cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of growth deficiency in rats exposed in utero to undernutrition, ethanol, or the neuroteratogen methylazoxymethanol (MAM)

Children and experimental animals exposed to ethanol (EtOH) in utero commonly have low birthweights, and many remain small at maturity. Low body weight or small stature in adulthood may reflect an inability to recover from in utero growth retardation, or it may reflect a separate, postnatal growth deficiency. In this study, daily body weights (postnatal days 1 to 60) were compared among the offspring of the following groups of Long Evans rats: dams fed liquid diet containing 35% EtOH-derived calories; their pair-fed and chow-fed controls; and dams exposed to methylazoxymethanol (MAM) in two previous studies, in which offspring exhibited reduced numbers of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) neurons. All treatments produced a number of offspring with weight deficits beginning after birth and persisting into maturity. Three distinct patterns of growth deficiency were observed: (1) weight loss relative to controls in the first weeks of life, seen in offspring exposed to EtOH, pair feeding, or MAM on gestation day 13 (G13); (2) a delay in the onset of the prepubertal growth spurt, seen in all EtOH-exposed offspring and in G13 MAM-exposed dwarfs; and (3) failure to sustain the prepubertal growth spurt, seen only after exposure to MAM on G14. The results of this study support the view that prenatal EtOH exposure is capable of affecting postnatal growth specifically; moreover, the pattern of growth deficiency seen in EtOH-exposed offspring was distinct from that of the undernourished offspring of pair-fed dams.
Newton’s Algorithms

In the absence of any inequality constraints 91 on the design parameters z, the shape optimization problem (Ph) introduced in the first chapter reduces to the constrained minimization problem $$\mathop {\min }\limits_{z \in {\mathbb{R}^n},{h_i}\left( z \right) = 0} j\left( z \right)$$ (3.1)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Diagnosis with Polysomnography and Portable Monitors

Definition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is the leading cause of referral to sleep laboratories worldwide, accounting for at least 75–80% of diagnoses [1, 2]. In the last few decades, there have been considerable advances in knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and the impact of OSA on personal as well as public health of OSA since the disease terminology was first coined. The current definitions of sleep apnea are not uniform, but most of them attempt to characterize the frequency of sleep-disordered breathing events (e.g., AHI “Apnea–Hypopnea Index” or RDI “Respiratory Disturbance Index”) along with the severity (e.g., oxygen desaturation) of each event (e.g., complete (apnea) and partial (hypopnea) cessation of breathing during sleep) [2].
Hybrid Motion Planning Using Minkowski Sums

Probabilistic and deterministic planners are two major approximate-based frameworks for solving motion planning problems. Both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages. In this work, we provide an investigation to the following question: Is there a planner that can take the advantages from both probabilistic and deterministic planners? Our strategy to achieve this goal is to use the point-based Minkowski sum of the robot and the obstacles in workspace. Our experimental results show that our new method, called M-sum planner, which uses the geometric properties of Minkowski sum to solve motion planning problems, provides advantages over the existing probabilistic or deterministic planners. In particular, Msum planner is significantly more efficient than the Probabilistic Roadmap Methods (PRMs) and its variants for problems that can be solved by reusing configurations.
Modeling for the equitable and effective distribution of donated food under capacity constraints

AbstractMathematical models are presented and analyzed to facilitate a food bank's equitable and effective distribution of donated food among a population at risk for hunger. Typically exceeding the donated supply, demand is proportional to the poverty population within the food bank's service area. The food bank seeks to ensure a perfectly equitable distribution of food; i.e., each county in the service area should receive a food allocation that is exactly proportional to the county's demand such that no county is at a disadvantage compared to any other county. This objective often conflicts with the goal of maximizing effectiveness by minimizing the amount of undistributed food. Deterministic network-flow models are developed to minimize the amount of undistributed food while maintaining a user-specified upper bound on the absolute deviation of each county from a perfectly equitable distribution. An extension of this model identifies optimal policies for the allocation of additional receiving capacity t...
Impact of maternal knowledge of recommended weight gain in pregnancy on gestational weight gain.

Background Obesity is prevalent among reproductive-aged women and is associated with increased obstetric complications. Weight gain recommendations exist; however, knowledge of these recommendations is low, and few women gain appropriate weight during their pregnancies. Excessive gestational weight gain is common and is associated with adverse outcomes. Little is known about the relationship between knowledge of gestational weight gain recommendations and actual weight gain. Objectives Our objectives were to assess knowledge of weight gain recommendations in pregnancy and to determine its association with actual weight gain among women who seek care at an urban, regional perinatal center. We hypothesize that low levels of knowledge will predict inappropriate weight gain in this population. Study Design This is a cross-sectional study with linked chart review of 338 women who sought routine obstetric ultrasound scans at an urban, regional perinatal center that serves a largely low-income population of predominately black women. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and analysis of variance were performed. Results This population has low rates of accurate knowledge of weight gain recommendations in pregnancy (27%) and low rates of appropriate gestational weight gain (30%). Inappropriate gestational weight gain was highest among women who were obese before pregnancy. Accurate knowledge of gestational weight gain recommendations was associated with appropriate weight gain in pregnancy ( P = .02), as was prepregnancy weight category ( P = .004) and correct identification of prepregnancy weight category ( P = .005). Conclusion These findings support the need for improvements in educational efforts about weight gain in pregnancy for high-risk, low-income women in an urban setting, which may improve compliance with the recommendations.
Rhetoric and the Social Construction of Sickness and Healing

