cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of clinically-attenuated Burkholderia mallei by whole genome sequencing: candidate strain for exclusion from Select Agent lists.

Background: Burkholderia mallei is an understudied biothreat agent responsible for glanders which can be lethal in humans and animals. Research with this pathogen has been hampered in part by constraints of Select Agent regulations for safety reasons. Whole genomic sequencing (WGS) is an apt approach to characterize newly discovered or poorly understood microbial pathogens. Methodology/Principal Findings: We performed WGS on a strain of B. mallei, SAVP1, previously pathogenic, that was experimentally infected in 6 equids (4 ponies, 1 mule, 1 donkey), natural hosts, for purposes of producing antibodies. Multiple high inocula were used in some cases. Unexpectedly SAVP1 appeared to be avirulent in the ponies and mule, and attenuated in the donkey, but induced antibodies. We determined the genome sequence of SAVP1 and compared it to a strain that was virulent in horses and a human. In comparison, this phenotypic avirulent SAVP1 strain was missing multiple genes including all the animal type III secretory system (T3SS) complex of genes demonstrated to be essential for virulence in mice and hamster models. The loss of these genes in the SAVP1 strain appears to be the consequence of a multiple gene deletion across insertion sequence (IS) elements in the B. mallei genome. Therefore, the strain by itself is unlikely to revert naturally to its virulent phenotype. There were other genes present in one strain and not the other and vice-versa. Conclusion/Significance: The discovery that this strain of B. mallei was both avirulent in the natural host ponies, and did not possess T3SS associated genes may be fortuitous to advance biodefense research. The deleted virulence-essential T3SS is not likely to be re-acquired naturally. These findings may provide a basis for exclusion of SAVP1 from the Select Agent regulation or at least discussion of what else would be required for exclusion. This exclusion could accelerate research by investigators not possessing BSL-3 facilities and facilitate the production of reagents such as antibodies without the restraints of Select Agent regulation.
Carbon storage and fluxes in ponderosa pine forests at different developmental stages

We compared carbon storage and fluxes in young and old ponderosa pine stands in Oregon, including plant and soil storage, net primary productivity, respiration fluxes, eddy flux estimates of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and Biome-BGC simulations of fluxes. The young forest (Y site) was previously an old-growth ponderosa pine forest that had been clearcut in 1978, and the old forest (O site), which has never been logged, consists of two primary age classes (50 and 250 years old). Total ecosystem carbon content (vegetation, detritus and soil) of the O forest was about twice that of the Y site (21 vs. 10 kg C m ‐2 ground), and significantly more of the total is stored in living vegetation at the O site (61% vs. 15%). Ecosystem respiration (Re) was higher at the O site (1014 vs. 835 g C m ‐2 year ‐1 ), and it was largely from soils at both sites (77% of Re). The biological data show that above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP), NPP and net ecosystem production (NEP) were greater at the O site than the Y site. Monte Carlo estimates of NEP show that the young site is a source of CO2 to the atmosphere, and is significantly lower than NEP(O) by c. 100 g C m ‐2 year ‐1 . Eddy covariance measurements also show that the O site was a stronger sink for CO2 than the Y site. Across a 15-km swath in the region, ANPP ranged from 76 g C m ‐2 year ‐1 at the Y site to 236 g C m ‐2 year ‐1 (overall mean 158 6 14 g C m ‐2 year ‐1 ). The lowest ANPP values were for the youngest and oldest stands, but there was a large range of ANPP for mature stands. Carbon, water and nitrogen cycle simulations with the Biome-BGC model suggest that disturbance type and frequency, time since disturbance, age-dependent changes in below-ground allocation, and increasing atmospheric concentration of CO2 all exert significant control on the net ecosystem exchange of carbon at the two sites. Model estimates of major carbon flux components agree with budget-based observations to within 6 20%, with larger differences for NEP and for several storage terms. Simulations showed the period of regrowth required to replace carbon lost during and after a stand-replacing fire (O) or a clearcut (Y) to be between 50 and 100 years. In both cases, simulations showed a shift from net carbon source to net sink (on an annual basis) 10‐20 years after disturbance. These results suggest that the net ecosystem production of young stands may be low because heterotrophic respiration, particularly from soils, is higher than the NPP of the regrowth. The amount of carbon stored in long-term pools (biomass and soils) in addition to short-term fluxes has important implications for management of forests in the Pacific North-west for carbon sequestration.
Temperature Profiles within a Double-pipe Heat Exchanger with Countercurrent Turbulent Flow of Newtonian Fluids: Derivation, Validation, and Application to Food Processing

