cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can nonlinguistic musical training change the way the brain processes speech? The expanded OPERA hypothesis.

A growing body of research suggests that musical training has a beneficial impact on speech processing (e.g., hearing of speech in noise and prosody perception). As this research moves forward two key questions need to be addressed: 1) Can purely instrumental musical training have such effects? 2) If so, how and why would such effects occur? The current paper offers a conceptual framework for understanding such effects based on mechanisms of neural plasticity. The expanded OPERA hypothesis proposes that when music and speech share sensory or cognitive processing mechanisms in the brain, and music places higher demands on these mechanisms than speech does, this sets the stage for musical training to enhance speech processing. When these higher demands are combined with the emotional rewards of music, the frequent repetition that musical training engenders, and the focused attention that it requires, neural plasticity is activated and makes lasting changes in brain structure and function which impact speech processing. Initial data from a new study motivated by the OPERA hypothesis is presented, focusing on the impact of musical training on speech perception in cochlear-implant users. Suggestions for the development of animal models to test OPERA are also presented, to help motivate neurophysiological studies of how auditory training using non-biological sounds can impact the brain's perceptual processing of species-specific vocalizations. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled .
Health information technology--results from a roundtable discussion.

BACKGROUND: Health information technology (HIT), notably e-prescribing and electronic health records (EHR), have the potential to improve the quality of care, reduce medication errors and adverse events, and decrease overall health care utilization and costs. However, the United States continues to lag behind other countries in the adoption and use of HIT. OBJECTIVE: To review the various issues surrounding the implementation of HIT in the United States and potential drivers that will influence the use of e-prescribing and EHR. SUMMARY: The United States has been slow to embrace HIT. However, various factors, including increasing government involvement, are speeding the implementation and use of HIT. E-prescribing and EHR are both electronic means to provide better coordination of care by enabling various health care professionals to access patient medical records. Widespread adoption of HIT can be especially helpful for the elderly, since this population tends to have more chronic conditions requiring polypharmacy. Adoption of e-prescribing can reduce medication errors due to poor handwriting, while EHR can promote better clinical outcomes, improve medication adherence and refill rates, improve member satisfaction, and lower overall health care expenditures. Unfortunately, barriers to the adoption of e-prescribing and EHR still exist, including resistance to learning new technology, initial start-up costs, delay in seeing a return on investment, lack of a standardized platform, increased administrative burden, and misaligned incentives. In an effort to promote greater adoption of e-prescribing and EHR, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid has designed several initiatives, and other private organizations are now becoming more involved to close the HIT gap. CONCLUSION: Although the United States has been slow to implement HIT, there is reason to be hopeful. Increasing involvement by the government and other organizations will facilitate the greater adoption and use of e-prescribing and EHR in the near future. Ongoing data are needed, however, to demonstrate improvements in overall patient care and reductions in health care utilization and costs. These data are necessary to remove existing barriers that may prevent widespread implementation.
Long-Term Prognosis for Children with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADD/H)

Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H) is a diagnosis used to describe children who have difficulties complying in an age-appropriate fashion with situational demands for restrained activity, sustained attention, and inhibition of impulsive responding. This disorder has generated a great deal of interest over the past several years, justified in part by the high prevalence rates (3%–15%) among schoolage children (e.g., Bosco & Robin, 1980; Sandoval, Lambert, & Sassone, 1980). Initially ADD/H was believed to be restricted to prepubescent children (e.g., Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Office of Child Development, 1971; Laufer & Denhoff, 1957; Morrison & Minkoff, 1975; Shelly & Reister, 1972). Lauf er and Denhoff (1957), for example, argued that “in later years this syndrome tends to wane spontaneously and disappear. We have not seen it persist in those patients whom we have followed to adult life” (p. 470).
A Novel Radiotracer for Imaging Monoacylglycerol Lipase in the Brain Using Positron Emission Tomography

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a serine hydrolase that hydrolyzes monoacylglycerols to glycerol and fatty acid and plays an important role in neuroinflammation. MAGL inhibitors are a class of molecules with therapeutic potential for human diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), in areas such as pain and inflammation, immunological disorders, and neurological and psychiatric conditions. Development of a noninvasive imaging probe would elucidate the distribution and functional roles of MAGL in the brain and accelerate medical research and drug discovery in this domain. Herein, we describe the synthesis and pilot rodent imaging of a novel MAGL imaging agent, [11C]SAR127303. Our imaging results demonstrate the high specificity, good selectivity, and appropriate kinetics and distribution of [11C]SAR127303, validating its utility for imaging MAGL in the brain. Our findings support the translational potential for human CNS MAGL imaging.
Reproductive organ blood flow measured using radioactive microspheres in diestrous and estrous mice

