cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multicenter evaluation of MRSASelect II chromogenic agar for identification of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus from wound and nasal specimens

Hospitals strive to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence via active surveillance of inpatient populations. Rapid and inexpensive screening methods are utilized when molecular methods are not operationally feasible. In this multisite clinical trial, the utility of Bio-Rad's MRSASelect II was evaluated for MRSA identification from remnant nares and wound swabs. The prevalence of MRSA was 11.1% (n = 1,384) from nares samples and 18.1% (n = 842) from wound samples. MRSASelect II had an overall concordance of 95.4% (confidence interval [CI] = 94.5% to 96.2%) compared to a broth-enriched reference standard. Comparisons between results, stratified by examination times, exhibited a nonsignificant trend toward increased positivity at prolonged incubation times. Cefoxitin screening of colonies directly from MRSASelect II was 96.7% (95.8% to 97.3%) concordant compared to testing of colonies following broth enrichment. A comparison of MRSASelect and MRSASelect II revealed no statistical differences; however, the latter exhibited earlier positivity, greater selectivity, and more intense indicator staining, which resulted in facilitated differentiation of positive results. MRSASelect II agar is a simple, rapid, and robust method to routinely screen patients for MRSA colonization without the need for additional testing.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy: Present Indications and Future Prospects

This chapter describes the fundamentals of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), the instrumentation for SWL, shock wave generation, rate of delivery and focusing, coupling of the shock wave, and stone localization. The process of fragmentation through spallation, cavitation, and comminution is described. The contemporary indications and contraindications to SWL for renal and ureteral calculi, large and staghorn calculi, and calculi in calyceal diverticula are discussed. Lithotripsy advances in the form of changes to the lithotripter, modifications to treatment strategy, and adjuncts that improve SWL safety and efficacy are described. Future technological advances are explored.
Addressing the Issue of Audit Liability

Generally, producers of consumables owe a “duty of care” to third parties. However, it was held in Caparo Industries plc v Dickman and Others that generally, auditors only owe a duty of care” to the company as a legal person and that they do not owe a “duty of care” to any individual shareholder, creditor, pension scheme members or any other stakeholder. The Company Law Reform Bill which became the Companies Act 2006, removed the previously existing limits on auditor liability and compelled an agreement between the company and the auditor. Subject to sections 533 and 534-536, the auditor will not be exempt from liability where he has been negligent, been in a breach or default of duty and other situations which would void his exemption from liability as provided under section 532. The development of the Companies Act 2006 provides a substrate for an interesting research area.This paper considers how the regulator could implement its supervisory and enforcement tools in addressing the issue of audit liability. For indepth comprehensive information on this paper, see "Role of External Auditor in Regulation (UK, Germany, Italy & the US): Role of the External Auditor in Bank Regulation and Supervision: Comparative Analysis (UK, Germany, Italy, U.S) 3rd Edition".
Pathophysiology and management of cardiovascular disease in patients with HIV

Summary Results from several studies have suggested that people with HIV have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease, compared with people not infected with HIV. People living with HIV have an increased prevalence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, and HIV-specific mechanisms such as immune activation. Although older, more metabolically harmful antiretroviral regimens probably contributed to the risk of cardiovascular disease, new data suggest that early and continuous use of modern regimens, which might have fewer metabolic effects, minimises the risk of myocardial infarction by maintaining viral suppression and decreasing immune activation. Even with antiretroviral therapy, however, immune activation persists in people with HIV and could contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis, especially of coronary lesions that are susceptible to rupture. Therefore, treatments that safely reduce inflammation in people with HIV could provide additional cardiovascular protection alongside treatment of both traditional and non-traditional risk factors.
RNA editing of the human serotonin 5-HT(2C) receptor delays agonist-stimulated calcium release.

RNA encoding the human 5-HT2C receptor undergoes adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing events at five positions in the putative second intracellular loop, with a corresponding reduction in receptor/G-protein coupling. Agonist-stimulated calcium release was examined in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts stably expressing the nonedited human INI (hINI) or the edited hVSV or hVGV variants. We hypothesized that different receptor isoforms would show altered dynamics of agonist-induced calcium release. The three isoforms showed a rightward shift in agonist concentration-response curves for eliciting calcium release (EC50 values: hINI, 2.2 nM; hVSV, 15 nM; hVGV, 49 nM). Additionally, the hVGV receptor showed a blunted and delayed [Ca2+]i peak compared with the hINI or hVSV receptor isoforms. These distinctions in agonist-induced [Ca2+]i release imply that edited 5-HT2C receptors may produce distinct physiological responses within the central nervous system.
Fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults: Fixed-angle devices or Pauwel screws?

