cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generalizations to be Drawn from Results of Research on Teaching and Learning

The last two decades have seen a world-wide burgeoning of systematic investigation of various aspects of the teaching and learning of physics, including connections to basic aspects of cognitive development. The growing volume of literature illuminates our efforts and improves our practices, and the accumulation of insight is readily apparent in presentations being made at this conference.
Specimen Photocopying for Surgical Pathology Reports

A method of direct photocopying of surgical pathology specimens is described. The copy thus obtained can be included as a part of the surgical pathology report, to visually indicate locations of lesions, margins, measurements, and sites of sections taken for microscopic examination.
Interfacial Cyclic Fatigue of Atomic-Layer-Deposited Alumina Coatings on Silicon Thin Films

A microresonator-based interfacial fatigue test- ing technique was used to investigate the subcritical delamination of atomic-layer-deposited alumina coatings along the sidewalls of deep-reactive-ion-etched monocrystal- line silicon thin films. This technique ensures loading conditions relevant to microelectromechanical system devices, including kHz testing frequency and fully reversed cyclic stresses. Four different coating thicknesses (4.2, 12.6, 25, and 50 nm) were investigated in two environments (30 °C, 50% relative humidity (RH) and 80 °C, 90% RH). Fatigue damage, in the form of channel cracks and delamination of the alumina coating, was found to accumulate slowly over more than 1 × 10 8 cycles. The average delamination rates increase with increasing energy release rate amplitude for delamination, modeled with a power law relationship. In the harsher environment, the rates are roughly 1 order of magnitude higher. Additionally, a few tests under static load were conducted for which no delamination (or crack growth) occurred, demonstrating that the governing interfacial fatigue mechanism is cycle-dependent.
Resistance to the Corn Leaf Aphid in the Grass Tribe Maydeae

Seven species of the grass tribe Maydeae were screened for resistance to Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch). Perennial teosinte, Euchlaena perennis Hitchc., and teosinte, E. mexicana Schrad., were as susceptible as corn, but all 5 Tripsacum species were significantly more resistant than corn to the corn leaf aphid. Three species of Tripsacum (T. laxum; Eastern gamagrass, T. dactyloides (L.) L.; and Florida gamagrass, T. floridanum Porter ex Vasey) were highly resistant with Florida gamagrass being nearly immune. The mechanism of the resistance of Florida gamagrass was either antibiosis or extreme non preference: the aphids were apparently unable to survive on this species. When extracts of Florida gamagrass and corn were fed to the aphids, it appeared that Florida gamagrass contained a water-soluble substance that either interfered with the feeding behavior of the aphids or was toxic.
Advances in scanning electron microscope moiré

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) moire method for microscopic measurements based on electron beam lithography and an SEM has been well developed. Although it has been a reliable method, some drawbacks exist: reinforcement effects, complicated processing and low sensitivity. To improve the SEM moire method, new grating-casting techniques and a fringe-viewing technique must be developed. In this study, a carbonaceous grating technique and a total imaging technique are introduced. Accordingly, there are two techniques available for grating-casting (i.e., the carbonaceous grating technique and the existing lithography grating technique) and three techniques available for fringe viewing (i.e., the total imaging technique, the existing, monitor viewing technique and the existing photographic viewing technique). A total of six new imaging techniques of SEM moire methods are available for microscopic measurements by combining one technique from each of the two groups. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the individual techniques and discusses the characteristics and limitations of each. Based on the presented total imaging technique, the sensitivity of the moire method is only dependent on the frequency of specimen grating. Because it can be made as high as 10,000 lines/mm, the SEM moire method can achieve sensitivity as high as 0.01 percent.
Penis Cancer: The Lived Experience.

Background This qualitative study examined the experiences of men with penis cancer. Cancer of the penis is a rare and debilitating disease, affecting 1 in 100 000 men in Western countries. Although much has been written about the medical treatment of the disease, little has been published about the experiences of men who have penis cancer. Objective The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of men with cancer of the penis. Methods Using face-to-face audio-taped interviews with a semi-structured guide, the researcher recruited a purposive sample of 13 men who had been treated for penile cancer. Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology served as the philosophical underpinning and Colazzi's method was used to analyze the data. Results Six main themes emerged from the data: Misdiagnosis, Secrecy, "Cancer is cancer," Sexual Issues, Support, and Awareness and Prevention. Conclusions Men diagnosed and treated for penis cancer reported numerous issues related to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and reluctance to share experience with family, friends, and coworkers. Implications for practice Gaining more knowledge of the experiences of men with penile cancer will provide additional insights for healthcare providers to create holistic practice guidelines for the care of men and their loved ones who are affected. It is recommended to change the terminology to penis cancer, instead of penile cancer, to promote public awareness, education, prevention, and early treatment.
A Preliminary Study of the Prevailing Custom about the Scholarly Discussion on Military Matters in the Mid-north Song Dynasty

