cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve with a multi-contact cuff electrode

The feasibility of selectively stimulating the hypoglossal nerve (XII) with a multi-contact flat-interface-nerve-electrode (FINE) was investigated for the potential application of treating obstructive steep apnea (OSA). The main trunk of the XII was stimulated with monophasic cathodic pulses, while the elicited electroneurographic (ENG) and electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded. Selective fascicular stimulation of the XII was achieved but with certain limitations: branches 1 and 2 could not be independently activated and the ranges of stimulus current associated with selective stimulation were small. Nevertheless, in terms of independently activating the protrudor and retractor muscle groups that are relevant to OSA, the ENG data suggests that sufficient control of pharyngeal airway patency can be achieved with this method. The functional selectivity of the FINE, however, was more difficult to address in these experiments. Selective activation of individual muscle groups was not possible but that of the retractor muscle group itself was observed. The results of this paper raise the issue of how fascicles are recruited when whole nerves are stimulated with multi-contact cuff electrodes. In order to answer this question, modification of the FINE may be warranted.
Receiving Versus Being Denied a Pregnancy Termination and Subsequent Alcohol Use: A Longitudinal Study

Aim Research finds women who terminate pregnancies are at risk of subsequent problematic alcohol use, but methodological and conceptual problems are common. This study examines the relationship between receiving versus being denied termination and subsequent alcohol use. Methods Data are from a prospective, longitudinal study of US women seeking pregnancy terminations. Participants presented just before a facility's gestational limit and received terminations ( Near Limits, n = 452) or just beyond the limit and were denied terminations ( Turnaways, n = 231). Results Groups did not differ in alcohol use before pregnancy recognition. One week after termination-seeking ( Turnaways still pregnant, Near Limits not), Turnaways had lower odds of any and binge alcohol use, but did not differ on 1+ problem symptoms. Over 2.5 years, both Near Limits and Turnaways increased any and binge alcohol use, with Turnaways increasing more rapidly. The groups did not converge again on any or binge use. For Near Limits , any alcohol use surpassed the pre-pregnancy recognition level, but binge use did not . Changes in problem symptoms over time were not evident for either group. Conclusion While women who had a termination were more likely to report any and binge alcohol use than women who had a child, this difference was due to a reduction in consumption among women having the child rather than an increase in consumption among women having a termination. Thus, assertions that having a termination leads women to increase alcohol use to cope with having had a termination are not supported.
Food insecurity and gender are risk factors for obesity.

Abstract Objective Examine relationships between adult obesity, childhood overweight, and food insecurity. Design Cross-sectional retrospective study. Setting Community settings in Hartford, Connecticut. Participants Convenience sample of 200 parents and their 212 children, aged 2-12. Main Outcome Measures Adult obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] > 30), childhood overweight (BMI-for-age > 95 th percentile), and household food security (U.S. Department of Agriculture module). Analysis Chi-square tests between weight status and socioeconomic characteristics. Multinomial regression analyses to determine risk factors for adult obesity and childhood overweight. Results Over half of parents (51%) were obese, and almost one-third of children (31.6%) were overweight. Over half of households were food insecure. Food insecure adults were significantly more likely to be obese as those who were food secure (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.45, p=.02). Being a girl and having an obese parent doubled the likelihood of children being overweight (OR=2.56, P = .01; OR=2.32, P = .03). Children with family incomes below 100% of poverty were half as likely to be overweight as those with higher incomes (OR=.47, P = .05). Food insecurity did not increase odds of childhood overweight. Conclusions and Implications Obesity prevention programs and policies need to address food insecurity and gender as key risk factors.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with ziprasidone in an adolescent.

Abstract Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially fatal disorder characterized by fever, muscular rigidity, delirium, and autonomic instability. Although the classic presentation of NMS has been most commonly associated with the typical neuroleptic medications, sporadic cases in association with atypical neuroleptic medications have been reported. Objective: We describe a case report of a pediatric patient with NMS associated with the use of the atypical antipsychotic medication ziprasidone hydrochloride. Methods: After a MEDLINE search of relevant literature (key terms: atypical antipsychotic, ziprasidone, neuroleptic malignant syndrome , and NMS ; years: 1995–2004), no reports of NMS in association with ziprasidone in the pediatric population were identified. Results: The patient was a 15-year-old male adolescent with a history of schizoaffective disorder treated with ziprasidone capsules, 80 mg QD for 8 weeks prior to presentation. He was brought to the emergency department because the family noted that the child had a tactile fever; was rigid, diaphoretic, tremulous, and difficult to arouse; and had persistent urinary incontinence. The patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, where he remained rigid and unresponsive except for incoherent speech. He was treated for a presumptive diagnosis of NMS with IV dantrolene sodium (2 mg/kg q6h) to reduce the sequele of NMS; urinary alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate to maintain a urinary pH of 6.5 to 7.0; cardiac, pulse oximetry, and vital sign monitoring; and supportive care, including IV saline hydration. Conclusion: We present this case to alert physicians of the possibility of NMS in adolescent patients treated with ziprasidone.
Modeling the dynamic behavior of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell

