cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The obesity stigma asymmetry model: The indirect and divergent effects of blame and changeability beliefs on antifat prejudice.

The American Medical Association hoped that labeling obesity a disease would not only highlight the seriousness of the epidemic and elicit resources but also reduce stigma against obese individuals. In the current work, we tested the consequences of this decision for prejudice against obese individu
Moral education versus indoctrination

Moral education is open to worries about indoctrination given the controversies there are about a wide range of ethical matters. I argue, however, that moral education is no more liable to being ‘i...
Deep Brain Stimulation Children – Surgical Considerations

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive surgical procedure, where one places electrodes into precise brain targets, and then connects the electrodes subcutaneously to an implanted pulse generator device. The DBS system can then deliver electrical stimulation to a discrete neuroanatomical region continuously over years, with the ability to change electrical parameters remotely. Typically, DBS therapy has been used in movement disorders but clinical indications have been widely expanded in recent years. The therapeutic electrical current is thought to modulate pathological neuronal circuitry, with dramatic results elicited at times, which continue over the durations of decades. Very interesting neuroscientific questions now arise, since the chronic application of electrical current on a dynamically growing brain affords a ripe environment for discovery into issues such as neuromodulation and neuroplasticity.
Image-Guided Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy

Radiosurgery is based on the simple but elegant premise that spatially accurate targeting combined with a wide array of cross-fired beams can generate an ablative surgical-like tool. This concept is now over five decades old, with both the core idea and term “radiosurgery” springing from the genius of Lars Leksell. In the intervening decades, medical imaging has truly changed every dimension of neurosurgery, but the impact of the imaging revolution has arguably been most transformative within the subspecialty of radiosurgery, which by design relies only on imaging to be the eyes of the surgeon at all times. The resulting concept of image-guided radiosurgery has rewritten the rules for intracranial radiosurgery, and has expanded the field into the realm of spinal pathologies. Ultimately even all this change may be the tip of the proverbial iceberg as image-guided radiosurgery is rapidly encompassing the entire field of radiation therapy, and in doing so, transforming the management of almost all cancer.
Puzzled: Coin flipping

Each of these puzzles involves coin flipping. Simple stuff, right? Not necessarily…though solutions will indeed be provided in next month's column.
Cultivating Compassion and Youth Action Around the Globe: A Preliminary Report on Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Program

This paper describes a unique service-learning based environmental and humanitarian program for youth, The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots program (R&S). R&S aims to foster learning, personal growth and civic engagement among youth members through service activities and environmental education. Despite its promise as a youth development program and its rapid expansion into 100 countries, little is known about R&S’s impact on youth development. In this study, we explore R&S programs in China and Tanzania, two countries that are maximally different from the U.S. in important cultural and contextual factors. Through qualitative and quantitative methods we describe the programs, their practices, and perceptions of their impact on youths’ personal and social development (cognitive and social competence, leadership, self-efficacy, citizenship and social responsibility). Additionally, we highlight the importance of sociocultural and ecological factors when developing and evaluating youth programs.
Synthetic reactions with oligo- and poly-deoxyribonucleotides; non-enzymatic formation of phosphodiester bonds

Les polynucleotides sont d’abord prepares par des methodes enzymatiques ou chimiques en utilisant des nucleosides phosphates hautement energetiques ou actives chimiquement. Cet expose analyse :1)La formation de polynucleotides a partir de nucleotides ou d’oligonucleotides en presence de l’echangeur d’anion Ecteola, mais sans activation prealable ni utilisation d’enzyme.2)L’incorporation non-enzymatique d’unites nucleotidiques dans le DNA en l’absence d’Ecteola.Les produits obtenus par polimerisation a l’aide d’Ecteola dans le tampon phosphate 0,01 dilue et neutre, de la portion dialysable d’une preparation d’ADN de thymus de veau digere par de la DNase ont un poids moleculaire moyen d’environ 10 000 lorsqu’on les examine par ultra-centrifugation ; parmi ces produits on en trouve de plus grande dimension. Par suite de ce traitement 20 % du materiel initial constitue par des nucleotides dialysables devient non dialysable contre des solutions salines diluees et concentrees. La cellulose ou les echangeurs de cations de cellulose ne catalysent pas la reaction. On a etudie les produits par des methodes physiques et chimiques.On a trouve que lorsque les desoxyribonucleotides en particulier etaient melanges au DNA pendant plusieurs jours dans une solution saline etendue, plusieurs unites nucleotidiques se rattachaient au DNA. L’examen chimique et physique des produits permet de penser que de nouvelles liaisons phosphodiester se sont formes.
Sediment characteristic of the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico

The Mississippi River is the largest river in the United States and discharges substantial amounts of nutrients, organic carbon, and sedi­ments onto the Texas-Louisiana continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico. As a ba­sic part of an initiative to describe processes at the sediment-water interface in the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf ecosystem we measured sediment grain size and per cent total organic carbon. This paper reports sediment grain size characteristics and per cent carbon, and makes preliminary associations between these varia­bles and carbon utilization by the benthos (cal­culated from sediment oxygen consumption ra­tes) and macrofauna biomass.
Cultivating a community of practice: the evolution of a health information specialists program for public librarians.

