cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DDDAS for fire and agent evacuation modeling of the rhode island nightclub fire

A Dynamic Data Driven Application System (DDDAS) was created to study interaction between fire and agent models during a fire evacuation. The analysis from that research can be used to validate proposed ideas in evacuation and building designs to ensure safety of buildings given various agent behaviors. Two separate models were used to simulate the components of the emergency situation: fire and agent. The independent models were able to run using data computed by the other interacting models, allowing careful examination of real-time interactions in a situation. Through study of the interactions, a better understanding is gained of how individual variables such as exit position and width affect the evacuation process and escape rate in the given scenario. Exits can be relocated and changed to quickly assess the effect on the model. The results can be used for improving building design and regulations as well as training first responders.
Drug-nutrient interactions.

Nutrition status plays a significant role in a drug's pharmacodynamics. Some disease states and other special conditions affect nutrient status and a drug's therapeutic efficacy. Many classes of drugs, including antimicrobials, hypoglycemics, and hypocholesterolemic agents, can be affected by the presence of food, with the geriatric patient particularly at risk. While a drug's pharmacokinetic profile can usually be predicted, it can be modified by nutrients and by certain pathophysiologic conditions, including aging, hepaticdysfunction, and micronutrients.
Information marketing: seven questions

Seeks to encourage information professionals to take a critical perspective on the nature and practice of marketing as it relates to information‐based products and services. The following questions are explored: What is marketing? What is information marketing? Are you marketing or selling? When does marketing end and service delivery begin? Is it possible to brand an information service? Is it possible to “make friends and influence people” through a screen? Does marketing have any impact? From an academic perspective the exploration of these questions supports the development of an understanding of the nature of information marketing. For practitioners, the discussion surfaces some of the questions that marketers need to be prepared to answer.
Computed tomography and ultrasonography do not improve and may delay the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis

Hypothesis Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) do not improve the overall diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis. Design Retrospective review. Setting University tertiary care center. Patients Seven hundred sixty-six consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1999. Main Outcome Measures Epidemiology of acute appendicitis and the roles of clinical assessment, CT, US, and laparoscopy. Results The negative appendectomy rate was 15.7%, and the incidence of perforated appendicitis was 14.6%. A history of migratory pain had the highest positive predictive value (91%), followed by leukocytosis greater than 12 × 10 9 /L (90.1%), CT (83.8%), and US (81.3%). The false-negative rates were 60% for CT and 76.1% for US. Emergency department evaluation took a mean ± SD of 5.2 ± 5.4 hours and was prolonged by US or CT (6.4 ± 7.4 h and 7.8 ± 10.8 h, respectively). The duration of emergency department evaluation did not affect the perforation rate, but patients with postoperative complications had longer evaluations (mean ± SD, 8.0 ± 12.7 h) than did those without (4.8 ± 3.3 h) ( P = .04). Morbidity was 9.1%, 6.4% for nonperforated cases and 19.8% for perforated cases. Seventy-six patients had laparoscopic appendectomy, with a negative appendectomy rate of 42.1%, compared with 15.4% for open appendectomy ( P Conclusions Migratory pain, physical examination, and initial leukocytosis remain reliable and accurate in diagnosing acute appendicitis. Neither CT nor US improves the diagnostic accuracy or the negative appendectomy rate; in fact, they may delay surgical consultation and appendectomy. In atypical cases, one should consider the selective use of diagnostic laparoscopy instead.
Hormone stimulation of androgen receptor mediates dynamic changes in DNA methylation patterns at regulatory elements.

// Vineet K. Dhiman 1 , Kristopher Attwood 2 , Moray J. Campbell 3 and Dominic J. Smiraglia 1 1 Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 2 Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA Correspondence to: Dominic J. Smiraglia, email: // Keywords : DNA methylation, androgen receptor, gene transcription, nuclear receptor, androgen regulated target genes, Chromosome Section Received : November 23, 2015 Accepted : November 24, 2015 Published : December 04, 2015 Abstract DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that contributes to stable gene silencing by interfering with the ability of transcriptional regulators to bind to DNA. Recent findings have revealed that hormone stimulation of certain nuclear receptors induces rapid, dynamic changes in DNA methylation patterns alongside transcriptional responses at a subset of target loci, over time. However, the ability of androgen receptor (AR) to dynamically regulate gene transcription is relatively under-studied and its role in the regulation of DNA methylation patterns remains to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate in normal prostate cells that hormone stimulated AR activity results in dynamic changes in the transcription rate and DNA methylation patterns at the AR target genes, TIPARP and SGK1 . Time-resolved chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments on the SGK1 locus reveals dynamic recruitment of AR and RNA Polymerase II, as well as the recruitment of proteins involved in the DNA demethylation process, TET1 and TDG. Furthermore, the presence of DNA methylation at dynamic regions inhibits protein binding and transcriptional activity of SGK1 . These findings establish AR activity as a contributing factor to the dynamic regulation of DNA methylation patterns at target genes in prostate biology and infer further complexity involved in nuclear receptor mediation of transcriptional regulation.
Ten questions concerning hybrid computational/physical model simulation of wind flow in the built environment

