cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Staphylococcus aureus Coordinates Leukocidin Expression and Pathogenesis by Sensing Metabolic Fluxes via RpiRc

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a formidable human pathogen that uses secreted cytolytic factors to injure immune cells and promote infection of its host. Of these proteins, the bicomponent family of pore-forming leukocidins play critical roles in S. aureus pathogenesis. The regulatory mechanisms governing the expression of these toxins are incompletely defined. In this work, we performed a screen to identify transcriptional regulators involved in leukocidin expression in S. aureus strain USA300. We discovered that a metabolic sensor-regulator, RpiRc, is a potent and selective repressor of two leukocidins, LukED and LukSF-PV. Whole-genome transcriptomics, S. aureus exoprotein proteomics, and metabolomic analyses revealed that RpiRc influences the expression and production of disparate virulence factors. Additionally, RpiRc altered metabolic fluxes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. Using mutational analyses, we confirmed and extended the observation that RpiRc signals through the accessory gene regulatory (Agr) quorum-sensing system in USA300. Specifically, RpiRc represses the rnaIII promoter, resulting in increased repressor of toxins (Rot) levels, which in turn negatively affect leukocidin expression. Inactivation of rpiRc phenocopied rot deletion and increased S. aureus killing of primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the pathogenesis of bloodstream infection in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that S. aureus senses metabolic shifts by RpiRc to differentially regulate the expression of leukocidins and to promote invasive disease. IMPORTANCE The bicomponent pore-forming leukocidins play pivotal roles in the ability of S. aureus to kill multiple host immune cells, thus enabling this pathogen to have diverse tissue- and species-tropic effects. While the mechanisms of leukocidin-host receptor interactions have been studied in detail, the regulatory aspects of leukocidin expression are less well characterized. Moreover, the expression of the leukocidins is highly modular in vitro, suggesting the presence of regulators other than the known Agr, Rot, and S. aureus exoprotein pathways. Here, we describe how RpiRc, a metabolite-sensing transcription factor, mediates the repression of two specific leukocidin genes, lukED and pvl, which in turn has complex effects on the pathogenesis of S. aureus. Our findings highlight the intricacies of leukocidin regulation by S. aureus and demonstrate the involvement of factors beyond traditional virulence factor regulators.
A review of The Great Leveler: Capitalism and Competition in the Court of Law, by Brett Christophers

In this thoroughly researched and engagingly written monograph, Brett Christophers makes two significant contributions to the eclectic field of geographic political economy. He argues, convincingly...
Laparoscopic ultrasound and gastric cancer

The management of gastrointestinal malignancies continues to evolve with the latest available therapeutic and diagnostic modalities. There are currently two driving forces in the management of these cancers: the benefits of minimally invasive surgery so thoroughly demonstrated by laparoscopic surgery, and the shift toward neoadjuvant chemotherapy for upper gastrointestinal cancers. In order to match the appropriate treatment to the disease, accurate staging is imperative. No technological advances have combined these two needs as much as laparascopic ultrasound to evaluate the liver and peritoneal cavity. We present a concise review of the latest application of laparoscopic ultrasound in management of gastrointestinal malignancy.
Ethical Values of Democracy According to John Dewey

John Dewey never publishes a special work on theory of democracy. Nevertheless, his concern with democracy is undoubted. What is his main thought of democracy? This article is a textual analysis of the idea of democracy spread on his various works. As an experimentalist, his thought on democracy is to respond social problems. He views that two fundamental problems of democracy in his era are a tendency of reducing the meaning of democracy and social movements using violence in the name of political democracy. Dewey does not only look for the solution of the problems of democracy, but also put democracy in living process. The idea of liberty, equality and fraternity, as the democratic trinity, is ethical ideal of humanity. As an ethical idea, it should inspire each person in developing society for a better life. For this reason, he underlines the important of actualizing democracy through education.
The Radiation Spectrum of Normal Tissue Toxicity and Tolerance — Multiorgan Domino Effect

