cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobile Means Global

mHealth is rapidly expanding globally, in both volume and scope. One of the most important questions developers and users must ask is whether mHealth can be scaled and sustained for the foreseeable future. Without cost-effectiveness and outcomes research, there is no way to know what works and what does not, particularly with regard to large-scale deployment. There is little to no evidence to show governments, foundations, entrepreneurs, and businesses that mHealth is worthy of investment. Consequently, stronger evidence is necessary to distinguish reality from hype and to encourage investor and entrepreneur participation.
Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Aerobic Conditions Catalyzed by a Cobalt ATCUN Metallopeptide

The cobalt complex of an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) motif model tripeptide (CoGGH) is shown to act as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution from water near neutral pH with high Faradaic efficiency. The catalyst performance is not significantly impacted by exposure to oxygen. CoGGH represents a new class of hydrogen evolution catalyst that is straightforward to prepare and to modify.
Which Control Strategies and Configurations Affect Performance? Evidence from Large Scale Outsourcing Arrangements

We study the effects of management controls and organizational configurations on the performance of large and complex outsourcing initiatives which span multiple years, cost millions of dollars and involve multiple functions. Using survey data from Chief Information Officers we seek to validate several hypotheses concerning the positive effects of controls on outsourcing configurations and their joint effects on outsourcing performance. We observe that targeted behavior controls, and clan controls are positively related to improved performance after controlling for the effects of conventional time and cost controls. In addition, we show that the increased use of selected behavior controls affects the flexibility of outsourcing arrangements and thus improves outsourcing performance. Another configurational feature- multi-sourcing- directly affects performance. The paper adds to our overall understanding of the influence of informal management controls on outsourcing configurability and their ultimate effect on outsourcing performance. These findings apply to complex control situations including large scale outsourcing arrangements and multi-party new product development.
Controlling Biomimetic Underwater Robots With Electronic Nervous Systems

We are developing biomimetic robots based on neurobiological model systems, the lobster and the lamprey. Existing implementations of these robots are based on finite state machine based controllers that instantiate a set of finite state machines based on the organizational units of the animal model nervous systems. These state machines include leg or body axis central pattern generators (CPGs) that generate leg movements or undulations, postural pattern generators that control compensatory appendages and/or adaptive sensors and sensory integration networks that process sensor information. The use of neuron models instead of finite state systems allows one to replicate in great detail the real behavior of the neurobiological system (a network) and, thanks to spiking nature of the models, provides a link between the control functions and the experimental measurements from the animal. The key feature of these models is that because they are based on capturing of nonlinear dynamical behavior of neurons rather than neuronal conductance models, they are simpler, can operate in real time and are thus suitable for robotic control applications.
Host and Microhabitat Preferences of Forest Parasitic Hymenoptera: Inferences from Captures on Colored Sticky Panels

Parasitic Hymenoptera caught on colored sticky panels placed in various forest microhabitats showed patterns of trap catch that could often be related to the hosts they attack. Parasites caught predominately on yellow panels, which mimic foliage, generally attack foliage-frequenting insects such as leaf-chewers or leaf-miners. The few parasites that did not respond predominately to yellow panels attack such hosts as psocids or eggs of stem- or pod-boring Lepidoptera. The observed correlations between patterns of trap catch and host preferences suggest that sticky panels may be useful in revealing host and microhabitat preferences of little-known parasites.
Monitoring and analysis of thermal deformation waves with a high-speed phase measurement system

Thermal effects in optical substrates are vitally important in determining laser damage resistance in long-pulse and continuous-wave laser systems. Thermal deformation waves in a soda-lime-silica glass substrate have been measured using high-speed interferometry during a series of laser pulses incident on the surface. Two-dimensional images of the thermal waves were captured at a rate of up to six frames per thermal event using a quantitative phase measurement method. The system comprised a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, along with a high-speed camera capable of up to 20,000 frames-per-second. The sample was placed in the interferometer and irradiated with 100 ns, 2 kHz Q-switched pulses from a high-power Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm. Phase measurements were converted to temperature using known values of thermal expansion and temperature-dependent refractive index for glass. The thermal decay at the center of the thermal wave was fit to a function derived from first principles with excellent agreement. Additionally, the spread of the thermal distribution over time was fit to the same function. Both the temporal decay fit and the spatial fit produced a thermal diffusivity of 5×10-7 m2/s.
Use of Modeling and Process Analytical Technologies in the Design of a Catalytic Amination Reaction: Understanding Oxygen Sensitivity at the Lab and Manufacturing Scales

