cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive surgery for splenic malignancies

While minimally invasive surgery, i.e. laparoscopy, has become well-accepted in the treatment algorithm for malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and gynecologic tumors, the role of laparoscopy for malignancies involving the spleen is less clear. Initially described in 1992 for benign hematologic disease, laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for splenic malignancy was avoided secondary to the severe hematologic disease, profound cytopenia, and massive splenomegaly frequently seen in these patients. As experience with LS grew and larger data were generated, it became clear that hematologic malignancy and splenomegaly could be safely managed laparoscopically. In experienced hands, LS can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of both lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders affecting spleen, in addition to splenic tumors of both primary and metastatic origin. LS can be performed from a lateral or anterior approach, and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy can provide significant benefit in cases of massive splenomegaly. Preoperative imaging for accurate splenic measurement is invaluable to guide surgical planning. Triple vaccination should be given to all patients prior to surgery, and splenic artery embolization before surgery should be considered in patients with massive splenomegaly to reduce intraoperative bleeding. LS can be performed safely for nearly all cases of malignancy involving the spleen, and potentially offers significant advantages of decreased pain and recovery time while maintaining equivalent complications and survival compared to open splenectomy.
Comparing the Desmopressin (DDAVP) Challenge Test to DDAVP Clinical Response in Pediatric Patients with Von Willebrand's Disease: A Single Center Experience

Abstract Introduction Von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. It is characterized by both quantitative and qualitative defects of the von Willebrand Factor (VWF) and generally manifests as menorrhagia, epistaxis and easy bruising. Initial treatment involves the use of desmopressin (DDAVP) that induces the release of VWF from the endothelium. Patients undergo a DDAVP challenge test that involves intravenous DDAVP (IV-DDAVP) infusion with multiple blood draws to determine an increase in the VWD panel. Due to the DDAVP challenge test being a costly and lengthy process, we sought to evaluate the prognostic utility of the challenge test in patients who responded favorably. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in pediatric patients aged 18 years or younger with a laboratory diagnosis of VWD who underwent the DDAVP challenge test between 2005 and 2015 at our institution. VWD panel results pre and post DDAVP challenge test were obtained from clinical records. A complete response was defined as a 2-fold increase at 1-3 hours or at least 1.5-fold increase at 4-6 hours post-infusion. Patients' clinical records were reviewed for initial presentation and response to DDAVP. SPSS version 23.0.0 was used to analyze demographic and laboratory data, with frequencies and paired t-tests performed for comparison where appropriate. Results Seventy two pediatric patients were identified with a diagnosis of VWD: 34 (47%) were VW type 1, 51 (72%) were females and 50 (69%) were Caucasian. Challenge results were available for 48 patients (66%): Post-DDAVP levels were significantly higher than baseline (p = Conclusion A high proportion of our patients with VWD responded to the DDAVP challenge test, but subsequently required therapy with a PDP; and half of non-responders were able to use DDAVP. In our pediatric patient population, an initial IV-DDAVP challenge test did not identify those that would respond clinically to IN-DDAVP therapy long-term. Thus, more studies addressing the utility of the challenge test in VWD would be needed before drawing further conclusions on its prognostic value. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Motion-Extended Array Synthesis—Part III: An Offset Imaging System Perspective

Motion-extended array synthesis (MXAS) is a concept for the realization of a 1-D or 2-D synthetic array, accomplished specifically without recourse to a reference waveform. The essential idea is that the relative motion between a minimum of two collection platforms with different velocity vectors can be exploited to create a virtual array, the size of the virtual array being the space swept out by the relative motion of the collectors. From fundamental imaging theory, the process is properly described as an offset imaging system (OIS) for which the range of baselines engendered is similar to that for a real aperture of the same size, but is offset by some potentially very large distance. For a far-field scenario, this may be equivalently described in terms of spatial frequencies, with the real and virtual imaging systems differing by the presence (in the latter) of an offset spatial frequency. We show that the MXAS construct is properly understood as an OIS, the MXAS processing method yields a form of the principal solution for an OIS, and the MXAS method is advantageous relative to conventional aperture synthesis processing measures, for an OIS. We consider imaging performance implications due to the offset nature of the imaging system, for spatially coherent and incoherent scenarios, and conclude that for many applications of interest, the process introduces no appreciable degradation.
Mechanism of arsenite toxicity in embryonic stem cells.

