cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Germanium–silicon fractionation in a river-influenced continental margin: The Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract In this study we have sampled the water column and sediments of the Gulf of Mexico to investigate the effects of high riverine terrigenous load and sediment redox conditions on the cycling of Ge and Si. Water column Ge/Si ratios across the Gulf of Mexico continental shelf range from 1.9 to 25 μmol/mol, which is elevated compared to the global ocean value of 0.7 μmol/mol. The Ge enrichment in the Gulf of Mexico seawater is primarily due to anthropogenic contamination of the Mississippi river, which is the main Ge and Si source to the area, and to a smaller extent due to discrimination against Ge during biogenic silica (bSi) production (Ge/Si = 1.2–1.8 μmol/mol), especially by radiolarians and siliceous sponges (Ge/Si = 0.6–1.1 μmol/mol). Most sediment pore waters (Ge/Si = 0.3–4.5 μmol/mol) and sediment incubation experiments (benthic flux Ge/Si = 0.9–1.2 μmol/mol) indicate precipitation of authigenic phases that sequester Ge from pore waters (non-opal sink). This process appears to be independent of oxidation–reduction reactions and suggests that authigenic aluminosilicate formation (reverse weathering) may be the dominant Ge sink in marine sediments. Compilation of previously published data shows that in continental margins, non-opal Ge burial flux is controlled by bSi supply, while in open ocean sediments it is 10–100 times lower and most likely limited by the supply of lithogenic material. We provide a measurement-based estimate of the global non-opal Ge burial flux as 4–32 Mmol yr−1, encompassing the 2–16 Mmol yr−1 needed to keep the global marine Ge cycle at steady state.
Whole-blood hemoglobin determinations: a comparison of methodologies

The Coulter Model S provides an accurate measurement of total hemoglobin (Hb) content in peripheral blood even when elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) are present. Commercial standards and diluents for spectrophotometric determinations of cyanmethemoglobin (HiCN) are variable in quality. All diluents studied produce turbidity in some samples, and this may explain why manual Hb determinations tend to be higher than hemoglobin measurement on the Coulter S. The most reliable diluent was the reagent described by Van Kampen and Zijlstra. Its reliability is enhanced by centrifugation of sample in diluent. The use of a narrow-band-pass spectrophotometer for routine HiCN determinations in a clinical laboratory is not recommended because of its sensitivity to turbidity and HbCO.
An earthquake recorded at Sea

On October 23, 1964, a seaquake was recorded on the R/V CHAIN at 01h-56m-14.5s Greenwich Mean Time. The position of the ship was 19°57′N, 55° 30′W. The record shows arrivals in fair agreement with those calculated for an average oceanic crust.
Human Histocompatibility (Hl-A) Antigens in Semen and their Role in Reproduction * †

Seminal plasma from 7 of 10 normal persons was found to inhibit anti-HL-A2, 3, 7, 8, and 12 antisera specifically. Inhibition by seminal plasma appeared quantitatively less than that by whole serum and even less than that by platelets from the same individuals. No decrease in the number of offspring was found due to increased numbers of HL-A incompatibilities of the male spouse in 67 normal couples. No clear decrease in the number of pregnancies was observed in normal women with lymphocytotoxic antibodies. A similar study with infertile persons may yet reveal a role for HL-A antigens in human reproduction.
The nature and consequence of weed spatial distribution

Seed dispersal, interacting with environmental disturbance and management across heterogeneous landscapes, results in irregular weed spatial distributions. Describing, predicting, and managing weed populations requires an understanding of how weeds are distributed spatially and the consequences of this distribution for population processes. Semivariograms and kriged maps of weed populations in several fields have helped describe spatial structure, but few generalizations can be drawn except that populations are aggregated at one or more scales. Limited information is available on the effect of weed arrangement, pattern, or field location on weed population processes. Because weeds are neither regular nor uniform in distribution, mean density alone is of limited value in estimating yield loss or describing population dynamics over a whole field. Sampling strategies that account for spatial distribution can increase sampling efficiency. Further research should focus on understanding processes that cause changes in spatial distributions over time to help predict rates of invasion and potential extent of colonization.
Verifiable ASICs

A manufacturer of custom hardware (ASICs) can undermine the intended execution of that hardware, high-assurance execution thus requires controlling the manufacturing chain. However, a trusted platform might be orders of magnitude worse in performance or price than an advanced, untrusted platform. This paper initiates exploration of an alternative: using verifiable computation (VC), an untrusted ASIC computes proofs of correct execution, which are verified by a trusted processor or ASIC. In contrast to the usual VC setup, here the prover and verifier together must impose less overhead than the alternative of executing directly on the trusted platform. We instantiate this approach by designing and implementing physically realizable, area-efficient, high throughput ASICs (for a prover and verifier), in fully synthesizable Verilog. The system, called Zebra, is based on the CMT and Allspice interactive proof protocols, and required new observations about CMT, careful hardware design, and attention to architectural challenges. For a class of real computations, Zebra meets or exceeds the performance of executing directly on the trusted platform.
An 8-bit, 2 gigasample per second analog to digital converter

