cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endotherapy is effective for pancreatic ductal disruption: A dual center experience.

Abstract Background and study aims Pancreatic duct (PD) disruptions occur as a result of different etiologies and can be managed medically, endoscopically, or surgically. The aim of this study was to provide an evaluation on the efficacy of endotherapy for treatment of PD disruption in a large cohort of patients and identify factors that predict successful treatment outcome. Patients and methods We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) for transpapillary pancreatic stent placement for PD disruption from 2008 to 2013 at two tertiary referral institutions. PD disruption was defined as extravasation of contrast from the pancreatic duct as seen on ERP. Therapeutic success was defined by resolution of PD leak on ERP, clinical, and/or imaging evaluation. Results We evaluated 107 patients (58% male, mean age 53 years) with PD disruption. Etiologies of PD disruption were acute pancreatitis (36%), post-operative (31%), chronic pancreatitis (29%), and trauma (4%). PD disruption was successfully bridged by a stent in 45 (44%) patients. Two patients developed post-sphincterotomy bleeding, two had stent migration, and two patients died as a result of post-ERP related complications. Placement of a PD stent was successful in 103/107 (96%) patients. Therapeutic success was achieved in 80/107 (75%) patients. Non-acute pancreatitis etiologies and absence of complete duct disruption were independent predictors of therapeutic success. Conclusions Endoscopic therapy using a transpapillary stent for PD disruption is safe and effective. Absence of complete duct disruption and non-AP etiologies determine a favorable endoscopic outcome.
Cloud-based harvest management information system for hand-harvested specialty crops

A cloud-based Harvest Management Information System (HMIS) has been developed.It credits pickers for the fruit they have harvested without impeding the process.The HMIS provides real-time tracking of harvest, yield mapping, and traceability.It simplifies data analysis process and visualizes the harvest and labor data.It improves accuracy of payroll and enhances decision making and logistics. The harvest process for specialty crops is generally one of intensive activity because many people are required for harvest and packing, and the harvest window is brief due to the high perishability of the produce. Herein we present a cloud-based Harvest Management Information System (HMIS) that combines a novel real-time Portable Labor Monitoring System (PLMS) with a cloud-based harvest management software. The PLMS comprised of three key elements (1) a self-leveling scale, (2) electronic control box, and (3) a frame that supports all hardware. The electronic control box includes: (i) a RFID reader, (ii) a LCD display, (iii) a thermal printer, (iv) a GPS module, and (v) a communication system. RFID tags, containing unique ID numbers, embedded within rubber wrist bands, are worn by pickers. This system can read a picker's ID (RFID bracelet), measure the weight of fruit, and record the time and location (optional) of every fruit 'transaction' (i.e., every time a picker brings a bucket of fruit to the collection bin). The collected data can be transmitted wirelessly to the server in real-time. The cloud-based software receives and processes the PLMS data on labor activities, visualizes the collected data, and can extract the data necessary for management information and automated filling of documents (e.g. payroll, yield maps). The HMIS is unique in its ability to: (1) accurately credit pickers for the fruit they have harvested in the field without impeding or altering the harvest process, (2) streamline data entry to payroll, (3) provide real-time tracking of harvest, yield mapping, and traceability, and, (4) generate precise and reliable harvest efficiency data. This integrated system was evaluated in sweet cherry, blueberry and apple orchards in Washington, USA. The weight of harvested fruit, time and location of every fruit drop were calculated accurately; all the data were transmitted wirelessly to the server and no errors were recorded.
135MANAGEMENT OF EARLY FONTAN FAILURE: A SINGLE-INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the incidence and outcomes of early Fontan failure (EFF) in a large contemporary cohort of palliated patients. METHODS: A retrospective, single-centre study of all patients undergoing primary Fontan from 1 July 1995 to 31 December 2009 was performed. EFF was defined as death, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Fontan takedown to superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) or transplantation within 30 days of the Fontan procedure. The incidence and outcomes were summarized with descriptive statistics, and risk factors for EFF were identified. RESULTS: A total of 592 patients underwent primary Fontan procedure during the study period; 67% had a dominant right ventricle. An extracardiac conduit (ECC) was used for Fontan completion in 60.5%, with the remainder having a lateral tunnel. EFF occurred in 11 patients (1.9%), all of whom had ECC. ECMO was used in 5 patients, 5 had Fontan takedown and 2 had heart transplantation. Five of eleven, or 46%, study subjects died as opposed to an overall mortality for primary Fontan of 0.8%. Among patients who had Fontan takedown to SCPC, long-term survival was 80%. By univariate analysis, elevated ventricular end-diastolic pressure (9.5 ± 3.3 vs 7.4 ± 2.7 mmHg, P= 0.019) and total circulatory support time (99 ± 33 vs 71 ± 23 min, P= 0.001) were risk factors for EFF. The mean follow-up for the 6 hospital survivors was 5.9 years. There was one late transplant-related death. Of the 4 surviving patients who had Fontan takedown to a SCPC, 3 underwent subsequent Fontan completion and 1 underwent biventricular repair. CONCLUSIONS: EFF is rare in the current era, but is associated with significant mortality. High filling pressures and a prolonged intraoperative course are risk factors for EFF. Of the management strategies available, Fontan takedown to an intermediate pathway appears to be associated with the best outcomes.
Graduate Education in Entomology: Preparing for Science and Employment

