cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and Expectations of Host Country Preceptors of Short-Term Learners at Four Clinical Sites in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Objective The demand for global health electives among medical students and residents has grown substantially, yet perspectives of international hosts are not well documented. This study aimed to assess how host country supervising clinical preceptors perceive learners on short-term global health electives of up to 6 weeks. Methods This study used a cross-sectional survey design and assessed international clinical preceptors' perceptions of short-term learners' (STLs) professional behaviors, medical knowledge, competency in systems-based care, as well as the benefits and burdens of hosting STLs. Surveys were sent to all clinical preceptors (n = 47) at 4 clinical sites in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015. Results Thirty-two preceptors (68%) responded to the survey. Most respondents (97%) were satisfied in their role hosting STLs and reported that STLs enhanced patient care and the professional image of the clinical site. Nearly half of respondents (45%) reported decreased self-perceived efficiency in clinical care tasks. Qualitative data identified concerns related to STLs' professionalism and teamwork. Respondents also identified knowledge gaps in understanding differences in health systems and epidemiology in host country settings. Respondents preferred that rotations last at least 4 weeks and that STLs complete predeparture training. Conclusions STLs were largely positively regarded by international host clinical preceptors. To improve mutuality of benefits, sending institutions should ensure learners understand host country expectations of professionalism and that learners are well prepared for medical, ethical, and cultural challenges through participation in predeparture curricula that prepare them clinically and emotionally for these international experiences. Rotations of at least 4 weeks may enhance benefits to learners and hosts.
Lysosome and calcium dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease: partners in crime

Early-onset FAD (familial Alzheimer9s disease) is caused by mutations of PS1 (presenilin 1), PS2 (presenilin 2) and APP (amyloid precursor protein). Beyond the effects of PS1 mutations on proteolytic functions of the γ-secretase complex, mutant or deficient PS1 disrupts lysosomal function and Ca 2+ homoeostasis, both of which are considered strong pathogenic factors in FAD. Loss of PS1 function compromises assembly and proton-pumping activity of the vacuolar-ATPase on lysosomes, leading to defective lysosomal acidification and marked impairment of autophagy. Additional dysregulation of cellular Ca 2+ by mutant PS1 in FAD has been ascribed to altered ion channels in the endoplasmic reticulum; however, rich stores of Ca 2+ in lysosomes are also abnormally released in PS1-deficient cells secondary to the lysosomal acidification defect. The resultant rise in cytosolic Ca 2+ activates Ca 2+ -dependent enzymes, contributing substantially to calpain overactivation that is a final common pathway leading to neurofibrillary degeneration in all forms of AD (Alzheimer9s disease). In the present review, we discuss the close inter-relationships among deficits of lysosomal function, autophagy and Ca 2+ homoeostasis as a pathogenic process in PS1-related FAD and their relevance to sporadic AD.
Synergy between Nanoparticles and Surfactants in Stabilizing Foams for Oil Recovery

Surfactant-stabilized foams have been used in the past for vertical conformance and mobility control in gas-enhanced oil recovery processes. Lack of stability of these foams often limits their application. The goal of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects of using a blend of silica nanoparticles (NPs) and anionic surfactants on foam stability in both bulk and porous media. First, the stability of static foams was studied using surfactants and surfactant–NP mixtures with and without the presence of a crude oil. Second, the foam drainage behavior and thickness of the foam lamella were studied by fluorescence microscopy. Third, the mobility of foams was measured by coinjecting the surfactant or surfactant–NP solution with nitrogen gas through a Berea sandstone core at a fixed foam quality (gas volume fraction). Finally, oil displacement experiments were conducted in Berea cores using these foams. Static foam tests indicated a stabilization effect of nanoparticles on surfactant–NP-stabilized fo...
Be Careful What You Wish For: Proposing the IT Policy Control-Reactance Model (ITPCRM) to Predict Professionals’ Intent to Comply with New IT Security Policies Along with Their Resulting Anger

Because employees are major IT security threats in organizations, recent behavioral IS security research has looked at ways to increase IT security compliance. Unfortunately, many of these approaches — especially those based on deterrence theory and other controlling approaches — can backfire. Accordingly, we introduce psychological reactance theory as an innovative theory to explain why controlling approaches to IT security policies can backfire. The theory explains that, when an individual’s freedoms are threatened, he or she will respond by attempting to reestablish the threatened freedoms. For nomological validity and explanatory power, we combined control theory, mandatoriness, and reactance theory into a comprehensive model — IT Policy Control-Reactance Model (ITPCRM) — to explain and predict, for the first time, the inherent conflicts between increased control and mandatoriness that may increase IT security policy compliance yet threaten personal freedom in a manner that causes reactance as subsequent negative results. Testing ITPCRM with 320 working professionals demonstrated that that while creating mandatoriness helps intent to comply with a new IT security policy, if this sense of mandatoriness is delivered through high levels of control or controlling language, it also creates reactance, anger, and decreased intent to comply with a new IT security policy. From these findings, we propose recommendations for practice, including carefully communicating policy, understanding the importance of freedoms for employees, and establishing an environment of threat awareness.
Progress in spermatozoa proteomics research

