cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Class I obesity is paradoxically associated with decreased risk of postoperative stroke after carotid endarterectomy.

Introduction Although obesity is a risk factor for vascular disease, previous studies have shown an obesity paradox with decreased mortality in obese patients undergoing vascular surgery. This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods The 2005-2009 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to evaluate 30-day outcomes after isolated CEA across National Institutes of Health-defined obesity classes. χ 2 analysis was used to assess the unadjusted relationship of BMI category to postoperative outcomes. The independent association of BMI with morbidity and mortality was assessed with multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for preoperative and operative characteristics. Results In the cohort of 23,652 CEA, 1.8% of patients were underweight (BMI P = .017) and stroke ( P = .029), with the lowest incidence in overweight and class I obese patients. The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) ( P = .021) increased incrementally with increasing BMI. On multivariable analysis, class I obesity was the only variable associated with decreased risk of stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.83; P = .007). Independent risk factors for stroke were previous transient ischemic attack (OR, 1.97; P = .006), American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 to 5 (OR, 1.62; P = .010), surgery performed by a nonvascular surgeon (OR, 1.85; P = .015), and hemiplegia (OR, 1.97; P = .018). There was also a trend, although not statistically significant, toward decreased mortality risk associated with class I obesity (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, .26-1.08; P = .080). Class II obesity was associated with an increased risk of SSI compared with normal weight (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.01-4.82; P = .047). BMI category was not associated with the risk of myocardial infarction. Conclusions An obesity paradox exists for stroke and mortality after CEA; for stroke, but not mortality, this protective association was independent of patient demographics and comorbidities. Obesity is not a contraindication to CEA, and surgeons may safely undertake CEA in obese patients when indicated.
Effects of a 40‐Inch Minimum Length Limit on Muskellunge in Wisconsin

Abstract Management agencies commonly use high minimum length limits for muskellunge Esox masquinongy to achieve the goal of trophy fisheries. Evaluations of length-limit effects on muskellunge populations have been limited. We evaluated the effects of a 40-in minimum length limit (total length) on seven northern Wisconsin lakes and compared the results to eight lakes that remained at the statewide minimum length limit of 32 or 34 in. Five years after its implementation, the 40-in minimum length limit did not increase adult muskellunge abundance or size structure compared with reference lakes. Variation among lakes dictates that low-density species such as muskellunge be monitored for extended periods and that reference waters also be monitored to aid interpretation of data and development of meaningful management recommendations.
A constitutional interpretation of the firm

When members of a firm make firm-specific investments they will earn rents. Potential rent-seeking on the part of the owner of the firm and other employees reduces the value of an employee's firm-specific investment and, as a result, reduces the level of those investments. In this context the firm can be thought of as a set of interdependent relationships where the actions of any one individual can affect the rents of all others. The owner of the firm will desire to set up an institutional arrangement to protect the individual's property rights in specific investments as part of his effort to maximize profit. Establishing this institutional arrangement is similar to the establishment of a constitution by the state or other organization. This constitution protects the property rights of the members of the firm and as a result encourages the creation of property, that is, the firm-specific investments. The constitution of a firm consists of a set of interdependent explicit and implicit contracts between the firm and its various members, as well as mechanisms for enforcing and monitoring these contracts. As a practical matter, it is obvious that workers normally do not enjoy costless or near-costless mobility, and thus an ordinary “at will” employment contract may no longer be sufficient to induce workers to join a firm. If, in order to function productively within an enterprise, individuals have to accumulate, and pay for, firm-specific capital assets, the simple neoclasical logic fails (Furubotn, 1988: 167).
Using object-oriented programming in computational electromagnetic codes

Presently, most computer code development in the computational electromagnetics (CEM) community is done in the structured programming paradigm, particularly with the FORTRAN language. Other segments of the programming community have switched to the object oriented programming (OOP) paradigm in recent years in order to ease the development of highly complex codes. This paper examines how OOP is being used in the design of a hybrid-method time-domain numerical analysis CEM code. Comparisons will be made between the OOP code and a structured programming paradigm code in terms of code maintenance, portability, flexibility and speed.
Catheter Ablation of the Mitral Isthmus for Ventricular Tachycardia Associated With Inferior Infarction

Background Intraoperative mapping studies suggest that an isthmus of myocardium between the mitral valve annulus and the border of inferior myocardial infarction may play a role in the genesis of ventricular tachycardia. We examined the frequency with which a slow conduction zone within the mitral isthmus was critical to the maintenance of ventricular tachycardia associated with remote inferior infarction in patients undergoing catheter ablation. Methods and Results In 4 of 12 patients, a critical zone of slow conduction was identified within the mitral isthmus. In each of these patients, two characteristic and morphologically distinct tachycardias were induced: a left bundle (rS in V1, R in V6), left superior axis morphology and a right bundle (R in V1, QS in V6), right superior axis morphology (cycle length, 610 to 320 ms). In each patient, a zone of slow conduction, shared by both morphologies, was characterized by diastolic potentials with electrogram-QRS intervals of 85 to 161 ms (21% to 47% of tachy...
A manufacturing vision for the year 2001 (what's new in CIM)

