cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cirugía de reducción de volumen pulmonar en pacientes con enfisema

El enfisema pulmonar es una enfermedad cronica progresiva invalidante, ligada al consumo de tabaco de la poblacion, con un incremento significativo en las tasas de mortalidad durante la ultima decada*. El tratamiento medico convencional para los pacientes con enfisema ha tenido un impacto limitado en la calidad de vida y supervivencia de los enfermos, lo cual ha estimulado la busqueda de nuevas modalidades terapeuticas, incluyendo la cirugia de reduccion de volumen pulmonar (CRVP) 2 ' 3 . La CRVP para pacientes con enfisema pulmonar en etapa avanzada fue propuesta hace mas de 35 anos 4 ' 5 , donde se obtuvo mejoria clinica significativa en el 75% de los pacientes, la cual en algunos casos persistio durante un periodo superior a 5 anos. Sin embargo, el procedimiento estuvo asociado a una elevada mortalidad postoperatoria (16%) y no se realizaron estudios funcionales objetivos que sustentaran la mejoria subjetiva de
Effects of Dynamic Stepping Training on Nonlocomotor Tasks in Individuals Poststroke

Background During the physical rehabilitation of individuals poststroke, therapists are challenged to provide sufficient amounts of task-specific practice in order to maximize outcomes of multiple functional skills within limited visits. Basic and applied studies have suggested that training of one motor task may affect performance of biomechanically separate tasks that utilize overlapping neural circuits. However, few studies have explicitly investigated the impact of training one functional task on separate, nonpracticed tasks. Objective The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the potential gains in specific nonlocomotor assessments in individuals poststroke following only stepping training of variable, challenging tasks at high aerobic intensities. Methods Individuals with locomotor deficits following subacute and chronic stroke (n=22) completed a locomotor training paradigm using a repeated-measures design. Practice of multiple stepping tasks was provided in variable environments or contexts at high aerobic intensities for ≥40 sessions over 10 weeks. The primary outcome was timed Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5XSTS) performance, with secondary measures of sit-to-stand kinematics and kinetics, clinical assessment of balance, and isometric lower limb strength. Results Participants improved their timed 5XSTS performance following stepping training, with changes in selected biomechanical measures. Statistical and clinically meaningful improvements in balance were observed, with more modest changes in paretic leg strength. Conclusions The present data suggest that significant gains in selected nonlocomotor tasks can be achieved with high-intensity, variable stepping training. Improvements in nonpracticed tasks may minimize the need to practice multiple tasks within and across treatment sessions.
High-field and thermal transport in 2D atomic layer devices

This paper reviews our recent results of high-field electrical and thermal properties of atomically thin two-dimensional materials. We show how self-heating affects velocity saturation in suspended and supported graphene. We also demonstrate that multi-valley transport must be taken into account to describe high-field transport in MoS2. At the same time we characterized thermal properties of suspended and nanoscale graphene samples over a wide range of temperatures. We uncovered the effects of edge scattering and grain boundaries on thermal transport in graphene, and showed how the thermal conductivity varies between diffusive and ballistic heat flow limits.
Priapism treated by modification of creation of fistulas between glans penis and corpora cavernosa.

AbstractA modification of a relatively new and simple method to cure priapism and its advantages are presented.
Role of minimally invasive surgery for adult spinal deformity in preventing complications

With the aging population, there is a rising prevalence of degenerative spinal deformity and need of surgical care for these patients. Surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD) is often fraught with a high rate of complications. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has for the past decade been adopted by spine surgeons to treat ASD in the hopes of reducing access-related morbidity and perioperative complications. The benefits of MIS approach in general and recent development of MIS techniques to avoid long-term complications such as pseudoarthrosis or proximal junctional kyphosis are reviewed.
Formulation and Evaluation of Antibacterial Creams and Gels Containing Metal Ions for Topical Application.

Background. Skin infections occur commonly and often present therapeutic challenges to practitioners due to the growing concerns regarding multidrug-resistant bacterial, viral, and fungal strains. The antimicrobial properties of zinc sulfate and copper sulfate are well known and have been investigated for many years. However, the synergistic activity between these two metal ions as antimicrobial ingredients has not been evaluated in topical formulations. Objective. The aims of the present study were to (1) formulate topical creams and gels containing zinc and copper alone or in combination and (2) evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of these metal ions in the formulations. Method. Formulation of the gels and creams was followed by evaluating their organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical properties, and in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results. Zinc sulfate and copper sulfate had a strong synergistic antibacterial activity in the creams and gels. The minimum effective concentration was found to be 3 w/w% for both active ingredients against the two tested microorganisms. Conclusions. This study evaluated and confirmed the synergistic in vitro antibacterial effect of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate in a cream and two gels.
A longitudinal study of persistent smoking among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in primary relationships.

