cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear noise approximation for oscillations in a stochastic inhibitory network with delay.

Understanding neural variability is currently one of the biggest challenges in neuroscience. Using theory and computational modeling, we study the behavior of a globally coupled inhibitory neural network, in which each neuron follows a purely stochastic two-state spiking process. We investigate the role of both this intrinsic randomness and the conduction delay on the emergence of fast (e.g., gamma) oscillations. Toward that end, we expand the recently proposed linear noise approximation (LNA) technique to this non-Markovian ``delay'' case. The analysis first leads to a nonlinear delay-differential equation (DDE) with multiplicative noise for the mean activity. The LNA then yields two coupled DDEs, one of which is driven by additive Gaussian white noise. These equations on their own provide an excellent approximation to the full network dynamics, which are much longer to integrate. They further allow us to compute a theoretical expression for the power spectrum of the population activity. Our analytical result is in good agreement with the power spectrum obtained via numerical simulations of the full network dynamics, for the large range of parameters where both the intrinsic stochasticity and the conduction delay are necessary for the occurrence of oscillations. The intrinsic noise arises from the probabilistic description of each neuron, yet it is expressed at the system activity level, and it can only be controlled by the system size. In fact, its effect on the fluctuations in system activity disappears in the infinite network size limit, but the characteristics of the oscillatory activity depend on all model parameters including the system size. Using the Hilbert transform, we further show that the intrinsic noise causes sporadic strong fluctuations in the phase of the gamma rhythm.
Inelastic and Reactive Scattering Dynamics of Hyperthermal O and O2 on Hot Vitreous Carbon Surfaces

We have undertaken a series of experiments to learn the mechanisms of carbon oxidation over a wide range of temperatures that extend to the conditions encountered during atmospheric re-entry, with a particular interest in understanding how these mechanisms change with temperature. We report here the hyperthermal scattering dynamics of ground-state atomic oxygen, O(3P), and molecular oxygen, O2(3Σg–), on vitreous carbon surfaces at temperatures from 600 to 2100 K. A molecular beam containing neutral O and O2 in a mole ratio of 0.93:0.07 was prepared with a nominal velocity of 7760 m s–1, corresponding to a translational energy of 481 kJ mol–1 for atomic oxygen. This beam was directed at a vitreous carbon surface, and angular and translational energy distributions were obtained for inelastically and reactively scattered products with the use of a rotatable mass spectrometer detector. Unreacted oxygen atoms exited the surface through both impulsive scattering and thermal desorption. The preferred scattering ...
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Protects Retinal Function and Structure in rd1 Mice.

We explored the potential protective effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on cone photoreceptor survival in a model of rapid retinal degeneration, the s-Pde6 (rd1) (rd1) mouse model. We injected two strains of rd1 mice (B6.C3-Pde6b (rd1) Hps4(le)/J and C57BL/6J-Pde6b (rd1-2)/J mice) daily from postnatal day (P) 6 to P21 with TUDCA or vehicle. At P21, retinal function was evaluated with light-adapted electroretinography (ERG) and retinal structure was observed with plastic or frozen sections. TUDCA treatment partially preserved function and structure in B6.C3-Pde6b (rd1) Hps4(le)/J mice but only partially preserved structure in C57BL/6J-Pde6b (rd1-2)/J mice. Our results suggest a possible intervention for patients undergoing rapid retinal degeneration.
Constrained Semi-supervised Learning in the Presence of Unanticipated Classes

Traditional semi-supervised learning (SSL) techniques consider the missing labels of unlabeled datapoints as latent/unobserved variables, and model these variables, and the parameters of the model, using techniques like Expectation Maximization (EM). Such semisupervised learning techniques are widely used for Automatic Knowledge Base Construction (AKBC) tasks.We consider two extensions to traditional SSL methods which make it more suitable for a variety of AKBC tasks. First, we consider jointly assigning multiple labels to each instance, with a flexible scheme for encoding constraints between assigned labels: this makes it possible, for instance, to assign labels at multiple levels from a hierarchy. Second, we account for another type of latent variable, in the form of unobserved classes. In open-domain webscale information extraction problems, it is an unrealistic assumption that the class ontology or topic hierarchy we are using is complete. Our proposed framework combines structural search for the best class hierarchy with SSL, reducing the semantic drift associated with erroneously grouping unanticipated classes with expected classes. Together, these extensions allow a single framework to handle a large number of knowledge extraction tasks, including macro-reading, noun-phrase classification, word sense disambiguation, alignment of KBs to wikipedia or on-line glossaries, and ontology extension.To summarize, this thesis argues that many AKBC tasks which have previously been addressed separately can be viewed as instances of single abstract problem: multiview semisupervised learning with an incomplete class hierarchy. In this thesis we present a generic EM framework for solving this abstract task.
Investigation on the prevalence of β-lactamase in raw milk and dairy products from Suzhou city