We report on an 8-bit, 2 gigasample per second analog to digital converter (ADC) fabricated in an AlGaAs-GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) process. The ADC utilizes a folding and interpolation architecture to provide wide bandwidth with a moderate device count. When sampling at 2 gigasamples per second (GS/s), the ADC has demonstrated an effective resolution of between 6.5 and 7.0 effective bits for analog inputs between DC and 1.5 GHz and a single tone spurious free dynamic range of 48 dB at Nyquist. The ADC incorporates over 2500 transistors and dissipates 5.3 Watts from 5.0 V and -5.2 V supplies.
Development of a Disease-based Hernia Program and the Impact on Cost for a Hospital System.

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the impact of developing a hernia program on mesh utilization.Background:With the ongoing changes in healthcare, the value of all interventions will see increased scrutiny. Hernia mesh can be one of the most costly components of hernia repairs. A disease
Lecturing the lecturers

Joao Magueijo's article "Cargo-cult training" about the failings of compulsory educational training for lecturers (December 2009 pp16–17) is an illustration of why some university lecturers do need to be educated about education. His argument that we should use lectures because students like them ignores the large body of educational research stating that this is the least effective form of education. It might, as the well-known aphorism states, be a successful means of transferring the notes of the lecturer to the notes of the students without going through the minds of either, but the evidence shows that only 10% of students learn material in this way. Rather, all the educational literature points to the fact that interactive, discursive methods are much more likely to produce learning with understanding.
Effect of modified leg-raising exercise on the pain and pelvic angle of a patient with back pain and excessive lordosis

[Purpose] This study developed a modified active leg-raising exercise to decrease lumbar lordosis and assessed its effectiveness in a patient with low back pain and excessive lumbar lordosis. [Subject and Methods] The subject was a 56-year-old woman with excessive lordosis, who complained of continuous severe LBP pain at the L5 level for 1 year. The subject performed the modified active leg-raising exercise while flexing the neck. She performed the modified active leg-raising exercises for 2 weeks, performing three sets of 30 repetitions per day. [Results] The patient's anterior pelvic tilt angle decreased from 20° and 23° to 16° and 17° on the right and left sides, respectively. In backward trunk extension, the VAS score of her back pain decreased to 4 (from the initial score 8). [Conclusion] This result suggests that the modified leg-raising combined with neck flexion helped to recovery the pelvic posture and back pain. The subject could also easily fix her pelvis and avoid moving her lower trunk while exercising.
Conclusion: Hard and Settled Living and The Development of Angry (And Not So Angry) White Working-Class Men and Women

Sennett and Cobb (The Hidden Injuries of Class. New York: Vintage Books, 1972, p. 186) said that “no matter how much he [the working-class individual] knows ‘the system is rotten,’ he has to fight a doubt about himself first to be able unreservedly to fight the world.” Some individuals from my old neighborhood have experienced upward social mobility, while others have not. Some have lived “hard” lives, others have lived “settled” lives. Indeed, some former residents talk about how moving away from the area helped them in their pursuit of the middle-class American Dream. Several of the factors that can account for my own career path from a low-level production assistant in a printing factory to a tenured professor at Queens College (CUNY) will be discussed. In my previous research on social class, I found a tendency for some members of the working class to respond to an assault on their dignity by lashing out at middle-class, white-collar, college-educated workers. Their anger was misdirected; that anger did not improve their station. Today, I argue, those feelings seemed to have spread into another arena—the political. We have been hearing much lately about angry white working-class males (and I would add there also are a significant number of angry white women from the working class) spewing venom at the changing demographics and the lack of well-paying jobs in America, and turning toward certain political candidates such as Donald Trump. Their anger is still misdirected.Worlds of Pain?
Troubled belonging: Lived experience and the responsibility of citizenship

Abstract Using data from course artifacts and interviews with three pre-service social studies teachers, I first look at how experiences from their past both reveal and shape their sense of citizenship, and then I explore how the participants hoped to use their social studies teaching to foster a particular type of citizenship.
An estrogen-related lifestyle score is associated with risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in the PLCO cohort.

