cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and Treatment of Childhood Enthesitis-Related Arthritis.

Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) is phenotypically distinct from the other categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Therefore, patients with ERA warrant distinct pharmacological treatments tailored to their disease process. The advent of biologic disease-modifying agents (biologics) has revolutionized the treatment of ERA. Biologics are drugs that are genetically engineered from a living organism (such as a virus, gene, or protein) to modify signaling along the inflammatory pathway and thereby modulate the immune system. There has been movement over the last decade to categorize and treat patients with spondyloarthritis on the basis of axial disease since axial involvement warrants treatment with a biologic, in particular, a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blocker. To help identify ERA patients correctly for research purposes, the use of ultrasound with Doppler (USD) and/or whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being increasingly used; their role in clinical practice, however, is still undetermined. We strongly recommend that MRI of the pelvis be performed for any ERA patient in whom axial disease is suspected as its presence may influence the medication regimen, specifically initiation of a biologic. The recent development of a spondyloarthritis (including ERA)-specific disease activity tool called the Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (JSpADA) will hopefully allow pediatric rheumatologists to better monitor disease activity over time. Over the last decade, there has been a plethora of research to help advance our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of spondyloarthritis. Future promising treatments for ERA are evidenced by research implicating the role of the IL-12/23 and IL-17 axis in spondyloarthritis. Investigations examining the microbiome will further elucidate the interactions between genetics and the environment that lead to the development of ERA. With more randomized therapeutic trials and more microbiome and genetics-related research, we will likely see the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of ERA in the near future.
The Study of Genic Variation by Electrophoretic and Heat Denaturation Techniques at the Octanol Dehydrogenase Locus in Members of the DROSOPHILA VIRILIS Group

Heat denaturation studies of three different electrophoretic allozymes of octanol dehydrogenase were performed from 10 species of the Drosophila virilis group. A total of 18 alleles were discovered, and in 3 species in which electrophoretic studies indicated that the locus was monomorphic, heat denaturation showed that the locus was polymorphic. We show that electrophoretic studies underestimate the number of alleles at this locus by a factor of 2.6 in these species. The results are discussed in the light of the continuing controversy over selection and neutral theories of genetic variation.
A Review of Oscillator Strengths for Lines of Cu i.

New determinations of oscillator strengths made by Kock and Richter provide for the first time reference standards which permit the adjustment of five previous sets of measurements to an improved scale of absolute oscillator strengths for lines of Cu I. Critical discussions of the several sets of measurements and a consistent list of values for 272 lines in the region 2024 to 8092 A are presented.
Collective behavior and predation success in a predator-prey model inspired by hunting bats.

We establish an agent-based model to study the impact of prey behavior on the hunting success of predators. The predators and prey are modeled as self-propelled particles moving in a three-dimensional domain and subject to specific sensing abilities and behavioral rules inspired by bat hunting. The predators randomly search for prey. The prey either align velocity directions with peers, defined as ``interacting'' prey, or swarm ``independently'' of peer presence; both types of prey are subject to additive noise. In a simulation study, we find that interacting prey using low noise have the maximum predation avoidance because they form localized large groups, while they suffer high predation as noise increases due to the formation of broadly dispersed small groups. Independent prey, which are likely to be uniformly distributed in the domain, have higher predation risk under a low noise regime as they traverse larger spatial extents. These effects are enhanced in large prey populations, which exhibit more ordered collective behavior or more uniform spatial distribution as they are interacting or independent, respectively.
Mobility Effect Models: A Reply to Schumm et al.

Schumm et al. propose what they consider an alternative means of dealing with situations involving an hypothesized effect of the difference between two variables. Their approach stresses the role of theory in specifying a priori an appropriate three-dimensional geometric model and the testing of this model against alternative plausible models using regression. In our earlier article (Brody & McRae 1987) we make use of previous theory and research on the effects of social mobility to select an appropriate dependent variable for analysis, to propose two types of identifying restrictions leading to plausible three-dimensional models, and to rule out other identifying restrictions leading to less plausible models or unreasonable constraints on the mobility parameters. (Existing theory does not allow us to specify a priori which of the two types of identifying restrictions to prefer.) We use regression to test and compare several alternative versions of our models, and we describe verbally and graphically the relevant features of the three-dimensional surfaces yielded by these equations. Thus we fail to see how the approach outlined by Schumm et al. represents an alternative to the one we follow. While we agree with Schumm et al. that models such as those we describe are useful under certain conditions, we stress again our view that the use of such models is primarily heuristic. The ultimate solution to the problem of identification must involve attempts to measure directly the concepts represented by the difference terms in these equations. We refer interested readers to our earlier comments on this point (Brody & McRae 1987:223).
Femtosecond Photon-Counting Receiver