Objective To investigate the prevalence of "Antibiotic Destroyer"called as β-lactamase in raw milk and diary products.Methods Sulbactam can specially inhibit the activity of β-lactamase,so based on the characteristic,penicillin was added in the samples as control to identify the existence of β-lactamase through observation of the size of inhibition zone.Results The positive rate of β-lactamase in diary products was 3.2%( 1 /31),while that was 41.7% in raw milk samples( 5 /12).Conclusion β-lactamase is illegal food additive in raw milk and diary products and its application may hide the occurrence of antibiotics in milk.Strict supervision should be conducted in order to protect the health of consumers.
As son becomes father: reflections of expectant fathers on their fathers in dreams

Reflexions sur l'adaptation a la paternite. Les futurs peres les mieux adaptes ont d'eux-memes, des images assez stables de pere aimant et capable. Les reves de deux futurs peres rapportes ici attestent qu'ils revivent leurs rapports avec leur propre pere. En retravaillant cette relation du passe, les sujets affinent leur «style» paternel
Secure and Privacy Preserving Mobile Healthcare Data Exchange Using Cloud Service

Healthcare using Mobile devices and Cloud Computing is an emergent topic of interest in both industry and research. Though ubiquity of mobile devices and availability of e-Health record plays an important role to enhance health care quality and services, it introduces several challenges too such as, limited power of mobile devices, privacy and anonymity of patient data, the reliability of end user, interoperability and availability of e-Health records, etc. Under HIPAA regulations, healthcare data needs to be secured from unsolicited disclosure when sharing among multiple medical service providers. In this paper, we focus on exchanging healthcare data among doctor and patient’s healthcare service providers. We develop an android mobile application and a Cloud service to exchange patient’s data among authorized users in a secure and privacy-preserving manner. The cloud service that we developed performs cryptographic computations, communicates with mobile application and also overcomes the limitations of mobile devices. We evaluate our proposed solution using real-world data set. The performance analysis proves the efficiency of our application. Privacy analysis of our proposed solution depicts that our system is secure and protects the privacy of healthcare data.
Low stress drop earthquakes in the rupture zone of the 1992 Nicaragua tsunami earthquake

Tsunami earthquakes, events that generate larger than expected tsunami and are deficient in high frequency seismic radiation, are rare but hazardous to coastal populations. One model for these events is shallow rupture through low strength materials. We calculate seismic moment, corner frequency, and stress drop for 216 earthquakes (2.1 < Mw < 4.7, November 2005-June 2006) within and external to the 1992 Nicaragua tsunami earthquake rupture zone to test the hypothesis that differences in fault zone properties defined the limits of the 1992 tsunami rupture zone and continue to produce spatial variations in earthquake source properties. Mean stress drop of events within the rupture area is 1.2 MPa, and 5.5 MPa for events just outside of the rupture zone, with similar magnitude earthquakes in each group. Our results demonstrate different source parameter characteristics for microseismicity in the region of a past tsunami earthquake.
Advances in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor characterized by early metastatic spread and responsiveness to initial therapy. The incidence of SCLC has been declining in the United States in parallel with the decreasing prevalence of cigarette smoking. Limited stage disease is potentially curable with chemoradiotherapy followed by cranial irradiation. Extensive stage disease is incurable, but systemic chemotherapy can improve quality of life and prolong survival. Nearly all patients relapse with chemoresistant disease. Molecularly targeted therapy has failed to yield convincing clinical benefits. Nevertheless, many biologically rational strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibition, show promise in ongoing clinical trials.
Breaking primary seed dormancy in Gibbens' beardtongue (Penstemon gibbensii) and blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii)

This study established that chilling removes primary seed dormancy in 2 rare penstemons of the western US, Gibbens’ beardtongue ( Penstemon gibbensii Dorn [Scrophulariaceae]) and blowout penstemon ( Penstemon haydenii S. Watson). Wild-harvested seeds were subjected either to moist chilling at 2 to 4 °C (36–39 °F) for 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk or to approximately 2 y of dry storage. Seeds of both species were dormant at harvest and responded positively to chilling. Penstemon gibbensii germination increased linearly with length of chilling, and collections from sites with longer winters required a longer chilling period to break dormancy. With longer chilling durations, most seeds germinated during the chilling treatment. Penstemon haydenii germination increased to nearly 100% after 4 or more wk of chilling followed by incubation under a cool, diurnally alternating temperature regime (10–20 °C [50-68 °F]) but did not germinate during chilling treatments regardless of duration. Under constant (15, 20, 25 °C [59, 68, 77 °F]) or warmer (15–25 °C, 20–30 °C [59–77 °F, 68–86 °F]) alternating post-chilling temperature regimes, germination was consistently P. haydenii . By contrast, P. gibbensii seeds showed no increase in germination following dry storage, where germination in both recently harvested and 2-y-stored seeds averaged 16% without chilling. These insights will assist propagation and reintroduction strategies for restoring populations of these rare species.
FDA and Tobacco Products

