cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unions in a Prosperous America

MOST AMERICANS FELT a certain sense of security in the year 1928 as they reflected on their past progress, surveyed their present situation, and looked ahead to a clearly predictable future. Most citizens viewed with satisfaction their traditionally democratic way of life. The economic benefits that had come through several centuries of national expansion across a new continent of vast resources had encouraged general faith in the merits of an almost unfettered capitalist system. Leaders in political life tended to assume that the nation (and most of the planet) would be governed increasingly in accordance with the obviously benevolent experience which mankind had gained through countless years of upward movement in Western civilization. Thus there was widespread belief that whatever festering problems of social and economic democracy remained in the nation could eventually be solved by orderly means in progressive stages. The passage of a reasonable period of time would do wonders, even for knotty problems of old. Would not the deserving of the land at length be satisfied and happy? Critics of such concepts as these lacked appeal for the masses of Americans, for whatever the fog in the crystal ball, this was the pervading spirit of the day.
Empirically derived patterns of psychiatric symptoms in youth: A latent profile analysis

Background By conceptualizing domains of behavior transdiagnostically, the National Institute of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria (NIMH RDoC) initiative facilitates new ways of studying psychiatric symptoms. In this study, latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to empirically derive classes or patterns of psychiatric symptoms in youth that transect traditional nosologic boundaries.
Cytokines decrease glutaminase expression in human fibroblasts.

Background. Glutamine metabolism in fibroblasts is essential for energy production, nucleotide biosynthesis, and growth during wound healing. Because cytokines can impair fibroblast proliferation, we tested the hypothesis that cytokines impair glutamine metabolism. We studied the influence of several cytokines on the expression of glutaminase, the major enzyme of intracellular glutamine metabolism in fibroblasts. Methods. Human foreskin fibroblasts were incubated for 6 and 12 hours with varying doses (10, 100, or 1000 units/ml) of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, or γ-interferon
Walking the Walk: Conducting Feminist Community-Based Research

This chapter describes how community-based research can be used to put the principles of feminist science into practice. It provides examples of feminist community-based research projects conducted with youth populations with the goal of promoting social change. Community-based research may encompass a number of specific approaches (such as participatory action research), but in general it emphasizes collaborative work with community members, often giving a platform for the voices of disenfranchised groups. This chapter delineates how collaborative relationships are built by attending to the balance of power between researchers and participants, while recognizing that the degree of collaboration may vary depending upon the needs and interests of the community. The chapter also explores the importance of researchers engaging in reflexivity to increase their awareness of the ways their own values will impact the research process. Finally, ethical considerations when conducting feminist community-based research are explored and best practices are offered.
Clashing Paradigms and Mathematics in the Social SciencesComputational and Mathematical Modeling in the Social Sciences, by MarchiScott de. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 197 pp. $65.00 cloth. 0521853621.Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research, by GillJeff. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2006. 448 pp. $34.99 paper 052168403X.

Using mathematics in seeking knowledge has a long history. While its value for the natural sciences seems evident and has a taken-for granted nature, similar claims for the social sciences have been contentious. The link between "knowledge" and "mathematics" within social science is often viewed with sus picion, a reaction reinforced by the organiza tion of academia. University departments are frequently turf protection machines clashing over resources. In doing so, they attempt to mark and defend their boundaries in ways that are far less noble than the wolves in Yel lowstone. Yes, interdisciplinary programs and multidisciplinary research efforts exist, but reality shows valued resources flowing mainly to departments. Those souls hardy enough to live on boundaries between disciplines face both excitement and uncertainty for doing so. "Neither fish nor fowl," their quests are sus pect to those staying safely within disciplinary boundaries. When one of the disciplines is mathematics, such problems are com pounded. I have lost track of how often the description "mathematics and sociology" gen erates arched eyebrows, furrowed brows, dropped jaws, and other expressions of sur prise and concern. Polite people say some thing like "that's unusual" while the impolite are, well, let's say, far less generous. One response for people living on bound aries between disciplines is to create new boundaries. For those interested in mathe matics, such boundaries define mathematics along with fragments of some other discipline as their domain. Journals catering to us include the Journal of Mathematical Biology, the Journal of Mathematical Chemistry, the Journal of Mathematical Economics, the Jour nal of Mathematical Geology, the Journal of Mathematical Psychology, and the Journal of Mathematical Sociology. There is even the Journal of Mathematical Physics! Covering a wider domain there is Mathematical Social Computational and Mathematical Modeling in the Social Sciences, by Scott de Marchi. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 197pp. $65.00 cloth. ISBN: 0521853621.
High ten-year remission rates following rituximab, fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone (R-FND) with interferon maintenance in indolent lymphoma: Results of a randomized Study.