The north central branch Standing Committee for Student Affairs represents a collective voice for students of the branch to convey comments and concerns to ESA officials. In addition, the committee has historically organized a symposium for student members at the annual branch meetings. For the 1987 meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, the discussion involved the process of graduate education and training in preparation for limited employment opportunities. The format of the symposium included comments from Richard Sauer of the University of Minnesota, regarding the necessary acquisition of knowledge, skills, and activities that academic institutions are likely to expect, if not require. To complement this, Randall Higgins of Kansas State University discussed several strategies that graduate faculty should pursue to develop the talents of their graduate students, with the final goal being a well-rounded scientist and project leader. J. Barry Regan of Dow Chemical U.S.A. entered the discussion from an industrial perspective and presented a characterization of the training and experience that would qualify entomology graduates for employment in the private sector.
Facilitating the commercialization and use of organ platforms generated by the microphysiological systems (Tissue Chip) program through public–private partnerships

Microphysiological systems (organs-on-chips, tissue chips) are devices designed to recapitulate human physiology that could be used to better understand drug responses not easily addressed using other in vivo systems or in vitro animal models. Although still in development, initial results seem promising as tissue chips exhibit in vivo systems-like functional responses. The National Center for Advancing Translation Science (NCATS) identifies this technology as a potential tool that could improve the process of getting safer, more effective treatments to patients, and has led to the Tissue Chip Program, which aims to develop, integrate and validate major organ systems for testing. In addition to organ chip development, NCATS emphasizes disseminating the technology to researchers. Commercialization has become an important issue, reflecting the difficulty of translation from discovery to adoption and wide availability. Therefore, NCATS issued a Request for Information (RFI) targeted to existing partnerships for commercializing tissue chips. The goal was to identify successes, failures and the best practices that could provide useful guidance for future partnerships aiming to make tissue chip technology widely available.
Diet of Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Incidentally Caught on Recreational Fishing Gear in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Twenty-one immature Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) were collected following incidental capture or entanglement in recreational hook-and-line gear during 2005–2008 in Galveston County, Texas, United States. Turtles consumed primarily swimming crabs (common blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, and Callinectes spp.), walking crabs (calico box crab, Hepatus epheliticus; mottled purse crab, Persephona mediterranea; and hermit crabs), and polychaete worm tubes. Macroalgae (Sargassum spp.) was also consumed by nearly half of the sampled turtles, presumably incidentally and likely as benthic detritus. The upper Texas coast and local fishing piers provide diverse foraging opportunities for immature Kemp's ridleys but also put the species at risk for interactions with human activities, including gear interactions and ingestion of anthropogenic debris.
Selective Testicular Venography in Abdominal Cryptorchidism

Abstract Selective testicular venography is used to locate the testes and obtain blood samples for determination of testosterone content in a patient with abdominal cryptorchidism.
Differences in risk behaviours, HIV/STI testing and HIV/STI prevalence between men who have sex with men and men who have sex with both men and women in China.

Differences in risk behaviours between men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW) have important implications for HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission. We examined differences in risk behaviours, HIV/STI testing, self-reported HIV/STI diagnoses, and linkage to HIV care between MSM and MSMW across China. Participants were recruited through three MSM-focused websites in China. An online survey containing items on socio-demographics, risk behaviours, testing history, self-reported HIV/STI diagnosis, and linkage to and retention in HIV care was completed from September to October 2014. Chi square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted. MSMW were less likely to use a condom during last anal sex (p ≤ 0.01) and more likely to engage in group sex (p ≤ 0.01) and transactional sex (p ≤ 0.01) compared to MSM. Self-reported HIV/STI testing and positivity rates between MSM and MSMW were similar. Among HIV-infected MSM, there was no difference...
Effect of Two Disease-Causing Mutations on the Energetics and Kinetics of SNARE Assembly