Background: To help improve the culture of health in Oklahoma—a state that frequently ranks poorly on multiple measures of health and wellness—faculty librarians from an academic health sciences library sought to create a collaborative network of health information professionals in Oklahoma’s public libraries through the implementation of the Health Information Specialists Program. Case Presentation: Health sciences librarians offered a variety of consumer health information courses for public library staff across the state of Oklahoma for three years. Courses were approved by the Medical Library Association for credit toward the Consumer Health Information Specialization. A total of seventy-two participants from public libraries attended the courses, sixty-five achieved a Level I Consumer Health Information Specialization, and nine went on to achieve Level II. Conclusions: Feedback from participants in the Health Information Specialists Program has indicated a positive impact on the health information expertise of participants, who in turn have used the knowledge that they gained to help their patrons.
Preservation, Storage and Transport: Integrity and Compliance

Important aspects of working with microorganisms in the laboratory and maintaining them for future use include assuring their integrity, handling them safely, and complying with regulations for safe and secure storage and transfer. Integrity can be assured by using traditional methods of preservation, low-temperature storage, and packaging systems for protecting the material during transport. Cultures can be deliberately manipulated to create a state of dormancy by freezing or freeze-drying, and by maintaining conditions during handling and transport that assure continued viability and efficacy of the microorganism. Handling and maintenance of hazardous microorganisms requires attention to good biosafety and biosecurity practices. Infectious agents present risks to scientists and technicians who handle them, and depending on the agent they can present more widespread public health risks, as well as environmental and economical risks by infecting plants and animals. Good safety practices and controls are necessary to ensure that these risks are minimized and biosecurity measures assure that dual-use microorganisms are not accessible to those intending to use them for nefarious purposes. Compliance with US and international regulations for handling, storage, and transport of infectious agents is a critical part of working with hazardous microbial cultures in the current environment of heightened awareness of the potential for misuse of microbiological agents.
Safety of gastrointestinal endoscopy with conscious sedation in obstructive sleep apnea

Aim To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of conscious sedation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods A comprehensive electronic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from inception until March 1, 2015. In an effort to include unpublished data, abstracts from prior gastroenterological society meetings as well as other reference sources were interrogated. After study selection, two authors utilizing a standardized data extraction form collected the data independently. Any disagreements between authors were resolved by consensus among four authors. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa tool for observational studies. The primary variables of interest included incidence of hypoxia, hypotension, tachycardia, and bradycardia. Continuous data were summarized as odds ratio (OR) and 95%CI and pooled using generic inverse variance under the random-effects model. Heterogeneity between pooled studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results Initial search of MEDLINE and EMBASE identified 357 citations. A search of meeting abstracts did not yield any relevant citations. After systematic review and exclusion consensus meetings, seven studies met the a priori determined inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality of included studies ranged from moderate to low. No significant differences between OSA patients and controls were identified among any of the study variables: Incidence of hypoxia (7 studies, 3005 patients; OR = 1.11; 95%CI: 0.73-1.11; P = 0.47; I2 = 0%), incidence of hypotension (4 studies, 2125 patients; OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 0.75-1.60; P = 0.63; I2 = 0%), incidence of tachycardia (3 studies, 2030 patients; OR = 0.94; 95%CI: 0.53-1.65; P = 0.28; I2 = 21%), and incidence of bradycardia (3 studies, 2030 patients; OR = 0.88; 95%CI: 0.63-1.22; P = 0.59; I2 = 0%). Conclusion OSA is not a significant risk factor for cardiopulmonary complications in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures with conscious sedation.
Measuring Perceived Usability: The CSUQ, SUS, and UMUX

The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between two widely used questionnaires designed to measure perceived usability: the Computer System Usability Questionnaire ...
Integrating community-based health promotion programs and primary care: a mixed methods analysis of feasibility.

