cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Patterns of Functional Electrical Stimulation Have an Immediate Effect on Dorsiflexor Muscle Function During Gait for People Poststroke

Background Foot drop is a common gait impairment after stroke. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles during the swing phase of gait can help correct foot drop. Compared with constant-frequency trains (CFTs), which typically are used during FES, novel stimulation patterns called variable-frequency trains (VFTs) have been shown to enhance isometric and nonisometric muscle performance. However, VFTs have never been used for FES during gait. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare knee and ankle kinematics during the swing phase of gait when FES was delivered to the ankle dorsiflexor muscles using VFTs versus CFTs. Design A repeated-measures design was used in this study. Participants Thirteen individuals with hemiparesis following stroke (9 men, 4 women; age=46–72 years) participated in the study. Methods Participants completed 20- to 40-second bouts of walking at their self-selected walking speeds. Three walking conditions were compared: walking without FES, walking with dorsiflexor muscle FES using CFTs, and walking with dorsiflexor FES using VFTs. Results Functional electrical stimulation using both CFTs and VFTs improved ankle dorsiflexion angles during the swing phase of gait compared with walking without FES (X±SE=−2.9°±1.2°). Greater ankle dorsiflexion in the swing phase was generated during walking with FES using VFTs (X±SE=2.1°±1.5°) versus CFTs (X±SE=0.3±1.3°). Surprisingly, dorsiflexor FES resulted in reduced knee flexion during the swing phase and reduced ankle plantar flexion at toe-off. Conclusions The findings suggest that novel FES systems capable of delivering VFTs during gait can produce enhanced correction of foot drop compared with traditional FES systems that deliver CFTs. The results also suggest that the timing of delivery of FES during gait is critical and merits further investigation.
Editorial: A tribute to Rudolph Kingslake on his 90th birthday

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: A tribute to Rudolph Kingslake on his 90th birthday” for OE Vol. 32 Issue 08
Replication Initiation Point Mapping

Replication in eukaryotes is bidirectional and semi-discontinuous. This asymmetry provides the basis for mapping the origin of bidirectional replication (OBR), which is the transition point from discontinuous to continuous synthesis. The regions of each DNA strand complementary to the leading strand or lagging strand can be measured by the methods of imbalanced DNA synthesis or Okazaki fragment distribution, respectively. The resolution of both of these hybridization-based procedures is a few hundred base pairs. Nucleotide resolution was previously achieved for viral origins by mapping the initiation sites of Okazaki fragments on sequencing gels. To overcome the background caused by nicked DNA, all DNA ends were phosphorylated, RNA primers were removed from the Okazaki fragments by NaOH hydrolysis, and the hydroxyl ends thus created were phosphorylated with 32P. Unfortunately, this method was not sensitive enough to map eukaryotic cellular origins. A new method, replication initiation point (RIP) mapping, that is 1000-fold more sensitive and has been applied to yeast ARS1 where the OBR is mapped to and 18-bp region from within element B1 toward B2 is described here. RIP mapping utilizes Vent (exo-) polymerase to extend from a labeled primer to the DNA/RNA junctions of nascent strand template in an asynchronous population of replicating molecules. The DNA is digested with lambda-exonuclease prior to primer extension to remove nicked contaminating DNA.
Integrative Approaches for Cardiovascular Disease

In the United States, $2.5 trillion is spent on healthcare annually. Seven chronic diseases account for half of all this expense. Of these 7, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes mellitus are largely preventable. Integrative cardiology programs that focus on risk‐factor modification through lifestyle change combined with early detection and advanced lipid management offer a new paradigm to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Gallium-67/stable gadolinium antagonism: MRI contrast agent markedly alters the normal biodistribution of gallium-67.

An 11-yr-old patient was scanned 96 hr after the administration of gallium-67 (67Ga). The scan emulated the biodistribution of a typical bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical—rather than that of 67Ga. None of the factors previously identified with alteration of the biodistribution of 67Ga were found. However, the patient had been injected with gadopentetate in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging 4 hr before receiving the 67Ga. Gadolinium appears to cause a strong carrier-like effect in 67Ga scans.
Lipopolysaccharides Indirectly Stimulate Apoptosis and Global Induction of Apoptotic Genes in Fibroblasts

