cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progression of Motor Dysfunction in Elderly LRRK2 Carriers, Including Prior to Phenoconversion to PD (P05.058)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pre-clinical motor course in a group presumed highly at risk for Parkinson Disease, elderly LRRK2 G2019S carriers without Parkinson disease. BACKGROUND: Understanding the pre-diagnosis motor course in LRRK2 mutation carriers will inform clinical trials of LRRK2 inhibitors in unaffected carriers. We previously reported the course in six elderly carriers and now report an additional three years follow-up of motor ratings. DESIGN/METHODS: Subjects had yearly neurological examinations (including UPDRS) and digitized spiral analysis at the Einstein Aging Study. Six individuals carried the LRRK2 G2019S mutation and were matched 1:5 to controls on gender, age at study entry, and number of follow-up visits. The difference in UPDRS slopes between cases and matched controls was evaluated using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranks test. RESULTS: Mutation carriers averaged 7.8 ± 1.3 (mean ± sd) visits (range: 6-9) with controls averaging 7.9 ± 2.4 (range: 4-12). Carriers had an average age of 89 ± 6.3 years at last visit (range: 79.6-96.8) with controls averaging 87.3 ± 4.1 (range: 79.7-96). Two G2019S carriers phenoconverted to PD, including one newly reported man who developed PD, characterized by asymmetric rigidity and bradykinesia at the ninth visit (age 87). UPDRS score increased in cases with an overall median slope of 1.97 points per year (IQR: 4.4) vs. 0.53 in controls (IQR: 0.93); however, this did not reach statistical significance (0.063). CONCLUSIONS: The trend toward overall worse slopes in motor decline in UPDRS supports the hypothesis that elderly LRRK2 carriers remain at high risk of phenoconversion to PD. Further, the trajectories of UPDRS in the cases who developed PD suggests that there may be slow development of motor decline that precedes phenoconversion by several years. However, larger samples are necessary to perform change-point models and assess inflection points to determine when a shift in slopes occur. Supported by: NIH K02NS073836 (RSP), NIH PO1 AG03949 (RBL, Einstein Aging Study). Disclosure: Dr. Ortega has nothing to disclose. Dr. Deik Acosta Madiedo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Battista has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ozelius has nothing to disclose. Dr Lipton has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc., Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cognimed, Colucid, Eli Lilly & Company, eNeura Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., MAP, Merck, Nautilus Neuroscience, Novartis, and NuPathe. Dr. Lipton holds stock and/or stock options in eNeura Therapeutics. Dr. San Luciano has received personal compensation for activites with Merz Pharmaceuticals as a consultant. Dr. Saunders-Pullman has nothing to disclose.
Effects of prostacyclin on the cAMP system in cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct cells.

Rat inner medullary collecting tubule (RIMCT) cells produce arachidonate derivatives including prostacyclin (PGI2). In RIMCT cells, PGI2 causes a dose-dependent increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic m...
In Prison and Far From Home: Spatial Distance Effects on Inmate Misconduct

Drawing on theory and research on prisoner behavior, this study examines whether spatial distance from home influences inmates’ likelihood of engaging in misconduct. Three hypotheses are developed: distally placed inmates will engage in more misconduct, distance will have a greater effect on misconduct among younger inmates, and visitation will mediate these relationships. We test the hypotheses using negative binomial regression analyses of data from the Florida Department of Corrections (N = 33,853). Support for the hypotheses is mixed. A curvilinear relationship between distance and misconduct was identified, with a positive effect on misconduct for distances up to 350 miles and a negative effect thereafter. Distance effects were greater for younger inmates and were partially mediated by visitation. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Decision Making for Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea without Tonsillar Hypertrophy.

ObjectiveEvidence-based medicine is the gold standard practice model for patient management. Our aim was to determine whether decisions made by pediatric subspecialists regarding management of obstructive sleep apnea in children without tonsillar hypertrophy adhered to this model or were based on clinical experiences.Study DesignSingle-institution prospective study.SettingMultidisciplinary upper airway center in an academic pediatric hospital.Subjects and MethodsTwelve pediatric subspecialists representing 8 specialties participating in upper airway clinics and management conferences. Real-time decisions made in treatment conferences and upper airway clinics were collected. Physicians were queried regarding the basis of their decisions, and these decisions were then classified into 10 categories.ResultsOver 13 days (10 case conferences, 3 half-day clinics), 324 decisions were made for 58 patients (mean age = 8.9 ± 7.4 years, mean body mass index percentile = 75 ± 29); 34% (n = 108) of decisions were evide...
Population Structure, Growth, and Fecundity of the Kelp Forest Mysid Holmesimysis Costata in Monterey Bay, California

