cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biotin and biotinidase deficiency

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that serves as an essential coenzyme for five carboxylases in mammals. Biotin-dependent carboxylases catalyze the fixation of bicarbonate in organic acids and play crucial roles in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose. Carboxylase activities decrease substantially in response to biotin deficiency. Biotin is also covalently attached to histones; biotinylated histones are enriched in repeat regions in the human genome and appear to play a role in transcriptional repression of genes and genome stability. Biotin deficiency may be caused by insufficient dietary uptake of biotin, drug–vitamin interactions and, perhaps, by increased biotin catabolism during pregnancy and in smokers. Biotin deficiency can also be precipitated by decreased activities of the following proteins that play critical roles in biotin homeostasis: the vitamin transporters sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter and monocarboxylate transporter 1, which mediate biotin transport in the intestine, liver and peripheral tissues, and renal reabsorption; holocarboxylase synthetase, which mediates the binding of biotin to carboxylases and histones; and biotinidase, which plays a central role in the intestinal absorption of biotin, the transport of biotin in plasma and the regulation of histone biotinylation. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include seizures, hypotonia, ataxia, dermatitis, hair loss, mental retardation, ketolactic acidosis, organic aciduria and also fetal malformations. This review focuses on the deficiencies of both biotin and biotinidase, and the medical management of such cases.
An intrinsic gut leptin-melanocortin pathway modulates intestinal microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and lipid absorption

Fat is delivered to tissues by apoB-containing lipoproteins synthesized in the liver and intestine with the help of an intracellular chaperone, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). Leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, acts in the brain and on peripheral tissues to regulate fat storage and metabolism. Our aim was to identify the role of leptin signaling in MTP regulation and lipid absorption using several mouse models deficient in leptin receptor (LEPR) signaling and downstream effectors. Mice with spontaneous LEPR B mutations or targeted ablation of LEPR B in proopiomelanocortin (POMC) or agouti gene related peptide (AGRP) expressing cells had increased triglyceride in plasma, liver, and intestine. Furthermore, melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) knockout mice expressed a similar triglyceride phenotype, suggesting that leptin might regulate intestinal MTP expression through the melanocortin pathway. Mechanistic studies revealed that the accumulation of triglyceride in the intestine might be secondary to decreased expression of MTP and lipid absorption in these mice. Surgical and chemical blockade of vagal efferent outflow to the intestine in wild-type mice failed to alter the triglyceride phenotype, demonstrating that central neural control mechanisms were likely not involved in the observed regulation of intestinal MTP. Instead, we found that enterocytes express LEPR, POMC, AGRP, and MC4R. We propose that a peripheral, local gut signaling mechanism involving LEPR B and MC4R regulates intestinal MTP and controls intestinal lipid absorption.
The Relationship between Personality Type and Acceptable Noise Levels: A Pilot Study

Objectives. This study examined the relationship between acceptable noise level (ANL) and personality. ANL is the difference between a person's most comfortable level for speech and the loudest level of background noise they are willing to accept while listening to speech. Design. Forty young adults with normal hearing participated. ANLs were measured and two personality tests (Big Five Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) were administered. Results. The analysis revealed a correlation between ANL and the openness and conscientious personality dimensions from the Big Five Inventory; no correlation emerged between ANL and the Myers-Briggs personality types. Conclusions. Lower ANLs are correlated with full-time hearing aid use and the openness personality dimension; higher ANLs are correlated with part-time or hearing aid nonuse and the conscientious personality dimension. Current data suggest that those more open to new experiences may accept more noise and possibly be good hearing aid candidates, while those more conscientious may accept less noise and reject hearing aids, based on their unwillingness to accept background noise. Knowing something about a person's personality type may help audiologists determine if their patients will likely be good candidates for hearing aids.
Manipulating risk communication: Value predispositions shape public understandings of invasive species science in Hawaii

Most invasive species control programs are routine, but a small number prompt public controversy. Local value predispositions shape lay perception of the relative risks of invasive species and efforts to control them. Because control efforts are generally led by government scientists, lay perceptions of invasive species science are colored by public judgment of government credibility. This article examines the proposed release of an insect for biological control of the invasive strawberry guava tree which threatens conservation of Hawaii’s forests. A local activist manipulated regulatory risk communication, appealed to local values, and persuaded some local members of the public and elected officials to oppose the insect release. This case illustrates how, in the absence of effective public engagement processes, routine scientific risk communication can be confounded by divergent knowledge taxonomies and perceptions of government hegemony.
Investigating the Challenges and Opportunities in Home Care to Facilitate Effective Information Technology Adoption

