cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loving-kindness language exposure leads to changes in sensitivity to imagined pain

To better understand the cultivation of positive intra- and interpersonal emotions, we examined an argument that some effects of contemplative training result from language processing. We presented...
Social Comparison Processes in Health and Illness

Social comparison processes play an increasingly pivotal role in psychological theories of how people interpret health threats, how they understand their own health risks, how and when they decide to seek care for physical symptoms, and how they adapt to serious illness and disability. Our goal in this chapter is to provide an overview of research in which social comparison principles have been applied to health-related situations. Medical problems or situations that create uncertainty about one’s health are good arenas in which to study social comparison phenomena. People who are ill often have difficulty obtaining information about the course of their illness and its treatment, which may make it difficult for them to make objective self-evaluations. The emotional distress they experience may not always be alleviated by direct action. Individuals facing threatening medical encounters therefore may be compelled to search for comparisons as a way to counteract these and other negative consequences of their situation. As we hope to demonstrate, however, people who are not ill also turn to social comparisons to explain disconcerting symptoms and to make decisions about appropriate preventive behaviors.
Perceived weight discrimination and high-risk health-related behaviors.

Objective Perceived weight discrimination has been associated with several health-risk behaviors related to eating and physical activity. The purpose of this research is to test whether weight discrimination is associated with nonweight-related high-risk behaviors that put the individual's health at risk. Methods As part of a larger survey on health and well-being, participants (N = 5,163) reported on their experiences with weight discrimination and their engagement in four high-risk behaviors: current cigarette smoking, driving while intoxicated, risky sexual/drug use behaviors, and seat belt use. Logistic regression was used to test the association between weight discrimination and each behavior, controlling for relevant demographics and BMI. Results Perceived weight discrimination was associated with increased risk of cigarette smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36-1.99), driving while intoxicated (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.60-2.54), risky sexual/drug use behaviors (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.69-2.80), and not using a seat belt (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.15-2.03). With the exception of seat belt use, all associations remained significant controlling for depressive symptoms. Conclusions The results of this research indicate that the harmful associations between weight discrimination and health-risk behaviors are not limited to behaviors related to eating and physical activity but extend to high-risk behaviors that may contribute to the association between weight discrimination and poor health.
Chapter 72 - Calcium in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Abstract Calcium seems to be an intuitively integral part of the treatment of osteoporosis. This is for several reasons. First, osteoporosis, in its original definition, is effectively a disease characterized by a reduced calcium nutrient reserve (i.e., bone mass). Second, animals reared on reduced calcium intakes fail to develop the full bone mass programmed into their genomes. Third, adult animals placed on calcium-deficient diets, lose bone, that is, they draw upon their calcium reserve to support their extraskeletal needs for calcium. Consistent with this intuitive involvement of calcium in the genesis and treatment of osteoporosis is a substantial body of human evidence showing that, so long as intakes of other nutrients are adequate, increased calcium intake produces a substantial antiosteoporosis effect. However, certain features of the action of calcium remain unclear and even puzzling. This chapter will review this use and the questions attending it, while Chapter 32 (Heaney) covers what is known of the metabolism of calcium, and the basis for the calcium intake requirement.
Was That Assumption Necessary? Reconsidering Boundary Conditions for Analytical Solutions to Estimate Streambed Fluxes

Two common refrains about using the one-dimensional advection diffusion equation to estimate fluid fluxes and thermal conductivity from temperature time series in streambeds are that the solution assumes that 1) the surface boundary condition is a sine wave or nearly so, and 2) there is no gradient in mean temperature with depth. Although the mathematical posing of the problem in the original solution to the problem might lead one to believe these constraints exist, the perception that they are a source of error is a fallacy. Here we develop a mathematical proof demonstrating the equivalence of the solution as developed based on an arbitrary (Fourier integral) surface temperature forcing when evaluated at a single given frequency versus that derived considering a single frequency from the beginning. The implication is that any single frequency can be used in the frequency-domain solutions to estimate thermal diffusivity and 1-D fluid flux in streambeds, even if the forcing has multiple frequencies. This means that diurnal variations with asymmetric shapes or gradients in the mean temperature with depth are not actually assumptions, and deviations from them should not cause errors in estimates. Given this clarification, we further explore the potential for using information at multiple frequencies to augment the information derived from time series of temperature.
Simultaneous amplitude and phase tissue slide scanner for breast histopathology (Conference Presentation)

