cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vesicoureteral Reflux in the Adult. V. Unilateral Disease

AbstractWe studied 37 patients with primary unilateral vesicoureteral reflux to compare medical (17) and surgical (20) management. Medical management consisted of observation and antimicrobial therapy as needed. During followup (mean 84.6 months) none of the patients in either management group had a significant decrease in total renal function, worsening of hypertension or progression of stone disease. The surgically treated group had a higher incidence of pyelonephritis preoperatively (75% versus 13%) but during followup these infections developed in only 10% of the surgical patients and in 13% of the medically managed group. The primary indication for surgical correction of unilateral reflux in adults is a history of pyelonephritis in patients in whom antibiotic prophylaxis has been unsuccessful or in women of childbearing age.
Plasmonics in Biological Imaging

Rational design of nanostructured particles for surface enhanced spectroscopy, including Raman spectroscopic sensing, is modeled using Mie theory and Genetic Algorithm optimization. Fabrication and use of these nano-layered metal-dielectric particles (nanoLAMPS) presents new opportunities. Article not available.
The Underwater Recovery of Monumental Marble Column Drums from an Ancient Shipwreck at Kızılburun, Turkey

In the first century B.C., a stone carrier sank off the Aegean coast of Turkey at Kizilburun transporting all the elements of a monumental marble column, including a single Doric capital and eight drums. The 60-tonne cargo lay at a depth of 45–48 m and was excavated in its entirety by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University between 2005 and 2011. Ongoing research has shown that the Doric column pieces in the Kizilburun cargo originated in the marble quarries on Proconnesus Island in the Sea of Marmara and were very likely heading for the Temple of Apollo at Claros when the ship sank just 50 km short of its destination. The complete recovery of the ship’s cargo posed a unique set of methodological challenges involving lifting the multi-tonne marble drums without disturbing the delicate waterlogged wooden hull remains preserved beneath. This report summarizes the solutions developed over five seasons in order to rig, hoist, move, and ultimately raise to the surface eight large ancient marble column drums (as well as all the other marble artifacts in the cargo) from a depth of almost 50 m under water.
Expanding the role of botanical gardens in the future of food.

Consistent with their historical focus on the functional utility of plants, botanical gardens have an important opportunity to help ensure global food and ecosystem security by expanding their living collections, research and education programmes to emphasize agriculture and its impacts.
Isolated Non-Traumatic Bilateral Coronoid Process Fracture of the Mandible.

Isolated bilateral fractures of the coronoid processes of the mandible occurred in this patient without any significant trauma. The definite etiology of this case is unknown, but possible causes or contributing factors may include acute reflex contraction of the patient’s temporalis muscles leading to bilateral stress fractures, coronoid process hyperplasia, or the patient’s long-term use of omeprazole. The planned treatment for this patient included pain control with Mobic and tramadol and splint fabrication followed by arch bar placement with training elastics for six weeks.
Pyk2 phosphorylation of VE-PTP downstream of STIM1-induced Ca2+ entry regulates disassembly of adherens junctions

Vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) stabilizes endothelial adherens junctions (AJs) through constitutive dephosphorylation of VE-cadherin. Here we investigated the role of st...
Abnormal autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) measures the ability of non-T cells to stimulate autologous T cells to proliferate in tissue culture. The auto-MLR was studied in 11 patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP). Seven patients had decreased auto-MLR, which averaged 4440 +/- 3364 cpm (SEM) compared to 15,360 +/- 6905 cpm for simultaneously studied controls. The average of the ratios of cpm incorporated by patients/cpm incorporated by control subjects was 0.20 +/- 0.06 (p less than 0.01). Serum from all 7 patients with low auto-MLR decreased the auto-MLR of normal subjects by an average of 56% +/- 8.5 (p less than 0.001). Preliminary results indicate that the inhibitory effect was mediated by a component of the IgG immunoglobulin fraction of serum. Sera from normal persons and from ATP patients with normal or high auto-MLR did not affect the auto-MLR of normal subjects. It was further shown that non-T cells from 3 of 5 patients with decreased auto-MLR failed to stimulate allogeneic T cells normally. It is concluded that many patients with ATP have decreased auto-MLR apparently due to the presence of a serum blocking factor and, perhaps, a defective stimulatory capacity of non-T-cells.
Bladder Management and Continence Outcomes in Adults with Spina Bifida: Results from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry, 2009 to 2015

