cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rate-dependent prolongation of cardiac action potentials by a methanesulfonanilide class III antiarrhythmic agent. Specific block of rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current by dofetilide.

Class III antiarrhythmic agents act by selective prolongation of cardiac action potential duration (APD). Methanesulfonanilide class III agents (e.g., E-4031 and dofetilide) are extremely potent and lengthen action potentials in a "reverse" rate-dependent manner; i.e., effects are greater at low compared with high rates of stimulation. By using the whole-cell current-clamp technique in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes, APD was shortened by rapid pacing (244 +/- 16 msec at 30 pulses per minute, 166 +/- 8 msec at 240 pulses per minute; n = 8). Dofetilide (1 microM) prolonged APD more when cells were stimulated at the rate of 30 pulses per minute (44 +/- 10-msec increase) than at 240 pulses per minute (21 +/- 5-msec increase). We investigated the mechanism of APD prolongation using voltage-clamp techniques. Dofetilide selectively inhibited IKr (IC50, 31.5 nM), defined as the rapidly activating inward rectifying component of net delayed rectifier K+ current (IK), without effects on the larger but more slowly activating component of IK (IKs) or on the inward rectifier K+ current (IK1). To examine the rate-dependent effects of dofetilide on APD, trains of conditioning pulses to 0 mV (200-msec duration) were applied at either 30 or 240 pulses per minute to mimic the action potential experiments. Test pulses or ramps were given after the conditioning train to quantitate changes in IK1, IKr, or IKs. The magnitude of neither IK1 nor IKr was dependent on the rate of the preceding train of depolarizations. Sensitivity to block of IKr by dofetilide was rate independent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Soft partitions lead to better learned ensembles

Ensembles of classifiers often provide better classification accuracy than a single classifier. One approach to creating ensembles is to create different subsets of the training data. We present a method of creating ensembles of classifiers by partitioning the dataset into regions using clustering. Learners are assigned to each region and the ensemble classification occurs by querying the learned classifier. The first strategy considered for partitioning the training set is to generate a hard, non-overlapping partition. This approach is shown to perform worse than a single classifier using the entire training set. However, the use of soft partitions significantly improves the overall ensemble performance. Three different methods of creating soft partitions are considered: a simple distance ratio, and both the fuzzy c-means and possibilistic c-means membership functions. All three methods are found to improve overall classifier performance beyond hard partitioning and often perform better than the base classifier using the entire training set. Experiments on six datasets illustrate the improved accuracy from creating ensembles on soft partitions of data.
A New Twist on Free Press/Fair Trial Contests: Consequences of a Local Rule of Court in Jefferson County, Kentucky

A local rule of court in three of Kentucky’s 120 counties has precipitated a body of law that provides unique contours in contests between free speech rights of media and fair trial rights of criminal defendants. A requirement that discovery documents be filed with the court gives rise to the publication of information that is prejudicial and perhaps inadmissible, according to case precedent. Personal information about third parties not named in the lawsuit becomes public records with qualified privilege attached thereto. Defendants in these jurisdictions have the additional burden of successfully moving the court to seal discovery documents in order to better protect their Sixth Amendment rights to an unbiased jury. This rebuttable presumption of open discovery documents creates a second legal challenge for criminal defendants as media outlets intervene to quash motions to seal, citing their First Amendment rights. This paper examines opinions of the Kentucky and United States Supreme courts, statutory provisions, and the local rule of court when pre-trial publicity results in a motion to change venue. This narrow issue suggests broad implications for the legal.
Inflationary Magnetogenesis in $R^{2}$-Inflation after Planck 2015

We study the primordial magnetic field generated by the simple model $f^2 FF$ in Starobinsky, $R^2$-inflationary, model. The scale invariant PMF is achieved at relatively high power index of the coupling function, $\left| \alpha \right| \approx 7.44$. This model does not suffer from the backreaction problem as long as, the rate of inflationary expansion, $H$, is in the order of or less than the upper bound reported by Planck ($\le 3.6 \times 10^{-5} M_\rm{Pl}$) in both de Sitter and power law expansion, which show similar results. We calculate the lower limit of the reheating parameter, $R_\rm{rad} > 6.888$ in $R^2$-inflation. Based on the upper limit obtained from CMB, we find that the upper limits of magnetic field and reheating energy density as, $\left(\rho_{B_\rm{end}} \right)_\rm{CMB} < 1.184 \times 10^{-20} M_\rm{Pl}^4$ and $\left(\rho_\rm{reh} \right)_\rm{CMB} < 8.480 \times 10^{-22} M_\rm{Pl}^4$. All of foregoing results are well more than the lower limit derived from WMAP7 for both large and small field inflation. By using the Planck inflationary constraints, 2015 in the context of ${R^2}$-inflation, the upper limit of reheating temperature and energy density for all possible values of $w _\rm{reh}$ are respectively constrained as, $T_\rm{reh} < 4.32 \times 10^{13} \rm{GeV}$ and $\rho_\rm{reh} < 3.259 \times 10^{-18} M_\rm{Pl}^4$ at $n_\rm{s} \approx 0.9674$. This value of spectral index is well consistent with Planck, 2015 results. Adopting $T_\rm{reh}$, enables us to constrain the reheating e-folds number, $N_\rm{reh}$ on the range $1 < N_\rm{reh} < 8.3$, for $- 1/3 < w_\rm{reh} < 1$. By using the scale invariant PMF generated by $f^2 FF$, we find that the upper limit of present magnetic field, $B_0 < 8.058 \times 10^{-9} \rm{G}$.
Referring and Existing