Abstract Introduction We examined the stability of smoking behaviors, and factors associated with persistent smoking in a longitudinal study of HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in primary relationships. Methods A sample of 377 HIV-positive men on antiretroviral therapy and their same-sex partners completed five assessments over two years. Participants completed semi-structured interviews which assessed smoking status, sociodemographic factors, relationship dynamics, and HIV-related disease characteristics. Latent transition analysis estimated the amount of transition in smoking over time. Latent class analysis examined factors associated with smoking status across the study period. Results At baseline, 28.1% ( n = 106) of participants reported current smoking. Over 90% of the HIV-positive men remained in the same smoking category over time (68.4% persistent non-smokers; 24.1% persistent smokers). Men whose partners smoked and men with lower income had higher odds of being persistent smokers, whereas older men and men who identified as Latino race/ethnicity had lower odds of being persistent smokers compared to non-smokers. Conclusions Despite efforts to reduce smoking among people living with HIV (PLWH), a substantial subset of men continued to smoke during their two years in the study. Findings suggest that primary partners who also smoke and low income were the strongest predictors of sustained smoking behaviors among HIV-positive men. Additional research is needed to better understand how to increase motivation and support for smoking cessation among PLWH and their primary partners, while attending to how socioeconomic status may inhibit access to and the sustained impact of existing smoking cessation programs.
2.09 – Endocrinology of Complex Life Cycles: Amphibians

A complex life cycle, where an animal begins life as a larva then undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult form, is thought to represent the ancestral vertebrate life history mode. Most amphibian species exhibit complex life cycles, and the timing of metamorphosis is a central life history trait that is controlled by the interplay of developmental progression, body size and condition, and environmental signals. These different processes and signals are integrated by the neuroendocrine system to regulate production of hormones by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone (TH) is the primary morphogen controlling metamorphosis, while corticosteroids (CS) produced by the interrenal glands synergize with TH to promote metamorphic changes. The actions of TH are modulated by monodeiodinase enzymes expressed in TH target tissues. Corticosteroids act by sensitizing tissues to the actions of TH via the upregulation of TH receptors and monodeiodinases. The increase in thyroid gland activity during metamorphosis is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamo–pituitary–thyroid and hypothalamo–pituitary–interrenal axes are regulated at multiple levels. Hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) functions as a common, central regulator of pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion in tadpoles. CRH neurons transduce the signals of environmental change (e.g., pond drying, resource availability) on metamorphic timing through CRH actions on TSH and ACTH secretion, and subsequently the production of TH and CS. The proximate mechanisms for the evolution of body size at metamorphosis, and the timing of transformation among amphibian lineages involved the modification of neuroendocrinological pathways and hormone action.
Phenomenology and Onto‐Generative Hermeneutics: Convergencies

In examining phenomenology as a base onto-generative hermeneutics (onto-hermeneutics) I find the gradual movement from pure phenomenology in Husserl to an ontological phenomenology in Merleau-Ponty through Heidegger and Gadamer. I argue thus that there is an implicit connection between the phenomenological and the ontological. In order to bring out the desirable connection between the two we must have hermeneutic interpretation of one in terms of the other. This leads to the idea of onto-hermeneutic circle of phenomenology and ontology based on the integration of the four phenomenologies which represent a wider comprehension and deeper intuition. It is in terms of this wider comprehension and deeper intuition of reality I introduce the Chinese notion “ben-ti 本體” (root-body) as “onto-generative” as well as onto-phenomenological. I suggest five principles as constituting the basic formulation of such a hermeneutic system as both theory and methodology: (i) Principle of comprehensive observation (guan 观) (the Yijing); (ii) Principle of objective reference (wu 物)1 (the Yijing); (iii) Principle of perception, reflection, and memory (gan 感) (the Yijing and the Confucian); (iv) Principle of intersubjective understanding and interpretation based on (ren 仁) (the Confucian); and (v) Principle of practical end and action (xing 行) (the Confucian).
Passively self-aligned assembly of compact barrel hinges for high-performance, out-of-plane mems actuators

A passively self-aligned, assembly-based process for rapidly creating compact, micro-barrel hinges with unconstrained rotation from SU-8 epoxy is presented. The alignment process takes places in two stages: a coarse alignment stage guided by external dowel pins followed by a fine alignment stage driven by the hinges' features themselves. The assembly of pins into housings circumvents the design rules for minimum gap between features of given thickness in SU-8 processing, enabling reduced hinge clearance for minimization of “side play”. The present hinges' fabrication and function are demonstrated through the design, implementation, and characterization of a displacement-amplifying, out-of-plane, scissor-based actuator that is driven by an in-plane, piezoelectric extensional actuator. The micro-barrel hinge enabled motion amplifier comprises six functional SU-8 multilayer plates joined by three layers of adhesives. Each functional plate comprises two or three layers of SU-8 fabricated by multiple exposures and a single development step. Displacements of up to 11.5 μm and forces of up to 10.5 mN are measured for the 10 mm2 actuator, corresponding to a displacement and force per unit area of up to 1.15 μm/mm2 and 1.05 mN/mm2 respectively and offering potential solutions for applications like haptic interfaces and micropumps.
Acoustic tweezing cytometry enhances osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells through cytoskeletal contractility and YAP activation

