cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow cells produce nerve growth factor and promote angiogenesis around transplanted islets.

AIM: To clarify the mechanism by which bone marrow cells promote angiogenesis around transplanted islets. METHODS: Streptozotocin induced diabetic BALB/c mice were transplanted syngeneically under the kidney capsule with the following: (1) 200 islets (islet group: n = 12), (2) 1-5 × 106 bone marrow cells (bone marrow group: n = 11), (3) 200 islets and 1-5 × 106 bone marrow cells (islet + bone marrow group: n = 13), or (4) no cells (sham group: n = 5). All mice were evaluated for blood glucose, serum insulin, serum nerve growth factor (NGF) and glucose tolerance (GTT) up to postoperative day (POD) 14. Histological assessment for insulin, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and NGF was performed at POD 3, 7 and 14. RESULTS: Blood glucose level was lowest and serum insulin was highest in the islet + bone marrow group. Serum NGF increased in islet, bone marrow, and islet + bone marrow groups after transplantation, and there was a significant difference (P = 0.0496, ANOVA) between the bone marrow and sham groups. The number of vessels within the graft area was significantly increased in both the bone marrow and islet + bone marrow groups at POD 14 as compared to the islet alone group (21.2 ± 3.6 in bone marrow, P = 0.01, vs islet group, 22.6 ± 1.9 in islet + bone marrow, P = 0.0003, vs islet group, 5.3 ± 1.6 in islet-alone transplants). NGF was more strongly expressed in bone marrow cells compared with islets. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow cells produce NGF and promote angiogenesis. Islet co-transplantation with bone marrow is associated with improvement of islet graft function.
Guide-wire entrapment by inferior vena caval filters : In vitro evaluation

PURPOSE: To study guide-wire engagement and entrapment by inferior vena caval (IVC) filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patterns of engagement were determined in six IVC filters with four commonly used guide wires in a simulated IVC. Force required to disengage guide wires from filters was measured. RESULTS: Eleven engagement patterns were identified with J-tipped guide wires; straight guide wires never engaged. The Simon-Nitinol filter engaged guide wires with the highest frequency (P .05) from those required to open the J. Entrapment occurred with only the Vena-Tech (VT) and 12-F stainless steel Greenfield (12SSG) filters and the 1.5-J and 3-J guide wires. The former guide wire became entrapped regardless of engagement pattern; the latter became entrapped only when engaged in the hole in the apex of the 12SSG and VT filters. CONCLUSION: Guide wires with a J tip 3 mm or less in ra...
Removal of mandibular third molars improved patients' quality of life

Original Article McGrath C, Comfort MB, Lo EC, Luo Y. Can third molar surgery improve quality of life? A 6-month cohort study. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003 Jul;61(7):759-63; discussion 764-5. Level of Evidence 4 Purpose To evaluate the patients' perception of changes in quality of life 6 months after the removal of third molars Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Cohort study
Life in the game of Go

The Oriental game of Go contains a unique method by which pieces, called stones, are captured and made safe from capture. A group of stones safe from capture is called safe, unconditionally alive, or similar terms. Life or its lack can be determined by lookahead through the game tree, at some expense. We present a graph-theoretic static analysis of the board arrangement which determines unconditional life or its lack, together with proofs of its equivalency to look ahead. An algorithm for the static evaluation is given and we argue that it is the preferable method for computer Go play. These results constitute the first realistic theorems in the theory of Go.
Reproductive Performance in Wild and Game Farm Mallards

Abstract Reproductive performance was studied in five strains of mallards with different degrees of wildness. Game farm mallards had a longer breeding season, higher egg production, larger clutch size, and higher male fertility than wild mallards. Incubation time and maximum emergence time were also longer for eggs laid by game farm dams than for eggs laid by wild dams. There was no significant difference between strains for embryonic mortality and hatchability. Hybrid strains were intermediate between the game farm and the wild strain in traits where significant differences were found. Although game farm and wild mallards differed substantially in several of the reproductive traits examined, and these differences may have a direct influence on the reproductive success of game farm strains in the wild, none seems to present any postcopulatory isolating mechanisms between these two strains of mallards.
Microblogging's impact on collaboration awareness: A field study of microblogging within and between project teams

Despite popular use of IM, Email, and other social software (e.g., blogs and wikis) in collaborative work, the maintenance of project status awareness among team members remains a critical research problem. The lack of timely project status sharing in teams can critically limit task coordination efficiency, expertise sharing opportunities, and development of other social components in teamwork (e.g., common ground building, and feeling of connectedness). In this context, we report a field study indicating that Microblogging as a light-weight informal communication media helped foster exchanging of “non-critical” updates (e.g., small milestones towards completing a task; problems/issues one's working on, but not too critical for reporting; undeveloped ideas/thoughts just came out of a conversation) among co-workers as social interaction. We also report how such microblog-mediated informal sharing benefited work collaboration in various ways within and across project teams.
Calibration of a Semi-Stochastic Procedure for Simulating High-Frequency Ground Motions:

