome establishment. Thus, future longitudinal studies of mycobiome and bacterial microbiome codevelopment, with dense sampling from birth to beyond the first month of life, are warranted. IMPORTANCE Humans are colonized by diverse fungi (mycobiome), which have received much less study to date than colonizing bacteria. We know very little about the succession of fungal colonization in early life and whether it may relate to long-term health. To better understand fungal colonization and its sources, we studied the skin, oral, and anal mycobiomes of healthy term infants and the vaginal and anal mycobiomes of their mothers. Generally, infants were colonized by few fungal taxa, and fungal alpha diversity did not increase over the first month of life. There was no clear community maturation over the first month of life, regardless of body site. Key body-site-specific taxa, but not overall fungal community structures, were impacted by birth mode. Thus, additional studies to characterize mycobiome acquisition and succession throughout early life are needed to form a foundation for research into the relationship between mycobiome development and human disease.
Sharp decline in hydroxychloroquine dosing—analysis of 17,797 initiators from 2007 to 2016

We aimed to assess the impact of ophthalmology weight-based hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosing guidelines on prescribing patterns. We examined initial HCQ prescription dosing between 2007 and 2016 and determined independent predictors for HCQ dosing above the previous (2011) recommended ≤ 6.5 mg/kg of ideal body weight (IBW)/day and the latest (2016) recommended ≤ 5.0 mg/kg of actual body weight (ABW)/day using logistic regression. Among 17,797 patients (82% female), the proportion of 400 mg prescribed daily dosing declined sharply from 80% in 2007–2011 to nearly 40% in 2014, whereas the proportions of 200- and 300-mg daily doses showed the opposite trends during the same periods. Accordingly, the risk of HCQ dosing above the guideline recommendations declined by more than 60%. While 36% of normal body mass index (BMI) individuals were classified as dosing above the IBW-based guideline, 66% would have received dosing above the latest ABW-based guideline. The risk of excess dosing was associated with female patients and dermatology prescribers (adjusted odds ratios ≥ 2 according to IBW- or ABW-based guidelines). There has been a sharp decline in HCQ dosing following ophthalmology weight-based guidelines in recent years. While this trend is likely helpful in reducing the risk of retinopathy, its potential impact on HCQ efficacy remains to be clarified.
Representation and mental representation

This paper engages critically with anti-representationalist arguments pressed by prominent enactivists and their allies. The arguments in question are meant to show that the “as-such” and “job-description” problems constitute insurmountable challenges to causal-informational theories of mental content. In response to these challenges, a positive account of what makes a physical or computational structure a mental representation is proposed; the positive account is inspired partly by Dretske’s views about content and partly by the role of mental representations in contemporary cognitive scientific modeling.
Michele K. Troy. Strange Bird: The Albatross Press and the Third Reich. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press. 2017. 440p. Hardbound, $40.00 (ISBN: 978-0300215687).

The paperback revolution in Europe and North America of the mid-twentieth century has received much written attention from journalists and historians. This publishing innovation opened up reading markets theretofore largely unserved, and it, in turn, spurned a social and intellectual movement the effects of which are still with us today. The unlikely precursor of the modern paperback was the German-based Tauchnitz Editions, active between 1840 and 1940, which comprised some five thousand titles of contemporary British and American literature, printed and distributed with copyright in continental Europe, for the use of international travelers and the educated public. It was a most successful venture, ultimately selling millions of inexpensive copies, which greatly benefited authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers alike. With their distinctive covers, these books have now become collector’s items. Although there had been occasional competitors over the years, it was not until late 1931, with the founding of Albatross Press, that the battle of survival began. And it is at this moment that Michele K. Troy, professor of English at Hartford University, decided to begin her fascinating tale.
Pulse propagation in a high-gain bichromatically-driven Raman amplifier

Using intense electromagnetic fields, it is now possible to tailor the absorption. amplification, and dispersion properties of multi-level atoms [1]. Dramatic examples include the reduction of the group velocity of a pulse of light to 17 m/s [2] and increasing the group velocity vg to values greater than c or even to negative values [3]. Very recently, pulses of light have been effectively stopped in an atomic medium and the information initially contained in the pulse is encoded reversibly in the atomic coherence [4].
Pathophysiology of Nephrolithiasis