Abstract Background We sought to compare the incidence of complications after fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults treated with fixed-angle devices versus multiple cancellous screws and a trochanteric lag screw (Pauwel screw). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a level I trauma centre. Sixty-two skeletally mature patients (age range, 16–60 years) with displaced femoral neck fractures were included in the study. Forty-seven were treated with a fixed-angle device (sliding hip plate with screw or helical blade) and 15 with multiple cancellous screws placed in a Pauwel configuration. The main outcome measure was postoperative complication of osteonecrosis or nonunion treated with a surgical procedure. Results Significantly fewer failures occurred in the fixed-angle group (21%) than in the screws group (60%) ( p = 0.008). Osteonecrosis was rare in the fixed-angle group, occurring in 2% of cases versus 33% of cases in the screws group ( p = 0.002). Consistent with previous studies, good to excellent reductions were associated with a failure rate of 25% and fair to poor reductions were associated with a failure rate of 55% ( p = 0.07). The best-case scenario of a good to excellent reduction stabilised with a fixed-angle device yielded a success rate of 85%. Conclusion In young patients with displaced high-energy femoral neck fractures, fixed-angle devices resulted in fewer treatment failures than did Pauwel screws.
Effect of altered copper metabolism induced by mottled alleles and diet on mouse tyrosinase.

SummaryAn analysis of tyrosinase activity in extracts of hair bulbs from mice bearing alleles at the mottled locus, Mobr (brindled), and Moblo (blotchy), indicates that reduced melanogenesis in mottled mice is associated with restricted availability of copper. Although tyrosinase activity in 35,000g supernatants of hair-bulb homogenates of mottled mice is reduced compared to that of nonmottled controls, addition of copper to the former but not the latter supernatants markedly increases tyrosinase activity as measured in polyacrylamide gel electropherograms (dopa as substrate) or by the Pomerantz radioassay (tyrosine as substrate). Comparable results were obtained when tyrosinase from dietarily copper-deficient hypopigmented mice was assayed by either method. In the electropherograms of dietarily and genetically copper-deficient hair-bulb supernatants, the enhancement of activity is selectively restricted to the T1 variety of tyrosinase. It is concluded that alleles at the mottled locus influence tyrosinas...
PRESENCE OF MULTIPLE HEMOGLOBINS IN RATS

By four different and independent techniques, i. e. alkali denaturation, variable solvent solubility test, starch gel electrophoresis and flat cuvette chromatography on Amberlite XE 64, the presence of five or six hemoglobin subcomponents was revealed in any one of individual albino rats.
Ventriculopleural shunt CSF pseudocyst presenting as an anterior mediastinal mass.

An asymptomatic middle-aged man presented for routine preoperative chest radiographs prior to the resection of a Masson's tumour of the frontal sinus. The chest radiographs revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass (figure 1). A CT scan of the chest was subsequently performed for further evaluation, demonstrating a cystic mass abutting the right anterior mediastinum with homogenous fluid attenuation (figure 2). A catheter could be seen extending from the soft tissues of the neck and coiling within the mass. Correlation with the head CT led to a diagnosis of pleural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pseudocyst associated with a ventriculopleural shunt. On further discussion with the patient, it was revealed that he had undergone ventriculopleural …
Jian Guan on design and innovation in China

Having attended universities in the U.S. and China, this educator shares his insight of the design industry and education in China.
Intellectual Progeny of Seashore and Spence

This chapter is a brief account of some individuals who were part of a stream of nearly 800 Ph.D. graduates of the Department of Psychology and the Institute of Child Behavior and Development (the former Child Welfare Research Station) of the University of Iowa, from 1897 to the present. Such an account is appropriate for a Festschrift volume such as the present one in that all of the contributors to the book have direct or indirect Iowa connections. As already noted, George Wischner, whose approaching retirement was the occasion for planning this book, was an Iowa Ph.D. under Wendell Johnson and Kenneth W. Spence. Wischner is also an academic descendent of Carl E. Seashore via Johnson and Lee Edward Travis.
Unwrapping Gods: Illuminating Encounters with Gods, Comets and Missionaries

Missionary rhetoric employed metaphors of darkness and light to emphasize the transformation of heathen souls to enlightened spirituality. This was reinforced visually in the islands of Tahiti by London missionaries, who deployed the apparatus of natural science and philosophy current in metropolitan England (camera obscura, orrery) to perform public ‘ocular demonstrations’ for island audiences. Nuku examines the implications of these dramatic visual experiments for Pacific islanders who also viewed celestial entities (comets, stars, sun and moon) as embodiments of the divine. Contrasting instruments of Enlightenment science with the complex materiality of Polynesian ‘idols’ that were displayed concurrently in London’s Mission Museum, this novel analysis not only recovers crucial aspects of the evangelical encounter from a Polynesian perspective, but also demonstrates the richness of knowledge embedded in the artifacts themselves.
Temporal replication of the national land cover database using active machine learning

Regional and national level land cover datasets, such as the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) in the United States, have become an important resource in physical and social science research. Updates to the NLCD have been conducted every 5 years since 2001; however, the procedure for producing a new release is labor-intensive and time-consuming, taking 3 or 4 years to complete. Furthermore, in most countries very few, if any, such releases exist, and thus there is high demand for efficient production of land cover data at different points in time. In this paper, an active machine learning framework for temporal updating (or backcasting) of land cover data is proposed and tested for three study sites covered by the NLCD. The approach employs a maximum entropy classifier to extract information from one Landsat image using the NLCD, and then replicate the classification on a Landsat image for the same geographic extent from a different point in time to create land cover data of similar quality. Results sho...
Comparing Black and White Drug Offenders: Implications for Racial Disparities in Criminal Justice and Reentry Policy and Programming.