For over fifty years the common presumption has been that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) were mutually exclusive and competitive. Often the question was posed: When can we get rid of our physical modeling facilities? This question does not recognize the tremendous synergistic leverage of combining the best qualities of both CFD and EFD as a research and design methodology. Coordinating the application of both CFD and EFD in a hybrid management approach can expedite results, improve understanding of flow phenomena, and often reduce research costs and time. This paper considers some of the common questions that arise as one considers hybrid research or design methods as it is applied to wind engineering and the built environment.
Reversal by L-glutamine of the inhibition of lymphocyte mitosis caused by E. coli asparaginase.

SummaryInhibition of lymphocyte mitosis by E. coli L-asparaginase can be prevented by addition of L-glutamine to enzymetreated culture medium. Like arginine, glutamine appears to be essential for lymphocyte transformation and mitosis, while exogenous asparagine is not required.
Experimental Investigation of Potential Oscillations during the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Urea on Ni Catalyst in Alkaline Medium

For the first time, potential oscillations are observed during the electrochemical oxidation of urea on Ni catalyst in alkaline medium. Electrochemical measurements, in combination with in situ time-resolved surface enhanced Raman (SER) spectroscopy studies, revealed that the potential oscillations might be caused by the periodic reduction and oxidation of the electrochemically active NiOOH catalyst to its inactive Ni(OH)2 state and vice versa. Cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode voltammetry suggests that mass transfer of urea to the double layer region due to local convection caused by oxygen evolution reaction does not play a role in the potential oscillation mechanism.
Differences during dicoumarol therapy in the Quick and Russell viper venom methods for prothrombin determination.

ConclusionsThe quantitative values of prothrombin as determined by the method of Quick using rabbit brain thromboplastin can be correlated with dicoumarol therapy and clinicd hcmorrhayic tendencies. The levels of prothrumbin as determined by the Ruscell viper venom modification of Quick's method cannot at all times be correlated with the clinical state of the patient and the dicoumarol therapy. The control of dicoumarol therapy by the Russell viper venom method for prothrombin determination is a dangerous procedure. The results may be interpreted as being in a safe therapeutic level of prothrombin when actually the patient may be in a critical potential or actual hemorrhagic condition, this state being determined both by the Quick method and clinical observations.
Liquid and glass polymorphism in a monatomic system with isotropic, smooth pair interactions.

Systems of particles with interactions given by the Jagla core-softened pair potential are known to exhibit water-like thermodynamic anomalies and a liquid–liquid phase transition. The drawback of the Jagla potential is that it is characterized by discontinuous forces acting between particles and thus is not suitable for standard molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Here we introduce a smooth version of the Jagla potential based on two Fermi distributions and study the properties of a system of particles interacting via this new “Fermi–Jagla” pair potential by using standard MD simulations. We find that the liquid based on the Fermi–Jagla potential retains most of the properties of the liquid based on the original Jagla potential. Namely, it exhibits the following water-like anomalies: (i) decrease of density, (ii) increase of compressibility, κT(T,P), and (iii) increase of isobaric specific heat, CP(T,P), upon isobaric cooling, and (iv) increase of diffusivity upon isothermal compression. The Fermi–Jagla...
MOLECULAR HETEROCHRONY IN THE PATTERN OF FIBRONECTIN EXPRESSION DURING GASTRULATION IN AMPHIBIANS

Heterochrony is an evolutionary concept referring to changes in the relative timing of developmental events. Studies of heterochrony have concentrated mostly on morphology (e.g., Alberch and Alberch 1981; Emerson 1986). Because these studies examine heterochrony in the morphogenesis of adult structures, they deal with later aspects of development. A review of heterochrony by Raff and Wray (1989) stressed the lack of heterochronic studies of early (those stages in vertebrates from fertilization through neurulation), and especially molecular, aspects of development. One of the few exceptions involves differences in the timing of expression of three different epitopes (the antigenic determinants msp 130, Meso 1, and SP12) among different species of sea urchins (Wray and McClay 1989). While studies of molecular heterochrony are not new, they are infrequent (Raffet al. 1984; Parks et al. 1988; Wray and McClay 1989). Much as comparative studies on morphological aspects of early development reveal interspecific variability (Ballard 1981; Elinson 1987; del Pino 1989; Raff et al. 1991), molecular heterochronic studies demonstrate that early development is also varied at the level of molecular expression (Raff et al. 1991). A valuable system in which to study molecular heterochrony during early development is the expression of extracellular-matrix molecules on the blastocoel roof during gastrulation. This extracellular matrix is complex and consists of many different molecules, only some of which have
The Nuclear Separation of the S 2 Molecule by Electron Diffraction

