cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Art, Practice, and Narrative

The purpose of this essay is to attempt to reorient one of the central questions of philosophical aesthetics, namely, “What is art?” The direction that this reorientation proposes relies upon taking advantage of the practice, or, more aptly, the practices of art as the primary means of identifying those objects (and performances) that are to count as art. Roughly put, the question of whether or not an object (or a performance) is to be regarded as a work of art depends on whether or not it can be placed in the evolving tradition of art in the right way. That is, whether an object (or performance) is identified as art is a question internal to the practice or practices of art. In this respect, the question “What is art?” changes its thrust. “Art” in our query no longer refers primarily to the art object; rather what we wish to know about when we ask “What is art?” predominantly concerns the nature and structures of the practices of art – things, I shall argue, that are generally best approached by means of historical narration. This essay is written within the context of the philosophy of art as that has evolved in the Anglo-American tradition. The positive proposals I advance, as a result, need to be seen against that background of debate; indeed, part of the confidence that I have in the view developed in ensuing sections rests on my belief that my view manages to avoid the most decisive objections made against earlier, rival positions in the ongoing debate concerning the nature of art. Space does not permit a detailed review of the evolution of that debate.
Genetics of Homothallic Fungi

While it is well-known that homothallic fungi do not have the genetic mechanisms for insuring hybridization that are found among heterothallic species, it is equally obvious that a large number of homothallic fungi, as well as imperfect species with no sexual system, are among the most widespread and successful of fungi. Certainly one reason for this must be that such organisms possess effective means of reproducing themselves and adapting themselves to a variety of environmental conditions. The chief advantages of heterothallism-the insurance against selfing and the encouragement of outcrossing-carry one inherent disadvantage; i.e., the inability of a thallus to form meiospores unless it can make protoplasmic contact with a compatible thallus. Perhaps this is not so important in fungi such as Neurospora, which is characterized by the production of tremendous numbers of asexual spores, but it could be a critical factor in the life cycle of a species lacking such spores. Perhaps this accounts in part for the fact that Sordaria brevicollis, a heterothallic, microconidiate species, very similar to an 8-spored Neurospora but lacking macroconidia, has been found only rarely (20), while homothallic species of the genus are known to be common. It may also help explain why so many hymenomycetes, most of which are heterothallic and often lack asexual spores, must produce such tremendous numbers of basidiospores in order to survive. We now know that hybridization and recombination may occur in homothallic fungi. But even if they did not occur in this group, it should be remembered that the meiospore is often the only spore in the life cycle, and the sexual process is needed to assure the production of this spore. In other species that produce both conidia and meiospores, the latter may be the only spores that are resistant to adverse environmental conditions. A very large and successful group, the Fungi Imperfecti, have obviously evolved in a different manner. They appear to have found the asexual or conidial stage so effective a means of repro-
Magic and Festivity at the Renaissance Court: The 1987 Josephine Waters Bennett Lecture

The relationship between hermetic beliefs and Renaissance court festivity is by no means a novel object of study. Both literary and intellectual historians have been aware of its interest for many years, and this awareness shows no signs of declining. Although in practice the presence of occult beliefs in the intentions of a court impresario is not always easy to demonstrate, what we know of the court productions and what we know of the culture that generated them suggest that we should be alert to this potential presence. Recently Roy Strong's revision of his book Splendour at Court (1974) under the new title Art and Power (1984) places heightened emphasis on this element in Renaissance courtly and civic festivity.
Abstract PR003: Hypoxia is an essential driver of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment

Tumor hypoxia predicts poor outcomes across all cancers and has long been recognized as a critical source of resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite the success of T cell immune checkpoint blockade in treating melanoma, aggressive adenocarcinomas of the prostate and pancreas are largely resistant to CTLA-4 and PD-1 antibody therapy in the mouse and in man. We find that hypoxic zones of these tumors resist infiltration by T cells even in the context of robust infiltration of normoxic areas of the same tumor (e.g. in the context of T cell checkpoint blockade). Beyond this lack of accessibility to tumor-specific T cells, hypoxia drives the establishment of a highly interdependent network of immunosuppressive stromal cells. Among these, we find myeloid-derived suppressor cells and myofibroblasts to be the critical populations which act together to suppress T cell responses and mediate immunotherapy resistance. Using the hypoxia-specific prodrug Evofosfamide, we show that disruption of hypoxia in both transplantable and genetically-engineered murine models of prostate cancer sensitizes them to antibody blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1. Loss of immune resistance is a consequence of re-oxygenation of hypoxia zones which results in 1) loss of myeloid suppressors, 2) reduced capacity to suppressively polarize new myeloid immigrants, and 3) loss of suppressive activation of myofibroblasts. This combination of hypoxia disruption and T cell checkpoint blockade has immense potential to render some of the most therapeutically resistant cancers sensitive to immunotherapy. Citation Format: Midan Ai, Pratha Budhani, Michael A. Curran. Hypoxia is an essential driver of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PR003.
Trends and patterns of caffeine consumption among US teenagers and young adults, NHANES 2003-2012.