An optical correlation receiver is described that provides ultra-precise distance and/or time/pulse-width measurements even for weak (single photons) and short (femtosecond) optical signals. A new type of optical correlation receiver uses a fourth-order (intensity) interferometer to provide micron distance measurements even for weak (single photons) and short (femtosecond) optical signals. The optical correlator uses a low-noise-integrating detector that can resolve photon number. The correlation (range as a function of path delay) is calculated from the variance of the photon number of the difference of the optical signals on the two detectors. Our preliminary proof-of principle data (using a short-pulse diode laser transmitter) demonstrates tens of microns precision.
Spatial Averaging in Porosity Assessment by Ultrasonic Attenuation Spectroscopy

The characterization of porosity in cast aluminum via the frequency dependence of the ultrasonic attenuation yields both the average pore radius and the volume fraction1. For dilute porosity of less than 6% volume fraction it was found that in case of 50 μm or higher average pore size the experimental measurement of the attenuation could be fit by the theoretical model for single scattering by spherical voids, and the resulting porosity parameters are in good agreement with independent optical and density measurements. Although some deviation between the ultrasonic and optical or density results are accepted as fully justified by the different physical nature of the methods, certain deviations of the ultrasonic results taken under different conditions, e.g. measured on samples of different lengths, show the need for a better understanding of the relation between the measured attenuation and the sought porosity parameters. It is shown that the porosity induced attenuation is smaller than the value predicted by the simplified theoretical model, which can result in consequent discrepancies above the measuring error. Spatial averaging before and after the spectral analysis is found to increase the reliability of the ultrasonic results by effectively rejecting the incoherent components in the attenuated signal.
Ultrasound-guided femoral arterial access in pediatric cardiac catheterizations: A prospective evaluation of the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanism for acute loss of arterial pulse

Objectives The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence, mechanisms, and identify risk factors for acute loss of arterial pulse (LOP) in children who had ultrasound-guided femoral arterial access (UGFAA) during cardiac catheterization. Background LOP is a known complication in children following femoral arterial (FA) access for cardiac catheterization. The prevalence of LOP requiring treatment ranges between 4% and 8%. Methods A prospective study was performed including 486 cardiac catheterizations using UGFAA in children ≤18 years over a 3 years period. Ultrasound and Doppler evaluations were performed prior to and at the end of the procedure. Results LOP was identified in 33 cases (6.8%) with 23 (4.7%) requiring treatment. For children ≤6 months, the prevalence of LOP requiring treatment was 13.6%. FA diameter <3 mm was the only significant independent predictor for LOP (OR: 8.44, 95% CI: 2.07–34.5, P < 0.001). Smaller patient size, number of access attempts, time required for access, operator experience, sheath size, and length of procedure were not found to be significant predictors. Children with LOP had a greater percentage decrease in vessel diameter (median 62% vs 18%, P < 0.001) compared to those without LOP. FA thrombus was diagnosed only in 9 patients (27% of those with LOP). Conclusions The prevalence of LOP requiring treatment is 4.7% when UGFAA is used during pediatric cardiac catheterizations. Arterial spasm was more common than thrombus as a cause of LOP. FA diameter <3 mm was the only independent predictor for LOP in this carefully designed prospective study. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Erythropoietin Enhanced Recovery After Traumatic Nerve Injury: Myelination and Localized Effects

Purpose We previously found that administration of erythropoietin (EPO) shortens the course of recovery after experimental crush injury to the mouse sciatic nerve. The course of recovery was more rapid than would be expected if EPO's effects were caused by axonal regeneration, which raised the question of whether recovery was instead the result of promoting remyelination and/or preserving myelin on injured neurons. This study tested the hypothesis that EPO has a direct and local effect on myelination in vivo and in vitro . Methods Animals were treated with EPO after standard calibrated sciatic nerve crush injury; immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assay for myelinated axons. Combined in vitro neuron–Schwann cell co-cultures were performed to assess EPO-mediated effects directly on myelination and putative protective effects against oxidative stress. In vivo local administration of EPO in a fibrin glue carrier was used to demonstrate early local effects of EPO treatment well in advance of possible neuroregenerative effects. Results Systemic Administration of EPO maintained more in vivo myelinated axons at the site of nerve crush injury. In vitro , EPO treatment promoted myelin formation and protected myelin from the effects of nitric oxide exposure in co-cultures of Schwann cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons. In a novel, surgically applicable local treatment using Food and Drug Administration–approved fibrin glue as a vehicle, EPO was as effective as systemic EPO administration at time points earlier than those explainable using standard models of neuroregeneration. Conclusions In nerve crush injury, EPO may be exerting a primary influence on myelin status to promote functional recovery. Clinical relevance Mixed injury to myelin and axons may allow the opportunity for the repurposing of EPO for use as a myeloprotective agent in which injuries spare a requisite number of axons to allow early functional recovery.
Computationally efficient thermal simulation with micro-fluidic cooling for 3D integration