Conceptually, normal tissue tolerance is often viewed and defined in terms of a single specific normal tissue/organ site with the clinical illusion that during radiation treatment the adverse effects are localized and limited to those normal tissues within the radiation field. However, with the technological advances of highly computerized treatment delivery and dynamic multileaf collimation, the widespread use of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows for administering higher doses to defined tumor volume contours but in the process delivers more radiation to all the surrounding normal tissues in the axial segments being treated (Fig. 13.1) [1, 2]. Thus, there is an increasing need to recognize the spectrum of normal tissues and organs which are exposed but often obscured in color wash isodose curves. Although each critical structure has radiation tolerance limits well defined, it is important to have a more holistic view of the radiation effects in the large variety of normal tissues adjacent to the tumor, recognizing that all modalities leave the persistence of the memory of an untoward perturbation of their cellular, genetic, and molecular elements (Fig. 13.2) [3]. Open image in new window Fig. 13.1a,b. Percent relative isodose distributions for the 3DCRT plan (a) and IMRT-2 plan (b). The dose distributions show that the IMRT-2 plan is more conformal than the 3DCRT plan at the cost of slightly losing target coverage. Unlike the UTCP plan values, the UTCPQALY values, which incorporate clinically realistic quality of life data, suggest that the UTCPQALY formalism provides better differentiation between plans. (Reprinted with permission from [2]) Open image in new window Fig. 13.2. Animal models for radiation counter-measures research. The overall goal of research is to go from underlying molecular mechanism to human application. This requires many model systems. (Adapted and reprinted with permission from [3]
Cirque du Soleil -- The High-Wire Act of Building Sustainable Partnerships

The case describes the history and business model of Cirque du Soleil (CdS). The case allows for a rich discussion and analysis of Cirque du Soleil's business model with an emphasis on how it interacts with that of MGM Mirage. Le Cirque and MGM's business models complement one another: MGM makes important capital investments in theaters tailored to CdS's shows that are located in the middle of MGM casinos, CdS acts as a magnet for traffic for an exclusive clientele that spends large amounts of money at the casino. CdS's partnership with MGM has been tremendously profitable. This raises the question of why hold up and opportunism have not destroyed competitive advantage for both entities: What features in CdS and MGM Mirage's business models have resulted in such a successful partnership? The case is set at a juncture where Daniel Lamarre (CdS's CEO) is looking for new opportunities for growth. Lamarre is pondering the likelihood of success of Cirque's first resident show in Asia at Tokyo Disney Resort, its entry in the Macao market, and a new partnership with two subsidiaries of Dubai World, the sovereign wealth fund of the Emirate. The question is: Can Le Cirque find a new model of complementary relationships that will be as profitable as its relationship with MGM Mirage?
Longitudinal follow‐up of academic achievement in children with autism from age 2 to 18

Objective This study examined early predictors of and changes in school-age academic achievement and class placement in children referred for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 2. Method Of 111 ASD referrals, 74 were diagnosed with ASD at age 18. Regression analyses were performed to identify age 3 predictors of achievement in arithmetic, passage comprehension, word reading, and spelling at ages 9 and 18. Linear Mixed Models were used to examine predictors of academic growth between ages 9 and 18. Results Academic skills varied widely at 9 and 18, but were mostly commensurate with or higher than expected given cognitive levels. However, 22% (age 9) and 32% (age 18) of children with average/above average IQ showed below/low average achievement in at least one academic domain. Children who remained in general education/inclusion classrooms had higher achievement than those who moved to special education classrooms. Stronger cognitive skills at age 3 and 9 predicted better academic achievement and faster academic growth from age 9 to 18. Parent participation in intervention by age 3 predicted better achievement at age 9 and 18. Conclusions Many children with ASD achieve basic academic skills commensurate with or higher than their cognitive ability. However, more rigorous screening for learning difficulties may be important for those with average cognitive skills because a significant minority show relative academic delays. Interventions targeting cognitive skills and parent participation in early treatment may have cascading effects on long-term academic development.
Virtual Reality and Simulation in Neurosurgical Training

Recent biotechnological advances, including three-dimensional microscopy and endoscopy, virtual reality, surgical simulation, surgical robotics, and advanced neuroimaging, have continued to mold the surgeon-computer relationship. For developing neurosurgeons, such tools can reduce the learning curve, improve conceptual understanding of complex anatomy, and enhance visuospatial skills. We explore the current and future roles and application of virtual reality and simulation in neurosurgical training.
Outcomes of Traumatic Pancreatic Injuries in Pediatric and Adult Patients: A Retrospective Study Involving Four Trauma Centers

Traumatic injuries of the pancreas are rare and affect both children and adults. Very little has been done to investigate differences in outcome between these two age groups. We performed a retrospective review of cases in four trauma hospitals to determine the differences in outcomes between pediatric and adult patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries. A retrospective chart review was performed for 69 pediatric and adult patients seen at four trauma centers in our health system between 1990 and 2014. The Mann–Whitney's U -test was used to compare continuous variables, while the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical variables. Mortality was determined using the Social Security Death Master File. In this study, 26 pediatric and 43 adult patients were included. Median ages were 11.4 and 42.3 years, respectively. There were significant differences in mechanism of blunt injury between pediatric and adults (motor vehicle collisions = 17.4 vs. 64.9%, bicycle accidents = 43.5 vs. 0.0%; p -value for both comparisons p = 0.030), surgical management (30.8 vs. 67.4%; p = 0.003), and postinjury pancreatitis (57.7 vs. 20.9%; p = 0.002). Median hospital length of stay was 5 versus 11 days ( p = 0.005), respectively. There were no differences in mortality or other complications. In spite of significant differences in blunt injury type, injury severity, and the need for surgery, there were no significant differences in mortality or most postinjury complications between pediatric and adult patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries.
Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Treatment of Adults With Vestibular Schwannomas: Executive Summary.

