cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new assay for the detection of Loxosceles species (brown recluse) spider venom

Abstract Study Objective: Dermal lesions from unrelated arthropod species and medical causes appear similar to Loxosceles species (brown recluse spider) bites. This may result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. We developed a sensitive Loxosceles species venom enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and characterized the specificity of the assay by evaluating antigenic cross-reactivity from a variety of North American arthropod venoms. Methods: North American arthropod (14 spiders, 2 scorpions, and 1 bee) venoms were studied. Three venom amounts (diluted in 100 μL of ELISA buffer) were assayed: 16,000 ng, 2,000 ng, and 40 ng. The latter quantity was selected because this is the observed maximum amount of venom we detect when inoculating dermis with amounts likely to be deposited by a spider bite. The larger venom amounts are overwhelming quantities designed to test the limits of the assay for arthropod venom cross-reactivity. Similar amounts of Loxosceles species venom and bovine albumin served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results: At the lowest amount of venom tested (40 ng), the ELISA detected only the Loxosceles species positive control. When 2,000 ng was assayed, only Scytodes fusca and Kukulcania hibernalis arachnid venoms (in addition to Loxosceles species) cross-reacted to the assay. Finally, at 16,000 ng, the ELISA assay modestly detected Diguetia canities , Heteropoda venatoria , Tegenaria agrestis , Plectreurys tristes , Dolomedes tenebrosus , and Hadrurus arizonensis arachnid venoms. Conclusion: Cross-reactivity was observed in 8 of 17 North American arthropod venoms when large venom amounts were assayed with a Loxosceles species ELISA. By using a relevant quantity of venom, 40 ng, the assay was specific for Loxosceles species venom. The venom specificity of the ELISA may allow clinical application in Loxosceles species endemic regions of North America. [Gomez HF, Krywko DM, Stoecker WV. A new assay for the detection of Loxosceles species (brown recluse) spider venom. Ann Emerg Med. May 2002;39:469-474.]
Privacy patterns for online interactions

A proper security architecture is an essential part of implementing robust and reliable networked applications. Security patterns have shown how reoccurring problems can be best solved with proven solutions. However, while they are critical for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computing systems, security patterns do not specifically (or necessarily) address the privacy of individuals. Building on existing privacy pattern work, we identify three privacy patterns for web-based activity: INFORMED CONSENT FOR WEB-BASED TRANSACTIONS, MASKED ONLINE TRAFFIC, and MINIMAL INFORMATION ASYMMETRY. The first pattern addresses a system architecture issue and draws on Friedman's model for informed consent. The second and third patterns provide support for end users and extend Jiang's 'Principle of Minimum Asymmetry.' These patterns describe how users can protect their privacy by both revealing less about themselves, and acquiring more information from the party with whom they are communicating.
Natriuretic peptide receptor-B in adult rat ventricle is predominantly confined to the nonmyocyte population

We assessed the cellular localization and relative concentration of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) guanylate cyclase-B (GC-B) receptor in the adult rat heart ventricle by several techniques. In frozen sections of the ventricle, anti-receptor antibody stained the vasculature and cells interstitial to myocytes, but not the myocytes themselves. The same antibody detected GC-B in immunoblots of protein extracts of nonmyocytes, but not myocytes and recognized an equivalent protein in extracts of cultured cardiac fibroblasts, but not A7r5 rat smooth muscle cells. In functional assays, CNP-induced cGMP accumulation per milligram cell protein was an order of magnitude greater in cultured cardiac fibroblasts than in A7r5 smooth muscle cells and two orders of magnitude greater than in freshly isolated cardiac myocytes. Modulation of cGMP accumulation by phosphodiesterases (PDEs) was cell specific as determined by antagonist pharmacological profiles, PDE1 in fibroblasts, PDE2 in A7r5 cells, and PDE3 in myocytes, suggesting that significant but low-level cGMP response to CNP measured in heart myocytes is not due to nonmyocyte contamination. Fibroblasts of cardiac origin do not show an interactive relationship between receptor responsiveness to CNP, cGMP levels, and proliferation-related mitogen-activated signal transduction pathways. Whereas previous reports suggest CNP exerts significant effects in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, our results suggest that fibroblasts are likely the most responsive cell type (cGMP production) in the adult rat heart.
Calculating the degradation kinetic parameters of thiamine by the isothermal version of the endpoints method