Healthy or unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are often adopted together. We aimed to investigate the combined effect of estrogen-related lifestyle factors on postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Data from 27,153 women enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial were used. We created an estrogen-related lifestyle score (ERLS) by incorporating a previously developed measure of estrogenic diet, alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. The scores ranged from 0 to 6 with alcohol and BMI accounting for higher weights than the other factors. To evaluate the preventive possibilities of a low estrogen-related lifestyle and to be consistent with other published lifestyle scores, higher scores were set to correspond with potentially lower estrogenic lifestyle. The association between the ERLS and incident breast cancer was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Participants with an ERLS of 4 or ≥ 5 had a 23% (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.67–0.89) and 34% (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.56–0.78) lower risk of breast cancer, respectively, compared to those with an ERLS ≤ 2 after multivariable adjustment. Estimates were similar when restricting to invasive cases or estrogen receptor-positive subtypes. No single lifestyle component appeared to drive the association. Our findings suggest that the combined effect of a lifestyle characterized by a low estrogenic diet, low alcohol consumption, low body weight, and high levels of physical activity are associated with a reduction in postmenopausal breast cancer risk, possibly through an influence on estrogen metabolism.
The Interrelation of Integration and Differentiation

In the last chapter we left the subject of integration and embarked on the development of differentiation. Actually these two operations are very closely related. It will be our purpose in this section to develop this interrelationship. We will see that these two operations are almost inverse operations, and will develop the reason for the use of the word “almost.”
Comparison of milk and blood plasma progesterone concentrations in cycling and pregnant mares.

Progesterone concentrations were measured in milk and blood plasma for 15 mares throughout a normal estrous cycle and early pregnancy to determine the feasibility of utilizing progesterone in milk as an indicator of pregnancy. Samples were obtained daily from foaling until diagnosis of pregnancy by rectal examination at 30 to 35 days of gestation. Progesterone in milk and blood plasma was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Mean progesterone concentrations (+/- SE) in plasma from foaling to foal heat and during estrus, luteal phase and pregnancy were .51 +/- .09 ng/ml, .53 +/- .08 ng/ml, 3.88 +/- .26 ng/ml and 4.22 +/- .09 ng/ml, respectively; progesterone concentrations in milk during the same periods were 1.57 +/- .16 ng/ml, 1.41 +/- .06 ng/ml, 4.26 +/- .21 ng/ml and 4.14 +/- .09 ng/ml respectively. Progesterone concentrations in milk were higher than concentrations in plasma only from foaling to foal heat and during estrus. Days of the estrous cycle on which milk and (or) blood plasma progesterone concentrations could be used to detect pregnancy were determined. Progesterone concentrations in milk from seven of the mares on each day from day 1 to 25 of a normal estrous cycle (nonpregnant) were compared to progesterone concentrations in milk from the same seven mares on days 1 to 25 of a subsequent fertile estrous cycle (pregnancy). (The first day that mares refused to accept the stallion respectively.) Identical comparisons were made of progesterone concentrations in blood plasma. Significantly lower progesterone concentrations were observed in milk from nonpregnant mares from days 17 to 22 and in blood plasma from nonpregnant mares from days 15 to 22.
Radio Frequency Therapy for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

The demographics of stress incontinence suggest that a significant percentage of the female population is affected by this condition and that the number of women who report discomfort due to stress incontinence is increasing [1– 4] . Stress incontinence is associated with quality of life aberrations that, while often managed by changes in physical activity, lead to treatmentseeking behavior on the part of the sufferer in order to regain normal physical function. Cure of stress incontinence is the ultimate goal of any intervention aimed at this symptom; however, complete symptom resolution often is not attained with therapy. Yet, it is now becoming evident from evolving outcomes analysis research that symptom improvement, when attained after intervention, is viewed as a significant and positive aspect of intervention, even if absolute cure is not obtained [5] . When compared to the welldefined prevalence of stress incontinence, the actual number of surgical procedures (colposuspensions and slings) performed for this condition reveal a significant disparity in absolute numbers of women who actually undergo surgical intervention. This numeric difference implies that women may be reluctant to undergo operative interventions due to concerns about morbidity, recovery times, or other perceived risk/lifestyle issues [2, 6, 7] . Nonsurgical modalities, despite the associated noninvasive nature of these options, are plagued by durability and efficacy concerns [8, 9] . Radio frequency (RF) energy application to the endopelvic fascia has been proposed recently as an option for the treatment of women with less bothersome stress incontinence as a less invasive, initial surgical procedure. RF tissue remodeling has been used for other indications such as fecal incontinence [10] and gastroesophageal reflux disease [11] in which luminal contents pass through a poorly functional anatomic and/or physiological barrier. The goal of the RF energy procedure is to correct the laxity and elasticity of the fascial “hammock” that underlies the proximal urethra and bladder neck and which is thought to contribute to anatomic stress incontinence [12] by creating thermally induced tissue shrinkage and contraction [13] . Focal RF application produces heating of the endopelvic fascia, which denatures collagen fibers, resulting in acute contraction (shrinkage) of the target area and which then results in a chronic fibrotic response [14] . Within 4–6 weeks, collagen ingrowth and fibrosis further shrink and stabilize the endopelvic fascia. These dynamic tissue changes result in a decreased compliance to intraabdominal pressure increases and produce stabilization of the position of the bladder neck [15] . The theory of RF effect subsequently will be reviewed in light of clinical experience. Chapter 9 Radio Frequency Therapy for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
Quantum Localization Effects in Non-Degenerate 2D Electron Gases

