cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stephen Magura on Sam Schildhaus and Bernard Dugoni's “Premature Death as the Ultimate Failure: Predictors of Death in the US Drug User Treatment Population” A Little More Treatment, Please!

The research on long-term public health effects of drug user treatment continues to be quite sparse. By “longterm” I mean longer than one-year follow-up (!), although most research these days is less than even that. Thus it is welcome to see an analysis of a major national study of drug user treatment that provides new information on an important public health outcome—premature death—at a follow-up five years after discharge from treatment. Most of the data we have on premature death among treatment clients are derived from follow-ups of methadone maintenance patients; these studies, conducted in a variety of countries, strongly support the value of continued methadone maintenance in reducing death rates compared with individuals who leave methadone “against medical advice,” or opioid addicts who do not receive methadone (e.g., Cousins et al., 2011; Huang et al., 2011; Magura and Rosenblum, 2001; Woody et al., 2007). The present paper includes clients in a full range of drug user treatments, finding that treatment completion is associated with a lower rate of premature death. The strength of the analysis is the strong set of relevant controls included for possible confounds in this relationship, including the client’s age, type of substance, gender, months of treatment, and type of treatment. Although the study data cannot explain exactly why treatment completion exerts this protective effect—this would be a promising avenue for further research—the study does suggest that success in any of several major treatment modalities has an enduring effect on an important public health metric. Clearly this adds to justification for
Phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A docks to Dishevelled and counterregulates Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling

Wnt3a stimulates cellular trafficking of key signaling elements (e.g., Axin, Dishevelled-2, β-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β) and primitive endoderm formation in mouse F9 embryonic teratocarcinoma cells. The role of phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A in signaling of the Wnt/β-catenin/Lef-Tcf-sensitive gene activation pathway was investigated. Wnt3a action attenuates phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A activity and stimulates the Lef/Tcf-sensitive gene transcription. Inhibiting phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A by okadaic acid, by treatment with siRNA (targeting the C-subunit of the enzyme), or by expression of SV40 small t antigen mimics Wnt3a action, increasing the cellular abundance of Axin and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3β as well as the trafficking of signaling elements in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Although mimicking effects of Wnt3a on the cellular abundance and trafficking of key signaling elements in the Wnt canonical pathway, suppression of phosphatase-2A alone did not provoke activation of the Lef/Tcf-sensitive transcriptional response, but did potentiate its activation by Wnt3a. Phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A and the scaffold phosphoprotein Dishevelled-2 display similarities in cellular trafficking in response to either Wnt3a or suppression of the phosphatase. A docking site for phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A in the DEP domain of Dishevelled-2 was identified. In current study, we showed new roles of phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway: effect on protein expression, effect on protein trafficking, retention of molecules in subcellular compartments, and regulation of enzymatic activity of several key players. Docking of phosphoprotein phosphatase-2A by Dishevelled-2 suppresses phosphatase activity and explains in part the central role of this phosphatase in the counterregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Simulation to Obtain a Systems Measure of an Air Duel Environment

A combined analog-digital simulation of an air battle between an attacking bomber aircraft and a ground controlled interceptor, including the intermediate human radar operator, has been designed for the purpose of evaluating the effects of airborne electronic countermeasures upon a ground-based radar operator. Both real and nonreal time simulation are used in the experimental setup. The simulation encompasses as much as possible of the system as affected by the operators' performance in the hope that a systems measure could be obtained. It is hypothesized that probable success of the bomber is the systems measure of the effectiveness of the countermeasures.
Optimal tilings for iterative PDE solvers

A simple, universal procedure for deriving the optimal partition for a given iterative partial differential equation (PDE) algorithm is presented. A previous analysis is extended to include geometrical considerations-in particular, the relative orientation of the update stencil and the partition tile. On the basis of this procedure, two new partitionings are derived for specific PDE algorithms which are more efficient than any previously known. The choice of partition is found to be independent of the details of the multiprocessor architecture for a wide range of operating parameters. >
Effects of age and body size on gonadal development of Atlantic sturgeon

Three hundred and five Atlantic sturgeon caught in the Hudson River and Hudson Bight were examined for age, body size and gonadal development (histology). Sampled fish ranged in age from 1·5 to 43 years and fork length (LF) 48–244 cm, and included 144 females and 161 males. All young sturgeon (age 1·5–4 years) caught in the river had sexually differentiated gonads. Age and size distributions of subadults and adults at different stages of gametogenesis were sex-specific and conformed with von Bertalanffy growth curves. Males mature faster and at a younger age compared to the females. Females with mid-vitellogenic ovaries were not found and their absence may be related to fishing gear selectivity or out-migration into the ocean during ovarian recrudescence. Mature males and females caught during the spring spawning migration into the Hudson River, ranged in age from 12 to 19 and from 14 to 43 years, and LF 117–185 and 173–244 cm, respectively. Individual fecundity and diameter of fully grown ovarian follicles increased with age and body size, but this increase was dampened in older females. Three hermaphroditic fish were found and all exhibited sparse pre-vitellogenic ovarian follicles embedded in normally developing testicular tissue.
The First Glacial Maximum in North America