Blood flow is a primary mechanism controlling reproductive organ functions. In the present study, radioactive microsphere techniques were adapted to measure ovarian, uterine, and vaginal blood flow levels in C57BL mice. Anesthetized animals were tracheostomized and the left carotid artery was cannulated. The heart was exposed and 113Sn-labeled spheres (15 microns size, 2 microCi, 0.1 ml) were injected via the left ventricle. Reference sample was obtained by carotid artery blood "free flowing" into a tared microfuge tube for 1 min. The animal was killed, and selected tissues were excised for weighing and radioactivity measurement to determine flow. Absence of differences in flow levels (ml.min-1.g-1) to paired nonreproductive organs (adrenals and kidneys) validated the procedure. Blood flow levels were significantly higher in the ovaries, but not in the uterus and vagina of estrous mice vs. diestrous mice. Comparison of left vs. right ovaries suggested consistent blood flow distribution during diestrus. Ovarian blood flow level is enhanced during estrus and, in addition, is highly nonuniform regarding right-left flow distribution. Nonuniform ovarian blood flow distribution in estrous mice leads us to speculate that alternating right-left (i.e. nonuniform) ovulation predominates during each murine estrous cycle.
The Case of James Leininger: An American Case of the Reincarnation Type

Numerous cases of young children who report memories of previous lives have been studied over the last 50 years. Though such cases are more easily found in cultures that have a general belief in reincarnation, they occur in the West as well. This article describes the case of James Leininger, an American child who at age two began having intense nightmares of a plane crash. He then described being an American pilot who was killed when his plane was shot down by the Japanese. He gave details that included the name of an American aircraft carrier, the first and last name of a friend who was on the ship with him, and a location and other specifics about the fatal crash. His parents eventually discovered a close correspondence between James׳s statements and the death of a World War II pilot named James Huston. Documentation of James׳s statements that was made before Huston was identified includes a television interview with his parents that never aired but which the author has been able to review.
Efficient Oxygen Electroreduction: Hierarchical Porous Fe–N-doped Hollow Carbon Nanoshells

Hierarchical porous carbon nanoshells with about 40 nm cavities are synthesized by using CdS@mSiO2 core–shell structured materials as hard templates and 4,4′-bipyridine and FeCl3·6H2O as nitrogen, carbon, and iron sources. CdS@mSiO2 denotes a CdS nanoparticle core and mesoporous SiO2 (mSiO2) shell. The obtained porous and hollow carbon nanoshells demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Both the onset potential (0.98 V) and half-wave potential (0.85 V) are more positive than that of commercial Pt/C in alkaline conditions with the same catalyst loading (0.1 mg cm–2). In acidic conditions, the onset and half-wave potentials of carbon-nanoshell electrodes are only 30 and 20 mV less than that of commercial Pt/C, respectively. The outstanding stability and electrocatalytic activity for ORR of these novel carbon nanoshells can be attributed to the use of a Fe–Nx containing precursor, hierarchical porous structural features, and perhaps most importantly the hollow shel...
Editorial Response to A Decade of Experience with Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract as Prophylaxis for Infections in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: What Have We Learned?

Verhoef et al. [ 1] have reviewed the literature describing a decade of experience with selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) with use of antimicrobial agents as prophylaxis for infection in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The authors state that "the lack of recent data on the incidence, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of infections in patients in intensive care units makes it difficult to recommend routine use of selective decontamination for these
Beryllium application for spacecraft deployable solar array booms

The design and development of beryllium support booms are presented for the deployed solar arrays on geosynchronous communication satellites. The design requirements and material selection are discussed in terms of volume, constraints, stiffness, strength and weight along with a trade-off of beryllium versus graphitel epoxy. The unique characteristics of high isotrophic stiffness and low weight make beryllium ideally suited to the support of large deployable solar array appendages. The overall stiffness of the deployed array must be sufficient to maintain dynamic stability with the spacecraft attitude control systems while maintaining a minimum weight design. Special consideration is given to the cost and weight trade-off as applied to commercial satellites where the earnings per year of operation are quite high. The flight history is presented for beryllium applications on the RCA SATCOM series of communication satellites. A brief description is given of the design and fabrication details as well as the quality assurance acceptance testing of the material and the brazed assembly. Qualification of the beryllium boom assemblies is conducted at spacecraft level sine, acoustic and shock testin9 at qualification levels
Educational status of temporary migrant children in China : Determinants and regional variations