Caffeine consumption among US teenagers (13-17y), young adults (18-24y) and adults (25-29y) for a 10 year period was examined using NHANES 2003-12. Of the 85% who consume caffeine 84% consume caffeinated beverages. This percentage remained constant despite new caffeine sources. Less than 7.1% of the population consume energy drinks. While mean caffeine intake among teenage caffeine consumers decreased from 62 to 55 mg/day (p-value = 0.018) over the 10-year period, no discernable trend was observed for other age groups. Caffeine intake from energy drinks increased, and was only statistically significant for age 18-24y accounting for <9% of total caffeine intake. Mean caffeine intake per consumption occasion was equivalent between coffee and energy drinks for teenagers and young adults. During a 30-min period mean caffeine consumption was similar when an energy drink was the only consumption event or when it occurred with other caffeinated beverage products suggestive of a substitution effect. Linear regression models of caffeine intake from energy drinks against caffeine from coffee, tea and soda among energy drink consumers in the upper 50th percentile shows a statistically significant inverse relationship (R2 = 28%, coffee: β = -0.35, p < 0.001; tea: β = -0.44, p < 0.001; soda: β = -0.22, p = 0.036) and further supports the substitution concept.
A Bayesian recursive framework for ball-bearing damage classification in rotating machinery:

Extracting damage-sensitive features plays an important role in all structural health monitoring applications, as it determines the metrics on which to base decision-making with regard to operation...
Antibiotic Photoaffinity Labeling Probes of Escherichia Coli Ribosomal Structure and Function

The use of antibiotic photoaffinity label probes to identify functionally important E. coli ribosomal components is presented, emphasizing in particular recent results obtained in the authors’ laboratory with the antibiotics puromycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. These results have led to the identification of 50S proteins and bases within 23S rRNA at the peptidyl transfer center as well as of proteins involved in tRNA binding to the 30S subunit. Particular stress is placed on the methodologies used in component identification and on the different approaches that are available for demonstrating the functional significance of photoaffinity labeling results.
Growth inhibition of Halobacterium cutirubrum by cerulenin, a potent inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis

The polar lipids of Halobacterium cutirubrum are known to consist exclusively of diether derivatives of glycerol, and do not contain fatty acids. However, cerulenin, a specific and potent inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis, was shown to inhibit the growth of this organism. Protection from growth inhibition was demonstrated when fatty acids of 18 carbons were added to the growth medium, but not when palmitic or palmitoleic acids were used. Cerulenin appears to affect synthesis of all polar lipids in this organism while relative levels of protein and nucleic acids were not significantly affected. Growth inhibition by cerulenin supports the conclusion that the fatty acid synthetase system present in H. cutirubrum is necessary for lipid biosynthesis, despite the fact that fatty acids are not structural components of the lipids of this bacterium. A pathway is proposed to account for these observations.
The Paradox of Ambition

The last three election cycles suggest that we may be experiencing a surge in black political ambition. Barack Obama’s historic election is sandwiched between the failed efforts of people such as D...
Building Faith: Ethiopian Art and Architecture during the Jesuit Interlude, 1557–1632

This dissertation examines the relationship between royally-sponsored Roman Catholic and Ethiopian Orthodox art and architecture during the 1557 to 1632 Jesuit Ethiopian mission. The first part of the dissertation examines key religious and secular sites, demonstrating how these structures combined elements drawn from classicizing architectural treatises, the Portuguese estilo chao , and Ethiopian architecture. The second part of the project assesses the role of books, prints, and religious art as tools of conversion and as artistic models. In contrast to studies that posit that European visual culture supplanted the Ethiopian during the mission era, the dissertation argues that the period’s art and architecture demonstrates the Jesuit strategy of cultural accommodation, and that far from being apart from Ethiopian art history, it shares stylistic and iconographic hallmarks with the so-called “Gondarine style.”
High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care: Iterative Systems-Based Interventions to Reduce Unnecessary Laboratory Testing

