cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Four Russians algorithm for regular expression pattern matching

Given a regular expression R of length P and a word A of length N, the membership problem is to determine if A is in the language denoted by R. An O(PN/lgN) time algorithm is presented that is based on a lgN speedup of the standard O(PN) time simulation of R's nonderministic finite automaton on A using a combination of the node-listing and “Four-Russians” paradigms. This result places a new worst-case upper bound on regular expression pattern matching. Moreover, in practice the method provides an implementation that is faster than existing software for small regular expressions.
NF-κB Specifically Activates BMP-2 Gene Expression in Growth Plate Chondrocytes in Vivo and in a Chondrocyte Cell Line in Vitro

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) regulates growth plate chondrogenesis during development and postnatal bone growth, but the control mechanisms of BMP-2 expression in growth plate chondrocytes are unknown. Here we have used both in vitro and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that transcription factor, NF-κB, regulates BMP-2 gene expression in chondrocytes. Two putative NF-κB response elements were found in the –2712/+165 region of the BMP-2 gene. Cotransfection of mutant I-κBα expression plasmids with BMP-2 promoter-luciferase reporters into TMC-23 chondrocyte cell line suppressed BMP-2 transcription. Mutations in NF-κB response elements in the BMP-2 gene lead to decreases in BMP-2 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts from TMC-23 chondrocytic cells revealed that the NF-κB subunits p50 and p65 bound to the NF-κB response elements of the BMP-2 gene. Thus, NF-κB may positively regulate BMP-2 gene transcription. Consistent with these findings, expression of BMP-2 mRNA was significantly reduced in growth plate chondrocytes in NF-κB p50/p52 dKO mice, which associated with decreased numbers of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd)-positive cells in the proliferating zone of growth plate in these mice. Therefore, in postnatal growth plate chondrocytes, expression of BMP-2 is regulated by NF-κB, which may play an important role in chondrogenesis.
Early Development of Spatial-Numeric Associations: Evidence from Spatial and Quantitative Performance of Preschoolers.

Numeric magnitudes often bias adults' spatial performance. Partly because the direction of this bias (left-to-right versus right-to-left) is culture-specific, it has been assumed that the orientation of spatial-numeric associations is a late development, tied to reading practice or schooling. Challenging this assumption, we found that preschoolers expected numbers to be ordered from left-to-right when they searched for objects in numbered containers, when they counted, and (to a lesser extent) when they added and subtracted. Further, preschoolers who lacked these biases demonstrated more immature, logarithmic representations of numeric value than preschoolers who exhibited the directional bias, suggesting that spatial-numeric associations aid magnitude representations for symbols denoting increasingly large numbers.
Binding of Agonists and Antagonists to Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Intact Cultured Heart Cells

The binding of agonists and antagonists to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on intact cultured cardiac cells has been compared with the binding observed in homogenized membrane preparations. The antagonists [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and [3H]N-methylscopolamine bind to a single class of receptor sites on intact cells with affinities similar to those seen in membrane preparations. In contrast with the heterogeneity of agonist binding sites observed in membrane preparations, the agonist carbachol binds to a homogeneous class of low-affinity sites on intact cells with an affinity identical to that found for the low-affinity agonist site in membrane preparations in the presence of guanyl nucleotides. Kinetic studies of antagonist binding to receptors in the absence and presence of agonist did not provide evidence for the existence of a transient (greater than 30 s) high-affinity agonist site that was subsequently converted to a site of lower affinity. Nathanson N. M. Binding of agonists and antagonists to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on intact cultured heart cells.
Transport in a two-component randomly composite material: scaling theory and computer simulations of termite diffusion near the superconducting limit

The question of transport in a random two-component mixture is addressed. To this end, two models are precisely formulated that effectively extend to two-component mixtures the de Gennes ant model of one-component systems. We develop and test a scaling theory, and we solve some of the problems associated with the limit where one of the components is superconducting. Our work provides the first practical realisation of the termite model of a random superconducting network, which performs a normal walk in the normal regions of the material but performs a new and unique form of random walk in the superconducting regions. We find that the divergence of the electrical conductivity at the percolation threshold can be described by this random walk, and that the critical exponent s is given by s = 1.3 f 0.1 in d = 2. If we perturb away from the pure superconduct- ing limit, we find that the electrical properties can still be described by the random walk model, with a crossover exponent I$ = 0.4 (d = 2). Moreover, we find that the diffusion constant in this region is described by a scaling form, so that data can be made to collapse upon a single curve whose form is governed by the exponents s and I$.
An intrabursal injection procedure for the in vivo study of ovulation in hamsters