An attempt is made to explore the state of the art in intelligent manufacturing systems and where the emerging research efforts are dedicated. What embodies the intelligence and with what embodiment intelligent manufacturing systems should be implemented are discussed. Examples of formative work in the computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) field are presented along with learning what has already taken place, as well as issues that both industry and academia have to address for success in the future. >
The Significance of Community to Business Social Responsibility1

In this paper, the author focuses attention on one aspect of business social responsibility, the relationship between businesses and community. Specifically, he explores the impact of business operators' perceptions about norms of collective action in their communities on the level of their support for and commitment to their communities. This relationship was elaborated using data from interviews with 1,008 business owners and managers randomly selected from 30 small Iowa communities (500 to 10,000 in population). Findings indicate the majority of small business operators report that they are committed to and provide support for their community. Also, it is concluded that operators' educational levels and lengths of residence, the success and age of their businesses, and their perceptions of community levels of collective action are significantly associated with levels of business social responsibility.
Outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the super obese: comparison of body mass index 50–60 kg/m2 and≥60 kg/m2 with the morbidly obese

Abstract Background Reports on the outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in super-obese patients are limited, especially on patients with body mass index (BMI)≥60 kg/m 2 . Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the tolerability and efficacy of RYGB in the super-obese by comparing patients with a BMI of 50–60 kg/m 2 and a BMI of≥60 kg/m 2 with patients with a BMI of 40–50 kg/m 2 . Setting Academic practice. Methods Between January 2004 and November 2013, a total of 2717 patients underwent RYGB at our institution. Of these, 661 (24.3%) had a preoperative BMI of 50–60 kg/m 2 and 230 (8.5%) had a BMI≥60 kg/m 2 . A retrospective review of outcomes and complications was performed, comparing these patients with 1555 patients with a BMI between 40–50 kg/m 2 . Results Fifty-two (3.3%) patients in the BMI 40–50 kg/m 2 group, 15 (2.3%) patients in the BMI 50–60 kg/m 2 group, and 3 (1.3%) patients in the BMI≥60 kg/m 2 had 2 groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in readmission rate among the 3 groups, and reoperation rate was significantly lower in the BMI 50–60 kg/m 2 group. Mean percentage of excess BMI loss was 58.3%, 80.6%, 85.8%, 83.3%, and 80.9% in the BMI 40–50 kg/m 2 group; 44.9%, 65.0%, 70.1%, 72.1%, and 65.9% in the BMI 50–60 kg/m 2 group; and 38.5%, 57.4%, 62.2%, 62.8%, and 59.1% in the≥60 kg/m 2 group at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, respectively. The differences in excess BMI loss were statistically significant among all 3 groups at all follow-up time points. All groups experienced a significant decrease in their mean number of co-morbidities after the procedure. Conclusion Readmission and reoperation rates were similar in the BMI 40–50, 50–60, and≥60 kg/m 2 groups. Super-obese and super-super-obese patients are not at greater risk for surgical complications compared with those with lower BMIs.
Nonlinear Multigrid Optical Diffusion Tomography

We propose a nonlinear multigrid technique for computing the maximum a posteriori (MAP) reconstruction in the optical diffusion tomography problem. The multigrid approach improves reconstruction quality and it dramatically reduces computation.
Springer Handbook of Auditory Research

TinnitusEditors: Jos J. Eggermont, Fan-Gang Zeng, Arthur N. Popper, Richard R. FayISBN: 978-1-4614-3727-7ISBN: 978-1-4614-3728-4 (eBook)Springer, New York, USATinnitus is a well-known auditory symp...
A voice-operated instructor's station

Whether a mission is one involving subsonic or supersonic aircraft, the relative proximity of the combatants requires that aircrew members react to events in a fraction of a second and therefore that the instructor must also display similar reaction times. A more natural control mechanism must be developed to support interaction of the instructor with the simulator and to reduce the corhplexity of his interactions with the simulator controls (usually an instructor/operator console), reducing the directly related induced stress. This would allow the instructor to concentrate on the training of the student rather than the manipulation of a complex simulation system. One proposed solution is to employ a voice recognition system which would allow the instructor to communicate with the simulator controls via simple voice commands, thus eliminating the physical gymnastics currently required. The instructor would have the capability of updating trainer data, states, modes, etc. with a minimum of voice commands.
The Off-Pump Implantation of an Apicoaortic Valved Graft is Safe and Has No Negative Impact on Coronary Flow and Hemodynamics:

ObjectiveTo determine the hemodynamic effect of an off-pump Apicoaortic valved graft (AAVG) implantation, we performed a quantitative coronary flow analysis in a swine model of severe aortic stenos...
Epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever in Guangzhou,2011

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characterisitics of dengue fever and thereby provide references for future prevention and control.Method Data from the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Reporting System,the Laboratory Recording Surveillance System,as well as the report from field investigation and epidemic briefings were reviewed and analyzed.Result There were 51 cases of dengue fever reported in 2011.35.29%(18 cases) were the imported cases,and of these cases were coming from south-east Asia.The accumulative incidence was 0.4 / 105 people with no death.The findings from laboratory surveillance indicated that the epidemic was caused by type-I dengue virus.Conclusions The epidemic of dengue fever in Guangzhou was sporadic.The risk of infection is mainly from the imported or the referred cases.
Dynamic Scheduling in a Many-Server Multi-Class System: The Role of Customer Impatience in Large Systems

We study optimal scheduling of customers in service systems, such as call centers. In such systems, customers typically hang up and abandon the system after waiting for a long time for their service to commence. Such abandonments are detrimental for the system, and so managers typically use scheduling as a tool to mitigate it. In this paper we study the interplay between customer impatience and scheduling decisions when managing heterogeneous customer classes. Specifically, our focus is on general patience distributions, in which a customer's instantaneous propensity to abandon may change over time. We find that incorporating these temporal changes into the scheduling decisions can lead to a significant improvement in the system performance. Formally, we solve the underlying Diffusion Control Problem for these systems, and characterize near-optimal scheduling policies. One of our main results is that for a class of parameters, we establish sufficient conditions for both the optimality and non-optimality of threshold policies, which are widely used due to their ease of implementation.
Direct measurement of age in fossil Gryphaea: the solution to a classic problem in heterochrony

We have known since Trueman's classic work of 1922 that the Lower Jurassic Gryphaea of Britain exhibit phyletic size increase and heterochronic change in shape. Since Hallam's revisionary work in the 1960s, we have recognized that pronounced and generalized juvenilization of form accompanied this increasing size. This extensive literature provides invertebrate paleontology's most famous example of a biometrically documented, continuous anagenetic trend within a discrete lineage. But Gryphaea has also provoked great frustration because a key datum, required for a full solution, had been theoretically recognized but practically unavailable. We could identify the evolution of shape as paedomorphic, but could not specify the mode of heterochrony for this paedomorphic result because we could not standardize samples by common age or developmental stage.In this paper, we provide sclerochronological data on sizes and shapes at specified ages marked by annual growth bands in two Jurassic sequences of Gryphaea: the classic Lower Jurassic series showing phyletic size increase with paedomorphosis, and an independent Middle–Upper Jurassic series illustrating neither size increase nor heterochrony. We prove that size increase in the classic series occurs entirely by faster growth (larger descendant sizes at the same ages as ancestors), and not by extended age (for descendants lived no longer than ancestors). The well-marked paedomorphosis of form probably arose as a correlated consequence of growing larger by extending and maintaining rapid juvenile growth rates—thus marking the heterochronic mode as a case of neoteny. The independent upper sequence, acting as a different replicate in a natural experiment, shows neither size increase nor heterochrony but does exhibit (in contrast with the classic sequence) evolution toward greater longevity.Hallam's flow tank experiments indicated a strong adaptive advantage in shell stability for both larger size and paedomorphic form. Neotenous development provides an evolutionary pathway to the simultaneous acquisition of both favored traits—thus showing that “constraints” due to “correlations of growth” (Darwin's own phrase for the phenomenon) may be positive in promoting joint evolutionary advantages, and not only neutral (in carrying spandrels along with primary adaptations), or negative (by imposing inadaptive “baggage” upon trends in form through developmental correlation with selected traits).
Single-level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for the Treatment of Adjacent Segment Disease: A Retrospective Two-center Study