Abstract Background Inappropriate testing contributes to soaring healthcare costs within the United States, and teaching hospitals are vulnerable to providing care largely for academic development. Via its "Choosing Wisely" campaign, the American Board of Internal Medicine recommends avoiding repetitive testing for stable inpatients. We designed systems-based interventions to reduce laboratory orders for patients admitted to the wards at an academic facility. Methods We identified the computer-based order entry system as an appropriate target for sustainable intervention. The admission order set had allowed multiple routine tests to be ordered repetitively each day. Our iterative study included interventions on the automated order set and cost displays at order entry. The primary outcome was number of routine tests controlled for inpatient days compared with the preceding year. Secondary outcomes included cost savings, delays in care, and adverse events. Results Data were collected over a 2-month period following interventions in sequential years and compared with the year prior. The first intervention led to 0.97 fewer laboratory tests per inpatient day (19.4%). The second intervention led to sustained reduction, although by less of a margin than order set modifications alone (15.3%). When extrapolating the results utilizing fees from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there was a cost savings of $290,000 over 2 years. Qualitative survey data did not suggest an increase in care delays or near-miss events. Conclusions This series of interventions targeting unnecessary testing demonstrated a sustained reduction in the number of routine tests ordered, without adverse effects on clinical care.
Vaccine testing for emerging infections: the case for individual randomisation

During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, many opposed the use of individually randomised controlled trials to test candidate Ebola vaccines. For a raging fatal disease, they explained, it is unethical to relegate some study participants to control arms. In Zika and future emerging infections, similar opposition may hinder urgent vaccine research, so it is best to address these questions now. This article lays out the ethical case for individually randomised control in testing vaccines against many emerging infections, including lethal infections in low-income countries, even when at no point in the trial do the controls receive the countermeasures being tested. When individual randomisation is feasible-and it often will be-it tends to save more lives than alternative designs would. And for emerging infections, individual randomisation also tends as such to improve care, access to the experimental vaccine and prospects for all participants relative to their opportunities absent the trial, and no less than alternative designs would. That obtains even under placebo control and without equipoise-requiring which would undermine individual randomisation and the alternative designs that opponents proffered. Our arguments expound four often-neglected factors: benefits to non-participants, benefits to participants once a trial is over including post-trial access to the study intervention, participants' prospects before randomisation to arms and the near-inevitable disparity between arms in any randomised controlled trial.
L’impact du burnout scolaire sur les comportements d’alcoolisation des adolescents

Resume Objectif Le but de cette etude etait d’explorer l’impact du burnout scolaire sur les habitudes de consommation d’alcool chez les adolescents, en particulier les consommations a risques, a savoir le binge drinking. Methodologie Trois cent trente-six lyceens d’âge moyen 16,56 ans (ET = 0,68) de la seconde a la terminale ont participe a cette etude. Ils ont complete plusieurs questionnaires, a savoir : une fiche anamnestique, un questionnaire mesurant le burnout scolaire et un autre explorant les comportements d’alcoolisation. Resultats Les resultats montrent que les garcons consomment plus souvent et en plus grandes quantites de l’alcool par rapport aux filles. La dimension du burnout « epuisement » predit la consommation d’alcool chez les lyceens et en particulier chez les filles. De plus, les adolescents qui ont des habitudes de binge drinking ont des scores de burnout plus eleves au niveau des trois dimensions, specifiquement chez les filles. Discussion Par consequent, le stress eprouve par le contexte scolaire lorsque celui-ci est intense a une influence sur les comportements de consommation d’alcool chez les lyceens en particulier chez les filles.
A dyadic analysis of stress processes in Latinas with breast cancer and their family caregivers

Objective Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment negatively affect quality of life for survivors and their family caregivers. The stress process model has been useful for describing the cascade of social and psychological experiences that culminate in degraded quality of life for both survivors and their family caregivers. This study is designed to test theoretically specified predictors of negative psychosocial outcomes in a dyadic context. Methods Participants were 230 dyads composed of Latinas recently diagnosed with breast cancer and their primary family caregiver, who completed measures of socioeconomic status, stress, family conflict, depression, and anxiety. Data were analyzed following the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model in structural equation modeling. Results For both survivors and caregivers, there were significant direct and indirect actor effects (through family conflict) of perceived stress on depression and anxiety. Several indirect partner effects were also evident in this sample. Specifically, caregivers' stress was predictive of survivors' depression and anxiety through survivors' increased perceptions of family conflict. Conclusions As predicted by the stress process model, stress and family conflict were predictive of psychological distress in breast cancer survivors and their family caregivers. Significant partner effects in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model suggest that there are some dyadic influences, particularly from caregivers' stress to survivors' perceptions of exacerbated family conflict. These findings show how strained family relationships can aggravate the well-being of cancer survivors and their family caregivers through this challenging experience.
Extraordinarily Large Ferromagnetic Coupling (J≥150 cm−1) by Electron Delocalization in a Heterometallic Mo≣Mo−Ni Chain Complex

