cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epoxide Ring-Opening Reactions with Mesoporous Silica-Supported Fe(III) Catalysts

A mesoporous silica-supported iron(III) catalyst was successfully synthesized by tethering ethylenediamine ligands onto the mesopore channel walls of mesoporous silica and then using the diamine groups to support Fe(III) ions. The resulting material is shown to be an efficient catalyst for the ring-opening of various epoxides by a series of alcohols as well as water under mild reaction conditions giving good-to-high yields of the corresponding ring-opened products. Among the alcohols tested with styrene oxide substrate giving 2-alkoxy-2-phenylethanol products, MeOH was the most reactive. It gave the highest percent conversion and yield (∼100%) within a relatively short reaction time of 6 h, whereas the longer alkyl alcohols gave a relatively lower yield of 93 to ∼100% with longer reaction times of 9−56 h. When the alkyl groups of the linear alkyl alcohols were longer, the rates of the catalytic reaction were slower. For instance, EtOH gave ∼100% yield in 9 h, but n-PrOH produced 93% product in 45 h. Subst...
Short turn radius colonoscope in an anatomical model: Retroflexed withdrawal and detection of hidden polyps

AIM: To evaluate the new RetroView™ colonoscope and compare its ability to detect simulated polyps “hidden” behind colonic folds with that of a conventional colonoscope, utilizing anatomic colon models. METHODS: Three anatomic colon models were prepared, with twelve simulated polyps “hidden” behind haustral folds and five placed in easily viewed locations in each model. Five blinded endoscopists examined two colon models in random order with the conventional or RetroView™ colonoscope, utilizing standard withdrawal technique. The third colon model was then examined with the RetroView™ colonoscope withdrawn initially in retroflexion and then in standard withdrawal. Polyp detection rates during standard and retroflexed withdrawal of the conventional and RetroView™ colonoscopes were determined. Polyp detection rates for combined standard and retroflexed withdrawal (combination withdrawal) with the RetroView™ colonoscope were also determined. RESULTS: For hidden polyps, retroflexed withdrawal using the RetroView™ colonoscope detected more polyps than the conventional colonoscope in standard withdrawal (85% vs 12%, P = 0.0001). For hidden polyps, combination withdrawal with the RetroView™ colonoscope detected more polyps than the conventional colonoscope in standard withdrawal (93% vs 12%, P ≤ 0.0001). The RetroView™ colonoscope in “combination withdrawal” was superior to other methods in detecting all (hidden + easily visible) polyps, with successful detection of 80 of 85 polyps (94%) compared to 28 (32%) polyps detected by the conventional colonoscope in standard withdrawal (P < 0.0001) and 67 (79%) polyps detected by the RetroView™ colonoscope in retroflexed withdrawal alone (P < 0.01). Continuous withdrawal of the colonoscope through the colon model while retroflexed was achieved by all endoscopists. In a post-test survey, four out of five colonoscopists reported that manipulation of the colonoscope was easy or very easy. CONCLUSION: In simulated testing, the RetroView™ colonoscope increased detection of hidden polyps. Combining standard withdrawal with retroflexed withdrawal may become the new paradigm for “complete screening colonoscopy”.
Structural Performance of Thin Asphalt Pavement Under Accelerated Pavement Testing

Three thin asphalt pavement sections containing different chemically stabilized base and subbase materials were tested under the accelerated pavement testing (APT) at the Louisiana Accelerated Pavement Research Facility. Each pavement section consisted of different base and subbase materials, but having a common configuration of layer thicknesses. APT results generally indicated that both stabilized Blended Calcium Sulfate (BCS) bases outperformed a foamed asphalt treated base by a significantly large margin while a cement-treated soil subbase layer proved to have better load bearing capacity than a lime-treated soil layer. The structural performance of test sections was further analyzed using the non destructive test results and instrumentation measured pavement responses. The newly developed Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG) software was also used in predicting the rutting development on tested sections. Finally, a simple rut depth prediction model, which relates flexible pavement rutting development to the in-situ surface deflection characteristics, was proposed.
Hand Hygiene Compliance in the Setting of Trauma Resuscitation

