cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A non-antibiotic marker for amplification of plant transformation vectors in E. coli

Concern over perceived risks from the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in transgenic plants is leading to selection strategies which do not use antibiotic resistance genes as selectable markers. The concern regarding the presence of antibiotic resistance genes has focused particularly on the bla gene for ampicillin resistance, which is used as a bacterial marker when pUC-based plasmids are amplified prior to microprojectile bombardment. The rtl operon, which permits the use of ribitol as the sole carbon source, is present in Escherichia coli strain C but absent in all the K-12 laboratory strains commonly used for molecular biology. A ClaI fragment containing the kinase, dehydrogenase and transporter components of the rtl operon was isolated from strain C and subsequently used to replace bla from two cloning vectors, pBluescript and pMECA, to create pBluescript-R and pMECA-R. E. coli K-12 strain DH10B transformed with either plasmid acquired the ability to grow on ribitol as the sole carbon source, as long as pMECA-R was present within the bacterial cell. Plasmid yields were evaluated and found to be comparable to those obtained from bacteria growing on LB medium supplemented with ampicillin. Hence, the use of genes from the rtl operon might be an acceptable alternative to the use of bla.
Out of sight, out of mind: racial retrieval cues increase the accessibility of social justice concepts.

ABSTRACTPhotographs provide critical retrieval cues for personal remembering, but few studies have considered this phenomenon at the collective level. In this research, we examined the psychological consequences of visual attention to the presence (or absence) of racially charged retrieval cues within American racial segregation photographs. We hypothesised that attention to racial retrieval cues embedded in historical photographs would increase social justice concept accessibility. In Study 1, we recorded gaze patterns with an eye-tracker among participants viewing images that contained racial retrieval cues or were digitally manipulated to remove them. In Study 2, we manipulated participants’ gaze behaviour by either directing visual attention toward racial retrieval cues, away from racial retrieval cues, or directing attention within photographs where racial retrieval cues were missing. Across Studies 1 and 2, visual attention to racial retrieval cues in photographs documenting historical segregation p...
De-escalating Antibiotic Use in the Inpatient Setting: Strategies, Controversies, and Challenges

Antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) is widely accepted as an integral strategy to curtail the global antibiotic resistance crisis. However, there is significant uncertainty regarding the ideal ADE strategy and its true impact on antibiotic resistance. Rapid diagnostic testing has the potential to enhance ADE strategies. Herein, we aim to discuss the current strategies, controversies, and challenges of ADE in the inpatient setting. A consensus definition of ADE remains elusive at this time. Preliminary studies utilizing rapid diagnostic tests including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF), procalcitonin, and other molecular techniques have demonstrated the potential to support ADE strategies. In the absence of evidence-based, highly specific ADE protocols, the likelihood that individual providers will make consistent, often challenging, decisions to de-escalate antibiotic therapy is low. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should support local physicians with ADE and develop innovative ways to integrate ADE into the broader construct of antimicrobial stewardship programs. The evolving field of rapid diagnostics has significant potential to improve ADE strategies, but more research is needed to fully realize this goal.
Seed Rot and Damping-off of Alfalfa in Minnesota Caused by Pythium and Fusarium Species

Globally, 15 Pythium species have been found to cause damping-off and seed rot of alfalfa, although surveys of species causing disease on alfalfa in the midwestern United States are lacking. Pathogens were isolated by a seedling baiting technique from soil samples of five alfalfa fields in Minnesota with high levels of damping-off. Of the 149 organisms isolated, 93 (62%) were identified as Pythium spp. and 43 (29%) were identified as Fusarium species. Pythium sylvaticum, P. irregulare, and P. ultimum var. ultimum were aggressive pathogens on germinating alfalfa seedlings. Strains of seven Pythium spp. pathogenic on soybean and corn were also pathogenic on alfalfa. The majority of the Fusarium isolates were identified as F. solani and F. oxysporum with a low number of F. redolens and F. incarnatum-equiseti. The F. oxysporum and F. incarnatum-equiseti strains were the most aggressive in causing seed and root rot. Pythium strains were sensitive to Apron XL (mefenoxam) and pyraclostrobin in vitro but efficacy varied when the fungicides were applied as a seed treatment. Seed treatments with Apron XL were more effective than treatments with Stamina against Pythium. The presence of aggressive, broad-host-range pathogens causing seed rot and damping-off suggests that new strategies are needed for managing this disease in alfalfa production systems.
Cell surface exposure

Surface-exposed proteins of Gram-negative bacteria are represented by integral outer membrane beta-barrel proteins and lipoproteins. No computational methods exist for predicting surface-exposed lipoproteins, and therefore lipoprotein topology must be experimentally tested. This chapter describes three distinct but complementary methods for the detection of surface-exposed proteins: cell surface protein labeling, accessibility to extracellular protease and antibodies.
Do Banks Recognize Problem Loans Too Slowly? And, Could This Increase the Cyclicality Loan Loss Provisioning?