A two-phase transient model that incorporates the permanent hysteresis observed in the experimentally measured capillary pressure of GDL has been developed. The model provides explanation for the difference in time constant between membrane hydration and dehydration observed in the HFR experiment conducted at LANL. When there is liquid water at the cathode catalyst layer, time constant of the water content in the membrane is closely tied to that of liquid water saturation in the CCL, as the vapor is already saturated. The water content in the membrane will not reach steady state as long as the liquid water flow in the CCL is not at steady state. Also, Increased resistance to proton transport in the membrane is observed when the cell voltage is stepped down to a very low value.
New findings on repurchase anomaly — The first-month effect

Abstract Prior studies find positive abnormal returns following share repurchase announcements. We examine the association between announcement month and the excess returns. We find that the average excess return is consistently higher for repurchases announced in the first month of a fiscal quarter than for those announced in the other two months. Interestingly, 1st-month and non-1st-month announcers are highly comparable in firm characteristics, pre-announcement returns, and disclosed motives. The magnitude of the first-month effect barely changes after we switch to multivariate regressions, and it remains large under firm-fixed effects. Investment strategies based on BTM , firm size , and pre-announcement return are all improved by a first-month strategy. The first-month effect extends well beyond the first year, but the market does not seem to realize it. We propose an explanation for the first-month effect based on the conjecture that managers receive firm information in an uneven manner throughout a fiscal period. This explanation is supported by our empirical tests. Additional empirical analyses provide results that fail to support several plausible alternative explanations.
Reciprocal Regulation of l-Arabinose and d-Xylose Metabolism in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Glucose is known to inhibit the transport and metabolism of many sugars in Escherichia coli. This mechanism leads to its preferential consumption. Far less is known about the preferential utilization of nonglucose sugars in E. coli. Two exceptions are l-arabinose and d-xylose. Previous studies have shown that l-arabinose inhibits d-xylose metabolism in Escherichia coli. This repression results from l-arabinose-bound AraC binding to the promoter of the d-xylose metabolic genes and inhibiting their expression. This mechanism, however, has not been explored in single cells. Both the l-arabinose and d-xylose utilization systems are known to exhibit a bimodal induction response to their cognate sugar, where mixed populations of cells either expressing the metabolic genes or not are observed at intermediate sugar concentrations. This suggests that l-arabinose can only inhibit d-xylose metabolism in l-arabinose-induced cells. To understand how cross talk between these systems affects their response, we investigated E. coli during growth on mixtures of l-arabinose and d-xylose at single-cell resolution. Our results showed that mixed, multimodal populations of l-arabinose- and d-xylose-induced cells occurred at intermediate sugar concentrations. We also found that d-xylose inhibited the expression of the l-arabinose metabolic genes and that this repression was due to XylR. These results demonstrate that a strict hierarchy does not exist between l-arabinose and d-xylose as previously thought. The results may also aid in the design of E. coli strains capable of simultaneous sugar consumption. IMPORTANCE Glucose, d-xylose, and l-arabinose are the most abundant sugars in plant biomass. Developing efficient fermentation processes that convert these sugars into chemicals and fuels will require strains capable of coutilizing these sugars. Glucose has long been known to repress the expression of the l-arabinose and d-xylose metabolic genes in Escherichia coli. Recent studies found that l-arabinose also represses the expression of the d-xylose metabolic genes. In the present study, we found that d-xylose also represses the expression of the l-arabinose metabolic genes, leading to mixed populations of cells capable of utilizing l-arabinose and d-xylose. These results further our understanding of mixed-sugar utilization and may aid in strain design.
High-fat diet enhances stemness and tumorigenicity of intestinal progenitors

Little is known about how pro-obesity diets regulate tissue stem and progenitor cell function. Here we show that high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity augments the numbers and function of Lgr5(+) intestinal stem cells of the mammalian intestine. Mechanistically, a HFD induces a robust peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ) signature in intestinal stem cells and progenitor cells (non-intestinal stem cells), and pharmacological activation of PPAR-δ recapitulates the effects of a HFD on these cells. Like a HFD, ex vivo treatment of intestinal organoid cultures with fatty acid constituents of the HFD enhances the self-renewal potential of these organoid bodies in a PPAR-δ-dependent manner. Notably, HFD- and agonist-activated PPAR-δ signalling endow organoid-initiating capacity to progenitors, and enforced PPAR-δ signalling permits these progenitors to form in vivo tumours after loss of the tumour suppressor Apc. These findings highlight how diet-modulated PPAR-δ activation alters not only the function of intestinal stem and progenitor cells, but also their capacity to initiate tumours.
Consumer Sovereignty: A Demand-Side Theory of the Entrepreneurial Process

