cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social support sources matter: Increased cellular aging among adults with unsupportive spouses.

Abstract Social support is associated with better health but it is unknown whether the health advantages of social support depend on the support source. Using a probability sample of older U.S. adults ( n = 1430) we compared leukocyte telomere length, a biomarker of cellular aging, between married adults whose support sources either did or did not include their spouse. Despite having social support from other sources, participants who lacked spousal support had shorter telomeres relative to those with spousal support. The size of this telomere difference was comparable to differences between men and women and was independent of sociodemographic variables, coronary heart disease risk, diagnosed chronic disease and other social relationship resources such as the number of support sources, the number of friends, or the availability of financial support. Our findings suggest that relative to other sources of social support, spousal support may be especially important for cellular aging, a general biological mechanism that is implicated in age-related chronic disease risk.
Perspectives on the Relationship between Tax and Financial Accounting

This book chapter analyzes similarities and differences between financial and tax accounting with a view toward understanding how financial accounting might inform and improve tax accounting and vice versa. It begins with a brief overview of the historical relationship between the two and discusses how lawmakers and scholars have traditionally thought about that relationship — one in which financial accounting tends to understate income out of a reflexive conservatism, while tax accounting, ever protective of the fisc, tends to overstate income. The chapter then turns to what I call the “modern era,” in which the traditional values and policies promoted by each system have reversed, with financial accounting overstating income and tax accounting understating it. It considers whether the two systems can benefit by requiring greater conformity or disclosure of the differences between them. The next part of the chapter explores how the financial and tax accounting systems treat intellectual capital, a vital and growing driver of global economic productivity. It finds that the two systems are relatively aligned at this time but are trending in opposite directions. Financial accounting is poised to make significant changes that will more accurately measure income from intellectual capital while tax accounting has regressed to a less accurate treatment of intellectual capital. The chapter argues that tax accounting for intellectual capital can and should be informed by the research and reforms taking place in financial accounting. The final part of the chapter discusses how my endorsement of a close relationship between financial and tax accounting differs from Adam Chodorow’s perspective, set forth in a separate chapter. Chodorow advocates that we adopt the cash method of accounting for tax purposes. Alternatively, he argues that the courts and the IRS can effectively police abuses under the current law accrual method. I argue that the accrual method should be retained for tax purposes because it more accurately measures economic income than the cash method. Furthermore, I argue that legislative reform is far superior to judicial and regulatory oversight to defend against abuses of the accrual method.
Standards für gute Beziehungen: Nachhaltiges Lieferantenmanagement im Bayer-Konzern

Nachhaltigkeit bedeutet im Kern Zukunftsfahigkeit und ist neben drei weiteren Saulen (Profitables Wachstum, Innovation und Mitarbeiter) ein integraler Bestandteil der Geschaftsstrategie von Bayer. Wir sind davon uberzeugt, dass wir unternehmerisch auf Dauer nur erfolgreich sein konnen, wenn wir wirtschaftliches Wachstum mit okologischer und gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung in Einklang bringen. Durch Verantwortungsvolle Geschaftspraktiken in den Handlungsbereichen Compliance, Personalpolitik, Produktverantwortung, Gesundheit, Umweltschutz und Sicherheit sowie Lieferantenmanagement konnen Risiken fruhzeitig erkennen und minimieren. Um unsere Strategie konsequent umzusetzen, haben wir uns ambitionierte okonomische, soziale und okologische Ziele entlang der Wertschopfungskette gesetzt, die wir anhand ausgewahlter Leistungsindikatoren messen. Sie dienen der Uberprufung unserer Fortschritte in den Bereichen Innovation, Ressourceneffizienz, Sicherheit, Produktverantwortung, Compliance, Mitarbeiter und Lieferantenmanagement. Letztgenannter Bereich bildet den Fokus dieses Beitrags.
Central Parkin: The evolving role of Parkin in the heart

Parkin is familiar to many because of its link to Parkinson's disease, and to others because of its well-characterized role as a central factor mediating selective mitophagy of damaged mitochondria for mitochondrial quality control. The genetic connection between Parkin and Parkinson's disease derives from clinical gene-association studies, whereas our mechanistic understanding of Parkin functioning in mitophagy is based almost entirely on work performed in cultured cells. Surprisingly, experimental evidence linking the disease and the presumed mechanism derives almost entirely from fruit flies; germline Parkin deficient mice do not develop Parkinson's disease phenotypes. Moreover, genetic manipulation of Parkin signaling in mouse hearts does not support a central role for Parkin in homeostatic mitochondrial quality control in this mitochondria-rich and -dependent organ. Here, I provide an overview of data suggesting that (in mouse hearts at least) Parkin functions more as a stress-induced and developmentally-programmed facilitator of cardiomyocyte mitochondrial turnover. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016.
Comment on "Acoustic Velocity Formulation for Sources in Arbitrary Motion"

