cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of the violent patient. Therapeutic and legal considerations.

1. Express consent is desirable in caring for patients. However, in an emergency, when the patient is incapable of giving valid consent and harm from failure to treat is potentially imminent, care must be provided. 2. Presentation of a combative patient to an Emergency Department implies a duty of the emergency physician to render assistance according to standards of emergency medical care. 3. Third-party interests must be considered when other patients, coworkers, or potential victims of harm or violence are foreseeably recognized. Language: en
Comanagement Models for the Patient with Joint Disease

Patients with rheumatologic diagnoses typically have complex medical histories due to the underlying pathophysiology that is associated with these disorders. Therefore, when these patients present to the hospital for surgery, comanagement by a medical specialist, either an internist or a rheumatologist, may help optimize patient outcomes and improve quality of care and patient experience.
Ecologizing Sartre's Ontology: Nature, Science, and Dialectics

I argue that Sartre’s philosophy can be both broadened in its aspirations and deepened in its implications through dialogue with the life sciences. Section 1 introduces the philosophical terrain. Section 2 explores Sartre’s evolving understanding of nature and human relations with nature. Section 3 explores Sartre’s perspectives on scienti!c inquiry, natural history, and dialectical reason. Section 4 outlines recent developments in the life sciences that bear directly on Sartre’s quiet curiosity about a naturalistic dialectics. Section 5 suggests how these developments constitute progress toward an “ecologized” dialectical philosophy consistent with Sartre’s mature ontology of praxis and pertinent to addressing the burgeoning socioecological crisis.
Amapari, a New Virus of the Tacaribe Group from Rodents and Mites of Amapa Territory, Brazil.∗:

SummaryAmapari virus is a new member of the Tacaribe virus group which has been isolated on 5 occasions at Serra do Navio, Amapa Territory, Brazil, during 1964 and 1965. One strain was recovered from organs of Neacomys, 3 from organs of Oryzomys and 1 from mites combed from Oryzomys. The new virus is closely related in complement-fixation (CF) testing to the other 3 members of the group—Tacaribe, Junin and Machupo—but differs from them in neutralization testing. Limited studies revealed no neutralizing antibody in sera of human residents of Serra do Navio. Oryzomys captured in the area had CF but not neutralizing antibody.
Correlation Between Enterovirus Nucleotide Sequences and Serotype

Objective To analyze the correlation between enterovirus nucleotide sequence in VP1, VP4-VP2 regions and serotype. Methods After reverse-polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing, data of nucleotide sequences in partial VP1 and VP4-VP2 regions were used for comparison of nucleotide/deduced amino acid identities with prototypes, then phylogenetic analysis followed by neutralization test. Results Of 16 virus isolates, identities of nucleotides and deduced amino acids were 78%-85% and 90%-99% in partial VP1 region, 77%-86% and 96%-99% in VP4-VP2 region respectively when compared with individual homologous prototypes. Phylogenetic analysis in VP1 sequences indicated that homogolous serotypes were monophyletic (bootstrap value of 90%-99%). 15 out of 16 isolate serotypes in VP4-VP2 region were consistent with those in partial VP1 region. 14 isolate serotypes were confirmed by classic neutralization test. Conclusion Nucleotide sequence in VP1 region is correlated with enterovirus serotype.
Effects of text generation on P300 brain-computer interface performance

AbstractBrain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are intended to provide independent communication for those with the most severe physical impairments. However, development and testing of BCIs is typically conducted with copy-spelling of provided text, which models only a small portion of a functional communication task. This study was designed to determine how BCI performance is affected by novel text generation. We used a within-subject single-session study design in which subjects used a BCI to perform copy-spelling of provided text and to generate self-composed text to describe a picture. Additional off-line analysis was performed to identify changes in the event-related potentials that the BCI detects and to examine the effects of training the BCI classifier on task-specific data. Accuracy was reduced during the picture description task; (t(8) = 2.59 p = .0321). Creating the classifier using self-generated text data significantly improved accuracy on these data; (t(7) = −2.68, p = .0317), but did not bring p...
Embracing digital health in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Disruptive innovations challenge pharma companies to change up business models and value chains to stay ahead. As the industry becomes more digitalized, pharma companies will need to implement chan...
Changes in Clinical Context for Kaposi's Sarcoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Among People With HIV Infection in the United States