Proteomic technology has been widely used in the research of differently-expressed proteins under different physiology and pathologic conditions.In the aspect of the human spermatozoa proteomics,many reports have demonstrated the differently expressed proteins and the roles of sperm under different physiology and pathologic state from proteome level,and these results provided reliable theoretic base for well understanding of sperm molecule mechanism in physiology and pathologic conditions.
Monitoring of Disinfection Effects of Hospitals and Clinics in Yueyang City from 2006 to 2008

Objective To know the disinfection effects of hospitals and clinics in Yueyang City. Methods According to "The Technical Specification of Disinfection" and "The Hygiene Standard of Disinfection in the Hospital",hospitals and clinics of Yueyang City were monitored from 2006 to 2008. Results The total qualified rate of 35 hospitals was 91.5%,and it was 87.5%,90.9%,and 96.4% in 2006,2007,and 2008,respectively.The total qualified rate of 89 clinics was 72.6%,and it was 70.8%,72.2%,and 74.6% in 2006,2007,and 2008,respectively.On all disinfection monitoring items,the qualified rates of the hospitals were all higher than those in the clinics. Conclusions The disinfection qualified rates of hospitals and clinics in Yueyang increase with the increment of years,and the disinfection effects of hospitals are superior to those of the clinics.It is necessary to further enhance the surveillance of disinfection effects in clinics.
Effect of ketamine on L-type calcium channels in isolated cardiomyocytes of guinea pig

Objective To observe the effect of ketamine on L-type calcium channel in isolated ventricular myocytes Methods Single ventricular cell of guinea pig was obtained by an enzymatic dissociation method Under the condition of holding potential -40mV and depolarizing to 0mV with duration of 30ms,the whole-cell pacth clamp recording technique was used to record the change of calcium current (ICa) following the administration of ketamine at 10-1 000μmol·L -1 Results The verapamil-sensitive L-type calcium inward current was recorded in the ventricular myocytes Ketamine 10μmol·L -1 did not change the peak ICa(P0 05),ketamine 100 μmol·L -1 and 1000 μmol·L -1 decreased peak ICa by 38 59% and 63 89% ,respectively (P0 05) A significant negative correlation existed between the concentration of ketamine and ICa(r=0 88,P0 01) The current-voltage curves of ICa was shifted above with the peak Ica being elicited at the potential (0mV) Conclusions Ketamine inhibites the L-type calcium channels of ventricular myocytes in a good dose-response manner
The Origin of the Late Roman Army Ranks

During the early and high empire, the well-known centurions served as the legions' officers in varying ranks, while below them stood other ranks such as the signifer, optio, and tesserarius.
Harnessing RNAi-Based Functional Genomics to Unravel the Molecular Complexity Underlying Skin Pigment Variation

Melanin, the primary chromophore in human skin, protects the skin and eyes from the harmful effects of UV irradiation, protects neural cells from toxic insults, and is required for sound conduction in the inner ear. Aberrant regulation of melanogenesis underlies skin disorders (melasma and vitiligo), neurologic disorders (Parkinson’s disease), auditory disorders (Waardenburg’s syndrome), and ophthalmologic disorders (age-related macular degeneration). Extensive studies have identified over 150 genes that regulate the production of melanin pigment in human cells. Despite this extensive investigation, the phenotypic variation in human skin color cannot simply be explained by the aberrant regulation of these 150 genes. We recently utilized RNAi-based functional genomics to unravel the molecular complexity underlying skin pigment variation. These studies identified 92 novel genes that regulate melanogenesis in human cells, novel pharmacologic inhibitors of melanin production, and novel pathways that regulate melanogenesis. In this chapter, we will discuss an integrative approach to identify novel genes and pathways that regulate melanogenesis from our dataset. First, we will discuss strategies to integrate protein–protein interaction network algorithms with our dataset to better define pathways that regulate melanogenesis in human cells. Two aspects of our RNAi screen dataset were unique: our screen failed to identify many of the known regulators of melanogenesis among our top tier of hits, indicating that the approach had an appreciable false negative rate. Instead, our approach identified a large number of genes that regulate melanogenesis by uncharacterized mechanisms. Therefore, we sought to define our targets by measuring their impact on known melanogenesis regulatory machinery. Initial studies segregated these genes into functional classes by examining their impact on known regulators of melanogenesis, tyrosinase and MITF. An annotation-based approach was used to identify targets that potentially regulate melanosome trafficking, uncovering an unexpected link between autophagy and melanogenesis. In vivo studies validated that autophagy impacts melanogenesis. Recent studies have developed an integrative functional genomics strategy utilizing both siRNA and shRNA platforms to define the impact of individual genes on melanogenesis. In this chapter, we present a model to integrate protein–protein interaction network datasets, functional genomics data, siRNA and shRNA loss of function platforms, and pharmacologic databases to identify functional gene networks that govern human phenotypes and novel treatments for clinical disorders.
Probiotic Strains for Disease Management in Hatchery Larviculture of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica

ABSTRACT Bacterial pathogens are a major cause of mortality in bivalve hatcheries, and outbreaks can result in shortages of seed supply to the grow-out industry. The use of probiotic bacteria is a potential preventative measure to limit the impact of bacterial diseases. Previous research showed that the marine bacteria Phaeobacter inhibens S4 (S4) and Bacillus pumilus RI06—95 (RI) protect larval eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) when challenged with the pathogens Vibrio tubiashii RE22 (now Vibrio coralliilyticus RE22) and Roseovarius crassostreae CV919-312T. In this study, these probiotic bacteria were tested under hatchery conditions. Daily addition of S4 and RI (104 colony forming units (CFU)/ml) to 100-l culture tanks resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of total Vibrios in water and tank surfaces (P < 0.05), but not in oysters. Larval growth and survival was unaffected by the probiotic treatments. Larvae treated with probiotics in the hatchery showed significantly less mortality than...
Secure Function Evaluation Using an FPGA Overlay Architecture

Secure Function Evaluation (SFE) has received considerable attention recently due to the massive collection and mining of personal data over the Internet, but large computational costs still render it impractical. In this paper, we leverage hardware acceleration to tackle the scalability and efficiency challenges inherent in SFE. To that end, we propose a generic, reconfigurable implementation of SFE as a coarse-grained FPGA overlay architecture. Contrary to tailored approaches that are tied to the execution of a specific SFE structure, and require full reprogramming of an FPGA with each new execution, our design allows repurposing an FPGA to evaluate different SFE tasks without the need for reprogramming. Our implementation shows orders of magnitude improvement over a software package for evaluating garbled circuits, and demonstrates that the circuit being evaluated can change with almost no overhead.
Islamic Literature in Translation

This course of one semester for undergraduates samples the literature—broadly defined—of the Arab, Persian and Turkish peoples and a time span of from just before the rise of Muhammad to modern times. It is literature-centered, i.e., the attention is on the reading and discussion of certain works or selections from works, rather than on literary history. Conceived more on the style of a Great Books course, its aim is to give the student as much direct acquaintance as possible in a few weeks with the thought, and the literary sensibilities of a great civilization. An alternative title would be Islamic Humanities, taking a cue from the more inclusive Oriental Humanities courses and the successful Western Humanities courses which led the way for them.
Insights into links between autophagy and the ubiquitin system from the structure of LC3B bound to the LIR motif from the E3 ligase NEDD4

Members of the LC3/GABARAP family of ubiquitin-like proteins function during autophagy by serving as membrane linked protein-binding platforms. Their C-termini are physically attached to membranes through covalent linkage to primary amines on lipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine, while their ubiquitin-like fold domains bind "LIR" (LC3-Interacting Region) sequences found within an extraordinarily diverse array of proteins including regulators of autophagy, adaptors that recruit ubiquitinated cargoes to be degraded, and even proteins controlling processes at membranes that are not associated with autophagy. Recently, LC3/GABARAP proteins were found to bind the ubiquitin E3 ligase NEDD4 to influence ubiquitination associated with autophagy in human cell lines. Here, we use purified recombinant proteins to define LC3B interactions with a specific LIR sequence from NEDD4, present a crystal structure showing atomic details of the interaction, and show that LC3B-binding can steer intrinsic NEDD4 E3 ligase activity. The data provide detailed molecular insights underlying recruitment of an E3 ubiquitin ligase to phagophores during autophagy.
Improving Performance of GMRES by Reducing Communication and Pipelining Global Collectives

We compare the performance of pipelined and s-step GMRES, respectively referred to as l-GMRES and s-GMRES, on distributed multicore CPUs. Compared to standard GMRES, s-GMRES requires fewer all-reduces, while l-GMRES overlaps the all-reduces with computation. To combine the best features of two algorithms, we propose another variant, (l, t)-GMRES, that not only does fewer global all-reduces than standard GMRES, but also overlaps those all-reduces with other work. We implemented the thread-parallelism and communication-overlap in two different ways. The first uses nonblocking MPI collectives with thread-parallel computational kernels. The second relies on a shared-memory task scheduler. In our experiments, (l, t)-GMRES performed better than l-GMRES by factors of up to 1.67×. In addition, though we only used 50 nodes, when the latency cost became significant, our variant performed up to 1.22× better than s-GMRES by hiding all-reduces.
Young Adults' Perspectives on Advance Care Planning

Objective:To describe the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of young adults regarding advance care planning (ACP).Methods:A cross-sectional sample of young adults (N = 310) from a single...
Differential degradation patterns of photovoltaic backsheets at the array level

