cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PapX, a P Fimbrial Operon-Encoded Inhibitor of Motility in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Motility and adherence are two integral aspects of bacterial pathogenesis. Adherence, often mediated by fimbriae, permits bacteria to attach to host cells and establish infection, whereas flagellum-driven motility allows bacteria to disseminate to sites more advantageous for colonization. Both fimbriae and flagella have been proven important for virulence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Reciprocal regulation is one mechanism by which bacteria may reconcile the contradictory actions of adherence and motility. PapX, a P fimbrial gene product of UPEC strain CFT073, is a functional homolog of MrpJ of Proteus mirabilis; ectopic expression of papX in P. mirabilis reduces motility. To define the connection between P fimbria expression and motility in UPEC, the role of papX in the regulation of motility of strain CFT073 was examined. Overexpression of papX decreased motility of CFT073, which correlated with both a significant reduction in flagellin protein synthesized and flagella assembled on the cell surface. Conversely, an increase in motility and flagellin production was seen in an isogenic papX deletion mutant of CFT073. Microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis indicated that repression of motility of CFT073 by PapX appears to occur at the transcriptional level; expression of many motility-associated genes, including flhDC, the master regulator of motility, is decreased when papX is overexpressed. Transcription of motility genes is increased in the papX mutant compared to wild type. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift analysis revealed that PapX binds to the flhD promoter. We conclude that synthesis of P fimbriae regulates flagellum synthesis to repress motility via PapX.
Self-splicing of group I introns.

PERSPECTlVES . ... . .... .. ..... ... . . ........ . .... ...... .... . ... 543 REACTION PATHWAY ... . . ... ...... . ....... .. ..... . ... . ..... .. . . ...... ... . . . 545 Splicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545 Intron Cyclization . . . . . . ... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... .. . . . . . . . 547 Splice SIte Hydrolysis ... ..... .. ...... . . ... ...... . . .. ...... . ... .... ... .. . 547 GROUP I INTRON STRUCTURE ....... . . ..... ....... ... ... . . 547 Secondary Structure and the Catalytic Core . . . .. . .. ..... . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 548 Choosing the Reaction Sites . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ . . _ ..... . . . .... . _ . . . ... . . . ... . . . . . ... . . _ . . 550 G-Binding Site 552 Tertiary Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . . . . 555 ENZYMATlC REACTIONS OF THE Tetrahymena INTRON . . . ........ ..... . .. 556 CHEMISTR Y .. . ... . .... . . . .... . ... . ... . . . ...... . .. . . . ... . . . ..... .... . .. . . ... 558 ReversibUiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558 Stereochemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559 Metal Ion Requirements 559 Competitive Inhibition by Arginine 560 PROTEIN FACILITATION ....... ... .. . . ... .. .. .. . . . . . . ..... . 561 INTRON MOBILITY ..... ... .... . .... . . .. . . . ..... .. . .... .... . ... . . ...... . ... . . ... ...... . . . .. . . . .. . . . 563
ariations in the Gelatinization Profiles of Cassava, Sagu and Arrowroot Native Starches as Measured with Different Thermal and Mechanical Methods

Gelatinization and pasting profiles of cassava (Manihot esculenta C.), sagu (Canna edulis) and arrowroot (Maranta sp.) starches were determined by Brabender Viscoamylograph (BV) and Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA). The Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) was used as a thermal method and the TA-XT2 Texture Analyzer as a mechanical method. Sagu and arrowroot starches produced a clear paste and could be substituted for cassava starch; they have the advantage of developing higher viscosity than cassava starch at the same concentration. Some differences were observed among the gelatinization temperatures and rheological parameters by the four methods. It is important to report the methods used to determine rheological parameters.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOCHEMEISTRY

The fourteenth Annual Review of Biochemistry has continued the tradition established in earlier years by presenting informative summaries of the year's accomplishments. The volume is the largest of the series. In the words of the Editors, this is due to the fact “ … that there were no withdrawals from authorship, and that several of the reviews which were unexpectedly long did not permit of appreciable curtailment in the editorial office.” Although the reviewers this year, as in past years, have labored under “ … unremitting pressure … and the continued difficulty of gaining access to much of the literature deserving of review,” the large numberand size of the reviews may perhaps indicate that the turning point has been reached and that the demands upon scientist's time may be lessening. However, the concurrent development of the atomic bomb, as well as the other achievements of science during the war, has placed new and heavy responsibilities on the shoulders of investigators.
Use of Postacute Care by Nursing Home Residents Hospitalized for Stroke or Hip Fracture : How Prevalent and to What End?