Much more than most people, doctors realize that health, especially the health of a population, or the public health in general, is dependent on more than health care. Toward that end FDA’s role as the regulator of tobacco products is very much consistent with its broad public health mission. However, the regulation of tobacco products represents a somewhat singular or different activity from FDA’s general regulatory role in that, unlike the other products FDA regulates, tobacco products are not considered to be safe – their benefits do not outweigh their risks.
Latent Class Profiles of Anxiety Symptom Trajectories From Preschool Through School Age

Anxiety typically arises early in childhood and decreases during school age. However, little is known about the earlier developmental course of anxiety in preschool, especially in at risk children, posing a clinically important problem. Given that anxiety in youth has a chronic course for some and also predicts later development of other mental health problems, it is important to identify factors early in development that may predict chronic anxiety symptoms. At-risk children (oversampled for depression) and caregivers completed 6 assessment waves beginning at preschool age (between 3–5.11 years of age) up through 6.5 years later. Growth mixture models revealed 4 distinct trajectories: 2 stable groups (high and moderate) and 2 decreasing groups (high and low). Important to note, the high stable anxiety group had greater baseline depression and social adversity/risk, higher average maternal depression over time, and poorer average social functioning over time compared to the high decreasing group. The high...
Cenozoic Typhinae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of the Western Atlantic Region

Twenty-six genus-group names have been proposed for the muricid subfamily Typhinae. This study shows that four genera and 17 subgenera are valid, with approximately 125 fossil and Recent species. Of these, three genera, nine subgenera, and 36 species are known from the Cenozoic of the western Atlantic region, including three species from the Eocene, two from the Oligocene, 22 from the Miocene, one from the Pliocene, and four from the Pleistocene and Recent. In addition, four species are known only from the Recent fauna. In this paper, all of the species are treated systematically, including ten new species: Typhis (Typhina) palmerae, from the early middle Eocene Weches and Wautubbee formations of Texas and Mississippi, respectively; T. (Typhina) mississippiensis, from the lower Oligocene Red Bluff Clay of Mississippi; T. ( Rugotyphis) keenae, T. (Typhinellus) chipolanus, Pterotyphis (Pterotyphis) calhounensis, and P. (Tripterotyphis) vokesae, all from the late lower Miocene Chipola Formation of northwestern Florida; Typhis (Talityphis) carmenae, from the upper Miocene Agueguexquite Formation of Mexico; Siphonochelus (Pilsbrytyphis) darienensis and S. (P.) woodringi, both from the middle Miocene of Panama; and Siphonochelus (Laevityphis) bullisi, from the Pleistocene Moin Formation of Costa Rica and the Recent Caribbean. The oldest known typhine in the world is referred to Siphonochelus (Laevityphis), reported from the lower Eocene of England and France. This earliest form is a well developed typhine, from which it is concluded that the group must have evolved at an earlier time. Among the first Typhinae in the western Atlantic is also a representative of Siphonochelus (Laevityphis), occurring in the late middle Eocene of Alabama. The oldest reported typhine in the western Atlantic region is T. (Typhina) palmerae, n. sp., from the early middle Eocene of Mississippi and Texas. Typhinae have shells of less than 50 mm length with a protoconch of one and one-half to five whorls. Tubes are present at the shoulder, either alternating with, or within the varices. The number of varices may vary from two to six, but most forms have four varices and four tubes per whorl. The aperture is ovate and surrounded by a raised rim. The anterior canal is closed in all but one group. Generic and subgeneric units are based primarily upon the nature of the varices, the number of varices per whorl, the placement of the tubes with respect to the varices (just behind the varix, just in front of the varix, midway between the varices, or within the varix), and the direction in which the tubes point. A summary of the reported ecological data shows that the Typhinae live, for the most part, in shallow water in tropical and subtropical areas.
A survival analysis of communal-living, self-help, addiction recovery participants.

We examined individual and group characteristics associated with the duration of community involvement (i.e., length of residence) in 11 Illinois Oxford Houses for 129 male recovering addicts. Survival analyses indicated that the best predictor of duration of community involvement from demographic items was age (i.e., older age and older age of fellow residents were associated with being more likely to continue residence). Among psychological measures, the best survival predictor was lack of pessimism of the future. Although the relationship between longer length of residence and treatment outcomes are complex, because it is often difficult to keep people involved in treatment programs, knowledge that we can gain about those factors that might lead to greater lengths of stay are of importance.
Annual and seasonal tornado activity in the United States and the global wind oscillation