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have great potential for cell-based therapies for treating degenerative bone diseases. It is known that mechanical cues in the cell microenvironment play an important role in regulating osteogenic (bone) differentiation of hMSCs. However, mechanoregulation of lineage commitment of hMSCs in conventional two-dimensional (2D) monocultures or bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs remains suboptimal due to complex biomaterial design criteria for hMSC culture. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a novel cell mechanics and mechanobiology tool, acoustic tweezing cytometry (ATC), for mechanical stimulation of hMSCs. ATC utilizes ultrasound (US) pulses to actuate functionalized lipid microbubbles (MBs) which are covalently attached to hMSCs via integrin binding to exert forces to the cells. ATC stimulation increases cytoskeletal contractility of hMSCs regardless of the cell area. Furthermore, ATC application rescues osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in culture conditions that are intrinsically repressive for hMSC osteogenesis (e.g., soft cell culture surfaces). ATC application activates transcriptional regulator YAP to enhance hMSC osteogenesis. Our data further show that F-actin, myosin II, and RhoA/ROCK signaling functions upstream of YAP activity in mediating ATC-stimulated hMSC osteogenesis. With the capability of applying controlled dynamic mechanical stimuli to cells, ATC provides a powerful tool for mechanoregulation of stem cell behaviors in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
Honeybees use the skyline in orientation

ABSTRACT In view-based navigation, animals acquire views of the landscape from various locations and then compare the learned views with current views in order to orient in certain directions or move toward certain destinations. One landscape feature of great potential usefulness in view-based navigation is the skyline, the silhouette of terrestrial objects against the sky, as it is distant, relatively stable and easy to detect. The skyline has been shown to be important in the view-based navigation of ants, but no flying insect has yet been shown definitively to use the skyline in this way. Here, we show that honeybees do indeed orient using the skyline. A feeder was surrounded with an artificial replica of the natural skyline there, and the bees9 departures toward the nest were recorded from above with a video camera under overcast skies (to eliminate celestial cues). When the artificial skyline was rotated, the bees9 departures were rotated correspondingly, showing that the bees oriented by the artificial skyline alone. We discuss these findings in the context of the likely importance of the skyline in long-range homing in bees, the likely importance of altitude in using the skyline, the likely role of ultraviolet light in detecting the skyline, and what we know about the bees9 ability to resolve skyline features.
Animal and cellular models of familial dysautonomia

Since Riley and Day first described the clinical phenotype of patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) over 60 years ago, the field has made considerable progress clinically, scientifically, and translationally in treating and understanding the etiology of FD. FD is classified as a hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN type III) and is both a developmental and a progressive neurodegenerative condition that results from an autosomal recessive mutation in the gene IKBKAP, also known as ELP1. FD primarily impacts the peripheral nervous system but also manifests in central nervous system disruption, especially in the retina and optic nerve. While the disease is rare, the rapid progress being made in elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating the demise of neurons in FD should provide insight into degenerative pathways common to many neurological disorders. Interestingly, the protein encoded by IKBKAP/ELP1, IKAP or ELP1, is a key scaffolding subunit of the six-subunit Elongator complex, and variants in other Elongator genes are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), intellectual disability, and Rolandic epilepsy. Here we review the recent model systems that are revealing the molecular and cellular pathophysiological mechanisms mediating FD. These powerful model systems can now be used to test targeted therapeutics for mitigating neuronal loss in FD and potentially other disorders.
Low-voltage gaseous HCl electrolysis with an iron redox-mediated cathode for chlorine regeneration

Gaseous HCl by-product is often produced from chlorination processes using Cl2 gas. Onsite Cl2 regeneration from HCl is highly desirable as it eliminates the need to buy new Cl2 and dispose HCl waste. Herein a gaseous HCl electrolysis with Fe3+/Fe2+ redox-mediated cathode is demonstrated for Cl2 regeneration. HCl is oxidized to generate Cl2 and proton in anode while Fe3+ is reduced to Fe2+ in cathode. Simultaneously Fe3+ is regenerated chemical oxidation of Fe2+ by oxygen (air) that also produces water. Low operational voltage and high coulombic efficiency are achieved by using a novel composite porous membrane and hydrophobic anode. Specifically, a cell voltage of only 0.64 V is needed at the typical current density of 4 kA m−2, leading to a low energy consumption of 483 kWh tCl2−1 (124 kJ molCl2−1) that is about 50-55% of state-of-the-art HCl electrolysis processes. These new concepts may also help other challenging processes such as H2S splitting and electrochemical NH3 synthesis.
The Oklahoma Mesonet: A Pilot Study of Environmental Sensor Data Citations