This paper examines the educational status of temporary migrant children in China, using a unique data set specifically designed to study this population across a wide range of migration destinations. The determinants of migrant children's schooling at both the micro-level (child- and family-level) and macro-level (city-level) were examined using multiple measures of schooling to provide a more complete picture. Emphasis has been placed on gender gap and city-level variations. Results show that household composition, family size and economic conditions are all strong predictors of migrant children's schooling. Based on contrasting children pairs within households using fixed-effect models, the study found no gender gap in migrant children's schooling, despite the persistent son preference in the rural areas where migrants came from. Importantly, variations across city-specific contexts are evident: migrant children in more coastal regions and in destinations with high levels of development and high concen...
Entomophthora Coronata, the Etiologic Agent of a Phycomycosis of Horses

(1961). Entomophthora Coronata, the Etiologic Agent of a Phycomycosis of Horses. Mycologia: Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 307-312.
Performance evaluation of tile-based Fisher Ratio analysis using a benchmark yeast metabolome dataset

Performance of tile-based Fisher Ratio (F-ratio) data analysis, recently developed for discovery-based studies using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS), is evaluated with a metabolomics dataset that had been previously analyzed in great detail, but while taking a brute force approach. The previously analyzed data (referred to herein as the benchmark dataset) were intracellular extracts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), either metabolizing glucose (repressed) or ethanol (derepressed), which define the two classes in the discovery-based analysis to find metabolites that are statistically different in concentration between the two classes. Beneficially, this previously analyzed dataset provides a concrete means to validate the tile-based F-ratio software. Herein, we demonstrate and validate the significant benefits of applying tile-based F-ratio analysis. The yeast metabolomics data are analyzed more rapidly in about one week versus one year for the prior studies with this dataset. Furthermore, a null distribution analysis is implemented to statistically determine an adequate F-ratio threshold, whereby the variables with F-ratio values below the threshold can be ignored as not class distinguishing, which provides the analyst with confidence when analyzing the hit table. Forty-six of the fifty-four benchmarked changing metabolites were discovered by the new methodology while consistently excluding all but one of the benchmarked nineteen false positive metabolites previously identified.
Effects of semantic context on access to words of low imageability in deep-phonological dysphasia: a treatment case study

ABSTRACTBackground: Deep dysphasia is a relatively rare subcategory of aphasia, characterised by word repetition impairment and a profound auditory-verbal short-term memory (STM) limitation. Repetition of words is better than nonwords (lexicality effect) and better for high-image than low-image words (imageability effect). Another related language impairment profile is phonological dysphasia, which includes all of the characteristics of deep dysphasia except for the occurrence of semantic errors in single word repetition. The overlap in symptoms of deep and phonological dysphasia has led to the hypothesis that they share the same root cause, impaired maintenance of activated representation of words, but that they differ in severity of that impairment, with deep dysphasia being more severe.Aims: We report a single-subject multiple baseline, multiple probe treatment study of a person who presented with a pattern of repetition that was consistent with the continuum of deep-phonological dysphasia: imageabilit...
ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF QUAKERS OF WEST FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS (1796-1860): AN ANALYSIS

The village of West Falmouth, Massachusetts was settled in the 1660s by William Gifford and other Quakers who came there to avoid persecution. They lived relatively isolated from other settlers in the region. The accounting records of Prince Gifford, Jr. (1771–1853) and Prince Gifford Moore (1812–1885), descendants of William Gifford, are still in existence. This paper provides an analysis of these records, which reflect the simplicity, frugality, honesty, and equality of early West Falmouth Quakers. Littleton's antecedents of double-entry bookkeeping are applied to explain the use of the single-entry system of accounting by West Falmouth Quakers during the same period that Philadelphia Quakers were using the double-entry system.
Imperatives are existential modals: Deriving the strong reading as an Implicature

The variety in the interpretation of Imperatives has received different accounts in the literature (Wilson & Sperber 1988, Han 2000, Schwager 2006/Kaufmann 2012, Portner 2007, Grosz 2009, Condoravdi & Lauer 2012, von Fintel & Iatridou 2015). In this paper, I argue that Imperatives involve an existential modal. I present evidence for the existential analysis of the Imperative operator from scopal ambiguities with \emph{only}. The universal reading is explained on the basis of two factors; i) lack of a scalar counterpart as opposed to overt modals (cf. Deal 2011) ii) strengthening via an Implicature derived in the presence of certain Focus Alternatives (cf. Schwager 2005, 2006, Kaufmann 2012).
An Examination of Rates, Rank, Advancement, and Salary of Women Faculty in COAMFTE-Accredited Training Programs