Synaptic exocytosis relies on assembly of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins into a four-helix bundle to drive membrane fusion. SNARE assembly occurs by zippering in a stepwise manner, beginning with slow N-terminal association and ending at the C-terminal with a rapid power stroke that lowers the barrier to membrane fusion. Imbalances in this process cause severe neuropathy. In particular, dominant missense mutations I67N and I67T in the neuronal SNARE synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25b) cause cortical hyperexcitability, myasthenia, ataxia, and intellectual disability. Recent electrophysiological measurements indicate that I67T mutation impairs spontaneous and evoked release in murine cortical slices. Similarly, transfection of bovine chromaffin cells with SNAP-25b I67N impairs depolarization-evoked release. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these phenotypes is unclear. Here, we used single-molecule optical tweezers to monitor in real-time the step-wise assembly of SNARE complex harboring SNAP-25b I67T/N. These measurements yielded the assembly energetics and kinetics of single SNARE complex molecules. Comparison between wild type and I67T or I67N mutant revealed that both disease-causing mutants significantly reduced the folding energy of C-terminal SNARE assembly by ∼10 kT, but did not affect N-terminal assembly. Such disruption of the C-terminal power stroke is expected to impair membrane fusion and is consistent with the corresponding phenotypes. In sum, our finding constitutes compelling evidence that SNAP-25b mutations cause neuropathy by greatly reducing the SNARE C-terminal folding energy and thus inhibiting neurotransmitter release.
Ultrasound-Guided Placement of Gold Fiducial Markers for Stereotactic Partial-Breast Irradiation

OBJECTIVE. A novel technique of placing gold fiducial markers in the breast using ultrasound guidance was developed and performed in 51 of 55 consecutive postlumpectomy patients enrolled in a phase I dose escalation trial of accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) using robotic-based stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). CONCLUSION. All 51 postoperative patients underwent successful fiducial placement without complications. Our technique of placing gold fiducial markers in proximity to the seroma cavity is considered safe and effective for breast cancer patients being treated with APBI using robotic-based SBRT.
Effects of Coping Skills Training on Quality of Life, Disease Biomarkers, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background—Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease that compromises patients’ quality of life (QoL). Interventions designed to reduce distress and improve disease self-management are needed. We eva...
Art and Technology

Art has as many meanings as contexts in which it operates. It can mean surface decoration or the integral sum of parts and whole which a historian analyzes as structure using visual, musical, theatrical or other criteria. Art serves as decoration, but also serves to signal or sign a particular meaning. Art often confers an elite social status on its patrons or provides goods which support the power and prestige of a special group or person. Art is also used to describe the experience of viewers, usually as “aesthetic experience”; for instance, we experience art as beauty, as a shared emotional experience or empathetic understanding, or as interactive play or a process of performance by which we investigate or relate ideas, occurrences, or objects and give them meaning.Technology, in contrast, is usually defined as “praxis” and involves doing things, as a craft practice involving materials selection and refinement, followed by making those materials into useful things, artifacts, or objects which serve useful functions for individuals, a social group, class, or culture. The products of technology can be useful as tools that enable a task to be accomplished, or as products which satisfy subsistence needs, or devices, or even practical ideas. When put to use, they enable travel, communication, transportation of goods, or control of energy. But technology has another meaning which is often thought to be less useful, namely technical marvels—things which amaze or surprise us. Some examples are the mechanical automatons of the 17th and 18th centuries, the latest computer game, a special way of hearing or seeing, or even the gas and light spewing magic machines described as being used in Greek temples to get peoples' attention. Another example is the technology described by the 11th century monk Theophilus, used to equip a church, from bells and censors, to glass windows and painted walls. In these examples, doing technology or learning to use technological marvels is a way of almost magically extending our own power and understanding beyond ourselves.
Sliding-Mode State Estimators for Lipschitz Nonlinear Systems

Abstract The stability of sliding-mode estimators for a class of nonlinear systems with Lipschitz nonlinearities has been studied. Conditions have been found to guarantee asymptotic convergence to zero of the estimation error in the absence of noise and non-divergence if the state perturbations and measurement noise are bounded. These conditions may be expressed by means of an algebraic Riccati equation. A method is proposed to find a suitable solution to the Riccati equation on which the design of the estimator is based. The performance of the resulting sliding-mode filter minimizes an upper bound on the asymptotic estimation error. Simulation results with comparisons with an extended Kalman filter are presented for a gas-tank system.
Fully integrated LTE-band CMOS tunable power amplifier

This paper presents a novel design of a tunable multimode multiband power amplifier (PA) integrated in 130nm CMOS technology. For covering the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) bands, this power amplifier utilizes a novel technique of band switching to tune the center frequency of the band in use. The designed power amplifier covers up to 25 specified frequency bands of LTE mobile network ranging from 700MHz to 950MHz (lower band), and 1450MHz to 2050MHz (higher band). Moreover, the proposed tunable PA enables triple power levels; low, medium and high power modes for each of the lower and higher bands. At the lower band, this tunable PA obtains saturated output power (Psat) of 16.1dBm/19.8dBm/24.0dBm, and at the higher band, it can deliver 21.9dBm/23.2dBm/26.2dbm as low/mid/high power modes, respectively.
Income and Cancer Overdiagnosis — When Too Much Care Is Harmful