This pilot study of 110 scientific papers utilizing environmental sensor data from the Oklahoma Mesonet during its first two decades of operations demonstrates the diversity of potential purposes in scientific research for a robust, rigorously maintained, accessible source of environmental sensor data, as well as the challenges involved in identifying uses of that data within scientific papers. The study authors selected three publication years (1995, 2005, 2015) from an extensive corpus of peer-reviewed journal publications, identified each paper’s specific citation of and uses of the Mesonet’s environmental sensor data, and derived a typology of those usages (assimilation, experimentation, observation, simulation, utilization, validation) found to be most common. The rapid increase in data assimilation research projects today is discussed in terms of the difficulty and importance of correct attribution to individual data sources in these complex research projects. The study examines the possible role played by highly-cited papers that describe the quality assurance procedures in sensor data sources, which may serve as surrogates to signal the quality of the data provided by such sources, and which may also provide a useful contribution towards understanding data citation as a special form of scholarly citation.
Joint user scheduling and power optimization in full-duplex cells with successive interference cancellation

This paper considers a cellular system with a full-duplex base station and half-duplex users. The base station can activate one user in uplink or downlink (half-duplex mode), or two different users one in each direction simultaneously (full-duplex mode). Simultaneous transmissions in uplink and downlink causes self-interference at the base station and uplink-to-downlink interference at the downlink user. Although uplink-to-downlink interference is typically treated as noise, it is shown that successive interference decoding and cancellation (SIC mode) can lead to significant improvement in network utility, especially when user distribution is concentrated around a few hotspots. The proposed temporal fair user scheduling algorithm and corresponding power optimization utilizes full-duplex and SIC modes as well as half-duplex transmissions based on their impact on network utility. Simulation results reveal that the proposed strategy can achieve up to 95% average cell throughput improvement in typical indoor scenarios with respect to a conventional network in which the base station is half-duplex.
Excellent Outcomes with Radiosurgery for Multiple Brain Metastases in ALK and EGFR Driven Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Introduction Patients with brain metastases (BMs) arising from EGFR -mutated and anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene ( ALK )-rearranged NSCLC have a favorable prognosis compared with patients with non–oncogene-addicted NSCLC, emphasizing the importance of minimizing toxicities such as the cognitive sequelae of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Although radiosurgery without WBRT is the preferred strategy for one to three BMs, this paradigm remains controversial for patients with multiple BMs. Methods We reviewed the cases of patients with EGFR -mutated and ALK -rearranged NSCLC presenting to our cancer center between 2008 and 2017 and included only patients receiving treatment to four or more BMs in a single radiosurgery session. Results We identified 35 patients with a median follow-up of 4.1 years. The maximum number of BMs treated in a single radiosurgery session ranged from four to 26 (median number of BM treated per radiosurgery course: 6), and in total over all courses the number ranged from four to 47 (median: 10). The median survival was 3.0 years (4.2 for ALK -rearranged NSCLC; 2.4 for EGFR -mutated NSCLC) from the diagnosis of BM, and survival was comparable regardless of number of radiosurgery courses, number of BMs treated in total, or number of BMs treated in a single radiosurgery session. The mean hippocampal and whole-brain doses were exceedingly low even for patients receiving treatment to more than 10 BMs (1.2 and 0.8 Gy, respectively). Radiosurgery was well tolerated overall and the 5-year rate of freedom from neurologic death was 84%. The 5-year rate of freedom from WBRT was 97%. Conclusions Radiosurgery for multiple BMs is controversial, yet patients with EGFR -mutated and ALK -rearranged NSCLC may be uniquely suited to benefit from this approach. These results support single and multiple courses of radiosurgery without WBRT for patients with oncogene-addicted NSCLC with four or more BMs.
Bringing AI to BI: Enabling Visual Analytics of Unstructured Data in a Modern Business Intelligence Platform

The Business Intelligence (BI) paradigm is challenged by emerging use cases such as news and social media analytics in which the source data are unstructured, the analysis metrics are unspecified, and the appropriate visual representations are unsupported by mainstream tools. This case study documents the work undertaken in Microsoft Research to enable these use cases in the Microsoft Power BI product. Our approach comprises: (a) back-end pipelines that use AI to infer navigable data structures from streams of unstructured text, media and metadata; and (b) front-end representations of these structures grounded in the Visual Analytics literature. Through our creation of multiple end-to-end data applications, we learned that representing the varying quality of inferred data structures was crucial for making the use and limitations of AI transparent to users. We conclude with reflections on BI in the age of AI, big data, and democratized access to data analytics.
Whiteness as a Dissonant State: Exploring One White Male Student Teacher's Experiences in Urban Contexts.