Implementation of evidence-based programs (EBPs) for disease self-management and prevention is a policy priority. It is challenging to implement EBPs offered in community settings and to integrate them with healthcare. We sought to understand, categorize, and richly describe key challenges and opportunities related to integrating EBPs into routine primary care practice in the United States. As part of a parent, participatory action research project, we conducted a mixed methods evaluation guided by the PRECEDE implementation planning model in an 11-county region of Southeast Minnesota. Our community-partnered research team interviewed and surveyed 15 and 190 primary care clinicians and 15 and 88 non-clinician stakeholders, respectively. We coded interviews according to pre-defined PRECEDE factors and by participant type and searched for emerging themes. We then categorized survey items—before looking at participant responses—according to their ability to generate further evidence supporting the PRECEDE factors and emerging themes. We statistically summarized data within and across responder groups. When consistent, we merged these with qualitative insight. The themes we found, “Two Systems, Two Worlds,” “Not My Job,” and “Seeing is Believing,” highlighted the disparate nature of prescribed activities that different stakeholders do to contribute to health. For instance, primary care clinicians felt pressured to focus on activities of diagnosis and treatment and did not imagine ways in which EBPs could contribute to either. Quantitative analyses supported aspects of all three themes, highlighting clinicians’ limited trust in community-placed activities, and the need for tailored education and system and policy-level changes to support their integration with primary care. Primary care and community-based programs exist in disconnected worlds. Without urgent and intentional efforts to bridge well-care and sick-care, interventions that support people’s efforts to be and stay well in their communities will remain outside of—if not at odds with—healthcare.
Anarchism and the Newest Social Movements

Something new has been taking place around the world. Societies are in movement as never before—not with such tremendous numbers, consistent horizontal forms, uses of direct action over demands, in vastly disparate geographies and with such overarching global consistency. This chapter will delve into the specifics of the newer anti-capitalist movements, as well as ground them in many historical movements, both recent and with a longer view, that have similar forms and visions, such as the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, the Global Justice Movement and the Argentine assembly movements post-2001. In particular, the question of the similarities with an anarchist approach and vision will be discussed in relation to the newer movement forms and will ask the question of the newness of these forms.
Globalization as a Dynamic Force in Contemporary Societies

Globalization is bringing about profound changes. The farthest reaches of the world are becoming accessible, in ways that most of us were unable to imagine even just 20 years ago. Accelerating advances in communication and information technologies are changing the ways in which we connect, access information, and interact with each other. For some, these changes have opened up new venues and opportunities: distant places are increasingly accessible, new relationships can be forged, and work and learning can occur from any location that has an Internet connection. For others, these same changes have been associated with loss: the loss of traditions, or jobs, or significant relationships. But whatever form these changes take, few realize the magnitude, intensity, and long-term implications of these transformations. Fundamental widespread beliefs and naturalized relationships are being questioned, negotiated, and, at times, dissolved. These changes are not just restricted to the West or the industrialized world. Instead, extreme transformation is rapidly becoming a global experience. While societies, communities, families, and individuals in all regions of the world, live under a multitude of conditions, they are not immune to the increasingly accelerated, profound, deeply rooted changes that we are witnessing. These changes, however, are not distributed equally between or within societies. Instead, in some areas we are witnessing extremely rapid societal transformation, and in other places only certain groups or regions are affected.
A machine-learning approach to volitional control of a closed-loop deep brain stimulation system.

Objective Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment for essential tremor, but may not be an optimal therapy, as it is always on, regardless of symptoms. A closed-loop (CL) DBS, which uses a biosignal to determine when stimulation should be given, may be better. Cortical activity is a promising biosignal for use in a closed-loop system because it contains features that are correlated with pathological and normal movements. However, neural signals are different across individuals, making it difficult to create a 'one size fits all' closed-loop system. Approach We used machine learning to create a patient-specific, CL DBS system. In this system, binary classifiers are used to extract patient-specific features from cortical signals and determine when volitional, tremor-evoking movement is occurring to alter stimulation voltage in real time. Main results This system is able to deliver stimulation up to 87%-100% of the time that subjects are moving. Additionally, we show that the therapeutic effect of the system is at least as good as that of current, continuous-stimulation paradigms. Significance These findings demonstrate the promise of CL DBS therapy and highlight the importance of using subject-specific models in these systems.
Exploring the Factors for Marketing Indoor Cycling

In this paper, we use multiple regression and stepwise regression analyses to consider a set of variables to determine what is important in the marketing of, and actual use, of indoor cycling. We find that the importance of music to the consumer, and the importance of cleanliness of the studio to the consumer are key factors in the amount of use a consumer makes of indoor cycling. We also discuss entertainment marketing and the role of sense of community .
Abstract 216: Modeling Statin Hepatotoxicity with Acute Liver Specific Deletion of HmgCoA Reductase

Hmg-CoA Reductase (Hmgcr) catalyzes the conversion of Hmg-CoA to mevalonate, which is the rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Hmgcr is the target of statins, which are the f...
A prospective blinded comparison of second trimester fetal measurements by expert and novice readers using low-cost novice-acquired 3D volumetric ultrasound.

