cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality revolutions, solidarity networks, and sustainability innovations: following Fair Trade coffee from Nicaragua to California

Nicaraguan smallholder cooperative leaders working in partnership with a California-based small-scale roasting company pioneered an alternative approach to confronting the post-1999 coffee crisis. They built coffee tasting laboratories and integrated grassroots organizing efforts to create a national smallholder cooperative association that dramatically improved the quality, consistency, and prices from of the coffee they exported. Cooperative leaders used this development project to gain a more significant share of political economic power in a domestic coffee industry historically dominated by colonial powers, and corporate and domestic elites. This alli.ance between the artisanal small-scale roasting companies and cooperative leaders also proved that smallholders selling into fair trade markets could consistently produce and export high quality coffee. This case study unfolds into Nicaragua's northern mountains, northern California's coastal cities and the commodity trade and solidarity networks that connect them. Beyond following the coffee bean from mountainside farmers, through artisan specialty coffee roasters, and into the hands of Bay Area coffee drinkers, the article recovers the history of political and technological revolutions and the transnational solidarity networks that contributed to sustainability innovations within the coffee value chain. Although the tangible benefits of fair trade coffee to farmers and landscapes have not lived up to the lofty proclamations of its advocates, farmers generally receive higher prices for their coffee and are frequently more secure in their land titles. This political ecology of coffee and solidarity suggests theoretical questions about the role of classic revolutions, and Polanyian double movements in the efforts to practice the alternative values and principles that motivate many of today's sustainability innovations. Key words: Nicaragua, participatory action research, coffee cooperatives, sustainability, innovations.
A Plug-and-Play Realization of Decentralized Feedback Control for Smart Lighting Systems

This paper proposes decentralized feedback controllers with plug-and-play capability for a class of smart lighting systems. In these systems, each light fixture has a spectrally tunable light source and a multichannel color sensor, and no communication is required between fixtures. Further, the light transport in the illuminated space is diagonally dominant, i.e., the light sensed by each sensor is primarily from the source in the same fixture. The controller design problems are formulated and solved for two cases of decentralized setpoint tracking and decentralized quadratic optimal control (with tracking error and energy penalty). For the decentralized setpoint tracking problem, a mechanism is proposed to automatically determine the feedback gains using individual sensor measurements in a plug-and-play fashion without the knowledge of the light transport model of the illuminated space. For the decentralized quadratic optimal control, the design problem is approximated with a series of local optimization problems, which are solved in a decentralized manner using individual sensor measurements. A suboptimality bound for the solution of the approximated problem compared with the global optimum is obtained. The performance of the suggested controllers in terms of achievement of a desired setpoint and daylight harvesting for energy saving is validated and evaluated based on typical lighting parameters in a room-scale experimental testbed with light-emitting diode fixtures and color sensors.
Differential expression of innate immune system genes in liver of beef cattle with divergent phenotypes for RFI

Residual feed intake (RFI) quantifies inter-animal variances in dry matter intake (DMI) independent of variation in body size and productivity (e.g. growth, milk). In beef cattle, Herd and Arthur (2009) estimated that approximately one-third of the biological variation in RFI was due to inter-animal differences in digestion, heat increment, body composition, and activity, with the remaining variation associated with energy expenditure of metabolic processes. Given that RFI is independent of BW and level of production, it is an ideal trait for discovery of genomic regions (Rolf et al., 2011) and functional genes (Chen et al., 2011) associated with efficiency of feed utilization. Some variation in RFI may be caused by individual differences in immune system function. The immune system is an energetically expensive system. A previous study showed that metabolic heat production and oxygen consumption increased 20-30% in mice that were immunized with a relatively benign antigen (Demas et al., 1997). The objective of this work was to examine whether the genes associated with the immune system were differentially expressed by beef cattle with divergent RFI phenotypes.
Evaluation of the Peripatellar Soft Tissues and Retinaculum in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain

Peripatellar muscle, retinaculum, and tendon must be examined carefully in every patient with patellofemoral pain. A hemangioma in the distal quadriceps can cause anterior knee pain. Patellar articular cartilage disruption is not consistently associated with patellofemoral pain, although chronic malalignment of the patella may eventually lead to cartilage damage. In many patients, before articular degeneration occurs, retinacular pain may evolve that is related to chronic stress in retinacular structures around the patella. Consequently, soft-tissue restraints around the patella should be evaluated completely and carefully in all patients with patellofemoral pain.
Diversity of Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Egg Parasitoids in Woodland and Crop Habitats in Southwest Georgia, USA

