cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should Family Physicians Routinely Screen Patients for Hepatitis C? No: One-time Screening Still Has Too Many Unanswered Questions.

Given current scientific uncertainties, limited resources, and evolving guidelines, a reasonable middle ground would be to focus HCV testing and therapy on patients who are most likely to have long-term complications from the infection.
Role of STARD4 and NPC1 in intracellular sterol transport.

Cholesterol plays an important role in determining the biophysical properties of membranes in mammalian cells, and the concentration of cholesterol in membranes is tightly regulated. Cholesterol mo...
Drug-Related Hyponatremic Encephalopathy: Rapid Clinical Response Averts Life-Threatening Acute Cerebral Edema.

Patient: Female, 63 Final Diagnosis: Drug-induced hyponatremic encephalopathy Symptoms: Seizures • coma Medication: Hypertonic 3% saline infusion Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Internal Medicine Objective: Unusual clinical course
The future of specialized pharmacy residencies: time for postgraduate year 3 subspecialty training.

To optimally position and advance the pharmacy profession, it is necessary to continue to build on the current framework for postgraduate pharmacy training and education. In the rapidly changing health system in the United States, there is a critical need for effective, efficient, and comprehensive
Are We There Yet? A Review of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Implementation Fidelity Tools and Proficiency Checklists

Screening and brief intervention (SBI) for alcohol is an evidence-based prevention practice designed to reduce frequency and severity of alcohol misuse. Many studies have validated the effectiveness of SBI for reducing levels of alcohol misuse, especially in primary medical care. Additional research continues to be conducted in terms of the effectiveness of including referral to treatment (SBIRT) and addressing illicit drug use and prescription drug abuse. Importantly, cross-comparison among SBIRT programs is difficult because evaluative processes vary widely between programs, which themselves often are substantively different. In this brief report, we utilized cross-comparison techniques to elucidate similarities and differences among SBIRT fidelity tools and proficiency checklists. In early 2014, researchers completed a systematic review of SBIRT fidelity tools and proficiency checklists published or made available from 2004 through April 2014; in total, eleven instruments were located and assessed. The analytic methodology consisted of creating a matrix with key SBIRT components identified from the literature prior to assessment. Three researchers populated the matrix with the identified fidelity tools and proficiency checklists before assessing each tool for the presence or absence of each component. The level of agreement between the researchers was checked for inter-rater reliability using free-marginal Kappa statistics. The results of the matrix analysis suggested heterogeneity among existing SBIRT fidelity tools and proficiency checklists. Importantly, it was not the case that this lack of concordance reflected poorly on any given fidelity tool. Rather, it emphasized the multi-partite and variable nature of SBIRT programs. It was not evident that a single standardized SBIRT fidelity tool or proficiency checklist could appropriately determine the level of fidelity to SBIRT for all programs. Suggestions for next steps in SBIRT fidelity research are provided based on the output of the comparison matrix.
The adjuvant therapy of Degualinium chloride Buccal Tablets with recurrent oral ulcer in 75 cases children

Objective:To observe the effect of Degualinium chloride Buccal Tablets to adjuvant therapy in children with recurrent oral ulcer.Methods:The 150 cases with minor or moderate recurrent oral ulcer were randomly divided into two groups,75 cases were in the control group and treated with tablet of vitamin B2,vitamin C and bomeol at normal dosage,tid;75 cases were in the treating group and treated with the same as control group except a tablet of Degualinium chloride Buccal Tablets,four times a day.Results:The total effective rate of the treating group was 90.7% and total effective rate of the control group was 53.3%.There was significant difference between two groups(P0.01).Conclusion:To adjuvant thera-py of Degualinium chloride Buccal Tablets with minor or moderate recurrent oral ulcer in children have a significant effect.
Education and Training in Otorhinolaryngology —Results of World-Wide Surveys Concerning Medical School Education of ORL

The data collected by means of two world-wide surveys concerning ORL education and training were both revealing and surprising. The means of this data collection included 1300 letters, one each to senior persons in each of the ECFMG schools and information regarding post-graduate specialty training gathered by the Regional Secretaries of IFOS. (See preceding chapter for further details.) The data appeared representative and adequate for this survey’s purposes.
General Systems in Psychiatric Disorder

During the third decade of this century, the Shroedinger equation of quantum mechanics was developed and its theoretical and practical application elaborated (Semat, 1944). Modern physics was already well developed. Moreover, the higher mathematics that were later to become the bases of more recent advances were already published and understood by workers in appropriate fields (Greene, 1986). Biological sciences and medicine, despite major advances in infectious diseases and tissue pathology at the end of the nineteenth century, still had not advanced so far in terms of theory and application. The possible role of insulin in diabetes mellitus was the most notable advance in biological science in 1922 (Banting & Best, 1922). Major health advances at the time often resulted from public health measures such as insuring sanitation, a clean water supply, and adequate housing, all still luxuries in the Third World today (The Economist, 1986). Sulfa drugs were not to be available for another decade, and penicillin was not yet even a laboratory scientist’s dream.
Guide to Reference in Medicine and Health by Christa Modschiedler and Denise Bennett