Despite knowledge of racial bias for drug-related criminal justice involvement and its collateral consequences, we know less about differences between Black and White drug offenders. We compare 243...
A scalable design of experiments framework for optimal sensor placement

Abstract We present a scalable design of an experiments framework for sensor placement in systems described by partial differential equations (PDEs). In particular, we aim to compute optimal sensor locations by minimizing the uncertainty of parameters estimated from Bayesian inverse problems. The resulting problem is a computationally intractable mixed-integer nonlinear program constrained by PDEs. We approach this problem with two heuristics used in compressed sensing and optimal control literature: a sparsity-inducing approach and a sum-up rounding approach. We also investigate metrics to guide the design of experiments (the total flow variance and the A-optimal design criterion) and analyze the effect of different noise structures (white and colored). Using an application in natural gas pipelines, we conclude that the sum-up rounding approach gives the best results and produces shrinking gaps with increasing mesh resolution. We also observe that convergence for the white noise measurement error case is slower than for the colored noise case. For A-optimal design, the solution is close to a uniform distribution of sensors along the pipeline while for the flow variance design the distribution is unstructured.
Time course of rabbit ocular inflammatory response and mediator release after intravitreal endotoxin.

An inflammatory response was elicited in the rabbit eye by intravitreal injection of endotoxin. The appearance in aqueous humor of selected metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism at various times was correlated with the influx of protein and myeloperoxidase activity in the iris-ciliary body. After intravitreal injection of endotoxin, aqueous humor protein levels increased substantially within 2 hr. This aqueous humor protein increase occurred before a significant appearance of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the aqueous humor. Myeloperoxidase activity in the iris-ciliary body, a measure of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) infiltration, showed little elevation until 6 hr after endotoxin injection and then increased rapidly through 24 hr. The appearance of the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) followed a similar time course: levels in the aqueous humor were partially elevated until 6 hr after endotoxin injection, when levels begin to rise rapidly. These findings are interpreted to demonstrate the dependence of PMN infiltration on the release and accumulation of LTB4; the initial breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier and influx of protein appears to be independent of significant release of PGE2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 31:382-387,1990
The Keys to Success in Spinoffs

Corporate restructurings accomplished through spinoffs have long been a key tool for management to unlock shareholder value. In 2016, global spinoff volume reached $117 billion, and spinoff activity continues to unfold at a similar pace in 2017, with Hilton, Xerox, Alcoa, Johnson Controls, and Danaher all recently completing major transactions. Spinoffs are often designed to increase strategic focus and discipline in the allocation of capital, enabling companies to respond more effectively to opportunities that create shareholder value, including transformational MA but such transactions have also produced companies that maintain the financial flexibility to pursue M&A along with a dividend policy that is both attractive and sustainable.
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic predictors of recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in children undergoing subaortic stenosis resection.

Background Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (iTEE) is used to assess for residual left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) after surgical resection of subaortic membrane causing subaortic stenosis (sub-AS). We aimed to identify the iTEE features associated with recurrence of LVOTO. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of children undergoing sub-AS resection from June 2006 to June 2014. Doppler assessment of the flow velocity and the anatomical features of the left ventricular outflow tract were analyzed from stored echocardiograms. Recurrent LVOTO was defined as an increase in the mean pressure gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract of > 15 mm Hg on the most recent follow-up echocardiogram from the mean pressure gradient on the predischarge echocardiogram or as doubling of the mean pressure gradient to a value ≥20 mm Hg. Results Thirty-five patients were included, with median age at surgery was 8.1 years (range: 0.7-29 years) and median follow-up was 47 months (2-91 months). Ten patients (29%) had recurrent LVOTO, which was associated with a shorter distance between the narrowest diameter of the outflow tract and the aortic valve on iTEE [median 0.59 cm (range 0.39-0.74) vs 0.98 cm (0.75-1.5), P = .03]. No patients with more than mild residual LVOTO on iTEE regressed to mild or no LVOTO on follow-up echocardiograms. Conclusions LVOTO recurrence after sub-AS resection is common, and residual LVOTO remains the same or increases over time. Proximity of the LVOTO to the aortic valve is a risk factor for recurrent LVOTO. These findings may be useful in counseling patients and to guide the frequency of postoperative follow-up.
Will His Bundle Pacing Make Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Obsolete

