cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimized welding parameters for Al 6061 ultrasonic additive manufactured structures

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid state manufacturing process that combines additive joining of thin metal tapes and subtractive computer numerical control milling operations to generate near-net shape metallic parts. We conducted a design of experiments study with the goal to optimize UAM process parameters for aluminum 6061. Weld force, weld speed, amplitude, and temperature were varied based on a Taguchi L18 experimental design matrix and tested for mechanical strength using a shear test and a comparative push-pin test. Statistical methods including analysis of variance (ANOVA), mean effects plots, and interaction effects plots were conducted to determine optimal process parameters. Results indicate that weld amplitudes of 32.76 µm and weld speeds of 84.6 mm/s yield maximum mechanical strength while temperature and force are statistically insignificant for the parameter levels tested. Annealing of cold-worked foil stock produces a 13% strength increase for UAM samples over homogeneous annealed material.
Impact of spatial variability of tropical forest structure on radar estimation of aboveground biomass

Abstract Understanding the spatial variability of tropical forest structure and its impact on the radar estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) is important to assess the scale and accuracy of mapping AGB with future low frequency radar missions. We used forest inventory plots in old growth, secondary succession, and forest plantations at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica to examine the spatial variability of AGB and its impact on the L-band and P-band polarimetric radar estimation of AGB at multiple spatial scales. Field estimation of AGB was determined from tree size measurements and an allometric equation developed for tropical wet forests. The field data showed very high spatial variability of forest structure with no spatial dependence at a scale above 11 m in old-growth forest. Plot sizes of greater than 0.25 ha reduced the coefficients of variation in AGB to below 20% and yielded a stationary and normal distribution of AGB over the landscape. Radar backscatter measurements at all polarization channels were strongly positively correlated with AGB at three scales of 0.25 ha, 0.5 ha, and 1.0 ha. Among these measurements, PHV and LHV showed strong sensitivity to AGB
The risk of finding focal cancer (less than 3 mm) remains high on re-biopsy of patients with persistently increased prostate specific antigen but the clinical significance is questionable.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluated the significance of focal prostate cancer found in sextant biopsies in men participating in a biennial prostate specific antigen (PSA) based screening program.Materials and Methods: In 1995, 10,000 men 50 to 65 years old were randomized to biennial screening with PSA testing. Sextant biopsies were recommended when total PSA was 3 ng/ml or greater at screening rounds 1 and 2, and 2.54 ng/ml or greater at subsequent screening rounds. Focal cancer was defined as total a core cancer length of less than 3 mm in the biopsy specimen. Low volume cancer was defined as a total tumor volume of less than 0.5 cm3 in the radical retropubic prostatectomy specimen.Results: The number of men who underwent biopsy and the number of cancers detected in the 5 possible sets of biopsies were 1,725 and 402, 706 and 124, 307 and 36, 103 and 9, and 13 and 0, respectively. The risk of detecting focal cancer was 7.9%, 10.2%, 7.5%, 5.8% and 0%, respectively, but the relative ratio (focal-to-all cancers) ...
Generation of CPA seed pulses by direct phase modulation

A 10.5-kHz train of 2.5-ns optical pulses with 1.15-nm bandwidth centered at 1053-nm suitable for seeding chirped-pulse amplification is produced in a programmable, all-fiber system through direct phase modulation.
Student Attitudes Toward a Computer-based Simulation to Assess Construction Quality of Ready-to-Wear Garments:

The purpose of this study was to assess student attitudes toward a computer simulation designed to assess construction quality in ready-to-wear garments. Students enrolled in an entry-level, basic clothing construction course completed the simulation and an attitude scale. Results indicate that users believe assessing construction quality through a computer simulation is possible. No clear profile emerged of the learners who would have the more positive attitude toward the computer exercise; however, significant correlation did exist between variables such as the subjects attitude toward the logistics of the simulation and computer activities in general.
Using a cell phone for biotelemetry

A cell phone can be used to transmit data for biological monitoring and diagnosis, in addition to its usual functions, without requiring modification. This paper discusses the benefits, obstacles, and methods of using cell phones to transmit biological waveforms to increase the mobility of patient monitoring and facilitate critical care before the patient even boards the ambulance.
Combining acoustic and electrical speech processing: Iowa/Nucleus hybrid implant.

Objectives In this paper we test the concept of combining electrical stimulation for high-frequency sound with acoustic hearing for low-frequency information in the same ear. In addition, we test whether residual hearing can be preserved when an electrode is placed up to 10 mm into the inner ear, and whether the site of electrical stimulation influences speech perception. Material and Methods Nine post-lingual adults with severe high-frequency hearing impairment were recruited to participate in the study. A single-subject clinical trial design was employed. A unique six-channel cochlear implant was designed for this clinical trial. The intracochlear electrodes were either 6 or 10 mm in length based on a Nucleus CI-24 multichannel implant. Monosyllabic word understanding and consonant identification in a recorded sound-only condition were used to assess changes in speech perception. Follow-up was >12 months. Results Acoustic hearing was preserved in all nine subjects. Preoperative monosyllabic word and sen...
Behavioural epigenetics and psychiatric disorders.