An important element in recent science studies has been the analysis of the social rhetoric involved in the construction of disciplines and knowledge. An explicit use of rhetorical and semiotic frames of reference would illuminate many aspects of the history of medicine and could provide a unifying framework for the field. Medical theories were always intended for use and therefore had to be plausible in the eyes of patients. The interpretation of signs and the construction of explanations lie at the heart of diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. These are usually interactive processes and the efficacy of medical interventions therefore depends upon meaning, narrative and persuasion. Since mental processes are not rigidly separated from bodily functions, trust and expectation have physiological effects that are required for successful healing in all cultures at all times. The conduct of patients and practitioners always turns on the expectation of cure and the establishment of confidence. The efficacy of rhetoric was more readily recognized by practitioners in the past than it has been by social historians of medicine. Once mind-body dualism has been discarded, it can be seen that historians are not studying the context of healing but its very heart.
Abstract B1-01: Whole genome expression based drug repurposing

Currently, personalizing cancer chemotherapy relies on pathology and more recently molecular biomarker-based approaches. However, as the driving biology is normally not fully understood, the majority of existing biomarkers do not capture a substantial proportion of variability in drug response. This partly explains the commonly observed lack of reproducibility of findings (e.g. from many conventional gene expression signatures) when these markers are applied to new datasets. We developed an approach to predict in vivo drug sensitivity that leverages whole-genome gene expression microarray data and allows the expression of every gene to influence the prediction by a small amount. Our approach builds statistical models from gene expression and drug sensitivity data in a very large panel of cell lines, then applies these models to gene expression data from primary tumor biopsies. In this study, we applied this approach to tumor samples collected in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We derived predicted sensitivity for over one hundred drugs in each of the tumor samples. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrated that a targeting agent (lapatinib) designed against a specific tumor marker (HER2 positive) is indeed predicted to be more sensitive in HER2 positive breast cancers when compared to the other type of cancers. Meanwhile, we identified other agents that exhibit similar or superior sensitivity when compared to commonly prescribed agents in different disease settings. These findings warrant further evaluation of these agents to be repurposed for possible new indications. Interestingly, some of our derived drug sensitivity predictive estimates are correlated with observed survival outcomes in certain cancer patients. When screening all tumor types based on their molecular profiles, we defined several classes of drugs that maybe differentially effective based on tumor molecular profiles. In conclusion, a genome-wide expression drug sensitivity model built in cell lines can be a powerful approach in repurposing drug in cancer treatment. Citation Format: Paul Geeleher, Steven Bhutra, Jacqueline Wang, R. Stephanie Huang. Whole genome expression based drug repurposing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Computational and Systems Biology of Cancer; Feb 8-11 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 2):Abstract nr B1-01.
Passivation coating on electrospun copper nanofibers for stable transparent electrodes.

Copper nanofiber networks, which possess the advantages of low cost, moderate flexibility, small sheet resistance, and high transmittance, are one of the most promising candidates to replace indium tin oxide films as the premier transparent electrode. However, the chemical activity of copper nanofibers causes a substantial increase in the sheet resistance after thermal oxidation or chemical corrosion of the nanofibers. In this work, we utilize atomic layer deposition to coat a passivation layer of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and aluminum oxide onto electrospun copper nanofibers and remarkably enhance their durability. Our AZO–copper nanofibers show resistance increase of remarkably only 10% after thermal oxidation at 160 °C in dry air and 80 °C in humid air with 80% relative humidity, whereas bare copper nanofibers quickly become insulating. In addition, the coating and baking of the acidic PEDOT:PSS layer on our fibers increases the sheet resistance of bare copper nanofibers by 6 orders of magnitude,...
Parental involvement, children's aspirations, and achievement in new immigrant families

