cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obesity and disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Children with physical disabilities may have an increased risk for obesity and obesity might be a risk factor for inflammatory arthritis. The aims of this study were: to determine the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and to examine the association between obesity and disease activity in this population. A cross-sectional analysis of all patients with JIA attending a pediatric rheumatology clinic, between October 2009 and September 2010, was performed. A linear regression model was used to explore the association between obesity and disease activity in patients with JIA. A total of 154 subjects were included in the analysis; median age was 10.6 years, 61% were female, and 88% were white. Obesity was found in 18%, 12% were overweight, and 3% were underweight. There was no association between obesity and JADAS-27 (Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27), physician's assessment of disease activity, parent's assessment of child's well-being, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, number of active joints, or C-reactive protein (p-value range 0.10 to 0.95). Although 18% of patients with JIA were obese, we did not find an association between obesity and disease activity. As obesity confers an additional health risk in children with arthritis, addressing this co-morbidity should be a health priority in patients with JIA. Future studies are necessary to further explore potential associations between obesity, development of JIA, and disease activity.
Sediment evacuation and glacial erosion rates at a small alpine glacier

[1] Glacial erosion is known to be driven by sliding, which occurs in brief episodes in the melt season. What is not known is how well this sliding history is reflected in the sediment output from a glacier and to what degree temporary sediment storage in the glacier smoothes the history of sediment production. We document sediment evacuation rates for three seasons at Bench Glacier, a small temperate alpine glacier in the Chugach Range of Alaska. Two lines of evidence suggest that subglacial sediment storage is small. Strong hysteresis in the relationship between sediment and water discharge argues for sediment exhaustion from the subglacial system on seasonal and flood event timescales. Uplift of the glacier surface during periods of enhanced basal motion reflects intimate contact of the glacier sole with up-glacier-inclined stoss slopes of bedrock bumps. Sediment evacuation rates at Bench Glacier should therefore closely track glacial erosion rates over annual timescales. Much of the sediment emerges in a major pulse that closely follows the termination of enhanced sliding each year, suggesting that the conduits and well-connected cavities that allowed removal of englacial water to terminate sliding also promoted efficient transport of sediment. This small glacier efficiently modifies the landscape, lowering its bed by 1–2 mm/yr while sliding only 1–2 m/yr. Our sparse measurements of instantaneous bed load discharge average 41% of concurrent suspended sediment discharge. Assuming that half of the suspended load derives from abrasion of subglacially quarried clasts, roughly two thirds of the sediment evacuated can be attributed to quarrying.
Consensus guidelines on sedation and analgesia in critically ill children

The United Kingdom Paediatric Intensive Care Society Sedation, Analgesia and Neuromuscular Blockade Working Group is a multi-disciplinary expert panel created to produce consensus guidelines on sedation and analgesia in critically ill children and forward knowledge in these areas. Sedation and analgesia are recognised as important areas of critical care practice and adult clinical practice guidelines in these fields remain amongst the most popular of those produced by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. However, similar clinical practice guidelines have not previously been produced for the critically ill paediatric patient. A modified Delphi technique was used to allow the Working Group to anonymously consider draft recommendations in three Delphi rounds with predetermined levels of agreement. This process was supported by a total of four consensus conferences. Once consensus had been reached, a systematic review of the available literature was carried out. A set of consensus guidelines was produced including 20 key recommendations, 10 relating to the provision of analgesia and 10 relating to the sedation of critically ill children. An evaluation of the existing literature supporting these recommendations is provided. Multi-disciplinary consensus guidelines for maintenance sedation and analgesia in critically ill children have been successfully produced and are supported by levels of evidence (excluding sedation and analgesia for procedures and excluding neonates). The working group has highlighted the paucity of high-quality evidence in these important clinical areas and this emphasises the need for further randomised clinical trials in this area.
Elective countershock in unanesthetized patients with use of an esophageal electrode.

A new electrode arrangement for the administration of elective direct-current countershock was studied, in which one electrode was placed in the esophagus, adjacent to the heart, and the other on the precordium. Thirteen patients with chronic atrial fibrillation were converted to sinus rhythm by the esophageal technic. Though the majority were, on clinical grounds, difficult cases for conversion, 11 were converted with shocks of 40 watt-seconds or less, and two with 60, after 40 failed. Five patients were defibrillated by both the esophageal and the conventional, anteroposterior chest technics; the energy requirement with the esophageal method averaged less than one third of that with the conventional one. Four patients received 40, and one 30 watt-second shocks without anesthesia; all five tolerated the shocks well, and three of four who had had countershock previously under anesthesia, expressed preference for the esophageal technic without anesthesia in the future. All patients were observed carefully ...
Combination of IG-IMRT and permanent source prostate brachytherapy in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer: GU and GI toxicity and effect on erectile function