In 3D system design, effective thermal cooling for high power density 3D stacked ICs is a crucial bottleneck. In this paper, efficient thermal simulation with micro-channel fluidic cooling and air convection boundary condition is presented. By employing the analytical model for micro-fluidic cooling, the fluid flow rate can be efficiently optimized to achieve target chip temperatures. Results demonstrating the efficiency and scalability of the method have been presented. In particular, the algorithm shows good capability of analyzing 3D stacking of chips with more than 20 micro-channels and hundreds of TSVs.
Characterization of performance of a miniature, high sensitivity gamma ray camera

A compact, hand-held gamma camera with excellent intrinsic and extrinsic performance has been developed for the rapid identification and localization of the sentinel lymph node during the surgical staging of cancer. A goal for this device is an image acquisition time of five seconds to allow the surgeon to easily search for points of interest without excessive motion blurring. The camera comprises a 5/spl times/5 cm/sup 2/ field of view NaI (TI) pixellated crystal array, a high sensitivity (2.0 cm thick) hexagonal parallel-hole collimator, a position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT), and a novel highly multiplexed electrical readout. The good intrinsic energy resolution (12.3/spl plusmn/2.6%) resolution, extrinsic sensitivity (5 cps//spl mu/Ci with 24% energy window) and extrinsic spatial resolution (1.6+/-0.02 mm at 0.5 cm) facilitate rapid identification of a hot node.
Penalized-likelihood sinogram restoration for CT artifact correction

In CT sinogram preprocessing, the best possible estimate of the line integrals needed for image reconstruction from the set of noisy, degraded detector measurements is reported. A general imaging model relating the degraded measurements to the ideal sinogram and the estimation of the ideal line integrals by iteratively maximizing an appropriate penalized statistical likelihood function are discussed. Image reconstruction is then performed by the use of existing non-iterative approaches.
Independent and collective roles of surface structures at different length scales on pool boiling heat transfer

Spherical Cu nanocavity surfaces are synthesized to examine the individual role of contact angles in connecting lateral Rayleigh-Taylor wavelength to vertical Kevin-Helmholtz wavelength on hydrodynamic instability for the onset of pool boiling Critical Heat Flux (CHF). Solid and porous Cu pillar surfaces are sintered to investigate the individual role of pillar structure pitch at millimeter scale, named as module wavelength, on hydrodynamic instability at CHF. Last, spherical Cu nanocavities are coated on the porous Cu pillars to create a multiscale Cu structure, which is studied to examine the collective role and relative significance of contact angles and module wavelength on hydrodynamic instability at CHF, and the results indicate that module wavelength plays the dominant role on hydrodynamic instability at CHF when the height of surface structures is equal or above ¼ Kelvin-Helmholtz wavelength. Pool boiling Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) enhancements on spherical Cu nanocavity surfaces, solid and porous Cu pillar surfaces, and the integrated multiscale structure have been investigated, too. The experimental results reveal that the nanostructures and porous pillar structures can be combined together to achieve even higher enhancement of HTC than that of individual structures.
Molecular Architecture and Enhanced Thermal Stability of Electrospun Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Aminopropyl Isobutyl Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Hybrid Fibers

Polymer-based electrospun fibers have been intensively studied as antimicrobial membranes, drug carriers, and energetic materials. Inorganic fillers or small molecules have been routinely added into polymer matrices in order to enhance product functions. However, the electrospinning process is kinetically controlled and solvent rapidly evaporates due to the large surface-to-volume ratio of spinning liquid jet. When electrospinning a multicomponent system, complex phase behavior may occur and give rise to interesting internal structures of resulting products. Such kinetically driven phenomena deserve more attention for optimizing product performance. Here, electrospun poly(e-caprolactone)(PCL)/aminopropyl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (AMPOSS) fibers with AMPOSS content up to 30 wt% are studied as a model system to understand the impact of kinetically controlled phase separation on the fibers' internal structure, properties, and thermal stability. With sufficient AMPOSS loading, the hybrid fibers are found to have an AMPOSS-shell/PCL-core structure. The thermal stability of the as-spun PCL/AMPOSS fibers is therefore greatly enhanced.
The Past, Present, and Future of Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy Duration in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The editorialist discusses the findings of Piccolo and colleagues' study as well as strategies to individualize decision making about DAPT duration.
Focal adhesions: a personal perspective on a half century of progress

Focal adhesions (FAs) are specialized sites within the cell where clustered integrin receptors interact with the extracellular matrix on the outside of cells and with the actin cytoskeleton on the inside. They provide strong adhesion to the matrix and transmit mechanical tension generated within cells across the plasma membrane to the external environment. Additionally, they act as scaffolds for many signaling pathways triggered by integrin engagement or mechanical force exerted on cells. Here I describe my personal perspective on FA research which I have witnessed since the initial discovery and description of FAs as electron dense regions of the ventral plasma nearly half a century ago.
Meteorological effects on Hg wet deposition in a forested site in the Adirondack region of New York during 2000–2015