ABSTRACTThe authors investigated the relationships among multiple aspects of parental involvement (English proficiency, school involvement, control and monitoring of children), children's aspirations, and achievement in new immigrant families in the United States. They used data on immigrant parents and school-age children (N = 1,255) from the New Immigrant Survey to examine immigrant families from diverse backgrounds. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that parental English proficiency and involvement in school education are related to children's academic achievement, cognitive development, and English language ability, directly as well as indirectly, through children's educational aspirations. Parental control and monitoring is not beneficial to immigrant children's cognitive development, although variations were found across different groups. They also observed intriguing findings regarding gender and racial or ethnic diversity. Based on their findings, they provide recommendations for the ...
Survey of Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Rate and HBV Infection Rate among Primary and Secondary School Students in Shuyang County of Jiangsu Province

[Objective]To understand the Hepatitis B vaccine coverage rate and HBV infection levels among primary and secondary school students,to investigate the Immune effect and endurance of hepatitis B vaccine,and provide evidence for developing hepatitis B control measures for other population.[Methods]Immunization history of hepatitis B among primary and secondary school students and their HBV serum markers detection were investigated and compared.[Results]Hepatitis B vaccine coverage rate was 84.79%,booster immunization rate was 41.60%,1.66% had not been vaccinated,the coverage rate decreased with age increasing;HBsAg positive rate was 2.67% which increased with age increasing;the positive rate of anti-HBs was 55.66% which decreased with age increasing;HBsAg positive rate was inversely proportional to inoculation times,while the positive rate of anti-HBs was on the contrary.[Conclusion]Hepatitis B vaccination is an effective means of HBV infection control,Booster immunization should be carried out regularly on the basis of improving coverage rate of initial immunization
The Application and Analysis of the Running Condition Tracking and Analyzing System of Gateway Electric Energy Measurement Device

The system construction, main monitoring function and technology used were introduced in this paper, and the application examples were given. The effect of application in reality and system characters were also analyzed. Meanwhile, improving suggestions were proposed .
Exercising the Right to Vote

One of the newest methods of mobilizing citizens to the polls appears to be “vote shaming.” An example is from the former editor of an online newsletter for election scholars and election administrators across the country. “In his mailbox was an official-looking document detailing his voting history and comparing his voting history to his neighbors’.” The election guru was rather indignant about this piece of campaign mail because his voting “grade” was not as high as his neighbors’ grades because he had recently moved. He was quoted as saying: I got one out of four bars, when, honestly, I’m [a] super voter. I vote in regional, local, national, any election you hold, I’ll vote in it. Because I moved in 2011, my federal election records indicate that, in [my new home], I voted in the November 2012 election and that’s it. But that’s completely wrong. I voted in every federal election since 1990.1
Abstract 156: Enhancing QRS Detection Using the Automated Electrocardiogram Selection of Peaks (AESOP) Algorithm

Background: Real-time heart-rate-complexity and -variability (HRC, HRV) analysis in critically ill or injured patients will require accurate, automated detection of QRS complexes. Despite the fact that numerous QRS detection algorithms now exist, accurate detection remains a practical challenge. Through machine learning and fusion, we combined the strengths of several best QRS detection algorithms in order to develop a more optimal real-time solution to the QRS detection problem. Methods: We implemented several best QRS detection algorithms — Hamilton-Tompkins, Afonso-Tompkins-Nguyen-Luo, Suppappola-Sun, and Christov algorithms — in software, and applied machine learning in order to fuse their outputs. Fusion commences with these 4 algorithms as inputs and returns final decisions as outputs in approximate real time. Central to the fusion scheme, the algorithm selects the mode R-R interval (RRI), or, alternatively, the RRI closest to the mean value of the previous 7 RRIs within a given time frame. We call this fusion process and resulting algorithm the Automated Electrocardiogram Selection of Peaks (AESOP) algorithm. We validated all results by testing records against human-verified RRIs, and consequently, R wave peaks. Results: Our algorithm required less than 6 seconds to analyze one half-hour record of the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database on an Intel® Core™ Duo CPU E7500 at 2.93 GHz. For 48 records in this database, the AESOP algorithm achieved a sensitivity ( Se ) of 93.8% and a positive predictive value ( +P ) of 97.5%, thereby outperforming each of its component algorithms. In addition, for 60 trauma patient records produced at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR), the AESOP algorithm achieved an overall Se of 99.2% and a +P of 99.4%. Conclusions: By fusing several best QRS detection algorithms, AESOP employs the strengths of each algorithm and develops a more robust and optimal real-time solution to the problem of detecting QRS complexes within an ECG signal, especially in an ambulatory or hospital environment. Following validation in larger patient datasets, AESOP will now be integrated into a real-time HRC and HRV software program for decision support and triage in critically ill and trauma patients.
The Records of Mazu and the Making of Classical Chan Literature

This book examines and translates extant records about the life, teachings, and legacy of Mazu Daoyi 馬祖道一(709–788), the famous leader of the Hongzhou 洪州 school of Chan Buddhism. The work represents...
An Alternative Splice Variant of Chloride Intracellular Channel 5 Protein, (CLIC5B) Regulates Cardiac Mitochondrial Localization and Function of CLIC5