Histopathology of breast tissue typically involves labelling of a tissue section with the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) counter stain. The contrast generated by the stain allows pathologists to extract both diagnostic and prognostic information (such as malignancy, grade and stage) during microscopic examination. Despite being the most frequent assessment method in use today, this procedure provides limited information and is subject to observer bias due to its qualitative nature. While commercial tissue slide scanners promise to improve the throughput of this method in the coming years, quantitative evaluation of tissue remains a challenge. In this work, we propose a method for simultaneously extracting color bright field and phase images of stained breast tissue biopsies using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) coupled with an RGB camera. The amplitude information allows standard qualitative histopathology while the quantitative phase information can be used, after normalizing for the staining, to extract physical markers characterizing patient health. We demonstrate this by imaging an H&E stained tissue microarray and showing that the normalized phase values can be exploited to classify benign and malignant tissue. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these images allow quantitation of tumor-adjacent collagen structure - an important prognostic marker for breast cancer. Extraction of these biomarkers requires measurement of the tissue optical path-length map which is not available in standard tissue evaluation. Our method, therefore, expands on the current diagnostic pipeline by complementing standard histopathology with quantitative tissue biomarkers, all obtainable in a single scan.
Interpretation of Core Field Models

In this chapter we review several recent research results on the observed geomagnetic secular variation and secular acceleration, the core flow models inferred from these observations, and their implications, in particular those of the torsional oscillations, on short period secular variation and on the dynamical properties inside the core. We also provide a comprehensive review on the recent development in geomagnetic data assimilation, and its applications to predict future secular variation. Most of the reviewed research results are either reported in IAGA General Assembly in Soporan in 2009, or in the period between this and the previous IAGA conference.
Methane conversion to ethane in the presence of iron‐ and manganese‐promoted sulfated zirconia

Sulfated zirconia promoted with 1.0 wt% Fe and 0.5 wt% Mn converts methane into ethane with traces of ethylene and acetylene. The initial reaction rate at 723 K and a methane partial pressure of 20 kPa was found to be about 10-9 mol(CH 4) (g s)-1, and deactivation was rapid, with the reaction rate declining to half the maximum rate within an hour.
Achieving Health Equity and Social Justice in the US-Mexico Border Region

The US-Mexico border divides metropolitan areas that are closely intertwined. On average, about 30% of US border residents receive health and dental care in Mexico and a larger percentage purchase their medicines in the neighboring country. Many cross the border due to lack of US health-care coverage, but others have more trust and feel more comfortable dealing with Mexican than with US providers. In addition, due to the shortage of physicians on the US side of the border, adults with acute conditions cannot get a timely appointment in the United States and seek help in Mexico. This health-seeking behavior is not supported by the current border health system or by current US health policy. The health systems of both countries operate in silos; there is virtually no communication among providers in the different countries. This chapter will use empirical data to show how US borderlanders are using both systems of care, including the use of Mexican pharmacies; will discuss the advantages, risks, and disadvantages that closeness to Mexico represents for specific population groups (migrants, poor, and uninsured); and will discuss policy options to foster equity in access to health care in the border region.
L'infection hospitalière à germes gram négatif

L'hospitalisme infectieux etait, avant l'ere des antibiotiques, domine par les germes anaerobies et par l'infection streptococcique qui decimaient operes, traumatises et accouchees. L'apparition des antibiotiques a radicalement transforme ce probleme, sans pour autant le faire disparaitre. L'efficacite meme de ces drogues a cree une illusion temporaire, nefaste car elle eut pour consequence premiere de faire oublier ou negliger les regles de l'hygiene hospitaliere, moins celles de l'asepsie, toujours de rigueur si necessaire, que celles de l'activite de soins en milieu septique. La seconde consequence de l'emploi des antibiotiques est representee par le developpement que l'on sait du phenomene de resistance bacterienne. L'un des premiers germes a s'exprimer fut le staphylocoque, vite devenu l'ennemi n o 1 en pathologie infectieuse generale et, bien sur, hospitaliere. Neanmoins, on a pu opposer a ce germe, successivement et avec succes,, un lot varie d'antibiotiques issus des Penicillines de synthese, des Cephalosporines, des Oligo-saccharides ou des Macrolides, tous produits evitant le systeme de resistance enzymatique de ces souches progressivement selectionnees. De fait, le phenomene de resistance staphylococcique parait s'etre stabilise et il est bien rare, aujourd'hui, que l'echec therapeutique, en cas d'infection severe, soit du a l'absence d'antibiotiques efficaces au moins «in vitro; une evolution fâcheuse, en matiere de staphylococcemie grave, est tres generalement le fait des consequences anatomiques propres a ce germe: broncho-pneumopathies aigues extensives, endocardites aigues mutilantes, collections intra-cerebrales, etat de choc infectieux …
Pediatric pain screening identifies youth at risk of chronic pain in sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary validation and application of a pain screening tool to identify biopsychosocial risk factors for chronic pain in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) and classify youth with SCD into prognostic risk groups. METHOD Youth presenting to a pediatric SCD clinic completed the Pediatric Pain Screening Tool (PPST), a brief 9-item self-report questionnaire developed for rapid identification of risk in youth with pain complaints. Youth also completed a battery of standardized patient-reported outcomes, including pain characteristics, pain burden, functional disability, pain interference, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and fear of pain. Healthcare utilization was extracted from medical chart review. RESULTS Seventy-three 8- to 18-year-olds (94% Black, 57% female) with SCD participated. The PPST demonstrated discriminant validity that ranged from fair to excellent (area under the curves (AUC) = 0.74-0.93, P values < 0.001) for identifying significant pain frequency, disability, pain interference, and psychosocial distress. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that previously established cutoff scores were appropriate for the SCD sample. Participants were classified into low-risk (28.8%), medium-risk (38.4%), and high-risk (32.9%) groups, with significant group differences across measures, F(18, 116) = 6.67, P < 0.001. The high-risk group reported significantly higher pain intensity, pain frequency, pain burden, functional disability, pain interference, and depressive symptoms relative to both low-risk and medium-risk groups (P values < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The high-risk group demonstrated a pain and psychosocial profile consistent with chronic SCD pain. The PPST may be useful for efficiently identifying youth with chronic SCD pain or those at risk of poor outcomes.
Improving health literacy and treatment understanding of hidradenitis suppurativa using group educational interventions.

