cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turbulent cascades, transfer, and scale interactions in magnetohydrodynamics

The nature of the interactions between different scales in magneto- hydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is important for the understanding of the behaviour of magnetized astrophysical, geophysical and industrial flows in a turbulent state. In this paper, we review some recent results in the study of locality of interactions in turbulent flows and we address some of the questions that arise. We examine the cascade of ideal invariants in turbulent MHD flows by examining the transfer functions. We show new results indicating that the nonlocal behaviour of the energy transfer in MHD is the result of a correlation between the velocity and magnetic fields. This nonlocality disappears if we randomize the phases of the two fields keeping the hydrodynamic and magnetic helicities fixed. The cascade of magnetic helicity is also investigated, with special focus on the fate of the small-scale helicity and its coupling with the large-scale flow. These results have implications for dynamo action, in particular for the commonly used distinction between large- and small-scale dynamos. The long-range interactions that exist in MHD flows also raise the question of the existence of universality in MHD, both in the kinematic dynamo regime as well as in the turbulent steady state.
Delaunay triangulation using a uniform grid

An algorithm for triangulating 2-D data points that is based on a uniform grid structure and a triangulation strategy that builds triangles in a circular fashion is discussed. The triangulation strategy lets the algorithm eliminate points from the internal data structure and decreases the time used to find points to form triangles, given an edge. The algorithm has a tested linear time complexity that significantly improves on that of other methods. As a by-product, the algorithm produces the convex hull of the data set at no extra cost. Two ways to compute the convex hull using the algorithm are presented. The first is based on the edge list and the second is based on the grid structure. >
Contrast enhancement of gas sensor array patterns with a neurodynamics model of the olfactory bulb

We propose a biologically inspired signal processing model capable of enhancing the discrimination of multivariate patterns from gas sensor arrays. The model captures two functions in the early olfactory pathway: chemotopic convergence of sensory neurons onto the olfactory bulb, and center on–off surround lateral interactions. Sensor features are first topologically projected onto a two-dimensional lattice according to their selectivity profile, leading to odor-specific spatial patterning. The resulting patterns serve as inputs to a network of mitral cells with center on–off surround lateral inhibition, which enhances the initial contrast among odors and decouples odor identity from intensity. The model is validated using experimental data from an array of temperature-modulated metal-oxide sensors. Our results indicate that the model is able to improve the separability between odor patterns that is available at the inputs. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Integration of plasmonic antenna on quantum cascade laser facets for chip-scale molecular sensing

Many important bio-molecules, such as proteins and pharmaceuticals, have their natural resonances in the mid-infrared (2 – 30µm) region of the optical spectrum. The primary challenge of sensing these molecules is to increase the interaction between them and light with such long wavelengths. This can be overcome by exploiting optical nano-antennas which can squeeze the optical mode into a volume much smaller than the operating wavelength. We present a novel antenna design based on hybrid materials composed of a coupled Au-SiO 2 -Au nanorod integrated on the facet of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating in the mid-infrared region of the optical spectrum. FDTD simulations showed that for sandwiched dielectric thicknesses within the range of 20 to 30 nm, peak optical intensity at the top of the antenna ends is 4000 times greater than the incident field intensity. The device was fabricated using focused ion beam milling. Apertureless mid-infrared near field optical microscopy (NSOM) showed that the device can generate a spatially confined spot within a nanometric size about 12 times smaller than the operating wavelength. Such high intensity, hot spot locations can be exploited to enhance the photon interaction for bio-molecules for sensing applications.
Optically-pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser structures with anisotropic spontaneous emission characteristics

Almost all vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's) have been fabricated from device structures grown on [100] GaAs substrates. Optical-pumping experiments on these laser structures show no polarization dependence on the state of the pump. One of the problems of current surface-emitting lasers is that the state of polarization of the emitted light cannot, in general, be determined a priori. It is important to seek some methods to control the polarization of the light emitted from these devices for polarization-sensitive applications such as coherent optical signal processing. We have conducted preliminary experiments designed to understand how one could effect the control of the state of polarization of these lasers. Our experiments consist of optically pumping a VCSEL structure with light from an Ar/sup +/ ion laser and monitoring the polarization of the spontaneous emission. The laser structures on which our experiments are performed consist of 2 strained In/sub 0.2/Ga/sub 0.8/As quantum wells each of 8 nm wide with 10 nm GaAs barriers. >
The subsequent course of patients sterilized by tubal ligation; a consideration of hysterectomy for sterilization.