Abstract Purpose To assess toxicity outcomes of image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) combined with permanent prostate seed implant in a cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer. Methods and Materials A retrospective analysis was performed on 67 patients with the median pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level of 5.4. The Gleason score was less than 7 in 7 patients, 7 in 52 patients, and greater than 7 in 8 patients. The median followup was 28.2 months (range, 12–89.5 months). Treatment consisted of 45 (n = 65) or 50.4 Gy (n = 2) at 1.8 Gy/fraction of IG-IMRT to the prostate and seminal vesicles. Eight patients had simultaneous irradiation of pelvic lymph nodes to 45 (n = 65) or 50.4 Gy (n = 2). After IG-IMRT, patients received transperineal prostate implant boost with either 103Pd (n = 65, the prescribed D90 of 100 Gy) or 125I (n = 2, D90 of 110 Gy). Eleven patients received androgen deprivation therapy with radiotherapy. Results Toxicity higher than Grade 3 was not observed. The combined incidence of acute and late Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity was 6%. The combined incidence of acute and late Grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity was 3%. At least one episode of gastrointestinal bleeding on followup, which could be attributed to radiation, was recorded in 14.9% of patients. For patients achieving erections before radiation, the 3-year Kaplan–Meier potency preservation rate was 66.5%. Conclusions The early toxicity of the combination of IG-IMRT and low–dose rate brachytherapy boost in this study was favorable.
Desire to eat high- and low-fat foods following a low-fat dietary intervention.

Abstract Objective This study examined changes in desires to eat high-fat and low-fat foods across an obesity treatment program. The hypotheses under examination were (1) preferences for low-fat foods would increase across time and (2) preferences for high-fat foods would decrease across time. Design Single-group, prospective examination of desires to eat 48 foods, categorized according to fat content, before and after the 16-week treatment program. Setting University clinic, Memphis, Tennessee. Participants 118 obese (mean weight = 194.4 lbs) women (mean age = 45.24 years) participating in an obesity treatment program. Intervention A 16-week cognitive-behavioral program for obesity. Variables Measured Desires to eat 48 foods varying in fat content and whether or not participants actually ate these foods. Analysis Analysis of variance, multiple regression, and paired t tests. Results The results indicate that during the program, preferences for low-fat foods increased, whereas preferences for high-fat foods decreased. These changes mirrored the changes in consumption of both low-fat and high-fat foods. Conclusions and Implications Within a behavioral economic perspective, the reinforcement value of low-fat foods may increase following a low-fat dietary intervention, whereas the reinforcing properties of high-fat foods may decline. This is desirable as low-fat foods hold many advantages over high-fat foods in terms of weight maintenance.
Informative cues can slow search: The cost of matching a specific template

During visual search, observers hold in mind a search template, which they match against the stimulus. To characterize the content of this template, we trained observers to discriminate a set of artificial objects at an individual level and at a category level. The observers then searched for the objects on backgrounds that camouflaged the features that defined either the object’s identity or the object’s category. Each search stimulus was preceded by the target’s individual name, its category name, or an uninformative cue. The observers’ task was to locate the target, which was always present and always the only figure in the stimulus. The results showed that name cues slowed search when the features associated with the name were camouflaged. Apparently, the observers required a match between their mental representation of the target and the stimulus, even though this was unnecessary for the task. Moreover, this match involved all distinctive features of the target, not just the features necessary for a definitive identification. We conclude that visual search for a specific target involves a verification process that is performed automatically on all of the target’s distinctive features.
POLITICAL ROLE ATTRIBUTIONS AND DYNAMICS IN A JAPANESE COMMUNITY

There have been many studies of local community power structures in the United States. This study is of special interest because it was made in a small community in Japan, and gives opportunities for American-Japanese comparisons. Yasumasa Kuroda is a member of the Department of Political Science of the University of Southern California. This paper is based on part of a broader study of "Psychological Constructs of International Images," supported by the Social Science Foundation, University of Denver.
An Equivalent Linear Model for Marked and Filtered Doubly Stochastic Poisson Processes with Application to MMSE Linear Estimation for Synchronous m-ary Optical Data Signals

An equivalent linear model for minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) linear estimation of marked and filtered doubly stochastic Poisson processes is presented. The equivalence is employed to determine the structure of the MMSE noncausal steady-state linear receiver for synchronous m -ary optical data signals.
Low-cost current-fed PMSM drive system with sinusoidal input currents