Urolithiasis is a significant cause of morbidity with an incidence in the American population of about 1%, accounting for approximately one of every 1000 hospital admissions. For the United States there are “stone belts” (e.g., the Southeast) where the prevalence of urolithiasis is considerably higher. Because of this high incidence, urolithiasis is a major cause of patient suffering both economically (medical costs and time lost from work) and physically. Urolithiasis is a frequent cause of renal colic. The scars and urinary tract obstruction caused by urolithiasis may lead to chronic urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis.
Does Implementation of a Corporate Wellness Initiative Improve Burnout

Author(s): Hart, Danielle; Paetow, Glenn; Zarzar, Rochelle | Abstract: Introduction: Burnout affects over 50% of all physicians. Nearly 70% of emergency physicians are affected, and it has been found to be as high as 76% in resident physicians overall. Previous wellness initiatives have yielded variable results; therefore, we looked for interventions that could potentially be effective at reversing this trend. We explored effective wellness programs originating from other industries. Our objective was to implement a corporate wellness program with previous evidence of success in other healthcare provider populations. We aimed to investigate whether this program would be effective in decreasing burnout in emergency medicine (EM) residents.Methods: This program was conducted during required EM resident conference hours from 2016-2017. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was completed before and after the series of sessions, and we collected reactions-level data following completion of the six sessions.Results: Post-intervention scores revealed a small trend toward increased emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores, and with increased personal accomplishment scores. The overall satisfaction rating for this program was low, at 1.5 on a 5-point scale. Forty-three percent of residents stated that this intervention subjectively worsened their overall burnout, with another 39% stating it did not improve their burnout at all. A similar trend was seen for effects on wellness.Conclusion: We found that a corporate wellness intervention that had previously been shown to be successful with other types of healthcare providers did not objectively improve burnout and was subjectively perceived as paradoxically worsening burnout for many residents. This result may be related to the type of intervention chosen (individual vs. systems-focused), the design of the intervention itself, or the unique stressors faced by the resident population.
LMBR1L regulates lymphopoiesis through Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Precise control of Wnt signaling is necessary for immune system development. In this study, we detected severely impaired development of all lymphoid lineages in mice, resulting from an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutation in the limb region 1-like gene (Lmbr1l), which encodes a membrane-spanning protein with no previously described function in immunity. The interaction of LMBR1L with glycoprotein 78 (GP78) and ubiquitin-associated domain-containing protein 2 (UBAC2) attenuated Wnt signaling in lymphocytes by preventing the maturation of FZD6 and LRP6 through ubiquitination within the endoplasmic reticulum and by stabilizing "destruction complex" proteins. LMBR1L-deficient T cells exhibited hallmarks of Wnt/β-catenin activation and underwent apoptotic cell death in response to proliferative stimuli. LMBR1L has an essential function during lymphopoiesis and lymphoid activation, acting as a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Popular Flavors Used in Alternative Tobacco Products Among Young Adults

Abstract Purpose The aim of the article was to examine flavors of alternative tobacco products most commonly used by young adults (YAs). Methods California YA (N = 365; mean age = 20.0 years) were surveyed in 2018 about the first and usual flavors of alternative tobacco products used. Flavor categories were fruit, candy, menthol, mint, coffee, spice, alcohol, wintergreen, and tobacco. Results Fruit and mint were the most common flavors used (pod-based e-cigarettes: 35.4% and 29.3%; other e-cigarettes: 52.7% and 23.1%; hookah: 45.4% and 18.5%; cigars/cigarillos: 22.4% and 6.9%, respectively). For other e-cigarettes and hookah, candy was also popular (20.5% and 14.8%, respectively). For pod-based and other e-cigarettes, menthol was widely used (13.4% and 17.0%, respectively). Approximately half of the ever-flavor users reported they “usually” used the same flavors across products (menthol users: 52.2%; fruit users: 51.7%; mint users: 44.0%; and candy users: 43.8%). Conclusions YA are clearly using flavors, specifically fruit, mint, candy, and menthol, in their tobacco products.
Analysis of fatigue in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with second-line pemetrexed.

e20629 Background: Cancer-related fatigue can be attributed to both treatment (tx) and the disease. Fatigue is a common adverse event (AE) of cancer tx and can profoundly affect patient (pt) well-b...
Deal Insurance: Representation and Warranty Insurance in Mergers and Acquisitions