Guide to Reference is freely available online at http://guidetoreference.org/. The publication is now free because the Guide has been discontinued. This was announced in March 2015. No new print ed...
VECTORS IN SPACE

This chapter discusses the development of a theory of vectors in the plane to the vectors in space and discusses that there are great similarities between the two notions. Any point in space can be represented by an ordered triple of real numbers. ( a, b, c ), where a, b , and c are real numbers. The set of ordered triples of that form is called real three-dimensional space and is denoted R 3 . It is the most common representation of a point in R 3 , which is very similar to the representation of a point in the plane by its x - and y -coordinates; however, there are many ways to represent a point in R 3 . The chapter discusses the vectors in R 3 and lines in R 3 and describes the properties of vector functions in R 3 . It describes a new product called the cross product or vector product, which is defined only in R 3 . A surface in space is defined as the set of points satisfying the equation F ( x, y, z ) = 0. For example, the equation F ( x, y, z ) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 − 1 = 0 is the equation of the unit sphere. The chapter discusses quadric surfaces. It also reviews some of the most commonly encountered surfaces in R 3 . The chapter discusses two common ways to represent points in space. The first is the generalization of the polar coordinate system in the plane. The second new coordinate system in space is the spherical coordinate system.
Informed decision-making about prenatal cfDNA screening: An assessment of written materials.

Summary Objectives The introduction of prenatal cfDNA screening for fetal aneuploidy and other genetic conditions has exacerbated concerns about informed decision-making in clinical prenatal testing. To assess the information provided to patients to facilitate decisions about cfDNA screening, we collected written patient education and consent documents created by laboratories and clinics. Methods Informed consent documents (IC) were coded by two independent coders. Each IC was assessed for readability, attention to elements of informed consent, and completeness of information about the test and the screened conditions. Results We found variance between IC produced by commercial laboratories versus those provided by local clinics or health care systems, and considerable variance among materials from all sources. “Commercial” IC were longer and written at a more difficult reading level than “non-commercial” IC, and were less likely to state explicitly that cfDNA only screens for certain conditions. About one-third of IC were combined with laboratory order forms. Though most IC recommended confirmatory testing for positive results, only about half clearly stated that results could be incorrect — including mentions of false positives or false negatives. About one-third of IC explicitly stated that cfDNA screening was optional. While nearly all IC from any source listed the conditions screened by the test, only about half of the IC included any phenotypic descriptions of these conditions. Few IC mentioned psychosocial considerations, and only one IC mentioned the availability of support groups for families of children with genetic conditions. Conclusions Based on our findings, we recommend that written and well-informed consent be sought before performing cfDNA screening, and we offer minimal and recommended standards for patient education and consent materials.
‘A Grandiose Time of Coexistence’: Stratigraphy of the Anthropocene

Using Deleuze and Guattari's concept of stratigraphy, it is possible to open the question of the limits and range of the Anthropocene. Geological stratification has enabled a view of time and the earth that has opened new horizons, but this mode of stratification is one among others. Other stratifications are possible, not only those that would be compossible with the story of the Anthropocene (such as the histories of capital, empire and industrialism), but also incompossible stratifications, at odds with the history of man.
Risk Stratification in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Using Absolute Reticulocyte Counts