Despite marine evidence for at least 50 Pliocene-Pleistocene ice sheet advances, only the most recent one has been accurately reconstructed from terrestrial evidence, because there are few techniques for dating older glacial deposits. Here we show that the cosmic ray–produced nuclides beryllium-10 and aluminum-26 can be used to date tills that overlie paleosols.
Activation of DNA Synthesis and Mitotic Events in Atrial Myocytes Following Atrial and Ventricular Injury

One of the basic problems in biology is the question of how the initiation, regulation and termination of DNA synthesis and cell division occur in growth and aging. For the ventricular myocyte, cell division is thought to cease in a number of species shortly after birth (1). During the postnatal growth period, division of cardiac myocytes may result in the formation of a diversity of myocyte types. In the rat, binucleated cells (2,3) and a small percentage of polyploid cells (4) may result. In the human, polyploidization of ventricular myocytes to 4N occurs between the seventh and twelfth year (5). In the pig, postnatal division results in multinucleated myocytes (6,7). Thus, mononucleated myocytes appear early in development with binucleated, multinucleated and polyploid cells often appearing later.
VWD data worth 10 000 words

[Comment on Goodeve et al, page 112, and ][1][James et al, page 145][2]At last, 2 studies on VWD type 1 reported in this issue of Blood by Goodeve and colleagues and James and colleagues provide a first look at the spectrum of VWF mutations in large cohorts of patients diagnosed with VWD type 1
Velocity and vorticity measurements of Jupiter's Great Red Spot using automated cloud feature tracking

We have produced mosaics of the Great Red Spot (GRS) using images taken by the Galileo spacecraft in May 2000, and have measured the winds of the GRS using an automated algorithm that does not require manual cloud tracking. Our technique yields a high-density, regular grid of wind velocity vectors that is advantageous over a limited number of scattered wind vectors that result from manual cloud tracking. The highvelocity collar of the GRS is clearly seen from our velocity vector map, and highest wind velocities are measured to be around 170 m s −1 . The high resolution of the mosaics has also enabled us to map turbulent eddies inside the chaotic central region of the GRS, similar to those mapped by Sada et al. [Sada, P.V., Beebe, R.F., Conrath, B.J., 1996. Icarus 119, 311–335]. Using the wind velocity measurements, we computed particle trajectories around the GRS as well as maps of relative and absolute vorticities. We have discovered a narrow ring of cyclonic vorticity that surrounds the main anti-cyclonic high-velocity collar. This narrow ring appears to correspond to a ring surrounding the GRS that is bright in 5 µm [Terrile, R.J., Beebe, R.F., 1979. Science 204, 948–951]. It appears that this cyclonic ring is not a transient feature of the GRS, as we have discovered it in a re-analysis of Galileo data taken in 1996 first analyzed by Vasavada et al. [Vasavada, A.R., and 13 colleagues, 1998. Icarus 135, 265–275]. We also calculate how absolute vorticity changes as a function of latitude along a trajectory around the GRS and compare these measurements to similar ones performed by Dowling and Ingersoll [Dowling, T.E., Ingersoll, A.P., 1988. J. Atmos. Sci. 45, 1380–1396] using Voyager data. We show no dramatic evolution in the structure of the GRS since the Voyager era except for additional evidence for a counter-rotating GRS core, an increase in velocity in the main velocity collar, and an overall decrease in the length of the GRS.
PITCH-UP CHARACTERISTICS FOR HSCT CLASS PLANFORMS: SURVEY AND ESTIMATION

Low aspect ratio, highly-swept cranked delta and arrow wing planforms are often proposed for high-speed civil transports. These wing planforms offer low supersonic drag without suffering greatly from low liftldrag ratios in low-speed flight. They can, however, suffer from pitch-up at modest angles of attack (as low as 5' angle of attack) during low-speed flight due to leading edge vortex influence, flow separation and vortex breakdown. This paper describes an investigation conducted to study past research on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of highlyswept cranked wing planforms and a new method to estimate pitch-up. The survey of past research placed emphasis on 1) understanding the problem of pitch-up, and 2) ascertaining the effects of leading and trailing edge flaps. The estimation method uses a vortex lattice method to calculate the inviscid flow solution. Then, the results are adjusted to account for flow separation on the outboard wing section by imposing a limit on the equivalent 2-D sectional lift coefficient. The method offers a means of making low cost estimates of the non-linear pitching moment characteristics of slender, cranked arrow wing configurations. Numerous comparisons with data are included.
Factors that influence the selection of sterile glove brand: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the performance and cost of gloves