PurposeThe biology of HIV-associated cancers may differ depending on immunologic and virologic context during development. Therefore, an understanding of the burden of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) relative to antiretroviral therapy (ART), virologic suppression, and CD4 count is important.Patients and MethodsKS and NHL diagnoses during 1996 to 2011 were identified among patients with HIV infection in eight clinical cohorts in the United States. Among patients in routine HIV clinical care, the proportion of cases in categories of ART use, HIV RNA, and CD4 count at diagnosis were described across calendar time. Person-time and incidence rates were calculated for each category.ResultsWe identified 466 patients with KS and 258 with NHL. In recent years, KS was more frequently diagnosed after ART initiation (55% in 1996 to 2001 v 76% in 2007 to 2011; P-trend = .02). The proportion of patients with NHL who received ART was higher but stable over time (83% overall; P-trend = .81). An incre...
Herpesvirus-6 Infection and First Febrile Seizures

The association between acute human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection and first febrile convulsions was investigated prospectively in 42 children evaluated by virologic and serologic methods at the North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York.
The History of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Rush

The Rush Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery received certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) to train thoracic surgical residents in 1962. The outstanding clinical faculty, with nationally recognized technical expertise, was eager to provide resident education. The hallmark of the program has been clinical excellence, dedication to patient care, and outstanding results in complex cardiac, vascular, and general thoracic surgical procedures. A strong commitment to resident education has been carried to the present time. Development of the sternotomy incision, thoracic and abdominal aneurysm repair, carotid endarterectomy, along with valve replacement, have been the hallmark of the section of cardiovascular surgery. Innovation in bronchoplastic lung resection, aggressive approach to thoracic malignancy, and segmental resection for lung cancer identify the section of general thoracic surgery. A total of 131 thoracic residents have been trained by the Rush Thoracic Surgery program, and many achieved their vascular certificate, as well. Their training has been vigorous and, at times, difficult. They carry the Rush thoracic surgical commitment of excellence in clinical surgery and patient care throughout the country, both in practice groups and academic centers.
Transitions in Care for Infants with Trisomy 13 or 18.

Background and Objectives The scope of interventions offered to infants with trisomy 13 (T13) or trisomy 18 (T18) is increasing. We describe the spectrum of care provided, highlighting transitions in care for individual patients. Patients and Methods This is a single-center, retrospective cohort of infants with T13 or T18 born between 2004 and 2015. Initial care was classified as comfort care or intervention using prenatal counseling notes. Transitions in care were identified in the medical record. Results In this study, 25 infants were divided into two groups based on their care: neonates who experienced no transition in care and neonates who experienced at least one transition. Eleven neonates experienced no transition in care with 10 receiving comfort care. Fourteen neonates experienced at least one transition: three transitioned from comfort care to intervention and 11 from intervention to comfort care. The three initially provided comfort care were discharged home with hospice and readmitted. Among the 11 cases who transitioned from intervention to comfort care, 9 transitioned during the birth hospitalization, 6 had no prenatal suspicion for T13 or T18, and 5 experienced elective withdrawal of intensive care. Conclusion The spectrum of care for infants with T13 or T18 illustrates the need for individualized counseling that is on-going, goal directed, collaborative, and responsive.
Making Families Pay: The Harmful, Unlawful, and Costly Practice of Charging Juvenile Administrative Fees in California

While regressive and discriminatory criminal justice fees have been described and critiqued in the criminal justice system for adults, this is the first in-depth study of the practice of charging families for their children's involvement in the juvenile justice system in a state (California). Our research over the last three years reveals that juvenile administrative fees undermine the rehabilitative purpose of the juvenile system. They cause financial hardship to families, weaken family ties, and undermine family reunification. Because Black and Latino youth are overrepresented and overpunished relative to White youth in the juvenile system, families of color bear a disproportionate burden of the fees. Some counties charge juvenile administrative fees to families in violation of state and federal law. Counties also engage in fee practices that may violate the Constitution by depriving families of due process of law through inadequate ability to pay determinations and by denying families equal protection of the law. Finally, counties net little revenue from the fees. Because of the high costs and low returns associated with trying to collect fees from low-income families, most of the fee revenue pays for collection activity, not for the care and supervision of youth. Fee debt can cause families to spend less on positive social goods, such as education and healthcare, which imposes long term costs on families, communities, and society by prolonging and exacerbating poverty. In light of our findings that fees are harmful, unlawful, and costly, we make the following recommendations to California policymakers: 1. To end their harmful impact on youth and families, the state should repeal laws that permit the assessment and collection of juvenile administrative fees. 2. To redress unlawful practices, counties should reimburse families for all payments they made on improperly charged juvenile administrative fees. 3. To understand the consequences of costly practices like juvenile administrative fees, the state and counties should collect and maintain better data in the juvenile system.
The BECauSE Corpus 2.0: Annotating Causality and Overlapping Relations