Abstract There are relatively few field studies on the degradation of non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets, and understanding their in-field behavior is critical for further development of such products. In this study, backsheet degradation of modules with one of these new types of backsheets (polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)-based) was documented at a four-year old utility-scale array located in Maryland (USA). Visual inspection, colorimetry, glossimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed highly varied properties depending on module position within the array. Specifically, modules near the edge of the array and with higher mounting elevations underwent greater amounts of backsheet degradation, as indicated by yellowing and gloss-loss. The reason for these unique degradation patterns were differential backside exposure conditions, especially of ultraviolet light. This was strongly influenced by the array design, including array structural and environmental factors, such as module spacing and ground cover, respectively. Within the array, no clear link between backsheet degradation and module output or safety has been identified. However, such a relationship may be expected to become more pronounced with time, affecting system lifetime and ultimately the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The observed phenomena have implications for both backsheet product development and array design, especially for modules that utilize newer classes of non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets which are typically more susceptible to environmental degradation.
Cognitively active older adults' comprehension and metacomprehension of negated text.

ABSTRACTBackground/Study context: Previous research has demonstrated that negated text is universally difficult to understand, and while readers are aware of the difficulty, they are not always able to direct this awareness to improve their comprehension of negation. The present research aimed to determine whether this holds true for older adults, even while maintaining good cognitive function through reading activity. Methods: The study used an online paradigm, where young (age range 19–24) and older (age range 60–87) adults read passages, rated their comprehension, and answered questions about what they read. Data analysis included analysis of variance for comprehension accuracy and metacomprehension judgment as well as gamma correlation analysis for the relationship between these two variables to determine accuracy of metacomprehension judgments. Result:. Older readers, who took part in library activities and book discussion groups, had better comprehension than young adults overall and were also bette...
Piracy and Privateers in the Golden Age: Lessons for Today

ABSTRACTCustomary international law has governed high seas piracy for many centuries and is now codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC). In this article, we discuss the reasons why enforcement against piracy today is less effective than three hundred years ago. We contend that crime, including the crime of piracy, can be modeled as a rational choice that is responsive to expected rewards and punishments. Based on this view, we argue that three hundred years ago, the free rider problem resulting from enforcement on the high seas was less prevalent than it is today because seaborne trade was more concentrated in the vessels of a few countries, making enforcement more like internal than international policing. The persistence of piracy today also stems from a continuing low probability of capture coupled with lenient punishments. In addition to enforcement differences, we contrast the sources of piracy in the two eras—in the earlier period, the end of privateering led many priv...
Abstract A02: Gut microbiome controls growth of liver tumors

Aim: The gut microbiome can modify tumor immunity and has been suggested to be involved in the development and growth of liver cancer as well as metastasis in the liver. However, it remains unknown how the gut microbiome controls hepatic immune responses. This study was designed to exam the effect of the gut microbiome on liver antitumor immunity, and to study potential mechanism. Experimental Procedure: An antibiotic cocktail containing 0.5g/L vancomycin, 0.5 g/L neomycin and 0.6 g/L primaxin in drinking water was given to reduce mouse gut microbiota. Control mice were kept on regular water. EL4 thymoma cells were injected s.c. to induces spontaneous liver metastasis. B16 melanoma and CT26 colon cancer cells were injected intrasplenically to form liver metastasis. Lung metastasis was induced by tail injection of tumor cells. Spontaneous hepatocellular carcinomas were studied in TRE-MYC mice. Gut bacteria and metabolic studies were performed. Results: Antibiotic cocktail efficiently depleted gut bacteria. Removing gut commensal bacteria did not affect the growth of primary s.c. EL4 tumors, but impaired formation of liver metastasis in different models. The inhibitory effect on liver metastasis by removing gut microbiome was found after intrasplenic injection of tumor cells to form liver metastasis using both B16 melanoma and CT26 colon cancer tumor cells as well as in TRE-MYC mice. Interestingly, formation of lung metastasis caused by tail vein injection of B16 cells was not impaired by antibiotics treatment, suggesting a liver specific effect. The inhibition of liver metastasis by antibiotic treatment was absent in Rag1 knockout mice, suggesting that the observed mechanism is mediated by the adaptive immune system. A detailed mechanism how the gut microbiome causes metabolic liver changes and thereby growth of liver tumors will be presented. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the gut microbiome affects the liver immune microenvironment and modulates antitumor immunity Citation Format: Chi Ma, Miaojun Han, Bernd Heinrich, Qiong Fu, Qianfei Zhang, Xin W. Wang, Giorgio Trinchieri, Tim Greten. Gut microbiome controls growth of liver tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2017 Oct 1-4; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2018;6(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A02.
Julian of Norwich: how did she know what she knew?

ABSTRACTJulian of Norwich (1342–1416), was a Christian mystic whose writings, Revelation of Love and A Book of Showings, are the earliest surviving texts in the English language written by a woman....
Lack of hepatic apoE does not influence early Aβ deposition: observations from a new APOE knock-in model.