Efficient contracting depends upon imposing risk on the party with superior access to information. Yet the parties in mergers and acquisitions transactions now commonly use Representation and Warranty Insurance (“RWI”) to shift this risk to a third-party insurer. Because liability and trust go together, RWI would seem to give rise to a credible commitment problem between the transacting parties, and it raises adverse selection and moral hazard problems for the insurer. This paper examines the emergence of RWI, focusing on three interrelated questions. First, how does RWI affect transactions? Second, why do transacting parties use RWI? And third, why do insurers sell RWI? The paper follows a two-fold empirical methodology. It develops data both by surveying RWI market participants—insurers, brokers, lawyers, and private equity managers—and also by analyzing a sample of over 500 acquisition agreements, approximately half of which involved RWI. Analysis of this data reveals a broad transfer of mispricing risk from transacting parties to insurers. RWI allows sellers to minimize risk at exit and allows buyers to control risk aversion in selecting investments. At the same time, RWI threatens to disrupt the contracting process by introducing problems of credible commitment, moral hazard, and adverse selection. Insurers’ ability to respond to these problems through shifts in the deal market and the underwriting cycle may determine whether RWI ultimately facilitates or impedes mergers and acquisitions.
ABO Blood Group and Transfusions In the Intraoperative and Postoperative Period After LVAD Implantation.

Objectives To assess whether blood group O patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion have higher perioperative transfusion requirements, postoperative chest tube output, and postoperative changes in hematocrit. Design Retrospective review of 116 LVAD patients from August 2015 to May 2018. Setting Single-institution, urban academic medical center. Participants One hundred sixteen LVAD patients analyzed by blood group: group O (n = 49) versus non-O (n = 67). Interventions Transfusions in the combined intraoperative and postoperative period at 7 days and 90 days after LVAD implantation, chest tube output in the first 24 hours, and hematocrit change in the first 48 hours postoperatively. Results There was no difference between group O and non-O within the univariable analysis for both 7-day and 90-day transfusion rates. Adjusting for covariables, blood type O was not associated with packed red blood cells transfusion after accounting for multiple comparisons (odds ratio 1.33 [1.07-1.66], p = 0.01, where p Conclusion O blood group is not a significant predictor of transfusion requirements in the combined intraoperative and postoperative period up to 90 days after LVAD implantation.
Using information-theoretic measures to characterize the structure of the writing system: the case of orthographic-phonological regularities in English

It is generally well accepted that proficient reading requires the assimilation of myriad statistical regularities present in the writing system, including in particular the correspondences between words' orthographic and phonological forms. There is considerably less agreement, however, as to how to quantify these regularities. Here we present a comprehensive approach for this quantification using tools from Information Theory. We start by providing a glossary of the relevant information-theoretic metrics, with simplified examples showing their potential in assessing orthographic-phonological regularities. We specifically highlight the flexibility of our approach in quantifying information under different contexts (i.e., context-independent and dependent readings) and in different types of mappings (e.g., orthography-to-phonology and phonology-to-orthography). Then, we use these information-theoretic measures to assess real-world orthographic-phonological regularities of 10,093 mono-syllabic English words and examine whether these measures predict inter-item variability in accuracy and response times using available large-scale datasets of naming and lexical decision tasks. Together, the analyses demonstrate how information-theoretical measures can be used to quantify orthographical-phonological correspondences, and show that they capture variance in reading performance that is not accounted for by existing measures. We discuss the similarities and differences between the current framework and previous approaches as well as future directions towards understanding how the statistical regularities embedded in a writing system impact reading and reading acquisition.
Were California’s Decarceration Efforts Smart? A Quasi-Experimental Examination of Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities:

Over the last decade, California has undertaken one of the largest criminal justice reform efforts in recent U.S. history. However, little is known about the causal impact of these reforms on the o...
Introduction: Cell Structure and Function

The fundamental unit of structure in biology is the living cell. Regardless of whether an organism is single celled or multicellular, it must carry out the same basic functions in order to survive, both as an individual and as a species. These functions include acquisition of nutrients and energy sources, disposal of unusable and toxic materials, reproduction, locomotion, and interaction with components in the environment. All of these functions require coordination both for short-range activities, such as sensation, and for long-range activities, such as growth. A comparison of organisms across phylogenetic lines reveals similarities, which have led to a formulation of the unity principle as applied to biology: There is an underlying simplicity in the structural and functional organization of a cell from which we can infer that all living organisms have a common ancestor. As a consequence of this common ancestry, an essential process which confers upon an organism one of its life-endowing attributes will be similar in principle, throughout the living world. Differences must have arisen as a result of evolutionary divergence.
Analysis of Turbulence Model Uncertainty for Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction Simulations