Language of cause and effect captures an essential component of the semantics of a text. However, causal language is also intertwined with other semantic relations, such as temporal precedence and correlation. This makes it difficult to determine when causation is the primary intended meaning. This paper presents BECauSE 2.0, a new version of the BECauSE corpus with exhaustively annotated expressions of causal language, but also seven semantic relations that are frequently co-present with causation. The new corpus shows high inter-annotator agreement, and yields insights both about the linguistic expressions of causation and about the process of annotating co-present semantic relations.
Erich Fromm’s Social-Psychological Theory of Religion

This essay explores Erich Fromm’s social-psychological theory of religion, as Xexperience and longing for the City of Being, as being informed by the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, Meister Eckhart as well as Georg W.F Hegel, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud.
Economic and energetic analysis of biofuel supply chains

Abstract We show how different supply chain configurations affect the economic performance and energy efficiency of biofuel supply chains. Despite the additional costs and energy required for installing and operating regional depots, transportation costs and energy savings are observed when depots are combined with the appropriate transportation modes at longer distances. We introduce a hybrid configuration which combines various configurations and leads to better economic performance and higher energy efficiency. We further study the impact of various factors on the performance of the biofuel supply chain: distance between harvesting site and depot, biomass productivity, biorefinery size, and densification efficiency. We show that biomass should be shipped directly to biorefineries when the distance is small, while depots are preferred at larger distances. The hybrid configuration offers lower minimum ethanol selling price and energy input for larger biorefineries. Furthermore, we study how improvements in densification technologies can reduce transportation cost and energy consumption.
Increased weight gain by C-section: Functional significance of the primordial microbiome

Epidemiological evidence supports a direct association between early microbiota impact—including C-section—and obesity. We performed antibiotic-free, fostered C-sections and determined the impact on the early microbiota and body weight during development. Mice in the C-section group gained more body mass after weaning, with a stronger phenotype in females. C-section–born mice lacked the dynamic developmental gut microbiota changes observed in control mice. The results demonstrate a causal relationship between C-section and increased body weight, supporting the involvement of maternal vaginal bacteria in normal metabolic development.
Domestic Institutions, Trade Disputes, and the Monitoring and Enforcement of International Law

Why do some governments participate more actively in the enforcement of international law than others? In the context of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/World Trade Organization (...
Neuroplasticity of cognitive control networks following cognitive training for chronic traumatic brain injury

Cognitive control is the ability to coordinate thoughts and actions to achieve goals. Cognitive control impairments are one of the most persistent and devastating sequalae of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). There have been efforts to improve cognitive control in individuals with post-acute TBI. Several studies have reported changes in neuropsychological measures suggesting the efficacy of cognitive training in improving cognitive control. Yet, the neural substrates of improved cognitive control after training remains poorly understood. In the current study, we identified neural plasticity induced by cognitive control training for TBI using resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). Fifty-six individuals with chronic mild TBI (9 years post-injury on average) were randomized into either a strategy-based cognitive training group (N = 26) or a knowledge-based training group (active control condition; N = 30) for 8 weeks. We acquired a total of 109 resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging from 45 individuals before training, immediately post-training, and 3 months post-training. Relative to the controls, the strategy-based cognitive training group showed monotonic increases in connectivity in two cognitive control networks (i.e., cingulo-opercular and fronto-parietal networks) across time points in multiple brain regions (pvoxel < 0.001, pcluster < 0.05). Analyses of brain-behavior relationships revealed that fronto-parietal network connectivity over three time points within the strategy-based cognitive training group was positively associated with the trail making scores (pvoxel < 0.001, pcluster < 0.05). These findings suggest that training-induced neuroplasticity continues through chronic phases of TBI and that rsFC can serve as a neuroimaging biomarker of evaluating the efficacy of cognitive training for TBI.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Doula-Home-Visiting Services: Impact on Maternal and Infant Health.

Introduction Although home-visiting programs typically engage families during pregnancy, few studies have examined maternal and child health outcomes during the antenatal and newborn period and fewer have demonstrated intervention impacts. Illinois has developed an innovative model in which programs utilizing evidence-based home-visiting models incorporate community doulas who focus on childbirth education, breastfeeding, pregnancy health, and newborn care. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines the impact of doula-home-visiting on birth outcomes, postpartum maternal and infant health, and newborn care practices. Methods 312 young (M = 18.4 years), pregnant women across four communities were randomly assigned to receive doula-home-visiting services or case management. Women were African American (45%), Latina (38%), white (8%), and multiracial/other (9%). They were interviewed during pregnancy and at 3-weeks and 3-months postpartum. Results Intervention-group mothers were more likely to attend childbirth-preparation classes (50 vs. 10%, OR = 9.82, p < .01), but there were no differences on Caesarean delivery, birthweight, prematurity, or postpartum depression. Intervention-group mothers were less likely to use epidural/pain medication during labor (72 vs. 83%; OR = 0.49, p < .01) and more likely to initiate breastfeeding (81 vs. 74%; OR = 1.72, p < .05), although the breastfeeding impact was not sustained over time. Intervention-group mothers were more likely to put infants on their backs to sleep (70 vs. 61%; OR = 1.64, p < .05) and utilize car-seats at three weeks (97 vs. 93%; OR = 3.16, p < .05). Conclusions for practices The doula-home-visiting intervention was associated with positive infant-care behaviors. Since few evidence-based home-visiting programs have shown health impacts in the postpartum months after birth, incorporating doula services may confer additional health benefits to families.
Greenness and school-wide test scores are not always positively associated – A replication of “linking student performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the ‘greenness’ of school surroundings using remote sensing”