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative outcome after single-level lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for adjacent segment disease (ASD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Although there is a plethora of literature on ASD following traditional arthrodesis techniques, literature on ASD following LLIF is limited. Vice versa, the surgical outcome after LLIF for the treatment of ASD remains to be elucidated. METHODS Patients who underwent single-level LLIF for ASD at two institutions (March 2006-April 2012) were included, and the medical records, operative reports, radiographic imaging studies, and office records reviewed. RESULTS Out of 523 LLIF patients, 52 met the inclusion criteria, and were postoperatively followed for 16.1 ± 9.8 months (range: 5-44). When comparing the pre-operative data with both the first and most recent follow-up postoperatively, LLIF resulted in a reduction in back pain (P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and leg pain (P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively), increase in segmental lordosis (P = 0.003, and P = 0.014, respectively), decrease in segmental coronal angulation (P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively), and increase in intervertebral height (P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) at the surgical level. The reoperation rate related to the LLIF procedure was 21.2% (11/52), which was performed after an average of 14.6 ± 10.1 months (range: 3.3-31.0). Eight out of 11 patients (72.7%) in the reoperation subgroup underwent standalone LLIF, whereas only 23 out of 41 patients (56.1%) without a reoperation underwent standalone LLIF (P = 0.491). There was a trend toward a higher fusion rate in patients who underwent circumferential fusion than the standalone subgroup (87.5% vs. 53.8%; P = 0.173). CONCLUSION LLIF may be an effective surgical treatment option for ASD with regard to both the clinical and radiographic outcome in a large proportion of cases. Although standalone LLIF is associated with a narrower spectrum of adverse effects than circumferential fusion, posterior instrumentation may be necessary to increase segmental stability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.
Integrating Out-of-Office Blood Pressure in the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension

Guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension were historically based on in-office blood pressure measurements. However, the US Preventive Services Task Force recently expanded their recommendations on screening for hypertension to include out-of-office blood pressure measurements to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. Out-of-office blood pressure monitoring modalities, including ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and home blood pressure monitoring, are important tools in distinguishing between normotension, masked hypertension, white-coat hypertension, and sustained (including uncontrolled or drug-resistant) hypertension. Compared to in-office readings, out-of-office blood pressures are a greater predictor of renal and cardiac morbidity and mortality. There are multiple barriers to the implementation of out-of-office blood pressure monitoring which need to be overcome in order to promote more widespread use of these modalities.
Earth antenna temperature variability for CYGNSS

Calibration algorithms are being developed for the CYclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission in anticipation of a late-2016 launch date. Antenna temperature (TA) of oceanic scenes will be used to confirm the relationship between receiver noise temperature and physical temperature—which will drift over time. In this work, we develop an open ocean TA model for CYGNSS to support the L1A calibration process. This model needs to be as simple as possible, while still meeting accuracy requirements. We show that, for purposes of the CYGNSS L1A calibration, it is possible to use a single value of TA = 99.4 K, within the 2 K accuracy requirement.
Culture Worlds: From Urban Worlds to Global Worlds

This paper explores the implications of the globalization of culture worlds in art and fashion. A global culture world is defined as one in which a small number of cultural organizations from several countries dominates the global production and dissemination of a particular form of culture. Participants in global culture worlds congregate in international art or trade fairs where they develop a consensus about what they are doing and who is doing it best. Global culture worlds are hierarchical settings in which the activities of the most powerful actors affect the opportunities available to actors in regional and urban worlds. Differences in power and prestige at the national level are magnified at the global level. Economic rewards take precedence over symbolic rewards as seen in the types of culture that circulate in these worlds and the ways they are produced. Dominated by Western organizations, global worlds fit a center-periphery model.
NANE: Identifying Misuse Cases Using Temporal Norm Enactments

Recent data breaches in domains such as healthcare where confidentiality of data is crucial indicate that breaches often originate from misuses, not only from vulnerabilities in the technical (software or hardware) architecture. Current requirements engineering (RE) approaches determine what access control mechanisms are needed to protect sensitive resources (assets). However, current RE approaches inadequately characterize how a user is expected to interact with others in relation to the relevant assets. Consequently, a requirements analyst cannot readily identify misuses by legitimate users. We adopt social norms as a natural, formal means of characterizing user interactions whereby potential misuses map to norm violations. Our research goal is to help analysts identify misuse cases by formal reasoning about norm enactments. We propose Nane, a formal framework for identifying such misuse cases using a semiautomated process. We demonstrate how Nane enables monitoring of potential misuses on a healthcare scenario.
Laser-based Method for Sustainable Nanomanufacturing ☆

Silicon nanowires are promising for being used as building blocks for high-performance electronics and biomedical diagnostic devices due to their ultra-small bodies and high surface-to-volume ratios. However, the commonly used methods for manufacturing silicon nanowires involve using high temperature furnaces and a large amount of toxic gases. In addition, nanowires are often manufactured in a manner that requires many additional manufacturing processes in order to make functional devices. Here we present a single-step laser manufacturing method to synthesize silicon nanowires. In this method, nanowires are produced using a laser-guided chemical vapor deposition process, allowing for in-situ doping, catalyst-free nanowire growth, and control of the position, orientation, and length of nanowires. Importantly, the process requires a minimum heating power, of the order of mW, and a minimum amount of gas flow, of the order of a few sccm, since the nanowires are synthesized within the focused laser spot which has a diameter of about 250nm. In addition, the direct manufacturing of semiconductor nanowires on an insulating surface provides a platform ready for subsequent device fabrication.
Risks and benefits of repeated courses of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for superficial bladder cancer