Euschistus servus (Say), Chinavia hilaris (Say), and Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are economic pests of row crops. They move within and between closely associated crop and non-crop habitats throughout the growing season in response to deteriorating suitability of their current host plants. This study was conducted to investigate parasitism of naturally occurring C. hilaris and E. servus eggs in woodland habitats and crops alongside these habitats in southwest Georgia, USA. Also, parasitism of sentinel eggs of N. viridula was examined in a woodland habitat. Ten species of parasitoids, including 7 scelionids, 2 eupelmids, and 1 encyrtid, parasitized E. servus eggs. Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of E. servus eggs in each of 3 habitats: woodlands, an early-season crop, and late-season crops. In woodlands, 27.9% of E. servus eggs were parasitized by Anastatus reduvii (Howard) and A. mirabilis (Walsh & Riley) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae). Four species of parasitoids, including 1 scelionid, 2 eupelmids, and 1 encyrtid, parasitized C. hilaris eggs. Trissolcus edessae Fouts (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs in woodlands and the only parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs in late-season crops. In woodlands, 40.7% of C. hilaris eggs were parasitized by A. reduvii and A. mirabilis. In a woodland habitat, 6.6% of N. viridula sentinel eggs were parasitized by A. reduvii females, Anastatus males, and 1 encyrtid. Anastatus species were the only parasitoids that existed primarily in woodland habitats. In conclusion, a diversity of parasitoid species parasitizes native stink bug eggs in southwest Georgia, and species of parasitoids emerging from stink bug eggs can vary by habitat.
Lineare mehratomige Radikale und Ionen

In mehratomigen Molekulen ist die Schwingungsbewegung viel komplizierter als in zweiatomigen Molekulen. Unter der Voraussetzung, das die Schwingungsamplituden klein sind, kann jedoch jede Schwingungsbewegung als Superposition sog. Normalschwingungen beschrieben werden; diese haben charakteristische Frequenzen, die durch die Kraftkonstanten im Molekul bestimmt sind. Fur ein lineares dreiatomiges Molekul XY2 gibt es drei Normalschwingungen, die durch Vektoren in Abb. 53 dargestellt sind. Die mit v 1 und v 3 bezeichneten Schwingungen sind Valenzschwingungen entlang der Kernverbindungslinie, wahrend v 2 eine Deformations- oder Knickschwingung darstellt, in der die Kerne senkrecht zur Kernverbindungslinie oszillieren. Diese Schwingung hat zwei Freiheitsgrade; sie ist zweifach entartet, weil sie in der Ebene der Abb. 53 oder in einer Ebene senkrecht dazu oder auch in jeder anderen Ebene durch die Kernverbindungslinie stattfinden kann. Alle diese Schwingungen in verschiedenen Ebenen konnen als Uberlagerung von Schwingungen in zwei zueinander senkrechten Ebenen dargestellt werden.
Effect of Portal Glucose Sensing on Systemic Glucose Levels in SD and ZDF Rats.

Background The global epidemic of Type-2-Diabetes (T2D) highlights the need for novel therapeutic targets and agents. Roux-en-Y-Gastric-Bypass (RYGB) is the most effective treatment. Studies investigating the mechanisms of RYGB suggest a role for post-operative changes in portal glucose levels. We investigate the impact of stimulating portal glucose sensors on systemic glucose levels in health and T2D, and evaluated the role of sodium-glucose-cotransporter-3 (SGLT3) as the possible sensor. Methods Systemic glucose and hormone responses to portal stimulation were measured. In Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, post-prandial state was simulated by infusing glucose into the portal vein. The SGLT3 agonist, alpha-methyl-glucopyranoside (αMG), was then added to further stimulate the portal sensor. To elucidate the neural pathway, vagotomy or portal denervation was followed by αMG+glucose co-infusion. The therapeutic potential of portal glucose sensor stimulation was investigated by αMG-only infusion (vs. saline) in SD and Zucker-Diabetic-Fatty (ZDF) rats. Hepatic mRNA expression was also measured. Results αMG+glucose co-infusion reduced peak systemic glucose (vs. glucose alone), and lowered hepatic G6Pase expression. Portal denervation, but not vagotomy, abolished this effect. αMG-only infusion lowered systemic glucose levels. This glucose-lowering effect was more pronounced in ZDF rats, where portal αMG infusion increased insulin, C-peptide and GIP levels compared to saline infusions. Conclusions The portal vein is capable of sensing its glucose levels, and responds by altering hepatic glucose handling. The enhanced effect in T2D, mediated through increased GIP and insulin, highlights a therapeutic target that could be amenable to pharmacological modulation or minimally-invasive surgery.
Ultra-delayed lumbar surgical wound hematoma.