Comments on “Acoustic Velocity Formulation for Sources in Arbitrary Motion” Seongkyu Lee 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of California, Davis Kenneth S. Brentner 2 Department of Aerospace Engineering The Pennsylvania State University October 28, 2015 1 Assistant 2 Professor; Professor; skulee@ucdavis.edu, AIAA Senior Member ksb16@engr.psu.edu, AIAA Associate Fellow
Improvements in the Permutation Test for the Spatial Analysis of the Distribution of Artifacts into Classes

Refinements and extensions to the permutation test for assessing the intrasite patterning of artifact distributions in an archaeological space are presented. Specifically, a Pearson type III distribution is employed to approximate the sampling distribution of the test statistic, an improved weighting is introduced to increase the efficiency of the test, and a method is presented to permit the inclusion of unclassified artifacts in the spatial analysis.
Predicting Penetration of Intranet Content and Applications

Around the world, businesses, governments and other organizations are making substantial investments in developing products for their web-based intranets. However, analysis of intranet usage statistics suggests that a remarkably small percentage of web products account for the vast majority of web usage. Furthermore, there appears to be no correlation between the cost of development for web products and the resulting usage. It was reasoned that a model that predicted the usage of web products would be of tremendous value in cost-justifying the development of web products. This paper reports two early steps in developing such a model. First, parameters were assessed to identify those thought to influence usage of web products. Next, these parameters were tested using a relatively small sample of web products. The resulting model incorporated three parameters (Relevant Population, Habit and Competition) and their interactions, and accounted for 88% of the variance in the sample tested.
The glomus tumor and its biology

This section has attempted to detail the histopathologic, biologic, pathophysiologic, and epidemiologic characteristics of jugulotympanic paragangliomas. These features do not stand devoid of clinical significance, but rather lay the foundation for the formulation of logical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these fascinating tumors.
Lasers in Medicine

Lasers and Fiber Optics, R. W. Waynant Optical and Thermal Response of Tissue to Laser Radiation, A. J. Welch and Craig Gardner Dosimetry and Thermal Monitoring, Brian Wilson and Douglas R. Wyman Uses and Effects of Ultraviolet on Tissue, Tom Cohill Physics of UV Ablation, George Pettit Tissue Diagnostics Using Lasers, Sune Svanberg Low Power Laser Effects, Tiina Karu Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications of Lasers in Ophthalmology, Keith Thompson Cardiovascular Applications of Lasers, Jordan Haller Laser in Photodynamic Therapy, Stuart Marcus
Additive Manufacturing: A Trans-disciplinary Experience

Objective Additive Manufacturing (AM) has intrigued the minds of many. The artist can create truly unique designs. The production engineer has a completely new way of making parts. The warfighter can repair or replace equipment on the battlefield. Moreover, any curious person can build trinket and toys at home. As such, the systems challenges facing AM users are not restricted to experts from one domain or one discipline, but are challenges faced by all. This chapter serves to review these transdisciplinary challenges and to discuss opportunities associated with (AM) technologies. The chapter also explores the unique systems challenges created by the widespread adoption of those technologies.
Communities of Place? New Evidence for the Role of Distance and Population Size in Community Attachment

Historically, ecological features of a community, such as population size, were considered fundamental aspects of the community experience. Yet methodological advances and the rise of globalization have challenged many classical assumptions rooted in the ecological tradition. Using recent data—the Montana Health Matters Study 2010 (N = 3,508)—we explore whether community attachment links with distance and population size in Montana. Surprisingly, a statistically significant relationship to community attachment appears only when distance from urban centers and community population size are modeled together. Perceived quality of community services partly explains this relationship, but only for the distance measure. Altogether, as globalization is undoubtedly transforming rural life, we argue that “communities of place” may still endure when distance to urban centers and population size are simultaneously accounted for.
School mental health content in state in-service K-12 teaching standards in the United States

Abstract Teachers are integral to addressing children's mental health needs in schools, and they are often members of child-serving teams focused on school mental health. Still, teachers report limited training in mental health and behavior management in the classroom. This study used content analysis procedures to examine state K-12 teaching standards in the United States to understand the extent to which standards reflected teacher competencies for school mental health. Results revealed that all states included content on school mental health, yet the content and extent of the content varied considerably across the country. Implications are suggested for teaching policy, practice, and training.
The origin of single low-mass WDs: another problem that consequential angular momentum loss in CVs might solve