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). ApoE is produced by both astrocytes and microglia in the brain, whereas hepatocytes produce the majority of apoE found in the periphery. Studies using APOE knock-in and transgenic mice have demonstrated a strong isoform-dependent effect of apoE on the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain in the form of both Aβ-containing amyloid plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. However, the specific contributions of different apoE pools to AD pathogenesis remain unknown. We have begun to address these questions by generating new lines of APOE knock-in (APOE-KI) mice (e2/e2, e3/e3, and e4/e4) where the exons in the coding region of APOE are flanked by loxP sites, allowing for cell type-specific manipulation of gene expression. We assessed these mice both alone and after crossing them with mice with amyloid deposition in the brain. Using biochemical and histological methods. We also investigated how removal of APOE expression from hepatocytes affected cerebral amyloid deposition. As in other APOE knock-in mice, apoE protein was present predominantly in astrocytes in the brain under basal conditions and was also detected in reactive microglia surrounding amyloid plaques. Primary cultured astrocytes and microglia from the APOE-KI mice secreted apoE in lipoprotein particles of distinct size distribution upon native gel analysis with microglial particles being substantially smaller than the HDL-like particles secreted by astrocytes. Crossing of APP/PS1 transgenic mice to the different APOE-KI mice recapitulated the previously described isoform-specific effect (e4 > e3) on amyloid plaque and Aβ accumulation. Deletion of APOE in hepatocytes did not alter brain apoE levels but did lead to a marked decrease in plasma apoE levels and changes in plasma lipid profile. Despite these changes in peripheral apoE and on plasma lipids, cerebral accumulation of amyloid plaques in APP/PS1 mice was not affected. Altogether, these new knock-in strains offer a novel and dynamic tool to study the role of APOE in AD pathogenesis in a spatially and temporally controlled manner.
Salt Dependence of A-Form RNA Duplexes: Structures and Implications

The biological functions of RNA range from gene regulation through catalysis and depend critically on its structure and flexibility. Conformational variations of flexible, non-base-paired components, including RNA hinges, bulges, or single-stranded tails, are well documented. Recent work has also identified variations in the structure of ubiquitous, base-paired duplexes found in almost all functional RNAs. Duplexes anchor the structures of folded RNAs, and their surface features are recognized by partner molecules. To date, no consistent picture has been obtained that describes the range of conformations assumed by RNA duplexes. Here, we apply wide angle, solution X-ray scattering (WAXS) to quantify these variations, by sampling length scales characteristic of helical geometries under different solution conditions. To identify the radius, helical rise, twist, and length of dsRNA helices, we exploit molecular dynamics generated structures, explicit solvent models, and ensemble optimization methods. Our results quantify the substantial and salt-dependent deviations of double-stranded (ds) RNA duplexes from the assumed canonical A-form conformation. Recent experiments underscore the need to properly describe the structures of RNA duplexes when interpreting the salt dependence of RNA conformations.
Protein Interaction Domains: Structural Features and Drug Discovery Applications (Part 2)

Background Proteins present a modular organization made up of several domains. Apart from the domains playing catalytic functions, many others are crucial to recruit interactors. The latter domains can be defined as "PIDs" (Protein Interaction Domains) and are responsible for pivotal outcomes in signal transduction and a certain array of normal physiological and disease-related pathways. Targeting such PIDs with small molecules and peptides able to modulate their interaction networks, may represent a valuable route to discover novel therapeutics. Objective This work represents a continuation of a very recent review describing PIDs able to recognize post-translationally modified peptide segments. On the contrary, the second part concerns with PIDs that interact with simple peptide sequences provided with standard amino acids. Methods Crucial structural information on different domain subfamilies and their interactomes was gained by a wide search in different online available databases (including the PDB (Protein Data Bank), the Pfam (Protein family), and the SMART (Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool)). Pubmed was also searched to explore the most recent literature related to the topic. Results and conclusion PIDs are multifaceted: they have all diverse structural features and can recognize several consensus sequences. PIDs can be linked to different diseases onset and progression, like cancer or viral infections and find applications in the personalized medicine field. Many efforts have been centered on peptide/peptidomimetic inhibitors of PIDs mediated interactions but much more work needs to be conducted to improve drug-likeness and interaction affinities of identified compounds.
Abstract WP79: The Value of Pre-Training for Deep Learning Acute Stroke Triaging Models

Objective: We investigated if deep learning models are able to define the penumbra and ischemic core by comparing models from two training strategies (with and without pre-training) and clinical th...
Energetics of Seamount Wakes. Part II: Wave Fluxes

AbstractSeamounts are thought to facilitate ocean mixing through unsteady wake processes, and through the generation of internal waves, which propagate away from the seamount and later break. The r...
Continuous Laryngeal Adductor Reflex Versus Intermittent Nerve Monitoring in Neck Endocrine Surgery.