Rotational analyses of ${\mathrm{S}}_{2}$ bands as carried out by various workers have led to the following values for the nuclear separation; 1.60A, 1.84A, 1.73A, and 1.93A. In the present work this distance was determined by electron diffraction from ${\mathrm{S}}_{2}$ vapor at 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and was found to be 1.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03A. This value is based upon the measured relative intensities of scattering in the region of the third maximum, $(\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\lambda}})sin\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ from 0.70 to 1.0, and upon visual measurements on the fourth, fifth and sixth diffraction maxima. When the temperature of sulphur vapor is decreased appreciably below 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C its electron diffraction pattern shows the presence of higher molecular types. The results obtained can be explained on the basis of ${\mathrm{S}}_{2+n}$ molecules where $n=1,2,3\ensuremath{\cdots}$ with a S---S---S valence angle of about 100\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and a S---S distance, between closest neighbors, of ca. 2.1A. These values are in agreement with those found for the symmetrical puckered ring-shaped ${\mathrm{S}}_{8}$ molecule present in crystalline sulphur.
Evaluation of stress reaction in divers during underwater navigation

Objective To investigate the effects of underwater navigation on the stress reaction and immune function in divers. Methods Brain load and stress reaction of 5 male divers working with different speeds,at different depths and different times both before and after underwater navigation were evaluated by using National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index Scale. Changes in the concentrations of salivary cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A( sIgA) both before and after underwater training were detected by radio-immunoassay. Results The subjective stress load experienced by the 5 divers reached peak value,when they came to the depth of 20 meters. The concentration of salivary cortisol during the first underwater training and at the depth of 20 m was increased significantly( P 0. 05),however,no significant changes in the concentration of sIgA could be noted between different groups( P 0. 05). Conclusion Stress reaction experienced by divers during underwater navigation increased with the increase in depth,but repeated training was beneficial to the recovery of stress reaction.
Treating oil field waste fluids with micro-electrode oxidation-reduction method.

The biggest problem in drilling waste treatment is to wipe off organic compound in drilling sewage. Electric erosion and microelectrode oxidation-reduction, which is produced under acidic condition, is an effective method .This article discusses the mechanism, select material, indoor testing result of microelectrode oxidation-reduction and the comparison with other treating ways. It shows that for treating serious pollution, high mineralization, high content of organic compound in discarded drilling fluid and sewage, concrete sedimentation and microelectrode oxidation-reduction is easy to perform and costs less. This method could be used to deal with other sewage in oil field such as return liquid after fracturing and workover fluid.
Impact of Reactive Current Compensation in Excitation System on Damping of Power System Oscillation Modes

Leading reactive current compensation(RCC) into Philips-Heffron model and analyzing the effect of RCC on model parameters,it is derived that the variation of damping torque coefficient increment ?KD offered by RCC with the coefficient XC of RCC follows the relation of quadratic parabola,and the characteristics of such a parabola is related to excitation paramters,generator parameters,operating condition and parameters of transmission line.It is proved that this parabola bounds to pass through the origin of the coordinate system,which takes ?KD as the ordinate axis and XC as the abscissa axis,and the position of the second intersection point of the parabola with the abscissa axis monotonously varies with the variation of generator angle.The impact of RCC on system damping can be fully explained by the parabola.The effect of RCC on power system oscillation modes is verified by the calculation results of two-machine system,and the computing results of typical oscillation modes of actual interconnected power grid conform to theoretical derivation.
Conservative Gait Termination Strategy Following Concussion (P3.329)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of sport-related concussion on center of pressure (COP) displacements during planned gait termination (GT). BACKGROUND: Impaired postural control is a cardinal symptom of concussion. Impairments during dynamic tasks, such as GT, may persist beyond recovery and manifest in altered movement strategies. DESIGN/METHODS: Nineteen concussed NCAA Division I student-athletes (Age:19±0.8 years, Height:177.0±10.1 cm, Weight:83.3±20.0 kg) and nineteen matched controls (Age:20.4±1.22 years, Height:173.8±8.9 cm, Weight:80.2±17.6 kg) performed five planned GT trials using a Gaitrite portable walkway system and four 400mmx600mm force plates (1,000Hz). Gait trials were conducted during pre-season baseline testing (Pre) and on Day 1 post-concussion (Post) for the injured subjects, and on two matched days for the control group. Displacements were calculated on the force plates in both the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions during the three phases of COP (S1, S2, S3), which correspond to the locomotor, single leg stance and postural adjustment phases of GT. All data were compared using a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant interactions for S1ML (Control Pre:16.8±5.4 cm, Post:16.4±5.9 cm; Concussed Pre:17.9±6.1 cm, Post:13.2±6.6 cm, p=0.042) and S2AP (Control Pre:3.9±4.8 cm, Post:4.0±4.2 cm; Concussed Pre:9.5±5.6 cm, Post:18.6±16.7 cm, p=0.030). Main effects were present for S1AP (Control Pre:64.0±5.6 cm, Post:61.2±6.4 cm; Concussed Pre:60.2±9.5 cm, Post:50.6±19.7 cm, p=0.020), S1ML (p=0.015) and S2AP (p=0.027). There were no significant main effects or interactions in S3. CONCLUSIONS: Following concussion, marked alterations are present in the first two phases of COP during planned GT. The decreased S1 and increased S2, which are typically associated with a worsened postural control, suggest a conservative motor control approach to GT. This conservative strategy appears to be an attempt to keep the center of mass closer to the base of support, along with a wider bipedal stance. Study supported by NIH/NINDS 1R15NS070744. Disclosure: Dr. Oldham has nothing to disclose. Dr. Evans has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wikstrom has nothing to disclose. Dr. Buckley has nothing to disclose.
How to Set Up a Community Health Venture: Lessons from 10 Years in Kenya