Electrons sprayed onto the surface of solid hydrogen form a highly two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) whose density can be varied over several orders of magnitude to cover a wide range of e - e interaction energy. For carrier densities below 108 cm -2 and temperatures of a few Kelvin the system is essentially non-interacting. In the other extreme, densities of several times 1010 cm -2 can be realized on hydrogen, which at temperatures below IK puts the system well into the strongly interacting Wigner crystal regime [1]. The focus of this chapter will be primarily on the effects of disorder on the transport properties of a weakly interacting two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) formed on solid hydrogen. This system has several unique qualities that separate it from the more traditional disordered metals and semiconductors. The first, as mentioned above, is that the non-interacting regime is a natural region of parameter space for electrons on cryogenic surfaces. In fact, all of the experiments described below were carried out with carrier densities n 0 ≤108cm-2 corresponding to an e-e interaction energy of only a few Kelvin. Wigner crystallization occurs at an interaction energy of ~130 k B T [1]. A second important distinguishing characteristic of this system is that at temperatures of interest, the 2DEG is completely non-degenerate thus allowing us to separate out quantum statistics effects from single-particle quantum effects. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the 2DEG on hydrogen system can be disordered by the introduction of ambient helium gas into the experimental cell.
Calcium oxalate in breast lesions biopsied for calcification detected in screening mammography: incidence and clinical significance.

Two types of calcification have been reported in breast tissue: one appears as dark-blue deposits in routine histologic tissue sections and has been found to be composed mostly of calcium phosphate (CaP); the other is colorless and represents calcium oxalate (CaOx). CaP has been well characterized, but little is known about CaOx. The presence of CaOx was evaluated in 91 breast lesions (71 retrospective and 20 prospective cases) biopsied for the presence of calcification in screening mammography. CaOx was found in 36 cases (39%). CaOx is usually not clearly visible in routine histologic sections. CaOx is found as refractile, strongly birefringent crystals with characteristic morphology. CaOx was present only within benign lesions which frequently showed apocrine metaplasia. However, the breast tissue away from the areas with CaOx displayed a morphologic spectrum roughly similar to that in cases with CaP only. CaOx was clinically significant, i.e., actually represented the mammographic calcification, for which the biopsy was performed in 12% (11/91) of all cases studied and in 31% (11/36) of cases in which CaOx was found. In the cases where CaOx was not considered clinically significant, it was either not radiographically visible or, if visible, did not definitely represent the mammographic calcification for which the biopsy was performed. Since CaOx in breast biopsies is often clinically significant, and since CaOx is not clearly visible in routine sections, examination under polarized light is suggested for all breast biopsies removed for mammographic calcification, particularly when CaP deposits corresponding to the mammographic calcification are not apparent.
Continuity and Change in Socioemotional Development during the Second Year

Are there meaningful individual differences in behavior which are stable over time? Which conditions foster continuity or change in these dif-ferences? How well can we predict a child’s later development on the basis of early assessments?
A Review of Global Epidemiology and Response to Meningococcal Disease Outbreaks among Men Who Have Sex with Men, 2001–2018

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been previously shown to be at increased risk for meningococcal disease compared to other men. We summarized the global epidemiology and public health response to meningococcal disease outbreaks among MSM. At least ten outbreaks of serogroup C meningococcal disease among MSM have been reported since 2001. Investigation of and response to outbreaks among MSM have often been hampered by an inability to identify epidemiologic links among cases, and the target population recommended for vaccination has been expanded over time in many outbreaks. Unique communication methods, including the use of apps and social media, have been used during some outbreaks to identify close contacts and to communicate health messages. Although HIV-infected MSM have a higher risk of sporadic meningococcal disease in the USA, other factors are likely contributing to outbreaks among MSM. An increase in urethritis due to Neisseria meningitidis has recently been reported in US men, though its role in meningococcal disease transmission among MSM remains unclear. Meningococcal disease outbreaks among MSM raise questions regarding possible unique risk factors in this population. The role of HIV infection and mode of N. meningitidis transmission are being investigated to provide further insights into meningococcal disease and outbreaks in this population. Vaccination remains the primary prevention and control strategy during meningococcal disease outbreaks among MSM.
Target Antigen Downregulation and Other Mechanisms of Failure after Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (CAR19) Therapy