Abstract 1.1. A high percentage of individuals subjected to tubal interruption for purposes of sterilization at the Vanderbilt University Hospital subsequently developed pelvic abnormalities, the most frequent symptom being abnormal uterine hemorrhage. Comparison with the past histories of a large number of unselected hospitalized obstetrical and gynecological patients indicates the occurrence of bleeding complications to be high and out of proportion to that expected in the general female population. It is our impression that the frequently present systemic disease for which sterilization is performed is causative, rather than any mechanical interference with function resulting from the operative procedure itself. 2.2. The increased operative risk from the progression of systemic disease and advancing age suggests that the optimum time for any surgical procedure in these patients lies in the present and not in the future. 3.3. In view of the very low mortality and morbidity resulting from simple hysterectomy in the absence of distortion of pelvic anatomy, it is our impression that hysterectomy rather than tubal interruption should be considered in those individuals with chronic or progressive diseases warranting destruction of the reproductive function. Procedures short of hysterectomy preserve only the menstrual function of the uterus and leave an organ that is, as far as is known, not only worthless but potentially dangerous.
Differential Modulation by Copper and Zinc of P2X2and P2X4 Receptor Function

Differential Modulation by Copper and Zinc of P2X2 and P2X4 Receptor Function. The modulation by Cu2+ and Zn2+ of P2X2 and P2X4 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes was studied with the two-elect...
Adiposity is associated with early reduction in bone mass in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Objectives The effect of adiposity on bone mass in the early phases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adolescents is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of adiposity on bone mass in the first 3 y of diagnosis of IBD. The expected result is that increased adiposity will be associated with increased bone mass in both the controls and IBD subjects. Methods Height-adjusted bone mineral density (BMD) z-scores of 25 subjects, age 13.97 ± 2.70 y, diagnosed with IBD for Results Before stratification by BMI criterion, height-adjusted BMD z-scores were not significantly lower in IBD subjects versus controls for both the femoral neck (−0.8 ± 1.1 versus −0.06 ± 1.1, P = 0.070) and lumbar vertebrae (−0.4 ± 1.2 versus 0.2 ± 1.2, P = 0.086). Following stratification, height-adjusted BMD z-scores were significantly lower in the overweight/obese IBD subjects versus overweight/obese controls for femoral neck (−0.9 ± 0.9 versus 0.3 ± 1.3, P = 0.032); and non-significantly lower for the lumbar spine z-score (−0.4 ± 1.6 versus 0.5 ± 1.3, P = 0.197). BMD z-score had no relationship with the duration of disease, steroid therapy, and the severity of disease. Conclusion Adiposity was associated with reduced bone mass in the early phases of IBD, but with increased bone mass in the controls.
Synaptophysin Immunoreactivity as Marker for Fetal Hippocampal and Cortical Development

Researchers at University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine and Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada, have studied synaptophysin immunoreactivity (sIR) in postmortem sections of 162 normal human fetal and neonatal brains of both sexes from 6 to 41 weeks' gestational age.
Ovipositional Behavior of Wild-Type and Laboratory-Adapted Strains of Screwworm Flies ,

When female screwworm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), were allowed continuous opportunity to oviposit on artificial medium, more than 32% of a population of wild-type (wound-reared F1–F5. progeny of native flies) females failed to oviposit, but only 3% of a population of laboratory-adapted females (progeny of strains reared on artificial medium > 150 generations) laid less than 1 egg mass. Also, peak oviposition of the 1st egg mass occurred about 4 days earlier with the laboratoryadapted females than with the wild-type females, and there was a highly significant difference ( P < 0.01) between the 2 groups in the mean number of egg masses per female. Oviposition by virgin wild-type females occurred rarely (about 4%), but there were almost no virgin females among laboratory-adapted populations by the time the flies reached sexual maturity.
Assembly of Lipid Bilayers on Silica and Modified Silica Colloids by Reconstitution of Dried Lipid Films

A method is presented for the assembly of lipid bilayers on silica colloids via reconstitution of dried lipid films solvent-cast from chloroform within packed beds of colloids ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm in diameter. Rapid solvent evaporation from the packed bed void volume results in uniform distribution of dried lipid throughout the colloidal bed. Fluorescence measurements indicate that significant, if not quantitative, retention of DOPC or DPPC films cast between sub-bilayer and multilayer quantities occurs when the colloids are redispersed in aqueous solution. Phospholipid bilayers assembled in this manner are shown to effectively passivate the surface of 250 nm colloids to nonspecific adsorption of bovine serum albumin. The method is shown to be capable of preparing supported bilayers on colloid surfaces that do not generally support vesicle fusion such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) modified silica colloids. Bilayers of lipids that have not been reported to self-assemble by vesicle fusion, includin...
Electronic Structure of Si Doped by Rare-Earth Yb3+

The electronic structure of Yb3+-doped Si is elucidated in terms of level repulsion between the Si vacancy's deep levels (and spectral density) and the Yb3+ levels, both for bulk Si and for small clusters. The 2F5/2 level of Yb3+ splits into a Γ8 level and a Γ6 level, with the Γ6 repelled most, by the nearby Γ6 (A1) level of the Si vacancy. The level-repulsion is either upwards or downwards in energy, depending on whether the A1-like vacancy level lies below or above this Yb3+ level. The 2F7/2 Yb3+ level is split into Γ6, Γ7, and Γ8 sub-levels, all moving downwards in energy, with Γ6 moving most, again due to strong level repulsion from the nearby A1-like vacancy level, while the more-distant, higher-energy T2-like (Γ7 and Γ8) vacancy level produces a weaker repulsion. In small clusters, the Si-vacancy's wavefunctions and deep level energies are sensitive to cluster-size, and changes in them alter the level repulsion experienced by the Yb3+ levels, even though the 4f electrons are localized.
Relationships of Availability of Oxygen to Physical Fitness in Patients with Cardio-respiratory Diseases.