Broadband ground motion simulation procedures typically utilize physics-based modeling at low frequencies, coupled with semi-stochastic procedures at high frequencies. The high-frequency procedure ...
Diagnostic implications of acoustic cry features

Abstract Cry samples from 40 young children with severe to profound hearing loss and a control group of 24 normally-hearing youngsters were measured as to fundamental frequency, relative intensity and duration. The measurements were analyzed for differences between the hearing-impaired and normally-hearing groups, between the hearing-impaired and normally-hearing children at 6 month age ranges, and among children grouped according to degree of hearing impairment. The youngsters with significant hearing impairment cried at higher fundamental frequencies than normally-hearing counterparts, while demonstrating similar intensity dynamics and duration characteristics. This held true at each 6 month age range. A practical clinical application in the early diagnosis of hearing loss is suggested.
Visually Augmented Navigation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

As autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are becoming routinely used in an exploratory context for ocean science, the goal of visually augmented navigation (VAN) is to improve the near-seafloor navigation precision of such vehicles without imposing the burden of having to deploy additional infrastructure. This is in contrast to traditional acoustic long baseline navigation techniques, which require the deployment, calibration, and eventual recovery of a transponder network. To achieve this goal, VAN is formulated within a vision-based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) framework that exploits the systems-level complementary aspects of a camera and strap-down sensor suite. The result is an environmentally based navigation technique robust to the peculiarities of low-overlap underwater imagery. The method employs a view-based representation where camera-derived relative-pose measurements provide spatial constraints, which enforce trajectory consistency and also serve as a mechanism for loop closure, allowing for error growth to be independent of time for revisited imagery. This article outlines the multisensor VAN framework and demonstrates it to have compelling advantages over a purely vision-only approach by: 1) improving the robustness of low-overlap underwater image registration; 2) setting the free gauge scale; and 3) allowing for a disconnected camera-constraint topology.
Voice-to-phoneme conversion algorithms for speaker-independent voice-tag applications in embedded platforms

In this paper we present two voice-to-phoneme conversion algorithms that extract voice-tag abstractions for speaker-independent voice-tag applications in embedded platforms, which are very sensitive to memory and CPU consumptions. In the first approach, a voice-to-phoneme conversion in batch mode manages this task by preserving the commonality of input feature vectors of multiple voice-tag example utterances. Given multiple example utterances, a developed feature combination strategy produces an "average" utterance, which is converted to phonetic strings as a voice-tag representation via a speaker-independent phonetic decoder. In the second approach, a sequential voice-to-phoneme conversion algorithm uncovers the hierarchy of phonetic consensus embedded among multiple phonetic hypotheses generated by a speaker-independent phonetic decoder from multiple example utterances of a voice-tag. The most relevant phonetic hypotheses are then chosen to represent the voice-tag. The voice-tag representations obtained by these two voice-to-phoneme conversion algorithms are compared in speech recognition experiments to phonetic transcriptions of voice-tag reference prepared by an expert phonetician. Both algorithms either perform comparably to or significantly better than the manual transcription approach. We conclude from this that both algorithms are very effective for the targeted purposes
Civilian Stabilization Team Leadership Success: Perceptions for Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Teams

Team Leaders were a crucial element of Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), and they dramatically impacted the performance of a team, both positively and negatively. This review examines PRT members’ perspectives of Team Leaders (TLs) and the roles leaders played in PRT successes, as well as the particular challenges that leaders faced. This review is based primarily upon interviews of PRT members ending their tours. Beginning in the latter half of 2009, the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) and the Center for Complex Operations (CCO) conducted lessons learned interviews with departing Iraq PRT members. Over 100 interviews from this process were examined for this review (initially completed in October of 2010). Though derived from feedback on Iraqi operations, the examples and insights found here should also be applicable to other or future reconstruction and stabilization operations. It is likely that similar leadership challenges or roles will be required in similar circumstances, when operating in hostile conditions, and with teams composed of members with a number of different organizational perspectives and goals.
A Qualitative Study of Children's Perspectives on Their Peer Relationships in the Context of Living With a Craniofacial Anomaly.