In this paper I analyze whether banks recognize problem loans loans with substandard and doubtful regulatory risk classifications in a timely manner. I argue that this is important to understand because substandard and doubtful rated loans are loans that should be evaluated for loan loss provisioning on a pooled and individual basis. In the analysis, I examine whether information on corporate loan interest rate spreads at origination and publicly available information on borrower risk forecast future downgrades to substandard and doubtful ratings. The results indicate that origination loan spreads and borrower risk factors forecast future ratings downgrades to substandard and doubtful regulatory risk classifications. I argue that this implies that banks recognize problem loans too slowy and that banks could improve the timeliness of their ratings by fully incorporating available information about borrower risk into their ratings when the information is observed. Furthermore, I find that banks recognize substandard and doubtful rated loans too slowly during business cycle expansions and banks that have has lower earnings and higher provisions in the past year also recognize these loans too slowly. Finally, I find that banks that recognize substandard and doubtful rated loans too slowly also have more cyclical loan loss provisions and allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL).
GAMES OF TIMING: Continued

In the noisy duel, each player knows when his opponent fires. The problems considered under the games of timing involving several actions belong to the general class of silent duels, with the new feature that each player may act more than once during the course of the game if the opportunity arises. Although these games, like other silent duels, are applicable to a large number of competitive problems, they are described in this chapter in military terms. The chapter focuses on butterfly-shaped kernels. The chapter presents the determination of optimal strategies in general form.
Evaluating biomarkers for prognostic enrichment of clinical trials.

Background/Aims:A potential use of biomarkers is to assist in prognostic enrichment of clinical trials, where only patients at relatively higher risk for an outcome of interest are eligible for the trial. We investigated methods for evaluating biomarkers for prognostic enrichment.Methods:We identified five key considerations when considering a biomarker and a screening threshold for prognostic enrichment: (1) clinical trial sample size, (2) calendar time to enroll the trial, (3) total patient screening costs and the total per-patient trial costs, (4) generalizability of trial results, and (5) ethical evaluation of trial eligibility criteria. Items (1)–(3) are amenable to quantitative analysis. We developed the Biomarker Prognostic Enrichment Tool for evaluating biomarkers for prognostic enrichment at varying levels of screening stringency.Results:We demonstrate that both modestly prognostic and strongly prognostic biomarkers can improve trial metrics using Biomarker Prognostic Enrichment Tool. Biomarker P...
Total Parenteral Nutrition Preparation for a Known Latex-Allergic Patient:

This article describes how a hospital pharmacy department provided total parenteral nutrition (TPN) fora known latex-allergic patient to safely meet the patient's nutritional needs and maintain proper aseptic technique during the compounding process. After numerous attempts to feed the patient enterally failed, total parenteral nutrition was recommended. It was decided that preparation and administration of parenteral nutrition for this patient should follow the recently initiated Pharmacy policy for the preparation of sterile products for latex-allergic patients as closely as possible. After reviewing the compounding process, it was determined that a base solution of protein and dextrose could be safely prepared by making sure that the products we used did not contain latex and that the process did not involve puncturing of latex-containing ports or stoppers. All other ingredients would be added manually. Prior to discharge, enteral feeding was reintroduced and the TPN solution was discontinued.
Update in the Treatment of Sepsis and Septic Shock: Transitioning from SIRS to SOFA

There are several outcome prediction models that are currently available for use in clinical practice. The widely used SIRS was introduced to a larger audience in 1991 at the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference with the goal of aiding in the early detection of sepsis. The use of the SIRS criteria is highly sensitive, as >90% of patients admitted to the ICU meet the SIRS criteria. The use of SIRS has been especially beneficial in the early diagnosis of sepsis.
Acid-facilitated product release from a Mo(IV) center: relevance to oxygen atom transfer reactivity of molybdenum oxotransferases

We report that pyridinium ions (HPyr+) accelerate the conversion of [Tp*MoIVOCl(OPMe3)] (1) to [Tp*MoIVOCl(NCCH3)] (2) by 103-fold, affording 2 in near-quantitative yield; Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate. This novel reactivity and the mechanism of this reaction were investigated in detail. The formation of 2 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the observed pseudo-first-order rate constant (k obs) linearly correlated with [HPyr+]. An Eyring plot revealed that this HPyr+-facilitated reaction has a small positive value of ∆S ‡ indicative of a dissociative interchange (Id) mechanism, different from the slower associative interchange (Ia) mechanism in the absence of HPyr+ marked with a negative ∆S ‡. Interestingly, log(k obs) was found to be linearly correlated to the acidity of substituted pyridinium ions. This novel reactivity is further investigated using combined DFT and ab initio coupled cluster methods. Different reaction pathways, including Id, Ia, and possible alternative routes in the absence or presence of HPyr+, were considered, and enthalpy and free energies were calculated for each pathway. Our computational results further underscored that the Id route is energetically favored in the presence of HPyr+, in contrast with the preferred Ia–NNO pathway in the absence of HPyr+. Our computational results also revealed molecular-level details for the HPyr+-facilitated Id route. Specifically, HPyr+ initially becomes hydrogen-bonded to the oxygen atom of the Mo(IV)–OPMe3 moiety, which lowers the activation barrier for the Mo–OPMe3 bond cleavage in a rate-limiting step to dissociate the OPMe3 product. The implications of our results were discussed in the context of molybdoenzymes, particularly the reductive half-reaction of sulfite oxidase.
Letter by Zaman et al Regarding Article, “Safety Outcomes After Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale”