Rationale and objectives: Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) is operator dependent, requiring operator skill and experience to selectively identify and record planes of interest for subsequent in...
Mediating the victim–offender overlap with delinquent peer associations: a preliminary test of the person proximity hypothesis

The principal goal of this study was to identify the mechanisms responsible for the victim-offender overlap. Participants were 1,354 (1,170 males, 184 females) youthful offenders (mean age = 16.04 ...
Fault-Tolerant Neuromorphic Computing Systems

The emergence of non-volatile memories (NVM) such as resistive-oxide random access memory (RRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), and phase change memory (PCM) enables brain-inspired neuromorphic computing. However, due to immature fabrication process, NVMs are prone to process variations and manufacturing defects, which must be investigated for effective defect-to-fault mapping, high-coverage test generation, and diagnostics-driven yield learning. In this paper, we present a survey of research on fault modeling, test generation methodologies, and fault-tolerant design of neuromorphic computing systems based on RRAM and MRAM.
Legal Integration of NAFTA through Supranational Adjudication

There is a continuing debate about the importance of law to economic development.1 I have come away from that debate with the belief that law is not among the primary factors in development, but does have a material impact. It is even more plausible that law might matter to the evolution of a regional economic union. At the least, most observers would agree that the legal institutions of the European Union have become important in its development. The direction of the causality arrow as between economic and legal integration is fairly debatable, but it is probably an interactive relationship, each element feeding the growth of the other.
Self-Aging-Prognostic GaN-Based Switching Power Converter Using T J -Independent Online Condition Monitoring and Proactive Temperature Frequency Scaling

To mitigate unique aging and failure challenges encountered in GaN technology, this article develops the techniques that reinforce the reliability of GaN power circuits. In particular, an online condition monitoring scheme is developed to prognose the current collapse induced aging and failures in GaN power switches, using the devices’ dynamic on -resistance rDS_ ON, as the real-time precursor. As rDS_ ON is temperature-dependent in general, a gate-leakage based junction temperature TJ sensor is developed to assist in removing temperature effect from rDS_ ON reading, achieving TJ -independent condition monitoring. To improve the device longevity, a proactive temperature frequency scaling scheme is implemented to balance the power circuit performance and reliability. To validate the design concepts, a power converter IC prototype was designed and fabricated using an 180 nm high-voltage CMOS process. With all e-mode GaN power switches, it operates at 10 MHz switching frequency with a flexible input supply voltage ranging from 5 to 40 V and delivers a maximum power of 6 W. Experimental results demonstrate that the TJ -independent online condition monitoring reduces the false monitoring rate by 19 times over a temperature range from 0 to 125 °C. Meanwhile, the temperature frequency scaling engine reduces the TJ of the GaN switches by up to 16 °C, while striving for an optimal operation between performance and thermal stress.
The influence of the Affordable Care Act-Dependent Care Expansion on insurance coverage among young cancer survivors in California: an updated analysis.

To assess changes in health insurance coverage for young cancer patients pre- and post- the Affordable Care Act-Dependent Care Expansion (ACA-DCE) implementation in California. Further, we examined differences in insurance coverage by socioeconomic and race/ethnicity. Data were obtained from the California Cancer Registry and Medicaid enrollment files, from 2005 to 2014. We conducted difference-in-difference analyses among 7042 cancer patients aged 22–25 years (“intervention group”) and 25,269 aged 26–34 years (“control group”). We also examined the independent and combined effects of race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) on insurance coverage. After the ACA-DCE implementation, we observed a 52.7% reduction in the proportion of uninsured and a 35.7% increase in the proportion of privately insured patients. There was also a 17.3% reduction in Medicaid at cancer diagnosis and a 27.5% reduction in discontinuous Medicaid enrollment. However, these benefits were limited to patients of non-Hispanic White, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander race/ethnicity living in higher nSES, with no differences in insurance enrollment among young adults who lived in low nSES or those of Black race/ethnicity. The ACA-DCE broadened insurance coverage for young adults with cancer in California. Yet, only certain subgroups of patients have benefited from this policy.
Inflammatory bowel disease in Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome: a retrospective single‐centre cohort study

Background Knowledge about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by defective biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles, could provide insights into IBD in general. Objective To expand the understanding of IBD in patients with HPS. Methods Retrospective review of records from patients with HPS evaluated at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center from 1995 to 2019 was conducted. Clinical features of IBD, genotyping results and histologic findings of colectomy specimens were analysed. Results IBD affected 37 (14.2%; 12 male, 25 female) of 261 patients with HPS. Median age of onset was 17 years; range was 1 to 52 years. The most common symptoms of HPS IBD were hematochezia, abdominal pain and loose stools. Fistulae or extra-intestinal manifestations developed in 30% or 22%, respectively. Genotyping showed that patients with biallelic variants in HPS1, HPS3, HPS4 or HPS6 were diagnosed with IBD. Six children had very early-onset IBD. Patients with HPS-3 had mild manifestations of IBD. Medical therapy and bowel resection were utilized to treat 73% and 35% of patients with HPS IBD, respectively; 7 of 13 patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy had prolonged clinical responses. Active cryptitis, chronic inflammatory changes, granulomas and ceroid lipofuscinosis were histopathologic findings in three colectomy specimens. Conclusions IBD resembling Crohn's disease affects some patients with HPS; genetic heterogeneity is a feature of HPS IBD. HPS3 is a new gene associated with human IBD. Very early-onset IBD can develop in HPS.
Beyond the Leaky Pipeline: Developmental Pathways that Lead College Students to Join or Return to STEM Majors