Despite high potential, many community health ventures in developing countries fail to evolve beyond the pilot stage. A fundamental problem is that many ventures utilize community health workers (CHWs) as volunteers, but they leave to generate a living income for their families. After ten years of experience running a community health venture in East Africa, while observing other ventures come and go, several factors have emerged as essential for any venture to achieve success. This article presents a methodology to set up a community health venture where CHWs generate income from their work while improving health outcomes for members of their communities. The authors seek to provide individuals working to solve last-mile healthcare challenges with a practical guide for establishing community health systems and navigating the validation, networking, planning, launch, and execution phases. The goal for the ventures developed using this methodology is to operate in an economically sustainable way.
Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) To Examine Associations between Characteristics of Males with Hemophilia and Geographic Distance to Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs).

Hemophilia, an inherited bleeding disorder, is best treated at specialized healthcare facilities offering comprehensive healthcare services. For healthcare providers at the over 130 federally-funded HTCs across the U.S., information about where individuals with hemophilia live and distances to the HTC can be useful in studying barriers to care and health outcomes. For the analysis, we used data collected on males with hemophilia in the CDC-sponsored Universal Data Collection (UDC) surveillance program that includes demographic and clinical data on about 90% of patients using these HTCs for their care. Patient characteristics, including age, race/ethnicity, insurance status, hemophilia severity, treatment (prophylaxis vs. on-demand) and residential 3-digit zip code were obtained from the UDC database. We calculated distances between the HTC and the centroid (geographic center) of the patients’ zip codes using GIS software (sample map shown in figure 1). The independent associations between patient characteristics and distance to the HTC adjusting for regional variations were examined using a multivariate generalized linear model. The mean age of the patients was 21 years (median 16 years); 70% were white; 42% used a health maintenance organization (HMO), 27% had Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and 16% had commercial health insurance; 50% of patients had severe hemophilia; and 26% were on prophylaxis. The mean distance from patient residence to HTC was 68 miles (median 35 miles). Of the 12,397 patients living in the contiguous U.S., 10,164 (82%) lived within 90 miles of the HTC (53% within 30 miles, 31% from 31–60 miles, and 16% from 61–90 miles). Among patients who lived within 90 miles of the HTC, we found that patients >25 years old and those on prophylaxis lived closer to HTCs than their counterparts (p=0.04 for each). On the other hand, white patients and those using an HMO lived farther from HTCs than those of other races and those with other types of health insurance, respectively (p
Optical physical layer SDN: Enabling physical layer programmability through open control systems

Software defined networking in the optical physical layer is complicated by transmission control used to both optimize performance and stabilize optical signals across multiple nodes. Different approaches are emerging to address these problems.
Statin treatment is associated with survival in a nationally representative population of elderly women with epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective Observational studies suggest that statin therapy for cardio-protection is associated with improved survival in cancer patients. We sought to evaluate the impact of statin treatment on ovarian cancer survival in a nationally representative elderly population. Methods The linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries and Medicare claims data on patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer in 2007–2009 were used to extract data on statin prescription fills, population characteristics, primary treatment, comorbidity and survival. Cox regression models were used to examine the association between statin treatment and overall survival. Results Among the 1431 ovarian cancer patients who underwent surgical resection, 609 (42.6%) filled prescriptions for statin. The majority of statin-users (89%) were prescribed a lipophilic formulation. Mean overall survival among statin-users was 32.3months compared to 28.8months for non-users (p Conclusions This SEER-Medicare analysis demonstrates improvement in overall survival with lipophilic statin use after surgery in elderly patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. A clinical trial to evaluate the impact of statin treatment in ovarian cancer survival is warranted.
For our children: the National Children's Study.