STRANGER: . . . Suppose one of this company were seriously required to concentrate his mind and tell us to what this name can be applied-' that which is not '.... THEAETETUS : That is a hard question. . . . STRANGER: Well, this much is clear at any rate: that the term 'what is not' must not be applied to anything that exists. THEAETETUS: Certainly not. STRANGER: And since it cannot be applied to what exists, neither can it properly be applied to 'something '.... THEAETETUS : No.... STRANGER: So it seems to follow necessarily that to speak of what is not ' Something' is to speak of no thing at all. THEAETETUS: Necessarily. STRANGER: Must we not even refuse to allow that in such a case a person is saying something, though he may be speaking of nothing ? Must we not assert that he is not even saying anything when he sets about uttering the sounds 'a thing that is not' ?1 Plato in this passage is expressing for the first time in philosophy an exceedingly bewitching view of language; namely, that we cannot refer to things that don't exist-that non-being cannot be spoken of. The bewitchment lasts to our own day. In one of his early books Russell says: Being is that which belongs to every conceivable term, to every possible object of thought. . . . 'A is not ' must always be either false or meaningless. For if A were nothing, it could not be said not to be; 'A is not' implies that there is a term A whose being is denied, and hence that A is. . . Thus being is a general attribute of everything, and to mention any thing is to show that it is.2 And in one of his later books, after he had developed his Theory of Descriptions, Russell says: The proposition ' The so-and-so exists ' is significant, whether true or false; but if a is the so-and-so (where ' a ' is a name), the words ' a exists ' are meaningless. . For, if ' a ' is a name, it must name something : what does not name anything is not a name, and therefore, if intended to be a name, is a symbol devoid of meaning. ...3 Similarly a prominent opponent of Russell's theory of reference, P. F. Strawson, agrees with him that we cannot refer to non-existent entities:
Mind-body interactions in the regulation of airway inflammation in asthma: A PET study of acute and chronic stress.

Abstract Background Psychological stress has long been recognized as a contributing factor to asthma symptom expression and disease progression. Yet, the neural mechanisms that underlie this relationship have been largely unexplored in research addressing the pathophysiology and management of asthma. Studies that have examined the mechanisms of this relationship in the periphery suggest that it is the superimposition of acute stress on top of chronic stress that is of greatest concern for airway inflammation. Methods We compared asthmatic individuals with high and low levels of chronic life stress in their neural and peripheral physiological responses to the Trier Social Stress Test and a matched control task. We used FDG-PET to measure neural activity during performance of the two tasks. We used both circulating and airway-specific markers of asthma-related inflammation to assess the impact of acute stress in these two groups. Results Asthmatics under chronic stress had a larger HPA-axis response to an acute stressor, which failed to show the suppressive effects on inflammatory markers observed in those with low chronic stress. Moreover, our PET data suggest that greater activity in the anterior insula during acute stress may reflect regulation of the effect of stress on inflammation. In contrast, greater activity in the mid-insula and perigenual anterior cingulate seems to reflect greater reactivity and was associated with greater airway inflammation, a more robust alpha amylase response, and a greater stress-induced increase in proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in airway cells. Conclusions Acute stress is associated with increases in markers of airway inflammation in asthmatics under chronic stress. This relationship may be mediated by interactions between the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, that determine the salience of environmental cues, as well as descending regulatory influence of inflammatory pathways in the periphery.
Early mantle heterogeneities in the Réunion hotspot source inferred from highly siderophile elements in cumulate xenoliths