Abstract Background As home care utilization increases, information technology (IT) becomes a critical tool for providing quality home care. However, most home health agencies (HHAs) in the United States are in a position to adopt and leverage IT solutions in budget-constrained settings, where it is crucial to address important and pressing challenges and opportunities for achieving effectiveness in IT adoption. Objectives (1) Explore HHAs' challenges and opportunities related to delivering home care as well as performing administrative functions and conducting business, (2) learn about current IT implementation levels and activities in home care, and (3) make recommendations to facilitate efforts and initiatives designed for adopting IT in home care effectively. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted to elicit rich contextual information from the participants recruited from 13 local HHAs in one of the states in the United States. Established systems analysis techniques were used to ask questions during the interviews. Framework, a qualitative research method, was used to analyze the qualitative data obtained from the interviews. Results Coordinating clinical and administrative workflows was an important challenge. Inadequate access to patients' medical history and difficulties with medication reconciliation detracted from the quality of care. Hiring, training, scheduling, and retaining qualified personnel constituted another important challenge. Training and educating patients, caregivers, and families hold important opportunities for improving the quality of care. All except one HHA adopted electronic health records (EHR) but many continued to struggle considerably in their day-to-day functions. Health information exchange (HIE) seems to be the most needed technology. Telehealth solutions were perceived to be promising but their added value and financial viability in the long run were questioned. Conclusions The recommendations for effective IT adoption include keeping a quality improvement focus, keeping a holistic organizational perspective, considering potential information exchange problems, addressing education and training needs, experimentation with telehealth if resources permit, considering organization size, and reducing lengthy procedures and excessive documentation requirements. The relevant stakeholders, such as home care professionals, IT vendors, and policy makers, should consider the recommendations from this study to facilitate success in future IT efforts and initiatives in home care.
NPR for Traditional Artistic Genres

One of the original goals of NPR research is to develop rendering techniques that produce images and videos with the appearances of traditional artistic genres such as painting and hatching. In this chapter we review existing research on this topic, with a particular focus on image and video stylization. We will also discuss forms of traditional artistic genres that have been underexplored in the context of NPR, with the hope that this could stimulate future research from the NPR community.
A Thermodynamic Description of 252-Cf-Plasma Desorption

The objective of this paper is to discuss progress that has been made in elucidating the fundamentals of 252-Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry (252-Cf-PDMS). This method is based on the electronic excitation of a condensed matrix by fast (1 MeV/u) heavy ions. While the primary interaction is different from that of the keV ions and atoms of SIMS and FAB which involve an initial nuclear excitation, the mass spectrum of secondary ions is remarkably similar. There are important differences. There is no high-energy sputtering component in the 252-Cf-PDMS spectrum. The molecular ion yield appears to be considerably higher in 252-Cf-PDMS as well as the ion multiplicity (number of ions emitted per incident ion) [1]. The difference in molecular ion yield increases with mass.
Bangladesh’s Achievement in Poverty Reduction: The Role of Microfinance Revisited

Poverty in Bangladesh has been decreasing steadily over the last 25 years. For example, during the period 1991–2010, moderate poverty dropped by 25 percentage points (from 57% to 32%), and extreme poverty by 23 percentage points (from 41% to 18%) (World Bank 2013). The corresponding drops in rural areas, where more than 70% of the country’s 150 million people live, show similar trends—24 percentage points and 23 percentage points, respectively. While part of this decline in poverty is due to an economic growth rate of more than 6% over the last decade (World Bank 2013), there are other factors that have contributed to poverty reduction. One such factor is microcredit growth—the topic of this chapter. There has been a remarkable growth in the coverage of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their members over the last two decades in Bangladesh, and it can be hypothesized that the scale of microfinance operations has had some effect on the economy. This chapter attempts to answer the question of whether microfinance has contributed at all to poverty reduction, and if so, how much of the recent poverty reduction in Bangladesh can be attributed to the increasing use of microfinance.
Comparison of the effects of secretory stimulants and inhibitors on gastric mucosal adenylyl cyclases of various species.

SummaryAdenylyl cyclase activities were measured in mucosal 600g paniculate preparations from the fundic stomach of rats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. In vitro incubation with prostaglandin E1 and NaF activated the enzyme in all species. Penta-gastrin and carbachol were ineffective activators in any of the species tested. Hista-mine activated mucosal adenylyl cyclase activity in the guinea pig but not in any of the other species tested. Histamine antagonists did not conclusively demonstrate the specificity of histamine activated adenylyl cyclase. Our results do not support the universal hypothesis that activation of adenylyl cyclase is the first step in the mechanisms of action of gastric acid secretagogues. Our findings do indicate that species variability and mucosal tissue heterogeneity constitute difficult problems that must be solved prior to the elucidation of the mechanisms of regulation of acid secretion.The authors are indebted to Mrs. Lily Chang for expert technical assistance. This research w...
The Effects of Grids on Web Surveys Completed with Mobile Devices

Question grids are common on Web surveys, and studies show that grids can affect how respondents complete surveys. However, there is little research that investigates the effects of grids on Web su...
Capturing the Landscape of New Spain: Baltasar Obregón and the 1564 Ibarra Expedition. Southwest Center Series. By Rebecca A. Carte.