The new heterometallic chain compounds Mo2Ni(dpa)4Cl2 (1) and [Mo2Ni(dpa)4Cl2]OTf (2) (dpa = 2,2'-dipyridylamine) have been prepared and studied by crystallography and magnetic susceptibility, among other methods. Oxidation of 1 to 2 removes an electron from the multiply-bonded Mo2 unit, consistent with the formulation of 2 as containing a (Mo2)5+‧‧‧(Ni)2+ core. While 1 contains an S = 1, pseudo-octahedral Ni(II) ion, 2 has an S = 3/2 ground state in which the two Ni(II) unpaired electrons are joined by an unpaired electron in a Mo—Mo δ orbital. The S = 3/2 ground state is persistent to 300 K, evidencing strong ferromagnetic coupling of the Mo2 and Ni spins with J ≥ 150 cm-1. This ferromagnetic interaction occurs via delocalization of a σnb electron across all three metal atoms, forcing ferromagnetic alignment of electrons in orthogonal Ni and Mo2 δ-symmetry orbitals. We anticipate that this new means of coupling spins can be used as a design principle for the preparation of new compounds with high spin ground states.
SANS Study of Structure, Growth, and Polydispersity of Short-Chain Lecithin Micellar Systems. A Ladder Model Analysis

A method for analyzing small angle neutron scattering data from polydispersed rod-like micelles is presented and applied to micellar systems formed by short-chain lecithins in aqueous solutions. The thermodynamic theory developed for these micellar aggregates allows us to extract quantitatively the minimum micelle size, the size distribution, and the growth of micelles as a function of lecithin concentration. The criterion for growth at a given concentration depends on the minimum micelle size and the difference between the chemical potentials of a monomer in the end caps and in the straight section of the cylindrical micelle.
Encounters in Literacy: Clinical Implications Based on Qualitative Research

As clinicians become progressively more oriented toward literacy in disabled populations, it is important to appreciate and understand the complexity of this language based phenomenon. This article acknowledges the role of qualitative research in attempting to understand literacy as a social and linguistic action. Through over five decades of research we demonstrate how evidence from qualitative studies can be employed to discuss the acquisition process, the theoretical basis, and clinical implications of literacy.
Parents’ prenatal joint attachment representations and early caregiving: the indirect role of prenatal marital affect

ABSTRACTThis research examined couples’ marital affect as a mediator between the couples’ combined attachment representations (assessed prenatally) and each of their caregiving quality at 8 months ...
Ecoregions of the Oceans

At times, or during the winter, ice of the Arctic or Antarctic Oceans covers these regions. They are characterized, in general, by ocean water that is greenish, low in temperature, low in salt content, and rich in small, sometimes microscopic plant and animal organisms, known as plankton. The duration of ice provides a basis for division into (a) an inner polar zone (division) covered by ice for the entire year, and (b) an outer polar zone (division) where, with a 50 % probability, ice is encountered during winter and spring. Figure 3.1 shows the global locations of the polar ecoregions of the oceans.
Electro-Thermal Transport in Silicon and Carbon Nanotube Devices

This work examines electro-thermal transport in silicon devices and in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Non-local transport is found to strongly affect heat generation in quasi-ballistic silicon devices. Under such conditions, Joule heat is mainly dissipated in the drain region, and increasing power densities may lead to phonon non-equilibrium. Significant current degradation is observed in suspended SWNTs, which is attributed to the presence of hot optical phonons and to a decrease in thermal conductivity (as ∼ 1/T) at high temperature (T) under self-heating. The high temperature thermal conductivity can then be extracted by using the high bias characteristics of suspended SWNTs.
The Impact Record on Asteroid Surfaces

The surfaces of main-belt and near-Earth asteroids have been carved over the age of the solar system by violent collisions with other asteroids. The craters and related features left behind can be used to interpret each asteroid's unique impact history, which depends on several factors: (i) the dynamical and physical properties of the asteroid (e.g., size, orbit, composition, internal structure), (ii) the nature of the projectile popula- tion striking the asteroid over time, (iii) the asteroid's response to a high- velocity impact, and (iv) the capacity of impact erosion processes and tidal disruption to modify preexisting craters. In this chapter, we describe how numerical hydrocodes, dynamical calculations, and simulations of surface histories allow us to unscramble the complex crater records seen on main belt asteroids like 951 Gaspra and 243 Ida and constrain the processes that have created the impact records. We also present a template for interpret- ing crater history results from near-Earth asteroids like 433 Eros, which will be visited soon by the NEAR spacecraft.
Hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma as a second primary malignancy: exposing an overlooked presentation of liver cancer.