BACKGROUND There exists an inherent risk of increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) in surgical spine patients, which is independent of their existing risk factors. Prophylaxis and treatment of VTE is an imprecise practice and may have serious complications even well after the initial surgery. Furthermore, there are no clear guidelines on how to manage postoperative spine patients with regards to the timing of anticoagulation. CASE DESCRIPTION Here, we present the case of a middle-aged male, status post L2/3 laminectomy and discectomy who developed bilateral below the knee deep venous thrombosis. He was started on Enoxaparin and transitioned to Warfarin and returned with axial back pain, and was found to have a postoperative hematoma almost 3 weeks later in a delayed fashion. CONCLUSION Delayed surgical wound hematoma with neural compression is an important complication to identify and should remain high on the differential diagnosis in patients on warfarin who present with axial spinal pain.
Classification of Resting State fMRI Datasets Using Dynamic Network Clusters

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) is a powerful tool for investigating intrinsic and spontaneous brain activity. The application of univariate and multivariate methods such as multi voxel pattern analysis has been instrumental in localizing neural correlates to various cognitive states and psychiatric disease. However, many existing methods of rsfMRI analysis are insufficient for investigating the true mechanism of brain activity since they make implicit assumptions that are agnostic of the temporal and spatial dynamics of brain activity. The proposed method aims to create a superior feature space for representing brain activity using k-means and to create interpretable generalizations on these features for studying group differences using support vector machine classifiers.​
Studies of dinuclear metal carbonyl carbenes. Synthesis, characterization, and raman spectra of amino- and alkoxycarbenes

Abstract The new dinuclear metal carbene complexes (CO) 9 Re 2 C(OC 2 H 5 )R (R = CH 3 , C 6 H 5 ) and (CO) 9 M 2 C(NHCH 3 )CH 3 (M = Mn, Re) have been synthesized. All products were obtained with the carbene in the equatorial position (cis to the MM bond) and the methylaminomethyl carbene ligand in the syn configuration. The Re aminocarbene could be isomerized into a syn-anti mixture, but the anti form of the Mn aminocarbene could not be isolated. Low frequency Raman spectra for several dinuclear carbenes show an intense ν (MM) band near 120 cm −1 for M = Re and 150–160 cm −1 for M = Mn; the frequency of this band is relatively insensitive to substitution of carbene for carbonyl in the cis position and to changes in the cis carbene. The pattern of Raman bands in the rest of the Δν = 100-650 cm −1 region confirms the structural similarity of the series of compounds studied.
Keratitis in association with herpes zoster and varicella vaccines

The objective of this review was to collect reports of keratitis in association with herpes zoster virus (HZV) or varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccines. HZV vaccination is intended for at-risk adult populations and VZV vaccination is intended for all pediatric patients. We reviewed the literature and reports of keratitis in association with herpes zoster or varicella vaccine from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects and the World Health Organization. Twenty-four cases of unilateral keratitis in association with VZV vaccines were collected from the adverse reaction databases and literature. In most cases, the onset of keratitis occurred within days of vaccination and resolved with topical steroid eye drops and oral acyclovir. Data suggest that keratitis in association with herpes zoster or varicella vaccine is rare, is usually self-limited or resolves with treatment. The mechanism may be the persistence of viral antigens in the cornea after VZV vaccination or herpes zoster ophthalmicus. This reaction is probable, given the plausible biological mechanism, the temporal relationship between vaccination and keratitis, and overall patterns of presentation after vaccination.
Adsorption of Carbon on Partially Oxidized Low-Index Cu Surfaces

We use first-principles calculations to study the carbon adsorption on copper slabs of (100) and (111) surfaces predosed by oxygen atoms. Our results show that on both surfaces, an incoming carbon atom has the ability to replace and completely desorb a previously surface-adsorbed oxygen atom producing CO and CO2 molecules in the gas phase. By comparison, the (111) surface is better suited for oxygen desorption, and an incoming carbon atom can more easily bond to and desorb oxygen atoms even at low oxygen coverages. We examine this mechanism at two different temperatures for both surfaces at 0.5 ML oxygen coverage. An implication of this process is the experimentally proven cleaning effect of predosing copper surfaces with oxygen before graphene growth in the chemical vapor deposition process. Conversely, adsorption and diffusion of carbon atoms, both of which are necessary for the nucleation and growth of carbon nanotubes, may be hindered by the presence of the oxidized or partially oxidized surfaces.
Surgical Results of Common Peroneal Nerve Neuroplasty at Lateral Fibular Neck.