To determine whether glove use modifies tactile and psychomotor performance of health care providers when compared with no glove use and to evaluate factors that influence the selection of sterile glove brand. Forty-two anesthesia providers (nine anesthesiologists, seven nurse anesthetists, 20 residents, six student nurse anesthetists) enrolled in and completed this cross-over randomized trial from May 2010 until August 2011. Participants underwent standardized psychomotor testing while wearing five different types of protective gloves. Assessments of psychomotor performance included tactile, fine motor/dexterity, and hand-eye coordination tests. Subjective ratings of glove comfort and performance were reported at the completion of each glove trial. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price was collected for each glove tested. There were statistically significant differences in touch sensitivity for all nerve distributions, with all glove types resulting in less sensitivity than a bare hand. When compared with the non-sterile glove, only the thickest glove tested (Ansell Perry Orthopaedic) was found to have less touch sensitivity. Fine motor dexterity testing revealed no statistically significant differences in time to completion amongst glove types or bare handed performance. In hand-eye coordination testing across treatment conditions, the thickest glove tested (Ansell Perry® Orthopaedic) was the only glove to show a statistically significant difference from a bare hand. There were statistically significant differences in glove comfort ratings across glove types, with latex-free, powder-free (Cardinal Esteem®), and latex powder-free (Molnlycke-Biogel®) rated highest; however, there were no statistically significant differences in subjective performance ratings across glove types. Given the observed similarities in touch sensitivity and psychomotor performance associated with five different glove types, our results suggest that subjective provider preferences, such as glove comfort, should be balanced against material costs.
Sources Of Variability In Global Equity Returns

This study examines basically major geographical sources of global returns and risks. The focus is on the relevance of global, regional and national allocation policies. Additionally, the significance of value-growth allocation policy is also analyzed. The empirical analysis covers major developed equity markets, and it is conducted within the framework of the international capital asset pricing model. Our findings show that although the global systematic risk is getting to be a fundamental determinant of global equity returns and risks, country and, particularly, region selection are still important. Global and regional risk together can explain at least two-thirds of the total variability of equity returns in the majority of developed markets. However, the results of this study indicate a trivial effect for the value-growth allocation policy.
The Quality of Local Government and Firm Performance: The Case of China's Provinces

Extending La Porta, Lopez-de-Silanes, Shleifer, and Vishny (1999), we examine the effect of local government quality on firm performance, since regional and firm research provides a more fine-grained analysis especially in countries where local administration is an integral part of the bureaucratic apparatus. Using a dataset of 7,873 Chinese listed firm-years for 1994–2006, we find a positive relationship between the quality of provincial government and firm performance, controlling for location and firm-specific governance variables. Among various government quality variables, we find that having a special economic zone depicting low taxes and bureaucratic efficiency is the best predictor of firm performance, followed by the degree of marketization, efficient property registration, and environmental protection. Most intriguingly, political freedom has a significant impact on firm performance and productivity, even in a regime where democracy is not practiced. This has never been documented before at a microeconomic level and barely so at a macro level, vindicating Hayek's (1944) theory.
The Effect of Aspartame Consumption on Migraine Headache: Preliminary Results

Almost all dietetic products now contain aspartame, a sweetener consisting of phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Recently, three pilot studies have proposed that the addition of products containing aspartame to the diets of migraine headache sufferers may produce a significant increase in the frequency of their migraines. The present study was a controlled thirteen-week, double-blind, randomized cross-over study comparing the effect of aspartame to that of a matched placebo on the frequency and intensity of migraine headache. The results of this study indicated that the ingestion of aspartame by migraineurs caused a significant increase in headache frequency for some subjects. The possible biochemical bases of these findings and their implications for research are discussed.
Regulation of Platelet Cytoskeletal Assemblies and Function

It has been recognized for quite some time that contractile or cytoskeletal proteins play a major role in platelet stimulus-response coupling. Ultrastructure studies (1–3) demonstrated that while unactivated platelets contain few microfilament structures, upon activation, parallel arrays of microfilament bundles form within the pseudopods of shaped changed platelets. These microfilament bundles were shown to have a uniform polarity so pseudopods could be retracted and were continuous with a central network of microfilaments also arising during platelet activation. This latter network, referred to as the contractile gel, has been proposed to centralize secretory granules augmenting their fusion with the surface connected canalicular system and forcefully expelling the granule contents. Concurrent with these extensive cytoskeletal changes within the cytoplasm, the platelet surface membrane also undergoes changes upon activation which are essential to its role in hemostasis.
Modeling Nonprofit Resilience in Long-Term Recovery in Christchurch, New Zealand

