cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence Screening Practices in California After Passage of the Affordable Care Act

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance coverage should include screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present self-reported IPV screening practices and provider confidence from a post-ACA cross-sectional survey of 137 primary care clinicians in California. Only 14% of the providers reported always screening female patients for IPV and about one third seemed never to screen. Female providers were more likely to screen and use recommended direct questioning. Most providers lacked confidence in screening, referral, and record-keeping. Serving a low-income population predicted more frequent screening and better record-keeping. Overall, IPV screening in primary care was inadequate and needs attention.
The connection between pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: research session at the American Thoracic Society 2016 Meeting.

While many patients recover completely after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), some go on to develop serious cardiopulmonary disabilities (1). PE that fails to resolve can be remodeled into progressive intravascular scars that cause persistent lung perfusion defects, which some have called chronic thromboembolic disease. In severe cases, the scars progress and cause a widespread increase in pulmonary artery resistance, or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A research session convened at the American Thoracic Society 2016 in San Francisco to explore the biological links between acute PE, persistent perfusion defects and CTEPH (“From PE to CTEPH: Fade Away Or Not?”). The provocative findings presented by several research groups suggest that several distinct mechanisms may have roles in the progression from acute thrombosis to pulmonary vascular scarring
Decreased snake venom metalloproteinase effects via inhibition of enzyme and modification of fibrinogen.

Since the introduction of antivenom administration 120 years ago to treat venomous snake bit, it has been the gold standard for saving life and limb. However, this therapeutic approach is not always effective and not without potential life-threatening side effects. We tested a new paradigm to abrogate the plasmatic anticoagulant effects of fibrinogenolytic snake venom metalloproteinases by modification of fibrinogen with iron and carbon monoxide and by inhibiting these Zn(2+) dependent metalloproteinases directly with carbon monoxide exposure. Assessment of the fibrinogenolytic effects of venoms collected from Puff adder, Gaboon viper and Indian cobra snakes on plasmatic coagulation kinetics was performed with thrombelastography. Pretreatment of plasma with iron and carbon monoxide exposure markedly attenuated the effects of all three venoms, and direct pretreatment of each venom with carbon monoxide also significantly decreased the ability to compromise coagulation. These results demonstrated that the introduction of a transition metal (e.g., modulation of the α-chain of fibrinogen with iron), modulation of transition metal in heme (e.g., carbon monoxide modulation of fibrinogen-bound heme iron), and direct inhibition of transition metal containing venom enzymes (e.g., CO binding to Zn(2+) or displacing Zn(2+) from the catalytic site) significantly decreased fibrinogenolytic activity. This biometal modulation strategy to attenuate the anticoagulant effects of snake venom metalloproteinases could potentially diminish hemostatic injury in envenomed patients until antivenom can be administered.
12-(S)-HETE Induces Cytoskeleton Phosphorylations and Rearrangement in Melanoma Cells

Lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) are responsible for alterations in membrane receptor expression, regulated secretion of cellular products as well as in cell motility (1). These alterations involve extensive cytoskeletal rearrangements as translocations of cytoplasmic proteins stored in transport-organelles are mediated by microtubules or microfilaments (2,3). Intermediate filaments are considered as structural components of the cytoskeleton without active involvement in cytoskeletal rearrangement (4). The levels of phosphorylation of individual cytoskeletal proteins affect their conformation and interaction with other cytoskeletal proteins (s). Therefore kinases (PTK, PKC, PKA or MLCK) play an important role. 12-(S)-HETE was shown to induce cytoskeleton-dependent integrin upregulation in tumor cells (6,7) resulting in an increased matrix adhesion as well as in endothelial cell retraction (8). More recently it was reported that 12-(S)-HETE induces PKC activation and translocation to the plasma membrane (9). Here we provide morphological and biochemical evidences for the effect of 12-(S)-HETE on the tumor cell cytoskeleton.
Donor life stage influences juvenile American eel Anguilla rostrata attraction to conspecific chemical cues.