Objective Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) techniques aim to identify and potentially prevent nerve injury during surgeries. Prior studies into the efficacy of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) IONM convey mixed results, with some claiming equivalence between IONM and no monitoring at all. The goal of the current study was to compare continuous RLN monitoring using the laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) to intermittent RLN monitoring (intermittent IONM) to determine whether continuous monitoring reduces the incidence of intraoperative RLN injury during neck endocrine surgeries. Methods In this observational, historical case-control study, a historical cohort of patients monitored with intermittent-IONM (group 1, n = 130) were compared to prospectively collected data from consecutive nerves-at-risk monitored continuously with the LAR (LAR-CIONM, group 2, n = 205), at a single center by a single surgeon. The test benefit ratio and relative risk reduction (RRR) for LAR-CIONM over intermittent IONM were calculated. Results For group 1, nine nerves at risk exhibited intraoperative LOS with transient postoperative vocal fold (VF) hypomobility (n = 2) or immobility (VFI, n = 7). For group 2, two nerves at risk (0.98%) had sudden intraoperative LAR LOS following bipolar cautery, resulting in postoperative transient VFI (P = .004). In each group, there was one case of permanent postoperative VFI. The test benefit rate ratio for LAR-CIONM demonstrated a dramatic effect at 5.23, with an RRR of 81.0%. Conclusion LAR-CIONM significantly decreased rates of postoperative transient VF paralysis and paresis over intermittent IONM alone (P = .004). Surgeons should be aware of the benefits and limitations of intermittent IONM versus CIONM. Intermittent IONM, although useful in nerve mapping and intraoperative decision making, has minimal benefit for the prevention of nerve injury, whereas CIONM can potentially reduce nerve injury rates and improve patient outcomes. Level of evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 131:230-236, 2021.
Playing a Serious Game for Earthquake Preparedness: Effects of Resource Richness and Avatar Choice

This study investigates the potential for learning about and motivating earthquake preparedness through video game play. 112 participants played a custom-built video game for between 5 and 30 minutes in an experiment involving two avatar selection conditions (choice vs. random assignment) and two avatar power conditions (more resources vs. fewer resources). We assessed pre- and post-test changes in levels of self-efficacy, outcome expectation, and intent to act relating to various preparedness and response actions. We found that playing the game increases these scores significantly in all game conditions immediately after play. Where avatar characteristics were significant, more resources led to higher scores. However, contrary to our predictions, randomly assigned avatars led to higher increases in scores than when players chose and named their avatar. Future studies are planned to explore a variety of other game features designed to maximize motivation and behavior change in young adults.
EGFR transactivates RON to drive oncogenic crosstalk

Crosstalk between disparate membrane receptors is thought to drive oncogenic signaling and allow for therapeutic resistance. EGFR and RON are members of two unique receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) subfamilies that engage in crosstalk through unknown mechanisms. We combined high resolution imaging with biochemical studies and structural mutants to understand how EGFR and RON communicate. We found that EGF stimulation results in EGFR-dependent RON phosphorylation. Crosstalk is unidirectional, since MSP stimulation of RON does not trigger EGFR phosphorylation. Two-color single particle tracking captured the formation of complexes between RON and EGFR, supporting a role for direct interactions in propagating crosstalk. We further show that RON is a substrate for EGFR kinase, and transactivation of RON requires the formation of a signaling competent EGFR dimer. These results identify critical structural features of EGFR/RON crosstalk and provide new mechanistic insights into therapeutic resistance.
Realtime GPU Audio: Finite difference-based sound synthesis using graphics processors

Today’s CPUs are capable of supporting realtime audio for many popular applications, but some compute-intensive audio applications require hardware acceleration. This article looks at some realtime sound-synthesis applications and shares the authors’ experiences implementing them on GPUs (graphics processing units).
Respiratory Stress at the Periphery of Industrial-Era London: Insight from Parishes Within and Outside the City

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between urbanization and respiratory stress in three parish communities from within and outside London during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Expanding upon earlier studies that linked early life metabolic insults to adult morbidity in the past, this study also explores the relationship between childhood vitamin D deficiency and adult respiratory stress. Previously recorded demographic (age and sex estimates) and paleopathological data (maxillary sinusitis and rib lesion frequencies) for all 601 adults were taken with permission from the Wellcome Osteological Research Database curated by the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology at the Museum of London. Logistic regression was employed to test the hypothesis that the odds of respiratory stress were similar between affluent individuals living within and outside the city. The results tentatively support this hypothesis but suggest that more data are needed to further investigate the relationship between urbanization and respiratory stress within the context of industrialization. Moreover, further research into the relationship between early life adversity and adult respiratory stress is needed, as only two individuals presented evidence of respiratory stress and residual rickets.
Adolescents in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Callous-Unemotional Traits Moderate Associations Between Transdiagnostic Symptoms and Adolescent Suicidality.