Studies regarding the process of entrepreneurship have largely failed to incorporate the role of the consumer in determining both the opportunity and the outcome of entrepreneurial undertakings. In this paper I invoke the consumer sovereignty perspective advocated by the Austrian School of economics in an effort to place the role of the consumer within entrepreneurial theory. Specifically, I redefine the entrepreneurial opportunity construct in terms of unmet consumer needs, and name the consumer the source of these opportunities. Subsequently, I outline a general process of entrepreneurship which encompasses all forms of entrepreneurial action. In brief, I posit that entrepreneurship is comprised of three distinctly necessary but individually insufficient processes: a recognition process which originates with the consumer, an innovation process which brings technical knowledge to a perceived consumer need, and a judgment process regarding the economic viability of an innovation and the effective use of r...
In Vitro Establishment and Development of Eucosma sp. Larvae From Cones of Pinus resinosa on an Artificial Nutrient Medium

Larvae of a microlepidopteran in the genus Eucosma were found feeding on 2nd-year ovulate cones of red pine (Pinus resinosa Aiton) near Lone Rock, Wis., in June 1962 (Barras and Norris 1963). Insect damage and larval characteristics agreed with those of Eucosma monitorana Heinrich reported in red pine cones from Ontario, Canada (Lyons 1957). Adults later captured in areas of high infestation in Wisconsin were identified tentatively as E. monitorana.
Advanced modulation for datacenter interconnect

We present DSP enabled advanced modulation techniques for 100G per lambda data center optical modules based on low cost and power efficient directly modulated laser transmitters and single photodiode direct detection receivers.
[An outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) in a primary school, Dongguan city, Guangdong province, China].

2009年5月11日我国出现首例甲型H1N1流感输入性病例,此后病例呈几何级数递增并出现本土感染病例,6月19日广东省东莞市报告全周首起学校甲型H1N1流感疫情.专家认为学校出现疫情暴发,意味着更多的点可能会出现聚集性病例或者暴发疫情,甚至引发社区流行[1]。
Cosmic ray study of the CMS pixel tracker

The pixel detector of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment consists of three barrel layers and two endcap disks at each side of the barrel section. The detector was installed in summer 2008, commissioned with the readout chip internal pulse generator, and used in cosmic ray trigger data taking in a 3.8 T magnetic field. Despite the excellent detector performance some problems arose after installation. In about a year we went through a complete and important sequence of steps that go from the insertion of the detector in CMS, calibration, running, extraction, maintenance, to the re-insertion, re-calibration and final running. In this paper a summary of the knowledge acquired during the first year of running will be presented. Currently 98.6% of the whole pixel detector is fully functional and results on detector performance are found to be in line with the design specifications.
People Living with HIV: Implications for Rehabilitation Nurses

Purpose The aim of this study was to present a brief overview of challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) as they age, to discuss the relevance of HIV to rehabilitation nurses, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for rehabilitation professionals working with PLHIV. Design Current issues article. Methods Literature review related to age-related comorbidities in PLHIV with implications for rehabilitation nurses. Findings Rehabilitation nurses must be prepared to address issues specific to people living with HIV including sensitivity and privacy regarding HIV status and increased risk of delayed or complicated healing. Rehabilitation nurses should also promote self-management behavior to optimize health in people living with HIV. Conclusions Understanding unique characteristics of PLHIV as well as applying focused assessment and tailored interventions in PLHIV will give rehabilitation nurses the tools to successfully guide PLHIV through the rehabilitation process and optimize clinical outcomes. Clinical Relevance As people with HIV age and experience acute and chronic comorbidities, they will require the clinical expertise of rehabilitation nurses in the process to successfully transition through acute and subacute healthcare and regain function.
Abstract 4877: A modular software solution (under development) to expedite sequencing workflow and mitigate legacy workflow issues in regulatory environments