Abstract Introduction Healthcare-associated infections are a significant health burden, and hand hygiene (HH) is an essential prevention strategy. World Health Organization (WHO) 2009 guidelines recommend washing hands during five moments of patient care; 1)before touching a patient; 2)before a clean procedure; 3)after body fluid exposure; and 4)after touching a patient or 5)patient surroundings. HH opportunities at these 5 moments are frequent and compliance is low (22-60%). Infection risk is particularly high in trauma patients, and HH compliance during active trauma resuscitation has yet to be evaluated. Materials and Methods Using video surveillance, all healthcare worker (HCW)-patient interactions for 30 patients were retrospectively reviewed for HH compliance according to WHO guidelines and glove use during initial resuscitation at a level-1 trauma center. Results 342 HCW-patient interactions and 1034 HH opportunities were observed. HH compliance with the WHO moments was 7% (71/1034) overall; 3% (10/375) before patient contact, 0% (0/178) before a clean procedure, 11% (2/19) after body fluid contact, 15% (57/376) after patient contact and 2% (2/86) after contact with the environment. Glove use was more common, particularly before (69%) and after (47%) patient contact and after body fluid contact (58%). No HH was observed before clean procedures, but HCW donned new gloves 75% of the time before bedside procedures. If donning/removing gloves was included with HH as compliant, compliance was 57% overall. Conclusion HH opportunities are frequent and compliance with WHO HH guidelines may be infeasible, requiring significant amounts of time that may be better spent with the patient during the golden hour of trauma resuscitation. In an era where more scrutiny is being applied to patient safety, particularly the prevention of inpatient infections, more research is needed to identify alternative strategies (e.g. glove use, prioritizing moments) that may more effectively promote compliance in this setting.
Generating test patterns for bridge faults in CMOS ICs

We describe a system for generating accurate tests for bridge faults (with or without feedback) in CMOS ICs. We present the Test Guarantee Theorem, which allows for accurate test generation for feedback bridge faults via topological analysis of the feedback-influenced region of the faulted circuit (without the need for any post-test verification or explicit examination of inversion parity). We describe our test pattern generation system's treatment of feedback bridge faults in detail and report on the system's performance. >
Evolution of the Pathology Residency Curriculum: Preparing for a Positive Future

The required medical knowledge and skill set for the pathologist of 2020 are different than in 2005. Pathology residency training curriculum must accordingly change to fulfill the needs of these ever-changing requirements. In order to make rational curricular adjustments, it is important for us to know the current trajectory of resident training in pathology-where we have been, what our actual current training curriculum is now-to understand how that might change in anticipation of meeting the needs of a changing patient and provider population and to fit within the evolving future biomedical and socioeconomic health-care setting. In 2013, there were 143 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited pathology residency training programs in the United States, with approximately 2400 residents. There is diversity among residency training programs not only with respect to the number of residents but also in training venue(s). To characterize this diversity among pathology residency training programs, a curriculum survey was conducted of pathology residency program directors in 2013 and compared with a similar survey taken almost 9 years previously in 2005 to identify trends in pathology residency curriculum. Clinical pathology has not changed significantly in the number of rotations over 9 years; however, anatomic pathology has changed dramatically, with an increase in the number of surgical pathology rotations coupled with a decline in stand-alone autopsy rotations. With ever-expanding medical knowledge that the graduating pathology resident must know, it is necessary to (1) reflect upon what are the critical need subjects, (2) identify areas that have become of lesser importance, and then (3) prioritize training accordingly.
Using System Dynamics to Identify, Evaluate, and Implement Sustainable Policies and Practices in the Road Construction Industry

Sustainable road construction is a topic that is currently in vogue among decision makers in the public and private sectors. On the one hand, the need for new roads and a well-maintained transportation infrastructure is necessary to sustain an ever-growing population and to both foster and accommodate economic development. On the other hand, road construction causes more fossil fuel to be burned, more greenhouse gases to be released, and more agricultural and forest land to be destroyed – effects that, in the extreme, go directly against the tenets of sustainable development. How then do we identify, evaluate, and adopt sustainable road construction and maintenance policies? This question is not simple, has no obvious answer, and has no analytical solution because road construction and maintenance is a multidisciplinary, complex, nonlinear feedback process. Solving problems of this type requires the use of simulation modeling. Simulation can be used to understand the problem and develop policies and practices that lead to improved system performance. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how system dynamics computer simulation modeling can be used to better understand the challenges associated with sustainable road construction and maintenance and to develop policies that enable these vital activities to be undertaken sustainably.
StuxMob: A situational-aware malware for targeted attack on smart mobile devices

The availability of a rich variety of sensors in smart mobile devices has enabled today's software to be situational-aware and to learn about surrounding environment. We explore a novel generation of mobile malware, which utilizes this situational awareness and can attack a mobile device carried by a specific person, or people matching a specific set of criteria. The behavior and threat posed by StuxMob are distinguishable from the existing state-of-the-art malware. Today's malware attack devices either just after the devices got infected or through a command-and-control based botnets. In contrast, StuxMob will launch its payload and perform a specific act against the target, only if it finds a match between a given profile and the person carrying the device; otherwise, it remains dormant. By using off-the-shelf sensors of the mobile devices, StuxMob combines the physical activity of users with their surrounding environments to create users' profile. We analyze the feasibility of such a malware and propose defense mechanisms against this type of targeted attack.
Muscle fatigability and depressive symptoms in later life