Following Gram-negative bacterial infection there is a reduction in matrix-producing cells. The goal of the present study was to examine the apoptotic effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on fibroblastic cells and to investigate the role that the host response plays in this reaction. This was accomplished in vivo by subcutaneous inoculation of LPS in wild type and TNFR1(-/-)R2(-/-) mice. The direct effects of LPS on fibroblast apoptosis was studied in vitro with normal diploid human fibroblasts. The results indicate that LPS in vivo induces apoptosis of fibroblasts. By RNA profiling we demonstrated that LPS stimulates global expression of apoptotic genes and down-regulates anti-apoptotic genes. Fluorometric studies demonstrated that LPS in vivo significantly increased caspase-8 and caspase-3 activity and by use of specific inhibitors, the activation of caspase-3 was shown to be initiated by caspase-8 with no contribution from caspase-9. In vitro studies demonstrated that LPS did not induce apoptosis of fibroblasts, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF) did. In addition, the pattern of apoptotic gene expression induced by TNF in vitro was nearly identical to that induced by LPS in vivo, as measured by RNase protection assay. Moreover, pre-treatment of cells with TNF greatly enhanced apoptosis induced by a second stimulation with TNF 24 h later, suggesting that the global induction of pro-apoptotic genes was functionally significant. Thus, LPS acts to modulate the expression of a large number of genes that favor apoptosis of fibroblastic cells that is dependent upon activation of caspase-8 and is largely mediated by TNF.
Green server design: beyond operational energy to sustainability

"Green" server and datacenter design requires a focus on environmental sustainability. Prior studies have focused on operational energy consumption as a proxy for sustainability, but this metric only captures part of the environmental impact. In this paper, we argue that to understand the total impact, we need to examine the entire lifecycle of the system, beyond operational energy to also include material use and manufacturing. We make two main contributions. We present a methodology that allows such a lifecycle analysis, specifically providing attribution of sustainability bottlenecks to individual system architecture components. Using this methodology, we compare the sustainability tradeoffs between popular energy-efficiency optimizations and discuss sustainability bottlenecks and optimizations for future system designs.
Rallying Around the Party Symbol: Party Identity Strength and Temporary Candidate Evaluation Polarization

This paper argues that party identification, as a social identity, fundamentally alters and biases individual processing of and reactions to political information and events. Central to my theory is the assumption that party identities link peoples' mental representation of a political party with their mental representations of themselves. From this theory, I derive the hypothesis that as identification with political figures increases, evaluations become more biased and polarized. Using pooled time series from the American National Election Studies (ANES), I examine the thermometer ratings over several years of six political figures: Ronald Reagan, Robert Dole, John McCain, George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, and Walter Mondale. I find the evaluations of these figures are significantly more polarized in years when their connection with political parties, and as an extension, those with stronger social identities based on partisanship (partisan identifiers), increased as a result of being nominated for president candidate or serving as the elected president. Furthermore, this polarization of evaluations is greater among individuals who report strong partisan identification even when controlling for ideological extremity or political interest. This same temporary polarization produced by increased identification is again found in an analysis Barack Obama and John McCain evaluations found in the 2008-2009 ANES Panel Study. Strong partisans' comparative evaluations of Obama and McCain become significantly more polarized as the candidates become party symbols as a result of their formal nominations. Yet, while the polarization persists for Obama evaluations, McCain evaluations become less polarized after the election when his connection to the party was severed by his loss of the election.
Forging the Way to a Better Axle

Historically, rail “axles” for the center truck of Low Floor Mass Transit Cars have been manufactured and supplied by European companies. The industry standard is a fabricated assembly comprised of forged ends welded to a structural steel center of various shapes. Several factors have enticed one domestic supplier to look for a better way to manufacture the axle in the United States. The word axle will be used in this paper, although technically the word “support” is more valid as an “axle” is assumed to rotate and this “support” does not. Currently, Penn Machine is producing its latest support, a one piece forged axle with the properties of the previous welded assembly. Many considerations, including material type, manufacturability, stress and deflection, weight, and dimensional fit, were made prior to approval of the final design. Because previous models were designed and manufactured overseas, European design criteria and materials had to be considered, and in some cases modified for the domestic market. The analysis approach began with a European calculation method. Additional analysis was performed to evaluate modifications. Finite Element Analysis was conducted to refine the design and to investigate material reducing options. The proposed paper outlines the design process used in bringing this new and innovative concept off the boards and into reality. It is the hope of the authors that others will recognize domestic opportunities by observance of the process used to create the new axle. To date, the new axle is being proposed for use on two new transit systems. The cars will be tested with the new axle to insure safety and performance.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Study of A_2 production in the reaction π^-p→K^0K^-p at 50, 100, and 175 GeV/c

The reaction π^-p→K^0K^-p has been measured from 50 to 175 GeV/c. The production characteristics of the A_2 have been analyzed. We find spin and t dependence similar to lower energies, but the cross section falls rapidly with energy. In a Regge description of π^-p→A_2^-p our data imply a rather small Pomeron-exchange component.
Comparison of the serum toxicokinetics of larkspur toxins in cattle, sheep and goats

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are a major cause of cattle losses in western North America, whereas sheep are thought to be resistant to larkspur toxicosis. Goats are often used as a small ruminant model to study poisonous plants. In this study, we compared the serum toxicokinetic profile of toxic larkspur alkaloids from Delphinium barbeyi in cattle, goats, and sheep. The results from this study indicate that kinetic differences could partially explain species differences in susceptibility to larkspur toxicosis.
Forms of knowledge