ABSTRACT Field and laboratory studies were made in Monterey Bay, California, on Holmesimysis costata, an ecologically important mysid crustacean in West Coast kelp forests that is currently being used as a water quality indicator organism. Nearly all the mysids were found in the upper portions of the kelp canopy. Relative abundance, size, and male/female/juvenile frequency of occurrence varied substantially throughout the 2-year study. Abundance, ranging monthly from 254-3,359 individuals per 300-1 sample, correlated with sea-water temperature the first year, but not the second. Laboratory growth rate, determined by measuring carapace length, was approximately linear for the first 37 days after hatching (16 µm day―1), after which it increased and became more variable until sexual maturity was reached at 62 days (females 41 µm day―1, males 35 µm day―1) Brooding females were collected thoughout 1 year, but highest fecundities (maximum 45 juveniles in 1 female) occurred between May and August. Mean field fecundities (27.4 ± 6.6 juveniles per female) were higher than those of laboratory-reared females (16.4 ± 4.3). These results indicate that there is high year-round production of these mysids, with peak production in summer when predation by recruiting rockfishes would be most intense.
Dementia: Cognitive resilience in APOE*ε4 carriers—is race important?

The apolipoprotein E e4 (APOE*e4) allele is a well-established risk factor for cognitive decline, particularly among white individuals. A recent study highlights factors associated with cognitive resilience in both black and white APOE*e4 carriers. Despite racial differences in the frequency and impact of APOE*e4, resilience factors are similar across races.
Interscorer Reliability of the Hand Test with Normal Subjects

The Hand Test (Wagner, 1962) was administered to 48 subjects. Interscorer reliabilities were computed based on the agreement in scoring between a well trained graduate student and the author of the...
Functional Validation of a Complex Loading Whole Spinal Segment Bioreactor Design

Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration is a prevalent health problem that is highly linked to back pain. To understand the disease and tissue response to therapies, ex vivo whole IVD organ culture systems have recently been introduced. The goal of this work was to develop and validate the design of a whole spinal segment culturing system that loads the disk in complex loading similar to the in vivo condition, while preserving the adjacent endplates and vertebral bodies. The complex loading applied to the spinal segment (flexion-extension (FE), bilateral bending, and compression) was achieved with three pneumatic cylinders rigidly attached to a triangular loading platform. A culture container housed the spinal segment and was attached to the loading mechanism, which allowed for loading of the spinal segment. The dynamic bioreactor was able to achieve physiologic loading conditions with 100 N of applied compression and approximately 2-4 N · m of applied torque. The function of the bioreactor was validated through testing of bovine caudal IVDs with intact endplates and vertebral bodies that were isolated within 2 hrs of death and cultured for 14 days. The resulting IVD cell viability following 14 days of loading was much higher than unloaded control IVDs. The loading system accurately mimicked FE, bilateral bending, and compression motions seen during daily activities. The results indicate that this complex dynamic bioreactor may be appropriate for extended preclinical testing of vertebral-mounted spinal devices and therapies.
Synthesis of Remote Air Traffic Control System and Air Traffic Controllers’ Perceptions:

Airports face financial constraints in the use of services of air traffic control (ATC) towers. The remote air traffic control system (RATCS) is anticipated to be an economical and safe alternative to a control tower. RATCS is a concept intended to supply ATC to an airport by providing communication, navigation, and surveillance from a remote location. This study aims to gain insights about RATCS by conducting a review of existing studies, airport visits, discussions with RATCS technology providers, RATCS demonstration visits, and questionnaire surveys and interviews of controllers. A major inference from nontowered airport visits is that the introduction of RATCS will present many challenges such as pilot readiness to be supervised by RATCS, differences in local conditions, and significant limitations in available infrastructure. The knowledge gained through airport–demonstration visits and meetings with RATCS providers assisted in designing a questionnaire survey and interview. The number of surveys and...
The Congregational Social Work Education Initiative: Toward a Vision for Community Health through Religious Tradition and Philanthropy

The relationship between social work field education, religiously affiliated organizations, and local philanthropic organizations is explored in this case study of a grant-funded project called the Congregational Social Work Education Initiative. Religiously affiliated organizations have traditionally been involved in the provision of social welfare services; yet, social work education has not embraced this tradition in ways that are intentional. Additionally, the impact of religion-based traditions on philanthropy is interesting and, here, this relationship is explored through tracing the history of a prominent family in the community of Greensboro, North Carolina. The unlikely collaboration between social work field education, religiously affiliated organizations, and a local philanthropic community health entity yields some interesting considerations for how communities can come together toward a vision of improved health.
Energy sources, stores, and hormonal controls.