A mechanistic approach was undertaken to understand the oxygen sensitivity of a Pd-catalyzed amination reaction used in the synthesis of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. FlowNMR and dissolved oxygen probes were used as process analytical technology alongside kinetic and unit operation models to better characterize the oxidative deactivation pathways of the catalyst. Interplay between ligand excess, oxygen inertion, and additional degassing due to reflux were all found to contribute to reaction rate variability. This mechanistic approach allowed for appreciation and clear communication of the risks, development of protocols to mitigate those risks, and successful scale-up under rapid development timelines.
Working Class Zombies and Men in Burqas: Temporality, Trauma, and the Specter of Nostalgia in Zibahkhana:

2007 saw the release of the film Zibahkhana (dir. Omar Ali Khan), an independent production billed as “Pakistan’s first extreme horror film.” Combining prominent nods to classic Hollywood horror fi...
Experimental and numerical monitoring of strain gradients in notched composites under tension loading

Experimental tensile tests have been carried out to investigate the effect of progressive damage within notched, quasi-isotropic T650/F584 carbon fiber/epoxy laminates on the strain distribution in the vicinity of the notch. Three-dimensional Digital image correlation was used during quasi-static tests to obtain the distribution of strains as a function of applied stress. A finite element model was developed using Abaqus and Digimat in which Digimat was used to implement the damage evolution model via a user-defined material subroutine. Damage initiation has been assessed using Hashin’s failure criteria and Matzenmiller model was adopted for damage evolution. Numerical and experimental strain results were presented and compared for different section lines on the outer surface of the laminate at different load stages. The experimental notched composite strength was compared as well with the predicted one from finite element solution.
Parasitism of Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Eggs by Trichogramma minutum and Absence of Overwintering Parasitoids

Egg masses of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), were sampled in February and March for overwintering Trichogramma minutum Riley at five locations in central Maine. Egg mass densities and the percentage of parasitized eggs were generally greater in upper- and middle-crown levels than in the lower crown of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Miller. Significantly more parasitized egg masses were “chewed” than partially parasitized or normal, eclosed egg masses. Parasitized eggs contained only cadavers of T. minutum pupae; thus, we found no evidence that this species or any other egg parasite overwinters in eggs of the spruce budworm
New to New York: ecological and psychological predictors of health among recently arrived young adult gay and bisexual urban migrants.

Young gay and bisexual men might move to urban enclaves to escape homophobic environments and achieve greater sexual and social freedom, yet little is known about the health risks that these young migrants face. Drawing on recent qualitative depictions of gay and bisexual men’s urban ecologies and psychological research on motivation and goal pursuit, we investigated migration-related motivations, experiences, health risks, and their associations among young gay and bisexual men in New York City. Gay and bisexual men (n = 273; ages 18–29) who had moved to New York City within the past 12 months completed an online survey regarding their hometowns, new urban experiences, migration motivations, and health risks. Not having a college degree, HIV infection, hometown stigma, within-US migration, and moving to outside a gay-dense neighborhood were associated with moving to escape stress; hometown structural stigma and domestic migration were associated with moving for opportunity. Migrating from larger US-based hometowns, having recently arrived, and moving for opportunity predicted HIV transmission risk. Social isolation predicted lower drug use but more mental health problems. Higher income predicted lower HIV and mental health risk but higher alcohol risk. Hometown interpersonal discrimination predicted all health risks, but hometown structural stigma protected against drug risk. Findings offer a comprehensive picture of young gay and bisexual male migrants’ experiences and health risks and help build a theory of high-risk migration. Results can inform structural- and individual-level interventions to support the health of this sizeable and vulnerable segment of the urban population.
Strength from recovery: Former drug-dependent individuals discount the future less than current users and controls

Amanda Quisenberry1,∗, Mikhail N. Koffarnus2, Chris Franck3, Warren K. Bickel4 1 Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States 2 Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States 3 Addiction Recovery and Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States 4 Statistics, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
Trichloroethylene Determination in Water by Capillary Vessel Column Gas Chromatography

[Objective]To establish a trichloroethylene determination in water by capillary vessel column gas chromatography. [Methods]Headspace method was adpoted. When trichloroethylene reached dynamic equilibrium in gas-liquid two phase in the headspace vial, the headspace gas was taken as the sample, then separated in capillary columns, and detected by electron capture detector. Its quality was determined by the retention time span, its quantity was determined by peak area. [Results]The minimum detectable concentration by this process was 2.5 μg/L, when the range of concentration of the solution was between 2.5～80.0 μg/L, its deviation was 0.42%~2.55%. Linear correlation coefficient r=0.99989, sample added recovery was 98.4% to 102.5%. [Conclusion]With high sensitivity, less interference and good peak shape, this method is applicable to the determination of trichlorethylene in water.
Ureteroileocancerous backflow: a diagnostic radiographic sign for metastatic carcinoma.