A rapidly emerging trend in neuroscience is one of linking ‘‘epigenetics’’ with gene expression and subsequent behaviour through a regulatory mechanism, traditionally restricted to developmental biology, known as chromatin remodeling. The idea that the central nervous system has co-opted this ancient, yet evolutionarily-conserved mechanism of cellular memory, and applied it to the formation and maintenance of long-term changes in behaviour is utterly mind-boggling, yet recent reports demonstrate that it is entirely conceivable [1,2]. At the heart of the story is the chromatin structure, the physiological substrate for all genetic activity within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Dynamic changes in chromatin structure are emerging as key regulators of tissue-specific gene expression associated with not only learning and memory, but also neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and addiction [3–5]. In particular, histone acetylation/deacetylation or dimethylation of nucleosomal histone proteins (i.e. H3–K9) and DNA methylation of CpG dinucleotides within gene promoter regions are two ways chromatin remodeling can influence ongoing transcription and synaptic plasticity. Covalent modification of histone proteins that lead to activation or repression of gene transcription are mediated by specific enzymes (i.e. histone deacetylase, HDAC), and the tissue specificity of these enzymes could make them potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of a myriad of neuropsychiatric disorders. The beauty of the approach is that one could conceivably bypass the task of determining the many neurochemical and molecular players associated with a given behaviour by taking advantage of this fundamental mechanism of gene regulation and targeting the chromatin structure itself, a sort of ‘‘inside-out’’ approach, if you will. For example, HDAC5 appears to be preferentially expressed in the hippocampal formation and has recently been shown to play a role in depression-like behaviour [5]. Elucidating the entire biochemical process is not necessary when the target is the basic mechanism that regulates the expression of all genes activated by the behaviour in question. While advances are being made in the development of region and tissuespecific HDAC inhibitors, the current prototypical HDAC inhibitors (i.e. valproic acid and sodium butyrate) can still provide much needed information regarding the role of chromatin remodeling and its relationship with different forms of behaviour. In any case, if the story holds up, this ‘‘Occam’s razor’’ approach to the relationship between the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and behaviour could very well change the way we think about neuropsychiatric disorders and how memories are sustained at the level of the genome.
George Weekes: Rogue Missionary to New England Indians, 1731–1755

During the mid-1700s, an uneducated layman named George Weekes began preaching to Native Americans in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts. Weekes’ missionary activity triggered a passionate response from Nathaniel Stone, the local minister, and inaugurated a debate regarding ministerial qualifications within the community. Scholars who study English missionary activity in colonial New England tend to focus upon the careers of trained clergy, such as John Eliot or Josiah Cotton. Other individuals, who possessed questionable moral character and little education, also preached to New England Indians, however. In this instance, the career of George Weekes, a rogue missionary, reveals that contact with Native Americans could shape ecclesiastical life in colonial Massachusetts. It also suggests that Native Americans encountered popular, as well as elite, English religious culture when they interacted with English missionaries in early New England.
MOOD AT THE MIDPOINT: HOW TEAM POSITIVE MOOD SHAPES TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE

I develop and test a model of how team positive mood shapes team development and performance. Integrating theory and research on positive affect and team development, I propose that team positive m...
eBird: a human/computer learning network for biodiversity conservation and research

In this paper we describe eBird, a citizen science project that takes advantage of human observational capacity and machine learning methods to explore the synergies between human computation and mechanical computation. We call this model a Human/Computer Learning Network, whose core is an active learning feedback loop between humans and machines that dramatically improves the quality of both, and thereby continually improves the effectiveness of the network as a whole. Human/Computer Learning Networks leverage the contributions of a broad recruitment of human observers and processes their contributed data with Artificial Intelligence algorithms leading to a computational power that far exceeds the sum of the individual parts.
6.4 Karst Geomorphology: Sulfur Karst Processes

Recognition and understanding of the important role of sulfur redox processes in developing karst has grown over the last 25 years with the discovery of remarkable sulfur-rich caves worldwide and advances in geomicrobiology. Recent work has shown that microbes interact with hydrocarbons, calcium sulfate bedrock, magmatic fluids, and sulfide ore minerals to reduce gypsum/anhydrite to calcite, produce hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid, convert limestone to gypsum, increase porosity in carbonate bedrocks, precipitate massive sulfur, and deposit Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) ores. These processes are most active in the shallow phreatic and vadose-phreatic subsurface, where transitions between aerobic and anaerobic conditions exist.
Design of drug-induced diseases elective utilizing active learning $