In this and the following chapter on network analysis I will concentrate on building a foundation for what is to follow. I start this work by defining the key concepts associated with knowledge, drawing careful distinctions between them. Needless to say these terms are at times used interchangeably and at times are taken to be quite different things in the burgeoning literature in this area. I then move on to a discussion of various classifications of types of knowledge, starting with the foundational one between tacit and explicit knowledge. These types could serve as the starting point for the definition of relationships in network analysis, the most critical move in any project relating to it. Finally, in part to serve as counterpoint but also to focus on critical dilemmas and questions of balance in organizations, to which managerial judgment must be applied, I discuss ignorance and the positive role it plays in organizations. What is knowledge? Knowledge runs the gamut from data, to information, to wisdom, with a variety of distinctions being made between these terms in the literature. While there is a generally recognized ordering among these terms (see Figure 2.1), with wisdom having the least coverage of any of the sets in the figure, they are often used interchangeably and in conflicting ways in the literature, resulting in some confusion (Boahene and Ditsa 2003).
A new theoretical approach to cascaded stimulated Brillouin scattering

We present a novel approach to cascaded stimulated Brillouin scattering in which the multitude of interacting optical fields are described by a single forward and single backward propagating wave at a single carrier frequency.
Molecular Imaging with Reporter Genes

Reporter genes have been used for several decades to study regulation of gene expression in vivo. However, it was little more than a decade ago that a new class of reporter genes was developed for imaging molecular events within living subjects. By following the interactions of protein molecules, researchers can resolve the complex chemical pathways that living cells utilise. This book focuses on this group of imaging reporter genes, starting with detailed descriptions of all reporter genes from different imaging modalities, including optical, MRI, and radionuclide-based imaging. Key scientists in the field explain how to enhance reporter gene imaging utility through instrumentation and the various applications of this technology. This is the first comprehensive book on all aspects of reporter gene imaging, detailing what is known in the field and future goals for research. Investigators in biomedical sciences, physicians, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries will benefit from topics covered.
Northern Ireland, Brittany and Quebec

Ethnonationalist movements have become a familiar phenomenon throughout the western world over the last few decades. Many of these are associated with movements to restore or protect minority or lesser-used languages. In this broader context the situation in Northern Ireland is not entirely unique. So far we have looked at the Irish language revival in relation to the conflict in Northern Ireland, and as a product of Irish historical, political and social developments. In this chapter, I shall examine two anthropological studies of ethnonationalist linguistic revivals which offer particularly relevant comparative insights, Handler’s (1988) study of the ‘politics of culture in Quebec’ and McDonald’s (1989) study of language, culture and identity in Brittany.
Combined effect of monotertiary butylhydroquinone and sodium chloride on lactic acid bacteria

The combined effect of monotertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ; 0 to 2000 μg/g), meat and NaCl (3.0 and 3.6%) was examined on the fermentation of dextrose and sucrose by Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus plantarum at 27 and 35°C. With both bacteria, the rate of fermentation of each carbohydrate was reduced to different extents with increases in the concentration of TBHQ. In most instances, increasing the concentration of NaCl from 3.0 to 3.6% enhanced the antimicrobial activity of TBHQ. The same phenomenon was observed when the temperature of fermentation was reduced from 35 to 27°C. The effect of increasing the concentration of NaCl (3.0 to 3.6%) on the rate of fermentation of dextrose was larger than that brought about by decreasing the temperature of fermentation. The reverse was found with sucrose. P. pentosaceus was more sensitive to the combined action of TBHQ and NaCl at both 27 and 35°C than L. plantarum . TBHQ, 1000 and 2000 μg/g (35°C) and 30 μg/g (27°C) in combination with 3.0 and 3.6% NaCl, respectively, stopped the fermentation of dextrose by P. pentosaceus . TBHQ, up to 2000 μg/g (35°C) and up to 30 μg/g (27°C) with 3.6% NaCl, reduced (up to 80%) but did not stop the fermentation of sucrose by P. pentosaceus in meat. The fermentation of dextrose and sucrose by L. plantarum in meat (27 and 35°C) was reduced (up to 73%), but was not stopped, by up to 2000 μg/g TBHQ.
Remote sensors for and sensing of urban areas: Current state and next decade