Suicide, a common cause of death in adolescents, is linked to internalizing and externalizing symptoms. These associations are pronounced amongst adolescents who use substances. But these relationships are complex. For example, sex differences are present in association with internalizing/externalizing symptoms as well as differences in suicidality. A rarely explored factor that may account for this complexity as a moderator is callous-unemotional traits. The present study examines associations of internalizing and externalizing in relation to suicidality in the context of callous-unemotional traits amongst adolescents in substance use treatment. Additionally, sex differences were explored. A sample of 317 adolescents (13-18; 16.05 ± 1.22) in treatment for substance use completed measures for internalizing, externalizing, and suicidal symptoms. The main result suggested the presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits attenuated the positive association between internalizing and a latent suicidality factor. This novel result contextualizes the association between transdiagnostic symptoms and suicidality. Assessing CU traits in the presence of internalizing symptoms may be an important component of understanding suicide risk amongst adolescents in treatment for substance use.
The Effects of Topical Timolol and Latanoprost on Calculated Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Nonglaucomatous Volunteers

Purpose: To characterize the effects of timolol and latanoprost on calculated ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in a multicenter, prospective, crossover-design study. Methods: Nonglaucomatous volunte...
Driver Fatigue: Is Something Missing?

Drowsiness and fatigue are serious problems in all transportation systems. One persistent issue is the lack of an agreed definition of these respective energetic states. This paper reviews the theoretical approaches (cognitive versus physiological) framing the driver fatigue problem. Known contributing factors to drowsiness include sleep debt, circadian rhythm, and shift work. However, it is also suggested that certain inherent physiological reactions engaged in responses to motion itself represent a previously unrecognized but significant source of fatigue. The impact of this factor is confirmed through comparisons of studies that either have or have not included prolonged motion.
Geospatial Measurements of Soil Electrical Conductivity to Assess Soil Salinity and Diffuse Salt Loading from Irrigation

Irrigated agriculture is necessary to meet the food demands of the world, but excessive irrigation has wasted water and drainage from it has degraded the productivity and altered the ecology of vast areas of land. Irrigated agriculture also has polluted associated surface water and groundwater resources. The extent of soil degradation from salinization and waterlogging and, especially, the extent of water salinization resulting from excessive irrigation have not been well quantified. Additionally, the diffuse sources of deep percolation and salt loading from irrigation have not been well established. This paper describes basic principles of soil electrical conductivity, recent technology developed to assess the magnitude and distribution of soil salinity in fields, and ways to infer the areal sources and amounts of diffuse salt loading from irrigation.
Survival in the fetal rabbit exposed to intermittent hypoxia

To investigate the time course and mechanisms of fetal O2 deprivation, we exposed 93 near-term, pregnant rabbits and their fetuses in utero to intermittent hypoxia. We administered a gas mixture containing 3, 4, 5 or 6 per cent O2 in N2 to a rabbit for 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 minutes, alternately with a recovery period of air breathing of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 minutes. A given cyclical pattern was continued for 2 hours and fetal survival recorded 1 hour thereafter. Fetal survival decreased significantly at lower O2 levels, longer durations of exposure, and shorter durations of recovery intervals between exposures. Chances for survival were significantly greater among fetuses located at either end of the uterine horn.
Treating the Lifetimes of Charm and Beauty Hadrons with QCD Plus a Bit More

The heavy quark expansion implemented through an operator product expansion provides us with a treatment of inclusive decays of beauty and charm hadrons that is genuinely derived from QCD,though it requires one additional assumption, namely that of 'local' quark-hadron duality. Subtleties in the application of factorization to hadronic expectation values are pointed out. The observed pattern in the charm lifetime ratios is reproduced in a semi-quantitative manner. The ratio $\tau (\Lambda _b)/\tau (B_d)$ cannot be pushed significantly below 0.9 -- unless one invokes a new hitherto unknown paradigm for evaluating baryonic matrix elements. One confidently predicts $\tau (B^-)$ to exceed $\tau (B_d)$ by several percent only. Failure of those predictions would force us to pay a hefty theoretical price, namely ultimately to abandon local duality as a practical concept.
Symptomatic osteomalacia after jejunoileal bypass surgery in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism. A study of the change in bone morphology and vitamin D metabolites before and during treatment.