Objective Fatigability is the degree to which performance decreases during a specific activity of a given intensity and duration. Depression is known to heighten subjective fatigue, but whether its association with physical fatigability is unknown. Further, whether fatigability is a precursor or risk factor for the development of subsequent depressive symptoms is also unclear. Methods Data are from the Health Aging and Body Composition Study with fatigability assessed using isokinetic dynamometry of the knee extensors at year 3, and depressive symptoms ascertained longitudinally using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. The relationship between fatigability and depressive symptoms was evaluated using linear and Cox regression models. Results There was a significant cross-sectional association between fatigability and depressive symptomatology (β = −0.06, p = 0.02), after adjusting for demographic variables, medical comorbidities, cognition, gait speed, and physical activity levels. Greater fatigability was associated with greater adjusted scores on the 10-item CES-D (F2, 1695 = 38.65, p < 0.001), with individuals with greater fatigability on average reporting an adjusted CES-D score 0.5 point greater than those individuals with higher levels of resistance to fatigability (mean of 70% or better; p < 0.001). Fatigability however was not associated with the development of depression at follow-up (p = 0.828). Conclusions This study found an association between skeletal muscle fatigability and higher depressive symptoms in older adults, but no longitudinal association was identified. These findings suggest that age-related changes in energy capacity may affect the phenomenology of late life depression. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinematics of ram filter feeding and beat-glide swimming in the northern anchovy Engraulis mordax.

ABSTRACT In the dense aquatic environment, the most adept swimmers are streamlined to reduce drag and increase the efficiency of locomotion. However, because they open their mouth to wide gape angles to deploy their filtering apparatus, ram filter feeders apparently switch between diametrically opposite swimming modes: highly efficient, streamlined ‘beat–glide’ swimming, and ram filter feeding, which has been hypothesized to be a high-cost feeding mode because of presumed increased drag. Ram filter-feeding forage fish are thought to play an important role in the flux of nutrients and energy in upwelling ecosystems; however, the biomechanics and energetics of this feeding mechanism remain poorly understood. We quantified the kinematics of an iconic forage fish, the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax , during ram filter feeding and non-feeding, mouth-closed beat–glide swimming. Although many kinematic parameters between the two swimming modes were similar, we found that swimming speeds and tailbeat frequencies were significantly lower during ram feeding. Rather than maintain speed with the school, a speed which closely matches theoretical optimum filter-feeding speeds was consistently observed. Beat–glide swimming was characterized by high variability in all kinematic parameters, but variance in kinematic parameters was much lower during ram filter feeding. Under this mode, body kinematics are substantially modified, and E. mordax swims more slowly and with decreased lateral movement along the entire body, but most noticeably in the anterior. Our results suggest that hydrodynamic effects that come with deployment of the filtering anatomy may limit behavioral options during foraging and result in slower swimming speeds during ram filtration.
Impact of Reprocessed Uranium Management on the Homogeneous Recycling of Transuranics in PWRs

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a neutronics analysis related to the homogeneous recycling of different mixtures of transuranic elements (transuranics) (TRU) in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) loaded with mixed oxide (MOX) fuel using enriched uranium instead of depleted uranium (UenrO2-TRUO2, i.e., MOX-EU). It also addresses an often, if not always, overlooked aspect related to the recycling of TRU in PWRs, namely, the use of reprocessed uranium. From a neutronics point of view, it is possible to multirecycle the entirety of the plutonium with or without neptunium and americium in a PWR fleet using MOX-EU fuel in between one-third and two-thirds of the fleet. Recycling neptunium and americium with plutonium significantly decreases the decay heat of the waste stream between 100 to 1000 years compared to that of an open fuel cycle or when only plutonium is recycled. The uranium present in MOX-EU used fuel still contains a significant amount of 235U, and recycling it makes a major difference in ...
Textbook Coverage of the Destruction of the Armenians

Abstract Despite its importance as the event that established that the 20 th century would be known as “the age of genocide,” the destruction of the Armenians that occurred between the mid-1890s and 1923 is given marginal coverage in contemporary high school history textbooks. This article critiques that coverage, identifying the overall flow of the information that is presented while noting several instances in which information is presented in an underdeveloped, confusing, or contradictory manner. It then makes several suggestions about topics that should be included in expanded coverage of the Armenian situation, thus ensuring that students develop accurate perspectives about this critical event. Key Words History, study and teaching Genocide Ethnic conflict Textbooks and teaching history Teaching controversial issues
Knock-Out Mice Models: Cornea, Conjunctiva, Eyelids and Lacrimal Gland