The authors discuss energy stores and their relationships, energy metabolism in stress, and therapeutic aspects of energy supply. Consequences of excess energy intake are also considered.
Endo-Ureteroplasty with a Free Urothelial Graft

AbstractEndo-urological therapy for ureteral strictures is usually limited to lesions 1cm. or shorter. In an attempt to develop an endo-urological approach to treat longer ureteral strictures, we studied the clinical use of a transurethrally harvested free graft of bladder urothelium placed into the incised stricture bed.A total of 6 patients with ureteral strictures 1.5 to 8cm. long (average 2.9cm.) underwent endo-surgical management via free urothelial graft endo-ureteroplasty. Operative time averaged 5.5hours. Complications included urinoma in 1 patient, hyponatremia in 1 and a postoperative renal pseudoaneurysm in 1. Four patients had long-term (that is 22 months or longer) successful results. Free urothelial graft endo-ureteroplasty, while tedious, may be a useful endo-surgical technique for treatment of long ureteral strictures.
Smartphone Applications for Mental Health

Abstract Many adolescents and adults do not seek treatment for mental health symptoms. Smartphone applications (apps) may assist individuals with mental health concerns in alleviating symptoms or increasing understanding. This study seeks to characterize apps readily available to smartphone users seeking mental health information and/or support. Ten key terms were searched in the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores: mental health, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, trauma, trauma in schools, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), child trauma, and bullying. A content analysis of the first 20 application descriptions retrieved per category was conducted. Out of 300 nonduplicate applications, 208 (70%) were relevant to search topic, mental health or stress. The most common purported purpose for the apps was symptom relief (41%; n = 85) and general mental health education (18%; n = 37). The most frequently mentioned approaches to improving mental health were those that may benefit only milder sympt...
Saltation and stasis

This chapter focuses on saltatory growth of human body. Increase in the size of the body is achieved through unique time-constrained growth episodes that occur only intermittently. These saltations of growth occur as increments of variable amounts within and between individuals, and the amount of growth per saltation varies by anatomical site. It appears that growth saltations occur on a periodic but nonrandom time intervals. This provides the ultimate flexibility for a biological system. It is likely that the variability in saltation amplitude and frequency is the mechanism that underlies the observable differences in size among individuals. The specific paths by which children achieve the same height are characterized by different series of unique increments in terms of the amount of growth per saltation and the total number of growth saltation events. Further, it is likely that the height differences in adulthood are the result of the accumulation of different numbers of saltation events and the amount of growth at these saltations. It is hypothesized that saltatory growth is the mechanism by which variability throughout development is achieved and is the pathway by which genetics and environment orchestrate the unique growth patterns of individual children. It is a useful model to initiate a study into the biology of individual growth and provides a strong theoretical framework to conceptualize growth from the level of the cell to the whole organism.
Nonparaxial Fourier propagation tool for aberration analysis and point spread function calculation

This paper describes a Fourier propagator for computing the impulse response of an optical system, while including terms ignored in Fresnel and Fraunhofer calculations. The propagator includes a Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction formula calculation from a distant point through the optical system to its image point predicted by geometric optics. The propagator then approximates the neighboring field points via the traditional binomial approximation of the Taylor series expansion around that field point. This technique results in a propagator that combines the speed of a Fourier transform operation with the accuracy of the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction formula calculation and extends Fourier optics to cases that are nonparaxial. The proposed propagator facilitates direct calculation of aberration coefficients, making it more versatile than the angular spectrum propagator. Bounds on the phase error introduced by the approximations are derived, which show that it should be more widely applicable than the Fresnel propagator. Guidance on how to sample the pupil and detector planes of a simulated imaging system is provided. This report concludes by showing examples of diffraction calculations for a laboratory setup and comparing them to measured diffraction patterns to demonstrate the utility of the propagator.
Determining and Modeling Mass-Transfer Rate Limitations in Heterogeneous Aquifers

This work focuses on assessing mass-transfer rate limitations on the transport of aqueous phase volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in real aquifer systems. The rate limiting mechanism is considered as diffusion through immobile regions of a porous medium, i.e., through intra-particle, intra-aggregate, intra-layer pores, or through a series of such zones. Sorption/desorption studies are reviewed for two experimental aquifers: the large-scale, relatively homogeneous Borden site, and the pilot-scale, relatively heterogeneous Moffett site. The flame-sealed ampule method, with accompanying intermittent purge, is discussed with respect to supplying diffusion rate parameters for homogeneous and heterogeneous solute transport models.
Renal Tubular Calcium Transport