SummarySignificant correlations were obtained in patients with diverse cardio-respiratory diseases, and varying disability, between the oxygen gradient of the lungs, the oxygen tension of the peripheral tissues during rest, and the physical fitness index of exercise tolerance. Working capacity is proportional to the availability of oxygen to the tissues, and the limiting factor is circulatory in nature.
Spectroscopic properties of the triple bond carotenoid alloxanthin

Abstract Alloxanthin, which has two triple bonds within its backbone, was studied by steady-state and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopies. Alloxanthin demonstrates an S 2 energy comparable to its non-triple bond homolog, zeaxanthin, while the S 1 lifetime of 19 ps is markedly longer than that of zeaxanthin (9 ps). Along with corroborating quantum chemistry calculations, the results show that the long-lived S 1 state of alloxanthin, which typically corresponds to the dynamic of a shorter carotenoid backbone, implies the triple bond isolates the conjugation of the backbone, increasing the S 1 state energy and diminishing the S 1 –S 2 energy gap.
Predicting the quality of center-based early care and education programs for preschool children: A cumulative asset model

The present study examined the relationship between structural indicators of quality in early childhood programs to observed quality in the classroom. Observational data about the global process quality and the quality of teacher-child interactions was collected in a sample of 113 center-based preschool classrooms in four Midwestern states. Results indicated that the single strongest predictor of observed process quality was the use of an evidence-based curriculum. Multiple regression analyses identified a similar relationship between a group of structural indicators and process quality. However, indicators of mulitcollinearity among the predictor variables were found. To address the issue of multicollinearity, a cumulative index of seven assets was developed. Classrooms with a greater number of assets were found to have higher ratings of quality. These results support the idea that multiple structural features of early care and education programs work together to create a climate of high quality within the early childhood classroom.
It's not easy being green : Hardin and color relationalism

C. .L. Hardin is that rarest of things — a philosopher who has changed the world. Prior to the publication of [Hardin, 1988], philosophical work on color had been conducted in roughly the same terms in which it was carried out by the famous moderns — Galileo, Boyle, Locke, et. al. But once Hardin pointed out that a vast field of empirical research had developed since the modern period, and showed convincingly that these developments impose serious constraints on ontological and epistemological disputes about color, the philosophical landscape was forever changed. Subsequently, philosophical work on color has increased dramatically in both sophistication and interest (as shown by its growth in recent years), and we have Hardin to thank for these salutary developments. But Hardin hasn’t contented himself with reframing traditional philosophical issues about color in a way that is sensitive to relevant empirical constraints. In addition, he has been a staunch defender of color eliminativism — the view that there are no colors, qua properties of tables, chairs, and other mind-external objects, and a vociferous critic of several varieties of realism about color that have been defended by others (e.g., [Hardin, 2003], [Hardin, 2005]). These other views include the so-called color physicalism of [Hilbert, 1987], [Byrne and Hilbert, 1997a], [Byrne and Hilbert, 2003], and [Tye, 2000], and, inconveniently, even the relationalist view defended in [Cohen, 2003a], [Cohen, 2004a], [Cohen, 2003b], [McLaughlin, 2003], and [Jakab and McLaughlin, 2003].
Ethical Issues in Consumer Health Informatics

Medical ethics are used to guide conduct and action. Many stakeholders come into play when considering how consumers obtain their health information. In addition to the consumer, we must consider the spectrum of clinicians (physicians, nurse educators, physical therapists, dieticians, etc.), as well as those people and organizations who create information materials for consumers (e.g., pharmaceutical companies, publishers, government groups, Web companies). With the growth in use of the Web for health information, it becomes critical to consider the ethical roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. Five guiding ethical principles form the basis for evaluating moral conduct in health care: autonomy, veracity, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice [1–3,22,23].
Out-of-plane permalloy magnetic actuators for delta-wing control