Environmental arsenite exposure has been linked to cancer as well as other diseases, presenting an important and serious public health problem. Toxicity of inorganic arsenite (iAs) has been investigated using animal models and cell culture, yet its developmental effects are poorly understood. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of iAs toxicity to ascertain insight into development and differentiation processes using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The results showed that iAs exposure affected morphology and integrity of ESC colonies as well as inhibited cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner, excluding concentrations <1 μM iAs which stimulated ESC growth. ESCs self-renewal and pluripotency was also affected as evident from the downregulation of transcription circuitry, Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and Klf4 resulting in non-specific differentiation. ESCs exposed to iAs randomly differentiated into three germ layers, mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm, as judged by transcriptional expression of Brachyury, Gata4 and FGF2, as well as translational expression of BRACHYURY, GATA4 and TUJ1 respectively. The differentiated cells represented osteogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic and neurogenic lineages as evident from upregulation of Col1, Sox9, Col2, Myog, Notch, Nes and Nef. Although iAs caused slight apoptosis with a concomitant increase in ROS levels, the exposed ESCs had significant Bcl2 expression, which could be involved in the protection against apoptosis. Further analysis revealed upregulation of Jun and P38 in ESCs with an increase in iAs concentration. These observations indicated that iAs stress caused random differentiation of ESCs via JNK/P38 pathways. These findings suggest that iAs exposure may cause teratogenicity during early fetal development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal transport dynamics in the quasi-single helicity state

A dynamical model describing oscillations between multiple and single helicity configurations in the quasi-single helicity (QSH) state of the reversed field pinch [P. W. Terry and G. G. Whelan, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 56, 094003 (2014)] is extended to include electron temperature profile dynamics. It is shown that QSH dynamics is linked to the electron temperature profile because the suppression of mode coupling between tearing modes proposed to underlie QSH also suppresses magnetic-fluctuation-induced thermal transport. Above the threshold of dominant-mode shear that marks the transition to QSH, the model produces temperature-gradient steepening in the strong shear region. Oscillations of the dominant and secondary mode amplitudes give rise to oscillations of the temperature gradient. The phasing and amplitude of temperature gradient oscillations relative to those of the dominant mode are in agreement with experiment. This provides further evidence that the model, while heuristic, captures key phy...
Neurological Conditions Associated with Parasomnias

In this chapter, we review common neurological disorders in both children and adults that present and/or are associated with nocturnal parasomnias. The presentation of parasomnias with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), migraine, Tourette’s syndrome, and dementias is often multifactorial; medications, changes in environment, pain, stress, immobility, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, and/or underlying sleep disorders may induce parasomnias in patients in both childhood and adulthood. Parasomnias may also be related to intrinsic sleep architectural abnormalities seen in these neurological diseases. For instance, instability of NREM sleep in children with ADHD may contribute to sleep fragmentation leaving more opportunities for parasomnias to occur during the night. For each disorder discussed, we present the current literature on associated sleep disturbances and highlight presentation of parasomnias. The pathophysiology of parasomnias among these disorders is still speculative but spans etiologies such as neurodegeneration of specific neural substrates to alterations of neurophysiology during sleep. While there is no current literature on how parasomnias influence daytime functioning, clinically the patients report increased fatigue and sleepiness which may exacerbate core neurological symptoms.
Photothermal effect: an important aspect for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity under illumination by NIR radiation

A key auxiliary role of the photothermal effect (PTE) in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity under illumination by near-infrared (NIR) radiation has been experimentally revealed. It was found that the photoexcitation of electrons, required for the process of photocatalysis, does not occur in the presence of NIR radiation alone without the support of both UV and visible radiation. Herein, a binary heterogeneous nanophotocatalyst, GR–ZnO, was fabricated by a novel approach using a hydrothermal process, in which ZnO nanotrapezoids were deposited over the surfaces of graphene nanosheets. In the unique approach reported, the reduction of graphene oxide to graphene has been accomplished using water by an entirely alternative mechanism compared to traditional reduction processes which require hazardous reducing agents. The produced GR–ZnO photocatalyst exhibited excellent performance in the rapid degradation of a perilous dye, methyl orange voluntarily used in industry. It has been found that the PTE is mainly responsible for the rapid degradation of methyl orange, which occurs under NIR laser irradiation. Furthermore, it has been established that the PTE could not emerge with NIR radiation alone, without the support of both UV and visible radiation. Upon considering its importance, the PTE of the GR–ZnO nanocatalyst has been revealed and compared with that of its individual components, viz., graphene and ZnO. Moreover, the photothermal conversion efficiency of the GR–ZnO nanocatalyst was evaluated. Overall, the excellent catalytic activity found in the GR–ZnO nanocatalyst was accounted for by its decreased band gap, which arose because the hybridization of ZnO with graphene could efficiently prevent the recombination of photo-generated charge carriers, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity of GR-ZnO nanocatalyst was attributed to improved optical absorption and enhancement in the adsorption affinity to methyl orange molecules.
Is the Positive Bias an ADHD Phenomenon? Reexamining the Positive Bias and its Correlates in a Heterogeneous Sample of Children.