Low-mass helium-core white-dwarfs (WDs) with masses below 0.5 Msun are known to be formed in binary star systems but unexpectedly a significant fraction of them seem to be single. On the other hand, in Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) a large number of low-mass WD primary stars is predicted but not observed. We recently showed that the latter problem can be solved if consequential angular momentum loss causes especially CVs with low-mass WDs to merge and form single stars. Here we simulate the population of single WDs resulting from single star evolution and from binary star mergers taking into account these new merging CVs. We show that according to the revised model of CV evolution, merging CVs might be the dominant channel leading to the formation of low-mass single WDs and that the predicted relative numbers are consistent with observations. This can be interpreted as further evidence for the revised model of CV evolution we recently suggested. This model includes consequential angular momentum loss that increases with decreasing WD mass and might not only explain the absence of low-mass WD primaries in CVs but also the existence of single low-mass WDs.
Toward the Integration of Individual Psychodynamic Theories and Family Systems Theories

This paper suggests some foundations for a bridge across one of the great divides of theory and practice in clinical psychology: that between individual psychodynamic therapy and family therapy. It indicates a general strategy for theoretical unification that attempts to retain the most valuable and essential features of each but reworks them in a way that highlights previously obscured possibilities for synthesis. The theoretical position employed—cyclical psychodynamics—was originally developed in the effort to integrate psychodynamic and behavioral points of view (Wachtel, 1977, 1985). Here the possibilities that this conceptual framework affords for forging links between psychodynamic and family systems approaches are explored. From the perspective of cyclical psychodynamics, it is possible to embody all the key observations and almost all the key concepts that characterize a psychodynamic view in a framework that is fully circular in the same sense that family therapy theories are. From the perspective of family systems theories, any individual’s behavior is seen not as the linear causal product of past events or experiences but as part of a system of transactions between people that codetermine each other in the present. A conception of individual psychological development is presented here that incorporates such a view yet also retains key conceptions regarding the nature of unconscious motivations and cognitions and the role of conflict, anxiety, and defense. The clinical and theoretical implications of such a view are examined and the possibilities for therapeutic intervention it points to are examined in detail.
Hybrid ZTE/Dixon MR-based attenuation correction for quantitative uptake estimation of pelvic lesions in PET/MRI.

Purpose This study introduces a new hybrid ZTE/Dixon MR-based attenuation correction (MRAC) method including bone density estimation for PET/MRI and quantifies the effects of bone attenuation on metastatic lesions uptake in the pelvis. Methods Six patients with pelvic lesions were scanned using fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in an integrated time-of-flight (TOF) PET/MRI system. For PET attenuation correction, MR imaging consisted of two-point Dixon and zero echo-time (ZTE) pulse sequences. A continuous-value fat and water pseudoCT was generated from two-point Dixon MRI. Bone was segmented from the ZTE images and converted to Hounsfield units (HU) using a continuous two-segment piecewise linear model based on ZTE MRI intensity. The HU values were converted to linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) using a bilinear model. The bone voxels of the Dixon-based pseudoCT were replaced by the ZTE-derived bone to produce the hybrid ZTE/Dixon pseudoCT. The three different AC maps (Dixon, hybrid ZTE/Dixon, CTAC) were used to reconstruct PET images using a TOF ordered subsets expectation maximization algorithm with a point-spread function model. Metastatic lesions were separated into two classes, bone lesions and soft tissue lesions, and analyzed. The MRAC methods were compared using a root-mean-squared error (RMSE), where the registered CTAC was taken as ground truth. Results The RMSE of the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) is 11.02% and 7.79% for bone (N=6) and soft tissue lesions (N=8), respectively using Dixon MRAC. The RMSE of SUVmax for these lesions is significantly reduced to 3.28% and 3.94% when using the new hybrid ZTE/Dixon MRAC. Additionally, the RMSE for PET SUVs across the entire pelvis and all patients are 8.76% and 4.18%, for the Dixon and hybrid ZTE/Dixon MRAC methods, respectively. Conclusion A hybrid ZTE/Dixon MRAC method was developed and applied to pelvic regions in an integrated TOF PET/MRI, demonstrating improved MRAC. This new method included bone density estimation, through which PET quantification is improved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An improved hydroxamate-based matrix metalloproteinase targeting tracer for aneurysm imaging