Introduction: Autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR19) have shown dramatic clinical responses in relapsed-refractory large B cell lymphomas, but more than 50% of patients will have disease progression. Here we characterize the observed mechanisms of treatment failure following Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) therapy. Methods: Sixty-nine patients with refractory large B cell lymphoma were referred for CAR19 therapy from October 2017 to June 2018. The WHO diagnosis and B cell antigen expression on lymphoma cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry and/or flow cytometry before and at the time of progression. We assessed peripheral blood CAR-T cell numbers at Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 by flow cytometry immunophenotyping and monitored disease response with PET-CT at Day 28, 3 months, and 6 months post-infusion. Results: Twenty-two patients who received CAR19 therapy, including patients with transformed large B cell lymphoma (N =5), diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (N =11), high grade B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (N = 2), primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (N = 2), and high grade B cell lymphoma with rearrangement of MYC and BCL2 or BCL6 (N =2). The Day 28 ORR was 86%: 10 patients had complete response, 9 had a partial response, 1 had stable disease, and 2 had progressive disease. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, underlying disease, or number of prior treatment regimens between patients who achieved a clinical response versus those who failed therapy. Both patients (2 of 2) with progressive disease at Day 28 showed dim or partial CD19 expression prior to CAR-T infusion but nonetheless demonstrated robust Axi-cel expansion. In contrast, one patient with Day 28 stable disease showed no CAR-T cell expansion despite intact CD19 expression. Overall, there was no statistical difference in relative or absolute CAR+ T cells in patients who responded versus those who did not at Day 28 (Figure 1). Day 90 response was available for 12 patients with either CR or PR at Day 28. Five patients (26%) developed progressive disease, and 4 of 5 underwent repeat biopsy. Of these patients, 2 had complete loss of tumor CD19 (Figure 2) and another had downregulation of CD19 with variable expression of other B cell antigens. Conclusion: Eight of 22 (36%) of patients who underwent CAR19 infusion did not respond or relapsed after Day 28 response. Five patients (62%) who failed therapy had loss or downregulation of CD19, which emphasizes that single target antigen loss is a common mechanism of CAR-T failure. However, lack of CAR-T cell expansion was noted in multiple patients, suggesting that there may be T cell intrinsic causes of treatment failure. Further studies are necessary to help identify and predict which patients will benefit from targeted immunotherapy. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Nonsystemic allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis: A suggested paradigm for the evolution from topical to systemic disease.

No abstract available Keywords: ABPA; allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; cystic fibrosis.
Proactive Network Defense with Game Theory

Traditional proactive network defenses deploy security resources in the network based on probabilistic policies to confuse potential attackers. However, this strategy can be exploited by stealthy attackers, leading to reduced efficiency and higher vulnerability. Game theory has been shown to provide a sound mathematical approach to overcome these deficiencies and determine an optimal defense strategy. However, existing game theoretic models typically either assume additive utility functions, or that the attacker can attack only one target. While such assumptions lead to tractable analyses, they miss key inherent dependencies that exist among different targets in current complex networks. In this chapter, we generalize the traditional security game model to the network scenario. We examine such a general security game from a theoretical perspective and provide a unified theoretical framework. In particular, we show that each security game is equivalent to a combinatorial optimization problem over a set system, which consists of defender’s pure strategy space. The key technique we use is based on projection of a polytope based transformation, and the ellipsoid method. We also provide several important applications of our developed framework, and show that for several problem classes, optimal defense strategies can be developed in polynomial time. Our approach paves the way for a deeper investigation into using game theoretic techniques for solving designing security mechanisms in networks, and we conclude by outlining a number of important future directions that need to be investigated.
Declining Country-Level Food Self-Sufficiency Suggests Future Food Insecurities

Global food security for a population of 9 billion by 2050 depends on a complex socioeconomic and biophysical system. Current strategies involve decreasing food losses, increasing yields, and improving distribution efficiencies. Herein, we use a systems-based approach to show that contrary to a historically rising global dietary energy production (DEP: per capita calories grown or captured), food self-sufficiency at the country-level has been in a four-decade decline as the number of countries generating insufficient DEP for their populations continue to increase at a steadfast rate. Global trade and food imports for the most part have kept up and compensated for these growing declines. However, the necessary expansion in food exports and distribution is fueled by ever-increasing growth in non-renewable fossil fuel use resulting in increasing instability in present society.
Text preprocessing for improving hypoglycemia detection from clinical notes - A case study of patients with diabetes.

Abstract Background and objective Hypoglycemia is a common safety event when attempting to optimize glycemic control in diabetes (DM). While electronic medical records provide a natural ground for detecting and analyzing hypoglycemia, ICD codes used in the databases may be invalid, insensitive or non-specific in detecting new hypoglycemic events. We developed text preprocessing methods to improve automatic detection of hypoglycemia from analysis of clinical encounter text notes. Methods We set out to improve hypoglycemia detection from clinical notes by introducing three preprocessing methods: stop word filtering, medication signaling, and ICD narrative enrichment. To test the proposed methods, we selected clinical notes from VA Maryland Healthcare System, based on various combinations of three criteria that are suggestive of hypoglycemia, including ICD-9 code of diabetes and hypoglycemia, laboratory glucose values Results Each of the proposed preprocessing methods contributed to the performance of hypoglycemia detection by significantly increasing the F1 score in the range of 5.3∼7.4% on one dataset (p Conclusion The proposed text preprocessing methods improved the performance of hypoglycemia detection from clinical text notes. Stop word filtering achieved the most performance improvement. ICD narrative enrichment boosted the recall of detection. Combining the three preprocessing methods led to additional performance gains.
Pharmacology of methadone and its isomers.

