cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning general optical flow subspaces for egomotion estimation and detection of motion anomalies

This paper deals with estimation of dense optical flow and ego-motion in a generalized imaging system by exploiting probabilistic linear subspace constraints on the flow. We deal with the extended motion of the imaging system through an environment that we assume to have some degree of statistical regularity. For example, in autonomous ground vehicles the structure of the environment around the vehicle is far from arbitrary, and the depth at each pixel is often approximately constant. The subspace constraints hold not only for perspective cameras, but in fact for a very general class of imaging systems, including catadioptric and multiple-view systems. Using minimal assumptions about the imaging system, we learn a probabilistic subspace constraint that captures the statistical regularity of the scene geometry relative to an imaging system. We propose an extension to probabilistic PCA (Tipping and Bishop, 1999) as a way to robustly learn this subspace from recorded imagery, and demonstrate its use in conjunction with a sparse optical flow algorithm. To deal with the sparseness of the input flow, we use a generative model to estimate the subspace using only the observed flow measurements. Additionally, to identify and cope with image regions that violate subspace constraints, such as moving objects, objects that violate the depth regularity, or gross flow estimation errors, we employ a per-pixel Gaussian mixture outlier process. We demonstrate results of finding the optical flow subspaces and employing them to estimate dense flow and to recover camera motion for a variety of imaging systems in several different environments.
Molecular Adaptations of Aphid Biotypes in Overcoming Host-Plant Resistance

Host-plant resistance (HPR) is a valuable tactic to control pests of agronomic and horticultural crops. Insects are often the most frequent targets of HPR, especially aphids. However, aphids are prone to adapt and overcome this natural pest resistance, which threatens the efficacy, durability, and sustainability of this strategy. In this short review, we focus on recent genetic and molecular biology research that has advanced our mechanistic understanding of aphid biotype evolution with respect to HPR. We highlight studies that have utilized new population genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic techniques. We also draw inferences from studies on the evolution of aphid biotype adaptation on different host plants and discuss how these studies can provide a framework to study aphid biotypes. While research shows the existence of multiple, possible routes for overcoming HPR defenses, the exact mechanism(s) remains unclear. An interdisciplinary approach involving multiple fields, including omics research (population and functional genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, etc.), endosymbiont biology, as well as the ecological interactions between HPR crops and the aphid pests that they target, is needed.
Marijuana Use in HIV-Positive and AIDS Patients

Abstract While there is a great deal of anecdotal reporting regarding the medical use of marijuana in HIV-positive patients, there have been few systematic surveys performed. The prevalence of medical use of marijuana in HIV-positive and AIDS patients was assessed by an anonymous mail survey of 1970 attendees of HIV clinics in the San Francisco, Oakland, and South Sacramento medical centers of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP) in California. Of 442 re-sponders (22.4% response rate), 147 (33.3%) reported current use of marijuana for medical purposes. Among current users, the most common reasons for using cannabis were: to feel better mentally/reduce stress (79%), improve appetite/gain weight (67%) and decrease nausea (66%). Patterns of use were heterogeneous, with daily use of cannabis reported by 34% of current users. Nearly half of participants reported buyers' clubs as a source for obtaining cannabis, a finding of particular interest because of recent successful government efforts in cl...
Hepatic artery infusion pump in the treatment of liver metastases

Background Hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) use in chemotherapy started in the 1960s as a way to treat liver metastases that were not amendable to locoregional therapy or surgical resection. Because of complications and limited survival benefit, the use of HAIPs fell out of favor. A resurgence has occurred in the use of these pumps, but limited information is available in the literature guiding nursing care of these patients. Objectives The purpose of this study was to review the literature regarding the use, procedures, and nursing care of patients with HAIPs. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted to obtain a comprehensive range of publications. Findings Database searching resulted in 511 titles and abstracts. After eliminating duplicates and nonrelevant titles, 65 remained and were read in full. Of these, 20 were excluded because they did not fit the inclusion criteria.
Experimental Study of Automation to Support Time-Critical Replanning Decisions

Abstract : An experimental study was performed on degrees of automation to support time-critical decision-making in complex environments, specifically the in-flight replanning task. Fourteen subjects interacted with a part-task military combat simulation of the in-flight replanning task. Subjects modified a two-dimensional route through waypoint manipulations on a computer monitor, in response to a sudden change in the simulated flight environment. The study focused on determining the relationships between automation assistance, time pressures, and information elements as inputs, and the resulting decision performance as outputs. In addition to a baseline case without automation (None), subjects received one of three types of route-assistance automation, which provided a static route suggestion in response to the environmental change. The route-assistance automation either reduced hazard exposure (Hazard), ensured the satisfaction of fuel and time-on-target constraints (Constraint), or combined the two (Full). The experiment exposed subjects to four time-pressured conditions 20, 28, 40, and 55 seconds and to a condition without time pressure.
Mineralization of Basalts in the CO2–H2O–SO2–O2 System

Sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) containing minor amounts of co-contaminants in geologic formations was investigated in the laboratory through the use of high pressure static experiments. Five different basalt samples were immersed in water equilibrated with supercritical CO2 containing 1 wt % sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 1 wt % oxygen (O2) at reservoir conditions (∼ 100 bar, 90 °C) for 48 and 98 days. Gypsum (CaSO4) was a common precipitate, occurred early as elongated blades with striations, and served as substrates for other mineral products. In addition to gypsum, bimodal pulses of water released during dehydroxylation were key indicators, along with X-ray diffraction, for verifying the presence of jarosite-alunite group minerals. Well-developed pseudocubic jarosite crystals formed surface coatings, and in some instances, mixtures of natrojarosite and natroalunite aggregated into spherically shaped structures measuring 100 μm in diameter. Reaction products were also characterized using infrared spectroscopy, which indicated OH and Fe-O stretching modes. The presences of jarosite-alunite group minerals were found in the lower wavenumber region from 700 to 400 cm(-1). A strong preferential incorporation of Fe(III) into natrojarosite was attributed to the oxidation potential of O2. Evidence of CO2 was detected during thermal decomposition of precipitates, suggesting the onset of mineral carbonation.
Cross-sectional analysis of per capita supply of doctors of chiropractic and opioid use in younger Medicare beneficiaries

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the per-capita supply of doctors of chiropractic (DCs) or Medicare spending on chiropractic care was associated with opioid use among younger, disabled Medicare beneficiaries.
Are calcium antagonists safe

Recent studies have generated a storm of controversy. A member of the NIH committee on calcium-channel blockers gives his perspective.
Firewalling Scenic Routes: Preventing Data Exfiltration via Political and Geographic Routing Policies

In this paper we describe a system that allows the real time creation of firewall rules in response to geographic and political changes in the control-plane. This allows an organization to mitigate data exfiltration threats by analyzing Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) updates and blocking packets from being routed through problematic jurisdictions. By inspecting the autonomous system paths and referencing external data sources about the autonomous systems, a BGP participant can infer the countries that traffic to a particular destination address will traverse. Based on this information, an organization can then define constraints on its egress traffic to prevent sensitive data from being sent via an untrusted region. In light of the many route leaks and BGP hijacks that occur today, this offers a new option to organizations willing to accept reduced availability over the risk to confidentiality. Similar to firewalls that allow organizations to block traffic originating from specific countries, our approach allows blocking outbound traffic from transiting specific jurisdictions. To illustrate the efficacy of this approach, we provide an analysis of paths to various financial services IP addresses over the course of a month from a single BGP vantage point that quantifies the frequency of path alterations resulting in the traversal of new countries. We conclude with an argument for the utility of country-based egress policies that do not require the cooperation of upstream providers.
Plume retrievals and transitioning to a higher altitude platform using the hyperspectral thermal emission spectrometer (HyTES)(Conference Presentation)

The Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) is an airborne sensor capable of detecting trace gas emissions from sources on the ground. These sources may be a product of some process such as generating electricity or they could be unintentional leaks from pipelines or gas storage facilities. Emissions such as methane (CH4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) are within its demonstrated capability. It typically flies low to the ground (altitude of 1000 to 1200m) in a Twin Otter Aircraft and captures a wide swath nearly 1km wide. Its spatial resolution is a few meters which is sharp enough to capture roof tops, large trucks, pipelines and other relevant features. It doesn’t rely on the sun for observations so could fly both nighttime and daytime campaigns. Recently, HyTES flew over the Southern California Gas leak in Porter Ranch, California. Its capability was in full display with large, overflowing plumes emanating from numerous sources. We will discuss the instrument, calibration techniques, lessons learned and plume retrievals.
Praxisbeispiel der Stadt Köln: Teilzeitführung als Instrument zur Förderung der Gendergerechtigkeit

Die Stadt Koln als kommunale Arbeitgeberin engagiert sich seit Jahren mit einer konsequenten Frauenforderung fur mehr Frauen in Fuhrung und in Folge fur mehr Fuhren in Teilzeit. Im Fokus steht weniger das klassische Job‐Sharing, sondern – vor dem Hintergrund der Forderung egalitarer Partnerschaften und der existenziellen Sicherung einschlieslich Alterssicherung fur Frauen – eine vollzeitnahe Beschaftigung. Der Beitrag zeigt die strategischen Ansatze auf.
The Management of Sexuality, Intimacy, and Menopause Symptoms (SIMS) After Prophylactic Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: How to Maintain Sexual Health in "Previvors"