Standard low- and medium-power drives are based on the voltage-source converter topology. There has been less research work on dual topology drives, based on a current-fed inverter structure. Although energy storage is more efficient in capacitors than in inductors, due to some inherent advantages of current-source converter topology, and at the first place, the absence of a dc-link electrolytic capacitor, a current-source drive system made with a considerably reduced dc link inductor could be better low-cost solution with improved reliability, lifetime, and transient response than conventional drive. This paper is about a new current-fed drive topology with sinusoidal input currents, which is applied to a permanent-magnet synchronous machine in low-cost applications. A three-switch front-end pulsewidth modulator buck rectifier with an appropriate control technique, a simple thyristor inverter at the output, together with a small dc choke (which can be embedded in the machine), virtually offers an inductorless integrated drive system solution and could challenge standard industry solutions. System description, analysis, design guidelines, simulated results, and measured experimental results will be presented.
Endovascular Stent Grafting of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

In an effort to decrease the morbidity of conventional open thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, we have witnessed in the last 10 years an expansion in the use of stent grafts as an alternative treatment option. This approach has provided a treatment option for patients with multiple medical comorbidities who may otherwise have been considered excessively high risk for standard open reconstruction. Results have identified promising procedural success while limiting complications and mortality rates. A review of contemporary results as well as patient and device characteristics is the focus of this article.
The Commonality of Loss Aversion across Procedures and Stimuli

Individuals tend to give losses approximately 2-fold the weight that they give gains. Such approximations of loss aversion (LA) are almost always measured in the stimulus domain of money, rather than objects or pictures. Recent work on preference-based decision-making with a schedule-less keypress task (relative preference theory, RPT) has provided a mathematical formulation for LA similar to that in prospect theory (PT), but makes no parametric assumptions in the computation of LA, uses a variable tied to communication theory (i.e., the Shannon entropy or information), and works readily with non-monetary stimuli. We evaluated if these distinct frameworks described similar LA in healthy subjects, and found that LA during the anticipation phase of the PT-based task correlated significantly with LA related to the RPT-based task. Given the ease with which non-monetary stimuli can be used on the Internet, or in animal studies, these findings open an extensive range of applications for the study of loss aversion. Furthermore, the emergence of methodology that can be used to measure preference for both social stimuli and money brings a common framework to the evaluation of preference in both social psychology and behavioral economics.
Monitoring The Level Of Students GPA's Over Time

A nonparametric (or distribution-free) statistical quality control chart is used to monitor the cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) of students over time. The chart is designed to detect any statistically significant positive or negative shifts in student GPAs from a desired target level. This nonparametric control chart is based on the signed-ranks of the GPAs of the sampled students. The exact false alarm rate and the in-control average run length of the proposed chart can be computed exactly and are independent of the underlying probability distribution of GPAs. The traditional Shewhart X-bar control chart for monitoring the mean of a process is based on the assumption that data follows a normal distribution. However, student GPAs may differ significantly from the normal distribution. As a result, using a traditional control chart to monitor the GPAs of students may lead to incorrectly specifying the control limits and the average run length and/or the false alarm rate of the chart. A test study was conducted at the College of Business Administration at Alabama State University. The study monitored the median cumulative GPAs of management majors during the period Spring 2005 through Spring 2009. The study revealed that the GPAs of students were stable at a median level of 2.6 over the period of the study.
On the Development of a Comprehensive Hazard Modeling Tool through Distributed Simulation: Learning from the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident

The tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003 during its reentry phase raised legitimate concerns on the safety of the public on the ground associated with the operation of launch vehicles. Although there was no human casualty reported, the outcome of this accident could have been much different. In this paper, we investigate the use of distributed simulation and information fusion to better predict the effects, in terms of expectations of casualties (E c ), of the different hazards produced by an accidental or instructed loss of such a vehicle. A prototype is described.
Response to Philip Blosser

Jurisprudential· theories provide frameworks for understanding the nature of law and justice. Generally exclusivist, each portrays itself as the only valid explanation of law. Thus, legal positivism' portrays itself as antithetical to natural law theory. Legal positivism developed in different directions and inspired a variety ofkindred theories, such as legalism/formalism, legal realism, and legal process. In tum, these ideas attempted to monopolize legal theory, usually at the expense of natural law theory. To an extent, this is understandable because every generation confronts unique challenges, and in crafting solutions, prior theories seem outdated as they relate to different times and problems.
Evidence for a shallow Cu acceptor in Si from infrared spectroscopy and photoconductivity

Copper impurities affect optical and electronic properties in a diverse range of materials. Using IR spectroscopy, we provide evidence for a shallow Cu acceptor in Si. The observation of ${P}_{1/2}$ excitation lines indicates a Cu acceptor with a hole ionization energy of only 27 meV, which is shallower than any of the group-III acceptors. The observed center has an IR spectrum that is characteristic of a hydrogenic acceptor. Variable-temperature Hall-effect measurements confirm this result. The observation of shallow, hydrogenic behavior is consistent with a universal level model, in which the Cu acceptor level is fixed relative to vacuum, irrespective of the host.
Comparison of Vitamin D Label Dosing Recommendations to North American National Guidelines