Capturing the Landscape of New Spain: Baltasar Obregon and the 1564 Ibarra Expedition. Southwest Center Series. By Rebecca A. Carte. (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2015. xiv + 168 pp. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $50.00.) Baltasar Obregon’s Historia de los descubrimientos de Nueva Espana (1584) has been published in two Spanish-language editions (1989, 1997) and one in English (1928) translated by George P. Hammond and Agapito Rey. Since the noted geographer of Mexico’s northwest, Carl O. Sauer, complained in 1932 that Obregon’s text was confused and lurid, no one has attempted a critical cultural reading of it until now. Rebecca A. Carte has used her cultural linguistic skills to undertake this task, providing us with a careful, theoretically informed reading of Obregon’s history of the “greater northwest” that reconciles his purposes … Susan.deeds{at}nau.edu
Association of Brain Amyloid-β With Slow Gait in Elderly Individuals Without Dementia: Influence of Cognition and Apolipoprotein E ε4 Genotype.

Importance Motor slowing appears in preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD), progresses with AD progression, and is associated with AD pathologic findings at autopsy. Whether amyloid-β (Aβ) is associated with gait speed in elderly individuals without dementia and whether cognition and apolipoprotein E e4 ( APOE e4) influence this association remain unknown. Objectives To examine the association between Aβ and gait speed in elderly individuals without dementia and to study the influence of cognition and APOE e4 status on this association. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional analysis included 183 elderly individuals without dementia, including a cognitively normal (CN) subsample of 144 adults, enrolled in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory study at a university center from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009, and enrolled in a follow-up substudy a mean (SD) of 10 (3) months after the initial study closeout. Data analysis was performed from October 1, 2015, to June 1, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures We assessed cerebral Aβ on Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography, gait speed over 4.57 m (15 ft), and cognition on the Mini-Mental State Examination and Trail Making Test Parts A and B. We grouped participants into high Aβ (PiB + ) and low Aβ (PiB – ) groups on standardized global PiB cutoffs and examined group differences. We studied the influence of cognition and APOE e4 on the global and regional associations between gait speed and Aβ in the whole sample and the CN subsample. Results Among the 183 study participants, mean (SD) age was 85.5 (3) years, 76 were women (41.5%), and 177 were white (96.7%). The PiB + individuals were comparable to the PiB – individuals on demographics, comorbidities, cognition, hippocampal volume, and small-vessel disease but not on gait speed (0.85 vs 0.92 m/s, P = .01) or proportion of APOE e4 carriers (29 [29.0%] vs 5 [6.0%], P P = .03 and β = −0.074, P = .04, respectively); however, this association was attenuated by Mini-Mental State Examination and Trail Making Test Parts A and B and was rendered statistically nonsignificant by APOE e4 in both samples (β = −0.055 and β = −0.058, respectively; both P ≥ .10). Several regional associations between gait speed and PiB uptake withstood relevant adjustments; however, APOE e4 rendered only the medial (β = −0.22, P = .03) and lateral (β = −0.08, P = .03) temporal regions, subcortical white matter (β = −0.13, P = .02), and occipital regions (β = −0.15, P = .03) in the whole sample and the occipital regions (β = −0.21, P = .01) in the CN subsample statistically significant. Conclusions and Relevance Cerebral Aβ deposition is associated with slower gait speed in elderly individuals without dementia; however, this association is weaker in those who are CN. Cognition and APOE e4 carrier status influence the association between Aβ and gait speed in elderly individuals without dementia.
Evaluation of a Prototype Beef Carcass Washer in a Commercial Plant 1,2.

Eighty half carcasses were either: (a) hand-washed with tap water (15 C) or (b) washed (15 C) with an experimental beef carcass cleaning unit. Overall logarithmic mean reduction in aerobic plate counts were 0.99 for hand-washed carcasses and 1.07 for those machine-washed. No significant difference (P ⩽ 0.05) was noted in percentage dirt and smear reductions due to type of wash (hand or machine). However, 12.5% of the hand-washed carcasses and 22.5% of the machine-washed carcasses contained defects caused by hair. The authors concluded that the machine was at least as effective as the careful hand washing in this experiment.
Psychotic panic and feared sexual assault – ‘homosexual panic’: the historical role of feared homosexual assault as a contributing factor to self-attack