1628 Objectives Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a major role in tissue remodeling and their imaging can potentially lead to better management of patients with cardiovascular diseases, including aneurysm, cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis. The feasibility of vascular MMP imaging has been demonstrated using RP805, a 99mTc-labeled panMMP inhibitor, but this required imaging at relatively late time points. We have developed a novel MMP-targeted tracer, RYM, with potentially improved pharmacokinetics for vascular imaging. RYM is a rationally designed hydroxamate-based panMMP inhibitor containing a HYNIC group for Tc-99m radiolabeling. In this study we evaluated 99mTc-RYM biodistribution, binding to aneurysm and in vivo specificity. Methods Biodistribution at 2 h post-injection (p.i.) and blood clearance were evaluated in C57Bl/6J mice injected with 0.5 mCi of 99mTc-RYM (n = 6) or 99mTc-RP805 (n = 6). In vivo targeting to aneurysm and specificity of 99mTc-RYM was evaluated in high-fat fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, 4 weeks after carotid aneurysm induction through peri-adventital application of CaCl2. The animals were injected with 0.3 mCi of 99mTc-RYM with (n = 3) or without (n = 4) pre-injection of a non-labeled RYM analog. This was followed by quantitative autoradiography of arterial tracer uptake at 2 h p.i. Results 99mTc-RYM showed a lower blood pool activity compared to 99mTc-RP805 at 1 and 2 h p.i. [1.3 ± 0.4 vs 2.8 ± 1.2 % injected dose (ID)/mL and 1.0 ± 0.4 vs 1.8 ± 0.7 %ID/mL, respectively, p Conclusions The novel hydroxamate-based panMMP inhibitor-derived tracer, 99mTc-RYM, demonstrated improved pharmacokinetics for vascular imaging and specific in vivo binding to aneurysm. These data support further development of this agent for clinical translation.
Inducing data loss in Zigbee networks via join/association handshake spoofing

Zigbee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for low-power wireless mesh networks. Being a protocol with several known vulnerabilities, it continues to attract extensive research interest due to its potential applications in the Internet-of-Things (IoT). One of Zigbee's weak points lies in the network coordinator's initial handshake with a joining device, which is unencrypted. Our paper proposes a denial-of-service attack which exploits this fact to convince an end device to send its data to a rogue device on a different channel rather than the actual coordinator. Because the resource limitations of Zigbee devices generally preclude permanent storage, this is likely to result in loss of the transmitted data. We successfully demonstrate our attack and propose a solution that uses challenge-response based authentication to mitigate the attack.
Imaging of Groin Pain: Magnetic Resonance and Ultrasound Imaging Features.

Context:Evaluation of groin pain in athletes may be challenging as pain is typically poorly localized and the pubic symphyseal region comprises closely approximated tendons and muscles. As such, ma...
Coexisting Sickle Cell Anemia and Sarcoidosis: A Management Conundrum!:

Sickle cell disease and Sarcoidosis are conditions that are more common in the African American population. In this report we share an unfortunate patient who had hepatic sarcoidosis but could not receive steroids since that precipitated acute liver failure. We have discussed potential therapy options but we need more options that improve mortality.
Brief of Amicus Curiae Franklin Pierce Law Center on En Banc Rehearing in Support of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Hyatt v. Kappos, No. 2007–1066 (Fed. Cir., May 24, 2010) (with Pierce Law IP Amicus Brief Clinic)

The petitioner’s application has been pending in the USPTO since June 6, 1995, and indeed is based on a series of applications allegedly having priority back to 1975. In the event that Section 145 proceedings are completely de nova, such proceedings could have the effect of prolonging the length of time that the public is subjected to considerable uncertainty. Thus, while the statute provides for a proceeding in the District Court, such a proceeding should not be one that starts afresh but rather is circumscribed so that the applicant is not able to use the proceeding to unduly prolong the entire process. What this means is that the proceedings should be limited to those issues already well developed and that new evidence be limited. Clearly, the rules of evidence in the USPTO are different from the Fed. R. Evid. There will be situations where it is essential that an applicant be given an opportunity to have evidence, and perhaps issues, considered by the District Court that was not (or could not) have been considered by the USPTO. The relevance standard of Fed. R. Evid. 401 and 402 and the limitations of Fed. R. Evid. 403 are adequate tools for the District Court to use in order to manage the process.
Submarine melt rates and mass balance for Greenland's remainingice tongues

Ice shelf-like floating extensions at the termini of Greenland glaciers are undergoing rapid changes with potential implications for the stability of upstream glaciers and the ice sheet as a whole. While submarine melting is recognized as a major contributor to mass loss, the spatial distribution of submarine melting and its contribution to the total mass balance of these floating extensions is incompletely known and understood. Here, we use high-resolution WorldView satellite imagery collected between 2011–2015 to infer the magnitude and spatial variability of melt rates under Greenland's largest remaining ice tongues, Nioghalvfjerdsbrae (79 North Glacier), Ryder Glacier, and Petermann Glacier. Submarine melt rates under the ice tongues vary considerably, exceeding 50 m a -1 near the grounding zone and decaying rapidly downstream. Channels, likely originating from upstream subglacial channels, give rise to large melt variations across the ice tongues. We compare the total melt rates to the influx of ice to the ice tongue to assess their contribution to the current mass balance. At Petermann Glacier and Ryder Glacier, we find that the combined submarine and aerial melt approximately balances the ice flux from the grounded ice sheet. At Nioghalvfjerdsbrae the total melt flux (14.2 ± 1.6 km 3 a -1 water-equivalent) exceeds the inflow of ice (10.2 ± 0.59 km 3 a -1 water-equivalent) indicating present thinning of the ice tongue.
As Terrorism Evolves: Media, Religion, and Governance