The purpose of this paper is to present results of an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis study of commonly used turbulence models in Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes codes due to the epistemic unc...
Paleolimnological significance of spinose and non-spinose morphs of Pyrgophorus hibbardi (Leonard and Franzen, 1944)

The basal portion of the Ogallala Formation (=‘Laverne Formation’) (Lower Pliocene) Beaver County, Oklahoma, contains an interesting assemblage of non-marine fossil molluscs that include both spinose and non-spinose forms of the aquatic gastropod species Pyrgophorus hibbardi. The origin and paleolimnological significance of the spinose morph has been a source of much conjecture that has influenced environmental reconstructions of this assemblage. In one hypothesis the spinose forms of P. hibbardi are assumed to be associated with brackish water conditions by analogy with some populations of a related hydrobiid Potamopyrgus jenkinsi. To test the hypothesis that the spinose forms lived under different water conditions than the non-spinose morphs, we analyzed 10 specimens each of the two varieties for stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in the shell aragonite.
Programmable Quantum Networked Microgrids

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a potent solution to securely distribute keys for two parties. However, QKD itself is vulnerable to denial of service (DoS) attacks. A flexible and resilient QKD-enabled networked microgrids (NMs) architecture is needed but does not yet exist. In this article, we present a programmable quantum NMs (PQNMs) architecture. It is a novel framework that integrates both QKD and software-defined networking (SDN) techniques capable of enabling scalable, programmable, quantum-engineered, and ultra-resilient NMs. Equipped with a software-defined adaptive post-processing approach, a two-level key pool sharing strategy and an SDN-enabled event-triggered communication scheme, these PQNMs mitigate the impact of DoS attacks through programmable post-processing and secure key sharing among QKD links, a capability unattainable using existing technologies. Through comprehensive evaluations, we validate the benefits of PQNMs and demonstrate the efficacy of the presented strategies under various circumstances. Extensive results provide insightful resources for building QKD-enabled NMs in practice.
An estimation of the effects of social distancing measures on transit vehicle capacity and operations

The COVID-19 pandemic has a direct impact on public transport operations. In this paper, impacts on transit operations of the physical distancing measures deployed to slow the spread of the virus are analyzed and recommendations are provided. At first, two social distancing optimization solutions are provided in order to keep riders at a safe distance. The first is a discrete optimization that can be used in buses with fixed seats, while the second is a continuous optimization that can be used to distribute riders on a grid and be applied on a bus or subway platform. Assuming that the ridership will eventually go back to its level before the pandemic, the second objective of this research is to address the transit operation parameters that need to be changed in order to serve the pre-COVID ridership level, while respecting the social distancing measures. An O-D distribution has been developed in this paper for New York City (NYC) subway line 1, based on the 2018 NYC Travel Survey conducted by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Five scenarios of physical distancing are simulated and analyzed in this paper: 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 5.4ft, and 6ft of separation between passengers. The results show the number of additional trains required to accommodate the hypothetical pre-COVID ridership demand while maintaining social distancing. An interesting key finding is that, by decreasing the minimum distance from 6ft to 5.4ft, the number of additional trains required to serve the transit demand drastically decreases and hence more resources are saved.
Interactions of Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A with DNA Damage: Mechanistic Insights and Functional Implications

Mitochondria have a plethora of functions in eukaryotic cells, including cell signaling, programmed cell death, protein cofactor synthesis, and various aspects of metabolism. The organelles carry their own genomic DNA, which encodes transfer and ribosomal RNAs and crucial protein subunits in the oxidative phosphorylation system. Mitochondria are vital for cellular and organismal functions, and alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been linked to mitochondrial disorders and common human diseases. As such, how the cell maintains the integrity of the mitochondrial genome is an important area of study. Interactions of mitochondrial proteins with mtDNA damage are critically important for repairing, regulating, and signaling mtDNA damage. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a key player in mtDNA transcription, packaging, and maintenance. Due to the extensive contact of TFAM with mtDNA, it is likely to encounter many types of mtDNA damage and secondary structures. This review summarizes recent research on the interaction of human TFAM with different forms of non-canonical DNA structures and discusses the implications on mtDNA repair and packaging.
Sequential Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) in an Elderly Male Patient with Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome: When in Doubt, Use the PLASMIC Score

