cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying Barriers to Colonoscopy Screening for Nonadherent African American Participants in a Patient Navigation Intervention

African Americans have a higher rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality than other racial/ethnic groups. This disparity is alarming given that CRC is largely preventable through the use of endoscopy (screening colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy), yet rates of CRC screening among African Americans is suboptimal. Only 48.9% of African Americans are screened for CRC through endoscopy or fecal occult blood testing. As such, researchers have focused their efforts on the prevention of CRC through patient navigation (PN) services for colonoscopy screening. Although PN has been successful in increasing colonoscopy screening rates, screening rates of navigated participants could still be improved. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to understand why patients, who received PN services, did not complete a colonoscopy. Sixteen participants were interviewed to identify salient themes related to noncompletion of the colonoscopy procedure. Major themes identified included the following: a lack of knowledge about CRC; fear/anxiety about the procedure, including unknown expectations, fear of pain, and fear of cancer diagnosis; inadequate physician communication about CRC and the colonoscopy exam; and believing that cancer leads to death. Participants felt that greater communication and explanation from their physician might help allay their fears. Our findings also suggest that a universal approach to PN, even within culturally targeted interventions, may not be appropriate for all individuals. Future interventions should consider gender-specific navigation and combining PN with nonmedical interventions to address other identified barriers.
Plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrites with insulated fine grains and increased resistivity for high-frequency applications

Plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrite thick films are built up by splats, which consist of columnar grains with diameter /spl sim/200 nm and height /spl sim/1 /spl mu/m. The existence of the conductive wustite FeO in the as-sprayed films greatly reduces the dc resistivity. However, a useful structure can be developed in these ferrite films with fine equal-axis ferrite grains insulated by the high-resistivity hematite Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ because of the polygonization of the columnar grains and the oxidation of the wustite during an annealing process. The dc resistivity increases significantly after the annealing process, an effect ascribed to the growth of hematite Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ on the basis of impedance analysis. The magnetic properties of these ferrite films improve concurrently. The high-frequency response of the annealed plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrites shows a permeability of /spl sim/700 stabilized to above 10 MHz. The maximum Q factor at about 10 MHz increases from 5 to 20 as a result of the increase of the dc resistivity.
The control of pigment migration in isolated erythrophores of Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck). I. Energy requirements

Abstract Erythrophores isolated from the scales of the marine teleost, Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck), are capable of rapidly aggregating or dispersing numerous red pigment granules within their cytoplasm by translocating them along radial paths delineated by bundles of radially oriented microtubules. Pigment translocation is accompanied by transformations in the morphology of the cytoplasmic matrix, or microtrabecular lattice (MTL), in which the pigment granules are suspended. It appears that the MTL as a whole contracts toward the cell center during aggregation, carrying the pigment granules inward along with it, and is restructured during dispersion, using the radial microtubules as guides. We examined the energy requirements of pigment migration and the accompanying MTL transformations. Cellular ATP was depleted using the specific metabolic inhibitors 2,4 dinitrophenol, NaCN and oligomycin. All three of these drugs, which inhibit oxidative phosphorylation by different mechanisms, prevent both pigment dispersion and MTL transformation to dispersed morphology, while aggregation is unaffected. Inhibitor-treated cells recover normal pigment movements and MTL morphology when inhibitor is washed out of the cells with fresh medium. Potential energy apparently is stored in the MTL by some ATP-dependent process during dispersion and is converted to kinetic energy during aggregation. The results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that the MTL, working in concert with the radial microtubules, is the vehicle for pigment translocation in the erythrophore system.
Addressing social dilemmas and fostering cooperation through computer games

The concept of social dilemmas can be used to understand social situations all around us. I am looking at identity formation to help understand why people make the decisions they do in a social dilemma and whether the explicit knowledge of being in these situations help steer them to cooperate within their social groups. First I describe a previous study which clearly demonstrates the need to think about identity deeply and to think of decision-making as happening within specific social contexts. Then I describe on-going ethnographic, action research with a guild in World of Warcraft. I am hoping to get an insight into how social norms of the guild, and game in general, can support cooperative behavior. I discover that I must do this through collaborative community management in order to legitimately participate and influence the guild.
Matrons, Medics and Maladies: Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the 1840s; The Edinburgh City Hospital

Bill Yule Tuckwell Press, £12.99, pp 248 ISBN: 1 86232 091 8 Rating: ![Graphic][1] ![Graphic][2] James A Gray Tuckwell Press, £20, pp 488 ISBN 1 86232 096 9 Rating: ![Graphic][3] ![Graphic][4] These two books tell the story of medicine in the city of Edinburgh, spanning about 160 years. Bill Yule's Matrons, Medics and Maladies is pleasantly formatted with boxed case histories and hand drawn caricatures of the late 19th century lifestyle. The notes of the house officers in the 1850s show … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif
Changing Trends in Operating Room Times Between Teaching and Non-Teaching Cases: Less Time for Learning?