A new procedure for studying the effect of various drugs on ovulation in vivo is described. In golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), each ovary is enclosed within a complete bursa that is continuous with the oviduct. Drugs can be applied topically to ovaries by injection of a solution into a bursal cavity of an anesthetized hamster several hours before ovulation; the contralateral ovary serves as an in vivo control and receives no treatment. After ovulation, the number of ruptured follicles on experimental and control ovaries are compared. Data presented show that: (1) the operation and injection procedure per se do not affect ovulation; (2) normal saline is a suitable vehicle for administration of drugs by this route; (3) compounds with molecular weights of less than 1,000 daltons rapidly penetrate all layers of the follicle wall; (4) solutions injected into the bursal cavity 6 hours before ovulation remain there until ovulation. The advantages and limitations of this technique are discussed.
PKC activation and PIP2 depletion underlie biphasic regulation of IKs by Gq-coupled receptors

KCNQ1 is co-assembled with KCNE1 subunits in the heart to form the cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs), which is one of the main currents responsible for myocyte repolarization. The most commonly inherited form of cardiac arrhythmias, long-QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1), is due to mutations on KCNQ1. Gq-coupled receptors (GqPCRs) are known to mediate positive inotropism in human ventricular myocardium. The mechanism of IKs current modulation by GqPCRs remains incompletely understood. Here we studied the molecular mechanisms underlying Gq regulation of the IKs channel. Heterologously expressed IKs (human KCNQ1/KCNE1 subunits) was measured in Xenopus oocytes, expressed together with GqPCRs. Our data from several GqPCRs shows that IKs is regulated in a biphasic manner, showing both an activation and an inhibition phase. Receptor-mediated inhibition phase was irreversible when recycling of agonist-sensitive pools of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) was blocked by the lipid kinase inhibitor wortmannin. In addition, stimulation of PIP2 production, by overexpression of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-5-kinase (PIP5-kinase), decreased receptor-mediated inhibition. The receptor-mediated activation phase was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor calphostin C and by a mutation in a putative PKC phosphorylation site in the KCNE1 subunit. Our results indicate that the depletion of membrane PIP2 underlies receptor-mediated inhibition of IKs and that phosphorylation by PKC of the KCNE1 subunit underlies the GqPCR-mediated channel activation.
The trajectory primal sketch: a multi-scale scheme for representing motion characteristics

Conventional approaches to dynamic scene analysis do not use motion itself explicitly for recognition. The authors propose a different approach for the use of motion in a computer vision system which uses the motion characteristics of moving objects without actually recovering the structure. In this approach, the extended trajectories followed by the objects are considered. It is argued that in many cases, where an object has a fixed and predefined motion, the trajectory of several points may serve to uniquely identify the object. In this approach, the trajectories are analyzed at multiple scales to identify important events corresponding to discontinuities in direction, speed, and acceleration using scale space. These important events are recorded in a presentation called trajectory primal sketch. Experimental results are presented graphically, demonstrating the potential value of this approach. >
Paravalvular Regurgitation After TAVR: A Doppler Dilemma.

Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PVR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains the Achilles heel of this technology. In large clinical trials that included an echocardiographic core laboratory, the incidence of significant (moderate or severe) PVR after TAVR has been
Reactive Oxygen Species Imaging in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Purpose Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important contributors to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there are insufficient tools for their in vivo evaluation.
Part-Time Farming Research

HROUGHOUT the history of agricultural economics there can be observed cycles of interest in various aspects of rural social and economic problems. Among these waves of effort probably none has been more pronounced than that in the field of parttime farming during the years 1932 to 1937. The period is marked by the shift in the normal farm-to-city migration, by dramatic resettlement programs, and by a voluminous editorial output. This field is now receiving less widespread and certainly less spectacular attention than it did five years ago, but the surge of interest it once attracted has left much source material for social scientists. What is more, part-time farming has come to be regarded, not merely as a depression phenomenon nor as just a minor and abnormal type of farming, but as a significant part of our rural economy-a mode of living that has a long history and one that will become increasingly important in the future. This paper analyzes 24 part-time farming research reports' for the purposes of summarizing what has been learned about certain aspects of part-time farming and of aiding in the orientation of future research efforts in the field. In a broader way, an analysis of such a group of studies, all on the same topic and made during a given period, provides a case study of research in agricultural economics.
Neural networks technique for filling gaps in satellite measurements: application to ocean color observations