One of the challenges of working in regulatory environments is the need to revalidate legacy workflows when incorporating new information or tools. Even in unregulated environments, updating and integrating workflows can require a considerable expenditure of time and labor. To mitigate these issues, Illumina is developing an analysis framework software as part of the Universal Oncology Test System for the MiSeqDx™ System, the first next generation sequencer to achieve FDA clearance. By incorporating plug-in workflow modules that seamlessly integrate with the framework - yet remain self-contained and separately versioned from other workflow modules - the software will expedite and ensure scalable operations. Installing new modules to the framework will incur no need for code changes to the legacy workflows, a key consideration for development and validation in regulated environments. The updated MiSeqDx analysis framework includes user authentication and sample sheet setup, reducing the number of disparate application interactions and bringing them together in a clean, clinical user interface accessible via any computer web browser. The Universal Oncology Test System software workflow module will allow an investigator to identify variants of interest via three methods: an eligibility list of specific coordinate nucleotide changes, configurable rules based on variant type and region, and an amplification gene list with specified amplification type. This flexible software solution can be used to produce, for example, clinical trial reports that require masking of non-investigational variants while not precluding the opportunity to informatically unfilter new information. A report definition can be applied per sample, and updated post-sequencing for a reanalyzed report. The in vitro diagnostic report, also in development, aims to support the pathologist end user by separate categorization of pathogenic variants based on companion diagnostics. The MiSeqDx analysis software platform combined with the Universal Oncology Test System workflow module can help expedite immediate clinical trial uptake and detection of variants for interpretation and future patient care. Citation Format: Lisa Kelly, Jessica Gordon. A modular software solution (under development) to expedite sequencing workflow and mitigate legacy workflow issues in regulatory environments. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4877. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4877
Enabling DC microgrids with direct MV DC interfacing DAB converter based on 15 kV SiC IGBT and 15 kV SiC MOSFET

The 15 kV SiC IGBT and 15 kV SiC MOSFET have been recently developed to enable non-cascaded high-frequency (HF) MV converters. Such direct MV DC interfacing Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter is getting popular for DC micro-grid application due to higher efficiency, higher power-density and higher MTBF over the cascaded DAB topology. The high dv/dt in these devices on hard-switching with their inherent parasitics, causes increased EMI and switching loss. The suitability of the two family of SiC devices for an application, depends on the switching frequency, load range and magnitude of power, operating temperature and converter power density. This paper compares the two devices for a MV DAB application for dc micro-grid based on simulation and also with supporting MV side converter experiments up to 10kV DC bus and under 5–20kHz switching frequencies.
2016 U.S. Presidential Election and Stock Markets in China

This study seeks to address the question if the 2016 U.S. Presidential election and Mr. Donald Trump’s path to U.S. presidency affected the stock market returns in China. We do not find conclusive results from three leading stock indices of China, SHCOMP, SZCOMP, and SHSZ300. There is an immediate impact shown in SHSZ300, but not in SHCOMP and SZCOMP. We ascribe this to the impact of less sophisticated investors who dominate the stock market in China and also to that country’s censorship of the media wherein the government could effectively either block or downplay the unfavorable information.
Domain-specific control of germ cell polarity and migration by multifunction Tre1 GPCR

The migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) from their place of origin to the embryonic gonad is an essential reproductive feature in many animal species. In Drosophila melanogaster, a single G protein-coupled receptor, Trapped in endoderm 1 (Tre1), mediates germ cell polarization at the onset of active migration and directs subsequent migration of PGCs through the midgut primordium. How these different aspects of cell behavior are coordinated through a single receptor is not known. We demonstrate that two highly conserved domains, the E/N/DRY and NPxxY motifs, have overlapping and unique functions in Tre1. The Tre1-NRY domain via G protein signaling is required for reading and responding to guidance and survival cues controlled by the lipid phosphate phosphatases Wunen and Wunen2. In contrast, the Tre1-NPIIY domain has a separate role in Rho1- and E-cadherin-mediated polarization at the initiation stage independent of G protein signaling. We propose that this bifurcation of the Tre1 G protein-coupled receptor signaling response via G protein-dependent and independent branches enables distinct spatiotemporal regulation of germ cell migration.
Analysis of public investments and economic growth in Cameroon

This study investigates the contribution of public investment to economic growth in Cameroon from 1977 to 2015. It uses the Autoregressive Distributed Lag cointegration (ARDL) approach to estimate a modified version of the production function. The estimates indicate that real gross domestic product, labor force, public investment and private investment are cointegrated. Also based on the estimates, public and private investments have positive and significant effects on real gross domestic product in both the short-run and the long-run. The estimates further show that labor force has a significant long-run relationship with real gross domestic product but found no evidence of a significant short-run relationship. The error correction term is negative and significant suggesting that any deviations of real GDP growth from the long-term value would be corrected subsequently.
Genome Sequences of Chancellor, Mitti, and Wintermute, Three Subcluster K4 Phages Isolated Using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc 2 155.