Introduction. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy due to an acquired autoantibody to ADAMTS13 that requires a boutique treatment, urgent plasma exchange. Thus, TTP is often termed a “cannot miss” diagnosis. Case. We report a patient with TTP who had a history of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), had atypical demographics for TTP, and had also met criteria for primary Sjogren’s syndrome. This exceedingly rare combination presented a temptation to dismiss TTP as a diagnosis. Discussion. Our case further demonstrates the practical utility of using the PLASMIC score as a tool that can help identify patients with TTP even when the patient has statistically rare characteristics.
A comparison of the fine structure of extraocular and interosseus muscles in the monkey.

The fine structure of the lateral rectus muscle in the rhesus monkey was compared with that of the palmar interosseus muscle. Since the interosseus possessed muscle spindles, it was classified into extra- and intrafusal muscle fibers. Although both of these fibers corresponded to the twitch fiber, the intrafusal fibers were smaller in diameter (15 to 30(i) than the extrafusal (50 to 60fi), and both the transverse tubidar system (T system) and the sarcoplasmic reticulum were less developed in the intrafusal than in the extrafusal fibers. The lateral rectus, however, lacked muscle spindles but possessed the slow fiber as well as the twitch. The slow fibers, smaller in diameter (9 to 15fi), showed irregular, ill-defined myofibrils and poorly developed sarcoplasmic reticulum, and no T system. The twitch fibers, larger in diameter (25 to 50fi), which showed regular arrangement of myofibrils and well developed T system, were further classified into two subtypes: the fiber with numerous mitochondria (red) and the fiber with few mitochondria (white). The physiological significance of the ultrastmctural characteristics in each type of muscle fiber ivas discussed.
Hydrothermal Alterations of Conglomeratic Uranium Ores, Pronto Mine, Ontario, Canada

Hydrothermal alteration of the conglomeratic uranium ores is intensive and extensive at the Pronto deposit. The sequence of the main alteration is: (1) albitization, (2) chloritization and (3) carbonatization, resulting in the formation of albitized conglomerates, albitites (usually hematitic), chloritic albitites and conglomerates, chloritites and carbonate rocks. In some of the last, dolomite and/ or calcite form pseudomorphs after quartz pebbles. The alterations have markedly changed both the distribution of the radioactive minerals, generally concentrating them near footwall contacts, and the habit of both brannerite and uraninite. In both unaltered conglomerate and altered ores none of the pyrite displays any detrital characteristics. Indeed, much of it is euhedral. Sulfur isotope ratios indicate a magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the pyrite.
Novel membrane contactor for CO2 removal from flue gas by temperature swing absorption

Abstract Conventional processes for CO 2 scrubbing from flue gas in a contactor using aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solution followed by steam-stripping with an intermediate heat exchanger for heating up the CO 2 -loaded absorbent and cooling down the regenerated absorbent increase the cost of electricity enormously. To reduce the cost, the absorbent mass has to be substantially reduced and the temperature swing range limited considerably so that cheaper utilities (hot water) are used. Membrane contactors are compact and highly attractive for non-dispersive CO 2 absorption; we propose here a novel hollow fiber membrane contactor that integrates absorption and stripping using a nonvolatile reactive absorbent (e.g., 80% polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 0 and 20% of an ionic liquid (IL)). We have carried out proof-of-concept experiments via a cyclic process and a novel device containing two commingled sets of hollow fibers. Through the bore of one set of porous hydrophobic hollow fibers, flue gas is passed; CO 2 diffuses to the shell side to get reactively absorbed in the stagnant PAMAM dendrimer-IL on the shell side. After there is CO 2 breakthrough at the other end of the porous hollow fibers, feed gas flow is shut down. Through the bore of the second set of hollow fibers having a solid wall impervious to H 2 O and common gases under the conditions used, hot water is next supplied to heat the shell-side liquid absorbent and strip the absorbed CO 2 . After a short period, stripped CO 2 is withdrawn through the bores of the first set of porous hollow fibers. We describe the performance of this temperature swing membrane absorption (TSMAB) process here with absorption at 50 °C and stripping between 85 and 97 °C. Equilibrium CO 2 absorption in the nonvolatile viscous mixed absorbent is as high as 6.37 mmol CO 2 /g absorbent in the presence of moisture at 50 °C. The CO 2 absorption and regeneration behavior of the integrated device has been studied for this absorbent at various absorption and regeneration temperatures and device design changes needed have been discussed.
Metastatic choriocarcinoma of the lung: Invasion of pulmonary veins with extension into the left atrium and mitral orifice