Supplementation with vitamin D has become increasingly popular over the past decade, and numerous organizations have developed recommendations for the appropriate intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D sup...
Decapitation, disruption, and unintended consequences in counterterrorism: lessons from Islamist terror networks in Spain

ABSTRACTThis study examines the unintended consequences of decapitation strategies. Two Islamist terror networks in Spain have been used to critically evaluate theories of leadership removal guided by large-N cross-sectional research. Arguably, current models neglect to include relational variables that constitute the foundation for policies of network disruption. Spanish terror networks are mapped out over a 10-year period (1995–2004) to demonstrate the importance of network variables. Policies meant to disrupt militant networks can generate unintended consequences, as was the case with Spain’s Operation Datil following the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in the United States. The Madrid train bombing network developed in the vacant political space following the counterterrorism operation that targeted radical Islamists in Spain.
Synthesis of Toroidal Gold Nanoparticles Assisted by Soft Templates

A three-component system comprising surfactant molecules and molecularly cross-linked metal centers assembles into nanoring structures. The thickness of the nanorings is determined by the dimensions of the surfactant bilayer while the dimensions of the ring opening depend on and can be regulated by the concentrations of the participating species. Once formed, these organic–inorganic hybrids can be transformed, by air plasma treatment, into all-metal nanorings exhibiting strong adsorption in the near IR.
Targeted, non-viral gene delivery for cancer gene therapy

The ability to mediate targeted and specific delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells remains one of the most important hurdles in effectively treating cancer. This aspect also remains as one of the greatest limitations of gene therapy as well. Targeted vectors based on the use of DNA-binding agents attached to cell specific ligands or "molecular conjugates" were created with the goal of over-coming this hurdle. Since being conceived, many different ligands have been utilized as molecular conjugates, targeting the resulting Protein/DNA polyplex to cells efficiently in vitro while mediating limited delivery in vivo. This limited delivery is due to many reasons such as the need to identify non-viral agents that can aide in escaping endosome entrapment as well as decreasing the complexity that has evolved in the creation of these "synthetic viruses". This review will discuss the current status and the future of molecular conjugates as targeting vectors as well as the positive and negative attributes of this vector in relation to other viral and non-viral vectors that are currently used in many gene therapy strategies.
Performance deficits on tests of problem solving in alcoholics: cognitive or motivational impairment?

This study tests the hypothesis that the performance deficits of alcoholics on tests of problem-solving abilities are due to impairment in motivation. The Conceptual Level Analogy Test and the Levine Hypothesis Test were administered to 40 sober middle-aged male alcoholic and 30 nonalcoholic individuals in a 2×2 [Croup (alcoholic, nonalcoholic) by Monetary Incentive (incentive, no incentive)] between-subjects covariance design. The motivational manipulation was a performance-contingent monetary incentive. On the Levine test alcoholics performed less well than nonalcoholics but there were no incentive effects. On the analogy test, surprisingly, alcoholics did not differ from nonalcoholics in performance (probably due to the feedback necessitated by use of a performance-contingent incentive) although incentive effects were found across groups. However, there were no significant Croup by Incentive interactions on either test or on self-report questionnaires of subjective states (e.g., effort expended) experienced during the tests. Thus, no evidence was found to support the impaired motivation hypothesis. The cognitive hypothesis remains as the most credible hypothesis to account for the performance deficits of alcoholics on tests of problem-solving ability.
Ulipristal acetate. An emergency contraceptive

