cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resistance to punishment and extinction in one situation as a function of training with shock or non-reinforcement in a different situation

Three groups of 22 albino rots were trained to approach and consume food in a modified operant-box situation. Group PR received nonreinforcement on a 50% schedule, Group PP received intermittent punishment of gradually increasing intensity on a 50% schedule along with consistent food reward, and Group C received continuous food reinforcement. Then half of each group was tested in a simple runway situation under either continuous intense punishment coupled with food reward on all trials or continuous nonreinforcement. A generalized transituational commonality between the emotional consequences of punishment and nonreinforcement was not reliably demonstrated. Further support, however, was found for transituational resistance to punishment.
The forces of attraction: How security interests shape membership in economic institutions

The link between security and economic exchange is widely recognized. But when and how much do geopolitical interests matter for economic cooperation? While existing work focuses on bilateral trade and aid, we examine how geopolitics shapes membership in multilateral economic organizations. We demonstrate that substantial discrimination occurs as states welcome or exclude states based on foreign policy similarity. Biased selection of members can politicize economic cooperation despite multilateral norms of non-discrimination. We test the geopolitical origins of institutional membership by analyzing new data on membership patterns for 231 economic organizations from 1949 – 2014. Evidence shows that security ties shape which states join and remain in organizations at both the formation and enlargement stages. We use a finite mixture model to compare the relative power of economic and geopolitical considerations, finding that geopolitical alignment accounts for nearly half of the membership decisions in economic institutions.
The early scientific history of Galapagos tortoises

Specimens of Galapagos tortoises (Testudo, now Chelonoidis) obtained by scientific institutions up to and including the voyage of the Beagle (1835) are reviewed, along with the scientific literature of that period. The idea that all giant tortoises (Galapagos and Indian Ocean) were a single species (Testudo indica) was challenged as early as 1817 by Amasa Delano and refuted scientifically by Harlan in 1826, although his publication was widely ignored; some authors continued to use T. indica for Galapagos tortoises at least until 1855. That Galapagos tortoises varied from island to island was reported first by David Porter in 1815, but such differences continued to be in the realm of hearsay until well after the publication of the second edition of Darwin's Journal of researches in 1845. Contrary to what has been written by modern authors, Darwin did not think that tortoises had been introduced to the Galapagos from elsewhere. Also contrary to popular mythology, tortoises did not play an important role in ...
Antiangiogenic therapy and immune checkpoint blockade go hand in hand.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, such as the ones targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), have displayed durable clinical responses in various cancers and are now approved by the FDA for a growing list of cancer types (1). Although these new immunotherapies have had a notable effect on cancer treatment, multiple mechanisms of immune resistance have been described. Tumors considered immunologically “cold”, with reduced or even absent infiltration of T-cells, are a major hurdle in the cancer immunotherapy field, and strategies to overcome this resistance mechanism constitute an unmet need. Recent efforts have focused on combining this immunotherapy approach with other therapies to maximize its potential. However, the candidate for these combination therapies are numerous and therefore the need for mechanism based and rationally designed therapies is needed.
Staphylococcus aureus Triggers Induction of miR-15B-5P to Diminish DNA Repair and Deregulate Inflammatory Response in Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a debilitating complication of diabetes in which bacterial presence, including the frequent colonizer Staphylococcus aureus, contributes to inhibition of healing. MicroRNAs (miRs) play a role in healing and host response to bacterial pathogens. However, the mechanisms by which miR response to cutaneous S. aureus contributes to DFU pathophysiology are unknown. Here, we show that S. aureus inhibits wound closure and induces miR-15b-5p in acute human and porcine wound models and in chronic DFUs. Transcriptome analyses of DFU tissue showed induction of miR-15b-5p to be critical, regulating many cellular processes, including DNA repair and inflammatory response, by suppressing downstream targets IKBKB, WEE1, FGF2, RAD50, MSH2, and KIT. Using a human wound model, we confirmed that S. aureus-triggered miR-15b-5p induction results in suppression of the inflammatory- and DNA repair-related genes IKBKB and WEE1. Inhibition of DNA repair and accumulation of DNA breaks was functionally confirmed by the presence of the pH2AX within colonized DFUs. We conclude that S. aureus induces miR-15b-5p, subsequently repressing DNA repair and inflammatory response, showing a mechanism of inhibition of healing in DFUs previously unreported, to our knowledge. This underscores a previously unknown role of DNA damage repair in the pathophysiology of DFUs colonized with S. aureus.
Deconstructing autism: from unitary syndrome to contributory developmental endophenotypes

AbstractA recent generation of family studies has revealed that autism can be predicted from an array of neurobehavioural susceptibilities that are appreciable before the syndrome is diagnosed, and that each may be traceable to partially-independent sets of genetic variation. Some of these liabilities are not necessarily specific to ASD—those that are non-specific could account for a significant share of the ‘missing heritability’ of autism, would (by definition) contribute to pleiotropy, and relate to so-called ‘co-morbidities’, which are inappropriately named if they actually contribute to (or exacerbate) the severity of autism itself. Linking genetic variants to these underlying traits rather than to a diagnosis of ‘autism’ may be more productive in devising personalized approaches to developmental intervention, especially if autism represents an epiphenomenon of earlier-interacting susceptibilities. In this article, the implications of conceptualizing autism as a syndrome of neurobehavioural degenerat...
The evolution of dependent medical care in the U.S. Army.