Abstract Thiamine (vitamin B1)'s degradation during thermal processing and storage of foods is known to follow first-order kinetics, where the rate constant's temperature-dependence can be described by the two-parameter Arrhenius equation. In agreement with previous reports, a simpler two-parameter exponential model could replace the Arrhenius equation in thiamine degradation without sacrificing the fit. Theoretically, the exponential model's two parameters can be estimated from the concentration ratios after two isothermal exposures by solving a pair of simultaneous nonlinear algebraic equations of which they are the two unknowns. Once calculated, these two parameters can be used to reconstruct the entire degradation curves to which the two endpoints belonged, and to predict those at any other exposure in a pertinent temperature range. The concept and mathematical calculation procedure were implemented in a freely downloadable interactive Wolfram Demonstration, with which the user solves the equations by moving sliders on the screen to match the reconstructed degradation curves with the experimental endpoints. The method was tested with computer simulations and with published experimental data on thiamine's degradation in a model solution, beef, pasta and salmon, over large temperature ranges and exposure times, and validated by comparing thiamine's predicted final concentration ratios with those reported at temperatures not used in the kinetic parameters calculation. The described method and interactive calculation program can facilitate and economize the study of thiamine degradation in stored foods by eliminating the need to record entire sets of isothermal degradation curves.
Generation of Deep Cuts Using the Fundamental Disjunctive Inequality

Recall from Chapter I that our motivation in using disjunctive programming methods is to aid us in solving nonconvex problems of the type $$\begin{gathered} DP: minimize (fx) \hfill \\ subject to x\varepsilon X \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ $$\begin{gathered} x \varepsilon U S_h \hfill \\ h\varepsilon H \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ where f: Rn → R is lower semicontinuous, X is a closed subset of the nonnegative orthant of Rn and each Sh, h e H is given by Equation (1.1).
The Autonomy Paradox

This short article responds to Daniel Halberstam’s “constitutional defense” of Opinion 2/13 of the European Court Justice on the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). While Daniel believes that the Court was right to declare the accession agreement incompatible with the EU Treaties, I contend that the Court’s interpretation of the EU’s constitutional order is misguided: it ignores the fact that accession is a constitutional requirement and engages in cherry-picking when it comes to the relationship between EU law and international law. To move accession forward, we need to unpack what I call the “autonomy paradox.”
Before the Conference: General Planning Strategies

This chapter is chronological; it leads the reader to reflect on what needs to occur prior to proposing a conference session and describes the planning process. It begins with practical advice on how to fulfil the expectations for a presenter and includes many different considerations, including: physical appearance, travel funding, and proposing a session that meshes with the organization’s mission. With regard to session planning, the emphasis is on being participant-oriented and being clear about appropriate outcomes for those attending the session. Templates for a presenter’s introduction, a brief session description, and a one-hour workshop are supplied. This chapter also provides criteria for self- and peer-evaluation of conference proposals and presentations. Volunteer service as a reviewer of conference proposals is recommended as a way to more fully internalize expectations for presentation proposals.
Stereoselective features of catecholamine dispostion and their behavioral implications.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the stereoselective features of catecholamine dispostion and their behavioral implications. The uptake of norepinephrine (NE) by peripheral sympathetic neurons exhibits marked stereoselectivity bothat α and β carbons. NE isomers differ structurally only at the β carbon, while amphetamine isomers vary at the α-carbon. Stereoselectivity of catecholamine uptake appears to be anomalous in cardiovascular tissues. The greater stereoselectivity of NE than of dopamine neurons in the brain suggests a way of evaluating if stereoisomeric drugs, such as amphetamine or ephedrine, exert particular behavioral actions via brain NE or dopamine. Behaviors predominantly involving NE should be affected much more by (+) than by (–)-amphetamine, while the isomers should have more similar effects on behaviors mediated by brain dopamine. The stereotyped sniffing, licking, and gnawing elicited by amphetamine in rodents is generally thought primarily to involve brain dopamine.
Research on Orientational Arithmetic Using Distance Information and Accuracy for Multistatic Sonar

Based on the method of position location in bistatic sonar,the orientation equation based on the distance and the formula of location error in multistatic sonar were deducted,and the algorithm using distance datas was discussed,and the affected orientation precision of the geometrical metrical error and the temporal metrical error were argued.Besides,the geometrical distribution of error was analyzed which was in different stations layout and the stations position in tiptop accuracy of location was proposed.
Data management and routing in general networks.