Purpose: Most children with spina bifida now survive into adulthood, although most have neuropathic bladder with potential complications of incontinence, infection, renal damage and diminished quality of life. In this study we sought to 1) describe contemporary bladder management and continence outcomes of adults with spina bifida, 2) describe differences from younger individuals and 3) assess for association with socioeconomic factors.Materials and Methods: We analyzed data on bladder management and outcomes in adults with spina bifida from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry. A strict definition of continence was used. Results were compared to young children (age 5 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 19). Statistical analysis compared cohorts by gender, ethnicity, spina bifida type, lesion level, insurance status, educational attainment, employment status and continence.Results: A total of 5,250 patients with spina bifida were included, of whom 1,372 (26.1%) were adults. Of the adult patients 45....
Readmission Following Surgical Resection for Intractable Epilepsy: Nationwide Rates, Causes, Predictors, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Hospital readmissions can be detrimental to patients and may interfere with the potential benefits of the therapeutic procedure. Government agencies have begun to focus on reducing readmissions; however, the etiology of readmissions is lacking. OBJECTIVE To report the national rates, risk factors, and outcomes associated with 30- and 90-d readmissions following surgery for intractable epilepsy. METHODS We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database from January to September 2013 using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification codes to identify all patients with intractable epilepsy, who underwent hemispherectomy (01.52), brain lobectomy (01.53), amydalohippocampectomy, or partial lobectomy (01.59). Predictor variables included epilepsy type, presurgical diagnostic testing, surgery type, medical complications, surgical complications, and discharge disposition. RESULTS In 1587 patients, the 30- and 90-d readmission rates were 11.5% and 16.8%, respectively. The most common reasons for readmission were persistent epilepsy, video electroencephalography monitoring, postoperative infection, and postoperative central nervous system complication. In multivariable analysis, risk factors associated with both 30- and 90-d readmission were Medicare payer status, lowest quartile of median income, depression, hemispherectomy, and postoperative complications (P < .05). The only unique predictor of 30-d readmission was small bedsize hospital (P = .001). Readmissions within 30 d were associated with longer length of stay (6.8 vs 5.8 d), greater costs ($18 660 vs $15 515), and increased adverse discharges (26.4% vs 21.8%). CONCLUSION Following epilepsy surgery, most readmissions that occurred within 30 d can be attributed to management of persistent epilepsy and predicted by Medicare payer status, depression, and complications. These data can assist the clinician in preventing readmissions and assist policy makers determine which admissions are potentially avoidable.
A Brief History of Special Verdicts and Special Interrogatories

When battle and inquest were introduced into England by the Normans as modes of proof, they took their places beside the Anglo-Saxon ordeal and wager of law as methods of determining disputes between litigants. The functions of the court with reference to the inquest were identical with its functions with respect to the ordeal or battle, namely, to decide whether it was a permitted means of proof and to supervise its performance. The issues submitted to the older forms of trial frequently, if not usually, involved mixed conclusions of law and fact. Naturally the inquiries put to the inquest were of a similar character.1 There was no thought of separating questions of law from questions of fact. Thus, the grand assize in a writ of right was asked to say whether the demandant or the tenant had the greater right in the land, services, or other thing involved. In the assize of novel disseisin, the jurors who formed the petty assize were called upon to determine whether A had disseised B unjustly and without judgment. In the assize of mort d'ancestor, they were required to tell whether A was seised of certain land on the day of his death and whether B was his next heir. The answer given by ordeal, battle, or wager of law was final, for it was dictated by the supernatural. While there seems to have been a tendency at first to accord the same finality to the answer given by the inquest,2 yet it was early perceived that, as the work of mere man, it was liable to error, and that it should be subject to correction.
FibroSURE and elastography poorly predict the severity of liver fibrosis in Fontan-associated liver disease.

Objective As the population of patients with Fontan circulation surviving into adulthood increases, hepatic cirrhosis has grown to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Early detection of advanced hepatic fibrosis is imperative for proper intervention and consideration for heart or combined heart/liver transplantation. Noninvasive biomarkers and elastography have been evaluated for their diagnostic utility with variable results in the Fontan population. Design The cohort included 14 patients age 26.4 SD 7.5 who underwent Fontan surgery. All patients were evaluated with FibroSURE, shear wave elastography (SWE), hepatic duplex sonography, and liver biopsy. Liver fibrosis on biopsy was evaluated according to the congestive hepatic fibrosis system. Results In our cohort, 100% of patients had fibrosis with 36% demonstrating advanced fibrosis. FibroSURE agreed with liver biopsy in only 5 out of 14 cases (36%): underestimating in 7 and overestimating in 2 individuals. SWE agreed with liver biopsy in 0% of cases: overestimating in 10 and underestimating in 4 cases. None of the duplex sonography indices predicted the presence or severity of liver fibrosis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that children who have undergone a Fontan procedure universally develop some hepatic fibrosis and a significant number have advanced fibrosis by adulthood. The FibroSURE blood test, SWE, and hepatic duplex sonography were unable to accurately predict the presence or severity of hepatic fibrosis when compared with liver biopsy. Further studies are needed to investigate novel noninvasive methods and/or biomarkers that can adequately detect advanced hepatic fibrosis before the development of cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation.
Anterior skull base duplication requiring delivery via EXIT procedure: A case report