ABSTRACTGender distribution in relation to academic rank and salary is explored across Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredited training programs. The researchers collected faculty gender, academic rank, institution’s Carnegie Classification and program type data from 126 COAMFTE accredited programs. Findings confirmed that even though women faculty tend to be larger in number, there is a higher proportion of men faculty at higher academic ranks and within research intensive institutions. Salary data of 35 public institutions indicate that men faculty are paid 12% more than women faculty. Future research into the mechanisms that prevent women from advancement and higher pay is recommended.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited deficiency of the innate immune system caused by mutations of one of five genes encoding the subunits of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase (phox) complex. The phox deficiencies result in defective production of reactive oxygen species leading to impaired microbial killing and excessive inflammation. CGD is thus characterized by severe recurrent bacterial and fungal infections as well as hyperinflammatory complications (most prominent in the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts). Diagnostic clinical tests for CGD rely on measurement of defective superoxide O 2 − production. After verification, the disease-causing mutation should be determined in every CGD patient. Carrier testing for at-risk relatives, prenatal testing for pregnancies at risk, and prognostication then become possible. Conventional management of CGD is based on antimicrobial prophylaxis, prolonged treatment of bacterial and fungal infections after appropriate imaging and pathogen identification, and cautious use of corticosteroids for inflammatory complications. Allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with an HLA-matched donor is the only known cure for CGD and is indicated early in life in patients with no residual O 2 − production (preferably after reduced-intensity conditioning). Experimental studies of stem cell gene therapy for X-linked CGD are ongoing as salvage treatment when allo-HSCT is strongly indicated, but a suitable donor cannot be found.
Retaining the On-Line RN-to-BSN Nursing Student: Does Instructor Immediacy Matter?

Abstract Previous research has indicated that instructor immediacy is associated with student satisfaction, motivation, and improved learning outcomes. Few studies have examined instructor immediacy on retention rates and student success in the on-line setting, specifically within on-line RN-to-BSN programs. The purpose of this study is to determine if perceived instructor immediacy behaviors impact student retention rates and academic success in an on-line RN-to-BSN program in a rural central Pennsylvania university. The Student Perception Appraisal of Retention scale and an immediacy scale were administered via Internet survey to undergraduate nursing students in an on-line RN-to-BSN program. The current study found that instructor immediacy impacts both academic success and retention in an on-line RN-to-BSN program. Results of this study provide educators another tool for increasing retention and academic success. Increased levels of student success and retention as a result of instructor immediacy would provide institutions of higher education with active teaching strategies to ensure success for the RN-to-BSN on-line student resulting in improved retention and higher graduation rates.
HORMONES IN THE TREATMENT OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE: PRESENT STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract Advances in basic neuroendocrinology have led to renewed interest in the role of hormones in mental and neurological disorders. One aspect of this trend has been the use of hormones as therapeutic agents. Traditionally hormones of target gland origin have been used for this purpose; more recently attention has turned to secretions of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. In neurology certain hormones have earned a place as therapeutic agents chiefly for their antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. In psychiatry the use of hormones is more controversial. While thyroid hormones have been shown to potentiate the actions of tricyclic antidepressants in a reliable fashion, no hormone, used by itself, has yet been shown to be competitive with standard treatments. Nevertheless, a variety of hormones exert psychological effects and the description of these effects may contribute to understanding of fundamental brain processes.
Gastrointestinal microphysiological systems.

Gastrointestinal diseases are a significant health care and economic burden. Prevention and treatment of these diseases have been limited by the available human biologic models. Microphysiological systems comprise organ-specific human cultures that recapitulate many structural, biological, and functional properties of the organ in smaller scale including aspects of flow, shear stress and chemical gradients. The development of intestinal microphysiological system platforms represents a critical component in improving our understanding, prevention, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. This minireview discusses: shortcomings of classical cell culture models of the gastrointestinal tract; human intestinal enteroids as a new model and their advantages compared to cell lines; why intestinal microphysiological systems are needed; potential functional uses of intestinal microphysiological systems in areas of drug development and modeling acute and chronic diseases; and current challenges in the development...
Foraging Mode and Evolution of Strike-Induced Chemosensory Searching in Lizards

Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) in lizards and snakes is a means of relocating prey by scent-trailing. The two main components of SICS are an elevated tongue-flick rate for vomerolfactory sampling after biting prey (PETF) and searching movements. In combination, these behaviors permit scent-trailing. Prey chemical discrimination, which is a prerequisite for SICS, is present in active foragers, but not in ambush foragers. Using comparative data, I show that searching movements and SICS have undergone correlated evolution with foraging mode and with prey chemical discrimination in lizards. This suggests that active foraging selects for prey chemical discrimination, which is then employed to search for escaped prey using the typical movements and tongue-flicking behaviors of active foragers. SICS in lizards is simply heightened active foraging after biting prey. In nonvenomous snakes, SICS is similar to that in lizards but is not restricted to active foragers. Only highly venomous snakes voluntarily release dangerous prey upon envenomation, pause to let the venom incapacitate the prey, and then relocate the prey by scent-trailing. PETF was observed in two ambush foragers and is not evolutionarily correlated with foraging mode or searching movements. Because it occurs in species lacking prey chemical discrimination, such PETF may be a response to gustatory cues or to internal chemicals not encountered on surfaces or trails of uninjured prey.
Boron removal from hydraulic fracturing wastewater by aluminum and iron coagulation: Mechanisms and limitations