Abstract Recent studies find vegetation around schools correlates positively with student test scores. To test this relationship in schools with less green cover and more disadvantaged students, we replicated a leading study, using six years of NDVI-derived greenness data to predict school-level math and reading achievement in 404 Chicago public schools. A direct replication yielded highly mixed results with some significant positive relationships between greenness and academic achievement, some negative, and some null – but accompanying VIF scores in the thousands indicated untenable levels of multicollinearity. An adjusted replication corrected for multicollinearity and yielded stable results; surprisingly, all models then showed near-zero but statistically significant negative relationships between greenness and performance. In low-green, high-disadvantage schools, negative greenness-academic performance links may reflect the predominance of grass in measures of overall greenness and/or insufficient statistical controls for the moderating effect of disadvantage.
Por qué Méjico no se halla en la senda de crecimiento de China

A growth accounting framework is used with data from the Penn World Table to disaggregate and compare economic growth in Mexico and China, 1953-2007. China surpasses Mexico in both the accumulation of physical capital and the growth of total factor productivity, implying that high savings rates are partially responsible for the growth differences, but additional forces are also important. The catalog of potential variables is lengthy; this paper concentrates on geography (location) and institutions. In particular, the ability of Chinese state and local officials to support economic growth is striking.
Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology and Human Enhancement

A journey into the future of medicine and the ethical concerns raised by the use of techniques of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and cognitive science for the purpose of human enhancement.
The Atlas of Florida CD-ROM Experience

Development of the Atlas of Florida CD-ROM has a long history and was the result of several events that worked together to produce the final published CD. Unlike many CD titles on the market today, the Atlas of Florida was intended to be a published book and the idea for a CD version came after the atlas became available. Converting a printed atlas to CD presented many challenges but also many opportunities. A brief look at the Atlas of Florida will help to understand what the CD contains and how it evolved.
An Ultra-Compact 520–600 GHz/1100-1200 GHz Receiver with <10 W Power Consumption for High-Spectral Resolution Spectroscopy from Small-Sat Platforms

We report in the development a very low dc power consumption (<10 W) ultra-compact dual-band single-channel receiver that operates simultaneously in the 520–600 GHz band and the 1100–1200 GHz band. A single frequency multiplied 520–600 GHz local oscillator chain generating 4–7 mW output power is used to pump both mixers simultaneously and obtain state-of-the-art performance with a reduction of 5 to 10 times in dc power, mass and size. The receiver is designed to fit Small Sat platforms for remote velocity resolved water detection and mapping in future planetary science mission to comets and ocean worlds.
Selection and characterization of a reovirus mutant with improved thermostability

ABSTRACT The environment represents a significant barrier to infection. Physical stressors (heat) or chemical agents (ethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate) can render virions noninfectious. As such, discrete proteins are necessary to stabilize the dual layered structure of mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus). The outer capsid participates in cell entry: (i) σ3 is degraded to generate the infectious subviral particle and (ii) μ1 facilitates membrane penetration and subsequent core delivery. μ1-σ3 interactions also prevent inactivation; however, this activity is not fully characterized. Using forward and reverse genetic approaches, we identified two mutations (μ1 M258I and σ3 S344P) within heat resistant strains. σ3 S344P was sufficient to enhance capsid integrity and to reduce protease sensitivity. Moreover, these changes impaired replicative fitness in a reassortant background. This work reveals new details regarding the determinants of reovirus stability. SIGNIFICANCE Nonenveloped viruses rely on protein-protein interactions to shield their genomes from the environment. The capsid, or protective shell, must also disassemble during cell entry. In this work, we identified a determinant within mammalian orthoreovirus that regulates heat resistance, disassembly kinetics, and replicative fitness. Together, capsid function is balanced for optimal replication and for spread to a new host.
Gender Effects in Student Technical and Scientific Writing—A Corpus-Based Study