ABSTRACTThere is great focus within the military medical community regarding the ever growing cost of medical care overall and dependent care specifically. A great deal of discussion relates to the delivery of care through a growing military–civilian partnership, where an increased amount of health care will be referred to an ever growing network of civilian providers. The U.S. military establishment now stands at an important crossroad leading into the future of dependent care. However, the special concerns, which arise from the responsibility of caring for military dependents, are not a solely recent phenomenon. Ever since the establishment of a permanent standing U.S. Army in the late 1700s, there have been families in need of medical treatment. Although changes occurred continuously, the development and evolution of policies regulating the delivery of medical care to dependants can be divided into three periods. The first is the longest and ranges from the establishment of the Army until the year 1900...
Inverse Raman Spectroscopy

The development of high-power transform-limited tunable pulsed laser systems has enabled major advances in the application of coherent Raman techniques to high-resolution studies in gases. In particular quasi-cw inverse Raman studies have demonstrated resolving powers which are approximately a factor of 50 improvement over that which is generally associated with conventional Raman techniques [1]. Even higher resolution is potentially possible as improved lasers are made available.
Iron and the Restless Legs Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVES Using blinded procedures, determine the relation between serum ferritin levels and severity of subjective and objective symptoms of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) for a representative patient sample covering the entire adult age range. DESIGN All patient records from the past 4 years were retrospectively reviewed to obtain data from all cases with RLS. All patients were included who had ferritin levels obtained at about the same time as a polysomnogram (PSG), met diagnostic criteria for RLS, and were not on iron or medications that would reduce the RLS symptoms at the time of the PSG. SETTING Sleep Disorders Center. PATIENTS 27 (18 females, 9 males), aged 29-81 years. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Measurements included clinical ratings of RLS severity and PSG measures of sleep efficiency and periodic limb movements (PLMS) in sleep with and without arousal. Lower ferritin correlated significantly to greater RLS severity and decreased sleep efficiency. All but one patient with severe RLS had ferritin levels < or = 50 mcg/l. Patients with lower ferritin (< or = 50 mcg/l) also showed significantly more PLMS with arousal than did those with higher ferritin, but the PLMS/hour was not significantly related to ferritin. This last finding may be due to inclusion of two 'outliers' or because of severely disturbed sleep of the more severe RLS patients. CONCLUSIONS These data are consistent with those from a prior unblinded study and suggest that RLS patients will have fewer symptoms if they have ferritin levels greater than 50 mcg/l.
Brain Tumors, Cysts, and Abscesses

Space-occupying lesions in the central nervous system include tumors, cysts, and abscesses. The term “brain tumor” refers to a new growth (neoplasm) of cells in the brain that resembles other cell masses in the body but is arranged atypically and has no physiological usefulness. A brain cyst refers to a walled sack or pouch that contains fluid, semifluid, or solid material. A brain abscess is a collection of pus caused by disintegration of brain tissue that develops secondary to infections elsewhere in the head or body. Bacteria multiplies within the cerebral white matter, producing ischemia and thrombosis, which cause necrosis of brain tissue.
Mining OMIM for insight into complex diseases.

Understanding clinical phenotypes through their corresponding genotypes is one of the principal goals of genetic research. Though achieving this goal is relatively simple with single gene syndromes, more complex diseases often consist of varied clinical phenotypes that may be the result of interactions among multiple genetic loci. Microarray technology has brought the phenotype –genotype relationship to the molecular level, using differently behaving cancers, for example, as the basis for comparing patterns of gene expression. With this feasibility study, we attempted to use similar methods of analysis at the clinical level, in order to evaluate our hypothesis that the clustering of clinical phenotypes would provide information that would be useful in elucidating their underlying genotypes. Because of its breadth of content and detailed descriptions, we used OMIM 1 as our source material for phenotypic and genetic information. After processing the source material, we then performed self-organizing map and hierarchical clustering analysis on representative diseases by phenotypic category. Through predetermined queries over this analysis, we made two findings of potential clinical significance, one concerning diabetes and another concerning progressive neurologic diseases. Our methods provide a formal approach to analyzing phenotypes among diverse diseases, and may help indicate fruitful areas for further research into their underlying genetic causes.
Topics in Energy and Potential Theory