Mitochondrial bioenergetics is critical for the cell survival. Mitochondrial ion channels like BKCa and KATP play a significant role in cardio-protection from ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury possibly by modulating the mitochondrial physiology. Interestingly, inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) channels lack canonical mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) but localize to mitochondria. In case of mitoBKCa, a c-terminal splice variant, DEC, (BKCa-DEC) was reported to target BKCa to mitochondria of adult cardiomyocytes.
Abstract B11: Label-free hyperspectral microscopy detects alterations in nanoscale cellular structure with high temporal resolution

We have previously shown that analysis of the spectral variance of a reflected light microscope image allows direct study of cellular nanoscale organization through a technique called Partial Wave Spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy. This information is produced by measuring the spectral variations in light scattering to quantify the refractive index fluctuations, which reflect the distribution of macromolecular structures, within a biological sample with length scale sensitivity on the order of 20-200nm. Previously, this approach has been used for the early detection of tumors and the structure-function study of chromatin changes in cells. Here we present a state-of-the-art system utilizing this spectroscopic principle to develop a label-free, live-cell light microscopy imaging method capable of sensing temporal changes in the nanoscale structural organization of live cells called Live-cell PWS microscopy. This system is built into a commercial epi-fluorescence live-cell microscope and data is acquired using a hyperspectral camera (IMEC), which simultaneously collects 16 spectral bands in the visible spectrum with each exposure at rates up to ~100 frames per second. In addition, the design of this instrument allows simultaneous phase contrast and hyperspectral nanoscopic measurements. Phase contrast data can be acquired simultaneously with the hyperspectral data by providing phase contrast transmission illumination within one of the cameras 16 collection bands and using a corresponding notch filter for that band on the epi-illumination source. Calculating the spectral variance of each hyperspectral data cube yields images with label-free contrast of the cells where the intensity corresponds to the heterogeneity of nanoscale macromolecular organization within each diffraction limited voxel. Using this configuration, we can simultaneously acquire both phase contrast and the nanoscale sensitive hyperspectral videos of rapidly evolving structural changes in live cells without the need of any exogenous labels. To demonstrate the unique capabilities of this system, we perform a range of experiments to induce changes in cellular ultrastructure at rapid time-scales. In this work, we will show the changes in the cellular nanoarchitecture upon (1) addition of a glucose to live HeLa cells, (2) during chemical fixation by paraformaldehyde, and (3) upon cell exposure to UV-radiation. In these experiments, we observed immediate ( Citation Format: John E. Chandler, Luay M. Almassalha, Vadim Backman. Label-free hyperspectral microscopy detects alterations in nanoscale cellular structure with high temporal resolution. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Engineering and Physical Sciences in Oncology; 2016 Jun 25-28; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B11.
Implementation of the Scanning Tomographic Acoustic Microscope for Multiple-Angle Tomography

In a recent paper we presented the formulation of multiple-frequency tomography with the Scanning Tomographic Acoustic Microscope (STAM) [1]. Because of the limited range of frequencies available, the STAM is not ideally suited for multiple-frequency tomography. In this paper we review the tomographic reconstruction algorithm and present the implementation of multiple-angle tomography. In addition to the projecdon phase correction required for multiple-frequency tomography [1], multiple-angle tomography also requires registration and alignment of the tomographic projections. By addressing the projection phase error and alignment problems, we have successfully implemented the STAM for multiple-angle tomography, and experimental reconstructions of a two-layer specimen are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and capability of the STAM.
Microfluidics for investigating vaso-occlusions in sickle cell disease

SCD stems from amutation in the beta globin gene. Upon deoxygenation, hemoglobin polymerizes and triggers RBC remodeling. This phenomenon is central to SCD pathogenesis as individuals suffering from the disease are plagued by painful vaso-occlusive crises episodes. These episodes are the result of a combination of processes including inflammation, thrombosis, and blood cell adhesion to the vascular wall which leads to blockages within the vasculature termed vaso-occlusions. Vaso-occlusive episodes deprive tissues of oxygen and are a major contributor to SCD-related complications; unfortunately, the complex mechanisms that contribute to vaso-occlusions are not well understood. Vaso-occlusions can occur in post-capillary venules; hence, the microvasculature is a prime target for SCD therapies. Traditional in vitro systems poorly recapitulate architectural and dynamic flow properties of in vivo systems. However, microfluidic devices can capture features of the native vasculature such as cellular composition, flow, geometry, and ECM presentation. This review, although not comprehensive, highlights microfluidic approaches that aim to improve our current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms surrounding SCD. Microfluidic platforms can aid in identifying factors that may contribute to disease severity and can serve as suitable test beds for novel treatment strategies which may improve patient outcomes.
Discrete Frequency Formats for Linear Differential System Identification