Summary We report a single-centre, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of concurrent fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone (FND) and rituximab versus sequential FND followed by rituximab in 158 patients with advanced stage, previously untreated indolent lymphoma, enrolled between 1997 and 2002. Patients were randomized to 6–8 cycles of FND followed by 6 monthly doses of rituximab or 6 doses of rituximab given concurrently with FND. All patients who achieved at least a partial response received 12 months of interferon (IFN) maintenance. Median ages were 54 and 55 years. The two groups were comparable with the exception of a higher percentage of females (65% vs. 43%) and baseline anaemia (23% vs. 11%) in the FND followed by rituximab group. Complete response/unconfirmed complete response rates were 89% and 93%. The most frequent grade ≥ 3 toxicity was neutropenia (86% vs. 96%). Neutropenic fever occurred in 21% and 16%. Late toxicity included myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 3) and acute myeloid leukaemia (n = 5). With 12·5 years of follow-up, no significant differences based on treatment schedule were observed. 10-year overall survival estimates were 76% and 73%. 10-year progression-free survival estimates were 52% and 51%. FND with concurrent or sequential rituximab, and IFN maintenance in indolent lymphoma demonstrated high response rates and robust survival.
Perceptions of academic administrators of the effect of involvement in doctoral programs on faculty members' research and work-life balance.

Abstract Background Support for research strongly predicts doctoral program faculty members' research productivity. Although academic administrators affect such support, their views of faculty members’ use of support are unknown. Purpose We examined academic administrators' perceptions of institutional support and their perceptions of the effects of teaching doctoral students on faculty members’ scholarship productivity and work-life balance. Methods An online survey was completed by a random sample of 180 deans/directors of schools of nursing and doctoral programs directors. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and analysis of variance. Discussion Deans and doctoral program directors viewed the level of productivity of program faculty as high to moderately high and unchanged since faculty started teaching doctoral students. Deans perceived better administrative research supports, productivity, and work–life balance of doctoral program faculty than did program directors. Conclusion Findings indicate the need for greater administrative support for scholarship and mentoring given the changes in the composition of doctoral program faculty.
On the Control of Linear Systems Using Nonlinear Optimal Feedback

Abstract Optimal nonlinear feedback control of a linear system is presented in this paper. The non-negative cost function is designed to Find the optimal nonlinear controller. The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) inequality is employed to achieve this objective. It is shown that the closed loop Lyapunov function (CLLF) is required to have an even order such that the CLLF is always positive with non-positive time derivative. Therefore, the second method of Lyapunov theory is satisfied. This will allow the controlled system to be stable in the large and the problem of saturation in the control input is reduced. An undetectable marginally stable case is solved for illustration.
Safe Feature Screening for Generalized LASSO

Solving Generalized LASSO (GL) problems is challenging, particularly when analyzing many features with a complex interacting structure. Recent developments have found effective ways to identify inactive features so that they can be removed or aggregated to reduce the problem size before applying optimization solvers for learning. However, existing methods are mostly devoted to special cases of GL problems with special structures for feature interactions, such as chains or trees. Developing screening rules, particularly, safe screening rules to remove or aggregate features with general interaction structures, calls for a very different screening approach for GL problems. To tackle this challenge, we formulate the GL screening problem as a bound estimation problem in a large linear inequality system when solving them in the dual space. We propose a novel bound propagation algorithm for efficient safe screening for general GL problems, which can be further enhanced by developing novel transformation methods that can effectively decouple interactions among features. The proposed propagation and transformation methods are applicable with dynamic screening that can easily initiate the screening process while existing screening methods require the knowledge of the solution under a desirable regularization parameter. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed screening method.
Oral administration of Megasphaera elsdenii to Jersey cows during early lactation

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine whether Megasphaera elsdenii orally administered to transition Jersey cows would improve milk yield and reduce the risk for metabolic disease. Thirty primi- and multiparous Jersey cows, blocked according to parity and date of calving, were used in a randomized complete block design until 90 DIM and fed diets with 51% forage and 17.9 to 28.5% starch. Within each block, cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) control (no dose) or (2) 200 mL of Lactipro by oral drenching at 1 to 2 d postpartum (M. elsdenii, 1 × 108 cfu/mL; MSBiotec, Littleton, CO). Cows were housed in tie stalls for 4 wk after calving, in which DMI was measured, and then cows were housed in free stalls for 9 wk. Dry matter intake, BCS, and BW change were similar between treatments, and no treatment by time interactions occurred. There was no difference in milk yield between the treatments. For cows with ≥3 lactations, those dosed with M. elsdenii had greater milk and fat yields than the control cows. No treatment effect or treatment by time interactions were detected for milk fat and protein percentages and feed efficiency. Serum and urine ketones were similar between treatments. Although pre- and postpartum diets fed and management strategies for transition cows may affect whether cows respond to oral administration of M. elsdenii, mature, higher producing cows with ≥3 lactations may respond with increased milk yield when dosed with M. elsdenii.
Vaginal Laxity, Sexual Distress, and Sexual Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Plastic Surgery Practice.