Abstract An analysis of weekly measurement data of mercury (Hg) wet deposition was conducted for Huntington Wildlife Forest (HWF), a forest ecosystem in Upstate New York and a biological Hg hotspot, during 2000–2015. Annual accumulated Hg wet deposition flux was found to decrease at a rate of −0.13 μg m−2 yr−1 (2% yr−1) (p = 0.09), and volume weighted mean (VWM) Hg precipitation concentrations at −0.14 ng L−1 yr−1 (2.5% yr−1) (p = 0.00). In examining data by season, no trends were identified for the two variables. It was found that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) affected Hg wet deposition predominantly in spring, as did the position of the U.S. East Coast trough in summer, which suggests different dominant mechanisms driving Hg wet deposition in different seasons. The impacts of such large scale circulation processes were facilitated via variations in precipitation amounts. This was manifested in spring 2011 with the strongest positive phase of NAO, resulting in the wettest spring with the largest Hg wet deposition flux, and in summer 2007 with the U.S. East Coast trough positioned the farthest out over the Atlantic Ocean, causing the driest summer with the lowest Hg wet deposition flux of the study period. Extreme precipitation amounts in spring could singularly drive the overall long-term trend in Hg wet deposition whereas in summer other factors could just be as important. Similar mechanisms were thought to control the long term variations of Hg wet deposition and precipitation concentrations in all seasons but summer as indicated in their significant correlation in all but summer. Atmospheric concentrations of gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate borne mercury (PBM) at HWF over 2009–2015 hardly exhibited correlations with Hg wet deposition or precipitation concentrations. Chemical transport model simulations strongly supported efficient scavenging of oxidized Hg by precipitation resulting in the lowest concentration of GOM in the warm season despite the supposedly largest GOM production. Our findings suggest that over the long run climate change could play an important role in atmospheric deposition of Hg into ecosystems facilitated by precipitation amounts, which is closely linked to variations in large scale circulation.
Demonstrating >1.4 kV OG-FET performance with a novel double field-plated geometry and the successful scaling of large-area devices

A normally off (V th = 4.7 V) vertical GaN OG-FET with a 10 nm UID-GaN channel interlayer and a 50 nm in-situ Al 2 O 3 gate dielectric has been successfully demonstrated and scaled for higher current operation. By using a novel double field-plated structure for mitigating peak electric field, a high off-state breakdown voltage over 1.4 kV was achieved with a low specific on-state resistance (RON, SP) of 2.2 mΩ.cm2. The MOCVD regrown 10 nm GaN channel interlayer enabled a channel resistance lower than 10 Qmm and an average channel electron mobility of 185 cm2/Vs. The fabricated large-area transistor with a total area of 400 μm × 500 μm offered a breakdown voltage of 900 V and an on-state resistance (R on ) of 4.1 Q. Results indicate the potential of vertical GaN OG-FETs for over kV range of power electronics applications.
The use of automated theorem proving for error analysis and removal in safety critical embedded system specifications

As embedded systems increase in complexity, more and more functionality is being migrated to software. Much of the migrated software is critical to the well-being of the system and users. Thus, methods to produce high quality software are needed. Software development today focuses on taking requirements and producing software as fast as possible. Traditional methods have been augmented or replaced with new, agile methods (like SCRUM) designed to produce bits of code as quickly and cheaply as possible. Unfortunately many of these methods ignore standard testing procedures and rely on reported errors to drive corrections in future releases. Traditional methods require exhaustive testing to eliminate a majority of errors. Both processes are time intensive and in the long run cost the project more to correct errors. This paper demonstrates that errors in requirements and design can be discovered and eliminated prior to implementation with the use of automated theorem provers for formal methods. This illustration is key to saving time and costs in the software development life cycle.
Equity: Notes on the American Reception

This article considers the reception of equity in the law of the United States, and in particular the reception of two ideas: first, a small-scale moral reading of the law, analysed under the rubric of “nice adjustment,” and second, a willingness of courts to give direct orders to private parties and government officials, analysed under the rubric of “judicial command.” These ideas have had very different careers in the United States. Nice adjustment has faded, while judicial command has been embraced with enthusiasm. This article asks why.
Subcortical D3/D2 receptor binding in cocaine dependent humans