Studies on student teaching continue to suggest that preservice teachers’ feelings of dissonance are related to disparate views of teaching and learning between universities and schools. Drawing on...
Oppression and Suppression: The Lingering Controversy Surrounding the Meaning of the Battle of Okinawa in Japanese Memory

Historical facts are sealed, but the memory of a particular history changes from one generation to the next. The highly politicized nature of historical memory determined that only one interpretation can be right at a time. Yet when individual memories contradict what is taught publicly, such gap creates an identity conflict within generations of war survivors. Such is the conventionality of Okinawa’s unique history. Focusing on the relationship between “memory” and “identity,” Countering this conception is the suppressed memories of individuals whose recollection challenged the conventional portrayal of victimhood. Drawing on the second-generation war survivor Medoruma Shun’s fictional novella Droplets as primary document, this paper explores the conflict of identities of Okinawans from a perspective of “memory.” Emphasizing the consequence of prolonged war trauma created by the lapses in public and private memories, the paper points to the bridge of the two as a potential gateway to resolve not only identity conflicts within individual war survivors, but collective healing as a group in reconciliation with its own pastcrimes.
The Kindness of Mothers: Ideals and Practice of Buddhist Filial Piety

This article introduces a Buddhist Sutra about filial piety. The Sutra has been widely recited, upheld, and endeared by East Asian people for centuries. It teaches the importance of understanding parents' kindnesses, particularly the mother's, and repaying their kindnesses. It explains the difficulty of repaying parents' kindnesses, unfilial behaviors of children, the mystical hell into which unfilial children are doomed to fall, and the way in which they can repay their parents' kindnesses. The mother (woman), aging, and related issues in Buddhism are discussed.
Designed magnetic nanostructures

The fabrication, structure, and magnetism of a variety of designed nanostructures are reviewed, from self-assembled thin-film structures and magnetic surface alloys to core–shell nanoparticles and clusters embedded in bulk matrices. The integration of clusters and other nanoscale building blocks in complex two- and three-dimensional nanostructures leads to new physics and new applications. Some explicitly discussed examples are interactions of surface-supported or embedded impurities and clusters, the behavior of quantum states in free and embedded clusters, the preasymptotic coupling of transition-metal dots through substrates, inverted hysteresis loops (proteresis) in core–shell nanoparticles, and nanoscale entanglement of anisotropic magnetic nanodots for future quantum information processing.
Temporal evaluation of estrogenic endocrine disruption markers in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) reveals seasonal variability in intersex.

Abstract A reconnaissance project completed in 2009 identified intersex and elevated plasma vitellogenin in male smallmouth bass inhabiting the Missisquoi River, VT. In an attempt to identify the presence and seasonality of putative endocrine disrupting chemicals or other factors associated with these observations, a comprehensive reevaluation was conducted between September 2012 and June 2014. Here, we collected smallmouth bass from three physically partitioned reaches along the river to measure biomarkers of estrogenic endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass. In addition, polar organic chemical integrative samples (POCIS) were deployed to identify specific chemicals associated with biological observations. We did not observe biological differences across reaches indicating the absence of clear point source contributions to the observation of intersex. Interestingly, intersex prevalence and severity decreased in a stepwise manner over the timespan of the project. Intersex decreased from 92.8% to 28.1%. The only significant predictor of intersex prevalence was year of capture, based on logistic regression analysis. The mixed model of fish length and year-of-capture best predicted intersex severity. Intersex severity was also significantly different across late summer and early spring collections indicating seasonal changes in this metric. Plasma vitellogenin and liver vitellogenin Aa transcript abundance in males did not indicate exposure to estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals at any of the four sample collections. Analysis of chemicals captured by the POCIS as well as results of screening discrete water samples or POCIS extracts did not indicate the contribution of appreciable estrogenic chemicals. It is possible that unreported changes in land-use activity have ameliorated the problem, and our observations indicate recovery. Regardless, this work clearly emphasizes that single, snap shot sampling for intersex may not yield representative data given that the manifestation of this condition within a population can change dramatically over time.
A 112 Gb/s PAM4 Linear TIA with 0.96 pJ/bit Energy Efficiency in 28 nm CMOS

This paper presents a 112 Gb/s PAM4 CMOS linear TIA to meet the requirements of emerging 400G Ethernet standards for data center interconnect. A regulated inverter-based amplifier with inductive shunt feedback is used to realize a high bandwidth, low noise front-end in 28 nm bulk CMOS process. A VGA accommodates input currents up to 1 mA pp with pp output swing. The TIA provides 65 dBΩ trans-impedance gain with 4.7 µA rms input referred noise while dissipating 107 mW. Careful optimization of distributed inductive peaking ensures <5 ps group delay variation over 45 GHz. Standalone electrical measurements verify the ability of the TIA to receive 112 Gb/s PAM4 data with an energy efficiency of 0.96 pJ/bit, showing the potential for single-chip CMOS transceiver solutions for next-generation data center applications.
African American perspectives on racial disparities in child removals.

