cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generating with Discourse Combinatory Categorial Grammar

This article introduces Discourse Combinatory Categorial Grammar (DCCG) and shows how it can be used to generate multisentence paraphrases, flexibly incorporating both intra- and intersentential discourse connectives. DCCG employs a simple, practical approach to extending Combinatory Categorial Grammar (CCG) to encompass coverage of discourse-level phenomena, which furthermore makes it possible to generate clauses with multiple connectives and — in contrast to approaches based on Rhetorical Structure Theory — with rhetorical dependencies that do not form a tree. To do so, it borrows from Discourse Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammar (D-LTAG) the distinction between structural connectives and anaphoric discourse adverbials. Unlike D-LTAG, however, DCCG treats both sentential and discourse phenomena in the same grammar, rather than employing a separate discourse grammar. A key ingredient of this single-grammar approach is cue threading, a tightly constrained technique for extending the semantic scope of a discourse connective beyond the sentence. As DCCG requires no additions to the CCG formalism, it can be used to generate paraphrases of an entire dialogue turn using the OpenCCG realizer as-is, without the need to revise its architecture. In addition, from an interpretation perspective, a single grammar enables easier management of ambiguity across discourse and sentential levels using standard dynamic programming techniques, whereas D-LTAG has required a potentially complex interaction of sentential and discourse grammars to manage the same ambiguity. As a proof-of-concept, the article demonstrates how OpenCCG can be used with a DCCG to generate multi-sentence paraphrases that reproduce and extend those in the SPaRKy Restaurant Corpus.
Subpicosecond nonlinear absorption recovery dynamics of low-temperature-grown In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.52Al0.48As multiple quantum well p-i-n structures

Electroabsorption modulation is demonstrated in low-temperature-grown InGaAs/InAlAs multiple quantum wells exhibiting 600 fs nonlinear absorption recovery associated with anneal-stable Be-As defects. We show that the absorption recovery time, which depends on the active-defect density, can be controlled by adjusting the Be-doping concentration.
Improving the Patient Handoff Process in the Intensive Care Unit: Keys to Reducing Errors and Improving Outcomes

Patient handoffs are highly variable and error prone. They have been recognized as a major health care challenge. Patients in the intensive care unit are particularly vulnerable due to their complex clinical history and the critical nature of their condition. Given a general movement from traditional long call to shift schedules, the number of patient handoffs will likely continue to increase. Optimization of the handoff process has become even more critical to ensure patient safety. In this review, we reflect on the importance of the handoff process, review common errors, identify barriers and challenges, and propose different methods to improving the handoff process. The purpose of this article is to examine the overall scope of the problem; provide the most up-to-date evidence on the handoff process; and identify ways to perform handoffs in an accurate, safe, and efficient manner to provide high-quality patient care. The direction of future research is also proposed.
Sampling Methods used to determine the Prevalence of Mansonia perturbans during the Evening Peak Period.

Observations on the prevalence of Mansonia perturbans (Walk.) were made during the evening crepuscular period in a pastured lowland at Beaverdam Swamp, Greenbrier, Alabama, in the summer of 1957. A 15-minute exposure period below 0.9 ft.-c. was used as standard. Four methods of capture about man were utilized in an attempt to estimate attacking and non-attacking portions of the immediate mosquito population. In three of the methods captures of mosquitoes were made on the body and clothing of the collector by aspirator in conjunction with supplemental trapping devices including drop net, aerial net, and parked car to account for the resting and hovering remainder at the end of the period. In the fourth method intermittent aerial net sweeping was used. A drop net device was developed consisting of three 7-foot legs connected by spacing rods at the base and supporting a circular ¼-inch iron pipe frame 43 inches in diameter with a trigger mechanism inside and with a folding doth net 7 feet 4 inches long and 44 inches in diameter set outside and above. The net was hemmed to a 44-inch iron ring at the open end to provide an abrupt and even descent when the device was triggered. In all, 141 male and 5,637 female M. pertubans were recorded in the nine tests from June 4 to July 10, inclusive. The males were distributed as follows: intermittent aerial sweeping, 109 (77.0%); aspirating in open with 10 terminal aerial sweeps, 22 (16.0%); and aspirating under net plus drop net catch and parked car technique each with. 5(3.5%). The 5,637 females collected in the four methods were represented as follows: aspirating under net plus drop net catch, 2,422 (43.0%); parked car technique, 1,242 (22.0%); intermittent aerial sweeping, 1,041 (18.5%); and aspirating in open plus 10 terminal aerial sweeps, 932 (16.5%). The aspirator plus drop net and parked car technique recorded the highest numbers of females largely by providing combinable resting surfaces for mosquitoes deactivated in the proximity of the collector during the exposure period. The method employing 10 aerial sweeps at the end of the period gave the nearest estimate of the hovering remainder: however, the numbers varied greatly and appeared to reflect existing weather conditions more than population density. Intermittent net sweeping gave the best indication of males in flight and yielded useful background information on female flight activity when biting records were low. On moonlight nights approaching second quarter phase or full moon female mosquitoes freely entered the parked car. This was also true on cooler evenings in the alunar period.
Stimulation of prolactin secretion by metoclopramide in the rat.