“The fetal origins hypothesis states that fetal undernutrition in middle to late gestation, which leads to disproportionate fetal growth, programmes later coronary artery disease.”1 The Developmental Origins of Adult Disease Hypothesis, proposed by DJ Barker, describes the development of adult disease in terms of fetal exposures and growth. Multiple large epidemiologic studies have confirmed events prior to birth are significant in child development and subsequent adult health.2–4 Adult morbidities that potentially occur secondary to small size at birth can be split into two groups: metabolic and non-metabolic. Metabolic morbidities include hypertension, dyslipedemia, coronary artery disease and insulin resistance; non-metabolic morbidities include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurodevelopmental delay and Schizophrenia.5
Excision-Repair of γ-Ray-Damaged Thymine in Bacterial and Mammalian Systems

The selective excision of products of the 5,6-dihydroxy-dihydrothymine type (t′) from γ-irradiated or 0s04-oxidized DNA or synthetic poly[d(A-T)] was observed with crude extracts of Escherichia coli and isolated nuclei from human carcinoma HeLa S-3 cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells.
Students with ADHD in School Classrooms: Teacher Factors Related to Compatibility, Assessment, and Intervention

Perhaps the most striking omission of school-based treatment outcome research for students with ADHD has been the examination of teacher factors that may have a significant bearing upon outcome. As...
Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET in Breast Cancer

Similar to the previously discussed approved applications in oncology, FDGPET in breast cancer has demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional anatomic imaging for the detection of distant metastases. This increased accuracy in lesion detection has translated into improved staging, especially in cases with a high clinical suspicion or pre-test probability of distant metastases. In addition to staging and restaging, another application for FDGPET covered by Medicare is in the evaluation of tumor response to therapy. This chapter briefly reviews the basic classification and imaging aspects of breast cancer; describes the currently approved clinical indications, as defined by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and discusses the accuracy, strengths, and limitations of FDG-PET.
Sieve Elements Isolated from Callus Cultures Can be used to Raise Phloem-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies

Phloem sieve elements function in phloem loading in vitro and can be separated from callus cultures of Streptanthus tortuosus and Arabidopsis thaliana by cell wall digestion, filtration and density gradient centrifugation. Isolated sieve elements have been used to immunize mice and to raise monoclonal antibodies that recognize phloem cells in the callus cultures and in organs of the parent plants. The monoclonal antibodies also identify unknown proteins on immunoblots, providing a technique for the identification of novel antigens from cell cultures based on cell specificity and immuno-microscopy.
Twelve-Month Outcomes Following Successful Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or Applied Relaxation Training for Panic Disorder.

Objective Given the chronic, episodic nature of panic disorder, it is important to examine long-term outcomes of patients who respond well to various psychotherapies. Method Out of 116 patients with DSM-IV panic disorder who evidenced a ≥ 40% reduction in panic and avoidance symptoms on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) after 12-14 weeks of panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or applied relaxation training as part of a 2-site randomized controlled trial conducted between January 2007 and July 2012, 91 patients provided at least 1 PDSS datapoint during follow-up. Patients were assessed at each of the 12 following months using the PDSS, the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and twice during the follow-up period with the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule. Results Patients with panic disorder who responded to 1 of 3 treatments maintained their gains on the PDSS, SDS, and HDRS with no differences by condition in rates of change over the follow-up period (all P values ≥ .20). Similarly, 57% of improved patients did not have a panic disorder diagnosis by the end of 1 year, regardless of the treatment received. No differences in rates of panic disorder diagnosis were found across treatment conditions at either 6 months or 12 months (all P values ≥ .78). Results should be interpreted in light of the fact that patients giving data at follow-up experienced lower symptom levels at treatment termination than those not providing data. Conclusions Improvement in any of the 3 treatments examined in this trial was largely maintained for a year following the end of therapy. Future treatment development could focus on factors to increase the level of response in the active phase of therapy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00353470.
Electrospun charge transport structures for hybrid perovskite solar cells

Hybrid perovskite solar cells are rapidly climbing in efficiency and are close to large-scale commercialization due to continued efforts in improving the opto-electronic properties and stability of hybrid perovskite materials. Improvements to the charge transport structures in hybrid perovskite solar cells allow for much higher charge extraction from perovskite solar cells, improving overall efficiency of solar cells utilizing electrospun charge transport structures. Electrospinning and postprocessing techniques were utilized to produce high surface area electron and hole transport structures for use in perovskite solar cells, and opto-electronic properties and surface/layer interactions were studied.
Making within limits: towards salvage fabrication

Cultures of making have received broad attention within HCI studies of design and material production, surfacing the uneven social and political consequences of maker visions. Less explored but equally important in this scholarship is what it means to make within limits: what makers' tools would look like if they took seriously concerns for resource scarcity, provenance, and disposal. Deploying a mix of ethnographic and design methods, this paper identifies salvage practices as a core but under-recognized resource within an academic makerspace. To help open the conversation around making within limits, we propose a series of tools for salvage fabrication, an alternative design concept that emphasizes the interconnected material flows into and beyond local processes of material production.
Comparative survival and role of STS score in aortic paravalvular leak after SAVR or TAVR: a retrospective study from the USA.