A neural network (NN) technique to fill gaps in satellite data is introduced, linking satellite-derived fields of interest with other satellites and in situ physical observations. Satellite-derived "ocean color" (OC) data are used in this study because OC variability is primarily driven by biological processes related and correlated in complex, nonlinear relationships with the physical processes of the upper ocean. Specifically, ocean color chlorophyll-a fields from NOAA's operational Visible Imaging Infrared Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) are used, as well as NOAA and NASA ocean surface and upper-ocean observations employed--signatures of upper-ocean dynamics. An NN transfer function is trained, using global data for two years (2012 and 2013), and tested on independent data for 2014. To reduce the impact of noise in the data and to calculate a stable NN Jacobian for sensitivity studies, an ensemble of NNs with different weights is constructed and compared with a single NN. The impact of the NN training period on the NN's generalization ability is evaluated. The NN technique provides an accurate and computationally cheap method for filling in gaps in satellite ocean color observation fields and time series.
Quantification of Uncertainties in Turbulence Modeling: A Comparison of Physics-Based and Random Matrix Theoretic Approaches

Abstract Numerical models based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are widely used in engineering turbulence modeling. However, the RANS predictions have large model-form uncertainties for many complex flows, e.g., those with non-parallel shear layers or strong mean flow curvature. Quantification of these large uncertainties originating from the modeled Reynolds stresses has attracted attention in the turbulence modeling community. Recently, a physics-based Bayesian framework for quantifying model-form uncertainties has been proposed with successful applications to several flows. Nonetheless, how to specify proper priors without introducing unwarranted, artificial information remains challenging to the current form of the physics-based approach. Another recently proposed method based on random matrix theory provides the prior distributions with maximum entropy, which is an alternative for model-form uncertainty quantification in RANS simulations. This method has better mathematical rigorousness and provides the most non-committal prior distributions without introducing artificial constraints. On the other hand, the physics-based approach has the advantages of being more flexible to incorporate available physical insights. In this work, we compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches on model-form uncertainty quantification. In addition, we utilize the random matrix theoretic approach to assess and possibly improve the specification of priors used in the physics-based approach. The comparison is conducted through a test case using a canonical flow, the flow past periodic hills. The numerical results show that, to achieve maximum entropy in the prior of Reynolds stresses, the perturbations of shape parameters in Barycentric coordinates are normally distributed. Moreover, the perturbations of the turbulence kinetic energy should conform to log-normal distributions. Finally, the result sheds light on how large the variance of each physical variable should be compared with each other to achieve the approximate maximum entropy prior. The conclusion can be used as a guidance for specifying proper priors in the physics-based, Bayesian uncertainty quantification framework.
ADVANCES IN STUDIES OF AVIAN SOUND COMMUNICATION

Ground-breaking advances in the study of animal sound communication per se, and avian vocal behavior in particular, awaited instrumentation that enabled capture of sound signals for objective description and analyses. Once these technological advances became generally available, a groundswell of activity in vocal studies, bioacoustics, provided the "raw material" for hypothesis testing pertaining to various biological and evolutionary principles. All aspects of this field cannot be covered in one review. Thus, themes developed herein deal primarily with questions of vocal acquisition such as factors affecting song learning, the sensitive phase and stimulus filtering hypotheses pertaining to the learning process, the effect of vocal behavior on population dynamics, the effect of hormones on the song learning process and production, photoperiod and song as they are related to gonadal recrudescence, advances in the neurophysiological control of song acquisition and produc- tion, and the incidence of female song and function across taxa.
The Use of Ship-Launched Fixed-Wing UAVs for Measuring the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Ocean Surface Processes

AbstractThe deployment and recovery of autonomous or remotely piloted platforms from research vessels have become a way of significantly extending the capabilities and reach of the research fleet. This paper describes the use of ship-launched and ship-recovered Boeing–Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs were instrumented to characterize the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) structure and dynamics, and to measure ocean surface processes during the October 2012 Equatorial Mixing (EquatorMix) experiment in the central Pacific and during the July 2013 Trident Warrior experiment off the Virginia coast. The UAV measurements, including atmospheric momentum and radiative, sensible, and latent heat fluxes, are complemented by measurements from ship-based instrumentation, including a foremast MABL eddy-covariance system, lidar altimeters, and a digitized X-band radar system. During EquatorMix, UAV measurements reveal longitudinal atmospheric roll structures not sampled by ship measurem...
Elucidating the Effect of Iron Speciation (Fe2+/Fe3+) on Crystallization Kinetics of Sodium Aluminosilicate Glasses