1284 Objectives Evidence from animal model and postmortem human studies points to the importance of dopamine D3 in cocaine dependence (CD). This has yet to be verified via in vivo human studies. The objective of this study is to use the D3 preferred radioligand PHNO to compare healthy control (HC) with CD subjects in relevant subcortical regions. Methods 10 medically healthy, non-treatment seeking CD subjects (mean age 42±7) were compared to 17 HC subjects (mean age 30±10) with no history of cocaine/illicit substance abuse. After an acclimatization period on an inpatient unit CD subjects received a MRI and then underwent PHNO acquisition using a High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) for purposes of quantifying brain D3/D2 binding potential (BPND). Subjects received a bolus injection of 316±140 MBq of [11C] PHNO with a total injected mass of 0.028±0.004 µg/kg. The specific radioactivity was 63±29 MBq/nmol at the end of synthesis and 35±17 MBq/nmol at injection time. Parametric images were computed using the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM2) with the cerebellum as the reference region. Results Subcortical regions rich in D2 and D3 were chosen for region of interest (ROI) analyses. No statistically significant changes were seen between HC and CD subjects in the caudate (-9%), pallidum (-7%), putamen (-7%), substantia nigra (22%), ventral striatum (-5%) and the thalamus (1%). Statistical significance differences were seen, however, in the amygdala (91%, P=.001) and when the ratio of D3 to D2 areas (SN/Striatum) were compared (30%, P=.02). Conclusions The results suggest that that D2 rich regions (striatum and pallidum) are down-regulated and D3 rich areas (substantia nigra) are up-regulated in cocaine subjects. The statistically significant difference in the amygdala (an area where D3 binding is known to enforce the rewarding properties of cocaine in animals) and the SN/Striatum ratio further advocates a role of D3 in CD. Further studies are necessary to confirm these encouraging results. Research Support NIDA 1R03DA027456-01 NARSAD M13201
Victim or beggar? Anthropomorphic messengers and the savior effect in consumer sustainability behavior

Abstract Literature regarding the effect of anthropomorphism on sustainability behaviors is contradictory, which suggests that that anthropomorphism is contextually sensitive. The current study seeks to add clarity to this domain by assessing the role of anthropomorphism on consumer sustainability behavior. Three experimental studies demonstrate that anthropomorphic cues (especially sad faces) activate a savior effect, which occurs when an anthropomorphic messenger is viewed as a victim and evokes feelings of sympathy. In turn, sympathy leads to enhanced sustainability behavior to save the victim from harm. However, when the desired sustainability behavior costs the consumer, this effect is suppressed – in such cases, the anthropomorphic messenger shifts from threatened victim to marketing agent, which reduces sympathy toward the messenger. Thus, companies seeking to promote sustainable behaviors and preferences for sustainable products could use anthropomorphism but only when the behavior does not result in additional payment to the organization.
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Prediabetes Risk Among U.S. Adolescents, NHANES 2003–2014

Abstract Objective: Food insecurity has been linked to adverse health consequences. We sought to determine if food insecurity was related to obesity and prediabetes risk in U.S. adolescents. We als...
Building Beginning Teacher Resilience: Exploring the Relationship between Mentoring and Contextual Acceptance

ABSTRACTBeginning teacher resilience has become a topic of international interest, as all school districts are invested in retaining talented teachers. This study builds on extant literature on the...
Clinical Sciences-Leading the Way in Competency-Based Biomedical Education.

For decades, educators in the clinical sciences have been at the forefront of innovations in educational practices related to science and medicine. Ultimately, such innovations are often translated and implemented as best practices across the breadth of biomedical disciplines. Far from novel, competency-based approaches to higher education have been around since the 1960s. These have their origins in student outcomes-based models that focus on the assessment of demonstrated competencies through students’ applications of theory, learned in the classroom, to perform a task and/or resolve a defined issue or problem. Despite its long history of contributing to human medical education and, more recently, veterinary medical education, competency-based instruction is still rare in undergraduate biomedical education. Herein, we discuss the value of clinical education in leading the way toward competency-based, undergraduate biomedical programs.
A Wearable, Multimodal Sensing System to Monitor Knee Joint Health

Objective: We designed and validated a wearable, multimodal sensor brace for knee joint health assessment. Methods: An embedded-, two-microcontroller-based approach is used to sample high-throughput, multi-microphone joint acoustics (46.875 kHz) as well as lower-rate electrical bioimpedance (EBI) (1/46.17 s), inertial (100 – 250 Hz), and skin temperature (1 Hz) data, and these data are saved onto microSD cards. Additionally, a flexible, 3D-printed brace houses the custom circuit boards and sensors to enable wearable sensing. Results: The system achieves 9 hours of continuous joint sound recording, while the EBI, inertial, and temperature sensors can sample for 35 hours using 500 mAh batteries. Further, for the entirety of these continuous recordings, there were no dropped samples for any of the sensors. Lastly, proof-of-concept measurements were used to show the system’s efficacy for recording joint sounds and swelling data. Conclusion: This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first, completely untethered wearable system for multimodal knee health monitoring. Significance: The proposed smart brace may facilitate in-clinic or at-home measurements for joint health assessment.
Approaching complexity: systems biology and ms-based techniques to address immune signaling.

Studying immune signaling has been critical for our understanding of immunology, pathogenesis, cancer, and homeostasis. To enhance the breadth of the analysis, high throughput methods have been dev...
Understanding the Factors Influencing Older Adults' Decision-Making about Their Use of Over-The-Counter Medications-A Scenario-Based Approach.