Abstract Objectives To describe active learning utilized in a drug-induced diseases (DID) elective and determine inter-rater reliability of the assessment rubric for oral case-based presentations. Methods The design of this DID elective focuses on problem-based learning to enhance students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills pertaining to the treatment of inducible diseases and general medicine. Each class incorporates active learning, utilization of drug information resources, and group work. The primary course assessment is student developed oral case-based presentations evaluated with a standard rubric. Results The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated amongst evaluators to assess the inter-rater reliability of the DID rubric for 21 case-based presentations during the Fall 2013 semester. Composite scores for the case-based presentations demonstrated good inter-rater reliability with an ICC of 0.628. Conclusions Teaching methods utilizing active learning are described for this DID elective. The rubric for the student developed oral case-based presentations demonstrated good inter-rater reliability amongst evaluators and could be modified for use in other professional courses.
Grundfragen des Chemieunterrichts

Die Chemie als Unterrichtsfach taucht erst im Laufe des 19. Jhdts. in den Schulen auf, zunachst in den “Gewerbe-” oder “Industrieschulen”, die auf kaufmannische oder technische Berufe vorbereiteten (Warenkunde!) und erst spater in den Gymnasien, wohl in erster Linie als Vorbereitung auf das Medizinstudium. Der Aufbau des Lehrgangs folgte weitgehend der historischen Entwicklung der Wissenschaft: auf die Begriffe “Element” und “Verbindung” folgte die Oxidationstheorie von LAVOISIER und die Stofflehre. Zur Deutung der Phanomene dienten die DALTON-Theorie und KEKULEs unitarische Valenzlehre (alle Stoffe bestehen aus Molekulen). Noch bis weit in das 20. Jhdt. hinein wurden deshalb auch fur Salze Strichformeln gezeichnet, wobei die Valenzstriche der “Wertigkeit” entsprachen. Auch die Ionentheorie von ARRHENIUS geht noch von der Vorstellung aus, dass auch Salze aus Molekulen bestehen. Das Experiment spielte stets eine wichtige Rolle, vor allem zur Demonstration von Phanomenen. Immerhin wurden an deutschen Schulen bereits in der Mitte des 19. Jhdts. Schulerubungen eingefuhrt.
Trapezoidally Corrugated Plates in Shear

Rather precise elastic analyses have been made of trapezoidally corrugated plates in shear with four different kinds of discrete attachment between the ends of the corrugations and the framing members: (a) Point attachments in the troughs; (b) point attachments in the trough and at the crests; (c) wide attachments to a rigid flange; and (d) point attachments to a rigid flange. On the basis of these analyses, extensive numerical results are presented for the overall shearing stiffness and typical results are presented for the maximum extreme-fiber transverse flexural strains which accompany the shearing of such plates. In the case of type (d) attachments typical numerical data are also presented for the tension in the attachments due to the prying action exerted by the rigid flange as it interferes with the deformation of the ends of the corrugations. The results for stiffness are compared with those obtained by other investigators, on the basis of somewhat less precise theories and with experiments.
Social Networking: The New Innovation for Targeting Undecideds for Business Specific Disciplines

This study is premised on the hypothesis that Social Networking is a promising target approach for advising undecided students for business specific majors. The need for social networking is evident from lower retention rates at colleges. Therefore, colleges are under greater pressure than ever before to do a better job of advising, counseling and mentoring students. Targeting undecided students is a challenge within itself because they are so different in their knowledge, skills and abilities. This study is unique because it rejects the notion that undecided students are the same and should be treated accordingly. It shows that undecided students are quite heterogeneous, in terms of their needs, and that care must be exercised to assure that they are properly advised, counseled and mentored. Social Networking is the medium for communicating with undecided students and targeting them for business specific majors. Social networking broadens exponentially the network of communication among professionals beyond brick and mortar to one of click and click. It also allows undecided students to consummate lasting relationships, where they can stay in touch with advisers, counselors and mentors, well beyond their college days. Undecided students are identified using a networking model and attributes of undecided majors are compared to determine suitability for business specific disciplines.
Depressive Symptoms in Patients Scheduled for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy With Cytoreductive Surgery: Prospective Associations With Morbidity and Mortality