ABSTRACTSome psychotic patients fall into acute persecutory panic, a subjective experience of helpless terror in the face of anticipated imminent annihilation or dismemberment. These states occur in a wide range of psychotic illnesses and are often associated with command hallucinations and fear of homosexual assault. In a desperate attempt to escape from imaginary enemies, such patients often attack themselves and imagine suicide is survivable. This article addresses the dread of homosexual assault, previously referred to as homosexual panic, and its relationship to patients who attack themselves in a state of desperate psychotic persecution.
Bacterial Inoculant Treatment of Bermudagrass Alters Ovipositional Behavior, Larval and Pupal Weights of the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Nonpathogenic soil bacteria can colonize the rhizosphere and induce unique plant phenotypes that may influence plant-insect interactions. However, few studies have considered the influences of bacteria-plant interactions on insect feeding and oviposition. The objective of this study was to determine how rhizobacterial inoculation of bermudagrass affects larval development and ovipositional behaviors of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith). Eight blends of rhizobacteria known to induce root or shoot growth in grasses were applied weekly to hybrid bermudagrass for 5 wk. Oviposition was evaluated in two no-choice trials with bacteria-treated, fertilized, or nontreated grass. Grass blades from these treatments were extracted in polar and nonpolar solvents and assayed for oviposition responses. Another experiment compared the development of fall armyworm larvae on bermudagrass treated with each of the eight rhizobacterial blends for 5 wk to larvae fed nontreated bermudagrass. Females deposited more eggs on nontreated and fertilized grass and ≤34% of eggs on grass treated with rhizobacterial blends. Moths exposed to polar and nonpolar extracts were unable to reproduce these results. Larval and pupal weights at days 10 and 12 and the number of adults to eclose were lower for larvae fed some, but not all, bacteria-treated bermudagrass relative to controls. This is one of the few studies to investigate plant-microbe-insect interactions in an economically important system. Although the effects noted with fall armyworm are limited, induced changes in roots also reported for these bacteria may have greater utility than foliar changes for mediating interactions with biotic or abiotic stresses.
Futuristic Structure: A Philosophical Enquiry

How will structure evolve in the future? This paper considers evolutionary pressures for change – with history as its guide. The author's ideas, together with the scenarios of Buckminster Fuller, form a basis to discuss structure in futuristic cities, third world countries and outer space. The paper concludes with the suggestion that the more fundamental laws of physics will play a dominant role in the evolution of super-efficient structural systems of the future.
Transparencia y trasplantes: ¿es posible? dilemas bioéticos de la adjudicación de órganos

La falta de informacion sobre como se administran las listas de espera y se distribuyen recursos escasos es frecuente en todas las areas de la medicina. Sin embargo, es en materia de trasplante de organos donde la ausencia de transparencia y percepcion de injusticia derivada genera mayores perjuicios, pues los estudios evidencian una estrecha relacion entre la negativa a donar organos y la desconfianza en el sistema. Se requiere aumentar la confianza de la poblacion en los mecanismos de adjudicacion de organos por la via mejorar su participacion en la resolucion de los dilemas bioeticos que toda adjudicacion de recursos escasos significa, pues las decisiones finales en esta area no son medicas, sino que morales.
Direct Analysis of Proteins from Solutions with High Salt Concentration Using Laser Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

The detection of lysozyme, or a mixture of lysozyme, cytochrome c, and myoglobin, from solutions with varying salt concentrations (0.1 to 250 mM NaCl) is compared using laser electrospray mass spectrometry (LEMS) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Protonated protein peaks were observed up to a concentration of 250 mM NaCl in the case of LEMS. In the case of ESI-MS, a protein solution with salt concentration > 0.5 mM resulted in predominantly salt-adducted features, with suppression of the protonated protein ions. The constituents in the mixture of proteins were assignable up to 250 mM NaCl for LEMS and were not assignable above a NaCl concentration of 0.5 mM for ESI. The average sodium adducts ( ) bound to the 7+ charge state of lysozyme for LEMS measurements from salt concentrations of 2.5, 25, 50, and 100 mM NaCl are 1.71, 5.23, 5.26, and 5.11, respectively. The conventional electrospray measurements for lysozyme solution containing salt concentrations of 0.1, 1, 2, and 5 mM NaCl resulted in of 2.65, 6.44, 7.57, and 8.48, respectively. LEMS displays an approximately two orders of magnitude higher salt tolerance in comparison with conventional ESI-MS. The non-equilibrium partitioning of proteins on the surface of the charged droplets is proposed as the mechanism for the high salt tolerance phenomena observed in the LEMS measurements.
Design and characterization of a multimodal system for 3D structural and mechanical imaging (Conference Presentation)

We report on a multimodal imaging system comprising optical coherence tomography (OCT), pulse echo ultrasound imaging (USI), and acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography (ARF OCE), capable of volumetric structural and mechanical imaging with micrometer-to-centimeter- scale spatial coverage. A spectral-domain OCT setup (1300 nm central wavelength, with transverse and axial resolutions of 6-8 μm and 3.5 μm, respectively) imaged the sample from above, and a 10 MHz immersion ultrasound transducer provided a counter-propagating co-aligned beam for both USI and ARF excitation from below. Although typical ARF elastography systems report acoustic focal spot sizes greater than 300 μm, studies indicate that reducing the region of excitation (ROE) improves mechanical contrast. To decrease the ROE diameter, we designed and fabricated acoustic lenses made of silicone and agar of various curvatures to increase the numerical aperture of the acoustic beam. We achieved a spot size of 240 μm – a 28% decrease from an initial spot size of 330 μm. We characterized mechanical resolution of the ARF-OCE elastograms using a gelatin-agar co-gel phantom exhibiting a sharp ‘step’ in mechanical properties. Differentiating the mechanical step response, we obtained the mechanical impulse response with FWHM of 165±2 μm using ARF excitation with ROE diameter of 700 μm at the sample surface. Our results suggest that mechanical resolution (width of the impulse response function) cannot be described by just the ROE or OCT resolution alone. Future work will aim to further reduce the ROE, and will further investigate the effects of ROE and ARF excitation frequency on mechanical resolution.
Neoliberal Exclusion and the Fantasy of Competition: What are Children Learning from Monsters University?