Duplication of the anterior skull base structures is an extremely rare malformation of failed midline blastogenesis. We present the case of a child with an obstructive oral cavity mass diagnosed on prenatal imaging. The child was successfully delivered by EXIT procedure, a tracheotomy was performed, and postnatal imaging demonstrated an array of craniofacial malformations, including complete duplication of the maxilla, pituitary glands, aqueducts of Sylvius, and basilar arteries. The child underwent excision of the duplicate maxilla, resulting in a wide cleft palate that will be repaired at a future date.
Isotopic perspectives on pastoralist mobility in the Late Bronze Age South Caucasus

Abstract Isotopic methods of studying the geographic and seasonal movements of herd animals provide new data pertinent to ongoing scholarly re-consideration of the relationships between pastoralist mobility and the development of new forms of political organization. Radiogenic strontium and mass-dependent oxygen and carbon isotope analysis on a large sample of herd animals (sheep, goats, and cattle) from Late Bronze Age (1500–1100 BC) sites in the Tsaghkahovit Plain, Armenia indicate that long-distance movements across geological zones were not common, but that animals were drinking from a range of water sources. Connecting this variation to movement is complicated by limited intra-tooth variation in δ13C values. Data from the study provide preliminary evidence for foddering. These results reveal a gap between the emphasis on mobility in theoretical models of pastoralism and political organization and the way that animal diets mediate isotopic proxies for movement. These interpretive difficulties emphasize the need to consider herds’ seasonal and geographic movement within a wider range of pastoralist practices. These findings also highlight the need for large sample sizes in isotopic investigations of pastoralist mobility, in order to accurately identify and evaluate the diversity in both geographic and seasonal movements within a single ancient pastoralist system.
Immigration and Asylum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals do not have equal or full human rights when compared to heterosexual individuals, families, and couples. In many countries around the world, LGBT individuals do not have a legal right to safety, to engage in consensual sex, get married, have children, or to be free of discrimination in housing, work, or public accommodation. In several countries, the governmental response to LGBT individuals is to jail or sentence them to death as a consequence. LGBT individuals may apply for asylum to the United States (U.S.), Canada, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) for these reasons. Frequently, applications to the U.S. are denied because the U.S. continues to discriminate against LGBT individuals. In addition, the U.S. discriminates against international LGBT couples and their children by denying their children U.S. citizenship. The aim of this paper is to present the global context regarding discrimination and immigration as a base to examine the impact of discrimination, immigration, and asylum requests in the U.S. This paper will review major legal cases involving LGBT individuals in order to recommend best ethical practices for social and political action. The role of social workers as change agents is explored.
Sex Education Inclusivity and Sexual Minority Health: The Perceived Inclusivity of Sex Education Scale

Minority stress research has demonstrated negative health outcomes in sexual minority populations. However, the influence of sex education on these outcomes remains unclear. In the current study, t...
Linear amyopathic dermatomyositis with calcinosis cutis responsive to topical sodium thiosulfate

A case of a 15-year-old male patient with a 3-year history of linear, segmental amyopathic dermatomyositis with calcinosis cutis is presented. The calcinosis was recalcitrant to treatment with topical steroids and hydroxychloroquine. Topical 10% sodium thiosulfate use for 8 weeks resulted in improvement. The use of topical sodium thiosulfate for patients in whom surgical extraction is not an option is detailed.
‘Salve, risueña mentira’: Cosmic Hyperbole, Confession and Historical Consciousness in Ramón del Valle-Inclán’s Sonata de invierno (1905)*

AbstractIn Ramon del Valle-Inclan’s Sonata de invierno (1905), a Prelate suggests to the Marques de Bradomin that he write a book about his life, with the warning, however, that St Augustine and Ro...
Adviser and Faculty Perceptions of the Benefits and Feasibility of Intrusive Advising

Intrusive advising requires the efforts and collaboration of faculty and academic advisers. Research suggests (Miller & Murray, 2005; Schee, 2007) that students are more successful when they have more meaningful relationships with academic advisers and faculty. This study compared the attitudes and perceptions about intrusive advising between faculty members and academic advisers at a Midwestern, public university. Results from this single-institution study suggest that faculty members (n=134) moderately recognize and academic advisers (n=40) strongly recognize benefits to the components of intrusive advising. Participants did not envision intrusive advising practices as entirely feasible at their institution, but indicate that innovation and collaboration may make some components of intrusive advising feasible.
Quantum Field Theory on Curved Spacetimes