Il forte aumento delle gravidanze e degli aborti negli adolescenti sembra giustificare l’adozione di misure per prevenirli. Sebbene la giusta soluzione al problema e senza dubbio l’educazione dei giovani ad un uso corretto della sessualita, e soprattutto in una considerazione di quest’ultima come parte fondamentale di qualcosa di molto piu ampio come l’amore umano, alcuni intendono risolvere il problema implementando l’uso della contraccezione d’emergenza come unica misura contraccetiva. Uno degli ultimi farmaci in commercio per questo scopo e Ulipristal acetato, che ha cominciato ad essere distribuito in alcuni paesi europei dal novembre del 2009. Questo articolo fa riferimento alla composizione chimica di Ulipristal acetato, la sua efficacia contraccetiva, gli effetti collaterali, che non sono molto significativi, e in particolare al meccanismo d’azione con cui questo farmaco impedisce le gravidanze indesiderate, giungendo alla conclusione che per almeno il 60% del tempo esso agisce secondo un meccanismo antiimpianto, anche se cio dipende in larga misura dal giorno in cui la donna lo assume entro il suo ciclo riproduttivo, e dal tempo trascorso dal rapporto sessuale. ---------- The large increase in pregnancies and abortions in adolescents appears to justify taking measures to prevent them. Although the right solution to the problem is undoubtedly through educating young people in the proper use of sexuality, and especially in considering it as a fundamental part of something much wider like human love, certain classes advocate resolving it by implementing the use of emergency contraception as the only contraceptive measure. One of the latest drugs marketed for this purpose is Ulipristal acetate, which began to be distributed in some European countries in November 2009. This paper refers to the chemical composition of Ulipristal acetate, its contraceptive efficacy, the side effects, which are not very significant, and especially to the mechanism of action by which this drug prevents unwanted pregnancies, concluding that at least 60% of the time it acts by an anti-implantation mechanism, although this depends to a large extent on the day on which the woman takes it, within her reproductive cycle, and on the time from sexual intercourse until she takes the drug.
Integrating Chlorophyll fapar and Nadir Photochemical Reflectance Index from EO-1/Hyperion to Predict Cornfield Daily Gross Primary Production

The concept of light use efficiency (Epsilon) and the concept of fraction of photosynthetically active ration (PAR) absorbed for vegetation photosynthesis (PSN), i.e., fAPAR (sub PSN), have been widely utilized to estimate vegetation gross primary productivity (GPP). It has been demonstrated that the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) is empirically related to e. An experimental US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cornfield in Maryland was selected as our study field. We explored the potential of integrating fAPAR(sub chl) (defined as the fraction of PAR absorbed by chlorophyll) and nadir PRI (PRI(sub nadir)) to predict cornfield daily GPP. We acquired nadir or near-nadir EO-1/Hyperion satellite images that covered the cornfield and took nadir in-situ field spectral measurements. Those data were used to derive the PRI(sub nadir) and fAPAR (sub chl). The fAPAR (sub chl) is retrieved with the advanced radiative transfer model PROSAIL2 and the Metropolis approach, a type of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation procedure. We define chlorophyll light use efficiency Epsilon (sub chl) as the ratio of vegetation GPP as measured by eddy covariance techniques to PAR absorbed by chlorophyll (Epsilon(sub chl) = GPP/APAR (sub chl). Daily Epsilon (sub chl) retrieved with the EO-1 Hyperion images was regressed with a linear equation of PRI (sub nadir) Epsilon (sub chl) = Alpha × PRI (sub nadir) + Beta). The satellite Epsilon(sub chl- PRI (sub nadir) linear relationship for the cornfield was implemented to develop an integrated daily GPP model [GPP = (Alpha × PRI(sub nadir) + Beta) × fAPAR (sub chl) × PAR], which was evaluated with fAPAR (sub chl) and PRI (sub nadir) retrieved from field measurements. Daily GPP estimated with this fAPAR (sub chl-) PRI (nadir) integration model was strongly correlated with the observed tower in-situ daily GPP (R(sup 2) = 0.93); with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.71 g C mol−(sup -1) PPFD and coefficient of variation (CV) of 16.57%. Both seasonal Epsilon (sub chl) and PRI (sub nadir) were strongly correlated with fAPAR (sub chl ) retrieved from field measurements, which indicates that chlorophyll content strongly affects seasonal epsilon (sub chl) and PRI (sub nadir). We demonstrate the potential capacity to monitor GPP with space-based visible through shortwave infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectrometers such as NASA's soon to be decommissioned EO- 1/Hyperion and the future Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI).
Biologically-based pressure activated thin-film battery

There is an industrial interest in utilizing large volume manufacturing processes such as printing (e.g. stencil, roll-to-roll) to produce thin-film functional components. These components will require power sources, for example thin-film batteries, and it would be advantageous to be able to produce these powering items in-line with the components. Traditional primary thin-film batteries have limited storage capacities due to mass limitations and unavoidable losses. The current effort demonstrates a zinc/manganese oxide reserve battery that has been produced through combination of stencil and roll-to-roll printing on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate utilizing fish roe for the ion conducting electrolyte storage and separator. The creation of a reserve battery which can be activated when power is required by the deformation of the battery is an approach to extend battery storage times.
Analysis of beam deflection measurements in the presence of linear absorption

We develop a series of analytical approximations allowing for rapid extraction of the nonlinear parameters from beam deflection measurements. We then apply these approximations to the analysis of cadmium silicon phosphide and compare the results against previously published parameter extraction methods and find good agreement for typical experimental conditions.
The Promise of Documentary Theatre to Counter Ageism in Age-friendly Communities