We read with interest the recent article by Merkler et al.1 In a retrospective cohort study, the authors investigated the safety of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack who underwent PFO closure within 1 year. The study concluded that closure was associated with adverse events in 7% of patients; the rate of events was higher in patients >60 years old compared with those aged ≤60 years (10.9% versus 4.9%; P <0.001). We commend the authors for their work and describe lessons learned from 5 randomized trials, which add to our interpretation of these results. Contrary to prior observational studies, the CLOSURE I trial (Evaluation of the STARFlex Septal Closure System in Patients With a Stroke and/or Transient Ischemic Attack due to Presumed Paradoxical Embolism Through a PFO) failed to demonstrate superiority of PFO closure for secondary stroke prevention in patients with …
EPR Determination of the Number of Nitrogens Coordinated to Cu in Square-Planar Complexes

In their article on g-strain and A-strain in non-blue Type II copper complexes, Froncisz and Hyde (1) established that best resolution in the g∥ region of powder EPR spectra occurs generally for the turning point assigned to the MI = -½ copper nuclear quantum number using a microwave frequency of about 2 GHz. Under these experimental conditions g-strain and A-strain cancel. The concepts were further elaborated in the review article by Hyde and Froncisz (2) on the role of microwave frequency in EPR spectroscopy of copper complexes.
Primary Closure versus Bedside Silo and Delayed Closure for Gastroschisis: A Truncated Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background We report a prospective randomized trial comparing primary closure (PC) to bedside silo and delayed closure (DC) for babies with gastroschisis. Materials and Methods Patients were randomized to PC versus DC. We excluded those with atresia/necrosis, Results A total of 38 patients were included from August 2011 to August 2016; 18 patients underwent DC and 20 PC. There were no differences in gestational age or birth weight. Fifty percent of PC patients were successfully closed with the rest closed at a median of 4 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 2–4 days). DC patients were closed at a median of 4 days after silo placement (IQR: 2–5.8 days). None of the patients in this series developed abdominal compartment syndrome after closure. Median LOS, median time to enteral tolerance, and median time on ventilation were not statistically different. Two patients (one DC and one PC) had bowel ischemia and necrosis following silo placement requiring reoperation. Four patients (two DC and two PC) were noted to have small umbilical defects; none have yet required operative correction. Conclusion There were no differences seen between PC and DC in LOS, time to enteral feeds, or ventilator times.
Improving the Explosive Performance of Aluminum Nanoparticles with Aluminum Iodate Hexahydrate (AIH).

A new synthesis approach for aluminum particles enables an aluminum core to be passivated by an oxidizing salt: aluminum iodate hexahydrate (AIH). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that AIH replaces the Al2O3 passivation layer on Al particles that limits Al oxidation. The new core-shell particle reactivity was characterized using laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (LASEM) and results for two different Al-AIH core-shell samples that vary in the AIH concentration demonstrate their potential use for explosive enhancement on both fast (detonation velocity) and slow (blast effects) timescales. Estimates of the detonation velocity for TNT-AIH composites suggest an enhancement of up to 30% may be achievable over pure TNT detonation velocities. Replacement of Al2O3 with AIH allows Al to react on similar timescales as detonation waves. The AIH mixtures tested here have relatively low concentrations of AIH (15 wt. % and 6 wt. %) compared to previously reported samples (57.8 wt. %) and still increase TNT performance by up to 30%. Further optimization of AIH synthesis could result in additional increases in explosive performance.
Congenital Hearing Loss (Sensorineural and Conductive)

Screening is the cornerstone of effective treatment. Genetic testing is proving increasingly useful in the evaluation of congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implantation of children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss between ages 1 and 2 yields the best long-term results, with the majority of children entering a mainstream grade school. Children with atresia can be rehabilitated with bone conducting hearing aids, a bone conducting osseointegrated implant (Baha), or with surgical atresia repair in cases with a favorable temporal bone CT scan.
Laryngofissure and Partial Vertical Laryngectomy for Early Cordal Carcinoma: Outcome in 182 Patients