There are reasons to wonder whether people with higher incomes receive too much medical care. Cancer screening is one area where overutilization can cause harm, resulting in overdiagnosis and potentially unnecessary treatment.
Conclusion: The Ends of Narration

How Chinua Achebe arrived at his particular narrative methods that draw on oral tradition in prose fiction partly involves the mystery of artistic inspiration. What is clear, though, is that he recognized that a powerful resource was available to him in the implementation of a new kind of novel about West Africa. By melding African oral tradition with the novelistic form that he learned mainly through Western authors, Achebe tapped into a powerful residual storytelling bond.
Abstract WP291: Predictors of 30-day Same Hospital Readmission After Ischemic Stroke

Background: Health systems across the US are focusing on preventable hospital readmissions. Patient care systems are often focused on shorter hospital length of stays and faster discharges, while r...
Research Priorities in Palliative Care for Older Adults

Society is facing one of the largest public health challenges in its history—the growth of the population of older adults. Improvements in public health, the discovery of antibiotics, and advances in modern medicine have resulted in unprecedented gains in human longevity. For most Americans, the years after age 65 are a time of good health, independence, and integration of a life’s work and experience. Eventually, however, most adults will develop one or more chronic illnesses with which they may live for many years before they die. Over three-quarters of deaths in the USA are due to chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs. Abundant evidence suggests that the advanced stages of disease for most are characterized by inadequately treated physical distress; fragmented care systems; poor communication between doctors, patients, and families; and enormous strains on family caregiver and support systems.
The Most Critical Problem for the Fledgling Small Business: Getting Sales:

The most pressing problem of small business owners is how to get sales now and in the future. Items such as inflation, taxes, government regulation, costs of paper work, etc. become more important ...
Anti-IgE Therapy

Omalizumab is an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy indicated for moderate to severe persistent asthma and chronic spontaneous or idiopathic urticaria, with several other potential uses in dermatology. It is a recombinant, 95% humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds circulating human IgE, thereby reducing circulating IgE levels and inhibiting mast cell response to antigenic stimuli. It is approved for use in dermatology as a third-line and fourth-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria in Europe and the United States, respectively. It has also demonstrated benefit off-label for several other dermatologic conditions, including physical urticarias, urticarial vasculitis, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, and mastocytosis. Adverse events associated with omalizumab are overall mild, with the most common reactions including nausea, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, arthralgia, headache, and cough. Anaphylaxis was reported during clinical trials for asthma, with an incidence of 0.1–0.2%, and, therefore, a black box warning for anaphylaxis from omalizumab exists. In the dermatology literature, only two patients have been reported to have anaphylaxis during treatment with omalizumab. Omalizumab is contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity reaction to omalizumab or any of its ingredients and is pregnancy category B.
The Advantage of Legal Diversity for State Formation: Bourbon Reforms and Aragonese Law in Eighteenth-Century Spain

Most theories of state formation emphasize the advantages of legal uniformity for the development of early modern states. The Bourbon monarchy in eighteenth-century Spain demonstrates alternative p...
Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Significance of Purine Metabolism in the Heart

Purines are the basic building blocks of many important molecules of vital physiologic significance. The most important purine molecule is adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) in which 95% of chemical energy is stored and from which energy is derived to trigger numerous energy-dependent reactions. ATP is essential for generation of the second messenger cAMP and regulation of several ATP-sensitive enzymes, channels and myocardial contraction-relaxation coupling. ATP is crucial in maintaining ionic gradients, neurotransmitter release, nerve depolarization and conduction, gene expression and nucleic and deoxynucleic acid synthesis (RNA and DNA) during myocardial development and cardiac repair. ATP and derivatives (ADP, AMP, adenosine and cAMP) are crucial for several molecular cellular events responsible for and regulation of vascular tone and contractile activity in the heart. In addition to purines, other nucleotides and nucleosides also play a significant role cellular and molecular biology. In the heart, the most abundant purine derivative is ATP and about 95% of ATP is synthesized in the mitochondria. In normal physiologic conditions, the steady state level of myocardial ATP is in a critical balance between ATP production and utilization. Mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase transfers ATP from the mitochondria to the cytosol in exchange for ADP.
School vaccination laws.

Personal exemptions from mandatory vaccination requirements ensure peaceful coexistence between personal autonomy and social responsibility. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Cost-benefit analysis of testing for Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic subjects.