: Pasteurization or sterilization of food and bioproducts is mostly performed using heat exchangers in countercurrent flow. The lack of appropriate analytic solutions for temperature profiles in the heating and cooling sections of such processes is most likely the main reason for the traditional cautious approach of disregarding the contribution of these stages in the total thermal history calculation. This approach leads to excessive thermal abuse of the product. The current manuscript describes the derivation and validation of an analytic solution for the temperature profiles within a double-pipe heat exchanger with countercurrent turbulent flow of Newtonian fluids, at any possible flow rate and not necessarily assuming an isothermal heating medium or coolant. The presented solution is based on application of the “heat exchanger effectiveness” concept in a partial heat exchanger, and can be easily solved and plotted using a spreadsheet. An interactive ExcelTM workbook was developed for fast prediction of temperature profiles and used in a simulated case study to demonstrate the influence of operating conditions on the temperature profile and thermal history of a pasteurized liquid product.
Use of intraoperative video documentation to improve sexual function after radical retropubic prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives. To determine whether arbitrary minor variances in surgical technique can have a major impact on the recovery of sexual function after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Methods. The surgical procedures of 62 potent men were videotaped prospectively. Eighteen months after the study was initiated, the videotapes were reviewed and specific steps in the surgical procedure correlated with patient-reported potency rates. Results. Four steps were identified that appeared to correlate with the recovery of sexual function: oversewing back-bleeders from the proximal dorsal vein on the anterior surface of the prostate, division of the striated sphincter when placing urethral sutures, division of the posterior striated sphincter, and hemostasis at the end of the case. Conclusions. We believe that retrospective review of intraoperative videotapes has great promise. Because many surgeons use different techniques, it is likely that each individual may be able to identify other important arbitrary variations that may improve their patients’ outcomes. Similarly, for surgeons with less than optimal outcomes, the review of early successful cases may enable them to identify ways that modification of their surgical technique can improve the outcome of future patients. To the best of our knowledge, the use of retrospective review of intraoperative videotapes has not been commonly used in any other surgical field.
On the number of fiber connections and star couplers in multi-star single-hop networks

The single star optical network is limited in size by the available power budget. When the network size exceeds the number of connections a star coupler can support, it becomes necessary to use multiple passive star couplers to implement the network. The cost of a multi star optical network is determined by the number of fiber connections per station and the number of star couplers in the network. To reduce the cost of the network, it is desirable to use as least amount of fiber connections per station and star couplers as possible. We consider two multi star implementations of single hop networks, and discuss how to implement them with least cost.
Can Nitric Oxide–Based Therapy Prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

A growing understanding of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) biology is helping to explain how and when exogenous NO may confer benefit or harm; this knowledge is also helping to identify new better-targeted NO-based therapies. In this review, results of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia clinical trials that used inhaled NO in the preterm population are placed in context, the biologic basis for novel NO therapeutics is considered, and possible future directions for NO-focused clinical and basic research in developmental lung disease are identified.
Injection- and phase-locking techniques for beam control [antenna arrays]

Applications of millimeter-wave radar, imaging, and communication technology requires cost-effective implementation of intelligent scanning antenna systems. Injection-locking and phase-locked-loop (PLL) techniques can be used to achieve synchronous operation of a number of antenna array elements, and allow for the manipulation of the phase distribution without additional phase-shifting circuitry, suggesting a potential for low-cost beam-scanning systems. This paper describes a number of techniques, with an assessment of some remaining technical challenges for practical implementation.
Irresistibility, Epistemic Warrant and Religious Belief

It has been widely argued that beliefs in general are not under direct voluntary control. It is not the case that we can by decision of the will (however construed) decide what to believe or what to refrain from believing in many ordinary instances of believing. Doxastic voluntarism now seems a dubious doctrine at best, regardless of how emphatic Descartes and other traditional epistemologists seemed to be in their support of the doctrine.
Simulation in Undergraduate Mental Health Nursing Education: A Literature Review

Abstract Simulation in undergraduate mental health nursing education is becoming more widely used as an educational strategy for teaching students skills in effective mental health nursing care. This article provides a review of the literature on the use of various simulation techniques utilized in undergraduate mental health nursing education. CINAHL and PubMed databases identified 429 potentially relevant articles published between April 2006 and April 2015. A total of 15 articles met criteria for inclusion in this review. Findings of these 15 articles indicate that simulation is effective for increasing students' skills in therapeutic communication, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and risk assessment in mental health nursing practice. Also, simulation was found to help decrease student fear and anxiety of working with individuals who have mental health disorders, and promote greater self-confidence and understanding of mental illness. This articles offers implications for further research on the use of simulation as a teaching strategy in undergraduate mental health nursing education.
US HRM principles: cross-country comparisons and two case applications in India