INTRODUCTION: Attrition is a major problem in general surgery training. Roughly 1 in 5 residents quits before completion of residency, costing an estimated $150,000 per year of training. Data in other settings suggest that general wellness and a sense of belonging may reduce one’s risk of attrition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between belonging and risk of attrition among surgical residents.
Fetal thoracic duct lymph flow response to intravascular saline infusion

The left thoracic lymph duct was catheterized at the base of the neck in the sheep fetus at 123-136 days of gestation, and the lymphatic catheter was connected to a jugular vein catheter so that the lymph could return to the fetus. Lymph flow was studied 5 days after catheter implantation in the unanesthetized fetus. Basal fetal thoracic duct lymph flow rate per unit body weight averaged three times adult sheep values. After an infusion of 20 ml/kg of warmed isotonic saline into a fetal vein over 5 min, lymph flow rate increased significantly to 161 +/- 15% of control, with a peak at 8 min after termination of the infusion, and flow declined thereafter. The increased lymph volume above baseline values over 30 min averaged 5.7% of the infused volume and is similar to the adult response. Plasma and lymph protein concentrations decreased as did the lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio. The latter is opposite to what occurs in the adult under the same conditions. Thus the present study shows that even though the fetus has a much higher basal thoracic duct lymph flow rate than the adult, the responsiveness of the fetal lymphatic system to intravascularly infused saline is similar to that of the adult. The decrease in the lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio suggests that there may be differences between fetal and adult vascular-interstitial-lymphatic protein kinetics.
Visual loss after corrective surgery for pediatric scoliosis: incidence and risk factors from a nationwide database

Abstract Background Context Perioperative visual loss (POVL) after spinal deformity surgery is an uncommon but severe complication. Data on the incidence and risk factors of this complication after corrective surgery in the pediatric population are limited. Purpose The present study aimed to investigate nationwide estimates of POVL after corrective surgery for pediatric scoliosis. Study Design This is a retrospective study that uses a nationwide database. Patient Sample The sample includes 42,339 patients under the age of 18 who underwent surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Outcome Measures The outcome measures were incidence of POVL and risk factors. Methods Patients under the age of 18 who underwent elective surgery for idiopathic scoliosis between 2002 and 2011 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. The incidence of POVL (ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery occlusion, or cortical blindness) was estimated after application of discharge weights. Demographics, comorbidities, and operative parameters were compared between patients with and without visual loss. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify significant risk factors for POVL development. No funds were received in support of this work. Results The incidence of POVL was 1.6 per 1,000 procedures (0.16%). Patients with visual loss were significantly more likely to be younger and male, have Medicaid as insurance, and undergo fusion of eight or more spinal levels compared with patients without visual loss. Following multivariate analysis, older patients (odds ratio [OR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.91) and female patients (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04–0.14) were significantly less likely to develop POVL compared with younger and male patients. On the other hand, having Medicaid as insurance (OR: 2.13;95% CI: 1.32–3.45), history of deficiency anemia (OR: 8.64; 95% CI: 5.46–14.31), and fusion of eight or more spinal levels (OR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.34–4.30) were all independently associated with POVL. Conclusions In this nationwide study, the incidence of POVL after scoliosis surgery in patients under the age of 18 was estimated at 0.16%, similar to the rate reported in adult patients. Cortical blindness accounted for all cases of POVL in the present study. Younger patients, patients with history of deficiency anemia, and patients undergoing long-segment fusions may be at increased risk of POVL after corrective surgery for pediatric scoliosis.
Economic Costs Associated with Atrial Fibrillation

As the population ages, the incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to increase, resulting in significant societal and economic impact. By 2050, AF is projected to affect 15.9 million individuals in the United States. Atrial fibrillation results in a variety of adverse outcomes, including a fivefold increased risk of stroke, impaired quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased rates of hospitalization. In 2005, there were 470,000 U.S. hospitalizations secondary to AF. In 2004, over 9 million working days were lost because of AF. Costs of AF and its associated complications are enormous. In 2006, costs attributable to AF-associated stroke equaled $12 billion. In addition, $41,000 to $105,000 per patient was spent on aggregate and individual AF care. Because of its increasing prevalence, numerous complications, and large costs, AF presents a significant challenge for patients, clinicians, and health care policymakers. Finding strategies to best care for these patients will become increasingly important.
High-Power Laser Pump-Probe Experiments At The Linac Coherent Light Source

The Matter in Extreme Conditions end station at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a new tool enabling ultrafast pump-probe measurements of laser-matter interactions. This instrument combines the world’s brightest x-ray source, the LCLS x-ray beam, with high-power lasers consisting of two nanosecond Nd:glass laser beams and a 25 TW short-pulse Ti:sapphire laser. These lasers produce short-lived states of matter with high pressures, high temperatures or high densities whose properties are investigated with highly accurate x-ray measurements. Here, we report on new results using x-ray imaging, diffraction, and scattering that resolve the short-pulse laser beam propagation and heating of matter.
Diffusion, Migration and the Atomic Structure of some Grain Boundaries

The atomic structure of representative tilt boundaries in gold has been determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Characteristic and varying regions of decreased density and coordination have been identified and related to mechanisms of grain boundary diffusion and migration
Broccoli: rapid selection of an RNA mimic of green fluorescent protein by fluorescence-based selection and directed evolution.