Some of the world's most lethal terrorist organizations have become media-centric enterprises, while also hijacking a major world religion, holding large swathes of physical territory, and governing their own virtual states. In this concise and penetrating book, Seib traces how terrorism has proliferated and increased significantly in menace in the relatively brief period between the rise of al-Qaeda and the creation of Islamic State. With close attention to the linkages between media, religion, and violence, the book offers incisive analysis of how organizations such as Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram operate and reflects on how terrorism may continue to evolve. Seib argues that twenty-first-century terrorism is enabled by new media and depends on social networks as connective tissue, while interacting simultaneously with religion and socio-economic and political grievances. As Terrorism Evolves prescribes new measures for counterterrorism efforts, underscores the importance of soft power, and makes a strong case for recognizing that we have entered an era of terrorism of undetermined duration.
Acute urinary retention in women: Complete urodynamic evaluation

Sixteen women underwent complete urodynamic investigation of acute urinary retention. Simultaneous recordings of intravesical and rectal pressures allowed an easy distinction to be made between bladder contractions and abdominal straining. Needle electromyograms, viewed on an oscilloscope by an experienced electromyographer, permitted an exacting neurologic diagnosis. Although the cause was psychogenic in 7 patients, 9 others had subtle evidence of organic pathology, one of whom had a spinal cord tumor. A logical format for evaluating acute urinary retention is presented.
Targeting HIV-1 Envelope Proteins Using a Fragment Discovery All-Atom Computational Algorithm.

Introduction HIV viral envelope proteins are targets for small inhibitor molecules aimed at disrupting the cellular entry process. Potential peptide-class inhibitor molecules (rDNA drugs) have been previously identified, with mixed results, through biomimicry and phage display experimental methods. Here we describe a new approach based on computational fragment discovery. The method has the potential to not only optimize peptide binding affinity but also to rapidly produce alternative inhibitors against mutated strains. Methods A comprehensive, all-atom implicit solvent method is used to bombard the C-heptad repeat unit of HIV-1 target envelope protein GP41 with single D-amino acid residues as they exist in their native state. A nascent peptide computational search process then identifies potential favorable sequences of attached ligands based on four peptide bond criteria. Finally, dynamic simulations of nascent peptides attached to host targets help refine potential peptide inhibitors for experimental HIV-1 challenge assays and testing. Results and discussion Initial testing of the method was done using 64,000 total ligands of D-amino acid residues at a total computational time of 0.05 microseconds per ligand, which resulted in several thousand attached ligands. Peptide bond criteria search employing three of the four bond constraints with a tolerance of 20 percent, resulted in four potential peptide inhibitors of 5 to 6 residues in length. Only one of the four peptides demonstrated IC50 values and partial viral inhibition based on cell challenge assays using CEM-SS host cells. That peptide inhibitor also computationally demonstrated long-time attachment and stability to a helical groove in its C-heptad target. This initial testing of peptide fragment discovery against HIV-1 has helped us refine the protocols and identify key areas of improvement. Conclusion Our methods demonstrate the potential to design efficient peptide inhibitors to viral target proteins based on an all-atom dynamic simulation and using a ligand library as fragments of potential nascent peptides. Our methods can be greatly improved through the use of higher numbers of ligands, increased time of bombardment, and tighter constraints on the peptide bond search step. Our method may be important in the need to rapidly respond to target mutations and to advance multiple targeting methods based multiple peptide inhibitors.
A thermal-mechanical finite element workflow for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing process modeling

Abstract This work proposes a finite element (FE) analysis workflow to simulate directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing at a macroscopic length scale (i.e. part length scale) and to predict thermal conditions during manufacturing, as well as distortions, strength and residual stresses at the completion of manufacturing. The proposed analysis method incorporates a multi-step FE workflow to elucidate the thermal and mechanical responses in laser engineered net shaping (LENS) manufacturing. For each time step, a thermal element activation scheme captures the material deposition process. Then, activated elements and their associated geometry are analyzed first thermally for heat flow due to radiation, convection, and conduction, and then mechanically for the resulting stresses, displacements, and material property evolution. Simulations agree with experimentally measured in situ thermal measurements for simple cylindrical build geometries, as well as general trends of local hardness distribution and plastic strain accumulation (represented by relative distribution of geometrically necessary dislocations).
Imaging Biomarkers of Delayed Sequelae in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (P2.029)