The Disney/Pixar film, Monsters University (2013) was a tremendous financial success. As a film written entirely about college students and their quest for social and economic attainment, but marke...
Configuration-Sampling-Based Surrogate Models for Rapid Parameterization of Non-Bonded Interactions

In this study, we present an approach for rapid force field parameterization and uncertainty quantification of the non-bonded interaction parameters for classical force fields. The accuracy of most thermophysical properties, and especially vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE), obtained from molecular simulation depends strongly on the non-bonded interactions. Traditionally, non-bonded interactions are parameterized to agree with macroscopic properties by performing large amounts of direct molecular simulation. Due to the computational cost of molecular simulation, surrogate models (i.e., efficient models that approximate direct molecular simulation results) are an essential tool for high-dimensional parameterization and uncertainty quantification of non-bonded interactions. The present study compares two different configuration-sampling-based surrogate models, namely, Multistate Bennett Acceptance Ratio (MBAR) and Pair Correlation Function Rescaling (PCFR). MBAR and PCFR are coupled with the Isothermal Isochoric...
Venous thrombotic events in Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

e19007Background: Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a high-risk subtype of B-cell ALL. Approximately 75% of Ph-like ALL cases have mutations causing over-activ...
Reprint of: Why are hemorrhoids symptomatic? the pathophysiology and etiology of hemorrhoids

Abstract Hemorrhoids are a normal component of the anorectum and contribute to the mechanism of anal closure, thus providing fine adjustment of anal continence. There are numerous myths and legends associated with the disordered and diseased state of hemorrhoids. Fortunately, information obtained from modern technologies including microscopic histopathology defined first the actual substance and makeup of hemorrhoids and was later combined with anorectal physiology to provide evidence establishing the underlying pathophysiology of this universal finding of the human anorectum. The sliding anal canal theory of Gass and Adams has held up and is further supported by other anatomic studies including the work of WHF Thomson, who popularized the term “cushions” to describe the complex intertwining of muscle, connective tissue, veins, arteries, and arteriovenous communications which constitute hemorrhoids. A loss of muscle mass in favor of connective tissue over time helps explain the role of aging as a predisposing factor for symptomatic hemorrhoids. Other factors include the modern “rich” or low-residue diet leading to constipation and straining which contributes to prolapsing cushions. Pathologic studies also demonstrated arteriovenous communications explaining why hemorrhoid bleeding is typically bright red or arterial in nature as opposed to dark or venous bleeding. Technology associated with anorectal physiology studies have demonstrated an increase in pressures of the internal sphincter, which return to normal following surgical intervention. This information backs the conclusion that high sphincter pressures are not the cause of hemorrhoid symptoms, but rather the effect of symptomatic hemorrhoids because of the observed return to normal baseline pressures after surgical removal. While there may be a genetic component to this disorder, there are no known genetic markers for hemorrhoid disease at this time.
Positive Versus Normative Economics: What Economists are Taught

Positive and normative are two terms which are introduced at the start of almost any introductory economics course. However, they are given vague, normally one sentence definitions at the beginning of undergraduate economics textbooks - definitions which are at best inconsistent and at worst contradictory. Some textbooks state that normative economics is as important as positive economics; others consider normative economics to be outside of the purview of economists and actually reserved for policy-makers. Overall, the positive/normative paradigm seems a failure. The terms have become politicized, formally empty, and confusing. If one feels it useful to categorize, "facts" and "biases" are words that might fruitfully replace "positive" and "normative." This would effectively create a more objective and more general method of economic analysis than found in the traditional positive/normative methodology.
Anomalous wave polarization through a 3D periodic auxetic lattice