Background: This study adopted a corpus-linguistics approach to investigate the gender effects in students’ technical and scientific writing. Specifically, we analyzed whether gender influenced how males and females used adverbs (e.g., very, really , and definitely ) and passive voice (e.g., the article was published in the journal ). The overuse of both adverbs and passive voice has been associated with poor writing clarity and concision. Literature review: Previous research works on gender effects in language have been mixed. Since these are all the essential elements of effective technical communication, teachers need to know what gender effects might exist. Research questions are as follows: 1. Does gender influence the student writers’ use of adverbs? 2. Does gender influence the student writers’ use of passive voice? Methodology: The sample included 87 writers (46 females and 41 males) who contributed to a 757,533-word corpus. Researchers analyzed 12,111 instances of adverbs and 4,732 instances of passive voice within a variety of technical texts. Results/discussion: Female writers used significantly more adverbs as well as more additive/restrictive, degree, and stance adverbs than expected. Male writers used more linking and manner adverbs than expected. Female writers also used significantly more passives, particularly passive verbs associated with reporting findings and interpretation. In contrast, male writers associated with passive verbs used to describe methods and analyses. Overall, the results suggested that females and males used the same style markers to fulfill different rhetorical functions.
A Simple Bond-Additivity Model Explains Large Decreases in Heats of Adsorption in Solvents Versus Gas Phase: A Case Study with Phenol on Pt(111) in Water

We recently reported the low-coverage heat of adsorption of phenol on Pt(111) facets of a Pt wire in aqueous phase to be approximately 21 kJ/mol (relative to aqueous phenol) on the basis of measure...
Case Report: Snapping Biceps Femoris Tendon Due to Abnormal Fibular Morphology.

Background Several cases of snapping biceps femoris tendons have been reported with anomalous insertions of the distal tendon insertion or in the context of trauma. There are only three published cases due to abnormal fibular head morphology. Methods/results We present a case of unilateral snapping of the biceps femoris tendon in a 19 year old. We decided to proceed with surgery after the patient failed a trial of non-operative treatment and had significant functional limitations. Surgical exploration of the posterolateral knee showed a prominent ridge on the posterior aspect of the fibular head over which the biceps femoris tendon was snapping with deep knee flexion. The bony ridge was resected, leaving surrounding structures intact, including the insertion of the biceps femoris tendon. The patient experienced resolution of snapping symptoms and associated pain. Conclusions Although rare, snapping of the biceps femoris tendon can cause pain and functional limitation. In this case, resection of a prominent ridge on the fibular head resolved snapping and pain. Level of evidence: Level five.
Morphoproteomics of VEGF pathway mediators as evidence of reversible resistance to VEGF-TKIs demonstrated by expression of activated ERK and STAT3 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

e15552 Background: Resistance to vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (e.g., sunitinib, sorafenib) may be a result of changes in the tumor microenvironment a...
The Alien-Other: Monsters, Mutants, and Othered Bodies

This chapter takes a step back to survey wider themes of othering in science fiction and how the alien-other is used to explore, critique, or stand in for race. Because the Other is often seen as a threat (in both our reality and in science fiction), I look at how immigration, genetic manipulation, and disability have been addressed in science fiction, with Star Trek’s various series featuring in the chapter.
What’s Missing in Frontierland? American Indian Culture and Indexical Absence at Walt Disney World

This chapter examines a key component of the tourist experience, that of experiencing cultural difference and observing as an outsider. Lantz questions where First Nation people fit in the experiences that Disney creates for its visitors. She identifies four distinct ways in which the Native Body appears in Walt Disney World, each of which expresses a physical narrative of First Nation peoples in the larger Disney narrative of constructed cultural tourism/consumerism: the Distant Body, the Animated Body, the Absent Body, and the Live Body. This taxonomy of the Indigenous American Body in the parks revolves around absence and proximity, in that all four categories entail an inherent lack of closeness that falls on a spectrum. The Motionless Body is the most distant from visitor interaction, and the Live Body is the closest. Through the level of distance and temporality (the length of time guests spend with representations of the Native Body), Disney crafts a staged indexical absence of First Nation peoples.
Self-Directedness in Adult Vocational Education Students: Its Role in Learning and Implications for Instruction

This report is intended to enlighten the educator of adults about some of the essential elements of self-directedness, and more clearly define its relevance to adult learning and instruction. It endeavors to stimulate thought and dialogue regarding how the adult educator can utilize the potential of self-directedness in the classroom. By developing qualities built around adult oriented methodologies, teachers can help to enhance adult students' cognitive and affective processes. An expected student response should be the perpetuation of intellectual curiosity and development exhibited by further demonstrations of self-directedness regarding learning. Further, this report points out a potential ethical problem which could arise and identifies six issues that instructors and institutions should address if the needs of adult students are to be met. Lastly, it suggests how "Structured Flexibility" can create a mutually conducive learning environment that provides for student growth as well as instructor proficiency and professionalism.
Calculating luminous flux radiated to a camera lens via high dynamic range photogrammetry