This chapter describes the quantization of field theories on curved spacetimes, highlighting the differences between quantum field theory on Minkowski space. Beginning with the action describing a real scalar field, the equations of motion for the field are derived and an appropriate inner product on the space of solutions is introduced. The canonical quantization of this field theory is carried out, emphasizing the non-uniqueness of the vacuum state. The particle interpretation of such a field theory is described in detail with an emphasis on the importance of an operational definition of particles.
Comment on the work of Zhang et al. (2017, Journal of Inequalities and Applications )

In a recent work by Zhang et al. (J. Inequal. Appl. 2017:82, 2017) the authors studied large deviations of the aggregate amount of claims in a size-dependent renewal risk model. They claimed that they obtained a precise large-deviation formula for the case with subexponential claims and with arbitrary dependence between each claim size and its waiting time. In this short note, we point out that their main result is unfortunately not correct in general.
Provider-directed marketing may increase prescribing of medications for opioid use disorder

Abstract Background Opioid use disorder (OUD) has become an increasingly grave public health concern, especially in the United States where approximately 80% of the global opioid supply is consumed. Despite greater awareness of the present overdose crisis, potentially life-saving OUD pharmacotherapy (medications for opioid use disorder or MOUD) utilization remains low. This study examines the extent of provider-directed marketing (detailing) for MOUD drugs and identifies any associations between a provider's receipt of detailing and their prescribing of MOUD drugs to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Method We combined Open Payments data on all provider-directed payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers with physician-level data on all MOUD prescriptions filled in Medicare Part D. We estimated the adjusted difference in Medicare days supply for all MOUD drugs (collectively) and separately for each MOUD drug that was associated with receipt of payments. Results The Open Payments data show that $7.0 million MOUD-specific promotional payments were made by pharmaceutical manufacturers to 12,056 US physicians from 2014 to 2016, which is Conclusions Provider-directed marketing by MOUD manufacturers has been found to be significantly and positively associated with incidence of MOUD prescribing in Medicare Part D, as well as with the quantity of MOUD prescribed.
“I must have slipped through the cracks somehow”: An examination of coping with perceived impostorism and the role of social support

Abstract We use two studies to explore how individuals manage perceptions of impostorism as they train for their future careers. Drawing on interviews with 20 professionals in training, our qualitative analysis uncovered various tactics (both constructive and maladaptive) used by these individuals to cope with perceived impostorism. Among these tactics, seeking social support from individuals outside of their program peer group (e.g., professors, family, friends, and significant others) appeared to be more effective in dampening perceptions of impostorism than seeking support from peers within their program. We use Conservation of Resources Theory (COR) to develop testable hypotheses about this observed relationship between different sources of social support and perceptions of impostorism, and find support for this pattern of results in a group of 213 professionals in training. We also discuss the implications for research on impostorism, COR, social support, and early career entry.
Depths, migration rates and environmental associations of acoustic scattering layers in the Gulf of California

Abstract The ecology in the Gulf of California has undergone dramatic changes over the past century, including the emergence of Humboldt squid ( Dosidicus gigas ) as a dominant predator. In the face of these changes, we compare the ubiquitous and ecologically important concentrations of mid-water organisms that comprise acoustic scattering layers to published results, describing their occurrence in detail and showing that they remain similar to features described 50 years previously. To classify scattering layers in the region, we applied an automatic detection algorithm to shipboard echosounder data from four cruises. We consistently detected a broad (>200 m) background layer with a mean daytime bottom boundary depth of 463±56 m (night: 434±66 m), a near-surface layer with mean daytime bottom depth of 43±40 m (night: 61±38 m), and a main migrating layer with mean bottom depth of 333±76 m (night: 54±27 m). Diel vertical migration rates for dusk ascents reached a maximum, on average, of 8.6±3.1 cm s −1 , and dawn descents averaged a maximum of 6.9±2.4 cm s −1 . Deep scattering layers were often found concurrent with regions of severe hypoxia and we used environmental data to test for the association of scattering layer boundaries with environmental parameter values. Although results were inconsistent, we found scattering layer depths to be more highly associated with temperature and density than with oxygen. These results suggest that the recent success of D. gigas in the Gulf of California is not likely to be attributable to the effects of shoaling oxygen minimum zones on acoustic scattering layers.
Behind the starbucks counter: design solutions for utilizing virtual reality for collaborative training