Genetically encoded fluorescent ribonucleic acids (RNAs) have diverse applications, including imaging RNA trafficking and as a component of RNA-based sensors that exhibit fluorescence upon binding small molecules in live cells. These RNAs include the Spinach and Spinach2 aptamers, which bind and activate the fluorescence of fluorophores similar to that found in green fluorescent protein. Although additional highly fluorescent RNA–fluorophore complexes would extend the utility of this technology, the identification of novel RNA–fluorophore complexes is difficult. Current approaches select aptamers on the basis of their ability to bind fluorophores, even though fluorophore binding alone is not sufficient to activate fluorescence. Additionally, aptamers require extensive mutagenesis to efficiently fold and exhibit fluorescence in living cells. Here we describe a platform for rapid generation of highly fluorescent RNA–fluorophore complexes that are optimized for function in cells. This procedure involves sele...
Automatic enforcement of expressive security policies using enclaves

Hardware-based enclave protection mechanisms, such as Intel's SGX, ARM's TrustZone, and Apple's Secure Enclave, can protect code and data from powerful low-level attackers. In this work, we use enclaves to enforce strong application-specific information security policies. We present IMPE, a novel calculus that captures the essence of SGX-like enclave mechanisms, and show that a security-type system for IMPE can enforce expressive confidentiality policies (including erasure policies and delimited release policies) against powerful low-level attackers, including attackers that can arbitrarily corrupt non-enclave code, and, under some circumstances, corrupt enclave code. We present a translation from an expressive security-typed calculus (that is not aware of enclaves) to IMPE. The translation automatically places code and data into enclaves to enforce the security policies of the source program.
Tgfbr2 is required in osterix expressing cells for postnatal skeletal development

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is known to play an important role in early skeletal development. We previously demonstrated that loss of TGFβ receptor II (Tgfbr2) in Prx1-Cre-expressing mesenchyme results in defects in long bones, joints, and the skull vault in mice resulting from reduced naive mesenchymal proliferation and condensation that interrupted osteoblast differentiation. In contrast, others have shown that the loss of Tgfbr2 in fully differentiated mature osteoblasts results in increased bone volume. To study the role of Tgfbr2 in immature osteoblasts, we generated Osx-Cre;Tgfbr2fl/fl mice and found defects in the postnatal development of the skull vault and long bones as compared to controls. No discernible skeletal defects were observed in newborn mice; however, at postnatal day 24 (P24), Tgfbr2-deleted mice demonstrated short stature that correlated with reduced proliferation in the growth plate. X-ray and microCT analysis of long bone and skull from P24 mice showed reduced bone volume. Histomorphometry indicated reductions in osteoblast number but not osteoclast number. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated mRNA levels for the osteoblast marker, Runx2, were not altered but mRNA levels of a marker for mature osteoblasts, Bglap, were down in mutant calvaria relative to controls. The mRNA of a proliferation marker, proliferative nuclear cell antigen (PCNA), was also reduced whereas the ratio of Bax2:Bcl2 was unaltered to demonstrate no change in apoptosis. These results suggest proliferation and maturation of immature osteoblasts requires Tgfbr2 signaling and that decreased bone volume in Osx-Cre;Tgfbr2fl/fl mice is likely due to fewer mature osteoblasts.
THE POLITICS OF THE ORDER OF THINGS: FOUCAULT, SARTRE, AND DELEUZE

Foucault's histories are typically aimed at what he regarded as intolerable political consequences of knowledge-based disciplines such as psychiatry and medicine. But The Order of Things is hard to fit into this pattern. What are the intolerable political consequences of the metaphysical and epistemological “humanism” the book attacks? To answer this question, I discuss Foucault's attitude toward Sartre and Deleuze, neither mentioned in The Order of Things but both of central importance for understanding its political significance. My conclusion is that the book fails as a political critique of Sartre (and political humanism in general) and instead expresses Foucault's personal ethical preference for Deleuzian limit experiences.
Numerical approximation of the spatially homogeneous FokkerPlanckLandau equation