Although permanent cardiac pacing successfully restores a physiological heart rate in patients with atrioventricular block, it has become apparent in recent years that chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing can lead to serious adverse consequences such as adverse ventricular remodeling and heart failure. Algorithms that minimize RV pacing for patients with sinus node dysfunction or intermittent atrioventricular block are in widespread use to avoid the problems associated with chronic RV pacing. However, in patients with advanced atrioventricular block, high percentages of ventricular pacing are unavoidable. One approach to this problem is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), in which a left ventricular lead in the coronary sinus paces simultaneously or near-simultaneously with an RV lead to allow more coordinated activation of the ventricles and avoid dyssynchrony. The BLOCK HF study (Biventricular versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients with Atrioventricular Block) showed that such an approach in patients with atrioventricular block and baseline left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [EF] ≤50% and New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I–III) led to better outcomes than RV pacing, including less adverse ventricular remodeling, a lower incidence of heart failure events, and better clinical composite scores.1 CRT has also proven to be valuable in patients with systolic heart failure without atrioventricular block but with evidence of conduction system disease manifested as a prolonged QRS duration, usually left bundle-branch block. Multiple trials …
Application of different Fresh Fish Handling Technique on the Quality of Raw Ingredients of Pindang Production

Histamine toxicity can be occurred after consumsing decomposing fish ( pindang) . The community (fishermen) perform different handling techniques on raw materials of pindang to slow down the decomposition process. This research is aimed to know the influence of various techniques of handling fish on the quality of raw materials of pindang . This research used completely randomized design with single factor. This study compared various methods of fish handling commonly used by community (fisherman in Kusamba village) to maintain the quality of raw materials of pindang , such as: kept on room temperature (technique A), add 1 kilogram crushed ice for 4 kilogram fishes (technique B), add 10% salt (technique C), and combination of technique B and C (ice and fish combination 1:8 plus 5% salt as technique D). Diversity analysis show a significant influence of different techniques of fish handling on the quality of raw material of pindang (p value <0.05). Addition of crushed ice show the best quality result among fish handling technique with histamine levels 11.30 mgN%, moisture content 74.53%, TVB 20.19 mgN%, salt 0.32%, bacteria 13 x 10 1 colonies / g, and negative coliform. Organoleptic assessment for B techniques also show the best result with visibility score 8.0 (bright, strong, and thin scale), eye 7.7 (convex, slightly foggy cornea, slightly faint pupil), odor 7.8 (soft odor), and texture 7.8 (elastic).
Our Users Have Root

This paper describes how things work at our site, where users have responsibility for administering their own workstations. Hewlett-Packard Laboratories is HP's primary advanced R&D laboratory, with about 1000 people and about 1500 computer systems. A central support organizaiton within HP Labs is charged with creating an infrastructure to enable this to work successuflly, even though they do not have root access on most systems in the division. The paper gives some examples of how things are done differently than at other sites, and details what is in place. It also gives some areas where there is work yet to be done.
Resonant and Non-Resonant Couplings to the Nuclei inElectron-Molecule Collisions

This is an introduction to the papers by Gauyacq, Domcke, and Temkin. The concepts of ‘resonance’ and ‘virtual state’ are defined. The concept of a ‘virtual state’ in the presence of a weak dipole-moment is discussed briefly.
Cis and trans elements regulating expression of the varicella zoster virus gI gene.

We have identified cis-and trans-acting elements involved in the VZV 1E62 protein-activated expression of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) gene which encodes the viral gI glycoprotein. The cis-acting elements include a non-canonical TATA box and a novel 19 base pair sequence located just upstream of the TATA element designated the “activating upstream sequence” or AUS. The AUS is a movable element and its presence results in 1E62 activation of a chimeric promoter consisting of the VZV gC TATA box and the gI AUS. We have also determined that the VZV ORF 29 protein modulates the regulatory activity of the 1E62 protein at the gI promoter. In combination with the 1E62 transactivator, it yields a 10 to 15-fold increase in expression over the levels seen with the 1E62 protein alone in T lymphocytes. The upmodulatory activity requires the presence of a 40 base pair sequence, designated the 29RE, which maps between positions -220 and -180 in the gI promoter. In this paper we review these and earlier findings from our laboratories concerning the regulation of the gI promoter.
Quantifying ventilation change due to radiation therapy using 4DCT Jacobian calculations.