Following the 2010–2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, many nonprofit organizations changed or expanded services to address emergent or compounded risks. This research is based on interviews with thirty local community nonprofit managers and discussions with five staff focus groups conducted in 2014. Preexisting nonprofits with flexible organizational structures and emergent nonprofits succeeded in providing services during the emergency response and early recovery phases; nonprofits contracted with the government were better suited for long-term recovery. Shared resources among nonprofit agency connections contributed to successful transitions from response to recovery. Similar organizational resilience factors might occur in other major cities following disasters.
Cell Therapy Augments Myocardial Perfusion and Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Refractory Angina

Refractory angina pectoris is a chronic disabling condition affecting ≈850 000 patients in the United States.1 It is characterized by frequent angina attacks unresponsive to maximal medical therapy and obstructive coronary artery disease not amenable to coronary revascularization.2 Although major progress has been made in medical therapy and cardiovascular interventions,1 up to 43% of patients continue to experience symptoms and 33% have positive exercise tests after angioplasty.3 It is now well recognized that these patients have concomitant microvascular disease, with reduced coronary and systemic flow reserve at a microvascular level and impaired endothelium-mediated vasorelaxation, that is, endothelial dysfunction.4 Currently, the treatment of these patients remains a major clinical challenge. Article, see p 984 To address this large unmet therapeutic need, research has focused on biological strategies for refractory angina. A key effort is the use of cell therapy, which has the potential to restore the microcirculation and improve myocardial tissue perfusion by stimulating neoangiogenesis.5 In this regard, accumulating evidence supports the idea that cell-based therapy can improve clinical outcomes, including frequency of angina episodes, myocardial infarction (MI) rate, and exercise tolerance, in patients with refractory angina5,6 and, thus, should be subject to further trials to evaluate this treatment option for this patient population. In this issue of Circulation Research , Khan et al present a comprehensive meta-analysis of cell-based therapy for refractory angina. Importantly, their analysis addresses the heterogeneity of the included trials, the problem of missing data, and limitations of the study.5 Six single- and double-blinded, randomized clinical trials were included in this meta-analysis, comprising a patient population that had class III-IV Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina, were refractory to medical therapy, and were not coronary revascularization candidates (Table). The study included 192 patients who received cell therapy plus standard …
A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Leadership

The article reviews the book “A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Leadership,” by Brad Jackson and Ken Parry.
Innovation and Big Data in Smart Service Systems

As traditionally measured, services, which include everything from transportation to retail to healthcare to entertainment to hospitality and more, account for most economic activity. Taking a more modern view, we define service as value creation that occurs within systems of interacting economic actors. Service systems have been getting smarter over time, as big data analytics have been used to generate information and automate operations that create ever more value for people in the service systems. In this short letter, we describe some of our perspective on the use of big data analytics in smart service systems, suggesting one framework for thinking about big data in this context and outlining a set of research issues.
The analysis of the vehicle logistics development model based on railway transportation

This paper has introduced the situation of domestic and international vehicle logistics.Based on above introduction,we analyzed the exist problems of domestic vehicle logistics.Discussion is made on the real demand situation of Chinese vehicle logistics,combining railway network circumstances;some tentative suggestions about the vehicle logistics development model based on railway transportation are given.
Special Situations in the NICU

1. Total body water decreases significantly throughout gestation and the first year of life from 95 to 60%.
THE ECONOMIC PAMPHLETEER: Ethnicity and the War on Big Food

First paragraphs:A recent Fortune magazine story, "Special Report: The war on big food" begins, "Major packaged-food companies lost [US]$4 billion in market share alone last year, as shoppers swerved to fresh and organic alternatives. Can the supermarket giants win you back?" (Kowitt, 2015, para. 1). The story describes how a wide range of consumer concerns is eroding the market power of the large corporate food companies. The consumer concerns include artificial colors and flavors, pesticides, preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, growth hormones, antibiotics, gluten, and genetically modified organisms. All of these concerns stem directly or indirect from the industrial paradigm of food production and distribution, including industrial agriculture.No one has more at stake in the outcome of this war than America's ethnic minorities. Today's industrial food system has failed in its fundamental purpose of providing food security, leaving many Americans without adequate quantities or qualities of foods to support active, healthy lifestyles. In 2012, nearly 15% of all Americas were classified as food insecure (RTI International, 2014, p. 1-6), and more than 20% of American children lived in food-insecure homes (RTI International, 2014, p. 1-7). Ethnic minorities experience significantly higher levels of food insecurity than the U.S. population as a whole. In 2012, 25% of African American and 23% of Hispanic households experienced food insecurity (RTI International, 2014, p. 1-7). One study found that 40% of American Indians lived in food insecure households (RTI International, 2014, p. 1-7). This level of insecurity is far higher today than during the 1960s—the early years of "big food" and "big farms."...
Appendix A Finite Dimensional Algebras