Abstract The clinical and pathologic features of a patient with choriocarcinoma, metastatic to the lungs, with obstruction of the right major pulmonary veins and extension into the left atrium and mitral valvular orifice are described.
Early fetal echocardiography: congenital heart disease detection and diagnostic accuracy in the hands of an experienced fetal cardiology program.

Objective Evaluate the utility of early fetal echocardiography in the hands of an experienced fetal cardiology program for detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) in high-risk pregnancies. Methods Review of fetal echocardiograms 12 to 16 weeks of gestation. Results There were 151 studies in 142 fetuses (mean age 14.5 weeks). Transabdominal imaging was sufficient for 104; transvaginal imaging was used in 38. CHD was found in 32(22.5%). High yield indications were suspected cardiac anomaly (91.7%) and extracardiac anomaly (50%). Lower yield indications were increased nuchal translucency (13.8%) and family history (6.1%). No fetuses referred for advanced maternal age, maternal lupus, or diabetes had CHD. Mid-gestation follow-up was possible in 128 (ten terminated/four lost to follow-up). Three of 19 initially diagnosed with CHD had normal hearts; none diagnosed as normal had CHD (sensitivity 100%/specificity 97.3%). Seven had modification of original diagnoses: three initially diagnosed with possible septal defects had no defect, two had diagnoses that changed, and two had progression different than predicted. Conclusion Early fetal echocardiography performed in an experienced fetal cardiology program accurately identifies significant CHD. Appropriate referral indications to fetal cardiac specialists include suspected CHD, extracardiac anomaly, increased nuchal translucency, and significant family history. Lesions that may not be diagnosed with accuracy include septal defects and diseases that progress. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portal Hypertension: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Portal hypertension (PH) is the result of increased vascular resistance in the portal circulation, increased portal venous blood flow, or both. In veterinary medicine, where portal pressure is seldom measured directly, the diagnosis of PH often is inferred from identification of associated complications including multiple acquired portosystemic shunts, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Likewise, treatment of PH primarily is aimed at controlling these complications. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PH. The review draws from information in the veterinary hepatology literature, reviews, and consensus statements in human hepatology and the literature on experimental models of PH.
Enhancement of Overgrowth by Gene Interactions in lethal(2)giant discs Imaginal Discs From Drosophila melanogaster

Recessive lethal mutations of the lethal(2)giant discs ( l(2)gd ) and lethal(2)fat ( l(2)ft ) loci of Drosophila melanogaster cause imaginal disc hyperplasia during a prolonged larval stage. Imaginal discs from l(2)ft l(2)gd or G l(2)gd double homozygotes show more extensive overgrowth than in either single homozygote, and double homozygous l(2)ft l(2)gd mitotic clones in adult flies show much more overgrowth than is seen in clones homozygous for either l(2)gd or l(2)ft alone. dachsous ( ds ) also acts as an enhancer of l(2)gd , producing dramatically overgrown discs and causing failure to pupariate in double homozygotes. The comb gap ( cg ) mutation, which also interacts with ds , greatly enhances the tendency of imaginal discs from l(2)gd larvae to duplicate as they overgrow. If l(2)gd homozygotes are made heterozygous for l(2)ft , then several discs duplicate, indicating that l(2)ft acts as a dominant enhancer of l(2)gd . l(2)ft also acts as a dominant enhancer of l(2)gd , and conversely l(2)gd acts as a dominant modifier of l(2)ft . The enhancement of overgrowth caused by various mutant combinations is accompanied by changes in expression of Decapentaplegic and Wingless. These results show that tumor suppressor genes act in combination to control cell proliferation, and that tissue hyperplasia can be associated with ectopic expression of genes involved in pattern formation.