cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survey on smoking behavior and related risk factors among public servants in Beijing

Objective To investigate smoking status among public servants in five districts( counties) in Beijing,and explore risk factors. Methods 1230 public servants were recruited in three levels of administrative institutions of five districts( countries),questionnaire were handed out to collect data. Unconditional logistic regression was utilized to analysis related risk factors. Results The prevalence of smoking was 23. 7% in whole population,and 45. 8% in male public servants. Higher smoking rate was found in male( OR = 108. 869,95% CI: 43. 819- 270. 488). Age( OR = 1. 026,95% CI: 1. 008- 1. 044),types of institution( OR = 2. 406,95% CI: 1. 210- 4. 786),administrative levels( OR =1. 502,95% CI: 1. 112- 2. 028),smoking ban in homes( OR = 2. 535,95% CI: 1. 976- 3. 252),agreeing with smoking harm( OR = 0. 800,95% CI: 0. 702- 0. 913),and attitudes of smoking ban in public places( OR = 0. 833,95% CI:0. 753- 0. 920) were main influential factors of smoking behavior. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking in public servants population is decreased in Beijing,but health education is needed to make the proportion decline in the future.
Thermoresponsive Copolypeptide Hydrogel Vehicles for Central Nervous System Cell Delivery

Biomaterial vehicles have the potential to facilitate cell transplantation in the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously shown that highly tunable ionic diblock copolypeptide hydrogels (DCH) can provide sustained release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules in the CNS. Here, we show that recently developed nonionic and thermoresponsive DCH, called DCHT, exhibit excellent cytocompatibility. Neural stem cell (NSC) suspensions in DCHT were easily injected as liquids at room temperature. DCHT with a viscosity tuned to prevent cell sedimentation and clumping significantly increased the survival of NSC passed through injection cannulae. At body temperature, DCHT self-assembled into hydrogels with a stiffness tuned to that of CNS tissue. After injection in vivo, DCHT significantly increased by 3-fold the survival of NSC grafted into a healthy CNS. In an injured CNS, NSC injected as suspensions in DCHT distributed well in non-neural lesion cores, integrated with healthy neural cells at lesion perime...
Victims and Patriots: Disaggregating Nationalism in Urban China

AbstractBy most accounts, nationalism in China is on the rise, as seen in both patriotic displays and anti-foreign protests. This article disaggregates two types of nationalism: patriotism and victimization derived from the ‘century of humiliations’. An original, nationwide public opinion survey of urban China shows that these two types of nationalism are derived from similar attributes and attitudes (causes) but have dissimilar impacts on views toward foreign countries (effects). In order to understand properly the causes of rising nationalism in China and its possible implications, observers must begin with the recognition that patriotism and anti-foreign sentiments are not simply two sides of the same coin, but two separate and distinct types of nationalism.
Gut Microbes, Immunity, and Metabolism

The colonic microbiome is remarkable in that, it is among the most densely populated microbial habitats on Earth. It is increasingly apparent that the gut microbiome produces substances that are absorbed by the host, which then significantly influences metabolic function. Thus, the study of gut microbial ecology and its interplay with the host metabolome has emerged as a critical frontier in contemporary nutritional and metabolic research. Advances in high throughput DNA sequencing technology have allowed investigators, for the first time, an opportunity to more thoroughly explore the composition of the gut microbiome and its gene representations. Combined with gnotobiotic studies in murine models, new insights into the mutualistic, symbiotic and, sometimes, pathogenic interactions between the gut microbiome and its mammalian host are becoming apparent. Examples of the latter include the development of diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Factors Associated With the Use of Postoperative Analgesics in Patients Undergoing Direct Microlaryngoscopy.

Objective Morbidity associated with suspension laryngoscopy has been well documented. However, standard of care with regard to postoperative analgesia has not been described, and anecdotal evidence suggests wide variability with regard to postoperative narcotic and non-narcotic recommendations. We sought to quantify the postoperative course following suspension microlaryngoscopy by relating patient-based and intraoperative measures with analgesic use. Methods Body mass index (BMI), Friedman tongue position (FTP), and Mallampati scores as well as laryngoscope type, number of attempts required for optimal visualization, and suspension time were documented in 50 consecutive patients undergoing routine suspension microlaryngoscopy. Postoperative symptoms and analgesic use was queried on postoperative days 1, 3, and 10. Results In this cohort, 62.5% employed postoperative analgesia. However, only 20% required narcotics. No difference in suspension time was identified in those taking analgesics (33.0 vs 37.3 minutes, P = .44). In addition, no relationship between procedure type and the need for analgesia was noted. The majority of patients (76%) described sore throat persisting for 3 postoperative days; 36% reported sore throat persisting beyond postoperative day 3. Conclusions The majority of patients undergoing microlaryngoscopy reported discomfort, but symptoms were largely ameliorated with over-the-counter analgesics. Routine prescription of narcotics following routine suspension laryngoscopy may be unnecessary.
Genome editing: Bioethics shows the way.