An average daily dietary calcium intake is in the range of 600 to 900 mg. Approximately one third of that, 300 to 350 mg, is absorbed in the small intestine. Because half of the calcium absorbed in the small intestine, 150 to 200 mg, is then secreted by the colon, the net uptake from the gastrointestinal tract is in the range of 150 to 200 mg per day. Normally, calcium in the bones is in equilibrium with the body pool and there is no net gain or loss of calcium from the skeleton. Thus, the net gastrointestinal calcium absorption is balanced by urinary calcium excretion of 150 to 200 mg per day.
Investigation of the device design challenges and optimization issues associated with complementary SiGe HBT scaling

Complementary bipolar technology (npn + pnp BJTs) has long been considered the “gold-standard” for analog applications requiring high speed, low noise, high bandwidth, large voltage swing, and large output drive [1, 2]. Bandgap-engineered complementary SiGe (C-SiGe) HBTs can provide significant leverage in the multiple tradeoffs involved in designing npn and pnp BJTs with matched performance (e.g., comparable f T ). However, the inherent minority carrier transport issues associated with the pnp SiGe HBT device design need to be carefully addressed in order to successfully scale C-SiGe HBT technology for higher frequency operation [3, 4]. This TCAD-based investigation presents for the first time a comprehensive study of the device design challenges and optimization issues which will be necessarily encountered in scaling C-SiGe HBTs for high-performance analog applications.
Global progress and backsliding on gasoline taxes and subsidies

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades, many governments will have to reform their energy policies. These policies are difficult to measure with any precision. As a result, it is unclear whether progress has been made towards important energy policy reforms, such as reducing fossil fuel subsidies. We use new data to measure net taxes and subsidies for gasoline in almost all countries at the monthly level and find evidence of both progress and backsliding. From 2003 to 2015, gasoline taxes rose in 83 states but fell in 46 states. During the same period, the global mean gasoline tax fell by 13.3% due to faster consumption growth in countries with lower taxes. Our results suggest that global progress towards fossil fuel price reform has been mixed, and that many governments are failing to exploit one of the most cost-effective policy tools for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Reforms of energy markets are necessary to face the low carbon transition but are problematic to measure. New data evaluate implicit taxes and subsidies for gasoline in almost all countries at monthly intervals showing mixed results that highlight the difficulty in implementing effective policy tools.
Incidence of Brain Metastases on Follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Should We Include the Brain?

The brain is the most common site of distant metastasis from lung cancer. Thus, MRI of the brain at initial staging is routinely performed, but if this examination is negative a follow-up examination is often not performed. This study evaluates the incidence of asymptomatic brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients detected on follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Methods: In this Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review, all vertex to thigh 18F-FDG PET/CT scans in patients with all subtypes of lung cancer from August 2014 to August 2016 were reviewed. A total of 1,175 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations in 363 patients were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included brain metastases on initial staging, histologic subtype of small-cell lung cancer, and no follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. After our exclusion criteria were applied, a total of 809 follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scans in 227 patients were included in the final analysis. The original report of each 18F-FDG PET/CT study was reviewed for the finding of brain metastasis. The finding of a new brain metastasis prompted a brain MRI, which was reviewed to determine the accuracy of the 18F-FDG PET/CT. Results: Five of 227 patients with 809 follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scans reviewed were found to have incidental brain metastases. The mean age of the patients with incidental brain metastasis was 68 y (range, 60-77 y). The mean time from initial diagnosis to time of detection of incidental brain metastasis was 36 mo (range, 15-66 mo). When MRI was used as the gold standard, our false-positive rate was zero. Conclusion: By including the entire head during follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scans of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, brain metastases can be detected earlier while still asymptomatic. But, given the additional scan time, radiation, and low incidence of new brain metastases in asymptomatic patients, the cost-to-benefit ratio should be weighed by each institution.
The additive effects of smoking and hypertension. More reasons to help your patients kick the habit.

PreviewNicotine has both acute and long-term effects on the cardiovascular system that contribute to the development of hypertension and increase the risk of myocardial infarction, sudden death, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke. Because patients say that advice from their personal physician is an important motivating factor in quitting smoking, their regular appointments should be used as opportunities to encourage cessation. In this article, Drs Kochar and Bindra review the multifaceted problems of smoking and hypertension.
Echocardiography Assessment of the Right Ventricle in Acute Coronary Syndrome