Im Bereich des Hochleistungsrechnens ist in den vergangenen Jahren ein Trend weg von dem Einsatz dedizierter Parallelrechner, hin zur Verwendung moderner Clustersysteme zu verzeichnen. Die Popularitat dieser Systeme basiert auf ihrem im Vergleich zu speziellen Parallelrechnern extrem gunstigen Preis-Leistungsverhaltnis, welches durch die vorwiegende Verwendung von Standardkomponenten erreicht wird. Wahrend dieser Ansatz von der Hardwareseite her, eine sehr hohe Rechenleistung zu einem vernunftigen Preis verspricht, stellt er auf der Softwareseite neue Anforderungen an die Entwicklung von Basisdiensten wie Latverteilung, Datenverwaltung, Monitoring, etc. Derartige Basisdienste sind fur die effiziente Nutzung von verteilten Szstemen unentbehrlich, damit sich der Anwender, d.h. der Programmierer einer verteilten Anwendung, nicht um die Kleinigkeiten und Schwierigkeiten einzelner paralleler Systeme kummern muss. Die gegenwartig sehr aktuellen Forschungsgebiete des Grid-Computing und der Peerto-Peer Netzwerke beschaftigen sich mit der Entwicklung von Basisdiensten fur Clustersysteme, die entweder durch ein proprietares Netzwerk oder durch ein nicht-proprietares Netzwerk wie z.B. dem Internet verbunden sind. In beiden Fallen liegt eine Hauptschwierigkeit in der, im Vergleich zu dedizierten Parallelrechnern, sehr unregelmasigen Struktur des Verbindungsnetzwerks. Im Rahmen der Dissertation wurde eine theoretische Analyse von Routingund Datenverwaltungsdiensten in verteilten Systemen durchgefuhrt. Die vorgestellten Algorithmen sind selbst in sehr unregelmasigen Topologien nahezu optimal, weshalb sie insbesondere fur moderne Clustersysteme geeignet scheinen. Ein Routingdienst bildet die Basis fur den Informationsaustausch zwischen den Knoten eines verteilten Systems. Es werden sowohl Unicastalgorithmen (wobei Informationen von einer Quelle zu genau einem Ziel geschickt werden), als auch Multicastalgorithmen betrachtet (bei denen Daten von einer Quelle zu mehreren Zielen geschickt werden). Ein Datenverwaltungsdienst realisiert einen transparenten Zugriff auf globale Datenobjekte, auf die von den Knoten des Netzwerks lesend und schreibend zugegriffen werden kann. Beispiele fur derartige globale Datenobjekte sind z.B. globale Variablen in einem parallelen Programm, Dateien in einem verteilten Dateisystem oder Webseiten im Internet. Ein Datenverwaltungsdienst ist ublicherweise erheblich komplizierter als ein einfacher Routingdienst, da er z.B. Antworten auf die folgenden Fragen geben muss:
Enhancement of Cortical Plasticity by Behavioral Training in Acetylcholine-Depleted Adult Rats

Trimming all whiskers except two on one side of an adult rat's face results in cortical plasticity in which the spared whiskers, D2 and one D-row surround whisker (either D1 or D3), evoked response...
Proteoglycans and Diseases of Soft Tissues

Proteoglycans consist of a protein core to which at least one glycosaminoglycan chain is attached. They play important roles in the physiology and biomechanical function of tendons, ligaments and cardiovascular system through their involvement in regulation of assembly and maintenance of extracellular matrix, and as they participate in cell proliferation through their interactions with growth factors. They can be divided into two main groups of small and large proteoglycans. The small proteoglycans are also known as small leucine-rich proteoglycans (or SLRPs) which are encoded by 17 genes and are further subclassified into Classes I–V. Several members of Class I and II, such as decorin and biglycan from Class I, and Class II fibromodulin and lumican, are known to regulate collagen fibrillogenesis. Decorin limits the diameter of collagen fibrils during fibrillogenesis. The function of biglycan in fibrillogenesis is similar to that of decorin. Though biomechanical function of tendon is compromised in decorin-deficient mice, decorin can substitute for lack of biglycan in biglycan-deficient mice. New data also indicate an important role for biglycan in disorders of the cardiovascular system, including aortic valve stenosis and aortic dissection. Two members of the Class II of SLRPs, fibromodulin and lumican bind to the same site within the collagen molecule and can substitute for each other in fibromodulin- or lumican-deficient mice.
Encouraging Private Sector Transparency: Policies to Support Disclosure of Product Data in North America

Our concluding chapter draws on the concepts and theories discussed in the book, particularly the concept of governance, collaboration, and the role of trust. The chapter focuses on the practicalities of information disclosure. It asks: how must this process be governed? A definition of governance as the process of steering a society toward a set of predefined goals is introduced. It discusses the benefits and difficulties of creating collaborative governance in the context of our project. The chapter presents our findings regarding governance from the I-Choose project. It evaluates existing experiments in collaborative governance that aim to extract public value from data disclosure, drawing on several examples from multiple countries, including the I-Choose project. We find that information disclosure alone is not enough to enhance the public sphere. It must be supported by innovative governance mechanisms that address classic problems such as establishing independence among producing and regulating organizations and creating procedural transparency.
Bariatric Surgery Patients' Perceptions of Weight-Related Stigma in Healthcare Settings Impair Post-surgery Dietary Adherence