Objectives : It has remained controversial how to manage patients who present with symptoms of dyspepsia. Should all dyspeptic patients undergo a radiological or endoscopic procedure to diagnose peptic ulcer, or would a serological test for Helicobacter pylori provide sufficient evidence to start all H. pylori-positive patients on empirical antibiotic therapy ? Methods : The outcome of serological testing for H. pylori in dyspepsia is analyzed using a decision tree. Successful eradication is associated with the potential benefits of healing dyspepsia and preventing peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. In a sensitivity analysis, all of the transition rates and benefits are varied over a wide range to test the robustness of the calculated decision outcomes. Results : The cost-benefit relationship of serological screening for H. pylori in dyspeptic patients is influenced primarily by the response rate of nonulcer dyspepsia to H. pylori eradication and secondly by the monetary benefit of ulcer prevention and the prevalence rate of peptic ulcer in H. pylori-positive patients. A response to H. pylori eradication in 5-10% of all patients with nonulcer dyspepsia would make screening and treatment for H. pylori a beneficial option, irrespective of any other potential benefits. If ulcer prevention were associated with long term benefit of $4000 or more and if the ulcer prevalence rate exceeded 10% of all dyspeptic patients, serological screening for H. pylori would also pay off. Conclusions : As long as no unequivocal evidence exists that nonulcer dyspepsia responds to eradication of H. pylori, treating all dyspeptic patients who test positive for H. pylori cannot be recommended. At the present time, antibiotic therapy should be reserved to patients with proven ulcer or to patients with nonulcer dyspepsia for whom other measures have failed.
ZeMo: An Open Source Water Quality Monitoring System for Aquaria.

Abstract Zebrafish and other aquatic organisms depend on careful monitoring and adjustment of water quality for health and survival. This ideally includes continuous monitoring of several water par...
Pharmacological Considerations in Neuroanesthesia

In addition to physiologic and anatomic considerations in neuroanesthesia practice, pharmacological issues that may affect drug disposition, dosing, and adverse effects must be addressed to prevent delayed emergence from anesthesia. Obesity, hypothermia, and renal and hepatic dysfunction can all affect patients’ response to anesthesia. Clinically relevant side effects unique to each agent must also be evaluated to prevent postoperative complications. Effects on cerebral hemodynamics should be utilized to provide anesthesia targeted to each patient’s pathology.
Male-specific CREB signaling in the hippocampus controls spatial memory deficits in a mouse model of autism and intellectual disability

Background: The prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders is biased towards males with male:female ratios of 2:1 in intellectual disability (ID) and 4:1 in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular mechanisms of such bias remain unknown. While characterizing a mouse model for loss of the signaling scaffold coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1A (CC2D1A), which is mutated in ID and ASD, we identified biochemical and behavioral differences between males and females, and explored whether CC2D1A controls male-specific intracellular signaling. Methods: CC2D1A is known to regulate phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D). We tested for activation PDE4D and downstream signaling molecules such as CREB in the hippocampus of Cc2d1a-deficient mice. We then performed behavioral studies in females to analyze learning and memory, social interactions, anxiety and hyperactivity. Finally, we targeted PDE4D activation with a PDE4D inhibitor to define how changes in PDE4D and CREB activity affect behavior in males and females. Results: We found that in Cc2d1a-deficient males PDE4D is hyperactive leading to a reduction in CREB signaling, but this molecular deficit is not present in females. Cc2d1a-deficient females only show impairment in novel object recognition, and no other cognitive and social deficits that have been found in males. Restoring PDE4D activity using an inhibitor rescues male-specific cognitive deficits, but has no effect on females. Conclusions: Our findings show that CC2D1A regulates intracellular signaling in a male-specific manner in the hippocampus leading to male-specific behavioral deficits. We propose that male-specific signaling mechanisms are involved in establishing sex bias in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Effects of prior formal and informal caregiving experiences on undergraduates’ infant/toddler caregiving knowledge and beliefs

With growing emphasis on the development and use of competencies (knowledge, dispositions, skills) for training and evaluating the early childhood workforce, this study aimed to identify sources of...
Bystander behaviors following an accusation of rape: the effect of relational distance and participant sex on victim-centered intervention

Women face heightened risk of sexual assault and a growing body of research has suggested that bystanders play a key role in preventing violence against women. To date, research has not fully explo...
Religious Adherence, Women-Friendliness, and Representation in American State Legislatures

National and cross-national studies demonstrate that the probability of women candidates' emergence and success is lower in more religious areas. One recent study of the U.S. House of Representatives even suggests that the effect of religiosity may be so powerful as to render insignificant other contextual factors, including a district's baseline women-friendliness. We argue that this finding is an institutional artifact; in less competitive contests with more internally similar constituencies, both religion and other contextual factors should affect women candidates' emergence and victory. We test this proposition using state legislative data and find that while women are less likely to run and win in more religious areas, district women-friendliness has an independent, positive effect on women's candidacies. These effects are particularly noteworthy in districts with large evangelical Protestant populations and affect Republican and Democratic women similarly.
Revisiting the Photon-Drag Effect in Thin Metal Films

Using pristine metal films of Au, Cu, and Ni-doped Ag, we show that light-induced current flow – photon drag – has a fundamental sign that contradicts the intuitive, prevailing model of direct momentum transfer to free electrons
Elucidation of soil phosphorus speciation in mid-Atlantic soils using synchrotron-based microspectroscopic techniques.