STEM education researchers often invoke the “Leaky Pipeline” metaphor (National Research Council, 1986) when explaining why so many students do not persist in STEM. This metaphor envisions the supply of potential workers as a pipeline. Students “drip out” (leave STEM) of the pipeline from preschool through college. However, this metaphor does not adequately reflect the fluidity and multi-directionality of students’ decisions about their college majors. For example, some students join STEM after leaving another (non-STEM) major, and others add STEM as a second major. Increasing the number of students who join STEM could contribute substantially to addressing the STEM shortage. We used the term STEM joiners to refer to these students. We conducted a qualitative study of 22 college STEM joiners to explore the developmental trajectories and motivations of these STEM joiners. Data was collected through semi-structured clinical interviews with each individual and was analyzed by an iterative, grounded coding processes to derive themes and categories. We found that the decision to join STEM after declaring another major was often motivated by a desire to return to original interests in STEM. Early college STEM courses, supportive STEM environments, and mentoring experiences were critical in students’ joining decisions. The results suggest ways in which STEM joining could be increased, which could lead to an increase in the number of STEM majors.
“Drought isn’t just water, it is living”: Narratives of drought vulnerability in California’s San Joaquin Valley

Abstract Drought vulnerability studies in the United States primarily focus on biophysical and economic indicators and overlook the multiple ways drought is experienced socially. This research examines the human dimensions of drought through narratives of drought vulnerability in the agricultural communities of California’s San Joaquin Valley during the 2012–2016 drought. Four narratives are identified that reveal the lived experiences and local knowledges of drought as well as the multiple understandings of the political, economic, social, and environmental processes that produce drought vulnerability. The narratives explain the production of drought across long timescales that include both memories of historical events as well as visions of desired futures for the region. Who is vulnerable and why differs across the narratives, with each narrative offering competing understandings for how the relationships between water, agriculture, labor, and rural communities create drought vulnerability. Which narrative becomes dominant and embedded in water governance has impacts on the practice of agriculture as well as social and environmental justice for farmworkers and rural community members.
Fe and Zn content of various genetic background of released rice varieties in Indonesia

Fe and Zinc deficiency is one of the most prevalence micro nutrient disorder in Indonesia. Increasing of Fe and Zn content in rice grain is expected to be useful to reduce the micronutrient deficiency. This research was aimed to identify rice varieties containing high Fe and Zn content and initially study the correlation among some related traits. The experiment was conducted in October – December 2016 by testing 176 released varieties and 4 elite rice lines. The samples were prepared as brown rice. Fe and Zn contents were measured using XRF Oxford machine which is validated by ICP method. The results showed that Fe content of the tested genotypes is normally distributed ranged from 9.70 ppm to 17.40 ppm with the mean of 13.03 ppm and the Zn content is not normally distributed ranged from 15.80 ppm to 31.10 ppm with the mean of 22.41 ppm. Majority of the released rice varieties in Indonesia had lower Fe and Zn content compared to the most popular variety, Ciherang (12.20 ppm and 24.70 ppm). Kalimutu had the highest both for Fe and Zn content (17.40 ppm and 31,10 ppm). Fe and Zn content are positively correlated and breeding effort for both traits is prospective.
Tracheostomy for COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Multidisciplinary, Multicenter Data on Timing, Technique, and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Tracheostomy has an essential role in managing COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, limited data are available on how tracheostomy affects COVID-19 outcomes, and uncertainty surrounding risk of infectious transmission has led to divergent recommendations and practices. METHODS: It is a multicenter, retrospective study; data were collected on all tracheostomies performed in COVID-19 patients at 7 hospitals in 5 tertiary academic medical systems from February 1, 2020 to September 4, 2020. RESULT: Tracheotomy was performed in 118 patients with median time from intubation to tracheostomy of 22âdays (Q1-Q3: 18-25). All tracheostomies were performed employing measures to minimize aerosol generation, 78.0% by percutaneous technique, and 95.8% at bedside in negative pressure rooms. Seventy-eight (66.1%) patients were weaned from the ventilator and 18 (15.3%) patients died from causes unrelated to tracheostomy. No major procedural complications occurred. Early tracheostomy (≤14âdays) was associated with decreased ventilator days; median ventilator days (Q1-Q3) among patients weaned from the ventilator in the early, middle and late groups were 21 (21-31), 34 (26.5-42), and 37 (32-41) days, respectively with P = 0.030. Compared to surgical tracheostomy, percutaneous technique was associated with faster weaning for patients weaned off the ventilator [median (Q1-Q3): 34 (29-39) vs 39 (34-51) days, P = 0.038]; decreased ventilator-associated pneumonia (58.7% vs 80.8%, P = 0.039); and among patients who were discharged, shorter intensive care unit duration [median (Q1-Q3): 33 (27-42) vs 47 (33-64) days, P = 0.009]; and shorter hospital length of stay [median (Q1-Q3): 46 (33-59) vs 59.5 (48-80) days, P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Early, percutaneous tracheostomy was associated with improved outcomes compared to surgical tracheostomy in a multi-institutional series of ventilated patients with COVID-19.
I thought we were vibin’: A qualitative exploration of sexual agency and consent in young people:

While there is much attention paid to the connection between social boundaries and consent, the relationship between consent literacy and sexual agency has not yet been explored. This qualitative a...
Curricular Efforts in Technical Communication After the Social Justice Turn

The social justice turn in technical and professional communication (TPC) has inspired a substantial body of progressive scholarship and discussion. But it is not clear how these scholarly efforts ...
Fair Graph Mining

In today's increasingly connected world, graph mining plays a pivotal role in many real-world application domains, including social network analysis, recommendations, marketing and financial security. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop a wide range of computational models. However, recent studies have revealed that many widely-applied graph mining models could suffer from potential discrimination. Fairness on graph mining aims to develop strategies in order to mitigate bias introduced/amplified during the mining process. The unique challenges of enforcing fairness on graph mining include (1) theoretical challenge on non-IID nature of graph data, which may invalidate the basic assumption behind many existing studies in fair machine learning, and (2) algorithmic challenge on the dilemma of balancing model accuracy and fairness. This tutorial aims to (1) present a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art techniques in fairness on graph mining and (2) identify the open challenges and future trends. In particular, we start with reviewing the background, problem definitions, unique challenges and related problems; then we will focus on an in-depth overview of (1) recent techniques in enforcing group fairness, individual fairness and other fairness notions in the context of graph mining, and (2) future directions in studying algorithmic fairness on graphs. We believe this tutorial could be attractive to researchers and practitioners in areas including data mining, artificial intelligence, social science and beneficial to a plethora of real-world application domains.
Wavelet-based modeling and smoothing for call admission control of VBR video traffic

Standard video compression techniques (e.g., MPEG) produce variable bit rate video stream for constant quality. The bursty nature of video traffic may cause significant inefficiency in bandwidth allocation. A number of works have been done to enhance bandwidth efficiency by respectively focusing on variable bit rate (VBR) traffic modeling, smoothing and call admission control. In this paper, we propose a unified modeling and smoothing scheme for call admission control based on the computationally efficient wavelet model in (R. Riedi, et al., 1999). The wavelet-based model, which captures the multifractal nature of the VBR traffic, not only tracks the autocorrelation of the real traffic well, but also gives an accurate description of the heavy tail distribution VBR traffic exhibits. Simulation results show that this method outperforms other existing ones in estimating necessary bandwidth for video traffic transmission. In addition, based on this tree-structured wavelet model, call admission control scheme can be implemented in conjunction with tree-structured wavelet-based traffic smoothing techniques (e.g., PCRTT and WTS). Consequently, additional bandwidth efficiency can be gained via traffic smoothing.
Evaluation of Personal and work Parameters on Ability to Maintain Non-Neutral Trunk Postures

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect millions of workers and run up enormous costs by affecting both worker well-being and by production loss. Jobs that require static trunk flexion create biomechanical loads on the muscles and soft-tissue of the lower back, and may contribute to disability caused by low back pain. This paper presents the preliminary results from a laboratory study to identify personal and work factors that determine endurance limits for maintaining non-neutral trunk postures. Subjective and objective measures of performance were recorded using a visual analog scale for discomfort, time of distracting discomfort (TDD), total endurance time (TET) in each posture, and surface electromyography. Endurance time dropped significantly between 15 and 30° of flexion. Older subjects outperformed the younger subjects in TET. Perceived discomfort increased monotonically as a function of trunk flexion angle, with younger subjects perceiving greater discomfort than the older population.
Leader-Follower Extraversion Congruence and Follower Perceptions of Transformational Leadership: A Test Using Response Surface Modeling

Using polynomial regression and response surface modeling in a lagged field study, we examine relationships among leader and follower extraversion fit and follower ratings of transformational leadership. This paper builds on prior research investigating the influence that leader and follower personality factors have on follower perceptions of leadership. Data from a sample of 117 Naval Midshipmen dyads suggest that leader-follower extraversion congruence at Time 1 was positively related to higher follower ratings of transformational leadership at Time 2. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to perceptions and attributions of leadership, the potential role that extraversion congruence may play in the development of leader-follower relationships, and the role of personality across different fit contexts.
Two-step 1-D fast Fourier transform without inter-processor communications