Background: Weight-related stigma is reported frequently by higher body-weight patients in healthcare settings. Bariatric surgery triggers profound weight loss. This weight loss may therefore alleviate patients’ experiences of weight-related stigma within healthcare settings. In non-clinical settings, weight-related stigma is associated with weight-inducing eating patterns. Dietary adherence is a major challenge after bariatric surgery. Objectives: (1) Evaluate the relationship between weight-related stigma and post-surgical dietary adherence; (2) understand if weight loss reduces weight-related stigma, thereby improving post-surgical dietary adherence; and (3) explore provider and patient perspectives on adherence and stigma in healthcare settings. Design: This mixed methods study contrasts survey responses from 300 postoperative bariatric patients with ethnographic data based on interviews with 35 patients and extensive multi-year participant-observation within a clinic setting. The survey measured experiences of weight-related stigma, including from healthcare professionals, on the Interpersonal Sources of Weight Stigma scale and internalized stigma based on the Weight Bias Internalization Scale. Dietary adherence measures included patient self-reports, non-disordered eating patterns reported on the Disordered Eating after Bariatric Surgery scale, and food frequencies. Regression was used to assess the relationships among post-surgical stigma, dietary adherence, and weight loss. Qualitative analyses consisted of thematic analysis. Results: The quantitative data show that internalized stigma and general experiences of weight-related stigma predict worse dietary adherence, even after weight is lost. The qualitative data show patients did not generally recognize this connection, and health professionals explained it as poor patient compliance. Conclusion: Reducing perceptions of weight-related stigma in healthcare settings and weight bias internalization could enhance dietary adherence, regardless of time since patient’s weight-loss surgery.
MRI based assessment of the extent to which stereo-tracking of markers on the chest can predict motion of the heart

We have developed a visual-tracking-system (VTS) which uses stereo-imaging to track the motion of markers on patients during cardiac SPECT imaging with the goal of using the tracked motion to correct for patient motion. The aim of this study is to determine using MRI in volunteers if the rigid-body-motion (RBM) model can be used to predict the motion of the heart within the chest from the motion of markers on the surface of the chest. Our methodology for investigating body-motion separate from the influence of respiration is to have the volunteer hold their breath during the acquisition of a sequence of 2 sets of EKG-triggered MRI sagittal slices covering the heart, the first set pre-motion and the second post-motion. We link the acquisition of these studies such that this process takes ∼ 45 seconds from the initiation of the first acquisition till the volunteer is given the instruction to resume breathing. An analysis of the combined motion of the individual markers on the chest is used to obtain an estimate of the six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) RBM motion of the volunteer. The motion of the heart within the slices is estimated by semi-automatic 3D segmentation of the heart region in the second set of slices and subsequent registration of this region to the first set of slices. Studies in which the volunteer did not intentionally move between the 2 acquisitions were used to establish a baseline for agreement between the 2 methods of motion estimation for small motions. The agreement between the VTS and MRI estimates of motion was good in this “no-motion” case with a maximum difference of ≪ 5 mm between the 2 for any translation component, and ≪2 deg for any rotational component. With body translations such as an axial-slide which might be expected to approximate RBM, the maximum difference in any translation estimate was also good being ≪ 6 mm, and the maximum rotational difference was ≪ 2.5 deg. Application of the VTS to correct non-RBM such as a counter-clock-wise (CCW) twist at the shoulders with the hips fixed, decreased the magnitude of the misalignment caused by motion but not to the same extent as for the previous classes of motion. The maximum differences for this class of motions was ≪11 mm for translation and ≪ 4.5 deg for angular. Thus use of the RBM model with VTS predictions of heart motion for use in motion correction during reconstruction should decrease the extent of artifacts for the types of patient motion studied, but less so for those which are better modeled as non-RBM.
Evidence-Based Medicine and the Art of Medicine

Evidence-based medicine since its inception offered the potential for increased use of effective interventions and consequently a potential to improve quality of care and to reduce health care costs. One great accomplishment of the evidence-based medicine movement has been a renewed focus on the scientific process and the development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis that condense the best evidence available. However, the well-being and goals of the patient are at the center of patient-physician and at the core of the clinical decision-making process. Evidence-based medicine is a tool that contributes with the best scientific evidence available. Clinical judgment and expertise are necessary elements that help integrate the patient’s specific circumstances and values with the best scientific evidence to provide therapeutic options to the patient. Applying general evidence to the individual patient is part of the art of caring and comforting, part of the art of being a physician.
Wound culture isolated antibiograms and caregiver-reported skin care practices in children with epidermolysis bullosa.

Background/Objectives Many patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) require intensive daily wound care and individualized treatment plans. Understanding patient's home skin care routines and emerging antibiotic resistance patterns in EB wounds is necessary to optimize treatment recommendations. The objective was to identify patterns of antimicrobial resistance in EB wounds and characterize patient's home practices of skin care and bathing. Methods This was an observational study of 23 children with EB at an outpatient pediatric dermatology practice in New York City from 2012 to 2014. Information on individual bathing and skin care practices and wound cultures was collected as part of routine examinations and an institutional review board–approved antibiogram protocol. Results Sixty wound cultures were collected from 23 patients. Eleven organisms were isolated, most commonly methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Six patients (26%) were colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Over the course of the study, 13 patients (56%) were found to have mupirocin-resistant S. aureus. More than half of participants reported mupirocin or bacitracin use. Fewer than half indicated that they regularly used dilute bleach or dilute vinegar as part of their bathing routine. Conclusion Numerous organisms, including resistant bacteria, are known to colonize the wounds of individuals with EB. Mupirocin resistance was prevalent and more than half of the participants reported its use. Testing for mupirocin resistance may be considered for certain patients. These observations may help guide questions for future longitudinal multicenter studies with the goal of optimizing EB wound care recommendations.
Comment on "γδ T Cells Are Required for the Induction of Sterile Immunity during Irradiated Sporozoite Vaccinations".