Objective The presence of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) is associated with lower survival, but a direct comparison of its impact after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has not been performed. This study sought to determine the differential influence of PVL on survival following TAVR versus SAVR and in patients with varying levels of risk as defined by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score. Methods Patients with and without postprocedural PVL were identified from 2290 patients undergoing TAVR or SAVR at Mayo Clinic between 2008 and 2014. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results There were 588 patients with PVL (374 TAVR, 214 SAVR): age 78±11 years, 63% male and mean follow-up of 3±2 years. PVL was trivial/mild in 442 (75%) patients. In propensity-matched analyses (n=86 per group), the overall survival at 1 and 4 years was 93% and 56% vs 89% and 61% in patients with PVL after TAVR versus SAVR, respectively (p=0.43). The presence or degree of PVL severity had no influence on survival of patients with high STS score (≥8%), while the presence of greater than mild PVL predicted worse survival in those with STS score Conclusions At mid-term follow-up, the presence of PVL was associated with equally unfavourable outcomes following SAVR or TAVR. In patients with high STS risk score, the presence of PVL was not independently associated with increased mortality.
Axial spondyloarthritis in the USA: diagnostic challenges and missed opportunities.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints and spine. Delayed or inadequate treatment may decrease quality of life and lead to poor long-term outcomes, including irreversible loss of spinal function. In this review, we discuss clinical practice related to axSpA within the USA, including prevalence, diagnosis, reasons for delayed/missed diagnosis, and suggestions for making early diagnosis. The US population prevalence of axSpA (0.9–1.4%) is higher than the diagnostic prevalence (0.2–0.7%). Although the estimated diagnostic delay for axSpA is 14 years in the USA, the disease can be identified earlier if appropriately preselected patients are quickly referred to rheumatologists. Only 37% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the USA are diagnosed by rheumatologists; the remaining 63% are diagnosed by primary care (26%), chiropractic/physical therapy (7%), orthopedic surgery (4%), pain clinics (4%), acute care (3%), and other settings (19%). To help reduce diagnostic delay, non–rheumatologist-healthcare professionals are urged to refer patients with back pain and ≥ 1 of 3 SpA features (HLA-B27 positivity, current inflammatory back pain, or x-ray/MRI evidence of sacroiliitis) to a rheumatologist. Prevalence and diagnosis rates of axSpA are disparate in the USA due to the lack of awareness and knowledge among non-rheumatologists. Progress has been made in identifying hurdles causing diagnostic delays. Public health initiatives are needed to guide primary care physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other specialists seeing patients with chronic back pain on methods for suspecting or identifying axSpA and early referral to rheumatologists.
Time Dependent Solutions for the Biot Equations

In this paper we show that the Biot model for the ultrasound interrogation of bone rigidity, under certain restrictions, can be shown to lead to a unique solution. More precisely, we consider the classical experimental method for measuring bone parameters, that is where a bone sample in a water bath and the bone sample interrogated with an ultrasound devise. This procedure leads to an inverse problem where the ultrasound signal is measured in various positions in the water tank. In order to solve the inverse problem an accurate forward solver is necessary. It is shown that the forward problem may be formulated in terms of a boundary element method. To this end, the Biot system of equations describing the acoustic interaction with a porous material is written in a convenient, compact form. The system, and the transition conditions between the porous material, are rewritten in a Laplace transformed space. The transformed problem is reformulated as a nonlocal boundary problem. Using a variational approach it is shown that the variational problem is equivalent to a nonlocal problem and the solution is shown to be unique. We then use Lubisch’s approach to find estimates in the time domain without recourse to using the inverse Laplace transformation.
Stand structure drives disparities in carbon storage in northern hardwood-conifer forests