A camera-aided method of using high dynamic range photogrammetry was developed to calculate luminous flux radiated to the camera lens from an environment or its subareas, with per-pixel contributio...
THU0133 DIAGNOSES AND COMORBIDITIES IN PRE-RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: COMPARISON BETWEEN SEROPOSITIVE AND SERONEGATIVE PATIENTS AND MATCHED NON-RA SUBJECTS

Background: Previous studies have suggested that comorbidities accumulate before the clinical diagnosis of RA, i.e., ‘pre-RA’ (1). Understanding patterns of diagnoses and comorbidities during the pre-RA period may provide new insights into pathogenesis. Objectives: To elucidate diagnoses and comorbidities before the onset of clinically apparent RA compared to non-RA subjects, and for seropositive (RF and/or CCP positive) compared to seronegative (RF and CCP negative) patients with RA. Methods: Adult residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, with incident RA in 1999-2013 fulfilling the 1987 ACR classification criteria were identified by medical record review. Patients were age- and sex-matched 1:1 to non-RA controls from the same underlying population. The index date for each control corresponded to the incidence date of the matched RA patient. ICD9/10 diagnosis codes (≥2 codes ≥30 days apart prior to index date) were categorized using 161 chronic conditions identified by Clinical Classification Software. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The study included 597 RA patients (388 seropositive, 209 seronegative) and 594 controls. The median (range) age was 55 (19-91) years and 70% were female. The median (IQR) of total comorbidities at index was higher among RA patients at 3 (1-6) than controls at 2 (1-5) (p Conclusion: The findings provide new insights about diagnoses and comorbidities preceding clinically apparent RA. Future studies of retrospective medical records for patients with particular comorbidities may provide new insights into the pathogenesis and clinical features of the transition from pre-RA to clinically overt RA, especially for seronegative disease. References: [1]Kronzer VL, Crowson CS, Sparks JA, Myasoedova E, Davis JM, 3rd. Comorbidities As Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Accrual After Diagnosis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019;94(12):2488-98. Disclosure of Interests: John M Davis III Grant/research support from: Research grants from Pfizer, Consultant of: Served on advisory boards for Abbvie and Sanofi-Genzyme, Elena Myasoedova: None declared, Tina Gunderson: None declared, Cynthia S. Crowson Grant/research support from: Pfizer research grant
Physical Principles of Doppler Ultrasonography

This chapter presents the basic concepts of sound and ultrasound propagation and discusses the physical principles of the Doppler effect and Doppler sonography, which are essential for understanding their diagnostic uses. Although this book focuses primarily on clinical utilization of the diagnostic Doppler technology, developing an understanding of the basic principles is imperative for its proficient use. The following is a brief introduction and is not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on the subject. For a more in-depth discussion, there are several excellent textbooks that comprehensively examine the physics of Doppler ultrasonography [1–4]
Inoculation and amendment strategies influence switchgrass establishment in degraded soil

Abstract Bioenergy feedstock production on degraded land can serve as a means for modulating land competition for food versus energy. Due to little or no agricultural value of degraded soil, fortification of the soil with an organic amendment or inoculum will improve biomass productivity. However, as farmers struggle to rejuvenate their degraded land, there is a need for a quick screening strategy to select the best method of enhancing cellulosic (switchgrass, SG) biomass production in degraded soil. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of soil amendment and inoculation strategies on biomass productivities of SG in a reclaimed surface-mined soil (RMS). Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse using moisture replacement microcosms (MRM) to screen strategies for enhancing biomass productivities of SG in a RMS. Strategies included soil amendment with organic by-products (poultry litter, paper mill sludge, and vermicompost), inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers), or a commercial preparation of endomycorrhizae fungi (AMF, BioVam). Experiments were implemented with ten (10) treatments with six replicates for each treatment. After eight weeks of incubation in MRM systems, inoculation of RMS with AMF produced the highest aboveground and total biomass (0.9 g and 1.77 g per microcosm container) at p AMF + VC > PMS + N > VC = PMS = PL > PMS + AMF > N + P > ASL > Control. This microcosm screening experiment served as a quick screening to establish that soil enhancement and inoculation strategies can enhance biomass productivities of SG in degraded soil.
Observations from the playground: Common problems and potential solutions for school-based recess:

Objective:This study aimed to examine some common problems observed during school recess and translate findings to evidence-based, practical solutions that can be applied within schools on a more s...
FastAD: Expression Template-Based C++ Library for Fast and Memory-Efficient Automatic Differentiation.