Zaidi and coworkers ([1][1]) provide very convincing data indicating that γδ T cells are required for the generation of immunity induced by vaccination with irradiated Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. The mechanism of protection provided by this vaccination is not completely understood but is
Risk of motor vehicle crash for older adults after receiving a traffic charge: A case-crossover study.

ABSTRACTObjective: After the age of 65, the number of motor vehicle crashes per mile driven increases. Traffic-related charges issued by law enforcement can help identify drivers who are at a higher risk of having a crash. This study examines the relationship between motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related charges among older adult drivers.Methods: Iowa Department of Transportation crash data from 2011–2012 were linked with Iowa Court Information System data for moving violations that occurred during 2009–2012 for drivers over the age of 50. A time-stratified case–crossover design was used matching on time periods 1 year apart. Case exposure was defined as having a traffic-related charge 30 days before the crash. Control exposure was the same 30-day time period 1 year before the crash for each individual. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the self-matched pairs. Additional time periods of 31–60, 61–90, 91–120, 121–150, 151–180, and 181–210 days before the crash were also assessed.Resul...
Carbonic anhydrase and carotid body chemoreception in the presence and absence of CO2-HCO3-.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is present in the glomus cells1 of the carotid body (CB). The enzyme catalyzes CO2+ H2O ⇔ H2CO3 which dissociates into H+ and HCO3 -2. Since CA is involved in the cellular production of H+ and HCO3 and since these ions participate in the regulation of the intracellular pH (PHi)3, the function of CA in the CB may extend beyond its simple catalytic function. The ionic species, H+ and HCO3 - are rapidly supplied by the action of CA, as the membrane exchangers transport these ions away in the dynamic ionic balance. In this sense, the function of cellular CA is expected to be dependent on the function of the ion exchangers, particularly on the C1-/HCO3 - exchangers.
The Fulbright Journey: Reflections on a Challenging and Rewarding Experience in Saudi Arabia by a Nursing Professor.

Abstract The Fulbright Program offers opportunities for faculty and students from the United States to participate in cultural exchanges for up to one year. Faculty have the opportunity to teach and conduct research with their colleagues in participating countries worldwide. My six month nursing faculty Fulbright Award at Umm Al-Qura University's School of Nursing in Saudi Arabia provided me with many opportunities for professional development. Upon arrival, the nursing school was in the midst of an accreditation process and requested my engagement in these activities. As a result, I had the opportunity to work collaboratively with far more faculty and administrators than originally anticipated. This set the foundation for productive teaching workshops and ongoing research exploring women's awareness about breast cancer within the cultural context of a conservative society. In this paper, I reflect on my journey and highlight important considerations for selecting a country and setting an agenda for teaching and research. Nursing faculty interested in global health are encouraged to become Fulbright Scholars and promote collaboration of nursing professionals and academicians worldwide.
A Glimpse of Natural Climatic History

The phenomenon of climatic regime on this Earth is a dynamic process that has evolved over millions of years under the influence of its own internal dynamics as well as changes in the external factors. There is strong scientific evidence that Earth has witnessed cycles of ice ages and warmer periods during its evolutionary history and these climatic changes have been responsible for speciation and extinction of many plants and animals on this planet. Analysis of ice core has provided evidence of warming and cooling within long ice ages. But the current climate change phenomenon is attributed to human influence since 1750 and is concerned with radiation imbalance due to factors such as long-lived greenhouse gases, ozone, water vapour, surface albedo (land use changes and snow cover changes) and aerosols. Indiscriminate use of coal and petroleum derivates after the onset of Industrial Revolution and especially the upsurge after World War II has brought in significant and possibly irreversible changes in Earth’s energy balance.
Introduction: Work Hard and Play by the Rules

America is haunted by a deep and growing anxiety about the structures of its economy. This anxiety crosses all lines of ethnicity, class, religion, party, and ideology. It is not a mere selfish concern about who gets how much. It is a moral anxiety, a concern about what kind of people we are becoming. Is America still a country where it pays to “work hard and play by the rules,” in Bill Clinton’s famous phrase? Or have we become the kind of place where cheaters consistently get ahead and slackers get a free ride—where working hard and playing by the rules is for suckers?
Performance of ad-hoc routing protocols with link state