Many transgenic and knock-out mice exhibit pathogenesis resembling human ocular surface diseases. Thus, the clinical manifestations of mouse lines can be used as clues for identifying inherited human ocular diseases of unknown etiology. However, modified mouse lines using conventional techniques of transgenesis (insertion of an exogenesis gene into an organism such that the gene is transmitted to the offspring) and gene-targeting techniques often exhibit embryonic lethality and congenital defects precluding the use of such mouse models to study acquired ocular surface tissue diseases. Thus, it is vital to have ocular-surface tissue-specific promoters to create mouse models for studying the consequences of loss/gain of a function through transgenesis and gene-targeting techniques. We have identified two cornea-specific genes, keratin 12 (Krt12) and keratocan (Kera), and a Pax6 promoter containing regulatory elements of ocular-surface epithelium-specific expression. We have developed three mouse lines using: (1) keratocan promoter for the preparation of mice in which the promoter is active in ocular surface mesenchymal cells of neural crest origin; (2) knock-in strategies for the Krt12 promoter; and (3) Pax6 promoter to generate mice in which the promoter is active in ocular surface epithelium, that is, cornea, conjunctiva, and lacrimal and meibomian glands. These mouse lines have been bred to obtain double and triple transgenic mice that have inducible gain/loss of functions in corneal keratocyte, corneal epithelium, and ocular-surface epithelium-specific manners. Use of these mouse lines has revealed that excess fibroblast growth factor 7 causes ocular surface squamous neoplasia and the ablation of transforming growth factor-β type II receptor impairs healing of epithelium debridement by delayed activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These strategies are of great value to examine the effects of gain and/or loss of functions of other genes.
Rate-Limiting Steps in Ethanol Metabolism and Approaches to Changing These Rates Biochemically

Many attempts have been made to increase the rate of metabolism of ethanol, but none has changed the rate more than about two-fold. To understand the reasons for these failures and to develop successful methods, we need to know which steps in ethanol metabolism are “rate-limiting”. These are difficult to determine experimentally because the rates of each step are controlled by the concentrations of several metabolites and the kinetic characteristics of the enzymes involved, and because the fluxes through all steps in a steady-state process are the same. Despite these problems, each step in ethanol metabolism has been said to be the rate-limiting step by someone. Furthermore, it should be noted that the rate of every step affects the overall rate, and there may be peveral slow steps (70).
Experimental Studies on the Role of Social Influence in Victim Decision Making

Our observation of participants in the first study strongly suggested that social and emotional factors contributed to their decisions about whether or not to report the incident to the police. This chapter describes the results of five studies that examined the role of these factors in victim decision making. In the first of these studies (Study 2), we examined the joint effects of the victim’s level of anger and the type of bystander advice on the victim’s willingness to call the police. In the second study (Study 3), we compared the persuasiveness of different types of advice and supporting arguments used by bystanders when attempting to influence victims to notify or not notify the police. In the third study (Study 4), we investigated some of the potential moderators of bystander influence: the bystander’s proximity to the victim after giving the advice, the bystander’s willingness to support the victim in future dealings with the police, and the bystander’s direct knowledge of the theft. The remaining two studies examined the effects of similarity between the influencing agent and the victim: Study 5 investigated similarity in terms of sex, and Study 6 examined similarity in terms of fate (i.e., covictim vs. bystander).
The Role of Akt Pathway Signaling in Glucose Metabolism and Metabolic Oxidative Stress

Glucose metabolism plays an important role in hydroperoxide detoxification and the inhibition of glucose metabolism has been shown to increase prooxidant production and cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Increased Akt pathway signaling has been shown to be directly correlated with increased rates of glucose metabolism observed in cancer cells versus normal cells. These observations have led to the proposal that inhibition of Akt signaling would inhibit glycolysis and increase hydroperoxide production which would preferentially kill tumor cells versus normal cells via oxidative stress. The current study shows that inhibition of the Akt pathway inhibits glucose consumption and induces parameters indicative of oxidative stress such as glutathione disulfide (%GSSG) and thioredoxin reductase (TR) activity in human head and neck cancer (HNSCC) cells. A theoretical model to explain the results is presented and implications for the use of Akt pathway inhibitors in combination with glycolytic inhibitors and/or manipulations that increase prooxidant production are discussed.
Evaluation and Management of Adult Shoulder Pain: A Focus on Rotator Cuff Disorders, Acromioclavicular Joint Arthritis, and Glenohumeral Arthritis

Shoulder pain is a common reason for a patient to see their primary care physician. This article focuses on the evaluation and management of 3 common shoulder disorders; rotator cuff disorders, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, and glenohumeral joint arthritis. The typical history and physical examination findings for each of these entities are highlighted, in addition to treatment options.
Comparing Stochastic Planning to the Acquisition of Increasingly Permissive Plans for Complex, Uncertain Domains