"Previvors", or "pre-survivors", are individuals who do not have cancer but have a genetic predisposition to cancer. One such example is women with BRCA mutations. As a result of their predisposition to cancer, many will undergo a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy when they are premenopausal. For premenopausal women, the removal of ovaries results in the depletion of estrogen, immediate menopause, and, in many cases, resultant Sexuality, Intimacy, and Menopausal Symptoms (SIMS). Furthermore, they may undergo changes in body image. SIMS are underreported by patients and underdiagnosed by practitioners. At the time of diagnosis or at preoperative visits, women should be informed of the potential physiologic, hormonal, and psychosocial effects of their risk-reducing surgery. There are many modalities for management of these symptoms. Successful treatment requires the provider's awareness of the problem, ability to identify it, and willingness to treat it.
Echocardiogram localization using barycentric interpolation

Medical ultrasound is a ubiquitous, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive technology used for a wide array of diagnostic tasks. In the case of 2D handheld ultrasound, the positioning of the probe has a direct impact on the diagnostic relevance of the acquired images; shifts of as little as a few millimeters can render the images unusable. We present a method which interpolates the predictions of a deep convolutional neural network classifier to estimate the viewpoint of the imaging probe directly from the visual data. For the discrete version of echocardiogram view classification, our method outperforms recent approaches on real-world data.
No evidential value in samples of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies of cognition and working memory in healthy populations.

Abstract A substantial number of studies have been published over the last decade, claiming that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can influence performance on cognitive tasks. However, there is some skepticism regarding the efficacy of tDCS, and evidence from meta-analyses are mixed. One major weakness of these meta-analyses is that they only examine outcomes in published studies. Given biases towards publishing positive results in the scientific literature, there may be a substantial “file-drawer” of unpublished negative results in the tDCS literature. Furthermore, multiple researcher degrees of freedom can also inflate published p -values. Recently, Simonsohn, Nelson and Simmons (2014) created a novel meta-analytic tool that examines the distribution of significant p -values in a literature, and compares it to expected distributions with different effect sizes. Using this tool, one can assess whether the selected studies have evidential value. Therefore, we examined a random selection of studies that used tDCS to alter performance on cognitive tasks, and tDCS studies on working memory in a recently published meta-analysis (Mancuso et al., 2016). Using a p-curve analysis, we found no evidence that the tDCS studies had evidential value (33% power or greater), with the estimate of statistical power of these studies being approximately 14% for the cognitive studies, and 5% (what would be expected from randomly generated data) for the working memory studies. It is likely that previous tDCS studies are substantially underpowered, and we provide suggestions for future research to increase the evidential value of future tDCS studies.
Effects of nicotine self-administration on incentive salience in male Sprague Dawley rats

Prolonged use of nicotine appears to enhance incentive salience, a motivational-cognitive process that transforms an otherwise neutral stimulus into a “wanted” stimulus. It has been suggested that nicotinic enhancement of incentive salience contributes to the potential of relapse in individuals with tobacco addiction. However, there are two main limitations of prior research that caution this claim: (a) the use of passive experimentally delivered nicotine and (b) the use of sign-tracking as an index of incentive salience, without acknowledging the competing nature of goal- and sign-tracking responses. To determine whether nicotinic enhancement of incentive salience attributed to non-nicotinic stimuli occurs when rats self-administer nicotine, and whether it is facilitated by a prior history of nicotine self-administration. Twenty-three male rats were trained daily, for 24 days, on a nicotine self-administration (SA) paradigm in the morning, and on a four-conditioned-stimuli Pavlovian conditioned approach (4-CS PCA) task in the afternoon. Self-administration was followed by extinction and cue reinstatement. A subcutaneous nicotine challenge was performed during the last 7 days of the study. Nicotine self-administration selectively enhanced sign-tracking in the 4-CS PCA. Upon extinction, sign-tracking quickly declined to control levels. Experimenter-administered nicotine enhanced sign-tracking similarly regardless of nicotine history. The results suggest that nicotinic enhancement of incentive salience is transient, and a previous history of nicotine use does not cause further sensitization. Taken together, these results suggest that nicotine enhances incentive salience, particularly—and perhaps exclusively—while onboard.
A Case of Hyperacute Severe Thrombocytopenia Occurring Less than 24 Hours after Intravenous Tirofiban Infusion.