Abstract A 48-year-old woman underwent jejunoileal bypass surgery for obesity while hypercalcemic. Three years later, she developed symptomatic osteomalacia impairing her daily activities. Bone biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of osteomalacia, and treatment with 8000 U daily of vitamin D and milk resulted in striking improvement of clinical symptoms and resolution of her osteomalacia both chemically and histologically. The patient, however, again became hypercalcemic and a parathyroid adenoma was subsequently removed with restoration of serum calcium values to normal. Neither the occurrence and successful treatment of gross symptomatic osteomalacia consequent to Jejunoileal bypass surgery, nor the obscuration of primary hyperparathyroidism by osteomalacia has been hitherto well documented in the United States.
Migraine; Epilepsy: Their association with hypothyroidism

1. A woman suffering from migraine and epilepsy had two daughters subject to migraine, one with the abdominal type and the other the cephalic. Hypothyroidism, without the picture of myxedema was found in all three. They promptly responded to thyroid replacement therapy. 2. Of the many theories regarding etiology, the most plausible is, inherited allergic susceptibility with superimposed exciting causes — endocrine imbalance the most prominent. The frequent low metabolic readings are significant of lowered thyroid function. The symptomatic relief produced by Ergotamine Tartrate may be due to its suddenly boosting endocrine function. 3. For the recognition of the hypothyroid state, it is important that basal readings be made as near as possible to an approaching attack and never immediately after. 4. We can only hope for ultimate solution of the migraine problem through coordinated investigations, inclusive of all mechanisms possibly concerned in its production, instead of isolated and fragmentary studies by specialists concerned only with enthusiastic revelations in their respective fields, taking no cognizance of the subtle complexities involved.
In the Wake of the East Asian Economic Crisis: Toward an Interdependent but Non-convergent Global System

Donald C. Hellmann here studies the political, societal and cultural forces that created the backdrop for the East Asian financial crisis. He presents three myths about the disaster, emphasizing that this event took place in the context of governmental and economic structures embedded in society and thus not easily modified. These myths include the idea that this region will not become the largest economic region in the next 25 years, that East Asian economies cannot continue to grow without Western-led structural change and that the existing economic and security multilateral institutions require only minor reform to face this new international order. He then goes on to argue that no international institution or world power has filled the new statesmanship vacuum of the post-Cold-War interregnum. A new global system will be necessary to face the challenges of this new balance of power.
Increased mutation in mice genetically predisposed to oxidative damage in the brain.

Abstract Harlequin (Hq) mice develop ataxia due to an X-linked recessive mutation in the gene encoding apoptosis-inducing factor (Aif). Brain cells in Hq mice contain the modified base 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), suggesting that the defect in Aif causes increased DNA oxidation in these cells. Because oxidative damage is mutagenic, Hq mice might suffer increased mutation in the brain. To examine this possibility, mutation in the brain was assessed using the Tg(βA-G11PLAP) mouse model, which allows mutant cells to be visualized in tissue sections in situ. Hq mice exhibited more and larger patches of PLAP positive tissue in the brain. PLAP+ cells were observed in all areas of the brain. No increase in the number of PLAP+ cells was seen in three other tissues, suggesting that the effect of Aif deficiency on mutation was specific to brain.
Choice bias from unilateral hippocampal or frontal lesions in the rat.

Abstract Rats with unilateral lesions of the hippocampus or of frontal cortex tended to choose the arm of a T maze that was ipsilateral to the lesion, and in some cases exhibited forced circling toward the ipsilateral side. Lesions of parietal or occipital cortex did not produce these effects. Other investigators have reported similarity of behavioral impairment with hippocampal and frontal damage. The anatomical and behavioral evidence indicates that the frontal cortical area serves motor functions; the present findings support McCleary's suggestion that the hippocampus also is part of a motor control system.
Does giza++ make search errors?

Word alignment is a critical procedure within statistical machine translation (SMT). Brown et al. (1993) have provided the most popular word alignment algorithm to date, one that has been implemented in the GIZA (Al-Onaizan et al., 1999) and GIZA++ (Och and Ney 2003) software and adopted by nearly every SMT project. In this article, we investigate whether this algorithm makes search errors when it computes Viterbi alignments, that is, whether it returns alignments that are sub-optimal according to a trained model.
Determination of small drug molecules by capillary electrophoresis-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations are reported for sulfonamides and benzodiazepines in an uncoated fused-silica capillary. The capillary column exit was connected to a liquid junction-ion spray interface combination coupled to an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) triple quadrupole mass spectrometric (MS) system. On-line UV detection occurred 20 cm from the inlet of the capillary and with the API mass spectrometer (CE-API-MS) after the entire length of the capillary (100 cm). The separations were made using volatile buffers composed of ammonium acetate (15–20 mM) with 15–20% of methanol to facilitate ionization under electrospray conditions. This study showed that the major metabolite of flurazepam in man, N-1-hydroxyethylflurazepam, could be detected and characterized in human urine by CE-UV-MS following the administration of a single oral dose of 30 mg of flurazepam dihydrochloride. The presence of additional flurazepam metabolites in human urine was observed by using the system, suggesting that a combination of UV with MS detection should be useful for metabolic studies. In addition to molecular weight determination of compounds, structural information may be obtained by utilizing on-line tandem mass spectrometry (CE-UV-MS-MS). This was demonstrated for sulfamethazine where the protonated molecule species was transmitted into the collision cell of the tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Collision-induced dissociation of the protonated sulfamethazine molecule yielded structural information characteristic of the sulfa drug following the on-column injection of 2 pmol of sulfamethazine.