From 1962 to 1974, 182 patients with early squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal cord were treated by laryngofissure and cordectomy at the Mayo Clinic (Neel et al. 1980). The indications for the operation are as follows: The involved vocal cord must be mobile, and the tumor should not extend beyond the anterior one-third of the opposite cord or posteriorly beyond the vocal process of the arytenoid. Also, the tumor should not extend beyond the obvious portion of the vocal cord into the subglottis or into the ventricle or false cord. Any attempt to overstep these indications reduces the patient’s chance for recovery.
Photopion Physics — An Experimental Overview

This review attempts to survey recent and current photopion experiments giving some attention also to future directions over the next couple of years. In doing this we need to keep in mind the experimental limitations on the measurements being made, as well as the physics motivation for the experiments. Our task will be to provide an overview of the field without intruding too much on the more detailed reviews of the various subfields which will follow.
8 On the Theoretical Status of Time in Motor Program Representations

Abstract Evidence suggests that motor programs for both gait and learned responses are abstract representations containing sequencing, phasing (relative timing), and relative force. Various parameters can be applied to produce slightly different expressions of an invariant pattern. However, phasing does not appear to be a part of programs for unidirectional actions, and a tentative model to explain these aspects of programming is offered.
Cenozoic Microtektite/Ejecta Layers

The earliest recognized and some of the best studied distal impact ejecta layers are Cenozoic in age. The first to be discovered and one of the best defined Cenozoic distal ejecta layers is the Australasian microtektite layer. It was first reported in 1967. The Ivory Coast microtektite layer was reported a year later. Discovery of the North American microtektite layer was reported in 1973. Still later, it was recognized that clinopyroxene-bearing spherules found associated with the North American microtektites belonged to a slightly older impact event. When the Australasian and Ivory Coast microtektite layers were first reported, they were recognized as being part of the Australasian and Ivory Coast tektite strewn fields, respectively.
On the effective distribution and maintenance of knowledge represented by complementary graphs

Graph transformations are a powerful tool enabling the formal description of the behavior of software systems. In most cases, however, this tool fails due to its low efficiency. This can be overcome by introducing parallel graph transformations. The concept of complementary graphs enables two things: the decomposition of a centralized graph into many cooperating subgraphs, and their parallel transformations. Such a model is very useful in an agent environment, where subgraphs represent an individual knowledge of particular agents; this knowledge may be partially replicated and exchanged between the agents. The rules of a cooperation and an implicit synchronization of a knowledge, represented in this way, have been already defined in [10]. The second very important issue is the way of an initial graph distribution assuming the size criterion: the heuristic method proposed previously succeeds in 60% (i.e. 60% of subgraphs is consistent with the criterion). The method presented in this paper gives over 90% fit.
Laparoscopic trachelectomy for persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis after supracervical hysterectomy

Objectives To discuss the safety of laparoscopic removal of the cervical stump after supracervical hysterectomy. Design Retrospective review of six cases. Setting Center for Special Pelvic Surgery, a tertiary referral center. Patient(s) Between August 1993 and December 1995, six patients underwent laparoscopic removal of the cervical stump. Their mean age was 43.1years (range 32 to 56years). All women had pelvic pain, and one had abnormal bleeding. Three patients had histories of severe endometriosis only, one had extensive endometriosis with adhesions, one had severe adhesions and leiomyomas, and one had all three conditions at hysterectomy. Intervention(s) Laparoscopic trachelectomy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Laparoscopic findings and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Result(s) The mean blood loss was 100mL (range 50 to 200mL). There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion(s) Cervical stump removal can be accomplished laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon.
Nuts and Brain Health: Nuts Increase EEG Power Spectral Density (μV&[sup2]) for Delta Frequency (1–3Hz) and Gamma Frequency (31–40 Hz) Associated with Deep Meditation, Empathy, Healing, as well as Neural Synchronization, Enhanced Cognitive Processing, Recall, and Memory All Beneficial For Brain Health

Nuts are a major source of flavonoids. They are potent antioxidants with known mechanisms that provide cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that ...
Built-in Misdirection: On the Difficulties of Learning to Knap

Flintknappers must successfully deploy specific physical techniques to make stone artifacts. Somewhat analogous to flintknapping, the successful performance of conjuring tricks also relies on effective deployment of physical actions and techniques to bring about desired outcomes. To prevent spectators detecting the cause–effect relationships between these physical actions, conjurors use various forms of “misdirection.” Recently, there has been intensified academic interest in misdirection by experimental psychologists and cognitive scientists. Here, we show that misdirection provides a valuable model for examining the cognitively challenging elements of learning to knap through observation. Several implications arise from conceiving of these issues in terms of their capacity for “misdirection.” This includes the possibility of connecting them with well-understood psychological mechanisms, especially those underpinning the cognition of accurate perception, attention, memory, and reasoning. This can open novel avenues of enquiry relating to social learning, the evolution of technological “complexity,” and for connecting archaeology with cognitive neuroscience.
Poverty reduction through photovoltaic-based development intervention in China: Potentials and constraints