We report on the influence of Fe2O3 on the crystallization kinetics of nepheline (Na2O·Al2O3·2SiO2)-based sodium aluminosilicate glasses. A series of glasses with varying Al2O3/Fe2O3 content were synthesized in the system 25Na2O–(25–x) Al2O3–xFe2O3–50SiO2 (x varies between 0 and 5 mol%) through melt-quench technique. A systematic set of experiments were performed to elucidate the influence of iron speciation (Fe2+/Fe3+) on the crystallization kinetics of these glasses including: (1) obtaining the details of nonisothermal crystallization kinetics by differential scanning calorimetry, (2) determining the influence of heat treatment on the structure and iron coordination in glasses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and wet chemistry, and (3) following the crystalline phase evolution in glasses in air and inert environments by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The crystallization of two polymorphs of NaAlSiO4—carnegieite (orthorhombic) and nepheline (hexagonal)—was observed in all the glasses, wherein the incorporation of iron promotes the formation of nepheline over carnegieite while shifting the crystallization mechanism from surface to volume. The influence of environment (air versus inert) and iron content on the crystallization kinetics of these glasses is contextualized from the perspective of the devitrification problem usually observed in sodium- and alumina-rich high level nuclear waste glasses.
An outbreak of food poisoning induced by Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Objective:To determine relationship among Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains.Afford the laboritory effect for determining the food poisoning.Methods:Chromosomal DNAs from seven isolates in agarose were digested with the restriction enzyme NotI and standard strain was restricted by Xba I.Obtain the electrophoresis patterns by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis(PFGE).Results:Seven strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were belonged to the same electrophoresis patterns.They are 100 percent similarity level at the moleculer weight.The seven strains are belonged to the same group and isolated from the patients in the food poisoning.Conclusion:The study indicate that there were high repeatable on the PFGE technology.It is a useful tool which would play an important role in epidemiology.
Limited role for IVUS in the endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms.

Background To determine the need for routine versus selective intraoperative IVUS during endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm (AIA) repair. Methods One-hundred and eighty-eight endovascular AIA repairs performed over a 5-year period were reviewed and included in the study. Surgeon-made aorto-uni-femoral grafts (n=78) and industry-made bifurcated or tube grafts (n=110) were used. In the initial 51 cases IVUS was routinely performed. In the latter 137 cases IVUS was used selectively. In this group graft deformities suspected on completion angiography or pullback pressure measurements were treated with balloon dilatation and stenting. IVUS was then performed only in the presence of a persistent pressure gradient or inconclusive angiographic findings. Results In the initial 51 cases IVUS revealed 20 lesions of which 8 were not initially detected angiographically and which required further treatment. In the latter 137 cases IVUS was necessary in only 1 case, and guided the treatment of an angiographically undetectable lesion. There have been no late episodes of graft compression, kinking, or thrombosis in the selective IVUS group. Conclusions The use of pullback pressure measurements with a low threshold for angioplasty and stenting, especially in unsupported grafts, followed by the selective use of IVUS decreases the overall requirement for IVUS and its associated costs.
Predictors of oral health counseling by WIC providers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess selected predictors for the inclusion of oral health counseling by Illinois Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) providers. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and mailed to all 166 WIC sites to assess attitudes towards oral health counseling. Variables that revealed significant associations in bivariate analysis (P< or =.05) were considered as candidates for building a final logistic regression model in which frequency of oral health counseling was the outcome. RESULTS: A response rate of 76% was achieved after 1 mailing, with 27% of the WIC providers having some form of oral health training. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of WIC providers discussing oral health with their clients by age, gender, and level of education of the provider. In the final logistic regression analysis, variables significantly associated with the frequency of WIC providers' dicussing oral health with their clients were having: (1) oral health training; and (2) nursing training. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) providers, who have had some oral health training, are more likely to provide counseling about dental disease and its prevention. This information was used to develop an educational tool for these nondental, health care providers.
Fat Contouring In The Face And Neck