A numerical method is developed for the spatially homogeneous FokkerPlanckLandau (FPL) equation for the case of Coulomb collisions. The equation is put into a form so that finite difference methods for parabolic type PDEs can be applied. Through a transformation of variables the velocity space computation is reduced to a bounded domain, and finite differencing is done with a well defined, exact, boundary condition corresponding to |v| at infinity. For the discretization in time implicit differencing is used. An analysis is carried out on the discrete approximation as applied to a linear FPL equation, and for the linear equation it is proved that the numerical method is unconditionally stable and convergent. Computational work is then done that demonstrates the unconditional stability and accuracy of the numerical method for the nonlinear FPL equation.
Integrated graphene electro-optic phase modulator

We report the first experimental demonstration of a graphene electro-refractive modulator with V π L of 0.14 Vcm, and minimal absorption modulation based on graphene capacitor integrated on Si 3 N 4 with embedded high-K and high breakdown dielectric.
ANALISIS PENILAIAN KINERJA KEUANGAN MENGGUNAKAN PENERAPAN ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED. Studi Kasus: Pada PT. Binaartha Parama

This Study aims to determine the company's financial performance is studied based on the analysis of Economic value added (EVA) for the year 2011 and 2012 on PT Binaartha Parama. The method used is descriptive analysis using time series data. The data used are the financial statements of the balance sheet and income statement for the period in 2011 and 2012. The results showed that the company's financial performance in 20011 and 2012 showed the unfavorable conditions in which the company is not able to create value-added enterprises, and therefore contributes to the formation of capital investment from investors. Keywords : EVA Method, Financial Performance
Nuclear pore complex-mediated modulation of TCR signaling is required for naïve CD4 + T cell homeostasis

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are channels connecting the nucleus with the cytoplasm. We report that loss of the tissue-specific NPC component Nup210 causes a severe deficit of naive CD4+ T cells. Nup210-deficient CD4+ T lymphocytes develop normally but fail to survive in the periphery. The decreased survival results from both an impaired ability to transmit tonic T cell receptor (TCR) signals and increased levels of Fas, which sensitize Nup210-/- naive CD4+ T cells to Fas-mediated cell death. Mechanistically, Nup210 regulates these processes by modulating the expression of Cav2 (encoding Caveolin-2) and Jun at the nuclear periphery. Whereas the TCR-dependent and CD4+ T cell-specific upregulation of Cav2 is critical for proximal TCR signaling, cJun expression is required for STAT3-dependent repression of Fas. Our results uncover an unexpected role for Nup210 as a cell-intrinsic regulator of TCR signaling and T cell homeostasis and expose NPCs as key players in the adaptive immune system.
The Howard University Hospital experience with routineized HIV screening: a progress report.

The campaign can serve as a model for other healthcare institutions. On September 22, 2006, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) publication, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, was devoted to the presentation of “Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents and Pregnant Women in Health Care Settings”. This publication presented these recommendations after the CDC had undertaken an exhaustive review process aided by stakeholders at every level of involvement and concern with regards to the prevention of HIV-AIDS. In the document it was estimated that 25% of American HIV-positives, approximately 250,000 to 300,000, are unaware of their status, and are marked by higher viral loads, increased transmissibility and higher risk behavior. As a result, the number of new infections has remained relatively unchanged at 40,000 per year. Of those who test positive, 39% will carry a diagnosis of AIDS within a year (1). The CDC recommended that HIV screening in a healthcare setting should be routine for all patients aged 13–64 years, unless the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection has been documented to be below 0.1% for that setting. Verbal consent would be adequate with an opt-out policy, and prevention counseling would be optional. The assumptions were that earlier detection would decrease transmission through risk behavior modification, and decrease treatment cost by transitioning HIV-positives into care before they became symptomatic. Voluntary HIV screening should continue until it is established that the diagnostic yield is 0.1%, HIV screening is as cost effective as other established screening programs for chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension and colon and breast cancer) (3). HUH is a private, urban teaching hospital located in Washington, DC, where the rate of AIDS cases is reported to be >10 times the national average: 170/100,000 for Washington, DC vs 15/100,000 for the U.S. Ethnic minorities in urban settings disproportionately share the burden of HIV infection. The ethnic breakdown of Washington, DC, according to year 2000 census data is: white 30.8%, black 60%, and Asian 2.7% and 7.9% described as Hispanic origin, race un-classified (4). The inaugural HIV screening program was launched at HUH using a rapid oral HIV screening test on October 23, 2006. The screening program had two primary goals, [1] the identification of unknown cases of HIV infection and [2] the direction of identified patients to confirmatory testing and to care. The initial eight months experience is described here. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine recommended that HIV screening be offered to all pregnant women as a natural part of prenatal evaluation with the opportunity to refuse. This policy has been followed at HUH for some time (5).
Myelin Proteins as Mediators of Signal Transduction