Previous studies have searched for relationships between tornado activity and atmospheric teleconnections to provide insight on the relationship between tornadoes, their environments, and larger scale patterns in the climate system. Knowledge of these relationships is practical because it can improve seasonal and sub-seasonal predictions of tornado probability and, therefore, help mitigate tornado-related losses. This study explores the relationships between the annual and seasonal tornado activity in the United States and the Global Wind Oscillation. Time series herein show that phases of the Global Wind Oscillation, and atmospheric angular momentum anomalies, vary over a period of roughly 20–25 years. Rank correlations indicate that tornado activity is weakly correlated with phases 2, 3, and 4 (positive) and 6, 7, and 8 (negative) of the Global Wind Oscillation in winter, spring, and fall. The correlation is not as clear in summer or at the annual scale. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney U tests indicate that winters and springs with more phase 2, 3, and 4 and fewer phase 6, 7, and 8 days tend to have more tornadoes. Lastly, logistic regression models indicate that winters and springs with more phase 2, 3, and 4 days have greater likelihoods of having more than normal tornado activity. Combined, these analyses suggest that seasons with more low atmospheric angular momentum days, or phase 2, 3, and 4 days, tend to have greater tornado activity than those with fewer days, and that this relationship is most evident in winter and spring.
Assessing prescribing practices of clozapine before and after the implementation of an updated risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.

Abstract Introduction: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication approved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and suicidal behavior in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Despite ...
How do reaching and walking costs affect movement path selection

Although reaching and walking are commonly coordinated, their coordination has been little studied. We investigated decision-making related to reaching and walking in connection with a recently discovered phenomenon called pre-crastination-the tendency to expend extra effort in the service of hastening goal or sub-goal completion. In the earlier studies where pre-crastination was discovered, participants decided which of two buckets to carry to the end of a walkway, picking the bucket they thought was easier. Surprisingly, the majority of participants chose to carry the bucket that was closer to the start position, which meant that the bucket they chose had to be carried farther than the bucket they did not choose. Here we inquired into participants' sensitivity to reaching effort and walking effort by varying how far participants had to reach to pick up a bucket, how heavy the bucket was, and how far participants had to walk with the bucket they chose. We found that participants were willing to lean and reach far to pick up an empty bucket that was a shorter walk from the start position. However, as reaching costs and carrying costs increased, participants prioritized shorter reaches over shorter walking distances. The results show that although pre-crastination is a robust tendency, there are limits to the kinds of costs people are willing to incur to complete sub-goals as soon as possible.
Nutraceuticals for Fertility and Erectile Health: A Brief Overview of What Works and What Is Worthless

“Heart health is tantamount to fertility and erectile health,” and “first do no harm” are the mantras of this chapter. Lifestyle changes to improve fertility and erectile function are no longer a theory, but sufficient clinical data exists to emphasize a variety of heart healthy behaviors to enhance overall male health, and specific urologic concerns such as infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED). Nutraceuticals for fertility and erectile health appear to exist or be perceived by clinicians and patients on opposite ends of the treatment validation spectrum. Numerous fertility supplements have preliminary evidence and are utilized in urology in addition to assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In fact, their ongoing use continues to be validated by meta-analyses of randomized trials examining pregnancy and live birth rates. Yet the issue with fertility nutraceuticals is the lack of discrimination over which ones to potentially recommend and discourage based on their overall safety in medicine. A plethora of nutraceuticals has been suggested to be of benefit, but one or several have not in general been recommended. Clinicians need to review the latest list of these supplements and review cost, and especially overall safety and efficacy especially outside of the urologic specialty. For example, high-dose vitamin E supplements have been found to increase the risk of prostate cancer, and regardless of their potential positive data in fertility, there are numerous other options, which could parallel the benefits of vitamin E, but without the potential harm. Erectile dysfunction nutraceuticals have arguably one of the most sordid pasts in the dietary supplement milieu, and it is rightly deserved because the FDA has removed more of these supplements from the market compared to any other type of supplement based on nefarious activities, from the addition of PDE-5 contaminants, to the promotion of a variety of benefits without adequate research. However, despite such a problem with ED nutraceuticals, it appears to have created an unnecessary bias in this category from clinicians, which is not warranted because several nutraceuticals for ED have arguably stronger methodological clinical trials compared to fertility nutraceuticals. This chapter highlights some of the most promising nutraceuticals that have the ability to be utilized with conventional options such as PDE-5 inhibitors and/or ART, and it discourages the vast majority of other ED or fertility-enhancing compounds that simply have no efficacy or are not safe.
The Contributions of the Transactional Perspective to Instructional Design and the Analysis of Learning in Social Context

In his chapter, Clancey develops his transactional perspective by taking an interactional viewpoint as his primary point of reference. In this chapter, I argue that the distinction that Clancey draws between the interactional and transactional perspectives is a difference that makes a difference when theorizing about learning and practice. I first draw on Dewey’s pragmatism to clarify the criterion of usefulness as explanatory power that I use to assess the potential contributions of Clancey’s transactional perspective to the collective enterprise of mathematics education. I then focus on specific aspects of Clancey’s transactional perspective to illustrate its relevance in orienting instructional design and the analysis of learning in classroom settings.
Impulsive Choice in Adults: How Consistent are Individual Differences?