Background Common peroneal nerve (CPN) compressive neuropathy is the most common lower-extremity entrapment neuropathy. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained single-institution database of all patients with CPN palsy who underwent decompression and neuroplasty over a 5-year period was performed. Results Thirty patients underwent a neuroplasty of the CPN over a 5-year period (2010–2015) at our institution. The median age was 45 years, and there was a male preponderance. The average time between first onset of symptoms to surgery was 122.9 weeks and between first clinic visit and surgery was 21 weeks. The etiology of the CPN neuropathy was as follows: in 12 patients, it followed a surgical procedure and in 14 patients, it occurred after a trauma to the lower extremity. In 2 patients, it occurred as a result of a mass lesion compromising the nerve and in 1 patient, a local infection predisposed to CPN palsy. Right and left lower extremities were equally involved. The median body mass index was 28.6. The most common presentation was weakness of the tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and loss of sensation in the distribution of the CPN or one of its major branches. Pain was a presenting symptom in 16 patients. Only 12 of the 30 patients had a positive Tinel's sign at the site of compression over the lateral fibular neck. Preoperative electrophysiologic confirmation of CPN neuropathy was available in all patients. Mean follow-up was 52 weeks. Prone positioning and selective use of the operating microscope provided excellent visualization and surgical exposure of the CPN from the lower popliteal region to the peroneal tunnel. Average operating room time was 170 minutes and average skin-to-skin time 91 minutes. Clinical improvement after surgery in terms of motor function was noted in 24 of the 26 patients who presented with a motor deficit. The most consistent improvement was noted in the TA and EHL; a trend toward greater improvement with shorter time to surgery was noted. No complications related to the surgical site or CPN were encountered, and no patient had a decline in their neurologic examination as a consequence of the surgery. One patient developed a positioning-related right upper-extremity brachial plexus neuropraxic injury after surgery that recovered completely. Conclusions Common peroneal neuropathy usually presents with weakness of the TA and EHL and decreased sensation or pain in the distribution of the CPN. Microscope-assisted surgical neuroplasty of the CPN at the lateral fibular neck with the patient in a prone position allows decompression of the nerve from the lower popliteal region to the peroneal tunnel. Significant improvement in motor strength after surgery, particularly of the TA and EHL, was observed in this series.
Implementation of Preoperative Magnetic Seed Localization for Breast and Axillary Lesions: An Alternative to Wires and Radioactive Seeds

Abstract Since the 1970s, preoperative localizations for breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes have been achieved by the placement of a wire through the area of concern. Other techniques have recently been developed. The focus of this article is on a novel preoperative technique, the magnetic seed localization. A magnetic seed is placed into the lesion or lymph node under mammographic or sonographic guidance. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed in the article.
Organizational characteristics and personal values that define club management culture

Identifying and selecting the appropriate managers suitable to be successful within the club industry can be challenging. An ideal employee would be someone who has the characteristics and values t...
Posttraumatic Arthritis: Elbow

Posttraumatic arthritis of the elbow may involve a specific joint such as the radiocapitellar joint after a radial head fracture or the entire joint, which may result in significant stiffness and pain. The treatment objectives must be clearly defined and directed to provide functional range motion and minimal pain. Treatment can be difficult as most of the patients are young and active.
Role of menin in neuroendocrine tumorigenesis.

The menin protein encoded by the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene is ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved evolutionarily. The combination of findings from current in vitro and in vivo studies has not yielded a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of menin’s tumor suppressor activity or the specific role for menin in endocrine tumorigenesis, although its diverse interactions suggest possible pivotal roles in transcriptional regulation, DNA processing and repair and cytoskeletal integrity. This manuscript summarizes recent research findings including studies of global gene expression in MEN1-associared neuroendocrine tumors and pivotal changes in intracellular signaling pathways associated with neuroendocrine tumorigenesis. Finally, the clinical applications provided by the understanding of the effects of MEN1 gene mutations on neuroendocrine tumor development in patients with this familial cancer syndrome are discussed.
Explaining Democratic Performance in the States

We study how well states translate public opinion into policy and explain state variation in democratic performance. Using national surveys and advances in opinion estimation, we estimate state-level support for 39 policies across 8 issue areas, including abortion, law enforcement,health care, and education. We assess the influence of preferences, institutions, party politics, and interest groups, differentiating between responsiveness to opinion and congruence with opinion majorities. Policy is highly responsiveness to policy-specific opinion, but we uncover a large “democratic deficit”—states are only successful at matching policy to opinion majorities about half of the time. Even clear majority support is often insufficient for policy adoption. We study the causes and ideological direction of this democratic deficit, and show that the effect is state policy that is polarized relative to state electorates.
Rapid Rock Analysis Today

The contemporary scene shows three main routes which are undergoing rapid development for the rapid analysis of rocks. Spectrographic emission procedures have in recent years been adapted to major constituents and are being automated and computerized so that a broad range of constituents can be determined simultaneously. X-ray fluorescence is being improved via developments in detectors and x-ray sources so that yesterday’s equipment is outdated today, and chemical methods have proliferated during the past decade, not because they are better, but because they are gentler on the pocket. In the U.S. Geological Survey’s rapid-analysis project, experience has been acquired in the last two techniques. Particularly in the chemical approach, methods which are simple and rapid have been developed and applied to thousands of diverse silicate rocks. Atomic absorption techniques, which have entered the picture only in the last few years, as commercial instrumentation became available, greatly simplified the determination of those constituents for which good spectrophotometric procedures are not available. Some automation and mechanization in conjunction with these methods have contributed accuracy as well as convenience.
Murine pre-B-cell ALL induces T-cell dysfunction not fully reversed by introduction of a chimeric antigen receptor.