Abstract This paper discusses an innovative theatre-arts collaboration that was created to provoke public discourse about aging in a community located in the Southeastern United States in which more than one-half of residents are age 50 or older. The development and execution of the documentary theatre production are explicated and the post-performance talk-backs with the audience are shared to illustrate how it facilitated insight and dialogue among its largely older audiences. Experience with this production suggests that academics can collaborate with professional artists to promote the subjective experience of aging as a positive appreciation of self. Consequently, the play holds promise to counter deeply ingrained negative self-beliefs about aging and foster greater acceptance about the experience of others. In addition, the play represents a unique community-based effort to enhance respect and social inclusion, a core domain of livability in the age-friendly community movement.
Many-body multivaluedness of particle-current variance in closed and open cold-atom systems

Author(s): Metcalf, Mekena; Lai, Chen-Yen; Di Ventra, Massimiliano; Chien, Chih-Chun | Abstract: The quantum variance of an observable is a fundamental quantity in quantum mechanics, and the variance provides additional information other than the average itself. By examining the relation between the particle-current variance $(\delta J)^2$ and the average current $J$ in both closed and open interacting fermionic systems, we show the emergence of a multi-valued Lissajous curve between $\delta J$ and $J$ due to interactions. As a closed system we considered the persistent current in a benzene-like lattice enclosing an effective magnetic flux and solved it by exact diagonalization. For the open system, the steady-state current flowing through a few lattice sites coupled to two particle reservoirs was investigated using a Lindblad equation. In both cases, interactions open a loop and change the topology of the corresponding $\delta J$-$J$ Lissajous curve, showing that this effect is model-independent. We finally discuss how the predicted phenomena can be observed in ultracold atoms, thus offering an alternative way of probing the dynamics of many-body systems.
Comparative Knowledge Discovery with Partial Orders and Composite Indicators: Multi-indicator Systemic Ranking, Advocacy, and Reconciliation

In many decision-making situations, ranking of objects with related tasks is a fundamentally important issue. In these situations, a number of objects are ranked on the basis of measurements on a set of several indicators. A prevalent approach is to form a composite index from these several measurements using weights of relative importance for the selected indicators determined by experts and/or stakeholders. An entirely different approach for ranking uses the theory of partially ordered sets (posets). In classical poset ranking derived by average ranks (AR) method, unequal indicator weights of any kind do not play any part in the computation of ranking based on a given data matrix. Here we present a novel method of poset ranking that involves stochastic order of weighted indicator cumulative rank frequency (CRF) distributions. We then investigate how this data-validated evidence-based ranking can be used to construct a composite index reproducing an identical ranking. We further seek reconciliation between databased weighted poset CRF ranking and ranking induced by an arbitrary subjective composite index. This investigation acquires particular importance today in view of issues of trade-offs among indicators, implicit in the apparent advocacy involved in the choice of weights of the composite index. This chapter is based on research conducted in the spirit of start small even for big data. The concept of databased weighted poset ranking introduced here may open doors to still other ways of weighting schemes and other reconciliation approaches for comparative knowledge discovery using partial orders and composite indicators. Meaningful ability to deal with big data is an urgent need of comparative knowledge discovery with partial orders and composite indicators in this infometrical computer science and software engineering age of statistical information science and technology. This chapter is prepared in the spirit of a concept paper for digital age infometrics and comparative knowledge discovery critical in several fields, such as document discovery, drug discovery, gene discovery, chemical discovery, criminal discovery, geospatial critical area discovery, etc. The ranking, prioritization, and selection of objects and indicators carrying a variety of names in a variety of contemporary issues of societal and scientific importance based on relevant evidence embodied in data matrices provide insightful leads in these substantive investigations involving variously big data.
The Impact of Over-Simplifying the Between-Subject Covariance Structure on Inferences of Fixed Effects in Modeling Nested Data

This study discusses the effects of oversimplifying the between-subject covariance structure on inferences for fixed effects in modeling nested data. Linear and quadratic growth curve models (GCMs)...
Association Between the Experimental Kickoff Rule and Concussion Rates in Ivy League Football

This before-after study investigates changes in concussion among Ivy League football players after implementation of a 2016 rule change intended to land more kickoffs in the end zone and reduce player injury.
LIRME: Locally Interpretable Ranking Model Explanation

Information retrieval (IR) models often employ complex variations in term weights to compute an aggregated similarity score of a query-document pair. Treating IR models as black-boxes makes it difficult to understand or explain why certain documents are retrieved at top-ranks for a given query. Local explanation models have emerged as a popular means to understand individual predictions of classification models. However, there is no systematic investigation that learns to interpret IR models, which is in fact the core contribution of our work in this paper. We explore three sampling methods to train an explanation model and propose two metrics to evaluate explanations generated for an IR model. Our experiments reveal some interesting observations, namely that a) diversity in samples is important for training local explanation models, and b) the stability of a model is inversely proportional to the number of parameters used to explain the model.
Trade-offs between morphology and thermal niches mediate adaptation in response to competing selective pressures