Energy is a frustratingly delicate item in modern Markov process theory. It is a subject which commands attention, since it is linked so closely with maximum principles and Hunt’s hypothesis (H). It entered potential theory in the work of Cartan and Deny, where it enabled them to prove various delicate principles about symmetric potential kernels. It has flourished in the modern theory of Dirichlet spaces and has added to the body of knowledge concerning symmetric Markov processes. But while energy is a natural and cooperative partner in the study of symmetric potential kernels, it becomes increasingly intractable as one attempts to study more asymmetric kernels and processes. Concrete results in this domain are few. We present some topics in energy and potential theory for Markov processes with nonsymmetric potential kernels which complement several results and articles by various authors.
Tumor grade and progesterone receptor status predict 21-gene recurrence score in early stage invasive breast carcinoma

The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay is increasingly utilized to predict the risk of recurrence in early stage estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. We hypothesize that tumor grade and progesterone receptor (PR) status predict RS categorization. We identified women between the ages of 18 and 74 years with stage I or II, ER-positive, invasive carcinoma of the breast from the Surveillance Epidemiology End-Results database from 2010 to 2013. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with high-risk RS. We identified 42,530 patients that met inclusion criteria. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that grade I tumors [OR (odds ratio) 0.33, 95% CI (confidence interval) 0.31–0.37] and PR positive (PR+) status (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.15–0.17) were significantly less likely to be associated with high-risk RS. Of patients with grade I PR+ tumors, 1% was in the high-risk group by the traditional cutoffs and 4% was in the high-risk group by the TAILORx cutoffs. The percentage of patients with high-risk RS remained low for grade I PR+ tumors regardless of age, race, tumor size, and lymph node status. We found that grade I PR+ tumors are associated a < 5% probability of having high-risk RS regardless of other patient demographic or pathologic factors. This suggests that the histologic factors of grade and PR status should be taken into consideration before ordering the 21-gene recurrence score assay.
New Data For Modeling Hypersonic Re-entry Into Earth’s Atmosphere: Electron-impact Ionization Of Atomic Nitrogen

Space vehicles returning to Earth from beyond orbit enter the atmosphere at hypersonic velocities (greater than Mach 5). The resulting shock front generates a high temperature reactive plasma around the vehicle (with temperatures greater than 10,000 K). This intense heat is transferred to the capsule by radiative and convective processes. Designing vehicles to withstand these conditions requires an accurate understanding of the underlying non-equilibrium high temperature chemistry. Nitrogen chemistry is particularly important given the abundance of nitrogen in the atmosphere. Line emission by atomic nitrogen is a major source of radiative heating during reentry. Our ability to accurately calculate this heating is hindered by uncertainties in the electron-impact ionization (EII) rate coefficient for atomic nitrogen. 1
165 In vitro maturation of ovine and caprine oocytes during breeding and nonbreeding seasons

The current study investigated the in vitro meiotic competence of ovine and caprine oocytes that underwent nuclear maturation during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. We hypothesised that maturation rates of ovine and caprine oocyte would be significantly lower during the nonbreeding season. Ovine (Katahdin crossbred) and caprine (mainly Spanish crossbred) ovaries were collected from a local abattoir in the southern United States. Age of the animals was not determined. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were harvested by slicing the ovaries and searching using a stereomicroscope. Oocytes with more than 3 layers of unexpanded cumulus cells and with evenly granulated cytoplasm were selected for in vitro maturation (IVM). A commercial bovine IVM media (IVF Bioscience, Falmouth, United Kingdom) was used throughout the study. After 24 h of IVM, ovine and caprine oocytes were denuded and oocytes with an extruded polar body (meiotic metaphase II oocytes) were considered to have reached nuclear maturation. The seasons in this study were defined as follows: breeding season = September to April and nonbreeding season = May to July. The presence of corpus hemorrhagicum or corpus luteum in at least 70% of the ovaries indicated the breeding season for the animals. Proportions of oocytes undergoing nuclear maturation were analysed using a two-tailed Chi-squared test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The ovine maturation rate was 59% (65/111) and 49% (254/519) and the caprine maturation rate was 70% (39/56) and 40% (64/162) during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, respectively. These results show a significant difference in nuclear maturation for caprine oocytes (P < 0.001) during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons; however, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation for ovine oocytes (P = 0.06) during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. High environmental temperatures during the nonbreeding season may have had detrimental effects on oocyte nuclear maturation in caprine but not in ovine oocytes. Why oocytes from these 2 species differ on how they are adversely affected by season remains to be elucidated.
Generalization error bounds using Wasserstein distances

Generalization error of a learning algorithm characterizes the gap between an algorithm’s performance on test data versus performance on training data. In recent work, Xu & Raginsky [1] showed that generalization error may be upper- bounded using the mutual information $I(S;W)$ between the input $S$ and the output $W$ of an algorithm. In this paper, we derive upper bounds on the generalization error in terms of a certain Wasserstein distance involving the distributions of $S$ and $W$ under the assumption of a Lipschitz continuous loss function. Unlike mutual information-based bounds, these new bounds are useful even for deterministic learning algorithms, or for algorithms such as stochastic gradient descent. Moreover, we show that in some natural cases these bounds are tighter than mutual information-based bounds.
Severity and bother of prolapse symptoms in women with pelvic floor myofascial pain.