OBJECTIVES: To examine nursing home (NH) residents' use of Medicare-paid skilled nursing facility (SNF) services and the outcomes of that care and to identify clinical and non-clinical factors associated with that care. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: NH residents aged 65 and older with Medicare claims for a hospitalization for hip fracture or stroke during 2001 to 2003. MEASUREMENTS: Resident diagnoses and use of SNF postacute care were measured using Medicare hospital claims. Market and provider characteristics were drawn from the Provider of Services file. Baseline characteristics, institutionalization, and mortality outcomes were drawn from the Minimum Data Set and Medicare Denominator File. RESULTS: Of the NH population hospitalized for hip fracture (49,903) or stroke (23,084), 79.7% and 64.1%, respectively, used the SNF benefit. Residents not using the SNF benefit had poorer baseline health status; their mortality rates and rates of resuming long-term care were similar to the rates of residents who used the SNF benefit. CONCLUSION: NH residents used postacute SNF benefits at high rates yet had similar mortality and institutionalization outcomes as those without SNF care.
Buying from the Babbling Retailer? The Impact of Availability Information on Customer Behavior

Provision of real-time information by a firm to its customers has become prevalent in recent years in both the service and retail sectors. In this paper, we study a retail operations model where customers are strategic in both their actions and in the way they interpret information, whereas the retailer is strategic in the way it provides information. This paper focuses on the ability (or the lack thereof) to communicate unverifiable information and influence customers' actions. We develop a game-theoretic framework to study this type of communication and discuss the equilibrium language emerging between the retailer and its customers. We show that for a single retailer and homogeneous customer population setting, the equilibrium language that emerges carries no information. In this sense, a single retailer providing information on its own cannot create any credibility with the customers. We study how the results are impacted due to the heterogeneity of the customers. We provide conditions under which the firm may be able to influence the customer behavior. In particular, we show that the customers' willingness to pay and willingness to wait cannot be ranked in an opposite manner. However, even when the firm can influence each customer class separately, the effective demand is not impacted. This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
How Critical Reflection Benefits Faculty as They Implement Learner‐Centered Teaching

Critical reflection assists faculty as they transition to using learner-centered approaches. When this reflection occurs within the context of social media, they can obtain reinforcing feedback and support.
Interrater reliability of a clinical scale of rigidity.

The purposes of this study were 1) to describe a clinical scale of rigidity and testing procedure for use in patients with Parkinson's disease and 2) to examine the scale's interrater reliability. Twenty subjects (3 women, 17 men; mean age = 64 years, s = 16.3) participated in the study. Criteria for participation were 1) diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, 2) physician-documented rigidity, 3) ability to follow one-step verbal directions, and 4) ability to attain at least 75% of the standard passive-range-of-motion measurements of the elbow, forearm, and wrist of the tested upper extremity. Each of two raters used a standardized set of instructions and test procedures. The degree of rigidity was assessed using a four-point scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). The observed agreement between raters was 16 out of 20 trials. A Cohen's weighted Kappa was used to analyze the data (Kw = .636, p = .20). Factors were identified that may have contributed to the discrepancy between agreement and the agreement beyond chance.
An Experimental Analysis of the Unsteady Wake Behind a Circular Cylinder using Eulerian and Lagrangian Techniques

The unsteady wake behind a circular cylinder was studied and compared with numerical results. The location and evolution of coherent structures, or vortices, in the ow were analyzed to facilitate the understanding of the complex vortex shedding physics in the near wake region. This understanding is critical to the control of vortex shedding from blu bodies. The two-dimensional velocity data was collected using a 2D DPIV measurement system. Eulerian vortex criteria were applied along with a Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) analysis to determine the properties of the wake.
Provider advice on exercise and diet among adults with comorbid serious psychological distress and diabetes or diabetes risk factors.

PurposeTo examine the lifetime prevalence and correlates of provider advice to increase exercise and reduce dietary fat intake among adults with comorbid serious psychological distress (SPD) and diabetes or diabetes risk factors.MethodsStudy sample (n = 5942) was selected from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) series of 2007-2011. SPD was defined as a score of ≥13 on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine correlates of lifetime provider advice.ResultsLess than half of adults with SPD had been advised to increase exercise (49.4%) or reduce dietary fat intake (45.6%). The prevalence of receiving provider advice increased in a linear fashion as the number of diabetes risk factors increased and was the highest among those with diabetes. Provision of provider advice was strongly associated with clinical factors rather than individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and current health behaviors.ConclusionsHealth car...
A New Species of Dermatocarpon