During the Mid-north Song Dynasty,the trouble in the border regions was serious,therefore,the Song government advocated the military research,and the prevailing custom about the scholarly discussion on military matters springed up in the society.Some characteristics of this prevailing custom were distinct and mainly in four aspects: The realistic purpose of the scholarly discussion on military matters was intense;Their discussion on military matters showed intense feature of literary scholar;the influence of the fashion about advocating culture and restraining military operation was deep.Besides,this prevailing custom promoted the phenomenon of controling the army by the civilian officials and directly affected the military science at that time,and had driven the military science prosperous in the mid and late of Northern Song Dynasty.
The Clinical Features of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Prematures

Objective:To investigate the relationship between clinical features and prognosis of necrotizing enterocolitis in pre- mature.Methods:This was a cohort study.From Aug.1999 to Apr.2005,the medical records of patients with necrotizing entero- colitis NEC in Children's Hospital of Fudan University were analyzed.32 prematures and 27 term infants were enrolled in this study by comparing by clinical manifestation,feature of imaging,course of disease and prognosis.Resulls:Prematures had lower reaction (46.9%),worse appetite(34.4%) and higher rates of perforation(21.9%) than those of infants.Conclusion:Prema- tures with NEC had lower reactions and worse appetite than those of term infants.The rates of perforation and mortality in prematures with NEC are higher than those in term infants with NEC.
Electrophoretic and Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis of the Proteins in the Sow’s Mammary Secretions throughout Lactation

Lactation in the sow can be separated into 3 stages, based on the relative concentrations of 3 electrophoretic whey proteins in the mammary secretions: (1) parturition (approximately 72 hours); (2) midlactation (approximately third day to sixth week); (3) late lactation (approximately sixth week to dryness). The concentration of protein (18 per cent), and dry matter (28 per cent), in the secretion at parturition, decreases rapidly to its lowest levels during midlactation (protein, 5 per cent; dry matter, 16 per cent). In late lactation there is a gradual increase to approximately 10 per cent protein and 24 per cent dry matter. Whey proteins accounting for 80 per cent of the total protein at parturition rapidly decrease to 50 per cent, at which level they remain until midlactation. Around the fifth or sixth week of lactation, casein increases to approximately 70 per cent of the total protein, and this relationship persists to the end of the lactation. Using immunoelectrophoretic techniques, only 1 of the major electrophoretic fractions of the sow’s mammary secretions (SMS) appeared to be exclusively a whey protein. The major antigens of the remaining electrophoretic fractions were serologically related to porcine serum proteins. Antibodies to casein, a ‘milk protein’ by definition, could not be demonstrated in the antisera used in this study. Although the quantitative changes in SMS whey proteins are pronounced at the various stages of lactation, the kinds of protein as expressed by im munoelectropherograms appear in the main unchanged.
Leadership in Organizations

Modern scientific research on leadership in organizations has been evolving for nearly a century. Over the course of its development, four particular discourses of leadership have emerged: normative, interpretive, critical, and dialogical. This entry surveys major leadership theories and research within each discourse. It pays particular attention to ways in which the concept of communication has evolved and its role expanded from being a subsidiary component in normative, psychological theories to being a primary process in the leadership theories and research found in the other three lenses. The entry ends with several suggestions for the future growth of leadership studies. Keywords: critical leadership; dialogue; discursive leadership; leader–member exchange; leadership; leadership communication; leadership psychology; neo-charisma leadership; reflexivity; relationality
Design and Analysis of Chopper Stabilized Injection-Locked Oscillator Sensors Employing Near-Field Modulation

This paper presents the design and the analysis of chopper stabilization circuit techniques in oscillator-based RF sensors with injection locking for dielectric spectroscopy bio-sensing applications. As the conventional phase modulation chopping scheme inevitably up-converts the 1/f phase noise intrinsically to the oscillator, we propose a near-field modulation technique that periodically shields the sensing electrical fields from fringing into the material-under-test (MUT), to achieve the desired chopping operation while avoiding the modulation of the sensor 1/f phase noise. Detailed design considerations to remedy the residual flicker noise up-conversion are discussed. The sensor prototype, implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology and operated at 16 GHz, shows a reduction in the flicker-noise corner from 10 to 0.25 kHz with field-modulation enabled, yielding a noise floor of 1 ppm in frequency shift at 10 Hz filtering bandwidth. Thermal-cycled bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions are measured with the proposed sensor-on-CMOS. The results prove the potential for the permittivity measurements at microwave frequencies in detecting protein conformation change.
Kodak CCD-based detector for small angle X-ray scattering