Abstract Elements of forest structure are fundamentally associated with an array of ecosystem services and habitat characteristics. However, forest structure varies, in particular, through interactions with natural and human disturbances. Both variation in structural characteristics and associated relationships with ecosystem service outcomes have been poorly explored in mature, secondary forests redeveloped since 19th century agricultural abandonment in the eastern United States. Our study addressed this uncertainty focusing on carbon storage as an important climate regulation service. We conducted an inventory of 45 plots sharing similar land use history (i) to identify differences in forest structure, and (ii) to investigate links between stand structure and aboveground carbon storage. We derived 19 structural attributes and used these in Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) to categorize structurally different groups. Subsequently, we analyzed carbon density in each cluster and employed a random forest algorithm to derive partial effects of structural attributes on carbon storage. We found a distinctive disparity in forest structure inferred from two hardwood-dominated and one softwood-dominated clusters. Nine variables (cavity tree density, conifer ratio, foliage height index, gap area, live basal area, species diversity, variation in heights and diameters, and vertical shrub cover) explained significant differences between these clusters. Carbon storage varied markedly, and was highest in the softwood cluster. Structural complexity was overall positively associated with carbon storage, whereas this effect was more distinctive in hardwood compared to softwood-dominated forests. In particular, five variables exhibited a positive (conifer ratio, diameter variation, dead basal area, large live trees, and live basal area), one a negative (live tree density), and two (dead tree density and species diversity) a mixed relationship with carbon storage. Despite only moderate variation in climatic conditions across the investigated plots, we found a strong sensitivity of carbon storage to mean annual temperature. In contrast, annual precipitation and topography had no effect on carbon storage. The link between structural complexity and carbon storage suggests a high potential to actively increase forest carbon density. Based on our findings, a variety of options are available to enhance forest structure, and thus to improve carbon storage in managed forest ecosystems. These include, for instance, increasing the variability in tree dimensions and fostering large live trees which may improve niche complementarity. Increasing structural complexity in managed forest stands may thus improve buffering of potentially negative impacts of climate change on carbon stocks.
Why people climb: the relationship of participant motives and experience level to mountaineering.

This study utilized factor analytic techniques to identify six underlying motivational dimensions for participating in one type of outdoor adventure recreation activity—mountain climbing. Results i...
Skin Ultrasound Measurement as a Potential Marker of Bone Quality: A Prospective Pilot Study of Patients undergoing Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is not the sole predictor of fracture development. Qualitative markers including bone collagen maturity contribute to bone fragility. Bone and related type I collagen containing connective tissues degenerate in parallel fashion. With aging, changes in skin collagen content and quality have been observed that can be detected on ultrasound (US) as a decrease in dermal thickness and an increase in reticular layer echogenicity. We hypothesized that US dermal thickness and echogenicity correlate with bone collagen maturity. Data of 43 prospectively enrolled patients (mean age 61 years, 24 females), who underwent instrumented, posterior lumbar fusion was analyzed. Besides preoperative quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and skin US measurements, intraoperative bone biopsies were obtained and analyzed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Among men, there was no correlation between US measurements and collagen maturity. Among women, dermal layer thickness correlated negatively with collagen maturity in trabecular bone of the iliac crest (r = -0.51, p = 0.01) and vertebra (r = -0.59, p = 0.01) as well as in cortical bone of the iliac crest (r = -0.50, p = 0.02) and vertebra (r = -0.50, p = 0.04). In addition, echogenicity correlated positively with collagen maturity in trabecular vertebral bone (r = 0.59, p = 0.01). In both genders, US measurements showed no correlation with QCT BMD. In summary, ultrasound skin parameters are associated with bone quality factors such as collagen maturity, rather than bone quantity (BMD). Ultrasound of the skin may thereby be an easy and accessible take off point for diagnosis of bone collagen maturity and connective tissue degeneration in the future. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2508-2515, 2019.
Open Benign Prostatectomy

Open prostatectomy for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction is rarely performed today because of the advances in technique of transurethral prostatectomy and anesthesia and α-blocker medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Nevertheless, the urological surgeon must be familiar with the indications and techniques for performing open prostatectomy. The main techniques for performing open prostatectomy consist of the transvesical suprapubic prostatectomy and simple retropubic prostatectomy. Today, indications for open prostatectomy consist mainly of situations of failed medical therapy for BPH as well as situations in which the urologist considers transurethral surgery to be of increased risk to the patient compared with open prostatectomy (Table 32.1).
Neurophysiological monitoring of tongue muscle activation during hypoglossal nerve stimulation

Objectives/hypothesis Upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) via implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) reduces airway obstruction by selectively stimulating nerve fibers that innervate muscles that produce tongue protrusion, while avoiding fibers that produce tongue retraction. This selective stimulation likely depends upon the location, intensity, and type of electrical stimulation delivered. This study investigates the impact of changing stimulation parameters on tongue muscle activation during HGNS using intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring in conjunction with electromyography (EMG). Study design Prospective case series. Methods Ten patients undergoing unilateral HGNS implantation for OSA in a university hospital setting were studied. Data included EMG responses in tongue muscles that produce protrusion (genioglossus), retraction (styloglossus/hyoglossus), and stiffening (transverse/vertical) in response to intraoperative bipolar probe electrical stimulation of lateral and medial branches of the hypoglossal nerve (HGN) and to implantable pulse generator (IPG) unipolar and bipolar settings after placement of the stimulation cuff. Results Stimulation of medial division HGN branches resulted in EMG responses in genioglossus muscles, but not in styloglossus/hyoglossus muscles, whereas stimulation of the lateral division HGN branches drove responses in styloglossus/hyoglossus muscles. Variable responses in transverse/vertical muscles were observed with stimulation of lateral and medial division branches. After electrode cuff placement, unipolar and bipolar HGN stimulation configurations of IPG resulted in unique patterns of muscle activation. Conclusions The relative activation of extrinsic and intrinsic tongue musculature by HGNS is determined by stimulus location, intensity, and type. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of tongue muscle activation enables proper electrode cuff placement and may provide essential data for stimulus optimization. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1836-1843, 2020.
FOXO3a regulates rhinovirus-induced innate immune responses in airway epithelial cells.