Abstract The classical Shinbrot method of moment functionals is reexamined for linear differential system identification using explicitly defined Fourier modulating functions. It is shown that a discrete frequency format attends the following least squares formulations: (i) the parametric identification problem for single input single output systems, with consideration given to both time-invariant and time-varying models, and (ii) the nonparametric frequency transfer function identification problem for multivariable systems. The algorithms are demonstrated to be robust in the presence of white measurement noises, and a comparison is made via simulation with the prediction error method for parameter identification.
Fatigue Detection Model for Older Adults Using Eye-Tracking Data Gathered While Watching Video: Evaluation Against Diverse Fatiguing Tasks

Monitoring mental fatigue has become important for improving cognitive performance and health outcomes especially for older adults. Previous models using eye-tracking data allow inference of fatigue during cognitive tasks, such as driving, but they require us to engage in specific cognitive tasks. A model capable of inferring fatigue in natural-viewing situations when individuals are not performing cognitive tasks would help monitor mental fatigue in everyday situations. Moreover, although eyetracking measures exhibit age-related changes, previous models were mainly tested by user groups that did not include older adults. Here, we present a fatigue-detection model including (i) novel feature sets to better capture mental fatigue in naturalviewing situations and (ii) multiple fatigue-detection classifiers of each estimated age group to make it robust to the target’s age. To test our model, we collected eye-tracking data from younger and older adults as they watched video clips before and after performing cognitive tasks. Our model improved accuracy by up to 22.3% compared with a model based on the previous studies, and it achieved 99.4% accuracy. Furthermore, after it was trained using the eye-tracking data before and after cognitive tasks, our model could detect increased mental fatigue of full-time workers after their work with 92.6% accuracy.
“Quelque chose de noir:” Depicting the Petit Savoyard

In July 2015, at the height of the European migrant crisis, the text of a mid-nineteenth-century anti-Savoyard propaganda poster was published in a blog post on the independent news investigation w...
Pertussis and patient safety: implementing Tdap vaccine recommendations in hospitals.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Despite the availability of pediatric vaccines against pertussis ("whooping cough"), the disease is poorly controlled. Adolescents and adults with waning immunity, especially immediate family members, are responsible for 76%–83% of pertussis transmission to infants. Adolescent/adult tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster vaccines were licensed in the United States in 2005, but their use has been low and hospitals' implementation of immunization recommendations suboptimal. Efforts were implemented at two hospitals in Chicago to increase postpartum use of Tdap vaccine and to replace the tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) booster with Tdap vaccine in emergency department (ED) settings. Postpartum Pertussis Vaccination Program at Prentice Women’s Hospital In the program's first 18 months (June 2008–November 2009) 9,540 doses of Tdap vaccine were administered to 78.87% of the postpartum patients. Children’s Memorial Hospital: Tdap Use in Emergency Settings In 2007, uptake of Tdap was slow. During 2008, of 43 ED patients receiving a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine as part of wound management, 10 were given Tdap (20 had previously received a dose of Tdap vaccine). Conclusions Hospital-based Tdap initiatives in postpartum and ED settings can be successfully implemented, provided that support is obtained not only from key decision makers at the hospital but also the health care providers who will be directly involved in implementing those initiatives. It is imperative that hospitals implement programs that increase the use of Tdap vaccine among postpartum women, in emergency settings, and among health carepersonnel.
Flawed Convictions: 'Shaken Baby Syndrome' and the Inertia of Injustice: Introduction

The emergence of "Shaken Baby Syndrome" presents an object lesson in the dangers that lie at the intersection of science and criminal law. As often occurs in the context of scientific knowledge, understandings of SBS have evolved. We now know that the diagnostic triad — the three neurological symptoms once equated with guilt — does not itself prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an infant was abused nor that the last person with the baby was responsible for the baby’s condition. Nevertheless, our legal system has failed to absorb this new consensus. As a result, innocent parents and caregivers remain incarcerated and, perhaps more perplexingly, triad-based prosecutions continue even to this day.This is the CONTENTS and INTRODUCTION to "Flawed Convictions: 'Shaken Baby Syndrome' and the Inertia of Injustice" (Oxford University Press, April 2014). "Flawed Convictions" surveys the scientific, cultural, and legal history of SBS from inception to formal dissolution, exposing extraordinary failings in the criminal justice system’s treatment of what is, in essence, a medical diagnosis of murder. The story of SBS highlights fundamental inadequacies in the legal response to science-dependent prosecution. "Flawed Convictions" proposes a restructuring of the law that confronts the uncertainty of scientific knowledge.
Perspective from grad school: Am I happy?