Our aim was to assess severity and bother of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women with pelvic floor myofascial pain (PFMP). We conducted a retrospective chart review assessing new patients within a hospital-based multispecialty group from January 2010 through September 2014 using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, diagnosis codes for POP. Data from Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system assessment, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, (PFDI-20), and clinical assessment of pelvic floor muscles were collected. Of 539 patients identified with POP, 174 (32%) had PFMP on physical exam. The mean stage of prolapse in those with PFMP was 2 [standard deviation (SD) ± 0.93] vs 3 (SD ± 0.80) in those without pain. There was a difference in the presence of prolapse beyond the hymen, with 98 (56%) of those with PFMP having their most dependent point above the hymen (Ba, Bp, or C) and 276 (76%) of those without PFMP having their most dependent point beyond the hymen (p = .000). Women with PFMP were predominantly white, had less-advanced prolapse, and more reported pain or discomfort (adjusted p value = .011, prolapse beyond the hymen p = .000, PFDI -20 p = .003). One in three women with a diagnosis of POP were found to have PFMP. On average, when pain was present, women had a lower stage of prolapse and were more severely bothered by their pelvic floor symptoms. Although limited by its nature as a retrospective analysis, this study suggests alternative etiologies, and thereby treatments, for symptom bother in women with mild prolapse.
50 to 30-Hz triplet and singlet down sweep vocalizations produced by sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) in the western North Atlantic Ocean

The life history, distribution, and acoustic ecology of the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) in the western North Atlantic Ocean remains poorly understood. In this study an array of bottom-mounted recorders captured previously undocumented low frequency 50 to 30-Hz triplet and singlet down sweep vocalizations in close association with signature 82 to 34-Hz sei whale down sweep vocalizations. Spatiotemporal correlations of acoustically tracked sei whales confirm the original vocalizations are produced by sei whales. The 50 to 34-Hz down sweep call types were characterized with a suite of five spectral and temporal measurements. The pattern and repetition of the full acoustic suite is suggestive of song structure and warrants further investigation. The discovery of vocalizations attributed specifically to sei whales enables historic acoustic records to be re-evaluated for the presence of this species throughout its range.
A 0.025-mm 2 0.8-V 78.5dB-SNDR VCO-Based Sensor Readout Circuit in a Hybrid PLL-ΔΣM Structure

This paper presents a capacitive-coupled VCO-based sensor readout featuring a hybrid PLL $- \Delta \Sigma \mathrm {M}$ structure. It leverages phase-locking and PFD array to concurrently perform quantization and DEM, much reducing hardware/power compared to existing VCO-based readouts counting scheme. A low-cost in-cell DWA scheme is presented to enable highly linear tri-level DAC. Fabricated in 40nm CMOS, the prototype readout achieves 78dB SNDR in 10kHz BW, consuming $4.5 \mu \mathrm {W}$ and 0.025mm2 active area. With 172dB Schreier FoM, its efficiency advances state-of-the-art VCO-based readouts by $50 \times $.
FsQCA versus regression: The context of customer engagement

Abstract The purpose of this study is to address the strengths and weaknesses of the Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method by contrasting it with traditional multiple regression analysis. To achieve our objective, we utilize the context of customer engagement and explore how both methodological approaches can explain the factors that lead customers to engage with brands/firms. We test the association between customer engagement and its antecedents by using both methods, fsQCA and multiple regression analysis (MRA), and compare the findings. MRA results show a significant relationship between customer engagement and perceived interactivity, perceived identification, perceived value, and brand involvement, a negative relationship with perceived fairness, while the relationship with customer satisfaction and perceived value is not statistically significant. On the other hand, fsQCA revealed eight different combinations of these antecedents that lead to high levels of customer engagement. Although multiple regression analysis (MRA) certainly has its own merit, our findings indicate that this methodological approach does not capture the complexities extant in real life. This method's strength of providing generalizable results is also its weakness as relationships cannot always be generalized as shown in our study. As such, at a minimum, fsQCA should be used as a complementary approach when authors employ MRA. We suggest ‘at a minimum’ because fsQCA possesses sufficient explanatory power to be employed by itself to offer a rich perspective on the relationships of interest. We also make several noteworthy contributions to the customer engagement and service marketing literatures.
MySecurityLab: A Tool for Teaching and Learning Quantitative Assessments of Security Risks