Abstract Ureteroileocancerous backflow is a radiographic finding representing extravasation of contrast material into venous sinuses of periureteral cancerous tissues. It is suggested that this finding, which has heretofore been undescribed, is diagnostic of recurrent malignancy and that patients may be spared secondary surgical procedures for confirmation of recurrent tumor.
Digital-pixel Focal Plane Array Development

Since 2006, MIT Lincoln Laboratory has been developing Digital-pixel Focal Plane Array (DFPA) readout integrated circuits (ROICs). To date, four 256 × 256 30 μm pitch DFPA designs with in-pixel analog to digital conversion have been fabricated using IBM 90 nm CMOS processes. The DFPA ROICs are compatible with a wide range of detector materials and cutoff wavelengths; HgCdTe, QWIP, and InGaAs photo-detectors with cutoff wavelengths ranging from 1.6 to 14.5 μm have been hybridized to the same digital-pixel readout. The digital-pixel readout architecture offers high dynamic range, A/C or D/C coupled integration, and on-chip image processing with low power orthogonal transfer operations. The newest ROIC designs support two-color operation with a single Indium bump connection. Development and characterization of the two-color DFPA designs is presented along with applications for this new digital readout technology.
Sore Throat, Dental Pain, and Other Oral Issues

Complaints regarding the oropharynx commonly lead patients to present to outpatient clinics or the emergency department. This chapter summarizes the outpatient management of etiologies amenable to outpatient treatment, as well as detailing indications for referral or urgent consultation.
Unequal Protection of the Law: The Rights of Citizens and Non-Citizens in Comparative Perspective

This edited book explores the disparate allocation of legal rights of persons from a comparative, global perspective. In particular, the chapters canvass some of the timely, hot-topic issues relative to the legal rights of persons vis-a-vis the rights of citizens and non-citizens (including migrants, refugees, and immigrants). In conducting a comparative analysis, the chapters elucidate how various non-citizens are disproportionately disadvantaged under national laws as compared to citizens within the same jurisdictions. The chapters also explicate how the disparate allocation of rights under national laws raises a number of human rights law violations. Towards this endeavor, the chapters discuss which particular international laws, treaties, declarations, and/or conventions are implicated as a result of the disparate and unequal treatment of migrants, refugees, and immigrants under law.
Clinical Trials of Adriamycin

Adriamycin is a tetracyclic anthracycline antibiotic with substantial antitumor activity in transplanted rodent tumors. It is a 14-hydroxy derivative and thus a close analog of daunorubicin. Its spectrum of antitumor activity in experimental systems is similar to that of daunorubicin though the therapeutic index of adriamycin is generally superior to that of daunorubicin. The tolerated dose of adriamycin in experimental systems is generally somewhat less (approximately 2/3) that of daunorubicin. In pharmacologic studies the anthracyclines bind to macromolecules particularly DNA and are slowly excreted. Whereas daunorubicin is extensively metabolized adriamycin is minimally metabolized. This probably accounts for the greater toxicity of a given dose of adriamycin.
Work-related correlates of occupational sitting in a diverse sample of employees in Midwest metropolitan cities.

Abstract The worksite serves as an ideal setting to reduce sedentary time. Yet little research has focused on occupational sitting, and few have considered factors beyond the personal or socio-demographic level. The current study i) examined variation in occupational sitting across different occupations, ii) explored whether worksite level factors (e.g., employer size, worksite supports and policies) may be associated with occupational sitting. Between 2012 and 2013, participants residing in four Missouri metropolitan areas were interviewed via telephone and provided information on socio-demographic characteristics, schedule flexibility, occupation, work related factors, and worksite supports and policies. Occupational sitting was self-reported (daily minutes spent sitting at work), and dichotomized. Occupation-stratified analyses were conducted to identify correlates of occupational sitting using multiple logistic regressions. A total of 1668 participants provided completed data. Those employed in business and office/administrative support spent more daily occupational sitting time (median 330 min) compared to service and blue collar employees (median 30 min). Few worksite supports and policies were sitting specific, yet factors such as having a full-time job, larger employer size, schedule flexibility, and stair prompt signage were associated with occupational sitting. For example, larger employer size was associated with higher occupational sitting in health care, education/professional, and service occupations. Work-related factors, worksite supports and policies are associated with occupational sitting. The pattern of association varies among different occupation groups. This exploratory work adds to the body of research on worksite level correlates of occupational sitting. This may provide information on priority venues for targeting highly sedentary occupation groups.
A trace gas method of evaluating interstitial air advection and diffusion in snow