Forkhead transcription factor class O (FOXO)3a, which plays a critical role in a wide variety of cellular processes, was also found to regulate cell-type-specific antiviral responses. Airway epithelial cells express FOXO3a and play an important role in clearing rhinovirus (RV) by mounting antiviral type I and type III interferon (IFN) responses. To elucidate the role of FOXO3a in regulating antiviral responses, we generated airway epithelial cell-specific Foxo3a knockout (Scga1b1-Foxo3a−/−) mice and a stable FOXO3a knockout human airway epithelial cell line. Compared to wild-type, Scga1b1-Foxo3a−/− mice show reduced IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-λ2/3 in response to challenge with RV or double-stranded (ds)RNA mimic, Poly Inosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) indicating defective dsRNA receptor signaling. RV-infected Scga1b1-Foxo3a−/− mice also show viral persistence, enhanced lung inflammation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. FOXO3a K/O airway epithelial cells show attenuated IFN responses to RV infection and this was associated with conformational change in mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) but not with a reduction in the expression of dsRNA receptors under unstimulated conditions. Pretreatment with MitoTEMPO, a mitochondrial-specific antioxidant corrects MAVS conformation and restores antiviral IFN responses to subsequent RV infection in FOXO3a K/O cells. Inhibition of oxidative stress also reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine responses to RV in FOXO3a K/O cells. Together, our results indicate that FOXO3a plays a critical role in regulating antiviral responses as well as limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Based on these results, we conclude that FOXO3a contributes to optimal viral clearance and prevents excessive lung inflammation following RV infection.
Dynamical Effects of Instantons and Merons

The dynamical effects of instantons and merons in QCD are reviewed. Instantons act like four dimensional color magnetic dipoles and make the coupling increase very rapidly. At a certain scale they break up into meron pairs and the coupling diverges,.
Dentist-Patient Communication of Treatment Outcomes in Periodontal Practice: A Need for Dental Patient–Reported Outcomes

Periodontal practice has made tremendous progress toward evidence-based treatment over the past decade. Importantly, a new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant treatments has recently been devised that is incorporating current evidence and enabling patient-specific periodontal care. However, this important progress can be further accelerated with the availability of patient-perceived outcomes of periodontal and implant interventions. The majority of existing clinical studies assess treatment effects based on clinician-measured surrogate outcomes, such as probing depth and attachment levels which are easily communicated to or perceived by dental patients. As dental patient-reported outcomes (dPROs) gain momentum in dental practice, our understanding of the true outcome of dental therapies is vastly increasing. In periodontal research in particular, the utilization of dPROs has clearly demonstrated that periodontal disease contributes to an individual's burden of disease in a substantial manner. Correspondingly, disease treatment interventions seem to lead to varying levels of patient-perceived improvements. The present editorial aims to highlight the importance of patient communication of treatment outcomes in periodontal and implant research and to review the information on available measures for capturing dPROs.
Death by lipids: The role of small nucleolar RNAs in metabolic stress.

Excess fatty acid accumulation in nonadipose tissues leads to cell dysfunction and cell death that is linked to the pathogenesis of inherited and acquired human diseases. Study of this process, known as lipotoxicity, has provided new insights into the regulation of lipid homeostasis and has revealed new molecular pathways involved in lipid-induced cellular stress. The discovery that disruption of specific small nucleolar RNAs protects against fatty acid–induced cell death and remodels metabolism in vivo opens new opportunities for understanding how nutrient signals influence cellular and systemic metabolic homeostasis through RNA biology.
How Microbes Evolved to Tolerate Oxygen

Ancient microbes invented biochemical mechanisms and assembled core metabolic pathways on an anoxic Earth. Molecular oxygen appeared far later, forcing microbes to devise layers of defensive tactics that fend off the destructive actions of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxygen itself. Recent work has pinpointed the enzymes that ROS attack, plus an array of clever protective strategies that abet the well known scavenging systems. Oxygen also directly damages the low-potential metal centers and radical-based mechanisms that optimize anaerobic metabolism; therefore, committed anaerobes have evolved customized tactics that defend these various enzymes from occasional oxygen exposure. Thus a more comprehensive, detailed, and surprising view of oxygen toxicity is coming into view.