Objective: To learn if Ioflupane I 123 injection (DaTscan) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) can detect changes in the brain in individuals with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that are similar to those seen in early Parkinson’s disease (PD). Background: Previous epidemiologic studies have associated a history of mTBI with subsequent development of Parkinson’s disease. Neuropathological, biomarker, and animal experimental studies have also identified increased alpha-synuclein protein levels in TBI, which is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Lastly, patients with Parkinson’s disease have reduced uptake on DaTscan in the striatum and previous studies suggest that DaTscan may detect preclinical Parkinson’s disease. Design/Methods: Case-control study comparing subjects who presented to the Emergency Room (ER) during 2006–2013 with mTBI (cases) to subjects presenting to the ER during the same time period without mTBI (controls). Measurements performed at least one year post the ER visit included cumulative TBI exposure, post-concussion symptoms, cognition, anxiety and depression, insomnia, motor function, general neurological health, quality of life, and qualitative and quantitative dopamine transporter imaging with DaTscan. Results: We enrolled 34 cases and 33 controls. All dopamine transporter imaging scans were qualitatively normal in cases and controls. There was a borderline significant difference in caudate asymmetry between cases and controls (p=0.05) on quantitative DaTscan imaging, but this was possibly spurious (greater asymmetry in controls than in cases). Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms (p=0.007), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (p=0.03), and Insomnia Severity Index (p=0.03) scores were significantly greater in cases than in controls. Conclusions: This study does not provide DaTscan imaging evidence that mTBI is a risk factor for PD, or that DaTscan SPECT imaging can detect subclinical PD in mTBI subjects. Significant differences in some clinical assessment measures suggest possible long-term neurological effects of mTBI (apart from PD). Study Supported by: Investigator-initiated grant awarded to Dr. Demetrius Maraganore by GE Healthcare. Disclosure: Dr. Reams has received personal compensation for activities as an expert witness as a consultant. Dr. Anderson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Perlman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Walters has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frigerio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Maraganore has received research support from GE.
Load carrying capacity of the pore pressure in a poroelastic beam subject to oscillatory excitation

Biot theory is employed to analyze a bone beam under combined oscillatory axial compression and bending. It is shown that, for the bone beam considered, the portion of the total axial stress taken by the fluid constituent stress never exceeds the value of porosity. The presence of the pore fluid and pore fluid pressure within a beam of bone doesn’t have significant influence on its load-bearing axial total stress. The solid matrix supports most of the axial total stress, which responds almost like a solid elastic beam. The transverse total stress is nonzero but its magnitude is at least one order of magnitude smaller than the axial total stress, and it is closely moderated by the pore fluid pressure.
Pharmacology—Lithium Absorption, Distribution, Renal Handling, and Effect on Body Electrolytes

Lithium is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Blood levels peak after single oral doses of lithium between 2 to 4 hours (Amdisen, 1969; Platman et al., 1968; Trautner et al., 1955). Accordingly, in clinical practice blood lithium levels are measured at least 8 hours after the last dose to avoid sampling during these peaks. This very rapid absorption has led to the introduction of slow-release forms of lithium to achieve more constant blood levels (Amdisen, 1969; Coppen and Bailey, 1970). It is possible that by avoiding extreme flings of blood lithium levels and by permitting more precise monitoring of serum lithium concentration, the incidence of lithium-induced side effects will eventually be reduced.
Mario Kart 8: A case study in total internal reflection

Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 features several underwater tracks, allowing players the opportunity to race through aquatic environments. One of the courses, titled “Water Park,” features a scene where the player surfaces from water by driving up a ramp. From the player’s perspective, an unrefracted image of a Ferris wheel and two trees is present above the water line as shown in Fig. 1. Of course, this view ignores the index of refraction difference of water and air; the only distinction players can make between the two environments is a marginally visible blue hue to the features above the water line.
Television, Computers and Sports

Roone Arledge, innovative television sports pioneer, said that television tools such as instant replays, slow motion and even superimposing the names of the players on the screen after a good play, were called gimmicks when they were introduced. The computer invasion into television production that began years ago with the character generator, continues to grow. As directors and producers continue to look for tools and techniques that will lead to a more informed viewer, they are increasingly turning to computer based, viewer enhancement tools.
Physical Therapy on Postoperative Day Zero Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 394 Patients.