When some scientists hear the word “bioethics,” they break out in intellectual hives. They shouldn’t. Good bioethics is about enabling science to move forward. Bioethics pushes scientists to acknowledge that they operate not within a vacuum but within a society in which diverse perspectives and values must be engaged. Bioethicists give voice to those divergent perspectives and provide a framework to facilitate informed and inclusive discussions that spur progress, rather than stall it. The field is needed to advance cutting-edge biomedical research in domains in which the benefits to be had are enormous, such as genome editing, but ethical concerns persist.
The current utilization and perceptions of prescription drug monitoring programs among emergency medicine providers in Florida.

Pain is among the most commonly treated symptoms in the emergency department, and opioids are commonly prescribed from the emergency department to treat moderate to severe pain. Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) can be used to assist physicians identify individuals at increased risk to misuse or abuse opioids. While the use of the PDMP has been shown useful among clinicians, in the past, utilization of the PDMP has been less than optimal. The objective of this study was to assess the current utilization and perceptions of the prescription drug monitoring program among emergency medicine providers in Florida. A survey assessing the utilization and perception of Florida’s prescription drug monitoring program was distributed to emergency medicine providers in Florida over a 5 week period. Attending physicians, physicians in training, and extenders from a variety of practice types were assessed. A total of 88 surveys were completed. Over two thirds (67%) of the respondents were male. The majority of respondents were attending physicians (62%), 13 (14%) were residents, and 21 (23%) were extenders. Nearly all (99%) were aware of Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substance Evaluation Program (EFORCSE) and 84% had registered accounts. More than 2/3 (73%) reported feeling pressured to prescribe opioids, and 70% reported receiving no formal education on identifying individuals at increased risk of opioid misuse. Approximately half (51%) reported that they used EFORCSE only when they suspect the patient may misuse the medication, 21% reported that they rarely used EFORCSE, and only 3% reported using PDMP every time that they prescribed opioids. Residents used PDMP less frequently than extenders and attending physicians. The most common barriers associated with PDMP use were related to access. Although most providers reported that they were aware of their states’ PDMP, utilization of the PDMP among emergency medicine providers in Florida remains low. Low utilization was associated with barriers to access. If further enhancements to PDMPs can be made to improve accessibility, then rates of PDMP utilization may increase.
Systemic thrombolytics for DVT were more effective than local treatment or placebo, but adverse events were more frequent

Source Citation Schweizer J, Kirch W, Koch R, et al. Short and long-term results after thrombolytic treatment of deep venous thrombosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000 Oct;36:1336-43. 11028492 (All 2001 a...
Adaptations in rod outer segment disc membranes in response to environmental lighting conditions

The light-sensing rod photoreceptor cell exhibits several adaptations in response to the lighting environment. While adaptations to short-term changes in lighting conditions have been examined in depth, adaptations to long-term changes in lighting conditions are less understood. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the structure of rod outer segment disc membranes, the site of photon absorption by the pigment rhodopsin, to better understand how photoreceptor cells respond to long-term lighting changes. Structural properties of the disc membrane changed in response to housing mice in constant dark or light conditions and these adaptive changes required output from the phototransduction cascade initiated by rhodopsin. Among these were changes in the packing density of rhodopsin in the membrane, which was independent of rhodopsin synthesis and specifically affected scotopic visual function as assessed by electroretinography. Studies here support the concept of photostasis, which maintains optimal photoreceptor cell function with implications in retinal degenerations.
Numerical studies of electrical contacts of carbon nanotubes-embedded epoxy under tensile loading

Numerical studies were performed to determine electrical contacts in carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-embedded epoxy under quasi-static tensile loading conditions. A realistic CNT network in epoxy was generated by random orientation and waviness by employing the Monte Carlo method. Two kinds of contacts between CNTs, namely Type-I (overlap) and Type-II (in-plane), were considered in generating a conductive network. A commercial finite element package, COMSOL, was used to determine the distance between these contacts and variation of these contacts during elastic deformation under tensile loading. Numerical predictions were later compared with the analytical results derived from experimental findings. The effect of initial f-ratio and the amount of waviness of CNTs on the variation of f-ratio (which is determined as a ratio of Type-II contacts to total contacts) was investigated as a function of axial strain. The initial f-ratio as well as the extent of waviness showed a significant effect on the change in the type of contacts with increasing axial strain values.
Support Science by Publishing in Scientific Society Journals.