Fat contouring of the face and neck has gained wide acceptance. At this point in its evolution, it is recognized to be just another tool and not a panacea for all patients. Like any tool, it can be overused or used badly. Fat necrosis is ongoing, sometimes unpredictably after open or closed procedures. Uniform and generously thick fat flaps should be left, anticipating partial dissolution postoperatively. The patient should leave the operating room undercorrected. Slight excesses of fat are easy to remedy. Overexcisions may be impossible to improve and may mar or preclude secondary surgery. In addition, I would promote a personal prejudice. Surgery is easy when the surgeon can see. There is a distinct advantage in control to be gained by open procedures under direct vision, when the operator can see what is to be operated on and avoid what is not--and most important, leave what should be left.
Diagnosis and treatment of effort-induced thrombosis of the axillary subclavian vein due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) is uncommon but most frequently occurs in young, active, healthy patients. This condition typically presents as subclavian vein (SCV) effort thrombosis, also known as Paget-Schroetter syndrome. The pathophysiology underlying VTOS is chronic repetitive compression injury of the SCV in the costoclavicular space, resulting in progressive venous scarring, focal stenosis, and eventual thrombosis. Clinical evaluation includes a history and physical examination followed by catheter-based venography, for definitive confirmation of the diagnosis and initial treatment with pharmacomechanical thrombolysis. After restoration of SCV patency, patients are maintained with anticoagulation and surgical therapy is usually planned within 4 to 6 weeks. Surgical management of VTOS can be accomplished via different protocols involving either the transaxillary, infraclavicular or paraclavicular approaches to thoracic outlet decompression. The paraclavicular approach is emphasized in this review, because it affords the surgeon the ability to safely perform complete thoracic outlet decompression (complete anterior and middle scalenectomy, removal of the entire first rib, and resection of the subclavius muscle and costoclavicular ligament), along with definitive management of the damaged SCV (external venolysis, intraoperative venography, and direct vein reconstruction, if needed, using patch angioplasty or bypass grafting), in one operative setting. After surgical therapy, interval anticoagulation and a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program are important in achieving a return to full function. Current protocols on the basis of the paraclavicular surgical approach have thereby routinely provided patients with lasting symptomatic relief, freedom from indefinite anticoagulation, and the ability to return to unrestricted upper extremity activity.
Graphical Methods for Robust Design with Dynamic Characteristics

There has been considerable interest recently in the application of parameter design methodology to make a system's performance robust over a wide range of input conditions. This has been referred to as robust design with dynamic characteristics. In thi..
Polymorphisms in TNFα Are Associated with Cerebrovascular Events in Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract 1540 Poster Board I-563 Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that stimulates phagocytosis, neutrophil recruitment, and expression of adhesion molecule VCAM-1. Plasma levels of TNFα have been found to be increased in sickle cell disease (SCD), and in vitro studies show that TNFα causes increased adherence of sickle red blood cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A polymorphism in the promoter region of the TNFα gene has previously been associated with stroke in children with SCD (Hoppe et al. , 2007). The current study was designed to identify associations of additional TNFα single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with SCD clinical complications. We analyzed five SNPs in the TNFα gene in 509 DNA samples of SCD patients from Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Emory University. In our data set, cerebrovascular events (CVEs), including overt stroke, seizures, and transient ischemic attacks, occurred in 133 out of 509 SCD patients (26.1%). SNP genotyping was performed using Taqman genotyping assays from Applied Biosystems. Due to low minor allele frequencies ( 2 ≤0.002). There was also strong association of SNP rs2228088 with acute chest syndrome (ACS; p=0.003), occurring in 382 out of 509 SCD patients (75%). However, in this analysis, the G allele was associated with increased risk for ACS (OR=2.313). In addition to the association with CVEs, the SNP rs3093665 was also significantly associated with priapism (p=0.03), reported by 86 of 223 male SCD patients (38.6%). In this analysis, the A allele was protective, as had been observed for CVE (OR=0.188). Additionally, we found no difference in steady state plasma TNFα levels between genotypes for the two SNPs. The functional significance of these SNPs is presently unknown. SNP rs2228088 is a synonymous SNP located in the coding region, and rs3093665 is located in the 39 untranslated region of the TNFα gene. While the G to T change at SNP rs2228088 does not translate to a change in amino acid sequence, the A to C change at SNP rs3093665 may affect mRNA stability due to its location. It is also possible that one or both of these SNPs is in LD with another functionally relevant SNP. Our findings thus support previous data implicating TNFα polymorphisms in risk for central nervous system events. Interestingly, ACS has been previously associated with seizures, stroke and altered mental status in adults and children with SCD (Vinchinsky et al. , 2000) and with silent cerebral infarcts and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in children with SCD (Henderson et al. , 2003). However, in our dataset, ACS and the occurrence of CVEs were not associated (p=0.24). Further studies are required to elucidate these and other factors that potentially correlate with SCD clinical complications. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Deconstructing the germinal center, one cell at a time

Successful vaccination relies on driving the immune response towards high specificity, affinity and longevity. Germinal centers facilitate the evolution of antigen-specific B cells by iterative rounds of diversification, selection, and differentiation to memory and plasma cells. Experimental evidence points to B cell receptor affinity and amount of antigen presented to follicular helper T cells as main drivers of clonal evolution. Concurrent studies suggest that modifiers of cognate contact, temporal mechanisms, and stochastic factors can also shape diversity and influence differentiation to memory and plasma cells, but molecular pathways driving these selection decisions are unresolved. Due to rapid cycles of transcriptional change in the germinal center, single-cell resolution is imperative to dissect mechanisms dictating the mature antigen-specific repertoire. Future studies linking high-resolution analysis of this diverse evolving population with cellular outcome are needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms of selection driving antigen-specific humoral immunity.
Utility of CT oral contrast administration in the emergency department of a quaternary oncology hospital: diagnostic implications, turnaround times, and assessment of ED physician ordering