During the summer of 1948, while travelling through Yellowstone National Park the writer collected an interesting Dermatocarpon. This lichen formed loose, subspherical mounds on soil in a sage brush desert association near the northeast entrance to the park. The unattached mounds gave the appearance of being able to drift with the wind in dry seasons, thus resembling the familiar tumbleweed. In this habit they remind one of Parmelia molliuscula and Lecanora Haydenii, both characteristic of arid regions of Western United States. Cetraria islandica f. vagans, described from the desert regions of Siberia by Savicz (1911, p. 51), is also similar in that it forms loose, drifting, spherical mounds. While examining the collections of Cornicularia in the Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University, the author was surprised to find a collection of this Dermatocarpon from Mt. Aylmer in the Canadian Rockies. It was distributed by Macoun as No. 105 of Canadian Lichens. Howe (1915, p. 225) says of this number : "appears to be abortive or degenerate material" of Cetraria RichardsonSi. Although Howe locates Mt. Aylmer in British Columbia, the only Mt. Aylmer the writer is able to locate is in Alberta, on the eastern boundary of Banff National Park, just north of Lake Minnewanka. An epithet indicative of its drifting habit is deemed suitable for this new species.
Equilibrium isotherm and mass transfer coefficient for adsorption of pure argon on small particles of pelletized lithium-exchanged low silica X zeolite

New experimental data are reported for equilibrium adsorption isotherm and mass transfer of pure argon on a sample of pelletized lithium-exchanged low silica X (LiLSX) zeolite. Model analysis of the data indicate that the zeolite behaved like a nearly homogeneous adsorbent for Ar adsorption while it exhibited substantial heterogeneity for adsorption of N2 and milder heterogeneity for adsorption of O2. The overall mass transfer coefficient for Ar adsorption was comparable in magnitude with those of N2 and O2. The coefficient increased with increasing pressure and decreased with increasing temperature like those for N2 and O2. A large skin resistance at the adsorbent particle surface was observed for Ar mass transfer like that for adsorption of O2 and N2.
Genetics of adrenocortical tumors: Carney complex.

Si les carcinomes surrenaliens sont rares, un sur 1 500 incidentalomes de la surrenale est un carcinome dont le diagnostic tardif ou l'absence de traitement est associe a un taux eleve de morbidite et de mortalite. Malgre beaucoup de recherche sur les mecanismes moleculaires de la carcinogenese surrenalienne et des progres certains dans le domaine de l'imagerie, les traitements curatifs proposes pour des carcinomes surrenaliens pris tardivement sont largement voues a l'echec. D'ou l'importance de rechercher l'origine genetique des tumeurs corticosurrenaliennes a partir de clonages de genes candidats ou positionnels en vue de nouvelles approches therapeutiques. La cancerogenese des tumeurs de la corticosurrenale serait semblable a celle observee pour d'autres organes ou les modifications genetiques augmenteraient avec le caractere malin de l'histopathologie. On sait que certaines associations genetiques, comme les modifications du gene TP53, s'observent au cours des dernieres phases de la tumorogenese corticosurenalienne Il est donc essentiel d'etudier les quelques genes affectes au debut de la tumorogenese benigne du cortex surrenalien. Nous avons etudie la maladie de la corticosurrenale pigmentee primaire (PPNAD), une hyperplasie bilaterale et benigne de la corticosurrenale. La PPNAD est une maladie hereditaire autosomale dominante qui peut etre isolee ou faire partie d'un complexe de Carney. On cherche a identifier le ou les gene(s) responsable(s) grâce aux techniques de clonage genetique. Nous avons pu isoler deux loci, 2p16 et 17q22-24, portant des genes PPNAD et/ou CNC et dont la localisation est en cours d'etude. Dans la premiere partie de cet article, nous presentons une mise au point sur les carcinomes corticosurrenaliens et, dans une deuxieme partie, sur la genetique de ce que l'on appelle les PPNAD ou les complexes de Carney.
Distillation column pressure selection

Abstract Selection of the operating pressure of a distillation column is one of the most important design decisions. Pressure has a major impact on phase equilibrium in terms of relative volatilities, column temperatures and the existence of azeotropes, which affect energy requirements, utility costs and process configurations. Since many separations are favored by low temperatures, pressures in most columns are established by the desire to use inexpensive cooling water as the heat sink in the condenser. For components with low vapor pressures, this criterion results in pressures below atmospheric. However, there appears to be some hesitancy to use vacuum distillation columns, particularly in azeotropic separations. Numerous papers simply fix the pressure arbitrarily at 1 atm despite the fact that lower pressure could be achieved and still use cooling water. This paper illustrates the significant economic advantages, both in capital investment and utility costs, of using vacuum distillation in some systems. The numerical example is taken from a recent paper in which an extractive distillation system to separate n -heptane from isobutanol is designed with column pressures fixed at 1 atm. Our results show that vacuum operation can reduce total annual cost by 27%, despite an 8% increase in capital investment, because of a 37% decrease in reboiler steam costs.
Serum levels of placental protein 14 do not accurately reflect histologic maturation of the endometrium