I walk by a mural of a flowchart that starts with this question. It’s on the way from my parked car to my lab. I see it every single day: “Are you happy?” I am anxious because my experiments failed again yesterday and I have a meeting with my PI today. And crap, I forgot I have homework to do for a class I don’t really need but is required by my National Institutes of Health training grant. Whew. I’m going to go with no, I’m not happy. So on the mural, I follow an arrow with a “no” next to it that leads from the first bubble to the next one: “Change something.” What can I change? I could go to lab more. I could master out of the program and find a job. I could chase another dream. But I do go to lab every day possible without
Lower levels of education and household income mediate lower dental care utilization among survivors of early life cancers.

This study was an examination of dental care utilization among survivors of early life cancers (cancer diagnosis at 20 years of age or younger) and the extent to which socio-economic factors may present a barrier to care. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2016 (n = 28,640). Survey-weighted regression models were used to evaluate associations between early life cancers and subsequent frequency of dental care as adults. A mediation analysis was conducted to test education and household income as potential mediators of this association using a non-parametric bootstrap approach. Early life cancers were associated with a significant decrease in dental care utilization as adults (OR:0.459, 95%CI:(0.226, 0.935)). This diminished utilization was particularly pronounced with survivors in their 20s and 30s. Over time dental care utilization began a slow recovery. The association between early cancer and level of education was estimated to be negative but did not reach statistical significance (OR:0.739, 95%CI:(0.503, 1.086), p = 0.123). Survivors of early life cancers were less likely to be in a higher income bracket (OR:0.663, 95%CI:(0.452, 0.973), p = 0.036)). Decreases in education and household income (p < 0.001) mediated the association between early cancers and lower dental utilization. This pathway accounted for 41.7% (95%CI:(14.1%, 50.6%)) of the association. Survivors of early life cancers did not utilize professional oral health care at a rate commensurate with their risk of dental disease. Providers involved in the long-term care should promote routine dental maintenance. Further study into non-economic barriers in this population is warranted.
Anaemia and blood transfusion: incorporating patient blood management

Abstract Both red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and anaemia or low haematocrit increase morbidity and mortality associated with surgery. Chronic anaemia in the elective patient carries a small risk in non-haemorrhagic surgery. Where bleeding is anticipated anaemia should be treated medically to avoid (RBC) transfusion which will increase the risk to the patient. Major bleeding (MB) has the biggest impact on adverse outcomes. Acute anaemia is caused by surgical bleeding and requires RBC transfusion to keep the haematocrit (Hct) above 21% and haemoglobin (Hb) above 7 g/dl in patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) and between Hct 24–27% or Hb >8 g/dl in patients with CAD. Having a patient blood management programme can mitigate the problem. Medical, surgical and anaesthetic planning are paramount to avoid bleeding and transfusion which together have a significant impact on adverse outcomes for the patient.
Use of the ANP methodology to prioritize rural development strategies under the LEADER approach in protected areas. The case of Lagodekhi, Georgia

Abstract The prioritization of rural development strategies under the rural territorial development approach according to the European Union’s LEADER methodology, especially in protected natural environments, presents a certain degree of complexity due to its multiple and opposed co-existing objectives and the necessity of the local population’s participation in decision-making. However, LEADER does not clearly propose a prioritization methodology beyond simple scoring methods. The objective of this study is to compare the results of an unsophisticated prioritization with the ANP multicriteria methodology in the case of the municipality of Lagodekhi, Georgia, where there is a specially protected area and where the LEADER approach is being applied for the strategic planning of rural development. The ANP methodology, compared to a less sophisticated method, demonstrably better adapts to the LEADER approach in protected areas because it allows for a clearer and more consistent prioritization of the need for environmental protection and effectively compiles the interactions between the different economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development.
Contemporary challenges of teaching education: communicative competence and universal geoethics principles

In the public space of the theoretical renewed discourses, the geographic knowledge expands itself from the university world for the school world, with criticism as a key word of the teacher education. Thus, the objective of this paper is to discuss the challenges of teacher education, particularly the one of the teacher of Geography, based on the concepts of communicative competence and universal ethical principles, from the theory of communicative action of Jurgen Habermas. It started from our experience as a professor in Geography College, when questioning the reason for the low participation of undergraduates in establishing a dialogue or an argumentative discourse in the classroom. From the literature review, we identified the current predominant themes in geographic education on the education of teachers in Geography. It was observed the domain of the themes: researcher teacher and citizenship. An understanding of professional and human formal education is defended, associated to the action, around universal ethical principles of geographic base.
Outcomes of Primary and Secondary Prophylaxis of Chemotherapy Induced and Febrile Neutropenia (CIN/FN) in Bendamustine Plus Rituximab (BR) Regimens in Patients with Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Real-World, Single-Center Experience