Abstract One promising water management strategy during hydraulic fracturing is treatment and reuse of flowback/produced water. In particular, the saline flowback water contains many of the chemicals employed for fracking, which need to be removed before possible reuse as “frac water.” This manuscript targets turbidity along with one of the additives; borate-based cross-linkers used to adjust the rheological characteristics of the frac-fluid. Alum and ferric chloride were evaluated as coagulants for clarification and boron removal from saline flowback water obtained from a well in the Eagle Ford shale. Extremely high dosages (> 9000 mg/L or 333 mM Al and 160 mM Fe) corresponding to Al/B and Fe/B mass ratios of ∼70 and molar ratios of ∼28 and 13 respectively were necessary to remove ∼80% boron. Hence, coagulation does not appear to be feasible for boron removal from high-strength waste streams. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed B O bonding on surfaces of freshly precipitated Al(OH)3(am) and Fe(OH)3(am) suggesting boron uptake was predominantly via ligand exchange. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provided direct evidence of inner-sphere boron complexation with surface hydroxyl groups on both amorphous aluminum and iron hydroxides. Only trigonal boron was detected on aluminum flocs since possible presence of tetrahedral boron was masked by severe Al O interferences. Both trigonal and tetrahedral conformation of boron complexes were identified on Fe(OH)3 surfaces.
Parallel Markov chain Monte Carlo for Bayesian dynamic item response models in educational testing

Bayesian dynamic item response models have been successfully used for educational testing data; these models are especially useful for individually varying and irregularly spaced longitudinal testing data. However, because of the complexity of the models and the large size of the data sets, computation time is excessive for carrying out full data analyses in practice. Here, we introduce a parallel Markov chain Monte Carlo method to speed the implementation of these Bayesian models. Using both simulation data and real educational testing data for reading ability, we demonstrate that computation time is greatly reduced for our parallel computing method versus full data analyses. The estimated error of our method is shown to be small, using common distance metrics. Our parallel computing approach can be used for other models in the Educational and Psychometric fields, including Bayesian item response theory models. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a new atom-based SI traceable electric-field metrology technique

We are developing a fundamentally new atom-based approach for electric (E) field metrology. This technique has the capability of becoming a new international standard for E-field measurements and calibrations. Since this new approach is based on atomic transitions of alkali atoms (mainly caesium and rubidium atoms), the probe is self-calibrating and has a capability of performing measurements over a large bandwidth (from 10's MHz to the THz range). This new approach will lead to a self-calibrated, SI traceable, E-field measurement, and has the capability to perform measurements on a fine spatial resolution in both the far-field and near-field. We will report on the development of this new metrology approach, including the first fiber-coupled vapor-cell for E-field measurements, which allows for easier and more flexible measurements. We discuss key applications, including self-calibrated measurements, millimeter-wave and sub-THz measurements, field mapping, and sub-wavelength and near-field imaging. We show results for free-space measurements of E-fields, for measuring the E-field distribution along the surface of a circuit board, and for measuring the directivity pattern of a horn antenna.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: an unusual presentation of meningitis in a returning traveller

A 19-year-old, previously healthy woman developed a pruritic erythematous maculopapular rash on her bilateral palms and wrists, right-sided tender cervical lymphadenopathy and nightly fevers and headaches 5 days after returning from a 1-month trip to Cambodia. She presented 2 weeks after her trip due to ongoing nightly fevers to a maximum of 38.8°C. She was given empiric doxycycline for possible rickettsial disease, though an extensive infectious workup returned without positive findings. Lumbar puncture was performed on hospital day 4, and spinal fluid analysis was consistent with aseptic meningitis. On hospital day 5, core biopsy and fine-needle aspiration were performed on the largest anterior cervical lymph node. Her fever curve gradually improved, and she was discharged on hospital day 6. Results of the lymph node biopsy were finalized 5 days after discharge and were compatible with Kikuchi’s lymphadenitis. Symptoms had completely resolved on follow-up with infectious disease and rheumatology.
Use of Intraoperative Computed Tomography in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Surgery.