AbstractBackground: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic immune-mediated skin disorder characterized by inflamed, painful abscesses most commonly located in the intertriginous regions that ma...
Tobacco Control Policies and Smokers’ Responses

Abstract We summarize the economic research regarding the effects of tobacco control policies on smoking-related outcomes in the United States. We examine four main outcomes: (1) adult smoking behavior, (2) youth smoking behavior, (3) environmental tobacco smoke exposure, and (4) health effects from smoke exposure. We describe research advances and challenges inherent in identifying a relationship between tobacco control policies and that outcome. We end with possible directions for future research.
Chagas disease as example of a reemerging parasite.

Abstract Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan that causes Chagas disease, is primarily transmitted by three main Triatomine vectors in endemic areas. However, the infection has become a potential emerging disease because the vector is found in non-endemic areas, there is migration of infected asymptomatic people that can infect the vector, become blood donors, or pass the disease vertically (congenital infections). Lastly, the disease can be acquired through contaminated food (oral transmission). This review will present the different transmission pathways, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities and treatment considerations of Chagas disease.
Fundamental Research on Geochemical Processes for the Development of Resilient and Sustainable Geosystems

Fundamental understanding and control of geochemical processes in soils/rock and groundwater are vital for rational design of new and innovative resilient and sustainable geosystems. Geochemical processes such as adsorption-desorption, ion-exchange, oxidation-reduction, precipitation-dissolution, complexation, acid-base reactions, volatilization, and biodegradation processes are generally interrelated and are highly dependent on the soil/rock and pore-water characteristics such as mineralogy, oxides/carbonate content, organic carbon content, pH, solution chemistry, temperature, among others. Moreover, the geochemical processes in engineered systems can be transient and reversible, drastically impacting the performance of geosystems under different anthropogenic and natural perturbations that could occur over their design life. Non-invasive, less energy-intensive, and less resource intensive strategies and technologies are increasingly being sought for rehabilitation and/or development of sustainable geosystems. Harnessing natural biological processes has been emphasized recently toward sustainable geoengineering such as bio-cementation, bioremediation, phytoremediation, among others. However, an in-depth understanding of the fundamental dynamic geochemical processes in all such cases has been lacking, and the current research should embrace and encourage such fundamental research.
Data Debugging and Exploration with Vizier

We present Vizier, a multi-modal data exploration and debugging tool. The system supports a wide range of operations by seamlessly integrating Python, SQL, and automated data curation and debugging methods. Using Spark as an execution backend, Vizier handles large datasets in multiple formats. Ease-of-use is attained through integration of a notebook with a spreadsheet-style interface and with visualizations that guide and support the user in the loop. In addition, native support for provenance and versioning enable collaboration and uncertainty management. In this demonstration we will illustrate the diverse features of the system using several realistic data science tasks based on real data.
Teaching NeuroImages: Pupil-sparing Compression of Oculomotor Nerve by Posterior Cerebral Artery Vessel

A 54-year-old woman presented with a 30-year history of worsening left blepharoptosis. Neuro-ophthalmic examination was significant for blepharoptosis, limited levator function, and supraduction in the left eye with left hypotropia, and normal pupils without diplopia. MRI brain/orbits revealed subtle atrophy of the left superior rectus (figure 1, A and B), without any orbital pathology. Superior compression of the left oculomotor nerve by the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was observed (figure 1, C–E). Given the microanatomy of oculomotor nerve in the cistern space,1,2 this is a rare selective compression of the superolateral oculomotor nerve by the PCA vessel (figure 2), sparing the superomedial parasympathetic limb.
Oxidative Catalysis by TAMLs: Obtaining Rate Constants for Non-Absorbing Targets by UV-Vis Spectroscopy.