Abstract Abstract 1014 All sickle cell anemia patients (HbSS, SCA) have the same genetic mutation, but the clinical phenotype is highly variable and difficult to predict prior to the onset of disease complications. If severe SCA could be predicted early in life, then disease modifying therapies could be instituted prior to the onset of organ damage. To determine if reticulocyte levels in SCA patients are useful in disease severity prediction, a convenience sample of 50 children with SCA was enrolled in an observational study. After consent and assent were obtained, discarded peripheral blood obtained during routine clinic visits was collected and analyzed within 48 hours of collection and storage at 4°C. Hematologic data, including absolute reticulocyte counts (ARC), was collected using a Sysmex Hematology Analyzer. Clinical events were examined prospectively from the time of enrollment and retrospectively if the patient had events prior to study enrollment. Clinical events included: painful crises requiring hospital admission (VOC), acute chest syndrome, and splenic sequestration that occurred prior to the onset of chronic therapy. ARC and hematologic data were collected over time and analyzed using Cox regression analysis to determine the relationship between ARC levels and time to the first event. To evaluate the utility of ARC in risk stratification, patients were divided into two groups: ARC less than 200K/uL (ARC Initial analyses were performed using steady state ARCs prior to the first clinical event (pre-event baseline ARC). Steady state was defined as a sample collected at least 30 days from an acute illness and at least 60 days since the patient received a blood transfusion. Patients were followed an average of 6.7 years (range 0.82–16.8 years), which provides 332 person years of follow-up. A time dependent Cox regression analysis of pre-event baseline ARC≥200 compared with ARC Maximum ARC before age 6 months (defined as the infant baseline ARC) was utilized for additional analyses. Cox regression analysis revealed that those subjects with an infant baseline ARC≥200 had 3.2 times the risk of having an event within the first 3 years of life than the group with an infant baseline ARC These data suggest that both pre-event and infant baseline ARCs assist with risk stratification in infants and young children with SCA. Further studies are needed to determine if ARC risk stratification assessments are sufficiently robust for the guidance of treatment decisions for pediatric SCA. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
What Can a Primary Care Physician Discuss With Older Patients to Improve Advance Directive Completion Rates? A Clin-IQ

Advance directives (ADs) provide patients with the opportunity to indicate their preferences for medical care while they still maintain the capacity to express their wishes, thus retaining autonomy. ADs increase the likelihood that patients will receive the care they desire, as their family members and physicians will better understand the level of care desired. Despite this, the AD completion rate by elderly patients continues to be low, especially for patients not facing serious illnesses. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to engage patients in discussions about ADs before a health crisis arises yet often do not due to time constraints. Using assets associated with the PCP relationship to and longitudinal care for patients, findings reveal that PCPs who emphasize the importance of ADs and who normalize the discussion during office visits by asking questions to understand patients' health goals and holding short conversations over several visits can improve AD completion rates.
Analysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Infrared Methodology

Numerous energy crop species and various processing methods provide thousands of biomass samples that need quick, low-cost analysis. Infrared methodology can provide high-throughput analysis of cellulosic biomass. The conventional method for biomass analysis is time-consuming, labor-intensive and unable to provide structural information. Use of infrared spectroscopy allows qualitative and quantitative analysis of biomass samples without destruction of samples, which is beneficial for in situ or in-field measurement. Chemometric analysis is able to make calibration models robust and reliable. The progress of infrared techniques and their applications in biomass study is introduced. A comparison of infrared methods and the conventional method is also summarized. We also review recent infrared applications in biomass analysis and discuss the prospects for applications of infrared techniques.
Regenerate bone fracture rate following femoral lengthening in paediatric patients

AbstractPurposeFemoral lengthening using a circular or mono-lateral frame is a commonly used technique. Fracture at the site of the regenerate bone is a major concern especially following removal of the external fixator. This aim of this study was to assess the rate of fracture of the regenerate bone in this single surgeon series of paediatric patients and determine potential risk factors.MethodsRetrospective review of all the femoral lengthening performed by the senior author was performed. The medical and physiotherapy notes were reviewed. The gender, age at time of surgery, disease aetiology, total days in the external fixator and length of the new regenerate bone were recorded. Patients who sustained a regenerate fracture were identified.ResultsA total of 176 femoral lengthening procedures were performed on 108 patients. Eight regenerate fractures occurred in seven patients (4.5%). The mechanism of injury was a fall in five cases and during physiotherapy in three cases. The regenerate fracture occurre...
Crossing borders : eco-theology in the shadowlands : Christian faith and the Earth

The construction and effectual application of eco-theology must seriously engage the shadowlands, the places where borders have created inequities and injustice. In this liminal space, many aboriginal peoples have lived as mere shadows in their ancestral lands, marginalised by the nations that have colonized them. When the place of Christianity in a society's public sphere is in flux, and it finds itself, at times, within the shadowlands, its relationship to other religious traditions, including Aboriginal worldviews, also encourages changes. What happens to Christianity, particularly eco-theology, when it engages mostly earth-based traditions in this context? These encounters bring to the fore porous borders that have operated consciously or unconsciously in the past and point the way to a new kind of dialogue in the present. We contend that the answer to the above question is a key component in a meaningful eco-theology which finds its context in a pluralist nation. Other key components to be explored extend beyond theology to broader issues: one, of coming to terms with the effects of colonialism and the need to pay attention to trust in order to become effective allies effecting real ecological change; and two, the very practical need Christianity has to find an effective voice if it is not to be completely marginalised in a pluralist, post-colonial context. This article focuses on Christian engagement with Canada's First Nations and Christian theology. Consideration of the following themes attempts to further a conversation regarding the future of Christian Eco-theology in a post-Colonial, pluralist context where Christianity often finds itself in much the same shadowlands as those who it colonized: the theoretic understandings of porous borders, a metaphor grounded in the porous non-containment of ecosystems themselves, the complex history of Christianity in the Othering of aboriginal peoples legally and geo-politically within Canada, and the contemporary theological implications - particularly in terms of salvation - for Christianity as it attempts to listen respectfully to the ecological insights of a people seeking agency within its own primal traditions, which are at the same time Christian-influenced.
Water-oxidation photoanodes using organic light-harvesting materials: a review