Abstract Ultramafic cumulate rocks form during intrusive crystallization of high-MgO magmas, incorporating relatively high abundances of compatible elements, including Cr and Ni, and high abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE: Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Re). Here, we utilize a suite of cumulate xenoliths from Piton de la Fournaise, La Reunion (Indian Ocean), to examine the mantle source composition of the Reunion hotspot using HSE abundances and Os isotopes. Dunite and wherlite xenoliths and associated lavas from the Piton de la Fournaise volcanic complex span a range of MgO contents (46 to 7 wt.%), yet exhibit remarkably homogeneous 187Os/188Os ( 0.1324 ± 0.0014 , 2σ), representing the Os-isotopic composition of Reunion hotspot primary melts. A significant fraction of the xenoliths also have primitive upper-mantle (PUM) normalized HSE patterns with elevated Ru and Pd (PUM-normalized Ru/Ir and Pd/Ir of 0.8–6.3 and 0.2–7.2, respectively). These patterns are not artifacts of alteration, fractional crystallization, or partial melting processes, but rather require a primary magma with similar relative enrichments. Some highly olivine-phyric (>40 modal percent olivine) Piton de la Fournaise lavas also preserve these relative Ru and Pd enrichments, while others preserve a pattern that is likely related to sulfur saturation in evolved melts. The estimate of HSE abundances in PUM indicates high Ru/Ir and Pd/Pt values relative to carbonaceous, ordinary and enstatite chondrite meteorite groups. Thus, the existence of cumulate rocks with even more fractionated HSE patterns relative to PUM suggests that the Reunion hotspot samples a yet unrecognized mantle source. The origin of fractionated HSE patterns in Reunion melts may arise from sampling of a mantle source that experienced limited late accretion (
A transgluteal approach—Back to the future

Abstract Minimally invasive approaches to total hip arthroplasty have received much attention from both the lay press as well as the orthopaedic community. The potential for enhanced recovery and improved pain control in the perioperative period are in high demand from patients. We present a transgluteal approach to total hip arthroplasty as an alternative to the direct anterior approach that has the potential to maintain all of the possible benefits of a soft tissue sparing approach with a lower risk profile.
Shouldice Repair of Inguinal Hernia

Direct inguinal hernia. Indirect inguinal hernia in adults. Coexisting inguinal and femoral hernias.
3T magnetic resonance neurography of pudendal nerve with cadaveric dissection correlation.

Aim To evaluate the pudendal nerve segments that could be identified on magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) before and after surgical marking of different nerve segments. Methods The hypothesis for this study was that pudendal nerve and its branches would be more easily seen after the surgical nerve marking. Institutional board approval was obtained. One male and one female cadaver pelvis were obtained from the anatomy board and were scanned using 3 Tesla MRI scanner using MR neurography sequences. All possible pudendal nerve branches were identified. The cadavers were then sent to the autopsy lab and were surgically dissected by a peripheral nerve surgeon and an anatomist to identify the pudendal nerve branches. Radiological markers were placed along the course of the pudendal nerve and its branches. The cadavers were then closed and rescanned using the same MRN protocol as the pre-marking scan. The remaining pudendal nerve branches were attempted to be identified using the radiological markers. All scans were read by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Results The pre-marking MR Neurography scans clearly showed the pudendal nerve at its exit from the lumbosacral plexus in the sciatic notch, at the level of the ischial spine and in the Alcock's Canal in both cadavers. Additionally, the right hemorrhoidal branch could be identified in the male pelvis cadaver. The perineal and distal genital branches could not be identified. On post-marking scans, the markers were used as identifiable structures. The location of the perineal branch, the hemorroidal branch and the dorsal nerve to penis (in male cadaver)/clitoris (in female cadaver) could be seen. However, the visualization of these branches was suboptimal. The contralateral corresponding nerves were poorly seen despite marking on the surgical side. The nerve was best seen on axial T1W and T2W SPAIR images. The proximal segment could be seen well on 3D DW PSIF sequence. T2W SPACE was not very useful in visualization of this small nerve or its branches. Conclusion Proximal pudendal nerve is easily seen on MR neurography, however it is not possible to identify distal branches of the pudendal nerve even after surgical marking.
On the Significance of Animate Form

Cultural anthropologist George Peter Murdock, in his well-known article “The Common Denominator of Cultures,” stated that “what cultures are found to have in common is a uniform system of categories, not a fund of identical elements.”1 In my book, The Roots of Thinking,I pointed out that if Murdock’s claim is true, then there is a common conceptual foundation to all human thought. In other words, in the most fundamental sense human thinking is everywhere standardized on the same model; such concepts as death, size, tool, and cleanliness are undergirded by a common referent2.
Capacity Evaluation Requests in the Medical Setting: A Retrospective Analysis of Underlying Psychosocial and Ethical Factors.