The Beamline Technical Support Group (BTS) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) has developed two CCD detector systems (the Single and Quad Platinum systems), for x-ray diffraction and imaging experiments. Both of these systems, optimized for sensitivity toward x-ray photons, utilize the Kodak KAF-4320E CCD coupled to fiber-optic tapers, custom mechanical hardware, electronics, and software systems developed at the APS. Each CCD is composed of ~ 2k × 2k 25-μm-sized pixels, providing a total active detector area of 168 mm × 168 mm. In fast mode with 4 × 4 binning, the Quad system can reach a rate of 5 frames per second (fps). The sensitivity of the detector has been enhanced by using tapers with low demagnification ratio (1.78) and CCDs with high quantum efficiency. The sensitivity, resolution, and dynamic range have made the detectors suitable for a wide range of synchrotron experiment, in particular, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). SAXS data from the x-ray scattering of silver behenate powder have been used to demonstrate the performance of the detector.
Intergenerational Memories of Past Nutritional Deprivation: The Phenotypic Inertia Model

Human and animal model research shows that prenatal nutrition influences early development and has long-term effects on adult biology and chronic disease. Much of this literature has emphasized the limited maternal capacity to buffer the fetus from stressors that negatively impact development. An alternative perspective recognizes that a subset of prenatal biological responses reflect an ability to adaptively change how the body regulates metabolism, hormone production, and other biological functions in anticipation of postnatal environmental conditions. The applicability of this concept to humans has been challenged on the basis of the long duration of the human life span and the imperfect correlation between environmental conditions during early and later life. The phenotypic inertia model proposes a solution to this problem: if maternal physiology and metabolism transfer nutrients or hormones in relation to the mother’s average life experience, rather than to the specific conditions experienced during that pregnancy, this could provide a more reliable basis for the fetus to adjust its long-term strategy. This hypothesis is supported by evidence that fetal nutrition is buffered against short-term fluctuations in maternal intake during pregnancy in women who are not on the extreme ends of energy balance, while showing evidence of sensitivity to a mother’s early developmental and chronic nutritional experience. Maternal buffering of fetal nutrition in humans is predicted to limit the deleterious impact of nutritional stress experienced by the mother during pregnancy while also attenuating the long-term health benefits of short-term dietary supplements consumed during pregnancy. According to this model, maternal interventions aimed at improving the health of future generations via fetal nutritional programming will be most effective when they emulate sustained, rather than transient, nutritional improvement.
A Dynamic Stochastic Optimization for Recharging Plug-In Electric Vehicles

This paper presents a recharging scheme for plug-in (hybrid) electric vehicles. Despite their many advantages such as reducing carbon footprint, lower fuel cots, and high performance, uncoordinated recharging of electric vehicles in a high-penetration system can increase system peak load and create new peaks in the demand profile, hence, reducing system reliability and operational integrity. To optimize electric vehicle recharging costs and prevent such reliability problems, a dynamic stochastic optimization method is proposed that formulates a stochastic linear programming approach taking into account load, electricity pricing, and renewable energy generation uncertainties, and solves the day-ahead problem in an offline fashion. A second online stage is also proposed that uses offline solutions, collects real-time system data, and adjusts recharging schedules to obtain a better recharging scheme once system uncertainties are revealed. The proposed method is robust to variations in different stochastic parameters, has a low communication requirement, and benefits both users and the power utility. Recharging system structure, data models, and mathematical formulation of the proposed method are presented. Results demonstrate that unlike other recharging schemes, the proposed method does not increase system peak, does not create new peaks, and fills the valleys of demand profile to optimize power system operations.
Implementing an Expressive Writing Intervention for Test Anxiety in a Large College Course.

Test anxiety is a widespread problem that negatively impacts student performance. The mechanism proposed to explain the deleterious effect is that anxious thoughts occupy space in working memory, thus diminishing cognitive capacity. Expressive writing is an intervention shown to decrease the impact of test anxiety. For this intervention, students respond to a prompt directing them to write-down their thoughts and feelings regarding the upcoming exam. To investigate the feasibility of using this intervention in college courses and to discern our students’ thoughts about taking exams, we implemented the intervention in our large introductory biology course. The prompt was placed on the cover page of each exam and students were given five minutes to write. Students were then instructed to rip off, crumple up, and throw the page into the closest aisle and begin the exam. Even though they could not start the exam early, students only spent approximately two minutes writing. Clean up of papers was reasonably accomplished during the exam. Interestingly, crumpling and throwing papers seemed to dissipate tension and created a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom evidenced by laughing and paper airplanes. We assigned the anonymous student writing into categories (e.g., doodling, pep talks, course content, anxious) as we were interested to see the variation in student responses and monitor if student feelings changed over time. We suggest instructors consider using this intervention to decrease the impact of test anxiety. We found the implementation logistics manageable and reading students’ thoughts made us more empathetic with our students’ experiences.
Capturing User Generated Video Content in Online Social Networks