The goals of this study were to (a) evaluate the presence of the positive bias (PB) in elementary-school-aged children with and without ADHD when PB is defined at the individual level through latent profile analysis and (b) examine the extent to which several correlates (i.e., social functioning, aggression, depression, and anxiety) are associated with the PB. Participants were 233 youth (30% female; 8 to 10 years of age), 51% of whom met criteria for ADHD. During an individual evaluation, children and parents completed a battery of questionnaires to assess child competence, depression, anxiety, and aggression. Children also participated in a novel group session with same-sex unfamiliar peers (half of the group was comprised of children with ADHD) to engage in group problem-solving tasks and free play activities. After the group session, peers and staff completed ratings of each child's behavior (e.g., likeability, rule following). The best fitting LPA model for parent and self-ratings of competence revealed four profiles: High Competence/Self-Aware; Variable Competence/Self-Aware; Low Competence/Self-Aware; and Low Competence/PB, in which the PB was present across domains. Only 10% of youth showed a PB and youth with ADHD were no more likely to display the PB than their non-ADHD peers with similar levels of low competence. Lastly, the Low Competence/Self-Aware profile demonstrated higher levels of anxiety and depression than the Low Competence/PB profile; the profiles did not differ on aggression or peer or staff ratings of social/behavioral functioning. Implications for understanding the PB in children with and without ADHD are discussed.
Site-Specific Insulin-Trehalose Glycopolymer Conjugate by Grafting From Strategy Improves Bioactivity.

Insulin is an important therapeutic protein for the treatment of diabetes, but it is unstable and aggregates upon exposure to environmental stressors encountered during storage and transport. To prevent degradation of the protein in this manner and retain as much in vivo bioactivity as possible, a well-defined insulin–trehalose glycopolymer conjugate was synthesized. To accomplish this, a strategy was employed to site-specifically modify insulin with a polymerization initiator at a particular conjugation site; this also facilitated purification and characterization. Lysine of the B chain was preferentially modified by conducting the reaction at high pH, taking advantage of its higher nucleophilicity than the N-terminal amines. Trehalose monomer was polymerized directly from this macroinitiator to form a well-defined conjugate. Bioactivity of the site-specific conjugate was shown to be higher compared to the nonspecific conjugate and the same as the analogous site-specific poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conju...
Fault-Tolerant Complete Visibility for Asynchronous Robots with Lights Under One-Axis Agreement

We consider the distributed setting of N autonomous mobile robots that operate in Look-Compute-Move (LCM) cycles and communicate with other robots using colored lights under the robots with lights model. We study the fundamental Complete Visibility problem of repositioning N robots on a plane so that each robot is visible to all others. We assume obstructed visibility under which a robot cannot see another robot if a third robot is positioned between them on the straight line connecting them. We are interested in fault-tolerant algorithms. We study fault-tolerance with respect to failures on the mobility of robots. Therefore, any algorithm for Complete Visibility is required to provide visibility between all non-faulty robots, independently of the behavior of the faulty ones. We model mobility failures as crash faults in which each faulty robot is allowed to stop its movement at any time and, once the faulty robot stopped moving, that robot will remain stationary indefinitely thereafter. There exists an algorithm for this problem that tolerates a single faulty robot in the semi-synchronous setting under both-axis agreement. In this paper, we provide the first algorithm for this problem that tolerates \(f\le N\) faulty robots in the asynchronous setting under one-axis agreement. The proposed algorithm is collision-free – robots do not share positions and their paths do not cross, energy efficient – each robot performs at most one move, and handles non-rigidity of the robot movements.
Infection Control Practices and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections: A Survey of Students in US Chiropractic Programs

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of self-reported history of physician-diagnosed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) among chiropractic students and any association with infection control behaviors (hand and table hygiene, sharing gowns, and sharing lotion) and initiation of patient care. Methods Questionnaires were obtained from 312 students attending half (9/18) of US chiropractic campuses. The questionnaire was derived from earlier studies led by Bearman in 2010 and Evans in 2007. Associations were assessed with Fisher exact test. Crude odds ratios were calculated for each of the variables. Two logistic regression models were produced. Results Attendance at 1 campus was associated with postmatriculation MRSA SSTI in univariate analysis (P = .010). The logistic regression model was significant (P Conclusions Fewer than 5 cases of MRSA SSTI were detected overall, revealing a low rate of reported postmatriculation MRSA SSTI among these students. There was a univariate association with postmatriculation MRSA SSTI at 1 chiropractic college.
Optimization of Forest Wildlife Objectives