INTRODUCTION The goal of this project is t o demonstrate that a collection of micro-machined actuators can control a macro object, provided that a proper controlling mechanism exists. In our case, we intend t o use a linear array of out-of-plane magnetic actuators t o crea te a rolling moment on a tail-less delta-wing model, utilizing a known mechanism in delta-wing theory that allows micro actuation to have an amplified, macro effect. A delta-wing is one of the fundamental configurations for generating lift forces and its aerodynamic control is of great importance t o the aeronautics society [1,2]. When laminar air flow hits the two leading edges of the wing at a certain angle-of-attack (30" in our case, Fig. la,b), two counter-rotating leading-edge vortices are separated from the laminar flow and propagate over the wing's top (Fig. IC). These two high-momentum, low-pressure vortices contribute identical vortex lifting forces on the two sides of the wing, the sum of these being -40 % of the total lifting forces. The strength and position of these two vortices are determined by the boundary layer conditions near their separation points. A boundary layer is roughly 1-2 mm thick at a windtunnel flow speed of less than 20 m/s; the thickness will decrease when the flow speed is increased. Two linear arrays of surface micro-machined out-ofplane actuators (micro-flaps) are placed along two leading edges at the bottom of the wing (Fig. Id) . When un-deflected, flap arrays remain a t the bottom of the boundary layer, having no effect on the flow and vortices; when one array is deflected downward, however, it interacts with the boundary layer and changes the separation point of the corresponding leading-edge vortex. The span-wise vortex structures over the top of the wing become unbalanced, and an overall rolling moment can be created. The delta-wing has a 38-cm span and a 67 O top angle; it is tested in a wind-tunnel with a top speed of 20 m/s. Silicon micro-machined actuators are chosen here because of their added advantages of light weight and potentially large bandwidth. To control this wing, micro-flaps are required to deflect 1-2 mm out-of-plane (or t o match the boundary-layer thickness), and withstand large aerodynamic loading on the order of several hundred pN. Magnetic actuation is used because it is known to generate stronger and longer-range forces [3, 4, 51 compared with most other driving methods. Several types of magnetic micro-actuators have been previously demonstrated, but none can readily fulfill the current system requirements. Beneck et . al. [6] performed post-processing manual attachments of permanent magnet pieces on micromachined plates and actuated the magnet with an external magnetic field generated by in-plane coils. The manual assembly is unsuitable for us because a large number of ac-
Cardiac Troponins: Molecules of Many Surprises.

Monoclonal antibody–based immunoassays for measurement of cardiac troponins T and I, (cTnT and cTnI, respectively)2 were first described approximately 25 years ago (1, 2). Their promise was a more accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to improved tissue specificity. The advantages of cardiac specificity were realized soon after the clinical trials started, but an unexpected finding, increases of cTnT and cTnI that occurred “too early” in patients without traditional diagnostic criteria of AMI, was initially believed to compromise the biomarkers' diagnostic specificity. Further clinical studies established the real cause of these findings: minor myocardial damage. These new discoveries, made possible by cTn measurement, led to the redefinition of myocardial infarction (3), and the eventual new clinical diagnostic category of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). In the new diagnostic paradigm, AMI is a subset of ACS, and both conditions can be diagnosed by cTnT and cTnI increases above predetermined cutpoint values. Further evolution of the diagnosis of ischemic myocardial injury has identified 7 types of AMI (4), an unexpected development in the early years of troponin use. Despite the proven cardiac tissue specificity of cTnI and improved specificity of the second generation cTnT assay, increases in the biomarkers' concentrations had been documented in nonischemic cardiac diseases such as renal or heart failure, after the administration of cardiotoxic agents, and in sepsis and stroke. Investigations into the causes of these increases revealed nonischemic myocyte necrosis as the cause of cTn release from the injured myocardium. It has also been established via the process called risk stratification that these increases, whether of ischemic …
Correlates of engagement in group sex events among men who have sex with men in London who use geosocial-networking smartphone applications

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who attend group sex events (GSEs) tend to also engage in high-risk sexual behaviors and substance use that may place them at additional increased risk for becoming infected with HIV. These sorts of events may be facilitated by the use of geosocial-networking smartphone applications, where MSM may have access to a large virtual pool of potential partners. The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of recent engagement in GSEs and its demographic and behavioral correlates among a sample of MSM ( n = 202). Log-binomial models were fit to assess correlates of engagement in GSEs in the preceding three months. Overall, 42.6% had engaged in a GSE in the preceding three months. In multivariable models, the use of inhalant nitrites (PR: 2.239; 95% CI: 1.119, 4.848; p = .024) and methamphetamine (PR: 7.601; 95% CI: 2.340, 24.691; p = .001) were associated with recent engagement in GSEs. Given the high prevalence of these potentially high-risk behaviors, future research should be conducted to examine the concurrent use of substance use and condom use at the GSEs to develop appropriate risk reduction interventions.
The Applicability of Resilience Training to the Mitigation of Trauma-Related Mental Illness in Military Personnel [Formula: see text].