Solar energy conversion and storage by photoelectrochemical water splitting has garnered significant research attention in recent years. While the majority of water-splitting systems are composed of inorganic semiconductor light-harvesting materials, an increasing amount of research has studied the use of earth-abundant organic semiconductors and dyes as an inexpensive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of published water-oxidizing photoanodes that employ organic light-harvesting materials, including both organic thin-film and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell architectures. We highlight the different materials that have been employed, summarize recent advancements, and provide insights for future improvements of device efficiencies and stabilities.
Measurements of Dynamic Effects in FNAL 11-T Nb 3 Sn Dipole Models

Fermilab, in collaboration with CERN, has developed a double-aperture 11-T Nb3Sn dipole suitable for the high-luminosity LHC upgrade. During 2012–2014, a 2-m-long single-aperture dipole demonstrator and three 1-m-long single-aperture dipole models were fabricated by FNAL and tested at its Vertical Magnet Test Facility. Collared coils from two of the 1-m-long models were then used to assemble the first double-aperture dipole demonstrator. This magnet had extensive testing in 2015–2016, including quench performance, quench protection, and field quality studies. This paper reports the results of measurements of dynamic effects in the single-aperture and double-aperture 11-T Nb 3Sn dipoles and compares them with similar measurements in previous NbTi magnets.
Noninvasive liquid diet delivery of stable isotopes into mouse models for deep metabolic network tracing.

Delivering isotopic tracers for metabolic studies in rodents without overt stress is challenging. Current methods achieve low label enrichment in proteins and lipids. Here, we report noninvasive introduction of 13C6-glucose via a stress-free, ad libitum liquid diet. Using NMR and ion chromatography-mass spectrometry, we quantify extensive 13C enrichment in products of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, nucleobases, UDP-sugars, glycogen, lipids, and proteins in mouse tissues during 12 to 48 h of 13C6-glucose feeding. Applying this approach to patient-derived lung tumor xenografts (PDTX), we show that the liver supplies glucose-derived Gln via the blood to the PDTX to fuel Glu and glutathione synthesis while gluconeogenesis occurs in the PDTX. Comparison of PDTX with ex vivo tumor cultures and arsenic-transformed lung cells versus xenografts reveals differential glucose metabolism that could reflect distinct tumor microenvironment. We further found differences in glucose metabolism between the primary PDTX and distant lymph node metastases.
Persistence and reversal of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance

In the absence of antibiotic-mediated selection, sensitive bacteria are expected to displace their resistant counterparts if resistance genes are costly. However, many resistance genes persist for long periods in the absence of antibiotics. Horizontal gene transfer (primarily conjugation) could explain this persistence, but it has been suggested that very high conjugation rates would be required. Here, we show that common conjugal plasmids, even when costly, are indeed transferred at sufficiently high rates to be maintained in the absence of antibiotics in Escherichia coli. The notion is applicable to nine plasmids from six major incompatibility groups and mixed populations carrying multiple plasmids. These results suggest that reducing antibiotic use alone is likely insufficient for reversing resistance. Therefore, combining conjugation inhibition and promoting plasmid loss would be an effective strategy to limit conjugation-assisted persistence of antibiotic resistance.
The Economics of Colon Cancer

The economic burden of cancer on the national health expenditure is billions of dollars. The economic cost is measured on direct and indirect medical costs, which vary depending on stage at diagnosis, patient age, type of medical services, and site of service. Costs vary by region, physician behavior, and patient preferences. When analyzing the economic burden of survivors of colon cancer, we cannot forget the societal burden. Post-acute care and readmissions are major economic burdens. People with colon cancer have to be followed for their lifetime. Economic models are being studied to give cost-effective solutions to this problem.
Award for Distinguished Service to Professor Arnold Ephraim Ross

(1986). Award for Distinguished Service to Professor Arnold Ephraim Ross. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 4, pp. 245-246.
Improved analgesia and reduced post-operative nausea and vomiting after implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for total mastectomy