When echocardiographers evaluate patients with cardiac decompensation following acute myocardial infarction, the abnormalities sought are typically left-sided problems such as profound left ventricular systolic dysfunction and/or mechanical complications of infarction. However, right ventricular infarction, which may also present as cardiogenic shock, is often overlooked. Although echocardiography is ideally suited to make this diagnosis, echocardiographic imaging protocols frequently include only limited images of the right ventricle and rarely include regional or quantitative assessment of function. As a consequence, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction may be missed. This chapter will first provide an overview of the clinical features of right ventricular infarction to help the echocardiographer identify clinical scenarios in which this diagnosis should be suspected. Subsequent sections will provide a road map for the global and regional assessment of right ventricular function using echocardiography. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches will be discussed. The chapter will conclude with a review of complications of right ventricular infarction and the role that echocardiography can play in their detection and management.
A multilevel examination of sleep, depression, and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Sleep problems are prevalent in people living with HIV/AIDS; however, few studies examine how poor sleep affects mental health and quality of life longitudinally. A sample of people living with HIV/AIDS from a randomized trial (N = 240; mean age = 47.18; standard deviation = 8.3; 71.4% male; 61.2% White) completed measures of depression (Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale), health-related quality of life (AIDS Clinical Trial Group Quality of Life Measure), and life satisfaction (Quality of Life Inventory) at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 months. Controlling for time, condition, and relevant interactions, sleep problems significantly predicted worse outcomes over time (ps < 0.001). Findings have implications for the importance of identifying and treating sleep problems in people living with HIV/AIDS to improve mental health and quality-of-life outcomes.
Treatment of paediatric trigger finger: a systematic review and treatment algorithm.

Abstract Purpose Paediatric trigger finger (PTF) is a rare condition as seen by the lack of studies published about paediatric populations. Due to this general lack of information, the steps to emp...
How to Build the Foundation for a Successful Career in Academia

A career in academic medicine provides intellectual freedom and is very rewarding. In searching for an academic position, it is critical to make certain that one’s goals match those of the department and institution. Be clear on the expectations for success and on how one’s professional time will be divided among research, teaching, and clinical care. Mentors are invaluable for success in an academic career and needed for many different aspects of professional life. With the assistance of your mentors, ­perform an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, and ask for support and advice in turning your weaknesses into strengths. Remain creative and open to new approaches and take on challenges. Ask your mentors to help you meet leaders in your field and secure invitations to prestigious meetings. Motivation and hard work prepared you to win the search for the faculty position, and they will be needed to ensure your success in developing your academic career. Maintaining a balance between work and the rest of life is also very important because everyone needs time to recharge and maintain their creative spirit. With a faculty position that fits your goals and aspirations and the support of mentors, you are off to a great start. Enjoy the process!
Special Consideration in the Evaluation of Infants and Children with Deglutitive Disorders

Feeding difficulty is a common presentation of several pediatric disorders and may result from primary oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phase dysphagia. Conditions associated with oral/pharyngeal phase dysphagia and its evaluation have been covered elsewhere. The focus of this section will be on the evaluation of conditions presenting with esophageal phase dysphagia in children.
Breast Reconstruction in an Underserved Population: A Retrospective Study

Breast reconstruction can help restore the shape and appearance of breasts after surgery. Studies have shown that minority and uninsured patients are less likely to receive breast reconstruction after mastectomy. We sought to determine if post-mastectomy reconstruction varied by patient ethnicity and insurance status in a medically underserved population. This was a retrospective study of mastectomy patients seen at Bellevue Hospital Center, a safety-net hospital in New York City, between January 2010 and December 2015. The Chi square test was used to compare patient characteristics versus type of reconstruction chosen and likelihood of reconstruction. Logistic regression was used to examine likelihood of reconstruction, controlling for patient insurance status, race, age, stage at presentation, and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Of the 750 patients included in the database, 220 underwent mastectomy. Overall, 73.6% of our patient population received breast reconstruction. Patients with Medicare insurance were less likely to get reconstruction compared with patients with other types of insurance (37.5%, p = 0.04). Hispanic patients were most likely to receive reconstruction (89.1%), followed by Black patients (80%) and Asian patients (66.7%) [p = 0.03]. There were no significant associations between patient race or stage at presentation and type of reconstruction. In a multivariate logistic regression, advancing age was associated with a decreased likelihood of reconstruction (adjusted odds ratio 0.91, p < 0.001). In our underserved patient population, patients received breast reconstruction at rates higher than the national average. Institutional availability of patient navigators and preoperative counseling may contribute to more equal access to breast reconstruction.
Abstract IA32: Building and sustaining partnerships in cancer health disparities research

Partnerships between academic institutions, public health agencies, and community-based organizations are critical to addressing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes. However, developing and sustaining these partnerships may be challenging because of differences in organizational missions, priorities, and infrastructure for conducting research. While these issues can be addressed by establishing a shared vision and mission for the partnership using principles of community-based participatory research, it is also critical to establish an effective administrative structure that centralizes and integrates activities across research and outreach efforts. This presentation will use two case examples of building and sustaining partnerships for cancer health disparities research. The first example is the process that was used to develop and manage the West Philadelphia Consortium to Address Disparities that was established to address minority health and health disparities in chronic diseases among African Americans in the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area. The second example will focus on describing the Consortium Core that is a component of the Medical University of South Carolina Transdisciplinary Collaborative Center in Precision Medicine and Minority Men9s Health. Citation Format: Chanita Hughes Halbert. Building and sustaining partnerships in cancer health disparities research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr IA32.
Why on Earth Would Some People Reject Democracy? An Autoethnographic Reflection on Education and Democracy in Egypt.