This appendix reviews the necessary background material from the theory of finite dimensional algebras. Standard texts covering most of this subject matter are [CR88, Lam91, Ben98, ASS06]. Readers familiar with this material are urged to skim this chapter or skip it entirely. Very few proofs will be given here, as the results can be found in the references. Let us remark that, unlike the case of group algebras, monoid algebras are seldom semisimple, even over the complex numbers. This forces us to use more of the theory of finite dimensional algebras than would be encountered in a first course on the ordinary representation theory of finite groups. Some of the more elaborate tools, like projective covers, are not used except for in the final chapters of the text. Most of the text uses nothing beyond Wedderburn theory.
SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF RAT KIDNEY GLUTAMINASE ISOZYMES AND THEIR ROLE IN RENAL AMMONIAGENESIS

ABSTRACT. Rat kidney contains two distinct glutaminase isozymes; one of which is phosphate dependent, the other is unaffected by phosphate but is strongly activated by maleate. The phosphate dependent glutaminase is contained in mitochondria. Its activity cofractionates with mitochondrial marker activities during differential centrifugation and on sucrose gradients. Submitochondrial fractionation by digitonin-Lubrol treatment in the presence of borate indicated that this glutaminase isozyme is contained in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This conclusion was confirmed by a swell-shrink sonication procedure carried out in the absence of borate. The contribution of this glutaminase to renal ammoniagenesis could effectively be regulated by modulation of mitochondrial transport of glutamine in response to metabolic acidosis. In contrast, the bulk of the phosphate independent glutaminase was recovered in the microsomal fraction and correlated with luminal membrane markers during isopycnic centrifugation. This glutaminase activity is released selectively from intact kidney cells by treatment with papain, suggesting that it is located on the external cell surface. The phosphate independent glutaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase reactions appear to be catalyzed by the same enzyme. Both activities exhibit a close correlation in the various zones of the kidney and during purification. Maleate appears to increase glutaminase activity by converting the transpeptidase into a specific hydrolase. The physiological equivalent to maleate could function during acidosis to regulate the contribution of this enzyme to renal ammoniagenesis.
Development of Whole‐Building Energy Models for Detailed Energy Insights of a Large Office Building with Green Certification Rating in Singapore

Author(s): Duarte Roa, Carlos; Raftery, Paul; Schiavon, Stefano | Abstract: Detailed insights on energy use are missing for the building stock in Singapore which may aid with energy consumption reductions through a targeted approach. Therefore, we created two whole building energy models for a large commercial office building in the tropics; representing a fully glazed and a concrete facade. We used Singapore’s current building codes, which includes compliance with local green rating system, and collaboration between two entities with first-hand experience with design, construction, and operation of buildings in the tropics to define the models. The models provide a first step towards a set of standardized inputs and assumptions for office buildings in the tropics. The results show an energy use intensity of 146 kWh m-2·a. The three highest energy consumers are air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (43%), lighting (29%), and plug loads (21%) while the two main sources of cooling loads are ventilation (29%) and conduction and radiation through windows (20%). Finally, we evaluated the effects of exterior shading on the fully glazed energy model to demonstrate the use of the models to building stakeholders.
Lg Wave Attenuation and Propagation Characteristics in Iran

Lg waves are a complicated high-frequency seismic signal and have been considered as strongly scattered higher modes of surface waves with group velocities around 3.5 km/s (Press and Ewing, 1957; Knopoff et al. 1973; Kennett, 1986; Xie and Lay, 1994). The stability of the RMS amplitude of Lg waves was demonstrated by Hansen et al. (1990) and others in the analyses of regional seismograms produced by nuclear explosions and earthquakes. Since Lg waves effectively average both the source radiation patterns and many effects of crustal structure along a particular path, RMS amplitude of Lg waves can be used to determine the source size once the attenuation of Lg along the path is determined.
Size and Location are the Most Important Risk Factors for Malignant Behavior in Resected Solitary Fibrous Tumors.

While previously thought to be clinically indolent, recent data suggest significant late metastatic capacity of solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs). We define prognostic factors for recurrence and disease-specific death (DSD) in resected primary SFTs. Resected primary SFTs from 1982 to 2015 were identified from a prospective, single institutional database. Risk factors for local (LR) and distant recurrence (DR), and DSD were assessed using competing risk analysis. A total of 219 patients with median follow-up of 6.1 (0.1–22) years were included. Five- and 10-year cumulative DSD was 9 and 11%, respectively. Size greater than the median 8 cm, gender, location, and complete gross resection were significantly associated with DSD (p < 0.05). Five- and 10-year cumulative risk (CR) of LR was 4 and 7%, whereas 5- and 10-year CR of DR was 13 and 16%, respectively. LR was associated with location (p = 0.02) and tumor size (p = 0.02), and DR was associated with size (p < 0.01). Histopathologic classification did not predict long-term behavior with both malignant and benign tumors demonstrating capacity for DR and associated death. Tumors in the thoracic cavity and abdomen/retroperitoneum presented the greatest risk of DR (16 and 27% 10-year CR). On multivariate analysis, size ≥ 8 cm (hazard ratio 2.89, p = 0.05) and tumor location in chest or abdominal/retroperitoneal cavity (hazard ratio 2.68, p = 0.01) significantly impacted DSD. Recurrence is highly associated with DSD and events occur as late as 16 years after initial presentation, including in patients with initially considered benign tumors. Patients with large (≥ 8 cm) tumors in the chest or abdominal/retroperitoneal cavity are at greatest risk.
Adjustable GLCs for Decreasing Occlusion and Pattern Simplification