To compare studies with and without oral contrast on performance of multidetector computed tomography (CT) and the order to CT examination turnaround time in cancer patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). To the best of our knowledge, oral contrast utility has not previously been specifically assessed in cancer patients presenting to the emergency department. Retrospective review of CT abdomen examinations performed in oncology patients presenting to the emergency department during one month. CT examinations performed with and without oral contrast were rated by two consensus readers for degree of confidence and diagnostic ability. Correlations were assessed for primary cancer type, age, sex, chief complaint/examination indication, body mass index, intravenous contrast status, repeat CT examination within 4 weeks, and disposition. Turnaround times from order to the start of the CT examination were calculated. The studied group consisted of 267 patients (127 men and 140 women) with a mean age of 56 years and a mean body mass index of 27.8 kg/m2. One hundred sixty CT examinations were performed without oral contrast, and 107 CT examinations were performed with oral contrast. There was no significant difference between cases with oral contrast and cases without oral contrast in the number of cases rated as “improved confidence” (odds ratio [OR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–1.31, P = 0.17), “improved diagnosis” (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.20–1.64, P = 0.3), “impaired confidence” (OR 3.92, 95% CI 0.46–33.06, P = 0.21), or “impaired diagnosis” (OR 2.63, 95% CI 0.29–23.89, P = 0.39). The turnaround time in the group receiving oral contrast (mean, 141 min; standard deviation, 49.8 min) was significantly longer than that in the group not receiving oral contrast (mean, 109.2 min; standard deviation, 64.8 min) with a mean difference of 31.8 min (P < 0.0001). On the basis of our findings and prior studies, targeted rather than default use of oral contrast shows acceptable diagnostic ability in the emergency setting for oncology patients. Benefit from oral contrast use is suggested in scenarios such as suspected fistula/bowel leak/abscess, hypoattenuating peritoneal disease, prior bowel surgery such as gastric bypass, and the absence of intravenous contrast administration. Improvement through the use of targeted oral contrast administration also supports the emergency department need for prompt diagnosis and disposition.
Binge beer drinking was associated with mortality in middle-aged men

Source Citation Kauhanen J, Kaplan GA, Goldberg DE, Salonen JT. Beer binging and mortality: results from the Kuopio ischaemic heart disease risk factor study, a prospective population based study. ...
Motion of a model swimmer near a weakly deforming interface

Locomotion of microswimmers near an interface has attracted recent attention and has several applications related to synthetic swimmers and microorganisms. In this work, we study the motion of a model swimmer called the ‘squirmer’ with an arbitrary time-dependent swimming gait near a weakly deforming interface. We first obtain an exact solution of the governing equations for the motion of the swimmer near a plane interface using the bipolar coordinate method, and then an approximate solution using the method of reflections. We thereby derive the velocity of a swimmer due to small interface deformations using the domain perturbation method and Lorentz reciprocal theorem. We use our solution to study the dynamics of a swimmer with steady, as well as time-reversible, squirming gaits. The long-time dynamics of a time-reversible swimmer is such that it either moves towards or away from the interface. Thus, we divide its phase space into regions of attraction (repulsion) towards (from) the interface. The long-time orientation of a time-reversible swimmer that is moving towards the interface depends on its initial orientation. Additionally, we find that the method of reflections is accurate to distances of the swimmer from the interface.
Integrating Felting in Elementary Science Classrooms to Facilitate Understanding of the Polar Auroras

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize conceptual science instruction that draws on students’ ability to make observations, explain natural phenomena, and examine concept relationships. This paper explores integrating the arts, in the form of felting, in elementary science classrooms as a way for students to model and demonstrate understanding of the complex scientific processes that cause the polar auroras. The steps for creating felting, and using the felting artwork students create for assessing science learning, are described.
RESOLUTION OF LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS IN NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WITH ORAL ANTICOAGULATION