This chapter presents an overview of methods for optimizing wildlife-related objectives. These objectives hinge on landscape pattern, so we refer to these methods as "spatial optimization." It is currently possible to directly capture deterministic characterizations of the most basic spatial relationships: proximity relationships (including those that lead to edge effects), habitat connectivity1 fiagrnentation relationships, population growth and dispersal, and patch size1 habitat amount thresholds. More complex spatial relationships and stochastic relationships are currently best captured through heuristic manipulation of simulation models. General treatment of stochastic variables in spatial optimization is in its infancy.
From Pilgrim Landscape to ‘Pilgrim Road’: Tracing the Transformation of the Char Dham Yatra in Colonial Garhwal

The pan-Indian pilgrimages to the char dhams (four holy abodes) of the Garhwal Himalayas were deeply ecological and sensorial experiences in the pre-colonial era. Drawing on archival research, I trace how colonial schemes, together with the enterprises of modern Hindu institutions, engendered significant changes to the ethos of this yatra (pilgrimage). Colonial administrators imagined the thinking, acting, and sensate personae of the pilgrims as simply suffering bodies. Officials implemented road works, forestry, and conservancy arrangements in ways that exacerbated inequalities of class and caste in the pilgrimage. State gazetteers and neo-Hindu guidebooks alike privileged a high-Hindu, upper-caste narration of the significance of the yatra. I argue that the locus of the sacred increasingly shifted away from pilgrims' ephemeral encounters with the natural world toward the precincts of temples. I contend that in the postcolonial context, this historical trajectory helps explain ongoing government plans to build 'all-weather highways' to link the char dhams.
The Impact of Medical Student Burnout on Surgery Clerkship Performance.

OBJECTIVE Increasing reports on resident burnout have resulted in efforts to improve trainee well-being. Medical student burnout, however, is not well understood. We set out to evaluate burnout among third-year medical students and explore its impact on clerkship performance. DESIGN Analysis of prospectively-collected survey data from medical students on the third-year surgery clerkship was performed. Surveys included an institution-specific pre- and postclerkship survey, the 12-item Grit Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. SETTING University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS Between 2016 and 2017, 166 students completed the surgery clerkship and were asked to complete the surveys. Sixty-two students (37.4%) completed all surveys and were included in this study. RESULTS Among the third-year medical student participants, there was no difference in burnout before vs after the clerkship (22.6% vs 17.7%, p = 0.41). Students with burnout had significantly lower grit scores (3.10 ± 0.66) compared to those without burnout (3.63 ± 0.50, p = 0.01). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that increasing grit was associated with decreasing emotional exhaustion (p = 0.01), decreasing depersonalization (p = 0.04), and increasing personal achievement (p = 0.03). Finally, 75% of students with resolution of burnout developed an interest in surgery, whereas all students who developed burnout after the clerkship had no interest in surgery (p = 0.03). Upon completion of the rotation, burnout was not associated with poorer quality of clerkship experience or decreased clerkship performance (p > 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS Although traditionally considered a difficult rotation, we found no increase in medical student burnout following the surgery clerkship. Higher grit scores were associated with decreased burnout, though burnout did not have a negative impact on student experience or performance. Clerkships should continue to set high expectations and maximize educational opportunities without significant apprehension that it may have a negative impact on students.
Constructions Construed: The Representation of Southeast Asian Refugess in Academic, Popular, and Adolescent Discourse

(1993). Constructions Construed: The Representation of Southeast Asian Refugess in Academic, Popular, and Adolescent Discourse. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 1-26.
Older, hypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic fairgoers visit more booths and differ in their health concerns at a community health fair.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether persons attending a community health fair had different health concerns and booth visitation patterns based on their risk factor profiles. All fairgoers were encouraged to complete an anonymous survey of demographic information, top 4 health concerns, and selected cardiac risk factors. Over the five-hour duration of the fair, 329 surveys were collected from about 450 fairgoers. There were no exclusion criteria for the survey. The fair was sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the American College of Physicians, organized by medical students from the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, and included 23 booths on a variety of health topics. Older fairgoers and fairgoers with a self-reported history of high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol showed an increased interest in hypertension and heart disease (p < 0.05). Older fairgoers also showed an increased interest in health topics related to aging, such as estrogen replacement therapy and geriatric medicine. Older, hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic fairgoers visited an increased mean number of total booths when compared to other respondents (p < 0.05). Most booths reported a higher percentage of older, hypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic visitors than the overall percentage of fairgoers who reported these risk factors. These results suggest that booth visitation patterns of health fair participants may be viewed as a deliberate attempt by at-risk populations to access health information particular to their needs.
Educational Targets to Reduce Medication Errors by General Surgery Residents