Background:Sexual health issues can be characterized by vaginal laxity (VL), sexual distress, and sexual dysfunction. The epidemiology of these issues in plastic surgery patients, and especially breast cancer survivors, remains poorly understood. Objectives:To prospectively assess sexual health issues in a plastic surgery patient population with and without breast cancer. Methods:A prospective cohort study was created in our practice from June to August 2017 with administration of a survey including the vaginal laxity questionnaire (VLQ), female sexual distress scale-revised (FSDS-R), and female sexual function index (FSFI). Multivariate logistic regression identified the controlled effect of patient variables on development of sexual health issues. Results:Of 291 patients solicited, 239 completed the survey (37.7% breast cancer survivors vs 62.3% without). Prevalence of VL was nearly 1 in 6 women. Of these, 46.0% met criteria for sexual distress (FSDS-R ≥ 11.0) and 64.8% had sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.5). Breast cancer survivors exhibited significantly greater overall sexual dysfunction (P < 0.001) and greater dysfunction within all FSFI domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (all P < 0.02). On multivariate regression, number of vaginal deliveries predicted development of VL (OR 1.87, P < 0.001), presence of VL predicted sexual distress (OR 3.01, P = 0.007), while history of breast cancer predicted sexual dysfunction (OR 1.87, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Sexual health issues are prevalent amongst plastic surgery patients. Aesthetic practices can improve patients' quality of life by focusing on these areas. Potential therapeutic options to address sexual health issues should consider addressing vaginal laxity. Level of Evidence 2:
Autonomy and Accountability in Institutions of Higher Education

I come from a Jewish background, and my family and I celebrate each year Passover, a week-long spring festival that commemorates the liberation of Israelites from slavery long ago in ancient Egypt. It is one of my favourite holidays, not only for the special foods that are served and the chance to be together with family, but more for the opportunity to reflect on freedom and how important it is to making life meaningful. It is the only religious holiday I know that emphasizes how precious freedom is.
Towards adapting to learners at scale: integrating MOOC and intelligent tutoring frameworks

Instruction that adapts to individual learner characteristics is often more effective than instruction that treats all learners as the same. A practical approach to making MOOCs adapt to learners may be by integrating frameworks for intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs). Using the Learning Tools Interoperability standard (LTI), we integrated two intelligent tutoring frameworks (GIFT and CTAT) into edX. We describe our initial explorations of four adaptive instructional patterns in the PennX MOOC "Big Data and Education." The work illustrates one route to adaptivity at scale.
Primary cervical spine melanoma

Primary spinal melanoma is too rare to have any systemic statistical data on the epidemiology of this disease. We report a 58-year-old woman presented with spastic gait for 10 days, preceded by chronic pain at her left anterior chest that progressively spread to her neck, left shoulder, and arm in half a year. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed a well-enhancing focal intraspinal extramedullary tumor at C6/7 level. After surgical resection of the tumor and thorough studies to exclude extraspinal melanoma, the primary spinal melanoma is diagnosed. Postoperative MRI did not disclose any evidence of recurrence at 4 and 21 months later. We present the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of a patient with a primary cervical extramedullary spinal melanoma.
Weight-based activated prothrombin complex concentrate (FEIBA) is better than FFP alone for hematoma expansion in patients with warfarin-induced intracranial hemorrhage (P5.055)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of weight-based activated PCC (aPCC) vs fresh frozen plasma (FFP) alone in reducing hematoma expansion. Background: Little data is available on the use of weight-based dosing of activated (aPCC) for the reversal of warfarin-induced intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Design/Methods: We performed a multi-center retrospective analysis of patients that received aPCC and/or FFP for warfarin-induced ICH from Jan 2009 to Jun 2015. The primary endpoint was percentage of hematoma expansion after administration of aPCC and/or FFP. Secondary endpoint was the time to INR Results: Twenty seven patients were included (aPCC n=13; FFP n=14), with a majority being male (67%) and African American (60%) and a mean age of 70 years. Median admission ICH volume was 33.1 ml (IQR 13–81.5) vs. 10.2 ml (IQR 3.3–32)[p=0.1]. Median SBP on admission was 162 (IQR 143–212) vs. 156 (150–176) mmHg in aPCC and FFP groups, respectively (p=NS). Mean aPCC dose was 55.4±8.6 units/kg and mean FFP volume was 14.5±7.9 ml/kg in FFP group. Following aPCC or FFP administration, hematoma expansion was less in aPCC group compared to FFP alone (2.8% vs. 28.6%; p=0.06). Use of aPCC resulted in faster time to INR ≤ 1.5 with median of 2.8 (1.2–5.9) vs. 11.4 (5.8–25.7) hours; [p Conclusions: The use of a weight-based aPCC regimen results in less hematoma expansion and faster times of reversing warfarin-induced coagulopathy compared to the use of FFP alone. Disclosure: Dr. Serkin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Messana has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mohamed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wilson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Parker Jr. has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ibrahim has nothing to disclose.
Percutaneous Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease

More than 2 million percutaneous cardiac interventional procedures are performed annually worldwide to treat coronary artery disease. Many of these patients have reduced ejection fraction and/or heart failure symptoms. This chapter provides a technical and clinical perspective on balloon angioplasty and stenting with bare-metal and drug-eluting stents. Techniques for managing complex patients, including therapeutic angiogenesis, spinal cord stimulation, and enhanced external counterpulsation, are also reviewed.
Induced systemic protection in cucumbers: the source of the “signal”

Systemic protection of the cucumber cultivar SMR-58 against anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lagenarium , was induced by infecting the first true leaf (inducer leaf) with the fungus. Protection was transmitted from the rootstock with an infected leaf to a grafted scion. However, when the infected leaf on the rootstock was removed at the time of grafting, protection was not transmitted even though the second leaf on the rootstock remained highly protected. Grafting a healthy scion from a previously infected plant onto an unprotected rootstock did not confer protection to the rootstock. In other experiments, leaf 1, infected with C. lagenarium , was removed from small cucumber plants seven days after it was inoculated. Leaves which subsequently emerged from the apical bud were less protected against anthracnose than corresponding leaves from plants which did not have the inducer leaf removed. These results strongly suggest that the infected leaf is the source of the “signal” for induced systemic protection, and the “signal” is not remobilized from or produced in systemically protected leaves.
A Discussion-Based Exercise for Teaching the Use (and Abuse) of the Stratigraphic Code

A discussion-based approach is the best way to teach the rationale and utility of the Stratigraphic Code. This type of approach enhances the synthesis of information, cognitive reasoning ability, and selfconfidence of the students. In my Stratigraphy course, I address the Stratigraphic Code with a two-part exercise. The first part of the exercise consists of a set of twelve questions that ask the students to apply the Code to several hypothetical situations. The students are asked to prepare responses to the questions for a group discussion. During the discussion of questions, contingencies are added to stimulate debate. The second part of the exercise involves a case study of the evolution of the stratigraphic nomenclature for a succession of Eocene volcanic strata in Wyoming's Absaroka Range. Students are given a stratigraphic column and are asked to pick logical rock-unit boundaries and name the units as indicated in the Code. This exercise provides an enjoyable and informative means of conveying somet...
A Systems Biology Approach for Understanding Granuloma Formation and Function in Tuberculosis

The pathologic hallmark of tuberculosis is the granuloma. A granuloma is a multifaceted cellular structure that serves to focus the host immune response, contain infection and pathology, and provide a niche for the bacillus to persist within the host. Granulomas form in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and if a granuloma is capable of inhibiting or killing most of the M. tuberculosis present, humans develop a clinically latent infection. However, if a granuloma is impaired in function, infection progresses, granulomas enlarge, and bacteria seed new granulomas; this results in progressive pathology and disease, i.e., active tuberculosis. In clinical latency, immunologic perturbation at the level of the granuloma can result in reactivation of infection. In humans, there are a variety of granuloma types, even within the lungs of a single host.
AIDS, Drugs of Abuse, and the Neuroimmune Axis

The use of recreational drugs of abuse by large numbers of individuals in this country and worldwide has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of this activity. For example, it is now well known that illicit drugs such as marijuana is a widely used recreational drug, not only in adults but also in younger individuals. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that cocaine, especially crack cocaine, is used in epidemic amounts. The “war on drugs” by the U.S. Government was directly aimed at use of cocaine, marijuana and opiates, as well as other illicit drugs. In addition, alcohol abuse is also considered a major problem in this country as it is in many other countries. Over the last few decades various studies have shown that drugs of abuse, including marijuana, cocaine, and opiates, as well as alcohol, can alter both neurophysiological as well as pathological responses of individuals. Recently illicit drugs have also been shown to alter immune functions, both in vivo and in vitro. The influence of such altered immune function has physiological and physical consequences on drug abusers.
Attention in Business Press to the Diffusion of Attention Technologies, 1990–2017

Organizations in the digital networked media environment must increasingly rely on data about audiences’ allocation of their attention to obtain positive returns on their marketing budgets; provide better and more personalized services; or achieve more successful outcomes of health, political, or other campaigns or interventions. Thus, a variety of attention technologies (tracking, storage, and analytics) and an attention brokerage industry have developed over time. These developments are grounded in concepts of the information and knowledge economy, information economics, media advertising models, the attention economy, and diffusion of innovations theory. After this contextualization, the study analyzes how the business press represents the attributes associated with the diffusion of these attention technologies (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, communicability, uncertainty, and reinvention), and new subdimensions of each, and by promoting or adopting company, over time (1990–2017).
PW 2534 Motor vehicle crash, citation, and license suspension rates among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