Occlusion is one of the major problems for visualization methods in finding the patterns in the n-D data. This chapter describes the methods for decreasing the occlusion, and pattern simplification in different General Line Coordinates by adjusting GLCs to the given data via shifting, relocating, and scaling coordinates. ﻿﻿In contrast, in Parallel and Radial Coordinates such adjustments of parameters to are more limited. These adjustment transformations are applied to the Radial, Parallel, Shifted Paired, Circular and n-Gon Coordinates decreasing the cognitive load and simplifying patterns.
Red Cell Aplasia and Monoclonal Gammopathy: Inhibition of Erythroid Progenitors by Patient IgG

A 47-year-old woman (MC) with severe anemia and red cell aplasia was found to have a serum monoclonal immunoglobulin component (M-component) but no evidence of overt multiple myeloma. The patient w...
Dental Students’ Readiness to Address Adolescent Risk Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Adolescents’ engagement in risk-taking behaviors is well documented. However, the role of the dental practitioner in helping teenage patients understand and avert those behaviors is relatively unknown. The aim of this pilot study was to assess dental students’ familiarity with adolescent risk behaviors, comfort level in discussing adolescent risk behaviors with teenage patients, and ratings of the relevance of these topics in dental education. Of the 373 University of Florida dental students across all four years who were invited to participate in 2017, 151 (40.5%) completed the survey. Among these respondents, 66% were female, 53% were from an underrepresented minority (URM) group, 40% were above the age of 25, 53% were in their preclinical years of education, and 47% were in their clinical years. In the results, the males had higher levels of comfort discussing adolescent risk behavior topics than the females, and the non-URM students had higher levels of comfort than the URM students. The clinical students showed statistically significant higher levels of comfort and ratings of the relevance of adolescent risk behaviors than the preclinical students. This pilot study assessed these students’ comfort in discussing adolescent risk behaviors with patients and their level of agreement about the relevance of those topics in dental education across groups (age, gender, minority status, and educational level). Future studies are needed to examine pre- and posttest changes following interventions aimed at enhancing students’ knowledge and comfort in discussing adolescent risk behaviors.
Free Radical, Carbonyl, and Nicotine Levels Produced by Juul Electronic Cigarettes.

Introduction Free radicals and carbonyls produced by electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have the potential to inflict oxidative stress. Recently, Juul e-cigs have risen drastically in popularity; however, there is no data on nicotine and oxidant yields from this new e-cig design. Methods Aerosol generated from four different Juul flavors was analyzed for carbonyls, nicotine, and free radicals. The e-liquids were analyzed for propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY) concentrations. To determine the effects of e-liquid on oxidant production, Juul pods were refilled with nicotine-free 30:70 or 60:40 PG:GLY with or without citral. Results No significant differences were found in nicotine (164 ± 41 µg/puff), free radical (5.85 ± 1.20 pmol/puff), formaldehyde (0.20 ± 0.10 µg/puff), and acetone (0.20 ± 0.05 µg/puff) levels between flavors. The PG:GLY ratio in e-liquids was ~30:70 across all flavors with GLY being slightly higher in tobacco and mint flavors. In general, when Juul e-liquids were replaced with nicotine-free 60:40 PG:GLY, oxidant production increased up to 190% and, with addition of citral, increased even further. Conclusions Juul devices produce free radicals and carbonyls, albeit, at levels substantially lower than those observed in other e-cig products, an effect only partially because of a low PG:GLY ratio. Nicotine delivery by these devices was as high as or higher than the levels previously reported from cigarettes. Implications These findings suggest that oxidative stress and/or damage resulting from Juul use may be lower than that from cigarettes or other e-cig devices; however, the high nicotine levels are suggestive of a greater addiction potential.
Expansions and Newer Directions

Chapter 5 deals with more recent directions that Cognitive Linguistics has taken. The notion that all structures are usage-based, and hence can only be acquired through exposure to the primary data produced in the environment places strong limits on the kind of analyses available to account for linguistic structures. This is true both of first and second-language acquisition, both of which are explored here. Similarly, Cognitive Linguistics’ view of storage leads to implications for sociolinguistic phenomena. Finally, we explore Cognitive Linguistic analyses of some literary and poetic aspects of Language.
Lipid depletion enables permeation of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria through human stratum corneum