With animated cartoons as the reinforcer, college students repeatedly made choices between a schedule providing 15 s of viewing followed by 75 s of waiting and a schedule providing 55 s of waiting followed by 25 s of viewing and then 10 s of waiting. Individual differences in choice behavior were extreme: In the second half of the first session, on at least 70% of the trials, 40% of subjects chose the small (15-s) reinforcer (impulsivity) and 40% the large (25-s) reinforcer (self-control). Each of these subjects continued to choose the same schedule consistently throughout the second session 1 – 49 days later. A briefer small reinforcer (10-s) produced self-control in almost all subjects. Stable individual differences could reflect an interaction between reinforcement variables and “personality.”
An overview of properties of Amphora (Acidform) contraceptive vaginal gel

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Although only a minority of contracepting women rely solely on spermicides, they may soon be the only ongoing female method available without a prescription in the United States. Spermicides are also combined with other methods for additional pregnancy protection and/or lubrication. Nonoxynol-9 (N-9), the active ingredient in most spermicides, is cytotoxic and may increase risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, especially in high-risk women. Amphora (previously called Acidform) is a noncytotoxic spermicide composed of a series of generally regarded as safe compounds, which maintains the acidity of the vagina following coitus to immobilize and kill sperm. Amphora is currently Food and Drug Administration-approved as a vaginal lubricant. Amphora is currently being tested in a multicenter Phase III contraceptive trial.Areas covered: This paper describes key properties of Amphora, including its acid-buffering abilities, viscosity, stability, bioadhesivenes...
Attachment, Conflict Resolution, and Sexual Satisfaction in Adoptive Couples

Attachment theory affirms that one’s partner is vital to fostering support and security. It is important for adoptive couples to be mindful of this support because it is at the forefront of healthy...
Bioelectronic Medicine and the Dawn of Robotic Training to Improve Motor Outcome in Chronic Stroke

Engineers and clinicians have cooperated to produce and test new classes of bioelectronics that have altered motor impairment that occurs after stroke. The rationale that increased intensity of training alters outcome derives from past clinical and preclinical work. Now several studies have demonstrated that interactive robotic devices are a potent tool for the therapist to deliver effortlessly, reproducible high intensity movement training. These robots are safe and can provide a platform so that recovery might be influenced by a combination of noninvasive novel treatment programs. Also, these robotic devices provide a continuous objective history of movement parameters that will open the horizon for their use in generating novel movement biomarkers to understand, predict and measure the influence of new treatments on motor outcome after neurological injury.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Resveratrol and Its Analogs in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Abstract Resveratrol is a dietary polyphenol that has attracted immense attention from biomedical researchers due to its numerous biological properties implicated for human health and disease. The molecular mechanisms that contribute to the beneficiary nature of resveratrol are multilayered and include epigenetic regulation. This chapter focuses on the effects of resveratrol, and its two natural analogs, on anticancer activity mediated by DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs. Studies on resveratrol's epigenetic action, specifically histone deacetylase activity, add a new dimension to the expanding roles of resveratrol and its analogs as potential epichemopreventive and chemosensitizing agents. Clinical trials examining epigenetic changes facilitated by resveratrol and its analogs for cancer chemoprevention and therapy are urgently needed.
An Isolated Phase-Shift-Controlled Quasi-Switched-Capacitor DC/DC Converter With Gallium Nitride Devices

This paper presents the circuit analysis and design guidelines of an isolated voltage-fed phase-shift-controlled quasi-switched-capacitor (QSC) dc/dc circuit. The circuit under study is friendly toward the adoption of gallium nitride (GaN) devices by reducing the voltage stress on the devices and mitigating the circulating energy in the circuit. Compared to the conventional half- and full-bridge-based circuits, the phase-shift-controlled QSC circuit can reduce the voltage stress of high-voltage-side devices to 2/3 of the dc bus voltage. The reduced voltage stress can greatly extend the short-circuit withstand time of GaN devices and, thus, improve the reliability of the overall circuit. In a manner similar to a dual-active-bridge circuit, the circuit under study has low circulating energy since it achieves soft switching operation merely with the energy stored in the transformer’s leakage inductance. In this paper, the operation principle, soft switching analysis, and design guidelines of the circuit are presented. A 1-kW, 400–48-V, 500-kHz switching frequency prototype with GaN devices was built and tested to verify the circuit analysis.
Automated Information Retrieval for Efficient and Consistent Grading of Flowsheets Developed in Aspen® Plus Process Simulator.