Abstract Difficult problems confront learning and planning efforts for real–world domains. These domains are inherently complex and can only be represented by approximate models subject to error. Furthermore, actions taken in the world are subject to control errors and sensor readings are only approximate. Several techniques have been developed to address these problems including reactive planning and stochastic and decision–theoretic approaches. In this paper, we introduce and compare a new technique called permissive planning with stochastic planning methods. Permissive planning uses an approximate domain theory to project future states. It is designed to improve the projection process for real–world domains by tuning plan schemata to tolerate deviations between the model and reality while maintain the accuracy of projection. Empirical comparisons of stochastic and permissive planning are performed with an implemented robotic system for achieving part orientations.
Edge Finite Elements of Variable Order for Maxwell’s Equations

I review the main ideas behind the construction of edge elements of variable order [16, 39, 18], and discuss the possibility of extending the construction to Nedelec’s elements of the first kind [31]. A motivation leading to the definition of hp-interpolation operators is highlighted, and their impact on the hp-discretizations of Maxwell’s equations discussed.
Pancreatic islets communicate with lymphoid tissues via exocytosis of insulin peptides

Tissue-specific autoimmunity occurs when selected antigens presented by susceptible alleles of the major histocompatibility complex are recognized by T cells. However, the reason why certain specific self-antigens dominate the response and are indispensable for triggering autoreactivity is unclear. Spontaneous presentation of insulin is essential for initiating autoimmune type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice1,2. A major set of pathogenic CD4 T cells specifically recognizes the 12–20 segment of the insulin B-chain (B:12–20), an epitope that is generated from direct presentation of insulin peptides by antigen-presenting cells3,4. These T cells do not respond to antigen-presenting cells that have taken up insulin that, after processing, leads to presentation of a different segment representing a one-residue shift, B:13–214. CD4 T cells that recognize B:12–20 escape negative selection in the thymus and cause diabetes, whereas those that recognize B:13–21 have only a minor role in autoimmunity3–5. Although presentation of B:12–20 is evident in the islets3,6, insulin-specific germinal centres can be formed in various lymphoid tissues, suggesting that insulin presentation is widespread7,8. Here we use live imaging to document the distribution of insulin recognition by CD4 T cells throughout various lymph nodes. Furthermore, we identify catabolized insulin peptide fragments containing defined pathogenic epitopes in β-cell granules from mice and humans. Upon glucose challenge, these fragments are released into the circulation and are recognized by CD4 T cells, leading to an activation state that results in transcriptional reprogramming and enhanced diabetogenicity. Therefore, a tissue such as pancreatic islets, by releasing catabolized products, imposes a constant threat to self-tolerance. These findings reveal a self-recognition pathway underlying a primary autoantigen and provide a foundation for assessing antigenic targets that precipitate pathogenic outcomes by systemically sensitizing lymphoid tissues.
Differences in Performance on Developmental Tasks in Young Children Across Digital and Paper-Based Modalities: A Feasibility Trial.

Objective To determine whether use of digital-based screening is a feasible approach to monitoring child development, it is necessary to assess young children's abilities to interface with touch screen technology. The primary objectives of this exploratory feasibility study with a randomized experimental design were to determine (1) whether young children respond differently to developmental tasks on paper versus tablet device and (2) whether responses to items presented digitally differed according to hours of weekly exposure to touch screen technology in the home. Methods Eighty children attending 18-, 24-, 36-, or 48-month pediatrician well-child checks were randomly assigned to complete a series of 70 examiner-facilitated, developmental tasks across 7 domains (receptive language, expressive language, early literacy, early numeracy, social emotional, cognition, and fine motor) presented either digitally or on paper. Parents provided information about use of technology in the home. A series of t tests assessed for main effects of presentation modality (digital vs paper) on each of the domains. Results Raw scores across the 7 domains did not differ by presentation modality. Hours of technology use per week was not related to raw scores among children in the digital condition. Conclusion Young children do not respond differentially to items when presented in a digital format in comparison to a paper-based format. Use of manipulatives for assessing developmental skills may be needed for children 2 years and younger, as they displayed a limited range of responses to items in both conditions at these age groups.
The Yirka Question and Yirka's Answer: What should law libraries stop doing in order to address higher priority initiatives?