We build and evaluate an innovative artifact for the investigation of social content derived-platforms specifically to gain a unique understanding of the content shared and underlying behaviors of the contributors to these technology platforms. The artifact‘s innovation is derived from the solution’s unique approach to converting and analyzing the multimedia – especially video - content to gain interesting insights into the social network connectivity of the actors on a given technology platform. The artifact directly addresses a practical need for industry practitioners to analyze social video network content using a rigorous and evidence-based DSR approach.
An Engineer's Guide to Books on Statistics and Data Analysis

"Can you suggest a book that will give me a better understanding of statistics and data analysis?" This request is made frequently by engineers and scientists. The appropriate response depends on the questioner's mathematical maturity and prev..
Constrained Layer Damping Test Results for Aircraft Landing Gear

In aircraft, weight reduction represents one of the principal design goals, and landing gear design is no exception. Accounting for 3 – 7% of an aircraft’s weight, the landing gear is essentially dead weight after takeoff, and so reducing this weight becomes a priority of aircraft design. In addition to keeping the weight low, fixed gear designs can add significant drag if the design has not been optimized. The ideal landing gear should be low weight and low drag, but these criteria are typically at odds with a requirement for absorbing landing loads and preventing rebound. The use of constrained layer visco-elastic damping on landing gear structural members is a new application since historic use of constrained layer damping has been found on thin plate-like structures. Benefits of low weight and low drag are achievable using the conformal treatment, and this paper investigates specific constrained layer damping applications for cantilever-loaded spring steel landing gear. The design of the damped system considers the high stiffness and low surface area typical on a cantilever landing gear leg. Damping levels are examined for a 163 kg. aircraft with and without a Dyad 606 constrained layer damping treatment on the main and nose gear members. A 29% increase in damping was observed on the main landing gear, and a 25% increase in damping was observed on the nose gear when the treatment was applied. A full aircraft drop test is performed that showed inconclusive results in damping.
Long-Lasting Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure on Fear Learning and Development of the Amygdala

Prenatal ethanol exposure (PrEE) produces developmental abnormalities in brain and behavior that often persist into adulthood. We have previously reported abnormal cortical gene expression, disorganized neural circuitry along with deficits in sensorimotor function and anxiety in our CD-1 murine model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD (El Shawa et al., 2013; Abbott et al., 2016). We have proposed that these phenotypes may underlie learning, memory, and behavioral deficits in humans with FASD. Here, we evaluate the impact of PrEE on fear memory learning, recall and amygdala development at two adult timepoints. PrEE alters learning and memory of aversive stimuli; specifically, PrEE mice, fear conditioned at postnatal day (P) 50, showed deficits in fear acquisition and memory retrieval when tested at P52 and later at P70-P72. Interestingly, this deficit in fear acquisition observed during young adulthood was not present when PrEE mice were conditioned later, at P80. These mice displayed similar levels of fear expression as controls when tested on fear memory recall. To test whether PrEE alters development of brain circuitry associated with fear conditioning and fear memory recall, we histologically examined subdivisions of the amygdala in PrEE and control mice and found long-term effects of PrEE on fear memory circuitry. Thus, results from this study will provide insight on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of PrEE and provide new information on developmental trajectories of brain dysfunction in people prenatally exposed to ethanol.
Tuning the Negative Photochromism of Water-Soluble Spiropyran Polymers

In aqueous media, negative photochromism can occur from cationic, protonated merocyanines (MCH+) to spiropyrans (SP) upon exposure to visible light. Herein, we demonstrate the uniquely simple manner in which polymers can tune the key properties of these photochromes through copolymer preparation. Nine water-soluble, SP-containing polymers yield wide ranges of key properties for negative photochromism—accessible MCH+ pKa values spanning 5 pH units, quantum yields of photochemical ring closure up to 0.2, and rates of thermal equilibration ranging 2 orders of magnitude. In buffered solutions, many of these polymers showed photostationary states with greater than 80% conversion to SP and no detectable photochromic fatigue over 15 cycles. These results demonstrate the potential for tuning key properties of the MCH+ photochrome through both the spiropyran pendants themselves and the water-solubilizing comonomers. The dependence of MCH+ pKa on comonomer structure enabled tunable range of pH for reversible photoa...
Effect on VA Patient Satisfaction of Provider’s Use of an Integrated Viewer of Multiple Electronic Health Records