PURPOSE Regional ventilation and its response to radiation dose can be estimated using four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and image registration. This study investigated the impact of radiation therapy (RT) on ventilation and the dependence of radiation-induced ventilation change on pre-RT ventilation derived from 4DCT. METHODS AND MATERIALS Three 4DCT scans were acquired from each of 12 subjects: two scans before RT and one scan 3 months after RT. The 4DCT datasets were used to generate the pre-RT and post-RT ventilation maps by registering the inhale phase image to the exhale phase image and computing the Jacobian determinant of the resulting transformation. The ventilation change between pre-RT and post-RT was calculated by taking a ratio of the post-RT Jacobian map to the pre-RT Jacobian map. The voxel-wise ventilation change between pre- and post-RT was investigated as a function of dose and pre-RT ventilation. RESULTS Lung regions receiving over 20 Gy exhibited a significant decrease in function (3.3%, P < 0.01) compared to those receiving less than 20 Gy. When the voxels were stratified into high and low pre-RT function by thresholding the Jacobian map at 10% volume expansion (Jacobian = 1.1), high-function voxels exhibited 4.8% reduction in function for voxels receiving over 20 Gy, a significantly greater decline (P = 0.037) than the 2.4% reduction in function for low-function voxels. Ventilation decreased linearly with dose in both high-function and low-function regions. High-function regions showed a significantly larger decline in ventilation (P ≪ 0.001) as dose increased (1.4% ventilation reduction/10 Gy) compared to low-function regions (0.3% ventilation reduction/10 Gy). With further stratification of pre-RT ventilation, voxels exhibited increasing dose-dependent ventilation reduction with increasing pre-RT ventilation, with the largest pre-RT Jacobian bin (pre-RT Jacobian between 1.5 and 1.6) exhibiting a ventilation reduction of 4.8% per 10 Gy. CONCLUSIONS Significant ventilation reductions were measured after radiation therapy treatments, and were dependent on the dose delivered to the tissue and the pre-RT ventilation of the tissue. For a fixed radiation dose, lung tissue with high pre-RT ventilation experienced larger decreases in post-RT ventilation than lung tissue with low pre-RT ventilation.
Bioaccumulation of Highly Hydrophobic Chemicals by Lumbriculus variegatus.

Bioaccumulation of highly hydrophobic chemicals (log KOW > 8) from contaminated sediments by Lumbriculus variegatus has been studied for relatively few chemicals, and the measured and model predicted biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) can differ by orders of magnitude. In the current study, sediment bioaccumulation tests with L. variegatus were performed on sediments dosed with chemicals having a wide range of predicted n-octanol/water partition coefficients (KOW; 106–1018), including some higher than most highly hydrophobic chemicals studied to date. The highly hydrophobic chemicals had biphasic elimination kinetics with compartments A and B having fast and slow elimination kinetics, respectively, and for compartment B, elimination followed first-order kinetics. For compartment A with fast elimination kinetics, the mechanism and its kinetic-order could not be determined. Steady-state BSAFs (kg organic carbon/kg lipid) of 0.015, 0.024, and 0.022 were derived for tetradecachloro-p-terphenyl, tetradecachloro-m-terphenyl, and octadecachloro-p-quaterphenyl, respectively. The high uncertainty in predicted KOWs for highly hydrophobic chemicals limited the comparison and evaluation of predicted BSAFs from the Arnot–Gobas food web model and BSAFs measured in this study. The results of this study point to the need to perform dietary assimilation efficiency studies with highly hydrophobic compounds to resolve uncertainties surrounding the estimation of their KOW and the need to understand mechanism and models for the biphasic elimination kinetics.
Myelofibrosis patients can develop extramedullary complications including renal amyloidosis and sclerosing hematopoietic tumor while otherwise meeting traditional measures of ruxolitinib response.

The introduction of Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib into the armamentarium of myelofibrosis therapies has allowed to effectively control systemic symptoms, reduce splenomegaly, and imp...
Inflammation and Endothelial Activation in Early Adulthood are Associated with Future Emphysema: The CARDIA Lung Study

Circulating markers of inflammation and endothelial activation predict future emphysema in a sample of generally healthy young adultshttp://ow.ly/7DCW30mqyvO
Magnetic resonance enterography features of small bowel Crohn's disease activity: an inter-rater reliability study of small bowel active inflammation in clinical practice setting.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the interrater agreement in a clinical practice environment for the most commonly used magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) features of Crohn’s dis...
Azacitidine Plus Lenalidomide for Untreated AML Patients Ineligible for Conventional Chemotherapy

Abstract 3575 There are limited treatment options for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and prognosis has remained poor, thereby warranting development of novel therapeutic strategies. The optimal treatment for these patients requires the consideration of multiple factors, such as patient and disease-related factors that can help to determine the appropriate therapy. Previous studies have shown that both azacitidine and lenalidomide have single-agent activity in patients older than 60 years with untreated AML and have non-overlapping mechanisms of action that may complement each other. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of azacitidine plus lenalidomide as front-line therapy for untreated, older AML patients. In this phase 2 study, patients 60 years of age or older with untreated AML received azacitidine 75mg/m2 for 7 days followed by escalating doses of lenalidomide daily for 21 day on 42-day cycles. Patients received continued therapy until disease progression, an unacceptable adverse event, or completion of 12 cycles. Forty-one AML patients (median age, 74 years) were enrolled with equal distribution according to ELN risk. Overall response rate (ORR) was 41% (CR/CRi rate was 29%). The median time to CR/CRi was 12 weeks, and duration of CR/CRi was 28 weeks (range, 4- >104 weeks). The median OS was 20 weeks (range, 1–121+) for the entire cohort and 69 weeks (range, 10–121+) for responders (Figure 1A; responders had better OS compared to non-responders (69 vs. 15 weeks, p-value Disclosures: Gotlib:Celgene: Research Funding. Liedtke:Celgene: Research Funding. Medeiros:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Treatment of AML.
Identity, personal continuity and psychological connectedness across time and over transformation