Introduction Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Antiviral therapy in patients with HCV infection reduces the risk of primary HCC development by 71%-75%. HCV-infected patients with different primary cancers are also at risk for HCC development as a second primary malignancy (HCC-SPM). Limited information is available on the occurrence and characteristics of HCC-SPM. Herein, we determine the prevalence and clinical features of HCV-associated HCC-SPM when compared to primary HCC. Materials and methods Patients with HCV-associated HCC seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center (2011-2017) were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Patients with multiple cancers diagnosed simultaneously or with hepatitis B virus or HIV coinfections were excluded. At enrollment, patients completed a questionnaire on medical history and HCC risk factors. Information on demographics, comorbidities, HCV treatment, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and virologic and oncologic outcomes were extracted from the medical records. Results Among 171 consecutive patients with HCV-associated HCC enrolled, 26 (15%) had HCC-SPM. Most of the underlying primary cancers were solid tumors (85%). In 12 (46%) of these patients, the diagnosis was made incidentally while undergoing surveillance for primary malignancies, and the majority (81%) had their primary cancer in remission. Most patients (72%) with documented HCV viral load had chronic viremia due to lack of diagnosis, lack of treatment, or prior unsuccessful treatment of HCV infection and only 28% had undetectable viral load following successful antiviral therapy. The overall median survival for both groups was 29 months (95% CI: 23-35) without difference between groups (p=0.2). Conclusion Cancer patients with any malignancies must be screened for HCV as HCC-SPM can develop in 15% of infected patients. Early HCV diagnosis and treatment should be attempted to prevent the development of HCC-SPM, a condition associated with high mortality in cancer survivors.
Mission Profile based Reliability Analysis of a Medium Voltage Power Conversion Architecture for PMSG based Wind Energy Conversion System

The development of wide-bandgap (WBG) power semiconductor devices has opened up new areas of applications which were previously dominated by silicon based IGBTs. This paper presents one such application where a multi-megawatt permanent magnet synchronous generator based wind energy conversion system (PMSG-WECS) is used for medium voltage (MV) grid integration. The conversion of the low output voltage of the PMSG to medium voltage brings about a multitude of advantages including reduction in the cable diameter and consequently the cost and weight of the system. WBG devices enable the use of high frequency transformers which makes it possible to install the system on the tower of the wind turbine. With these kinds of installations, it becomes necessary to investigate the reliability of the system, since maintenance of the systems leads to additional incurred costs. This paper provides a mission-profile (i.e. wind speed and ambient temperature) based analysis, in order to determine the temperature rise in the devices and consequently, its effects on the lifetime of the devices. An analytical lifetime model has been used and the damage produced on the transistors has been quantified using Palgrem Miner rule. This analysis can be helpful in understanding the impacts of having a tower-top converter system on the overall cost.
Duplex ultrasound surveillance for deep vein thrombosis after acute traumatic spinal cord injury at rehabilitation admission.

Context/objective: To determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detected through routine duplex screening and factors associated with DVT in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients on admiss...
Heroin Cue-Evoked Astrocytic Structural Plasticity at Nucleus Accumbens Synapses Inhibits Heroin Seeking

Abstract Background Opioid addiction is a critical medical and societal problem characterized by vulnerability to relapse. Glutamatergic synapses in the nucleus accumbens regulate the motivation to relapse to opioid use, and downregulation of glutamate transporters on astroglial processes adjacent to accumbens synapses contributes to heroin seeking induced by cues. However, it is not known how astroglial processes themselves respond to heroin cues or if changes in astroglial morphology are necessary for heroin seeking. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 62) were trained to self-administer heroin or sucrose and were reinstated by heroin-conditioned or sucrose-conditioned cues. Astroglial proximity to accumbens synapses was estimated using a confocal-based strategy, and the association between digitally isolated astroglia and the presynaptic marker synapsin I was quantified. To determine the functional consequence of astroglial morphological plasticity on cued heroin seeking, a morpholino antisense strategy was used to knock down expression of the actin binding protein ezrin, which is expressed almost exclusively in peripheral astroglial processes in the adult rat brain. Results After heroin extinction, there was an enduring reduction in synaptic proximity by astroglia. Synaptic proximity was restored during 15 minutes of cued heroin seeking but returned to extinction levels by 120 minutes. Extinction from sucrose self-administration and reinstated sucrose seeking induced no changes in astroglial synaptic association. Ezrin knockdown reduced astroglial association with synapses and potentiated cued heroin seeking. Conclusions Cue-induced heroin seeking transiently increased synaptic proximity of accumbens astrocytes. Surprisingly, the reassociation of astroglia with synapses was compensatory, and preventing cue-induced morphological plasticity in astrocytes potentiated heroin seeking.
Dynamics and Thermodynamics of the Mean Transpolar Drift and Ice Thickness in the Arctic Ocean

AbstractA theory for the mean ice thickness and the Transpolar Drift in the Arctic Ocean is developed. Asymptotic expansions of the ice momentum and thickness equations are used to derive analytic ...
A compact fourth-order implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta type scheme for numerical solution of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