SummaryMetoclopramide, a procainam-ide derivative known to raise serum prolac-tin (PRL) levels in intact humans, produced a significant increase in serum PRL when administered intraperitoneally to male rats. In contrast, direct application of metoclopramide to the isolated rat pituitary in a perifusion system did not increase prolactin release in vitro. In this system, dopamine inhibited prolactin secretion. Perifusion with both metoclopramide and dopamine blocked the inhibitory effect of dopamine on prolactin release. This suggests that metoclopramide promotes PRL secretion by antagonism of dopamine-mediated CNS-de-pendent mechanisms. Although metoclopramide had no effect on serum growth hormone in the intact rat, the drug antagonized the growth hormone-inhibiting action of dopamine in vitro.
Summarization of Analysis Techniques of Falvonoids

An overview about the analysis techniques of falvonoids. Spectrophtometric method,plate chromatography(TLC), high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC),high perfotmance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE),chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) for analyzing falvonoids were emphatically introduced.
Economic Growth, Futures Markets, and Management Issues

The four articles in this issue deal with a variety of topics including economic growth, development of futures markets, and management/worker issues. The first article, “Productivity Growth and In...
Single mother families and employment, race, and poverty in changing economic times

Using American Community Survey data from 2001, 2005, and 2010, this paper assesses the relationships between employment, race, and poverty for households headed by single women across different economic periods. While poverty rates rose dramatically among single-mother families between 2001 and 2010, surprisingly many racial disparities in poverty narrowed by the end of the decade. This was due to a greater increase in poverty among whites, although gaps between whites and Blacks, whites and Hispanics, and whites and American Indians remained quite large in 2010. All employment statuses were at higher risk of poverty in 2010 than 2001 and the risk increased most sharply for those employed part-time, the unemployed, and those not in the labor force. Given the concurrent increase in part-time employment and unemployment between 2000 and 2010, findings paint a bleak picture of the toll the last decade has had on the well being of single-mother families.
Preoperative Frailty Assessment and Outcomes at 6 Months or Later in Older Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review.

Background Frailty assessment may inform surgical risk and prognosis not captured by conventional surgical risk scores. Purpose To evaluate the evidence for various frailty instruments used to predict mortality, functional status, or major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in older adults undergoing cardiac surgical procedures. Data sources MEDLINE and EMBASE (without language restrictions), from their inception to 2 May 2016. Study selection Cohort studies evaluating the association between frailty and mortality or functional status at 6 months or later in patients aged 60 years or older undergoing major or minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures. Data extraction 2 reviewers independently extracted study data and assessed study quality. Data synthesis Mobility, disability, and nutrition were frequently assessed domains of frailty in both types of procedures. In patients undergoing major procedures (n = 18 388; 8 studies), 9 frailty instruments were evaluated. There was moderate-quality evidence to assess mobility or disability and very-low- to low-quality evidence for using a multicomponent instrument to predict mortality or MACCEs. No studies examined functional status. In patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures (n = 5177; 17 studies), 13 frailty instruments were evaluated. There was moderate- to high-quality evidence for assessing mobility to predict mortality or functional status. Several multicomponent instruments predicted mortality, functional status, or MACCEs, but the quality of evidence was low to moderate. Multicomponent instruments that measure different frailty domains seemed to outperform single-component ones. Limitation Heterogeneity of frailty assessment, limited generalizability of multicomponent frailty instruments, few validated frailty instruments, and potential publication bias. Conclusion Frailty status, assessed by mobility, disability, and nutritional status, may predict mortality at 6 months or later after major cardiac surgical procedures and functional decline after minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Primary funding source National Institute on Aging and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Silica hydride based phases for small molecule separations using automated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method development.