Computing the 1-D fast Fourier transform (FFT) using the conventional six-step FFT on parallel computers requires intensive all-to-all communication due to the necessity of transposing an array three times. This all-to-all communication significantly reduces the performance of FFT in parallel systems. In this paper, we present a two-step parallel algorithm for implementing the 1-D FFT without inter-processor communication, at the expense of extra computation as opposed to the conventional six-step FFT. The advantage of the two-step FFT algorithm over its six-step counterpart becomes obvious in systems where the cost of computation is lower that of inter-processor communication. The 32-node Beowulf cluster is such a system with fast 2 GHz processors but relatively slow inter-processor communication by using 100 Mbit/s network switches. Our simulation results show that the two-step FFT algorithm without inter-processor communication outperforms the six-step 1-D FFT on this cluster.
Thermal conductivity and interface thermal conductance of amorphous and crystalline Zr47Cu31Al13Ni9 alloys with a Y2O3 coating

We examine the thermal conductivity k and interface thermal conductance G for amorphous and crystalline Zr47Cu31Al13Ni9 alloys in contact with polycrystalline Y2O3. Using time-domain thermoreflectance, we find k=4.5 W m−1 K−1 for the amorphous metallic alloy of Zr47Cu31Al13Ni9 and k=5.0 W m−1 K−1 for the crystalline Zr47Cu31Al13Ni9. We also measure G=23 MW m−2 K−1 for the metallic glass/Y2O3 interface and G=26 MW m−2 K−1 for the interface between the crystalline Zr47Cu31Al13Ni9 and Y2O3. The thermal conductivity of the crystalline Y2O3 layer is found to be k=5.0 W m−1 K−1, and the conductances of Al/Y2O3 and Y2O3/Si interfaces are 68 and 45 MW m−2 K−1, respectively.
In Vitro Interactions Between Rabbit Alveolar Macrophages and Pasteurella tularensis

Nutter, J. E. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Q. N. Myrvik. In vitro interactions between rabbit alveolar macrophages and Pasteurella tularensis. J. Bacteriol. 92:645-651. 1966.-Rabbit alveolar macrophages were successfully employed in a study of host cell-Pasteurella tularensis interactions in vitro. Under cell culture conditions in which inhibitory antibiotics were not employed and small infection ratios were used, the relative in vivo virulence of two strains of P. tularensis was duplicated. As a consequence of intracellular multiplication, normal macrophages were killed in relation to the virulence of the strain employed. Alveolar macrophages were also collected from immune rabbits, and macrophage mortality and bacterial growth were significantly suppressed below levels observed with normal macrophage preparations. The effect of immune serum could only be ascribed a minor role in the observed reactions. A marked intravenous toxicity of P. tularensis for the rabbit was observed with both virulent and attenuated strains. The toxicity was possessed only by viable preparations and could be elicited in animals immune to virulent challenge.
Thyroid hormone mediates otolith growth and development during flatfish metamorphosis

Abstract Flatfish begin life as bilaterally symmetrical larvae that swim up-right, then abruptly metamorphose into asymmetrically shaped juveniles with lateralized swimming postures. Flatfish metamorphosis is mediated entirely by thyroid hormone (TH). Changes in flatfish swim posture are thought to be regulated via vestibular remodeling, although the influence of TH on teleost inner ear development remains unclear. This study addresses the role of TH on the development of the three otolith end-organs (sacculus, utricle, and lagena) during southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) metamorphosis. Compared with pre-metamorphosis, growth rates of the sacculus and utricle otoliths increase dramatically during metamorphosis in a manner that is uncoupled from general somatic growth. Treatment of P. lethostigma larvae with methimazol (a pharmacological inhibitor of endogenous TH production) inhibits growth of the sacculus and utricle, whereas treatment with TH dramatically accelerates their growth. In contrast with the sacculus and utricle otoliths that begin to form and mineralize during embryogenesis, a non-mineralized lagena otolith is first visible 10–12 days after hatching. The lagena grows during pre- and pro-metamorphosis, then abruptly mineralizes during metamorphic climax. Mineralization of the lagena, but not growth, can be induced with TH treatment, whereas treatment with methimazol completely inhibits lagena mineralization without inhibiting its growth. These findings suggest that during southern flounder metamorphosis TH exerts differential effects on growth and development among the three types of otolith.
Real-time optoacoustic monitoring of temperature in tissues