ADHD often persists into adolescence when motor vehicle crash risk peaks. Small studies suggest that adolescents with ADHD have increased crash risk, but had substantial methodologic limitations and were conducted before Graduated Driver Licensing polices were implemented. We conducted the first longitudinal study to estimate crash rates over the early years of licensure among adolescent drivers with ADHD identified in a community setting. We identified residents in the US state of New Jersey (NJ) born 1987–1997 who were patients of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s primary care practices. Electronic health records were linked to NJ’s licensing and crash databases from 2004–2014. Subjects with an ICD-9-CM diagnostic code of ‘314.x’ were classified as having ADHD. We compared crash, citation, and license suspension rates for 1769 licensed drivers with ADHD and 13 167 without ADHD via Poisson regression, and compared crash circumstances for crash-involved subjects. Over the first four years of licensure, rates for all outcomes were consistently higher for drivers with ADHD including: crashes (adjRR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.48); moving violation citations (1.47 [1.36, 1.58]); and license suspensions (1.32 [1.08, 1.61]). Drivers with ADHD who crashed within 2 years of licensure were responsible in 77% of crashes compared with 70% of drivers without ADHD (p Adolescent drivers with ADHD had higher crash, citation, and license suspension rates than drivers without ADHD over the first four years of licensure. However, the manner by which adolescents crash is not substantially different by ADHD status. Tailored interventions for adolescents with ADHD are needed; driver training programs should include a focus on attention while driving.
Poor Knowledge of Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance Guidelines in a National Cohort of Digestive Disease Specialists.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is cost-effective and prevents death from CRC if used appropriately. Physicians do not recommend CRC screening according to guidelines. Physician-related factors associated with CRC screening knowledge are unknown. We tested the accuracy of CRC screening knowledge in a nationwide cohort of practicing and trainee physicians and assessed respondent’s interest in a mobile app to improve appropriate CRC screening use. An electronic survey was emailed to practicing gastroenterology professionals and medical and surgical trainees. We assessed accuracy of responses compared to CRC screening and surveillance guidelines. We assessed factors associated with higher accuracy of knowledge, frequency of workplace smartphone use, and interest in a smartphone app to aid CRC screening and surveillance recommendations. In total, 1432 responses were received. Hundred percent accuracy was noted in 22% of respondents for screening and 37% for surveillance. Factors associated with higher accuracy of screening guidelines included more recent training completion; academic practice; performing 21–100 colonoscopies per month (vs. 100). Higher accuracy of surveillance guidelines was associated with more recent training completion; academic practice; being a third-year fellow. In total, 53% use smartphones at least “often” in patient care. In total, 87% would use a CRC screening and surveillance smartphone app. Accuracy in applying CRC screening guidelines by gastroenterologists is poor. Smartphone use for patient care is prevalent. Our data show a high interest in a CRC screening/surveillance mobile app. Mobile tools appear an opportunity for rapid access and an increased adherence to CRC screening guidelines.
Breast Cancer Incidence by Stage Before and After Change in Screening Guidelines.