Objective: To gain understanding of perspectives on peer relationships from children with congenital craniofacial anomalies (CFA). Design: This was qualitative research based in a phenomenological approach, using narratives that captured children's responses to open-ended and objective questions about peer relations and life with a CFA. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded according to thematic categories. Setting: Children were patients at a reconstructive plastic surgery center in an urban hospital and medical school and were recruited from a regional support organization for families of children with CFA that was associated with the hospital. Patients, Participants: Nine children with congenital CFA aged 9 to 14 years. Main Outcome Measures: Thematic coding categories were developed from the narratives using an open coding strategy; these categories focused on aspects of children's interactions with peers and their appraisals of the role of their CFA in their lives. Re...
Impairment of insulin action on peripheral glucose uptake and hepatic glucose production in tumor-bearing rats

The present study was performed to determine the time-course for the development of peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance in rats as a result of an increasing tumor burden. Animals were inoculated with Yoshida ascites hepatoma, and studies were conducted during the early phase of tumor growth (day 4) at which time there was no change in food intake and at a later time point (day 8) when the tumor burden was increased and rats demonstrated anorexia. In vivo insulin action was accessed under euglycemic hyperinsulinemic conditions, in which insulin was infused at rates sufficient to produce arterial insulin levels that represent high physiological (3.5 ng/ml) or maximally stimulating values (180 ng/ml). On day 4, tumor-bearing (TB) rats were euglycemic, and whole body glucose turnover was elevated 32%. Insulin-mediated glucose uptake (IMGU) in TB rats was similar to control values at the low insulin infusion rate but reduced by 53% under maximally stimulating conditions. The insulin-induced suppression of glucose production was similar in TB and control animals at this time point. In contrast, on day 8, TB rats were hypoglycemic and glucose turnover was reduced 35%. The impairment in IMGU was more severe than seen earlier, with glucose uptake being reduced 39 and 61% at both levels of hyperinsulinemia. At this time point, the ability of insulin to inhibit glucose production was also impaired. These results indicate that the insulin resistance induced by the Yoshida hepatoma was manifested initially by a reduction in IMGU by peripheral tissues. As the tumor burden increased peripheral insulin resistance became more severe and an impairment in hepatic insulin action was observed.
The Principal as Educational Leader: What Makes the Difference

As part of a study undertaken by this researcher at William Paterson University beginning in 2001 and concluding in 2006, 140 principals in K-12 schools and 261 teachers who work in those schools completed surveys. The principals were asked to examine a list of activities and choose three in which they spend most of their time and three in which they spend the least time. They were also asked to identify three activities in which they would choose to spend the most and the least time. Teachers were asked to examine the same list of activities and choose three in which they perceive how their principal spends the most time and three in which the principal spends the least time. In addition, they were asked to identify three activities in which they believed their principal should spend the most and least time.
Strange correlations between remote nodes in networks comprising chaotic links

We studied correlations between different nodes in small electronic networks with active links operating as jitter generators. Unexpectedly, we found that under certain conditions signals from the most remote nodes in the networks correlate stronger than signals from all of the other coupled nodes. The phenomenon resembles selective remote correlation between electrons in the Cooper pairs or entangled particles.
Atypical Presentations of Intracranial Hypotension: Comparison with Classic Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atypical clinical presentations of spontaneous intracranial hypotension include obtundation, memory deficits, dementia with frontotemporal features, parkinsonism, and ataxia. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and imaging features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension with typical-versus-atypical presentations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records and neuroimaging of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension from September 2005 to August 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with classic spontaneous intracranial hypotension (n = 33; mean age, 41.7 ± 14.3 years) were compared with those with intracranial hypotension with atypical clinical presentation (n = 8; mean age, 55.9 ± 14.1 years) and 36 controls (mean age, 41.4 ± 11.2 years). RESULTS: Patients with atypical spontaneous intracranial hypotension were older than those with classic spontaneous intracranial hypotension (55.9 ± 14.1 years versus 41.7 ± 14.3 years; P = .018). Symptom duration was shorter in classic compared with atypical spontaneous intracranial hypotension (3.78 ± 7.18 months versus 21.93 ± 18.43 months; P = .015). There was no significant difference in dural enhancement, subdural hematomas, or cerebellar tonsil herniation. Patients with atypical spontaneous intracranial hypotension had significantly more elongated anteroposterior midbrain diameter compared with those with classic spontaneous intracranial hypotension (33.6 ± 2.9 mm versus 27.3 ± 2.9 mm; P CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of 8 patients, atypical spontaneous intracranial hypotension was a more chronic syndrome compared with classic spontaneous intracranial hypotension, with more severe brain sagging, lower rates of clinical response, and frequent relapses. Awareness of atypical presentations of spontaneous intracranial hypotension is paramount.
Patriotism, black politics and racial justice in America

AbstractRecent decades have seen an upsurge in interest in patriotism among progressive intellectuals and within progressive politics, while recent manifestations of black politics in the era of President Barack Obama have utilized patriotic narratives. We question this turn to patriotism on the grounds that it is a questionable manner in which to pursue racial justice in our post-Civil Rights political landscape. Patriotic appeals to civic virtue always invoke or imply the anti-patriot who lacks that virtue and is therefore less capable of exercising exemplary citizenship. This idea of the anti-patriot, however, easily coalesces with and buttresses the language of cultural pathology used historically to argue that African-Americans are deficient in civic virtue and key for reproducing racial inequality. The idea of the anti-patriot could thus provide another vocabulary for displacing responsibility for addressing racial inequality away from white Americans and onto black Americans. After illuminating thi...
Spectrum and treatment of cytomegalovirus disease in persons with AIDS.

