cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GEOMETRY: THE KEY TO SHORT STEM STABILITY AND SURVIVABILITY

Recent introduction of short femoral implants has produced inconsistent outcomes. There have been reports of early aseptic failure as high as 30% within 2 years of implantation. This is in spite of the fact that these short components are shortened versions of existing successful non-cemented designs. The mode of initial fixation in non-cemented implants has been investigated. It has been demonstrated that long term survivability is dependent upon osseous integration; and that osseous integration requires secure initial implant fixation. Traditional non-cemented implants achieve initial fixation analogous to that of a nail in a piece of wood: friction and displacement (with resultant hoop stress). Initial fixation, of a traditional non-cemented femoral component, is directly proportional to surface area contact between the implant and endosteal bone and/or three point fixation. By reducing stem length, contact area may be significantly reduced, thereby increasing stresses over a smaller area of contact. The result of this is to potentially compromise fixation/implant stability against micromotion occurring in the early post-operative period. These stresses are most poorly resisted in flexion/extension and rotational planes about the long axis of the femur. In addition, force applied in an attempt to achieve initial fixation with a short stem may lead to an increased risk of periprosthetic fracture at the time of implantation. We propose that there is an alternative mode of initial fixation, a “rest fit”, that may avoid both the risk of femoral fracture as well as provide better initial implant stability. To assure a maximal initial fixation and resistance to post-operative stresses which may compromise initial implant stability and osseous integration, a short implant should have three distinct geometric features: a medial and lateral flare, a flat posterior surface and a proximal trapezoidal cross section. The first will provide stability against subsidence and varus migration, by resting upon the proximal femur. A flat posterior surface will maximize load transmission to the femur in flexon/extension activities; and an asymmetrical proximal cross-section will provide resistance against rotational stresses about the long axis of the femur during activities such as stairclimbing. Together these features have been throproughly evaluated by FEA and in vitro testing. We are reporting on the shoprt term follow up (2.5 years avg.) first 300 short stems which have employed a “rest fit”. There have been no aseptic failures or revisions for mechanical failure of these implants.
Managing technical professionals: delivering performance and compensation messages to employees

IT is that time of the year when companies are delivering performance and compensation messages to their employees. The compensation plan is delivered to employees based on the fiscal year of the company. We have mentioned many times in this column that providing feedback to the employee needs to be continuous and without delays. In this article we will focus on the do's and don'ts of the delivery of performance feedback and compensation.
The Lone Danger: Resource Scarcity in the Western

This chapter examines the contours of the written and visual Western in order to understand how two films in this genre—Open Range and 3:10 to Yuma —represent environmental issues. Because both films focus to varying degrees on cattle ranching and water rights , the chapter provides environmental context for not only cattle ranching but also for drought in the American West. Woven into these films (as with most Westerns) is the theme of developing and establishing manhood, and thus this chapter examines the complex intersection of masculinity and environmental issues .
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in persons with neurogenic bladders

This review is based on the author's Donald Munro Lecture given at the annual conference of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals in New Orleans, LA. Indwelling catheters play an important role in bladder management following SCI for many individuals with neurogenic bladders. There is an increased risk of UTI compared to other types of bladder management with indwelling urethral catheters but not SP catheters. To minimize the risk of symptomatic UTI, the following steps are essential: prevent bladder wall distention and resulting ischemia, maintain colonization with "good" bacteria, and prevent bladder stones. For individuals with recurrent symptomatic UTIs, try to change the environment, prevent bladder over distention, and make sure the bladder is "quiet" by using strategies such as adequate dosages of anticholinergics, onabotulinum toxin A, and preventing catheter blockage. Bacterial colonization of the bladder is common. However, bacterial colonization may have a positive effect by inhibition of colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Judicious use of antibiotics is important since antibiotics hasten the evolution of more resistant organisms. Potential prevention and treatment strategies include killing the offending organisms, changing the environment (such as urinary acidification), and modifying virulence factors and the bacterial microbiome.
Environmental and Ecological Thought

Conventional wisdom increasingly describes modern man as disoriented and disturbed by the unfolding of his own future. Indeed, there is a sense in which the concept of the future has become reified; it is seen as something to be awaited fearfully by a helpless humanity. The inhabitants of industrial societies foresee their destiny as a great beast threatening to restructure the earth in some horrendous fashion.
Metrics and Morphing of Power Spectra

Spectral analysis of time-series has been an important tool of science for a very long time. Indeed, periodicities of celestial events and of weather phenomena sparked the curiosity and imagination of early thinkers in the history of science. More recently, the refined mathematical techniques for spectral analysis of the past fifty years form the basis for a wide range of technological developments from medical imaging to communications. However, in spite of the centrality of a spectral representation of time-series, no universal agreement exists on what is a suitable metric between such representations. In this paper we discuss three alternative metrics along with their application in morphing speech signals. Morphing can be naturally effected via a deformation of power spectra along geodesics of the corresponding geometry. The acoustic effect of morphing between two speakers is documented at a website.
Minimizing the Impact of Complex Emergencies on Nutrition and Geriatric Health: Planning for Prevention is Key