Introduction The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed breast cancer screening guidelines in November 2009 for mammograms in women aged 40–49 and 50–74 years. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the 2009 guideline changes on breast cancer incidence by stage among women aged 40–49 and 50–74 years in the U.S. Methods This was a cross-sectional trend analysis of the impact of 2009 guideline change on breast cancer incidence by stage, using data from the National Program for Cancer Registries and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Incidence–U.S. Cancer Statistics 2001–2014 database among women aged 40–74 years. Incidence was age adjusted to the U.S. standard population. Data were collected in 2001–2014, released in 2017, and analyzed in 2018. Results Among women aged 40–49 years, the 4-year average annual incidence of breast cancer increased slightly in 2011–2014 for in situ, localized, and distant cancer, but decreased for regional cancer compared with the incidence in 2006–2009. Among women aged 50–74 years, the 4-year average annual incidence of breast cancer increased in 2011–2014 for localized and distant cancer, but decreased for in situ and regional cancer. Joinpoint analyses revealed that annual percentage changes decreased after 2009 for distant cancer among both women aged 40–49 and 50–74 years. The composition of breast cancer by stage was similar between 2006–2009 and 2011–2014 among both women aged 40–49 and 50–74 years. Conclusions Changes in breast cancer screening by the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines had little immediate adverse effects on the stage distribution of breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Monitoring the incidence by cancer stages over time is needed.
Comparison of defect depths for sinusoidal and circular perimetric stimuli in patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE Clinical use of perimetric testing in patients with glaucoma typically assumes that perimetric defects will be less deep for larger than smaller stimuli. However, studies have shown that very large sinusoidal stimuli can yield similar defects as small circular stimuli. In order to provide guidelines for new perimetric stimuli, we tested patients with glaucoma using five different stimuli and compared defects to their patterns of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) damage. METHODS Twenty subjects with glaucoma were imaged with optical coherence tomography (OCT) volume scans to allow for en face RNFL images and were also tested on a custom perimetry station with five stimuli: Goldmann sizes III and V, a two-dimensional Gaussian blob (standard deviation 0.5°) and a 0.5 cycle degree-1 sinusoidal grating presented two ways: flickered at 5 Hz, and pulsed for 200 ms instead of flickered. En face RNFL images were reviewed with the visual field locations overlaid, and each location was labelled for a patient as either no visible RNFL defect or as wedge, slit, edge, or diffuse defect. Nineteen age-similar controls were tested with the same stimuli to define depth of defect as difference from mean normal. Bland-Altman analysis was used to test three predictions of neural modelling by making five comparisons. RESULTS Bland-Altman analysis confirmed the three predictions. The flickered sinusoid gave deeper defects in damaged areas than the pulsed sinusoid (r = 0.25, p < 0.0001). When comparing data for sizes III and V there was increased spread of the data in deeper defects in the direction of size III having deeper defect (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001). The size V stimulus yielded shallower defects than a stimulus of similar size but with blurred edges (r = 0.20, p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS On average, all stimuli produced similar results comparing across type of RNFL damage. However, there were systematic patterns consistent with predictions of neural modelling: in damaged areas, depth of defect tended to be greater for the flickered sinusoid than the pulsed sinusoid, greater for the size III stimulus than the size V stimulus, and greater for the Gaussian blob than for the size V stimulus.
Frequency of preconception education for teenage patients with diabetes attending an academic Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) in pregnancy produces adverse outcomes with significant human and economic costs. Potential lifetime cost savings of preventative preconception counseling for women with diabetes may reach $4.3 billion (U.S.). Preconception education has been shown in prior research to improve knowledge of reproductive risks in an adolescent diabetic population and to improve future health outcomes. This study assessed the current extent of preconception DM-related reproductive risk education at a tertiary academic medical center to better inform the opportunity for a systematic quality improvement intervention. Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of females (N=70), ages 16-19, seen in the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic (2013-2016) and diagnosed with type 1 DM, type 2 DM, or insulin resistance. Any reproductive risks education documentation by providers, nursing or educators within Pediatric Endocrinology, or within consults to Nutrition or Obstetrics and Gynecology was reviewed and characterized. Results: According to EMR documentation, patient education for nonreproductive medical needs and complications of DM were consistently present in this population: 96% of patients received general diabetes education with at least 4/8 components. However, documented education regarding DM reproductive risks occurred for only 18% of the same patients while contraceptive use discussion occurred for 20%. Conclusion: The potential benefits of preconception education may include achieving recommended glucose control preceding and during pregnancy with fewer downstream maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. Although limited by the single site, retrospective design and the unknown rate of reproductive education documentation failure, our findings reveal a performance gap of potential downstream medical significance. Recognizing this deficiency provides an opportunity for a population-based intervention to create improved health outcomes.
Increase in Osteocalcin Following Testosterone Therapy in Men With Type 2 Diabetes and Subnormal Free Testosterone

Context One-third of men with type 2 diabetes have subnormal free testosterone concentrations. We evaluated the following: (i) whether bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength are affected by gonadal status in type 2 diabetes and (ii) the effect of testosterone replacement on markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Design This is a secondary analysis of a previously completed, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-four men with type 2 diabetes were recruited; 44 had subnormal free testosterone concentrations. Men with subnormal free testosterone concentrations were randomized to receive intramuscular injections of testosterone or placebo every 2 weeks for 22 weeks. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were performed at baseline and at 23 weeks. Results Men with subnormal free testosterone had similar BMD compared with men with normal free testosterone. However, bone strength indices were lower in men with subnormal free testosterone. BMD was related to free estradiol concentrations (r = 0.37, P = 0.004 at hip), whereas bone strength was related to free testosterone concentrations (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). Testosterone replacement increased osteocalcin concentrations [mean change (95% CI), 3.52 (0.45, 6.59), P = 0.008]. C-Terminal telopeptide (CTx) concentrations also increased at 15 weeks but reverted to baseline following that. There were no changes in other bone turnover markers or BMD. Conclusion We conclude that testosterone replacement resulted in an increase in osteocalcin and a transient increase in CTx, indicating an increase in osteoblastic activity and transient increase in bone breakdown. Therefore, a major action of testosterone is to increase bone turnover in men with type 2 diabetes.
Evaporation vs Solution Sequential Doping of ConjugatedPolymers: F 4 TCNQ Doping of Micrometer-Thick P3HT Filmsfor Thermoelectrics

For thermoelectric and other device applications there has been great interest in the chemical doping of conjugated polymer films. Solution doping followed by film deposition generally produces poo...
Abstract 302: Role of Acidic pH in Linking SIRT1 and Cardioprotective Metabolism