An actuarial analysis of the risks and benefits of repeated courses of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for superficial bladder cancer was performed for 100 consecutive patients treated for carcinoma in situ (29), prophylaxis against recurrent tumor (51) or residual superficial papillary tumor (21). The risk-to-benefit ratio at entry into bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy (7 per cent risk of invasive cancer developing, 5 per cent risk of metastases and 77 per cent prospect for status free of tumor) and in patients who had failed only 1 course of bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy (11 per cent invasive cancer, 14 per cent metastases and 58 per cent free of tumor) were highly favorable. However, among patients who had failed 2 or more courses of bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy the risks of invasive (30 per cent) or metastatic (50 per cent) cancer developing exceeded the prospects for eradicating the superficial tumor present (20 per cent) with further therapy. The results suggest that patients who have failed 2 courses of bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy (as given in our treatment protocol) should be considered for alternative treatment.
Waveform inversion for microseismic velocity analysis and event location in VTI media

ABSTRACTWaveform inversion (WI), which has been extensively used in reflection seismology, could provide improved velocity models and event locations for microseismic surveys. Here, we develop an elastic WI algorithm for anisotropic media designed to estimate the 2D velocity field along with the source parameters (location, origin time, and moment tensor) from microseismic data. The gradient of the objective function is obtained with the adjoint-state method, which requires just two modeling simulations at each iteration. In the current implementation the source coordinates and velocity parameters are estimated sequentially at each stage of the inversion to minimize trade-offs and improve the convergence. Synthetic examples illustrate the accuracy of the inversion for layered VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) media, as well as the sensitivity of the velocity-analysis results to noise, the length of the receiver array, errors in the initial model, and variability in the moment tens...
“A jungle that is continually encroaching”: The time of disaster management:

This essay examines the temporal logics of contemporary disaster management. I discuss episodes from the expansion of the global disaster management complex—in the United States after WWII, and in Indonesia after the New Order—to characterize the form of futurity established through the technocratic administration of systematically-envisioned catastrophe. Disaster management projects a shallow future whose indeterminacy does not stimulate aspiration toward transcendence of the given, but rather motivates an endless procedural loop of anticipation and pre-emption in order to delay the destruction of the present order. Disaster management thus refashions “action” as the postponement of the future, and in doing so explicates a basic but neglected temporality of liberalism—that of vigilance toward continually-renewed danger.
The effects of tax and expenditure limit on state discretionary tax adjustment

Unanticipated economic fluctuations exert pressure on state governments to conduct discretionary tax adjustments to balance the budget. Even though states adjust fiscal policy as the economy fluctuates, the typical cyclical economic factors are not the sole determinant of such adjustments. State government budgeting systems in the United States operate under a variety of fiscal constraints. The tax and expenditure limit (TEL) is a prominent fiscal constraint in state governments. Using a panel dataset covering 47 continental state governments from FY 1988 to FY 2006, this paper examines the impact of TELs on state discretionary tax adjustments. Results from this analysis shows that states with stringent TELs tend to conduct fewer tax cuts when facing potential deficits.
Inhibition of NF- κ B prevents the acidic bile-induced oncogenic mRNA phenotype, in human hypopharyngeal cells

Bile-containing gastro-duodenal reflux has been clinically considered an independent risk factor in hypopharyngeal carcinogenesis. We recently showed that the chronic effect of acidic bile, at pH 4.0, selectively induces NF-κB activation and accelerates the transcriptional levels of genes, linked to head and neck cancer, in normal hypopharyngeal epithelial cells. Here, we hypothesize that NF-κB inhibition is capable of preventing the acidic bile-induced and cancer-related mRNA phenotype, in treated normal human hypopharyngeal cells. In this setting we used BAY 11-7082, a specific and well documented pharmacologic inhibitor of NF-κB, and we observed that BAY 11-7082 effectively inhibits the acidic bile-induced gene expression profiling of the NF-κB signaling pathway (down-regulation of 72 out of 84 analyzed genes). NF-κB inhibition significantly prevents the acidic bile-induced transcriptional activation of NF-κB transcriptional factors, RELA (p65) and c-REL, as well as genes related to and commonly found in established HNSCC cell lines. These include anti-apoptotic bcl-2, oncogenic STAT3, EGFR, ∆Np63, TNF-α and WNT5A, as well as cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. Our findings are consistent with our hypothesis demonstrating that NF-κB inhibition effectively prevents the acidic bile-induced cancer-related mRNA phenotype in normal human hypopharyngeal epithelial cells supporting an understanding that NF-κB may be a critical link between acidic bile and early preneoplastic events in this setting.
Uterine Transplantation: A Survey of Perceptions and Attitudes of American Reproductive Endocrinologists and Gynecologic Surgeons.