Adoptive transfer of patient-derived T cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARTs) has demonstrated dramatic success in relapsed/refractory pre–B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but response and durability of remission requires exponential CART expansion and persistence. Tumors are known to affect T-cell function, but this has not been well studied in ALL and in the context of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expression. Using TCF3/PBX1 and MLL-AF4–driven murine ALL models, we assessed the impact of progressive ALL on T-cell function in vivo. Vaccines protect against TCF3/PBX1.3 but were ineffective when administered after leukemia injection, suggesting immunosuppression induced early during ALL progression. T cells from leukemia-bearing mice exhibited increased expression of inhibitory receptors, including PD1, Tim3, and LAG3, and were dysfunctional following adoptive transfer in a model of T-cell receptor (TCR)–dependent leukemia clearance. Although expression of inhibitory receptors has been linked to TCR signaling, pre–B-cell ALL induced inhibitory receptor expression, at least in part, in a TCR-independent manner. Finally, introduction of a CAR into T cells generated from leukemia-bearing mice failed to fully reverse poor in vivo function.
TCT-369 Antegrade Wire Escalation With Composite-Core Dual-Coil Wire Technology in the Treatment of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions

Polymer-jacketed, tapered-tip, soft (<1g) guidewires with composite-core, dual-coil guidwire technology represent a significant advance in CTO technology, potentially increasing the success rates and efficiency of the antegrade approach. Clinical and angiographic data on 81 consecutive, antegrade
Association of Timing of Colostomy Reversal With Outcomes Following Hartmann Procedure for Diverticulitis.

Importance The Hartmann procedure (end colostomy) remains a common operation for diverticulitis requiring surgery. However, the timing of subsequent colostomy reversal remains widely varied, and the optimal timing remains unknown. Objective To investigate the association of the timing of colostomy reversal with operative outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases for California, Florida and Maryland included patients with colostomy for diverticulitis linked to their colostomy reversal. Patients with readmissions between the index surgery and reversal were excluded, leaving a final cohort of 1660 patients. Data were collected from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016, and analyzed from December 1, 2017, through May 31, 2018. Exposures Patients were divided based on timing of colostomy reversal following the index surgery into early (45-110 days), middle (111-169 days), and late (≥170 days) reversal timing. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes of interest after reversal included mortality, morbidity, and readmissions and were compared among all groups using logistic regression adjusted for comorbidities and age. Results In total, 7165 patients with at least 1 year of follow-up were identified, and 2028 (28.3%) underwent reversal within 1 year. Of patients who underwent reversal within 1 year, 1660 had no readmissions before reversal (860 men [51.8%]; median age, 61 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 51-70 years]). The median time to reversal was 129 days (IQR, 99-182 days). On multivariable analysis, patient characteristics associated with early reversal included being 60 years or younger (odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00-1.70;P = .0497), white race (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.05-1.67;P = .02), and private insurance vs Medicaid (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.67-3.60;P Conclusions and Relevance Less than one-third of patients undergo colostomy reversal within 1 year after end colostomy for diverticulitis, and reversal timing is associated with socioeconomic disparities. In selected patients with an uncomplicated course, improved outcomes are associated with earlier reversal, and colostomy reversal is safe as early as 45 to 110 days after the initial procedure.
The impact of the mere presence of social media share icons on product interest and valuation

Abstract Online retailers commonly display social media share icons on product pages, offering consumers the ability to instantly announce their interest or purchase of a product to their social media network via Facebook, Twitter, or otherwise. We hypothesize and show that the mere presence of these icons can impact consumers' perceptions of and interest towards products displayed online. In support, across three experiments we find that the mere presence of social media share icons increases public self-consciousness, which, in turn, influences product perception. Specifically, the presence of such icons improves consumer interest and valuation of products they want others to see them own and use, but harms response to products consumers would not want others to see them own and use.
A survey of evolutionary algorithms using metameric representations

Evolutionary algorithms have been used to solve a number of variable-length problems, many of which share a common representation. A set of design variables is repeatedly defined, giving the genome a segmented structure. Each segment encodes a portion, frequently a single component, of the solution. For example, in a wind farm design problem each segment may encode the position and height of a single turbine. This is described as a metameric representation, with each segment referred to as a metavariable. The number of metavariables can vary among solutions, requiring modifications to the traditional fixed-length evolutionary operators. This paper surveys the literature that uses metameric representations with a focus on the problems being solved, the specifics of the representation, and the modifications to evolutionary operators. While there is little cross-referencing among the cited articles, it is demonstrated that there is already a strong overlap in their methodologies. By considering problems using a metameric representation as a single class, greater recognition of commonalities and differences among these works can be achieved. This could allow for the development of more efficient metameric evolutionary algorithms.
Surgical Cross-Training With Surgery Naive Learners: Implications for Resident Training.