Cybersecurity and information technology students need to learn the formal models and methods of security risk assessments. What are the principles of security risk assessments? How are the national standards of security risk assessments and compliance defined? What set of security risk assessments should student learn and how? What kinds of case-based projects should be designed to promote learning of security risk assessment skills? This lightning talk discusses these and other questions. The presentation provides demonstrations of practical hands-on case-based projects for teaching and learning security risk assessments.
Lack of firm’s sustainability in developing countries

The paper is trying to identify the reasons for the firm’s failure in today’s globalized market environment. The objective of the paper is solely based on why the firms are not meeting up their goal to exist in the market. Some firms appear and disappear without even government registration. So it is harder to collect actual data. The study of the paper is exploratory and research area is Industrial sector of developing countries. Multiple E-books, PDFs, previously published research works and the journals and articles have been employed to come up with the conclusions. More than managerial and technological flaws in the business the political, economic and socio-cultural systems play vital roles in the business. It is necessary to get enough subsidies and free environment for the firms to grow up freely. Instead of working on tight rules and regulation a country should emphasize on providing a good business environment and sufficient infrastructure for the economic progress.
Tipi di crisi

Il tipo di eventi che si collegano a un singolo episodio di crisi riconducono ad una grande varieta di esperienze di vita, tra cui disastri naturali, incidenti stradali, operazioni chirurgiche, crimini e la perdita di persone amate. Nonostante episodi singoli possano richiedere un intervento, la ricerca indica come l’esposizione a un singolo evento traumatico non rappresenti, necessariamente, un’esperienza eccessiva da superare per chi vive l’evento. La ragione si ritrova nel fatto che la risposta individuale ad ogni evento e basata sui meccanismi di adattamento tipici di ciascun individuo, combinati appunto con il tipo di evento. Eventi che includono violenza criminale, dove un individuo infligge un trauma a un altro (per esempio, rapina, stupro e aggressione), hanno un impatto psicologico maggiore sulla vittima, rispetto ad eventi come incidenti stradali, interventi chirurgici o disastri naturali.
Moving from collaboration to critical dialogue in action in education

The purpose of this article is to examine and conceptualize our pedagogical and organizational experiences and understandings of how undergraduates and instructors participating in the UC-Links Project from Fall 1996 to Spring 1997 learned together through their engagements in undergraduate courses and afterschool activities with predominantly Mexican-descent children at a local community center. We had started our project privileging collaboration and collaborative guidance as the way to approach our collective engagements; however, the events in the project pushed us to reconsider our practice. It took us 25 years to completely understand that what we have come to call “critical dialoguing in action” is how we now conceive of innovative organizational and pedagogical practice, which stands in contrast to the pedagogical and organizational notion of collaboration. We describe the efforts and struggles participants, including ourselves, encountered developing, implementing, and communicating about innovative teaching approaches and practices that we originally thought aimed to promote meaningful and collaborative learning. We call particular attention to dilemmas participants faced dialoguing about the dynamic teaching/learning processes that emerged in our project. These experiences prompted us to characterize our vision for participants’ involvement in the project as “critical dialoguing in action,” which contributed to our ongoing analysis and understanding of emerging dilemmas in our work.
Structural insight into the viscoelastic behaviour of elastomeric polyesters: effect of the nature of fatty acid side chains and the degree of unsaturation

Degradable polymers derived from sustainable sources, such as vegetable oils, provide an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymers. Vegetable oils are composed of triglycerides which differ in their fatty acid chain length and the degree of unsaturation. However, vegetable oils can vary greatly in their composition depending on the type of oil and region of cultivation, and hence, polymers made from such oils can result in heterogeneous polymer properties. Therefore, herein we synthesized three polyesters with different pendant fatty acid groups (linoleic acid C18:2, oleic acid C18:1, and stearic acid C18:0) and evaluated the effect of the structural difference on the rheological and mechanical properties of these vegetable oil based polyesters. Increasing the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acid side chains decreased the glass transition temperature, zero-shear viscosity, tensile strength, elongation-at-break, and the recovery efficiency of elastic energy (resilience) of its crosslinked elastomer. We hypothesize that the cis double bonds introduce ‘kinks’ to the fatty acid side chains that impede the packing of the polymer chains and therefore, act as efficient ‘internal diluents’. This is corroborated by an increase in the critical molecular weight for entanglement of the polymers with increasing number of cis double bonds in the side chains. Moreover, the presence of cis double bonds was associated with an increase in intermolecular friction and a decrease in the resilience. The structural insights derived from this study will be useful to design low modulus polymers and predict the processing and mechanical properties of polymers with fatty acid side chains.
Executive Function, Dexterity, and Discharge Disposition in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors.