Complex emergencies (CEs) can occur anywhere and are defined as crisis situations that greatly elevate the risk to nutrition and overall health (morbidity and mortality) of older individuals in the affected area. In urban areas with high population densities and heavy reliance on power-driven devices for day-to-day survival, CEs can precipitate a rapid deterioration of basic services that threatens nutritionally and medically vulnerable older adults. The major underlying threats to nutritional status for older adults during CEs are food insecurity, inadequate social support, and lack of access to health services. The most effective strategy for coping with CEs is to have detailed, individualized pre-event preparations. When a CE occurs, the immediate relief efforts focus on establishing access to food, safe water, and essential medical services.
Rational Smoothness and Kazhdan—Lusztig Theory

In this chapter we describe the notion of rational smoothness a la Kazhdan—Lusztig (cf. [78]). Rational smoothness is intuitively an approximation to smoothness defined using cohomological criteria. This is a weaker notion than that of smoothness. In this chapter we gather the known characterizations of rational smoothness of Schubert varieties in terms of Kazhdan—Lusztig polynomials, Bruhat graphs, T-stable curves, Poincare polynomials, and more. One can also obtain a lower bound for the dimension of the tangent space T(w, τ) from the combinatorial data in the Bruhat graph. Criteria for rational smoothness and smoothness are also given by Kumar, and for the classical groups criteria are also given in terms of pattern avoidance (see Chapters 7 and 8).
Conventions, habits, and U.S. teachers’ meanings for graphs

Abstract In this paper, we use relevant literature and data to motivate a more detailed look into relationships between what we perceive to be conventions common to United States (U.S.) school mathematics and individuals’ meanings for graphs and related topics. Specifically, we draw on data from pre-service (PST) and in-service (IST) teachers to characterize such relationships. We use PSTs’ responses during clinical interviews to illustrate three themes: (a) some PSTs’ responses implied practices we perceive to be conventions of U.S. school mathematics were instead inherent aspects of PSTs’ meanings; (b) some PSTs’ responses implied they understood certain practices in U.S. school mathematics as customary choices not necessary to represent particular mathematical ideas; and (c) some PSTs’ responses exhibited what we or they perceived to be contradictory actions and claims. We then compare our PST findings to data collected with ISTs.
A systematic review of foam dressings for partial thickness burns.

Abstract Background Partial thickness burns are the most common form of thermal burns. Traditionally, dressing for these burns is simple gauze with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) changed on a daily basis. Foam dressings have been proposed to offer the advantage of requiring less frequent dressing change and better absorption of exudates. Objective To compare the impact of silver-containing foam dressing to traditional SSD with gauze dressing on wound healing of partial thickness burns. Methods We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library database and Google Scholar for trials comparing traditional SSD dressings to that of silver-containing foam dressing on wound healing in partial thickness burns Results We identified a total of 877 references, of which three randomized controlled trials (2 combined pediatric and adult trials and 1 adult trial) with a total of 346 patients met our inclusion criteria. All three trials compared silver-containing foam dressing to SSD and gauze on partial thickness burns. Moderate quality evidence indicated no significant difference in wound re-epithelialization between the groups across all three trials as confidence intervals for the relative risks all crossed 1. Although pain scores favored foam dressing at the first dressing change (7 days), there was no significant difference between the groups at the end of the treatment period at 28 days. Time to wound healing was also similar across the three trials with no statistical difference. Infection rates favored the foam-dressing group, but data were inconsistent. Conclusion Moderate quality evidence indicates that there is no significant difference in wound healing between silver-containing foam dressing and SSD dressing. However, foam has the added benefit of reduced pain during the early treatment phase and potentially decreased infection rates.
Histologically benign metastasizing tenosynovial giant cell tumor mimicking metastatic malignancy: A case report and review of literature.

Abstract Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor (D-TGCT), otherwise known as pigmented villonodular synovitis, is a locally aggressive tumor which can show multiple recurrences but is rarely associated with metastasis. A handful of studies have elucidated the imaging features and clinical course in metastatic D-TGCT with malignant transformation on histology. However, only 5 cases of metastatic D-TGCT with benign histological features have been reported in the literature, with the clinical course and prognosis reported in only 1 case. Therefore, relatively little is known about the implications of histologically benign metastasis on the role of imaging, management, and clinical outcomes. We report a case of a 51-year-old female with recurrent D-TGCT localized to the knee that metastasized to the lymph nodes and soft tissue 3 years after above-the-knee amputation and 16 years after initial diagnosis of localized D-TGCT, despite benign histologic features on lymph node excision. This case highlights the necessity of timely MRI imaging to prevent delayed diagnosis, the role of histological findings on treatment response, and clinical outcomes associated with metastasized D-TGCT.
Coaching Teachers to Promote Social Interactions With Toddlers