Abstract Photovoltaic-based development intervention programs have substantial potential in alleviating poverty, but implementing them in remote rural areas remains challenging. This study evaluates China’s recent national policy to reduce poverty through government-led photovoltaic-based intervention in 471 counties of 16 provinces. We took a spatial approach to analyze program targeting, and applied a spatial lag model to examine the determinants of its implementation. The findings indicate that the program, which targets at counties that are poorer and endowed with greater solar radiation, can potentially make an unprecedented contribution to poverty reduction. However, far fewer counties and households are included in implementation plans, indicating tremendous challenges to carry out the program. We find counties with implementation plans tend to be spatially clustered, and major constraints to implementation include poor grid infrastructure, sparse population density, and low economic activities in rural areas. We suggest a more flexible PV-based intervention program that takes account of the specific socio-economic and environmental contexts of counties can generate greater impact on addressing the ‘last mile problem’ of poverty reduction in remote rural areas in China.
Linking Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep Disruption and Post-Traumatic Headache: a Potential Role for Glymphatic Pathway Dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern in the USA and worldwide. Sleep disruption and headaches are two of the most common problems reported by patients after TBI. In this manuscript, we review the current knowledge regarding the relation between post-traumatic sleep disruption and headaches. We also describe the role of the glymphatic system as a potential link between TBI, sleep, and headaches. Recent studies show a reciprocal relation between post-traumatic sleep disruption and headaches: patients with sleep disruption after TBI report more headaches, and post-traumatic headaches are a risk factor for developing disrupted sleep. Despite this clinical association, the exact mechanisms linking post-traumatic sleep disruption and headaches are not well understood. The glymphatic pathway, a newly described brain–wide network of perivascular spaces that supports the clearance of interstitial solutes and wastes from the brain, is active primarily during sleep, and becomes dysfunctional after TBI. We propose a model where changes in glymphatic function caused by TBI and post-traumatic sleep disruption may impair the clearance of neuropeptides involved in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic headaches, such as CGRP. The relation between TBI, post-traumatic sleep disruption, and post-traumatic headaches, although well documented in the literature, remains poorly understood. Dysfunction of the glymphatic system caused by TBI offers a novel and exiting explanation to this clinically observed phenomenon. The proposed model, although theoretical, could provide important mechanistic insights to the TBI-sleep-headache association.
Potential Effects of Regionalized Maternity Care on U.S. Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To examine the current patterns of care for women at high risk for delivery-related morbidity to inform discussions about the feasibility of this regionalized approach. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study and linked 2014 American Hospital Association survey and State Inpatient Database data from seven representative states. We used American Hospital Association-reported hospital characteristics and State Inpatient Database procedure codes to assign a level of maternal care to each hospital. We then assigned each patient to a minimum required level of maternal care (I-IV) based on maternal comorbidities captured in the State Inpatient Database. Our outcome was delivery at a hospital with an inappropriately low level of maternal care. Comorbidities associated with delivery at an inappropriate hospital were assessed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS The analysis included 845,545 deliveries occurring at 556 hospitals. The majority of women had risk factors appropriate for delivery at level I or II hospitals (85.1% and 12.6%, respectively). A small fraction (2.4%) of women at high risk for maternal morbidity warranted delivery in level III or IV hospitals. The majority (97.6%) of women delivered at a hospital with an appropriate level of maternal care, with only 2.4% of women delivering at a hospital with an inappropriate level of maternal care. However, 43.4% of the 19,988 high-risk patients warranting delivery at level III or IV hospitals delivered at level I or II hospitals. Women with comorbidities likely to benefit from specialized care (eg, maternal cardiac disease, placenta previa with prior uterine surgery) had high rates of delivery at hospitals with an inappropriate level of maternal care (68.2% and 37.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION Though only 2.41% of deliveries occurred at hospitals with an inappropriate level of maternal care, a substantial fraction of women at risk for maternal morbidity delivered at hospitals potentially unequipped with resources to manage their needs. Promoting triage of high-risk patients to hospitals optimized to provide risk-appropriate care may improve maternal outcomes with minimal effect on most deliveries.
On digital intimacy: redefining provider-patient relationships in remote monitoring

Remote monitoring has often been thought to lead to a highly structured and standardised care process. Several studies have stressed that patient-provider communication could be hindered if mediated by technologies, leading to an impoverished relationship. We argue that while remote monitoring leads to a redefinition of the patient-provider relationship, it could also offer the opportunity to develop a more intimate acquaintance not possible via only routine visits. The study is part of a clinical trial aimed at assessing the acceptability of a remote monitoring platform for type 1 diabetes. Drawing on practice-based studies, we focused our analysis on the practice of text message exchange between patients and providers. The 396 conversations were coded with a template analysis, leading to the identification of two main categories: 'knowing the patient' and 'knowing about the patient'. The analysis reveals that the practice of messaging led to the development of a 'digital intimacy', a relationship characterised by a thorough familiarity made possible by electronic devices that extends to face-to-face encounters. Drawing on our case, we argue that remote monitoring can foster greater intimacy between patients and providers, which is made possible by the overall increase in the quantity and quality of communication between patients and providers.
Stress in Undergraduate Students Studying Communication Sciences and Disorders