Atmospheric pressure gradients and pressure fluctuations drive within-snow air movement that enhances gas mobility through interstitial pore space. The magnitude of this enhancement in relation to snow microstructure properties cannot be well predicted with current methods or validated relationships. In a set of field experiments we injected a dilute mixture of 1 % carbon monoxide and nitrogen gas of known volume into the topmost layer of a snowpack and, using a distributed array of thin film sensors, measured plume evolution as a function of wind forcing. We found enhanced dispersion in the streamwise direction and also along low resistance pathways in the presence of wind. These results suggest that atmospheric constituents contained in snow can be anisotropically mixed depending on the wind environment and snow structure, having implications for surface snow reaction rates and interpretation of firn and ice cores.
Effects of Time-Out Upon Concurrent Operant Responding

Two hooded rats were reinforced on variable-interval schedules of reinforcement on each of two concurrently available response levers. When responding on one lever was punished by time-out from positive reinforcement (retraction of both levers), responding on the punished lever was suppressed and rate of responding on the unpunished lever increased. The preference for the unpunished lever persisted when the variable-interval schedule of reinforcement on this lever was adjusted to relatively lower levels than that on the punished lever. The results favored the view that time-out functioned as an aversive stimulus in this context.
Emerging role of nivolumab in the management of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: current data and future perspectives

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have become valuable therapies in the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent clinical trials have shown promising results with regard to efficacy and toxicity profiles of these agents compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nivolumab was one of the first immune-checkpoint inhibitors to demonstrate clinical activity in patients with NSCLC, and is currently approved in the US for treatment of patients with advanced squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. This review provides an update on nivolumab’s pharmacology, safety, and efficacy, as established by the CheckMate trials. We also discuss specific applications and strategies for the use of nivolumab in NSCLC patients, as well as predictive biomarkers and their role in treatment selection.
Optical and magnetic properties of Mn doped 4H-SiC: First principal calculations

We have investigated theoretically the optical absorption and magnetic properties of Mn doped 4H-SiC, using the first principal calculation, based on Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FPLAPW) method of Density Functional Theory (DFT). The obtained results indicating that optical absorption increasing at visible light region as function manganese concentration doped 4H-SiC, also the Mn doped 4H-SiC induced the magnetic property in this compound for different concentration of Mn. We found in besides that Mn doped 4H-SiC have a half metal behaviors. Finally the 4H-SiC compounds doped with Mn is a good candidate for magnetic and optical applications.
Communities of Inquiry: A Heuristic for Designing and Assessing Interactive Learning Activities in Technology-Mediated FYC

Abstract This article recommends that composition scholars and instructors adopt Randy Garrison, Terry Anderson, and Walter Archer’s (2000) Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework as a heuristic for designing and assessing interactive learning activities. The CoI framework includes three components: social presence (how real people feel to each other), teaching presence (activity design, facilitation, and feedback), and cognitive presence (the thinking that results from interaction). Applying this framework as a design heuristic involves an instructor identifying the intended cognitive presence of an activity, and then identifying appropriate teaching and social presences to support that cognitive presence. Applying the framework as an assessment heuristic involves analyzing whether the three presences support or hinder interactive learning. To illustrate the ways the CoI framework can contribute to computers and composition research and instruction, this article presents an online first-year composition student’s experience with three interactive activities: asynchronous discussion, synchronous co-authoring in a Google document, and synchronous webinar chat. Ultimately, I suggest that the CoI framework creates a lens through which we can more precisely understand the goals and processes of asking students to interact with peers, and thus more effectively develop strategies for designing and assessing interactive activities.
Reconceptualizing the Role of Conformity Behaviors in Family Communication Patterns Theory

ABSTRACTFamily communication patterns theory is one of the most influential theories in the field of family communication. The current article examines the construct of conformity, arguing that current conceptualizations of conformity paint this behavior as largely a negative familial element. Instead, this research argues for the concept of warm conformity behavior, where parents communicate their ideas in ways that promote warmth and closeness rather than just adherence to hierarchy and rules. This move does not add to the two dimensions of the theory, but rather speaks to the different ways in which parents might communicate the dimension of conformity to their child. To further this idea, our article includes a series of three studies designed to create and validate new measures of warm and cold conformity. Overall, the studies found general support for the validity of the scales. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Abstract 5162: Decreased Malic Enzyme Expression is Associated with Contractile Dysfunction in the Heart of Rats Fed a Western Diet: A Critical Role for Anaplerosis

Excessive accumulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolites due to a loss of synchronization of substrate uptake and its oxidation as a consequence of diet-induced obesity is associated with cardiac contractile dysfunction. The mechanism is not fully understood. We have previously shown that efficient energy transfer in the heart requires a series of moiety-conserved cycles. In heart muscle, depletion of the citric acid cycle results in decreased contractile function, a phenomenon reversed by carboxylating pathways. We tested the hypothesis that contractile dysfunction in rats fed a western diet is linked to impaired citric acid cycle flux. Male Wistar rats (n=8/group) were fed either a low fat, western or a high fat diet (10%, 45%, or 60% calories from fat, respectively) for acute (1–7days), short (4 – 8 weeks), intermediate (16 –24 weeks), or long (32– 48 weeks) term. Decline in anaplerotic flux was indicated by a significant decrease in cardiac mRNA transcript level of Malic Enzyme (ME) (72%) in rats fed a western diet, compared to those fed either a low fat or a high fat diet in the long term. Downregulation of ME is associated with a marked decrease in expression of cardiac SERCA2a (sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPase) protein in animals fed a western diet (75%, p
Methacrylate Oligomers with Pendant Isocyanate Groups as Tissue Adhesives