Recipient of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Spectrum Article of the Year Award in 2008, Carl Yirka, Library Director and Professor of Law at Vermont Law School, examines decision making processes in law libraries. He urges law library directors to look beyond the library and make informed choices that are closely aligned with a law school’s institutional values and goals. Specifically, he discusses services that law libraries and librarians can forego in favor of programs more reflective of a law school’s institutional priorities. New programs and initiatives and should be designed not only with the law school’s mission and goals in mind but also in consultation with the faculty. For instance, faculty at Vermont Law School indicated that librarians could play a more vital and radically new role in the process of scholarship. As law libraries consider adjusting their priorities and the services offered, they must simultaneously measure progress and outcomes with objectivity and precision. A new metric for analyzing and grading a library’s successes and missteps, which Yirka believes present opportunities, is overdue.
Exposure to emotionally arousing, contamination-relevant pictorial stimuli interferes with response inhibition: Implication for obsessive–compulsive disorder

Multiple emotional processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of obsessions and compulsions and individuals diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have reliably shown deficits in response inhibition. Little research has tested how emotional processes might interact with cognitive control in the context of OCD. High contamination obsessive–compulsive (OC) and low contamination-OC participants completed an emotional go/no-go task to measure the interfering effects contamination-threat images relative to neutral images on action restraint (errors of commission). Results revealed that high contamination-OC participants committed marginally more commission errors (11.04%) than low contamination-OC participants (10.30%) on neutral no-go trials, but this effect was not significant (p>.05). All participants committed significantly more errors of commission on contamination-threat trails relative to neutral no-go trials, p<.01, but the interfering effects of contamination-threat images was significantly larger (p=.05) for high-contamination-OC participants. Errors of commission almost doubled for high contamination-OC participants on contamination-threat no-go trials (20.78%), compared to a more modest increase for low contamination-OC participants (14.80%). These findings suggest that individuals with elevated symptoms of OCD may have significantly more difficulty inhibiting their actions when processing disorder relevant or emotionally arousing information. This observation has implications for the pathogenesis of obsessions and compulsions.
Is There a Correlation Between Preoperative or Postoperative Vitamin D Levels with Pseudarthrosis, Hardware Failure, and Revisions After Lumbar Spine Fusion?

Background Vitamin D deficiency is a well-known cause of postoperative complications in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic complications seen in vitamin D deficiency include nonunion, pseudarthrosis, and hardware failure. We seek to investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and outcomes after lumbar spinal fusions. Methods A retrospective patient chart review was conducted at a single center for all patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusions from January 2015 to September 2017 with preoperative or postoperative vitamin D laboratory values. We recorded demographics, social history, medications, pre-existing medical conditions, bone density (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) T-scores, procedural details, 1-year postoperative Visual Analog Score (VAS), documented pseudarthrosis, revisions, and hardware failure. A total of 150 patients were initially included in the cohort for analysis. Results Overall, preoperative and postoperative vitamin D levels were not significantly associated with a vast majority of the patient characteristics studied, including comorbidities, medications, or surgical diagnoses (P > 0.05). Age at surgery was significantly associated with vitamin D levels; older patients had higher serum levels of vitamin D both preoperatively (P = 0.03) and postoperatively (P = 0.01). Those with a higher average body mass index had lower vitamin D in both groups (P = 0.02). Vitamin D levels were not significantly associated with rates of postoperative pseudarthrosis, revision, or hardware complications (P > 0.05). VAS pain score at 1 year and smoking status preoperatively or postoperatively were not associated with vitamin D levels (P > 0.05). Conclusions Both preoperative and postoperative vitamin D levels were not significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk of pseudarthrosis, revision surgery, hardware failure, or 1-year VAS pain score after lumbar spine fusion surgery.
Deporting America's Children: The Demise of Discretion and Family Values in Immigration Law

This article focuses on the deeply problematic practice of de facto child separation or de facto deportation of U.S.-citizen children occurring with greater frequency throughout the interior of the nation. I argue that the absence of discretion in the context of deporting parents of citizen children is both economically and socially counter-productive and inhumane. A new approach to assessing the impact of deportation on U.S.-citizen children must take into account not only the children’s constitutional rights as U.S. citizens, but also the societal interest in avoiding the “creation of an underclass of future citizens,” which cannot be reconciled with basic principles of equality. After examining constitutional infirmities posed by a legal regime that allows for the deportation of parents without regard for the de facto deportation of American children, or the deprivation of family integrity that occurs when children are left behind, I propose legislative reform to safeguard the constitutional rights of American children and families.
Nonlaser Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

The monopolar loop electrode has been the cornerstone of surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, it is not perfect and is associated with well-known complications that have spurred a plethora of alternative advancements in the surgical management of BPH. Two nonlaser transurethral prostatectomies are the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (biTURP), which is an endoscopic technique similar to monopolar TURP, and Aquablation, which is a surgeon-planned, image-guided, and robotically executed technique to resect prostate tissue using a high-velocity waterjet. We describe key steps in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative settings with particular focus on the surgical technique and patient preparation for these two procedures. In addition, we outline key studies characterizing efficacy, durability, and safety outcomes for both techniques. Both procedures have similar indications while patient selection criteria may differ slightly.
Plazomicin: an intravenous aminoglycoside antibacterial for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a major public health concern due to the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms, including extended spectrum s-lactamase (ESBL) and ca...
A DISTRIBUTED MORPHOLOGY ANALYSIS OF INDONESIAN KE-/-AN VERBS