AIDS: In persons with AIDS (PWAs), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. The most common clinical manifestations associated with CMV infection in PWAs and the most current approaches to treatment and prevention of CMV disease are reviewed. Manifestations discussed include those involving ocular disease, and diseases of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Prophylactic treatment for CMV disease includes the use of oral ganciclovir and valaciclovir. Concluding comments address the development of antiviral resistance by CMV. Tables include listings of potential strategies for use of oral ganciclovir prophylaxis in PWAs, and mechanisms by which CMV strains become resistant to ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir.
How the developed countries became rich.

Les changements technologiques et la croissance economique du monde industriel creent la demande et les occasions de marches. Le systeme de croissance qui genere ce developpement ameliore egalement les capacites des hommes qui, en retour consolident l'ascension du developpement et la connaissance scientifique
Linear parameter-varying observer design for vehicle yaw rate sensor bias estimation and signal reconstruction

The yaw rate signal is of great significance for vehicle stability and motion control systems. However, contamination of sensor signal may sometimes be involved for various reasons. Although the sensor is well tuned before using, loss of ground may introduce a bias to the sensor signal during vehicle operation. To reconstruct the yaw rate signal and estimate the yaw rate sensor bias, a linear parameter-varying (LPV) approach for an electric vehicle is proposed in this paper, which requires signals of vehicle longitudinal velocity, contaminated yaw rate, and steering angle as the inputs. The H∞ performance from the modeling error to the estimation errors is taken as the design objective in the development of this LPV observer. The time-varying parameter, which is the vehicle longitudinal velocity here, is tackled by the LPV approach. Vehicle experimental investigations are conducted to show the effectiveness of the observer in estimating the sensor bias and reconstructing the yaw rate signal.
More Imaginary Worlds: A Systematic Review of the Status of Modeled Cost-Effectiveness Claims Published in the Journal of Medical Economics from January 2016 to December 2016

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the credibility of modeled claims for cost-effectiveness studies published in the Journal of Medical Economics (JME) in the period January 2015 to December 2015. Credibility is assessed in terms of the standards of normal science. Are the claims made capable of falsification and replication? Following the PRISMA-P recommendations, abstracts of all papers published in the JME were evaluated by both authors independently against a MeSH terms checklist: cost, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, outcomes, QALY and Markov. A total of 32 studies were identified. A systematic review of each study was then evaluated. The consensus was that all studies be included in the review. Each study was judged against four criteria: (i) Is the model capable of generating evaluable claims? (ii) did the author(s) attempt to generate evaluable claims? (iii) did the author(s) suggested how the claims might be evaluated? and (iv) did the author(s) caution readers as to the implications of generating non-evaluable clams for the credibility of the analysis? None of the studies presented their claims or projections in an evaluable form and none suggested how they might be evaluated. None met the standards of normal science. The claims made for cost-effectiveness were either impossible to verify, or if potentially verifiable, were not presented in an evaluable form. The studies lacked credibility. There was no basis for assessing whether the claims were right or even if they were wrong. The JME is not alone. As part of an ongoing systematic review program, covering the leading journals and focusing on chronic condition areas, it is clear that the majority of cost-effectiveness papers also fail the test of credibility. Of course, it might be that the consensus opinion among practitioners is that non-evaluable projections are acceptable. Evidence is not discovered, but is constructed through models and simulations. This lack of scientific credibility is a major concern. If medical economics is to advance through the formulation and testing of hypotheses, then editors of journals should consider whether or not to set standards for the acceptance of publications to include the requirement for evaluable claims and the results of claims assessment. If this is not acceptable, then it should be made clear that published papers are simply imaginary worlds or thought experiments. Type: Commentary
Does Yik Yak Promote Risky Health Behavior on College Campuses

This study offers an analysis of how healthy and risky behaviors are discussed on an emerging social media platform. We sought to understand what behaviors are communicated and if they are encouraged or discouraged. We completed a content analysis of messages (n = 3,776) posted to Yik Yak captured three times a day on 4 days of the week across two separate weeks. We analyzed messages to determine the category of the behavior, an appraisal of the behavior, and normative voting feedback. Our results show that risky behaviors were discussed with greater frequency and received more user votes than healthy behaviors. Exposure to these messages could influence other students' perceptions of norms associated with these risky behaviors. We suggest further research to determine how Yik Yak may affect normative perceptions on college campuses.
Paragons of Virtue: Is Florence Nightingale Working in the Next Cubicle?