Virtual reality (VR) shows great potential for enabling real-time embodied interactions among multiple people. Despite such potential, few VR studies have investigated the collaborative training of a small group, especially performing hands-on tasks while sharing the limited size of physical space. This experience report explores how a VR environment can accommodate collaborative training occurring in a coworking space by examining Starbucks cafes as a case study. Based on the findings, the author suggests design solutions for the VR environment and possible interaction strategies regarding the suggested design. The current report is an initiating attempt to provide insight into utilizing a novel technology for better collaborative training.
Review of Selective Ion Separations at BYU Using Liquid Membrane and Solid Phase Extraction Procedures

Research in selective ion separations at Brigham Young University hasinvolved the use of liquid membranes of the bulk, emulsion, thin sheetsupported, hollow fiber supported, and two-module hollow fiber supportedtypes as well as solid phase extraction using immobilized ligands. By use ofdesigned cation and anion selective macrocyclic ligands, it has beenpossible to accomplish a wide range of interesting separations. Theprinciples underlying the separations and a comparison of the advantages anddisadvantages of the various systems are given. Some of the solid phaseextraction systems have been commercialized by IBC Advanced Technologies,Inc. Examples of commercial applications are presented in the analytical,environmental, metallurgical, precious metals, and nuclear waste areas.
Common morality and medical ethics: not so different after all.

Rhodes seeks to defend her ‘conclusion that everyday ethics and medical ethics [are] incompatible’.1 She challenges ‘views that medical ethics is nothing more than common morality applied to clinical matters’ (Rhodes, p2).1 Beauchamp and Childress explicate the term ‘common morality’ at length.2 Nowhere do they claim that medical ethics is ‘nothing more than common morality applied to clinical matters’. Here is what they do say: “The origin of the norms of the common morality is no different in principle from the origin of the norms of a particular morality for a medical or other profession … The primary difference is that the common morality has authority in all communities, whereas particular moralities are authoritative only for specific groups” (Beauchamp and Childress, p8).2 This critique discusses the seven examples Rhodes uses to illustrate her main point: that common morality and medical ethics are radically different. I contend that common morality accounts for the purported differences she cites. In ordinary life, people can simply mind their own business, whereas physicians have a duty to act in their professional setting. On this view, common morality cannot explain the moral obligation people have to prevent easily avoidable harm to others. A bystander …
Hierarchical structure discovery and transfer in sequential decision problems

Acting intelligently to efficiently solve sequential decision problems requires the ability to extract hierarchical structure from the underlying domain dynamics, exploit it for optimal or near-optimal decision-making, and transfer it to related problems instead of solving every problem in isolation. This dissertation makes three contributions toward this goal. The first contribution is the introduction of two frameworks for the transfer of hierarchical structure in sequential decision problems. The MASH framework facilitates transfer among multiple agents coordinating within a domain. The VRHRL framework allows an agent to transfer its knowledge across a family of domains that share the same transition dynamics but have differing reward dynamics. Both MASH and VRHRL are validated empirically in large domains and the results demonstrate significant speedup in the solutions due to transfer. The second contribution is a new approach to the discovery of hierarchical structure in sequential decision problems. HI-MAT leverages action models to analyze the relevant dependencies in a hierarchically-generated trajectory and it discovers hierarchical structure that transfers to all problems whose actions share the same relevant dependencies as the single source problem. HierGen advances HI-MAT by learning simple action models, leveraging these models to analyze non-hierarchically-generated trajectories from multiple source problems in a robust causal fashion, and discovering hierarchical structure that transfers to all problems whose actions share the same causal dependencies as those in the source problems. Empirical evaluations in multiple domains demonstrate that the discovered hierarchical structures are comparable to manually-designed structures in quality and performance. Action models are essential to hierarchical structure discovery and other aspects of intelligent behavior. The third contribution of this dissertation is the introduction of two general frameworks for learning action models in sequential decision problems. In the MBP framework, learning is user-driven; in the PLEX framework, the learner generates its own problems. The frameworks are formally analyzed and reduced to concept learning with one-sided error. A general action-modeling language is shown to be efficiently learnable in both frameworks.
Wear of resin teeth opposing zirconia.