ABSTRACT Scientific societies provide numerous services to the scientific enterprise, including convening meetings, publishing journals, developing scientific programs, advocating for science, promoting education, providing cohesion and direction for the discipline, and more. For most scientific societies, publishing provides revenues that support these important activities. In recent decades, the proportion of papers on microbiology published in scientific society journals has declined. This is largely due to two competing pressures: authors’ drive to publish in “glam journals”—those with high journal impact factors—and the availability of “mega journals,” which offer speedy publication of articles regardless of their potential impact. The decline in submissions to scientific society journals and the lack of enthusiasm on the part of many scientists to publish in them should be matters of serious concern to all scientists because they impact the service that scientific societies can provide to their members and to science.
Microstructural Study on the Stress Corrosion Cracking of Alloy 690 in Simulated Pressurized Water Reactor Primary Environment

This study was aimed at investigating the intergranular attack near a stress corrosion crack (SCC) of alloy 690 in simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary water environment. Solution annealed alloy 690 was evaluated for its SCC initiation susceptibility in 360 °C hydrogenated pure water using slow strain rate tensile technique. After the test, a grain boundary showing SCC initiation was sampled with Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling. The microstructure and elemental distribution near the crack tip were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The results show that intergranular oxidation occurs ahead of the crack tip and is preceded by diffusion induced grain boundary migration. The oxides at the crack tip are mainly composed of NiO and Cr2O3 which maintain rigid orientations with the neighboring grains. The adjacent migration zone is free of oxidization as a compact layer of Cr2O3 dominates at the oxide/substrate interfaces and the very tip region.
Human phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase: relation of activity and quaternary structure.

Evidence from a variety of biochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies indicates that the intracellular concentration of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P)1 is an important determinant of the rate of purine nucleotide and thus uric acid synthesis (Reviews, references 1,2). PP-Ribose-P formation (Figure 1) from ATP and ribose-5-phosphate is catalyzed by the enzyme PP-ribose-P synthetase in a reaction requiring inorganic phosphate (Pi) and magnesium. Small molecule inhibitors also affect PP-ribose-P synthetase activity and include purine, pyrimidine and pyridine nucleotides as well as 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) (3). The significance of regulation of the activity of this enzyme is apparent in several families in whom purine overproduction and clinical gout result from different structural mutations in PP-ribose-P synthetase which lead to excessive enzyme activity and PP-ribose-P generation (4–6).
Jimi Hendrix and Black-Transnational Popular Music’s Global Gender and Sexualized Histories

This chapter contends that Hendrix, though commonly thought of as the quintessentially hetero-normative rock star, can be seen and heard as a queer, or sexually interstitial, global gender and sexual symbol. It argues that Hendrix enters a tradition of queer black-transnational representations through his unconventional and “freakish” image and performative disposition. This chapter centers Hendrix’s global gender and sexual visual-cultural depictions, linking Hendrix to additional black-transnational popular musicians’ global gender and sexual histories and representational struggles. This chapter also argues that Hendrix’s performative demeanor exhibited an unabashed sexuality and subversion and participation in the maintenance of fixed hetero-normative global gender and sexual roles in rock music and beyond. Complicating his fixed hetero-normative image, this chapter notes how Hendrix made flexible the strict divisions separating male and female genders and queer and straight sexualities.
Anti-Insulin B Cells Are Poised for Antigen Presentation in Type 1 Diabetes

Early breaches in B cell tolerance are central to type 1 diabetes progression in mouse and man. Conventional BCR transgenic mouse models (VH125.Tg NOD) reveal the power of B cell specificity to drive disease as APCs. However, in conventional fixed IgM models, comprehensive assessment of B cell development is limited. To provide more accurate insight into the developmental and functional fates of anti-insulin B cells, we generated a new NOD model (VH125SDNOD) in which anti-insulin VDJH125 is targeted to the IgH chain locus to generate a small (1-2%) population of class switch-competent insulin-binding B cells. Tracking of this rare population in a polyclonal repertoire reveals that anti-insulin B cells are preferentially skewed into marginal zone and late transitional subsets known to have increased sensitivity to proinflammatory signals. Additionally, IL-10 production, characteristic of regulatory B cell subsets, is increased. In contrast to conventional models, class switch-competent anti-insulin B cells proliferate normally in response to mitogenic stimuli but remain functionally silent for insulin autoantibody production. Diabetes development is accelerated, which demonstrates the power of anti-insulin B cells to exacerbate disease without differentiation into Ab-forming or plasma cells. Autoreactive T cell responses in VH125SDNOD mice are not restricted to insulin autoantigens, as evidenced by increased IFN-γ production to a broad array of diabetes-associated epitopes. Together, these results independently validate the pathogenic role of anti-insulin B cells in type 1 diabetes, underscore their diverse developmental fates, and demonstrate the pathologic potential of coupling a critical β cell specificity to predominantly proinflammatory Ag-presenting B cell subsets.
Wo und wie werden Antikörper synthetisiert