Model employees exhibit characteristics of altruistic behavior, and colleagues are able to take advantage of their presence through the process of emulation. When a living role model is not present, an historical figure may fill the gap. This study of the "moral gap" between ordinary employees and exemplars sees Florence Nightingale as a vital role model today. Although born into wealth, she used her education and family connections to improve the lives of the poor and uneducated, and thereby challenged the foundations of English society.
Undergraduate Research Highlight: Modeling Movement Behavior Among Interacting Species

Migrating species are affected by their interactions with one another, the biotic environment, and the abiotic environment. The ability to understand and predict their patterns of movement is of particular interest for purposes of conservation, development planning, and resource management. Researchers have made attempts to model the direction in which they move, and the extent of their movement. However, current models focus on a specific factor that influences the movement within ecosystems, such as climate or land use. The complexity of the organism’s interactions and instinctual drive is often simplified. I present a framework for a matrix-based model that expands on previous models and allows the researcher to describe how an organism interacts with its biotic and abiotic environment, in as much detail as the research demands. This model can describe the strength of an organism’s attraction to a particular place, or the relative speed at which it will migrate there. The matrix modeling framework is generalized to be applicable to any species; yet, it can be tailored to the biology and ecology of specific organisms. It predicts the movement of organisms along a gradient on the physical landscape, based on their needs, within a given time. Understanding changing behavioral influences on individuals is a significant step in making an educated decision regarding human intervention in a natural migration pattern.
Probabilistic risk assessment of gold nanoparticles after intravenous administration by integrating in vitro and in vivo toxicity with physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling.

This study aimed to conduct an integrated and probabilistic risk assessment of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on recently published in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies coupled to a physiologica...
A Consistent Finite Element Formulation of Nonlinear Frictional Contact Problems

A perturbed Lagrangian-based variational formulation is proposed for the finite element solution of folly nonlinear frictional contact problems. In the spirit of an operator splitting methodology, an analogy exists between the proposed treatment for the stick-slip motion and the corresponding treatment in elastoplasticity.
Characterization of Soluble Forms of the Membrane Bound Iso-Cytochrome c2 from Rhodobacter Capsulatus

Soluble cytochrome c2 functions to couple the membrane bound cytochrome bc1 complex to photosynthetic reaction centers. When the cytochrome c2 gene is inactivated, Rb. capsulatusis still capable of photosynthetic growth due to the presence of a constitutively produced membrane bound isozyme of cytochrome c2 known as cytochrome cy (Jenney & Daldal, EMBO J. 12, 1283-1292 (1993)). We have now isolated small amounts of two forms of the membrane bound cytochrome c2 isozyme which are naturally soluble. Forms A and B separate on CM-cellulose chromatography. They have similar amino acid compositions, which are like the C-terminus of the translated isozyme gene and unlike that of cytochrome c2. The N-terminal sequence of form A is: EPAAPPPPAYVEVDPATITG… and of form B is: APPPPAYVEV…, indicating non-specific proteolytic cleavage at more than one site. The absorption spectra and redox potential of the two forms are like those of cytochrome c2. The kinetics of interaction of form B with the photosynthetic reaction center indicate that there is no stable complex formed and that the reaction is entirely second-order. The rate constant for iso-c2 is more than an order of magnitude smaller at low ionic strength and the electostatic effect is one half that of cytochrome c2. Thus, reaction centers show significant specificity for the natural electron donor.
The hypolipidemic effects of 1-acetyl-4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione in rodents

l-Acetyl-4-phenyl-l ,2,4-triazolidine,5-dione (APTD), a potent hypolipidemic agent, lowered both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normo- and hyperlipidemic rats at 10 or 20 mg/kg/day. The agent effectively lowered VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and LDL-C content and raised HDL-C content in normal and hyperlipidemic rats treated from 4 to 8 weeks. Similar effects on the incorporation of cholesterol into the lipoprotein fractions were observed after drug treatment. Tissue lipids, e.g. cholesterol, were lowered, whereas fecal cholesterol levels were increased. APTD's primary targets were acyl CoA cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) for cholesterol ester synthesis and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase (GPAT) and phosphatidylate phosphohydrolase (PPH) for triglyceride synthesis.
A Rebellion in Brouwer’s Amsterdam

During 1945–1946 Brouwer opposed Amsterdam’s hiring of Van der Waerden until Van der Corput struck a deal with Brouwer.
Pediatric Benign Paranasal Sinus Osteoneogenic Tumors: A Case Series and Systematic Review of Outcomes, Techniques, and a Multiportal Approach:

BackgroundPediatric benign paranasal sinus osteoneogenic tumors have previously been difficult to treat due to the surgical constraints of the developing skull. Progression may lead to intracranial...
Emergency Contraception Use in School-Based Health Centers: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract Study Objective To understand contraceptive behaviors and decision-making in school-based health center (SBHC) female patients who have used emergency contraception (EC). Design Qualitative interviews and questionnaires. Setting SBHCs. Participants Female adolescents, who self-reported EC use, were recruited from SBHCs. Interventions Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached on the following themes: reasons for selecting EC, perceived EC efficacy, reasons for use, nonuse, or inconsistent use of nonemergent contraception (NEC), and beliefs surrounding pregnancy risk. Main Outcome Measures The team used a modified grounded theory approach and open coding technique to identify common themes. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess demographic information and EC knowledge. Results Twenty-eight interviews were completed. Reasons for using EC include not using another contraceptive method, using another method incorrectly, or in combination with another method for added protection. Reasons for EC preference include ease of administration, ease of access, minimal side effects, perceived high efficacy, and because it can be used discreetly. Use of NEC was supported by identifying it as more effective, increased sexual experience and anticipation of sex, belief that excess EC decreases efficacy or is detrimental to health, and social interactions. Participants reported having used EC a mean of 3.5 times. Eighteen of 28 participants (65%) incorrectly believed that EC is 90%-99% effective, and 15 of 28 participants (53%) correctly identified ovulation inhibition as the mechanism of action. Conclusion EC use is promoted by ease of access and administration, experiencing minimal side effects, and perceived high efficacy. Compliance issues with NEC and condoms and a desire for a discreet contraceptive method support EC use.
8 Identifying factors that affect the transition of transfer students to a four-year university through the use of focus groups.

Students who transfer from a community college to a 4-year university face different transition barriers compared to those who come directly from high school, which has led to a decrease in retention rate of over 10% (from 89.9% to 78.3% - 2016). Roughly 20% of students in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University (ISU) are transfers, therefore this is an issue of great concern. The objective of this study is to identify issues specific to transfer students and determine if additional resources are needed to address these issues. The study consists of two parts: 1) identification of barrier themes through focus group discussion, and 2) development of a survey instrument that can be used across multiple disciplines. Focus group data is reported here. A structured discussion was conducted in six different focus groups (n=58) that consisted of 8–10 transfer students. Focus groups were formed through the use of transfer student peer mentor groups that were assigned based on student interests and career goals. The discussion focused on three main categories of issues commonly found in literature: psychological, academic and environmental barriers. Qualitative analysis of the focus group discussions revealed common themes of struggles that our students face within these categories. It was found that transfer students at ISU commonly struggle with social integration, lack of knowledge on transfer credits and having larger class sizes, thus a lack of personal relationships with professors. Notably, a majority of students reported negative feedback on the requirement of an orientation class that consisted of predominantly freshman. Collection of this data has led to the addition of a transfer-specific orientation course that will address the challenges that were identified. In addition, the themes that were identified are being used to develop a survey instrument that can be used across multiple disciplines.
FRI0283 Dynamic contrast enhanced mri (DCE-MRI) demonstrates hippocampus permeability in sle

Background Cross-reactive, anti-dsDNA/N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antibodies (DNRAb) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in SLE. The mouse model demonstrates selective effects of DNRAb on hippocampal neurons following blood brain barrier (BBB) breach. 1 We previously identified abnormal hippocampal glucose hypermetabolism in SLE patients that correlated with serum DNRAb titers and poor performance on neuropsychological (NP) testing.2 However, little is known about how antibodies access brain in humans. Objectives BBB permeability (BBBP) in SLE and healthy control (HC) subjects was evaluated with DCE-MRI. We hypothesised that brain areas with abnormal hypermetabolism2 in SLE subjects would also demonstrate altered BBBP. Methods 6 SLE subjects with no history of NP symptoms and 6 HCs were recruited (all female). All subjects underwent NP testing and DCE-MRI on a 3.0 tesla magnet (Siemens Healthineers, GERMANY). MRI sequences were acquired according to standard protocols; permeability imaging used DCE technique with axial 3D-SPGR T1-WI sequences and 80 cine phases using TR=25 ms, TE=3.8 ms, FOV=24 mm, and matrix size of 128×256. Magnevist Gadolinium contrast (Bayer Healthcare, GERMANY) was dosed IV at 0.1 mmol/kg, at 5cc/sec following a 5 s delay. Post-processing of images into BBBP parameters of K-trans (mL/100 gm/min) and VE (mL/100 gm) was performed using Olea Sphere 2.2, 2.3 (Olea Medical, France) with the Tofts extended permeability model. This technique was standardised with the arterial input function centred in the cavernous ICA segment for all subjects. Analyses: Regions-of-interest (ROI) from previously identified hypermetabolic regions (hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, posterior putamen/globus pallidus/thalamus) were selected. Mirror ROIs were placed in bilateral MRI cerebral hemispheres for sampling at same brain levels. Regional DCE curves were generated to compare permeability phases. T-tests were used to evaluate demographic and NP testing differences. Results SLE subjects performed significantly worse than HCs on cognitive testing (table 1). Mean DCE curves (figure 1) show perfusion (initial spike) and permeability phases of contrast in the sampled tissues. Compared to HCs, SLE subjects demonstrate significantly increased signal in the permeability phase in the hippocampus, indicating leakage of contrast into the extravascular space. Conclusions This is the first report of increased BBBP in SLE subjects that is specific to the hippocampus; a region that we have previously reported to have abnormal resting metabolism in SLE subjects. These data, including the abnormal NP testing, support the murine model of autoantibody-mediated cognitive impairment following disruption of the BBB. The results also suggest that DCE-MRI may be an effective, non-invasive tool to measure BBBP and its role in neuropsychiatric SLE pending confirmatory studies with increased sample size. References [1] Kowal C, et al. Immunity2004;21:179–88. [2] Mackay M, et al. Lupus Sci Med2015;2:e000074. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Acute effects of hyperglycemia on the peripheral nervous system in zebrafish ( Danio rerio) following nitroreductase-mediated β-cell ablation.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is estimated to affect 50% of diabetic patients. Although DPN is highly prevalent, molecular mechanisms remain unknown and treatment is limited to pain relief a...
Effect of grounded electrode size on a single stage EHD gas pump performance in a square channel