Today's college students are stressed (Liu, Stevens, Wong, Yasui, & Chen, 2018), and stress may impact students' physical (Doom & Haeffel, 2013) and mental health (Baddeley, 2012; Liu et al., 2018)...
Simulator-Based Training in FoCUS with Skill-Based Metrics for Feedback: An Efficacy Study

Introduction: Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) is a relatively new technology that requires training and mentoring. The use of a FoCUS simulator is a novel training method that may prompt greater adoption of this technology by physicians at different levels of training and experience. The objective of this study was to determine if simulation training using an advanced echo simulator (Real Ultrasound®) is a feasible means of delivering training in FoCUS. Methods: Twenty-five residents and attending physicians participated in this study. After performing a pretest, training on the Real Ultrasound® was administered. Improvement was assessed immediately after simulator training. Additionally, some participants were retested six months after training to determine whether learned skills were retained. Results: Of the 25 participants recruited, all completed the pretest phase, and 17 completed the training and immediate posttest assessment. At pretest, the median angular deviation of acquired images from anatomically correct was 37°, which improved to 30° after training (p<0.002). Technical skill was largely maintained at six months of follow-up, with a median angle error of 27 and 31°, respectively (p=0.093) in 8 participants who completed the post and six-month retention assessments. The median pretest image interpretation score improved from 55% to 70% (p=0.028); median post and six month scores in the 8 participants were 72 and 68%, respectively (p=0.735). Conclusions: Simulation training in FoCUS significantly improves skills in image acquisition. These skills appear to be retained over time. This study adds support for the use of advanced echocardiographic simulators to enhance formal FoCUS training in a real-world setting.
Prior endogenous and exogenous estrogen and incident dementia in the 10th decade of life: The 90+ Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure with risk of incident dementia in the oldest-old (age 90+ years).Methods: Participants were ...
Reducing All-cause 30-day Hospital Readmissions for Patients Presenting with Acute Heart Failure Exacerbations: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Background Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of hospitalization in the US for people older than 65 years of age. It has the highest 30-day re-hospitalization rate among medical and surgical conditions, accounting for up to 26.9% of the total readmission rates. We conducted a quality improvement project at our hospital with the objective to reduce the 30-day all-cause readmissions of patients with CHF by improving the transition of care and setting up scheduled follow-up appointments within two weeks of patient discharge. Method Retrospective data were collected to understand the pattern of admission for CHF during November 2017. Data on 30-day readmission post-discharge was also collected to understand readmission rates. Similarly, all patients who were admitted with acute CHF exacerbation to our hospital during the month of November 2018 were included in our intervention cohort. The 30-day readmission rates of these patients post-intervention were calculated and compared to the initial cohort. Results As part of our study, we ensured that 58% of the enrolled patients had a follow-up appointment scheduled within two weeks of discharge compared to only 30% in 2017. Also, 56% of the enrolled patients kept their follow-up appointments compared to 37% in 2017. The 30-day readmission rate of CHF patients was reduced in half after the implementation of our project, with a 14% readmission rate for our study patients compared to 28% in 2017. Conclusion Patient education and measures to augment post-discharge follow-up appointments can lead to substantial reductions in the readmission rates of heart failure (HF) patients.
Copyright and Dissent

This Essay brings to the fore the hitherto unnoticed feature of copyright: Copyright incentivizes dissent and protects marginalized authors. Absent copyright protection that allows authors to recoup their risks and costs, producers of unpopular works that deviate from the mainstream would have no incentives to pursue their socially valuable endeavors, unlike authors who reap reputational gains from catering to popular opinion. This insight has the potential for changing the terms, as well as the conclusions, of the ongoing debate over the desirability of copyright protections. Specifically, I demonstrate that the dissent-protecting rationale both coherently explains and aligns with all justificatory accounts of copyright law. Furthermore, I uncover an important, yet underappreciated, alignment between copyright and the First Amendment protection of speech: both copyright and the First Amendment are engines of speech that would have otherwise been silenced.
Double trouble? Impact of frozen embryo transfer on the monozygotic twinning rate: a retrospective cohort study from 8459 cycles

To compare monozygotic twinning (MZT) rates in patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen embryo transfer. All clinical pregnancies after single ET carried out in our IVF center between 2014 and 2018 (n = 8459) were retrospectively analyzed for the incidence of MZT. MZT rate was compared in women who underwent fresh ET (n = 3876) and frozen ET (n = 4583). There was a total of 120 MZT identified in the fresh ET group (3.10%) and 103 MZT in the frozen ET group (2.25%), which was significant (p = 0.015). In the univariate analysis, the risk of MZT was decreased with frozen embryo transfer (OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55–0.94, p = 0.016) and increased with mild stimulation protocol in the fresh cycle (OR 1.90; 95% CI, 1.04–3.45, p = 0.036). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that frozen embryo transfer was associated with a significant decrease risk of MZT (adjusted OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46–0.90, p = 0.011). Frozen ET is associated with a lower risk of MZT.
TOWARDS A TAXONOMY OF ATTACKS AGAINST ENERGY CONTROL SYSTEMS