In order to improve the end-to-end performance of an ad-hoc network, we propose a feedback control mechanism that allows the network layer to adapt its routing protocol dynamically due to changing channel characteristics. In particular, information from the transmission channel, such as Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), can provide valuable information to the source node about the transmission paths as far as ad hoc routing is concerned. We demonstrate our concept by applying it to the Dynamic Source Routing protocol (DSR). In our proposed mo dified DSR, both the route discovery and route selection are based on physical layer parameter and the link monitoring function located at each node. Our preliminary results from this routing scheme, DSR with link state, indicate that the performance metrics (such as throughput, end-to-end delay, Routing overhead etc.) are very good and less disposed to the state changes of the network when compared to the existing routing protocol DSR.
Material structure and chemical bond effect on the electrochemical performance of black phosphorus-graphite composite anodes

Abstract Black phosphorus (BP) is a little-studied but promising next-generation anode material for high-energy density Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. To understand the relationship between material property and electrochemical performance, black phosphorus-graphite (BP-G) composite materials are synthesized with two different BP-G molar ratios. This study demonstrates that the crystal structure and P C bond of BP-G composites are affected by the BP-G molar ratio, which are directly correlated to cycle stability and the lithiation/delithiation process. BP0.9G1 shows a medium-range ordered structure, retaining some features of BP and having fewer or weaker P C bonds. In contrast, BP0.3G1 has an amorphous-like structure with robust P C bonds, which is helpful in withstanding the large volume change upon lithiation or delithiation. As a result, fracture and pulverization of particles, which are clearly seen in BP0.9G1 electrode, are scarcely observed in the cycled BP0.3G1 electrode. The possibility of mechanical failure in the BP-based electrode induced by BP's hydrophilic nature and the formation of Cu3P is also discussed. This work not only contributes to improving the current understanding of phosphorus-based anodes, but also provides direct evidence of fracture and pulverization of BP particles during cycling.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Self-Management Interventions for Chronic Pain

A comprehensive approach to the treatment of chronic pain involves addressing its psychological components. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one method that focuses on how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. This chapter will discuss key features of cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as highlight some common self-management interventions.
Safety and Effectiveness of Antifibrinolytics in Posterior Scoliosis Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of the NSQIP-Pediatric Database.

STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE To utilize a large national database with prospectively collected data [National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-Pediatric)] to study the safety and effectiveness of antifibrinolytic use during multilevel posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There is currently a lack of consensus and evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of antifibrinolytic use for pediatric patients undergoing corrective surgery for AIS. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who underwent multilevel PSF for AIS in the 2016 NSQIP-Pediatric database were identified. Preoperative and procedural characteristics were compared between patients who received antifibrinolytics versus those who did not. Multivariate regressions were used to compare perioperative transfusion rates and postoperative outcomes, such as rate of return to the operating room, 30-day readmission, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay between the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS This study included 975 patients who received antifibrinolytics and 223 patients who did not. Patients who received these agents tended to have more levels fused, osteotomies performed, and longer operative times. After controlling for these variances, there were no statistical differences in rate and volume of transfusion, rate of return to the operating room, 30-day readmission, 30-day postoperative complications, or intensive care unit or hospital length of stay between the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS This study did not demonstrate transfusion reduction in the group that received antifibrinolytics. This finding may be, in part, secondary to nonoptimized or nonstandardized protocols for antifibrinolytic use in pediatric deformity surgery or the inability to adequately control for selection bias, as those with greater surgical invasiveness may be more likely to receive antifibrinolytics. Nonetheless, using antifibrinolytics in this population appears safe and not associated with increased perioperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.
Feasibility assessment of phenotyping cotton fiber maturity using infrared spectroscopy and algorithms for genotyping analyses

Cotton fiber maturity is an important property that partially determines the processing and performance of cotton. Due to difficulties of obtaining fiber maturity values accurately from every plant of a genetic population, cotton geneticists often use micronaire (MIC) and/or lint percentage for classifying immature phenotypes from mature fiber phenotypes although they are complex fiber traits. The recent development of an algorithm for determining cotton fiber maturity (MIR) from Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra explores a novel way to measure fiber maturity efficiently and accurately. However, the algorithm has not been tested with a genetic population consisting of a large number of progeny plants. The merits and limits of the MIC- or lint percentage-based phenotyping method were demonstrated by comparing the observed phenotypes with the predicted phenotypes based on their DNA marker genotypes in a genetic population consisting of 708 F2 plants with various fiber maturity. The observed MIC-based fiber phenotypes matched to the predicted phenotypes better than the observed lint percentage-based fiber phenotypes. The lint percentage was obtained from each of F2 plants, whereas the MIC values were unable to be obtained from the entire population since certain F2 plants produced insufficient fiber mass for their measurements. To test the feasibility of cotton fiber infrared maturity (MIR) as a viable phenotyping tool for genetic analyses, we measured FT-IR spectra from the second population composed of 80 F2 plants with various fiber maturities, determined MIR values using the algorithms, and compared them with their genotypes in addition to other fiber phenotypes. The results showed that MIR values were successfully obtained from each of the F2 plants, and the observed MIR-based phenotypes fit well to the predicted phenotypes based on their DNA marker genotypes as well as the observed phenotypes based on a combination of MIC and lint percentage. The MIR value obtained from FT-IR spectra of cotton fibers is able to accurately assess fiber maturity of all plants of a population in a quantitative way. The technique provides an option for cotton geneticists to determine fiber maturity rapidly and efficiently.
Future Shock Revisited