To examine associations between patient perceptions that their provider was knowledgeable of their medical history and clinicians’ early adoption of an application that presents providers with an integrated longitudinal view of a patient’s electronic health records (EHR) from multiple healthcare systems. This retrospective analysis utilizes provider audit logs from the Veterans Health Administration Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV) and patient responses to the Survey of Patient Healthcare Experiences Patient-Centered Medical Home (SHEP/PCMH) patient satisfaction survey (FY2016) to assess the relationship between the primary care provider being an early adopter of JLV and patient perception of the provider’s knowledge of their medical history. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to control for patient age, race, sex education, health status, duration of patient-provider relationship, and provider characteristics. The study used responses from 203,903 patients to the SHEP-PCMH survey in FY2016 who received outpatient primary care services from 11,421 unique providers. Most (91%) clinicians had no JLV utilization in the 6 months prior to the studied patient visit. Controlling for patient demographics, length of the patient-provider relationship, and provider and facility characteristics, being an early adopter of the JLV system was associated with a 14% (adj OR 1.14, p < 0.000) increased odds that patients felt their provider was knowledgeable about their medical history. When evaluating the interaction between duration of patient-provider relationship and being an early adopter of JLV, a greater effect was seen with patient-provider relationships that were greater than 3 years (adj OR 1.23, p < 0.000), compared to those less than 3 years. Increasing the interoperability of medical information systems has the potential to improve both patient care and patient experience of care. This study demonstrates that early adopters of an integrated view of electronic health records from multiple delivery systems are more likely to have their patients report that their clinician was knowledgeable of their medical history. With provider payments often linked to patient satisfaction performance metrics, investments in interoperability may be worthwhile.
Use of red cell distribution width in a population at high risk for pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) often presents with non-specific symptoms making early diagnosis difficult. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter routinely reported on an automated complete blood cell count that has been associated with numerous disease states. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate RDW as a biomarker for PH in at-risk populations. Methods In a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients seen at a PH center over 1 year, we examined both patients with PH and patients at risk for but without PH (e.g. systemic sclerosis, [SSc]). We also studied a group of age-and sex-matched, non-diseased controls. Relevant characteristics were compared among the 3 groups using one-way ANOVA. Similar comparisons were made across World Health Organization (WHO) PH groups 1–4. Results RDW was highest in the PH patients (n = 181), intermediate in the at-risk for PH patients (n = 52), and lowest in matched controls (n = 100) (15.9 ± 2.8 vs 14.8 ± 2.8 vs 14.2 ± 1.1%, respectively; p Conclusions RDW is significantly higher in PH patients, without regard to disease etiology, when compared to age- and sex-matched non-diseased controls. Importantly, RDW is also higher in PH patients compared to at-risk patients, particularly in the SSc cohort. The ease of obtaining RDW as a biomarker may help detect incident PH at earlier stages among patients who are at high risk for development of PH.
Clinical phenotypes of obstructive sleep apnea after ischemic stroke: a cluster analysis

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in patients with ischemic stroke. Untreated OSA is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and OSA treatment may improve neurological recovery in stroke survivors, yet OSA in stroke patients remains poorly characterized. The goal of this study is to identify clinical phenotypes of ischemic stroke patients with OSA. Methods Participants (n = 451) with ischemic strokes and OSA (respiratory-event-index, (REI) ≥ 10/hour based on home sleep apnea testing) were identified from the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project. Latent class analysis was performed based on the following variables: age, sex, race/ethnicity, REI, pre-stroke snoring, pre-stroke tiredness/fatigue, pre-stroke sleep duration, prior stroke history, NIHSS at presentation, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure. Results A model with three phenotype clusters provided the best fit. Cluster 1 (n = 55, 12%) was defined by higher NIHSS scores. Participants in cluster 2 (n = 253, 56%) were younger and had relatively low NIHSS scores. Cluster 3 (n = 143, 32%) included participants with severe OSA and higher prevalence of medical comorbidities. Conclusion Ischemic stroke survivors with OSA can be categorized into three clinical phenotype clusters characterized by differences in stroke severity, OSA severity, age and medical comorbidities. This highlights the heterogeneity of post-stroke OSA. Awareness of the different faces of OSA in patients with ischemic stroke may help clinicians identify OSA in their patients, and inform research concerning the pathophysiology, treatment and prognostic impact of post-stroke OSA.
1-Oxo-2-oxa-1-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane: A New Mechanistic Probe for the Basic Hydrolysis of Phosphate Esters

Synthesis of the title compound 2 was accomplished in a multistep sequence starting from hypophosphorous acid. In strong base, the bicyclic phosphinate 2 hydrolyzes 2 orders of magnitude faster than the bicyclic phosphate OP(OCH2)3CCH3 (1a) and the acceleration is entirely enthalpic. This rate enhancement is attributed to the greater ease with which 2 achieves the five-coordinate transition state. The molecular structure of 2, determined by X-ray means, compared with that of 1a reveals no evidence of strain within either bicyclic framework. The observed acceleration does not support the contribution of a stereoelectronic effect in the hydrolysis of six-membered ring phosphates.
The impact of personalized reminders in addition to an automated patient reminder system on pediatric dermatology no-show rates: A pilot study.