Thrombocytopenia is defined as a condition where the platelet count is below the lower limit of normal (<150 G/L), and it is categorized as mild (100–149 G/L), moderate (50–99 G/L), and severe (<50 G/L). We present here a 79-year-old man who developed severe thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 6 G/L, less than 24 hours after intravenous tirofiban infusion that was given to the patient during a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedure with placement of 3 drug-eluting stents. The patient’s baseline platelet count was 233 G/L before the procedure. Based on the timeline of events during hospitalization and laboratory evidence, it was highly likely that the patient’s thrombocytopenia was the result of tirofiban-induced immune thrombocytopenia, a type of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) which occurs due to drug-dependent antibody-mediated platelet destruction. Anticoagulant-mediated artefactual pseudothrombocytopenia was ruled out as no platelet clumping was seen on the peripheral blood smears. The treatment of DITP includes discontinuation of the causative drug; monitoring of platelet count recovery; or treatment of severe thrombocytopenia with glucocorticoids, IVIG, or platelet transfusions depending on the clinical presentation. The most likely causative agent of this patient’s thrombocytopenia—tirofiban—was discontinued, and the patient did not develop any signs of bleeding during the remainder of his hospital stay. His platelet count gradually improved to 24 G/L, and he was discharged on the sixth hospital day.
Linguistic Capacity: An Ontogenetic Theory with Evolutionary Implications

In this chapter, I will present a theory on the infant’s development of language that was inspired, in part, by research on non-human primates and other animals. According to the theory, long before infants speak or even know about the existence of linguistic rules and representations they store utterances and supporting contextual information. Utterance storage is carried out primarily by the right cerebral hemisphere, which is heavily involved in the processing of vocal intonation and affect at the time storage operations commence. Many of these prosodically organized utterances are reproduced, giving listeners the impression that the infant is using language. Lexical forms accumulate at a gradual rate until a point at which — for reasons not well understood — rate of word learning accelerates. The consequent proliferation of words threatens to overload the infant’s small capacity store for intonationally or prosodically organized material. Overloading is avoided by activation of a mechanism, typically sited in the left hemisphere, that analyzes utterances into their component parts. When infants discover the patterning of these units, they learn something about the organization of the ambient sound system. Organizational learning permits infants to compute novel word forms, the first evidence of grammatical behavior. While non-human primates seem unable to analyze and compute utterances in this fashion, they may be capable of preliminary operations that in the human appear to facilitate lexical acquisition and use.
Histological Changes of Lymphoid Tissues in Relation to the Ontogeny of the Immune Response in Germfree Piglets

Germfree, colostrum-deprived piglets obtained by aseptic hysterectomy 3 to 5 days prior to term were devoid of immunoglobulins and their tissues were free of “background” antibody forming cells. They were immunologically “virgin”; however, they were highly immunologically competent as demonstrated by an excellent immune response upon antigenic stimulation (1,2,3). In the “true” primary immune response, the first antibody formed was 19SγG followed by 7SγG-immunoglobulins (4). These immunologically “virgin” piglets were used to investigate the cellular origin of the sequential synthesis of 19S to 7S antibody in the ontogeny of the immune response. This report presents briefly the histological changes of the lymphoid tissues in relation to the “true” primary immune response (5,6).
Simulating Patterns of Heroin Addiction Within the Social Context of a Local Heroin Market

This study illustrates how the social structure of the heroin market can impact the physiology of heroin addiction and how heterogeneity of addiction patterns can be shaped by market dynamics. We use a novel agent-based modeling (ABM) approach to simulate possible neurophysiologic functions based on the collective self-organizing behavior of market agents. The conceptual model is based on three components: biological, behavioral, and social. Biological components are informed by mechanistic animal studies, behavioral component relies on studies of real-life human experiences with addiction, and social aspects are based on market research that describes the transactional and decision-making processes associated with the distribution of drugs within local drug markets. Using ABM, this paper unifies these three components to simulate how heroin addiction patterns are generated and shaped through heroin markets. The market model is based on data from an ethnographic study of a local heroin market and includes customers (users), street and private dealers, street brokers, police, and other potential market actors. Behavioral data is based on converting narrative descriptions and fieldwork observations into formal states and transitions, and a simple model of addiction process for the drug users is based on published peer-reviewed literature. Analysis of model-based simulations reveals “binge/crash,” “stepped,” and “stable” patterns in customer addiction levels.
Thermal Reliability Study of an Electrothermal MEMS Mirror

Micro-electrical-mechanical mirrors based on electrothermal bimorph actuators have unparalleled advantages of large scan range, low driving voltage, and high fill factor, but their reliability issues are not well understood. One of the main failure phenomena is the burnout of the refractory metal resistor embedded in electrothermal bimorph actuator structures. In this paper, the burnout process was thoroughly studied via both electrical and optical testing. In particular, the current passing through the embedded resistor was monitored throughout the entire burnout process. It was found that the burnout was caused by multiple steps of anomalies, including electrical breakdown at poor step coverage, short circuit, overheating, and electromigration. Electrical models and lumped-element thermal models were established and electrothermomechanical finite-element method simulations were performed. The modeling and simulation results are all in good agreement with the experimental results. These findings will help greatly improve future design for better reliability.
Novel method for additive manufacturing of metal-matrix composite by thermal decomposition of salts