Children with or at risk of disabilities engage in fewer and less complex social interactions (SIs) than their typically developing peers. The playground is an ideal setting for teachers to promote...
A One-Pot Condensation of Pyrones and Enals. Synthesis of 1H,7H-5a,6,8,9-Tetrahydro-1-oxopyrano[4,3-b][1]benzopyrans

Condensation of various 6-substituted 4-hydroxypyrones 1 with 1-cyclohexenecarboxaldehydes in the presence of l-proline in ethyl acetate gave high yields of substituted 1H,7H-5a,6,8,9-tetrahydro-1-oxopyrano[4,3-b][1]benzopyrans. The reaction presumably occurs via the 1,2-addition of the pyrone with the aldehyde followed by dehydration and then cyclization through a 6Π electrocyclic process. A remarkable asymmetric induction was obtained from a stereogenic center (C4) of the cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde [such as (S)-perillaldehyde] to provide only the C5a,7-trans tricyclic pyrone products. On the other hand, condensation of 3-(formyloxy)- or 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-cyclohexenecarboxaldehydes with pyrones 1 gave mixtures of C5a,6−cis and -trans products. Several of the tricyclic pyrones strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, DNA synthesis, and tumor cell growth in vitro.
Reconciling a Model of Core Metabolism with Growth Yield Predicts Biochemical Mechanisms and Efficiency for a Versatile Chemoautotroph

Abstract Obligately chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria dominate productivity in dark, sulfidic, and oxygen-depleted environments. However, biochemical mechanisms underlying their growth remain poorly known, limiting understanding of their physiology, ecology, and biogeochemical impact. In this study, we used comparative genomics, conceptual modeling of core metabolism, and chemostat growth yields to derive a model of energy conservation consistent with experimental data for the versatile chemoautotroph Sulfurimonas denitrificans. Our model rests on three core mechanisms: Firstly, to allow electrogenic sulfur-based denitrification, we predict that the campylobacterial-type sulfur oxidation enzyme complex must donate electrons to the membrane quinone pool, possibly via a sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase. Secondly, to account for the unexpectedly low growth efficiency of aerobic sulfur oxidation compared to denitrification, we posit the high-affinity campylobacterial-type cbb3 cytochrome c oxidase has a relatively low H+/e− of 1, likely due to a lack of proton pumping under physiological conditions. Thirdly, we hypothesize that reductant for carbon fixation by the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle is produced by a non-canonical complex I that reduces both ferredoxin and NAD(P)H. This complex is conserved among related Campylobacteria and may have allowed for the radiation of organisms like S. denitrificans into sulfur-rich environments that became available after the great oxidation event. Our theoretical model has two major implications. Firstly, it sets the stage for future experimental work by providing testable hypotheses about the physiology, biochemistry, and evolution of chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria. Secondly, it provides constraints on the carbon fixation potential of chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria in sulfidic environments worldwide by predicting theoretical ranges of chemosynthetic growth efficiency. Significance Chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria are abundant in many low-oxygen, high-sulfide environments where they contribute significantly to dark carbon fixation. Although the overall redox reactions they catalyze are known, the specific biochemical mechanisms that support their growth are mostly unknown. Our study combines conceptual modeling of core metabolic pathways, comparative genomics, and measurements of physiological growth yield in a chemostat to infer the most likely mechanisms of chemoautotrophic energy conservation in the model organism Sulfurimonas denitrificans. The hypotheses proposed herein are novel, experimentally falsifiable, and will guide future biochemical, physiological, and environmental modelling studies. Ultimately, investigating the core mechanisms of energy conservation will help us better understand the evolution and physiological diversification of chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria and their role in modern ecosystems.
Measures of the Benefit of Direct Encoding of Data Deltas for Data Pair Relation Perception

The power of data visualization is not to convey absolute values of individual data points, but to allow the exploration of relations (increases or decreases in a data value) among them. One approach to highlighting these relations is to explicitly encode the numeric differences (deltas) between data values. Because this approach removes the context of the individual data values, it is important to measure how much of a performance improvement it actually offers, especially across differences in encodings and tasks, to ensure that it is worth adding to a visualization design. Across 3 different tasks, we measured the increase in visual processing efficiency for judging the relations between pairs of data values, from when only the values were shown, to when the deltas between the values were explicitly encoded, across position and length visual feature encodings (and slope encodings in Experiments 1 & 2). In Experiment 1, the participant's task was to locate a pair of data values with a given relation (e.g., Find the ‘small bar to the left of a tall bar’ pair) among pairs of the opposite relation, and we measured processing efficiency from the increase in response times as the number of pairs increased. In Experiment 2, the task was to judge which of two relation types was more prevalent in a briefly presented display of 10 data pairs (e.g., Are there more ‘small bar to the left of a tall bar’ pairs or more ‘tall bar to the left of a small bar’ pairs?). In the final experiment, the task was to estimate the average delta within a briefly presented display of 6 data pairs (e.g., What is the average bar height difference across all ‘small bar to the left of a tall bar’ pairs?). Across all three experiments, visual processing of relations between data value pairs was significantly better when directly encoded as deltas rather than implicitly between individual data points, and varied substantially depending on the task (improvement ranged from 25% to 95%). Considering the ubiquity of bar charts and dot plots, relation perception for individual data values is highly inefficient, and confirms the need for alternative designs that provide not only absolute values, but also direct encoding of critical relationships between those values.
The Gender Wage Gap in Pediatrics: Are Things Getting Better or Worse?