Abstract Background Surgeons have increasingly emphasized early mobilization as a way to facilitate discharge following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether starting formal physical therapy (PT) the afternoon of postoperative day (POD) 0, instead of starting PT the morning of POD 1, could shorten hospital length of stay (LOS). Methods Patients undergoing elective TKA with a planned minimum 1-night hospital stay were randomized to start formal PT the afternoon following surgery or the morning of POD 1. LOS in hours was the primary outcome. An a priori sample size calculation suggested that 394 patients were required to show a 4-hour difference between groups. Results Out of 394 patients enrolled and randomized, 378 (95.9%) completed the study. The observed difference in hospital LOS was not large enough to be of clinical significance (intention-to-treat analysis: median of 32.0 hours for POD 0 PT vs 31.0 hours for POD 1 PT, P = .65; as-treated analysis: median of 31.0 hours for POD 0 PT vs 32.0 hours for POD 1 PT, P = .12). Similarly, the observed differences in satisfaction with inpatient PT (10.0 vs 10.0, P = .77), patient-reported readiness for discharge at time of discharge (10.0 vs 10.0, P = .97), and POD 0 pain (3.3 vs 4.0, P = .79) were not large enough to be of clinical significance. Conclusion While PT on the day of surgery has been suggested as one method to facilitate discharge following TKA, this randomized trial did not demonstrate clinically meaningful differences in hospital LOS or patient satisfaction when PT is initiated on the day of surgery vs on the morning after surgery.
Kerner Issue: The Role of HBCUs in Training Journalists to Improve Media Images Post-Kerner

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) produce 80% of African American media professionals with college degrees (Crawford, 2013). Howard University, in particular, has been a leading ...
Isolating Structures of Sexual Harassment in Crowdsourced Data on Higher Education

AbstractThis analysis of Karen Kelsky’s (founder of a blog called The Professor Is In) crowdsourced data on sexual harassment in higher education describes the communication processes involved in t...
Children, Death, and Poetry

The author, a pediatric oncologist, reflects on his own poetry in relation to his work with dying or life-challenged children. For the author; poetry writing serves to reclaim the creative self, express feelings, clarify thinking, connect with others, and develop a philosophy of life.
The Impact of an Undergraduate Biology Class on Donor Recruitment at a Hospital-Based Blood Donor Center

Objectives A biology class, BIOL 294H, taught undergraduates about platelet donation while partnering with the University of North Carolina's (UNC's) hospital-based Blood Donation Center to recruit apheresis platelet donors. We identified our platelet donors' demographics and learned how BIOL 294H affected recruitment. Methods Every platelet donor presenting to the UNC Blood Donation Center from February 7, 2017, to March 10, 2017, was asked to complete an electronic 10-question survey. Results A total of 159 unique donors completed the survey; 64% were female and 75% were between ages 18 and 25 years. Overall, 70% were UNC undergraduate students. Over half (56%) reported first learning about platelet donation through word of mouth, and 22% cited specific efforts associated with BIOL 294H. Conclusions Recruitment of undergraduate platelet donors primarily included BIOL 294H peer interactions and deliverables from the class, such as social media updates and events on campus. The sustained recruiting efforts of our students over many years contributed to recruitment of a majority of our platelet donors.
Biased Signaling of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor β2AR Is Governed by Conformational Exchange Kinetics

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate a wide range of human physiological functions by transducing extracellular ligand binding events into intracellular responses. GPCRs can activate parallel, independent signaling pathways mediated by G proteins or β-arrestins. Whereas "balanced" agonists activate both pathways equally, "biased" agonists dominantly activate one pathway, which is of interest for designing GPCR-targeting drugs because it may mitigate undesirable side effects. Previous studies demonstrated that β-arrestin activation is associated with transmembrane helix VII (TM VII) of GPCRs. Here, single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy with the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in the ligand-free state showed that TM VII spontaneously fluctuates between one inactive and one active-like conformation. The presence of the β-arrestin-biased agonist isoetharine prolongs the dwell time of TM VII in the active-like conformation compared with the balanced agonist formoterol, suggesting that ligands can induce signaling bias by modulating the kinetics of receptor conformational exchange.
Semi-infinite programming for trajectory optimization with non-convex obstacles:

This article presents a novel optimization method that handles collision constraints with complex, non-convex 3D geometries. The optimization problem is cast as a semi-infinite program in which eac...
Bridging the gap in identification: Sella turcica bridging as a potential positive identification factor

Abstract Objective This study highlights the forensic identification significance of a skeletal anomaly, sella turcica bridging (STB), observable in lateral cephalograms. Materials and Methods A biological profile of an unidentified skeleton was developed by forensic anthropologists, but unique identifiers were required in light of inconclusive DNA results. Upon examination of the endocranium, ossification of the interclinoid ligament of the sella turcica was observed. STB has been clinically associated with craniofacial and dental anomalies that can be observed during life. Analysis of a lateral cephalogram allowed for metric and discrete description of this anomaly. Results and Conclusions In the absence of reliable or time-efficient DNA analysis, skeletal anomalies associated with neurological and/or soft tissue involvement during life may aid in eventual positive identification. STBs are well-documented in clinical literature, but their utility in the process of personal identification has not been addressed in forensic contexts. The area of interest is visualized easily on ante-mortem radiographs which are frequently taken during orthodontic treatment. For this reason, forensic practitioners should be aware of the utility of STB for corroborative and positive identification.
Severe motion sickness in infants and children.