Phosphorus deficiency and excess are concomitant problems in agricultural soils of the mid-Atlantic region. A fundamental understanding of soil P speciation is essential to assess P fate and transport in these soils. Current methods for soil P speciation often rely on sequential chemical extractions, which can introduce artifacts during analysis. To overcome limitations of current methods, this study evaluated synchrotron-based micro-focused X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (µ-XANES) techniques to assess soil P speciation in agricultural soils collected from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Three soils with varying chemical and physical properties were analyzed with µ-XRF maps collected at high (12,000 eV) and tender (2240 eV) energies to evaluate colocation of P with Fe, Al, Ca, and Si in soil samples, and µ-XANES spectra were collected at the P K-edge for P hotspots. Combined µ-XRF and µ-XANES analysis was useful for identifying Ca phosphate, Fe phosphate, Al-sorbed P, and Fe-sorbed P species in heterogeneous soil samples. X-ray fluorescence maps were valuable to distinguish Al-oxide sorbed P from Fe-oxide sorbed P species. A low signal-to-noise ratio often limited µ-XANES data collection in regions with diffuse, low concentrations of P. Therefore, some P species may not have been detected during analysis. Even with varying degrees of self-absorption and signal-to-noise ratios in µ-XANES spectra, important inferences regarding P speciation in mid-Atlantic soils were made. This study highlights the potential of µ-XANES analysis for use in environmental and agricultural sciences to provide insights into P fate and transport in soils.
Screening Rates for Primary Aldosteronism in Resistant Hypertension: A Cohort Study

Resistant hypertension is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and death than primary hypertension. Although clinical practice guidelines recommend screening for primary aldosteronism among persons with resistant hypertension, rates of screening are unknown. We identified 145 670 persons with hypertension and excluded persons with congestive heart failure or advanced chronic kidney disease. Among this cohort, we studied 4660 persons ages 18 to <90 from the years 2008 to 2014 with resistant hypertension and available laboratory tests within the following 24 months. The screening rate for primary aldosteronism in persons with resistant hypertension was 2.1%. Screened persons were younger (55.9±13.3 versus 65.5±11.6 years; P<0.0001) and had higher systolic (145.1±24.3 versus 139.6±20.5 mm Hg; P=0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (81.8±13.6 versus 74.4±13.8 mm Hg; P<0.0001), lower rates of coronary artery disease (5.2% versus 14.2%; P=0.01), and lower serum potassium concentrations (3.9±0.6 versus 4.1±0.5 mmol/L; P=0.04) than unscreened persons. Screened persons had significantly higher rates of prescription for calcium channel blockers, mixed α/β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, sympatholytics, and vasodilators, and lower rates of prescription for loop, thiazide, and thiazide-type diuretics. The prescription of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists or other potassium-sparing diuretics was not significantly different between groups (P=0.20). In conclusion, only 2.1% of eligible persons received a screening test within 2 years of meeting criteria for resistant hypertension. Low rates of screening were not due to the prescription of antihypertensive medications that may potentially interfere with interpretation of the screening test. Efforts to highlight guideline-recommended screening and targeted therapy are warranted.
Collaboration to Create Culture Change: Combating Hazing at Kingsman University:

At Kingsman University (KU), fraternity and sorority life is as central to campus culture as its athletic teams. Included in that culture are alcohol abuse, mistrust of the institution, and failure...
Identification of new therapeutic targets and natural compounds against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

Abstract Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive pediatric brainstem tumor which accounts for about 10–20% of childhood brain tumors. The survival rate for DIPG remains very poor, with a median survival of less than 1 year. The dismal prognosis associated with DIPG has been exacerbated by the failure of a large number of clinical trials to meaningfully improve survival compared with radiotherapy, the current standard of care for DIPG. In the current study, we screened a natural product library and for the first time identified 6 natural compounds displaying inhibitory effects on DIPG proliferation and anchorage-independent growth through inducing tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Subsequent RNA-Sequencing and functional validation revealed the molecular mechanisms of these compounds with anti-DIPG activities, and identified new cellular factors such as Fibronectin 1 (FN1) and Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit C-like (EIF3CL), required for DIPG survival as potential therapeutic targets. Our study provides promising directions to fight against this deadly pediatric cancer.
Argon Laser Iridoplasty For Plateau Iris Syndrome: Long-Term Outcomes of 48 Eyes.