The potential risks of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are often aggravated in vulnerable populations, such as older adults. The elevated patterns of older-adult OTC medication use do not necessarily translate into a greater understanding of these medications or their safety implications. The objective of this study was to assess how older adults’ knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes inform their decision-making regarding OTC use. Situational interviews were conducted in three community pharmacies with 87 older-adult participants to capture how they intended to use an OTC medication. The interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed, generating seven key themes: (1) medication use concerns; (2) following label instructions; (3) wait time until medication effect; (4) responses to medication not working; (5) decision to stop medication; (6) sources of information; and (7) safety implications. This study shows substantial variations in older-adult OTC medication use while providing insight on factors that influence older adults’ appropriate OTC medication use and, in some cases, the potential for harmful effects.
Supporting Youth Activists? Strategic Use of Social Media: A Qualitative Investigation of Design Opportunities

Social Networking Sites (SNS) provide a platform for engaging youth in activism (e.g., by helping mobilize civic action). While youth typically employ casual approaches to online activism (i.e., quick actions, such as broadcast posts to advertise social justice events), more strategic practices (i.e., those that are more creative and informed) can increase the likelihood of successful online campaigns. However, little work has examined how youth activists can be supported to use SNS more strategically. To address this research gap, we conducted interviews with youth activists, exploring how youth made sense of social network visualizations and their perspectives on how such tools could support their activism efforts. Our findings characterize how participants made inferences about followers? identities based on their hashtag use, and how they used those inferences in outreach decisions. We conclude with design implications for future research in this area.
Impact of smoking on patient-reported outcome measures after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a 2-year comparative cohort study.

Background and Hypothesis Smoking is a well-established risk factor for tendon healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in patient-reported outcome measures between smokers and nonsmokers who have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. It was hypothesized that smokers would have worse self-reported outcomes at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Methods A total of 560 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were divided into 2 groups: group I (smokers) n = 25 and group II (nonsmokers) n = 535. All participants were administered preoperative and postoperative surveys consisting of the following outcome-measuring tools: (i) visual analog scale, (ii) Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey, (iii) American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score, (iv) standard preoperative form consisting of 4 questions regarding their expectations of recovery, (v) Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation shoulder score, and (vi) Simple Shoulder Test. Results At 1 and 2 years postoperative, nonsmokers reported statistically significant differences in Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey mental scores (56.2 vs. 51.9, P = .0162 and 56.3 vs. 49.5, P = .0004, respectively). American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder scores showed no differences until the 2-year mark, at which time nonsmokers reported higher scores than smokers (87.9 vs. 79.0, P = .0212). Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores also remained similar up until 2-year follow-up, at which time nonsmokers reported statistically significant improvement (80.0 vs. 68.5, P = .0339). Nonsmokers reported higher Simple Shoulder Test scores at baseline and at 2-year follow-up (43.3 vs. 37.0, P = .0417 and 83.7 vs. 68.1, P = .0046, respectively). Conclusion At 2 years postoperatively, nonsmokers had significantly higher patient-reported outcome measure scores than smokers. In elective surgery, smoking status should be considered as a risk factor for poorer patient-reported outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. However, smokers continue to report a clinical benefit at 2 years postoperatively.
Management of COVID-19 in an adolescent demonstrates lasting effects of extreme prematurity on pulmonary function

Extremely premature infants have demonstrated increased survival due to advancements in care. This population is at risk for decreased lung function that persists into adolescence. It is important for clinicians to consider this history when treating and assessing such patients who contract SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection. A 17-year-old, former premature infant of 23 weeks gestation with BPD presented to the pediatric emergency department for evaluation of hypoxia and increased work of breathing in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection. He was managed aggressively with early noninvasive respiratory support, Remdesevir, systemic steroids, and convalescent plasma. Utilization of aggressive medical therapies early in the hospital course assisted in preventing intubation and mechanical ventilation for this patient. While there are studies examining the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in premature infants, there is a paucity of data on this vulnerable group as they age into adolescence. More studies are needed to assess the severity of illness and optimal management of this population.
Base editing using CRISPR/Cas9 in Drosophila