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown in multiple surgical disciplines to improve outcomes, including reduced opioid consumption, length of stay, and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, very few studies describe the application of ERAS to breast surgery and even fewer describe ERAS for outpatient surgery. We describe the implementation and efficacy of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for total skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in an outpatient setting. We implemented an evidence-based, multimodal ERAS pathway for all patients undergoing total skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate reconstruction at a single 23-h stay surgery center. Highlights of the ERAS pathway included: preoperative acetaminophen, gabapentin, and scopolamine; regional anesthesia for the breast (Pectoral blocks type 1 and 2 or paravertebral block); and intraoperative dexamethasone and ondansetron. This retrospective study included all American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class 1–3 patients undergoing total skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate reconstruction between July 2013 and April 2016. We compared 96 patients who were in the ERAS pathway (ERAS group) to a retrospective cohort of 276 patients (Pre group). The primary outcome was total perioperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes were highest postoperative pain scores, incidence of PONV, and length of stay. Patients in the ERAS group had significantly lower total perioperative opioid consumption compared to the Pre group (mean (SD): 111.4 mg (46.0) vs. 163.8 mg (73.2) oral morphine equivalents, p < 0.001). Patients in the ERAS group also had a lower incidence of PONV (28% vs. 50%, p < 0.001). Patients in the ERAS group reported less pain in the recovery room, with a two-point decrease in highest pain score (median [interquartile range (IQR)]: 4 [2,6] in ERAS group vs. 6 [4,7] in Pre group, p < 0.001). There was no clinically significant difference in length of stay (median [IQR]: 1144 min [992, 1259] in ERAS group vs. 1188 [1058, 1344] in Pre group, p = 0.006). Implementation of an ERAS pathway for total skin-sparing mastectomy with reconstruction that incorporates regional anesthesia is feasible in a 23-h-stay hospital. Patients in the ERAS pathway had improved post-operative analgesia and reduced post-operative nausea and vomiting.
Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotypes (Racial Bias)

This article details the primary concepts, history, current trends, and overview of research related to discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudice. In so doing, we provide the reader with the fundamental issues involving racial bias, how researchers test such biases, and ways to reduce the negative impact of prejudice and racial bias.
Solving geometric co-registration problem of multi-spectral remote sensing imagery using SIFT-based features toward precise change detection

This paper proposes a robust fully automated method for geometric co-registration, and an accurate statistical based change detection technique for multi-temporal high-resolution satellite imagery. The proposed algorithm is based on four main steps: First, multi-spectral scale-invariant feature transform (M-SIFT) is used to extract a set of correspondence points in a pair, or multiple pairs, of images that are taken at different times and under different circumstances, then Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) is used to remove the outlier set. To insure an accurate matching, uniqueness constrain in the correspondence is assumed. Second, the resulting inliers matched points is used to register the given images. Third, changes in registered images are identified using statistical analysis of image differences. Finally, Markov-Gibbs Random Field (MGRF) is used to model the spatial-contextual information contained in the resulting change mask. Experiments with generated synthetic multiband images, and LANDSAT5 Images, confirm the validity of the proposed algorithm.
Cardiovascular Allometry: Analysis, Methodology, and Clinical Applications.

The classic works of “On Growth and Form” and “The Problem of Relative Growth” that began a century ago have so fittingly, albeit unintentionally, become pertinent to the modern-day clinical treatment strategy of the many patients with cardiovascular disease. This chapter uses allometry, which was established for comparative biology, to explore physiological and pathological differences due to differential growth, which may lead to differing diagnostic and treatment approaches for male versus female patients. Men and women have obvious differences in body and heart weights, as well as different geometries and structures of their blood vessels; the analysis in this chapter extends to their hemodynamic functional differences. This includes dimensional analysis to establish criteria for characterizing functions based on allometric formulations. The clinical applications of sex differences are analyzed for arterial stenosis, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary revascularization. Allometric approaches are applied specifically to isolated cases of systolic hypertension to delineate the intermingled relations of aging and sex differences. This chapter aims to provide some preliminary insights into the usefulness of cardiovascular allometry. Its future impact on clinical diagnosis remains largely unexplored.
“It’s Not About You”: Disappointment as Queer Pedagogy in Community-Engaged Service-Learning

ABSTRACTIncreasingly popular in the neoliberal university, community-engaged service-learning (CESL) courses offer rich yet contradictory opportunities for LGBTQ studies students to synthesize quee...
Perception and production of vocal emotions by listeners with normal hearing and with cochlear implants