Background Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are uncommon lesions that are a substantial challenge to the neurosurgeons, otologists, and radiation oncologists who undertake their clinical management. A starting point to improving the current knowledge is to define the benchmarks of the current research studying VS management using evidence-based techniques in order to allow meaningful points of departure for future scientific and clinical research. Objective To establish the best evidence-based management of VS, including initial otologic evaluation, imaging diagnosis, use of surgical techniques, assessment of tumor pathology, and the administration of radiation therapy. Methods Multidisciplinary writing groups were identified to design questions, literature searches, and collection and classification of relevant findings. This information was then translated to recommendations based on the strength of the available literature. Results This guideline series yielded some level 2 recommendations and a greater number of level 3 recommendations directed at the management of VS. Importantly, in some cases, a number of well-designed questions and subsequent searches did not yield information that allowed creation of a meaningful and justifiable recommendation. Conclusion This series of guidelines was constructed to assess the most current and clinically relevant evidence for the management of VS. They set a benchmark regarding the current evidence base for this type of tumor while also highlighting important key areas for future basic and clinical research, particularly on those topics for which no recommendations could be formulated. The full guidelines can be found at: https://www.cns.org/guidelines/guidelines-management-patients-vestibular-schwannoma.
Reflections on Neuroscience in Teacher Education

ABSTRACTThe majority of teacher preparation programs do not address neuroscience in their curricula. This is curious, as learning occurs in the brain in context and teachers fundamentally foster and facilitate learning. On the one hand, merging neuroscience knowledge into teacher training programs is fraught with challenges, such as reconciling how scientific evidence is viewed and used in education, overcoming neuromyths, acknowledging the lack of direct connection between laboratory findings and classroom practices, and coordinating across different levels of analysis in neuroscience and educational practice. On the other hand, there are marked benefits to such a merger, such as deepening pedagogical content knowledge from multiple perspectives; understanding neuroplasticity and its educational implications; recognizing the power of the environment to affect neurobiology, learning, and development; and contributing to engaged, reflective practice and informed inquiry in teaching. Particularly in terms o...
Reducing student absences at scale by targeting parents' misbeliefs

Student attendance is critical to educational success, and is increasingly the focus of educators, researchers and policymakers. We report the results of a randomized experiment examining interventions targeting student absenteeism. Parents of 28,080 high-risk students in grades kindergarten to 12th grade received one of three personalized information treatments repeatedly throughout the school year or received no additional information (control). The most effective versions reduced chronic absenteeism by 10% or more, partly by correcting parents' biased beliefs about their children's total accumulated absences. The intervention reduced student absences comparably across grade levels, and reduced absences among untreated cohabiting students in treated households. This intervention is easy to scale and is more than one order of magnitude more cost effective than current absence-reduction best practices. Educational interventions that inform and empower parents, such as the one reported here, can complement more intensive student-focused absenteeism interventions.
Hammerin’ Hank & the Golden Arm: Remembering Baseball’s Jewish Hall of Famers

This cover story focuses on two of baseball’s greatest players, Sandy Koufax, and Hank Greenberg. Besides describing their great talent for the game, it also chronicles the religious discrimination, taunts and abuse they had to endure for their religious beliefs, not just from the public, but occasionally from members of opposing teams as well.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE ASSIMILATION IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROORGANISMS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some recent findings relative to the control of CO 2 fixation by the external gaseous milieu in representatives of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophic microorganisms. The prokaryotic organisms studied in the laboratory belong to the Rhodospirillaceae , organisms that are probably the most versatile microbes found in nature, capable of five distinct modes of metabolism. A eukaryotic alga, Chlorella sorokiniana , has also proven to be a valuable tool for studies in the laboratory on the environmental regulation of CO 2 fixation. All these organisms use the Calvin–Benson reductive pentose phosphate pathway to assimilate CO 2 . Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides as well as Rhodopseudomonas capsulata produce two apparently distinct forms of RubisCO.
Bacteremia in the chronic spinal cord injury population: risk factors for mortality.