Abstract Introduction Susceptibility to severe motion sickness has not been well described in the pediatric population, particularly in very young children. This study aimed to describe and evaluate risk factors and treatment responses in a group of children with severe motion sickness, including infants and toddlers. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients less than 18 years of age seen in our pediatric vestibular program for evaluation of motion sickness over a 6-year period. Results A total of 23 patients with motion sickness were identified. Age of onset ranged from 0 to 15 years old, with a mean age of 6.6 ± 4.2 years. Eleven patients (47.8%) were diagnosed with a migraine variant. Vestibular deficits were identified in four out of 17 patients (23.5%) who underwent formal vestibular testing. Other frequent comorbid conditions included recurrent/chronic otitis media (n = 9; 39.1%) and a history of motor delay (n = 7; 30.4%). A high proportion of patients reported symptom improvement when treated with meclizine, ondansetron, cyproheptadine, or vestibular rehabilitation. Discussion Motion sickness can impact children even in infancy. Common comorbid conditions that may contribute to pediatric motion sickness include migraine disorders, vestibular impairment, otitis media, and motor delay. Treatments such as cyproheptadine and vestibular rehabilitation may be helpful but require further study.
Potentiodynamics of the Zinc and Proton Storage in Disordered Sodium Vanadate for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

A rechargeable Zn-ion battery is a promising aqueous system, where coinsertion of Zn2+ and H+ could address the obstacles of the sluggish ionic transport in cathode materials imposed by multivalent...
DermaDetect: A novel computer vision model for an accurate diagnosis of skin conditions and rashes

Millions of people across the globe contract skin conditions and rashes that may irritate, clog, or inflame skin, subsequently leading to redness, swelling, burning, and itching if not treated immediately. In developing countries, there is a great need for an automated diagnosis system that would reduce manual efforts and the time consumption of dermatologists and patients. A computer-automated detection of such skin diseases is possible by taking a computer vision approach. The ensemble deep learning pipeline utilizes a 34- layer ResNet, a popular image classification convolutional neural network, to detect 11 major skin conditions with only pixels and labels as inputs. With no previously made training datasets available for the research of skin diseases, the dataset for the model was designed from scratch and involved gathering 587 total images of 11 classes of skin rashes and conditions, while also accounting for healthy skin in a miscellaneous class. The calculated average precision for my ResNet model was 0.917 with precision (strength against false positives) as 0.925 and with recall (strength against false negatives) being 0.681. My implementation of an adjusted, optimized ResNet model proved successful in that it was possible to beat state-of-the-art online architectures such as Google AutoML’s API which had a slightly lower average precision of 0.887.
Serotypic evolution of measles virus is constrained by multiple co-dominant B cell epitopes on its surface glycoproteins

After centuries of pestilence and decades of global vaccination, measles virus (MeV) genotypes capable of evading vaccine-induced immunity have not emerged. Here, by systematically building mutations into the hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein of an attenuated measles virus strain and assaying for serum neutralization, we show that virus evolution is severely constrained by the existence of numerous co-dominant H glycoprotein antigenic sites, some critical for binding to the pathogenicity receptors SLAMF1 and nectin-4. We further demonstrate the existence in serum of protective neutralizing antibodies targeting co-dominant fusion (F) glycoprotein epitopes. Lack of a substantial reduction in serum neutralization of mutant measles viruses that retain even one of the co-dominant antigenic sites makes evolution of pathogenic measles viruses capable of escaping serum neutralization in vaccinated individuals extremely unlikely.
Short-Termism and the Asset Allocation Decisions of Defined Benefit Pension Plans

We examine the presence of short-termism in the asset allocation decisions of U.S. private defined benefit pension plans. We document an inverse U-shaped relationship between a plan’s allocation to fixed income securities and its funding ratio, centered on a 80% funding ratio, and show that the relationship is stronger among plans sponsored by companies in financial distress, and whose CFOs have accumulated a substantial amount of risky pension benefits. We then theoretically demonstrate that this relationship emerges from loss-averse preferences of the plan’s investment committee (supervised by the CFO), with respect to a 80% funding ratio. We additionally show that these preferences encompass both risk-shifting and risk-management behaviors, and as such allow us to explain two empirical features of U.S. defined benefit plans: a collapse in their average funding ratios over the past three decades, and the more recent shift toward fixed income securities in their allocation decisions. Assimilating these loss-averse preferences with short-termism, we conclude that plans without such preferences achieve a significant improvement in their funding ratios over the long-run.