Oligomers containing pendant isocyanate groups and residual double bonds were synthesized from m-isopropenyldimethylbenzylisocyanate, [TMI], and/or 2-isocyanatoethylmethacrylate, [IEM], and methacrylate or vinyl monomers. The compounds were characterized by physico-chemical means. Most of the oligomers are liquids at room temperature, stable in air, have a MW range from 1400 to 2600 and an isocyanate content from 5% to 18%. The compounds, especially those with TMI or IEM and TMI and methacrylate constituents dissolved in suitable solvents yielded stronger, more permanent bonds to glutaraldehyde treated bone than other tissue adhesives. Thermocycling in water for one week between 5°C and 55°C did not decrease adhesion indicating that exposure to water or thermal shock produced no deterioration of the bond. No correlation between bonding efficiency and -NCO content or increase in molecular weight could be established. Tensile adhesion of human dentin joined to composite restorative resins by means of the oligomers was similar to that of the best dental bonding agents. Vinyl monomers containing oligomers are preferable to bond dentin to dental composites. The oligomeric compositions are also excellent soft tissue adhesives. For example, they provide a strong bond between collagenous substrates such as calfskin and cured denture base resins. Subject to their biocompatibility the formulations could find many applications in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.
TRADE DISPUTES AND SETTLEMENT

We develop a model of trade agreements with renegotiation and imperfectly verifiable information. In equilibrium, trade disputes can occur and can be resolved in a variety of ways: Governments may settle â€œearlyâ€ or trigger a court ruling, and in the latter case, they may implement the ruling or reach a postâ€ ruling settlement. The model yields predictions on how the dispute outcome depends on the contracting environment and how it correlates with the optimal contract form. We find support for a key prediction of our model using data on the outcomes of actual trade disputes in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization.
The Once and Future Group: Vicissitudes of Belonging

During this century, group therapy has seen extraordinary development and elaboration, with ramifications along a number of axes. Acknowledging that current thinking increasingly recognizes the inherent social nature of human beings, this paper contrasts the growing personal isolation and anonymity which today's growing technocracy represents with the ubiquity and importance of groups in modern society. These are seen as offering, if properly appreciated, the potential for resolution of some contemporary social ills.
Chemical approach for evaluating role of the cysteine residues in pentameric phospholamban structure: Effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

Calcium transport into the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac muscle is catalyzed by the Ca pump and regulated by phospholamban (PLB), a 52-amino acid integral membrane peptide that inhibits the pump [1]. PLB is predominantly a homopentamer on electrophoresis gels (SDS-PAGE), with only a small fraction of monomer [2]. Specific residues that influence the pentameric structure of PLB are located in the hydrophobic transmembrane domain [3]. It has been previously suggested that the pentamer is stabilized by interhelical interactions between leucines (residues 37, 44, and 51) and isoleucines (residues 40 and 47), forming a leucine/isoleucine zipper [3]. The function of the three Cys residues (36, 41, and 46) within this domain is not known. It is assumed from Cys mutagenesis experiments that Cys residues are essential for stable pentamers [4], although they are not involved in disulfide bonding [2]. The function of the N-terminal acetyl group (Fig. 1) is also not known, although its removal results in a greater positive charge on the cytoplasmic domain of the peptide under normal biological conditions. We have designed and synthesized a PLB derivative containing no cysteines, and a PLB derivative lacking an N-terminal acetyl cap, to evaluate the contribution of the transmembrane Cys and the N-terminal acetyl group in the function and pentameric structure of PLB, respectively.
Characterization of spermatozoa by planar morphometry.