Abstract Objective To determine whether reproductive endocrinologists and minimally invasive surgeons support uterine transplantation as a treatment option for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Design A cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting A Web-based survey. Patients Physician members of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL). Interventions A Web-based questionnaire administered between January and February 2017. Measurements and Main Results Support for (strongly agree or agree) or opposition to (strongly disagree or disagree) various aspects of uterine transplantation were described using descriptive statistics and analyzed using chi-square tests. A total of 414 physicians (ASRM: 49.5%, AAGL: 50.5%) responded to the Web-based survey; 43.7% were female, 52.4% were between the ages of 45 and 65 years, and 73.4% were white. Nearly fifty-six percent supported women being allowed to donate or receive a transplanted uterus. Fifty-four percent strongly agreed or agreed that uterine transplantation carried an acceptable risk for donors, 28.0% for the recipient and 21.0% for the infant. Forty-two percent agreed that uterine transplantation should be considered a therapeutic option for women with AUFI, whereas 19.6% felt it should be covered by insurance. Nearly 45% of respondents felt uterine transplantation to be ethical. The most common ethical concerns regarding uterine transplantation were related to medical or surgical complications to the recipient (48.8%). Conclusion Just under half of the reproductive endocrinologists and minimally invasive surgeons surveyed find uterine transplantation to be an ethical option for patients with AUFI. Important concerns remain regarding the risk to donors, recipients, and resulting infants, all contributing to only a minority currently recommending it as a therapeutic option.
Role of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, mainly drugs targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) pathways, represent a remarkable advance in lung cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 are approved for the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, with impressive clinical activity and durable responses in some patients. This review will summarize the mechanism of action of these drugs, the clinical development of these agents and the current role of these agents in the management of patients with lung cancer. In addition, the review will discuss the role of predictive biomarkers for optimal patient selection for immunotherapy and management of autoimmune side effects of these agents.
Reduced mortality rates among caregivers: Does family caregiving provide a stress-buffering effect?

Multiple studies have confirmed a seemingly paradoxical finding that family caregivers have lower mortality rates than comparable samples of noncaregivers. Caregivers are often also found to report more symptoms of depression and higher stress levels, but psychological distress and mortality are rarely examined in the same study. This study tests a possible mechanism for the mortality effect by applying a theoretical model that posits psychological and physiological stress-buffering benefits from prosocial helping behaviors. Participants in the population-based REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study included 3,580 family caregivers who were individually matched to 3,580 noncaregivers on 15 demographic, health history, and health behavior variables using a propensity score matching algorithm. Baseline measures of depressive symptoms and perceived stress levels were also collected. The results indicated that caregivers reported significantly more depressive symptoms and higher perceived stress levels than propensity-matched noncaregivers (ps .49). Family caregiving appears to be similar to other prosocial helping behaviors in that it provides stress-buffering adaptations that ameliorate the impact of stress on major health outcomes such as mortality. (PsycINFO Database Record
Giant electro-refractive modulation of monolayer WS 2 embedded in photonic structures

We electrically tune the index of refraction of a monolayer WS2 index that is integrated on a SiN photonic structure by up to 3%. The loss of WS 2 is electro-statically tuned by less than 0.2 % at 1550 nm.
The Stochastic Equation of the Optimal Filter (Part II)

In Theorems 8.4.3 and 8.4.4 of Section 8.4 the conditional expectation E t f(X t ) was shown to satisfy a stochastic differential equation for all f in D(A) for which the condition \(\int_O^T {E\left| {f\left( {X_t } \right)h_t } \right|^2 < \infty } \) is fulfilled. However, the filtering problem can be regarded as completely solved if we can derive from (8.4.22) a stochastic differential equation for the conditional probability distribution—or the condition probability density—of X t given, ℱt z and if, furthermore, it can be established that the equation has a unique solution. This was achieved in Chapter 10 for the linear theory, and we saw that the general equations of Chapter 8 yielded the Kalman filter. The complete solution of the optimal nonlinear filtering problem presents a much more difficult task.
Comparability of IQ Scores on Five Widely Used Intelligence Tests.