Informative cues for vocal emotions in speech include voice characteristics, speaking rate and intensity. For listeners with cochlear implants, voice characteristics such as pitch and vocal tract length are weakly represented in the electric signal; intensity cues are weakly to moderately preserved, and speaking rate is well represented. Our studies indicate that school-age children (6–18 years of age) with cochlear implants have significant deficits in their recognition of vocal emotions relative to normally hearing peers, similar to post-lingually deaf adults with cochlear implants. However, in contrast to the post-lingually deaf adults, children with cochlear implants showed large deficits in their productions of vocal emotions (happy/sad contrasts), measured in 1) acoustic analyses of the produced speech and 2) normally hearing listeners’ perceptions of the produced emotions. In contrast to emotions, the words and sentences produced by the children with cochlear implants were highly intelligible. Post-lingually deaf adults with cochlear implants, however, showed excellent performance in the voice emotion production task. These results suggest that the perception of vocal emotions by listeners with cochlear implants may be limited primarily by device limitations, while emotion productions in speech are shaped more strongly by early auditory experience.Informative cues for vocal emotions in speech include voice characteristics, speaking rate and intensity. For listeners with cochlear implants, voice characteristics such as pitch and vocal tract length are weakly represented in the electric signal; intensity cues are weakly to moderately preserved, and speaking rate is well represented. Our studies indicate that school-age children (6–18 years of age) with cochlear implants have significant deficits in their recognition of vocal emotions relative to normally hearing peers, similar to post-lingually deaf adults with cochlear implants. However, in contrast to the post-lingually deaf adults, children with cochlear implants showed large deficits in their productions of vocal emotions (happy/sad contrasts), measured in 1) acoustic analyses of the produced speech and 2) normally hearing listeners’ perceptions of the produced emotions. In contrast to emotions, the words and sentences produced by the children with cochlear implants were highly intelligible. Post...
Development and testing of SPECT/CT lung phantoms made from expanding polyurethane foam.

Purpose Currently, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) lung phantoms are commonly constructed using polystyrene beads and interstitial radioactive water. However, this approach often results in a phantom with a density (typically -640 HU) that is considerably higher than that of healthy lung (-750 to -850 HU) or diseased lung (-900 to -950 HU). Furthermore, the polystyrene and water phantoms are often quite heterogeneous in both density and activity concentration, especially when reused. This work is devoted to examining methods for creating a more realistic lung phantom for quantitative SPECT/CT using 99m Tc-laced expanding polyurethane foam (EPF). Methods Numerous aspects of EPF utilization were studied, including stoichiometric mixing to control final foam density and the effect of water during growth. We also tested several ways of molding the foam lung phantoms. The most successful method utilized a three-part silicone mold that allowed for creation of a two-lobe phantom, with a different density and activity concentration in each lobe. Results The final phantom design allows for a more anatomically accurate geometry as well as customizable density and activity concentration in the different lobes of the lung. We demonstrated final lung phantom densities between -760 and -690 HU in the "healthy" phantom and -930 to -890 HU in the "unhealthy" phantom tissue. On average, we achieved 15% activity concentration nonuniformity and 12% density nonuniformity within a given lobe. Conclusions Final EPF lung phantoms closely matched the densities of both health and diseased lung tissue and had sufficient uniformities in both density and activity concentration for most nuclear medicine applications. Management of component moisture content is critical for phantom reproducibility.
Playing Atari Ball Games with Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning.

Human beings are particularly good at reasoning and inference from just a few examples. When facing new tasks, humans will leverage knowledge and skills learned before, and quickly integrate them with the new task. In addition to learning by experimentation, human also learn socio-culturally through instructions and learning by example. In this way humans can learn much faster compared with most current artificial intelligence algorithms in many tasks. In this paper, we test the idea of speeding up machine learning through social learning. We argue that in solving real-world problems, especially when the task is designed by humans, and/or for humans, there are typically instructions from user manuals and/or human experts which give guidelines on how to better accomplish the tasks. We argue that these instructions have tremendous value in designing a reinforcement learning system which can learn in human fashion, and we test the idea by playing the Atari games Tennis and Pong. We experimentally demonstrate that the instructions provide key information about the task, which can be used to decompose the learning task into sub-systems and construct options for the temporally extended planning, and dramatically accelerate the learning process.
Marine heat wave and multiple stressors tip bull kelp forest to sea urchin barrens.