OBJECTIVE To define the morphometric characteristics of normal sperm heads, and compare them to sperm head measurements used to define normal morphology using strict criteria. DESIGN Computerized image analysis of selected normal and abnormal seminal fluid specimens collected for routine male fertility studies. SETTING Research laboratory at the Department of Medical Technology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. PATIENTS Sixty adult male patients who submitted semen samples for routine analysis. Fifty percent had normal seminal fluid analysis results. The remaining 50% demonstrated abnormal sperm morphology. CRITERION STANDARD: Microscopic evaluation of sperm head morphology. Sperm fitting the criteria of normal as defined by WHO (1987 and 1992) and Kruger (1988) were classified as normal. Sperm with a post nuclear area of less than 40% were classified as acrosomal deficient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Measurements made from stained seminal fluid smears included sperm head area, perimeter, acrosomal area, percent acrosome, Ferret's diameters, aspect ratio, shape factor, and specific length. Normal sperm heads (NL group) were compared to sperm heads demonstrating an acrosomal deficiency (AD group) for statistically significant differences using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to remove duplicating variables. Discriminant analysis was used to classify the sperm heads into NL and AD groups. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to the 2 most influential variables in order to identify a cutoff that best distinguishes normal from acrosomal deficient sperm heads. RESULTS MANOVA and ANOVA showed all 10 variables to be statistically significant (p < .002). Discriminant analysis correctly assigned 98.7% of the normal sperm heads to the NL group and 99.0% of sperm with acrosomal deficiency to the AD group. The percent acrosome and acrosomal area were determined to be the 2 most influential variables. ROC analysis identified a cutoff of 3.6 mu2 for acrosomal area as having the highest sensitivity and specificity (99.7% and 88.0%, respectively). Similarly, a cutoff of 44% for percent acrosome gave a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 88.7%. The coefficient of variation (CV) for each of the 10 variables determined from 20 day-to-day replicates of a normal semen smear ranged from 2.6% to 8.4%. CONCLUSION Computerized image analysis is able to define a reference range for sperm head area, percent acrosome, and acrosomal area that may be used to differentiate normal form abnormal sperm heads. Maximum and minimum Ferret's diameters measure sperm head length and width, respectively. Mean maximum Ferret's diameter, minimum Ferret's diameter, and maximum-minimum Ferret's diameter ratio correspond closely to the WHO (1987) midpoint for normal sperm head length, width, and length-width ratio. The average percent acrosome of normal sperm heads determined by morphometry closely correlate to the WHO (1992) and Kruger (1988) midpoints for percent acrosome.
Retrospective analysis of the fluoride level in the public water supply and its correlation with dental fluorosis at two cities of South Santa Catarina

Introduction and Objective: To analyze retrospectively the fluoride level in the public water supply of two cities of the south Santa Catarina and to verify whether 12-year-old schoolers, who had used public water supply had dental fluorosis. Material and methods: 97 schoolers of the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaca were evaluated. Dental fluorosis was determined through Dean index. The annual averages of the fluoride concentrations in waters between the years of 2004 and 2015 were verified by reports supplied by the responsible company. Results: The averages of the fluoride concentrations in the water supply in the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaca, during the analyzed period, were 0.86 and 0,85 ppm of fluoride, respectively, without statistically significant difference. The smaller concentration was found in 2006, in the city of Morro da Fumaca, with 0.64 ppm of F; the greatest concentration occurred in Cocal do Sul, in 2007, with 1.1 ppm of F. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in Cocal do Sul was 24.5% and in Morro da Fumaca was 14.6%, without statistically significant differences. All 12-year-old schoolers who had dental fluorosis were classified as light according to Dean index. Conclusion: Most of the 12-year-old schoolers did not show any fluorosis degree. The cases of dental fluorosis were classified as little severity and with low esthetic impairment. It can be concluded that the fluoride levels in water supply were within the adequate and safe limits with low risk of dental fluorosis.
Treatment of external pancreatic fistula with diamox; report of a case.

Diamox can, by the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the pancrease and in the stomach, influence the secretion of pancreatic juice. A case has been reported of external pancreatic fistula in which Diamox apparently aided recovery.
Leveraging failure in design research

Even in the resource-rich, more ideal conditions of many design-based classroom interventions, unexpected events can lead to disappointing results in student learning. However, if later iterations in a design research study are more successful, the previous failures can provide opportunities for comparisons to reveal subtle differences in instruction that supported or constrained learning. This article presents design research in which a failure in an early iteration was addressed in a later iteration through an impromptu and unplanned response that better supported student learning. The responsive and interventionist nature of design research played a pivotal role in the emergence of the more successful outcome in the later iteration. The suitability of design research for investigating sociomathematical norms and for conducting conceptual analyses facilitated the deepening of our understanding of both the early failure and the later success. Specifically, our retrospective comparative analysis of these two non-consecutive iterations revealed that one sociomathematical norm better supported student learning of a particular mathematical concept then another norm, led to new insights into the conceptual complexity of division in rate situations, and revealed how the interrelatedness of sociomathematical norms and particular mathematical content can provide an important support for learning. We discuss how our cross-iteration analytic method extends existing approaches to leveraging failure in design research.
Pouch wall thickness and floppy pouch complex.