ABSTRACT Mycobacteriophages Chancellor, Mitti, and Wintermute infect Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 and are closely related to phages Cheetobro and Fionnbharth in subcluster K4. Genome sizes range from 57,697 bp to 58,046 bp. Phages are predicted to be temperate and to infect the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The Ship Depiction in the Tomb of Nebamun: The Earliest Egyptian Ship Without a Hogging Truss

A scene in the tomb of Nebamun has been accepted without reservation since 1904 as portraying a Syrian patient sailing to Egypt in a Syrian ship while onshore he is being sent off by Syrians standing beside Asian humped bulls hitched to Syrian chariots. An analysis of this ship’s features indicates it is an Egyptian ship. Furthermore, contemporary evidence in Egypt shows that Egyptians also had chariots, were breeding Asian humped bulls, and owned Syrian slaves. This scene can therefore be interpreted as a cured Syrian patient returning home in an Egyptian ship after being transported to the port of Thebes by Nebamun’s personal slaves in his ox-drawn chariots or carts. Such a scene of departure would enhance Nebamun’s status as a successful physician and produce a more tightly integrated subject consistent with other scenes in his tomb.
Creative Instructional Design: Practical Applications for Librarians . Brandon K. West, Kimberly D. Hoffman, and Michelle Costello, eds. Chicago: ACRL, 2017. 396p. Paper, $72.00 (ISBN 978-0-83898-929-6).

Creative Instructional Design: Practical Applications for Librarians is an edited volume of twenty-five chapters relating the experiences of academic librarians who have incorporated instructional design (ID) into their practice, primarily information literacy instruction. More in depth than just a series of lesson plans, this book makes strong use of the first person to offer candid reflections on the process of getting started with ID. In later chapters, the scenarios move beyond the application of ID to information literacy to discuss the incorporation of design into other areas, like planning faculty workshops and designing a library internship.
CORONARY SOLUBLE UROKINASE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR RECEPTOR RELEASE IS A BIOMARKER OF ENDOTHELIAL-DEPENDENT MICROVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION

Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) is a pro-inflammatory biomarker associated with immune activation and fibrinolysis inhibition. suPAR, coronary epicardial endothelial dysfunction (ED) and endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction (MD) have been associated with adverse
The Impact of Age at Time of Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis on Short and Long-Term Outcomes in Adults

Background There is limited knowledge on ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) function when performed on patients older than age 50 years. The aim of this study was to determine if surgery on those older than age 50 years impacts short-term complications or long-term function. Methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing IPAA for chronic ulcerative colitis at a single tertiary referral center between 2002 and 2013 was conducted. Short-term postoperative complications and long-term function and quality of life were analyzed according to age at pouch formation (age >50 vs age ≤50 years). Results A total of 911 patients who underwent IPAA (542 male) were included, with 178 patients (20%) age >50 years and 733 (80%) ≤50 years. Patients >50 years had higher American Society of Anesthesiology score (ASA) scores and increased rates of obesity and dysplasia or cancer at the time of colectomy, and were less often on steroids (all P < 0.01). Over a median follow-up of 5 years, older patients reported increased daytime incontinence (60% vs 37%, P < 0.01) and pad usage (34% vs 11%, P < 0.01) at up to 1.5 years post-IPAA, after which time the groups became similar. Other functional outcomes, including pouch failure and quality of life, were similar between the 2 groups across the follow-up periods. Conclusion Performing an IPAA on carefully selected patients older than age 50 years has minor, transient differences in pouch function compared with patients younger than age 50 years. Assuming appropriate patient selection, IPAA should continue to be offered to older patients without increased risk of compromised function or of pouch failure.
THE MEDIA AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE

The meanings of ‘violence,’ ‘political violence,’ and ‘terrorism’ are briefly discussed. I then consider the responsibilities of the media, especially television, with respect to political violence, including such questions as how violence should be described, and whether the media should cover terrorism. I argue that the media should contribute to decreasing political violence through better coverage of arguments for and against political dissidents' views, and especially through more and better treatment of nonviolent means of influencing political processes. Since commercial pressures routinely conflict with media responsibility, I argue that society should liberate substantial amounts of culture from such pressures.
Popliteal artery injuries in an urban trauma center with a rural catchment area: do delays in definitive treatment affect amputation?

Extended length of time from injury to definitive vascular repair is considered to be a predictor of amputation in patients with popliteal artery injuries. In an urban trauma center with a rural ca...
Dual sensory impairment: The association between glaucomatous vision loss and hearing impairment and function.

Background Hearing impairment, vision impairment, and dual impairment (both hearing and vision impairment), have been independently associated with functional and cognitive decline. In prior studies of dual impairment, vision impairment is generally not defined or defined by visual acuity alone. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and does not affect visual acuity until late in the disease; instead, visual field loss is used to measure vision impairment from glaucoma. Objective To examine the effect of glaucomatous visual field loss and hearing impairment on function. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Hospital-based clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. Subjects 220 adults, ≥55 years presenting to the glaucoma clinic. Methods Vision impairment was defined as mean deviation on visual field testing worse than -5 decibels in the better eye, and hearing impairment was defined as pure tone average worse than 25 decibels on threshold audiometry testing in the better ear. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess functional status. Results Five participants were excluded for incomplete testing, leaving 32 with vision impairment only, 63 with hearing impairment only, 42 with dual impairment, and 78 controls with no hearing impairment or vision impairment. Participants with dual impairment were more likely to be older and non-White. Dual impairment was associated with significantly more severe driving limitation and more difficulty with communication compared to those without sensory impairment when adjusted for age, race, gender and number of comorbidities. Conclusion Older individuals with glaucoma and hearing loss seem to have generally poorer functioning than those with single sensory loss. Health professionals should consider visual field loss as a type of vision impairment when managing patients with dual impairment.
Secondary insults worsen blood brain barrier dysfunction assessed by MRI in cerebral contusion.