Abstract Very limited Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes have been developed for production of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) reinforced by ceramic. Most of these processes use different mixing techniques to mix metal and ceramic powder particles in order to be used in an existing AM process such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process. The current AM techniques for MMCs fabrication have limitations due to material mixing and the AM process limitations itself. This paper introduces a novel AM method for fabrication of MMCs by Thermal Decomposition of Salts (TDS). In this method inorganic salts are printed on metal powder bed to fabricate green part. The green part undergoes bulk sintering. During bulk sintering the printed inorganic salts are decomposed to fine ceramic particles to form MMC. This process is capable of generating MMC structures with uniformly distributed and dispersed ultra-fine ceramic particles in the metal matrix with less limitations and lower cost compared to other existing AM techniques. In this paper, bronze-alumina MMC was fabricated and studied by the TDS process to validate the proposed process. It was also shown that the TDS process can be used to fabricate other types of MMCs besides bronze-alumina due to the nature of the process. Design of Experiments methodology was used to study and model the effects of sintering parameters on the properties of the bronze-alumina fabricated by the TDS process. Due to MMCs unique properties combined with AM benefits, this novel method will be of great interest to various industries such as aerospace applications.
Outside the Sports Closet: News Discourses of Professional Gay Male Athletes in the Mainstream:

Contributing to a growing yet underresearched area of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues in sport, this study interrogates news discourses of the most prominent American athletes...
The Brokenness of Caesar's Things: On the Unfinished Religious Novel by Zelda Fitzgerald

Caesar's Things is a semi-autobiographical novel combining modernist literary experimentation with narrative structures derived from the Bible. This unfinished work is seldom analyzed by literary s...
Sphenostylisins A—K: Bioactive Modified Isoflavonoid Constituents of the Root Bark of Sphenostylis marginata ssp. erecta.

Sphenostylisins A-C (I), (II), and (III) are isolated from the title root bark together with eight additional new compounds (not shown).
The five types of brand hate: How they affect consumer behavior

Abstract Drawing from Sternberg's (2003) triangular theory of hate, this paper conceptualizes and tests the theory in the branding context. Based on two studies with 712 consumers (study 1 = 349; study 2 = 363) who mentioned 266 brands they hate, the authors first validate Sternberg's (2003) theory of interpersonal hate relationships in connection with brand relationships. The empirical analyses confirm that brand hate is a multi-dimensional construct consisting of three key emotions: disgust, contempt, and anger. Our research shows there are five types of brand hate, depending on the combination of these emotions, each leading to different behavioral outcomes, including brand switching, private and public complaining, brand retaliation, and willingness to make financial sacrifices to hurt the brand. The paper concludes with a discussion on theoretical and managerial implications and limitations.
Neutrophil extracellular trap stabilization leads to improved outcomes in murine models of sepsis

Sepsis is characterized by multi-organ system dysfunction that occurs due to infection. It is associated with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality and in need of improved therapeutic intervention. Neutrophils play a crucial role in sepsis, releasing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of DNA complexed with histones and toxic antimicrobial proteins that ensnare pathogens but also damage host tissues. At presentation, patients likely have a significant NET burden contributing to the multi-organ damage. Therefore, interventions that prevent NET release would likely be ineffective at preventing NET-based injury. Treatments that enhance NET degradation may liberate captured bacteria and toxic NET degradation products (NDPs) and therefore be of limited therapeutic benefit. We propose that interventions that stabilize NETs and sequester NDPs may be protective in sepsis. Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) a platelet-associated chemokine, binds and compacts NETs, increasing their resistance to deoxyribonuclease I. A monoclonal antibody, KKO, which binds to PF4-NET complexes, further enhances this resistance. We now show that PF4 increases NET-mediated bacterial capture in vitro, reduces the release of NDPs, and improves outcome in murine models of sepsis. An Fc-modified KKO further enhances deoxyribonuclease resistance, decreases NDP release, and increases survival in these models, supporting a novel NET-targeting approach to improve outcomes in sepsis.
The ideological significance of “institutional neutrality” mandates in state-level campus speech legislation

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on the “institutional neutrality” provisions commonly included in recent state-level “campus free speech” legislation. I argue that their normative promotion of “neutrali...
Customizing an Electronic Medical Record to Automate the Workflow and Tracking of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