UNLABELLED Methadone is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is used as an alternate to morphine and hydromorphone for patients with severe pain. It is increasingly being used in opioid rotation schedules. Methadone has an asymmetric carbon atom resulting in 2 enantiomeric forms, the d and l isomers. The racemic mixture (dl-methadone) is the form commonly used clinically. Recent studies have revealed the pharmacological activity of the d-methadone isomer. We found that the d isomer of methadone has N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist activity both in vitro and in vivo. Studies were designed to examine the ability of d-methadone to attenuate the development of morphine tolerance and to modify NMDA-induced hyperalgesia in rats. Repeated dosing with intrathecal morphine produced a 38-fold increase in the morphine ED50 value. This decrease in the potency of morphine was completely prevented by the coadministration of intrathecal d-methadone at 160 microg/rat. In addition, the decrease in thermal paw withdrawal latency induced by the intrathecal administration of 1.64 microg/rat NMDA was completely blocked by pretreatment with 160 microg/rat d-methadone. Thus, the same dose of intrathecal d-methadone that attenuates the development of spinal morphine tolerance blocks NMDA-induced hyperalgesia in rats. These results support the CONCLUSIONS that d-metha-done affects the development of morphine tolerance and NMDA-induced hyperalgesia by virtue of its NMDA receptor antagonist activity.
A Multi-Physics Design Method for V-Shape Interior Permanent-Magnet Machines Based on Multi-Objective Optimization

V-shape Interior Permanent-magnet Machines (IPMs) have been a popular topology among machine designers due to their robustness, high efficiency, and high power density. When designing IPMs, it is desirable to address the multi-physics nature of the design process by including electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analyses. Traditionally, these analyses are implemented using finite-element based methods due to the complexity of the machine geometry and magnetic saturation. However, such methods become computationally cumbersome, especially in a multi-objective optimization environment. In this article, a design method for V-shape IPMs based on multi-objective optimization is proposed. Analytical models are set forth to address the electromagnetic, thermal, and structural behaviors of the machine, which improves computational efficiency and allows for a large design space and multiple operating points to be considered. A design study incorporating relevant design constraints is carried out. The predictions made by the proposed design analyses are validated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Sampling and validity

Sampling strategies are directly related to external validity. The choices researchers make in selecting sampling frames and sampling participants need to be clearly articulated. Sampling choices c...
Long Noncoding RNA Expression in Adrenal Cortical Neoplasms

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) consist of nucleic acid molecules that are greater than 200 nucleotides in length and they do not code for specific proteins. A growing body of evidence indicates that these lncRNAs have important roles in tumorigenesis. Separating adrenal cortical adenomas from carcinomas is often a difficult problem for the surgical pathologist. This is especially true when only small needle biopsies are available for examination. We used in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis to study normal adrenal cortical tissues and adrenal cortical tumors to determine the role of specific lncRNAs in tumor development and classification. The lncRNAS studied included metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), psoriasis susceptibility-related RNA gene induced by stress (PRINS), and HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HAM1). We constructed a tissue microarray (TMA) for the studies and also analyzed a subset of cases by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Two 1-mm duplicate cores of normal adrenal cortex (NAC) (n = 23), adrenal cortical adenomas (ACAs) (n = 95), and adrenal cortical carcinomas (ACCs), (n = 20) were used on the TMA. The results of ISH were analyzed by image analysis. ISH showed predominantly nuclear expression of lncRNAs in adrenal cortical tissues. MALAT1 showed more expression in ACCs than in NAC and ACA (p < 0.05). PRINS had higher expression in NACs and ACAs than in ACCs. The lncRNAs MALAT1, PRINS, and HAM1 are all expressed in normal and neoplastic adrenal cortical tissues. MALAT1 had the highest expression in ACC compared to ACAs and may have a role in ACC development.
High-intensity exercise improves pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in a patient with TSC-LAM