Abstract Silica hydride, or Type C silica, has been developed as an alternative chromatographic support material for liquid chromatography. There are various bonded phases available with this new support. For four such phases (Cholesterol, Bidentate C18, Diamond Hydride, and Diol), retention and selectivity behavior were investigated using liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. A set of small molecules from several chemical classes of interest, and varying in their physicochemical properties, were chromatographed under both reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase modes. To screen the columns, column switching was performed using an automated platform controlled by associated software and an additional valve. A typical scouting gradient was implemented. The separation conditions were not further optimized since the goal was simply to evaluate the variable retention behavior of the phases and selectivity under generic conditions. Further, retention of the analytes were evaluated under isocratic conditions with varying percentages of organic phase to visualize the potential for dual retention modes on the same column for certain analytes. Four analytes (fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and matrine) showed dual mode retention behavior with all four phases. Especially, fentanyl exhibited dramatic “U-shaped” retention profiles on Cholesterol and Bidentate C18 phases. Overall, changes in the retention order between reversed phase and aqueous normal phases emphasized the potential for altered selectivity. Results showed that the Cholesterol phase provided the highest retention for most analytes compared to the other phases. The more polar Diol phase still provided good retention in reversed phase mode. Retention and selectivity were all highly reproducible.
BIOS Protection Guidelines for Servers

Modern computers rely on fundamental system firmware, commonly known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), to facilitate the hardware initialization process and transition control to the hypervisor or operating system. Unauthorized modification of BIOS firmware by malicious software constitutes a significant threat because of the BIOS’s unique and privileged position within the PC architecture. The guidelines in this document include requirements on servers to mitigate the execution of malicious or corrupt BIOS code. They apply to BIOS firmware stored in the BIOS flash, including the BIOS code, the cryptographic keys that are part of the Root of Trust for Update, and static BIOS data. This guide is intended to provide server platform vendors with recommendations and guidelines for a secure BIOS update process.
Critical discussion on temperature dependence of BTI in planar and FinFET devices

The impact of temperature (T) on BTI time slope (n) and voltage acceleration (VAE) in MGHK planar and FinFETs are discussed here. Steeper time slopes and higher VAE are observed at lower 1/kT for thin gate oxide devices across different stress voltages. Dual time slope behavior in planar thick oxide PFETs is observed. Time slopes increase as sense delay is increased for lower 1/kT while a reverse trend is observed at higher 1/kT, mainly due to trapping behavior. A higher recovery ratio close to 100% is observed at higher 1/kT and is due to negligible degradation. The implications on the activation energy extraction are discussed.
Evolution of AlGaN deep level defects as a function of alloying and compositional grading and resultant impact on electrical conductivity

AlGaN:Si epilayers with uniform Al compositions of 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% were grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy along with a compositionally graded, unintentionally doped (UID) AlGaN epilayer with the Al composition varying linearly between 80% and 100%. The resistivity of AlGaN:Si with a uniform composition increased significantly for the Al content of 80% and greater, whereas the graded UID-AlGaN film exhibited resistivity equivalent to 60% and 70% AlGaN:Si owing to polarization-induced doping. Deep level defect studies of both types of AlGaN epilayers were performed to determine why the electronic properties of uniform-composition AlGaN:Si degraded with increased Al content, while the electronic properties of graded UID-AlGaN did not. The deep level density of uniform-composition AlGaN:Si increased monotonically and significantly with the Al mole fraction. Conversely, graded-UID AlGaN had the lowest deep level density of all the epilayers despite containing the highest Al composition. These f...
HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and measures of endothelial function, inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress.

Background HIV-infected patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Impaired endothelial function is an early risk factor for CVD in the general population. It is presumed that HIV infection is associated with impaired endothelial function, but results have been inconsistent. Objectives Our objectives were to determine the relationships between HIV infection, virologic suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART), in vivo measures of conduit artery and microvascular endothelial function, and circulating biomarkers of pathways associated with CVD. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of three prospectively enrolled groups from a single center: 28 were HIV-infected and virologically-suppressed on a regimen of FTC/TDF/EFV (HIV+ART+), 44 were HIV-infected but not on ART (HIV+ART-), and 39 were HIV-uninfected healthy volunteers (HIV-) matched to the HIV+ART- group for age, sex, smoking status, and height. None had diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, known CVD, or other pro-inflammatory condition. Flow mediated dilation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NTGMD), reactive hyperemia velocity time integral (RHVTI), and FMD/RHVTI of the brachial artery were measured, as well as circulating biomarkers of systemic inflammation, metabolism, oxidative stress, and endothelial activation. Results No significant differences were found amongst the three groups in FMD (P = 0.46), NTGMD (P = 0.42), RHVTI (P = 0.17), and FMD/RHVTI (P = 0.22) in unadjusted comparisons. Adjusted ANOVA models which included brachial artery diameter, demographics, and conventional CVD risk factors did not appreciably change these findings. In pairwise comparisons, the HIV+ART- group had significantly higher soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II, soluble CD163, β-2 microglobulin, interferon-γ- induced protein-10, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 compared to the other two groups (all p<0.05). Correlates of endothelial function differed between study groups. Conclusion Although untreated HIV infection was associated with elevated levels of several biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation, we were unable to demonstrate differences in measures of conduit artery and microvascular endothelial function in this study population.
A research synthesis of magnet school effect on student outcomes: Beyond descriptive studies