How do people think about whether the person they’ll be in the future is substantially the same person they’ll be today or a substantially different, and how does this affect consumer decisions and behavior? In this chapter, we discuss several perspectives about which changes over time matter for these judgments and downstream behaviors, including the identity verification principle (Reed et al. 2012) — people’s willful change in the direction of an identity that they hope to fulfill. Our read of the literature on the self-concept suggests that what defines a person (to themselves) is multi-faceted and in almost constant flux, but that understanding how personal changes relate to one’s own perceptions of personal continuity, including understanding the distinction between changes that are consistent or inconsistent with people’s expectations for their own development, can help us to understand people’s subjective sense of self and the decisions and behaviors that follow from it.
Epidural analgesia in labour.

Current epidural analgesia in labour uses a combination of low-concentration local anesthetics and opioid to optimize pain control while minimizing motor block. This type of analgesia does not increase the risk of cesarean delivery.[1][1] In trials conducted since 2005, there was no difference in
Long-term outcomes of pediatric arteriovenous malformations: the 30-year Pittsburgh experience.

Objective The study of pediatric arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) is complicated by the rarity of the entity. Treatment choice has often been affected by the availability of different modalities and the experience of the providers present. The University of Pittsburgh experience of multimodality treatment of pAVMs is presented. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study examining 212 patients with pAVM presenting to the University of Pittsburgh between 1988 and 2018, during which patients had access to surgical, endovascular, and radiosurgical options. Univariate analysis was performed comparing good and poor outcomes. A poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≥ 3. Multivariate analysis via logistic regression was performed on appropriate variables with a p value of ≤ 0.2. Seventy-five percent of the cohort had at least 3 years of follow-up. Results Five patients (2.4%) did not receive any intervention, 131 (61.8%) had GKRS alone, 14 (6.6%) had craniotomies alone, and 2 (0.9%) had embolization alone. Twenty-two (10.4%) had embolization and Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS); 20 (9.4%) had craniotomies and GKRS; 8 (3.8%) had embolization and craniotomies; and 10 (4.7%) had embolization, craniotomies, and GKRS. Thirty-one patients (14.6%) were found to have poor outcome on follow-up. The multivariate analysis performed in patients with poor outcomes was notable for associations with no treatment (OR 18.9, p = 0.02), hemorrhage requiring craniotomy for decompression alone (OR 6, p = 0.03), preoperative mRS score (OR 2.1, p = 0.004), and Spetzler-Martin score (OR 1.8, p = 0.0005). The mean follow-up was 79.7 ± 62.1 months. The confirmed radiographic obliteration rate was 79.4% and there were 5 recurrences found on average 9.5 years after treatment. Conclusions High rates of long-term functional independence (mRS score of ≤ 2) can be achieved with comprehensive multimodality treatment of pAVMs. At this center there was no difference in outcome based on treatment choice when accounting for factors such as Spetzler-Martin grade and presenting morbidity. Recurrences are rare but frequently occur years after treatment, emphasizing the need for long-term screening after obliteration.
Research on Multi-energy Interaction Mode and Value System under the Background of Energy Internet

The construction of Energy Internet provides a way for countries around the world to share energy and power resources, thereby realizing regional economic benefits and reducing social costs through redistribution of energy. This paper firstly designs the energy interaction model and the electricity market organization for the “non-real-time equilibrium” market across countries and continents. Finally, it conducts a detailed study on the value system of multiple energy interactions under energy internet.
A new magnesium sheet alloy with high tensile properties and room-temperature formability.

Lightweight sheet alloys with superior mechanical performance such as high strength, ductility and formability at room temperature (RT) are desirable for high volume automotive applications. However, ductility or formability of metallic alloys at RT are generally inversely related to strength, thereby making it difficult to optimize all three simultaneously. Here we design a new magnesium sheet alloy-ZAXME11100 (Mg-1.0Zn-1.0Al-0.5Ca-0.4Mn-0.2Ce, wt. pct.) via CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) modeling and experimental validation. This new sheet alloy offers an excellent RT formability with a high Index Erichsen (I.E.) value of 7.8 mm in a solution-treated condition (T4), due to its weak and split basal texture and fine grain structure. The new ZAXME 11100 alloy also shows a rapid age-hardening response during post-forming artificial aging treatment at 210 °C for 1 hour (T6), resulting in a significant increase of yield strength from 159 MPa (T4) to 270 MPa (T6). The excellent combination of T4 ductility (31%), T4 formability (7.8 mm) and T6 yield strength (270 MPa) in this new magnesium alloy is comparable to that of common 6xxx series aluminum sheet alloys. Thus, this new magnesium sheet alloy is highly attractive for sheet applications in automotive and other industries.
Shared correlates of prescription drug misuse and severe suicide ideation among clinical patients at risk for suicide.