This paper analyses the human resource management (HRM) systems of two fairly large, complex, technical organizations in India, embedded in specific external environments. The HRM practices of the two are compared with studies of practices in India and other developing countries. Further, the practices of the two organizations are compared utilizing a US HRM model. Findings are discussed with reference to relevant studies in India and the US. A complex view emerges from the analysis: (1) A mixed HRM model with US and Indian characteristics exists. (2) Differences in the two cases involve implementation and integration of HRM activities. (3) While hierarchy and paternalism are observed, adaptiveness and innovation are also evident. (4) Managerial characteristics and values (status, power, orientation) have an influential role. (5) Highlights among organizational characteristics are growth stage and professionals; and among external factors are management groups and their member interactions.
An Alternative Model for Additive and Cytoplasmic Genetic and Maternal Effects on Lactation

Results from a recent study that presented evidence suggesting a lack of cytoplasmic inheritance of lactation traits were reexamined using a model that included effects of additive genotype, cytoplasmic genotype, their interaction, and maternal influences. Under this model, equivalent estimates of heritability from daughter-dam and granddaughter-granddam regression that exceed those from paternal half-sib correlation were consistent with the presence of cytoplasmic inheritance. A definitive answer to the question of cytoplasmic inheritance of lactation traits awaits a designed experiment, likely employing transfer of identical nuclei into varying cytoplasmic backgrounds.
Collaborative Consultation to Support Children With Pediatric Health Issues: A Review of the Biopsychoeducational Model

Medical technology continues to improve, increasing life expectancies and capabilities of children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Pediatric health issues have an impact on children's academic, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning. This article reviews a consultative Biopsychoeducational Model, based on a problem-solving process, for working with children affected by health issues within the school setting. Facilitated by the school psychologist, this model promotes communication and collaboration among family members, educators, and medical professionals. The goal is to aid in the often complex assessment of strengths and weaknesses of children with health issues and to help design and evaluate effective interventions for these children. Potential roadblocks in implementation and possible solutions are discussed.
Virologic and serologic survey for eastern equine encephalomyelitis and certain other viruses in colonial bats of New England.

To test the hypothesis that hibernating colonial bats serve as an overwintering reservoir host of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) and certain other arthropod-borne viruses in southern New England, 1128 bats of 4 species were collected from 1966 through 1976. Blood and tissue samples and ectoparasites from these bats were tested in suckling mice, wet chicks, and/or chick-embryo tissue cultures for virus. Rabies, the only virus isolated, was recovered from the brain, salivary glands, and brown fat of an apparently healthy adult male Myotis keenii found hibernating in western Massachusetts. EEE neutralizing antibody was detected in 1.3% of the adult bats tested. A significant difference was noted between prevalence of antibody in hibernating (0.3%) and nonhibernating (3.4%) bats tested during the first 4 years of this study. One of 26 (3.8%) sera neutralized California encephalitis virus and no neutralizing or hemagglutination-inhibition antibody was detected with western equine encephalomyelitis virus.
The difficult biopsy: let’s make it easier

Image-guided percutaneous biopsies of abdominal and pelvic organs are an integral part of the daily practice of many radiologists. Fortunately, most image-guided percutaneous biopsies are straightforward. At times, however, image-guided percutaneous biopsies can be technically challenging due to various factors, including proximity of surrounding vessels or organs, "moving targets" due to respiratory motion, or difficulties in detecting lesions with certain imaging modalities. The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss techniques that can be utilized to increase the successful biopsy of "difficult" lesions. Choices of imaging modality for guiding needle placement will be discussed, as will the use of alternative access routes such as transgluteal, transvaginal, and other transorgan approaches. Factors to improve the accessibility of lesions, including patient positioning and the timing of contrast injections that improve lesion detection, will be discussed.
Expenditure patterns by age and income among mature adults: Does age matter?

Using data from the 1984-85 Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), we examined how expenditure patterns of elderly persons (aged 65-74 and 75 and over) at different income-to-needs levels differ from those of younger mature adults (aged 45-54 and 55-64) at similar income-to-needs levels. Patterns of spending are examined in a variety of areas within three domains--giving, recreation, and essentials. Several important differences exist in the ways that households headed by persons of different ages allocate their expenditures in the domains of essentials and recreation, but few differences exist in the domain of giving. Consistent income group differences exist in expenditure patterns across virtually every area within the three domains. Both age and income differences remain significant when multivariate analyses are performed; thus, the story told is one in which both age and income play important roles.
Alcohol Withdrawal: Development of a Standing Order Set

anagementof alcoholwithdrawalinacutely illhospitalized patientswitha criticalillnessischallengingfor pharmacists, nurses,and practicing physicians.Alcoholwithdrawal isoftenadiagnosisconsideredin patientsadmittedwithtrauma; however,itcanbeconfusedwith otherconditionsinthelistofdifferentialdiagnosesofpatientsadmittedwithnontraumadiagnoses. 1-3 Investigatorsestimatethatupto1 in4patientsadmittedtogeneral hospitalsmeetdiagnosticcriteria foralcoholdependence. 4 Alcohol-dependentpatientshave ariskofwithdrawal,withsymptoms includingalteredconcentration, tremulousness,autonomichyperarousal,psychosis,seizures,and deliriumtremens. 5 Alcoholwithdrawaldelirium,commonlyknown
Priapism in a 15-year-old boy with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II (hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with positive acidified serum lysis test).