Metabolic acidosis is the hallmark of the ischemic period of ischemia-reperfusion injury and acidic pH is cardioprotective via unclear mechanisms. We previously reported induction of neomorphic act...
Multifunctional liquid metal lattice materials through hybrid design and manufacturing

Abstract Multifunctional lattice materials exhibit functionalities beyond conventional load-bearing usage and are usually fabricated by additive manufacturing. This work introduces a new class of functional lattice materials called liquid metal lattice materials. These lattice materials consist of liquid metals and elastomers organized in a core-shell manner. This hybrid design induces a shape memory effect by harnessing the solid-liquid phase transition of liquid metals. Consequently, several remarkable functionalities are achieved such as recoverable energy absorption, tunable rigidity, and reconfigurable behaviors. These liquid metal lattice materials are fabricated by using a hybrid manufacturing approach, which integrates the 3D printing, vacuum casting, and conformal coating techniques. A variety of lattice structures are presented to demonstrate the capability of this hybrid manufacturing method and the functionalities of liquid metal lattice materials. This new class of lattice materials have promising applications in aerospace, robotics, tunable metamaterials, etc.
How do Adolescents Develop Legal Cynicism? A Test of Legal Socialization Mechanisms Among Youth Involved in the Justice System

Despite surging interest in legal socialization, it is unclear how youth develop legal cynicism. The present study examined two socialization mechanisms for youth legal cynicism: perceptions of pol...
Addressing Racism in Medicine Requires Tackling the Broader Problem of Epistemic Injustice.

Research into epistemic injustice, the practice of discrediting people as knowers based on their social identity (Fricker 2007), has gained broad popularity in ethics. Racism in medicine often mani...
Plant immune system activation is necessary for efficient interaction with auxin secreting beneficial bacteria

Abstract Plants continuously monitor the presence of microorganisms through their immune system to establish an adaptive response. Unlike immune recognition of pathogenic bacteria, how beneficial bacteria interact with the plant immune system is not well understood. Analysis of colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana by auxin producing beneficial bacteria revealed that activation of the plant immune system is necessary for efficient bacterial colonization and auxin secretion. A feedback loop is established in which bacterial colonization triggers an immune reaction and production of reactive oxygen species, which, in turn, stimulate auxin production by the bacteria. Auxin promotes bacterial survival and efficient root colonization, allowing the bacteria to inhibit fungal infection and promote plant health.
Direct Seeding and Transplanting Influence Root Dynamics, Morpho-Physiology, Yield, and Head Quality of Globe Artichoke.

The objective of this two-year field study was to assess the influence of stand establishment methods (direct seeding or transplanting) on root growth dynamics, shoot morphology, leaf physiology, yield, and quality of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus). Three artichoke cultivars were evaluated, ‘Green Globe Improved’ (GGI), ‘Imperial Star’ (IS), and ‘Romolo’ (ROM). Plants established with the transplanting method had higher mean root length intensity (La), root length, and root surface area as compared to plants established by direct seeding. The topsoil (0–20 cm) had on average higher La, root length, and root surface area than deeper soil profiles. Transplanted plants had higher plant shoot width and leaf area index (LAI) chlorophyll content index (SPAD) than direct seeded plants at the vegetative stage in 2015. The improvement of root and shoot growth in transplants (compared to direct seeding) also resulted in higher (p < 0.05) marketable yield (21.1 vs. 19.9 ton ha−1 in 2015 and 18.3 vs. 13.7 ton ha−1 in 2016). Additionally, 46–50% of the total yield occurred during the first 30 days of harvest in the transplanting method compared to 13–38% for direct seeding. No significant differences were found between planting methods or cultivars in leaf-level gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration) and cynarin concentration in the marketable heads. Although chlorogenic acid was similar in both establishment methods in 2015, direct seeding had higher concentration in 2016. Comparing cultivars, GGI had higher root length, surface area, root volume, and earlier and higher marketable yield than ROM. However, ROM had higher mean root length intensity (La; total root length per specific area in soil profile) than GGI in both growing seasons. This study showed significant and consistent improvements in root and shoot traits, and yield for transplants as compared to direct seeded plants.
Still Following Our North Star: The Necessity of Black Women’s Spiritual (Re)Membering in Qualitative (Re)search:

Qualitative researchers often engage inquiry with attention to the mind, a bit to the body, and scant attention to the spirit, ignoring the complex role that our inner lives play in conducting rese...
A comparative study of cirrhosis sub-staging using the Laennec system, Beijing classification, and morphometry.