This manuscript introduces a fourth-order Runge-Kutta based implicit-explicit scheme in time along with compact fourth-order finite difference scheme in space for the solution of one-dimensional Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation with periodic and Dirichlet boundary conditions, respectively. The proposed scheme takes full advantage of method of line (MOL) and partial fraction decomposition techniques, therefore it just need to solve two backward Euler-type linear systems at each time step to get the solution. Performance of the scheme is investigated by testing it on some test examples and by comparing numerical results with relevant known schemes. It is found that the proposed scheme is more accurate and reliable than existing schemes to solve Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation.
Risk Factors for Wound-Related Complications After Surgery for Primary and Metastatic Spine Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective We systematically reviewed the literature to compare risk factors for postoperative complications at the surgical wound site in primary and metastatic tumor operations. Methods We screened English-language publications on the outcomes of primary and metastatic spinal tumor operations. Pooled analyses and meta-analyses with random-effects modeling were performed comparing patients with and without wound complications, which were defined as surgical site infection or sterile wound dehiscence. Results Our search identified 5471 unique citations, from which we included 23 studies describing 5104 patients. A total of 1936 patients underwent surgery for primary tumors, with a wound complication rate of 8.1%. Subgroup analysis of benign and malignant primary tumors yielded significantly different wound complication rates of 7.8% and 26.9%, respectively. The metastatic tumor cohort included 168 patients and a complication rate of 6.6%. In a pooled analysis of primary tumors, higher wound complication rates were associated with sacral operations and the use of instrumentation. In the metastatic tumor cohort, higher complication rates were associated with female sex, smoking history, preoperative chemotherapy, preoperative radiotherapy, corticosteroid use, and previous spine surgery. Instrumentation remained a statistically significant risk factor for primary tumors with the addition of random-effects meta-analysis. Conclusions Risk factors for wound complications after primary tumor operations were related to tumor histology and the spinal location of the operation. Risk factors for metastatic tumors may be related to several systemic preoperative treatments and baseline comorbidities. Random-effects meta-analysis showed the limited generalizability of these findings because of the small heterogenous primary literature.
Usability of a Consumer Health Informatics Tool Following Completion of a Clinical Trial: Focus Group Study.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) apps have the potential to be effective tools for encouraging patients with chronic diseases to self-manage their health. The success of mHealth apps is related to technology acceptance and its subsequent use by intended consumers. Therefore, it is essential to gain insights from consumers’ perspectives about their use of mHealth apps in daily life. Objective: The purpose of this work was to understand consumers’ perspectives on use of a self-management app following completion of a clinical trial that tested the efficacy of the app for improving health outcomes. Methods: We conducted five focus groups with paricipants of a clinical trial (NCT03182738) who were randomized to use the video information provider (VIP) for HIV-associated nonAIDS (HANA) conditions app (VIP-HANA) or an attention control app. Thematic analysis was conducted, and the themes were organized according to the two key constructs of the technology acceptance model framework: perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Results: Thirty-nine people living with HIV (20 from the intervention group and 19 from the control group) participated in the focus group sessions. Of the eight themes identified from focus group data, the five themes related to perceived usefulness were: (1) self-monitoring HIV-related symptoms of HANA conditions, (2) enhanced relationship with clinical providers, (3) improvement in physical and emotional health, (4) long-term impact of self-care strategies on improvement in symptoms of HANA conditions, and (5) inspired lifestyle changes to manage symptoms. The three themes related to perceived ease of use were: (1) easy to navigate, (2) avatar personalization, and (3) privacy/confidentiality maintained even when changing the location of app use. Conclusions: Perceived ease of use was similar in both study groups but perceived usefulness differed between study groups. Participants in both study groups found the VIP-HANA app to be useful in monitoring their symptoms and enhancing communication with their clinical care providers. However, only intervention group participants perceived the app to be useful in improving overall health and long-term symptom management. Findings from this study highlight factors that are essential to ensure the usefulness of self-management apps and facilitate sustained use of mHealth apps for people living with chronic illnesses.
Thermal Characterization of a Virtual Reality Headset during Transient and Resting Operation

Virtual Reality (VR) is a powerful tool for maintenance process development, engineering design, pedagogy, and combat training. The evolution of the gaming industry has driven the demand for comfortable and reliable VR performance. By using the headset's user datasheet defined MicroController Unit's (MCU) operational temperature, the thermal resistance of the headset used in this study was found to have an external resistance, $\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{ja}}$ , of 29.1 K/W, but 28.6% of this heat load is transmitted to the user. Relying on the user's body, specifically the forehead, as a heat sink results in uncomfortable perspiration during usage. Collected data show that after 2 hours of operation, the temperature increases 2.8°C on average when the headset is removed from the user and placed at rest while still operational. The maximum temperature increase is 5.6°C at the top of the VR headset, the surface nearest the internal MCU. This temperature spike proves that the headset needs more effective convective surface area in order to maintain a steady and comfortable operational temperature during “headset on” and “headset off” usage as the user's body was not available as a heat sink in the latter mode. A copper sheet has been added inside the headset to thermally connect all of the external surfaces on the device, effectively increasing the optimal convective heat transfer by 61%. The temperature nearest the MCU dropped 6.5°C with the improved thermal management solution and users reported a 25% reduction in perspiration during prolonged use.
Performance Analysis of Distributed Intelligent Reflective Surfaces for Wireless Communications.