Myelin is a specialized membrane that wraps multiple times around an axon and is essential for the proper conduction of action potentials. In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is produced by oligodendrocytes. Because of the difficulty in studying myelin assembly in vivo, the elaboration of the myelin sheath is poorly understood. Current knowledge of the cytoarchitecture of oligodendrocyte membrane sheets has been obtained largely by studying oligodendrocytes in culture. The focus of this review is to discuss specific signaling pathways that may play key regulatory roles in the development and maintenance of the myelin membrane sheet.
Statistical Advances in Functional Genomics

Statistics, agriculture, and genetics share a long successful pre-genomic history that is based on solid principles of experimental design and analysis of variation. In the era of ‘omics it is essential that statistical and mathematical standards, as well as guidelines for the experimental design and analysis of biological studies are upheld. The main message of this chapter recalls past statistical issues, discusses current statistical advances that pertain to understanding complex traits, and promotes ideas about both the data and statistical genomic models of the future.
Legal Asymmetry and the End of Corporate Law

Before 2007, it was generally accepted wisdom that publicly-held firms are organized as corporations, subject to the usual rules, checks and balances of traditional corporate law. The 2007 IPOs of the private equity firms Blackstone, Fortress and Och-Ziff, however, challenged this notion. While almost all publicly-held firms are organized as corporations, Blackstone, Fortress, and Och-Ziff are each organized as non-corporations-a limited partnership in the case of Blackstone and limited liability companies in the cases of Fortress and Och-Ziff. Historically, private equity has used the non-corporate form for tax reasons. Under the federal tax code, non-corporations enjoy pass-through tax treatment, avoiding tax at the entity-level that would otherwise reduce their investors' returns. Non-corporations, however, also avoid another key feature of the corporate regime: the law of fiduciary duties. Under the corporate law of Delaware, the state in which a majority of publicly-traded companies are incorporated, corporate managers owe shareholders the fiduciary duties of care, loyalty and good faith. Although Delaware's corporate statute generally provides default rules from which parties can choose to deviate, the fiduciary duties binding corporate managers are generally unwaivable. In contrast, Delaware's non-corporate statutes permit non-corporate firms to opt out of the fiduciary regime, by eliminating such duties wholesale. The 2007 IPOs, thus, highlight a curious asymmetry in the law: In both substantive and structural respects, public non-corporations can resemble their corporate counterparts. Yet, unlike corporations, non-corporations are able to avoid one of the basic precepts, and arguably most cumbersome obligations, of corporate law. Academics and practitioners have long debated the need for fiduciary duties in corporate law. This paper eschews this tired debate and argues that as a practical matter, the asymmetry between the fiduciary duties of corporate and non-corporate law today reflects nothing more than a substanceless vestige. Law and businesses have together evolved in ways that have blurred any distinctions between corporations and their non-corporate counterparts. Whatever the costs or benefits of fiduciary duties, the 2007 IPOs demonstrated that large firms and their managers seeking access to the capital of public markets now have a ready way to avoid the fiduciary duties imposed by corporate law - the non-corporate form. As a result, today, the legal asymmetry between corporations and non-corporations has been reduced to a hollow and archaic formalism - one that, if it subsists, portends an existential challenge to the continuing relevance of corporate law and the corporate form.
Bypassing a 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine lesion by human DNA polymerase eta at atomic resolution.

Oxidatively induced DNA lesions 8,5′-cyclopurine-2′-deoxynucleosides (cdPus) are prevalent and cytotoxic by impeding DNA replication and transcription. Both the 5′ R - and 5′ S -diastereomers of cdPu can be removed by nucleotide excision repair; however, the 5′ S -cdPu is more resistant to repair than the 5′ R counterpart. Here, we report the crystal structures of human polymerase (Pol) η bypassing 5′ S -8,5′-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine (cdA) in insertion and the following two extension steps. The cdA-containing DNA structures vary in response to the protein environment. Supported by the “molecular splint” of Pol η, the structure of 5′ S -cdA at 1.75-A resolution reveals that the backbone is pinched toward the minor groove and the adenine base is tilted. In the templating position, the cdA takes up the extra space usually reserved for the thymine dimer, and dTTP is efficiently incorporated by Pol η in the presence of Mn 2+ . Rigid distortions of the DNA duplex by cdA, however, prevent normal base pairing and hinder immediate primer extension by Pol η. Our results provide structural insights into the strong replication blockage effect and the mutagenic property of the cdPu lesions in cells.
Helpfulness Prediction of Online Product Reviews

The simple question "Was this review helpful to you?" increases an estimated $2.7B revenue to Amazon.com annually 1. In this paper, we propose a solution to the problem of electronic product review accumulation using helpfulness prediction. The popularity of e-commerce and online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, Yelp, and TripAdvisor are largely relying on the presence of product reviews to attract more customers. The major issue for the user submitted reviews is to quantify and evaluate the actual effectiveness by combining all the reviews under a particular product. With the varying size of reviews for each product, it is quite cumbersome for the customers to get hold of the overall helpfulness.Therefore, we propose a feature extraction technique that can quantify and measure helpfulness for each product based on user submitted reviews.
Abstract 065: Enhanced Glomerular Capillary Pressure and Tubuloglomerular Feedback (tgf) in Obese Alms1 (alstrom Syndrome 1) Knock Out Rats