Women comprise 43% of the US workforce and 35% to 36% of all physicians, but they comprise 63% of pediatricians in the United States.1,2 Pediatricians are at the forefront of an increasingly and disproportionately female primary care workforce,1 and understanding ongoing gender wage gaps in this profession offers insight into both the valuation of primary care medicine and women’s labor. To that end, Frintner et al’s3 article, “Gender Differences in Earnings of Early- and Midcareer Pediatricians,” provides disheartening news. Even in this female-dominated profession, in which women may have greater opportunity to organize and demand equal pay for equal work, women receive 76 cents on the dollar relative to their male counterparts.3 Note the following: We use the term “gender” (based on social construction) rather than sex (based on biology) in our discussion of salary differences by self-reported sex because the reasons for the difference are social rather than biological. Frintner et al’s3 analysis of this large national cohort of … Address correspondence to Anita Raj, PhD, Department of Medicine, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC 0711, La Jolla, CA 92093-0711. E-mail: anitaraj{at}ucsd.edu
Optical Methods for Monitoring Demineralization and Caries

In this chapter optical methods for monitoring demineralization and remineralization on tooth coronal and root surfaces are presented. Methods discussed include transillumination and reflectance imaging with visible and near-IR light, fluorescence based imaging methods and optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT can be used to acquire tomographic images of the structure of lesions in vivo and can be used to provide depth resolved measurements of the severity of demineralization. OCT can be used to detect if occlusal and proximal lesions have penetrated through the enamel to the underlying dentin. In addition, OCT can be used to monitor changes in lesion severity and presence of a transparent highly remineralized surface zone that is formed when lesions become arrested.
Wireless Sensing of Lower Lip and Thumb-Index Finger 'Ramp-and-Hold' Isometric Force Dynamics in a Small Cohort of Unilateral MCA Stroke: Discussion of Preliminary Findings.

Automated wireless sensing of force dynamics during a visuomotor control task was used to rapidly assess residual motor function during finger pinch (right and left hand) and lower lip compression in a cohort of seven adult males with chronic, unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke with infarct confirmed by anatomic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A matched cohort of 25 neurotypical adult males served as controls. Dependent variables were extracted from digitized records of ‘ramp-and-hold’ isometric contractions to target levels (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 Newtons) presented in a randomized block design; and included force reaction time, peak force, and dF/dtmax associated with force recruitment, and end-point accuracy and variability metrics during the contraction hold-phase (mean, SD, criterion percentage ‘on-target’). Maximum voluntary contraction force (MVCF) was also assessed to establish the force operating range. Results based on linear mixed modeling (LMM, adjusted for age and handedness) revealed significant patterns of dissolution in fine force regulation among MCA stroke participants, especially for the contralesional thumb-index finger followed by the ipsilesional digits, and the lower lip. For example, the contralesional thumb-index finger manifest increased reaction time, and greater overshoot in peak force during recruitment compared to controls. Impaired force regulation among MCA stroke participants during the contraction hold-phase was associated with significant increases in force SD, and dramatic reduction in the ability to regulate force output within prescribed target force window (±5% of target). Impaired force regulation during contraction hold-phase was greatest in the contralesional hand muscle group, followed by significant dissolution in ipsilateral digits, with smaller effects found for lower lip. These changes in fine force dynamics were accompanied by large reductions in the MVCF with the LMM marginal means for contralesional and ipsilesional pinch forces at just 34.77% (15.93 N vs. 45.82 N) and 66.45% (27.23 N vs. 40.98 N) of control performance, respectively. Biomechanical measures of fine force and MVCF performance in adult stroke survivors provide valuable information on the profile of residual motor function which can help inform clinical treatment strategies and quantitatively monitor the efficacy of rehabilitation or neuroprotection strategies.
Large anions induce H2-production from the nitrogenase MoFe proteins of Clostridium Pasteurianum and Azotobacter vinelandii.