BACKGROUND Dexterity is a component of motor function. Executive function, a subdomain of cognition, may affect dexterity in older adults recovering from critical illness after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). OBJECTIVES To explore associations between executive function (attention and cognitive flexibility) and dexterity (fine motor coordination) in the early post-ICU period and examine dexterity by acuity of discharge disposition. METHODS The study involved 30 older adults who were functionally independent before hospitalization, underwent mechanical ventilation in the ICU, and had been discharged from the ICU 24 to 48 hours previously. Dexterity was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox (NIHTB) Motor Battery 9-Hole Pegboard Dexterity Test (PDT); attention, with the NIHTB Cognition Battery Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (FICAT); and cognitive flexibility, with the NIHTB Cognition Battery Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (DCCST). Exploratory regression was used to examine associations between executive function and dexterity (fully corrected T scores). Independent-samples t tests were used to compare dexterity between participants discharged home and those discharged to a facility. RESULTS FICAT (β = 0.375, P = .03) and DCCST (β = 0.698, P = .001) scores were independently and positively associated with PDT scores. Further, PDT scores were worse among participants discharged to a facility than among those discharged home (mean [SD], 26.71 [6.14] vs 36.33 [10.30]; t24 = 3.003; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS Poor executive function is associated with worse dexterity; thus, dexterity may be a correlate of both post-ICU cognitive impairment and functional decline. Performance on dexterity tests could identify frail older ICU survivors at risk for worse discharge outcomes.
Examination of the Interplay Between Polarization Switching and Charge Trapping in Ferroelectric FET

In this work, we evaluate the role of polarization switching and charge trapping in the operation of ferroelectric FET (FeFET) through combined experimental characterization and comprehensive modeling. We are demonstrating that: 1) the significant charge gap in the quasi-static split-CV (QSCV) and small signal CV is fundamental and not indicative of trapped charge density. This is because the QSCV senses the irreversible polarization switching while the small signal CV mainly probes the reversible domain wall displacement under ac excitation, theoretically yielding different scales of charge response in the two measurements. 2) Trapped charge density during memory write can be inferred from the measured charge release dynamics with the help of a comprehensive FeFET model that incorporates both the polarization switching and the charge trapping and release dynamics.
Characteristics and Circumstances Associated with Work-Related Suicides from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2013–2017

Workplaces are critical in suicide prevention because work-related factors can be associated with suicide, and because workplaces can be effective suicide prevention sites. Understanding the circumstances associated with work-related suicides can advance worksite prevention efforts. Data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Violent Death Reporting System from 2013 to 2017 were used to examine characteristics and circumstances associated with work compared with non-work suicides. Work-related suicides included those indicated as work-related on the death certificate or in which the death investigation mentioned a work problem or work crisis. Of the 84,389 suicides, 12.1% had some relation to the decedent's work. Males, those aged 21-54, and with at least a college education, were most likely to have work-related suicides. The circumstances most strongly associated with work-related suicide were financial problems (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 4.5-5.0), prior depressed mood (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 2.3-2.5), and eviction/loss of home (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.4-1.7). Suicides among healthcare practitioners and management occupations had the highest odds of being work-related. Workplace wellness programs can consider incorporating services, such as financial planning and mental health services, as potentially up-stream approaches to prevent work-related suicide.
Gastrostomy Tube Outcomes Among Surgical and Non-Surgical Services: A Retrospective Review.

BackgroundOur objective was to evaluate differences in baseline characteristics, complications, and mortality among patients receiving a gastrostomy tube (GT) by surgical or non-surgical services.M...
Minimal Clinically Important Difference for PROMIS Physical Function and Pain Interference in Patients Following Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture.

Purpose We estimated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) computer adaptive tests (CATs) following surgical treatment of distal radius fracture (DRF). Methods Adult patients surgically treated between November 2017 and November 2020 for isolated DRF were identified. Demographic and patient-reported outcome data were extracted from the electronic health record . Outcomes of interest were the PROMIS PF and PI CATs. Inclusion criteria were met if: (1) PROMIS PF and PI scores were available at preoperative and postoperative visits; and (2) a postoperative clinical anchor question asking about overall response to treatment was answered. An anchor-based MCID estimate was determined by calculating the average absolute score change in PROMIS PF and PI for patients who indicated a mild change to the anchor question. A distribution-based MCID estimate was also calculated using the standard error of measurement and effect sizes of change. Results The changes in PROMIS PF and PI scores were significantly different between patients who gave responses of much change (n = 73), mild change (n = 51), and no change (n = 19) to the clinical anchor question. The average score changes in the mild change group for PROMIS PF and PI were 5.2 (SD, 3.7) and 6.8 (SD, 4.3) points, respectively, representing the anchor-based MCID estimates. The PROMIS PI anchor-based estimate was moderately correlated with the preoperative score (r = −0.41), time between visits (r = −0.39), and age (r = 0.30). The distribution-based MCID estimates were 3.8 (SD, 1.3) and 3.7 (SD, 1.3) points for the PROMIS PF and PI, respectively. Conclusions The MCIDs were estimated as 5.2 and 6.8 for the PROMIS PF and PI CATs, respectively, following surgery for DRF. Clinical relevance As reports continue to publish a consistent range of MCID values, researchers can be confident in these values and begin using them across a broader spectrum of conditions treated by hand surgeons.
Anti-Realism Against Methodology