Solid media supports both longitudinal and shear wave polarizations, providing a rich platform for designing phononic materials with prescribed wave filtering, engineered mode conversions, negative refraction, and other unique properties. While longitudinal waves almost always propagate at a faster velocity than shear waves in natural materials, tailoring the polarization of the faster wave velocity could enable unique control over wave propagation properties. Here, we present a three-dimensional periodic “bowtie” lattice that exhibits a shift in the faster wave polarization from the quasi-longitudinal to quasi-transverse wave in an anisotropic plane. We observe that this shift, termed “anomalous wave polarization”, is possible when the lattice behaves auxetically. Using the finite element method, we show that the wave polarizations in the bowtie lattice depend on certain geometric parameters and the wave propagation direction. We use wave velocity information to evaluate the lattice effective properties using the Bloch-wave homogenization approach and confirm the required elastic condition for the polarization anomaly in an anisotropic plane. We also emphasize the importance of identifying the wave polarization along with the wave velocity classification for lattice effective property evaluation. This lattice behavior will be useful for designing mode-converting metamaterials that have potential application in non-destructive testing and bio-medical ultrasounds.Solid media supports both longitudinal and shear wave polarizations, providing a rich platform for designing phononic materials with prescribed wave filtering, engineered mode conversions, negative refraction, and other unique properties. While longitudinal waves almost always propagate at a faster velocity than shear waves in natural materials, tailoring the polarization of the faster wave velocity could enable unique control over wave propagation properties. Here, we present a three-dimensional periodic “bowtie” lattice that exhibits a shift in the faster wave polarization from the quasi-longitudinal to quasi-transverse wave in an anisotropic plane. We observe that this shift, termed “anomalous wave polarization”, is possible when the lattice behaves auxetically. Using the finite element method, we show that the wave polarizations in the bowtie lattice depend on certain geometric parameters and the wave propagation direction. We use wave velocity information to evaluate the lattice effective properties ...
Examining Utility of Routine Splenic Flexure Mobilization during Colectomy and Impact on Anastomotic Complications.

Abstract Background Despite a lack of supporting data, routine splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) during colectomy has been thought to reduce anastomotic leak (AL). We evaluated the impact of SFM on outcomes in distal colectomy. Study design The 2005–2016 NSQIP database identified 66,068 patients undergoing distal colectomy with anastomosis. Cohorts were stratified by addition of SFM. Postoperative outcomes were compared between groups. Regression analysis identified factors affecting odds of developing AL. Results SFM was performed in 27,475 patients (41.6%). There was no difference in overall complications between cases with SFM and those without (p = 0.55). SFM had longer operative times (220 min vs. 184 min; p Conclusions SFM in distal colectomy increased operative time without decreasing overall complications or AL. Routine splenic flexure mobilization may add risk without significant benefit.
Optimized protocols for isolation, fixation, and flow cytometric characterization of leukocytes in ischemic hearts.

In this article, we describe optimized protocols for the isolation, fixation, and flow cytometric analysis of immune cells from the ischemic/nonischemic hearts. These protocols are optimized to pro...
The Transition Needs of Young Adults with Autism

This chapter explores the current availability of intervention services and the continued needs of individuals with autism as they prepare for and seek employment. The overall challenges experienced by individuals with ASD as well as the individual and systemic school-to-work transition barriers they face are discussed. The transition planning process that may be used to address barriers is presented, along with traditional and promising intervention practices. Data on employment support needs and the impact of such supports on gaining employment from the perspective of a critical stakeholder group, family members of individuals with ASD, are presented.
Mechanical Properties of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon (A-Si:H) Particles

A nanoindenter was used to compress individual particles of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) ranging in diameter from 290 nm to 780 nm. The colloidal synthesis used to produce the particles enables the hydrogen content to be manipulated over a wide range, from about 5 at. % to 50 at. %, making these a-Si:H particles promising for applications in lithium ion batteries, hydrogen storage, and optical metamaterials. Force-displacement curves generated using a tungsten probe flattened with focused ion beam exhibited elastic and then plastic deformations, followed by fracture and crushing of the particles. For particles with 5% and 50% H, Young's moduli, yield strengths, and compressive strengths were 73.5(±19.5) GPa, 5.8 GPa, and 3.2(±0.1)–9.3(±0.6) GPa and 31.2(±9.0) GPa, 2.5 GPa, and 1.8 (±0.3)–5.3(±0.8) GPa, respectively. Particles with more hydrogen were significantly more compliant and weaker. This is consistent with atomistically detailed molecular dynamics simulations, which revealed compression forms of an interphase of H atom clusters that weakens the material.
Scientific Advances and the Evolution of Diagnosis, Subclassification and Treatment of Lymphoma

The diagnosis of lymphoma has evolved tremendously over time. Initially, diagnosis of lymphoma was largely based on morphology alone. Over time, immunophenotyping using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, and then in situ hybridization, have contributed dramatically to the pathologist's ability to recognize, diagnose and subclassify lymphomas more precisely. In recent years, cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques have developed that allow evaluation of abnormalities in lymphomas, leading to an understanding of their pathogenesis and opening the door to targeted therapies that will lead to better outcomes for lymphoma patients.
Blockchain: a literature review

A blockchain consists of an ordered list with nodes and links where the nodes store information and are connected through links called chains. This technology supports the availability of a publicl...
Application of Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network to Crack Propagation Prognostics