The ALMS1 gene has been associated to decreased renal function (lower GFR) and hypertension in genome-wide studies humans. The role of ALMS1 in renal dysfunction is unclear. Our lab has identified ...
Short communication: Assessment of disbudding pain in dairy calves using nonlinear measures of heart rate variability

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pain-related stress caused by disbudding could be detected using nonlinear measures of heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-five female Holstein calves (4–7 wk of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) sham disbud (SHAM; n = 9), (2) disbud with lidocaine–meloxicam pain mitigation (MED; n = 8), or (3) disbud without pain mitigation (NoMED; n = 8). Heart rate variability (sample entropy, percentage determinism, percentage recurrence, or mean length of diagonal lines in a recurrence plot) was recorded on d −1, 0, 1, 3, and 5 relative to the experimental procedure, with disbudding taking place on d 0. The short-term detrended fluctuation analysis scaling exponent was greater in MED calves than in SHAM calves, indicating a greater stress response to the disbudding procedure regardless of pain mitigation. These results indicate that calves in the MED group may have experienced pain-related stress as a result of the disbudding procedure. The remaining nonlinear HRV measures did not differ by treatment. Future research on this topic should address additional potential confounding factors, such as the effect of pain-mitigating drugs on autonomic function or the influence of the autonomic nervous system on wound healing, that may prohibit HRV measurement as an indicator of disbudding pain severity.
Ferroelectret nanogenerators for loudspeaker applications: A comprehensive study

Abstract A ferroelectret nanogenerator (FENG) was recently developed as a flexible energy harvesting device with bi-directional capability between electrical and mechanical energy domains, and its use as a loudspeaker/microphone was demonstrated. Dependencies of Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) generated by FENG due to an AC voltage stimulus, surface area, geometric shape, and addition of layers are presented here. Also, the relation between the sound output to the electrical input is studied and shown to be linear, which demonstrates that these flexible loudspeakers have low distortion within the human audible range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. A study for ultrasonic frequencies up to 40 kHz is also presented. A theoretical model relating the electrical and acoustical domain of the FENG is developed based on the experimental observations made and using Boundary Element Methods (BEM) to accurately mimic the testing environment for simulation purposes. The comparison between this model and the actual behavior is presented under several cases and observed to be closely correlated.
Snow Algae Preferentially Grow on Fe-containing Minerals and Contribute to the Formation of Fe Phases

Snow algae growth and mineral dust deposition are both known to strongly decrease snow albedo. Previous work has shown snow algae growth is enhanced in the presence of trace nutrient-containing min...
Mechanisms of ATII-to-ATI Cell Differentiation during Lung Regeneration.

The alveolar epithelium consists of (ATI) and type II (ATII) cells. ATI cells cover the majority of the alveolar surface due to their thin, elongated shape and are largely responsible for barrier function and gas exchange. During lung injury, ATI cells are susceptible to injury, including cell death. Under some circumstances, ATII cells also die. To regenerate lost epithelial cells, ATII cells serve as progenitor cells. They proliferate to create new ATII cells and then differentiate into ATI cells. Regeneration of ATI cells is critical to restore normal barrier and gas exchange function. Although the signaling pathways by which ATII cells proliferate have been explored, the mechanisms of ATII-to-ATI cell differentiation have not been well studied until recently. New studies have uncovered signaling pathways that mediate ATII-to-ATI differentiation. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling inhibits ATII proliferation and promotes differentiation. Wnt/β-catenin and ETS variant transcription factor 5 (Etv5) signaling promote proliferation and inhibit differentiation. Delta-like 1 homolog (Dlk1) leads to a precisely timed inhibition of Notch signaling in later stages of alveolar repair, activating differentiation. Yes-associated protein/Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) signaling appears to promote both proliferation and differentiation. We recently identified a novel transitional cell state through which ATII cells pass as they differentiate into ATI cells, and this has been validated by others in various models of lung injury. This intermediate cell state is characterized by the activation of Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and other pathways, and some evidence suggests that TGFβ signaling induces and maintains this state. While the abovementioned signaling pathways have all been shown to be involved in ATII-to-ATI cell differentiation during lung regeneration, there is much that remains to be understood. The up- and down-stream signaling events by which these pathways are activated and by which they induce ATI cell differentiation are unknown. In addition, it is still unknown how the various mechanistic steps from each pathway interact with one another to control differentiation. Based on these recent studies that identified major signaling pathways driving ATII-to-ATI differentiation during alveolar regeneration, additional studies can be devised to understand the interaction between these pathways as they work in a coordinated manner to regulate differentiation. Moreover, the knowledge from these studies may eventually be used to develop new clinical treatments that accelerate epithelial cell regeneration in individuals with excessive lung damage, such as patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema.
4.21 – Paleoseismology