In 1970, Alvin Toffler wrote his ground breaking and alarming book warning of the psychological shock people face as technologies were developing at a pace faster than ever before. He predicted the technical evolution would cause major disruption in society and values. It would force worker dislocation, generational conflicts and moral and ethical challenges. The time period of which Toffler wrote is now often referred to as the Third Industrial Revolution. Today we are witnessing yet another Industrial Revolution in the Western and Developed nations. Innovations in instant communications, quantum computing, nanotechnologies, bioengineering, three-dimensional printing, artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, etc. are already reshaping the world. These advances in science are redistributing resources and wealth, changing the methods of manufacturing of goods, altering the delivery systems of consumer and human services, and challenging the very notion of what or who is “alive” as robots become more human-like, and displace millions of workers whose livelihood depends on jobs which will be lost to robots and three-dimensional printing. The social and psychological impacts of these exponentially increasing changes are “Future Shock” on a much larger scale perhaps than ever before experienced. Traditional ethics, morals, religions and social interactions, even politics and national boundaries are strained by mass migration as people seek safety and new economic opportunity in technologically advanced nations. Psychologists, counsellors, social workers, social engineers, philosophers and politicians need to act now as the future has already forced the presence’s door open to this latest revolution.
From Nature to Culture; the “other” at two New York Museums

Since the mid-19th century, the distinction between art and ethnographic object has been a decisive factor in determining the nature of an exhibition and the approach to its objects. Following the systematic classification of the mid-nineteenth century, non-Western objects were often placed in the ethnographic displays of natural history and anthropology museums. Around the same time, some “artifacts” from Asia were classified as decorative arts. In the twentieth century, they migrated to art museums and formed “Islamic art’, “Asian art”, “primitive art”, and similar collections. In the late-twentieth century, anthropology museums and ethnographic displays received many criticisms for their representations of other cultures. In the past few decades, many museums have addressed the issue in various ways. One of the most common approaches is based on recategorizing the former ethnographic objects and presenting them as artworks. Yet, the effectiveness of this approach is subject to many debates. This paper discusses some differences between ethnographic/anthropological and art historical exhibitions in two prominent museums in New York City­, the American Natural History Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in order to explore some similarities that underline these two seemingly opposite poles.
Gut Microbiome: Lactation, Childbirth, Lung Dysbiosis, Animal Modeling, Stem Cell Treatment, and CNS disorders.

Here, we summarized recent advances in laboratory and clinical research on gut microbiome. The goal is to highlight recent discoveries on the biology and behavioral manifestations of gut microbiomes under normal and pathologic conditions. With this new scientific knowledge, we wish to cultivate cross-fertilization of science across multi-disciplines in the hopes of exploiting the gut microbiome as a key component of human development and its dysbiosis may signal pathological alterations that can be therapeutically targeted for regenerative medicine. In the end, we identify innovative research avenues that will merit from collaborations across biomedical disciplines that may facilitate the development of gut microbiome-based biomarkers and therapeutics. Gut microbiome stands as a core research area that transcends pediatric and nursing care, cancer biology, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiac function and diseases, among many other basic science and clinical arenas.
A Model of Heave Dynamics for Bagged Air Cushioned Vehicles

This paper presents a simple model of the heave (up-and-down) dynamics of an air cushioned vehicle. A set of nonlinear differential equations are extended to the case of a bagged air skates using a Forchheimer porosity approximation. The model exhibits stability under atmospheric pressure, and a tendency towards instability in near-vacuum conditions. Inner estimates of regions of attractions are found to verify stability in atmosphere, and track simulation shows system disturbance rejection under a drifting subtrack height and gaps.
Influence of gamma irradiation on the development of neoplastic disease in mice. II. Solid tumors.

The influence of ${}^{137}{\rm Cs}\ \gamma $ irradiation on the development of solid tumors was investigated using male and female RFM/Un mice. In females the tumor types for which data were sufficient to allow analysis of the form of the dose-response relationship were ovarian, pituitary, and Harderian gland tumors. In males analysis of the dose response was only possible for Harderian gland tumors. The data suggest that a threshold estimated to be 11 to 12 rad may exist for the induction of ovarian tumors. Above this threshold the incidence increased with the square of the dose. A linear-dose-squared model described the dose-response relationship for pituitary tumors in females and Harderian gland tumors in both males and females. The incidences of other tumors were individually too low to allow analysis. The need for understanding the biological basis for the form of the dose response is discussed.
Advances in Cardiopulmonary Life-Support Change the Meaning of What It Means to be Resuscitated.