EXCEL spreadsheet algorithms were developed at Villanova University to efficiently and consistently retrieve information from ASPEN® flowsheets and used for grading work in senior design. The challenge is to take a large volume of data that is in the stream and unit operations reports and quickly and consistently calculate a list of key grading parameters to judge the quality of submitted flowsheet assignments. Application of this EXCEL algorithm makes it possible to grade work from an entire class in a few hours.
Association of Surgical Overlap during Wound Closure with Patient Outcomes among Neurological Surgery Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND Several studies have explored the effect of overlapping surgery on patient outcomes, but impact of surgical overlap during wound closure has not been studied. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of overlap during wound closure and suture time overlap (STO) with patient outcomes in a heterogeneous neurosurgical population. METHODS Over 4 yr (7/2013-7/2017), 1 7689 neurosurgical procedures were retrospectively reviewed at a single, multihospital academic medical center. STO was defined as all surgeries for which an overlapping surgery occurred, exclusively, during wound closure of the index case being studied. We excluded nonelective cases and overlapping surgeries that involved overlap during surgical portions of the case other than wound closure. Tests of independence and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Patients with STO had a shortened length of hospital stay (100.6 vs 135.1 h; P < .0001), reduced deaths in follow-up (1.59% vs 5.45%; P = .0004), and lower 30- to 90-d readmission rates (3.64% vs 7.47%; P = .0026). Patients with STO had no increase in revision surgery. Patients with STO had longer wound closure times (26.5 vs 23.9 min; P < .0001) but shorter total surgical times (nonclosure surgical time 101.8 vs 133.3 min; P < .0001; and total surgical time 128.3 vs 157.1 min; P < .0001). CONCLUSION Surgical overlap during wound closure (STO) is associated with improved or at least noninferior patient outcomes, as it pertains to readmissions and wound revisions.
Recommendations for Status Assessment of Vitamin B-6

Since the discovery of vitamin B-6 and the subsequent elucidation of the various roles that vitamin B-6 plays in the body, numerous methods for assessing vitamin B-6 status have been developed. The previous paper points out the available methods and future developments in methodology. A number of direct and indirect methods have been utilized. Just as there are a variety of methods available for determining a specific vitamin B-6 metabolite, so there are an equal variety of approaches to assessing vitamin B-6 status. Both the discussions following each of the papers presented at this Workshop and the follow-up indepth discussion of the papers dealing with status assessment pointed out the importance of recognizing that there is not one “best” method for status assessment./Also, as stressed in the discussion session of the Workshop, it is one thing to develop good methodology; it's another matter to put them into real practical use. The utilization of the methods for status assessment can be applied to studies of healthy individuals, evaluation of individuals with specific pathological conditions, and population studies. However, the choice of the method to be used must take into account the particular situation being studied. The use of urinary vitamin B-6 metabolite excretion in a large population study may be more advantageous than collection of blood samples.
Conditioning the pupillary reflex with control for the orienting response.

In an attempt to achieve conditioning of the pupillary reflex under conditions designed to limit the effects of the orienting response, data were obtained for 14 Ss who observed a series of lights of four colors. Each color light was presented 30 times for 7.5 sec. in random order. A mild electric shock was paired with one of the colors during the middle third of the experiment. Comparisons of pupil diameters during various stages of the study show a significant level of conditioning.
The predictive role of preoperative and postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract Objective Preoperative inflammatory parameters are associated with outcome in renal cell carcinoma; however, their predictive value in tumors with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (sRCC) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative and postoperative inflammatory parameters and the outcome of patients with locoregional and metastatic sRCC who underwent nephrectomy. Methods and materials After obtaining IRB approval, we identified 230 patients with sRCC treated between 1994 and 2018 with a complete blood count drawn ≤1 month before nephrectomy. Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were evaluated as continuous variables. Postoperative NLR, 1 to 8 weeks after surgery, and percentage change in NLR were calculated. Cox regression models were used to identify predictors of outcome. Results The study cohort included 105 metastatic patients and 112 patients with locoregional disease. Patients with metastatic disease had significantly higher preoperative NLR (4.31 vs. 3.29) and PLR (248 vs. 194), and lower preoperative LMR (2.6 vs. 3.23). Median follow-up for patients with locoregional and metastatic disease was 36 months and 20 months, respectively, and estimated 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 56% and 15%, respectively. Preoperative NLR was a significant predictor of CSS for both metastatic (HR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.1–1.37, P Conclusions Preoperative NLR is associated with CSS in locoregional and metastatic sRCC. NLR should be considered when establishing future predictive models for sRCC.
Effects of glutathione and cysteine on pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatotoxicity and DNA adduct formation in rat primary hepatocytes.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic phytochemicals. Upon metabolic activation, PAs produce dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids (dehydro-PAs) as reactive primary py...
Hypermetabolism in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and the effects of hypothermia: A case series.