Precis Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) was performed on 48 eyes with plateau iris syndrome (PIS). Indentation gonioscopy was used to monitor the opening of the iridocorneal angle. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at 5 years decreased from 15.9 to 14.4 mm Hg. None of the eyes required trabeculectomy. Purpose The purpose of this article was to report the long-term outcomes of ALPI for PIS. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with PIS treated with ALPI from 2001 to 2012. The study included 48 eyes from 28 patients with PIS after peripheral iridotomy, with a follow-up of at least 5 years. Patients with advanced glaucoma requiring initial surgical treatment (pathologic discs and IOP above the target IOP despite medical treatment) were excluded. The primary outcomes were the effect on the number of IOP medications, and the need for complementary selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) or surgery (trabeculectomy and/or phacoemulsification). Secondary outcomes were optic nerve head changes and adverse events. Results The mean IOP statistically decreased after ALPI (15.91±2.62 vs. 14.35±2.18 mm Hg, P>0.001). The mean number of IOP-lowering medications statistically increased after ALPI (0.81±0.94 vs. 1.2±1.04, P>0.001). Mean follow-up was 92.4±26.5 months. At the end of the follow-up, 12 (25%) eyes had no medications, 20 (42%) had 1 medication, 11 (23%) had 2 medications, 3 (6%) had 3 medications, and 2 (4%) had 4. Ten (21%) eyes underwent SLT, 6 (10%) underwent phacoemulsification, and no trabeculectomy was necessary during follow-up. The change in cup to disc ratio from pre-ALPI to latest follow-up was not statistically significant, and no adverse events were reported. Conclusions ALPI is relatively effective and safe to prevent angle-closure glaucoma and avoid trabeculectomy in patients with PIS. This procedure often helps to control IOP, although SLT and additional medical treatments are frequently necessary to maintain the target IOP.
Capillary microbioreactors for VOC vapor treatment: Impacts of operating conditions.

Abstract Micro-capillary bioreactors (1 mm ID, 10 cm long) were investigated for the biodegradation of toluene vapors as a model volatile organic compound (VOC). The intended application is the removal of VOCs from indoor air, when such microbioreactor is coupled with a microconcentrator that intermittently delivers high concentrations of VOCs to the bioreactor for effective treatment. The effects of key operating conditions were investigated. Specifically, gas film and liquid film mass transfer coefficients were determined for different gas and liquid velocities. Both mass transfer coefficients increased with gas or liquid velocity, respectively, and the overall gas-liquid mass transfer was dominated by the liquid-side resistance. Experiments with the microbioreactors focused on the effects of gas velocity, liquid velocity and mineral medium renewal rate on the treatment of toluene vapors at different inlet concentrations. The best performance in terms of toluene removal and mineralization to CO2 was obtained when the gas and liquid velocity ratio was close to one and achieving Taylor or slug flow pattern. Sustained treatment over extended periods of time with toluene elimination capacities ranging from 4000 to over 9000 g m−3 h−1 were obtained, which is orders of magnitude greater than conventional biofilters and biotrickling filters. Biological limitations generally played a more important role than mass transfer limitation. Continuous mineral medium supply at a high rate (10 h liquid retention time) enabled pH control and provided ample nutrient supply and therefore resulted in better toluene elimination and mineralization. Overall, these studies helped select the most suitable conditions for high performance and sustained operation.
Polyclonal epitope cartography reveals the temporal dynamics and diversity of human antibody responses to H5N1 vaccination

SUMMARY Novel influenza A virus (IAV) strains elicit recall immune responses to conserved epitopes, making them favorable antigenic choices for universal influenza virus vaccines. Evaluating these immunogens requires a thorough understanding of the antigenic sites targeted by the polyclonal antibody (pAb) response, which single particle electron microscopy (EM) can sensitively detect. Here, we employed EM polyclonal epitope mapping (EMPEM) to extensively characterize the pAb response to hemagglutinin (HA) after H5N1 immunization in humans. Cross-reactive pAbs originating from memory B cells immediately bound the stem of HA and persisted for over a year post vaccination. In contrast, de novo pAb responses to multiple sites on the head of HA, which targeted previously determined key neutralizing sites on H5 HA, expanded after the second immunization and waned quickly. Thus, EMPEM provides a robust tool for comprehensively tracking the specificity and durability of immune responses elicited by novel universal influenza vaccine candidates.
Example of Steady-State Electric-Current Modeling of a Complicated Cellular Topology with Boundary Element Fast Multipole Method

In this study, we demonstrate the ability of the boundary element fast multipole method (BEM-FMM) to perform electrical modeling of a rather complicated microbiological surface topology in a reasonable amount of time. As an example, we consider a Computer Aided Design (CAD)-based SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein structure. This structure is crucial to the mechanism by which the coronavirus attaches to a target object. Only classic DC steady-state modeling has been performed, in an isotropic continuous medium.
Awareness and Sensitivities: Four “Anchors” to Use in the Classroom