Objective To determine whether serum levels of placental protein 14, a major product of the progesterone-induced secretory endometrium, accurately reflect histologic maturation of the endometrium. Methods Daily serum levels of placental protein 14 were compared in 50 normally cycling women with normal or delayed endometrial maturation, as assessed by histologic dating of an endometrial biopsy in the midluteal phase of the same cycle. Ten of these subjects had placental protein 14 measurements but no biopsy in an additional cycle to examine the potential effects of the biopsy on secretion of this protein. Results Serum placental protein 14 concentrations started to increase 8 days after the LH surge and peaked at similar levels on the first day of the next menses in biopsy and non-biopsy cycles. The biopsy cycles had a shorter luteal phase but a slightly faster increase in placental protein 14 concentrations. Both the integrated secretion of this protein and single measurements on the day of the biopsy or at the onset of the next menses overlapped substantially in women with different degrees of endometrial development, even when differentiation of the endometrium was severely delayed. Conclusion Serum measurements of placental protein 14 do not accurately predict, and thus should not replace, histologic evaluation of the endometrium at nidation.
Preserving America’s Written Constitution: Federal Courts and President Reagan’s Defense of Ordered Liberty

Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” speech is already a classic piece of American political rhetoric, in part because it is in conversation with the previous two hundred years of American thought. For instance, he quotes Patrick Henry: “You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery.” Thus, Reagan addresses themes that are still points of conflict in what might be termed a domestic cold war between progressivism and the natural rights philosophy of the American Founding. Such themes include: an ever-expanding federal government that enervates and stultifies a once energetic populace, a tendency of the left to shrink from international leadership by failing to effectively identify or confront evil in the world and the continued progressive assault on our written Constitution. Later, during his time as president, Reagan continued to defend the primacy of the Constitution as a governing document through his presidential rhetoric, his choice of attorney generals and his appointments to the federal judiciary, all in an attempt to restore some much needed jurisprudential orthodoxy.
Extending Reaction Mechanism Generator to Silicon Hydride Chemistry

Understanding the gas-phase chemistry of silicon hydrides is the first step to building a realistic kinetic model for chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Functionality for thermodynamic and kinetic data estimation of silicon hydrides was added to the open-source software Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG). Using the updated RMG, a detailed kinetic model was built for SiH4 thermal decomposition. The generated model was used to perform reactor simulations at various process conditions for comparison to prior SiH4 decomposition experiments in a flow tube. Results show that the RMG-generated model can reasonably replicate experimental results for SiH4 concentration profiles at different temperatures and residence times. While the effect of changing initial SiH4 concentration is not captured, a first pass sensitivity analysis reveals that reasonable errors in reaction rates could contribute to the discrepancy.
SELECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS: A METHODOLOGICAL CRITIQUE

A crossover design must be used and a crossover data pattern must result if selective associations are to be inferred. In addition, three other methodological criteria must be met. (1) Only the nature of the reinforcer should be varied, (2) nonassociative explanations must be ruled out, and (3) the differences in behavior controlled by the conditioned stimuli (CSs) must be caused by a learning difference and not a performance difference. Experimental evidence typically cited as demonstrating the existence of selective associations was reviewed here and found to fall short of meeting the criteria stated herein. I conclude that interpretations invoking selective associations have been premature.
33. Ex Vivo Gene Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Disease in the CNS: Patient iPSC-Derived Neural Stem Cells Correct Pathology in the MPS VII Mouse Brain

Neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may offer an immunologically compatible delivery vehicle for therapeutic proteins in the brain. We evaluated a complete process of ex vivo gene therapy using patient-derived cells in a well-characterized mouse model of the lysosomal storage disease, MPS VII. Fibroblasts from a patient with MPS VII were reprogrammed into iPSCs, and differentiated into multi-potent NSCs. Patient-derived NSCs were able to engraft across the rostrocaudal axis following transplantation in neonatal NOD/SCID mice but were present in very low densities, similar to that seen with primary NSCs. We used a PiggyBac-based transposon vector to deliver a functional version of the missing GUSB gene to patient NSCs, which then expressed normal levels of enzymatically active GUSB. Genetically corrected iPSC-NSCs transplanted post-symptomatically into the striatum of adult MPS VII mice reversed neuropathology in a zone surrounding the grafts, while control contralateral grafts did not. The patient-derived iPSC-NSCs had similar engraftment properties as iPSC-NSCs from a normal human subject, and both lines engrafted similarly in normal and MPS VII NOD-SCID mouse brains. The results demonstrate the potential for ex vivo gene therapy in the brain using human NSCs from autologous, non-neural tissues.
The Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis E Virus Infection