OBJECTIVE Hospitalized patients are exposed to more than 1 medication error per day, but there are limited data concerning the factors associated with medication order errors made by general surgery residents. The objective of this study was to identify patterns in medication order errors amongst general surgery residents, which may provide educational targets to reduce medication errors by this population of providers. DESIGN This study used a retrospective cohort design to review inpatient medication orders placed via a computerized physician order entry system by general surgery residents at a single academic medical center from July 2011 to February 2018. SETTING A single large academic medical center located in the Midwest, United States. PARTICIPANTS General surgery residents completing residency between July 2011 and February 2018 and their respective inpatient medication orders. RESULTS Of 571,811 included medication orders placed by 169 unique general surgery residents, 4.2% (n = 24,177) triggered pharmacist intervention, and 11 (0.001%) resulted in significant near-miss events. Of orders requiring pharmacist intervention, most were either duplicate therapies (n = 8703, 36.1%) or errors in renal dosing (n = 7576, 31.3%). Error rates were higher within pharmaceutical classes ordered less frequently, with the notable exception of antimicrobials and anticoagulants, which accounted for 20.1% (n = 5280) and 13.5% (n = 3270) of all order errors, respectively. In a multivariable model, errors were more likely to occur in the intensive care unit versus other units (OR = 1.21, 95%CI = 1.14-1.29) and in August versus other months (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.01-1.17), but were independent of other resident and order characteristics. CONCLUSIONS This study identified that resident medication order errors are common and are associated with specific therapeutic classes, the beginning of academic years, and intensive care unit patients. These findings represent potential targets for educational interventions and highlight the role of interdisciplinary teams in providing quality surgical care.
Extremely Low-Profile Single Mode Fiber Array Coupler Suitable for Silicon Photonics

We report a novel, single mode optical fiber array coupler that couples the single mode fibers (SMFs) with grating couplers (GCs) on a silicon photonics chip and has D-shaped (DS) fibers. This DS fiber array coupler has obliquely polished tips of the SMFs that are fixed on a V-grooved glass, and a mirror plate is put on the polished tip surface of the fiber array coupler. Light that advances in the SMF is reflected by the mirror plate. The reflected light advances through the side face of the SMF, and couples with the GC on the silicon photonics chip. In the vicinity of the obliquely polished tips, the side face of the clad of the SMF is ground in such a way that the cross section of the SMF is formed into a D-shape to get good optical coupling with the GC. The DS fiber array coupler has extremely low-profile of 1.5 millimeters height above the silicon photonics chip surface. We fabricated the DS fiber array coupler, and measured coupling losses between this fiber array coupler and the GCs. The averaged additional optical coupling loss of 0.2dB due to the reflection structure is obtained for 93 coupling interfaces in the 11 fiber array couplers.
Ultra-thin metamaterial beam splitters

Here, we present blueprints for three types of ultra-thin beam splitters based on versatile fishnet metamaterial structures at the 1.55 μ m optical communication wavelength. The thicknesses of the designed polarizing beam splitter and partially polarizing beam splitter are 1/26 of the free-space wavelength, while the thickness of the non-polarizing beam splitter is 1/13 of the free-space wavelength. Numerical simulations show that, compared to other miniaturization approaches including popular dielectric metasurfaces, metal-based metamaterial approach can provide much thinner beam splitters with reasonable performance. Such beam splitters can enable miniaturization of conventional and advanced quantum photonic systems towards higher density, scalability, and functionality.
Dialogic Communication Practices of Water District Officials: Insights from Practitioner Interviews

Limited research has evaluated organizations’ public communication strategies for creating and maintaining dialogue about water risks with constituents. To fill this gap in the literature, 24 semi-...
Microbial Life and Posthuman Ethics from The Children Star to The Highest Frontier

Sherryl Vint focuses on the representation of microbial life in three Slonczewski novels. Issues of cohabitation across different species culminate in The Highest Frontier with a vision of the possibility of political relations with Ultraphytes, an invasive extraterrestrial species of macro-sized microbial cultures. Drawing on Anna Tsing’s The Mushroom at the End of the World, which considers prospects for cohabitation and collaborative survival in the ruins wrought by capitalist modernity, Vint explores political shifts needed to create a more sustainable culture in the face of species extinctions and global warming. She analyzes how Slonczewski’s depictions of symbioses among possible life forms offer new models for theorizing posthuman subjectivity and sustainable futures.
Bihelical Antenna System to Mitigate Multipath Interference in Microwave Data Transmission