We investigated the impact of a personalized telephone call reminder for patients that had not confirmed their clinic appointment, in addition to automated reminders, on monthly no-show rates. Our data revealed a reduction in the monthly no-show rate from 16.0% (SD = 3.91%) before the intervention to 13.1% (SD = 0.27%, P = 0.0997) after the intervention, which was not statistically significant. The standard deviation of the no-show rate with the intervention was reduced, leading to a predictable monthly no-show rate (range 12.93%-13.51%). Thus, the number of patients attending clinic was more predictable. This study highlights the need for additional investigation of factors associated with appointment nonadherence in pediatric dermatology.
A novel unidirectional-valved shunt approach for end-stage pulmonary arterial hypertension: Early experience in adolescents and adults.

Abstract Objectives Despite advances in treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), there remains no medical cure, and patients can experience disease progression leading to right heart failure, progressive exercise intolerance, and death. The reversed Potts shunt (left pulmonary artery to descending aorta) was reintroduced for treatment of end-stage IPAH to permit decompression of the suprasystemic right ventricle by right to left shunting, with preservation of upper body oxygenation. The shunt has the potential to delay the need for lung transplantation and offer a treatment for those who are transplant ineligible. To optimize shunt design and avoid the potential complications of bidirectional shunting, we developed a novel approach using a unidirectional-valved shunt (UVS) in patients with IPAH with suprasystemic pulmonary arterial pressure and poor right ventricular function. Methods A single-center retrospective review was performed of UVS cases done at Columbia University Medical Center–New York Presbyterian between November 1, 2016, and May 1, 2019. Results Five patients (4 female; ages 12-22 years) underwent UVS. All had suprasystemic pulmonary arterial pressure, poor right ventricular function, and World Health Organization functional class IV symptoms at baseline. All patients are alive and transplant-free at latest follow-up (range 3-33 months; median 6 ± 11 months). Conclusions The UVS may offer an alternative solution to lung transplantation in adolescents and young adults with IPAH. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine the ultimate impact of unidirectional unloading of the right ventricle in these patients and to determine whether the UVS will enable a broader approach to the treatment of patients with IPAH.
Landscape memories: Akerman’s sud and the “spectator-environment”

Chantal Akerman’s documentary Sud [South, 1999] investigates the brutal racist murder of James Byrd Jr that took place in Jasper, Texas in 1998. Sud is a socio-political documentary, but it is also...
A Dimeric Structural Scaffold for PRC2-PCL Targeting to CpG Island Chromatin.

Summary Diverse accessory subunits are involved in the recruitment of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to CpG island (CGI) chromatin. Here we report the crystal structure of a SUZ12-RBBP4 complex bound to fragments of the accessory subunits PHF19 and JARID2. Unexpectedly, this complex adopts a dimeric structural architecture, accounting for PRC2 self-association that has long been implicated. The intrinsic PRC2 dimer is formed via domain swapping involving RBBP4 and the unique C2 domain of SUZ12. MTF2 and PHF19 associate with PRC2 at around the dimer interface and stabilize the dimer. Conversely, AEBP2 binding results in a drastic movement of the C2 domain, disrupting the intrinsic PRC2 dimer. PRC2 dimerization enhances CGI DNA binding by PCLs in pairs in vitro, reminiscent of the widespread phenomenon of transcription factor dimerization in active transcription. Loss of PRC2 dimerization impairs histone H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) on chromatin at developmental gene loci in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Use and Perceptions of Opioids Versus Marijuana among Cancer Survivors

Public health concerns regarding opioids and marijuana have implications for their medical use. This study examined use motives and perceived barriers in relation to opioid and marijuana use and interest in use among US adult cancer survivors. Self-administered surveys were distributed using social media to assess use motives and perceived barriers among participants living with cancer. Overall, 40.9% of cancer survivors reported current (past 30-day) use of opioids, 42.5% used marijuana, and 39.7% used both. The most common use motives for either/both drugs were to cope with pain and stress/anxiety (>70%). Highest-rated barriers to using either/both drugs were missing symptoms of worsening illness and not wanting to talk about their symptoms. Controlling for sociodemographics, binary logistic regression indicated that current opioid use was associated with reporting greater barriers to use (OR = 1.17, p = .011; Nagelkerke R-square = .934) and that current marijuana use was associated with reporting greater barriers to use (OR = 1.37, p = .003; Nagelkerke R-square = .921). Cancer survivors report various use motives and barriers to use regarding opioids and marijuana. While use motives and barriers for both drugs were similar, these constructs were differentially associated with use and interest in use across drugs. Understanding patients’ perceptions about opioids and marijuana is an essential component to effectively manage symptoms related to a cancer diagnosis and improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
An End-to-End Process for Local Space Situational Awareness from Optical Observers