Background Documenting the actions and effects of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) is essential for quality improvement and support by hospital leadership. Thus, our ASP tallies the number of charts reviewed, types of recommendations, how and to whom they were communicated, whether they were followed, and any effects on antimicrobial days of therapy. Here we describe how we customized the electronic medical record at our institution to facilitate our workflow and data analysis, while highlighting principles that should be adaptable to other ASPs. Methods The documentation system involves creation of a novel and intuitive ASP form in each chart reviewed and 2 mutually exclusive tracking systems: 1 for active forms to facilitate the daily ASP workflow and 1 for finalized forms to generate cumulative reports. The ASP form is created by the ASP pharmacist, edited by the ASP physician, reopened by the pharmacist to assess whether the recommendation was followed and to quantify any antimicrobial days avoided or added, then reviewed and finalized by the ASP physician. Active forms are visible on a real-time "MPage," whereas all finalized forms are compiled nightly into 65 informative tables and associated graphs. Results and conclusions This system and its underlying principles have automated much of the documentation, facilitated follow-up of interventions, improved the completeness and validity of recorded data and analysis, enabled our ASP to expand its activities, and been associated with decreased antimicrobial usage, drug resistance, and C. difficile infections.
Effects of d-amphetamine and MK-801 on impulsive choice: Modulation by schedule of reinforcement and delay length.

Abstract Procedural modifications can modulate drug effects in delay discounting, such as signaling the delay to reinforcement and altering the order in which delays are presented. Although the schedule of reinforcement can alter the rate at which animals discount a reinforcer, research has not determined if animals trained on different schedules of reinforcement are differentially affected by pharmacological manipulations. Similarly, research has not determined if using different delays to reinforcement can modulate drug effects in delay discounting. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 36) were split into four groups and were trained in a delay-discounting procedure. The schedule of reinforcement (fixed ratio [FR] 1 vs. FR 10) and delays to reinforcement (0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 s vs. 0, 10, 30, 60, 100 s) were manipulated for each group. Following behavioral training, rats were treated with d -amphetamine (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) and MK-801 (0, 0.03, and 0.06 mg/kg). Results showed that amphetamine decreased impulsive choice when a FR 1 schedule was used, but only when the short delay sequence was used. Conversely, amphetamine decreased impulsive choice when a FR 10 schedule was used, but only when rats were trained on the long delay sequence. MK-801 decreased impulsive choice in rats trained on a FR 1 schedule, regardless of delay sequence, but did not alter choice in rats trained on a FR 10 schedule. These results show that schedule of reinforcement and delay length can modulate drug effects in delay discounting.
The Twin Environment Law Problems of Preemption and Political Scale

This is a daunting moment for the United States environmental movement. Since 2017, it often seems that federal environmental law is being systematically dismantled—most aggressively by the executive branch, but with tacit support from much of the sitting legislature, and likely with increasing support from the judiciary as well. For environmentalists, the assault on the regulatory accomplishments made over decades of previous lawmaking is cause for grief, but it also compels preparation for the challenges yet to come. This chapter advises environmentalists to resist federal preemption of state regulation and to think creatively about how to accomplish the goals of national-level policy without the benefit of federal authority. The immediate federalism-related challenge is to ensure that the campaign to alter the fundamentals of federal environmental law is not partnered with a campaign to block state and local efforts to fill the resulting regulatory void through preemption. Illustrating this danger with current efforts to eliminate the Clean Air Act’s “California Waiver,” Part I warns environmentalists to be especially on guard against the expansion of ceiling preemption. Ceiling Preemption perverts the customary use of federal preemption to ensure minimum national environmental quality standards into maximum standards that restrict regional efforts to do better. To protect state and local autonomy to exceed minimum standards, advocates should also seek the inclusion of savings clauses in new federal statutes and regulations, and they should advocate for the judicial presumption against preemption where these issues are litigated. With the diminishing force of federal environmental law, however, advocates must think more seriously about how to continue pursuing solutions to national-level environmental problems by means other than federal authority. Part II assesses the possibilities for coordinated action beyond federal law to address large-scale environmental problems. It considers uniform regional governance using model rules, such as the Sustainable Development Model Code, and even collective private governance, coordinated by non-governmental agents such as homeowner associations and professional organizations. In many cases, these options provide a second-best strategy, chosen by necessity when first-best options are unavailable. Nevertheless, they are better than no strategy, and in some cases, may new provide tools for environmental engagement that could complement or even exceed what is possible under federal law alone. (This book chapter is based on a very short essay first published as part of a collective article by the Environmental Collaborative, Environmental Law, Disrupted, in the January 2019 issue of the Environmental Law Reporter.)
Responding to the enrollment crisis: alternative strategies to increasing student interest in Computer Science

This half day workshop will discuss the current crisis in enrollment in Computer Science classes across academia. A review of the current situation will be followed by an overview of how some academic institutions are responding to this crisis. In particular, attention will be given to the use of Gaming as a vehicle to teach computer science concepts to students in a way that students find engaging and exciting.A review of various academic and commercial game engines will be given, as well as specific gaming-related teaching resources that academics may use in their teaching. These will include game engines and teaching materials from the University of Michigan, University of North Texas, Valve Software (the HalfLife 2 game engine) and others. (Note: this workshop is not about training students to become game developers.)
Paternal high-fat diet and exercise regulate sperm miRNA and histone methylation to modify placental inflammation, nutrient transporter mRNA expression and fetal weight in a sex-dependent manner