The applications of remote sensing technology have been focused on environmental issues and natural resources. Coarse- and medium-resolution optical and radar imagery has limited usage in urban areas. At the turn of the 21st century, we have witnessed great advances in remote sensing and imaging science. Commercial satellites acquire imagery at a spatial resolution previously only possible to aerial platforms, but these satellites have advantages over aerial imageries including their capacity for synoptic coverage, inherently digital format, short revisit time, and capability to produce stereo image pairs conveniently for high-accuracy 3D mapping thanks to their flexible pointing mechanism. Hyperspectral imaging affords the potential for detailed identification of materials and better estimates of their abundance in the Earth's surface, enabling the use of remote sensing data collection to replace data collection that was formerly limited to laboratory testing or expensive field surveys. Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology can provide high-accuracy height and other geometric information for urban structures and vegetation. In addition, radar technology has been re-inventing itself since the 1990s, due largely to the increase of spaceborne radar programs. These technologies are not isolated at all. In fact, their integrated uses with more established aerial photography and multispectral remote sensing techniques have been the main stream of current remote sensing research and applications. With the advent of the new sensor technology, the reinvention of “old” technology, and more capable computational techniques, the field of remote sensing and Earth observation is rapidly gaining, or regaining, interest in the geospatial technology community, governments, industries and the general public. The integration of the internet technology with remote sensing imaging science and GIS have led to the emergence of geo-referenced information over the web, such as Google Earth and Virtual Globe. These new geo-referenced “worlds”, in conjunction with GPS, mobile mapping, and modern telecommunication technologies, have sparked much interest in the public for remote sensing and imaging science (Weng, 2012). Within this context, urban remote sensing has become a new frontier in geospatial technology. This trend has been demonstrated by rapidly increasing publications on the topic and its widespread applications.
The TurtleBot3 Teacher [Resources_Hands On]

As the folks behind IEEE Spectrum's robotics blog, Automaton, we were thrilled when Robotis sent us a review unit of its TurtleBot3. This little robot is designed to provide a platform for people looking to get their feet wet with the Robot Operating System, or ROS. ROS is popular with academic researchers and industrial developers, but its complexity can be daunting. . The TurtleBot3's predecessor, the netbook-based TurtleBot2, is still a totally decent ROS platform. But the TurtleBot3 takes advantage of a new generation of low-cost computing and sensing hardware: The platform stuffs a full ROS installation into the absolute smallest and cheapest mobile robot that can support it, while maintaining capability and convenience. . Robotis actually sent us two units, as the TurtleBot3 comes in two flavors, dubbed the Burger and the Waffle. The Waffle offers more advanced features, but it's built around Intel's Joule compute module, which now looks to be on Intel's chopping block. So here we'll be focusing on the US $549 Burger, which is built around the Raspberry Pi 3. . As noted above, ROS presents a tough learning curve. This is not the robot to buy if you just want some fun; this is the robot you buy if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn ROS alongside advanced robotics and computer science concepts.
Tympanic Membrane Temperature and Hemispheric Cognitive Style

ABSTRACTThe authors tested the hypothesis that there is a correlation between hemispheric cognitive style and ear temperature. A sample of 100 participants completed a measure of hemispheric cognitive style, the Hemispheric Consensus Prediction Profile. Ear temperatures were taken in 2 sessions, 2 times for each ear at each session. Average left ear temperature was subtracted from average right ear temperature as an index of dominant temperature. Only 56 of the participants showed a stable dominant ear temperature. For these 56 participants, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between scores on the Hemispheric Consensus Prediction Profile and tympanic member temperature (Spearman's ρ =.29, 95% CI [.04,.51]). Individuals with a left hemispheric cognitive style tended to have a warmer left tympanic membrane temperature while those with a right hemispheric cognitive style tended to have a warmer right tympanic membrane temperature. Tympanic membrane temperatures are easily obtained us...
Electronic-clinical evaluation exercise (e-CEX): A new patient-centered EHR use tool

Abstract Introduction Electronic Health Record (EHR) use can enhance or weaken patient-provider communication. Despite EHR adoption, no validated tool exists to assess EHR communication skills. We aimed to develop and validate such a tool. Methods Electronic-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (e-CEX) is a 10-item-tool based on systematic literature review and pilot-testing. Second-year (MS2s) students participated in an EHR-use lecture and structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Untrained third-year students (MS3s) participated in the same OSCE. OSCEs were scored with e-CEX compared to a standardized patient (SP) tool. Internal consistency, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity were analyzed. Results Three investigators used e-CEX to rate 70 videos (20 MS2, 50 MS3). Reliability testing indicated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). MS2s scored significantly higher than untrained MS3 s on e-CEX [e-CEX 55(10.7) vs. 44.9 (12.7), P = 0.003], providing evidence of discriminant validity. e-CEX and SP score correlation was high (Pearson correlation = 0.74, P Conclusion e-CEX is a reliable, valid tool to assess medical student patient-centered EHR communication skills. Practice implications While validation is needed with other healthcare providers, e-CEX may help improve provider behaviors and enhance patients’ overall experience of EHR use in their care.
Tuberculosis Test Usage and Medical Expenditures from Outpatient Insurance Claims Data, 2013