In 2013, thousands of Egyptians protested in the streets of Cairo in an effort to overthrow the country’s first democratically elected president only 1 year after he took office. Some of my acquaintances participated in those protests, chanting “we do not want democracy.” Several observers tried to analyze and understand this strange phenomenon of declining democracy after many Egyptians had waited so many years for it. However, using an autoethnographic method, I argue that any analysis of this phenomenon that does not include curriculum and education is inadequate. This autoethnographic essay argues that Egypt’s curriculum and its schooling system are fundamental factors that contributed to this phenomenon. Fundamentally, this paper discusses the theoretical and practical relationship between curriculum and democracy from an autoethnographic perspective by assessing the nature of this relationship both in democratic societies and in Egypt. Furthermore, an overview of the Egyptian educational system is provided to answer the basic question of this paper: why would some people reject democracy?
Surgeon-performed intubation in awake patients utilising an anterior commissure laryngoscope with bougie: a retrospective case series

Objective This retrospective case series examined the outcomes of surgeon-performed intubation using the anterior commissure rigid laryngoscope and bougie in adults with a difficult airway, including awake patients. Methods This study comprised a series of adult patients who underwent surgeon-performed intubation over a 10-year period. They were identified by a records search for the Current Procedural Terminology ('CPT') code 31500 - 'intubation by surgeon'. Results Forty-nine intubations performed in the operating theatre were reviewed. Intubation performed by the surgeon using the rigid anterior commissure laryngoscope was successful in 47 of the cases (96 per cent). Over half of the patients had experienced failed intubation attempts with other methods by other providers prior to the surgeon performing direct laryngoscopy. Twenty intubations were performed without paralytics and with the patient awake. Conclusion In properly selected adults who need an urgent, secure airway in the operating theatre, surgeon-performed anterior commissure laryngoscopic intubation using a bougie should be considered a safe, reliable procedure. In most cases, this procedure can be performed in selected patients whilst awake, with sedation.
Sewing for My Curves: Insights Into Plus-Sized Garment Fit Dissatisfaction

With the average American woman now wearing a size 16 (Christel & Dunn, 2016) it is pertinent to better understand the garment fit needs of the plus-size segment. this qualitative netnographic study explored the common sewing pattern alterations made by plus size sewing bloggers to better understand plus size women's garment fit issues. Revealed by this study was the most common garment fit issues concerned the bust, bicep, shoulders, and lower back. As sewing patterns and ready-to-wear production patterns use the same proportions and grading procedures this understanding of common garment fit issues provides and academia a better understanding of how plus-size apparel design needs to improve.
Intravenous vs oral acetaminophen in sinus surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

Background Multimodal perioperative analgesia including acetaminophen is recommended by current guidelines. The comparative efficacy of intravenous vs oral acetaminophen in sinus surgery is unknown. We aimed to determine whether intravenous or oral acetaminophen results in superior postoperative analgesia following sinus surgery. Methods This was a prospective randomized trial with blinded endpoint assessments conducted at a single large academic medical center. Subjects undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were randomized to intravenous vs oral acetaminophen in addition to standard anesthetic and surgical care. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale pain score at 1 hour postoperatively. Results One hundred and ten adult patients were randomized; 9 were excluded from the data analysis. Fifty patients were assigned to intravenous acetaminophen and 51 to oral acetaminophen. Postoperative pain scores at 1 hour (primary endpoint) were not significantly different between the intravenous and oral acetaminophen groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference in pain scores at 24 hours postoperatively. Finally, there was no significant difference in postoperative opioid usage in the postanesthesia care unit or over the first 24 hours postoperatively. Conclusions This is the first comparative efficacy trial of oral vs intravenous acetaminophen in sinus surgery. There was no significant difference in pain scores at 1 or 24 hours postoperatively, and no difference in postoperative opioid use. Intravenous acetaminophen offers no apparent advantage over oral acetaminophen in patients undergoing sinus surgery. Level of evidence 1b.
Derrick Bell's Chronicle of the Space Traders: Would the U.S. Sacrifice People of Color if the Price Were Right?