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are a global public health problem. These viruses were originally identified as the cause of large waterborne outbreaks with increased mortality in pregnant women in developing countries in Asia and Africa in 1983. A decade later, locally acquired cases of acute hepatitis were reported in industrialized countries after food-borne transmission from an animal reservoir, especially swine, wild boar, and deer. However, the knowledge about the clinical features of HEV infection, the animal reservoirs, and virus characteristics has expanded substantially in recent years. HEV infections in patients who are immunosuppressed after a solid organ transplant and AIDS or cancer chemotherapy frequently develop chronic hepatitis. Some patients with chronic HEV infection develop extra-hepatic manifestations, especially neurologic symptoms. Clinical observations support the effectiveness of ribavirin therapy from chronic HEV. Recent research has found an expanded animal reservoir of Hepeviridae that are human pathogens and strains that are only animal pathogens. A consensus classification of Hepeviridae has been published recently. The risk of transfusion transmission of HEV has been quantified and selected donor screening implemented in two countries in the last few years. Recent research has greatly expanded scientific information on the diversity and zoonotic reservoirs of Hepeviridae as well as the epidemiology and clinical features of HEV infection in humans.
Flier: Flow-level congestion-aware routing for direct-connect data centers

Various topologies have been proposed in the context of high-performance computing and data center networking. Direct-connect topologies generally offer large capacity with high path diversity and are highly cost effective for general data center traffic patterns. However, the lack of simple yet efficient load balancing techniques for direct-connect fabrics has hindered these networks from gaining traction in data centers. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of Flicr, a light-weight host-based load balancing mechanism for direct-connect data centers. Flicr dynamically reroutes traffic through minimal and non-minimal routes to avoid congesting the fabric. This enables Flicr to efficiently minimize networking resource consumption while exploiting high path diversity in direct-connect fabrics to balance the network and gracefully handle link failures. Flicr requires only a simple kernel modification and is readily deployable in commodity data centers today. Our evaluations show that Flicr consistently outperforms other state-of-the-art load balancing designs, achieving 25–60% lower average flow completion time compared to adaptive routing. Flicr is also more robust against link failures and has 5–8 χ better performance relative to other schemes in the presence of link failures.
Sound, Music, and Science

Sound is all around us. It warns us of danger, enables us to communicate with others, annoys us with its noise, entertains us by radio and iPods, and captivates us in music. It is an important part of the daily lives of hearing people.
Photon Probability Distributions and Bit-Error Rate of a Channel with Optical Preamplification

Thus far we have developed the equations of the evolution of operators as transformed by linear systems. We pointed out that strictly linear transformations occur only in passive circuits described by the linear Maxwell equations. Active circuits behave linearly only approximately, up to a maximum intensity. The scattering matrix of the operators of a linear system and the commutators of the noise sources completely describe the system. Average values and mean square fluctuations can be computed.
Simulation and optimization of pressure swing adsorption process for high-temperature air separation by perovskite sorbents

Abstract This work presents an experimental and simulation study on a low-cost and efficient high-temperature air separation technique using perovskite oxide sorbents by pressure swing adsorption (PSA). The sorbent material, L a 0.1 S r 0.9 C o 0.9 F e 0.1 O 3 - δ (LSCF1991), have a large oxygen adsorption capacity, a relatively high adsorption and desorption rate, and an infinitely large oxygen selectivity over nitrogen or other non-oxygen species due its unique oxygen storage property. The oxygen nonstoichiometry of LSCF1991 at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption dynamic behavior of the LSCF1991 pellets was investigated by fixed-bed breakthrough experiments. A numerical process simulation model of the PSA process for the high-temperature air separation using LSCF1991 was developed in Matlab. The model was validated by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results from fixed-bed experiments. A parametric study was performed to design and optimize the operating parameters of the PSA process by investigating their effects on the oxygen purity, recovery and productivity. Under the optimum conditions, oxygen purity of 98.21%, recovery of 74.05% and productivity of 1.22 mmol/s/kg were achieved. The obtained values are much higher than the reported values form previous studies. Additionally, the energy assessment results showed that the energy consumption of the new process is lower than both the cryogenic distillation method and the conventional PSA process.
A comparison of Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate with ATB ANA® test for the routine susceptibility testing of common anaerobe pathogens.