Characterized by thematic instructional programs and voluntary enrollment, magnet schools are often the result of a neighborhood schooling effort to increase racial integration and academic achieve...
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency due to a Hypercoagulable State

To illustrate a case of primary adrenal insufficiency caused secondarily to eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, case report and review of the literature are used. An example of primary adrenal hemorrhage due to a hypercoagulable state with a thorough discussion and review of the literature. Although rare a hypercoagulable state can lead to bilateral adrenal hemorrhages and subsequent primary adrenal insufficiency. Keeping this in mind can lead to prompter diagnosis and treatment. J Med Cases. 2018;9(7):233-235 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3100w
Drought as a factor in the Jamestown colony, 1607–1612

Landscape reconstructions are now common in historical archaeology but climatic reconstructions are still infrequent. Period accounts of the Jamestown colony’s first decade indicate considerable stress that has begged satisfactory explanation. A baldcypress tree-ring study was initiated as an independent means of climatic reconstruction in the lower Chesapeake region. The findings clearly document severe drought during the first years of the Jamestown colony. The implications of these findings enrich and clarify the first-person accounts of stress due to famine, poor water quality, intercultural hostility, and extreme mortality. The results also demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary studies in historical archaeology and should encourage more routine consideration of climate as a significant factor in the historical events of the United States.
Large-area single-crystal sheets of borophene on Cu(111) surfaces.

Borophene, a theoretically proposed two-dimensional (2D) boron allotrope1–3, has attracted much attention4,5 as a candidate material platform for high-speed, transparent and flexible electronics6–9. It was recently synthesized, on Ag(111) substrates10,11, and studied by tunnelling and electron spectroscopy12. However, the exact crystal structure is still controversial, the nanometre-size single-crystal domains produced so far are too small for device fabrication and the structural tunability via substrate-dependent epitaxy is yet to be proven. We report on the synthesis of borophene monitored in situ by low-energy electron microscopy, diffraction and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and modelled by ab initio theory. We resolved the crystal structure and phase diagram of borophene on Ag(111), but found that the domains remain nanoscale for all growth conditions. However, by growing borophene on Cu(111) surfaces, we obtained large single-crystal domains, up to 100 μm2 in size. The crystal structure is a novel triangular network with a concentration of hexagonal vacancies of η = 1/5. Our experimental data, together with first principles calculations, indicate charge-transfer coupling to the substrate without significant covalent bonding. Our work sets the stage for fabricating borophene-based devices and substantiates the idea of borophene as a model for development of artificial 2D materials. Low-energy electron microscopy enables controlled synthesis and characterization of (large) single-crystal borophene on metal substrates.
Reconceptualizing Balance: Navigation, Legitimacy and Institutional Realities

This paper leverages the concepts of structure and agency (Structuration Theory) within the greater framework of Institutional Theory in an attempt to broaden the balance discourse cross-culturally...
Brain Serotonin and Energy Homeostasis

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) in the brain regulates energy balance through different mechanisms. Identification and cloning of 5-HT receptors, 5-HT pharmacology, and genetic mouse models with 5-HT-receptor mutations have facilitated discoveries regarding complex effects of brain 5-HT signals on feeding behavior and body weight balance. More importantly, some of 5-HT analogues are used clinically to treat obesity and eating disorders. In this chapter we outlined (1) the roles of 5-HT receptors in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance, (2) 5-HT–responsive neurocircuits that are relevant for feeding and body weight control, and (3) drugs targeting 5-HT receptors for the treatment of obesity.
Towards a data-driven framework for realistic self-organized virtual humans: coordinated head and eye movements

Driven by significant investments from the gaming, film, advertising, and customer service industries among others, efforts across many different fields are converging to create realistic representations of humans that look like (computer graphics), sound like (natural language generation), move like (motion capture), and reason like (artificial intelligence) real humans. The ultimate goal of this work is to push the boundaries even further by exploring the development of realistic self-organized virtual humans that are capable of demonstrating coordinated behaviors across different modalities. Eye movements, for example, may be accompanied by changes in facial expression, head orientation, posture, gait properties, or speech. Traditionally however, these modalities are captured and modeled separately and this disconnect contributes to the well-known uncanny valley phenomenon. We focus initially on facial modalities, in particular, coordinated eye and head movements (and eventually facial expressions), but our proposed data-driven framework will be able to accommodate other modalities as well. transfer [Laine et al. 2017]. Despite these advances, the resulting renderings or animations are often still distinguishable from a real human, sometimes in unsettling ways - the so called uncanny valley phenomenon [Mori et al. 2012]. We argue that the traditional approach of capturing and modeling various human modalities separately contributes this effect. In this work, we focus on capturing, transferring, and generating realistic coordinated facial modalities (eye movements, head movements, and eventually facial expressions). We envision a flexible framework that can be extended to accommodate other modalities as well.
Mulch effects on crown growth of five southwestern shrub species.