Objective While current literature has explored the transferability of laparoscopic surgical skills to robotic surgery, this study looks to investigate the transferability of surgical skills between robotic surgical simulation and simulated traditional laparoscopy. Design Participants completed a survey regarding prior surgery exposure and other confounding factors including previous video game experience and self-assessed hand-eye coordination. Following orientation to the laparoscopic simulator (LS) and robotic surgical simulator (RoSS), participants were timed performing the Balloon Grasp and Ball Drop tasks on the RoSS and the Peg Transfer and Ball Drop tasks on the LS. Participants were then randomized to either the laparoscopic or RoSS arm and timed performing the Ball Drop task 10 times and then reassessed performing the Ball Drop using the unpracticed modality. Setting Clinical Simulation Laboratory at the University of Vermont Participants A total of 31 medical students with limited experience in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the demographics or prior surgical and videogame experience between the participants in the laparoscopic and robotic arms of the study (X2 = 0.72, p = 0.75). Timed initial assessment of the RoSS Balloon Grasp (p = 0.84) and Ball Drop (p = 0.79) tasks and the LS Peg Transfer (p = 0.14) and Ball Drop (p = 0.44) tasks were not statistically different between the 2 arms. The simulator modality which was practiced yielded the greatest improvement. The degree of improvement on the unpracticed modality was not statistically different between the groups (p = 0.57), and it was not significantly better than 2 rounds of sequential practice on the practiced modality (LS, p = 0.98 and RoSS, p = 0.55). Conclusions With practice, both groups increased surgical skill on the unpracticed modality. However, this degree of improvement was equal, suggesting there is no transferability of skills between laparoscopy and robotics.
Intra-axial Brain Tumors: Diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging

During the last century, central nervous system (CNS) imaging has witnessed a revolution with advances that have impacted all aspects of neuroscience practice in general and the management of intra-axial brain tumors in particular. In the pre-twentieth century era neurologists and neurosurgeons developed elaborate and sophisticated bedside examination techniques to gain insight into the calvarium. At the end of the nineteenth century and in the early twentieth century X-ray machines were developed and the ability to look through the opaque skull was a welcomed development by means of pneumoencephlography and later with cerebral angiography. In the 1970s, the way clinical neuroscience disciplines were practiced dramatically changed with the advent of X-ray computed tomography. Then in the 1980s, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced. In the last 3 decades MRI became the imaging modality of choice for non-emergent neurological conditions, such as imaging of intra-axial brain masses, due to many advances including exquisite tissue contrast resolution and multi-planar capabilities.
Citizenship, Sociological Aspects of

This article is a revision of the previous article by P. Birnbaum, volume 3, pp. 1860–1862, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Recent progress of glycopolymer synthesis for biomedical applications

Glycopolymers are an important class of biomaterials which include carbohydrate moieties in their polymer structure. In addition to biological research on the interactions of glycopolymers with lectin-carbonate, glycopolymers have recently been used as a new synthetic biomaterial for direct therapeutic methods, medical adhesives, and biosensors. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of new advances in glycopolymer research is essential for the next level of biomaterial studies. This review article highlights commonly used glycopolymer synthesis methods and biomedical applications thereof. Glycopolymers can be synthesized by modern polymerization methods that can control the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, chemical functionality, and polymer architecture. The polymerizations include free radical polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, and nitroxide-mediated polymerization. Because the carbohydrate-lectin interactions with glycopolymers are involved in many biological processes, carbohydrates containing glycopolymers are used in (1) fundamental studies to understand the specificity and strength of biological binding, (2) controllable interactions to prevent microorganism adhesion to human cells, (3) large scale bulk adhesives for medical applications, (4) biocompatible therapeutic nanoparticles, (5) direct drug delivery vehicles, and (6) precise quantitative measurement of biosensor materials that can detect physiological signals.
More bullets for PISTOL: linear and cyclic siloxane reporter probes for quantitative 1 H MR oximetry.

Tissue oximetry can assist in diagnosis and prognosis of many diseases and enable personalized therapy. Previously, we reported the ability of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) for accurate measurements of tissue oxygen tension (pO2) using Proton Imaging of Siloxanes to map Tissue Oxygenation Levels (PISTOL) magnetic resonance imaging. Here we report the feasibility of several commercially available linear and cyclic siloxanes (molecular weight 162–410 g/mol) as PISTOL-based oxygen reporters by characterizing their calibration constants. Further, field and temperature dependence of pO2 calibration curves of HMDSO, octamethyltrisiloxane (OMTSO) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMSO) were also studied. The spin-lattice relaxation rate R1 of all siloxanes studied here exhibited a linear relationship with oxygenation (R1 = A′ + B′*pO2) at all temperatures and field strengths evaluated here. The sensitivity index η( = B′/A′) decreased with increasing molecular weight with values ranged from 4.7 × 10−3–11.6 × 10−3 torr−1 at 4.7 T. No substantial change in the anoxic relaxation rate and a slight decrease in pO2 sensitivity was observed at higher magnetic fields of 7 T and 9.4 T for HMDSO and OMTSO. Temperature dependence of calibration curves for HMDSO, OMTSO and PDMSO was small and simulated errors in pO2 measurement were 1–2 torr/°C. In summary, we have demonstrated the feasibility of various linear and cyclic siloxanes as pO2-reporters for PISTOL-based oximetry.
Communicating to the Ages: Influence of Age on Florida Residents’ Informational Processing Behaviors