Left atrial appendage thrombus or pre-thrombus (LAT) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke. Thrombus persistence despite anticoagulation with warfarin or Non-Vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) poses a therapeutic dilemma, especially in a rhythm-control strategy. The
Carbapenems vs. alternative β-lactams for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Carbapenems have shown efficacy in treating nosocomial pneumonias in clinical trials despite a reported low lung penetration compared with other β-lactams. Preserving the clinical activity of carbapenems through stewardship efforts is essential. The aim of this review was to identify any differences in outcomes potentially as a function of decreased penetration. Methods PubMed and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for clinical trials comparing carbapenems with other anti-pseudomonal β-lactams for treatment of nosocomial pneumonia through to end December 2016. Trials reporting clinical and microbiological outcomes associated with treatment were included. Pediatric studies and those with uneven comparators (e.g., carbapenem vs. combination Gram-negative therapy) were excluded. Fixed effects models were used to evaluate the impact of treatment on the odds of clinical failure, death, or microbiological failure. Results 252 unique articles were identified; five met inclusion criteria and comprised 640 patients in the carbapenem group and 634 patients in the β-lactam group. No differences in clinical failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.81-1.44], I2=16%) or mortality (OR 0.75, CI 0.57-1.11, I2=0%) were noted between groups. Patients infected with P. aeruginosa and treated with imipenem were more likely to experience clinical failure (OR 4.21, CI 1.51-11.12, I2=44%) and to develop resistance to the study carbapenem (OR 2.86, CI 1.08-6.44, I2= 13%) than those treated with alternative β-lactams. Conclusions No differences in clinical outcomes were observed between carbapenems and non-carbapenem β-lactams in nosocomial pneumonias. Those infected with P. aeruginosa fared worse and were more likely to have resistance develop if they were treated with imipenem. Additional studies are warranted.
Consensus only control in DC microgrids

Voltage droop control for DC microgrids has limited power/current sharing capabilities. Although droop complemented with a consensus control loop can achieve desired power/current sharing, the resulting voltage deviation may need correction. We propose a consensus only control that achieves proportional current sharing and simultaneously avoids large voltage deviations. The proposed technique is evaluated against several others using a constant impedance network model. The impacts of communication delays and power-sharing performances are also briefly discussed.
The German Corporate Governance System

Among American corporate law scholars, contemporary appreciation of the distinctive features of the German corporate model has proceeded in two stages. The first stage accomplished an intellectual paradigm shift, a genuine exemplification of this much-overused concept. Inevitably, as with any paradigmatic reconceptualization, a second wave of empirical testing and theoretical refinement followed. As Roe and other scholars had anticipated, the broad picture of several radically different corporate systems presented more a set of ideal types than a complete description of the corporate world. Finally, the systems have been subject to contemporary economic pressures such as globalization, the dissemination of new production methods, and the collapse of welfare-state regimes that made the stable post-war equilibria appear to be mere temporary stopping points on the way to some yet unspecified but undoubtedly brave new world. Within the scope of this brief conference paper, I will offer a more nuanced assessment of where we stand in light of the revisionist research.
Laryngeal and Tracheobronchial Infections of the Pediatric Airway

Infections of the pediatric airway result in partial obstruction of the airway and often require intervention to maintain the airway. Most airway infections are treated medically, but respiratory support or invasive airway protection may be required if the patient does not respond adequately to initial interventions. We review three major types of central airway infections, focusing on illustrative diagnostic and treatment dilemmas.
Academic and Cognitive Functioning in First Grade: Associations with Earlier Home and Child Care Predictors and with Concurrent Home and Classroom Experiences.

Family and child care experiences from birth to 54 months, achievement and social competence at entry to school, maternal sensitivity at first grade, and qualities of first-grade classrooms were us...
The Impact of Recent Clinical Trials on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines.

Recent clinical trials have led to updates in the management of patients with high cholesterol. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Provider perspectives on a novel moral injury treatment for veterans: Initial assessment of acceptability and feasibility of the Impact of Killing treatment materials.

Objective We assessed whether treatment providers specializing in evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder found the Impact of Killing (IOK), a novel treatment for moral injury among combat veterans, acceptable, and feasible. Methods Ten providers from a large veterans administration (VA) medical center were provided with materials from IOK. We audio-recorded a semistructured interview with each provider where we elicited open-ended feedback as well as asked five structured questions about the relative advantage, compatibility, complexity/simplicity, trialability, and observability of IOK. Results All providers found IOK feasible, acceptable, and something they could incorporate into their existing practice. Providers reported that the spiritual and moral concerns addressed in IOK were novel, and that self-forgiveness and making amends were critical components promoting healing from moral injury not emphasized in other treatments. Conclusions Among trauma providers, IOK was found acceptable and feasible, offering a novel approach to addressing moral injury among combat veterans.
Therapeutic Diet Modification in Short Bowel Syndrome

Abstract Oral nutrition is the foundation of intestinal rehabilitation and adaptation. Resection of the small bowel and/or lack of colon may lead to malabsorption of nutrients, fluid, and electrolytes. Nutrition recommendations are individualized to optimize absorption, minimize or alleviate the need for parenteral nutrition, and maintain the patient’s fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional status. Specific dietary recommendations including fat, complex carbohydrates, sodium, and oxalate content vary based on the patient’s remaining anatomy, disease state, age, and lifestyle. Oral rehydration solutions are integral in preventing dehydration and preserving electrolytes. Dietary advice will need continuous tailoring as adaptation occurs.
Spontaneously slow-cycling subpopulations of human cells originate from activation of stress-response pathways