Statistical comparability of verbal and nonverbal IQ scores from five widely used intelligence tests (Lorge-Thorndike, California, Henmon-Nelson, Kuhlmann-Anderson, and Otis) was established by equ...
Thermal Via Insertion and Thermally Aware Routing in 3D ICs

Thermal challenges in 3D chips motivate the need for on-chip thermal conduction networks to deliver the heat to the heat sink. The most prominent example is a passive network of thermal vias, which serves the function of heat conduction without necessarily serving any electrical function. This chapter begins with an overview of techniques for thermal via insertion. Next, it addresses the problem of 3D routing, overcoming challenges as conventional 2D routing is stretched to a third dimension and as electrical routes must vie with thermal vias for scarce on-chip routing resources, particularly intertier vias.
γδ T cells and IgE team up to prevent tumors.

In response to epithelial DNA damage, tissue-resident γδ T cells initiate and shape a tumor-protective IgE response that requires CD4+ T cells and immune effector cells expressing the high-affinity IgE receptor FceRI.
Behavioral and Physiological Signs for Pain Assessment in Preterm and Term Neonates During a Nociception-Specific Response: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background/Goal Assessment and treatment of neonatal pain is difficult because current scales are rarely validated against brain-based evidence. We sought to systematically evaluate published evidence to extract validation of the most promising markers of neonatal pain. Methods We searched four databases using germane MeSH terms. We focused on assessments of pain and/or nociception that had at least two measures among behavioral, physiological, or cortical components in preterm and/or term neonates. We evaluated studies for quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using standardized tools. Results Fifteen articles met our inclusion criteria. Among the behavioral components uncovered in this review, the withdrawal reflex and changes in facial expression are the most strongly associated with nociception-specific brain activity. These associations may be influenced by gestational age and change over time. Physiological signs, such heart rate and oxygen saturation, have little to no association with this type of response. Conclusions Current assessments of neonatal pain include behavioral components that are associated with nociceptive processing, but also other less valid components, while omitting newer measures based on neuroscientific research.
Textile and Apparel Industry Addresses Emerging Issue of Microfiber Pollution

Plastics pollution in our waterways has been of concern for many years. More recently, microplastics have been identified and from that the subcategory of microfibers has been noted. Microfiber pollution is an emerging issue and research is ongoing by those in the environmental sciences, textile sciences, apparel technology, apparel brands and retailers to better understand and mitigate the associated impacts. . Like many of today’s global challenges, this is a complex issue and to develop effective solutions it will require expertise from different scientific disciplines to investigate this issue. Collaboration among the many disciplines will be necessary to develop a better understanding of the underlying causes and propose feasible solutions to address this concern.
Biogenic Volatiles Emitted from Four Cold-Hardy Grape Cultivars During Ripening

In this research dataset, we summarize for the first time volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in vivo from ripening wine grapes. We studied four cold-hardy cultivars grown in the Midwestern U.S.: St. Croix, Frontenac, Marquette, and La Crescent. These cultivars have gained popularity among local growers and winemakers, but still very little is known about their performance compared with long-established V. vinifera grapes. Volatiles were collected using two novel approaches: biogenic emissions from grape clusters on a vine and single grape berries. A third approach was headspace collection of volatiles from crushed grapes. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used to collect volatiles. Vacuum-assisted SPME was used in the case of single grape berry. Collected VOCs were analyzed using separation and identification on a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS). More than 120 VOCs were identified using mass spectral libraries. The dataset provides evidence that detecting biogenic emissions from growing grapes is feasible. The dataset provides a record of temporal and spatial variability of VOCs, many of which could potentially impart aroma and flavor in the wine. The number of VOCs detected followed the order from single berry (the least) to crushed berry (the most). Thus, more information for potential use in harvesting in order to obtain the desired flavor is found in data from crushed grapes.
You That Build the Death Planes: Bob Dylan, War and International Affairs

Several years ago, I wrote that Bob Dylan was “a scholar with a well-developed jurisprudence on a range of topics including civil, criminal, public, and private law” (Perlin, 2011, p.1396). In that article, I discussed and analyzed Dylan songs that dealt with, variously, civil rights, inequality in the criminal and civil justice systems, institutions, governmental/judicial corruption, equality and emancipation, and the role of lawyers in the legal process. (Id.). But I noted that I was omitting – for space considerations – any discussion of Dylan songs dealing with war and international affairs (Id., p. 1398, n. 15). In this paper, I will address some of those songs that confront these topics directly (from John Brown, Highway 61, Masters of War, With God on Our Side, and Let Me Die in My Footsteps, to Slow Train and Neighborhood Bully), as well as others that do so more metaphorically or symbolically (e.g., It’s Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding); A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall; Gates of Eden; Pay in Blood). I will conclude that, beyond the anthemic anti-war core of songs such as Masters, Dylan’s work reflects a keen understanding of geopolitics – why there is war, how profiteering is inevitably part of any pro-war movement, how alliances forged in war time are fragile in the aftermath, and how wars are, inevitably, “mistakes of a past history” (Footsteps) – all a reflection of the Political World in which we live. I also look at these issues through the lens of therapeutic jurisprudence, a model of looking at the law and the legal system to determine that system’s impact on the individuals whose lives are regulated.
Advanced Small Modular Reactor and Environment Consideration