Abstract Effects of pine bark mulch on crown growth of cliffrose (Cowania mexicana var. stansburiana Torr.), curlleaf mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.), desert olive (Forestiera neomexicana G...
Trends and predictors of biomedical research quality, 1990–2015: a meta-research study

Objective To measure the frequency of adequate methods, inadequate methods and poor reporting in published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and test potential factors associated with adequacy of methods and reporting. Design Retrospective analysis of RCTs included in Cochrane reviews. Time series describes the proportion of RCTs using adequate methods, inadequate methods and poor reporting. A multinomial logit model tests potential factors associated with methods and reporting, including funding source, first author affiliation, clinical trial registration status, study novelty, team characteristics, technology and geography. Data Risk of bias assessments for random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, incomplete outcome data and selective reporting, for each RCT, were mapped to bibliometric and funding data. Outcomes Risk of bias on six methodological dimensions and RCT-level overall assessment of adequate methods, inadequate methods or poor reporting. Results This study analysed 20 571 RCTs. 5.7% of RCTs used adequate methods (N=1173). 59.3% used inadequate methods (N=12 190) and 35.0% were poorly reported (N=7208). The proportion of poorly reported RCTs decreased from 42.5% in 1990 to 30.2% in 2015. The proportion of RCTs using adequate methods increased from 2.6% in 1990 to 10.3% in 2015. The proportion of RCTs using inadequate methods increased from 54.9% in 1990 to 59.5% in 2015. Industry funding, top pharmaceutical company affiliation, trial registration, larger authorship teams, international teams and drug trials were associated with a greater likelihood of using adequate methods. National Institutes of Health funding and university prestige were not. Conclusion Even though reporting has improved since 1990, the proportion of RCTs using inadequate methods is high (59.3%) and increasing, potentially slowing progress and contributing to the reproducibility crisis. Stronger incentives for the use of adequate methods are needed.
Born this way? A review of neurobiological and environmental evidence for the etiology of psychopathy.

Across a significant body of research, psychopathy has often been conceptualized as a biologically based malady. In this research, genetic and neurobiological differences have been conceptualized to underlie psychopathy, while affected individuals’ life experiences only influence expressed psychopathic features and their severity. Psychopathy research has largely ignored developmental evidence demonstrating significant influences of environment on both biological and behavioral processes, resulting in several prominent criticisms (Edens & Vincent, 2008; Loeber, Byrd, & Farrington, 2015). The current review was conducted with two main aims: (a) to collect and consider etiological evidence from the extant body of research on genetic and neurobiological factors in psychopathy; and (b) to evaluate findings from genetic, neurotransmitter, brain structure, and brain function studies in the context of relevant evidence from developmental research. Examples from research on adversity and traumatic stress, a common correlate of psychopathy, were used to highlight current research gaps and future directions to aid in the integration of developmental and neurobiological research agendas. While some promising evidence exists regarding possible underlying neurobiological processes of psychopathic traits, this evidence is insufficient to suggest a largely biological etiology for the disorder. Further, information from developmental and epigenetic research may suggest complex, multidimensional trajectories for individuals experiencing psychopathy. Based on these observations, the authors make several recommendations for future research, as well as for current clinical application and practice.
Piriform cortex provides a dominant gamma LFP oscillation in the anterior limbic system

Oscillations in the local field potential (LFP) are widespread throughout the rodent limbic system, including in structures such as the orbitofrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Synchrony between LFPs across these structures, as seen during specific behavioral events, is often interpreted as evidence of a functional interaction. However, the source of these oscillations is often tacitly assumed to be local, leading to a potential misattribution of function. Using in vivo simultaneous multisite recordings in freely moving male rats (n = 7) we demonstrate that gamma-band LFP oscillations (45-90 Hz) in multiple anterior limbic structures are highly synchronous not only with each other, but also with those in piriform cortex. Phase reversals across the piriform cortex cell layer and susceptibility to nasal occlusion indicate that piriform cortex is the source of these common gamma oscillations. Thus, gamma-band LFP oscillations seen in brain regions adjacent to the piriform cortex are likely not generated locally, but are instead volume conducted from the piriform cortex. This emerging view of gamma oscillations in anterior limbic circuits highlights the importance of the common piriform cortex input as a major influence and introduces caveats in the interpretation of locally recorded LFPs.
Human tails: Interdisciplinary treatment for dorsal cutaneous appendages and associated spectrum of spinal dysraphism