Critique de la critique anti-realiste de la methodologie scientifique developpee par Van Fraassen dans le cadre du debat opposant les trois postulats suivants : 1) le postulat empiriste, 2) le postulat rationaliste et 3) le postulat sceptique. Defendant trois arguments fondes sur le but de la science, sur la distinction entre conseil theorique et conseil heuristique, sur les premisses des arguments realistes et anti-realistes, l'A. montre que la position anti-realiste se heurtre au probleme de Russell (trilemme) mais que celle-ci s'avere compatible avec la methodologie chez I. Lakatos et W. Salmon
MICROVILLI OF ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM IN RELATION TO OVOIMPLANTATION.

Abstract Microvilli, on the free border of endometrial cells lining the uterine cavity in the rat, vary in size and configuration as a result of different hormonal environments. Microvilli are a means by which the free surface area of the epithelial cell is increased. The functional potential of endometrial epithelial microvilli as instruments for attachment between ovum and endometrium and as devices which facilitate the first direct metabolic interchange between maternal and fetal tissue during ovoimplantation is stressed. The roles of estrogens, both in modifying the fine structure of the free border of endometrial epithelium and in bringing about attachment between fertilized ovum and endometrium, have been highlighted as keystones of rat reproductive biology. In this light some of the hormone-induced ultrastructure changes observed on the epithelial cell surface have been considered as adaptations for the active role of the epithelium in ovoimplantation.
Genetics of Schizophrenia

The past three decades have witnessed an explosion in human genetics research, particularly research designed to identify genetic variants causing or increasing risk for disease. These efforts began spectacularly with early successes identifying relatively infrequent diseases following classical Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Now more common diseases with complex modes of inheritance are being addressed. Schizophrenia, with an estimated heritability factor of approximately 70 percent, belongs to this category. As with other genetically complex disorders, gene-mapping efforts have achieved mixed success for schizophrenia. Research has proceeded from classical family-based linkage analyses, indicating specific regions of the genome possibly harboring susceptibility genes, to genetic association designs. The latest series of investigations involves dense sets of common polymorphisms across the entire genome comparing cases and controls. These genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed several p...
Randomized trial of ambulation versus oxytocin for labor enhancement: A preliminary report

Abstract Published reports imply that intrapartum ambulation may improve labor. This suggests the possible efficacy of ambulation in labors requiring augmentation, provided that adequate monitoring surveillance is maintained. Fourteen patients who failed to progress in active-phase labor, and who required augmentation for “inadequate” contractions were randomized into ambulation (eight) and oxytocin (six) groups. Internal fetal monitoring was used in all patients for 30 minute baseline and 2 hour study periods, with two-channel telemetry used in ambulating patients. Oxytocin was administered by infusion pump. Study parameters included changes in cervical dilation and station, contraction frequency, intensity and baseline tonus, and uterine activity. Labor progress was slightly but not significantly better in the ambulatory group. A mean increase in uterine activity units (UAU) in the ambulatory group was immediate to ranges not reached in the oxytocin group for 2 hours. Increase in Montevideo units was slightly greater in the ambulatory group during the first hour, but was exceeded by the oxytocin group during the second hour. These initial observations seem to indicate that, in terms of labor progress and initial effects on uterine activity, ambulation is as effective as oxytocin for the enhancement of labor and warrants further investigation.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—BASIC SCIENCE: T-Type (α1G) Low Voltage-Activated Calcium Channel Interactions with Nitric Oxide-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Pathway and Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis in Human Cavernosal Cells