Abstract Statement of problem The use of dissimilar materials for opposing complete-mouth implant-supported prosthesis has become popular, especially when one arch is made from anatomical contour zirconia. However, the amount of wear zirconia causes on resin and other denture tooth materials is largely unknown. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the volumetric wear of 4 commercially available resin materials used for denture teeth in complete-arch implant-supported prostheses opposed by zirconia. Material and methods A total of 32 maxillary central incisor denture teeth were evaluated (n=8): double crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (DCL), nanohybrid composite resin (PHO), and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM)-fabricated teeth made from crosslinked PMMA (TEL) and acrylate polymer (ZCAD). Antagonist cone-shaped specimens were milled from zirconia. Specimens were mounted in acrylic resin, polished to a flat surface by using 1200-grit SiC paper, and stored in water (37 °C for 24 hours) before exposure in a custom dual-axis wear simulator for 200 000 cycles with a vertical load of 20 N, a horizontal slide of 2 mm, and a frequency of 1 Hz. Volumetric wear was measured by using a noncontact profilometer and a superimposition software program. Data were analyzed with a 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test (α=.05). Results A statistically significant difference in volumetric wear was found between groups (P Conclusions Denture teeth made from different materials demonstrate significantly different volumetric substance loss when subjected to occlusal wear by zirconia antagonists. Nanohybrid composite resin denture teeth had the least amount of volumetric substance loss.
Average Effect Sizes in Developer-Commissioned and Independent Evaluations

Rigorous evidence of program effectiveness has become increasingly important with the 2015 passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). One question that has not yet been fully explored is whe...
Social media sentimentas an additional performance measure? Examples from iconic theme park destinations

Abstract This analysis quantifies social media data collected for two iconic theme park destinations. Disney World and SeaWorld were studied in-depth using social media analytics, and the findings were compared to publicly available performance measures. The scale and length of social media topics discussed differed significantly, and there was mixed evidence of correlations between social media sentiment and other public performance measures. As the role of social media contributions to selecting retailers and service providers develops, understanding the sentiment around well-known organizations and potential impacts of major events can aid decision makers in the retailing of consumer services.
A Batteryless Motion-Adaptive Heartbeat Detection System-on-Chip Powered by Human Body Heat

This article presents a batteryless heartbeat detection system-on-chip (SoC) powered by human body heat. An adaptive threshold generation architecture using a pulsewidth-locked loop (PWLL) is developed to detect heartbeats from electrocardiogram (ECG) in the presence of motion artifacts. The sensing system is autonomously powered by harvesting thermal energy from human body heat using a thermoelectric generator (TEG) coupled to a low-voltage, self-starting boost converter and integrated power management system. The SoC was implemented in a 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS process and is fully functional with a minimum input power of 20 $\mu \text{W}$ , provided by a portable TEG at 20 mV with a ~0.5°C temperature gradient. The complete system demonstrates motion-adaptive, power-autonomous heartbeat detection for sustainable healthcare using wearable devices.
NMNAT1 facilitates energy metabolism and gene regulation in developing retinal neurons

Despite mounting evidence that the mammalian retina is exceptionally reliant on proper NAD+ homeostasis for health and function, the specific roles of subcellular NAD+ pools in retinal development, maintenance, and disease remain obscure. Here, we show that deletion of the nuclear-localized NAD+ synthase nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase-1 (NMNAT1) in the developing murine retina causes early and severe degeneration of photoreceptors and select inner retinal neurons via multiple distinct cell death pathways. This severe phenotype is associated with extra-nuclear metabolic disruptions to retinal central carbon metabolism, purine nucleotide synthesis, and amino acid pathways. Furthermore, large-scale transcriptomics reveals dysregulation of a collection of photoreceptor and synapse-specific genes in NMNAT1 knockout retinas prior to detectable morphological or metabolic alterations. Collectively, our study furthers understanding of subcellular NAD+ metabolism in vision, reveals previously unrecognized complexity in NMNAT1-associated retinal degeneration, and suggests a yet-undescribed role for NMNAT1 in genetic regulation of photoreceptor terminal differentiation.
CHIPS: A Snakemake pipeline for quality control and reproducible processing of chromatin profiling data

Motivation: The chromatin profile measured by ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, or DNase-seq experiments can identify genomic regions critical in regulating gene expression and provide insights on biological processes such as diseases and development. However, quality control and processing chromatin profiling data involves many steps, and different bioinformatics tools are used at each step. It can be challenging to manage the analysis. Results: We developed a Snakemake pipeline called CHIPS (CHromatin enrIchment ProcesSor) to streamline the processing of ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and DNase-seq data. The pipeline supports single- and paired-end data and is flexible to start with FASTQ or BAM files. It includes basic steps such as read trimming, mapping, and peak calling. In addition, it calculates quality control metrics such as contamination profiles, polymerase chain reaction bottleneck coefficient, the fraction of reads in peaks, percentage of peaks overlapping with the union of public DNaseI hypersensitivity sites, and conservation profile of the peaks. For downstream analysis, it carries out peak annotations, motif finding, and regulatory potential calculation for all genes. The pipeline ensures that the processing is robust and reproducible. Availability: CHIPS is available at https://github.com/liulab-dfci/CHIPS.
Voice Outcomes Following Colon Interposition.