The accuracy of the Thermo Scientific™ Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate was assessed against the ATB ANA® test (bioMerieux) on 56 clinically relevant anaerobic strains collected at Geneva University Hospitals. The overall categorical agreement between both methods reached 95%. The Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate had excellent accuracy for most antibiotics tested. When the Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate disagreed with ATB ANA® test, the gradient strip method resolved the antimicrobial susceptibility categories of all the antibiotics tested, except for piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and penicillin, in favor of the Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate (58% [21 out of 36]). Several very major errors were observed for piperacillin (12.5% [7 out of 56]), piperacillin-tazobactam (12.5% [7 out of 56]), and penicillin (2% [1 out of 56]). The gradient strip method revealed that the categorical differences for piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and penicillin were at least partly explained by heterogeneity in resistance expression. The Sensititre™ Anaerobe MIC plate offers therefore a useful alternative to the ATB ANA® test for the routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobes in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Association Between Postoperative Delirium and Long-term Cognitive Function After Major Nonemergent Surgery

Importance Postoperative delirium is associated with decreases in long-term cognitive function in elderly populations. Objective To determine whether postoperative delirium is associated with decreased long-term cognition in a younger, more heterogeneous population. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic medical center (≥800 beds) in the southeastern United States from September 5, 2017, through January 15, 2018. A total of 191 patients aged 18 years or older who were English-speaking and were anticipated to require at least 1 night of hospital admission after a scheduled major nonemergent surgery were included. Prisoners, individuals without baseline cognitive assessments, and those who could not provide informed consent were excluded. Ninety-day follow-up assessments were performed on 135 patients (70.7%). Exposures The primary exposure was postoperative delirium defined as any instance of delirium occurring 24 to 72 hours after an operation. Delirium was diagnosed by the research team using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was change in cognition at 90 days after surgery compared with baseline, preoperative cognition. Cognition was measured using a telephone version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) with cognitive impairment defined as a score less than 18 on a scale of 0 to 22. Results Of the 191 patients included in the study, 110 (57.6%) were women; the mean (SD) age was 56.8 (16.7) years. For the primary outcome of interest, patients with and without delirium had a small increase in T-MoCA scores at 90 days compared with baseline on unadjusted analysis (with delirium, 0.69; 95% CI, −0.34 to 1.73 vs without delirium, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.17-1.16). The initial multivariate linear regression model included age, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System score, preoperative cognitive impairment, and duration of anesthesia. Preoperative cognitive impairment proved to be the only notable confounder: when adjusted for preoperative cognitive impairment, patients with delirium had a 0.70-point greater decrease in 90-day T-MoCA scores than those without delirium compared with their respective baseline scores (with delirium, 0.16; 95% CI, −0.63 to 0.94 vs without delirium, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.40-1.33). Conclusions and Relevance Although a statistically significant association between 90-day cognition and postoperative delirium was not noted, patients with preoperative cognitive impairment appeared to have improvements in cognition 90 days after surgery; however, this finding was attenuated if they became delirious. Preoperative cognitive impairment alone should not preclude patients from undergoing indicated surgical procedures.
Improved Finite Difference Method for Long Distance Propagation of Waves

Evaluation of aging aircraft involves inspection of large areas of plates, including lap joints, bonded material and other complex geometries. These inspections need to be done within a reasonable time in order to be economical. Ultrasonic measurements of plate-modes propagating for large distances [1] are a promising method for fast detection of these defects in a commercial environment. There is a need to predict the waveforms of such waves in order to analyze the results of the experimental data. Analytic solution cannot always be found for general cases, therefore, numerical prediction of elastic wave propagation for long distances is desired. However, the large problem size and the long propagation time that is involved require careful attention to the discretization. Small mesh size discretization which is needed for accurate solutions can no longer be practical because of the memory limitations and the high computational costs. On the other hand, a large mesh size can cause severe errors especially when long propagation time is concerned. This paper describes a new method which successfully deals with this issue.
Associations Between Preconception Plasma Fatty Acids and Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background Although fatty acids are involved in critical reproductive processes, the relationship between specific fatty acids and fertility is uncertain. We investigated the relationship between preconception plasma fatty acids and pregnancy outcomes. Methods We included 1,228 women attempting pregnancy with one to two previous pregnancy losses from the EAGeR trial (2007-2011). Plasma fatty acids were measured at baseline. We used log-binomial regression to assess associations between fatty acids and pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live birth, adjusting for age, race, smoking, BMI, physical activity, income, parity, treatment arm, and cholesterol. Results Although total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were not associated with pregnancy outcomes, 14:0 (myristic acid; relative risk [RR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.19, per 0.1% increase) and 20:0 (arachidic acid; RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.08, per 0.1% increase) were positively associated with live birth. Findings suggested a positive association between total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and pregnancy and live birth and an inverse association with loss. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were associated with lower probability of pregnancy (RR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95, 1.00) and live birth (RR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94, 0.99), and increased risk of loss (RR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.20), per 1% increase. Trans fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids were not associated with pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions Preconception total plasma MUFAs were positively associated with pregnancy and live birth. PUFAs were inversely associated with pregnancy outcomes. Specific SFAs were associated with a higher probability of live birth. Our results suggest that fatty acids may influence pregnancy outcomes.
Illuminating insights into opsin 3 function in the skin