Background Psychosocial and ethical variables influence physicians in requesting decision-making capacity (DMC) evaluations. Previous authors have classified certain DMC evaluation requests as “unwarranted” when there is no explicit suspicion or evidence that the patient might lack DMC. Objective To explore psychosocial and ethical reasons motivating both “warranted” and “unwarranted” DMC evaluation requests by physicians in the medical setting. Methods A retrospective electronic health record review was approved by the institutional review board. All psychiatric consultation requests identified as DMC evaluation requests between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 were assessed independently by 2 reviewers. Each reviewer identified each DMC evaluation request as “warranted” vs “unwarranted.” Unwarranted DMC evaluation requests were defined as those lacking explicit suspicion that the patient might lack DMC or those with explicit evidence of a patient with blatantly impaired DMC. We hypothesized that most (over half) DMC evaluation requests would be deemed unwarranted. Descriptive statistics, chi-square/Fisher exact tests, and t-test/ANOVA were used. Results A total of 146 DMC evaluations were reviewed, and 83 (56.8%) of these were deemed unwarranted. Of these, most were likely driven by a previous neuropsychiatric disturbance (p Conclusion Over half of DMC evaluation requests in a general medical setting were unwarranted. Many such requests were motivated by unarticulated psychosocial and ethical factors. DMC evaluation requests appear to serve as a means for indirectly resolving various psychosocial and ethical dilemmas beyond assessing DMC itself. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Needs assessment with elder Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Implications for services and interventions

Currently, over 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees have fled Syria to take refuge in Lebanon. Among this vulnerable population, elder refugees warrant particular concern, as they shoulder a host of additional health and safety issues that require additional resources. However, the specific needs of elder refugees are often overlooked, especially during times of crisis. Our study used a semi-structured interview to survey the needs of elder refugees and understand their perceived support from Lebanese fieldworkers. Results indicate a high prevalence of depression and cognitive deficits in elder refugees, who expressed concerns surrounding illness, loneliness, war, and instability. Elders highlighted the importance of family connectedness in fostering security and normalcy and in building resilience during times of conflict. Elders spoke of their role akin that of the social workers with whom they interacted, in that they acted as a source of emotional support for their communities. Overall, this study clarifies steps to be taken to increase well-being in elder refugee populations and urges the response of humanitarian organisations to strengthen psychological support structures within refugee encampments.
Is grit relevant to well-being and strengths? Evidence across the globe for separating perseverance of effort and consistency of interests.

Objective Researchers conceptualize grit as the combination of two facets: perseverance of effort and consistency of interests toward long-term goals. We tested the reliability of grit facet scores across the globe and examined how differently each grit facet related to well-being and personality strengths. Method An international sample of 7,617 participants from six of the seven continents (excluding Antarctica) completed an online survey. Results Confirmatory factor analyses and omega reliability coefficients indicated that the 12 items from the original Grit Scale were multidimensional and reliably measured perseverance of effort and consistency of interests. Concurrent validity analyses showed that perseverance of effort was moderately to strongly related to subjective well-being, beliefs about well-being, and personality strengths, whereas consistency of interests had weak or negative correlations with these outcomes. The stronger relations with perseverance of effort were replicated across seven regions of the world. The presence of overall grit was supported in individualistic countries, but not collectivistic countries (i.e., those in Latin America and Asia). Conclusions We discuss the multidimensionality of grit, including a conceptual understanding of overall grit and how it may differ across cultures. We suggest well-being and strengths researchers study grit facets separately due to their differential validity.
The interaction of BDNF Val66Met, PTSD, and child abuse on psychophysiological reactivity and HPA axis function in a sample of Gulf War Veterans.

Abstract Introduction While the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has been linked to various psychological disorders, limited focus has been on its relationship to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and early traumas such as child abuse. Therefore, we assessed whether Val66Met was associated with fear potentiated psychophysiological response and HPA axis dysfunction and whether PTSD status or child abuse history moderated these outcomes in a sample of Veterans. Methods 226 and 173 participants engaged in a fear potentiated acoustic startle paradigm and a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) respectively. Fear conditions included no, ambiguous, and high threat conditions. Psychophysiological response measures included electromyogram (EMG), skin conductance response (SCR), and heart rate. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) were used to assess PTSD status and child abuse history respectively. Results Met allele carriers exhibited greater SCR magnitudes in the no and ambiguous threat conditions (p Limitations Limitations included small sample size and the cross-sectional nature of the data. Conclusions The Val66met may impact PTSD susceptibility differentially via enhanced threat sensitivity and HPA axis dysregulation. Child abuse may moderate Val66Met's impact on threat reactivity. Future research should explore how neuronal mechanisms might mediate this risk.
Revision cochlear implant surgery in children: Surgical and audiological outcomes

Objectives/hypothesis To determine the incidence of cochlear implant failure and to examine surgical and audiological outcomes. Study design Retrospective review, case series. Methods This study sought indications for revision surgery, surgical findings, and outcomes, and audiological outcomes in pediatric cochlear implant patients. Pre- and postcochlear reimplantation word recognition performance was analyzed using a modified version of the Pediatric Ranked Order Speech Perception (PROSPER) score. Results Over a 20-year period, a total of 868 cochlear implants were performed in 578 patients. The overall institutional reimplant rate was 5.9%. The indications for explantation were hard failure (30), soft failure (23), and medical/surgical indication (13). A significant portion of devices belonged to vendor recalled batches (15) or were damaged by head trauma (eight). Full electrode insertion was achieved in all 62 reimplantations. Post-reimplantation Boston Children's Hospital modified PROSER scores were either stable or improved compared to pre-reimplantation scores. Conclusions The need for cochlear implant revision/reimplantation is infrequent, but the rate is not inconsequential. Hard and soft device failures account for the majority of reimplants. Surgical complications during reimplantation is low, and post-reimplantation audiological performance is excellent. Level of evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2619-2624, 2018.
Delayed Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever in a Patient with Multiple Emergency Department Visits