Obwohl uber die Struktur und die Heterogenitat von Immunglobulinen und Antikorpern schon ein umfangreiches und schnell wachsendes Wissen vorliegt, weis man uber die Bildung von Antikorpern noch verhaltnismasig wenig. Erst kurzlich konnte uberhaupt die Frage geklart werden, welche Zellen Antikorper synthetisieren. Die groste Unklarheit betrifft die Rolle des Antigens beim Prozes der Antikorperbildung, und zwar sowohl auf cellularer wie auch auf molekularer Ebene. Auserdem ist nicht genau bekannt, ob und welche verschiedenen Typen von Antikorpermolekulen eine einzelne Zelle synthetisieren kann.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a Predictive Model for Methylmercury-Induced Neurotoxicity

Several targets and detoxifying components of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity, including glutathione (GSH), metallothioneins (MTs), and heat shock proteins (HSPs), have been identified to date. In our most recent studies, we have used the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to examine many of the unknown molecular mechanisms of MeHg neurotoxicity. While MeHg accumulated within C. elegans was shown to cause a delay in development as well as a decreased pharyngeal pumping rate, many endpoints, including nervous system morphology, were unaffected. These findings led to the hypothesis that C. elegans has unique mechanisms for protecting its nervous system from MeHg neurotoxicity. Therefore, we examined the involvement of GSH, MTs, and HSPs in MeHg toxicity in C. elegans. We found that GSH levels were altered upon MeHg exposure, a glutathione s-transferase was highly upregulated upon exposure, and the lack of MTs resulted in increased sensitivity to the toxicant. We also demonstrated that MeHg induces hormesis in C. elegans, which is most likely due, at least in part, to the involvement of glutathione transferases in MeHg toxicity. The molecular mechanisms of MeHg neuroprotection in C. elegans, which we identify in this review, may prove valuable in developing effective strategies to protect human health.
A Wide-Band Solid-State I. F. Repeater for Communications Satellites

Abstract The Communication Satellite Corporation Phase-I study program was conducted jointly by the Astro-Electronics Division of the Radio Corporation of America and Bell Telephone Laboratories to develop an 80 MHz solid-state i.f. repeater (for 270 duplex voice channels). The i.f. repeater developed utilizes a waveguide-cavity diode down converter, a transistorized i. f. amplifier, and a varactor up converter. This type of i.f. repeater lends itself to communication satellite system applications because of the high gains obtainable. The alternate, the rf repeater, requires either cascaded traveling-wave-tubes or a high-gain, tunnel-diode front end, followed by traveling-wave-tube amplification, to obtain comparable gains. The i.f. repeater facilitates design of an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) system that has the dynamic range necessary for systems in which different users' signals may vary widely in level. The feasibility of increasing the repeater bandwidth to 230 MHz (accommodating 600 duplex voice channels) was investigated. Laboratory confirmation of these goals was achieved. The operating parameters are input signal, 5925 to 6155 MHz: i.f. signal, 20 to 250 MHz; and output signal, 3970 to 4200 MHz. The results of the program indicate that there is no basic limitation to producing an all-solid-state i.f. repeater with 230 MHz bandwidth, exhibiting an over-all noise figure of 11 db, which would be applicable to space communications systems.
BLM-BASED BIOSENSORS AND DEVICES: APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Biomembranes are composed of two main classes of compounds: lipids and proteins. Insofar as can be determined, the lipids of biomembranes are organized in the form of a bilayer which is an universal element in all biomembranes. This is so because of one unique property of the lipid molecule. One end of the molecule is hydrophilic with a great affinity towards a medium of high dielectric constant. The other end of the lipid molecule is hydrophobic, which is sequestered away from the aqueous solution. With hindsight, we now know that the remarkable stability of a lipid bilayer is due to the combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces, which makes the lipid bilayer a thermodynamically favored structure. Thus, lipids and other amphipathic compounds, when placed in aqueous media, will spontaneously arranged themselves in the form of a bilayer. This outstanding characteristic has contributed to the discoveries of two experimental bilayer lipid membrane systems, namely, planar BLMs and spherical liposomes. The thoughts and experiments leading to the planar bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) formation, however, owed much to ‘black’ soap film studies and the Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer technique, as described in the experimental section of this paper.
The effect of oral contraceptive pills on markers of endometrial receptivity