ABSTRACT Introduction Nitric oxide‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO‐cGMP)‐mediated relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle during erection is accompanied by a decrease in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca 2+ ] i ). However, it is not known whether and how an increase in [Ca 2+ ] i is responsible for (i) initiating smooth muscle contraction/detumescence following relaxation; and (ii) maintaining the penis in a flaccid state under nonstimulating conditions. Aim To elucidate (i) the mechanism(s) of [Ca 2+ ] i homeostasis regulation in human cavernosal smooth muscle cells (HCSMC); and (ii) how NO‐cGMP interacts with such [Ca 2+ ] i homeostasis. Methods We evaluated the expression and function of both T‐type and L‐type Ca 2+ channels in HCSMC by employing selective probes/inhibitors using various cellular and molecular techniques (e.g., reverse transcriptase and real‐time polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation assay, fura‐2 Ca 2+ fluorescence spectroscopy, enzyme‐linked immuno‐absorbent assay (ELISA)). Main Outcome Measure We have demonstrated for the first time significant interactions of NO‐cGMP with the T‐type (α1G) Ca 2+ channel in HCSMC. Results Our results suggest that in addition to NO‐induced rapid and transient decrease in [Ca 2+ ] i that results in smooth muscle relaxation, NO‐cGMP also enhanced mRNA expression of the T‐type (α1G) Ca 2+ channel resulting in delayed elevation of [Ca 2+ ] i . This could be abolished by a selective T‐channel blocker, NNC 55‐0396. Another unique finding of this study is that dose‐dependent HCSMC proliferation in vitro by NO is associated with the activation of the T‐type (α1G) Ca 2+ channel that regulates [Ca 2+ ] i homeostasis in these cells. Conclusions Human cavernosal cells express T‐type (α1G) Ca 2+ channels that are involved in maintaining [Ca 2+ ] i homeostasis and regulation of NO‐cGMP‐induced smooth muscle relaxation–contraction responsible for penile erection, flaccidity, and tonicity. Targeting these Ca 2+ channels may (i) associate various comorbidities with the onset of erectile dysfunction; (ii) provide a biochemical basis for differences between therapeutic profiles of various phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, especially in nonresponders to current therapy; and (iii) provide biochemical basis in understanding mechanism(s) of drug tolerance. Zeng X, Keyser B, Li M, and Sikka SC. T‐type (α1G) low voltage‐activated calcium channel interactions with nitric oxide‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway and regulation of calcium homeostasis in human cavernosal cells. J Sex Med 2005;2:620–633.
A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Model of the Human Ankle: Development and Preliminary Application to Axial Impulsive Loading

A three-dimensional finite element model of the human ankle has been developed. This model represents the basic components of a 50th percentile human ankle. It involves all the bones of the foot up to the distal tibia/fibula and contains the soft tissues of the foot planar surface along with the most of the ankle joint ligaments and retinacula. The model is stabilized by the natural anatomical geometry and the ligamentous structure. It demonstrates its capacity to replicate the dynamic response. Global responses of output acceleration and force time histories are obtained and compared favorably with experimental data.
Plant and microbial compounds as herbicides

There are numerous reports of secondary compounds derived from plants and microorganisms that are phytotoxic. The most commercially successful of these allelochemic natural products are bialaphos and its active ingredient phosphinothricin, which led to the development of the herbicide glufosinate. There are many other natural products with herbicidal potential. Pyridazocidin, a phytotoxin produced by a soil Streptomyces species, causes rapid chlorosis and necrosis of several weeds. This is the first natural product that appears to act via reversible oxidation/reduction linked to photosynthetic electron transport, analogous to synthetic compounds (e.g., bipyridiniums). The natural product 3-nitropropionate (NPA) and its glycosides are found in several plants and in several fungi (phytopathogens and nonphytopathogens). NPA has been shown to be phytotoxic. Sorgoleone, isolated from grain sorghum root exudates, is phytotoxic to grass and broadleaf species and acts via inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PS II). Monensin, from Streptomyces cinnamonensis, is a carboxylic polyether antibiotic compound used in agriculture that also exerts herbicidal activity on a variety of plants, as does a related antibiotic, nigericin. Hydantocidin and cornexistin are new herbicidal compounds isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and Pacilomyces variotii, respectively. Artemisinin, a plant (Artemesia annua L.) sesquiterpene with antimalarial properties, is also a potent phytotoxin. Some allelochemicals have sufficient potential to be herbicides, while others with lower herbicidal efficacy may serve as chemical templates for new synthetic herbicides. The continued search for allelochemicals from plants and microbes is important in the developement of improved herbicides with novel molecular modes of action. Selected allelochemicals with phytotoxic properties that have been isolated from plants and microbes are presented and discussed in this review.
The Mississippi Valley earthquake of June 30, 1947

Abstract On June 30, 1947 ( 04 h 23 m 53 s . 1 G . C . T . ) , an earthquake occurred in the Mississippi Valley near the confluence of the Meramec and Mississippi rivers a few miles south of St. Louis, Missouri. The shock reached a maximum intensity of VI (Modified Mercalli) and caused minor damage in a region about St. Louis. This earthquake occurred at a time when the Mississippi River at St. Louis was reaching the crest of one of the largest floods in history, a fact which partly accounted for the high degree of nervous reaction produced by the tremor, and which also provoked the question, “Did the flood trigger the earthquake?” This paper reports the limited data on this earthquake and discusses the possible relations of the determined epicenter to previous local seismic activity and to geologic structure. The conclusions reached in the paper are: (1) The earthquake originated in a basement zone of transitional structure which lies between the major regional tectonic elements. (2) There seems to be a genetic relation between this earthquake and epicenters which have been located along the Ste. Genevieve fault, on the Duquoin flexure, and on the northeastern Ozark flank. (3) The question, “Did the flood trigger the earthquake?” cannot be answered.