Control systems for energy such as Supervisory Control And Data Ac- quisition (SCADA) involve a hierarchy of sensing, monitoring, and con- trol devices connected to centralized control stations/centers. With in- creasing connectivity to commercial o-the-shelf technologies these sys- tems have become vulnerable to cyber attacks. To assist the energy sector in dealing with these cyber attacks, we propose the development of a taxonomy. In this work we take a first step towards a taxonomy by developing a comprehensive model of attacks, vulnerabilities, and damages in control systems. We populate the model with a survey of available literature from industry, academia, and national laboratories.
Earnings Management, Audit Differences, and Analysts' Forecasts

This paper reports results of two experiments aimed at (1) assessing whether companies are less willing to record immaterial income decreasing audit differences when the adjustment causes the company to report earnings below the consensus analyst forecast and (2) determining whether implementation of proposed auditing standards aimed at this phenomenon will affect the willingness to record such audit differences. In the experiments, Big Five audit managers estimated the portion of an immaterial audit difference a client would choose to record in various circumstances. Our managers expected their clients not to record immaterial audit differences when such differences caused them to report earnings below the consensus forecast. This behavior was expected to be particularly prevalent when the misstatement amount was less objectively determined. Our results also suggest that the proposed auditing standards will be only minimally effective in promoting the recording of immaterial audit differences in general, and ineffective in reducing the use of unrecorded audit differences to meet the forecast. Even when the related error was objectively determined and the proposed auditing standards were in effect, no more than 30% of clients were expected to book an adjustment that would cause them to miss the forecast.
Abelian duality, confinement, and chiral-symmetry breaking in a SU(2) QCD-like theory.

We analyze the vacuum structure of SU(2) QCD with multiple massless adjoint representation fermions formulated on a small spatial S{sup 1}xR{sup 3}. The absence of thermal fluctuations, and the fact that quantum fluctuations favor the vacuum with unbroken center symmetry in a weakly coupled regime, renders the interesting dynamics of these theories analytically calculable. Confinement and the generation of the mass gap in the gluonic sector are shown analytically. In this regime, theory exhibits confinement without continuous chiral-symmetry breaking. However, a flavor singlet chiral condensate (which breaks a discrete chiral symmetry) persists at arbitrarily small S{sup 1}. Under certain reasonable assumptions, we show that the theory exhibits a zero temperature chiral phase transition in the absence of any change in spatial center symmetry realizations.
The Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Spectrum of the Gt Conformer of n-Propanol (n-CH3CH2CH2OH)

As part of our continuing spectroscopic program of measuring the rotational spectra of large gas-phase molecules that may exist in observable quantities in the interstellar medium, we have studied the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectrum of the alcohol n-propanol (n-CH3CH2CH2OH), a straight-chain molecule with one more carbon atom than ethanol, which has already been detected in hot molecular cores. Although the molecule is thought to exist in five different conformers, we have only studied what is most likely to be the Gauche-trans (Gt) conformer, and analyzed over 2800 lines through 375 GHz in frequency. These lines have been added to both previously and newly measured rotational lines at lower frequencies. The global data set has been fitted to experimental accuracy, allowing us to determine accurate spectral parameters so as to predict useful frequencies for many more transitions of the conformer.
Sociological Perspectives in Family Violence

It is common knowledge that not many years ago the problem of family violence was virtually ignored. It has not been that many years since a diversity of disciplines began to offer explanations for our “newly discovered” phenomena. Our popular literature now calls what was previously ignored “private” violence, as contrasted to the more visible public violence to which our theorists and researchers in sociology have always directed their efforts. Although sociologists are late arrivals in the study of family violence, a cursory view of this literature indicates that some sociological perspectives are now being included in the attempt to understand more fully the phenomena of violence in the family. (See Star, 1980, and Straus, 1974, for assessments as to why the late entry of sociology.)
Hierarchical SnO2@SnS2 Counter Electrodes for Remarkable High-efficiency Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract A hierarchical SnO 2 @SnS 2 core-shell nanostructure has been prepared by in situ surface sulfurization of hollow SnO 2 sphere via a facile two-step solution-based method and used as a substitute for conventional Pt counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The resulted semitransparent SnO 2 @SnS 2 CEs demonstrate a high electrical conductivity and excellent catalytic activity, which are attributed to the synergetic effect of each component in such hierarchical nanostructure. The hierarchical SnO 2 @SnS 2 CE achieves an impressive photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.08%, which is significantly higher than those of individual SnO 2 (5.26%) and SnS 2 (6.00%) and also higher than Pt (7.88%) by 2.5%. This study suggests that the inexpensive hierarchical SnO 2 @SnS 2 CE is a good alternative to the expensive Pt CE in DSSCs.
Arsenite exposure in human lymphoblastoid cell lines induces autophagy and coordinated induction of lysosomal genes