Floppy pouch complex (FPC) consists of disease phenotypes in patients with ileal pouches, including pouch prolapse, afferent limb syndrome, enterocele, redundant loop, and pouch folding. Our recent study demonstrated that lower body weight, lower peripouch fat, family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), female gender, and dyschezia are risk factors for FPC patients with IBD. The aims of this study were to assess the relationship between pouch wall thickness and FPC, and to investigate the association between inflamed and non-inflamed pouch wall thickness. This case–control study included all eligible patients with FPC from our prospectively maintained, IRB-approved Pouchitis Registry from 2011 to 2017. We measured pouch wall thickness of fully distended pouches on cross-sectional abdominal and pelvic imaging. Patients with stoma and non-distended pouches were completely excluded. Risk factors for FPC were analyzed. A total of 140 out of 451 patients from our were found to have fully distended pouches on imaging. Of the 140 patients, 36 (25.7%) were diagnosed as having FPC. We analyzed pouch wall thickness for each subcategory of FPC as well as non-FPC conditions. The thickness of pouch wall was follows: pouch prolapse (N = 19): 1.5 mm (1.5–2.0), afferent limb syndrome (N = 12): 1.5 mm (1.1–2.0), folded pouch (N = 4): 1.5 mm (1.1–1.9), and redundant pouch (N = 2): 1.3 mm (1.0–1.3). The control group (N = 104) consisting of normal pouch, pouchitis, cuffitis, Crohn's disease of the pouch, and pouch sinus with median pouch wall thickness of 1.5 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.0 mm, and 1.5 mm, respectively. There were significant differences in pouch wall thickness between normal or non-inflamed pouch versus pouchitis versus cuffitis versus Crohn's disease of the pouch with p values of 0.01, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.049, respectively. Patients with FPC were shown to have thin pouch wall, which those with inflammatory conditions of the pouch tended to have thick pouch wall. These findings will have implications in both diagnosis and investigation of etiopathogenesis of these disorders.
TRPM4 channel inhibitors 9-phenanthrol and glibenclamide differentially decrease guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle whole-cell cation currents and phasic contractions.

Nonselective cation channels, consistent with transient receptor potential melastatin-4 (TRPM4), regulate detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) function. TRPM4 channels can exist as homomers or assemble wit...
Label-Free and Ultrasensitive Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Urchinlike Carbon Nanotube-Gold Nanoparticle Nanoclusters

Nanomaterials have been extensively utilized in biosensing systems for highly sensitive and selective detection of a variety of biotargets. In this work, a facile, label-free, and ultrasensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor has been developed, based on "urchinlike" carbon nanotube-gold nanoparticle (CNT-AuNP) nanoclusters, for signal amplification. Specifically, electrochemical polymerization of dopamine (DA) was employed to modify a gold electrode for immobilization of DNA probes through the Schiff base reaction. Upon sensing the target nucleic acid, the dual-DNA (reporter and linker) functionalized AuNPs were introduced into the sensing system via DNA hybridization. Afterward, the end-modified single-wall carbon nanotubes with DNA (SWCNT-DNA) were attached to the surface of the AuNPs through linker-DNA hybridization that formed 3D radial nanoclusters, which generated a remarkable electrochemical response. Because of the larger contact surface area and super electronic conductivity of CNT-AuNP clusters, this novel designed 3D radial nanostructure exhibits an ultrasensitive detection of DNA, with a detection limit of 5.2 fM (a linear range of from 0.1 pM to 10 nM), as well as a high selectivity that discriminates single-mismatched DNA from fully matched target DNA under optimal conditions. This biosensor, which combines the synergistic properties of both CNTs and AuNPs, represents a promising signal amplification strategy for achieving a sensitive biosensor for DNA detection and diagnostic applications.
Ruthenium, Not Carbon Monoxide, Inhibits the Procoagulant Activity of Atheris, Echis, and Pseudonaja Venoms

The demonstration that carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) affect experimental systems by the release of carbon monoxide, and not via the interaction of the inactivated CORM, has been an accepted paradigm for decades. However, it has recently been documented that a radical intermediate formed during carbon monoxide release from ruthenium (Ru)-based CORM (CORM-2) interacts with histidine and can inactivate bee phospholipase A2 activity. Using a thrombelastographic based paradigm to assess procoagulant activity in human plasma, this study tested the hypothesis that a Ru-based radical and not carbon monoxide was responsible for CORM-2 mediated inhibition of Atheris, Echis, and Pseudonaja species snake venoms. Assessment of the inhibitory effects of ruthenium chloride (RuCl3) on snake venom activity was also determined. CORM-2 mediated inhibition of the three venoms was found to be independent of carbon monoxide release, as the presence of histidine-rich albumin abrogated CORM-2 inhibition. Exposure to RuCl3 had little effect on Atheris venom activity, but Echis and Pseudonaja venom had procoagulant activity significantly reduced. In conclusion, a Ru-based radical and ion inhibited procoagulant snake venoms, not carbon monoxide. These data continue to add to our mechanistic understanding of how Ru-based molecules can modulate hemotoxic venoms, and these results can serve as a rationale to focus on perhaps other, complementary compounds containing Ru as antivenom agents in vitro and, ultimately, in vivo.
Rolling back the gains: Maternal stress undermines pregnancy health after Flint's water switch.