Objective. To evaluate TB test usage and associated direct medical expenditures from 2013 private insurance claims data in the United States (US). Methods. We extracted outpatient claims for TB-specific and nonspecific tests from the 2013 MarketScan® commercial database. We estimated average expenditures (adjusted for claim and patient characteristics) using semilog regression analyses and compared them to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) national reimbursement limits. Results. Among the TB-specific tests, 1.4% of the enrollees had at least one claim, of which the tuberculin skin test was most common (86%) and least expensive ($9). The T-SPOT® was the most expensive among the TB-specific tests ($106). Among nonspecific TB tests, the chest radiograph was the most used test (78%), while chest computerized tomography was the most expensive ($251). Adjusted average expenditures for the majority of tests (≈74%) were above CMS limits. We estimated that total United States medical expenditures for the employer-based privately insured population for TB-specific tests were $53.0 million in 2013, of which enrollees paid 17% ($9 million). Conclusions. We found substantial differences in TB test usage and expenditures. Additionally, employer-based private insurers and enrollees paid more than CMS limits for most TB tests.
Evaluation of a Pilot School-Based Group for Mandarin-Speaking Minors

The population of Mandarin-speaking, Chinese international students is rapidly expanding in the United States (Institute of International Education n.d.). Among them, there is a small subgroup of individuals who are minors and unaccompanied by parents (i.e., parachute kids). As part of its initiative to increase support for Mandarin-speaking minors, a private high school in the northeastern region of the U.S. offered a school-based psychoeducation/support group for its 17 Mandarin-speaking students for the first time. The purposes of the study were to (a) provide more general information on this particular group of adolescents by examining data obtained from the anonymous group evaluations and (b) explore the benefits and shortcomings of this pilot program. Results showed that the demographics of this population are changing and participants in general found the group useful for their transition to a new school system and the U.S. society. Future directions for practice and research are discussed.
Sexual Dysfunction Associated with the Drug Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

Adverse sexual effects of psychiatric medication can cause considerable distress to patients and so lead to noncompliance. Despite the clinical importance of psychotropic-induced sexual dysfunction, there is relatively little systematic research on its incidence and treatment. Investigation is complicated by the fact that sexual dysfunction may predate the onset of medication or may be secondary to the presenting illness. In addition, objective measures of sexual dysfunction have been difficult to construct. Few studies have attempted to combine phenomenological and physiological measures of sexual dysfunction.
Fetal biophysical profile scoring: current status

In this article the use of the fetal biophysical profile as means of antepartum fetal surveillance is reviewed. The value of the individual biophysical components in predicting adverse perinatal outcome in patients with intact, as well as prematurely ruptured membranes, is emphasized. Abnormal biophysical assessment in high-risk patients with intact membranes frequently is associated with fetal asphyxia, whereas an abnormal biophysical assessment in patients with preterm premature rupture of the membranes may indicate impending infection. It remains to be seen if the use of computer-assisted systems will improve the accuracy of this testing method further.
A verified conformal decomposition finite element method for implicit, many-material geometries

Abstract As computing power rapidly increases, quickly creating a representative and accurate discretization of complex geometries arises as a major hurdle towards achieving a next generation simulation capability. Component definitions may be in the form of solid (CAD) models or derived from 3D computed tomography (CT) data, and creating a surface-conformal discretization may be required to resolve complex interfacial physics. The Conformal Decomposition Finite Element Methods (CDFEM) has been shown to be an efficient algorithm for creating conformal tetrahedral discretizations of these implicit geometries without manual mesh generation. In this work we describe an extension to CDFEM to accurately resolve the intersections of many materials within a simulation domain. This capability is demonstrated on both an analytical geometry and an image-based CT mesostructure representation consisting of hundreds of individual particles. Effective geometric and transport properties are the calculated quantities of interest. Solution verification is performed, showing CDFEM to be optimally convergent in nearly all cases. Representative volume element (RVE) size is also explored and per-sample variability quantified. Relatively large domains and small elements are required to reduce uncertainty, with recommended meshes of nearly 10 million elements still containing upwards of 30% uncertainty in certain effective properties. This work instills confidence in the applicability of CDFEM to provide insight into the behaviors of complex composite materials and provides recommendations on domain and mesh requirements.
Revisiting the United States Army body composition standards: a receiver operating characteristic analysis