The present study investigated the potential role of conspecific chemical cues in inland juvenile American eel Anguilla rostrata migrations by assessing glass eel and 1 year old elver affinities to elver washings, and elver affinity to adult yellow eel washings. In two-choice maze assays, glass eels were attracted to elver washings, but elvers were neither attracted to nor repulsed by multiple concentrations of elver washings or to yellow eel washings. These results suggest that A. rostrata responses to chemical cues may be life-stage dependent and that glass eels moving inland may use the odour of the previous year class as information to guide migration. The role of chemical cues and olfaction in eel migrations warrants further investigation as a potential restoration tool.
The Protective Effects of Family Support on the Relationship Between Official Intervention and General Delinquency Across the Life Course

Previous research on the labeling perspective has identified mediational processes and the long-term effects of official intervention in the life course. However, it is not yet clear what factors may moderate the relationship between labeling and subsequent offending. The current study integrates Cullen’s (Justice Q 11:527–559, 1994) social support theory to examine how family social support conditions the criminogenic, stigmatizing effects of official intervention on delinquency and whether such protective effects vary by developmental stage. Using longitudinal data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, we estimated negative binomial regression models to investigate the relationships between police arrest, family social support, and criminal offending during both adolescence and young adulthood. Police arrest is a significant predictor of self-reported delinquency in both the adolescent and adult models. Expressive family support exhibits main effects in the adolescent models; instrumental family support exhibits main effects at both developmental stages. Additionally, instrumental family support diminishes some of the predicted adverse effects of official intervention in adulthood. Perception of family support can be critical in reducing general delinquency as well as buffering against the adverse effects of official intervention on subsequent offending. Policies and programs that work with families subsequent to a criminal justice intervention should emphasize the importance of providing a supportive environment for those who are labeled.
Bovine Embryo: Development, Cloning, Sexing and Transfer of Genes

Recent technological advancements in biology including the use of immunological tools have relevance to the livestock industry. These technologies are in support of and expected to contribute most importantly to the cattle artificial breeding and embryo transfer industries. At present nearly 70% of 11 million U.S. dairy cows are mated by artificial insemination. Genetic improvement in dairy cattle through artificial insemination has resulted in a doubling of milk production per cow over the past 30 years. Little progress has been made in genetic improvement by selection of offspring from superior females because a cow produces relatively few calves per year or in a lifetime. To multiply the progeny from an outstanding female or mating, a commercial embryo transfer industry has developed. This industry last year performed approximately 100,000 transfers in the USA and 200,000 in the world of which approximately 25% were with frozen embryos. Its present armament of technologies include the ability to superovulate cows, collect and transfer embryos nonsurgically, store embryos frozen and divide each embryo into two viable embryos. At present 20–30 calves can be produced from one valuable donor cow/year by use of embryo transfer.
Locke’s arguments against the freedom to will

ABSTRACTIn sections 2.21.23–25 of An Essay concerning Human Understanding, John Locke considers and rejects two ways in which we might be ‘free to will’, which correspond to the Thomistic distinction between freedom of exercise and freedom of specification. In this paper, I examine Locke’s arguments in detail. In the first part, I argue for a non-developmental reading of Locke’s argument against freedom of exercise. Locke’s view throughout all five editions of the Essay is that we do not possess freedom of exercise (at least in most cases). In the second part, I argue that, when Locke asks whether we possess freedom of specification, his question is intentionally ambiguous between two readings, a first-order reading and a higher-order reading. Locke’s view is that, on either reading, we do not possess freedom of specification (at least in any interesting sense).
DYNAMICAL METEOROLOGY | Static Stability

Static stability is a property of the vertical thermal stratification of the atmosphere which acts through gravitational buoyancy forces to suppress vertical motions. Although it is defined locally, it influences all scales of motion and helps to control the weather systems and climate of the Earth. Small-scale turbulence, mesoscale motions, mountain influences, and large-scale atmospheric wind systems are all influenced by static stability.
The Sigma-1 Receptor-A Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of ALS?