Abstract The dorsal cutaneous appendage, or human tail, is a rare congenital anomaly that can span a broad spectrum of tissue and spinal involvement. Associated occult spinal anomalies may not be limited to the lumbar region and can occur at any point along the length of the spinal column. Five cases of human tails are presented with varying degrees of soft tissue anomalies, spinal dysraphism, and neurologic symptoms. Patients range in age from newborn to 22 years. The spectrum of pathology includes those isolated to skin and subcutaneous tissue as well as underlying spinal dysraphism and tethered cord. Surgical treatment ranged from simple tail excisions to microsurgical debulking and spinal cord detethering. The clinical presentation of a lumbosacral appendage should prompt the workup for underlying spinal anomalies at all levels of the spinal cord. Without treatment, the neurologic sequelae of occult spinal dysraphism can be progressive. With proper preoperative evaluation and interdisciplinary treatment, the soft tissue anomaly as well as the spinal dysraphism can be surgically treated to restore function or prevent further neurologic compromise.
Supply, operational, and market risk reduction opportunities: Managing risk at a cellulosic biorefinery

Abstract This paper evaluates supply, operational- and market-risk reduction opportunities for the case where management at a cellulosic biorefinery adopts a supply chain design based on a distributed depot concept. In contrast to the conventional feedstock-supply system, a supply chain based on a network of depots providing feedstock to a biorefinery employs geographically distributed depots where feedstock undergoes preprocessing into densified pellets, thus allowing feedstock to be transported a greater distance. This study used simulation methods to show that distributed depots may work as a risk absorber for a cellulosic biorefinery. Compared to a base case, a distributed depot supply system reduced the operational and market risk by 17.5% and 5%, respectively. Moreover, when contract management and alternatives markets were considered, a reduction of supply, operational, and market risk, by approximately 48%, 69%, and 35%, respectively, were observed. The expected return on investment (ROI) increased from −4% to 33%. However, this positive ROI largely depends on assuming commoditization and the creation of intermediate markets for alternative, merchandisable products.
Coupling in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) to study the evolution of zinc morphology during electrodeposition within an imidazolium based ionic liquid electrolyte

Abstract Zinc (Zn) is a low-cost material that is widely used in plating and is under consideration as a reversible deposit for a range of energy storage applications. In recent years, researchers have demonstrated that the Zn morphology can be tuned by electrodepositing from an ionic liquid often leading to morphologies that improve cyclability. However, the underlying mechanisms that control deposition and morphology are not well understood. In this work, we evaluate the evolution of zinc morphology as a function of the deposition thickness using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), in situ ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) and ex situ electron microscopy. Imaging reveals two dominant features: a hexagonal plate-like morphology associated with individual Zn crystals and larger domains in which the individual crystals appear co-aligned. Analysis of the key features observed by USAXS indicates that the growth of the domain size is non-linear with the charge passed and that at least some of this non-linearity can be attributed to increased coalescence of the individual plates as the deposit thickens. A more detailed analysis suggests that there is little change in the aspect ratio of the individual Zn crystals – this is consistent with a growth mechanism in which previously deposited plates grow in diameter as new plates nucleate on their surface and then coalesce into one crystal.
The effect of baclofen on objective and subjective sleep measures in a model of transient insomnia.

Abstract Study objectives Insomnia is a common medical complaint. Current pharmacologic treatments have modest efficacy and numerous side effects. Baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)b receptor agonist used to treat spasticity in various medical conditions. Several studies noted that baclofen, when used to treat sleep related disorders, resulted in improvement in sleep parameters. Measures of insomnia, however, were not assessed in those studies. To date, baclofen has not been assessed for efficacy in the treatment of insomnia. Methods We randomized 20 healthy subjects to baclofen or placebo in a cross over design. All subjects underwent two polysomnograms (PSG) assessing sleep parameters. Baclofen or placebo was given 90 min prior to lights out in random order for each subject. Lights out occurred two hours earlier than the subject's median habitual bedtime. Results Baclofen resulted in significantly less objective wake after sleep onset and stage 1 sleep, and significantly increased total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, and stage 3/4 sleep. There was no effect on sleep onset latency (SOL). Self-report variables indicated significantly less subjective awakenings from sleep and increased subjective sleep quality. There was no effect on subjective TST or subjective SOL. Conclusions This study showed that baclofen was superior to placebo with regard to several objective and subjective measures used to assess sleep quality. These data support the notion that baclofen shows promise as an effective hypnotic drug.
Implementation of a Brief Screening Tool to Identify Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors.