Abstract Flows driven by a single-stage electrohydrodynamic (EHD) gas pump in a square channel are critically examined in this study. The flows produced by the pump with three different sizes of the grounded electrode (in terms of its length): 1.27-cm, 2.54-cm, and 5.08-cm (0.5-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch) are first examined by numerical simulation, are then validated by experimental data. The numerical study enables vivid flow visualizations inside the channel, providing a great insight into the development of induced flows. The results show that the EHD pump with 1.27-cm-long (0.5-inch-long) grounded electrode can produce and sustain air flows with a maximum volume flow rate of 17 L/s, which is considerably better than conventional cooling fans.
Introduction to Renewable Energy Conversions

Introduction to Renewable Energy Conversions examines all the major renewable energy conversion technologies with the goal of enabling readers to formulate realistic resource assessments. The text provides step-by-step procedures for assessing renewable energy options and then moves to the design of appropriate renewable energy strategies. The goal is for future engineers to learn the process of making resource estimates through the introduction of more than 140 solved problems and over 165 engineering related equations. More than 120 figures and numerous tables explain each renewable energy conversion type. A solutions manual, PowerPoint slides, and lab exercises are available for instructors. Key Features Covers all major types of renewable energy with comparisons for use in energy systems Builds skills for evaluating energy usage versus environmental hazards and climate change factors Presents and explains the key engineering equations used to design renewable energy systems Uses a practical approach to design and analyze renewable energy conversions Offers a solutions manual, PowerPoint slides, and lab activity plans for instructors
Sulfides, native metals, and associated trace minerals of the Skaergaard intrusion, Greenland: evidence for late hydrothermal fluids

Sulfide assemblages, precious metals, transition metal alloys, and associated accessory phases were characterized throughout the Skaergaard intrusion to better constrain the sulfide saturation history of the intrusion and the role of late magmatic volatiles in modifying the Skaergaard metal budget and distribution. Sulfides in and below the Middle Zone of the Layered Series of the intrusion are readily replaced by low-Ti magnetite. The ratio Σ(low-Ti magnetite mode)/Σ(sulfide mode), indicating oxidation of sulfides, reaches maximum values in the Lower Zone of the Layered Series. Sulfide assemblages below the Middle Zone are typically accompanied by minor biotite, apatite, and rare calcite as well as trace compositionally distinctive clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. The occurrence of Ag, Au, Pt, Cu, and metal alloys outside of the Middle Zone is further evidence of the Skaergaard intrusion parental magma being S-poor. Native Ag, commonly accompanied by trace amounts of Cl, occurs both in and below the Middle Zone. Evidence of coexisting precious metal + brine assemblages exists where native metals are accompanied by sylvite ± halite and Ag is accompanied by Ag halides. Ag occurrences in the Middle Zone are of irregular morphology with trace Cl ± S ± calcite. Further evidence supportive of a metal + brine assemblage is observed where Ag + quartz is found in an apparent open clinopyroxene-hosted fluid inclusion consisting of Na, Si, Cl, Ca, K, and S. Ag is used to model the behavior of precious and transition metals in the presence of an exsolving fluid phase. Numerical modeling suggests that, in a sulfide-bearing system, residual Ag concentrations and concentrations in the exsolved fluid are most affected at the point where sulfide is lost to a separating volatile fluid phase. It is suggested that, owing to the low-S nature of the Skaergaard system, fractional crystallization and early fluid saturation produced enrichment of Ag, with other precious and transition metals, in the interstitial silicate liquid much higher than normal due to delayed sulfide saturation. As this interstitial liquid evolved, Ag was lost to an exsolved volatile phase of high salinity and migrated upward. A similar process likely occurred for Au and other elements with high affinities for Cl.
Control of structural style by large, Paleogene, mass transport deposits in the Mexican Ridges fold-belt and Salina del Bravo, western Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The Mexican Ridges fold-belt (MR) of the western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is a 600 km long, 120–220 km wide, deep-water, passive margin, fold-belt trending parallel to the eastern continental margin of Mexico. Shortening within the deep-water MR occurs above a primary sub-horizontal, shale detachment linked to an up-dip, 50 km wide zone of listric, normal faults along the continental shelf of eastern Mexico. A 20,000 line-km grid of 2D depth-converted industry seismic data tied to one, deep well was used to map the frequency, location, lateral extent, and thickness distributions of twelve, individual, mass transport deposits (MTDs) of Paleogene age that together form a
Volterra Integro-Dynamic Equations