OBJECTIVE Unintentional drug overdose and suicide have emerged as public health problems. Prescription drug misuse can elevate risk of overdose. Severe suicidal ideation increases risk of suicide. We identified shared correlates of both risk factors to inform cross-cutting prevention efforts. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Military Suicide Research Consortium's Common Data Elements survey; 2012-2017 baseline data collected from 10 research sites were analyzed. The sample included 3962 clinical patients at risk of suicide. Factors examined in relation to the outcomes, prescription drug misuse and severe suicidal ideation, included demographic characteristics and symptoms of: hopelessness; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder; alcohol use; other substance use; prior head/neck injury; insomnia; and belongingness. Poisson regression models with robust estimates provided adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 97.5% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Medium and high (vs. low) levels of insomnia were positively associated with prescription drug misuse (aPRs p < 0.025). Medium (vs. low) level of insomnia was positively associated with severe suicidal ideation (aPR: 1.09; CI: 1.01-1.18). Medium and high (vs. low) levels of perceived belongingness were inversely associated with both outcomes (aPRs p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS Research should evaluate whether addressing sleep problems and improving belongingness can reduce prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation simultaneously.
Strain-Induced Quantum Phase Transitions in Magic-Angle Graphene.

We investigate the effect of uniaxial heterostrain on the interacting phase diagram of magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Using both self-consistent Hartree-Fock and density-matrix renormalization group calculations, we find that small strain values (e∼0.1%-0.2%) drive a zero-temperature phase transition between the symmetry-broken "Kramers intervalley-coherent" insulator and a nematic semimetal. The critical strain lies within the range of experimentally observed strain values, and we therefore predict that strain is at least partly responsible for the sample-dependent experimental observations.
The Effect of Organ System Surgery on Intensive Care Unit Mortality in a Cohort of Critically Ill Surgical Patients.

BackgroundThe critical illness burden in the United States is growing with an aging population obtaining surgical intervention despite age-related comorbidities. The effect of organ system surgical...
The Effect of Domestic Air Travel on the Spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.

We examine the relationship between domestic air travel and the spread of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in the U.S. To do this, we link airline passenger flows with COVID-19 infection and mortality data, controlling for county-level population and demographic data. We examine infection and mortality rates in counties receiving more versus fewer airline passengers from four early COVID-19 hotspots: New York City, Boston, Detroit, and New Orleans. We then compare the effect of airline passengers from these four hotspots with the effect of airline passengers from a set of eight cities who did not experience early outbreaks. We find that passengers arriving from COVID-19 hotspots are not positively correlated with local COVID-19 infection and death rates. Passengers arriving from our eight comparison group cities are positively, but very weakly, correlated with local infection and mortality rates. Our results imply that banning domestic air travel may do little to slow the spread of infections.
Synthesis, crystallography, spectroscopy, and kinetics involving the fluorimetric detection of metal ions by internal imine derivatives of anthraquinone-18-crown-5 in aqueous media

Abstract We have selectively synthesized and characterized several aliphatic internal imine isomers which show selectivity towards various transition metal ions with large shifts in the UV–Vis and OFF-ON switching of fluorescence in solution. The stoichiometry with different transition metals has been determined to be 1:1, with the 1,2-ethlenediamine dimer showing the best selectivity towards Hg(II). Selectivity in different solvent media and the varying kinetics of transition metal binding with the macrocycle has been presented along with the crystallography of the ligands and their metal complexes.
Silicon-Induced Enhancement of Secondary Ion Emission in Silicates: A Study of the Matrix Effects

One of the elusive goals in application of SIMS techniques to geochemistry and cosmochemistry is to devise a procedure by which secondary ion intensities can be quantitatively converted to concentrations. Although an empirical “working curve” approach has been successful for trace elements (see, for instance, RAY and HART[1]), quantitative analysis of the major elements has been difficult due mainly to the complex relationships between secondary ion intensity and concentration known as matrix effects. The matrix effects occur among different mineral groups (qualitatively similar to the “SIMS matrix effect” of DELINE et al. [2]) and even within a given mineral group as chemical composition of the solid solution varies (e.g., SHIMIZU et al. [3]). A better understanding of the matrix effects is imperative in establishing a quantitation procedure for geologic materials as most minerals form complex and extensive solid solutions, and is also essential, in more general terms, in understanding the physics of the secondary ion emission process.
Aβpp secretases are co-expressed with Aβpp in the pancreatic islets

Amyloid beta protein precursor is cleaved by beta- and gamma-secretases to produce Abeta peptides which deposit in amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. A recently identified beta-site cleaving enzyme (BACE) appears to fulfill the requirements for beta-secretase, and presenilin-1 (PS1) appears to constitute the catalytic component of gamma-secretase. Each protein has a close homologue (BACE2 and PS2, respectively), whose roles in AbetaPP cleavage remain uncertain. All four of these genes have been reported to be expressed in the human pancreas, but the cell types expressing these genes remains unknown. We demonstrate here the cell-specific expression of AbetaPP, BACE, BACE2, PS1, and PS2 in the human pancreas. The insulin-producing betacells were found to express AbetaPP, BACE and PS2 at high levels, and PS1 at a lower level. The other islet cell types expressed none of these five genes. By contrast, the exocrine ductal cells of the pancreas expressed AbetaPP and BACE2 selectively. These results suggest that secretase inhibitors under development for the treatment of AD, particularly those that target BACE, may have potential for adverse effects on pancreatic beta cell function, and therefore glycemic control.
Identification of the functional binding domains of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4G with 3’ Cap-independent translation element of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (LB203)