Abstract Because sunlight is essential for human survival, we have developed complex mechanisms for detecting and responding to light stimuli. The eyes and skin are major organs for sensing light and express several light-sensitive opsin receptors. These opsins mediate cellular responses to spectrally-distinct wavelengths of visible and ultraviolet light. How the eyes mediate visual phototransduction is well understood, but less is known about how the skin detects light. Both human and murine skin express a wide array of opsins, with one of the most highly expressed being the functionally elusive opsin 3 (OPN3). In this review we explore light reception, opsin expression and signaling in skin cells; we compile data elucidating potential functions for human OPN3 in skin, with emphasis on recent studies investigating OPN3 regulation of melanin within epidermal melanocytes.
The Impact of an Adolescent Gynecology Provider on Intrauterine Device and Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Use Among Adolescent Patients.

Abstract Study Objective To assess how the addition of a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist (PAG) in an area where one has not previously been available impacts the use of long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) among girls age 13-24. Design Retrospective Chart Review Setting Academic practice including 12 general practice OBGYNs (GP) and one PAG, and Title X clinics in three neighboring counties in West Virginia. Participants Patients receiving an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant during 2010-2016. Interventions Subject charts were reviewed for age and date at insertion, provider (GP, PAG and Title X), device type, parity, discontinuation and sequential LARC placement. Main Outcome Measures Frequencies of LARC and RR with 95% confidence interval were calculated for the 13-17 and 18-24 year age groups and compared between provider type. Results Frequency of LARC increased over time for all providers for subjects 13-24; the PAG had the highest frequency of LARC among age 13-17. The RR for IUD provision for the PAG provider among 13-17 year olds was 3.1 and 32.5 times greater compared to GP and Title X (p Conclusions A PAG provider can have a positive impact on LARC uptake among adolescents in a community where this specialist has not previously been available. This is most noted among 13-17 year old patients receiving IUDs.
Patriarchal beliefs and perceptions towards women among Indian police officers: A study of Uttar Pradesh, India:

The objective of this study was to explore the association between patriarchal beliefs and perceptions regarding gender equity among Indian police officers. Using convenience and systematic random ...
Reframing Air Pollution as a Public Health Crisis in California’s San Joaquin Valley

This article examines how clean air advocates in the San Joaquin Valley amplified a collective action frame of air pollution as a public health crisis. This frame serves to mobilize communities and attribute responsibility to relevant authorities while countering the San Joaquin Valley Air District’s narrative that places blame on the public and unalterable aspects of the physical environment, characterizing the problem as largely unchangeable. Core questions are: How did advocates facilitate frame construction and sustain resonance across time and place? How did this frame compel urgent action, including representational change in the Valley Air District Governing Board through the adoption of Senate Bill 719? Findings show that advocates counter the San Joaquin Valley Air District’s frame by shifting the focus on the negative impacts to public health and quality of life, particularly in disproportionately impacted environmental justice communities. Building and leveraging a resonant frame required strategic “stretch” in capacity while cultivating collective identity and solidarity. Within the Valley Air District, the change in governing board composition has measurably impacted dialog and provided a more welcoming reception of public participation at meetings, with the doctor and scientist appointees providing critical perspectives and contributing to subtle shifts in the agency’s dominant messaging and decision making. While a public health frame has taken shape around air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, these efforts are not complete or without ongoing strain.
Frequency Oscillation Analysis of Power System With Multiple Governor Deadbands