Understanding the catalysis of oxidative reactions by TAML activators of peroxides, i. e. iron(III) complexes of tetraamide macrocyclic ligands, advocated a spectrophotometric procedure for quantifying the catalytic activity of TAMLs for colorless targets (kII ', M-1 s-1 ), which is incomparably more advantageous in terms of time, cost, energy, and ecology than NMR, HPLC, UPLC, GC-MS and other similar techniques. Dyes Orange II or Safranin O (S) are catalytically bleached by non-excessive amount of H2 O2 in the presence of colorless substrates (S1 ) according to the rate law: -d[S]/dt=kI kII [H2 O2 ][S][TAML]/(kI [H2 O2 ]+kII [S]+kII '[S1 ]). The bleaching rate is thus a descending hyperbolic function of S1 : v=ab/(b+[S1 ]). Values of kII ' found from a and b for phenol and propranolol with commonly used TAML [FeIII {o,o'-C6 H4 (NCONMe2 CO)2 CMe2 }2 (OH2 )]+ are consistent with those for S1 (phenol, propranolol) obtained directly by UPLC. The study sends vital messages to enzymologists and environmentalists.
The Unexpected Volunteer.

In this narrative account, the author, a medical student, describes his encounters with several inpatients at a community hospital. He becomes acquainted with a patient9s son, who, initially withdrawn, over the course of his mother9s hospitalizations transforms into a compassionate volunteer. This change is made especially evident when the author meets another patient who recognizes the volunteer and reveals his very different past.
The quarter-ellipsoid foot: A clinically applicable 3-dimensional composite measure of foot deformation during weight bearing.

Abstract Study Design Descriptive Laboratory Objectives To assess change in foot morphology across loading using innovative, clinically accessible 3-dimesional composite measurements of surface area (SA), volume (V), and SA:V ratio in recreationally-active young adults. Methods The feet of 53 female [mean age:20.7 ± 3.8 years, BMI:23.9 ± 4.2 kg m−2, foot posture index (FPI):3.8 ± 3.7] and 31 male participants (mean age:20.8 ± 2.4 years, BMI:23.7 ± 2.5 kg m−2, FPI:3.8 ± 4.1) were evaluated. FPI was assessed and foot length, width, and dorsal arch height were measured in sitting and bipedal standing and used to calculate the SA and V of a quarter-ellipsoid. ΔSA characterized foot widening and lengthening and ΔV characterized arch deformation during loading. The SA:V represented changes in both foot size and shape. Linear regression was performed to assess the effects of component foot change measures during loading on the composite measurements. The composite measures were compared to the established measures of ΔArch Height Index (ΔAHI), Arch Flexibility, Foot Mobility Magnitude (FMM), and FPI. Results Foot width and dorsal arch height change measures were significant predictors (p Conclusion Quarter-ellipsoid measures calculated from morphologic measurements may have clinical utility in quantifying 3-dimensional foot changes during loading and may be useful when assessing need and response to clinical interventions.
Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Affects Yield and Tuber Quality of Drip-Irrigated Tablestock Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) Grown under Subtropical Conditions

The response to nitrogen (N) rate for two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars grown in a sub-tropical climate was evaluated during two spring seasons. Early-maturing tablestock potato cultivars, ‘Fabula’ and ‘Red LaSoda’, were grown using surface-drip irrigation. N fertilizer was applied through irrigation drip tape at 0, 112, 224, and 336 kg ha−1 of N. There was no difference of aboveground and tuber biomass accumulation between N fertilizer rates from 112 to 336 kg ha−1 of N during both growing seasons. Seasonal differences were observed in N recovery efficiency; in Season 1, apparent N recovery (ANR) was significantly higher for N rates of 112 and 224 kg ha−1 N for ‘Fabula’ and 112 kg ha−1 of N for ‘Red LaSoda’, respectively. In Season 2, there was no significant difference between ANR values among N rates between 112 and 336 kg ha−1 of N, for both cultivars. There was a significant interaction of N rate and growing season on total and marketable yields. In Season 1, average total and marketable yields for both cultivars increased from 9.8 Mg ha−1 with no N applied, to 25.8 Mg ha−1 with 224 kg ha−1 of N; no significant differences were observed at higher N rates. In Season 2, high early season rainfall likely depleted available soil N, resulting in decreased N recovery efficiency of plants and significantly lower yield compared to the previous season. N-fertilizer rates above 224 kg ha−1 of N did not increase total or marketable yields in both seasons. High rainfall events at the beginning of the Season 2 likely caused N stress and reduced tuber yields by 54% compared to the previous season. Results also highlighted the dominant effect of environmental conditions, particularly rainfall, on tuber yield and harvest quality response to N fertigation rate.
Circulating markers of NADH-reductive stress correlate with mitochondrial disease severity