While the incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in the United States has declined over the past years, the disease remains one of the causes of severe cardiovascular morbidity in children. The index of suspicion for ARF in health care providers may be low due to decreasing incidence of the disease and clinical presentation that can mimic other conditions. We present the case of a 5-year-old boy with a history of intermittent fevers, fatigue, migratory joint pain, and weight loss following group A Streptococcus pharyngitis. The patient presented to the emergency department twice with the complaints described above. On his 3rd presentation, the workup for his symptoms revealed the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever with severe mitral and aortic valve regurgitation. The patient was treated with penicillin G benzathine and was started on glucocorticoids for severe carditis. The patient was discharged with recommendations to continue secondary prophylaxis with penicillin G benzathine every 4 weeks for the next 10 years. This case illustrates importance of primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever with adequate antibiotic treatment of group A Streptococcus pharyngitis. Parents should also receive information and education that a child with a previous attack of ARF has higher risk for a recurrent attack of rheumatic fever. This can lead to development of severe rheumatic heart disease. Prevention of recurrent ARF requires continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis. Follow-up with a cardiologist every 1-2 years is essential to assess the heart for valve damage.
Splitting and Density for the Recursive Sets of a Fixed Time Complexity

We analyze the fine structure of the time complexity classes induced by random access machines. Say that A and B have the same time complexity (A+ C B) if for all time constructible f A ∈ DTIME RAM (f) ⇔ B ∈ DTIME RAM (f). The = C -equivalence class of A is called it complexity type. We examine the set theoretic relationships between the sets in an arbitrary complexity type C. For example, every recursive set X can be partitioned into two sets A and B such that A = C B = C X. Additionally, the ordering of C under ⊂* (inclusion modulo finite sets) is dense.
Abstract 14444: Differential Effects of Nebivolol vs Metoprolol Succinate on Sympathetic Vasoconstriction During Exercise in Hypertensive Patients

In normal physiologic states, sympathetic vasoconstriction is markedly blunted in exercising muscles to optimize blood flow to the metabolically active muscle. This phenomenon known as functional sympatholysis was shown to be mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and found to be impaired in the rodent model of angiotensin-induced hypertension via generation of oxidative stress, which inactivates NO. Recent studies from our laboratory confirmed presence of impaired functional sympatholysis in hypertensive patients during rhythmic handgrip exercise, resulting in augmented skeletal muscle ischemia. Nebivolol is a novel beta-adrenergic receptor blocker with NO releasing property. Whether nebivolol restores abnormal vascular function in hypertensive patients during exercise remains unknown. Therefore, we conducted studies in 20 hypertensive subjects in which we measured muscle oxygenation by near infrared spectroscopy and forearm blood flow (FBF) by Doppler ultrasonography in response to reflex increases in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) evoked by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at rest and during rhythmic handgrip exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction. These measurements were performed at baseline, after 12 weeks of nebivolol (5-20 mg/day), and after 12 weeks of metoprolol succinate (100-300mg daily), using a randomized crossover design. We found that nebivolol had no effect on LBNP-induced decreases in oxygenation and FBF in resting forearm (from -21.8 ± 5% to -18.0 ± 3% and from -27.4 ± 4% to -28.3 ± 4%, respectively; P > 0.05). However, nebivolol attenuated LBNP-induced reduction in oxygenation and FBF in exercising forearm (from -9.4 ±2% to -2.6 ± 2% and from -15.9 ±2% to -7.4 ± 2%, respectively, both p 0.05 vs baseline) despite similar reduction in resting BP. Nebivolol also had no effect on SNA at rest, during handgrip, or during handgrip plus LBNP, suggesting direct effect on vascular function. These data provide the evidence for nebivolol-induced restoration on functional sympatholysis in hypertensive humans, independent of BP reduction.
Nano-Pt ennobling of stainless steel for biomedical applications