In recent years, the ultra-low frequency oscillation of power system is one of the most concerned frequency stability problem. The governor deadband are considered as one of the main influences. However, the existing methods can only deal with single deadband segment. As for a multi-machine system with multiple deadband segments, it lacks the analysis method for frequency oscillation. To solve this problem, this paper first define the extended description function applied to nonlinear composite system according to the principle of traditional description function method. The extended description function can quantify the relationship of input and output of a system with multiple nonlinear segments. Then, based on the uniform frequency model of multiple governors, the turbines and governors of hydro and thermal power units with different deadband widths are equivalent to one extended description function. The locus of minus reciprocal of the extended description function with oscillation amplitude and the Nyquist curve of the generator are plotted on the complex plane for the analysis of system stability. Next, the critical oscillation amplitude of disturbance to trigger the system frequency oscillation is calculated according to the point of intersection of both curves. Finally, the simulation results show that the critical oscillation amplitude can reflect the stability of system. The change of deadband width is positively correlated with the critical oscillation amplitude. The appropriate setting of deadband and configuration of hydro-thermal generation are effective measures to suppress the ultra-low frequency oscillation while retain the ability of frequency regulation.
Stage IV colorectal cancer presenting after necrotizing soft tissue infection.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are highly aggressive and may be lethal if untreated. Polymicrobial infections of the groin and lower limb have been documented secondary to invasive colo...
Out-of-equilibrium random walks

We study the long-term behaviour of a random walker embedded in a growing sequence of graphs. We define a (generally non-Markovian) real-valued stochastic process, called the knowledge process, that represents the ratio between the number of vertices already visited by the walker and the current size of the graph. We mainly focus on the case where the underlying graph sequence is the growing sequence of complete graphs.
Familial Periodic Paralysis

The periodic paralyses have traditionally been divided into hypokalemic, hyperkalemic, normokalemic, and paramyo-tonic forms.1 Over the past decade, a combination of electrophysiologic and molecular biologic studies have clarified the classification of the disease (Table 31.1). It has become apparent that there are two broad categories of disease: hypokalemic periodic paralysis and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. All forms of periodic paralysis are either autosomal dominantly inherited or occur as sporadic cases that are probably the result of new mutations. Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis usually results from a disorder of the skeletal muscle, voltage-gated sodium channel. The molecular alterations have been defined for most cases.2,3 It is becoming clear that a number of disorders once considered separate entities are in fact allelic to hyperkalemic periodic paralysis including: paramyotonia congenita4,5 and most recently, a form of myotonia without periodic paralysis that is potassium-sensitive.6,7 There are, however, a small proportion of patients with hyperkalemic periodic analysis that is not allelic.8
Enhancing Adherence to Voice Therapy via Social Cognitive Strategies

Treatment adherence is a challenge in behavioral voice therapy. Patients commonly encounter difficulties with practicing and implementing target voice techniques outside of the clinic. Several mobile support strategies have been shown to improve adherence. These strategies are driven by social cognitive theory, which provides a theoretical but practical framework for understanding adherence behavior and solving adherence problems. Key features of the theory include (1) its model of triadic asymmetrical reciprocal causation, (2) the concept of human agency, and (3) the constructs of self-efficacy and goal commitment. The purpose of this article is to (1) explain voice therapy adherence within the framework of social cognitive theory, (2) illustrate three broad categories of adherence problems, and (3) provide examples of strategies to address each. With this exemplified knowledge, the clinician can diagnose factors that underlie patients' adherence problems and develop individualized solutions. Given the significant role adherence plays in behavioral interventions, this information holds substantial clinical relevance.
Sustainability of Improvements in Adaptive Coping Following Mind–Body and Activity Training for Chronic Pain

The strategies patients use to cope with chronic pain are key determinants of pain-related treatment outcomes and are often targeted in psychosocial interventions for chronic pain. However, improvements in coping often fade after intervention completion. Here, we test whether previously reported improvements in coping following two novel mind–body and activity interventions are maintained 3 months after completion. Eighty-two patients with heterogeneous chronic pain were randomized to two identical mind–body and activity interventions, one with the addition of a Fitbit device (GetActive-Fitbit) and one without it (GetActive; n = 41 each). Participants completed measures of pain-catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, mindfulness, adaptive coping, and pain-resilience at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. At follow-up, participants in both groups exhibited sustained improvements in all five coping measures compared to baseline (significant in both groups for all measures except for p = .05 in kinesiophobia in GetActive and p = .07 in pain resilience in GetActive-Fitbit). Overall, GetActive and GetcActive-Fitbit are promising interventions to sustainably improve coping with chronic pain. This trial is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03412916.
Scalable Feature Tracking for Finite Element Meshes Demonstrated with a Novel Phase-Field Grain Subdivision Model

The ability to identify features within finite element simulations and track them over time is necessary for understanding and quantifying complex behaviors as disparate as turbulent vortices in a ...