The objective for percent body fat standards in the United States Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) is to ensure soldiers maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions. However, conducting large-scale experiments within the United States Army to evaluate the efficacy of the thresholds is challenging. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with corresponding area under the curve (AUC) was performed on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference to determine optimal gender-specific age cohort thresholds that meet ABCP percent body fat standards in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. A second dataset consisting of a cohort of basic training recruits (N = 20,896 soldiers, 28% female) with BMI and waist circumference measured using a 3D body image scanner was applied to calculate what percent of basic training recruits meet the ABCP percent body fat standards. Regression models to determine the contribution of different circumference sites to the predictions of percent body fat were developed using a database compiled at the New York Obesity Research Center (N = 500). Optimal BMI thresholds ranged from 23.65 kg/m2 (17–21-year-old cohort) to 26.55 kg/m2 (40 and over age cohort) for males and 21.75 to 24.85 kg/m2 for females. The AUC values were between 0.86 and 0.92. The waist circumference thresholds ranged 81.35 to 97.55 cm for males and 77.05 to 89.35 cm for females with AUC values between 0.90 and 0.91. These BMI thresholds were exceeded by 65% of male and 74% of female basic training recruits and waist circumference thresholds were exceeded by 73% of male and 85% of female recruits. The single circumference that contributed most to prediction of body fat was waist circumference in males and mid-thigh circumference in females. The ABCP percent body fat thresholds yield BMI thresholds that are below the United States Army BMI standards, especially in females which suggests the ABCP percent body fat standards may be too restrictive. The United States Army percent body fat standards could instead be matched to existing national health guidelines.
Sense of Effort and Fatigue Associated With Talking After Total Laryngectomy.

Purpose Sense of effort and fatigue associated with talking was compared in individuals with and without a total laryngectomy. Method An online survey of individuals using tracheoesophageal speech ...
Effects of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical properties of alfalfa-derived biochar for the adsorption of bisphenol A and sulfamethoxazole in water.

Abstract The present study reports alfalfa (one of most abundant hays in U.S)-derived biochar for effective removal of emerging contaminants in water for the first time. The physicochemical properties of alfalfa-derived biochar (AF-BC) made at various pyrolysis temperatures were investigated, and correlated with the adsorption of bisphenol A (BPA) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in water. The increase in pyrolysis temperatures from 350 °C to 650 °C for the pyrolysis of AF led to a drastic increase in surface area and carbonization with the loss of functional groups. The AF-derived biochar made at 650 °C showed much higher adsorption capacities for BPA and SMX than those made at 350–550 °C, mainly owing to the hydrophobic and π-π interactions supported by its high surface area and degree of carbonization. The adsorption isotherms fitted the Freundlich for BPA and Temkin models for SMX well, respectively. The adsorption capacities of AF 650 for BPA and SMX were higher than those of other biochars but lower than those of commercial activated carbon. The pH-dependent desorption for AF 650 showed high efficiency for SMX, but low efficiency for BPA indicating needs for alternative regeneration methods for BPA.
Marital Practice in Social Work

The authors studied how social workers doing marital practice in family service agencies perceive their practice. The conceptual foundation of marital practice and how it differs from individual an...
High order ghost-cell immersed boundary method for generalized boundary conditions

Abstract Flow and reactive transport problems in engineering, medical and environmental applications often involve complex geometries. Grid based methods (e.g. finite volume, finite element, etc.) are a vital tool for studying such problems. Cartesian grids are one of the most attractive options as they possess simple discretization stencils and are usually straightforward to generate at roughly no computational cost. The Immersed Boundary Method, a Cartesian based methodology, maintains most of the useful features of structured grids, while it exhibits a great resilience in dealing with complex geometries. These features make it increasingly more attractive to model transport in evolving porous media as the cost of grid generation reduces greatly. Yet, stability issues due to the geometry of the interpolation stencil combined with limited studies on the implementation of Neumann (constant flux) and linear Robin (e.g. reaction) boundary conditions have significantly limited its applicability to transport in complex topologies. We develop a high-order compact Cartesian model based on ghost cell immersed boundary method for incompressible flow and scalar transport subject to different boundary conditions. The accuracy test shows at least second order of accuracy in L 1 , L 2 and L ∞ norms of error. The proposed method is capable of accurately capturing the transport physics near the boundaries for Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary conditions. We tested the method for several transport and flow scenarios, including heat transfer close to an immersed object and mass transport over reactive surfaces.
Intrusions of violence: Afro-pessimism and reading social death beyond solitary confinement:

Any serious engagement with the theory of social death must contend with Afro-pessimism. Socio-Legal Studies advances social death as an un-raced and universalizable phenomenon. Lisa Guenther’s Solitary Confinement, is exemplary of this kind of work. In order to construct a phenomenology of race, Guenther attempts to analogize a theory of slavery (social death) with a theory of phenomenology and solitary confinement. Furthermore, Guenther takes up a humanistic reading of Frantz Fanon’s work, as if Fanon was affirming the possibility of a “new humanism” that could restore social life against social death in the post-colonial wake. This essay is an attempt to provide an Afro-pessimist reading of social death; one that engages anti-blackness as a fundamental condition of civil society and provides a close reading of Fanon’s psychopolitics of racial violence.
Probability range and probability distortion in a gambling task