PurposeThe current study examined prospective relationships between preoperative depressive symptoms and short-term (30-day morbidity and readmission) and long-term (overall survival) outcomes after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cytoreductive surgery (HIPEC + CS).MethodsNinety-eight patients scheduled for HIPEC + CS completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression (CES-D) scale before surgery. Demographic and disease-specific factors and information about morbidity and readmission within 30 days after discharge were gathered from medical records. Survival was measured from date of surgery to death.ResultsTwenty-eight percent of patients had CES-D scores indicative of clinically significant depressive symptoms. Thirty-day morbidity occurred in 31.9% of patients and readmission in 22.2%. At the time of analysis (median follow-up of 49 months), 71.6% of patients were deceased, with median survival time of 11 months for those who died. After adjusting for relevant preoperative demogr...
Swaziland: Public Expenditure Review - Strengthening Public Expenditure Policy and Management for Service Delivery and Poverty Reduction

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal situation, composition of public expenditures, social expenditures and social outcomes and select public expenditure management issues in Swaziland.
Evolving Healthcare for Congenital Heart Disease in China

On June 30, 1998, Hillary Rodham Clinton officially opened the new Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. This 410,000 square foot pediatric hospital with 250 beds is set in 13 landscaped acres of prime real estate in the boom area of Pudong. One of the core services of the hospital will be the cardiovascular service that will provide state-of-the-art care to patients of all ages with congenital heart disease.
Structural variations of the cathode deposit in the carbon arc

Synthesis of various carbon nanostructures, including fullerenes, single-walled and multi-walled nanotubes and nanoparticles, by arc discharges relies on ablation of the graphite anode and deposition of synthesized carbonaceous products on the cathode surface and on the reactor chamber walls. For backbone all-carbon system, the cathode deposit plays a critical role in sustaining the arc discharge and thereby, the synthesis processes. This deposit usually exhibits spatially distinct structural variations with three different axially symmetrical morphologies. In particular, a rim of pyrolytic carbon separates the innermost core consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes from the outmost ring with powdery amorphous carbon soot. Experiments revealed a strong correlation between the current conducting arc attachment to the cathode deposit and the nanotube forming area in the deposit. Results suggest that particle and heat fluxes from the plasma are responsible for purity of nanotubes in this deposit core area. It appears that a better synthesis selectivity can be obtained in low ablation regime which is characterized by a nearly constant arc current density independent on the anode diameter.
Feedback Control and Hierarchical Modeling of Discrete-Event Dynamic Systems

This paper is concerned with the development of a servo theory for discrete-event dynamic systems (DEDS) The class of systems we consider are defined over G = (X,∑ , ϕ, Γ,≡), where X is the set of states, with n = ∣X∣,∑ is the finite set of possible events, ϕ ⊂ ∑ is the set of controllable events, Γ ⊂ ∑ is the set of observable events, and ≡ ⊂ ∑ is the set of tracking events. Also, U = 2ϕ denotes the set of admissible inputs. The dynamics on G are: $$ x[k + 1] \in f(x[k],\sigma [k + 1]) $$ (1) $$ \sigma [k + 1] \in (d(x[k]) \cap u[k]\, \cup (d(x[k]) \cap \,\bar \Phi ) $$ (2) The set-valued function d specifies the set of possible events defined at each state, and the state transition function f is also set-valued. Whenever an event in Γ occurs, we observe it; otherwise, we see nothing. Thus, our output equation is $$ {\rm{\gamma [}}k + {\rm{1] = }}h{\rm{(}}\sigma {\rm{[}}k{\rm{ + 1])}} $$ (3) where h is the projection map from ∑* to Γ*, obtained by deleting all events not in Γ. The set ≡ denotes the tracking alphabet, and t : ∑* → ≡*, denotes the projection of strings over ∑ into ≡*. A = (G,f, d,h, t) represents our system.
Local antigen in nonlymphoid tissue promotes resident memory CD8+ T cell formation during viral infection

Tissue-resident memory (Trm) CD8(+) T cells are functionally distinct from their circulating counterparts and are potent mediators of host protection against reinfection. Whether local recognition of antigen in nonlymphoid tissues during infection can impact the formation of Trm populations remains unresolved. Using skin infections with vaccinia virus (VacV)-expressing model antigens, we found that local antigen recognition had a profound impact on Trm formation. Activated CD8(+) T cells trafficked to VacV-infected skin in an inflammation-dependent, but antigen-independent, manner. However, after viral clearance, there was a subsequent ∼50-fold increase in Trm formation when antigen was present in the tissue microenvironment. Secondary antigen stimulation in nonlymphoid tissue caused CD8(+) T cells to rapidly express CD69 and be retained at the site of infection. Finally, Trm CD8(+) T cells that formed during VacV infection in an antigen-dependent manner became potent stimulators of localized antigen-specific inflammatory responses in the skin. Thus, our studies indicate that the presence of antigen in the nonlymphoid tissue microenvironment plays a critical role in the formation of functional Trm CD8(+) T cell populations, a finding with relevance for both vaccine design and prevention of inflammatory disorders.
Hypertension and Type II diabetes are not associated with visceral inflammation or vascular remodeling/fibrosis in obese women