As options for advanced cardiopulmonary support proliferate, the use of mechanical circulatory support, such as left ventricular assist device as destination therapy (LVAD-DT), is becoming increasi...
Minimalist style boot improves running but not walking economy in trained men.

This study examined movement economy under load with 1000 g minimalist (MIN) vs. 1600 g traditional (TRD) style boots. Fourteen trained, male participants completed a VO2peak test (46.6 ± 7.3 ml/kg...
Geographic Latitude, Cholesterol, and Blood Pressure

Background : In the 1980s, it was observed that people living farther from the Equator had a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. Whether sunlight explains this finding is unknown. Methods : Using data from more than 180 countries, we analyzed age-standardized average cholesterol, age-standardized mean systolic blood pressure, age-standardized prevalence of raised blood pressure, and death rate from ischemic heart disease, by geographic latitude. In addition to latitude, we performed analysis by ultraviolent B light exposure averaged over several years. We assessed for changes in these relationships in men and in women using data from several decades. Results : Age-standardized mean cholesterol in men and in women increases with the distance of their country from the Equator. This relationship has changed very little since 1980. Similarly, in 1975, the mean systolic blood pressure and the prevalence of raised blood pressure were higher in countries farther from Equator. However, the relationship between latitude and blood pressure has changed dramatically, such that by 2015, the opposite pattern was observed in women. The relationship between latitude and the rate of ischemic heart disease has changed in a manner tracking the changes in blood pressure. Average ultraviolet B light exposure in a country has a stable relationship with cholesterol over recent decades, but has a changing relationship with blood pressure. Conclusions : Since sunlight exposure in a country averaged over several years is relatively fixed and since its relationship with blood pressure has changed dramatically in recent decades, average sunlight exposure in a country is an unlikely explanation for contemporary country-level variation in blood pressure. However, our findings are consistent with a putative effect of sunlight on cholesterol, as well as a no-longer-detectable effect on blood pressure decades ago. A parsimonious potential explanation for the relationship between light and cholesterol is that 7-dehydrocholesterol can be converted to cholesterol, or in the presence of ultraviolet light, it can instead be converted to vitamin D. Nonetheless, other explanations can be hypothesized.
The Parallelometer: a mechanical device to study curvature

A simple mechanical device is introduced, the parallelometer, that can be used to measure the curvatures of surfaces. The device can be used as a practical illustration of parallel transport of a vector. Its connection to the Foucault pendulum is discussed.
Enhanced weight and fat loss from long-term intermittent fasting in obesity-prone, low-fitness rats.

Abstract Background Intermittent fasting (IF) strategies have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional calorie-restricted diets. A key predictor of metabolic health and response to diet is cardiometabolic fitness, including intrinsic aerobic capacity. In a contrasting rat model of aerobic capacity—high- and low-capacity runners (HCR, LCR)—we found that the lean and physically active HCR were also more responsive to a standard calorie-restricted diet. Here, we assessed the ability of IF to induce weight loss on a background of high and low aerobic fitness accompanied by different levels of daily physical activity. Methods Female HCR and LCR (8 per line) were subjected to IF (alternate-day fasting) for 14 weeks. Outcomes included changes in body weight, fat and lean mass, daily physical activity, and food and water intake. After initial measurements, IF was continued, and measurements were repeated after one year of IF. Results All rats lost weight with IF, and LCR lost significantly more weight than HCR. This difference was primarily due to differential fat loss; loss of lean mass, on the other hand, was similar between HCR and LCR. Total food intake decreased with IF, and LCR showed lower intake than HCR only during the first 5 weeks of IF. Physical activity was suppressed by long-term IF. Physical activity increased on fed days compared to fasted days, and this pattern was more pronounced in HCR. The differential effects of IF in HCR and LCR persisted after one year of IF, with IF preventing the marked weight gain seen in ad libitum fed LCR during this time. Conclusion Weight and fat loss from IF was more pronounced in obesity-prone, low-aerobic capacity LCR, despite the low activity levels seen in these rats. The possibility that aerobic capacity modulates response to IF in human participants remains unexplored.
The Securities Act at its Diamond Anniversary: Renewing the Case for a Robust Registration Requirement

The heart of the federal securities laws is its requirement that securities first be registered with an overseeing government agency before they can be sold to the public. This mechanism has been of paramount value in assuring that investors are not defrauded. The Acts contain certain exemptions to that mandate. This article argues however that they should not be broadened or else that needed protection will be weakened and business will become less accountable to the public interest.