AbstractBackground: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a lifelong increased risk of systemic infection, which may be associated with episodes of life-threatening bacteremia. Information concerning specific organisms causing bacteremia, the sites of primary infection, and clinical predictors for mortality are necessary to provide optimal treatment.Methods: A retrospective review of positive blood cultures collected over a 3 2-month period in chronic SCI patients treated at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center SCI Unit.Results: One hundred and twenty-three episodes of bacteremia occurred in 63 patients during 83 hospitalizations; 30 patients had multiple episodes of bacteremia. There were 1 ,644 admissions during this period, yielding an incidence of bacteremia of 7 .5% (5.8% after excluding positive cultures that were believed to be caused by contaminants). The patients (31 with paraplegia and 32 with quadriplegia) had a mean age of 59 ± 2 years, and a mean duration of injury of 23 ± 2 years. Bl...
Reactive sintering of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x superconductors

Three phase assemblages were used to produce Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (2212) during sintering: a mixture of 20% Ca-rich 2212+80%2212, partially synthesized 2212, and Bi2Sr2CuOx (2201)+(1/2 Ca2 CuO3+1/2 CuO) (denoted 0011). The mixture of 2201+0011 produced highly pure 2212 within 50 h of heating in air at ≈850°C. Ag tubes were filled with a mixture of 2201+0011 and worked into tapes by a powder-in-tube process. Heat treatments produced microstructures consisting of small, highly textured 2212 grains. Tc values were ≈70K. Transport Jc values at 4.2K were ≈104 A/cm2.
Thermoelastic and hygrothermoelastic behavior of cracks

The failure behavior of solids is affected not only by mechanical loads but also by the change of temperature and/or moisture. These external disturbances can interact and their influence on the integrity of structural members can be reflected in the energy stored in a unit volume of material. Determination of the volume energy density will involve mechanical deformation in addition to changes in temperature and/or moisture.
Near-term decrease in brain volume following mild traumatic injury is detectible in the context of preinjury volumetric stability: Neurobiologic insights from analysis of historical imaging examinations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurodegeneration after mild traumatic brain injury may manifest as decreasing regional brain volume that evolves from months to years following mild traumatic brain injury and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that quantitative brain volume derived from CT of the head, performed for clinical indications during routine care, would change with time and provide insights into the putative neuroinflammatory response to mild traumatic brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the electronic medical record of our institution for NCCTs of the head performed in patients with mild traumatic brain injury and included those who also underwent NCCTs of the head 1 month to 1 year before and after mild traumatic brain injury for an indication unrelated to trauma. Controls underwent 3 sequential NCCTs of the head with indications unrelated to trauma. The whole-brain and intracranial volume groups were computed using ITK-SNAP. Brain volumes normalized to intracranial volumes were compared across time points using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: We identified 48 patients from 2005 to 2015 who underwent NCCTs of the head in the emergency department for mild traumatic brain injury and had NCCTs of the head performed both before and after mild traumatic brain injury. Median normalized brain volumes significantly decreased on the follow-up study post-mild traumatic brain injury (0.86 versus 0.84, P P = .927). There was no significant difference between normalized brain volumes in the 48 controls. CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in brain volume following mild traumatic brain injury is detectable on CT and is not seen in similar patients with non-mild traumatic brain injury during a similar timeframe. Given the stability of brain volume before mild traumatic brain injury, CT volume loss may represent the subtle effects of neurodegeneration.
Idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus and obstructive sleep apnea are frequently associated: A prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is defined by ventriculomegaly, cognitive decline, urinary incontinence and gait problems. Vascular risk factors (VRF) are associated with iNPH but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) —a well-known independent VRF— is seldom mentioned. Methods We investigated the presence of sleep-disordered breathing in a prospective cohort of 31 consecutive unselected patients with iNPH using sleep questionnaires and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). Results We found OSA in 90·3% (28/31) patients with iNPH; all had undiagnosed sleep abnormalities (snoring, awakenings, nocturia) and excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth scale = 11·4 ± 6·4; normal 25- Conclusion Abnormal sleep breathing is frequently associated with iNPH. Validation in larger series is required but we suggest including sleep evaluation in patients suspected of iNPH.
An analysis of perioperative outcomes following cervical abscess drainage in children under 2 years

Abstract Objective To identify risk factors and determine perioperative morbidity of children under 2 years of age undergoing cervical abscess drainage. Methods Patients who underwent cervical abscess drainage 1–18 years of age were queried via the ACS-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database (2012–2015). Analyzed outcomes include length of stay, operative time, readmission/reoperation rate, and postoperative complications. Results A total of 2181 children were identified, 858 were 2 years (57.1% male) (p = 0.011). The younger cohort was found to undergo more lateral approaches for cervical abscess drainage whereas the older cohort was found to undergo more intraoral approaches for pharyngeal abscess drainage (p Conclusion Children under 2 years of age have longer LOS that may in part be due to a greater likelihood of postoperative ventilation and a delay in operative intervention, despite having surgical approaches associated with a shorter LOS. They are no more prone to complications than are older children. Recognition of these critical factors plays a role in optimizing perioperative risk assessment and procedural planning within this patient population.
Non-pharmacological Treatments for Cannabis Use Disorders

The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the extant literature evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorders (CUD). This chapter focuses on recently published review articles of controlled studies on psychosocial interventions for adult populations as well as adolescents where available. Also, select findings on promising treatment approaches, suggestions on treatment optimization strategies, and concluding remarks on future directions are covered.
Obesity counseling in obstetrics and gynecology: provider perceptions and barriers.