Abstract In the absence of sodium dithionite (DT), addition of the large anions Br−, I− and HS− to the MoFe proteins of Azotobacter vinelandii (Av1) and Clostridium pasteurianum (Cp1) released ~1.0 H2/MoFe protein with an associated increase in the absorbance from 400 to 800 nm, indicative of protein oxidation. The reaction of I− with Cp1 released ~1.0 H2/Cp1 with 0.91 ± 0.12 I−/Mo or 1.82 I−/ Cp1. Oxo anions phosphate, molybdate and ADP also produced ~1.0 H2/ MoFe protein with similar increases in absorbance. H2 was not evolved with Cl− addition but in contrast to other anions, the absorbance decreased from 400 to 800 nm. In the presence of large anions and with excess DT both Cp1 and Av1 slowly evolve H2 through the process of DT reducing oxidized MoFe proteins and anions inducing their oxidation to form H2. The results suggest that anions expose or activate the P centers so their low potential electrons can be transferred to electron acceptors or react with H+ to form H2. Anions could function in a similar manner to the Fe protein in activating P centers to release electron during catalytic activity.
pH Impedance Parameters Associated with Improvement in GERD Health-Related Quality of Life Following Anti-reflux Surgery

pH impedance testing is the most sensitive diagnostic test for detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The literature remains inconclusive on which preoperative pH impedance testing parameters are associated with an improvement in heartburn symptoms after anti-reflux surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate which parameters on preoperative pH impedance testing were associated with improved GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) following surgery. Data from a single-institution foregut database were used to identify patients with reflux symptoms who underwent anti-reflux surgery between 2014 and 2020. Acid and impedance parameters were extracted from preoperative pH impedance studies. GERD-HRQL was assessed pre- and postoperatively with a questionnaire that evaluated heartburn, dysphagia, and the impact of acid-blocking medications on daily life. Patient characteristics, fundoplication type, and four pH impedance parameters were included in a multivariable linear regression model with improvement in GERD-HRQL as the outcome. We included 108 patients (59 Nissen and 49 Toupet fundoplications), with a median follow-up time of 1 year. GERD-HRQL scores improved from 22.4 (SD ± 10.1) preoperatively to 4.2 (± 6.2) postoperatively. In multivariable analysis, a normal preoperative acid exposure time (p = 0.01) and Toupet fundoplication (vs. Nissen; p = 0.03) were independently associated with greater improvement in GERD-HRQL. Of the four pH impedance parameters that were investigated, a normal preoperative acid exposure time was associated with greater improvement in quality of life after anti-reflux surgery. Further investigation into the critical parameters on preoperative pH impedance testing using a multi-institutional cohort is warranted.
Opportunistic robot control for interactive multiobjective optimization under human performance limitations

Abstract This paper proposes opportunistic state-triggered strategies for solving convex multiobjective optimization problems that involve human–robot interaction. The robot is aware of the multiple objective functions defining the problem, but requires human input to find the most desirable Pareto solution. In order to avoid overloading the human with queries, we view her as a limited resource to the robot, and design event-triggered controllers that opportunistically prescribe the information exchanges among them. We consider various models of human performance, starting with an ideal one where queries are responded instantaneously, and later considering constraints on the response time and the interaction frequency. For each model, we formally establish the asymptotic convergence to the desired optimizer and rule out the existence of Zeno behavior.
How China Could Become a Net Exporter of Oil & Gas: Lessons Learned from International Tight Oil Development

Even with very aggressive growth assumptions for renewables, the role for oil and gas will grow, both in absolute terms and as a share of China’s total energy mix. And yet China’s domestic production of oil and gas continues to fall short and China’s need for expensive, foreign imports will only get worse. Meanwhile, the United States – once the world’s largest importer of oil – has become the world’s largest oil producer, with only one-half as many drilling rigs as China. The implications for China are profound. China has an enormous resource base – if China could apply the lessons learned from international development of tight oil and gas, and replicate the US success, it would reap tremendous benefits in terms of energy security, international trade, energy costs, and domestic industrial and economic development.
Exploring Intermediate (5-40 au) Scales around AB Aurigae with the Palomar Fiber Nuller

We report on recent Ks-band interferometric observations of the young pre-main-sequence star AB Aurigae obtained with the Palomar Fiber Nuller (PFN). Reaching a contrast of a few 10^−4 inside a field of view extending from 35 to 275 mas (5–40 AU at AB Aur's distance), the PFN is able to explore angular scales that are intermediate between those accessed by coronagraphic imaging and long baseline interferometry. This intermediate region is of special interest given that many young stellar objects are believed to harbor extended halos at such angular scales. Using destructive interference (nulling) between two sub-apertures of the Palomar 200 inch telescope and rotating the telescope pupil, we measured a resolved circumstellar excess at all probed azimuth angles. The astrophysical null measured over the full rotation is fairly constant, with a mean value of 1.52%, and a slight additional azimuthal modulation of ±0.2%. The isotropic astrophysical null is indicative of circumstellar emission dominated by an azimuthally extended source, possibly a halo, or one or more rings of dust, accounting for several percent of the total Ks-band flux. The modest azimuthal variation may be explained by some skewness or anisotropy of the spatially extended source, e.g., an elliptical or spiral geometry, or clumping, but it could also be due to the presence of a point source located at a separation of ~120 mas (17 AU) with ~6 × 10^−3 of the stellar flux. We combine our results with previous Infrared Optical Telescope Array observations of AB Aur at H band, and demonstrate that a dust ring located at ~30 mas (4.3 AU) represents the best-fitting model to explain both sets of visibilities. We are also able to test a few previously hypothesized models of the incoherent component evident at longer interferometric baselines.
Resident perspectives of environmental health risk exposures after Hurricane Harvey