Abstract Background Innovation in health care delivery is needed to improve care for cancer survivors. We report our experience with adapting screening questions from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline to evaluate the needs of breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods We adapted the NCCN-recommended screening questions into a plain language, self-administered 1-page intake questionnaire. The tool was administered to a convenience sample of female breast cancer survivors at follow-up oncology and primary care visits. Domains included symptoms, lifestyle concerns, and financial issues. Frequency of concerns was assessed as “never,” “rarely,” “sometimes,” “very frequently,” and “always.” We evaluated feasibility and utility of administration and the prevalence and frequency of patient-reported concerns. Results The questionnaire was highly acceptable to patients and enhanced visits for clinicians. Clinicians reported that it led to discussion of issues that may not otherwise be addressed in the visit and did not find it burdensome. The most commonly endorsed patient concerns were desire to improve fitness or nutrition, worry about cancer recurrence, and insomnia. A majority also reported feeling anxiety and aches or pains in joints or extremities. Several issues known to be underreported in clinic visits were frequently endorsed, included sexual dissatisfaction and memory impairments. Clinicians suggested incorporating the tool into the electronic health record to increase utility and awareness. Conclusion Screening for individual needs among breast cancer survivors is feasible, efficient, and may identify prevalent issues that otherwise can be missed in routine survivorship care.
Agreement between different linear-combination modelling algorithms for short-TE proton spectra

Purpose: Short-TE proton MRS is used to study metabolism in the human brain. Common analysis methods model the data as linear combination of metabolite basis spectra. This large-scale multi-site study compares the levels of the four major metabolite complexes in short-TE spectra estimated by three linear-combination modelling (LCM) algorithms. Methods: 277 short-TE spectra from a recent multi-site study were pre-processed with the Osprey software. The resulting spectra were modelled with Osprey, Tarquin and LCModel, using the same three vendor-specific basis sets (GE, Philips, and Siemens) for each algorithm. Levels of total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA), total choline (tCho), myo-inositol (mI), and glutamate+glutamine (Glx) were quantified with respect to total creatine (tCr). Results: Group means and CVs of metabolite estimates agreed well for tNAA and tCho across vendors and algorithms, but substantially less so for Glx and mI, with mI systematically estimated lower by Tarquin. The cohort mean correlation coefficient for all pairs of LCM algorithms across all datasets and metabolites was R2=0.39, indicating generally only moderate agreement of individual metabolite estimates between algorithms. There was a significant correlation between local baseline amplitude and metabolite estimates (cohort mean R2=0.10. Conclusion: While mean estimates of major metabolite complexes broadly agree between linear-combination modelling algorithms at group level, correlations between algorithms are only weak-to-moderate, despite standardized pre-processing, a large sample of young, healthy and cooperative subjects, and high spectral quality. These findings raise concerns about the comparability of MRS studies, which typically use one LCM software and much smaller sample sizes.
Acute Cerebrovascular Events With COVID-19 Infection.

Background and Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events, including stroke. However, characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19...
Ars Erotica : Sex and Somaesthetics in the Classical Arts of Love

The term ars erotica refers to the styles and techniques of lovemaking with the honorific title of art. But in what sense are these practices artistic and how do they contribute to the aesthetics and ethics of self-cultivation in the art of living? In this book, Richard Shusterman offers a critical, comparative analysis of the erotic theories proposed by the most influential premodern cultural traditions that shaped our contemporary world. Beginning with ancient Greece, whose god of desiring love gave eroticism its name, Shusterman examines the Judaeo-Christian biblical tradition and the classical erotic theories of Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Japanese cultures, before concluding with medieval and Renaissance Europe. His exploration of their errors and insights shows how we could improve the quality of life and love today. By using the engine of eros to cultivate qualities of sensitivity, grace, skill, and self-mastery, we can reimagine a richer, more positive vision of sex education.
Monitored Anesthesia Care Versus General Anesthesia as the Primary Anesthetic for Ankle Amputations.