This paper presents a generalized method of observation, association, and orbit determination of space objects from one or more observers equipped with optical cameras. The basic steps in the process include image acquisition, image processing, space object identification, tracklet association, and initial and/or precise orbit determination. The first portion of this process is detailed herein (to include object identification), and results are shown and evaluated for representative scenarios. Scenarios presented utilize ground-based optical imagery as a proof of concept for the method outlined.
A Fatal, Post-Intubation, Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Despite the use of safer tubes with high-volume, low-pressure cuffs, post-intubation injury is still the leading cause of benign, acquired, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Cuff pressure, which is their primary pathogenetic driver, is not routinely monitored as a quality metric. To highlight the devastating consequences, we report this case of a fatal, iatrogenic fistula in a 64-year-old Asian male. He had undergone tracheostomy due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and had a series of hospitalizations due to recurrent episodes of pneumonia. A TEF was eventually diagnosed to be the underlying cause. Esophageal stenting was ineffective. We intend to present teaching points aimed at reducing the risk of TEF in ventilator-dependent patients.
A novel preoperative risk score for nonhome discharge after elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Abstract Background Nonhome discharge (NHD) to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility after vascular surgery is poorly described despite its large impact on patients. Understanding postsurgical NHD risk is essential to providing adequate preoperative counseling and shared decision making, particularly for elective surgeries. We aimed to identify independent predictors of NHD after elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and to create a clinically useful preoperative risk score. Methods Elective TEVAR cases for descending TAA were queried from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative from 2014 to 2018. A risk score was created by splitting the dataset into two-thirds for model development and one-third for validation. A parsimonious stepwise hierarchical multivariable logistic regression controlling for hospital level variation was performed in the development dataset, and the beta-coefficients were used to assign points for a risk score. This score was then cross-validated and model performance assessed. Results Overall, 1469 patients were included and 213 (14.5%) required NHD. At baseline, patients who required NHD were more likely to be ≥80 years old (35.2% vs 19.4%), female (58.7% vs 40.6%), functionally dependent (42.3% vs 24.0%), and anemic (46.5% vs 27.8%), and to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (41.3% vs 33.4%), congestive heart failure (18.8% vs 11.1%), and American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥4 (51.6% vs 39.8%; all P Conclusions This novel risk score can predict NHD after TEVAR for TAA using characteristics that can be identified preoperatively. The use of this score may allow for improved risk assessment, preoperative counseling, and shared decision making.
DITTO for Gen Z: A framework for leveraging the uniqueness of the new generation

Abstract Generation Z (or Gen Z) represents 24% of the U.S. population and is very different from earlier generations. A higher proportion of Gen Zers are earning college degrees, and they are now moving to the next phase where they will constitute the predominant majority of the incoming workforce. Gen Z faced an unusual set of technology-driven circumstances while growing up, and thus bring a distinct set of characteristics to the workplace. We offer a new research-based framework—DITTO, which encapsulates specific recommendations for organizations on diversity, individualism and teamwork, technology, and organizational supports. DITTO serves as a useful mnemonic to help managers recall specific ways to support Gen Zers and leverages the strengths of Gen Zers to benefit the organization and the workforce. Research shows that Gen Zers bring unique characteristics to the workplace, such as being more open to diversity and more individualistic and technology-driven than other generations. To the extent that companies use the DITTO framework, the more attractive they should be to Gen Z workers; but the principles of this framework also extend beyond Gen Zers to existing workforce with similar efficacy—and hence the DITTO moniker—and should accordingly lead to increased productivity and competitive advantage.
The role of mound functions and local environment in the diversity of termite mound structures