Introduction: While exercise has been shown to improve respiratory symptoms, exercise tolerance, and bone mineral density in many populations, no supervised exercise training interventions have been undertaken in patients with lymphangioleiomyo-matosis (LAM). Material and methods: One patient with TSC-LAM (tuberous sclerosis complex lymphangioleiomyomatosis) participated in two weekly sessions (50–60 min) of supervised aerobic exercise at 80–85% heart rate max for one year. Treadmill ergometry (VO2peak), spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, peak flow), and bone mineral density testing were performed prior to every 3 months. Results: After one year of supervised aerobic exercise training we saw dramatic increases in the patient’s VO2max (20%), FEV1 (9.5%), FEV1/FVC (9.1%) and peak flow (47%). Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that supervised exercise training can improve exercise tolerance and pulmonary function in a patient with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Further research is needed, including longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, to determine long-term effects and consistency of these findings. Aerobic exercise may offer a viable alternative or com-pliment to pharmacological interventions in the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis. We show that high-intensity exercise training can markedly and safely improve pulmonary function in a patient with TSC-LAM. While we did not record quality of life or mood states, our patient did report improved self-confidence as well as enhanced mood.
Use of the color Doppler twinkle artifact for teaching ultrasound guided peripheral vascular access.

Background:The optimal method for teaching ultrasound guided peripheral IV (USGPIV) insertion is unknown. Poor needle tip visualization has been cited for USGPIV failure. Twinkle artifact (TA), vis...
Experiences of Mental Health Clinicians and Staff in Rapidly Converting to Full-Time Telemental Health and Work from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The mitigation strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic pushed much of the mental health workforce to rapidly convert to full-time telemental health (TMH). For many people, this occurred in the context of working from makeshift home offices with novel distractions. We describe the results of an online survey of mental health clinicians and staff regarding their experiences in rapidly converting to full-time TMH and work from home (WFH) during COVID-19. Methods: Fourteen clinicians and 11 administrative staff from two outpatient mental health clinics in a large academic medical center completed the survey in May 2020. Results: More than 85% of participants rated the experience of providing or supporting full-time TMH care as "somewhat better" or "much better than expected." Clinicians and administrative staff reported perceptions that most clients were satisfied with TMH services. Identified TMH challenges included difficulty providing clinical forms and difficulties with technology. Identified benefits of WFH included lack of commute, time with loved ones, opportunities for self-care, and increased flexibility. Maintaining team cohesion and communication while working remotely, and setting boundaries between work and nonwork hours were identified as challenges. Nearly all respondents indicated a preference to continue some TMH from home in the future. Conclusions: Findings suggest that rapidly adopting TMH and WFH during a pandemic were well accepted. Should the progression of the pandemic require agile movement in and out of TMH and WFH, overcommunication and extra attention to supporting employee connection and morale are especially important.
Width-to-length ratio comparison between ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts in the body of the mandible: A preliminary study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the width-to-length ratio for the differentiation of ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts in the body of the mandible. Materials and Methods This study retrospectively reviewed 9 patients with ameloblastomas and 9 patients with odontogenic keratocysts using cone-beam computed tomography. The width-to-length ratio was determined by measuring the ratio between the greatest buccolingual dimension and the greatest perpendicular anteroposterior dimension of the lesion on the axial view. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine the difference in the width-to-length ratio between the 2 types of lesions. Statistical significance was tested at P<0.05. Results Ameloblastomas showed a mean width-to-length ratio of 0.64, whereas odontogenic keratocysts showed a mean width-to-length ratio of 0.41. The cut-off value with which the 2 types of lesions were differentiated was 0.5. The width-to-length ratios of ameloblastomas were significantly higher than those of odontogenic keratocysts (P<0.05). Conclusion The width-to-length ratio might be used to differentiate between ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts.
On Antenna Q-factor Characterization with Generative Adversarial Networks

This paper introduces a novel way to reproduce antennas with Q-factor within a pre-determined threshold using Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), a class of artificial intelligence algorithm. Instead of optimizing the Q-factor using a conventional optimization techniques, a GAN is trained to learn the distribution on desirable parameter vectors of the antenna and its Q-factor as obtained from a full wave solver. The trained GAN is subsequently used to generate antenna parameters from the learned distribution with a predicted Q-factor. The predicted antenna parameters are imported to CST and simulated using the parameters generated by GAN and the Q-factors are analyzed. The results obtained provides an unique perspective to learning the correlation between antenna parameter distribution and its Q-factor. Simulation results are provided to explain this approach of reproducing antennas with a low Q-factor.
Convergence of ASEP to KPZ with basic coupling of the dynamics

We prove an extension of a seminal result of Bertini and Giacomin. Namely we consider weakly asymmetric exclusion processes with several distinct initial data simultaneously, then run according to the basic coupling, and we show joint convergence to the solution of the KPZ equation with the same driving noise in the limiting equation. Along the way, we analyze fine properties of nontrivially coupled solutions-in-law of KPZ-type equations.
Causality, Probability, and Time

Causality is a key part of many fields and facets of life, from finding the relationship between diet and disease to discovering the reason for a particular stock market crash. Despite centuries of work in philosophy and decades of computational research, automated inference and explanation remains an open problem. In particular, the timing and complexity of relationships has been largely ignored even though this information is critically important for prediction, explanation and intervention. However, given the growing availability of large observational datasets including those from electronic health records and social networks, it is a practical necessity. This book presents a new approach to inference (finding relationships from a set of data) and explanation (assessing why a particular event occurred), addressing both the timing and complexity of relationships. The practical use of the method developed is illustrated through theoretical and experimental case studies, demonstrating its feasibility and success.
Receptor-coupled, permeabilized smooth muscle. Role of the phosphatidylinositol cascade, G-proteins, and modulation of the contractile response to Ca2+.