Abstract Cas9 and a guide RNA function to target specific genomic loci for generation of a double stranded break. Catalytic dead versions of Cas9 (dCas9) no longer cause double stranded breaks and instead can serve as molecular scaffolds to target additional enzymatic proteins to specific genomic loci. To generate mutations in selected genomic residues, dCas9 can be used for genomic base editing by fusing a cytidine deaminase to induce C>T (or G>A) mutations at targeted sites. Here, we test base editing in Drosophila by expressing a transgenic Drosophila base editor (DBE2, based on the mammalian BE2) which consists of a fusion protein of cytidine deaminase, dCas9, and uracil glycosylase inhibitor. We utilized transgenic lines expressing gRNAs along with pan-tissue expression of the Drosophila Base Editor (Actin5C-DBE2) and found high rates of base editing at multiple targeted loci in the 20 bp target sequence. Highest rates of conversion of C>T were found in positions 3-9 of the gRNA targeted site, with conversion reaching nearly 100% of targeted DNA is somatic tissues. The simultaneous use of two gRNA targeting a genomic region spaced ∼50 bps apart led to mutations between the two gRNA targets, implicating a method to broaden the available sites accessible to targeting. These results indicate base editing is efficient in Drosophila, and could be used to induce point mutations at select loci.
Classroom Temperatures and Asthma-Related School-Based Health Care Utilization: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Objective Schools with aging infrastructure may expose students to extreme temperatures. Extreme outdoor temperatures have previously been linked to more asthma-related health care utilization. Explore the relationship between classroom temperatures and school-based health care visits for asthma in an urban school building with an outdated heating and cooling system. Methods Participants were students in grades K-8 who received health care from a school-based health center (SBHC) (n = 647) or school nurse (n = 1244) in 2 co-located urban public schools between 2016 and 2018. The probability of an asthma visit to the SBHC or school nurse was modeled as a function of indoor temperature exposure using generalized estimating equations with covariates accounting for grade, sex, outdoor temperature, days at risk of asthma visit, nonasthma visits, month, and year fixed effects. Results Classroom temperatures ranged from 48.0˚F to 100.6°F. Higher mean grade-level indoor temperatures from a baseline of approximately 70˚F to 76˚F were associated with increased rates of asthma-related visits to the SBHC or school nurse on same day of exposure. Model-generated estimates suggest that an increase of 10˚F in indoor temperature relative to a baseline of 75˚F was associated with a 53% increase in the rate of asthma-related SBHC visits. Conclusions Elevated classroom temperatures may be associated with more school-based health care utilization for asthma. Low-income and students from racial and ethnic minority groups have disproportionately higher rates of asthma and are also more likely to attend schools with poor infrastructure. The potential benefits of school infrastructure investments for student health, health care costs, and health equity merit further investigation.
Bounding the number of bases of a matroid

Abstract Thomassen proved in 2010 that the number of spanning trees of a graph with vertex degrees d 1 , d 2 , … , d n is at most d 1 d 2 … d n − 1 . This note generalizes this result to show that if A is a matrix representing a rank-r matroid M over a field and S 1 , S 2 , … , S r are the supports of the rows of A, then the number of bases of M is at most | S 1 | | S 2 | … | S r | . More generally, it is shown that if C 1 ⁎ , C 2 ⁎ , … , C r ⁎ are cocircuits of a rank-r matroid N such that the deletion of any k of these cocircuits from N drops the rank by at least k, then the number of bases of N is at most | C 1 ⁎ | | C 2 ⁎ | … | C r ⁎ | .
The interplay of game elements with psychometric qualities, learning, and enjoyment in game-based assessment

Educators today are increasingly interested in using game-based assessment to assess and support students' learning. In the present study, we investigated how changing a game design element, linearity in gameplay sequences, influenced the effectiveness of game-based assessment in terms of validity, reliability, fairness, learning, and enjoyment. Two versions of a computer game, Physics Playground (formerly Newton's Playground), with different degrees of linearity in gameplay sequences were compared. Investigation of the assessment qualities-validity, reliability, and fairness-suggested that changing one game element (e.g., linearity) could significantly influence how players interacted with the game, thus changing the evidentiary structure of in-game measures. Although there was no significant group difference in terms of learning between the two conditions, participants who played the nonlinear version of the game showed significant improvement on qualitative physics understanding measured by the pre- and posttests while the participants in the linear condition did not. There was also no significant group difference in terms of enjoyment. Implications of the findings for future researchers and game-based assessment designers are discussed. We examined how linearity of gameplay sequences influences game-based assessment.In-game performance metrics demonstrate different evidentiary strength and focus.Linear version of the game appears to have slightly better reliability.The nonlinear condition demonstrates significant learning gain.
Abstract 14875: Estrogen-Induced Vasoprotection is Preserved After Prolonged Estrogen Deprivation