Abstract Background African American children are overrepresented in foster care at twice to three times the rate of white children. Scholars argue that racism and oppression underlie disproportionality (Križ & Skivenes, 2011). Objective This study explored disproportionality as seen through the eyes of African American parents in the child welfare system. The aim was to understand why African American families are over-represented in child custody statistics and to improve family and parenting support for African American communities. Participants & Setting Participants included twenty-one African Americans--12 women and 9 men, two of whom were foster parents and 19 of whom were parents involved with child welfare services. All participants reside in two impoverished areas in southern United States. Focus groups were used to collect data and were conducted at a community center. Methods The method of analysis was constant comparison analysis (Strauss) and thematic analysis of the focus group discussions in the context of institutional policy. Findings Six themes (profound lack of trust; overwhelming trauma; severe and persistent poverty; health and mental health; socio-economic conditions; and sense of social isolation were identified, along with three participant suggestions to improve child welfare services (family support services, economic revival, and better communication). Conclusions In the current study we note the strong link between poverty, child maltreatment, and child removal and conclude with an exploration of practice and policy implications with recommendations for a way forward. The need for culturally competent and trauma informed child welfare services is also discussed.
Data farming: better data, not just big data

Data mining tools have been around for several decades, but the term "big data" has only recently captured widespread attention. Numerous success stories have been promulgated as organizations have sifted through massive volumes of data to find interesting patterns that are, in turn, transformed into actionable information. Yet a key drawback to the big data paradigm is that it relies on observational data, limiting the types of insights that can be gained. The simulation world is different. A "data farming" metaphor captures the notion of purposeful data generation from simulation models. Large-scale experiments let us grow the simulation output efficiently and effectively. We can use modern statistical and visual analytic methods to explore massive input spaces, uncover interesting features of complex simulation response surfaces, and explicitly identify cause-and-effect relationships. With this new mindset, we can achieve tremendous leaps in the breadth, depth, and timeliness of the insights yielded by simulation.
Does Streaming Esports Affect Players’ Behavior and Performance?:

In this work, we analyze what effect streaming gameplay on Twitch has on players’ in-game behavior and performance. We hypothesized that streaming can act as a form of implicit incentive to boost players’ performance and engagement. To test this hypothesis, we continuously collected data about all Twitch streams related to a popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game, League of Legends (LoL), and data of all LoL matches played during the same time frame, and cross-mapped the two data sets. We found that, counterintuitively, streaming significantly deteriorates players’ in-game performance: This may be due to the burden of carrying out two cognitively intensive activities at the same time, namely, playing the game and producing its commentary for streaming purposes. On the other hand, streaming increases engagement keeping players in significantly longer game sessions. We investigate these two effects further, to characterize how they vary upon individual characteristics.
Chronic Calcineurin Inhibition via Cyclosporine A Impairs Visuospatial Learning After Isoflurane Anesthesia.

Background Clinical studies implicate the perioperative period in cognitive complications, and increasing experimental evidence shows that the anesthetic agents can affect neuronal processes that underpin learning and memory. Calcineurin, a Ca-dependent phosphatase critically involved in synaptic plasticity, is activated after isoflurane exposure, but its role in the neurological response to anesthesia is unclear. Methods We investigated the effect of chronic calcineurin inhibition on postanesthetic cognitive function. Mice were treated with 30 minutes of isoflurane anesthesia during a chronic cyclosporine A regimen. Behavioral end points during the perianesthesia period were quantified. Visuospatial learning was assessed with the water radial arm maze. Total and biotinylated surface protein expression of the α5β3γ2 γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors was measured. Expression of the GABA synthesis enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-67 was also measured. Results Mice treated with cyclosporine A before anesthesia showed significant deficits in visuospatial learning compared to sham and cyclosporine A-treated mice (n = 10 per group, P = .0152, Tukey post hoc test). Induction and emergence were unaltered by cyclosporine A. Analysis of hippocampal protein expression revealed an increased surface expression of the α5 GABA type A receptor subunit after isoflurane treatment (P = .019, Dunnett post hoc testing), as well as a decrease in GAD-67 expression. Cyclosporine A did not rescue either effect. Conclusions Our results confirm the work of others that isoflurane induces changes to inhibitory network function and exclude calcineurin inhibition via cyclosporine A as an intervention. Further, our studies suggest that calcineurin mediates a protective role in the neurological response to anesthesia, and patients receiving cyclosporine A may be an at-risk group for memory problems related to anesthesia.
Mass Spectrometry in Advancement of Redox Precision Medicine.