Extreme climatic events have recently impacted marine ecosystems around the world, including foundation species such as corals and kelps. Here, we describe the rapid climate-driven catastrophic shift in 2014 from a previously robust kelp forest to unproductive large scale urchin barrens in northern California. Bull kelp canopy was reduced by >90% along more than 350 km of coastline. Twenty years of kelp ecosystem surveys reveal the timing and magnitude of events, including mass mortalities of sea stars (2013-), intense ocean warming (2014–2017), and sea urchin barrens (2015-). Multiple stressors led to the unprecedented and long-lasting decline of the kelp forest. Kelp deforestation triggered mass (80%) abalone mortality (2017) resulting in the closure in 2018 of the recreational abalone fishery worth an estimated $44 M and the collapse of the north coast commercial red sea urchin fishery (2015-) worth $3 M. Key questions remain such as the relative roles of ocean warming and sea star disease in the massive purple sea urchin population increase. Science and policy will need to partner to better understand drivers, build climate-resilient fisheries and kelp forest recovery strategies in order to restore essential kelp forest ecosystem services.
Standardization and Borders in Mathematics Pre-service Teacher Education: A Duoethnographic Exploration

In this chapter, we present our take on duoethnographic methodology in order to make sense of our practice as mathematics pre-service teacher educators. In doing so, we think of borders in two ways: methodological borders between Western academic methodologies and non-Western worldviews and borders created by standardization of teacher education in the United States. After establishing methodological borders and the ways to cross them, we use the methodology to make sense of borders in our own practice as immigrants and teacher educators.
Survey of cattle health record-keeping methods by Mississippi cow-calf producers

The objective of this study was to determine demographic characteristics associated with the use of cattle health record systems by Mississippi cow-calf producers.
An Efficient Coupled Modal Quasi-static Approach for Characterizing Non-linear Modal Properties of Prestressed Structures

Linear modal analysis is a powerful tool in studying linear dynamical systems with several Degrees-of-Freedom (DoFs). There has been an increasing interest in how this can be extended to large (in the sense of number of DoFs) non-linear dynamical systems. The current study proposes an extension to the stationarity of Rayleigh quotients, a classical technique for linear modal analysis, and demonstrates its applicability to conservative and non-conservative non-linear systems. Apart from offering a theoretical motivation of modal analysis in non-linear dynamics, the approach also circumvents several limitations in previous quasi-static non-linear modal analysis methods. The method is demonstrated on a simplified model of a bolted-joint which includes unilateral springs and elastic dry friction elements describing the non-linearities. The results are compared with the Extended Periodic Motion Concept (EPMC), a frequency domain approach based on periodic solutions.
Another battle won in the phage-host arms race: Pseudomonas phage blocks quorum sensing regulator LasR.

Shah et al. (2021) uncover phage-encoded protein Aqs1 that tactically blocks Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing receptor LasR immediately upon infection to counteract the host's quorum-sensing program, a defense strategy that is likely conserved in other phages.
Onset and Resolution of Key Adverse Events in Valbenazine-Treated Patients with Tardive Dyskinesia: Pooled Analyses from Two Long-Term Clinical Trials.

Objective Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder associated with prolonged exposure to antipsychotics and other dopamine receptor blocking agents. Long-term safety of the approved TD medication, valbenazine, was demonstrated in 2 clinical trials (KINECT 3 [NCT02274558], KINECT 4 [NCT02405091]). Data from these trials were analyzed post hoc to evaluate the onset and resolution of adverse events (AEs). Methods Participants in KINECT 3 and KINECT 4 received up to 48 weeks of once-daily valbenazine (40 or 80 mg). Data from these studies were pooled and analyzed to assess the incidence, time to first occurrence, and resolution for the following AEs of potential clinical interest: akathisia, balance disorder, dizziness, parkinsonism, somnolence/sedation, suicidal behavior/ideation, and tremor. Results In the pooled population (N=314), all AEs of potential clinical interest occurred in 85% (somnolence/sedation, dizziness); >70% (akathisia, balance disorder, tremor). Conclusions In long-term clinical trials, the incidence of AEs of potential clinical interest was low ( 70-100%). All patients taking valbenazine should be routinely monitored for AEs, particularly those that may exacerbate the motor symptoms associated with TD. Funding Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Future of brick and mortar retailing: how will it survive and thrive?

Brick and mortar (B&M) retailing is an endangered species as more consumers prefer to shop online. While retailers may die, B&M retailing is here to stay. It has gone through several transformation...
Lymphoproliferative Neoplasms With Plasmablastic Morphology: An Overview and Diagnostic Approach.