We previously have shown that male offspring (F1) of fathers (F0) fed a high-fat (HF) diet and that exercised had greater skeletal muscle insulin signaling and reduced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk compared to fathers fed HF diet and that remained sedentary. The current study extends this work by hypothesizing that F0 HF diet and exercise regulate F1 T2DM risk by alterations in placental tissue growth via changes in sperm miRNA expression. To test these hypotheses, 3-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal-fat diet (16% fat) or an HF diet (45% fat) and assigned to either voluntary wheel running exercise or cage activity for 3 months. Results showed that F0 sperm miRNA 193b expression was decreased while miRNA 204 was increased by paternal exercise. Protein expression of dimethylated histone 3 lysine 9 was decreased with F0 HF diet. Placental and fetal tissue weights were decreased by F0 HF diet in F1 males. Placental interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression was reduced by paternal exercise, while nutrient transporter mRNA expression was decreased by paternal HF diet only in the placentae of F1 females. Treatment of primary placental cell with miRNA 193b inhibited TNF-α mRNA expression, and treatment of TNF-α decreased SLC38a2 mRNA expression. Moreover, paternal exercise increased body weight at weaning in a female offspring. These results demonstrate that placental tissue weight, placental nutrient transporter gene expression and fetal weights are altered by paternal exercise, while placental inflammatory gene expression is influenced by paternal exercise in offspring in a sex-specific manner.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Genetic Testing at a Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Center.

Prior studies suggest that referral to genetic counseling and completion of genetic testing vary by race/ethnicity; however, the data are limited. We sought to evaluate patterns of genetic testing and clinical outcomes across race/ethnicity at a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer center. The medical records for all patients undergoing genetic assessment at a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer center were reviewed and stratified by self-reported race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Asian). A total of 1666 patients met inclusion criteria (non-Hispanic Whites, 1367; Hispanics, 85, non-Hispanic Blacks, 101; Asians, 113). Demographics, patient characteristics, and referral patterns for patients who underwent genetic testing were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests, chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact tests, stratifying by self-reported race/ethnicity. Pathogenic mutations and variants of unknown significance (VUS) were reviewed. Outcomes of patients with genetic mutations and personal history of breast and/or gynecologic malignancies were compared. Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to be referred due to family cancer history compared to all other ethnicities while Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians were more likely to be referred due to personal history of cancer (p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to have advanced-stage cancer at the time of genetic testing (p < 0.02). Rates of mutations did not differ by race/ethnicity when Ashkenazi Jewish patients were excluded (p = 0.08). Among patients found to have a BRCA1/2 mutation, Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to undergo cancer screening and risk-reducing surgery compared with all other ethnicities (p = 0.04). Minority patients were more likely to utilize genetic services following a cancer diagnosis and less likely due to family cancer history, suggesting a missed opportunity for mutation detection and cancer prevention in this population. Efforts to eradicate racial/ethnic disparities in early access to genetic testing and guided cancer prevention strategies are essential.
Rising Costs of Otic Drops: Review of a National Database

OBJECTIVES US prescription drug prices have increased substantially during the past decade and now account for approximately 17% of total US health expenditures. Otic drop prices are of particular interest given their common use in otolaryngologic clinical practice. We hypothesized that otic drop prices increased at a rate significantly higher than the overall inflation rate. We considered potential causes for otic drop price fluctuations during this period and whether they could be correlated with corporate restructuring events. METHODS Publicly available data on otic antibiotic drop pricing was assessed from 2012 to 2020 and were correlated with contemporaneous publicly available information about corporate and political events. RESULTS CiproHC (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, US), Ciprodex (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, US), Cortisporin-TC (Endo Pharmaceuticals, Dublin, Ireland), Coly-Mycin S (JHP Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Rochester, MI, US), generic neomycin-polymixin-HC otic drop, ciprofloxacin otic drop, and ofloxacin otic had overall change in cost between January 2014 and January 2020 of 69.9%, 63%, 268.9%, 219.5%, 232.5%, 13%, and 62.4%, respectively. Generic ofloxacin otic drop showed the most price fluctuation, temporarily rising 945% from July 2015 to its peak price of $26/mL in October 2016. CONCLUSION Otic drop prices have been volatile, with overall price increases higher than overall inflation. Drug pricing is not transparent, making it difficult for prescribers and patients alike to be cost conscious when choosing the best therapy. We outline six factors that contribute to high US medication prices and also highlight two examples of otic drops that underwent significant price fluctuation during the studied period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V Laryngoscope, 131:E1069-E1075, 2021.
Renal Vein Congestion in Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 1: An Analysis of Two Case Reports From a Hemodynamic Perspective