This 5-page document explores the results of a study in which Florida residents processed video messages about fertilizer best practices, with a focus on how their information-processing behaviors differed by age. Written by Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Sanagorski Warner, Ashley N. McCleod, Shelli Rampold, and Alexa J. Lamm and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, December 2018. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc323
Surgical treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients treated for expanding aneurysm sacs with type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Abstract Objective Persistent type II endoleaks (T2ELs) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with sac growth have been associated with adverse events, including rupture. Whereas intervention in the presence of aneurysm growth has become an accepted treatment paradigm for T2ELs, the efficacy and clinical success of such interventions remain unclear. Therefore, we examined the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing T2EL interventions after EVAR. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated for expanding aneurysm sacs with T2ELs after EVAR at an academic medical center between 2006 and 2017. The primary outcomes assessed were need for repeated intervention; intervention types; and achievement of clinical success, defined as stable aneurysm sac size on computed tomography angiography after treatment. Results Fifty-six patients underwent 119 interventions, of which 107 (90%) were technically successful. The median time from EVAR to index T2EL procedure was 37 months (interquartile range, 17-56 months), and the median follow-up time from first T2EL procedure was 27 months (interquartile range, 10-51 months). The most common index procedure was transarterial lumbar embolization (64%), followed by transarterial inferior mesenteric artery (20%), transcaval (14%), and translumbar embolization (1.8%). Thirty-three (59%) patients required further procedures for persistent aneurysm sac expansion. For subsequent T2EL interventions, the most common endovascular procedure was transarterial lumbar embolization (21%), followed by transcaval (21%), translumbar (11%), and transarterial inferior mesenteric artery embolization (8.6%). Twelve patients (21%) were found to have loss of proximal or distal seal on subsequent imaging and required graft extensions to stabilize aneurysm sac size. Ten patients (18%) ultimately underwent graft explantation or sacotomy with oversewing of the endoleak source. Freedom from any endoleak-related reintervention was 57% at 1 year and 36% at 3 years. Freedom from open treatment was 93% at 1 year and 82% at 3 years. Of the 44 patients with ≥6-month follow-up, 39 (89%) achieved clinical success. However, only 11 patients (25%) achieved clinical success without any further reintervention, and 29 patients (66%) achieved clinical success without open treatment. Conclusions Despite high technical success, endoleak recurrence after T2EL treatment is common, and multiple interventions are often needed to stabilize aneurysm sac size in patients diagnosed with T2EL-associated sac growth. Notably, one in five patients treated for T2ELs was discovered, on further evaluation, to have proximal or distal seal zone loss that necessitated repair to achieve sac stability. Thus, thorough assessment of all endoleak types should be performed in patients with T2ELs associated with sac growth before T2EL treatment to ensure appropriate care and to minimize ineffective interventions.
Development and optimization of thermal contrast amplification lateral flow immunoassays for ultrasensitive HIV p24 protein detection