Purpose The use of technology to aid in assessment, planning, and management of complex craniomaxillofacial injuries is increasingly common. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) evaluation is considered the standard of care, and intraoperative imaging is becoming increasingly accessible. Limited data exist regarding the implication of intraoperative CT on decision making in the management of all sites of facial fractures. The purposes of this study were to characterize the use of an intraoperative CT scanner for craniomaxillofacial surgery within our institution, to quantify the effect of intraoperative CT on surgical decision making, and to attempt to provide guidance on when to use this technology. Patients and Methods This retrospective case series characterizes the use of an intraoperative CT scanner for craniomaxillofacial trauma surgery at a level 1 trauma center in Portland, Oregon, from February 2011 to September 2016. We evaluated the following variables: the number of intraoperative CT scans performed for craniomaxillofacial surgery including the number of scans for each patient, the number of scans for each operative visit, the CT-directed revision rate (overall and for specific preoperative diagnoses), and the indication for imaging. This information was evaluated to provide guidance on appropriate use of an intraoperative scanner. Results A total of 161 patients were identified to have intraoperative facial CT scans from February 2011 to September 20, 2016, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. A total of 212 intraoperative facial CT scans were performed across 168 separate operations. The overall CT-directed revision rate was 28%. CT-directed revision rates for fracture subsites are as follows: orbital, 31%; zygomaticomaxillary complex, 24%; Le Fort I, 8%; Le Fort II and III, 23%; naso-orbital–ethmoidal, 23%; mandible, 13%; and frontal sinus, 0%. No CT-directed revisions were performed during removal of hardware, during placement of craniofacial implants, or in temporomandibular joint replacement surgery. Conclusions If available, intraoperative CT should be routinely considered in the operative management of orbital fractures and pan-facial fractures, as well as complex zygomaticomaxillary complex, Le Fort II and III, and naso-orbital–ethmoidal fractures. Consideration also should be given to the use of intraoperative CT in cases of complex mandible fractures involving severe comminution or the condylar region. Intraoperative CT should not be routinely used for the management of Le Fort I fractures or frontal sinus fractures.
SHORT AND LONG TERM RISK OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN BREAST CANCER AND LYMPHOMA PATIENTS COMPARED TO CONTROLS: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY

The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) in breast cancer (BC) and lymphoma patients compared with age, gender and comorbidity matched controls. The Rochester Epidemiology Project was utilized to retrospectively identify residents of Olmsted County
Is There a Role for Regional Anesthesia in the Obese Patient

Regional anesthesia may have potential advantages compared to general anesthesia for select surgical procedures in obese patients. Even when general anesthesia is necessary, the addition of a regional anesthesia technique for postoperative analgesia may decrease requirements for supplemental systemic analgesics and therefore reduce the incidence of opioid-induced side effects. This may be particularly beneficial in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. However, obese patients present technical challenges to the anesthesia practitioner due to unfamiliar surface anatomy and difficulty assuming positions optimal for procedural performance. Surface ultrasound is emerging as a useful tool for regional anesthesia in obese patients for pre-procedural scanning to establish the site for needle insertion and target location or for real-time needle guidance.
Comments: Illustration vs. Experimental Test

There is a Rabelaisian mood about much of what Feyerabend says. It is as if we had suddenly been freed from the constraints of a half-century of monastic positivism (or three centuries of ‘dogmatic empiricism’), and had been invited, one and all, to join in the fraternity (and sorority) of Rabelais’ Abbaye de Theleme, on whose gates is inscribed ‘Fais ce que voudras’. There is an exuberance here which is attractive on the face of it; and perhaps my reactions are those of a repressed heir of the Protestant tradition, caught in the web of a parsimonious historicism. I do not intend this simply as a colorful phrase, for all the cardinal sins against which Feyerabend inveighs are enumerated here. Whereas the explicit dogmatism and rules of faith of the past are no longer viable, Feyerabend suggests that modern dogmatism masks itself under the veil of autonomy of the sciences, of religion, of the arts. But the same end is effected: namely, the preservation of the faith and of its immunity to criticism. In short, Feyerabend argues that the cry for autonomy is in effect a cry for insularity, to protect the borders of the disciplines against alien immigration. A man’s science is his castle, so to speak. And by contrast to this demand for external democracy, among the disciplines (Chacun a son science), there is internal tyranny which brooks no opposition.
Party Organization and Leadership

After the party was inaugurated in November, 1964, the first Komeito activity was to prepare for the 1965 House of Councillors election. Six of the fifteen incumbents in the upper house (House of Councillors) had to stand for re-election, and it was decided to increase the number of candidates to fourteen. Of these fourteen, eleven were subsequently elected, increasing Komeito’s representation to twenty of the 250 seats.
Kinetics of sickle hemoglobin polymerization. I. Studies using temperature-jump and laser photolysis techniques