Rural microwave data transmission, which has the capability of connecting numerous types of distributed sensors to provide IoT connectivity, often requires signal transmission over long distances at low elevations, resulting in challenges due to multipath interference and signal depolarization. A microwave antenna system that addresses these challenges within acceptable size, power, and cost constraints was designed and tested. This bihelical antenna is composed of two concentric, circularly polarized helical antennas mounted on a conducting backplane, a phase trimmer, and signal combiner. The proposed antenna functions as a microwave bridge system and is intended to fill the gap in mid-range network access in rural settings.
Unveiling the mechanisms of lithium dendrite suppression by cationic polymer film induced solid-electrolyte interphase modification

It is crucial to suppress lithium dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries. Formation of a good solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) has been considered to be effective in limiting lithium dendrite growth. However, how the SEI may be modified during lithium deposition is hard to resolve due to challenges in in situ investigation of the SEI with fine details. We report an in situ study that uncovers the lithium dendrite suppression mechanism arising from SEI modification by a poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) cationic polymer film, using electrochemical liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Lithium nanogranules are obtained in the presence of the polymer film. Chemical mapping of the deposits provides remarkable details of the SEI on individual nanogranules. It shows that lithium fluorides are uniformly distributed within the inner SEI layer of individual lithium nanogranules, arising from the instantaneous reaction of the deposited lithium with PF6− ions accumulated by the cationic polymer film, and thus the dendritic growth of lithium is prohibited. The ability to directly measure SEI chemistry at the nanoscale down to the individual nanograins in situ and unveil its correlation with the lithium deposition behavior opens future opportunities to explore unsolved mechanisms in batteries.
Do bile acids reflux into the esophagus

Abstract To determine if bile acids reflux into the esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and in normal subjects during physiological gastroesophageal reflux episodes, esophageal aspiration and pH monitoring were performed simultaneously in 16 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and 8 normal subjects. Esophageal samples were collected for 30 min in the fasting state and for 3 h (as hourly samples) after the ingestion of a test meal (egg salad sandwich, peaches, and milk). Bile acids were assayed by a standard enzymatic assay and also by a sensitive and specific assay, liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry. Bile acids were not detected by enzymatic assay in any of the fasting samples. In 6 of the 8 normal subjects and 15 of the 16 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, bile acid-like reactivity was detected by the enzymatic assay in postprandial samples. However, bile acid-like reactivity was also found by enzymatic assay in aliquots of the homogenized test meal in concentration similar to the highest concentrations detected in esophageal aspirates. Bile acids were not detected by the liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry method in any of the fasting or postprandial esophageal aspirates (limit of detection >2 μM). However, this assay accurately identified samples to which exogenous bile acids were added as controls. Our results suggest that (a) bile acids did not reflux into the esophagus of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease whom we studied and (b) caution must be exercised in the use of enzymatic assay for bile acids in postprandial gastrointestinal fluids, as the commonly used hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase assay is not specific for bile acids alone.
Long-term prognosis and predictors of outcomes after negative stress echocardiography

Negative stress echocardiography (NSE) is associated with low cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality. We aimed to determine the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of overall and cardiovascular outcomes following NSE. Patients who underwent SE between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients with a history of solid organ transplant or being evaluated for transplant, history of end-stage renal or liver disease, and positive SE were excluded. NSE results were divided into negative diagnostic if patient reached target heart rate (THR) and had no wall motion abnormality (WMA) at rest or stress; negative non-diagnostic if patient had no WMA but did not reach THR or if image quality was non-diagnostic; and abnormal non-ischemic if patient had a resting WMA not worsened at stress along with a personal history of coronary artery disease (CAD). New CAD lesion at 1 year was defined as ≥ 50% stenosis on cardiac catheterization. Of 4119 patients with SE, 2575 were included. All-cause mortality rate was 1.1%/year and CAD rate was 3.1%/year. Predictors of all-cause mortality were age, male gender, history of smoking and being selected for dobutamine SE. Predictors of a new CAD lesion at 1 year were male gender, diabetes, personal history of CAD and abnormal non-ischemic SE. We identified clinical and echocardiographic characteristics in a subset of NSE patients who are at higher risk for subsequent adverse events. These characteristics should be accounted for during the clinical interpretation of SE, and patients found at increased risk for morbidity and mortality warrant continued follow-up.
Deception by Design

Big data, ubiquitous tracking, and artificial intelligence are enabling businesses to disseminate rapidly proliferating permutations of digital marketing and sales materials, each of which can be micro-targeted to particular consumers in real time and space. When the algorithms that design and deliver these advertisements, websites, and apps are optimized only for profit and deception is profitable, consumers will be deceived. Yet at the same time that digital deception is becoming inevitable, it is racing toward immunity from liability. The accepted evidentiary methods for proving deception, from direct application of the reasonable person standard to controlled experiments demonstrating the deceptiveness of a defendant’s conduct, are neither practicable nor scientifically valid when applied to vast numbers of unique, micro-targeted communications. This article identifies and explains this emerging threat to the legal regulation of the consumer marketplace and suggests ways in which the law might give businesses sufficient incentive to engage in fair marketing by design.
A clinical diabetes risk prediction model for prediabetic women with prior gestational diabetes.