Object Understanding the cause of post-traumatic intracranial hypertension requires information about the pathophysiology of edema formation. Secondary insults are known to exacerbate edema formation following experimental contusion, however the influence of these insults on blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity is not known. This study non-invasively assesses the influence of hypoxia and hypotension on BBB permeability following experimental cortical contusion.
Erosion Testing of Coatings for Aero Engine Compressor Components

The results from a comparative study of erosion resistance of various coatings and some material modification treatments for protecting compressor airfoils made of 17-4 PH stainless steel against sand erosion, are presented. Coatings based on either aluminum, nickel or titanium nitride and material modifications by ion implantation and cryogenic treatment were evaluated by dry particle erosion testing in accordance with the ASTM G76-83 Standard Practice, at different angles of impingement (30°, 60° and 90°). The TiN coatings applied by PVD techniques, were found to be the most erosion resistant. All the PVD deposition techniques appeared capable of producing durable coatings, but in degrees that varied with the deposition method and vendor. All the TiN coatings investigated proved more resistant to erosion at a 30° impingement angle. The implications for compressor airfoil applications are discussed.
Human Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Recent Toxicological Studies and Considerations for Toxicity Testing

Widespread detection of human pharmaceuticals in the environment, ranging between ng/L and mg/L levels in surface waters and effluents and ng/kg to mg/kg levels in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, has caused increased concern of potential ecological effects and hazards to aquatic species and fomented new investigations of potential effects of biosolids and effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Here, we critically review such recent research on the aquatic toxicity of human pharmaceuticals to aquatic organisms. Toxicity testing considerations are examined for differences in sensitivities among aquatic organisms and acute and chronic response thresholds. We further provide perspectives and recommendations, including integration of adverse outcome pathway approaches, during future ecotoxicological studies of human pharmaceuticals in the environment.
Remote assessments and behavioral interventions in post-bariatric surgery patients

Sustained weight loss and health improvements after bariatric surgery require long-term monitoring and, for a significant minority of patients, postoperative intervention. Unfortunately, many patients demonstrate difficulty engaging in long-term follow-up and treatment due to time restrictions, geographic limitations, and financial burden. Conducting assessments and interventions remotely may help to mitigate these barriers, allowing for greater access to care and improved outcomes. This review will summarize the results of research using remote methods to conduct assessments and implement interventions with patients after bariatric surgery. Benefits and challenges of implementing these approaches will be highlighted, and future directions in this area will be discussed.
Does Wearing a Portable Metabolic Unit Affect Youth's Physical Activity or Enjoyment During Physically Active Games or Video Games?

Portable metabolic units (PMUs) are used to assess energy expenditure, with the assumption that physical activity level and enjoyment are unaffected due to the light weight and small size. Purpose: To assess differences in physical activity level and enjoyment while wearing and not wearing a PMU. Method: Youth (8–17 y; N = 73) played children’s games or active video games while wearing and not wearing a PMU (crossover design). Participants wore an accelerometer and heart rate monitor and responded to questions about enjoyment on a facial affective scale. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine if accelerometer measures, heart rate, or enjoyment differed between conditions overall and by sex and weight status. Results: Steps per minute were lower while wearing the PMU than not wearing the PMU (40 vs 44, P = .03). There was an interaction between PMU condition and weight status for enjoyment (P = .01), with overweight participants reporting less enjoyment when wearing the PMU compared...
Radical innovations in mineral processing simulation

Mathematical simulation has been used in mineral processing system design, optimization and control for more than 30 years. In recent years, a new set of simulation tools based on the physics of the underlying processes was developed. Because these models provide accurate microscale simulations of equipment and process behavior, these high-fidelity simulation (HFS) tools are deemed to constitute a radical innovation of great importance to the mineral processing industry. This paper provides an introduction to the basic tools of HFS, i.e., discrete element modeling, computational fluid dynamics, discrete grain breakage and population-balance modeling. In addition, several example applications, including descriptions of benefits documented in plants, are given.
Oligarchy, Iron Law of