Using a combination of laser photolysis and temperature-jump techniques, the kinetics of hemoglobin S polymerization have been studied over a wide range of delay times (10(-3) to 10(5)s), concentrations (0.2 to 0.4 g/cm3) and temperatures (5 to 50 degrees C). A slow temperature-jump technique was used to induce polymerization in samples with delay times between 10(2) seconds and 10(5) seconds by heating a solution of completely deoxygenated hemoglobin S. For samples with shorter delay times, polymerization was induced by photodissociating the carbon monoxide complex in small volumes (10(-9) cm3) using a microspectrophotometer equipped with a cw argon ion laser. The photolysis technique is described in some detail because of its importance in studying hemoglobin S polymerization at physiological concentrations and temperatures. In order, to establish conditions for complete photodissociation with minimal laser heating, a series of control experiments on normal human hemoglobin was performed and theoretically modeled. The concentration dependence of the tenth time is found to decrease with increasing hemoglobin S concentration. In the range 0.2 to 0.3 g/cm3, the tenth time varies as the 36th power of the hemoglobin S concentration, while in the range 0.3 to 0.4 g/cm3 it decreases to 16th power. As the tenth times become shorter, the progress curves broaden, with the onset of polymerization becoming less abrupt. For tenth times greater than about 30 seconds, measurements with the laser photolysis technique on small volumes yield highly irreproducible tenth times, but superimposable progress curves, indicating stochastic behavior. The initial part of the progress curves from both temperature-jump and laser photolysis experiments is well fit with an equation for the concentration of polymerized monomer, delta (t) = A[cosh (Bt) -1], which results from integration of the linearized rate equations for the double nucleation mechanism described in the accompanying paper (Ferrone et al., 1985). The dependence of the parameters A and B on temperature and concentration is obtained from fitting over 300 progress curves. The rate B has a large concentration dependence, varying at 25 degrees C from about 10(-4) S-1 at 0.2 g/cm3 to about 100 s-1 at 0.4 g/cm3.
Skin Inflammation in Human Health and Disease: 2018 International Conference

From June 28-30, 2018, a course entitled "Skin Inflammation in Human Health and Disease: 2018 International Conference" was held in Boston, Massachusetts. In attendance were 107 physicians and scientists from 12 countries. This course was organized by Drs. Rachael Clark, John O'Malley, and Hans Widlund of the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Human Skin Disease Resource Center, Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA). The key findings reported at the meeting are summarized here.
Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Sleep

Sleep is important for cognitive ability, and perturbations of sleep are associated with a myriad of brain disorders. However, how sleep promotes health and function during wake is poorly understood. To address the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sleep, we use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model. Forward genetic approaches in flies were critical for deciphering molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock. Using similar approaches, we and others are gaining insights into the pathways that control sleep amount.
Integrating evidence-based reading practices into middle-school content instruction: exploring a facet of sustainability

Reading comprehension models are being implemented in content-area settings to boost reading achievement. Yet, little research explores how such models are incorporated into teachers’ daily instruc...
Autoimmunity in women: an eXamination of eXisting models

Women comprise over 80% of the affected individuals for many autoimmune conditions. Although sex-specific differences in sex hormones are thought to contribute to the female predisposition to autoimmunity, emerging evidence also suggests an intriguing role of both physiological and dysregulated X-chromosome inactivation. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that many immune genes encoded on the X chromosome are expressed biallelically, and the contribution of these sex-specific differences in immune gene dosage to autoimmunity remains to be fully explored. This review highlights recent developments in this field and discusses questions that remain unanswered.
On-farm welfare assessment of commercial Pekin ducks: a comparison of methods.

Abstract Although a number of welfare assessment methods have been developed for poultry, none have been evaluated for use in commercial duck farms. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and relative accuracy of 4 duck welfare assessment strategies. Over 2 experiments, 12 flocks of commercial meat ducks (5,850 to 6,300 ducks/flock) aged 30 to 34 D were evaluated. During experiment 1, six flocks were evaluated using 2 welfare assessment methods: transect walks (TW) and catch-and-inspect (CAI). During TW, 2 observers walked predetermined transects along the length of the house and recorded the number of ducks per transect that were featherless, were dirty, were lethargic, had bloody feathers, had infected eyes, and/or had plugged nostrils or were found dead. During CAI, a total of 150 ducks per flock were corralled and individually evaluated. The same welfare indicators were assessed using both methods. During experiment 2, six flocks were initially evaluated using CAI, TW, and a distance evaluation (DE; a total of 50 ducks per flock evaluated from a walking distance) and then reassessed within 24 h during the loadout (LO) process. Data were analyzed in SAS (version 9.4) to determine the observer and method effects on the incidence of welfare indicators. Interobserver reliability was high (P > 0.05) across methods for most welfare indicators. The assessment method affected the measured outcome variables in both experiments (P
The Evidence for Common Nonsurgical Modalities in Sports Medicine, Part 2: Cupping and Blood Flow Restriction.