This study examines what visitors to urban parks in Houston, TX, know about environmental health risks resulting from Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 storm that made landfall in August 2017 and dropped over 60 in. of rain in 8 days making it the most significant rainfall event in US history. Interviews were conducted with adult Houstonians using purposive sampling. In total, 27 interviews were conducted with 36 different participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed qualitatively using a phronetic iterative approach. This study found that park visitors lack sufficient knowledge about environmental health risks, yet they have strong desires to learn more about such risks. In particular, participants have clear opinions on what the content of the messages (i.e., concise, manageable, not fear-inducing) should be and how they would like to receive the information (i.e., conveniently accessible, from trusted local sources). Implications for health campaign interventions utilizing uncertainty theories are discussed.
COLQ and ARHGAP15 are associated with diverticular disease and are expressed in the colon.

ABSTRACT Background Diverticular disease is a common but poorly understood disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with diverticular disease. Materials and Methods The genotypes of three SNPs (rs4662344 in ARHGAP15, rs7609897 in COLQ, and rs67153654 in FAM155A) were identified by Taqman assay in 204 patients with diverticular disease. Clinical characteristics were obtained from the medical record to study association with genotype. To evaluate gene expression in colon tissue, qPCR was performed on 24 patients with diverticulitis, and COLQ was localized using immunohistochemistry. Results The ARHGAP15 and COLQ SNPs were significantly associated with both diverticular disease and specifically diverticulitis, while the FAM155A was not associated with either. No association was found with clinical disease characteristics. Heterozygous genotypes at the ARHGAP15 SNP was associated with lower ARHGAP15 expression in colon tissues. COLQ protein localized to the myenteric plexus in the colon. Conclusions This study confirmed association of the ARHGAP15 and COLQ SNPs with diverticular disease in our patients but could not confirm FAM155A SNP association. Neither of these SNPs appeared to associate with more severe disease, but genotype at the ARHGAP15 SNP did impact expression of ARHGAP15 in the colon. Additionally, this study is the first to localize COLQ in the colon. Its presence in the myenteric nervous system suggests COLQ SNP variants may contribute to diverticular disease by altering motility.
ADD It Up: An Evaluation of Antibiotic Duration at Hospital Discharge at a Community Hospital.

Background According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients admitted to the hospital are commonly discharged on antibiotic therapy with prolonged courses of therapy, which contributes to excessive antibiotic exposure and adverse events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate total antibiotic duration of therapy at hospital discharge at Indiana University Health Arnett, White Memorial, and Frankfort hospitals. Methods A multicenter, retrospective electronic health record review was conducted from 1 January to 30 June 2019. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years of age, began antibiotic therapy while admitted, and continued antibiotic therapy at hospital discharge for 1 of the following indications: skin/soft tissue infection (SSTI), urinary tract infection (UTI), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The number of days of therapy (DOT) of each inpatient and outpatient antibiotic prescribed was collected to calculate the total DOT, which was utilized to determine the appropriateness of the duration of therapy. Results Of the 547 patients included, 233 patients (42.6%) had CAP, 120 (21.9%) had UTI, 101 (18.5%) had SSTI, and 93 (17%) had AECOPD. The median duration of antibiotic therapy across all indications was 9 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7-11). Median duration for CAP was 9 days (IQR, 7-10), AECOPD was 7 days (IQR, 5-9), UTI was 8 days (IQR, 6-10), and SSTI was 12 days (IQR, 10-14). Conclusions Excess antimicrobial duration at hospital discharge represents an unmet need of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
100% Watermelon Juice as a Food-First Intervention to Improve Cognitive Function: Ancillary Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Lycopene exhibits neuroprotective properties due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functionality. As watermelon is a rich source of lycopene, pasteurized watermelon juice provides lycopene in its most bioavailable form. This study examined relationships between circulating lycopene, cognitive performance, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in response to pasteurized 100% watermelon juice supplementation. A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial was conducted with postmenopausal women (n = 16, 60 + 4.1 years). Participants consumed two 360 mL servings of pasteurized 100% watermelon juice or a placebo beverage for 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected, and cognitive tests were administered to assess various neurocognitive domains. Statistical analyses included mixed models and Spearman correlations. Serum lycopene exhibited a significant treatment effect (p = 0.002) with a mean increase of 81%. However, this increase was not associated with changes in oxidative stress, inflammation, or cognitive function. Additional research is warranted to determine dose-durational effects for promoting cognition.
In vitro culture systems of hybrid aspen as tools for tree improvement programs and commercial applications