The iron law of oligarchy refers to a provocative and very influential theory posited by German social theorist, Robert Michels. In his seminal analysis of the German Social Democratic Party in 1911, Michels argued that all organizations – no matter how democratic their original intentions – eventually come to be ruled by a powerful entrenched minority that, when necessary, will act illegitimately to squelch internal opposition and divert the organization's goals in order to maintain its power. This article summarizes Michels' argument, reviews the theoretical debates it has provoked, outlines the findings of the empirical research evaluating his claims, and discusses some of the methodological difficulties that have plagued this inquiry.
The story behind the economics: Providing context by using story-telling to illustrate economic theory

Using the art of narrative to tell a story can be helpful when students become overwhelmed with mastering the technical aspects of economic theory and have a hard time ‘finding the forest for the trees’. This paper reviews recent critiques of economics that have some leading voices in the discipline advocating for broader perspectives which incorporate both the content and methodology of other disciplines. Building on this argument, the paper will discuss two narrative assignments that the author regularly uses in a class on international trade and finance.
OVERVIEW OF NONLINEAR MACROECONOMETRIC EMPIRICAL MODELS

A survey of nonlinear multivariate macro empirical models is attempted. Although theory may suggest that nonlinearity is to be expected, empirical studies have difficulty in discovering strong consistent effects. Regime switching techniques appear to be the most successful and evidence of nonlinearity is most found for interest rates. Most of the studies emphasize model fitting rather than model evaluation, which limits their usefulness.
Pediatric residents’ perspectives about acute inpatient pain: A qualitative study of pain assessment and management

BACKGROUND: Residents are at the front line of patient care and are often the first providers to assess pain and determine pain management strategies for hospitalized children. Although established standards for pain management in children exist, research suggests that a substantial proportion of pain goes undertreated. The ACGME does not have established requirements for resident education about pediatric pain management, and research to inform resident education about assessment and management of acute …
Evolution of β-phase precipitates in an aluminum-magnesium alloy at the nanoscale

Abstract Aluminum alloys in the 5xxx series are susceptible to sensitization due to the formation of β (Al3Mg2) at grain boundaries at moderate to low temperatures. Little is known about the mechanism of β phase formation, which is thought to be preceded by the metastable phases β’’ and β’. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and precession electron diffraction (PED), we determine a parameter space for β phase precipitates at various sensitization temperatures and investigate their growth habits and local matrix strain states along grain boundaries. Our findings reveal that metastable β-related phases are present at low aging temperatures, while the equilibrium β phase is present at temperatures well above the previously described solvus of similar alloys. Furthermore, the phases were found to prefer particular grain boundary planes and contribute to the local grain boundary strain state differently. Overall, these findings present a unified view of β phase evolution and its contribution to lattice strain environments in aluminum magnesium alloys, which serves as a foundation for use in a range of temperatures and environments.
A Challenging Case of Domestically Acquired Leprosy in the Southern United States

Hansen's disease (HD) is rare in the United States, but a steady number of cases are diagnosed annually, especially in southern areas where armadillos are present. Challenges associated with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), a complication of multibacillary leprosy, call for novel regimens. We present a case of a man with recalcitrant ENL from HD likely acquired in the United States. He required a combination of 4 drugs to control chronic ENL.
Chapter 2 – Semiautomata

Publisher Summary This chapter defines and represents a semi-automaton. Many physical devices have the remarkable property of tending to remain in any of a finite number of situations or states. The “jumping” from one state to another—sometimes the same—is a continuous process that must be very carefully considered by the designer of the device, but can be disregarded by the user interested only in various discrete states. Examples range from an electronic computer and chess play, through the inventory list of a factory and the distribution of manpower of a company, to traffic light and the ringing of a bell. The graph of a cyclic semi-automaton contains at least one vertex such that every vertex can be reached from it by a directed path, that is, a path following the arrows. The chapter reviews the homomorphisms of one-input semi-automata, and discusses the homomorphism of semigroups of homomorphic semi-automata.
P859 Genotyping gyrA and penA from remnant neisseria gonorrhoeae positive cepheid xpert® clinical specimens

Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) has developed resistance to most antibiotics, making it increasingly difficult to treat. Molecular methods have been used to predict antimicrobial susceptibility based on the gyrA codon serine 91 and the mosaic XXXIV allele on the penicillin-binding protein 2 (penA) gene using Roche Cobas and APTIMA clinical specimens. We aimed to determine if the same methods could be successfully used on remnant NG-positive Cepheid Xpert® specimens. Methods We tested NG-positive pharyngeal, rectal, and vaginal/urine specimens from adolescents aged 14–24 years. We extracted 100uL DNA from each sample using the Roche® MagNA Pure. The Roche LightCycler® 480 was used to genotype gyrA and penA in a multiplex PCR using high resolution melt curve analysis. The fluorescent labels of the detection probes for the penA mosaic XXXIV target (Cyanine-5 dye) differed from that of gyrA (LightCycler® 640 probe) so that both genes could be detected simultaneously at various wavelengths. We used isolates with previously confirmed presence of the NG mutant gyrA, NG wild type gyrA, and mosaic penA XXXIV allele for internal controls. Results Of the clinical specimens, 62% (38/61) were successfully genotyped. Urine specimens were most likely to be genotyped (5/6, 83%) followed by rectal (19/26, 73%), pharyngeal (12/24, 50%), and vaginal specimens (2/5, 40%). Of the 38 genotyped specimen, 8 had the penA XXXIV allele (2/26 rectal, 6/24 pharyngeal) and 16 had a mutated gyrA (10/26 rectal, 3/24 pharyngeal, 2/6 urethral, 1/5 vaginal). Of the 8 penA XXXIV positive specimens, 6 were gyrA indeterminate, 1 was gyrA wild type, and 1 was gyrA mutant. Of the 30 specimens without the penA XXXIV mosaic allele, 15 were gyrA wild type and 15 were gyrA mutant. Conclusion Genotyping specific NG genes from Cepheid Xpert® clinical specimens was feasible. Our study was limited by its small sample size and lack of concurrent antimicrobial testing. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Ridesharing Services and Car-Seats: Technological Perceptions and Usage Patterns

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in traffic crashes. Child safety seats (CSSs) can decrease the severity of crash outcomes for children. The usage of CSSs has significantly improved in the U.S. over the last 40 years, but it is anticipated that the usage of CSSs in popular ridesharing services (RSSs), such as Uber and Lyft, is not widespread. This paper used a publicly available nationwide internet survey that was designed to gain an understanding of riders and drivers perception toward child passenger safety in regard to technological perception on RSSs. This study performed a rigorous exploratory data analysis to identify the key psychological insights of the survey participants. Additionally, a recently developed dimension-reduction method has been applied to understand the co-occurrence patterns of the responses to gain intuitive insights. It is found that urban-dwelling parents with higher education degrees eventually use RSSs often due to their familiarity of the technological advantages. On the other hand, non-urban and moderately educated parents and guardians are dismissive in using RSSs while having kids with them to ride due to less trust on the technology.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Promote Joint Injury in Hemophilia

Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) is the predominant pathophysiology resulting from recurrent joint bleeding in individuals with hemophilia. HA leads to permanent joint damage, chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Despite major advances in the treatment to prevent joint bleeding, HA continues to be a major morbidity affecting hemophilia patients and the etiological mechanism contributing to the progression of HA remains elusive. Recent evidence suggests that joint-bleeding may promote the release of erythrocyte and tissue-derived damage-associated-molecular-pattern molecules (DAMPs) that can trigger the sterile inflammation in the joints, however, the innate immune pathways contributing to the development of HA remain unclear. Here, we used a model of knee joint injury-induced HA in FVIII-total knockout (F8TKO) mice and blood samples from hemophilia patients diagnosed with HA. In vivo multi-photon-excitation (MPE) fluorescence imaging of injured synovial cavity in live F8TKO or control mice was used to assess NETs formation within joint capsule. Imaging-flow-cytometry and ELISA assays were used to evaluate the number of circulating NETs in patients diagnosed with HA and mice with knee-injury. Scoring of the bleeding severity, histology, IHC and confocal imaging of joints were conducted to assess the joint injury in mice. F8TKO but not control mice manifested knee-joint injury and severity of bleeding 5-days post knee-injury. Progression of knee-joint injury was associated with increased neutrophil accumulation and NETs shedding within the synovium of F8TKO mice. Circulating NETs were significantly abundant in the plasma of hemophilia patients diagnosed with HA and F8TKO following knee-injury but not plasma of control humans or mice. These findings are the first to suggest that NETs contribute to pathogenesis of HA in hemophilia. Currently, experiments are underway to identify the innate immune pathways that promote NETs shedding, leading to joint-damage in hemophilia. Disclosures Ragni: Alnylam/Sanofi, ATHN, BioMarin, Bioverativ, Sangamo, Spark: Research Funding; Alnylam/Sanofi, BioMarin, Bioverativ, Spark: Consultancy; BioMarin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioverativ: Consultancy, Research Funding; Spark: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Sangamo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., Baxalta/Takeda, BioMarin, Bioverativ, and Spark Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; American Thrombosis Hemostasis Network: Other: Committee work; Baxalta/Takeda, CSL Behring, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, OPKO Biologics, and Vascular Medicine Institute: Research Funding.
The law of the iterated logarithm for a class of SPDEs

After establishing the moderate deviation principle by the classical Azencott method, we prove the Strassen’s compact law of the iterated logarithm (LIL) for a class of stochastic partial different...
Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis.

A 67-year-old man comes to your office for a regularly scheduled visit. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a 40-pack-year smoking history, but he quit smoking two years ago. He takes lisinopril and atorvastatin (Lipitor); his blood pressure today is normal.