Abstract A simple, one-step synthesis technique for simultaneous removal of the passivating oxide layer of Type 304 stainless steel (SS) and subsequent electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles is presented. This method was compared to electrodes that were first acid pickled in HCl and subsequently platinized. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in PBS and equivalent circuit modeling using an (R(Q(R(QR))) circuit indicated that the one-step synthesis of platinized SS electrodes has lower charge transfer resistance (4.56 × 103 Ω cm2) when compared to a two-step platinization procedure (2.05 × 104 Ω cm2) and non-modified SS (1.36 × 106 Ω cm2), indicating removal of the passive layer and addition of conductive nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammograms measured in an equimolar ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox probe at multiple scan rates indicated that the one-step method resulted in the highest electroactive equivalent surface area of all controls tested (one-step: 65.4%, two-step: 43.1%). Temporal studies of current densities measured in HCl over 48 h yielded higher exchange current densities for one-step platinized SS (4.90 × 10−6 A cm−2) than SS (6.50 × 10−7 A cm−2). Scanning electron and atomic force micrographs of electrodes were used to characterize surfaces before and after platinization. One-step platinized Type 304 SS mesh electrodes were used to study pH-responsive poly(HEMA-co-AEMA) hydrogels as a function of pH by EIS. The one-step platinized electrodes produced similar valued but more stable pH-dependent (pH 6.0–9.0) membrane resistance with regression coefficient of R2 = 0.97 compared to that of pristine SS that was R2 = 0.57.
The Equivalence Principle Revisited

The validity of the equivalence principle is examined. Since classical physics is not valid for point particles, and a mass density over a finite volume tends to collapse, stabilizing forces are necessary. These cause a deviation from geodesic motion. That deviation is discussed in the light of recent results which provide approximate expressions for the self-force of a finite size particle due to both its mass and its charge. The equivalence principle appears to be violated.
Conversational Turn-Taking: A Salient Dimension of Children's Language Learning

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some approaches to the study of children's conversational turn-taking. The concept of turn-taking has been proposed not only as a central component of conversation but also as a major component of the structure of social interaction and social organization. Turn-taking has also been explained in terms of the chorography or temporal patterning in conversation. The nature of children's conversational turn-taking shows different with adults than with peers. However, the role of the adult appears to have a tremendous impact on children's turn-taking skills. In fact, young children may appear to be more skilled at exchanging turns than they actually are. The research on children's conversational turn-taking points to several salient characteristics that have significant implications within the clinical setting.
Obesity: Choosing Genetic Approaches from a Mixed Menu

Obesity, as defined by any number of metrics, aggregates in families but does not segregate as a simple Mendelian trait. Because of the frequent association of obesity with a number of common chronic diseases, researchers are greatly interested in identifying the genes that contribute to obesity and their mode of action. The lack of a consensus regarding the biological basis of obesity makes the selection of appropriate candidate genes difficult. Several approaches to selecting plausible candidate genes for the study of obesity are outlined here. The study of rare human phenotypes that result in extreme obesity may identify genes that through polymorphic genetic variation may have an effect on body mass, body composition, or fat distribution. The study of human genes homologous to the mouse genes that lead to obesity in particular strains of inbred mice may also give clues to the location and identity of obesity-related genes. Human populations in which obesity is particularly prevalent may serve as a substrate for identifying such genes in the general population.
Selective distant electrostimulation by synchronized bipolar nanosecond pulses

A unique aspect of electrostimulation (ES) with nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) is the inhibition of effects when the polarity is reversed. This bipolar cancellation feature makes bipolar nsEP less efficient at biostimulation than unipolar nsEP. We propose to minimize stimulation near pulse-delivering electrodes by applying bipolar nsEP, whereas the superposition of two phase-shifted bipolar nsEP from two independent sources yields a biologically-effective unipolar pulse remotely. This is accomplished by electrical compensation of all nsEP phases except the first one, resulting in the restoration of stimulation efficiency due to cancellation of bipolar cancellation (CANCAN-ES). We experimentally proved the CANCAN-ES paradigm by measuring YO-PRO-1 dye uptake in CHO-K1 cells which were permeabilized by multiphasic nsEP (600 ns per phase) from two generators; these nsEP were synchronized either to overlap into a unipolar pulse remotely from electrodes (CANCAN), or not to overlap (control). Enhancement of YO-PRO-1 entry due to CANCAN was observed in all sets of experiments and reached ~3-fold in the center of the gap between electrodes, exactly where the unipolar pulse was formed, and equaled the degree of bipolar cancellation. CANCAN-ES is promising for non-invasive deep tissue stimulation, either alone or combined with other remote stimulation techniques to improve targeting.
Profiles of the bacterial community in short-term indwelling urinary catheters by duration of catheterization and subsequent urinary tract infection.