To improve the safety and efficacy of thermal therapy, it is necessary to map tissue temperature in real time with submillimetre spatial resolution. Accurate temperature maps may provide the necessary control of the boundaries of the heated regions and minimize thermal damage to surrounding normal tissues. Current imaging modalities fail to monitor tissue temperature in real time with high resolution and accuracy. We investigated a non-invasive optoacoustic method for accurate, real-time monitoring of tissue temperature during thermotherapy. In this study, we induced temperature gradients in tissue and tissue-like samples and monitored the temperature distribution using the optoacoustic technique. The fundamental harmonic of a Q-switched Nd : YAG laser (λ = 1064 nm) was used for optoacoustic wave generation and probing of tissue temperature. The tissue temperature was also monitored with a multi-sensor temperature probe inserted in the samples. Good agreement between optoacoustically measured and actual tissue temperatures was obtained. The accuracy of temperature monitoring was better than 1°C, while the spatial resolution was about 1 mm. These data suggest that the optoacoustic technique has the potential to be used for non-invasive, real-time temperature monitoring during thermotherapy.
A delocalized carbanion monomer preparation: 4,5-dimethylene-1,8-octanediol for use as both functional condensation and diene monomers

The 2,3-dimethylene-1,3-butadiene dianion (2), prepared from 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (1) using Lochmann's base, has been reacted with ethylene oxide to give 4,5-dimethylene-1,8-octanediol (3). This monomer has been incorporated into a polyester via low temperature solution polymerization, and the resultant copolyester has been characterized by 1H NMR, intrinsic viscosity, and DSC. Also, the free radically formed diene polymer of 3 has been investigated.
Complete Coding Region Sequence of a Chikungunya Virus Strain Used for Formulation of CBER/FDA RNA Reference Reagents for Nucleic Acid Testing

ABSTRACT We have sequenced the complete coding region of a chikungunya virus isolate (R91064) used in the formulation of CBER/FDA RNA reference reagents for nucleic acid technology testing.
Ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics of Leydig cells from newborn androgen-insensitive rats.

Leydig cells of the testis of newborn pseudohermaphrodite (tfm) rats have an ultrastructure similar to that of the normal, containing well developed organelles and inclusions. The cytoplasm is filled with smooth endoplasmic reticulum forming a network of interconnected tubules. Lipid droplets are surrounded by cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and are in close association with pleomorphic mitochondria. Many of the latter are cup-shaped and have tubular cristae and intramitochondrial dense bodies.
Potential chemotherapy side effects: what do oncologists tell parents?

Background In order to determine the number of short-term side effects and late effects discussed during an informed consent conference (ICC) after the diagnosis of acute leukemia, we observed the occurrence(s) and the ratio between short-term side effects versus late effects during an ICC. Procedure ICC(s) of childhood leukemia trials were audio-taped at six different study sites. The side effects mentioned during each of these ICC(s) were coded and analyzed. Results One hundred forty cases were reviewed, from which we coded a total of 3,173 acute side effects and 242 late effects. The mean total side effects mentioned during each ICC was 24 (range 5–47). The number of late effects coded were significantly less than acute side effects. We also found that the duration of ICC(s) was positively correlated with the number of side effects mentioned. In addition, the frequency of total side effects mentioned was independent of patient or parent demographic factors. Conclusions Our results show that acute side effects are often mentioned but the discussion of late effects is much less frequent in the initial ICC(s). Careful consideration regarding the ratio of acute and late effects that are communicated to parents in the context of the ICC may facilitate parental understanding of clinically relevant side effects. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:497–502. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cardiopulmonary bypass: a historical perspective.

: Cardiopulmonary bypass in the clinical setting is barely 40 years old. Yet worldwide, it is used in the operating room in more than 500,000 cases a year. This broad acceptance is a tribute to the vision of gifted investigators who could see beyond the mere technical problems of perfused isolated organs. They integrated mechanical concepts, knowledge of materials, and sheer inventiveness with an appreciation of physiological issues to address the clinical needs of open-heart surgery.
The carotid web: a developmental anomaly of the brachiocephalic system

A case of a congenital carotid web is reported. This lesion is believed to be a very rare anomaly of carotid development. The embryologic development of the brachiocephalic arteries is discussed. Anomalies of the brachiocephalic arteries including anomalies of origin from the aortic arch, atresia, and persistent communications between the carotid and vertebral system are reviewed.
Epsilon-tubulin is required for centriole duplication and microtubule organization.

Centrosomes nucleate microtubules and serve as poles of the mitotic spindle. Centrioles are a core component of centrosomes and duplicate once per cell cycle. We previously identified ɛ-tubulin as a new member of the tubulin superfamily that localizes asymmetrically to the two centrosomes after duplication. We show that recruitment of ɛ-tubulin to the new centrosome can only occur after exit from S phase and that ɛ-tubulin is associated with the sub-distal appendages of mature centrioles. Xenopus laevis ɛ-tubulin was cloned and shown to be similar to human ɛ-tubulin in both sequence and localization. Depletion of ɛ-tubulin from Xenopus egg extracts blocks centriole duplication in S phase and formation of organized centrosome-independent microtubule asters in M phase. We conclude that ɛ-tubulin is a component of the sub-distal appendages of the centriole, explaining its asymmetric localization to old and new centrosomes, and that ɛ-tubulin is required for centriole duplication and organization of the pericentriolar material.