Significance StatementThis case highlights the consequences of colon interposition on phonation and swallowing. Findings in this patient included laryngopharyngeal reflux, vocal fold paralysis, poo...
Geologic implications of seafloor character and carbonate lithification imaged on the domal core of Atlantis Massif

Abstract We document the seafloor character on Atlantis Massif, an ocean core complex located at 30°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with an emphasis on the distribution of carbonate features. Seafloor imagery, near-bottom backscatter, and bathymetry were analyzed on the Central Dome and the Western Shoulder of the exposed footwall to the detachment, and on the Eastern Block, a hanging wall to the fault. We merged Argo II still images to produce photo-mosaics and evaluated these together with video imagery, acoustic reflectivity, and basic rock composition. The seafloor was classified as unconsolidated sediment, lithified carbonate crust, consolidated carbonate cap, exposed basement, or rubble, and the spatial distribution of each type was assessed. Unconsolidated sediment, exposed basement, and rubble were documented in all three regions studied. Lithified carbonate crust was also present on the Western Shoulder and eastern Central Dome. Consolidated carbonate cap was found on the Eastern Block. The formation of the carbonate rock is interpreted to reflect precipitation and/or sediment cementation via fluids derived from serpentinization. Both processes occur at the nearby Lost City Hydrothermal Field. The newly documented locations of seafloor carbonate lithification therefore mark pathways of past, possibly recent, fluid flux from subsurface water-rock reaction zones and represent an additional constituent of the carbon cycling hosted by oceanic lithosphere.
Carbon dioxide–brine–rock interactions in a carbonate reservoir capped by shale: Experimental insights regarding the evolution of trace metals

Abstract Trace metal behavior provides important information regarding fluid–rock interactions in CO2-charged water–rock systems and constrains potential environmental impacts. Hydrothermal experiments evaluated mechanisms of release, evolution, and subsequent scavenging of trace metals at 160 °C and 25 MPa. Experiments were designed to simulate two theoretical locations within a CO2-charged reservoir: (1) at the contact between a shale caprock and carbonate reservoir and (2) deeper within a carbonate reservoir, away from the shale. CO2 injection into brine (ionic strength = 3.3 mol/kg) decreased the pH by 1–2 units; concomitant mineral dissolution elevated Ba, Co, Cu, Pb, and V concentrations in the brine at both simulated locations within the reservoir. Additionally, Fe, Ni, and Zn concentrations increased in the mixed shale-carbonate experiment; Ba and Cd concentrations increased in the carbonate-only experiment. However, concentrations of Fe, Ba, Cr, and Pb in the mixed shale-carbonate experiment and Cr, Pb, V, and Zn within the carbonate-only experiment subsequently decreased as a result of precipitation of sulfides (Fe and Co sulfides), oxides, and clays. At the conclusion of the experiments, Fe, Pb, and Cr exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant limits in both experiments. In addition, zinc exceeded the limits at the simulated shale-carbonate contact and Ba, Cu, and Cd exceeded the limits in the simulated carbonate reservoir. Experimentally observed trends of decreasing Fe and Pb concentrations suggest these trace metals become less of an environmental concern as CO2–water–rock reactions evolve with time. The shale caprock plays an active role in trace metal evolution. The shale is a large source of metals, but also provides metal sinks such as primary clays, secondary smectites, and other silicates that are not found deeper within the carbonate reservoir, away from the shale. This potential mechanism of self-healing mitigates, but does not eliminate, the possible impact of trace metals in CO2-charged systems such as carbon sequestration reservoirs.
Current Therapy for Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis produces a spectrum of disease from inapparent or self limited pulmonary symptoms to widespread lesions throughout the body. Immunosuppressed patients such as those with AIDS are at particular risk of complications. Treatment options have increased during the past decade and recent studies have better defined a role for azole aniifungal agents in comparison to traditional amphotericin B therapy. Despite these advances, treatment failures still occur, and the need for new approaches to therapy remains.
Spectral analysis of lamellae evolution and constraining effects aided by nano-carbons: A coupled experimental and simulation study

Abstract The effects of filler concentration on processing-structure-property relationships in polymer composites with low nano-carbon (nC) loadings (
ULTIMATE INSTABILITY OF EARTHQUAKE STRUCTURES

The parametric motions considered are very general and may be due to mechanical vibrations or horizontal and vertical components of earthquakes. A computer program has been developed for the nonlinear dynamic response of structural systems which are formulated in incremental form based on the displacement method and numerical integrations. Numerical examples are provided from which one may observe that the structure becomes dynamically unstable when a certain frequency of vertical motion is present and that the growth of the vibrating amplitude may possibly cause lateral collapse of the system. Although no definite relationship between vertical earthquake frequencies and the lateral natural frequencies exists for an earthquake structure, the vertical earthquake motions can excite some structures having certain natural frequencies becoming dynamically unstable due to large deflections. The vertical force may not always be critical to dynamic response and can actually cause certain structures to have smaller deflections than that of the associated systems without the influence of the axial force.
The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS): Immunology and potential immunotherapy