There is constant remodeling in a cirrhotic liver resulting in cirrhosis being spatially heterogeneous. The Laennec system, and, more recently the Beijing classification, have been used to sub-classify various degrees of cirrhosis. It is unknown how these two schemes compare with each other, how they are impacted by geographic variation, and how they correlate with clinical outcomes. Five needle biopsies were obtained from 20 explanted cirrhotic HCV livers at the time of transplantation. Collagen proportionate area (CPA) was measured by computerized quantitative morphometry. The Laennec system (4A-4C indicating increasing degrees of cirrhosis) and Beijing classification (P-progressive, R-regressive, I-indeterminate) were assessed and then correlated with CPA. Geographical variation using CPAs was calculated by the coefficient of variation (CoV). CPA of Laennec 4C cirrhosis was higher than 4A (p = 0.00008) or 4B (p = 0.0002). The CPA of the P pattern was greater than the R (p = 0.002) or I patterns (p = 0.037). The mean CoV of the five CPAs was 47.3 ± 4.5%, suggesting a significant degree of geographic variation. There was 100% overlap between the Beijing R pattern and Laennec 4A, and 80% overlap between the P pattern and Laennec 4C. Patients' platelet counts of P pattern were lower than R pattern (p = 0.008) or I pattern (p = 0.024), while Laennec 4C was lower than 4A (p = 0.036) and 4B patients (p = 0.7). There was no correlation between CPA, Laennec stage, or Beijing classification and MELD score, liver weights, total bilirubin, or albumin levels. The Laennec system and the Beijing classification are highly correlated with CPA in cirrhosis. This study confirms that there is a significant degree of geographic variation in terms of fibrosis content and cirrhosis morphology throughout the liver.
Autologous reconstitution leading to sustained JAK2-V617F negativity post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in JAK2-V617F positive myelofibrosis.

Autologous reconstitution leading to sustained JAK2 -V617F negativity post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in JAK2 -V617F positive myelofibrosis
Continuing Medical Education: Vulvodynia (CME)

ABSTRACT Introduction Vulvodynia is increasingly recognized as a cause of sexual pain. Aim The goal of this Continuing Medical Education article was to provide a comprehensive review of vulvodynia including terminology, possible etiologies, and offer treatment options. Methods A Medline search was conducted using several terms related to and including the terms vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, vestibulodynia, and pudendal neuralgia. Results A thorough review of vulvodynia. Conclusion Vulvodynia most likely represents several disorders without an identifiable cause in many cases. The management of these patients requires a sensitive provider who can coordinate a multidisciplinary approach to their care. Despite the lack of large-scale, placebo-controlled trials, several new treatment options exist. Goldstein AT, and Burrows L. Vulvodynia.
Increasing the Probability of Stimulus Equivalence with Adults with Mild Mental Retardation

In Experiment 1, 6 adults with mild mental retardation were taught 3 overlapping conditional discriminations in a linear series structure, establishing the possibility of the emergence of 2 stimulus equivalence classes of 4 stimuli per class. Training employed balanced trial types in which the discriminative stimuli were presented in fixed pairs across conditional discriminations (e.g., 81 and 82, C1 and C2). No participant.showed the emergence of equivalence classes in initial testing; 1 participant showed the establishment of classes with repeated testing, including tests for symmetry alone. In Experiment 2, 6 additional adults with mild mental retardation were similarly trained, with one methodological modification: Prior to testing, each comparison stimulus (e.g., 81) was presented in some trials with every stimulus from the opposing class (i.e., A2, 82, C2, and D2). With this modification, 4 of 6 participants showed the establishment of equivalence classes during initial testing. The results support hypotheses about the essential role of simple discrimination acquisition in equivalence class establishment.
Evolution and future of power electronics applications in home appliances (IECON panel discussion)

This article shows the opportunities for application of power electronics in the household industry. Advanced power control would bring many features to products and benefits to consumers. The financial benefits will be tremendous for those who succeed in developing and applying solutions that meet the needs of the industry.
Rapid evolutionary divergence of an invasive weed from its crop ancestor and evidence for local diversification

Feral rye is an invasive North American weed that evolved from domesticated rye in the last century. In order to determine how this weed diverged from its cultivated ancestor and whether it has evolved regional differences across its new range in the western United States, we planted both feral rye from different regions and its progenitor in three common garden sites spanning the North-South axis of that range (eastern Washington, northern California, and southern California, respectively). We measured seedling emergence, survival, vegetative growth, flowering phenology, and reproductive output concurrently across sites over a single growing season. All traits were found to be genetically based. All feral populations were typically shattering contrasting with domesticated rye's typically non-shattering seed head. They also flowered later, tillered more, grew shorter, and produced smaller seeds in at least one population. Near the center and proposed origin of its introduced range, all feral rye populations produced significantly more seed than cultivars. Northern feral populations flowered later than southern populations and cultivars. Shifts were not symmetrical: southern populations performed well at all sites. But northern populations showed more evidence of local adaptation, faring poorly in southern California. Clearly, feral rye has evolved from its cultivated progenitor by more than just acquiring shattering. Furthermore, it has diverged regionally, although not all populations are fully locally adapted. Notably, feral rye populations exhibited a greater range of phenotypes than rye cultivars, suggesting that its evolution is not simply due to selection acting on existing variation within individual cultivars.