Redox (portmanteau of reduction-oxidation) reactions involve the transfer of electrons between chemical species in biological processes fundamental to life. It is of outmost importance that cells maintain a healthy redox state by balancing the action of oxidants and antioxidants; failure to do so leads to a multitude of diseases including cancer, diabetes, fibrosis, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. From the perspective of precision medicine, it is therefore beneficial to interrogate the redox phenotype of the individual—similar to the use of genomic sequencing—in order to design tailored strategies for disease prevention and treatment. This chapter provides an overview of redox metabolism and focuses on how mass spectrometry (MS) can be applied to advance our knowledge in redox biology and precision medicine.
Patient perceptions of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception: A qualitative study.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) counseling and decision-making, with a focus on reproductive autonomy. We aimed to assess the potential for reproductive coercion. Study design This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with Spanish and English speaking women who received an intrauterine device or contraceptive subdermal implant immediately postpartum. They were recruited before discharge from two hospitals in Baltimore, MD. We analyzed interviews using directed content analysis. Results We interviewed a diverse group of 17 women. Participants praised the convenience of LARC and the ease of immediate postpartum placement. Some women reported feeling pushed by providers during counseling and were critical of their experiences. Women expressed a desire for comprehensive, objective information early and often during antepartum contraceptive counseling, and some valued counseling from multiple providers. They wanted autonomy in their contraceptive decision-making and described making internally motivated decisions based on their life goals and individual priorities. Conclusions Some women felt pressured to choose immediate postpartum LARC, while others expressed enthusiasm for immediate postpartum LARC. Our data suggest that providers should start contraceptive counseling early in prenatal care and readdress it at multiple visits. Patients may benefit from speaking with multiple providers. Implications Our study supports immediate postpartum LARC as a favorable contraceptive option for some women when discussed during prenatal care. Providers should take care to avoid coercion during counseling and focus on delivering comprehensive, objective information about all contraceptive methods, including side effects and removal options.
A efetividade dos tratados internacionais: uma análise do caso trabalhadores da Fazenda Brasil Verde x Brasil na Corte Interamericana De Direitos Humanos

Esse artigo se propoe a realizar uma analise da sentenca no caso Trabalhadores da Fazenda Brasil Verde versus Brasil, que tramitou perante a Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos, a partir da sentenca emitida pela CIDH, no qual a Corte estabeleceu uma serie de artigos da Convencao Americana de Direitos Humanos que nao estavam sendo cumpridos pelo Brasil, dentre eles, a efetividade do acesso ao judiciario para os trabalhadores vitimas de trabalho analogo a escravidao. O estudo realizado e de natureza qualitativa descritiva, desenvolvido por meio de consultas documentais e bibliograficas, principalmente das fontes extraidas da instituicao internacional envolvida. Conclui-se que mesmo sendo o Brasil condenado a efetuar reparacao de danos aos trabalhadores da Fazenda Brasil Verde, bem como a reconstituicao do processo penal contra os proprietarios da Fazenda, os trabalhadores por sua vez, somente apos decorridos mais de 20 anos da primeira constatacao de trabalho escravo na Fazenda, finalmente obtiveram acesso a prestacao jurisdicional apos a atuacao da Corte Interamericana.
ProofBuilder, a nifty tool for facilitating students' construction of proofs: nifty tools

ProofBuilder is a program that facilitates construction of proofs of logic formulas such as [(P Q) ⇒ R] [(P ⇒ R) ⇒ (Q ⇒ R)] and (∀n)[10∧n mod 3 = 1]. It is for use in a course on Discrete Structures for Computer Science. It is nifty because it gives an appropriate amount of help to students, it parallels the proofs that people do 'manually', and it has features that make it convenient to use.
Knock! Knock! Who is There? Investigating Data Leakage from a Medical Internet of Things Hijacking Attack

A paper co-authored by William Gilsson originally published in Proceedings of the 53rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences in 2020.
Abstract WP427: Implementing an Algorithm Emphasizing Telestroke for Patients With an Acute Cerebrovascular Event in a Rural Setting

Background and Purpose: A stroke may occur without warning and deficits can range from mild deficits to death. Improved outcomes are associated with decreased time to revascularization of cerebral ...
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beyond 90 days in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis in the SAMMPRIS Trial.