INTRODUCTION Without treatment, prediabetic women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared with women without a history of GDM. Both intensive lifestyle intervention and metformin can reduce risk. To predict risk and treatment response, we developed a risk prediction model specifically for women with prior GDM. METHODS The Diabetes Prevention Program was a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle intervention, metformin (850mg twice daily), and placebo in preventing diabetes. Data from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was used to conduct a secondary analysis to evaluate 11 baseline clinical variables of 317 women with prediabetes and a self-reported history of GDM to develop a 3-year diabetes risk prediction model using Cox proportional hazards regression. Reduced models were explored and compared with the main model. RESULTS Within three years, 82 (25.9%) women developed diabetes. In our parsimonious model using 4 of 11 clinical variables, higher fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1C were each associated with greater risk for diabetes (each hazard ratio approximately 1.4), and there was an interaction between treatment arm and BMI suggesting that metformin was more effective relative to no treatment for BMI ≥ 35kg/m2 than BMI < 30kg/m2. The model had fair discrimination (bias corrected C index = 0.68) and was not significantly different from our main model using 11 clinical variables. The estimated incidence of diabetes without treatment was 37.4%, compared to 20.0% with intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin treatment for women with a prior GDM. CONCLUSIONS A clinical prediction model was developed for individualized decision making for prediabetes treatment in women with prior GDM.
Operational bias correction for PM2.5 using the AIRPACT air quality forecast system in the Pacific Northwest

A bias correction scheme based on a Kalman filter (KF) method has been developed and implemented for the AIRPACT air quality forecast system which operates daily for the Pacific Northwest. The KF m...
Approaches to self-assessment of computer science departments and programs

Colleges are struggling with the increasing demand for more assessment of programs and departments. This panel will address the approaches that several diverse institutions are taking to meet that challenge. The panelists will describe the development, design, and implementation of program assessment in the various institutions. The panelists will also share their experiences with regard to the effectiveness of the various program assessment approaches. The panelists will discuss and respond to questions of the audience as well as solicit the audience for input on the topic.
Organic titanium in coal and the deposition of titanium on direct liquefaction catalysts: an alternative view

Abstract Evidence for the presence of soluble organic titanium species in coals and coal-derived materials was sought by the application of dialysis procedures. Dialysates prepared from a heavy direct liquefaction product, an SRC-1, and extracts of the corresponding feed coals contained
Chapter 5 Influence of temperature on muscle properties in relation to swimming performance

Publisher Summary In this chapter, an integrative approach is used to examine temperature effects on muscle function. This is necessary because unlike many organ systems, in the muscular system there is no direct and simple relationship between whole animal performance and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The principal reason is that muscle function not only depends on which proteins are present, but on exactly how those proteins are used In particular, muscle performance depends as much on the velocity (V) at which fibers are shortening as it does on the molecular make-up of the muscle. How the V over which fibers are used varies with temperature cannot be predicted from molecular measurements. Rather, it depends on how the animal swims. In addition, the performance of the fishes' musculature in a particular situation depends on which fibers are recruited and the exact pattern with which they are stimulated. Therefore, to understand the functional significance of temperature effects on molecular properties of muscle, it is necessary to use an integrative approach, which not only is concerned with temperature effects on molecular properties, but also is concerned with the kinematics of muscle movement and recruitment pattern of the muscles during swimming. The chapter examines the influence of temperature on the underlying molecular mechanism of muscle contraction and how they contribute to the overall temperature effect on muscle contraction. It also describes how temperature influences swimming performance, and then, an attempt to explain the thermal limitations on swimming performance in terms of molecular mechanisms. Finally, the mechanisms fish uses to compensate for thermal limitations both acutely and during thermal acclimation are assessed in the chapter.
Optical Generation And Detection Of Ultrasound