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a predictive maintenance strategy that monitors the machinery states and provides optimum sets of maintenance decisions. Diagnostics and prognostics are considered to be the main aspects of CBM which are used for assessment of the monitored states. Diagnostics focuses on the detection, isolation and identification of faults while prognostics determines whether the faults or failures are forthcoming or how soon they will occur. The importance of precise prediction on the potential problems of an asset have made prognostics the topic of much recent scholarly research. Crack propagation in mechanical systems is considered as one of the main sources of mechanical failure that can bring about catastrophic consequences. Hence, obtaining a precise model for the crack propagation is crucial from the maintenance point of view. The current paper takes advantage of long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks’ ability in forecasting the evaluation of the sequential date in predicting crack growth. The presented approach is applied to the Virkler crack growth dataset. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by post-processing the outputs of the LSTM neural network.
Isavuconazole for Invasive Fungal Infection in a Lung Transplant Patient

Introduction Invasive fungal infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in lung transplant patients. They result from reactivation of colonization or subclinical infection or may be inhalational or donor-derived. Aspergillosis causes 50% of infections and is treated with voriconazole or amphotericin B. Severe histoplasmosis and blastomycosis cause less than 1% of infections and are treated with amphotericin B and itraconazole. Fluconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole have been used rarely. Isavuconazole is a novel agent for aspergillus, seldom used for other fungi. Case Report A 61-year-old female with bilateral lung transplant for COPD three years prior, presented with fever, cough, and dyspnea. CT chest revealed diffuse septal thickening and multiple opacities bilaterally. Cefepime and ceftaroline were initiated. That evening she deteriorated, requiring high flow nasal cannula and ICU transfer. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and transbronchial biopsies (TBBx) were collected. Suspecting aspergillus pneumonia, isavuconazole was started in the setting of acute kidney injury (AKI) and a supratherapeutic tacrolimus level. BAL indicated aspergillus with galactomannan 2.86. By day seven, serum histoplasma antigen and urine were positive at 17.15 ng/ml and 17.12 ng/ml. On day eight, amphotericin B was initiated but stopped after three doses due to recurrent AKI. Cefepime and ceftaroline were stopped at 14 days. She improved steadily with isavuconazole to nasal cannula by day 19, and room air by day 29. BAL and TBBx were positive for blastomycosis. After one month, she was discharged on isavuconazole for at least 12 months. Two months after discharge, she was asymptomatic with resolution of chest x-ray abnormalities. Summary Invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant patients have usually been treated with amphotericin B and azoles. Isavuconazole is a new triazole for aspergillus, rarely used for blastomycosis and with reduced in-vitro histoplasma activity. In our patient with invasive aspergillus, histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, we used isavuconazole alone. Given her AKI and elevated tacrolimus levels, we avoided the renal side effects of amphotericin B, and the drug interactions of the azoles. This case highlights the need for further studies on isavuconazole for invasive fungal infections in lung transplant patients.
Few-Layer MoS 2 Photodetector Arrays for Ultrasensitive On-Chip Enzymatic Colorimetric Analysis

Enzymatic colorimetric analysis of metabolites provides signatures of energy conversion and biosynthesis associated with disease onsets and progressions. Miniaturized photodetectors based on emerging two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) promise to advance point-of-care diagnosis employing highly sensitive enzymatic colorimetric detection. Reducing diagnosis costs requires a batched multisample assay. The construction of few-layer TMDC photodetector arrays with consistent performance is imperative to realize optical signal detection for a miniature batched multisample enzymatic colorimetric assay. However, few studies have promoted an optical reader with TMDC photodetector arrays for on-chip operation. Here, we constructed 4 × 4 pixel arrays of miniaturized molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) photodetectors and integrated them with microfluidic enzyme reaction chambers to create an optoelectronic biosensor chip device. The fabricated device allowed us to achieve arrayed on-chip enzymatic colorimetric detection of d-lactate, a blood biomarker signifying the bacterial translocation from the intestine, with a limit of detection that is 1000-fold smaller than the clinical baseline, a 10 min assay time, high selectivity, and reasonably small variability across the entire arrays. The enzyme (Ez)/MoS2 optoelectronic biosensor unit consistently detected d-lactate in clinically important biofluids, such as saliva, urine, plasma, and serum of swine and humans with a wide detection range (10-3-103 μg/mL). Furthermore, the biosensor enabled us to show that high serum d-lactate levels are associated with the symptoms of systemic infection and inflammation. The lensless, optical waveguide-free device architecture should readily facilitate development of a monolithically integrated hand-held module for timely, cost-effective diagnosis of metabolic disorders in near-patient settings.
Learning Through Processing: Toward an Integrated Approach to Early Word Learning

Children's linguistic knowledge and the learning mechanisms by which they acquire it grow substantially in infancy and toddlerhood, yet theories of word learning largely fail to incorporate these s...
Heterosexual Cisgender Men Partnered with Transgender Women Exhibit Higher HIV/STI Sexual Risk than Their Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Counterparts: Findings from a U.S.-Based Convenience Sample Recruited Online.