There are a number of nonsurgical modalities used by athletes in attempts to improve performance or prevent, treat, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries. A concise review of available evidence on common nonsurgical modalities used today is necessary, so that practitioners may appropriately counsel patients. Methods A comprehensive review of relevant publications regarding cupping and blood flow restriction (BFR) from 2006 through 2019 was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Results There have been numerous investigations evaluating the efficacy of nonsurgical modalities for a myriad of musculoskeletal conditions. Cupping may be an effective option with low risk in treating nonspecific, musculoskeletal pain. Studies comparing BFR with non-BFR controls suggest that it may increase muscle strength and endurance for individuals undergoing rehabilitation or sport-specific training by mimicking the low oxygen environment during exercise. Conclusions Nonsurgical modalities are low-cost treatment strategies with rates of adverse outcomes as low as 0.008% that will likely continue to increase in popularity. Despite the paucity of recent research in cupping and BFR, evidence suggests benefits with use. High-quality studies are needed to effectively evaluate these treatments, so that care providers can provide appropriate guidance based on evidence-based medicine.
Decoding the role of CBLB for innate immune responses regulating systemic dissemination during Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria infection

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in nature, present in soil and water, and cause primary leading to disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. NTM infections are surging in recent years due to an increase in an immune-suppressed population, medical interventions, and patients with underlying lung diseases. Host regulators of innate immune responses, frontiers for controlling infections and dissemination, are poorly defined during NTM infections. Here, we describe the role of CBLB, an E3-ubiquitin ligase, for innate immune responses and disease progression in a mouse model of NTM infection under compromised T-cell immunity. We found that CBLB thwarted NTM growth and dissemination in a time- and infection route- dependent manner. Mechanistically, we uncovered defects in many innate immune cells in the absence of Cblb, including poor responses of NK cells, inflammatory monocytes, and conventional dendritic cells. Strikingly, Cblb-deficient macrophages were competent to control NTM growth in vitro. Histopathology suggested the lack of early formation of granulomatous inflammation in the absence of CBLB. Collectively, CBLB is essential to mount productive innate immune responses and help prevent the dissemination during an NTM infection under T-cell deficiency.
Ovarian Stimulation Using Oral Therapy Protocols for the Ovulatory Patient Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination

The use of clomiphene or letrozole in ovulatory women undergoing intrauterine insemination is more effective than expectant management, natural cycle-IUI, or oral SO-timed intercourse. Clomiphene or letrozole with IUI is modestly effective and relatively inexpensive treatment with demonstrated safety. The risk with the most impact is multiple gestations. Randomized controlled trials comparing all available treatment options for unexplained infertility, in particular, are needed in order to better counsel patients on the success of treatment while taking into account the time, cost, and side effects.
Academic Relative Value Units: A Proposal for Faculty Development in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Purpose The Resource-based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) designates quantitative values to clinical health care services to identify the relative work and cost of these services. Each clinical service translates to relative value units (RVUs). Clinical RVUs describe clinician work effort to guide employed clinician salaries in academic medical centers. The development of an academic RVU (aRVU) system also seems reasonable to establish and assess the quantity and quality of academic effort of members of our specialty that supports resident and student achievement. Materials and Methods The 1998 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Mission-based Management (MBM) Program was assessed and adapted in creating an aRVU system. This aRVU system is hypothesized to guide oral and maxillofacial surgery faculty in advancing their missions of didactic and interactive teaching, production and dissemination of scholarly activity, performance of basic science and translational research, and participation in administrative service to academic medical centers. Results A logic model was constructed to create and support the aRVU equation as a proposal for faculty development in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Numerous potential barriers exist to the implementation of this proposal, including those related to legacy and generational issues in academic medical centers. Conclusion The proposed aRVU system provides quantitative metrics for recognition of faculty development in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This system is based on strategic planning and allocation of effort sessions, and therefore, reflects mutually agreed upon faculty/department chair interests and goals. Annual performance evaluations of oral and maxillofacial surgery faculty can be based on aRVU accumulation.
Hormonal regulation of microRNA expression dynamics in the gut of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti.

The yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is an obligatory blood feeder and a major arboviral disease vector, evoking severe public health concerns worldwide. In adult female mosquitoes, the gut is c...
Survival benefit of nephrectomy prior to immunotherapy-based combinations in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: An FDA pooled analysis.

4516Background: Immunotherapy-based combination therapies (IO-X) are standard of care for metastatic RCC (mRCC) in the frontline setting. Limited data is available on the role of cytoreductive neph...