Background Urinary catheterization, even of short duration, increases the risk of subsequent urinary tract infection (UTI). Whether the bacteria found on the surface of catheters placed for Methods We screened the biofilms found on the extraluminal surface of 127 catheters placed for Results Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Enterococcus spp were found on virtually all catheters and lactic acid bacteria in most catheters regardless of duration, but neither genus was associated with UTI development during follow-up. Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus were the most commonly identified genera in the taxonomic screen but were not associated with subsequent UTIs. Although the most common cause of UTI following catheter removal was Escherichia coli, detectable E coli on the catheter surface was not associated with subsequent UTIs. Conclusions Our analysis does not suggest that the presence of bacteria on the surface of catheters placed for
Relationship of Overuse Injuries and Extrascholastic Sport Participation in High School Athletes 2009-2010 through 2015-2016

Introduction Overuse injuries (injuries due to repetitive loads with inadequate rest) can negatively affect high school athletes, but limited data exist on the effect of sports participation outside of the school-sanctioned season on the development of overuse injuries. Objective Compare overuse injury patterns among high school athletes who participate in extrascholastic athletics to those participating only in scholastic sports. Design Descriptive cross-sectional, secondary analysis of injury data collected on high school athletes across 22 sports over the 2009-2010 through 2015-2016 academic years. Setting Deidentified data collected as part of the High School Reporting Information Online study (HS RIO). Participants High school athletes from a large convenience sample of U.S. high schools. Main outcome measurements Injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were computed overall and for individual sports to compare the proportion of overuse injuries in athletes competing in extrascholastic sports to athletes participating only in scholastic athletics. Results Overall, extrascholastic athletes experienced a higher proportion of overuse injuries compared to scholastic-only athletes (IPR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.30), but this association varied by sport. Among extrascholastic athletes, a higher proportion of overuse injuries occurred in those simultaneously playing the same sport outside the school setting (IPR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.11-1.57) as well as having experienced an injury within the past year (IPR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.36-1.95) compared to those sustaining non-overuse injuries. Conclusions Overuse injuries were associated with extrascholastic athletics and occurred in higher proportion in extrascholastic athletes who were playing the same sport in more than one league.
Urban Youth Perspectives on the Benefits and Challenges of Outdoor Adventure Camp

Consistent evidence indicates that urban youth, and particularly youth of color, report relatively low levels of participation in quality youth program experiences and spend less time outdoors as compared to non-urban and White youth. Outdoor adventure camps (OACs) provide an excellent opportunity for engaging these youth in experiences that can help promote positive youth development (PYD). In the present study, we examined the experiences and perceptions of 75 urban youth who participated in a 3-day high adventure camp experience. Through a mixed-method approach, results indicated that urban youth from all racial and ethnic backgrounds grew in several PYD outcomes including social competencies and self-improvement capacities. Many youth also reported growing in their connection to nature as a consequence of participating in the OAC. Youth thought camp was a positive and worthwhile experience, reflecting key attributes of a PYD setting. Overall, the OAC provided a challenging and engaging growth environment for youth. Findings highlight implications for socially just and culturally inclusive outdoor adventure programming aimed at diverse urban youth.
Efficacy of telotristat ethyl: A peripheral tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor that blocks serotonin biosynthesis against cultured liposarcoma, colon cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

e15602Background: Serotonin (5-HT) is most often considered a neurotransmitter—but in reality its main function is to promote cell proliferation at the site of wound healing via platelet degranulat...
Ultra-Thin Near-Infrared Camera via Single Flat Lens for Wide-Angle Imaging

By utilizing a single multi-level diffractive lens coupled along with a conventional monochrome image sensor, we demonstrate a ∼1mm thick near-infrared camera with a Field Of View up to 50° and on-axis focusing efficiency > 90%.
Metformin Treatment of Pediatric Obesity.

* Abbreviations: FDA — : US Food and Drug Administration RCT — : randomized controlled trial T2DM — : type 2 diabetes mellitus Childhood obesity has steadily become a contemporary epidemic with serious public health implications.1 Approximately 70% of children with obesity will remain obese in adulthood.2 Obesity is a risk factor for development of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),3 and its prevention and management represents a priority for pediatric primary care providers. This underscores the need for evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with obesity, including pharmacotherapy.4 Metformin is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in children 10 years of age and older with T2DM and has been used off label to achieve weight loss in children. In the current issue of Pediatrics , Masarwa et al5 present a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of metformin use from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in children and adolescents. The authors demonstrated that metformin therapy resulted in modest benefits in reduction of BMI in those with obesity. Among the 14 RCTs in which BMI was reported, metformin was modestly efficacious at decreasing BMI (range of mean changes: −2.70 to 1.30) compared with a placebo (−1.12 to 1.90). As pointed out by the authors, the results across the studies were heterogeneous, with 11 RCTs suggesting that it decreased BMI, whereas 3 RCTs revealed an increase in BMI. Among the 7 RCTs in which a BMI z score was reported, metformin consistently resulted in a decrease … Address correspondence to Vandana Raman, MD, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 81 N Mario Capecchi Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84113. E-mail: vana.raman{at}hsc.utah.edu
0031 Ridesharing trips and alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes

Statement of purpose Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have facilitated over 20 billion trips worldwide since the technology launched in 2010. Ridesharing could theoretically reduce alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes by replacing drunk driver trips. Methods/Approach This case control study used highly spatially and temporally resolved trip-level rideshare data and motor vehicle crash data for Chicago from November 2018 to December 2019. The units of analysis were motor vehicle crashes in the city of Chicago. Cases were crashes that police indicated were alcohol-involved. Controls were crashes in the same census tract, matched 1:1. The exposure of interest was the density per square mile of rideshare trips that were in progress at the time of the crash, calculated using a kernel density function around active trip route lines. Control variables were taxi trip density, time of day, day of week, public holiday, temperature, precipitation, and month. A conditional logistic regression compared alcohol-involvement to rideshare trip density. Results There were 962 alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes and 118,913,157 rideshare trips during the fourteen-month study period. Rideshare trip density was 69.0 per square mile at the location of case crashes and 105.7 per square mile at the location of control crashes. After controlling for covariates, the conditional logistic regression model identified that an increase of 1 rideshare trip per square mile at the crash site was associated with 0.2% decreased odds that the crash was alcohol involved (OR = 0.998; 95%CI: 0.996, 0.999). There was no association for taxi trips. Conclusions Increased ridesharing activity was associated with decreased risks that motor vehicle crashes were alcohol involved. Significance Over 10,000 people die in alcohol involved motor-vehicle crashes annually. Rideshare trips may replace drunk driver trips, thereby reducing the considerable injury burden due to alcohol-involved crashes.
Onyiuke Grading Scale: A clinical classification system for the diagnosis and management of Bertolotti syndrome

Abstract Background Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) is a common anatomic variant of the spine, characterized by the formation of a pseudoarticulation between the transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum or ilium. LSTVs have been implicated as a potential source of low back pain – dubbed Bertolotti syndrome. Traditionally, LSTVs have only been subdivided into types I–IV based on the Castellvi radiographic classification system. Objective Solely identifying the type of LSTV radiographically provides no clinical relevance to the treatment of Bertolotti syndrome. Here, we seek to analyze such patients and identify a clinical grading scale and diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm to optimize care for patients with this congenital anomaly. Methods Patients presenting with back pain between 2011 and 2018 attributable to a lumbosacral transitional vertebra were identified retrospectively. Data was collected from these patients’ charts regarding demographic information, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, treatment and outcomes. Based on evaluation of these cases and review of the literature, a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm is proposed. Results Based on our experiences evaluating and treating these patients and review of the existing literature, we propose a clinical classification system for Bertolotti syndrome: we proposed a 4-grade scale for patients with Bertolotti syndrome based upon location, severity, and characteristics of pain experienced due to LSTVs. Conclusion Based on our experience with the cases illustrated here, we recommend managing patients with LSTV based on our diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm. Moving forward, a larger prospective study with a larger patient cohort is needed to further validate the treatment paradigm.
Grief-Stricken in a Crowd: The Language of Bereavement and Distress in Social Media

People turn to social media to express their emotions surrounding major life events. Death of a loved one is one scenario in which people share their feelings in the semi-public space of social networking sites. In this paper, we present the results of a two-part investigation of grief and distress in the context of messages posted to the profiles of deceased MySpace users. We present coding system for identifying emotion distressed content, followed by a detailed analysis of language use that lays a foundation for natural language processing (NLP) tasks, such as automatic detection of bereavement-related distress. Our findings suggest that in addition to words bearing positive or negative sentiment, linguistic style can be an indicator of messages that demonstrate distress in the space of post-mortem social media content. These results contribute to research in computational linguistics by identifying linguistic features that can be used for automatic classification as well as to research on death and bereavement by enumerating attributes of distressed self-expression in a post-mortem context.
Blood pressure in normal subjects

There is no clear separation between normal blood pressure and hypertension. Actuarial data have shown a continuous relationship between blood pressure and the probability of major cardiovascular events, but there is no agreement concerning the level of blood pressure at which a diagnosis of hypertension should be made. It is possible to suggest a functional definition of hypertension as being the lowest level of blood pressure at which therapeutic intervention could be predicted to lessen the likelihood of cardiovascular complications. In the United States, the Joint National Committee on the Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure [I] has recommended that conventionally-measured office or clinic diastolic blood pressures of 84 mmHg or less be considered normal; that 85– 89 mmHg be considered high-normal; and that levels of 90 mmHg or above define a hypertensive range that may justify treatment.
The impact of the global financial crisis on Latin America

This essay argues that while the complete lack of liquidity characterizing the most severe phase of the financial crisis unleashed in September 2008 is now a thing of the past, lending and production activity in the industrialized countries are both contracting rapidly and the financial system is still undercapitalized. Of all the external channels through which the crisis has been transmitted to Latin America, the drop in remittances is the least important. The most widespread negative effects will come from the decline in the volume of international trade and the sharp deterioration in the terms of trade for commodities. In addition, a period of very restricted external private-sector financing lies ahead. The region’s economies have entered this crisis in a stronger position than in the past, mainly because public debt is lower and international reserves are large, but this will only partially mitigate the repercussions of the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.