Introduction: 17β-Estradiol (E2) offers cardiovascular protection in young female animals and peri-menopausal women. Clinical trials carried out in older women deprived of E2 for many years have shown harm or no cardiovascular benefit. We have recently demonstrated that E2 attenuates C-reactive protein (CRP)-driven inflammatory response in vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages derived from young but not aged mice and reduces neointima formation in injured carotid arteries of young but not aged CRP transgenic mice (CRPtg). Hypothesis: After prolonged E2 deprivation, E2 will not attenuate neointimal response to vascular injury. Methods and Results: C57BL/6 non-transgenic (NTG) and CRPtg (10 wk old) mice underwent ovariectomy and then received vehicle (veh), uninterrupted E2 for 97 days (E2), or veh for 90 days followed by E2 for 7 days (E2, deprivation) delivered using subcutaneous pellets. Mice were then subjected to right common carotid artery ligation. At 28 days after injury, the carotid arteries were harvested, fixed, sectioned, stained, and subjected to computer-assisted morphometric analysis to assess the extent of the injury response. In veh treated mice, neointima formation was exaggerated in CRPtg compared to NTG (Figure). E2 treatment, whether continuous or after prolonged deprivation, was associated with greatly diminished neointima formation in both genotypes (2-way ANOVA interaction not significant). Importantly, the extent of neointima formation was not different between the two E2-treated groups (E2 vs. E2, deprivation). Conclusions: In mice, E2-induced vasoprotection abolishes CRP-mediated vascular injury and this effect is preserved even after prolonged E2 deprivation. In combination with our previous finding that the vasoprotective effects of E2 are age-dependent, the current data suggest that the lack of benefit associated with E2 seen in clinical trials is associated with advanced age rather than prolonged E2 deprivation.
Calcification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses associated with intracameral air injection following DMEK.

We present 2 cases of localized calcification on the anterior surface/subsurface of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) following procedures involving intracameral injection of air. Although this phenomenon has been reported in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs, to our knowledge it has not been reported in the IOLs described in our cases, one a sulcus-fixated supplementary IOL and the other a hydrophilic acrylic IOL with a hydrophobic surface. Centralized opacity of the IOLs was first noted months after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty had been performed in both cases; explantation was required. Laboratory analysis of the IOLs confirmed calcification of the anterior surfaces in a localized pattern in the area of the capsulorhexis or pupil. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Studies on the Synthesis of Deoxyribonucleic Acid by Mammalian Enzymes II. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PRIMER REQUIREMENTS OF PARTIALLY PURIFIED REGENERATING RAT LIVER DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID NUCLEOTIDYLTRANSFERASE

Abstract A study has been made of the deoxyribonucleic acid primer requirements of partially purified deoxyribonucleic acid deoxynucleotidyltransferase fractionated from regenerating liver of the adult rat. Native, double stranded DNAs derived from either viral, bacterial, or mammalian sources serve more effectively as primers than either single stranded or heat-denatured DNAs for the incorporation of deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates into polydeoxyribonucleotides. The highly ordered, helical, alternating, copolymer consisting of deoxyadenylate and deoxythymidylate residues was found to be the best primer tested. Destruction of the secondary structure of native DNA primers by either controlled acid or alkaline denaturation or by thermal means decreases priming activity. Additionally, changes in the primary structure of native DNA primers by limited enzymic treatment also altered their priming abilities. Crystalline bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease, which cleaves DNA to yield 3'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphoryl end groups, produced stimulation in priming activity, whereas bovine spleen and micrococcal endonucleases, which produce 3'-phosphoryl and 5'-hydroxyl termini, decrease the priming activity of native DNA primers. Heating and rapid cooling of the primers partially degraded enzymically results in a further reduction of priming activity.
Oral Contraceptives for Women Over the Age of 35

Choosing an appropriate contraception for women aged 35 years and over often poses a dilemma for the health care providers and their patients. In women over age 40, pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of maternal mortality, spontaneous abortion, fetal chromosomal abnormalities, and both aneuploid and euploid fetuses. Most pregnancies in this age group are unplanned, Figure 8–1, and more than half are terminated by elective abortion. In the United States the mean age of women at last delivery is 29 years, while the mean age at menopause is 50 years.1 Thus, for approximately half of their reproductive life span — one-third of their entire life — U.S. women are at risk of unwanted pregnancy. In 1985 it was estimated that in the United States, 33 million women of childbearing age (about 50%) are in this group that have completed their family but not yet entered the menopause. By the end of this decade, this dilemma is expected to confront 60% of the female population.1 Clearly, the issues surrounding contraceptive choices for this age group is a major concern.
The occurrence of subtilase-cytotoxin-encoding genes in environmental Escherichia coli isolated from a Northern California estuary.

The presence of subtilase-cytotoxin-encoding genes was determined in 397 environmental Escherichia coli strains isolated from water, suspended solids, and sediments sampled from different hydrological and environmental conditions in a California estuary. A total of 7 strains (1.76%) were found to harbor subtilase-cytotoxin-encoding genes. Using primers targeting subA only, we generated PCR amplicons from 2 strains; while using primers targeting the 3′ end of SubA downstream to the 5′ end of SubB, amplicons of 232 bp were generated from 5 additional strains. The 556 bp subA sequences were almost identical to that in the subtilase-cytotoxin-positive strain ED 591 (98%), while subAB sequences of 2 non-Shiga-toxigenic strains revealed 100% similarity with the Shiga-toxigenic E. coli O113:H21 strain 98NK2 that was isolated from an outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Additionally, the serogroup O113:H21 was present in this collection of environmental E. coli, and it was found to harbor stx2d, hra1 that encod...