Objective To determine if oral contraceptive (OC) usage alters expression of integrins associated with endometrial receptivity. Design Immunohistochemical staining intensity for integrins was compared in frozen sections of endometrial tissue specimens obtained from women with normal ovulatory cycles (n=23; cycle days 20 to 24 based on LH surge) and from those taking oral contraceptives pills (n=23; cycle days 5 to 27). Setting University-based outpatient infertility clinic. Results Constitutive integrin expression in the endometrium (α2β1, α3β1, α5β1, α6β1, and α6β4) was similar in OC users and normally cycling individuals, except for an increase in epithelial α3β1 in OC users. Oral contraceptive use was associated with significant alterations in cycle-dependent integrin expression (α1β1, α4β1, and αvβ3). Specifically, we observed increased glandular α4β1, and decreased αvβ3 expression. The P-regulated α1 subunit was present in both groups. Increased stromal αv and β3 and decreased α3β1 and α6β1 staining was observed in OC users. Conclusions Expression of those integrins most closely associated with endometrial receptivity, αvβ3 and α4β1, is altered in the glandular epithelium of women taking OCs. Stromal integrin expression in OC users also differs from that in cycling women. These alterations in epithelial and stromal integrin expression suggest that impaired uterine receptivity is one mechanism whereby OCs exert their contraceptive actions.
Audacious Android application programming

As smartphones and tablet devices become ubiquitous, students are showing increasing interest in programming these devices, and many CS departments are adding mobile computing electives to their curriculum. Google's Android OS is a freely available and popular smartphone platform where applications are implemented in Java using the Android SDK.
1.01 – Overview

In the first part of this overview we discuss briefly the role of the studies of the Earth’s structure in geophysics and follow with a short presentation of the contents of individual chapters. Then, we present an outline of history of seismology, beginning with the first recording in Germany of teleseismic waves from an earthquake in Japan in 1889 and the development of seismological theory, observations and their interpretation. We trace in more detail the developments in the 1950’s and afterwards. We emphasize the role of computers and broadband digital seismographic systems in the rapid progress during the last 30, or so, years. In the last part of the overview we discuss some problems in global seismic tomography emphasizing the importance of using data sets that have good control over the structure in different depth ranges. The structure in the transition zone (410–650 km depth) is an example of a region in which the gap between the resolution provided by surface waves and teleseismic travel times must be bridged by inclusion of overtone data.
Risk of Major Bleeding with Ibrutinib.

Abstract Background The Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib, is an effective therapy against mature B-cell malignancies. Although generally well tolerated, serious bleeding emerged during developmental clinical trials as an unexpected, although uncommon, adverse event. As the use of ibrutinib increases outside of the clinical trial setting and in patients with more comorbidities, the rate of major bleeding could be greater. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis the data from all patients at our center and its regional clinics who had been prescribed ibrutinib from January 2012 to May 2016 were reviewed for demographic data, comorbid illnesses, bleeding events, and concurrent medications. Results We identified 70 patients. Bleeding of any grade occurred in 56% of patients, mostly grade 1 to 2 bruising and epistaxis. Major bleeding, defined as grade ≥ 3, occurred in 19% of patients, greater than previously reported. Anemia (hemoglobin 1.5; HR, 9.5; 95% CI, 2.7-33.5; P Conclusion The results of the present study have demonstrated a greater rate of major bleeding with ibrutinib use in a standard clinical setting than previously reported. Patients with anemia or an elevated international normalized ratio or requiring anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications during ibrutinib therapy have a significantly increased risk of major bleeding. Careful consideration of the risks and benefits for this population is needed. The combination of antiplatelet and anticoagulation medications with ibrutinib therapy is of particular concern.
Bilateral Quadriceps Strength Asymmetry Is Associated With Previous Knee Injury in Military Special Tactics Operators.

Eagle, SR, Keenan, KA, Connaboy, C, Wohleber, M, Simonson, A, and Nindl, BC. Bilateral quadriceps strength asymmetry is associated with previous knee injury in military special tactics operators. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 89-94, 2019-Bilateral strength asymmetries have been related to lower-limb injury in athletes. Given that military populations often participate in recreational sport, in addition to a physically demanding workload, bilateral strength asymmetries may be related to injury in military populations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether isokinetic strength differs between Operators with/without self-reported knee injury (KI), and to examine the odds of displaying a lower-extremity strength asymmetry based on previous KI history. Operators (n = 150) self-reported injury history and performed isokinetic knee strength testing. Cohorts were separated by those who reported/not reported KI. Mean isokinetic knee strength and odds ratios, with subjects' KI history compared with strength differences: 20%, were calculated. Operators who reported KI demonstrated larger bilateral knee extension (KE) strength differences compared with those who did not report an injury (injured: 13.5 ± 12.9% vs. noninjured: 8.1 ± 5.9%, p = 0.01). Operators with 20% strength difference (p < 0.05). Operators with previous KI demonstrated bilateral differences in KE strength. Those with <10 or 10-20% strength differences had reduced odds of reporting previous KI. Strength and conditioning professionals should consider unilateral, targeted exercises in reducing bilateral asymmetry to rectify more balanced strength between limbs. Targeted exercise programs may improve bilateral strength differences and limit reinjury risk.
Painted in Mexico, 1700-1790: Pinxit Mexici

Manuel Toussaint, doyen of Mexican art historians in the 1930s and 1940s, glossed over his homeland’s eighteenth-century painters as second rate: ‘We find paintings that we should politely refrain ...
Cardiology News / Recent Literature Review / Second Quarter 2016