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 2-5% of adults worldwide. The pathogenesis of AD continues to be a well-debated point of conjecture, with numerou...
The importance of primary tumor origin in gastrointestinal malignancies undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Appendiceal and colorectal cancers with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) can derive benefit from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). However, its role in gastric and small bowel malignancies remains undefined. We retrospectively analyzed 251 gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with PC which underwent CRS/HIPEC at our institution from 2007 to 2017. We compared outcomes of gastric, small bowel, appendiceal, and colorectal cohorts. Thirty-one gastric, 8 small bowel, 91 appendiceal, and 121 colorectal cohorts were included. More gastric cancers (90%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy than any other cohort, p = 0.002. Although colorectal had the lowest peritoneal cancer index (PCI) (9) and appendiceal the highest (16), all cohorts underwent similar rates of organ resection and complete cytoreduction. Length of stay (p = 0.005) and major perioperative morbidity (Clavien III/IV, p = 0.011) were significantly higher in gastric and small bowel. Median overall survival (OS, p < 0.001) was significantly shorter in gastric (13 months) and small bowel (9 months) than in appendiceal (33 months) and colorectal (42 months) cohorts. On multivariate analysis, complete cytoreduction and PCI score were significant predictors of OS, p < 0.05. Primary tumor origin significantly affects outcomes after CRS/HIPEC for gastrointestinal malignancies. Though there was a survival benefit in appendiceal and colorectal, gastric and small bowel survival was comparable to systemic chemotherapy.
Two Stances, Three Genres, and Four Intractable Dilemmas for the Future of Learning at Scale

The late 2000s and 2010s saw the full arc of a dramatic hype cycle in learning at scale, where charismatic technologists made bold and ultimately unfounded predictions about how technologies would disrupt schooling systems. Looking toward the 2020s, a more productive approach to learning at scale is the tinkerer's stance, one that emphasizes incremental improvements on the long history of learning at scale. This article offers two organizational constructs for navigating and building on that history. Classifying learning-at-scale technologies into three genres-instructor-guided, algorithm-guided, and peer-guided approaches-helps identify how emerging technologies build on prior efforts and throws into relief that which is genuinely new. Four as-yet intractable dilemmas-the curse of the familiar, the edtech Matthew effect, the trap of routine assessment, and the toxic power of data and experiments-offer a set of grand challenges that learning-at-scale tinkerers will need to tackle in order to see more dramatic improvements in school systems.
Cellphone relevance in face-to-face interactions: The effects of cellphone use on conversational satisfaction:

The use of cellphones in conversations is ubiquitous. Although the overarching view of the social effects of cellphones in conversations appears to be negative, some research has also reported posi...
Beneath the Surface: A Transnational History of Skin Lighteners

Review of the book Beneath the Surface: A Transnational History of Skin Lighteners, by Lynn M. Thomas.
Chronic Pain and Locus Coeruleus Integrity in Older Adults

Animal studies have suggested essential links between chronic pain and the locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem region important for attention, but also pain and cognitive modulation. Recently developed MRI sequences now allow us to assess LC integrity in vivo. Our study examined the association between late midlife chronic pain and LC integrity in older adults via neuromelanin-contrast imaging. For this study, 484 community-dwelling men participating in the third wave of the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (mean age=67.55; SD=2.60) underwent MRI-assessed neuromelanin signal detection in the LC. Contrast-to-noise ratios between LC regions and a pontine tegmentum reference region were used to assess LC integrity. The LC was subdivided into rostral and caudal portions. Rostral LC is more cortical-projecting, while caudal LC projects more to the cerebellum and spinal cord. Reporting of pain intensity on the SF-36 Bodily Pain scale from all three study waves was used to classify those with chronic pain, defined as moderate to severe pain across all three waves (n = 80, 16.5%). Bootstrapped multivariable regression models examined associations between late midlife chronic pain and LC integrity, adjusting for age, depressive symptoms, medical comorbidities, opioid usage, and twin clustering. Late midlife chronic pain was associated with .13 standard deviation lower rostral LC integrity (95%CI: -.63 to -.07). Meanwhile, late midlife chronic pain was associated with .12 standard deviation lower caudal LC integrity (95%CI: -.70 to -.21). Chronic pain across late midlife was associated with greater LC integrity in older adults. Pain was not differentially associated with rostral or caudal LC. Future work should seek to understand mechanisms underlying LC-pain associations in older adults, especially regarding the roles of inflammation and accumulating pathology. R01AG050595.
Post-COVID-19 Cholangiopathy: A Novel Entity.