Objectives The authors hypothesized that monitored anesthesia care (MAC)—either by local sedation or regional anesthesia (RA)—compared with general anesthesia (GA), would be associated with lower odds of significant 30-day postoperative complications and mortality in patients undergoing an ankle amputation. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Inpatient. Participants The authors used data from patients who underwent ankle amputation from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry. Intervention RA as primary anesthetic. Measurements and Main Results A multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of primary anesthesia type with the outcomes. The regression analysis included all covariates to test the association of the primary exposure variable (anesthesia type) with each outcome of interest. The odds ratio (OR), with associated 95% confidence interval (CI), was reported for each covariate. There were a total of 3,368 patients undergoing guillotine amputation through the tibia/fibula (n = 2,935) or ankle disarticulation (n = 433). Among these patients, 15.5% (n = 491) received MAC as their primary anesthetic. Among all patients, 11.4% (n = 363) experienced a significant postoperative complication. On multivariate logistic regression, MAC was found to decrease odds of postoperative complications (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40-0.82, p = 0.002), but not mortality (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.87-1.84, p = 0.22). Conclusion This study showed that MAC was associated with improved outcomes, as opposed to GA, as the primary anesthetic in ankle amputations.
High-Throughput Trace-Level Suspect Screening for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Environmental Waters by Peak-Focusing Online Solid Phase Extraction and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) occur widely in environmental waters. PFAS risk assessment necessitates the identification of unanticipated PFASs at trace levels and therefore requires ...
Analysis of signal-to-noise ratio of angle of polarization and degree of polarization

Recent advancements in nanofabrication technology has led to commercialization of single-chip polarization and color-polarization imaging sensors in the visible spectrum. Novel applications have arisen with the emergence of these sensors leading to questions about noise in the reconstructed polarization images. In this paper, we provide theoretical analysis for the input and output referred noise for the angle and degree of linear polarization information. We validated our theoretical model with experimental data collected from a division of focal plane polarization sensor. Our data indicates that the noise in the angle of polarization images depends on both incident light intensity and degree of linear polarization and is independent of the incident angle of polarization. However, noise in degree of linear polarization images depends on all three parameters: incident light intensity, angle and degree of linear polarization. This theoretical model can help guide the development of imaging setups to record optimal polarization information.
The Effect of Literacy-Adapted Psychosocial Treatments on Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Pain Conceptualization

Abstract This is a secondary data analysis of a subgroup of participants who received the Learning About My Pain (LAMP) intervention (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01967342). We examined the effects of LAMP on pre-to-post changes in biomedical and biopsychosocial pain conceptualization and whether those changes in pain conceptualization were associated with physical and psychological functioning. Participants were randomized into three conditions: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Pain Psychoeducation (EDU), or Usual Medical Care (UC). Results based on 225 participants who completed the Pain Concepts Questionnaire (PCQ) showed a pre-to-post reduction in biomedical pain conceptualization (BM), an increase in biopsychosocial pain conceptualization (BPS), and an increase in BPS/BM ratio for CBT and EDU but not UC. There were no differences between CBT and EDU in post-treatment PCQ scores. Compared to those with lower BM pain beliefs scores at post-treatment, participants endorsing higher BM pain beliefs scores reported greater pain intensity and greater pain interference. Furthermore, higher BM pain beliefs scores at post-treatment and lower BPS/BM ratio were associated with higher levels of pain catastrophizing. Overall, results of this study suggest the need for targeting specific pain beliefs that influence pain-related outcomes. Perspective This article presents the potential benefits of providing literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments to expand pain conceptualization beyond a biomedical-only understanding and toward a biopsychosocial conceptualization of the experience of pain. Furthermore, the association of changes in pain conceptualization and pain-related functioning argues for its potential clinical relevance.
Salt precipitation during geological sequestration of supercritical CO2 in saline aquifers: A pore-scale experimental investigation

Abstract Salt deposition has been encountered in near-wellbore regions of saline reservoirs during field-scale carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. To explain this phenomenon, pore-scale studies, mostly in the form of micromodel visualizations, have been previously implemented. However, there is limited knowledge about salt deposition and inherent dynamics in reservoir rocks. This study investigates and characterizes the pore-scale evolution of salt precipitation in natural sandstone and carbonate rocks at conditions prevalent in deep saline aquifers. Using x-ray micro-tomography imaging techniques, three evolution stages – advection-dominated, transition, and diffusion-dominated evaporative drying – are delineated. We provide direct evidence for a new mechanism that occurs during the transition from advection to diffusion-limited flow called reverse solute diffusion. This is typified by upward solute diffusion from regions of lower concentrations within the aqueous phase to the highly concentrated evaporating front. Salt deposits eventually form due to solute accumulation at the brine/supercritical CO2 interface. The time and extent of precipitation are influenced by CO2 injection rate and morphological heterogeneity. Specifically, a higher injection rate increases the rapidity of precipitation but causes lower salt deposition. Furthermore, less precipitates form as systems become more homogeneous for the same injection rate. These relationships directly correlate with porosity reduction, leading to a gradual but higher degree of pore plugging in heterogeneous systems.