Abstract alpha-Adrenergic (phenylephrine) and muscarinic (carbachol) agonists and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate caused calcium release and contractions in smooth muscle strips permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. The responses to phenylephrine and carbachol required or were potentiated by added GTP and could be inhibited by GDP beta S. GTP and phenylephrine also increased the contractile response of permeabilized portal vein smooth muscle to cytoplasmic Ca2+. We conclude that while the G-protein-coupled phosphatidylinositol cascade, through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release, is a major mechanism of pharmacomechanical coupling, a second G-protein-mediated pathway that modulates the calcium sensitivity of the regulatory contractile proteins also exists.
Omega /sup infinity /: a research program for autonomous agent behavior specification and analysis

A framework for the specification and analysis of autonomous agents is described. In general, such agents require several levels of behavioral specifications, including low-level reflex actions, midlevel controllers to deal with the physical aspects of the world, and high-level representations for goals and plans. The paper focuses on the midlevel control problem (e.g. obstacle avoidance, grasping, etc.). The use of real-time programming languages as behavior specification tools, the use of formal techniques to prove properties of such specifications, and the physical-based simulation and animation of such specifications are explored. >
A study of the CEDIA digoxin immunoassay

We evaluated the CEDIA digoxin immunoassay (Microgenics, Inc., Concord, CA), as performed with the Cobas-Bio centrifugal analyzer. In assays of sera with known concentrations of digoxin, the enzyme activity, measured when two beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) fragments were combined according to the assay format, was proportional to the digoxin concentration. Results of assays of sera containing 0 to 3 micrograms of digoxin per liter correlated well when compared with an RIA method: CEDIA, microgram/L = 1.00 x RIA - 0.06 microgram/L (n = 90, r = 0.95, Sxy = 0.05). Duplicate assays of three control sera containing 0.8, 2.2, or 3.3 micrograms/L, each analyzed 20 times a day with each group of patients' samples, gave within-run CVs of 1-3% and day-to-day CVs of 3-12%. The reconstituted CEDIA reagents were stable for at least a month at 5 degrees C. As many as 25 samples and controls can be assayed in half the time needed to complete a similar number of RIA measurements with comparable results.
Problems Facing Social Scientists Participating in Environmental Impact Research

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) has formalized the need to provide assessment of projects which have potential impacts. Many social scientists suddenly have become involved with performing social research in order to assess impacts upon human behavior. This paper describes some of the problems facing social scientists in this endeavor. Practical advice regarding their solutions is provided.
Regulation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Promoter Activity by Chronic Morphine in TH9.0-LacZ Transgenic Mice

Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, are known to be upregulated in specific brain regions by chronic administration of drugs of abuse. Chronic morphine administration increases TH levels in the locus coeruleus and ventral tegmental area, whereas chronic cocaine administration increases TH levels in the ventral tegmental area only. While such upregulation of TH has been related to behavioral effects of the drugs, the mechanism underlying these adaptations has remained controversial. To study the possibility that upregulation of TH occurs at the transcriptional level, we investigated the effect of chronic morphine or cocaine treatment on the activity of the TH gene promoter (9.0 kb), coupled to the LacZ reporter gene, in transgenic mice. These TH9.0-LacZ mice have been shown to exhibit correct tissue-specific expression and regulation of the reporter gene. We show here that chronic (but not acute) exposure of the TH9.0-LacZ mice to morphine increases the expression of beta-galactosidase (which is encoded by the LacZ gene) in the locus coeruleus by twofold compared with sham-treated mice. In contrast, beta-galactosidase expression in the ventral tegmental area was decreased 20-25% by chronic morphine and unaffected by chronic cocaine administration. Similar results were obtained after analysis of TH mRNA levels in these brain regions by in situ hybridization. These results suggest that chronic morphine upregulates TH expression via transcriptional mechanisms in the locus coeruleus but by post-transcriptional mechanisms in the ventral tegmental area.
Antidepressant Effects of Flupenthixol

Strong evidence exists that flupenthixol, not presently distributed in the United States, is an effective antidepressant. Its advantages over available antidepressants include its safety with respect to overdose and in combination with other medications, low dependency risk, rapid onset of action, and availability in depot preparation. Flupenthixol also may be useful as a mood elevator for schizophrenics, an alternative mood stabilizer for patients with bipolar disease, and a facilitator for cocaine withdrawal.