Cisgender men are frequently vectors for HIV transmission among transgender women. Despite this, the correlates of sexual risk among these men remain under-examined. The purpose of the present study was to explore potential differences in relationship characteristics, sexual risk-taking, and risk-reduction strategies among cisgender men partnered with transgender women. The study utilized secondary screening data provided by adult cis men who reported being in a primary relationship with a trans woman (N = 710). Gay men (18%) were comparatively older, and most likely to report both HIV seropositivity and committed pairings. Heterosexual men (14%) were more likely to report exchange sex, briefer relationships, extra-dyadic sex, lesser serostatus awareness or PrEP uptake. Queer men (7%) were youngest, and most likely to access PrEP. Heterosexual cis men with trans women partners may be subject to unique socio-cultural drivers of sexual risk, such as heteronormative pressures and relationship stigma.
Grandparenting, Social Relations, and Mortality in Old Age.

Guided by a convoy model of social relations, this study investigates the relationships between grandparenting status, social relations, and mortality among community-dwelling grandparents age 65 a...
COVID-19 Mortality Prediction Using Machine Learning Techniques

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked our research interest to explore and design a predictive model through Machine Learning algorithms to determine risk and mortality of COVID-19 admitted patients. Using a data set with over 90,000 patient admits and 20 clinical health features, this study aims to help prioritize care on patients that have a higher risk for COVID-19 based on their bill of health. The accuracy in predicting mortality rate was 96 percent on high performing models. Research methods included data mining using WEKA, Ensemble Learning Techniques with feature tuning on the the following algorithms: Navies Bayes, Decision Trees, K-Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forrest and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). Tuning the models was achieved through feature selection, ranking, wrapping and filtering.
Toward Less Rare-Earth Permanent Magnet in Electric Machines: A Review

Many electric traction drive systems (ETDSs) are driven by electric motors primarily composed of high-energy rare-earth (RE) permanent magnets (PMs), such as neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) and samarium–cobalt (SmCo). Given the high cost of RE materials, there is a great interest among various industry sectors in searching for breakthrough technologies that reduce the consumption of high-energy RE magnets in their electromechanical energy conversion systems. The reduction of the magnetic volume is typically realized either by replacing a portion of the high-energy RE magnet with the low-energy ferrite magnet (knows as hybrid structure) or by modifying the magnetic arrangement of the machine itself, where a portion of the physical RE magnets is removed and replaced by induced magnets (known as consequent-magnetic pole structure). For this purpose, this article presents a review of the current state-of-the-art motor typologies with less-RE PMs and their key design challenges, followed up by a series of recommended guidelines to overcome related design challenges.
Nelly: An Open-Source Package for Complex Refractive Index Extraction for Terahertz Spectroscopy on Layered Samples

As researchers have begun to apply THz spectroscopy to increasingly novel materials and THz spectrometers have become more widely available, the need has arisen for data workup techniques that both avoid approximations and are accessible to a wide range of researchers. Here, we present Nelly, a software package that uses a tree-based algorithm to perform complex refractive index extraction for any layered sample geometry without invoking approximations. It is provided as a MATLAB library and graphical user interface (GUI) for ease of use. We have tested it using CST simulations to verify that it gives accurate results for various sample geometries.
Characterization of filter cake ash and applications for soil stabilization

Recycled applications were investigated for an ash produced from the incineration of diatomaceous earth filter cake used in the manufacture of additives for petroleum products. A complete chemical and physical characterization of the ash was conducted. It includes lumps which are the result of gypsum cementation. The ash produces light-weight products and exhibits pozzolanic characteristics. Mixtures of the ash with sand and other stabilizing agents were investigated for road base and subbase applications. Strength and durability tests and a microanalysis were conducted to identify the stabilization products produced. The testing program for this study indicates that the ash holds promise as a light-weight fine aggregate for use as an earth fill material.
Effect of Enceladus's rapid synchronous spin on interpretation of Cassini gravity

Enceladus's degree 2 gravity, determined by Cassini, is nominally nonhydrostatic to 3σ (J2/C22 = 3.38–3.63, as opposed to 10/3). Iess et al. (2014) interpret this in terms of a hydrostatic interior (core) and isostatic (not hydrostatic) floating ice shell. Enceladus's rapid (1.37 d) synchronous spin and tide distorts its shape substantially, though, enough that the predicted hydrostatic J2/C22 is not 10/3 but closer to 3.25. This leads to the following revision to the internal picture of Enceladus, compared with Iess et al.: (1) the satellite's core is somewhat smaller and slightly denser (190 km radius and 2450 kg/m3); (2) the compensation depth (shell thickness) of the global (degree 2) ice shell is ≈ 50 km, rather close to the base of the modeled ice + water layer; and (3) the compensation depth (shell thickness) beneath the South Polar Terrain (from J3) remains shallower (thinner) at ≈ 30 km, independent of but influenced by the degree 2 solution.