ESC Meeting: Rome, 27-31/8/2016 HCS Panhellenic Congress : Athens, 20-22/10/2016 TCT Conference: Washington, DC, 29/10-2/11/2016 AHA Scientific Sessions: New Orleans, 12-16/11/2016 AF Symposium : Orlando, 12-14/1/2017 ACC.17 : Washington, DC, 17-19/3/2017 HONEST Study: Morning Home Blood Pressure (BP) May be Superior to Clinic BP as a Predictor of Coronary Events and Stroke in Patients With Hypertension In 21,591 hypertensive patients (mean age ~65 years), having 127 stroke and 121 CAD events over a mean follow-up of 2 years, the incidence of stroke events was significantly higher in patients with morning home systolic blood pressure (HSBP) ≥145 mmHg compared with 10 (Mokhtari A et al, J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;67:1531-1540)... (excerpt)
What’s Death Got to Do With It? Controversies and Alternative Theories

Abstract Theoretical alternatives to terror management theory (TMT) typically accept many of TMT’s hypotheses and empirical findings, but challenge TMT on theoretical grounds and seek to reinterpret the empirical findings, often on the basis of skepticism that death concerns are the main or sole root cause of psychological defense processes documented by TMT research. Some alternative theories tend to emphasize relational, self-related, or epistemic themes. Others are best described as domain-general in that they posit a nonspecific anxiety-regulation process of which “terror management” is but one example. In this chapter, I review and evaluate alternative theoretical approaches in relation to TMT, and highlight empirical and conceptual challenges facing TMT and other contemporary theories of psychological defense.
Transport of indoor aerosols to hidden interior spaces

Most studies on indoor aerosols have focused on the open spaces within buildings that are visible to occupants, while the hidden spaces in buildings receive much less attention. Indeed, little is k...
Worry and Rumination Have Distinct Associations with Nighttime versus Daytime Sleep Symptomology

Objective: To assess whether worry and rumination differ in predicting nighttime sleep disturbance versus daytime sleep-related impairment, as assessed using short forms from the Patient Reported O...
Growing Pomegranates in Florida: Establishment Costs and Production Practices

The study described in this 6-page fact sheet written by Feng Wu, Zhengfei Guan, and Gary Vallad and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department provides a description of pomegranate production practices and preliminary cost estimates to inform investment and production decisions when growers look to diversify and grow pomegranate as a niche crop. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1024
Stability of Long-Term Outcomes in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: An Evaluation of 12-Year Surgeon- and Patient-Reported Outcomes in 3489 Nonirradiated and Irradiated Implants.

Background Outcomes following prosthetic breast reconstruction have been well studied. However, the majority of studies are limited by short-term follow-up and a lack of aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes. This study objectively examines long-term surgeon- and patient-reported outcomes following two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction from 1994 to 2016 performed by the senior author (P.G.C.), with at least 1-year follow-up after implant exchange, were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term surgeon-reported outcomes, including aesthetic and capsular contracture scores, and patient-reported outcomes using the BREAST-Q, were recorded at each outpatient visit and analyzed over the 12-year follow-up period. Results Retrospective review revealed 2284 patients, or 3489 breasts, that fit the inclusion criteria. Aesthetic scores and capsular contracture rates remained stable over the entire follow-up period. Subset analysis demonstrated that bilateral and nonirradiated reconstructions consistently had the highest aesthetic scores, whereas unilateral irradiated breasts had the lowest. Irradiated breasts consistently had high rates of capsular contracture, although the extent of contracture improved over time in all patients. Patient-reported BREAST-Q scores showed either stability or improvement over time in all patients. Irradiated and nonirradiated patients demonstrated comparable long-term satisfaction with outcomes despite significant differences in satisfaction with their breasts. Conclusions The authors' study, the largest of its kind, demonstrates that prosthetic breast reconstruction outcomes do not deteriorate over time. This stability is apparent in both long-term surgeon- and patient-reported outcomes data measured in the same patients. These results contradict the surgical dogma surrounding prosthetic breast reconstruction and therefore should be given significant consideration when counseling patients. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
Inference in time series models using smoothed-clustered standard errors