Different from canonical translation initiation, some plant viral RNAs lack a 5’cap (an unusual 7-methyl guanosine linked by a 5’to 5’ triphosphate). They utilize a cap independent translation element (CITE) to efficiently start translation. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) has a translation element (BTE) located in its 3’UTR mRNA. BTE binds with eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4G (one subunit of heterodimer of eIF4F) and recruits other initiation factors to assemble the ribosome preinitiation complex for synthesis of viral proteins. BYDV is one of the world-wide economically most important viruses causing severe crop loss. How BTE mediate BYDV translation is still unclear. By measuring fluorescence anisotropy of labeled RNA, here we report 3’BTE binds with a truncated fragment of eIF4G, eIF4G601-1196 (contained amino acid residue from 601 to 1196). The equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of this binding is 39.5±3.5 nM. Adding eIF4E, the cap binding protein, can increase the binding ability of eIF4G60...
The Choice of Steel for the Isabelle Magnet Tubes

Isabelle, the latest high-energy physics machine, is a 400 × 400 GeV Intersecting Storage-Ring Proton Accelerator currently under construction at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The beam will be guided and focused by superconducting magnets wound from a multifilamentary Nb-Ti braid. The layout of the beam and of the beam-bending dipole magnets and beam-focusing quadrupole magnets is shown in Fig. 1. There will be 722 dipoles and 280 quadrupoles in all.
Experimental evaluation of force control for virtual-fixture-assisted teleoperation for on-orbit manipulation of satellite thermal blanket insulation

The ability to refuel satellites on-orbit using teleoperated robots could extend the life of satellite missions, potentially saving time and resources for both industry and space agencies. One critical step in the refueling process is to gain access to the satellite's fueling port by cutting through a seam of tape that adheres two sections of multi-layer insulation (MLI) covering the satellite body. The deformable, delicate, specular nature of the metalized tape used to adhere sections of MLI to one another makes cutting the tape seams a difficult task to perform remotely, a difficulty that is compounded by unavoidable multi-second communications delays. Virtual-fixture-assisted teleoperation can help mitigate some of these issues by constraining the motion of the cutting blade based on a priori knowledge of the task. Adding force control may further assist teleoperators by automatically setting a desired normal cutting force. This paper presents the results of a 20-participant user study for a representative satellite tape-cutting task, showing that force control based on a virtual fixture mapped to the MLI blanket plane can decrease both tape bunching and operator workload.
A simple covariance-based characterization of joint signal representations of arbitrary variables

Joint signal representations of arbitrary variables extend the scope of joint time-frequency representations, and provide a useful description for a wide variety of nonstationary signal characteristics. Cohen's (see Prentice Hall, 1995) marginal-based theory for bilinear representations is canonical from a distributional viewpoint, whereas, from other perspectives, such as characterization of the effect of unitary signal transformations of interest, a covariance-based formulation is needed and more attractive. We present a simple covariance-based characterization of bilinear joint signal representations of arbitrary variables. The formulation is highlighted by its simple structure and interpretation, and naturally extends the concept of the corresponding linear representations.
Electrochemical polymerization of 1,4-di(aryl)cyclopentadienes: thin-film optical and electronic properties

A comparative study of the electrochemical polymerization of 1,4-di(aryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclopentadienes (ArC5Ar) as a function of aryl group identity (Ar = thienyl, Th; furyl, Fur; and N-methylpyrrolyl; Pyr groups) is presented. The solubility of charged species generated at the surface of the working electrode impedes efficient polymer deposition with only ThC5Th and FurC5Fur monomers affording films suitable for analysis. Films of poly(ThC5Th) and poly(FurC5Fur) possess a UV-vis absorption maxima λmax of 500 nm and 400 nm respectively, that bleach upon oxidation giving rise to low energy charge-carrier absorption features that are consistent with those observed in their aromatic congeners. Film formation is vastly improved by copolymerizing ArC5Ar in the presence of 1,3,5-tris(2-aryl)benzenes (3ArB), electroactive monomers that serve as anodically activated cross-linking agents. Spectroelectrochemical analyses reveal that copolymer films possess higher energy absorption signatures in both the neutral and oxidized state when compared to their corresponding homopolymer, a consequence of the meta-substituted arrangement of 3ArB that is expected to reduce conjugation across the polymer backbone. Based on the thiophene-containing systems, these optical signatures can be tailored towards poly(ThC5Th) by reducing the feed ratio of 3ThB in the comonomer solution, indicating that film deposition can be improved with the use of an additive without compromising the properties observed in the homopolymer.