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia encompasses a group of related disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, bone marrow erythroblastic multinuclearity and secondary hemochromatosis. Type II, the most common variation, is called hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with positive acidified serum lysis test (HEMPAS). To our knowledge this is the first reported case of priapism associated with HEMPAS.
Ultra-Low Velocity Knee Dislocations: A Challenging Population of Multiligament Knee Injuries

Objectives:Multiligament knee injuries (MLI) are usually associated with high energy mechanisms such as motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries. However, obese patients are at risk of MLI from simple falls. Termed “ultra-low velocity” (ULV) dislocations, these may be associated with higher associated risks and complications due to the patient’s inherent size. The objectives of this study are to characterize the epidemiology, risk factors, associated neurovascular injuries, and perioperative complications of ULV dislocations to allow surgeons to make informed decisions regarding their care.Methods:Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. 215 consecutive patients with MLI were identified over a 12 year period. Their charts were reviewed to identify a cohort of patients with mechanisms consistent with ULV dislocation (n=23). This cohort was compared to all MLI. Additionally, ULV patients with neurovascular injury were compared to those without neurovascular injury. Analysis: Means and ranges were calcula...
Childhood medulloblastoma: current and future treatment strategies

Introduction: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Standard of care treatment for children ≥ 3 years has resulted in a cure rate of approximately 70 – 75%. However, treatment-related toxicity often has a major impact on long-term quality of survival.Areas covered: This article summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, radiologic features, pathology, prognosis, risk stratification, molecular genetics and current and future treatment strategies of medulloblastoma.Expert opinion: Treatment of children with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma includes maximal surgical resection, risk-adapted craniospinal radiotherapy plus a focal boost to the tumor bed, and dose-intensive chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide and lomustine. Recent studies using next-generation sequencing have identified the complex molecular heterogeneity of this malignant tumor allowing a more precise identification of prognostic factors and specific oncogenic targets fo...
Response: Opportunistic Textualism

This essay is a response to Jonathan Siegel’s article, The Inexorable Radicalization of Textualism. Professor Siegel expresses concern about the consequences of carrying textualism to its logical extreme. This response argues that it is much easier to espouse the formalist values of textualism in the abstract than it is to apply them routinely to cases. That is, it is virtually impossible to be a textualist on the ground. Because judges are inclined to relax their embrace of formalism in favor of other values, the extreme results that Siegel fears cannot be consistently realized. This essay looks to the principal example of radical textualism that Siegel offers – a rigid dissent by Judge Bybee from a Ninth Circuit decision correcting a clear statutory drafting error. The opinion is worthy of criticism. However, Judge Bybee has been willing to look to legislative history, intent, and statutory purpose in a variety of other areas, and that even the staunchest textualists speak of legislative intent when resolving ambiguous statutes. Formalism, like other canons of construction, has been used opportunistically to reach results driven primarily by ideology. Though the essay shares Professor Siegel's concerns, those results do not represent a radical or inevitable movement toward “law without mind.”
Preoperative embolization of intracranial hemangiopericytomas: case series and introduction of the transtumoral embolization technique.

Background and purpose Hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare dural-based neoplasms. Preoperative embolization of these notoriously hypervascular tumors can be challenging as they often receive their dominant blood supply from pial feeders arising from the internal carotid artery (ICA) or vertebrobasilar (VB) circulation. This study reviews our historical experience with HPC embolization and introduces the transtumoral technique for backfilling pial tumor vasculature by delivering Onyx-18 through diminutive external carotid artery (ECA) feeders. Methods A retrospective review of all preoperative HPC embolizations performed at Anonymous University #1 (September 2002–November 2014) and Anonymous University #2 (January 2014–November 2014) is presented. Results Fifteen patients with pathologically confirmed HPC underwent 17 embolizations. More extensive devascularization percentages were achieved for HPCs with primarily ECA blood supply (76.4±10.7%; n=6) than with HPCs supplied via the ICA/VB circulation (57.9±26.9%; n=8; p=0.046). There was a trend towards greater devascularization of ICA/VB-dominant HPCs embolized with Onyx (70.0±34.6%; n=4) versus polyvinyl alcohol particles (33.3±15.3%; n=3). The extent of angiographic devascularization negatively correlated with intraoperative blood loss (rho=−0.71; p=0.005). There were no embolization-related complications. Conclusions The extent of preoperative embolization of HPCs correlates with decreased intraoperative blood loss. However, HPCs with an ICA/VB-dominant blood supply remain challenging embolization targets, demonstrating reduced devascularization percentages compared with ECA-dominant counterparts. The authors favor the use of Onyx for ICA/VB-dominant HPCs, noting a trend towards an improved devascularization rate.
Certified Sebego seed stocks and seed piece treatments