Having just examined how we might think about the role of the teacher, we are well underway in carrying forward the perspective of Part I into the classroom. As we move ahead, we’ll want to keep sight of a central principle of our discussion so far: Supporting students in organizing and learning is a matter of facilitating rather than directing – of creating classroom conditions that support the functioning of organizing processes. While our intention will be to create conditions that support all students, we should keep in mind the inevitable variability among individuals. As we discuss what would constitute ideal support, then, it is important to remember that our goal is conditions that are good enough, most of the time. This is not a position of compromise. On the contrary, it’s a guideline toward fostering an environment conducive to growth.
Risk-Aware Application Placement in Mobile Edge Computing Systems: A Learning-based Optimization Approach

In this paper, we address the problem of application placement in MEC systems that takes into account the risk of exceeding the energy budget of the edge servers. We formulate the problem as a chance-constrained program, where the objective is to maximize the total quality of service in the system, while keeping the expected risk of exceeding the edge servers' energy budget within an acceptable threshold. We develop a learning-based method to solve the problem which requires a very small execution time for large size instances. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method by conducting an extensive experimental analysis.
Wish of a Young Failing Heart; Compassionate Listening in Palliative Care

ABSTRACT A young man hospitalized in severe biventricular heart failure, awaiting his third heart transplant, held a wish that he had not expressed to any of the myriad of clinicians involved in his care. It was only at the suggestion of his mother that he, in the hope of having his wish fulfilled, shared his wish with a medical student on the Palliative Care service. Through years of navigating the stressful complexities of her son’s medical care, this mother had encountered Palliative care and had come to expect of palliative care, a compassionate presence, compassionate listening, and a compassionate response.
An IMC Approach to Event Marketing: The Effects of Sponsorship and Experience on Customer Attitudes

ABSTRACT The number of companies sponsoring events has increased over the past decade. Yet, for many firms it is unclear how the effectiveness of event marketing activities can be measured. The study examines outcomes associated with an automobile manufacturer9s sponsorship of a six-day charitable sporting event. Data for the study were collected from a sample of 565 spectators in five cities during the six-day event. Results provide evidence for inclusion of event marketing in the company9s promotional mix and indicate that experience with the sponsor9s products during the event may enhance event outcomes. The role of event marketing as a form of communication is discussed, and recommendations and directions for future research are suggested.
Nrf2 Regulates β-cell Mass by Suppressing Cell Death and Promoting Proliferation

Finding therapies that can protect and expand functional {beta}-cell mass is a major goal of diabetes research. Here we generated {beta}-cell-specific conditional knockout and gain-of-function mouse models and used human islet transplant experiments to examine how manipulating Nrf2 levels affects {beta}-cell survival, proliferation and mass. Depletion of Nrf2 in {beta}-cells resulted in decreased glucose-stimulated {beta}-cell proliferation ex vivo and decreased adaptive {beta}-cell proliferation and {beta}-cell mass expansion after a high fat diet in vivo. Nrf2 protects {beta}-cells from apoptosis after a high fat diet. Nrf2 loss-of-function decreases Pdx1 abundance and insulin content. Activating Nrf2 in a {beta}-cell-specific manner increases {beta}-cell proliferation and {beta}-cell mass. Human islets transplanted under the kidney capsule of immunocompromised mice and treated systemically with CDDO-Me, an Nrf2 activator, display increased {beta}-cell proliferation. Thus, Nrf2 regulates {beta}-cell mass and is an exciting therapeutic target for expanding {beta}-cell mass in diabetes.
Relationship of polypharmacy to HIV RNA suppression in people aged ≥ 50 years living with HIV.

Objectives People living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥ 50 years face unique challenges regarding their medication therapies, especially antiretroviral therapy (ART). Use of ARTs, along with medications for comorbidities, may lead to adverse events, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and poor adherence. The objective of this study was to identify the number of medications above which PLWH aged ≥ 50 years are less likely to be virally suppressed and to describe other associated patient-specific risk factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of PLWH aged ≥ 50 years, prescribed ART, and seen at least once in the Northwestern Infectious Disease Center between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2015. Variables concerning medication use and comorbidities were collected. The primary outcome was the presence of an undetectable plasma HIV RNA level (viral load). Results Among the 621 included patients, there was a higher percentage taking ≤ 15 medications with an undetectable plasma HIV RNA (n = 453; 80.6%) vs. patients taking > 15 medications (n = 40; 67.8%; P = 0.03). Taking > 15 medications [odds ratio (OR) 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.96], pulmonary disease (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.3-0.97) and CD4 T-lymphocyte count Conclusions PLWH taking > 15 medications were less likely to have an undetectable HIV RNA. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of overall medication economic burden on clinical outcomes among PLWH ≥ 50 years of age.