Mitochondrial disorders represent a large collection of rare syndromes that are difficult to manage both because we do not fully understand biochemical pathogenesis and because we currently lack facile markers of severity. The m.3243A>G variant is the most common heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutation and underlies a spectrum of diseases, notably mitochondrial encephalomyopathy lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). To identify robust circulating markers of m.3243A>G disease, we first performed discovery proteomics, targeted metabolomics, and untargeted metabolomics on plasma from a deeply phenotyped cohort (102 patients, 32 controls). In a validation phase, we measured concentrations of prioritized metabolites in an independent cohort using distinct methods. We validated 20 analytes (1 protein, 19 metabolites) that distinguish patients with MELAS from controls. The collection includes classic (lactate, alanine) and more recently identified (GDF-15, α-hydroxybutyrate) mitochondrial markers. By mining untargeted mass-spectra we uncovered 3 less well-studied metabolite families: N-lactoyl-amino acids, β-hydroxy acylcarnitines, and β-hydroxy fatty acids. Many of these 20 analytes correlate strongly with established measures of severity, including Karnofsky status, and mechanistically, nearly all markers are attributable to an elevated NADH/NAD+ ratio, or NADH-reductive stress. Our work defines a panel of organelle function tests related to NADH-reductive stress that should enable classification and monitoring of mitochondrial disease.
The effect of distraction on the quality of patient handoff: a randomized study

Objective The number of patient handoffs has increased in recent years. In addition, technology has advanced in the medical field, leading to most providers carrying smartphones at work. Little is known about the effect of mobile devices and quality of patient handoffs. The objective of this study was to determine whether distraction affects the quality of sign-out among obstetrical providers. Design A randomized, prospective study was conducted. Setting Hospital. Participants intervention Obstetrical providers listened to a recorded sign-out vignette. Provider groups either were or were not exposed to a distraction while listening to the vignette. All providers had been told that they would be participating in a trial of two methods of sign-out, although in actuality they were all assigned to a single method. In the distraction arm, the participants were exposed to a 'distracting event' (a phone ring, which was answered by the proctor and followed by a brief conversation) that occurred midway through the vignette. Main outcome measure Providers answered a 14-question survey testing recall of facts included in the vignette. The results of each group were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test. Results Eighty-eight providers were randomized, 44 in the distraction group and 44 in the non-distracted group. The average scores on the survey were similar between groups (11.0 and 10.8, P = 0.57). In addition, the average scores for questions that occurred after the distraction did not differ between the distracted and non-distracted groups (6.4 vs 6.2, P = 0.42). Conclusions We observed that a phone ring and brief response did not affect the obstetrical providers' recall of details of a standardized sign-out. More studies are warranted to determine if more frequent or longer distractions would change results.
Detection of Cyber Attacks on Voltage Regulation in Distribution Systems Using Machine Learning

Several wired and wireless advanced communication technologies have been used for coordinated voltage regulation schemes in distribution systems. These technologies have been employed to both receive voltage measurements from field sensors and transmit control settings to voltage regulating devices (VRDs). Communication networks for voltage regulation can be susceptible to data falsification attacks, which can lead to voltage instability. In this context, an attacker can alter multiple field measurements in a coordinated manner to disturb voltage control algorithms. This paper proposes a machine learning-based two-stage approach to detect, locate, and distinguish coordinated data falsification attacks on control systems of coordinated voltage regulation schemes in distribution systems with distributed generators. In the first stage (regression), historical voltage measurements along with current meteorological data (solar irradiance and ambient temperature) are provided to random forest regressor to forecast voltage magnitudes of a given current state. In the second stage, a logistic regression compares the forecasted voltage with the measured voltage (used to set VRDs) to detect, locate, and distinguish coordinated data falsification attacks in real-time. The proposed approach is validated through several case studies on a 240-node real distribution system (based in the USA) and the standard IEEE 123-node benchmark distribution system. The results show that the proposed approach can detect low margin attacks (as low as 1% of actual measurements) with up to 99% accuracy. All of the developed source codes of the proposed solution are publicly available at Github. https://github.com/nbhusal/Data-Attack-on-Voltage-Regulation .
Perinatal Patients with Symptoms of Anxiety

This chapter provides descriptions, typical clinical presentations, and case reviews of perinatal anxiety and perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder. The discussed anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and illness anxiety disorder as encountered in the perinatal period including pregnancy and 12 months’ postpartum. Suggestions for provider advocacy during increased rates of intimate partner violence during COVID-19 are provided.
The Effects of Posture on the Three-Dimensional Gait Mechanics of Human Walking in Comparison to Bipedal Chimpanzees