Introduction Liver chemistry abnormalities are a frequent manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but are usually transient and resolve with disease resolution. Methods We describe the clinical course and histologic features of 3 adults who developed prolonged and severe cholestasis during recovery from critical cardiopulmonary COVID-19. Results These patients had clinical and histologic features similar to secondary sclerosing cholangitis of the critically ill patient, but with unique histologic features including severe cholangiocyte injury and intrahepatic microangiopathy suggestive of direct hepatic injury from COVID-19. Discussion We believe that these cases constitute a novel severe post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy with potential for long-term hepatic morbidity.
NMR STUDIES OF BRAIN ACTIVATION

The first in vivo study of brain activation by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods was done early in the development of in vivo NMR techniques to help validate them (Prichard, et al, 1983). Observations on status epilepticus induced by bicuculline in rabbits showed that 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) could reliably demonstrate in vivo the reduction of phosphocreatine and elevation of inorganic phosphate that were known to occur in that condition, as shown in Figure 1.
Estimates of the Hausdorff dimension of the boundary of positive Brownian sheet components

The Brownian sheet is examined. We provide upper and lower bounds for the Hausdorff dimension of the boundary of time components for which the Brownian sheet is strictly positive or strictly negative. In particular we show that this dimension lies strictly between 1 and 3/2. It is also shown that there exist random time points which are boundary points for both positive and negative components.
A Review of the Gas-Puff $Z$ -Pinch as an X-Ray and Neutron Source

Fisher and collaborators at the University of California, Irvine, invented the gas puff $Z$ -pinch in the late 1970s using a 200-kA generator. The implementation of gas puffs as a copious source of X-rays has encountered major challenges, such as disruptive instabilities and the quest for long implosion times. During nearly four decades of experimental and theoretical efforts, those challenges have been successfully met to a great extent. This success is a result of the efforts of a large number of researchers. Today, the gas-puff $Z$ -pinch has evolved into a powerful source of X-rays and neutrons, and is fielded on multi-Mega-Ampere generators. The basic force imploding a pinch is straightforward, but the operation of a gas puff requires specialized hardware and a thorough understanding of the radiation physics involves magnetohydrodynamics coupled with nonequilibrium ionization kinetics. The goal of this review is to document the experiments and theory that have led to the success of the gas puff as a K-shell X-ray and neutron source. Consequently, this review takes a historical approach to the covered material, but also provides a broad introduction to relevant scientific concepts.
Critical Heat Flux in Subcooled Flow Boiling

This chapter reports a survey of recent experimental work performed to obtain parametric trends of critical heat flux (CHF) in water-subcooled flow boiling, with special concern for high liquid velocity and subcooling, small-diameter channels, and low-intermediate pressure, together with a review of current modeling analysis. Under these thermal hydraulic and geometric conditions, the CHF is proved to be very high (up to many tens of MW/m2) such as to match the requirement of fusion reactor high heat flux components for thermal hydraulic design. From the experimental aspect, experiments carried out so far show parametric trends of CHF in terms of subcooling, mass flux, pressure, channel diameter and length, channel orientation, tube wall material and thickness, and peripheral nonuniform heating. Passive techniques for CHF enhancement, such as twisted tapes, helically coiled wires, and the hypervapotron, are also reviewed. Apart from the specific difficulty of properly modeling the CHF phenomenon for a large range of conditions, a major drawback of many existing theories is the use of empirical constants to justify the model with the data, making complex correlations that distort the original idea of the model. Among the many existing models, the superheated layer vapor replenishment and liquid sublayer dryout theories proved capable of predicting CHF under these conditions, extending to uniform and nonuniform heating of the channel and swirl flow as well.
Contribution of Heritable Disorders to Mortality in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objectives To determine the percentage of patients dying in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who have heritable disorders and to compare vital statistics classification of underlying cause of death with underlying heritable disorder identified from medical record review. Design Retrospective medical record review. Setting The PICU of a university-affiliated hospital. Methods Medical records were reviewed for all deaths occurring in the PICA over a 5-year period. Further review, including hospital course, clinical findings, and the presence or absence of a genetic evaluation, was accomplished for those patients found to have a chromosome abnormality, recognized syndrome, single major malformation, or unrecognized syndrome. Underlying cause of death classification obtained from the Center for Health Statistics, Arkansas Department of Health was reviewed to determine the frequency with which the underlying heritable disorder was recorded. Results Fifty-one of 268 (19%) deaths during the study period were in patients with heritable disorders. Of these 51 patients, eight (16%) had chromosome abnormalities, 17 (33%) had a recognized syndrome, 15 (29%) had a single primary defect in development, and 11 (22%) had an unrecognized syndrome. Genetic evaluation was carried out on 45% of patients, with the frequency of evaluation differing between categories of patients with heritable conditions. When underlying cause of death from vital statistics classification was reviewed, 21 of 51 (41%) records did not include the underlying heritable disorder. Conclusions Heritable disorders are a frequent cause of mortality in the PICU. Vital statistics classification of underlying cause of death in this population often fails to identify heritable disorders, leading to an underascertainment of these conditions in mortality statistics. Improved cause of death classification procedures will be necessary to target public health interventions to etiology-specific populations.