Some proponents of nuclear power are advocating for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) as the solution to the problems facing large reactors, particularly soaring costs, safety, and radioactive waste. Unfortunately, small-scale reactors cannot solve these problems and would likely exacerbate them. There has been a proliferation of proposed SMR designs, but none have applied for certification by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission yet. The NRC says that it expects to receive its first SMR design certification application in 2012. There are three general types of SMRs being discussed for certification and possible deployment in the United States [1].
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children Exposed in Utero to Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Objective This study aimed to determine if hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk, and how this association is influenced by race, ethnicity, sex, exposure timing, and medication used to treat it. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study using records from 469,789 mother–child pairs who delivered at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) hospital (1991–2014). Singleton-born children were followed longitudinally from 2 to 17 years of age. Clinical records were used to determine the diagnosis of HG and specialist-confirmed diagnosis of ASD. Results Children exposed to HG in-utero had higher rates of ASD than unexposed children (2.87 vs. 1.71/1,000 person-years; adjusted hazard ratio [adj.HR]: 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–1.70). Children exposed at first and second trimester of pregnancies were more likely to develop ASD; 1.58-fold (95% CI: 1.40–1.79), and 1.36-fold (95% CI: 1.05–1.75), respectively, compared with unexposed children. HG was associated with ASD for boys (adj.HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.33–1.70) and girls (adj.HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.28–2.05). HG was significantly associated with ASD risk in white and Hispanic children. The medications used to treat HG did not contribute to ASD risk. Conclusion HG diagnosis is associated with ASD risk and may be helpful in identifying at-risk children who could benefit from enhanced surveillance and earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Toward a Radical Collaboratory Model for Graduate Research Education: A Collaborative Autoethnography

This article builds upon the exigence highlighted in recent scholarship on preparing technical and professional communication (TPC) graduate students for collaborative research and professionalizat...
FaceSNPs: Identifying Face-Related SNPs from the Human Genome

The human face is an important part of the human body. Finding SNPs associated with its different regions can open doors to deeper understanding of different genetic diseases affecting the face, improve genotype-to-phenotype analysis for forensics, etc. In this work we propose a process for constructing a panel of SNPs associated with the human face leveraging a database of published work on different face regions. We validate our selection by using them to predict human biogeographical ancestry at both continent and sub-continent levels, as well as by manual confirmation of selected genes. Although our process makes no assumptions on ancestry informativeness of selected SNPs, our SNP panel perform comparatively well at the task, with some subsets outperforming those from published work. We also highlight genes/chromosomes that promise better discriminative power to help those under resource constraint focus on only a few genes/chromosomes for further analyses.
Higher Physiologic Platelet Counts in Whole Blood Are Not Associated With Improved ACL Cross-sectional Area or Signal Intensity 6 Months After Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair.

Background:A bridge-enhanced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair (BEAR) procedure places an extracellular matrix implant, combined with autologous whole blood, in the gap between the torn ends ...
Pulmonary complications in trauma: Another bellwether for failure to rescue?

Abstract Background Pulmonary complications are the most common adverse event after injury and second greatest cause of failure to rescue (death after pulmonary complications). It is not known whether readily accessible trauma center data can be used to stratify center-level performance for various complications. Performance variation between trauma centers would allow sharing of best practices among otherwise similar hospitals. We hypothesized that high-, average-, and low-performing centers for pulmonary complication and failure to rescue could be identified and that hospital factors associated with success and failure could be discovered. Methods Pennsylvania state trauma registry data (2007–2015) were abstracted for pulmonary complications. Burns and age Results Included in the study were 283,121 patients (male [60%] blunt trauma [92%]). Of these patients, 3% (8,381 of 283,121) developed pulmonary complications (center-level range 0.18%–5.8%). The percentage of failure-to-rescue patients was 13.4% (1,120/8,381, center-level range 0.0%-22.6%). For pulmonary complications, 13 out of 27 centers were high performers (95% CI for O:E ratio 1). For failure-to-rescue patients, 2 out of 27 centers were low performers and the remainder average. There was little concordance between performance for pulmonary complications and failure to rescue. Research programs, large non-teaching hospitals, those with advanced practice providers, and those with health maintenance organizations had reduced failure-to-rescue patients. Conclusion Factors associated with complications were distinct from those affecting failure to rescue and center-level success in reducing complications often did not translate into success in preventing death once they occurred. Our data demonstrate that high- and low-performing centers and the factors driving success or failure are identifiable. This work serves as a guide for comparing practices and improving outcomes with readily available data.