Abstract Humans walk with an upright posture on extended limbs during stance and with a double-peaked vertical ground reaction force. Our closest living relatives, chimpanzees, are facultative bipeds that walk with a crouched posture on flexed, abducted hind limbs and with a single-peaked vertical ground reaction force. Differences in human and bipedal chimpanzee three-dimensional kinematics have been well quantified; however, it is unclear what the independent effects of using a crouched posture are on three-dimensional gait mechanics for humans, and how they compare with chimpanzees. Understanding the relationships between posture and gait mechanics, with known differences in morphology between species, can help researchers better interpret the effects of trait evolution on bipedal walking. We quantified pelvis and lower limb three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces as humans adopted a series of upright and crouched postures and compared them with data from bipedal chimpanzee walking. Human crouched posture gait mechanics were more similar to bipedal chimpanzee gait than normal human walking, especially in sagittal plane hip and knee angles. However, there were persistent differences between species, as humans walked with less transverse plane pelvis rotation, less hip abduction, and greater peak horizontal ground reaction force in late stance than chimpanzees. Our results suggest that human crouched posture walking reproduces only a small subset of the characteristics of three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces of chimpanzee walking, with the remaining differences likely due in large part to the distinct musculoskeletal morphologies of humans and chimpanzees. Summary Statement Differences between human crouched posture gait and bipedal chimpanzee gait illustrate the limitations of using modern day humans to infer the evolution of hominin bipedalism.
The effect of information technology on hospital performance

While healthcare entities have integrated various forms of health information technology (HIT) into their systems due to claims of increased quality and decreased costs, as well as various incentives, there is little available information about which applications of HIT are actually the most beneficial and efficient. In this study, we aim to assist administrators in understanding the characteristics of top performing hospitals. We utilized data from the Health Information and Management Systems Society and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid to assess 1039 hospitals. Inputs considered were full time equivalents, hospital size, and technology inputs. Technology inputs included personal health records (PHR), electronic medical records (EMRs), computerized physician order entry systems (CPOEs), and electronic access to diagnostic results. Output variables were measures of quality, hospital readmission and mortality rate. The analysis was conducted in a two-stage methodology: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Automatic Interaction Detector Analysis (AID), decision tree regression (DTreg). Overall, we found that electronic access to diagnostic results systems was the most influential technological characteristics; however organizational characteristics were more important than technological inputs. Hospitals that had the highest levels of quality indicated no excess in the use of technology input, averaging one use of a technology component. This study indicates that prudent consideration of organizational characteristics and technology is needed before investing in innovative programs.
Revolutionary Feminism, Revolutionary Politics: Suffrage under Cardenismo

On February 25, 1937, Mexico's ruling political party, then called the Partido Nacional Revolucionario (PNR), announced that for the first time it would permit “organized” women to vote in internal party elections. “Organized” was code for members of labor unions, agrarian leagues, or other groups supportive of the government. The decision reveals that the PNR, under the leadership of revolutionary general and president Lazaro Cardenas, had found itself in a situation similar to that of other progressive parties throughout the hemisphere. Although many PNR leaders, including the president, had come to support women's suffrage in principle, their shared conviction regarding the essential conservatism of most Mexican women put them in a tight spot. If universally enfranchised, women might thank the party by voting them right out of office, or force them to employ unmanageable levels of electoral fraud to prevent such an outcome. The 1937 ruling conveniently allowed them to be for and against women's suffrage at the same time. Suffragists, however, were not satisfied.
Treatment of veterans with mental health symptoms in VA primary care prior to suicide

Abstract Objective We describe Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care received by veterans with mental health symptoms in the year prior to suicide to identify opportunities to improve care. Method Death certificate data from 11 states were linked to VA national patient care data for veterans who died by suicide in 2009 and had received VA care. We identified 118 age-, sex- and clinician-matched case–control pairs (suicide decedents and living controls) with mental health symptoms. Using McNemar's chi-square and paired t tests, we compare primary care follow-up received during the year prior to death. Results Cases and controls received similar primary care clinician follow-up and treatment for mental health symptoms. Cases were less likely than controls to fill 90 or more total days of an antidepressant during the year ( P =.02), despite no differences in prescription orders from clinicians ( P =.05). Cases and controls were equally likely to fill 90 or more consecutive days of an antidepressant ( P =.47). Across both groups, 48% ( n =113) received assessment for suicidal ideation in primary care. Conclusion We identified two areas to improve primary care for veterans at risk for suicide: monitoring antidepressant treatment adherence and improving suicidal ideation assessment and follow-up for veterans with mental health symptoms.
Abstract W P322: Quality of Life Measurements in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke

Background and Purpose: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor ischemic stroke patients typically have no or negligible residual deficits or disability. We sought to evaluate patient-reported quality of life (QOL) at 3-months in patients with TIA or minor stroke with no residual deficits. Methods: From a single-center prospective cohort study of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients, we identified patients admitted between August 2012 and April 2013 with TIA and minor stroke 1) with no residual deficits, defined as NIHSS of 0 at 24 hours; 2) discharged home with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 1 standard deviation from mean of 50 on T-scores for each QOL domain. Results: Among 91 patients meeting our study criteria (mean age 65.9 years, 52% female, 67% white, median initial NIHSS score 0), mRS was 0 in 84.6% and 1 in 15.4% of patients at 3 months while BI was 100 and 95 in 94.5% and 5.5%, respectively. On QOL assessments, 6.6% had impaired UE function, 4.4% impaired mobility, and 8.8% any impaired physical function. Only 2.2% had abnormal cognitive, depression, fatigue, or social satisfaction scores. Any reported impairment of QOL was noted in 10 (11.0%) patients overall. Conclusions: Despite having no disability on standard objective disability scales, over 10% of patients with TIA or minor stroke report a reduction in quality of life at 3 months. As they may be more sensitive to mild impairments, patient-reported physical and cognitive function may more useful as endpoints in future studies of TIA or minor stroke than standard disability rating scales.
Regulation of the effector stages of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via neuroantigen-specific tolerance induction

Intravenous administration of neuroantigen-coupled syngeneic splenocytes is an efficient regimen for Ag-specific regulation of relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (R-EAE) at the effector level of the disease process. Treatment of SJL/J mice with splenocytes coupled with mouse spinal cord homogenate (MSCH) or myelin proteolipid protein after immunization with mouse spinal cord homogenate in CFA, but before the onset of clinical signs specifically inhibited the expression of neuroantigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and significantly suppressed the onset, severity, and the duration of clinical and histologic signs of R-EAE. In contrast, the clinical course of R-EAE was not affected by tolerization with myelin basic protein-coupled splenocytes, indicating that proteolipid protein-specific responses play the major role in active MSCH-induced R-EAE. To ensure a physical and temporal separation between the inductive and effector stages of the disease process, we also examined the effects of neuroantigen-coupled splenocytes on adoptive R-EAE. Treatment of recipient mice with MSCH-coupled splenocytes up to 6 days after the transfer of MBP-primed lymph node cells induced a dose-dependent, profound, and long-lasting inhibition of clinical and histologic signs of adoptive R-EAE. The demonstration that splenocytes coupled with a heterogeneous mixture of neuroantigens (i.e., MSCH) can inhibit established immune responses suggests that this methodology has potential for regulating ongoing immune responses associated with autoimmune disorders or chronic graft rejection in which the specific (auto)Ag has yet to be identified.
The efficiency of smallholder agriculture in Malawi

This paper analyses Malawi’s smallholder agricultural efficiency, using a nationally representative sample survey of rural households undertaken by the National Statistical Office in 2004/2005. It aims to inform agricultural policy about the level and key determinants of inefficiency in the smallholder farming system that need to be addressed to raise productivity. The study found that the factors that improve efficiency are higher output prices relative to input costs, favorable commodity and input markets, farmers’ organizations, extension, productive assets, and the quantity and productivity of household labor. The wide range of inefficient practices suggests there is considerable scope for improving efficiency in the smallholder sub-sector. The paper concludes with policy implications that highlight ways to achieve this goal.
Abstract 4382: Relative expression of miR200 microRNAs and ERBB family negative regulator Mig6 in estimation of EMT status and erlotinib sensitivity

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA While sensitizing mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) render tumors more sensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), these genetic alterations are present in only a minority of patients who respond to treatment and are rare in tumors other than NSCLCs. Thus, clinical benefit of TKIs in a subset of patients with wild-type EGFR may be underestimated due to the lack of appropriate predictive markers to stratify them from larger number of patients who do not response. It has long been observed that the response of anti-EGFR agents is associated with epithelial and mesenchymal transition (EMT) in multiple types of tumors without known EGFR mutations. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and no EMT-associated biomarkers of clinical utility have been successfully developed. Here we show that during the TGFβ-induced EMT, upregulation of mitogen-inducible gene 6 (Mig6), a negative regulator of EGFR, by microRNAs 200 (miR200) family is leading to reduced EGFR dependence, initiation of kinase switch in mesenchymal cells and subsequent insensitivity of these cells to EGFR inhibition. Moreover, we found that the ratio between mRNA levels of Mig6 and miR200c highly correlated with erlotinib sensitivity and EMT status in panel of 25 cancer cell lines of different tissue origins. Furthermore, analysis of directly xenografted human lung and pancreatic tumors (tumorgrafts) bearing wtEGFR demonstrated a higher response to EGFR inhibitor erlotinib for models with low Mig6 (mRNA)/miR200 ratio. Collectively, our data demonstrates that during the EMT-associated evolution of resistance to EGFR inhibitors, Mig6 expression is highly correlated with EMT status and identifies the ratio of Mig6 mRNA to miR200 as a novel, reliable and cost-effective predictor of biologic and clinical response to TKIs. Citation Format: Eugene G. Izumchenko, Xiaofei Chang, Christina Michailidi, Luciane Kagohara, Rajani Ravi, Mariana Brait, Atul Bedi, David Sidransky. Relative expression of miR200 microRNAs and ERBB family negative regulator Mig6 in estimation of EMT status and erlotinib sensitivity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4382. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4382
Dereverberation sweet spot dilation with combined channel equalization and beamforming