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 protein at a single pg/ml concentration in point-of-care (POC) settings is important because it can facilitate acute HIV infection diagnosis with a detection sensitivity approaching that of laboratory-based assays. However, the limit of detection (LOD) of lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs), the most prominent POC diagnostic platform, falls short of that of laboratory protein detection methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Here, we report the development and optimization of a thermal contrast amplification (TCA) LFA that will allow ultrasensitive detection of 8 pg/ml p24 protein spiked into human serum at POC, approaching the LOD of a laboratory test. To achieve this aim, we pursued several innovations as follows: (a) defining a new quantitative figure of merit for LFA design based on the specific to nonspecific binding ratio (BR); (b) using different sizes and shapes of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the systematic optimization of TCA LFA designs; and (c) exploring new laser wavelengths and power regimes for TCA LFA designs. First, we optimized the blocking buffer for the membrane and running buffer by quantitatively measuring the BR using a TCA reader. The TCA reader interprets the thermal signal (i.e., temperature) of GNPs within the membrane when irradiated by a laser at the plasmon resonance wavelength of the particle. This process results in higher detection and quantitation of GNPs than in traditional visual detection (i.e., color intensity). Further, we investigated the effect of laser power (30, 100, 200 mW), GNP size and shape (30 and 100 nm gold spheres, 150 nm gold-silica shells), and laser wavelength (532, 800 nm). Applying these innovations to a new TCA LFA design, we demonstrated that 100 nm spheres with a 100 mW 532 nm laser provided the best performance (i.e., LOD = 8 pg/ml). This LOD is significantly better than that of the current colorimetric LFA and is in the range of the laboratory-based p24 ELISA. In summary, this TCA LFA for p24 protein shows promise for detecting acute HIV infection in POC settings. A thermal contrast amplification variation of lateral flow immunoassays enables the ultrasensitive detection of the HIV p24 protein. The early detection of HIV relies on measuring p24 protein levels, as they appear in serum 7–10 days earlier than antibodies, another marker for HIV. Only small quantities of this protein are present, though. Lateral flow assays, however, suffer from poor detection limits, reducing their ability to sense the p24 protein. Here, researchers from University of Minnesota and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention enhance the detection limit of lateral flow immunoassays by using thermal contrast amplification to record the temperature change of membranes by irradiating gold nanoparticles with a laser. This thermal approach improved the limit of detection – reaching 8 pg/ml p24 protein – compared to the usual visual-based approach.
Use of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Among Emergency Department Patients With Untreated Opioid Use Disorder

Study objective Concurrent use of amphetamine-type stimulants among individuals with opioid use disorder can exacerbate social and medical harms, including overdose risk. The study evaluated rates of amphetamine-type stimulant use among patients with untreated opioid use disorder presenting at emergency departments in Baltimore, MD; New York, NY; Cincinnati, OH; and Seattle, WA. Methods Emergency department (ED) patients with untreated opioid use disorder (N=396) and enrolled between February 2017 and January 2019 in a multisite hybrid type III implementation science study were evaluated for concurrent amphetamine-type stimulant use. Individuals with urine tests positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, or both were compared with amphetamine-type stimulant–negative patients. Results Overall, 38% of patients (150/396) were amphetamine-type stimulant positive; none reported receiving prescribed amphetamine or methamphetamine medications. Amphetamine-type stimulant–positive versus –negative patients were younger: mean age was 36 years (SD 10 years) versus 40 years (SD 12 years), 69% (104/150) versus 46% (114/246) were white, 65% (98/150) versus 54% (132/246) were unemployed, 67% (101/150) versus 49 (121/246) had unstable housing, 47% (71/150) versus 25% (61/245) reported an incarceration during 1 year before study admission, 60% (77/128) versus 45% (87/195) were hepatitis C positive, 79% (118/150) versus 47% (115/245) reported drug injection during 1 month before the study admission, and 42% (62/149) versus 29% (70/244) presented to the ED for an injury. Lower proportions of amphetamine-type stimulant–positive patients had cocaine-positive urine test results (33% [50/150] versus 52% [129/246]) and reported seeking treatment for substance use problems as a reason for their ED visit (10% [14/148] versus 19% [46/246]). All comparisons were statistically significant at P Conclusion Amphetamine-type stimulant use among ED patients with untreated opioid use disorder was associated with distinct sociodemographic, social, and health factors. Improved ED-based screening, intervention, and referral protocols for patients with opioid use disorder and amphetamine-type stimulant use are needed.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Personnel and Their Household Contacts at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center: Protocol for a Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Health care personnel (HCP) are at high risk for exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While personal protective equipment (PPE) may mitigate this risk, prospective data collection on its use and other risk factors for seroconversion in this population is needed. Objective: The primary objectives of this study are to (1) determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCP at a tertiary care medical center and (2) actively monitor PPE use, interactions between study participants via electronic sensors, secondary cases in households, and participant mental health and well-being. Methods: To achieve these objectives, we designed a prospective, observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCP and their household contacts at an academic tertiary care medical center in North Carolina, USA. Enrolled HCP completed frequent surveys on symptoms and work activities and provided serum and nasal samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing every 2 weeks. Additionally, interactions between participants and their movement within the clinical environment were captured with a smartphone app and Bluetooth sensors. Finally, a subset of participants’ households was randomly selected every 2 weeks for further investigation, and enrolled households provided serum and nasal samples via at-home collection kits. Results: As of December 31, 2020, 211 HCP and 53 household participants have been enrolled. Recruitment and follow-up are ongoing and expected to continue through September 2021. Conclusions: Much remains to be learned regarding the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCP and their household contacts. Through the use of a multifaceted prospective study design and a well-characterized cohort, we will collect critical information regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks in the health care setting and its linkage to the community.
Ketamine and xylazine effects in murine model of acute pancreatitis

Ketamine and xylazine anesthetic agent administration before acute pancreatitis induction in mice lead to changes in pancreatitis responses independent of acute pancreatitis induction. Future studi...