Examines Bell's famous allegory in which white America sells its black citizens to an advanced race of extraterrestrials in return for three gifts of great value. Concludes that the story has the ring of truth. History shows that when nonwhite populations stand in the way of westward expansion, Western societies summarily relocate or kill them. Concludes nevertheless that the course of human events is somewhat open and that history need not always repeat itself. Offers a revision of Bell's account to show it is possible to reach a new conclusion wherein the American people reject the trade.
7.23 – Oxazolidinone Antibiotics

The oxazolidinones are the first new class of antibiotics to be approved in over 35 years. Linezolid (Zyvox) is marketed by Pfizer Inc. for the treatment of sensitive and resistant Gram-positive infections. Other key oxazolidinones that have been in clinical trials that are discussed in detail include: eperezolid, ranbezolid, DuP-105, and DuP-721. Surveys of structure–activity relationships (SAR) that led to the clinical candidates are discussed, as well as more recent key SAR advances. The medical need, key oxazolidinone attributes, discovery and development history, safety profile and toleration issues, mechanism of action (MOA) studies, and directions for future research into this new class of antibiotics are reviewed.
A Circuit Encoding Absolute Cold Temperature in Drosophila.

Summary Animals react to environmental changes over timescales ranging from seconds to days and weeks. An important question is how sensory stimuli are parsed into neural signals operating over such diverse temporal scales. Here, we uncover a specialized circuit, from sensory neurons to higher brain centers, that processes information about long-lasting, absolute cold temperature in Drosophila. We identify second-order thermosensory projection neurons (TPN-IIs) exhibiting sustained firing that scales with absolute temperature. Strikingly, this activity only appears below the species-specific, preferred temperature for D. melanogaster (∼25°C). We trace the inputs and outputs of TPN-IIs and find that they are embedded in a cold “thermometer” circuit that provides powerful and persistent inhibition to brain centers involved in regulating sleep and activity. Our results demonstrate that the fly nervous system selectively encodes and relays absolute temperature information and illustrate a sensory mechanism that allows animals to adapt behavior specifically to cold conditions on the timescale of hours to days.
Structure, process, and outcomes of care in a telemonitoring program for patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Using Donabedian's structure-process-outcomes (SPO) framework, this descriptive, exploratory study examined the structure of a telemonitoring program in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the process of nurse-patient telephonic interactions, and patients' clinical outcomes. METHODS Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 581 patients who participated in a home telemonitoring program for 12 months. Three point-biserial and six Pearson correlations were estimated to determine how patient demographics related to clinical characteristics. Mixed model regressions were conducted predicting hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels at 6, 9, and 12 months based on the frequency of contact in the earlier 3 months. Analysis of variances were conducted to assess if the frequency of contact was significantly different by change in HbA1c levels from 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12 months. RESULTS Significant negative correlations were found between age and HbA1c (r=-0.10, P=0.015) and DBP (r=-0.16, P<0.001), a significant positive correlation was found between age and SBP (r=0.15, P=0.001). A significant correlation was found between sex and DBP (r pb=-0.11, P=0.015); female participants had lower DBP levels than males. Frequency of contact was not related to the change in clinical outcomes. However, the frequency of contact for the time period 3 to 6 months was associated with change in HbA1c for the 6- to 9- month period and frequency of contact during the 6- to 9- month period was associated with change in HbA1c from 9 to 12 months. CONCLUSION Examination of the SPO measures in the telemonitoring environment assisted in understanding the effectiveness of this type of unique intervention and the need for further in-depth exploration of self-management techniques among individuals with T2D.
Mortality Hazard Estimates From the Retirement History Survey: Education, Pensions and Marital Status and Black-White and Gender Differences

In this chapter we continue our estimation of adult mortality hazard functions. Here we use the Retirement History Survey (RHS), which covers heads of households aged 58–63 in 1969 and for whom death records are taken from Social Security records for the period 1969–1979 (though the data for 1978 and 1979 are incomplete because of late posting of the death data).31 Section 2.2 provides more detail about this data source. As discussed in Section 2.3, we use these data to estimate mortality hazard functions that can be interpreted as conditional demand functions or dynamic decision rules in which the right-side variables reflect decisions and the state of the world up to the time of the data collection.32
Psychological and Behavioral Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

Depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) is very common, with a lifetime prevalence of around 50 %, which is much higher than the 8 % reported for the general population. In this chapter, we explore some of the psychological and behavioral depression treatments that have been studied in MS. Our review shows clearly that depression in MS is treatable, via both psychotherapeutic and behavioral interventions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on psychotherapy have generally revealed very large effect sizes, with the one benchmarking study (one that examines treatment as it actually occurs in clinical settings) in the literature showing a still large but somewhat smaller effect size than RCTs. Exercise appears to be a promising potential treatment of depression in MS and has been shown to be correlated with lower depression. Additionally, RCTs of exercise have revealed small to moderate effect sizes on reducing depression. One problem with psychological and behavioral treatments of depression in MS is the salience of disability and travel issues that make involvement in such intensive treatment more challenging. Thus, even though treatments are often effective, patients may avoid them in favor of other interventions. Telephone-based interventions have been shown to be very effective in treating depression in MS and could represent a promising approach that circumvents such obstacles. Even though current treatments are effective, future research should explore why nearly half of patients do not respond to available treatments. A focus on the possibility that co-morbid conditions (e.g., anxiety or personality disorders) could interfere with standard depression treatments, as well as possible mediators of treatment (e.g., fatigue, disability levels, sleep disturbance), may be promising avenues for future research.
Growing Up with an Anxious Sibling: Psychosocial Correlates and Predictors of Sibling Relationship Quality

Relationships between young people with anxiety and their non-affected siblings are important for both individuals in the dyad, and for family dynamics throughout the lifespan; however, these relationships are not well understood. This study examined the experience of growing up with an anxious sibling from the sibling without anxiety’s point of view. We measured psychosocial factors associated with sibling relationship quality in 64 young adults with an anxious sibling. Overall, participants with anxious siblings were resilient, reporting comparable sibling relationship quality, anxiety symptoms, and psychological functioning relative to peers without anxious siblings. The contributions of caregiver burden and attributions about the causes of the sibling’s anxiety-related behavior accounted for significant variance in both sibling relationship warmth/closeness and conflict, with responsibility attributions emerging as an individual predictor of conflict. Clinical and research implications for understanding sibling relationships in the context of anxiety, and for the role of attributions in family relationships are considered.
Improving wireless product testing via university and industry collaboration

In the last three years, a program focused in mixed-signal/RF IC testing has been established at the University of Florida. Industry collaboration has been key in providing direction, support and equipment for this effort. Through this effort, I see a strong role for building RF IC test research groups in the university environment to better solve the hard IC test problems. In addition, the mixed-signal and RF IC test professors would greatly benefit industry by influencing the RF IC design curriculum at the university to include analog and RF DfT concepts.
Preliminary screening: Technical and economic assessment of synthesis gas to fuels and chemicals with emphasis on the potential for biomass-derived syngas

In principle, syngas (primarily consisting of CO and H2) can be produced from any hydrocarbon feedstock, including: natural gas, naphtha, residual oil, petroleum coke, coal, and biomass. The lowest cost routes for syngas production, however, are based on natural gas, the cheapest option being remote or stranded reserves. Economic considerations dictate that the current production of liquid fuels from syngas translates into the use of natural gas as the hydrocarbon source. Nevertheless, the syngas production operation in a gas-to-liquids plant amounts to greater than half of the capital cost of the plant. The choice of technology for syngas production also depends on the scale of the synthesis operation. Syngas production from solid fuels can require an even greater capital investment with the addition of feedstock handling and more complex syngas purification operations. The greatest impact on improving the economics of gas-to liquids plants is through (1) decreasing capital costs associated with syngas production and (2) improving the thermal efficiency with better heat integration and utilization. Improved thermal efficiency can be obtained by combining the gas-to-liquids plant with a power generation plant to take advantage of the availability of low-pressure steam. The extensive research and development efforts devoted to syngas conversion more » to fuels and chemicals are documented in a vast amount of literature that tracks the scientific and technological advancements in syngas chemistry. The purpose of this report is to review the many syngas to products processes and summarize the salient points regarding the technology status and description, chemistry, catalysts, reactors, gas cleanliness requirements, process and environmental performances, and economics. Table 1 lists the products examined in this study and gives some facts about the technology as well as advantages and disadvantages. Table 2 summarizes the catalysts, process conditions, conversions, and selectivities for the various syngas to products processes. Table 3 presents catalyst poisons for the various products. « less
Studies on the mode of action of calciferol. Biological activity of 1 alpha, 24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 in the chick.

Abstract The biological activity of 1α,24 R ,25-trihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1α,24 R ,25(OH) 3 D 3 ] was elevated in comparison to the hormonally active form of vitamin D 3 , 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ], in the rachitic chick in terms of its ability to (a) stimulate intestinal calcium absorption, (b) mobilize bone calcium, (c) induce intestinal calcium binding protein, (d) modulate the level of enzyme activity of the renal 25-OH-D 3 -1-hydroxylase system, and (e) interact with the intestinal cystosol-chromatin receptor system for the 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 receptor system. In each of these assays, the relative ratio of activity of 1α,24 R ,25(OH) 3 D 3 to 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 was (a) 25–50, (b) ca. 20, (c) 10, (d) 50, and (e) 36%, respectively.