The optical generation and detection of ultrasound, often called laser-ultrasonics, has attracted considerable interest and presents numerous advantages for scientific and industrial applications, compared to classical piezoelectric generation and detection. These advantages follow essentially from generation without contact and at a distance by using lasers for generation and detection. Therefore, ultrasonic measurements and ultrasonic inspection on specimens at elevated temperature are readily feasible and the conventional uses of buffer rods, special bonds or momentary contact are eliminated. Such a feature is very important for industrial applications since materials like metals and ceramics are processed at elevated temperature. Also important for industrial applications is the ease of inspecting curved parts. Unlike conventional techniques which require precise transducer orientation to follow a complex surface contour, transduction of ultrasound with laser-ultrasonics is performed by the surface itself. A third limitation of conventional piezoelectric technology, unless special techniques are used, is its limited bandwidth at emission and reception. In contrast, lasers enable the production of broadband ultrasonic pulses extending from zero frequency to 50 MHz and even more, and interferometric receivers can be made with a bandwidth extending from a minimum value of 10 to 50 KHz (limited by ambient vibrations) to a maximum value given by the cutoff frequency of the detector (50, 100 MHz and above).
Equibiaxial strain and strain rate stimulate early activation of G proteins in cardiac fibroblasts

Cardiac fibroblasts are responsible for the production of the extracellular matrix of the heart, with alterations of fibroblast function implicated in myocardial infarction and cardiac hypertrophy....
Lymphangioma involving the urogenital system in childhood

Abstract Lymphangioma of the urogenital system is extremely rare and we present two cases treated at our institution over a one year period. The first case is a 3 year-old boy who presented with scrotal swelling and was initially thought to have a complex hydrocele. On surgical exploration, an extratesticular multiloculated cystic mass was discovered and testis-sparing excision of the mass was performed. Pathology revealed lymphangioma. The second case is a 5 year-old male who initially presented with gross hematuria. Ultrasound was unremarkable but cystoscopy revealed varicosities extending from the bladder wall. On transurethral resection, histology showed non-specific benign vascular malformation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained because of persistent hematuria and showed multiple bladder lesions suggestive of lymphatic malformation. Partial cystectomy was ultimately performed and histology confirmed lymphangioma. To the author's knowledge, this represents the fifth reported case of lymphangioma of bladder.
Photoperiodic Hatching Rhythms Suggest Circadian Entrainment of Anolis sagrei Eggs

Abstract Synchronous hatching occurs in many reptiles that lay multi-egg clutches, but this phenomenon and its potential environmental cues are poorly documented for species that lay their eggs singly, such as Anolis lizards. We tested for a circadian hatching rhythm in 196 Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) eggs maintained in social isolation under a 12 : 12 L : D photoperiod with constant temperature and humidity. Hatching occurred exclusively in the morning and was approximately normally distributed around the transition from dark to light, with most (94%) eggs hatching ±1 hour from the onset of light. Hatching times differed significantly between sexes, such that most males hatched after the onset of light (71%), whereas only half of all females hatched after the onset of light (52%). That a substantial proportion of eggs (38% across sexes) hatched in the dark suggests circadian entrainment to photoperiod, rather than a direct behavioral response to light. Whether this reflects a natural circadian rhythm of ...
Inhalation exposure in the home to volatile organic contaminants of drinking water

Our field studies show that indoor air concentrations of volatilized trichloroethylene (TCE) can be substantial when TCE-contaminated water is used domestically. Using a model shower, increases in TCE water concentrations, water temperature and drop path (time) increased the steady-state air TCE concentrations. Volatilization was incomplete and the rates were comparable to predicted ones. Indoor air models show that the inhalation route of exposure for such chemicals has the potential for being much greater than by direct ingestion. This should be considered in developing regulations to limit adverse health impacts from contaminants of potable water.
Munc18-1 binding to the neuronal SNARE complex controls synaptic vesicle priming.

Munc18-1 and soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are critical for synaptic vesicle fusion. Munc18-1 binds to the SNARE syntaxin-1 folded into a closed conformation and to SNARE complexes containing open syntaxin-1. Understanding which steps in fusion depend on the latter interaction and whether Munc18-1 competes with other factors such as complexins for SNARE complex binding is critical to elucidate the mechanisms involved. In this study, we show that lentiviral expression of Munc18-1 rescues abrogation of release in Munc18-1 knockout mice. We describe point mutations in Munc18-1 that preserve tight binding to closed syntaxin-1 but markedly disrupt Munc18-1 binding to SNARE complexes containing open syntaxin-1. Lentiviral rescue experiments reveal that such disruption selectively impairs synaptic vesicle priming but not Ca2+-triggered fusion of primed vesicles. We also find that Munc18-1 and complexin-1 bind simultaneously to SNARE complexes. These results suggest that Munc18-1 binding to SNARE complexes mediates synaptic vesicle priming and that the resulting primed state involves a Munc18-1–SNARE–complexin macromolecular assembly that is poised for Ca2+ triggering of fusion.