The effects of several certified Sebago seed stocks on potato stands and yields were studied in 1969 and 1970 with a USDA maintenance stock used as a control. Seed piece treatments —(i) nontreated stem-end, (ii) nontreated bud-end, and (iii) Polyram®-treated bud-ends —were incorporated into the 1970 test. Large differences among certified seed stocks and seed piece treatment for stands and yields were obtained due to the bacterial seed piece decay and/or black leg disease caused byErwinia carotovora (Jones) Holland.
Adoption of IPM Practices in Grape, Tree Fruit, and Nut Production in the Western United States

To determine the prevalence of IPM adoption in perennial crop production in the Western United States, this review examined peer-reviewed scientific literature, extension reports, and studies conducted by or on behalf of commodity groups or other agriculture interests that were published since the year 2000. Based on 32 sources of data, IPM adoption is widespread in production of tree fruits, nuts, and vines, with a large percentage of growers using many prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and selective-suppression practices – known as the PAMS approach. In the wine grape industry in California, quarantine, certified disease-free planting material, and leaf pulling are practiced broadly to prevent or avoid disease. Wine grape growers in California monitor frequently to track insect vectors of disease and employ area-wide management practices. Seventy to ninety percent of California pear growers and >90% of Oregon and Washington pear producers monitor for insect pests. Hazelnut, walnut, and almond production in Oregon and California rely heavily on pest-control professionals to monitor pest activity. Across a wide range of crops, infrastructure to model pest population development based on weather data are well established and depended upon by producers. Suppression using pesticides has declined drastically (from 40–90%) in Oregon hazelnut production, California almond and fresh-market grape production, and California, Oregon, and Washington pear production. Sixty to seventy percent of walnut and pear producers in California, Oregon, and Washington are considering the impacts to human health and environment when making suppression and management decisions. Western perennial crops and practices are unique, and the findings documented in this review may not be applicable nationally.
Diurnal and Nocturnal Variations in the Ruminal Contractions, Respiration Rate, Pulse Rate and Temperature and their Interrelationship in Lactating Holstein Cows

SUMMARY Eight lactating Holstein cows were fed on a high grain ration for three weeks, the first week being considered as an adjustment week. During the experimental weeks ruminal contraction, respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature were recorded every six hours on two consecutive days in each week; body weight, flank skin thickness and flank fat thickness were recorded twice each week. Milk samples were taken separately for fat testing and milk yield was transformed to 4 per cent fat corrected milk (FCM). Animal variation was significant at the 1 per cent level for respiration rate, temperature, milk production, body weight and flank fat thickness. Body weight was significantly correlated with flank fat thickness (0 · 896) and respiration rate (0 · 801). Flank skin thickness had a correlation coefficient of 0 · 866 with respiration rate; flank fat thickness was significantly correlated (0 · 857) with pulse rate.
Multivariate Random Variables

In Chapter 2 we defined a random variable as a numerical function from the sample space into the real line. We introduced the concepts of cdf, pdf, and pmf as alternate means of describing a random variable. It is sometimes necessary to define more than one random variable on a probability space to study different aspects of a random phenomenon.
Effects of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation on airway mucus clearance: A bench model.

AIM To determine the ability of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) to promote airway clearance in spontaneously breathing patients and those on mechanical ventilation. METHODS An artificial lung was used to simulate a spontaneously breathing patient (Group 1), and was then connected to a mechanical ventilator to simulate a patient on mechanical ventilation (Group 2). An 8.5 mm endotracheal tube (ETT) connected to the test lung, simulated the patient airway. Artificial mucus was instilled into the mid-portion of the ETT. A filter was attached at both ends of the ETT to collect the mucus displaced proximally (mouth-piece filter) and distally (lung filter). The IPV machine was attached to the proximal end of the ETT and was applied for 10-min each to Group 1 and 2. After each experiment, the weight of the various circuit components were determined and compared to their dry weights to calculate the weight of the displaced mucus. RESULTS In Group 1 (spontaneously breathing model), 26.8% ± 3.1% of the simulated mucus was displaced proximally, compared to 0% in Group 2 (the mechanically ventilated model) with a P-value of < 0.01. In fact, 17% ± 1.5% of the mucus in Group 2 remained in the mid-portion of the ETT where it was initially instilled and 80% ± 4.2% was displaced distally back towards the lung (P < 0.01). There was an overall statistically significant amount of mucus movement proximally towards the mouth-piece in the spontaneously breathing (SB) patient. There was also an overall statistically significant amount of mucus movement distally back towards the lung in the mechanically ventilated (MV) model. In the mechanically ventilated model, no mucus was observed to move towards the proximal/mouth piece section of the ETT. CONCLUSION This bench model suggests that IPV is associated with displacement of mucus towards the proximal mouthpiece in the SB patient, and distally in the MV model.
On the Need for Developmental Perspectives in Research on the Potential Positive and Negative Health Effects of Digital Games