Abstract Background We have observed that critically ill patients with COVID-19 are in an extreme hypermetabolic state. This may be a major contributing factor to the extraordinary ventilatory and oxygenation demands seen in these patients. We aimed to quantify the extent of the hypermetabolic state and report the clinical effect of the use of hypothermia to decrease the metabolic demand in these patients. Methods Mild hypothermia was applied on four critically ill patients with COVID-19 for 48 h. Metabolic rates, carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption were measured by indirect calorimetry. Results The average resting energy expenditure (REE) was 299% of predicted. Mild hypothermia decreased the REE on average of 27.0% with resultant declines in CO2 production (VCO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) by 29.2% and 25.7%, respectively. This decrease in VCO2 and VO2 was clinically manifested as improvements in hypercapnia (average of 19.1% decrease in pCO2 levels) and oxygenation (average of 50.4% increase in pO2). Conclusion Our case series demonstrates the extent of hypermetabolism in COVID-19 critical illness and suggests that mild hypothermia reduces the metabolic rate, improves hypercapnia and hypoxia in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Understanding diversity and the educational needs of students with exceptionalities: a case study of simSchool

This paper provides an overview of a study that sought to explore the use of the simulation-based learning platform, simSchool, on pre-service teacher's understanding of diversity and the educational needs of students with exceptionalities at ten universities in the USA and Puerto Rico. This study was designed as a mixed methods case study and conducted at ten universities in the USA and Puerto Rico. Data for this study was collected from three sources, quantitative data from the Multicultural Awareness Survey (MAQ) and the Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction and Literacy (CM-DI-Lit) survey, and qualitative data from the simSchool Reflection Questionnaire (SSRQ). The analysis of the data indicates that the use of the simSchool platform increased pre-service understanding of diversity and increased their understanding of the educational needs of students with exceptionalities, differentiated instruction and classroom management.
Is it safer at the beach? Spatial and temporal analyses of beachgoer behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Tourism localities worldwide continue to grapple with how best to sustain coastal visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging epidemiological science illustrates the risk of disease transmission is lower outdoors than indoors, and exposure is likely lower in outdoor, coastal environments due to dispersion and dilution of respiratory droplets through regular air flow. That said, it remains unclear how beachgoer behavior affects the likelihood of disease transmission. During summer 2020, we analyzed publicly-available beachcam video data and collected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery at the recreational beach oceanfront in Virginia Beach, U.S.A. Data were collected over 24 days, documenting tourists' and recreationists’ behaviors related to the public health guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Public Health and City of Virginia Beach. Specifically, using a sample test area of beach and adjoining boardwalk, we investigated diurnal patterns of beach and boardwalk use, the location and density of use, as well as the presence of face coverings (i.e., masks) on boardwalk users. Results from beachcam analyses indicate a curvilinear trend in beach use, peaking in the mid-afternoon, while boardwalk use remained consistent throughout the day. Beachcam observations were corroborated by UAV photography and spatial analysis, indicating concentrated use of the beach adjoining shoreline above high tide, with onethird of the landward adjacent upper beach vacant. Among boardwalk pedestrians, few (8.7%) were observed wearing facial coverings. These findings point to both indirect and direct strategies coastal managers can implement to communicate when, where, and how to reduce the potential for transmission while accessing beach amenities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cryo-EM Structures of Prestin and the Molecular Basis of Outer Hair Cell Electromotility

The voltage-dependent motor protein, Prestin (SLC26A5) is responsible for the electromotive behavior of outer hair cells (OHCs). Here, we determined the structure of dolphin Prestin in complex with Cl- and the inhibitor Salicylate using single particle cryo-electron microscopy. These structures establish the specific structural features of mammalian Prestin and reveal small but significant differences with the transporter members of the SLC26 family of membrane proteins. Comparison with SLC26A9 point to conformational differences in the special relationship between the core and gate domains. Importantly, we highlight substantial alterations to the hydrophobic footprint of Prestin as it relates to the membrane, which point to a potential influence of Prestin on its surrounding lipid. The structure of Prestin bound to the inhibitor Salicylate confirms the nature of the anion binding pocket, formed by TM3 and TM10 in the Core domain and a set of anion coordinating residues which include Q97, F101, F137, S398 and R399. The presence of a well-defined density for Salycilate points to an inhibition mechanism based on competition for the anion-binding pocket of Prestin. These observations illuminate the structural basis of Prestin electromotility, a key component in the mammalian cochlear amplifier.
Shape-restricted estimation and spatial clustering of COVID-19 infection rate curves