Abstract To determine how obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) perceive the gynecologic health effects of obesity and to identify perceived obstacles to counseling. OB/GYNs with 3 St. Louis health systems were emailed a 46-question survey regarding physicians' role in counseling women on the health risks of obesity and barriers faced in achieving this counseling. Differences between respondents' gender, age, practice type, years in practice, and body mass index were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests as appropriate. Of 318 OB/GYNs emailed, 134 completed surveys, including 82 generalists and 52 subspecialists. 93% of respondents believed it was necessary to educate patients on health risks of obesity. 90% and 75%, respectively, cited diagnoses of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer as teachable moments for counseling. The most frequently cited barriers to successful counseling were lack of time, referral services, and patient tools/information. Most did not believe they had adequate reimbursement (65%), training (53%) or educational resources (50%) to counsel patients. Survey answers differed by practice setting, gender, and provider age. Although most OB/GYN providers consider obesity counseling important, execution is hindered by perceived barriers that differ by provider gender, age, and practice type. For OB/GYNs, more effective weight management counseling will require better training and practice-specific strategies. Based on survey responses, better reimbursement combined with increased resources for appropriate referrals and cancer prevention counseling are needed in order to improve weight management implementation in OB/GYN.
Community detection and unveiling of hierarchy in networks: a density-based clustering approach

The unveiling of communities within a network or graph, and the hierarchization of its members that results is of utmost importance in areas ranging from social to biochemical networks, from electronic circuits to cybersecurity. We present a statistical mechanics approach that uses a normalized Gaussian function which captures the impact of a node within its neighborhood and leads to a density-ranking of nodes by considering the distance between nodes as punishment. A hill-climbing procedure is applied to determine the density attractors and identify the unique parent (leader) of each member as well as the group leader. This organization of the nodes results in a tree-like network with multiple clusters, the community tree. The method is tested using synthetic networks generated by the LFR benchmarking algorithm for network sizes between 500 and 30,000 nodes and mixing parameter between 0.1 and 0.9. Our results show a reasonable agreement with the LFR results for low to medium values of the mixing parameter and indicate a very mild dependence on the size of the network.
Electrospinning deposition of poly(acrylic acid): platinum/carbon catalyst ink to enhance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide a renewable source of energy through the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gas; however, operation relies on a costly platinum catalyst layer. This study investigates how electrospun catalyst layers may be employed to increase the surface area:volume ratio for catalysis to optimize PEMFC performance. When preparing electrospinning solutions, several base polymers were evaluated in varying concentrations to optimize fiber formation, with poly(acrylic acid) found to be preferable at a 12 wt% concentration. Ultimately, PEMFCs with electrospun catalyst layers achieved a 108% increase in power output compared to those air-sprayed.
A 1.0-8.3 GHz Cochlea-Based Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer With Δ-Σ-Modulated Digital Outputs

The biological inner ear, or cochlea, is a sophisticated signal processing system that performs spectrum analysis over an ultra-broadband frequency range of ~20 Hz to 20 kHz with exquisite sensitivity and high energy efficiency. Electronic cochlear models, which mimic the exponentially-tapered structure of the biological inner ear using bidirectional transmission lines or filter cascades, act as fast and hardware-efficient spectrum analyzers at both audio and radio frequencies. This paper describes a cochlea-based digitally-programmable single-chip radio frequency (RF) spectrum analyzer in 65 nm CMOS. This “RF cochlea” chip includes a transmission-line active cochlear model with 50 parallel exponentially-spaced stages that analyzes the radio spectrum from 1.0-8.3 GHz. The outputs of all stages are encoded in parallel as delta-sigma ( $\Delta - \Sigma $ ) modulated digital signals for real-time demodulation and analysis by a digital back-end processor. The chip consumes 418 mW and typically generates ~1 GS/s of total data at an ENOB of 5–6 bits. An artificial intelligence (AI)-driven single-channel cognitive radio (CR) receiver based on the RF cochlea has also been implemented and tested.
The single visit treatment of pediatric distal radius buckle fractures-A center's experience with the treatment algorithm.