INTRODUCTION MULTIPLE SHOOT REGENERATION CAPACITY FROM VZTRO AND IN VITRO DERIVED STEM NODE CULTURES OF HYBRID ASPEN (POPULUSALBA L. XP. GRANDIDENTATA MICHX.) 21
Critical Evaluation of the Changes in Glutamine Synthetase Activity in Models of Cerebral Stroke

The following article addresses some seemingly paradoxical observations concerning cerebral glutamine synthetase in ischemia–reperfusion injury. In the brain, this enzyme is predominantly found in astrocytes and catalyzes part of the glutamine-glutamate cycle. Glutamine synthetase is also thought to be especially sensitive to inactivation by the oxygen- and nitrogen-centered radicals generated during strokes. Despite this apparent sensitivity, glutamine synthetase specific activity is elevated in the affected tissues during reperfusion. Given the central role of the glutamine-glutamate cycle in the brain, we sought to resolve these conflicting observations with the view of providing an alternative perspective for therapeutic intervention in stroke.
Performance of a Quad-Ridged Feed in a Wideband Radio Telescope

A new quad-ridged, flared horn achieving nearly constant beamwidth and excellent return loss over a 6:1 frequency bandwidth is described. The system performance in two Radio Telescopes: 1) A 12-meter symmetric dual shaped reflector system intended for geodetic very long baseline interferometry and 2) A 15-meter offset dual shaped reflector intended for the SKA is presented showing it to be excellent wideband feed choice.
Multi-Boson Effects in Bose-Einstein Interferometry

Multi-boson symmetrization effects on two-particle Bose-Einstein interferometry are studied for ensembles with arbitrary multiplicity distributions. In the general case one finds interesting residual correlations which require a modified framework for extracting information on the source geometry from two-particle correlation measurements. In sources with high phase-space densities, multi-boson effects modify the Hanbury Brown-Twiss (HBT) radius parameters and simultaneously generate strong residual correlations. We clarify their effect on the correlation strength (intercept parameter) and thus explain a variety of previously reported puzzling multi-boson symmetrization phenomena. For event ensembles of (approximately) fixed multiplicity, the residual correlations lead to a minimum in the correlation function at non-zero relative momentum, which can be practically exploited to search, in a model-independent way, for multi-boson symmetrization effects in high-energy heavy-ion experiments.
Voicing Christian aspiration: The semiotic anthropology of voice in Seoul

This article proposes some analytical and methodological approaches to the urban ethnography of the human voice. Drawing on research among Protestant Christians in Seoul, South Korea, I consider th...
Physical Properties of Clouds

Results of tests on physical evaluations; evaluations included: precipitation development, temperature of region of first precipitation, dimensions of cloud required for precipitation development, height of seeding plane of first precipitation, minimum thermal energy required, relative concentration of liquid and solid precipitation form, total duration of cloud life, and rate of growth and size of precipitation regions inside of clouds.
Cambridge and the Torres Straits: Centenary Essays on the 1898 Anthropological Expedition

Cambridge and the Torres Straits: Centenary Essays on the 1898 Anthropological Expedition. Anita Herle and Sandra Rouse. eds. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998. 252 pp.
Elections and Democratization in Authoritarian Regimes

When do elections in authoritarian regimes lead to democracy? Building from the distinction between competitive and hegemonic authoritarian regimes, I argue that presence of relatively weaker incumbents renders competitive authoritarian elections more prone to democratization, but only when domestic and international actors choose to actively pressure the regime. The effects of two forms of pressure—opposition electoral coalitions and international conditionality—are theorized. Propositions are tested using a comprehensive dataset of elections in authoritarian regimes from 1990 to 2007. Results support two core claims: that the effect of electoral pressure is conditional on the type of authoritarianism and that this greater vulnerability to pressure is the reason why competitive authoritarian elections are more likely to lead to democracy. In contrast, several alternative explanations—that differences across regime type are explained by alternation in power, better electoral conduct, or ongoing processes of liberalization—are not supported by the evidence.
Systemic Treatment with CpG-B after Sublethal Rickettsial Infection Induces Mouse Death through Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO)