This chapter is exclusively devoted to the study of Volterra integro-dynamic equations with or without delay. We will display some exotic Lyapunov functionals to obtain stability and instability of the zero solutions and boundedness of solutions. The delay is in the form of shift operators so that all type of general time scales can be considered and without the requirement that they be additive. We prove variant forms of Gronwall’s inequality, so we can determine function bounds for the solutions of the integro-dynamic equations. We will develop in detail the notion of principal matrix solution for Volterra integro-dynamic equations and then build on the same concept to fully develop the existence of resolvent kernel which will be used along with Lyapunov functionals to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for uniform stability and uniform asymptotic stability of the zero solution. Then we advance to functional delay dynamic equations which we write as Volterra integro-dynamic equations and study their behaviors via Lyapunov functionals. Toward the end of the chapter we classify the positive and negative solutions of nonlinear systems of Volterra integro-dynamic equations by appealing to Schauder’s and Knaster fixed point theorems. As usual, we end the chapter with some interesting and rewarding open problems. Some results are new and the rest can be found in Adivar (Electron J Qual Theory Differ Equ 2010(7):1–22, 2010; Glasg Math J 53(3), 463–480, 2011), Bohner (Far East J Appl Math 18(3):289–304, 2005), Burton (J Math Anal Appl 28:545–552, 1969; Nonlinear Anal 1(4):331–338, 1976/1977), Eloe et al. (Dynam Syst Appl 9(3):331–344, 2000), Kulik and Tisdell (Int J Differ Equ 3(1):103–133, 2008), Miller (J Differ Equ 10, 485–506, 1971), Raffoul (JIPAM J Inequal Pure Appl Math 10(3):70, 9, 2009), and Wang (J Math Anal Appl 186(3):8350–861, 1994; J Math Anal Appl 298(1):33–44, 2004).
Patient Reported Outcomes in Patients Who Stop Following Up: Are They Doing Better or Worse Than the Patients That Come Back?

STUDY DESIGN Follow-up study. OBJECTIVE To determine whether minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery outcomes are different between those who are lost to follow-up and those who are not. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Lost to follow-up patients are a common source of selection bias for clinical outcomes research. Currently, there are no US based studies that evaluate the differences in outcomes of lost to follow-up patients after spine surgeries. METHODS A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 289 patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar surgery and were at least 1 year postsurgery was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) lost to follow-up (LTF), defined as patients who had missed more than two consecutive follow-up visits and had not attended their 1-year follow-up appointment; and (2) not lost to follow-up. For the not-LTF cohort, patient response outcome measures (PROMs) (oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back/leg, Short Form-12 (SF-12) Physical/Mental, PROMIS) and return to activities data were collected prospectively at each follow-up. For LTF patients, data were collected through emailed surveys or telephone interviews. PROMs and return to activities data of the two groups were compared. Sub-group analysis by type of surgery (decompression or fusion) was also performed. RESULTS For the entire cohort, independent t test analysis showed LTF patients had greater improvement in PROMIS Physical Function scores than those who were not-LTF (15.08 vs. 10.38, P = 0.026). For fusion surgeries, LTF patients showed a greater improvement in ODI (-30.94 vs. -16.23, P = 0.003) VAS back (-4.92 vs. -2.99, P = 0.044), and PROMIS-PF (16.09 vs. 10.38, P = 0.049). There were no significant differences in complication rates between LTF and not LTF patients. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar surgery-in particular lumbar fusions-who are lost to follow-up and responded to subsequent email and phone interviews showed greater improvements in self-reported outcomes than those who continued to follow-up. Thus, our results suggest that a substantial subset of patients who are lost to follow-up do not fare worse than those who do follow-up. However, an opposite response cannot be excluded in those who did not respond to email and phone interviews. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Outcomes of supply chain dependence asymmetry: a systematic review of the statistical evidence

This literature review scrutinises 41 quantitative studies dealing with dependence asymmetry in supply chains. Strategically, behaviours ranging from exploitation to win-win problem solving can ari...