Abstract Introduction This descriptive study aims to review and evaluate the implementation of a single visit treatment protocol for pediatric distal radius buckle fractures at our center - its success, learning points and limitations. It hopes to raise awareness of the efficacy of the protocol and its benefits to promote its utilization. Methods Following a pilot study, the protocol was implemented from 1 March 2017. A retrospective review of clinical records over 2 years since implementation for patients with a new-visit diagnosis of "distal radius buckle fracture" was conducted. Data collected included age at time of injury, gender, side of injury, whether the patient was enrolled into the protocol, number of clinic visits, and number of radiographic examination(s) performed. Each record was reviewed up to 3 months post-injury to check for any complications or return visits. Costs of specific treatment interventions were also obtained from the hospital's finance department. Results 286 patients with buckle fractures of the distal radius eligible for enrolment into the single visit treatment protocol were identified. Of these, 202 patients (70.6%) were enrolled and managed with the protocol, while 84 patients (29.4%) were treated with conventional management. Of the 202 protocol-managed patients, all fractures healed without complications. Only 4 patients returned for additional clinic visits. Another 4 patients had additional X-rays taken on top of their initial injury film. A breakdown of expenses for treatment also showed cost savings of USD 110.67 and USD 320.80 for residents and non-residents respectively for single visit treatment. Conclusion Single visit treatment of pediatric distal radius buckle fractures is recommended and supported by evidence, with advantages of convenience, cost reduction, and being less labor intensive.
Beyond Resettlement: Sociocultural Factors Influencing Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Afghan Refugee Women.

Immigrants and refugees have an increased risk for developing chronic health conditions, such as breast and colorectal cancer, the longer they reside in the USA. Moreover, refugees are less even likely to use preventive health services like mammography and colonoscopy screening when compared with US-born counterparts. Focused ethnography was employed to examine sociocultural factors that influenced cancer screening behaviors among aging Afghan refugee women. We conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with Afghan women 50 and older and their family member/caregivers. Interview transcripts were inductively coded using Atlas.ti, where focused codes were sorted and reduced into categories, and we extracted meaning around groups of categories. Findings of this study revealed factors like fear of cancer, pre-migration experiences, family involvement, provider recommendation, and provider gender concordance influenced women’s cancer screening behaviors. This study also found that women who have had a recent mammogram or colonoscopy described empowerment factors that helped them withstand the stressful process of screening, through encouragement and reminders from providers, support from adult family members, and finding strength through duaas (prayers). As refugee women continue to age in the USA, clinicians should incorporate multi-level strategies, including family-centered and faith-based approaches to promote preventive screening behaviors in this population.
Strong Concentration Enhancement of Molecules at the Interface of Aqueous Microdroplets.

Water is arguably the most common and yet least understood material on Earth. The interface between water and a hydrophobic medium, such as air, oil, or lipids, plays a fundamental role in chemistr...
The Making of a General: War and the Occupation of Upper Burma (1885–1889)

Chapter 4, “The Making of a General: War and the Occupation of Upper Burma (1885–1889),” investigates the two and a half years which White spent in Upper Burma where he honed his military and administrative skills while working alongside the British political agents, Charles Bernard and later Charles Crosthwaite, to allow for the transition from military to civilian control and to extend the frontier of Burma. It examines White’s brief time in the Sudan under General Garnet Wolseley, the rapid defeat of Burmese troops and the seizure of Mandalay, and White’s administration during the occupation of Upper Burma including his policy to defeat the rebels and dacoits (bandits), and extend British rule to the Chinese border incorporating Kachin, Chin, and the Shan states.
Tracing Digital Contact Tracing: Surveillance Technology and Privacy Rights During COVID-19 in China, South Korea, and the United States (preprint)

In many societies, during large-scale crises such as those involving public health or national security, privacy is often framed as an individual value, right, or responsibility that can be sacrificed, pitted against more important public and social values. Yet, the social importance of privacy has been suggested by various scholars, considering its value for a democratic political system, societal trust, and interdependent or networked nature of privacy. As such, we also find the dichotomous framing that considers privacy as an individual right to be traded off for other public values misleading. It delegitimates discussions and concerns around privacy, and by doing so, unduly privileges some agendas at the sacrifice of certain individuals or marginalized communities. We started this collaborative project, acknowledging such individualistic conceptualization of privacy to be problematic. This project is an attempt to start brainstorming alternative thinking and framing of privacy, particularly in the context of restrained mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. That is, privacy is not necessarily what individuals or certain groups of people should give up when the bigger communities are perceived to be under threat or crisis. Rather, privacy needs to be considered as a collective value and right, which should be carefully considered in discussion of ways to overcome different modes of crises in society. For example, if we are not carefully protective of everyone’s privacy rights during the pandemic, considering only the benefits of being able to trace individuals’ or specific populations’ health records or movements, the consequence may be tied to dire social problems, especially racism and discrimination, which would reinforce existing social polarization with long-lasting impacts on society. We focused on digital contact tracing methods introduced in different parts of the world (i.e., USA, China, and South Korea) to conduct a comparative case study that surveys how each country has approached the global public health crisis at the national level and what implications it brought to the understanding, discourse, and protection of privacy. For case studies on the three countries, we took an approach of “thin description” to reflect upon a variety of texts identified for each country’s context (i.e., the popular press, academic articles, legal documents, government and corporate informational materials). The purpose of this project was rather to provide a brief but a critical overview of privacy implications along with the digital contact tracing technologies introduced and implemented in the three countries that have divergent cultures and political systems.
High-throughput reaction engineering to assess the oxidation stability of MAX phases