BACKGROUND: Ongoing participation by the United States in military operations around the world places military personnel at an increased potential for exposure to trauma, which may directly result ...
A Virtual Control Coupling Approach for Problems with Non-coincident Discrete Interfaces

Independent meshing of subdomains separated by an interface can lead to spatially non-coincident discrete interfaces. We present an optimization-based coupling method for such problems, which does not require a common mesh refinement of the interface, has optimal \(H^1\) convergence rates, and passes a patch test. The method minimizes the mismatch of the state and normal stress extensions on discrete interfaces subject to the subdomain equations, while interface “fluxes” provide virtual Neumann controls.
Lacanian Anti-Humanism and Freedom

This chapter reconsiders the much-maligned notion of full speech in Lacanian theory and how Lacan’s discussions of machines and cybernetic systems provide new ways of thinking about it. If this early model for the ethic of psychoanalysis is looked at more closely, along with its unexpected connection to the nonhuman, we get a portrait of anti- or posthumanist freedom and agency. The question remains whether freedom and agency in Lacan’s work significantly changes the classical models of freedom (i.e., voluntarist or libertarian) or simply places these models in a different source—no longer in the humanist subject, but in something else. This chapter explores whether Lacan’s position involves the same kind of problem found in Heidegger’s work: a kind of mystical quietism.
Simultaneous Localization and Planning for Cooperative Air Munitions Via Dynamic Programming

This work centers on the real-time trajectory planning for the cooperative control of two aerial munitions that are attacking a ground target in a planar setting. Sensor information from each munition is assumed available, and the individual target-location estimates are fused in a weighted least squares solution. The variance of this combined estimate is used to define a cost function. The problem is posed to design munition trajectories that minimize this cost function. This chapter describes the solution of the problem by a dynamic-programming method. The dynamic-programming method establishes a set of grid points for each munition to traverse based on the initial position of the munition relative to the target. The method determines the optimal path along those points to minimize the value of the cost function and consequently decrease the value of uncertainty in the estimate of the target location. The method is validated by comparison to known solutions computed by a variational method for sample solutions. Numerical solutions are presented along with computational run times to indicate that this method proves effective in trajectory design and target location estimation.
Maf1 and Repression of RNA Polymerase III-Mediated Transcription Drive Adipocyte Differentiation

RNA polymerase (pol) III transcribes a variety of small untranslated RNAs involved in transcription, RNA processing, and translation. RNA pol III and its components are altered in various human developmental disorders, yet their roles in cell fate determination and development are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Maf1, a transcriptional repressor, promotes induction of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into mesoderm. Reduced Maf1 expression in mESCs and preadipocytes impairs adipogenesis, while ectopic Maf1 expression in Maf1-deficient cells enhances differentiation. RNA pol III repression by chemical inhibition or knockdown of Brf1 promotes adipogenesis. Altered RNA pol III-dependent transcription produces select changes in mRNAs with a significant enrichment of adipogenic gene signatures. Furthermore, RNA pol III-mediated transcription positively regulates long non-coding RNA H19 and Wnt6 expression, established adipogenesis inhibitors. Together, these studies reveal an important and unexpected function for RNA pol III-mediated transcription and Maf1 in mesoderm induction and adipocyte differentiation.
The influence of alloying interactions on thin film growth stresses

Abstract A series of W-Fe and W-Cr thin films were sputter deposited and the intrinsic growth stresses determined by in situ wafer curvature measurements. Under the growth conditions studied, the elemental W film grew in a compressive stress state whereas the elemental Fe and Cr films grew in a tensile stress condition. By mixing Fe or Cr with W, the alloy stress state was bounded between the two elemental stresses which included a zero stress condition. The specific stress response is reported as a function of alloy type that is affected by grain size, grain boundary composition, localized phase separation, and energetic peening effects. Using the ambient temperature deposited zero stress composition, these films were re-deposited at 673K to drive the microstructure towards equilibrium. Under these conditions, both alloys exhibited similar compressive stress states during post-coalescence growth, with the post-deposition stress recovery being greater in the W-Fe film than that of the W-Cr film. This difference was contributed to the dissimilarity in grain sizes between the two films as well as how the solute partitioned in the matrix, i.e. at the grain boundary or as phase separated laths within the grains.
Measuring the elastic tensor of a monolithic SiC hollow cylinder with resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Abstract Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) has become a standard tool in material science to measure nondestructively the elastic properties of materials. The widespread adoption of this tool for applications related to nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring in the industry and other places has been restricted thus far by some requirements imposed by RUS on the sample to be tested, in particular the fact that the sample geometry should be relatively simple (e.g., cuboid, cylinder, or sphere). In this paper, we use RUS to determine the baseline material properties of a hollow cylinder made of monolithic SiC, a surrogate material and geometry representing nuclear fuel cladding for this study. Typically, elastic properties of the nuclear fuel cladding samples are inspected destructively (e.g., indentation) or with acoustic techniquesrequiring multiple and cumbersome measurements. Here, a relatively new RUS approach specifically developed to measure the elastic tensor of samples with arbitrary geometries is used. The results obtained from this RUS approach are compared to values reported in the literature. As a second verification step, vibrational mode shapes computed numerically with the elastic constants are compared to those measured on the sample using a 3D laser Doppler vibrometer, showing an excellent agreement.
Restrictive Transfusions in the Era of Pathogen-Inactivated Platelets: A Single Center Experience