Indonesian ke-/-an verbs have a complex argument structure. Similarly to Indonesian passive di- verbs, ke-/-an verbs never have an agentive NP in the subject position and their subject NPs must be definite. However, unlike passive di- verbs, these verbs generally cannot be followed by an agentive prepositional phrase. In addition, when ke-/-an verbs have two arguments, the applied argument appears in the subject position instead of the internal one. In this study, the structure of Indonesian ke-/-an verbs is analyzed by using the Distributed Morphology framework (Folli dan Harley, 2002; Kratzer, 1996; Marantz, 1997; among others). Based on the verbs’ distribution and interpretation, this study argues that of ke-/-an verbs are derived by attaching the ke-/-an circumfix, which is an overt representation of a verbalizing head, to the projection of ROOT.
The influence of carbohydrate ingestion on peripheral and central fatigue during exercise in hypoxia: A narrative review.

Hypoxia impairs aerobic performance by accelerating fatiguing processes. These processes may originate from sites either distal (peripheral) or proximal (central) to the neuromuscular junction, tho...
VAMP2 AND SYNAPTOTAGMINS ARE RELATIVELY IMMOBILE ON CHROMAFFIN GRANULE MEMBRANES: IMPLICATIONS FOR MEMBRANE FUSION AND FUSION PORE EXPANSION

Although many of the proteins of secretory granules have been identified, little is known about their molecular organization and diffusion characteristics. Granule-plasma membrane fusion can only occur when proteins that enable fusion are present at the granule-plasma membrane contact. Thus, the mobility of granule membrane proteins may be an important determinant of fusion pore formation and expansion. To address this issue, we measured the mobility of (fluorophore-tagged) vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), and synaptotagmin 7 (Syt7) in chromaffin granule membranes in living chromaffin cells. We used a method that is not limited by standard optical resolution. A bright flash of strongly decaying evanescent field ([~]80 nm exponential decay constant) produced by total internal reflection (TIR) was used to photobleach GFP-labeled proteins in the granule membrane. Fluorescence recovery occurs as unbleached protein in the granule membrane distal from the glass interface diffuses into the more bleached proximal regions, thereby enabling the measurement of diffusion coefficients. The studies revealed that VAMP2, Syt1, and Syt7 are relatively immobile in chromaffin granules membranes with diffusion constants of [≤] 3 x 10-10 cm2/s. Utilizing these diffusion parameters and the known density of VAMP2 and Syt 1 on synaptic vesicles, we estimated the time required for these proteins to arrive at a nascent fusion site to be tens of milliseconds. We propose that the mobilities of secretory granule SNARE and Syt proteins, heretofore unappreciated factors, influence the kinetics of exocytosis and protein discharge. Significance StatementIn eukaryotic cells, secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to secrete chemical transmitters, hormones and proteins that enable diverse physiological functions including neurotransmission. Fusion proteins need to be assembled at the fusion site in sufficient number in order to enable membrane fusion. However, the diffusion characteristics of fusogenic proteins on secretory vesicles remained unknown. Here we used a novel method not limited by standard optical resolution to measure the diffusion of VAMP2 and synaptotagmins on chromaffin granule membranes. We found they have limited mobility. The time required for these proteins to reach the granule-plasma membrane contact site suggests that their limited mobility likely influences the kinetics of membrane fusion and subsequent fusion pore expansion.
Investigation into the effects of laser shock peening as a post treatment to laser impact welding

Abstract In this work, laser shock peening (or simply laser peening) is investigated for the first time as a post welding treatment for dissimilar foils joined via the fully-mechanical, high-velocity laser impact welding technique. Single and double laser peening shots were applied to laser-impact-welded foils using three different metallic material combinations. Subsequent lap shear testing showed that single-shot laser peening increased the average weld strength by 12% to 25%, depending on the flyer and target material combination. In contrast, with double-shot laser peening, the average weld strength decreased regardless of the flyer and target materials involved. Scanning electron microscope images revealed wavy weld interfaces and increased interlocking between the foils for the single-shot laser peening treatments as compared to the initial “flat” weld interface geometry, thereby leading to greater flyer/target weld strength. In the double-shot laser peening treatments, however, separations and melting were observed along the weld interface due to rebounding and excessive plastic heat dissipation of the foils. The findings of this study reveal the first insights and effects regarding the application of laser shock peening as a post-welding treatment beyond conventional fusion-based welding to high-velocity impact welding methods.
Cultural Differences in Consumer Responses to Celebrities Acting Immorally: A Comparison of the United States and South Korea