Introduction: Granulocyte stimulating growth factors (G-CSF) such as filgrastim or pegfilgrastim are indicated as prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) and febrile neutropenia (FN). BR regimen is considered an intermediate FN risk (10-20%) per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Therefore, patients receiving BR need to be assessed using patient specific risk factors to evaluate the need for primary prophylaxis. This study evaluates real-world patterns and outcomes associated with primary and secondary G-CSF prophylaxis in patients with B-cell lymphoma and CLL treated with BR. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all lymphoma or CLL patients treated with BR from 11/2013 through 6/2019 at the University of Arizona Cancer Center was conducted. Baseline demographic and chemotherapy cycle data was analyzed through Chi-Squared test and Unpaired t-test with a-priori p-value of 0.05 being considered statistically significant. Results: Eighty-five patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 48 received G-CSF during all chemotherapy cycles for primary prophylaxis while 37 received G-CSF only for secondary prophylaxis. Same-day pegfilgrastim compared to next-day pegfilgrastim or filgrastim was the most common G-CSF dosing utilized with primary and secondary prophylaxis patients receiving it (87.5%, 94.6%) respectively. As shown in Table, primary and secondary prophylaxis groups were similar on baseline characteristics (p>0.05); the primary outcome of FN (p>0.05); all secondary outcomes (p>0.05) except for a higher frequency of dose delays in secondary (37.8%) vs primary prophylaxis patients (14.6%; p=0.01); and mean absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) in all cycles (p>0.05) except for cycles 3 and 5. Higher ANC levels were found in primary prophylaxis patients (4.06+0.43) vs secondary prophylaxis (3.03+0.30; p=0.03) for cycle 3 and (3.57+0.25) vs (2.88+0.26; p=0.03) for cycle 5. Conclusion: In this single-center retrospective study, BR-treated lymphoma and CLL patients receiving primary vs secondary with G-CSF showed similar outcomes except, notably, for chemotherapy dose delays that may put secondary patients at risk for poor treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of primary vs secondary prophylaxis on chemotherapy treatment outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (205KB) Download : Download full-size image Table . Disclosures Persky: Sandoz: Consultancy; Debiopharm: Other: Member, Independent Data Monitoring Committee; Bayer: Consultancy; Morphosys: Other: Member, Independent Data Monitoring Committee. McBride: Sanofi Genzyme: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; teva: Consultancy.
A Survey of Structural Firefighter Station Wear in the United States

Structural turnout gear is essential for the safety of firefighters. The station wear, or clothing worn underneath the structural turnout suit, contributes to the thermal protection and performance of the overall ensemble. Depending on the fiber content and material fabrication, base layer garments may increase the risk of potential burn injuries. The purpose of this research was to evaluate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1975 certified, certified flame resistant, and non-certified station wear garments in relation to firefighter burn injuries while worn under a NFPA 1971 structural firefighting ensemble. An information-gathering questionnaire was distributed nationwide with over 1800 active-duty United States firefighting personnel responding to questions regarding the selection and use of their station wear. Responses concerning the thermoplastic nature of base layer materials, the design and configuration of how base layers are worn, and the overall satisfaction with the performance of certified versus non-certified station wear were gathered. Questionnaire responses determined 80% of participants were aware of the overall risk of wearing non-certified base layer garments (i.e. synthetics that will melt or drip); however, 45% of career firefighters indicated they were not required to wear certified or flame resistant station wear. Regional analysis of the responses was performed. Findings of this research will educate the fire service and inform NFPA standards committees. Further, this study supports the need for future research to develop station wear garments with improved burn injury protection, thermal comfort, and ergonomic mobility.
Elite Intratumoral T-cell Clonotypes (The 1%) Effect "Trickle-Down Cytotoxicity".

Careful study of T-cell clonal dynamics in patients with non–small cell lung cancer treated with neoadjuvant nivolumab suggests that successful trafficking of clones from a proliferative burst in the periphery to the tumor associates with major pathologic response. Integration of these findings with functional analysis may augment current therapeutic strategies. See related article by Zhang et al., p. 1327
Voice Transformation Using Two-Level Dynamic Warping

Voice transformation, for example, from a male speaker to a female speaker, is achieved here using a two-level dynamic warping. An outer warping process, which temporally aligns blocks of speech (dynamic time warp), invokes an inner warping process, which spectrally aligns based on magnitude spectra (dynamic frequency warp). The mapping function produced by the dynamic frequency warp is used to move spectral information from a source speaker to a target speaker. Information obtained by this process is used to train an artificial neural network to produce spectral warping output information based on spectral input data.
Size Effect in Pd-Ir Core-Shell Nanoparticles as Nanozymes.