As digital games become increasingly ubiquitous via mobile applications and other widely-used media platforms, game-based health applications and mobile health monitoring technologies are promising tools for eHealth and mHealth. Given the importance of older people as an audience for eHealth and mHealth applications, it is problematic that much research on users and effects of digital games largely neglects developmental approaches and variables. This chapter reviews research on effects of digital games, particularly the health effects of digital games on older people, and suggests how more focus on developmental approaches could guide research on health applications of digital games and game-based eHealth and mHealth tools for older populations.
The association of depression and diabetes across methods, measures, and study contexts.

Empirical research has revealed a positive relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression, but questions remain regarding timing of depression measurement, types of instruments used to measure depression, and whether “depression” is defined as clinical depression or depressive symptoms. The present study sought to establish the robustness of the depression-diabetes relationship across depression definition, severity of depressive symptoms, recent depression, and lifetime depression in a nationally representative dataset and a large rural dataset. The present examination, conducted between 2014 and 2015, used two large secondary datasets: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2008 (n = 3072) and the Arthritis, Coping, and Emotion Study (ACES) from 2002 to 2006 (n = 2300). Depressive symptoms in NHANES were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item survey (PHQ-9). ACES used the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale (CES-D) to measure depressive symptoms and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to measure diagnosable depression. Diabetes was modelled as the dichotomous outcome variable (presence vs. absence of diabetes). Logistic regression was used for all analyses, most of which were cross-sectional. Analyses controlled for age, ethnicity, sex, education, and body mass index, and NHANES analyses used sample weights to account for the complex survey design. Additional analyses using NHANES data focused on the addition of health behavior variables and inflammation to the model. NHANES. Every one-point increase in depressive symptoms was associated with a 5% increase in odds of having diabetes [OR: 1.05 (CI: 1.03, 1.07)]. These findings persisted after controlling for health behaviors and inflammation. ACES. For every one-point increase in depressive symptom score, odds of having diabetes increased by 2% [OR: 1.02 (CI: 1.01, 1.03)]. Recent (past 12 months) depression [OR: 1.49, (CI: 1.03, 2.13)] and lifetime depression [OR: 1.40 (CI: 1.09, 1.81)] were also significantly associated with having diabetes. This study provides evidence for the robustness of the relationship between depression or depressive symptoms and diabetes and demonstrates that depression occurring over the lifetime can be associated with diabetes just as robustly as that which occurs more proximal to the time of study measurement.
The Current State of CT Dose Management Across Radiology: Well Intentioned but Not Universally Well Executed.

OBJECTIVE. Recent well-publicized sentinel events have resulted in an appropriately heightened awareness of CT dose. Concern also exists regarding the potential of CT dose increasing the risk of ca...
Spheno-Orbital Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a 10-Month-Old Infant.

Background Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign bone lesions affecting long bones and vertebrae; only 2%–6% have cranial involvement, and even fewer show sphenoid or intraorbital involvement. Gross total resection is the treatment of choice. Case Description A 10-month-old girl presented with unilateral proptosis and no neurologic deficits. Imaging studies revealed an extensive right-sided skull base cystic lesion centered on the sphenoid wing with extension into the orbit anteriorly and the pterygoid plates inferiorly. She underwent a modified osteoplastic orbitozygomatic craniotomy for resection of the extradural tumor. Postoperative imaging showed successful decompression of the intraorbital contents with no residual tumor. She remained neurologically intact and was discharged on postoperative day 2. Histologic examination revealed the lesion to be consistent with an aneurysmal bone cyst. At 3-month follow-up, her proptosis had resolved, neurologic examination was nonfocal, and there was no radiographic evidence of recurrence. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient reported to have a spheno-orbital aneurysmal bone cyst. Such lesions in this age group present practical management challenges. By using a modified osteoplastic orbitozygomatic craniotomy, we achieved a gross total resection with minimal brain retraction, avoided the need for plating and suturing at the orbital rim, maintained a vascularized bone flap that is less susceptible to infection, and maintained normal temporalis muscle anatomy with excellent cosmetic results.
Active Optical Devices

Active optical devices of interest in integrated optic sensors are: 1 Detectors 2 Light sources 3 Amplifiers 4 Modulators, and Switches
The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Canada