Hypertension (HT) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more common in overweight and obese subjects, but mechanistic links have not been fully established. Some evidence indicates that low level inflammation, especially in visceral fat depots, provides one such link in part by promoting vascular remodeling/fibrosis. Here we sought to determine if inflammation and splanchnic vascular remodeling/fibrosis were more prevalent in obese women with hypertension and/or T2D than obese only. METHODSWe blindly evaluated H&E stained mesenteric vessels and perivascular adipose tissue obtained from 29 female patients who underwent Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery. Based on this evaluation, the patients were separated into two groups, according to the observed relatively prevalence and severity of histological alterations (vascular remodeling/fibrosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation). Tissues from 11 patients showed relatively mild histological changes (Group A), while tissues from the other 18 patients displayed more severe histol...
Big Data in Climate: Opportunities and Challenges for Machine Learning

This talk will present an overview of research being done in a large interdisciplinary project on the development of novel data mining and machine learning approaches for analyzing massive amount of climate and ecosystem data now available from satellite and ground-based sensors, and physics-based climate model simulations. These information-rich data sets offer huge potential for monitoring, understanding, and predicting the behavior of the Earth's ecosystem and for advancing the science of global change. This talk will discuss challenges in analyzing such data sets and some of our research results in mapping the dynamics of surface water globally as well as detecting deforestation and fires in tropical forests using data from Earth observing satellites.
Concealing Concealment: The Mediating Role of Internalized Heterosexism in Psychological Distress Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Older Adults.

Recent population-based studies indicate that sexual minorities aged 50 and older experience significantly higher rates of psychological distress than their heterosexual age-peers. The minority stress model has been useful in explaining disparately high rates of psychological distress among younger sexual minorities. The purpose of this study is to test a hypothesized structural relationship between two minority stressors—internalized heterosexism and concealment of sexual orientation—and consequent psychological distress among a sample of 2,349 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 50 to 95 years old. Structural equation modeling indicates that concealment has a nonsignificant direct effect on psychological distress but a significant indirect effect that is mediated through internalized heterosexism; the effect of concealment is itself concealed. This may explain divergent results regarding the role of concealment in psychological distress in other studies, and the implications will be discussed.
Untreated Tonic-Clonic Seizure Outcome

The clinical course of untreated tonic-clonic seizures in 204 children aged 1 month to 16 years was studied at the University Hospital Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Methods of mapping ethnographic data on migration, tourism labor, and health risk in the Dominican Republic.

This paper focuses on a mixed-method approach to quantifying qualitative data from the results of an ongoing NIDA-funded ethnographic study entitled “Migration, Tourism, and the HIV/Drug-Use Syndemic in the Dominican Republic”. This project represents the first large-scale mixed method study to identify social, structural, environmental, and demographic factors that may contribute to ecologies of health vulnerability within the Caribbean tourism zones. Our research has identified deportation history as a critical factor contributing to vulnerability to HIV, drugs, mental health problems, and other health conditions. Therefore, understanding the movements of our participants became a vital aspect of this research. This paper describes how we went about translating 37 interviews into visual geographic representations. These methods help develop possible strategies for confronting HIV/AIDS and problematic substance use by examining the ways that these epidemics are shaped by the realities of people’s labor migration and the spaces they inhabit. Our methods for mapping this qualitative data contribute to the ongoing, broadening capabilities of using GIS in social science research. A key contribution of this work is its integration of different methodologies from various disciplines to help better understand complex social problems.
Genomics of Colorectal Cancer in African Americans.

Genome-wide studies are increasingly becoming a must, especially for complex diseases such as cancer where multiple genes and diverse molecular mechanisms are known to be involved in genes’ function alteration. In this review, we report our latest genomic and epigenomic findings in African-American colorectal cancer patients. This population suffers a higher burden of the disease and most investigators in this field are looking for the underlying genetic and epigenetic targets that might be responsible for this disparity. We here report genome-wide copy number variations, single nucleotide mutations and DNA methylation findings that might be specific to this population.
Computational study of textured ferroelectric polycrystals: Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of template-matrix composites

Quantitative relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties in textured ferroelectric polycrystals and the underlying responsible mechanisms are investigated by phase field modeling and computer simulation. This study focuses on three important aspects of textured ferroelectric ceramics: (i) grain microstructure evolution during templated grain growth processing, (ii) crystallographic texture development as a function of volume fraction and seed size of the templates, and (iii) dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the obtained template-matrix composites of textured polycrystals. Findings on the third aspect are presented here, while an accompanying paper of this work reports findings on the first two aspects. In this paper, the competing effects of crystallographic texture and template seed volume fraction on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric polycrystals are investigated. The phase field model of ferroelectric composites consisting of template seeds embe...
Helmet under-utilization by children during equestrian events is associated with increased traumatic brain injury