Abstract This paper proposes a long run variance estimator for conducting inference in time series regression models that combines the nonparametric approach with a cluster approach. The basic idea is to divide the time periods into non-overlapping clusters. The long run variance estimator is constructed by first aggregating within clusters and then kernel smoothing across clusters or applying the nonparametric series method to the clusters with Type II discrete cosine transform. We develop an asymptotic theory for test statistics based on these “smoothed-clustered” long run variance estimators. We derive asymptotic results holding the number of clusters fixed and also treating the number of clusters as increasing with the sample size. For the kernel smoothing approach, these two asymptotic limits are different whereas for the cosine series approach, the two limits are the same. When clustering before kernel smoothing, we find that the “fixed-number-of-clusters” asymptotic approximation works well whether the number of clusters is small or large. Finite sample simulations suggest that the naive i . i . d . bootstrap mimics the fixed-number-of-clusters critical values. The simulations also suggest that clustering before kernel smoothing can reduce over-rejections caused by strong serial correlation at a cost of power. When there is a natural way of clustering, clustering can reduce over-rejection problems and achieve small gains in power for the kernel approach. In contrast, the cosine series approach does not benefit from clustering.
An environmental air sampler to evaluate personal exposure to volatile organic compounds

A micro fabricated chip-based wearable air sampler was used to monitor the personnel exposure of volatile chemical concentrations in microenvironments. Six teenagers participated in this study and 14 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including naphthalene, 3-decen-1-ol, hexanal, nonanal, methyl salicylate and limonene gave the highest abundance during routine daily activity. VOC exposure associated with daily activities and the location showed strong agreements with two of the participant's results. One of these subjects had the highest exposure to methyl salicylate that was supported by the use of a topical analgesic balm containing this compound. Environmental based air quality monitoring followed by the personnel exposure studies provided additional evidence associated to the main locations where the participants traveled. Toluene concentrations observed at a gas station were exceptionally high, with the highest amount observed at 1213.1 ng m-3. One subject had the highest exposure to toluene and the GPS data showed clear evidence of activities neighboring a gas station. This study shows that this wearable air sampler has potential applications including hazardous VOC exposure monitoring in occupational hazard assessment for certain professions, for example in industries that involve direct handling of petroleum products.
Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are a vulnerable population with unique needs that are under-recognized and often overlooked by healthcare providers. This review focuses on identifying and meeting some of those needs including adherence to treatment, financial implications, impact on fertility and intimacy, issues with work/school, isolation, challenges with re-entry, and long-term side effects and survivorship. Survival rates have not improved in adolescents and young adults with cancer at the same rate as in children and older adults (the so called “AYA gap”). Restricted or delayed access to care and inconsistent cancer treatment and follow-up care contribute to this. Importantly, fertility preservation options have broadened and efforts to provide age appropriate counseling prior to treatment have improved. Additionally, AYAs face a variety of psychosocial issues while dealing with a cancer diagnosis during critical developmental years, and yet data pertaining to the successful identification and management of these issues is lacking. As a result, there has been recent increasing awareness that this patient population warrants strong advocates, additional research, and requires age group specific resources to be successful in navigating their cancer experience during treatment and into survivorship care. Members of the healthcare team should familiarize themselves with the unique needs of AYA cancer patients to provide optimal patient care. In order to build upon early progress, this group calls for additional study particularly when it comes to barriers to enrollment for AYA-specific research (including clinical trials), recognizing psychosocial needs (both during and after treatment), transition planning for returning to life after cancer, and managing long-term effects of treatment (including neuro cognitive changes). In addition, access to financial resources and appropriate mental health support needs to be improved.
Metastases of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Seem to be the Most Frequent Malignancies in the Parotid Gland: A Hospital-Based Study From a Salivary Gland Center.

Malignant parotid tumors account for approximately 20% of all parotid lesions. In addition to the various primary parotid lesions there are secondary parotid malignancies, such as metastases or lymphomas. Data on histopathological distribution of all malignancies—including secondary parotid lesions—is limited. Recent evidence indicated a rising surgical incidence of secondary parotid malignancies. This study aims to review the distribution of malignancies in parotid resections from a salivary gland center. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data for all patients who had received parotidectomy between 2014 and 2019 was performed. Histopathological distribution was displayed separately for all parotid malignancies and for primary parotid malignancies. Further, patients` characteristics were compared between benign and malignant parotid lesions and between the two most common malignant parotid lesions. Out of 777 patients, 614 (78.9%) patients had a benign and 164 (21.1%) patients had a malignant parotid lesion. The most common parotid malignancy was metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) accounting for 35.4% of all parotid malignancies. 71.5% of all malignant lesions were secondary malignancies. Patients with metastatic cSCC were significantly older (p < 0.001) and significantly more likely to be male (p < 0.001) than patients with primary parotid malignancies. No significant difference was found when the lesion size of metastatic cSCC was compared to primary parotid malignancies (p = 0.216). The present study shows the high prevalence of secondary parotid malignancies in patients who had received parotidectomy. Furthermore, it confirms a rising surgical incidence of metastatic cSCC to the parotid gland in a series from a salivary gland center. At this time, parotid surgery for malignant lesions is more likely to be performed for metastases than for primary parotid malignancies.
Using Frameworks of Social Desirability to Teach Subjectivity in Interviews

Qualitative methods courses lack tools for teaching students how to capture and analyze the nuanced ways participant subjectivity shows up in interviews. This article responds to the call for great...
Uncertainty in tissue equivalent proportional counter assessments of microdosimetry and RBE estimates in carbon radiotherapy.