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with diverse, complex diseases, making the identification of the mechanism underlying arsenic-induced toxicity a challenge. An increasing body of literature from epidemiological and in vitro studies has demonstrated that arsenic is an immunotoxicant, but the mechanism driving arsenic-induced immunotoxicity is not well established. We have previously demonstrated that in human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), arsenic-induced cell death is strongly associated with the induction of autophagy. In this study we utilized genome-wide gene expression analysis and functional assays to characterize arsenic-induced effects in seven LCLs that were exposed to an environmentally relevant, minimally cytotoxic, concentration of arsenite (0.75 μM) over an eight-day time course. Arsenic exposure resulted in inhibition of cellular growth and induction of autophagy (measured by expansion of acidic vesicles) over the eight-day exposure duration. Gene expression analysis revealed that arsenic exposure increased global lysosomal gene expression, which was associated with increased functional activity of the lysosome protease, cathepsin D. The arsenic-induced expansion of the lysosomal compartment in LCL represents a novel target that may offer insight into the immunotoxic effects of arsenic.
Spectrophotometric measurement of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity in cultured human fibroblasts.

A spectrophotometric assay for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) has been adapted for use with cultured human fibroblasts. It is a coupled enzyme assay utilizing pigeon liver arylamine acetyltransferase to measure the acetyl-CoA produced by PDHC. Activity is proportional to fibroblast protein and to time and depends completely on added pyruvate, CoA and NAD. In extracts in which PDHC had been activated (dephosphorylated) by the method of Sheu et al. (Sheu, R.K.-F., Hu, C.C. and Utter, M.F. (1981) J. Clin. Invest. 67, 1463-1471), activities in control cell lines are 5-50-fold higher than in earlier reports. Low activity has been demonstrated in a line previously reported to be PDHC-deficient.
On the plurality of Chydorus sphaericus (O. F. Müller) (Cladocera, Chydoridae), and designation of a neotype from Sjaelsø, Denmark

Two readily distinguishable species of Chydorus sphaericus sens. lat. occur in Salmon Lake, Montana, differing from each other in size and shape of rostrum, headpore configuration, frequency of doubling of teeth on the postabdomen, pattern of reticulation of the shell, and morphology of the mature male, especially the postabdomen, postabdominal claws, copulatory hooks, and rostrum. In any such comparisons, individual specimens are not sufficient; populations are needed to sort out morphological characters associated with instar and sex and character's that change with increasing body size. Comparison of population structure and stage of reproduction can be accomplished by a size-frequency distribution and by specific morphological characters that enable the three male instars to be recognized individually. One species, thought at first to be Chydorus herrmanni, is very close to Chydorus sphaericus sens. str. from Denmark. The other taxon with a short, generally blunt labrum, is described as the new species Chydorus brevilabris. Because of morphological diversity among the entities currently listed as Chydorus sphaericus from around the World, it is certain that a complex of species is represented. To facilitate the eventual resolution of this problem, the population in Sjaelso, Sjaelland, Denmark has arbitrarily been selected as the standard of comparison, and from this population a neotype and several allotypes have been designated. Cursory examination of various available populations suggests that C. sphaericus sens. str. and C. brevilabris represent a major dichotomy in the sphaericus complex, each branch consisting of an unknown number of closely-related species. Cautions are voiced against assuming that Chydorus sphaericus is a single cosmopolitan and ubiquitous species.
Effects of impurities in spin Bose-metal phase on a two-leg triangular strip

We study the effects of nonmagnetic impurities in a spin Bose-metal (SBM) phase discovered in a two-leg triangular strip spin-1/2 model with ring exchanges (D. N. Sheng et al., arXiv:0902.4210). This phase is a quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) descendant of a two-dimensional (2D) spin liquid with spinon Fermi sea and the present study aims at interpolating between the 1D and 2D cases. Different types of defects can be treated as local-energy perturbations, which we find are always relevant. As a result, a nonmagnetic impurity generically cuts the system into two decoupled parts. We calculate bond energy and local spin susceptibility near the defect, both of which can be measured in experiments. The spin Bose metal has dominant correlations at characteristic incommensurate wave vectors that are revealed near the defect. Thus, the bond energy shows a static texture oscillating as a function of distance from the defect and decaying as a slow power law. The local spin susceptibility also oscillates and actually increases as a function of distance from the defect, similar to the effect found in the 1D chain [S. Eggert and I. Affleck, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 934 (1995)]. We calculate the corresponding power-law exponents for the textures as a function of one Luttinger parameter of the SBM theory.