In decision making under risk, adults tend to overestimate small and underestimate large probabilities (Tversky & Kahneman, 1992). This inverse S-shaped distortion pattern is similar to that observed in a wide variety of proportion judgment tasks (see Hollands & Dyre, 2000, for review). In proportion judgment tasks, distortion patterns tend not to be fixed but rather to depend on the reference points to which the targets are compared. Here, we tested the novel hypothesis that probability distortion in decision making under risk might also be influenced by reference points-in this case, references implied by the probability range. Adult participants were assigned to either a full-range (probabilities from 0-100%), upper-range (50-100%), or lower-range (0-50%) condition, where they indicated certainty equivalents for 176 hypothetical monetary gambles (e.g., "a 50% chance of $100, otherwise $0"). Using a modified cumulative prospect theory model, we found only minimal differences in probability distortion as a function of condition, suggesting no differences in use of reference points by condition, and broadly demonstrating the robustness of distortion pattern across contexts. However, we also observed deviations from the curve across all conditions that warrant further research.
Lethal But Legal: Corporations, Consumption, and Protecting Public Health (Book Review)

This is a book review of Lethal but Legal: Corporations, Consumption, and Protecting Public Health, by Nicholas Freudenberg. Through examining the tobacco, food, automobile, pharmaceutical, alcohol, and automobile industries, Freudenberg makes a compelling and impassioned case that corporate conduct is a major contributor to death and disease. However, he paints with an extremely broad brush and (despite the book's title) does not clearly distinguish between conduct that is legal and illegal, which is a crucial distinction for regulatory purposes. Moreover, he barely touches upon the central tension between the interests of public health and the duty of corporations to maximize profits for their shareholders. The book in nonetheless a timely reminder that health, politics, and corporate conduct are all inextricably intertwined.
Heart Failure Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Veterans With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate outcomes of heart failure (HF) in veterans living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Background Data on outcomes of HF among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are limited. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of Veterans Health Affairs data to investigate outcomes of HF in PLHIV. We identified 5,747 HIV+ veterans with diagnosis of HF from 2000 to 2018 and 33,497 HIV− frequency-matched controls were included. Clinical outcomes included all-cause mortality, HF hospital admission, and all-cause hospital admission. Results Compared with HIV− veterans with HF, HIV+ veterans with HF were more likely to be black (56% vs. 14%), be smokers (52% vs. 29%), use alcohol (32% vs. 13%) or drugs (37% vs. 8%), and have a higher comorbidity burden (Elixhauser comorbidity index 5.1 vs. 2.6). The mean ejection fraction (EF) (45 ± 16%) was comparable between HIV+ and HIV− veterans. HIV+ veterans with HF had a higher age-, sex-, and race-adjusted 1-year all-cause mortality (30.7% vs. 20.3%), HF hospital admission (21.2% vs. 18.0%), and all-cause admission (50.2% vs. 38.5%) rates. Among veterans with HIV and HF, those with low CD4 count ( 75 copies/μl) had worse outcomes. The associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for extensive list of covariates. The incidence of all-cause mortality and HF admissions was higher among HIV+ veterans with ejection fraction Conclusions HIV+ veterans with HF had higher risk of hospitalization and mortality compared with their HIV− counterparts, with worse outcomes reported for individuals with lower CD4 count, higher viral load, and lower ejection fraction.
Pathological characteristics and prognosis of malignant rhabdoid tumor in infants

Objective To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) in infants. Methods The clinical data, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were analyzed for 5 MRT patients from January 2009 to December 2014. Results There were 3 boys and 2 girls with an average age of 70 days.And the diagnostic time was 1 day to 330 days.Tumors were detected in kidney (n=1) and skin soft tissue (n=4). The neoplastic stages were I (n=1) and IV (n=4). All of them underwent local wide resection with regional lymph node dissection.Tumors had infiltrated the surrounding tissue with intravascular tumor emboli in 3 patients.Classified as stage IV, they abandoned treatment, recurred at Day 5-7 and died at Day 14-28 post-operation.And the average age was 21 days.In one patient with renal MRT, intravascular tumor emboli were detected intraoperatively in renal cortex and multiple pulmonary tumor nodules visualized on computed tomography (CT). Tumor was classified as stage IV.After 5 cycles of chemotherapy, metastatic lung tumor expanded.This patient survived for 6 months postoperatively.In another patient with perineal MRT, tumor showed no invasion into the surrounding tissue and no intravascular emboli and it was classified as stage I. Without chemotherapy, this patient survived without recurrence or metastasis up to 3 years postoperatively.Among 4 cases of stage IV MRT, 75%(3/4) died within 6 months and 100% within 1 year postoperatively.The mortality rate rose with the stage of tumor.The histological characteristics of MRT were rhabdoid cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm often containing hyaline inclusions, eccentric oval nuclei and prominent nucleoli.Immunohistochemically, vimentin, CK and EMA were positive while INI1 was negative. Conclusions As a rare highly aggressive malignancy in young children with early metastasis and recurrence, MRT is usually in advanced stage at the time of diagnosis and its outcomes are poor.Early total resection often yields a longer survival. Key words: Malignant tumor; Infantum; Pathologic characteristics; Diagnosis and treatment; Prognosis
Best Practice Recommendations for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Patients with Suspected COVID-19.