Paleoseismology is a subdiscipline of seismology that provides observational data on large earthquakes over millennial timescales through the application of geologic methods. Paleoseismic data can provide constraints on models of fault behavior, fault interaction, and tectonic processes and insights into the likely impacts of future earthquakes and the probability of extreme events. With few exceptions, earthquakes are generated by the movement of faults, so paleoseismic research is directly or indirectly a study of faults and their coseismic surface expression. Paleoearthquakes, or paleoseismic events, are recognized by detailed observations and analyses of geologic or environmental conditions within fault zones or in seismically active regions. Paleoseismic research involves identifying and cataloging paleoearthquakes through the examination of surface rupture evidence, regional coseismic deformation, and effects of ground shaking such as liquefaction or disturbance of fragile geologic features. Paleoseismic investigations also collect data on slip per earthquake, magnitude of paleoearthquakes, and fault slip rate. Recent developments in airborne and terrestrial digital imaging methods have led to improved recognition of tectonic deformation by enabling high-resolution remote imaging and analysis of fault scarps. Various geochronological methods are applied to determine the ages of paleoearthquakes and rates of fault-induced deformation. Advances in radiocarbon dating and application of Bayesian statistical methods have greatly reduced uncertainty in paleoearthquake ages. Classic models of fault behavior derived from paleoseismic data include segmentation, characteristic earthquake, and time-predictable rupture models. Improvements in the quantity and quality of paleoseismic data have allowed testing of these models on individual faults, with mixed results.
Nanofabricated Low-Voltage Gated Si Field-Ionization Arrays

We demonstrate high-density (1- $\mu \text{m}$ pitch) silicon field-ionization arrays (FIAs) with self-aligned gate apertures (350 nm in diameter) and integrated nanowire current regulators. Our FIAs achieved high field factors (>0.1 nm−1) and significantly lower ionization voltages (<100 V) than the devices with lower tip densities previously reported. Ion currents were measured in argon, deuterium, and helium at pressures from 1 to 16 mTorr. The FIAs turned on between 70 and 85 V, and the ion currents of around 0.4 nA were measured at 100 V. Higher currents of 7 nA were obtained at 147 V and 16 mTorr, but with the risk of gate damage by the ions energized in the intense gate-ionizer field. Si FIAs coated with Pt resulted in higher field factors due to sharper tips, but lower ion currents. Surface states, coupled with molecular adsorption and transport to the ionizer, are the possible mechanisms for lower voltage ionization in the uncoated Si FIAs.
Courage : It’s not all about overcoming fear

Despite being a universally desirable virtue, the meaning of courage and its behavioural components are far from settled in the scholarly literature. I begin this chapter with an overview of how courage is conceptualized in the fields of philosophy and psychology. I suggest that in both areas courage is viewed primarily as an essential quality of the individual. Borrowing from the insights of sociology of emotions and related empirical research, the bulk of the chapter then considers how courage is constructed and used in interactional contexts. Specifically, I discuss how courage is embedded in language, narratives, culture, and socialization and mediated by social structures such as gender, race, sexual orientation, and social class. Moving beyond the individualistic interpretations of courage, the chapter gives special attention to the social conditions in which actions and actors become defined as courageous and, by extension, the variations in the definition of courage across cultures and social institutions.
Pain in persons with dementia and the direct and indirect impacts on caregiver burden.

Abstract Objectives Unresolved pain is related to neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in persons living with dementia (PLWD), and an increase in NPS is distressing for PLWD and their caregivers. Hence, we examined whether pain in PLWD was related to caregiver burden and whether caregiver upset with NPS mediated this relationship. Method We examined, cross-sectionally, the relationships among pain in PLWD, caregiver burden, and upset with NPS. Data from 272 PLWD and their caregivers who participated in the Advancing Caregiver Training (ACT) trial were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results Model fit was satisfactory, and caregiver upset with NPS fully mediated the association between pain in PLWD and caregiver burden. Conclusion Caregiver upset with NPS helps explain the relationship between pain in PLWD and burden in their caregivers. Pain and NPS are amenable to modification, as is caregiver burden, suggesting great opportunity to impact the lives of PLWD and their caregivers.
Laparoscopic excision of noncommunicating uterine horn pregnancy

Video abstract summary The patient was a 29-year-old G1P0 female presenting with a live 11-week extrauterine pregnancy. Radiologic work-up with both pelvic ultrasound and MRI could not fully ascertain diagnosis. Differential diagnosis included tubal ectopic, horn pregnancy of a bicornuate uterus, interstitial pregnancy, and broad ligament pregnancy.Given this was a wanted pregnancy, intra-sac potassium chloride was not administered pre-operatively and the patient was consented for a diagnostic laparoscopy and possible removal of ectopic pregnancy. Laparoscopy revealed a large left rudimentary horn pregnancy. Our video demonstrates a stepwise approach for the excision of such pregnancies including isolation of the ureter retroperitoneally, bladder dissection, use of peritoneal landmarks to ensure safe transection of the fibrous band, and use of hemostatic techniques such as vasopressin and advanced bipolar devices. In addition, we demonstrate a simple technique for oophoropexy where we stabilize a hypermobile ovary to the round ligament pedicle using a laparoscopic ligature device.
Sleep quality: An evolutionary concept analysis.