In this paper, a comprehensive performance analysis of a distributed intelligent reflective surfaces (IRSs)-aided communication system is presented. First, the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is attainable through the direct and reflected channels, is quantified by controlling the phase shifts of the distributed IRS. Next, this optimal SNR is statistically characterized by deriving tight approximations to the exact probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) for Nakagami-$m$ fading. The accuracy/tightness of this statistical characterization is investigated by deriving the Kullback-Leibler divergence. Our PDF/CDF analysis is used to derive tight approximations/bounds for the outage probability, achievable rate, and average symbol error rate (SER) in closed-form. To obtain useful insights, the asymptotic outage probability and average SER are derived for the high SNR regime. Thereby, the achievable diversity order and array gains are quantified. Our asymptotic performance analysis reveals that the diversity order can be boosted by using distributed passive IRSs without generating additional electromagnetic (EM) waves via active radio frequency chains. Our asymptotic rate analysis shows that the lower and upper rate bounds converge to an asymptotic limit in large reflective element regime. Our analysis is validated via Monte-Carlo simulations. We present a rigorous set of numerical results to investigate the performance gains of the proposed system model. Our analytical and numerical results reveal that the performance of single-input single-output wireless systems can be boosted by recycling the EM waves generated by a transmitter through distributed passive IRS reflections to enable constructive signal combining at a receiver.
Correction factor for measuring mean overland flow velocities on stony surfaces under rainfall using dye tracer

Abstract Dye tracing is a common and simple method for measuring surface velocity of overland flow. However, a correction factor is needed to convert the velocity of the dye front to mean velocity. Selecting the appropriate correction factor for particular conditions is complex and its behavior has not been well studied in sheet flow under rainfall on actively eroding surfaces. A series of simulated rainfalls were conducted on a 2 m by 6 m plot with gravelly sandy loam soil. The plot was progressively eroded to examine a wide range of hydraulic conditions. A total of 178 velocities (maximum and mean) were measured using electrolyte and dye tracers over three travel distances (1.65, 3.5, and 5.8 m), and three slope gradients (5%, 12% and 20%). Discharge, sediment yield, random roughness, rock cover, and a range of hydraulic variables were also determined. Mean flow velocity was derived from the centroid of the electrolyte breakthrough curve. Our findings suggest that the velocity correction factor is a dynamic, site specific property. A linear model was proposed to estimate the correction factor based on readily available predictor variables, those being travel distance, unit discharge, and maximum velocity. The results will benefit further investigations of overland flow hydraulics on semiarid rangelands by providing more comprehensive correction factors to determine mean velocity.
Developmental Advising Lowers Costs at a Rural Minority-Serving Community College

This study compares outcomes of prescriptive and developmental advising models by means of a posttest-only quasi-experimental design. Three outcomes of interest are degree progression, student sati...
Non-Invasive Estimation of Pulse Pressure in HeartMate 3 Patients

Purpose Reduced pulse pressure (PP) has been associated with adverse outcomes in LVAD pts. The optimal method to non-invasively estimate PP in pts implanted with HeartMate 3 (HM3) - a centrifugal pump that features an artificial pulse - is presently unknown. We aimed to assess success rate and accuracy of: i) an automated BP monitor (ABPM), and ii) a novel formula that combines Doppler opening blood pressure (DOBP) and pump parameters, in estimating PP in HM3 pts. Methods BP and pump parameters (Speed, Pulsatility Index [PI], Flow) were prospectively collected in 62 HM3 pts. BP was measured by: i) arterial line (A-line) in all pts; ii) ABPM in 46 pts; iii) DOBP in 29 pts. BP measurements were done in triplicate for each method. Ability to provide ≥ 1 reading on the last 2 BP measurement attempts was defined as success. The average of the last 2 measurements was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was fit with A-line PP as the dependent variable and A-line SBP and pump parameters as independent variables to derive the PP Formula. The accuracy of the PP Formula was tested using DOBP as non-invasive equivalent of A-line SBP. In the subset of pts who had BP measured with all 3 methods, mean observed differences (MOD) and mean absolute differences (MAD) of ABPM and non-invasive PP formula were calculated against A-line PP. Results Median A-line PP was 17 (IQR: 13-22) mmHg. The success rate of ABPM was limited to 61% of pts (Fig. A). Higher A-line PP was associated with higher ABPM success rate (Fig. B). The most accurate model to predict A-line PP included HM3 Flow in addition to A-line SBP (PP Formula, Fig. C). HM3 Speed and PI did not improve accuracy of the model. When using DOBP as a surrogate of A-line SBP, the PP Formula had a 100% success rate and an accuracy superior to ABPM in estimating A-line PP (Fig. A and D). Conclusion Among HM3 pts, estimation of PP by ABPM has a low success rate, in particular when PP is reduced. The PP Formula represents a uniformly successful method which, by combining DOBP and HM3 Flow, allows non-invasive estimation of PP with an accuracy superior to ABPM.
Human leukocyte antigen class-I variation is associated with atopic dermatitis: A case-control study