Environmental disasters impact disadvantaged communities disproportionately both through the epidemiological challenge of exposure, but also by undermining the progress of public health efforts. This paper studies changes to smoking cessation, breastfeeding, and weight gain during pregnancy in the period following the switch in water supply in Flint, Michigan, in April 2014. As the switch resulted in immediate and significant deterioration in water quality, eventually leading to its contamination with lead, we estimate a 10.5 percentage point increase in smoking and a 2.1 percentage point decrease in breastfeeding. We show evidence that these changes in maternal behavior are linked to increased stress due to changing water quality. We estimate that the increase in smoking alone is responsible for most of the increase in incidence of low birthweight among infants in Flint, resulting in $700 additional costs per birth. Increased smoking during pregnancy and lower breastfeeding rates in Flint roll back years of public health efforts, resulting in lifetime higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer for mothers in the community.
Can sharing clinic notes improve communication and promote self-management? A qualitative study of patients with COPD.

Abstract Objective To understand the impact of sharing clinic notes on communication and self-management among patients with COPD and to develop recommendations for writing patient-centered notes. Methods Thirty patients with COPD participated in ‘think-aloud’ interviews in which they reviewed their COPD-specific clinic note. Interviews were coded using conventional content analysis, organized by the six-function communication framework. Results Participants were predominantly White (93.3%), with a mean age of 65.5 years. More than half had a high school degree or less, half reported difficulty understanding spoken information, and nearly half sometimes need help reading medical materials. Patients indicated notes provided an opportunity to learn details of their condition and facilitated information sharing – strengthening information exchange. Reading notes enabled self-management through motivation, prompting information seeking, and reminding them of action steps. Patients reacted positively to statements suggesting the provider listened to them, saw them as a person, and was attentive to details, which fostered the relationship. Most patients reacted negatively to medical terminology, incorrect information, and wording that was perceived as disparaging. Conclusions Sharing clinic notes with patients can promote information exchange, enable self-management, and strengthen the patient-provider relationship. Practice Implications Incorporating patients’ recommendations for writing notes could strengthen the benefits of sharing notes.
Admission glycemic gap in the assessment of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke. Glycemic gap, determined by the difference between glucose and the HbA1c-derived average glucose, predicts poor outcomes in various clinical settings. Our main objective was to evaluate association of some admission factors and outcomes in relation to admission glycemic gap (AGG) in patients with ICH. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 506 adult patients with ICH between 2014 and 2019. AGG was defined as A1c-derived average glucose (28.7×HbA1c-46.7) subtracted from admission glucose. Admission factors and hospital outcomes indicative of poor outcome (i.e. death, gastrostomy tube, tracheostomy, and discharge status) were compared between patients with elevated (greater than 80 mg/dL) vs. non-elevated (less than or equal-to 80 mg/dL) AGG. Pearson chi-square test was used for independence, and multivariate analysis was used for association. SPSS and excel were used for all data analysis. Results We found that 67 of 506 (13%) ICH patients had elevated AGG with a mean of 137.3 mg/dL compared to 439 (87%) non-elevated AGG with a mean of 12.6 mg/dL. While mean and standard deviation values for age, weight,and body mass index were comparable between groups, the elevated AGG group had significantly higher admission glucose (286.1 ± 84.3 vs. 140.1 ± 42.5, p Conclusion Elevated AGG was associated with worse GCS and ICH scores on admission, as well as need for mechanical ventilation, in hospital mortality and poor discharge status. Elevated AGG has value in prediction of outcome, but existing understanding is limited.
Contact-Implicit Trajectory Optimization With Learned Deformable Contacts Using Bilevel Optimization

We present a bilevel, contact-implicit trajectory optimization (TO) formulation that searches for robot trajectories with learned soft contact models. On the lower-level, contact forces are solved via a quadratic program (QP) with the maximum dissipation principle (MDP), based on which the dynamics constraints are formulated in the upper-level TO problem that uses direct transcription. Our method uses a contact model for granular media that is learned from physical experiments, but is general to any contact model that is stick-slip, convex, and smooth. We employ a primal interior-point method with a pre-specified duality gap to solve the lower-level problem, which provides robust gradient information to the upper-level problem. We evaluate our method by optimizing locomotion trajectories of a quadruped robot on various granular terrains offline, and show that we can obtain long-horizon walking gaits of high qualities.