Comprehensive studies on the size effect in nanozyme (i. e., nanomaterials with enzyme-like activities)-based catalysis have rarely been reported. In this work, we systematically investigated the size effect in nanozymes by using Pd-Ir core-shell nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activities as a model system. Pd-Ir nanoparticles with four different sizes (3.3, 5.9, 9.8 and 13.0 nm), but identical shapes and surface structures, were designed and synthesized. We found that the catalytic activity for individual nanozymes increased with particle size. The area-specific catalytic activity was similar for nanoparticles of 3.3-9.8 nm, but decreased slightly when particle size reached 13.0 nm. By using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a model platform, the size effect of Pd-Ir nanoparticles in biosensing applications was investigated; smaller nanoparticles were found to offer lower detection limits. This work not only demonstrates the size effect, but also provides an effective strategy to enhance the performance of nanozymes in certain applications.
Predictable policing: New technology, old bias, and future resistance in big data surveillance:

Within this article, we explore the rise of predictive policing in the United States as a form of big data surveillance. Bringing together literature from communication, criminology, and science an...
Impact of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles on Highway Trust Fund in Alabama

The objective of this paper is to help state agencies better understand the impact of electric and hybrid vehicles on the Highway Trust Fund and to develop a method for estimating proper annual reg...
A Comparative Analysis of Reactive Müller Glia Gene Expression After Light Damage and microRNA-Depleted Müller Glia-Focus on microRNAs.

Muller glia (MG) are the predominant glia in the neural retina and become reactive after injury or in disease. microRNAs (miRNAs) are translational repressors that regulate a variety of processes during development and are required for MG function. However, no data is available about the MG miRNAs in reactive gliosis. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to profile miRNAs and mRNAs in reactive MG 7 days after light damage. Light damage was performed for 8 h at 10,000 lux; this leads to rapid neuronal loss and strong MG reactivity. miRNAs were profiled using the Nanostring platform, gene expression analysis was conducted via microarray. We compared the light damage dataset with the dataset of Dicer deleted MG in order to find similarities and differences. We found: (1) The vast majority of MG miRNAs declined in reactive MG 7 days after light damage. (2) Only four miRNAs increased after light damage, which included miR-124. (3) The top 10 genes found upregulated in reactive MG after light damage include Gfap, Serpina3n, Ednrb and Cxcl10. (4) The miRNA decrease in reactive MG 7 days after injury resembles the profile of Dicer-depleted MG after one month. (5) The comparison of both mRNA expression datasets (light damage and Dicer-cKO) showed 1,502 genes were expressed under both conditions, with Maff , Egr2, Gadd45b, and Atf3 as top upregulated candidates. (6) The DIANA-TarBase v.8 miRNA:RNA interaction tool showed that three miRNAs were found to be present in all networks, i.e., after light damage, and in the combined data set; these were miR-125b-5p, let-7b and let-7c. Taken together, results show there is an overlap of gene regulatory events that occur in reactive MG after light damage (direct damage of neurons) and miRNA-depleted MG (Dicer-cKO), two very different paradigms. This suggests that MG miRNAs play an important role in a ubiquitous MG stress response and manipulating these miRNAs could be a first step to attenuate gliosis.
Generation of three heterozygous KCNH2 mutation-carrying human induced pluripotent stem cell lines for modeling LQT2 syndrome.

Abstract Congenital long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2) results from KCNH2 mutations that cause loss of Kv11.1 channel function which can lead to arrhythmias, syncope, and sudden death. Here, we generated three human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of two LQT2 patients carrying pathogenic variants (c.1714G > A and c.2960del) and one LQT2 patient carrying a variant of uncertain significance (c.1870A > T) in KCNH2. All lines show typical iPSC morphology, high expression of pluripotent markers, normal karyotype, and differentiate into three germ layers in vitro. These lines are valuable resources for studying the pathological mechanisms of LQTS caused by caused by KCNH2 mutations.
Selective cobalt and nickel electrodeposition for lithium-ion battery recycling through integrated electrolyte and interface control.

Molecularly-selective metal separations are key to sustainable recycling of Li-ion battery electrodes. However, metals with close reduction potentials present a fundamental challenge for selective electrodeposition, especially for critical elements such as cobalt and nickel. Here, we demonstrate the synergistic combination of electrolyte control and interfacial design to achieve molecular selectivity for cobalt and nickel during potential-dependent electrodeposition. Concentrated chloride allows for the speciation control via distinct formation of anionic cobalt chloride complex (CoCl42-), while maintaining nickel in the cationic form ([Ni(H2O)5Cl]+). Furthermore, functionalizing electrodes with a positively charged polyelectrolyte (i.e., poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride) changes the mobility of CoCl42- by electrostatic stabilization, which tunes cobalt selectivity depending on the polyelectrolyte loading. This strategy is applied for the multicomponent metal recovery from commercially-sourced lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide electrodes. We report a final purity of 96.4 ± 3.1% and 94.1 ± 2.3% for cobalt and nickel, respectively. Based on a technoeconomic analysis, we identify the limiting costs arising from the background electrolyte, and provide a promising outlook of selective electrodeposition as an efficient separation approach for battery recycling.