Despite widespread advances in intensive care practices, and more potent and effective antimicrobials, septic shock continues to have a mortality rate of greater than 40%. Although antimicrobials can treat the etiologic organism, they do not alter the host response. It is becoming clear that invading organisms and other insults induce the release of cytokines and secondary mediators by the host. These mediators produce alterations in cellular, metabolic and physiologic functions producing the clinical picture of septic shock. Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology have permitted the identification of some of the mediators involved in this inflammatory cascade. Potential therapies are being developed which block or interrupt their activity. Treatment populations must be meticulously defined if we are to extract useful information concerning the efficacy of these new treatment modalities. In the following, proposed definitions for clinical patterns seen in patients with sepsis, and their inherent problems when applied to pediatrics are discussed. The pathophysiology of sepsis is discussed, and specific therapies designed to interrupt the inflammatory cascade are examined.
Correctness of Procedure Representations in Higher-Order Assembly Language

Higher-order assembly language (HOAL) generalizes combinator-based target languages by allowing free variables in terms to play the role of registers. We introduce a machine model for which HOAL is the assembly language, and prove the correctness of a compiler from a tiny language into HOAL. We introduce the notion of a λ-representation, which is an abstract binding operation, show how some common representations of procedures and continuations can be expressed as λ-representations. Last, we prove the correctness of a typical procedure-calling convention in this framework.
Rapid ice melting drives Earth's pole to the east

[1] Space geodetic observations of polar motion show that around 2005, the average annual pole position began drifting toward the east, an abrupt departure from the drift direction seen over the past century. Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) show that about 90% of this change is due to accelerated melting of polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers and related sea level rise. The close relationship between long-term polar motion and climate-related mass redistribution established using GRACE data indicates that accurately measured polar motion data offer an additional tool for monitoring global-scale ice melting and sea level rise and should be useful in bridging the anticipated gap between GRACE and follow-on satellite gravity missions.
The isotopic and hydrologic response of small, closed‐basin lakes to climate forcing from predictive models: Simulations of stochastic and mean state precipitation variations

A hydrologic and isotope mass-balance model is applied to two small, closed-basin lakes, Castor and Scanlon, in north-central Washington to describe the influence of hydroclimatic forcing on lake hydrologic and isotopic evolution. Simulations of lake responses to the combined effects of stochastic variability (i.e., random interannual fluctuations) and long-term (i.e., multidecade to century), mean-state changes in precipitation were conducted using 300 yr of randomly generated precipitation data as model inputs. Simulation results demonstrate that average (long-term) closed-basin, lake-water, oxygen-isotope values are dependent largely upon lake-water outseepage (i.e., subsurface outflow) rates, with lower (higher) outseepage resulting in decreased (increased) isotopic sensitivity to long term precipitation changes, and that the lake basin surface-area-to-volume (SA :V) ratio changes with depth influence the direction of the isotopic response. Simulation results also suggest that, as average lake volume decreases as a consequence of decreasing mean-state precipitation amounts, interannual lake-water isotopic variability in response to stochastic forcing will increase. Conversely, as the average lake volume increases in response to increasing mean-state precipitation amounts, interannual lake-water isotopic variations associated with stochastic forcing will decrease. Additional model experiments demonstrate that increased (decreased) variance in precipitation leads to increased (decreased) water volume within lakes over the long term, which (if stochastic variance changes are large enough) could result in decreased (increased) lake-water oxygen-isotopic sensitivity to stochastic precipitation.
La bachata del gay volador: el desafío a la (homo) sexualidad y la identidad dominicana en la música de Andy Peña y en bachata del ángel caído (1999) de Pedro Antonio Valdez

Thi s articl e examine s th e multipl e way s i n whic h sexualize d an d gendere d natio- nal discourses are alternately reproduced and challenged in Pedro Antonio V aldez ’ s novel, Bacha- ta del angel caido (1999) and in Andy Pena ’ s bachata Quiero volar (2008). This article argues that the social meanings ascribed to bachata are challenged to varying degrees in V aldez ’ s novel an d o n Pena ’ s music . Whil e Bachat a de l ange l caid o emphasize s th e «machista » an d heteronor mati- v e undertone s o f bachata , Pena ’ s wor k manage s t o pav e th e wa y fo r th e incursio n o f a n otherwise unlikely subject in bachata: the queer Dominican male.