AIM To clarify the meaning of the concept sleep quality. BACKGROUND Sleep loss and sleep quality are global health concerns. Poor sleep quality has significant adverse health outcomes. A clarification of the term is necessary to inform patients and healthcare providers, promote consistent theoretical and operational definitions in research, and develop prevention and treatment strategies. DESIGN Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES Scientific literature from electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMED, Web of Science, and JSTOR) and definitions from online dictionaries. REVIEW METHODS Rodgers' Evolutionary method was applied to guide the concept analysis to identify and determine the attributes, antecedents, and consequences. RESULTS Sleep quality is defined as an individual's self-satisfaction with all aspects of the sleep experience. Sleep quality has four attributes: sleep efficiency, sleep latency, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset. Antecedents include physiological (e.g., age, circadian rhythm, body mass index, NREM, REM), psychological (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression), and environmental factors (e.g., room temperature, television/device use), and family/social commitments. Good sleep quality has positive effects such as feeling rested, normal reflexes, and positive relationships. Poor sleep quality consequences include fatigue, irritability, daytime dysfunction, slowed responses, and increased caffeine/alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS Sleep quality is essential, and poor sleep quality contributes to disease and poor health outcomes. Given the extensive consequences of poor sleep quality, nurses and clinicians are vital in instructing the importance of good sleep.
Bureaucratic Drift, Coalitional Drift, and Time Consistency: A Comment on Macey

The remarks to follow were originally offered as comments on an earlier draft of a paper by Jonathan R. Macey. Macey's paper (1992), now considerably revised and reorganized, has paid me the compliment of taking my remarks seriously and responding to them at length. Below I reproduce my original remarks, with only minor editing, followed by an epilogue in which I comment briefly on his revised argument.
Diastolic function and new-onset atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery

Background: Numerous studies have reported predictors of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following cardiac surgery, which is associated with increased length of stay, cost of care, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between preoperative diastolic function and occurrence of new-onset POAF in patients undergoing a variety of cardiac surgeries at a single institution. Methods: Using data from a prospective study from November 2007 to January 2010, a retrospective review was conducted. The diastolic function of each patient was determined from preoperative transthoracic echocardiograms. Occurrence of new-onset POAF was prospectively noted for each patient in the original study. Demographic and operative characteristics of the study population were analyzed to determine predictors of POAF. Results: Of 223 patients, 91 (40.8%) experienced new-onset POAF. Univariate predictors of POAF included increasing age, male gender, operations involving mitral valve repair/replacement, nonsmoking, hypertension, increased intraoperative pulmonary artery pressure, grade I diastolic dysfunction, abnormal diastolic function of any grade, decreased medial e', elevated medial E/e', and increased left atrial volume. Multivariate predictors of POAF included increasing age, increased left atrial volume, and elevated initial intraoperative pulmonary artery pressure. Even after exclusion of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or those undergoing mitral valve operations, diastolic dysfunction was not a multivariate predictor of POAF. Conclusions: In the patient population studied here, preoperative diastolic dysfunction was not predictive of POAF. In addition to increasing age, initial intraoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure and left atrial volume were both significant multivariate predictors of POAF.
Pretransplant variables associated with quality of life in liver transplant recipients.

Objective: With an increasing number of liver transplant recipients living, understanding quality-of-life issues is essential. Our goal is to identify pretransplant variables associated with post-transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients. Methods: Three hundred and eight liver transplant recipients were administered the Short Form 36 and a basic demographical questionnaire. Variables associated with post-transplant quality of life were studied in a multivariate regression analysis. Interaction terms were used to examine effect modification. Results: Male gender, longer pretransplant work hours and interaction term between work hours and male gender were independently associated with Physical Functioning. Work hours positively correlated with Role-Physical, while viral hepatitis and ascites were negatively associated with Role-Physical. Ascites and viral hepatitis were independently negatively associated with Bodily Pain. Encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma and viral hepatitis were independently associated with General Health. Ascites was also negatively associated with Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, Bodily Pain, General Health and Vitality. Viral hepatitis was negatively correlated with Vitality and Mental Functioning. Conclusions: Pretransplant variables such as ascites, encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, viral hepatitis, work hours, time unable to work and gender were significantly associated with post-transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients. Interventions addressing these issues may be initiated to improve the post-transplant quality of life.