Abstract The study of regional COVID-19 daily reported cases is used to understand pattern of spread and disease progression over time. These data are challenging to model due to noise that is present, which arises from failures in reporting, false positive tests, etc., and the spatial dependence between regions. In this work, we extend a recently developed Bayesian modeling framework for inference of functional data to jointly estimate and cluster daily reported cases data from US states, while accounting for spatial dependence between US states. Shape-restriction allows us to directly infer the number of extrema of a smooth infection rate curve that underlies noisy data. Other parameters in the model account for the relative timing of extrema, and the magnitude and severity of infection rates. We incorporate mobility behavior of each US state’s population into an informative prior model to account for the spatial dependence between US states. Our model corroborates past work that shows that different US states have indeed experienced COVID-19 differently, but that there are regional patterns within the US. The modeling results can be used to assess severity of infection in individual US states and trends of neighboring US states to aid pandemic planning. Retrospectively, this model can be used to see which factors (governmental, behavioral, etc.) are associated with the varying shapes of infection rate curves, which is left as future work.
Integrated resource allocation in shared datacenters

Software-defined datacenters consolidate discrete hardware units into pools of abstract resource types that are dynamically allocated to the clients sharing the infrastructure. The allocation needs to be both fair to the clients and also make efficient use of the system resources. Unlike approaches that allocate individual resources independently, we propose a model for making integrated allocation decisions across multiple resource types, so as to balance fairness and system throughput in a heterogeneous-resource setting.
Introduction: Unsettling Questions, Disquieting Stories

The Business Law and Narrative Symposium, held at Michigan State University on September 10-11, 2009, brought together nationally known legal scholars, and scholars from other disciplines, to discuss whether and how the institution of the corporation was embedded in social narratives, public stories. This introductory essay reviews the responses of these scholars to the thesis of Kuykendall's article, No Imagination: The Marginal Role of Narrative in Corporate Law. The authors conclude with a hope that corporate law might offer a more literary sensibility by which to make our lives in global capitalism more comprehensible.
Social Relationships and Group Dynamics Inside a Community Correction Facility for Women

This article presents research on women’s perceptions and experiences residing in a female community correction facility. Qualitative interview data and field observations are used to examine resident relationships, perceptions of on-site group treatment, and benefits of receiving off-site treatment. Findings from this study indicate an overwhelming feeling of tension and lack of trust among residents, resulting in most women withdrawing from social interactions. Relationship dynamics also played a role in women’s participation during on-site group treatment and desiring off-site treatment. This study supports the need to create, and sustain, therapeutic environments within community correction settings for women.
Surface and Catalytic Properties of Molybdenum Nitrides

Abstract A series of Mo nitride catalysts were prepared by the temperature programmed reaction of MoO 3 with NH 3 . The structural properties of these nitrides were complex functions of the space velocities and heating rates employed. Solid-state reaction sequences have been developed to account for the structural and compositional properties of the Mo nitrides. It appeared that the degree of reduction of the molybdate precursor or intermediate significantly influenced the properties of the product. The Mo nitrides proved to be exceptional hydrodenitrogenation catalysts with catalytic properties that were superior to those of a commercial sulfided Co-Mo/γ-Al 2 O 3 hydrotreatment catalyst. Pyridine HDN appeared to be structure-sensitive over the Mo nitrides. Based on characterization using a variety of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques we concluded that at least two types of active sites were present in the Mo nitrides; modest activity sites on the particles and high activity sites at defect sites. The predominant bulk phase in the nitrides was γ-Mo 2 N, however, the surface appeared to consist of either non-stoichiometric β-Mo 16 N 7 or mixtures of Mo and β-Mo 16 N 7 . Furthermore, the surface Mo:N stoichiometry for the highest activity catalyst was near unity suggesting the presence MoN or nitrogen rich regions.
A 1.8-V digital-audio sigma-delta modulator in 0.8-/spl mu/m CMOS

Oversampling techniques based on sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulation offer numerous advantages for the realization of high-resolution analog-to-digital (A/D) converters in low-voltage environment. This paper examines the design and implementation of a CMOS /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator for digital-audio A/D conversion that operates from a single 1.8-V power supply. A cascaded modulator that maintains a large full-scale input range while avoiding signal clipping at internal nodes is introduced. The experimental modulator has been designed with fully differential switched-capacitor integrators employing different input and output common-mode levels and boosted clock drivers in order to facilitate low voltage operation. Precise control of common-mode levels, high power supply noise rejection, and low power dissipation are obtained through the use of two-stage, class A/AB operational amplifiers. At a sampling rate of 4 MHz and an oversampling ratio of 80, an implementation of the modulator in a 0.8-/spl mu/m CMOS technology with metal-to-polycide capacitors and NMOS and PMOS threshold voltages of +0.65 V and -0.75 V, respectively, achieves a dynamic range of 99 dB at a Nyquist conversion rate of 50 kHz. The modulator can operate from supply voltages ranging from 1.5-2.5 V, occupies an active area of 1.5 mm/sup 2/, and dissipates 2.5 mW from a 1.8-V supply.