Mound structures that soil termites build have diverse morphologies. Previous observational studies documented that mounds are built to provide regulated environments for the termites that live within them and their structures are formed in ways to support this purpose under the influence of the mounds' immediate environment. The objective of this study is to provide a methodology and a predictive computational model to investigate the reason behind the different but systematic shapes of termite mounds, considering all the relevant forces imposed on them and their thermoregulatory and gas-exchange functions. The gas-exchange function accounts for the capacity of the mound to diffuse metabolic gases generated in the mound's underground nest, while the thermoregulatory function satisfies the connection between the underground nest and deep ground temperatures. The proposed predictive model is based on the principles of heat transfer and thermodynamics and allows optimized mechanically stable structures to freely emerge. The results indicate that, while the model is free to generate any mechanically stable structure, under the relevant environmental and metabolic conditions, it produces structures with forms and geometrical characteristics similar to those of natural mounds. Investigation of the connection between the local environment and the mound shapes indicated that the Sun and wind play an important role in the mound structural form. Mounds exposed to stronger solar irradiance exhibit cone-shaped structures that are pointed towards the Sun, while shaded mounds are observed to be vertical domes. The local wind is observed to affect the external shape of the mound by preventing them to grow tall while controlling the features of the internal structure. By investigating the similarities between structures in different regions (i.e., India, Namibia, and Brazil), it is revealed that, unlike mounds with a strong need for gas-exchange, mounds with a significant demand for thermoregulation exhibit deeper nests, thicker external walls, and well-defined cone- (as opposed to the dome-) shaped structures. Overall, the form of termite mounds is strongly correlated to both regulatory functions and local environments, and the resulting mound shape arises as a combination of these factors.
Gossip: More than just trash talk.

Summary Think gossip is just trash talk? Think again. A new study shows that gossip influences behavior, fosters cooperation, and increases group affiliation.
Extraction of Coupling Coefficient for Coherent 2x1 VCSEL Array

The coupling coefficient of a 2x1 optically coherent microcavity laser array can be experimentally determined. We show the extracted coupling coefficient varies for arrays depending on in-phase or out-of-phase coherent operation, in agreement with theory.
Furfural and hydrogen production from corncob via tandem chemical and electrochemical approach

Abstract Furfural and hydrogen co-production from raw corncob was demonstrated via the tandem chemical/electrochemical route. The operating conditions for furfural production were optimized with AlCl3 catalyst in a water/CPME biphasic system. A high furfural yield (85%) was obtained via chemical conversion by implementing an AlCl3 catalyst in a biphasic solvent system. The furfural waste from the chemical conversion was electrochemically upgraded into hydrogen with a 0.48% weight yield implementing a FeCl3 electrochemical mediator. The energy consumption for hydrogen evolution from waste furfural residue is 50% lower than water electrolysis. The facts indicate that a novel and promising method for the co-production of furfural and hydrogen from renewable biomass is developed.
The Role of Veterinarians in Mass Casualty Disasters: A Continuing Need for Integration to Disaster Management

The need to prepare veterinarians to serve as part of the disaster medical response for mass casualty incidents has been recognized since at least the 1960's. The potential value of incorporating veterinarians for mass casualty disaster response has been noted by organizations throughout the world. Clinical veterinarians are highly trained medical professionals with access to equipment, medications, and treatment capabilities that can be leveraged in times of crisis. The ongoing threat of disasters with the current widespread healthcare access barriers requires the disaster management community to address the ethical constraints, training deficiencies and legal limitations for veterinary medical response to mass casualty disasters. An ethical imperative exists for veterinarians with translatable clinical skills to provide care to humans in the event of a mass casualty disaster with insufficient alternative traditional medical resources. Though this imperative exists, there is no established training mechanism to prepare veterinarians for the provision of emergency medical care to humans. In addition, the lack of clear guidance regarding what legal protections exist for voluntary responders persists as a barrier to rapid and effective response of veterinarians to mass casualty disasters. Measures need to be undertaken at all levels of government to address and remove the barriers. Failure to do so reduces potentially available medical resources available to an already strained medical system during mass casualty events.
Transcriptome profiling reveals sex-specific gene expressions in pupal and adult stages of the mosquito Culex pipiens

Understanding the development process of male and female mosquitoes provides important basic information for sterile insect release programmes and is important for improving other vector control strategies. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that distinguish male from female-specific developmental processes in this species. We used IlluminaRNA-seq to identify sex-specific genes during pupal and adult stages. One hundred and forty-seven genes were expressed only in pupal males, 56 genes were expressed in adult males and another 82 genes were commonly expressed in both male samples. In addition, 26 genes were expressed only in the pupal females, 163 genes were found in the adult females and only one gene was expressed in both female samples. A further quantitative real-time PCR validation of selected genes from the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis confirmed upregulation of those genes in a sex-specific manner, including: fibrinogen and fibronectin, a zinc finger protein, phospholipase A(2) and a serine protein for female pupae; venom allergen 3, a perlecan, testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 1, testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 6 and cytochrome c-2 for male pupae; a salivary protein, D7 protein precursor, trypsin 7 precursor, D7 protein and nanos for female adults; and tetraspanin F139, cytosol aminopeptidase, testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 1, a testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 6 and a C-type lectin for male adults. These findings provide insight into the development and physiology of Culex mosquitoes, which will help in the development of more effective control methods for these disease vectors.