The resistance to oxidizing environments exhibited by some Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases stems from the formation of stable and protective oxide layers at high operating temperatures. The MAX phases are hexagonally arranged layered nitrides or carbides with general formula Mn+1AXn, n = 1, 2, 3, where M is early transition elements, A is A block elements, and X is C/N. Previous attempts to model and assess oxide phase stability in these systems has been limited in scope due to higher computational costs. To address the issue, we developed a machine-learning driven high-throughput framework for the fast assessment of phase stability and oxygen reactivity of 211 chemistry MAX phase M2AX. The proposed scheme combines a sure independence screening sparsifying operator-based machine-learning model in combination with grand-canonical linear programming to assess temperature-dependent Gibbs free energies, reaction products, and elemental chemical activity during the oxidation of MAX phases. The thermodynamic stability, and chemical activity of constituent elements of Ti2AlC with respect to oxygen were fully assessed to understand the high-temperature oxidation behavior. The predictions are in good agreement with oxidation experiments performed on Ti2AlC. We were also able to explain the metastability of Ti2SiC, which could not be synthesized experimentally due to higher stability of competing phases. For generality of the proposed approach, we discuss the oxidation mechanism of Cr2AlC. The insights of oxidation behavior will enable more efficient design and accelerated discovery of MAX phases with maintained performance in oxidizing environments at high temperatures.
Enhancing supports for parents with disabilities: a qualitative inquiry into parent centered planning

There is a dearth of available supports and services aimed specifically at parents with disabilities. The Parent-Centered Planning (PCP) intervention was developed to fill this gap, aiming to enhan...
Outcomes of HRSA-Funded Expansion of Physician Assistant Training Grants 2011-2016.

PURPOSE The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, created the Expansion of Physician Assistant Training (EPAT) grant with the goal of increasing the number of physician assistants (PAs) entering primary care. There has been no analysis regarding the practice patterns of students graduating from EPAT-funded programs. This study aimed to describe the workforce impact of federal investment in PA education through the EPAT program. METHODS In 2018 the authors administered an anonymous electronic survey to all 27 EPAT PA programs funded from 2010 to 2015. The goal was to assess program and graduate characteristics, practice patterns, and intention to apply to similar future opportunities. The survey was IRB exempt. RESULTS There was a 59.30% response rate representing 366 total graduates, which reflected 62.46% of the 586 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-reported total EPAT-funded students. Of the respondents, 16.41% of EPAT recipients self-identified as non-White, 4.54% indicated Hispanic ethnicity, 53.65% identified as being of disadvantaged status, and 32.92% reported coming from rural backgrounds. Sixty-three percent entered primary care immediately following graduation, while 87.88% reported practicing primary care immediately after graduation or at the last point of contact. Fifty-two percent of EPAT graduates practiced in medically underserved areas (MUAs). CONCLUSION Recipients of HRSA EPAT funding practiced in primary care specialties immediately following graduation at a rate that was 2.5 times higher than the national PA average. This specialty choice was durable for several years post-graduation. The EPAT program funded over 140 PA graduates who immediately practiced in MUAs. This funding supported a more racially and ethnically diverse student population and higher number of students coming from rural areas than the national average for PA students.
Early Neurorehabilitation and Recovery from Disorders of Consciousness After Severe COVID-19.