Abstract Purpose Awareness of equestrian related injury remains limited. Studies evaluating children after equestrian injury report under-utilization of safety equipment and rates of operative intervention as high as 33%. Methods We hypothesized that helmets are underutilized during equestrian activity and lack of use is associated with increased traumatic brain injury. We queried the trauma database of a level one pediatric trauma center for all cases of equestrian and rodeo related injury from 2005 to 2015. Analysis was conducted using SAS 9.4. Results Of 312 children identified, 142 were assessed for use of a helmet. Only 28 children (19.7%) had documented use of a helmet. Most injuries occurred while riding a horse (83%) or bull (13%) with traumatic brain injury being the most common injury (51%). Helmet use was associated with decreased ISS (7.1 vs. 11.3, p p =0.03), and ICU admission (10.7% vs. 29%, p =0.05). Multivariable analysis reveals lack of helmet use to be an independent predictor of TBI (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–6.3). Conclusion Helmets are underutilized by children during equestrian related activity. Increased awareness of TBI and education encouraging helmet use may decrease morbidity associated with equestrian activities. Level of Evidence Retrospective comparative study, Level III.
Abstract 64: Serum Amyloid A Augments Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation in ApoE-Deficient Mice

Introduction and Objectives: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a major cause of death in the aged population, is characterized by vascular inflammation and matrix degradation. Proteolytic enzymes, particularly matrix metalloproteinases (MMP’s), are hypothesized to be active participants in AAA pathogenesis. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase reactant that, unlike C-reactive protein (CRP), correlates in humans with aortic dimensions before aneurysm formation. SAA induces MMP expression in cultured cells. In this study we determined whether SAA deficiency in mice altered AAA formation in the well-established angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion model. Methods and Results: We confirmed that SAA induced MMP-9 and MMP-13 mRNA abundance in J774 macrophage-like cells. Furthermore, we determined for the first time that SAA enhanced MMP-2 activity in cultured mouse abdominal aorta explants. Plasma SAA increased ∼400-fold in apoE -/- mice 24 hours after i.p. Ang II injection (100μg/kg) and ∼12-fold after 28-day Ang II infusion (1000ng/kg/hour). SAA was detected by immunostaining in human AAA tissues and in AAAs of AngII-infused apoE -/- mice. Based on in vivo ultrasound and ex vivo morphological analyses, apoE -/- mice with targeted deletion of SAA (SAAKO; n = 20) exhibited significantly reduced AAA 28 days after Ang II infusion compared to apoE -/- mice that were wild type for SAA (SAAWT; n = 20), despite a modest, but significant increase in the hypertensive response to Ang II. Although the incidence of aortic rupture in SAAKO mice (15%) and SAAWT mice (20%) were similar, the majority of ruptures (75%) in SAAWT mice occurred in the abdominal region, whereas all of the ruptures in the SAAKO mice occurred in the thoracic region. Atherosclerotic lesion area on the luminal surface of the aortic arch was similar in SAAKO and SAAWT mice after Ang II infusion. Conclusion: Our finding that SAA plays a role in experimental AAA may be pertinent to human studies correlating indexed aortic diameter with plasma SAA concentrations.
Effects of a New Artificial Reef Complex on Red Snapper and the Associated Fish Community: an Evaluation Using a Before–After Control–Impact Approach

AbstractArtificial reefs are commonly created with the goal of enhancing fish populations. However, many studies evaluating their effects on these populations have been hindered by a lack of preconstruction data from existing natural habitats and temporal comparisons with control areas. Here, we present findings from a before–after control–impact study designed to assess the effects of a new artificial reef on fish populations in the western Gulf of Mexico. Vertical line and fish traps were used to sample the reef site and a paired control site with soft bottom substrates for 1 year before and 2 years after reef construction. Prior to reef construction in October 2013, and over bare substrates in general, infrequent catches of sea catfishes and small coastal sharks were observed. With the exception of rare occurrences of juvenile Gray Triggerfish Balistes capriscus and Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus, which were observed only during the summer recruitment season, the control site exhibited a lack of reef...
Imaging Features of Patients Undergoing Active Surveillance for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the imaging appearance of patients undergoing active surveillance for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Materials and Methods We retrospectively identified 29 patients undergoing active surveillance for DCIS from 2009 to 2014. Twenty-two patients (group 1) refused surgery or were not surgical candidates. Seven patients (group 2) enrolled in a trial of letrozole and deferred surgical excision for 6–12 months. Pathology and imaging results at the initial biopsy and follow-up were recorded. Results In group 1, the median follow-up was 2.7 years (range: 0.6–13.9 years). Fifteen patients (68%) remained stable. Seven patients (32%) underwent additional biopsies with invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed in two patients after 3.9 and 3.6 years who developed increasing calcifications and new masses. In group 2, one patient (14%) was upstaged to microinvasive ductal carcinoma at surgery. Among the patients in both groups with calcifications ( n = 26), there was no progression to invasive disease among those with stable (50%, 13/26) or decreased (19%, 5/26) calcifications. Conclusions Among a DCIS active surveillance cohort, invasive disease progression presented as increasing calcifications and a new mass following more than 3.5 years of stable imaging. In contrast, there was no progression to invasive disease among cases of DCIS with stable or decreasing calcifications. Close imaging is a key follow-up component in active surveillance.
Utility trench backfill compaction using vibratory plate compactor versus excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor

Excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactors have been widely used in utility trench backfill compaction due to their efficiency. However, there are industry concerns on the possibility of pipe damage due to the combination of static downward earth pressure exerted by the excavator arm and dynamic earth pressure induced by the excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor. This paper presents the results of a field study that aims to compare the performances of utility trench compaction using a conventional walk-behind vibratory plate compactor with a lift thickness of 200 mm (8 in.) and an excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor with a lift thickness of 200 mm (8 in.), 300 mm (12 in.), 450 mm (18 in.), and 600 mm (24 in.). A flexible PVC pipe was used. The field test results indicate that the excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor delivered comparable compacted dry mass densities with a lift thickness of 200 and 300 mm as the walk-behind vibratory plate compactor did with a lift thickness of 200 mm; however, the excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor was not able to consistently achieve adequate compacted dry mass densities with a lift thickness of 450 and 600 mm. The excavator-mounted hydraulic plate compactor induced larger dynamic vertical earth pressures than did the walk-behind vibratory plate compactor.
Nondestructive Ultrasonic Characterization of the Orientation Distribution of Short-Fiber Composites

The ease of fabrication and relatively low cost of composites containing short glass or ceramic fibers embedded in a polymer or metal matrix has made them attractive candidates for a wide range of applications. The preferential alignment, or misalignment depending on one’s view, of the short fibers results in an overall texture of the composite and strongly influences its mechanical and physical response, for example, stiffness, conductivity, strength, and so on. The orientation of the short fibers depends strongly on the processing conditions. From a process-control viewpoint, it is imperative to determine if a composite component has adequate strength, stiffness, and so on, and it is preferable to obtain this information nondestructively. In short-fiber reinforced composites, the orientation distribution of the short fibers is the most significant variable that determines these overall properties. Thus its determination is essential.
Potential patient harms from misinterpretation of publically reported surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine how the general public interprets surgical complication rates presented from a publicly available online surgical-rating website. SUBJECTS AND METHODS An in-person electronic survey was administered at the local State Fair to a convenience sample. Participants were presented with a representative output from an online surgeon-rating website and were asked to choose from three statistically equivalent surgeons for a hypothetical medical decision. We then suggested that their insurance company would only cover one surgeon and probed their willingness to pay to switch surgeons for a small chance of lowering the risk of a complication (0.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -8.1% to 9.5%, P = 0.9). We quantified the characteristics of those willing to switch, the degree of misinterpretation, and the subsequent potential patient harms. RESULTS There were 343 completed responses. When presented with a hypothetical healthcare decision, most participants (n = 209, 61%) said they were willing to pay out-of-pocket expenses to switch to a statistically equivalent surgeon. Those who were willing to pay to switch surgeons were more likely to be older (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), poorer (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07-3.11), previously had cancer (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.9-25), and misinterpreted the data (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.87-4.96). Those who were willing to pay out-of-pocket expenses were more inaccurate in their estimation of surgeon complication rates (mean estimate 34.0% vs 8.9%, P < 0.001, correct rate = 3.6%), and on average were willing to pay $6 494 (95% CI 4 108-8 880). CONCLUSION Understanding of a publicly reported surgical-complication website is often prone to misinterpretation by the general population and may lead to patient harm from a financial aspect.
The past and future city: how historic preservation is reviving America’s communities

There are many reasons for preserving the buildings, neighborhoods, and sites that we have inherited from the past, and there are also multiple criteria for deciding which environments should be pr...
Are you searching for ways to find information

Effective information retrieval is important not only for its own sake but also for improving our understanding and allowing us to evolve our information into knowledge and wisdom, and thus to stimulate our creativity and enhance our culture. Classification enables us to discover those items that are about the subjects in which we are interested, but for greater effectiveness we must harness the power of community-developed folksonomies in alliance with formal taxonomies. This paper discusses experiments aimed at realizing such an alliance.
Design and Validation of an Organizational Device for Endourological Surgery