The effects of climate change-such as increased temperature variability and novel predators-rarely happen in isolation, but it is unclear how organisms cope with multiple stressors simultaneously. To explore this, we grew replicate Paramecium caudatum populations in either constant or variable temperatures and exposed half to predation. We then fit thermal performance curves (TPCs) of intrinsic growth rate (rmax) for each replicate population (N = 12) across seven temperatures (10°C-38°C). TPCs of P. caudatum exposed to both temperature variability and predation responded only to one or the other (but not both), resulting in unpredictable outcomes. These changes in TPCs were accompanied by changes in cell morphology. Although cell volume was conserved across treatments, cells became narrower in response to temperature variability and rounder in response to predation. Our findings suggest that predation and temperature variability produce conflicting pressures on both thermal performance and cell morphology. Lastly, we found a strong correlation between changes in cell morphology and TPC parameters in response to predation, suggesting that responses to opposing selective pressures could be constrained by trade-offs. Our results shed new light on how environmental and ecological pressures interact to elicit changes in characteristics at both the individual and population levels. We further suggest that morphological responses to interactive environmental forces may modulate population-level responses, making prediction of long-term responses to environmental change challenging.
Design of Subsurface Phased Array Antennas for Digital Agriculture Applications

With the advancement in subsurface communications technology, an overarching solution to a underground phased array antenna design for digital agriculture requires interdisciplinary research involving topics ranging from insights on the constitutive parameters of the soil medium and impact of soil moisture on the array factor to antenna measurements and subsurface communication system design. In this paper, based on the analysis of underground radio wave propagation in subsurface radio channel, a phased array antenna design is presented that uses water content information and beam steering mechanisms to improve efficiency and communication range of wireless underground communications. It is shown the subsurface beamforming using phased array antenna improves the wireless underground communications by using the array element optimization and soil-air interface refraction adjustment schemes. This design is useful for subsurface communication system where sophisticated sensors and software systems are used as data collection tools that measure, record, and manage spatial and temporal data in the field of digital agriculture.
Aortoenteric Fistula through a Thrombosed Graft

BACKGROUND Aortoenteric fistula is a dreadful and uncommon complication after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Continuous friction against the intestine and the aortic graft along with local inflammation is thought to be the major cause of aortoenteric fistula formation, although it is unexpected to have fistula formation with a thrombosed aortic graft. CASE REPORT Here, we report a case of an aortoenteric fistula between a thrombosed aortoiliac bypass graft and the duodenum in a 75-year-old male patient who presented with a 2-month history of melena. In this case, the aortoduodenal fistula was repaired with excision of the aortic graft, proximal and distal oversewing of the aorta, omental flap coverage, pyloric exclusion and loop gastrojejunostomy creation. CONCLUSIONS An aortoenteric fistula can form through a thrombosed graft. Since this is not an expected route of fistula formation, there may be a delay in identification.
The value of chest CT as a COVID-19 screening tool in children.

Chest CT is not a suitable screening tool to rule out COVID-19 in childrenhttps://bit.ly/2SBGzQm
Occurrence and Risk Factors for Unplanned Catheter Removal in a PICU: Central Venous Catheters Versus Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify the occurrence and risk factors for unplanned catheter removal due to catheter-associated complications and the effects on catheter survival probability in a PICU. DESIGN Retrospective, single-center, observational study of cases involving conventional central venous catheters or peripherally inserted central venous catheters. SETTING The PICU of a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS Consecutive PICU patients with central venous catheters between April 2016 and February 2019. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We identified unplanned catheter removals that were related to central line-associated bloodstream infection, thrombosis, and mechanical complications. During the study period, 582 central venous catheters and 474 peripherally inserted central venous catheters were identified. The median durations of catheter placement were 4.0 days for central venous catheters and 13.0 days for peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p < 0.001), and unplanned catheter removals due to catheter-associated complications were in 52 (8.9%) central venous catheter cases and 132 (27.8%) peripherally inserted central venous catheter cases (p < 0.001) (15.0 and 16.0 per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively [p = 0.75]). Unplanned catheter removal was associated with a peripheral catheter tip position among both central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), and it was associated with surgical patient status among peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.009). In contrast, the use of ultrasound-guided insertion was associated with a lower occurrence of unplanned catheter removal among peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.01). With regard to catheter survival probability, there was no significant difference between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.23). However, peripherally inserted central venous catheters had a lower occurrence of central line-associated bloodstream infection than central venous catheters (p = 0.03), whereas there was no significant difference in the rates of thrombosis (p = 0.29) and mechanical complications (p = 0.84) between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters. CONCLUSIONS In a PICU, peripherally inserted central venous catheters had lower occurrence of central line-associated bloodstream infection than central venous catheters; however, similar catheter survival probabilities were observed between both catheters. A central catheter tip position for both catheters and ultrasound-guided insertion for peripherally inserted central venous catheters may help limit unplanned catheter removal due to catheter-associated complications.
Granzyme B PET imaging of immune-mediated tumor killing as a tool for understanding immunotherapy response.