In 1965, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) put forward a strategic plan which called for the development of a national network of clinics specializing in care of patients with cystic fibrosis [1]. Seven clinics were accredited in 1968 and each received a small incentive grant from the Foundation to facilitate the development of their CF care programs. The clinic network now includes 33 clinics, stretches from coast to coast, and provides care for more than 90% of all cystic fibrosis patients in Canada. As part of the annual incentive grant application, each clinic provides a yearly update of changes in its CF care program as well as data for the Canadian patient data registry at the CCFF. Every five years each clinic receives a site visit by members of the CCFF Clinic Subcommittee to review the clinical program, personnel, and physical resources.
Diagnostic Testing: Alternative Modalities

The most commonly ordered confirmatory diagnostic study for cubital tunnel syndrome is electrodiagnostic testing (nerve conduction studies and electromyography). The benefits of electrodiagnostic testing include documentation of the severity of nerve compression and localization of the area of compression. Potential disadvantages include patient discomfort and false-negative tests in cases of mild nerve compression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are able to detect nerve swelling in cases of compression neuropathy. MRI is limited in clinical practice due to cost; however, the use of US at the point of service is becoming more common. US may be advantageous for identifying patients early in the disease process and for identifying the area of nerve compression. However, US remains operator dependent and is currently unable to grade severity of nerve compression. The purpose of this chapter is to review the use of electrodiagnostic testing and ultrasound for the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Comparing Computer-Based Programs’ Impact on Problem Solving Ability and Motivation

Teaching mathematics involves a variety of techniques and approaches in order to reach students’ academic needs in a way that aids them in achieving at the level required by state standards. One of the ways that educators are meeting the needs of their students is through using computer-based programs. In this study, 17 fifth grade students were placed into two groups and assigned computer-based programs. One program, MobyMax, offered students scaffolding measures to aid in concept development. The other program, IXL, offered students detailed feedback in response to their answer submissions. This study was designed to determine the impact of the features of the two computer-based programs on student achievement through problem solving and their level of motivation. Students in both groups experienced gains in problem solving ability on average. Time spent on the program did not appear to be a contributing factor to gain score for problem solving. And student motivation showed little change throughout using either computer-based program.
Secure Intermittent Computing Protocol: Protecting State Across Power Loss

Intermittent computing systems execute long-running tasks under a transient power supply such as an energy harvesting power source. During a power loss, they save intermediate program state as a checkpoint into write-efficient non-volatile memory. When the power is restored, the system state is reconstructed from the checkpoint, and the long-running computation continues. We analyze the security risks when power interruption is used as an attack vector, and we demonstrate the need to protect the integrity, authenticity, confidentiality, continuity, and freshness of checkpointed data. We propose a secure checkpointing technique called the Se-cure Intermittent Computing Protocol (SICP). The proposed protocol has the following properties. First, it associates every checkpoint with a unique power-on state to checkpoint replay. Second, every checkpoint is cryptographically chained to its predecessor, providing continuity, which enables the programmer to carry run-time security properties such as attested program images across power loss events. Third, SICP is atomic and resistant to power loss. We demonstrate a prototype implementation of SICP on an MSP430 microcontroller, and we investigate the overhead of SICP for several cryptographic kernels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to provide a robust solution to secure intermittent computing.
Physical vapor deposition of 2D Van der Waals materials: a review

Abstract A strong resurgence of interest in vdW solid processing has accompanied two-dimensional (2D) materials research in the past decade. `Two dimensional` is terminology generally reserved for solids comprised of 5 molecular layers or less. As materials approach this ultimate thickness limit, unique properties emerge. vdW solids are well-suited for 2D materials research and applications as the anisotropic weak inter-layer bonding facilitates separation of bulk crystals into molecular constituents. Despite the great effort fueling the 2D materials revolution, electronics and other devices that truly capitalize on the benefits afforded by 2D van der Waals materials are not yet commercially available. The widespread use of 2D vdW solids is primarily inhibited by the lack of reliable, large-area synthesis approaches. Chemical vapor deposition is the primary means by which large area 2D TMD films are grown. This approach, however, has serious shortcomings, such as a lack of repeatable growth rates and kinetics, as well as the requirement for high processing temperatures (typically >650 °C). Physical vapor deposition (PVD) constitutes a family of synthesis processes with inherent qualities enabling large-scale 2D vdW materials processing. With no fundamental limitations on size, uniformity over large areas (>1 m2) for diverse materials, PVD has been demonstrated on thicker vdW films for decades. PVD processes are often characterized by the presence of energetic particles with kinetic energies that serve as an additional knob, along with process temperature and pressure, for control of growth kinetics. Ideally, a process would enable utilization of functional and mechanical properties of 2D vdW solids via synthesis directly on flexible polymer substrates at suitable temperatures. This objective is straightforward with PVD-based approaches. Here we review PVD techniques applied to the best-known vdW solids including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (such as MoS2), and boron nitride. Key points from decades of prior studies are summarized with the objective of applying this knowledge to hasten process development for future applications of large-area 2D vdW solids in advanced optical and electronic device applications meeting the needs of humankind beyond our current capabilities.
Machine-Learned Computational Models Can Enhance the Study of Text and Discourse: A Case Study Using Eye Tracking to Model Reading Comprehension