Automatic differentiation is a set of techniques to efficiently and accurately compute the derivative of a function represented by a computer program. Existing C++ libraries for automatic differentiation (e.g. Adept, Stan Math Library), however, exhibit large memory consumptions and runtime performance issues. This paper introduces FastAD, a new C++ template library for automatic differentiation, that overcomes all of these challenges in existing libraries by using vectorization, simpler memory management using a fully expression-template-based design, and other compile-time optimizations to remove some run-time overhead. Benchmarks show that FastAD performs 2-10 times faster than Adept and 2-19 times faster than Stan across various test cases including a few real-world examples.
A Dynamic Affective Core to Bind the Contents, Context, and Value of Conscious Experience

The private and dynamic nature of conscious subjective experience poses an empirical challenge that has led neuroscience-based theories about consciousness to note the importance of 9the hard problem9 of explaining how subjective phenomenal experience can arise from neural activity but set it aside and focus on the 9easier9 problems associated with information representation and behavior. This approach leaves a major gap in our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying conscious subjective experience and its dynamic nature. However, computational methods integrated with a variety of tools for measuring human brain activity are beginning to link dynamic changes in subjective affect with reproducible neurobehavioral signals in humans. In particular, research applying computational reinforcement learning theory has shown tremendous utility in investigating human choice behavior and the role the dopaminergic system plays in dynamic behavioral control. This research is beginning to reveal an explicit connection between the dynamics of dopaminergic signals and dynamic changes in subjective affect. However, it should be obvious that the dopaminergic system alone is not sufficient to explain all of the complexities of affective dynamics. We review foundational work, highlight current problems and open questions, and propose a Dynamic Affective Core Hypothesis that integrates advances in our understanding of the representation of the content and context of conscious experiences with our nascent understanding about how these representations acquire and retain affective subjective value.
Steering the State of Linear Stochastic Systems: A Constrained Minimum Principle Formulation

In order to optimally steer the state of a stochastic system to a desired value over a finite time horizon, a novel approach based on the Stochastic Minimum Principle is presented, which enforces a constraint on the expectation of the terminal state at all instances of time. In order to solve the associated optimal control problem, we invoke a version of the Stochastic Minimum Principle which we call the Terminally Constrained Stochastic Minimum Principle (TC-SMP). For linear stochastic systems with quadratic costs, analytical solutions to the adjoint equation of the TC-SMP are derived and are explicitly represented in terms of controllability Gramians and solutions of Riccati equations. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the results, and the performance of the TC-SMP approach is compared to both penalty-based and covariance-steering alternative approaches.
An X -Band Code-Modulated Interferometric Imager

Code-modulated interferometry (CMI) enables a lens-less approach to imaging in which incoming signals are code modulated, combined, and processed through a shared hardware path; visibility functions are demodulated from an aggregate power-detected response; and an image is obtained using an inverse Fourier transform of the visibility samples. CMI allows the imager to be constructed using low-cost conventional beamforming hardware. This article presents the theory of operation of a code-modulated interferometer array intended for active imaging. This includes the selection of codes, the use of phase shifters for modulation, the demodulation of visibility functions, the necessary calibration, and the image processing. The architecture and design of an active imaging prototype is then presented, where it is created using a commercially available 16-element 8–16 GHz beamforming receiver along with a sparse antenna array that generates 169 distinct visibility samples. The imaging capabilities are demonstrated through the detection of multiple point sources at 10 GHz. Finally, the feasibility of creating a larger 64-element imager with 961 visibility samples is demonstrated through construction and measurements of a single row within that array.
Solutions with Asymptotic Conditions of a Nonlinear Boundary Value Problem

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the solutions with asymptotic conditions of a nonlinear boundary value problem (BVP), where A is a nonlinear elliptic differential operator in divergence form of Leray–Lions type. The chapter focuses on the linear operators A and the solution obtained is local in nature. The chapter presents the method of upper and lower solutions that is conceptually simple and particularly useful in proving the existence of a solution for noncoercive and possibly strongly nonlinear BVPs.
Gene Expression, DNA Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Cells from Dissociated Sea Urchin Embryos

DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and the accumulation of two tissue-specific transcripts were examined in cultures of sea urchin embryos that were completely dissociated during early cleavage stages and raised in Ca2+ -free sea water for 24 hr. In Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, both DNA and protein synthesis were severely reduced by dissociation treatment. Previous studies using this species indicated that aboral ectoderm-specific transcript accumulation is severely reduced while mesenchyme-specific transcripts generally accumulate more normally (11, 17). We therefore examined the accumulation of tissue-specific transcripts in another specific of sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) whose DNA and protein synthetic rates were found to be less affected by dissociation. We find that accumulation of an aboral ectoderm-specific transcript (Spec 1) is also extremely low in L. pictus while a primary measenchyme-specific transcript (LSM) accumulates to normal levels. When DNA synthesis was restored to 77% of normal by keeping dissociatesd cells apposed with the fertilization membranes, Spec 1 accumulation was not improved. Adding Ca2+ to the sea water 8 hours after fertilization and allowing cells to reassociate into small, tight clusters restored Spec 1 accumulation to 70% of controls. Hence, there is no direct correlation between the reduced metabolic acitivities and lowered Spec 1 accumulation in dispersed cell cultures.
A Review of: “Haley, J., & Richeport-Haley, M. (2007) Directive Family Therapy. New York: The Haworth Press”

Directive Family Therapy, by Jay Haley, Ph.D. and his wife, Madeleine Richeport-Haley, Ph.D., is an easy-to-read treatise on family therapy previously described as problem-solving and strategic the...
Getting the Word Out: The Informational Function of Trademarks

This article challenges the statement that “the only legally relevant function of a trademark is to impart information as to the source of the product.” Information about the source of the product undoubtedly helps the consumer choose the product she wants from a set of possible products. This article argues, however, that the informational function of trademarks is broader: in addition to providing information about the source, a trademark often provides information that reduces consumers’ uncertainty about the product’s qualities and impacts purchasing decisions. Specifically, this article shows that a trademark not only helps the consumer choose the product she wants, but it can also help her decide how many units she should purchase of that product. This article then draws on several examples to illustrate that the reduction in consumers’ uncertainty enhances welfare but that under certain conditions it may be used by unscrupulous sellers to defraud customers. Drawing on these insights, this article turns to explain different types of regulations, the optimal investment in trademarks, and offers an alternative explanation as to why trademark law allows sellers to use “deceptively misdescriptive” marks.
A nonlinear model of the arterial system incorporating a pressure-dependent compliance

An examination is made of the consequences of incorporating a pressure dependent compliance in a modified arterial system model. This nonlinear model is evaluated under control and acute pressure-loading conditions. Results show that the nonlinear compliance model in general can more accurately predict the measured pressure waveforms during control and during acute pressure loading. The difference between the predicted waveforms is more pronounced when blood pressure is high and when the pulse pressure is large. >
Carcinoma of the prostate: MR images obtained with body coils do not accurately reflect tumor volume.

MR imaging with a body coil is unreliable in directly demonstrating tumor spread through the prostatic capsule. However, the likelihood of extracapsular spread of prostatic cancer rises with increasing tumor volume. The aim of our study was to assess the accuracy of MR with a body coil in diagnosing capsular penetration indirectly via an estimation of prostatic tumor volumes. Twenty-six patients with proved prostatic cancer that was clinically confined to the gland underwent MR imaging before radical prostatectomy and whole-mount pathologic sectioning of the specimen. Twenty of 31 lesions prospectively outlined on the MR images corresponded to cancers outlined on the pathology slides, and tumor volumes were calculated by using a voxel summation technique. On MR, tumor volume was underestimated in 11 of 20 cases and overestimated in nine of 20 cases. Only two of 20 size estimates based on MR findings were within 10% of actual tumor volume. Overlap in MR tumor volumes was significant between lesions with an...
Generic omeprazole delayed-release capsules: in vitro performance evaluations.

Background: After the patent on omeprazole delayed-release capsules expired, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several generic omeprazole delayed-release capsule applications. FDA has received some complaints concerning a lack of therapeutic effect of the generic omeprazole delayed-release capsules. Aim: To investigate the quality of five different marketed generic omeprazole delayed-release capsules. Method: The dissolution characteristics of these generic omeprazole delayed-release capsules were determined according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Additional dissolution studies under simulated in vivo physiological conditions were also conducted to determine whether generic omeprazole capsules would perform similarly under these conditions. Results: The experimental data show that all the generic omeprazole delayed-release capsules met the USP standards. The in vitro dissolution of generic drugs is similar to that of the brand omeprazole product. Conclusions: There is no scientific ev...
Individual and organizational factors in job retention in Kentucky's child welfare agency

Abstract A major concern in the field of child welfare continues to be the high rate of employee turnover. The purpose of this research was to examine a variety of individual and organizational factors that differentiate leavers from the stayers in child welfare using a prospective design and data from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). The results of this study show that the stayers (N = 448) and leavers (N = 275) in this child welfare agency did not differ in their gender, race, or cumulative G.P.A. MSWs were more likely to leave the agency and employees with majors other than psychology or social work were more likely to stay. Stayers reported being more attached to their supervisors and receiving more guidance. Rural workers also perceived greater support from their supervisors than did urban workers. Implications for practice are discussed.