Due to its strong immune stimulatory effects through TLR9, CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) have been tested in multiple clinical trials as vaccine adjuvant for infectious diseases and cancer. However, immune suppression induced by systemic administration of CpGs has been reported recently. In this study, we evaluated the impact of CpGs in an acute rickettsiosis model. We found that systemic treatment with type B CpG (CpG-B), but not type A CpG (CpG-A), at 2 days after sublethal R. australis infection induced mouse death. Although wild-type (WT) B6 and IDO(-/-) mice showed similar survival rates with three different doses of R. australis infection, treatment with CpG-B after sublethal infection consistently induced higher mortality with greater tissue bacterial loads in WT but not IDO(-/-) mice. Also, CpG-B treatment promoted the development of higher serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines through IDO. Furthermore, while T cell-mediated immune responses enhanced by CpG-B were independent of IDO, treatment with CpG-B promoted T cell activation, PD-1 expression and cell apoptosis partially through IDO. A depletion study using anti-mPDCA-1 mAb indicated that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were not required for CpG-B-induced death of R. australis-infected mice. Additionally, the results in iNOS(-/-) mice suggested that nitric oxide (NO) was partially involved in CpG-B-induced death of R. australis-infected mice. Surprisingly, pre-treatment with CpG-B before administration of a lethal dose of R. australis provided effective immunity in WT, IDO(-/-) and iNOS(-/-) mice. Taken together, our study provides evidence that CpGs exert complex immunological effects by both IDO-dependent and -independent mechanisms, and that systemic treatment with CpGs before or after infection has a significant and distinct impact on disease outcomes.
Risk of persistent growth impairment after alternate-day prednisone treatment in children with cystic fibrosis

Background It is uncertain whether the growth impairment that occurs in children during long-term treatment with glucocorticoids persists after the medication is discontinued and ultimately affects adult height. Methods We evaluated growth six to seven years after alternate-day treatment with prednisone had been discontinued in 224 children 6 to 14 years of age with cystic fibrosis who had participated in a multicenter trial of this therapy from 1986 through 1991. Of the children, 151 had been randomly assigned to receive prednisone (1 or 2 mg per kilogram of body weight) and 73 to receive placebo. We obtained data on growth up to 1997 from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry and standardized the data to sex- and age-specific norms from the National Center for Health Statistics. We used z scores to compare growth patterns among treatment groups. Results In 1997, 68 percent of the patients were 18 years of age or older. The z scores for height declined during prednisone therapy; catch-up growth...
Carbenes as Substrates: Bimolecular Fragmentation of Alkoxychlorocarbenes

Fragmentation reactions of n-butoxychlorocarbene (9), isobutoxychlorocarbene (10), and benzyloxychlorocarbene (2) were studied by product analysis and by laser flash photolysis (LFP). The carbenes were generated photochemically from 3-alkyl-3-chlorodiazirines in (1) MeCN solution; (2) 5.77 M pyridine in MeCN; (3) 0.504 M tetrabutylammonium chloride (Bu4NCl) in MeCN; or (4) 5.77 M pyridine + 0.504 M Bu4NCl in MeCN. In MeCN, 9 gave mainly HCl-capture product, n-butyl dichloromethyl ether (45.1%), carbene dimer (9.8%), and azine (14.6%). Fragmentation products 1-butene (14.4%), 2-butyl chloride (6.0%), and 1-butyl chloride (10.2%) were limited. With added pyridine, HCl was scavenged, the dichloromethyl ether was suppressed, and 1-butene (42.1%), 2-butyl chloride (7.3%), and 1-butyl chloride (24.1%) were dominant. With added Bu4NCl, 1-butyl chloride increased to 46.4%. With both pyridine and Bu4NCl, 1-butyl choride was 63% of the product, with 1-butene at 22.8%. A similar pattern was observed with carbene 10....
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is amongst the top ten most common conditions presenting to primary care clinicians in the ambulatory setting. Further, it accounts for a significant amount of health care expenditure; indeed, over one third of all disability dollars spent in the United States is attributable to low back pain. In most cases, acute low back pain is a self-limiting disease. There are many evidence-based guidelines for the management of LBP. The most common risk factor for development of LBP is previous LBP, heavy physical work, and psychosocial risk factors. Management of LBP includes identification of red flags, exclusion of specific secondary causes, and comprehensive musculoskeletal/neurological examination of the lower extremities. In uncomplicated LBP, imaging is unnecessary unless symptoms become protracted. Reassurance that LBP will likely resolve and advice to maintain an active lifestyle despite LBP are the cornerstones of management. Medications are provided not because they change the natural history of the disorder, but rather because they enhance the ability of the patient to become more active, and in some cases, to sleep better. The most commonly prescribed medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants. Although NSAIDs are a chemically diverse class, their similarities, efficacy, tolerability, and adverse effect profile have more similarities than differences. The most common side effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal. Agents with cyclo-oxygenase 2 selectivity are associated with reduced gastrointestinal bleeding, but problematic increases in adverse cardiovascular outcomes continue to spark concern. Fortunately, short-term use of NSAIDs for LBP is generally both safe and effective. This review will focus on the role of NSAIDs in the management of LBP.
Theoretical and experimental pressures and forces on a ring baffle under sloshing conditions.

Nondimensional theoretical and experimental pressures and forces acting on flat ring baffle under sloshing conditions