We propose that machine-learned computational models (MLCMs), in which the model parameters and perhaps even structure are learned from data, can complement extant approaches to the study of text a...
Revealing the Strong Relationships between LigandConformers and ActivationBarriers: A Case Study of Bisphosphine Reductive Elimination

Quantum chemical models of reaction pathways can provide deep insight into the inner workings of transition metal complexes. Often, these simulations have relied on atomistic models where a single ...
Learning a force field from small-molecule crystal lattice predictions enables consistent sub-Angstrom protein-ligand docking

Abstract Accurate and rapid calculation of protein-small molecule interaction energies is critical for computational drug discovery. Because of the large chemical space spanned by drug-like molecules, classical force fields contain thousands of parameters describing atom-pair distance and torsional preferences; each parameter is typically optimized independently on simple representative molecules. Here we describe a new approach in which small-molecule force field parameters are jointly optimized guided by the rich source of information contained within thousands of available small molecule crystal structures. We optimize parameters by requiring that the experimentally determined molecular lattice arrangements have lower energy than all alternative lattice arrangements. Thousands of independent crystal lattice-prediction simulations were run on each of 1,386 small molecule crystal structures, and energy function parameters of an implicit solvent energy model were optimized so native crystal lattice arrangements had lowest energy. The resulting energy model was implemented in Rosetta, together with a rapid genetic algorithm docking method employing grid based scoring and receptor flexibility. The success rate of bound structure recapitulation in cross-docking on 1,112 complexes was improved by more than 10% over previously published methods, with solutions within
Long-Lived Spin-Orbit-Coupled Degenerate Dipolar Fermi Gas

Observing the effects of quantum phenomena requires relatively long state lifetimes. In a new experiment, ultracold dysprosium atoms are used to demonstrate that spin-orbit coupling persists for 10 to 100 times longer than in other atoms.
National trends in the presentation of surgically resected appendiceal adenocarcinoma over a decade.

BACKGROUND Rates of nonoperative management of acute appendicitis and appendiceal adenocarcinoma have increased over a decade, but the presentation and outcomes of appendiceal adenocarcinoma over this period is not well-characterized. METHODS Patients with surgically resected Stage I-III appendiceal adenocarcinoma were identified from the 2006 to 2015 National Cancer Data Base and classified into two cohorts, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015, based on year of diagnosis. Three-year overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. RESULTS Of 4233 patients, 1369 (32.3%) and 2864 (67.7%) were diagnosed in 2006-2010 and 2011-2015, respectively. Following multivariable analysis, patients in 2011-2015 were more likely to be <40 years of age (6.4% vs. 4.7%, odds ratio [OR] 1.53, p .015), present with pT4 tumors (40.2% vs. 34.4%, OR 1.46, p .004), and undergo hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (4.4% vs. 2.4%, OR 1.97, p .001). Comparing patients diagnosed in 2011-2015 to 2006-2010, adjusted 3-year OS was no different among all patients (81.1% vs. 79%, p .778). CONCLUSIONS There has been an increase in the proportion of patients with pT4 appendix tumors over time, primarily among older (≥60 years) patients. Even so, these shifts in presentation have not resulted in differences in survival outcomes.
A Chronic Care Management Framework Bridging Clinic, Home, and Community Care in a Mexican American Population:

Despite evidence that chronic care management improves outcomes, a framework designed for low income, uninsured populations is still needed to improve health disparities and guide further replication. We describe the Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions framework implemented by a coalition of clinics and agencies to address chronic care management for Mexican Americans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who have low income and primarily uninsured. The core elements of the framework are described by clinic, home and community settings with community health workers playing an essential role in the delivery of community-based services that address the social determinants of health. Promising results are described. This framework expands the understanding of chronic care management approaches and contributes to further replication of the framework in diverse settings.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A=241

Abstract Detailed level schemes, decay schemes, and the experimental data on which they are based are presented for all nuclides with mass number A = 241 . The experimental data are evaluated; inconsistencies and discrepancies are noted; and adopted values for excitation energies, γ–ray energies and intensities, as well as for other nuclear properties are given. This evaluation supersedes the earlier nuclear data sheets for A = 241 (1994Ak06,1985El03). New data include an extensive study of the levels, gammas, and band structure in 241Pu via (n,γ), (d,p), and (d,t) (1998Wh01) and in 241Am via (209Bi,209Bi'γ) (2004Ab16,2002AbZV). Levels in 241Cm have been studied via ɛ decay (2003As01,2003AsZY) and α decay (1996Ma72). All experimental internal conversion data have been reanalyzed by the evaluator using the “frozen orbital hole” internal conversion coefficients of 2002Ba85.