Introduction Blood management and infectious disease mitigation are essential for success with allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). We sought to investigate the safety profile of a proactive infection mitigation strategy with the use of pathogen-inactivated (PI) platelets (PLT) during the alloSCT peri-engraftment period in the era of restrictive blood transfusion. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from patients undergoing alloSCT that received prophylactic red blood cell (RBC) and PLT transfusion triggered by a hemoglobin of 8 g/dL and PLT count of 15,000 PLT/mL. When available, PI PLT (non-irradiated) were used starting November 2016 until March 2018 (study timeframe). Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC). Patients characteristics and clinical parameters were summarized using mean and standard deviation or median and range for continuous data, and frequency and percentage for categorical data. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from day of transplant. A two-sided logrank test was used to compare across strata using p Results Sixty-eight patients received alloSCT. Median age at transplant was 55 years (range [R], 18-73). Peripheral blood stem cells were the graft source in all but one patient. Donor source was a matched related, 10/10 matched unrelated (MUD), 9/10 MUD and haploidentical donor in 30.9%, 44.1%, 2.9%, and 22.1% of cases, respectively. Myeloablative conditioning was used in 45.6% of patients. Indication for alloSCT was a myeloid or lymphoid disorder in 64.7% and 35.3% of cases. Median time to neutrophil and PLT engraftment was 12 (R, 10-35) and 12 days (R, 8-120), respectively. Pre-alloSCT RBC alloimmunization was present in 11.8% of patients. Cumulative incidence of grades II-IV acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 20.6% and 22.1%, respectively. PI PLT were used in 73.5 % patients. There were no cases of transfusion associated graft failure (GF) or GVHD. Bacteremia occurred in 10.0% and 22.1% of patients by 30 days and 100 days post-alloSCT, respectively, and were both associated with worse OS (both p Conclusions Restrictive prophylactic transfusion thresholds in alloSCT recipients is feasible. Limited PI PLT transfusion was not associated with transfusion-attributable GVHD, GF or infectious complications. Future prospective studies should determine the short term hemostatic efficacy and long term post-alloSCT outcomes with restrictive transfusion criteria in an era of expanding PI product use.
Dental Implant Therapy in a Patient with Acromegaly: A Clinical Report.

Acromegaly is an adult endocrine disorder that results from excessive growth hormone after closure of the growth plates and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. The orofacial features of patients with acromegaly are thick lips with a tendency towards mandibular overgrowth with prognathism, jaw thickening, maxillary widening, drifting of teeth, malocclusion, and increased gonial angle, all of which can challenge the prosthodontist in dental rehabilitation. Additionally, excessive secretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors have been shown to increase bone turnover, which in turn leads to weakening of bone microarchitecture and high risk of fragility fractures. This clinical report describes the 4-year follow-up of a 59-year-old white male with acromegaly, who was managed successfully by using dental implants for replacing his missing teeth. Considerations related to treatment planning, implant surgery, bone remodeling, and management of dental occlusion are discussed. This is the first clinical report in the dental literature describing the use of dental implants in an acromegaly patient.
Neural Query Language: A Knowledge Base Query Language for Tensorflow

Large knowledge bases (KBs) are useful for many AI tasks, but are difficult to integrate into modern gradient-based learning systems. Here we describe a framework for accessing soft symbolic database using only differentiable operators. For example, this framework makes it easy to conveniently write neural models that adjust confidences associated with facts in a soft KB; incorporate prior knowledge in the form of hand-coded KB access rules; or learn to instantiate query templates using information extracted from text. NQL can work well with KBs with millions of tuples and hundreds of thousands of entities on a single GPU.
Treatment thresholds for European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) infestations in early-season fresh market sweet corn.

We examined the effect of varying thresholds for treatment of first generation European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), infestations in early-season fresh market sweet corn in eastern New York over a 3-year period. Seven treatment thresholds were compared: (1) 15% infested plants at whorl stage, 5% infested plants at tassel and silk stage, (2) 15% at whorl stage, 15% at tassel and silk stage, (3) 30% at whorl stage, 5% at tassel and silk stage, (4) 30% at whorl stage, 15% at tassel and silk, (5) 5% at tassel and silk stage, (6) 15% at tassel and silk stage, and (7) control (untreated). When thresholds were reached, permethrin was applied using an air-blast sprayer. Results indicated little difference in percentage marketable ears whether plants were treated or not at whorl stage, and the tassel stage threshold could be raised to 15% infested plants with no significant effect on percentage marketable ears. We found no difference in marketable yield among plots treated from one side or both sides w...
Making Too Much of Too Little?: Why 'Motivating Factor' Liability Did Not Revolutionize Title VII