Slow-cycling subpopulations exist in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian systems. In the case of cancer, slow-cycling subpopulations have been proposed to give rise to drug resistance. However, the origin of slow-cycling human cells is poorly studied, in large part due to lack of markers to identify these rare cells. Slow-cycling cells pass through a noncycling period marked by low CDK2 activity and high p21 levels. Here, we use this knowledge to isolate these naturally slow-cycling cells from a heterogeneous population and perform RNA sequencing to delineate the transcriptome underlying the slow-cycling state. We show that cellular stress responses—the p53 transcriptional response and the integrated stress response (ISR)—are the most salient causes of spontaneous entry into the slow-cycling state. Finally, we show that cells’ ability to enter the slow-cycling state enhances their survival in stressful conditions. Thus, the slow-cycling state is hardwired to stress responses to promote cellular survival in unpredictable environments.
Studying Migration in the Time of Trump: Power, Positionality, and Formal Politics in the Field

In August 2016, I began fieldwork as Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential campaign reached its peak. As Trump’s popularity snowballed, his campaign and election dramatically reshaped my fieldwork, with...
Relation of secondhand smoke exposure to vascular phenotypes in children and adolescents.

Subclinical cardiovascular risks of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among children and adolescents remains insufficiently described. This was a cross-sectional study of 298 children and adolescents (48.0% male, body mass index: 27.0 ± 8.9 kg/m2), including 49 self-reported cases with SHS. Arterial elasticity and stiffness (distensibility, compliance, incremental elastic modulus [IEM]) were obtained via ultrasound imaging in the abdominal aorta, brachial, and carotid arteries. A one-way analysis of variance compared differences between groups, and multiple linear regression adjusted for covariates. SHS was associated with lower abdominal aorta diameter distensibility (aDD) (13.4 ± 3.6% vs. 16.0 ± 5.2%, p = 0.009) and abdominal aorta cross-sectional distensibility (aCSD) (28.8 ± 8.3% vs. 35.1 ± 12.2%, p = 0.009), as well as higher abdominal aorta IEM (aIEM) (1241 ± 794 vs. 935 ± 388 mmHg, p = 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, aDD (p = 0.047), aCSD (p = 0.040), and aIEM (p = 0.017) remained significant; this significance persisted with the additional adjustment of percent body fat. Measures of brachial and carotid compliance and distensibility were not associated with SHS. SHS was associated with abdominal aorta stiffness; the majority of vascular measures within the brachial and carotid artery remained unaffected following adjustment for covariates, including hypertension and adiposity. SHS may predispose individuals to increased abdominal aorta stiffness, an artery previously reported to exhibit increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis.
Spatial patterns and sources of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming determined from lichens

Increased anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition can lead to N saturation of ecosystems, altering water quality, biogeochemical cycling and biodiversity. Although some N deposition (Ndep) is natural, there has been an increase of Ndep in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), largely due to local and regional intensification of agricultural activity, which releases ammonia (NHx), and transportation and industrial processes, which release nitrogen oxides (NOx). The climate, topography, and sources of Ndep in the region likely create heterogeneous patterns of Ndep in the GYE, where nutrient-limited alpine ecosystems are especially susceptible to Ndep. Epiphytic lichens obtain their nutrients from the air and record local scale patterns of Ndep. We collected 162 lichen samples (Usnea lapponica and Letharia vulpina) and analyzed them for %N and δ15N at 15 sites in the GYE to understand patterns and sources of Ndep in the GYE at small spatial scales. We found that lichen \%N was higher closer to the Snake River Plains and at higher elevations, which indicates higher deposition at those sites. This is likely because N is more likely to be deposited closer to major sources and because N is often deposited in precipitation so deposition patterns follow precipitation patterns. Additionally, the mean δ15N value was -11.8 ± 3.2‰, which suggests an agricultural source of Ndep, but δ15N values increased with higher %N, which indicated sites with high deposition were receiving more N from combustion sources. However, the large amount of variation in lichens collected at a single site suggest that future work needs to address how microhabitat factors influence lichen N incorporation. Featured photo by Kathryn Robertson, taken from the AMK Ranch photo collection.
Clinician Barriers and Facilitators to Routine HIV Testing: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background:Routine HIV screening rates are suboptimal.Objectives:This systematic review identified barriers to/facilitators of routine HIV testing, categorized them using the socioecological model ...