Scandals involving celebrities’ moral transgressions are common in both Western and Eastern cultures. Existing literature, however, has been primarily based on Western cultures. We examine differences between South Korea and the United States (U.S.) in consumers’ support for celebrities engaged in moral transgressions and for the brands they endorse. Across six studies, we find that Korean (vs. U.S.) consumers show lower support for celebrities who engaged in moral transgressions. This effect occurs because Korean (vs. U.S.) consumers have a stronger belief that an individual’s competence and morality are interconnected. Thus, Korean (vs. U.S.) consumers are less likely to separate their judgments of celebrities’ morality and competence in professional performance, thereby lowering support for the celebrities. Building on the proposed mechanism, we identify the moderating role of transgression relevance. When a moral transgression is relevant (vs. not relevant) to the domain of the celebrity’s professional competence, the difference in celebrity support between the two countries is attenuated. This difference extends to the support for a brand endorsed by the celebrity transgressor when the brand retains the celebrity endorser, but not when the brand dismisses the endorser.
Wideband Spectrum Sensing Techniques

From a physical standpoint, the distinguishing feature of a cognitive radio (CR) is the spectrum sensing unit (SSU). The SSU must be designed in such a way that it can scan the entire frequency spectrum and locate unused channels. The location of unused channels is not a trivial task for two main reasons. First, the frequency spectrum band may be large and hence sensing the entire spectrum may be impractically time consuming. Second, the detection of weak signals must be distinguished from noise generated by an unlicensed interferer. The second point indicates that a simple energy metric is not sufficient. In this chapter, sensing requirements for CR are listed. This is followed by a set of techniques that can enhance the performance of the SSU.
The Effects of Perceptions of Performance Measurement Characteristics on the Workforce

The strategic performance measurement system (SPMS) is a useful tool for communicating valuable information to an organization’s most important resource, its human capital (Taylor 2007). This study merges SPMS literature with an important lever of organizational success—its human capital, and investigates how self-efficacy, psychological contracts, and exchange ideology can explain when and why characteristics of SPMSs matter. Using survey data collected in the field, we analyze data on 306 employees of a financial services firm. Our results provide support that self-efficacy and psychological contracts mediate the relation between perceptions of SPMS characteristics and organizational justice. Furthermore, we find that the relation between both SPMS characteristics and procedural justice depend on exchange ideology. These results have both theoretical implications in terms of integrating psychological literature with organizational theory and practical implications in terms of extracting benefits from a costly managerial tool.
Formaldehyde Solution Effectively Inactivates Spores of Bacillus anthracis on the Scottish Island of Gruinard

Gruinard Island was heavily contaminated with the spores of virulent Bacillus anthracis during biological weapons trials in World War II. However, an extensive survey in 1979 showed that most of the island was not contaminated. In the early 1980s, a more intensive survey revealed that the contamination was largely confined to the top 8 cm of the soil in a 2.6-ha area of the 211-ha island. Small-scale tests showed that the spores could be inactivated by drenching the soil with fluid biocides. A solution of 5% formaldehyde in seawater applied by surface spray to each square meter of ground was shown to be the most effective treatment and was utilized for large-scale decontamination of the affected areas. Following this treatment, extensive sampling revealed that most of the spores of B. anthracis had been inactivated. Isolated pockets of surviving spores were treated further. A flock of sheep was then allowed to graze over the entire island for 5 months; none contracted anthrax.
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF ANALYTICAL AND LAGRANGIAN SURFACE-LAYER FLUX FOOTPRINT MODELS

Three surface-layer flux footprint models have been evaluated with the results of an SF6 tracer release experiment specifically designed to test such models. They are a Lagrangian stochastic model, an analytical model, and a simplified derivative of the analytical model. Vertical SF6 fluxes were measured by eddy correlation at four distances downwind of a near-surface crosswind line source in an area of homogeneous sagebrush. The mean fluxes were calculated for 136 half-hour test periods and compared to the fluxes predicted by the footprint models. All three models gave similar predictions and good characterizations of the footprint over the stability range -0.01 < z0/L < 0.005. The predictions of the three models were within the limits of the uncertainty of the experimental measurements in all but a few cases within this stability range. All three models are unconditionally recommended for determining the area defined by the footprint over short vegetative canopies in this range. They are also generally appropriate for estimating flux magnitudes within the limits of experimental uncertainties. Most of the mean differences observed between the measured and predicted fluxes at each of the four towers reflect a tendency for the measured fluxes to be greater than those predicted by the three models. Rigorous verification of the models in strongly stable conditions was complicated by the need to obtain very accurate measurements of small fluxes in only marginally stationary conditions. Verification in strongly unstable conditions was hampered by the limited number of appropriate data.