Microdosimetry is an important tool for assessing energy deposition distributions from ionizing radiation at cellular and cellular nucleus scales. It has served as an input parameter for multiple common mathematical models, including evaluation of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of carbon ion therapy. The most common detector used for microdosimetry is the tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC). Although it is widely applied, TEPC has various inherent uncertainties. Therefore, this work quantified the magnitude of TEPC measurement uncertainties and their impact on RBE estimates for therapeutic carbon beams. Microdosimetric spectra and frequency-, dose-, and saturation-corrected dose-mean lineal energy (****) were calculated using the Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4 for five monoenergetic and three spread-out Bragg peak carbon beams in water at every millimeter along the central beam axis. We simulated the following influences on these spectra from eight sources of uncertainty: wall effects, pulse pile-up, electronics, gas pressure, W-value, gain instability, low energy cut-off, and counting statistics. Statistic uncertainty was quantified as the standard deviation of perturbed values for each source. Bias was quantified as the difference between default lineal energy values and the mean of perturbed values for each systematic source. Uncertainties were propagated to RBE using the modified microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM). Variance introduced by statistic sources iny¯Fandy¯Daveraged 3.8% and 3.4%, respectively, and 1.5% iny*across beam depths and energies. Bias averaged 6.2% and 7.3% iny¯Fandy¯D,and 4.8% iny*.These uncertainties corresponded to 1.2 ± 0.9% on average in RBEMKM. The largest contributors to variance and bias were pulse pile-up and wall effects. This study established an error budget for microdosimetric carbon measurements by quantifying uncertainty inherent to TEPC measurements. It is necessary to understand how robust the measurement of RBE model input parameters are against this uncertainty in order to verify clinical model implementation.
Real-time impedance feedback to enhance cutaneous gene electrotransfer in a murine skin model.

Abstract Electric field mediated gene delivery methods have the ability to efficiently transfect cells in vivo with an excellent safety profile. The method has historically used a fixed number of electric pulses with identical characteristics in induce delivery. Electrical treatment does not typically compensate for subject-to-subject variation and other differences. This study was designed to investigate if delivery/expression could be increased using a novel electropulsation method that compensated for variation using real-time electrical impedance measurements. The method involved delivering plasmid DNA encoding luciferase to murine skin. Tissue impedance in a 1–3 KHz range was measured before electric pulses were applied. Impedance was also measured after each successive pulse. Pulsation was stopped when impedance values were reduced by either 80% or 95% relative to prepulse values. Standard/fixed pulsing parameters were also used for comparison. The results indicated that up to 15-fold increases in luciferase expression could be obtained when electrical treatment was ceased based upon impedance reductions. Furthermore, peak expression levels of all treatment groups pulsed using the novel pulsing method were statistically higher than those that employed standard pulsing. These results strongly suggest that applying pulses until a defined impedance-based endpoint results in higher expression.
Making a Boast Believable: Disclaimers Increase the Effectiveness of Seemingly Untrue Brags

Communicating about one’s accomplishments and abilities to others is an important part of navigating the social world, yet people are not always believed when making self-promotional claims. In thi...
13 – RECOMBINANT PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN TRANSGENIC MICE

Transgenic mice offer a variety of paradigms for probing gene function. This chapter discusses several transgenic strategies that lead to overexpression, altered expression, or underexpression of specific genes. The emphasis of the chapter is on using these transgenic strategies to probe complex physiological pathways. The chapter also reviews how transgenic mice can be used to model human disease. The authors' experience in targeting overexpression of a chimeric gonadotropin to establish transgenic mice are discussed. This chapter describes the use of transgenic mice as bioreactors to generate large amounts of therapeutically useful proteins. The future of this field is considered by emphasizing the need for inducible control of the temporal and spatial pattern of transgene expression. The chapter highlights multiple approaches that are currently used or contemplated for expressing recombinant proteins in transgenic mice. Both strengths and limitations associated with the different strategies are described. Finally, the chapter concludes with the fact that transgenic mice have and will continue to provide an extremely useful tool for bridging molecular genetics and mammalian physiology.
Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers for undergraduate laboratory

The nanotechnology field is currently undergoing an exciting period of discoveries. It is necessary to bring nanotechnology to physics students. However, there is a lack of nanotechnology experiments developed for the undergraduate labs. By coupling high peak power laser pulses to a highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber, supercontinuum generation and characterization are incorporated into nanotechnology education in undergraduate physics labs. Because of the fast advance and truly interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology, the supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber experiment gives physics undergraduate students an opportunity to work with high power lasers, to gain hands-on experience with state-of-art test and measurement equipment, and to access research projects in fiber optics, laser applications and nanotechnology.