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a complex disease that results from the close relationship between cardiac and renal physiology. We present two cases which illustrate how renal vein congestion (case 1) and reduced cardiac output (case 2) can both lead to CRS type 1. We focused on the hemodynamic differences between these two cases, as we believe that a deep understanding of the pathophysiology and the renal blood flow (RBF) and renal perfusion pressure (RPP) in these two cases is key in the correct management strategy. This report highlights that CRS type 1 must be recognized as an acute process comprised of two distinct mechanisms, due to renal vein congestion or due to low cardiac output, which can present independently or in varying degrees in the same patient. In consequence, the role of renal vein congestion needs to be recognized early in order to adequately tailor patient treatment. World J Nephrol Urol. 2020;9(2):40-44 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/wjnu410
Origins of the Privileges and Immunities of State Citizenship Under Article IV

The Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article IV provides: “The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.” According to Alexander Hamilton, the clause was “the basis of the union,” which may seem odd given its minor significance in modern constitutional law. Part of the reason for its relative unimportance today is the development of constitutional doctrines unforeseeable in the eighteenth century: the invention of the Dormant Commerce Clause and the enactment of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibit much of the interstate discrimination that Article IV’s clause was intended to prevent. However, a major explanation for the unseemly fate of the clause lies with early judges who were not faithful to its original purpose. Courts and scholars have perpetuated their errors. The clause had one overriding purpose: to assure that Americans were not treated as aliens when in states away from their place of citizenship. It was intended to preserve the benefits that Americans had as British subjects, to be afforded the same as local residents anywhere in the country. The advantages of citizenship (or being a subject) were many, ranging from the protection of life, limb, and property to commercial advantages and access to public resources. The multifarious meanings of “privileges” and “immunities” in eighteenth-century writings show that they encompassed every kind of advantage that came from citizenship. This is why Hamilton could claim the clause was “the basis of the union”. There is compelling reason to conclude that the Privileges and Immunities Clause was intended to guarantee Americans traveling or temporarily residing in another state, or doing business or owning property outside their home states, that they would be treated exactly like the local people, without exception, and regardless of whether the right was recognized by other states, including their own. No court and no scholar has ever reached this conclusion, but it is amply supported by the evidence presented here.
Gold and Silver

Conceptually, gold and silver flows are classified as either monetary (specie) or nonmonetary (merchandise). They are considered monetary when circulating full-bodied domestically, and nonmonetary otherwise. This means gold and silver are specie 1790–1852 and gold alone 1853 onward. The official practice of treating the monetary gold stock as an international asset is rejected. Statistically, new figures for specie 1790–1820 are developed, and omitted overland exports to Canada are corrected.
Reproductive success of captive-reared Allegheny Woodrats ( Neotoma magister ) released into genetically depauperate populations

Habitat fragmentation and degradation have led to a proliferation of small and isolated populations that are vulnerable to genetic erosion. Reduction in habitat and concomitant declines in population connectivity can expediate the collapse of species that exist as natural metapopulations. In recent years, Allegheny woodrats (Neotoma magister) have experienced local extirpations and declines in genetic diversity across their range due to disease-related mortality, reduced food availability, and disruption of connectivity among subpopulations. In response, we developed a captive-breeding program to facilitate genetic management of isolated woodrat populations in Indiana. Between 2010 and 2012, 27 captive-reared individuals were released to four sites with declining woodrat abundance. We used 99 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 11 microsatellite loci to genotype sympatric woodrats from the four sites, sampled before and after the release of captive-reared individuals, to: (1) evaluate the post-release reproductive success of captive-reared individuals and (2) characterize changes in genetic diversity. A minimum of five of the 27 captive-reared woodrats produced at least 20 offspring, 11 of which were sired by a single male. One site exhibited increased abundance by the end of the monitoring period, although genetic variability decreased. Two sites experienced population declines in concert with fluctuating genetic variability. The last site showed comparable abundance at the beginning and end of the monitoring period, with an increase in observed heterozygosity. Our results indicate that captive-reared woodrats were, in some cases, able to reproduce in the wild, interbreed with residents and increase genetic diversity and abundance among small, isolated subpopulations.
Computerized management of intensive care patients.

Say “intensive care monitoring,” and the picture that pops into most physicians’ minds involves blood-pressure or ECG monitoring. These measurements were certainly the focus of the initial monitoring systems introduced 20 years ago; but newer systems dealing with a much broader class of information are now becoming available. The following fictitious scenario illustrates the kinds of things that can be done with today’s technology.