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common immune-medicated skin disease. Previous studies have explored the relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) allelic variation and AD with conflicting results. The aim was to examine HLA Class I genetic variation, specifically peptide binding groove variation, and associations with AD. A case-control study was designed to evaluate HLA class I allelic variation and binding pocket polymorphisms, using next generation sequencing on 464 subjects with AD and 388 without AD. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations with AD by estimating odds ratios (95% confidence intervals). Significant associations were noted with susceptibility to AD (B*53:01) and protection from AD (A*01:01, A*02:01, B*07:02 and C*07:02). Evaluation of polymorphic residues in Class I binding pockets revealed six amino acid residues conferring protection against AD: A9F (HLA-A, position 9, phenylalanine) [pocket B/C], A97I [pocket C/E], A152V [pocket E], A156R [pocket D/E], B163E [pocket A] and C116S [pocket F]. These findings demonstrate that specific HLA class I components are associated with susceptibility or protection from AD. Individual amino acid residues are relevant to protection from AD and set the foundation for evaluating potential HLA Class I molecules in complex with peptides/antigens that may initiate or interfere with T-cell responses.
Markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation identify COVID-19 patients at high risk for thrombotic events

Introduction: COVID-19 has been associated with venous and arterial thrombotic complications. The objective of our study was to determine whether markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) on admission could identify COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events. Methods: COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary academic healthcare system from April 3, 2020 to July 31, 2020 underwent admission testing of MOCHA profile parameters (plasma d-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and fibrin monomer). For this analysis we excluded patients on outpatient anticoagulation therapy preceding admission. Prespecified endpoints monitored during hospitalization included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and access line thrombosis. Results: During the study period, 276 patients were included in the analysis cohort (mean age 59 ± 6.3 years, 47% female, 83% non-white race). Arterial and venous thrombotic events occurred in 43 (16%) patients (see Table). Each coagulation marker was independently associated with the composite endpoint (p<0.05). Admission MOCHA with ≥ 2 abnormalities was associated with the composite endpoint (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-8.3), ICU admission (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8-5.5) and intubation (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.5). Admission MOCHA with < 2 abnormalities (26% of the cohort) had sensitivity of 88% and a negative predictive value of 93% for an in-hospital endpoint. Conclusion: Admission MOCHA with ≥ 2 abnormalities identified COVID-19 patients at risk for a thrombotic event, ICU admission and intubation while < 2 abnormalities identified a subgroup of patients who were at low risk for thrombotic events. Our results suggest that an admission MOCHA profile can be useful to risk stratify COVID-19 patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether an admission MOCHA profile can guide anticoagulation therapy and improve overall clinical outcomes.(Figure Presented).
127 Exercise management of horses in Pennsylvania: A survey

Exercise is an integral part of most domesticated horses’ lives. Understanding the frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise is important for determining the correct diet and management for the horse. The 2007 NRC categorizes exercise workloads into light, moderate, heavy, and very heavy to help determine the energy and nutrient requirements. The objective of the current study was to characterize the exercise management of horses in Pennsylvania. An online survey was distributed through Penn State Equine Extension's online outlets and through other Pennsylvania equine groups from February 27th to August 31st, 2020. NRC exercise workload guidelines were presented to respondents for them to self- report their horses’ exercise workload. Kurskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data, and the significance level was set at P
Neural Correlates of Value-Driven Spatial Attention

Reward learning has been shown to habitually guide spatial attention to regions of a scene. However, the neural mechanisms that support this bias in spatial orienting are unknown. In the present study, participants learned to orient to a particular quadrant of a scene (high-value quadrant) to maximize monetary gains. This learning was scene-specific, with the high-value quadrant varying across different scenes. During a subsequent test phase, participants were faster at identifying a target if it appeared in the high-value quadrant (valid), and initial saccades were more likely to be made to the high-value quadrant. fMRI analyses during the test phase revealed learning-dependent priority signals in the bilateral caudate tail and superior colliculus, frontal eye field, substantia nigra, and insula, paralleling findings concerning feature-based value-driven attention. In addition, ventral regions typically associated with scene selective and spatial information processing, including the hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and temporo-occipital cortex, were also implicated. Taken together, our findings offer new insights into the neural architecture subserving value-driven attention, both extending our understanding of nodes in the attention network previously implicated in feature-based value-driven attention and identifying a ventral network of brain regions implicated in rewards influence on scene-dependent spatial orienting.