Abstract Background The safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet use for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis beyond 90 days is unknown. Data from SAMMPRIS was used to determine if dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 90 days impacted the risk of ischemic stroke and hemorrhage. Methods This post hoc exploratory analysis from SAMMPRIS included patients who did not have a primary endpoint within 90 days after enrollment (n = 397). Patients in both the aggressive medical management (AMM) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) arms were included. Baseline features and outcomes during follow-up were compared between patients who remained on DAPT beyond 90 days (on clopidogrel) and patients who discontinued clopidogrel and remained on aspirin alone at 90 days (off clopidogrel) using Fisher's exact tests. Results The stroke rate was numerically lower in the group on clopidogrel vs off clopidogrel among both the AMM alone arm (6.0% versus 10.8%, p = 0.31) and the PTAS arm (8.7% versus 9.8%; p = 0.82), but the difference was not significant. The major hemorrhage rates were numerically higher in the group on clopidogrel vs. off clopidogrel group among both the AMM alone arm (4.0% versus 2.5%; p = 0.67) and the PTAS arm (10.9% versus 3.5%; p = 0.08), but were not significant. Conclusion This exploratory analysis suggests that prolonged DAPT use may lower the risk of stroke in medically treated patients with intracranial stenosis but may increase the risk of major hemorrhage.
A data-driven comparison of commercially available testing methods for algae characterization

Abstract Algal biomass composition is often the primary driver of economic viability of research and commercial algae-based product development. As the commercial algae production field is expanding, there is a growing need for a standardized language across producers and markets in terms of biomass characterization. Similarly, to establish and design collaborative or cross-institutional algae research projects, groups need to harmonize reported compositional analysis data to ensure comparable and reproducible results. In order to provide a consistent foundation of algae quality assessment, we are working towards closely coordinated, harmonized and objective operational protocols across the algae community. We present here a demonstration of biomass composition data from different commercial analytical laboratories, specifically applied to a reference biomass material. The data highlights a lack of consistency across laboratories in methods that are available for analysis. The data presented here illustrate variability in reported biomass measurements of protein, lipids and carbohydrate content causing differences of up to 1.36, 1.43, and 3.37-fold respectively, when expressed on a dry biomass basis. When the same methods are used between the laboratories, e.g. for protein and ash measurements, the data are consistent across laboratories. However, the reported lipid content varies with the method chosen at each laboratory, and causes the calculated carbohydrate content to then absorb the remaining difference from full mass balance closure. A suggestion of a common set of analytical standard methods available commercially is provided and can help to alleviate some of the challenges the algae community faces in terms of biomass descriptive reporting. This work sets the stage for and identifies critical niches to build on an established framework for understanding and harmonizing analytical methodologies for compositional analysis of algal biomass.
Aligned Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene for 3D Micropatterning via Additive Manufacturing

Selective deposition and preferential alignment of two-dimensional (2D) nanoparticles on complex and flexible three-dimensional (3D) substrates can tune material properties and enrich structural versatility for broad applications in wearable health monitoring, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces. However, achieving precise and scalable control of the morphology of layer-structured nanomaterials is challenging, especially constructing hierarchical architectures consistent from nanoscale alignment to microscale patterning to complex macroscale landscapes. This work demonstrated a scalable and straightforward hybrid 3D printing method for orientational alignment and positional patterning of 2D MXene nanoparticles. This process involved (i) surface topology design via microcontinuous liquid interface production (μCLIP) and (ii) directed assembly of MXene flakes via capillarity-driven direct ink writing (DIW). With well-managed surface patterning geometry and printing ink quality control, the surface microchannels constrained MXene suspensions and leveraged microforces to facilitate preferential alignment of MXene sheets via layer-by-layer additive depositions. The printed devices displayed multifunctional properties, i.e., anisotropic conductivity and piezoresistive sensing with a wide sensing range, high sensitivity, fast response time, and mechanical durability. Our fabrication technique shows enormous potential for rapid, digital, scalable, and low-cost manufacturing of hierarchical structures, especially for micropatterning and aligning 2D nanoparticles not easily accessible through conventional processing methods.
Producer Choice: Monopoly

A monopolist is the seller of a product in a given market. The monopoly controls the supply of the product and acts to reap the highest possible profits from the sale of the monopoly good. The key to the creation of the monopoly is the ability to erect barriers to competitors wishing to enter the market. Businesses make production decisions to maximize the profits that they expect to receive from their actions. Revenues are determined by consumer demand. The demand curve is the average revenue curve for a monopolist. Total revenues are calculated by multiplying the demand prices and quantities. Marginal revenue—that is, the change in total revenue that occurs when production changes—is the most important aspect of revenue to the monopolist because it measures the gain from any change in production. The monopolist maximizes profits at the level of output where marginal cost equals marginal revenue. There is no monopoly supply curve as such—monopolists offer for sale only the quantity that maximizes profits and charge the highest price that the consumers would pay for that product. Any factors that alter marginal cost or marginal revenue, change price and output for the monopoly.