Beamforming and channel equalizers can be formulated as optimal multichannel filter-and-sum operations with different objective criteria. It has been shown in previous studies that the combination of both concepts under a common framework can yield results that combine both the spatial robustness of beamforming and the dereverberation performance of channel equalization. This paper introduces an additional method for leveraging both approaches that exploits channel estimates in a wanted spatial location and derives robustness from knowledge of the array geometry alone. Experiments with an objective assessment of speech quality as a function of source perturbation reveal that the proposed technique can be viewed as a sweet spot dilator when compared with the MINT channel equalizer.
Interactive 3d heart chamber partitioning with a new marker-controlled watershed algorithm

Watershed transform has been widely used in medical image segmentation. One fundamental problem with it is over-segmentation. There are mainly two approaches to deal with this problem: hierarchical segmentation and segmentation with markers. The markers, either automatically extracted or interactively generated, are mostly used in the homotopy modification of morphological gradients prior to the watershed segmentation. Most of the current techniques does not incorporate domain knowledge of the data. In this paper, we propose a two-step marker-controlled watershed segmentation algorithm with simple domain knowledge incorporated: (1) Modified image foresting transform (IFT) algorithm is used to produce the initial segmentation; (2) The marker-controlled watershed region merging process is incorporated with domain knowledge. A min-cut criterion for region merging is proposed. This approach is effectively applied to the interactive 3D heart chamber partitioning.
Including Public Health Content in a Bioethics and Law Course: Vaccine Exemptions, Tort Liability, and Public Health

Incorporating public health content in a bioethics and law course can prompt rich discussions. This set of materials on mandatory vaccinations, nonmedical exemptions, and potential tort liability for nonvaccination explores the roles of public health law and tort law in advancing social goals and protecting individual rights and interests.
Lemurs groom-at-a-distance through vocal networks

Vocal exchanges are predicted to serve a social bonding function by allowing conspecifics to ‘groom-at-a-distance’. If vocalizations play a role in bonding, then they should be mainly exchanged between the socially bonded group members, and thus display high social selectivity that characterizes other affiliative behaviours such as grooming. However, whether or not vocal exchanges are driven by social bonds remains unclear. We investigated vocal selectivity by studying the relationships between contact-calling networks and grooming networks in multiple free-ranging groups of ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta. Lemur grooming interactions were socially selective and were directed towards only some of their group members. However, their vocal exchanges displayed even higher levels of social selectivity. Instead of exchanging vocalizations with each group member they groomed, lemurs reserved their vocal responses mainly for the group members whom they had frequently groomed. We tested this vocal selectivity through a playback experiment in which we presented lemurs' calls to their group. Lemurs responded only to the playbacks of the conspecifics whose calls they had responded to while free-ranging, confirming that selective vocal responses do not depend on proximal (i.e. visual or olfactory) cues from the vocalizing lemur. These robust relationships between grooming and contact-calling networks in lemurs, a species that lives in small groups where grooming frequency reflects bond strength, demonstrates that vocal exchanges indicate the strong social bonds between conspecifics. Contact calls may serve a bonding function in social species by allowing the strongly bonded group members to groom-at-a-distance when they are separated from each other.
Omega-3 fatty acids in critical illness

Supplementation of enteral nutritional formulas and parenteral nutrition lipid emulsions with omega-3 fatty acids is a recent area of research in patients with critical illness. It is hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation in critically ill patients, particularly those with sepsis and acute lung injury. The objective of this article is to review the data on supplementing omega-3 fatty acids during critical illness; enteral and parenteral supplemental nutrition are reviewed separately. The results of the research available to date are contradictory for both enteral and parenteral omega-3 fatty acid administration. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may influence the acute inflammatory response in critically ill patients, but more research is needed before definitive recommendations about the routine use of omega-3 fatty acids in caring for critically ill patients can be made.