Abstract Background Lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a critical tool for evaluating patients with dyspnea in the emergency department (ED), including patients with suspected coronavirus disease (COVID)-19. However, given the threat of nosocomial disease spread, the use of ultrasound is no longer risk free. Objective Here, we review the lung POCUS findings in patients with COVID-19. In doing so we present a scanning protocol for lung POCUS in COVID-19 that maximizes clinical utility and provider safety. Discussion In COVID-19 lung, POCUS findings are predominantly located in the posterior and lateral lung zones bilaterally. A six-zone scanning protocol that prioritizes obtaining images in these locations optimizes provider positioning, and minimizes time spent scanning, which can reduce risk to health care workers performing POCUS. Conclusions Lung POCUS can offer valuable clinical data when evaluating patients with COVID-19. Scanning protocols such as that presented here, which target clinical utility and decreased nosocomial disease spread, must be prioritized.
Reliability and accuracy of an expert physical therapist as a reference standard for a manual therapy joint mobilization trial.

Objective: Previous studies on learning joint mobilization techniques have used expert practitioners as the reference standard as there is no current evidence on what ideal forces would be for effe...
Fluoroquinolone-Induced Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Case Report.

Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobial agents that inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis by binding to DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV. Fluoroquinolones have also been associated with the development of tendinopathy, tendon rupture, and arthropathy. The postulated mechanisms for quinolone-associated tendinopathy are alteration of the tendon extracellular matrix, impairment of tenocyte proliferation, and enhanced apoptosis due to the quinolone cation chelation properties. We present a case of a man who developed multiple tears of the rotator cuff after exposure to levofloxacin. Although marketed quinolones are well tolerated, adverse events involving gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, and tendinopathy and at-risk patient populations should be kept in mind by clinicians.
The New Frontier: Implementing OpenAthens at UNC Charlotte

As vendors move away from IP authentication due to security concerns and a need for a more reliable method, libraries need to start considering other options for making their electronic resources a...
The Significance of the Data Exclusivity and Its Impact on Generic Drugs

The law review in interview format outlines the issues in interpretation of data exclusivity under the TRIPS Agreement and the impact of data exclusivity on generic drugs.
Organizational practices leading to closeting: the interactional construction of ‘closets’

Goffman’s [1978. The presentation of self in everyday life. Harmondsworth] concept of ‘negative face’ recognizes people’s desire to be free from constraint. Freedom in expressing one’s identity, ho...
Obstetric Provider Perspectives on Postpartum Patient Navigation for Low-Income Patients.

BackgroundPatient navigation programs have shown promise for improving health but are not widely used in obstetric care. Our objective was to understand obstetric provider perspectives on how to im...
Preliminary estimates of multifactor productivity growth

Peter B. Meyer Is a research economist, and Michael J. Harper Is the chief of the Division of Productivity Research and Program Development, Office of Productivity and Technology, Bureau of Labor Statistics. E-mail: Meyer.Peter®bls.gov Harper.Mlke@bls.gov abor productivity growth supports long term improvements in standards of living. M ^Productivity can increase because of in vestments in equipment and structures, a more educated and experienced workforce, and im provements in technology. The BLS multifactor productivity (mfp) measures are designed to iso late the effects on labor productivity of capital growth and of the changing composition of the labor force. These input effects are reported sepa rately, and multifactor productivity growth rep resents the unexplained portion of labor produc tivity growth. The multifactor productivity measures are de signed along the lines of Solow's method of growth accounting.1 Substantively, multifactor productiv ity change results from joint influences on eco nomic output of technological change; efficiency improvements (for example, because of better transportation or communications); returns to scale; reallocation of resources (such as shifts of labor among industries); and other factors, after allow ing for the effects of capital and labor growth. An example of a source of efficiency improvement is the construction of the interstate highway system. It has been argued that this raised multifactor pro ductivity and, analogously, that the Internet and the World Wide Web have done so. Multifactor productivity change is defined and measured as the growth rate of output minus the growth rate of measured inputs. Let Fbe output, L be a measure of labor inputs, and A" be a mea sure of capital services inputs. Define 5 to be the share of income paid to labor, and assume that the remaining fraction (1-s) is paid to capital. Delta (A) means the change since the previous year, so AY/Y is the annual growth rate of output. bls measures the quantities on the right side of the equation below to calculate the growth rate of multifactor productivity.