Although the correct causation standard for various employment discrimination statutes continues to be much debated, the most generous standard for plaintiffs – Title VII’s “motivating factor” rule for status discrimination claims – has not had much effect on the ground. In theory, and without much hyperbole, “motivating factor” seems to require finding a violation when even a smidgeon of bias is implicated in an adverse employment decision. Such a finding will not necessarily entitle the plaintiff to full remedies since the employer remains able to limit her recovery by proving that it would have made the same decision in any event; however, the defendant will be adjudicated a violator and be subject to meaningful sanctions. Given this extraordinarily favorable causation structure and substantial evidence that bias continues to manifest in persistent ways in this country, one would expect plaintiffs to be enjoying great success in bringing Title VII status discrimination claims. Perhaps needless to say, that is not the reality. This Article attempts to explain the failure of the motivating factor revolution. It offers three interacting possibilities. First, “motivating factor” is such a dramatic departure from traditional causation analysis that courts understandably have a hard time implementing the concept. Second, and blending into the first, is judicial resistance to such wholesale intrusion into employment decisionmaking, a hostility manifested in a number of ways but most notably in the broader formulations of the “stray-remark” doctrine that have dramatically limited the potential impact of motivating factor liability. Third, plaintiffs’ attorneys have shied away from robustly framing their claims in terms of motivating factor liability because that litigation structure subjects their clients to an employer’s remedy-limiting affirmative defense of “same decision anyway.” Not only does that structure create a tactical problem for many plaintiffs but it also inevitably generates a conflict of interest between attorney and client: The liability/same decision structure allow juries to reach compromise verdicts and, when they do, deny the plaintiff monetary recovery other than fee awards that typically go to their attorney.
Use of Prospective Radiobrachial Angiography in Transradial Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention.

Abstract Objectives This study examined the utility of prospective radiobrachial angiography (pRBA) in transradial coronary angiography and intervention as a method for reducing procedural complications. Background A growing body of evidence has supported the transradial approach (TRA) as superior to the transfemoral approach (TFA) due to advantages such as reduced bleeding and improved outcomes in high-risk patients. However, TRA has a higher failure rate than TFA, and has seen slow rates of adoption among United States operators. Methods This was a retrospective, single center, case-control analysis of coronary angiography procedures, performed by two experienced operators at the University of Chicago Medical Center between October 28, 2015 and July 21, 2017. Operator 1 began using pRBA during the study, whereas Operator 2 used pRBA in all TRA procedures. There were 567 patients stratified into three groups based on operator and pRBA use. Comparisons of procedural outcomes for Operator 1 before and after adoption of pRBA, and of outcomes between Operator 1 and Operator 2 were made. Results Use of pRBA was associated with reduced overall procedural complication rates (2.5% versus 10.4%, p = 0.004), driven primarily by reflexive radiobrachial angiography (rRBA) after resistance or pain was encountered (8.6% versus 0.0%, p = 0.0001) for Operator 1. A slight reduction in contrast associated with pRBA for Operator 1 was noted, but no difference in procedural time, radiation dose, or additional equipment used across groups was found. No significant difference in adverse procedural outcomes between the pRBA groups of Operator 1 and Operator 2 were observed. In patients with radiobrachial variants in anatomy, use of pRBA was associated with shorter times to cross anatomic lesions, shorter procedure times, reduced use of extra catheters, and less perforations and crossovers compared to patients requiring rRBA. Lack of pRBA was associated with higher procedural complications (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI, 1.03–1.13, p = 0.004). Conclusion pRBA may be a useful tool for mitigating procedural complications, reducing time needed to cross difficult radiobrachial anatomy, and reducing the need to utilize additional equipment in TRA. pRBA may offer operators a tool to improve outcomes and increase adoption of this approach.
Differences Between Mothers' and Fathers' Perception of Their Adolescents' Pain Before and After Parent Training Through The Comfort Ability Pain Management Program.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in how mothers and fathers perceive and respond to their adolescents' chronic pain before and after The Comfort Ability Program (CAP), a 1-day cognitive-behavioral intervention, and to compare outcomes between mother-father dyads and mothers who attended the intervention alone. METHODS Parents completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Helping for Health Inventory (HHI) at baseline (preintervention) and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after intervention. Confirmatory factor analyses evaluated construct validity and invariances of the scales. Paired t tests compared scores between mothers and fathers. Unpaired t tests compared mother-father dyads (n = 33) and mothers who attended the intervention alone (n = 73). RESULTS PCS baseline showed significant construct instability between maternal and paternal interpretations. However, 1 week after intervention, construct stability improved between parents. On the PCS and HHI, in which lower scores represent more adaptive parenting behaviors, fathers scored significantly lower than mothers at baseline (PCS: 22.6 [7.7] vs 28.0 [11.4], p value = 0.033; HHI: 16.0 [8.1] vs 20.6 [9.6], p value = 0.029). At 3 months after intervention, PCS scores for both mothers and fathers significantly decreased from baseline (mothers: p value = 0.009; fathers: p value = 0.052) and converged (mothers: 18.6 [11.2] vs fathers: 18.3 [13.2]; p value = 0.786). Mother and father HHI scores were significantly lower at 3 months than baseline (mothers: 13.2 [9.5], p value = 0.005; fathers: 15.0 [12.7], p value = 0.017), although improvement of construct stability between parents was less evident. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that mothers and fathers may differentially perceive and respond to their adolescents' pain and that CAP parent-training intervention may help align their thinking. The results further demonstrate that both parents make adaptive changes after intervention, reinforcing the value of including both parents in pediatric treatment for chronic pain.
Comparing desired workforce skills and reported teaching practices to model students' experiences in undergraduate geoscience programs