Background Cancer immunotherapy research is expanding to include a more robust understanding of the mechanisms of treatment response and resistance. Identification of drivers of pro-tumor and anti-tumor immunity during treatment offers new strategies for effective alternative or combination immunotherapies. Currently, tissue or blood samples are collected and analyzed, then dichotomized based on clinical end points that may occur months or years after tissue is collected. While overall survival is ultimately the desired clinical outcome, this dichotomization fails to incorporate the nuances that may occur during an anti-tumor response. By failing to directly measure immune activation at the time of sampling, tumors may be misclassified and potentially obscure important biological information. Non-invasive techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), allow for global and quantitative measurements of cancer specific processes and are widely used clinically to help manage disease. Methods We have previously developed a novel PET agent that can non-invasively quantify granzyme B release in tumors and have demonstrated its ability to predict response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in multiple murine models of cancer. Here, we used the quantitative measurement of granzyme B release as a direct and time-matched marker of immune cell activation in order to determine immune cell types and cytokines that correlate with effective checkpoint inhibitor therapy in both tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes. Results Through PET imaging, we were able to successfully distinguish distinct microenvironments, based on tumor type, which influenced immune cell subpopulations and cytokine release. Although each tumor was marked by functionally distinct pathways of immune cell activation and inflammation, they also shared commonalities that ultimately resulted in granzyme B release and tumor killing. Conclusions These results suggest that discrete tumor immune microenvironments can be identified in both responsive and non-responsive tumors and offers strategic targets for intervention to overcome checkpoint inhibitor resistance.
Emerging tick-borne pathogens of public health importance: a mini-review

Ticks are the most important vectors of human pathogens, leading to increased public health burdens worldwide. Tick-borne pathogens include viruses (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and Powassan); bacteria, such as the causative agents of Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis and human anaplasmosis; and malaria-like protozoan parasites causing babesiosis. Tick-borne diseases are emerging due to the geographical expansion of their tick vectors, especially in the northern hemisphere. Two examples of this phenomenon are Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, which have expanded their ranges in the USA in recent decades and are responsible for the continuous emergence of Lyme disease and human ehrlichiosis, respectively. This phenomenon is also occurring worldwide and is reflected by the increasing number of tick-borne encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever cases in Europe and Asia. In this review, we provide a concise synopsis of the most medically important tick-borne pathogen worldwide, with a particular emphasis on emerging public health threats.
Outcomes of Cementless-Backed Patellar Components

Because of the early follow-up positive outcomes with cementless fixation, continued evaluations need to be performed to ensure longer-term efficacy. Additionally, although many studies report on the results of femoral and tibial component fixation, few studies report specifically on patellar outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to report on the: (1) implant survivorship; (2) complications; and (3) radiographic outcomes in a large cohort of patients who received cementless total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), with particular attention to the patellar component. A total of 261 patients who underwent cementless TKA by a single, high-volume academic surgeon were studied. Patients had a mean age of 66 years and were distributed between 192 women (74%) and 69 men. All patients received the same cementless tibial, femoral, and patellar components. Mean follow-up period was 4.5 years (range, 4-5 years). Primary outcomes evaluated included all postoperative complications, with particular emphasis on the patellar component. Only one patellar loosened leading to a patellar aseptic loosening rate of 0.3% (1 of 261). The one patellar loosening was the component being dislodged after a manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) at 6 weeks. This was revised to a cemented component and the patient is doing well 4 years later. A second patient experienced a patellar tendon rupture, later surgically repaired. Another patient sustained a patella fracture that was managed nonoperatively. The fracture healed by 1 year and the patient continued to have an otherwise successful outcome, now at 2 years follow-up. No progressive radiolucencies, subsidence, or changes in initial postoperative axial alignment were observed at final follow-up. The results from this study highlight a 98% success rate at mean 4.5 years follow-up in a large cohort of patients with a diverse spread of demographic details. Specific to the patella, only one patient experienced an adverse event, which was managed nonoperatively. Therefore, based on this data, patellar fixation in cementless TKA can be considered a safe technique.