Early neurorehabilitation improves outcomes in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) after brain injury, but its applicability in COVID-19 is unknown. We describe our experience implementing an early neurorehabilitation protocol for patients with COVID-19-associated DoC in the intensive care unit (ICU) and evaluate factors associated with recovery. During the initial COVID-19 surge in New York City between March 10 and May 20, 2020, faced with a disproportionately high number of ICU patients with prolonged unresponsiveness, we developed and implemented an early neurorehabilitation protocol, applying standard practices from brain injury rehabilitation care to the ICU setting. Twenty-one patients with delayed recovery of consciousness after severe COVID-19 participated in a pilot early neurorehabilitation program that included serial Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) assessments, multimodal treatment, and access to clinicians specializing in brain injury medicine. We retrospectively compared clinical features of patients who did and did not recover to the minimally conscious state (MCS) or better, defined as a CRS-R total score (TS) ≥ 8, before discharge. We additionally examined factors associated with best CRS-R TS, last CRS-R TS, hospital length of stay, and time on mechanical ventilation. Patients underwent CRS-R assessments a median of six (interquartile range [IQR] 3–10) times before discharge, beginning a median of 48 days (IQR 40–55) from admission. Twelve (57%) patients recovered to MCS after a median of 8 days (IQR 2–14) off continuous sedation; they had lower body mass index (p = 0.009), lower peak serum C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.023), higher minimum arterial partial pressure of oxygen (p = 0.028), and earlier fentanyl discontinuation (p = 0.018). CRS-R scores fluctuated over time, and the best CRS-R TS was significantly higher than the last CRS-R TS (median 8 [IQR 5–23] vs. 5 [IQR 3–18], p = 0.002). Earlier fentanyl (p = 0.001) and neuromuscular blockade (p = 0.015) discontinuation correlated with a higher last CRS-R TS. More than half of our cohort of patients with prolonged unresponsiveness following severe COVID-19 recovered to MCS or better before hospital discharge, achieving a clinical benchmark known to have relatively favorable long-term prognostic implications in DoC of other etiologies. Hypoxia, systemic inflammation, sedation, and neuromuscular blockade may impact diagnostic assessment and prognosis, and fluctuations in level of consciousness make serial assessments essential. Early neurorehabilitation of these patients in the ICU can be accomplished but is associated with unique challenges. Further research should evaluate factors associated with longer-term neurologic recovery and benefits of early rehabilitation in patients with severe COVID-19.
Effects of meditation compared to music listening on biomarkers in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints: secondary outcomes of a pilot randomized control trial.

Abstract Context: We previously reported positive behavioral effects of both daily mantra meditation and classical music listening interventions in breast cancer survivors with cancer related cognitive complaints. Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effects of the meditation intervention to a music listening intervention on biomarkers of inflammation and cellular aging (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors. Design: Randomized control trial, baseline data collection (time 1), post intervention data collection (time 2) Setting: Community-based, Central Texas Participants: 25 breast cancer survivors (BCS) who were 3 months to 6 years post chemotherapy completion and reported cognitive decline Intervention(s): Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) or music listening (ML), 8 weeks, 12 minutes a day Main Outcome: Telomerase activity [TA], c-reactive protein [CRP], soluble IL-2 receptor alpha [sIL-2Rα], soluble IL-4 receptor [sIL-4R], soluble IL-6 receptor [sIL-6R], soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II [sTNF-RII], VEGF receptor 2 [sVEGF-R2], and VEGF receptor 3 [sVEGF-R3] Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance models were analyzed from time 1 to time 2 by group for each biomarker. A pattern of greater telomerase activity across time in both groups (F (1,15) = 3.98, p = .06, η²p = .21); significant decreases in sIL-4R across time for both groups (F (1,22)= 6.28, p = .02, η²p = .22); group*time effect was nominally different but not statistically different for sIL-4R (F(1,22)= 3.82, p = .06, η²p = .15); and a pattern for a group*time effect with ML group showing higher levels of sVEGF-R3 at time 2 (F (1,20)=, p = .12, η²p = .11). No significant effects were found for CRP, sIL-2Rα, sIL-6R, sTNF-RII, or sVEGF-R2.
A new treatment of trichomonas vaginitis.

Abstract A series of 58 cases of Trichomonas vaginitis was treated with Vagisec liquid and jelly in order to test the efficacy of these preparations. There were 54 successful cases, or 93.1 per cent, as proved by negative cultures obtained in 3 consecutive months after completion of the therapy. Though this series is small, we feel these are very encouraging results in the treatment of a condition which is extremely difficult to cure.
An Empirical Investigation of the Usefulness of Earnings per Share Disclosures

This study reports on an empirical investigation involving large numbers of firms disclosing primary and fully diluted earnings per share over a 10-year period. The potential usefulness of dual ear...
An exploration of the concept of connect.

Aim The purpose is to explore the concept of connect in multiple disciplines for further development of knowledge and theories in nursing and to establish a clear understanding of this construct. Background Connect has meanings rooted in the discipline of business, technology, and transportation which influence how the term is defined in nursing. Several definitions have been established that demonstrate the concepts of connect in other disciplines. Design A concept exploration design was used for the identification and explication of the term connect to describe, explain, and predict this interprofessional phenomenon. Review methods The databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PRO-Quest, and EBSCO were searched for articles through title and abstract screening using connect, connectedness, and connectivity. Results Three specific components were identified in the exploration: (a) respect, (b) trust, and (c) mutuality. Current literature validated the need for an empirical concept analysis. Conclusions This concept exploration provides the first step in understanding the context and meaning of connect in nursing profession. By determining if connections exist and quantifying the level of connections, a level of congruency between the nurse and the patient can be established to determine the best plan of care and goals. An empirical measure of connect will benefit nursing and other disciplines.