Context.— Plasmablastic morphology can be seen in several uncommon lymphoproliferative neoplasms. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish these neoplasms from each other. Objective.— To review the current understanding of major lymphoproliferative neoplasms with plasmablastic morphology; summarize the clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular characteristics of each disease entity; and highlight a practical approach for differential diagnosis. Data sources.— Peer-reviewed medical literature and the authors' personal experience. Conclusions.— Plasmablastic lymphoma; plasmablastic myeloma; primary effusion lymphoma; human herpesvirus 8-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified; and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive large B-cell lymphoma are major lymphoproliferative neoplasms with plasmablastic morphology. These neoplasms share many common morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics. Definitive diagnosis requires a thorough understanding of disease phenotype and diagnostic criteria of each category. Recognition of expression pattern of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA, human herpesvirus 8, and ALK in these neoplasms is critical for diagnosis in cases with typical presentation. Additional ancillary studies and clinical findings may help in difficult cases.
The potential role of EHR data in optimizing eligibility criteria definition for cardiovascular outcome trials.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) include patients with high risks for cardiovascular events based on specific inclusion criteria. Little is known about the impact of such inclusion criteria on patient accrual and the incidence rate of cardiovascular events. Materials and methods We evaluated the impact of criteria on the accrual and the number of cardiovascular events in a cohort of 1544 diabetes patients identified from the clinical data warehouse of New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Results The highest incidence rate of the composite events (i.e., cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction) was observed when the inclusion criteria seek patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases or age ≥ 60 with at least two of the risk factors including duration of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, and albuminuria. Conclusion Our study shows that the electronic health records could be utilized to optimize the inclusion criteria while balancing study inclusiveness and number of events.
Learning to Read

Publisher Summary Reading refers to understanding a message from a writer. Doing so requires decoding the script the message has been written in. Most scripts are informative about both the meaning and pronunciation of the words used to convey the message. Much of what is known about learning to read is about learning to read alphabetic scripts in general, and English in particular. In addition, the major findings from the literature on learning to read other scripts are more similar to the findings regarding learning to read English than one would expect, based on how different scripts appear to be. The development of reading skill, and the characteristics of individuals who fail to learn to read well, are remarkably similar across European languages. When the world view is broadened to include Asian languages, some differences are found in the relative importance of key underlying skills in learning to read, but the fact that some individuals fail to learn to read appears to be universal regardless of the nature of the written language to be mastered.
Multimodal dispersal during the range expansion of the tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia

Dispersal influences both the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of range expansion. While some studies have demonstrated a role for human-mediated dispersal during invasion, the genetic effects of such dispersal remain to be understood, particularly in terrestrial range expansions. In this study, we investigated multimodal dispersal during the range expansion of the invasive gecko Hemidactylus mabouia in Florida using 12 microsatellite loci. We investigated dispersal patterns at the regional scale (metropolitan areas), statewide scale (state of Florida), and global scale (including samples from the native range). Dispersal was limited at the smallest, regional scale, within metropolitan areas, as reflected by the presence of genetic structure at this scale, which is in agreement with a previous study in this same invasion at even smaller spatial scales. Surprisingly, there was no detectable genetic structure at the intermediate statewide scale, which suggests dispersal is not limited across the state of Florida. There was evidence of genetic differentiation between Florida and other areas where H. mabouia occurs, so we concluded that at the largest scale, dispersal was limited. Humans likely contributed to patterns of dispersal at all three scales but in different ways. Infrequent low-volume dispersal has occurred within regions, frequent high-volume dispersal has occurred across the state, and infrequent long-distance dispersal has occurred among continents at the global scale. This study highlights the importance of considering different modes of dispersal at multiple spatial scales to understand the dynamics of invasion and range expansion.
Interpersonal Factors Are Associated with Lower Therapist Adherence in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Panic Disorder.

Objective The contributions of disorder severity, comorbidity and interpersonal variables to therapists' adherence to a cognitive–behavioural treatment (CBT) manual were tested. Method Thirty-eight patients received panic control therapy (PCT) for panic disorder. Trained observers watching videotapes of the sixth session of a 24-session protocol rated therapists' adherence to PCT and their use of interventions from outside the CBT model. Different observers rated patients' behavioural resistance to therapy in the same session using the client resistance code. Interview measures obtained before treatment included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, the anxiety disorders interview schedule for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV and the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, Axis II. Questionnaire measures were the anxiety sensitivity index at intake, and, at session 2, the therapist and client versions of the working alliance inventory—short form. Results The higher the patients' resistance and the more Axis II traits a patient had, the less adherent the therapist. Moreover, the more resistant the client, the more therapists resorted to interventions from outside the CBT model. Stronger therapist and patient alliance was also generally related to better adherence, but these results were somewhat inconsistent across therapists. Pretreatment disorder severity and comorbidity were not related to adherence. Conclusions Interpersonal variables, particularly behavioural resistance to therapy, are related to therapists' ability to adhere to a treatment manual and to their use of interventions from outside of the CBT model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner message Patients' behavioural resistance to therapy may make it more difficult for cognitive–behavioural clinicians to adhere to a structured treatment protocol and more likely for them to borrow interventions from outside the CBT model. Patients' Axis II traits may make adherence to treatment CBT protocol more difficult, although whether this is true varies across therapists. Therapists' adherence to a structured protocol and borrowing from outside of the CBT model do not appear to be affected by disorder severity or Axis I comorbidity.