A goal of undergraduate geoscience programs is to prepare students for the geoscience workforce. In order to understand the extent to which programs succeed at this goal, we identified desired work...
Hypercluster: a python package and SnakeMake pipeline for flexible, parallelized unsupervised clustering optimization

Abstract Unsupervised clustering is a common and exceptionally useful tool for large biological datasets. However, clustering requires upfront algorithm and hyperparameter selection, which can introduce bias into the final clustering labels. It is therefore advisable to obtain a range of clustering results from multiple models and hyperparameters, which can be cumbersome and slow. To streamline this process, we present hypercluster, a python package and SnakeMake pipeline for flexible and parallelized clustering evaluation and selection. Hypercluster is available on bioconda; installation, documentation and example workflows can be found at: https://github.com/ruggleslab/hypercluster. Author summary Unsupervised clustering is a technique for grouping similar samples within a dataset. It is extremely common when analyzing big data from patient samples, or high throughput techniques like single cell RNA-seq. When researchers use unsupervised clustering, they have to select parameters that affect the final result—for instance, how many groups they expect to find or what the smallest group is allowed to be. Some methods require setting even less intuitive parameters. For most applications, it is extremely challenging to guess what the values of these parameters should be; therefore to prevent introducing bias into the final results, researchers should test many different parameters and methods to find the best groups. This process is cumbersome, slow and challenging to perform in a reproducible way. We developed hypercluster, a tool that automates this process, make it much faster, and presenting the results in a reproducible and helpful manner.
Acute kidney injury after in-hospital cardiac arrest

Abstract Aim Determine 1) frequency and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in the Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest In-Hospital (THAPCA-IH) trial and associated outcomes; 2) impact of temperature management on post-IHCA AKI. Methods Secondary analysis of THAPCA-IH; a randomized controlled multi-national trial at 37 children’s hospitals. Eligibility Serum creatinine (Cr) within 24 h of randomization. Outcomes Prevalence of severe AKI defined by Stage 2 or 3 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Cr criteria. 12-month survival with favorable neurobehavioral outcome. Analyses stratified by entire cohort and cardiac subgroup. Risk factors and outcomes compared among cohorts with and without severe AKI. Results Subject randomization: 159 to hypothermia, 154 to normothermia. Overall, 80% (249) developed AKI (any stage), and 66% (207) developed severe AKI. Cardiac patients (204, 65%) were more likely to develop severe AKI (72% vs 56%,p = 0.006). Preexisting cardiac or renal conditions, baseline lactate, vasoactive support, and systolic blood pressure were associated with severe AKI. Comparing hypothermia versus normothermia, there were no differences in severe AKI rate (63% vs 70%,p = 0.23), peak Cr, time to peak Cr, or freedom from mortality or severe AKI (p = 0.14). Severe AKI was associated with decreased hospital survival (48% vs 65%,p = 0.006) and decreased 12-month survival with favorable neurobehavioral outcome (30% vs 53%,p Conclusion Severe post-IHCA AKI occurred frequently especially in those with preexisting cardiac or renal conditions and peri-arrest hemodynamic instability. Severe AKI was associated with decreased survival with favorable neurobehavioral outcome. Hypothermia did not decrease incidence of severe AKI post-IHCA.
Dealumination of Zeolite Frameworks and Lewis Acid Catalyst Activation for Transfer Hydrogenation

This study examines a selective removal of Al metal from Al-Beta (BEA), Al-Faujasite (FAU, type Y) and Al-Mordenite (MOR) whose frameworks have high and close Si/Al ratios ≥ 30. Dealumination was performed using acid leaching (nitric acid, 13 M) solution at 100 °C for 20 h. Unlike Al-BEA, Al-FAU and Al-MOR were hardly dealuminated for their ultra-stable structure. Solid-state incorporation (SSI) method was applied to incorporate Lewis acidic Sn metal in dealuminated zeolitic frameworks. Newly formed zeolites have numerous vacant tetrahedral sites with a siliceous-rich framework. These zeolites were characterized by powder XRD, elemental analysis, N2 sorption, DRIFT and 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopies. Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) was selected as a reaction to assess the catalytic performance of prepared zeolites. While SSI-Sn-BEA exhibited superior catalytic activity for the presence of Lewis acid-Sn, FAU and MOR showed less catalytic activity due to their confined structural effects, presence of silanol nest and inadequate Sn incorporation.