Through a needs-based approach we sought to reduce instrument drops during endourological surgery. To this end, we designed and validated an endourology equipment organization device: the cord caddy. Iterative computer aided design and fused deposition model prototyping lead to the development of a machined functional prototype to accommodate the wide-variety of cables, cords, wires and equipment used in endourologic cases. Over 20 consecutive endourological surgeries, use of the cord caddy demonstrated that it met most of the design requirements, aside from disposability and basket/ureteroscope storage. Assessment of these requirements was precluded by the inability to test a sterile version of the device at our institution. Future plans include validating a sterile disposable device in the operating room.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
Untying of Complex Knots on Stretched Polymers in Elongational Fields

Knotting is a prevalent phenomenon which occurs in long polymer chains. We perform Brownian dynamics simulations and single-molecule DNA experiments to investigate knot untying in elongational fields that is induced by the knot being convected off the chain. The change in knot size as the knot moves off the chain and unties causes a change in the effective Weissenberg number, which in turn leads to a change in chain extension. Large-scale chain conformational changes are observed in both simulations and experiments for complex knots at low Weissenberg numbers (Wi). We investigate the knot untying time and untying-induced change in extension for a range of knot types and field strengths. Simulations predict a quadratic relationship between the change in extension due to knot untying and initial knot size for Wi ≥ 1.5. Due to the changes in chain extension as a knot unties, the untying process can be diffusion- or convection-driven.
Antepartum Contraceptive Counseling in Women with Preterm Birth.

Objective To compare rates of antepartum contraceptive counseling among women with preterm birth (PTB) and term birth. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with completed delivery records in New York from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2014. Exposure was determined based on the timing of delivery. Exposed women delivered at Results Of 724,723 delivery records, PTB rate was 7.9%. Women with PTB Conclusion Postpartum contraception is an important tool for the prevention of recurrent PTB. Antepartum contraception counseling increases postpartum contraceptive uptake. Women with PTB have less exposure to antepartum contraceptive counseling. Lack of adequate counseling and decreased uptake of postpartum contraception may impact future pregnancy outcomes.
SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF TRANSRADIAL VERSUS TRANSFEMORAL ACCESS FOR PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION OF UNPROTECTED LEFT MAIN DISEASE: A META- ANALYSIS

Transradial access (TRA) has emerged as an alternative to Transfemoral access (TFA) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of unprotected left main (ULM) lesions. Evidence is based on retrospective studies with a lack of robust clinical trials. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the
Lessons for Leaders on the Preparation of Literacy Educators

In this commentary, drawing from reviews of research on literacy teacher preparation, the authors discuss points of leverage in preparation of literacy educators for deans and associate deans. Cate...
Mrgprs activation is required for chronic itch conditions in mice.

Introduction Chronic itch has been drawing much attention due to its clinical significance and the complexity of its mechanisms. To facilitate the development of anti-itch strategies, it is necessary to investigate the key players in itch sensation under chronic itch conditions. Several members of the Mrgpr family were identified as itch receptors that detect cutaneous pruritogens in primary sensory neurons. However, the role of Mrgprs in chronic itch conditions has not been well described. Methods Scratching behaviors of WT and Mrgpr-clusterΔ-/- mice were examined in dry skin model and contact dermatitis model to examine the role of Mrgpr genes in mediating chronic itch sensation. Scratching behaviors of the mice were also examined in allergic itch model. Real-time PCR were performed to examine the expression level of MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 under naive and dry skin conditions. The MrgprA3+ itch-sensing fibers were labeled by tdTomato fluorescence in Mrgpra3GFP-Cre; ROSA26tdTomato mice, and the morphology and density of those fibers in the epidermis were analyzed under dry skin condition. Results We showed that deleting a cluster of Mrgpr genes in mice reduced scratching behavior severely under two chronic itch conditions, namely dry skin and contact dermatitis, and the allergic itch condition. Moreover, the gene expressions of itch receptors MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were upregulated significantly under dry skin condition. Consistently, the percentage of MrgprA3+ itch-sensing neurons was increased as well. We also observed hyperinnervation of MrgprA3+ itch-sensing fibers in the epidermis of the skin under dry skin condition. Discussion We demonstrate that Mrgprs play important roles in mediating chronic itch and allergic itch. These findings enrich our knowledge of itch mechanism and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approach to combat itch.
Glider Observations of Upper Ocean Structure in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract : The Bay of Bengal (BoB) is remarkable in that its major currents change directions seasonally with the monsoons, in concert with extremely strong fluxes of fresh water from precipitation and river input. The overarching goal of the proposed effort is to quantify important processes in the fresh water budget of the BoB, including the effects of submesoscale processes and internal waves.