The membrane bound 223 amino acid Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R) serves as a molecular chaperone and functional regulator of many signaling proteins. Spinal cord motor neuron activation occurs, in part, via large ventral horn cholinergic synapses called C-boutons/C-terminals. Chronic excitation of motor neurons and alterations in C-terminals has been associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ). The S1R has an important role in regulating motor neuron function. High levels of the S1R are localized in postsynaptic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) subsurface cisternae within 10–20 nm of the plasma membrane that contain muscarinic type 2 acetylcholine receptors (M2AChR), calcium activated potassium channels (Kv2.1) and slow potassium (SK) channels. An increase in action potentials in the S1R KO mouse motor neurons indicates a critical role for the S1R as a “brake” on motor neuron function possibly via calcium dependent hyperpolarization mechanisms involving the aforementioned potassium channels. The longevity of SOD-1/S1R KO ALS mice is significantly reduced compared to SOD-1/WT ALS controls. The S1R colocalizes in C-terminals with Indole(ethyl)amine-N-methyl transferase (INMT ), the enzyme that produces the S1R agonist , N,N′- dimethyltryptamine (DMT). INMT methylation can additionally neutralize endogenous toxic sulfur and selenium derivatives thus providing functional synergism with DMT to reduce oxidative stress in motor neurons . Small molecule activation of the S1R and INMT thus provides a possible therapeutic strategy to treat ALS .
Oxygenation Saturation Index Predicts Clinical Outcomes in ARDS.

Background Traditional measures of ARDS severity such as Pao2/Fio2 may not reliably predict clinical outcomes. The oxygenation index (OI [Fio2 × mean airway pressure × 100)/Pao2]) may more accurately reflect ARDS severity but requires arterial blood gas measurement. We hypothesized that the oxygenation saturation index (OSI [Fio2 × mean airway pressure × 100)/oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (Spo2)]) is a reliable noninvasive surrogate for the OI that is associated with hospital mortality and ventilator-free days (VFDs) in patients with ARDS. Methods Critically ill patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study were eligible if they developed ARDS (Berlin criteria) during the first 4 ICU days and had mean airway pressure, Spo2/Fio2, and Pao2/Fio2 values recorded on the first day of ARDS (N = 329). The highest mean airway pressure and lowest Spo2/Fio2 and Pao2/Fio2 values were used to calculate OI and OSI. The association between OI or OSI and hospital mortality or VFD was analyzed by using logistic regression and linear regression, respectively. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for mortality was compared among OI, OSI, Spo2/Fio2, Pao2/Fio2, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Results OI and OSI were strongly correlated (rho = 0.862; P Conclusions In patients with ARDS, the OSI was correlated with the OI. The OSI on the day of ARDS diagnosis was significantly associated with increased mortality and fewer VFDs. The findings suggest that OSI is a reliable surrogate for OI that can noninvasively provide prognostic information and assessment of ARDS severity.
Comparing Methods for Assessing the English Grammatical Development of Spanish-Speaking English Learners

Identifying valid and informative approaches for assessing young English learners (ELs) is essential for school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The present paper focuses on two distinct ...
Desizing of PVA sized pet/cotton fabrics with atmospheric pressure plasma

Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment was evaluated as a desizing aid for the removal of polyvinyl alcohol from polyester/cotton fabric. The effect of plasma gas mixture and plasma duration was examined using helium gas with fractions of oxygen and carbon tetrafluoride, and for plasma exposures ranging from 0.5–10 min. The percent desizing was measured for samples exposed only to plasma, and for samples subsequently washed in hot or cold water for 2–30 min. Plasma treatment increased desizing of samples washed in cold water, but complete desizing was unattainable. Hot water removed almost all size, regardless of plasma treatment. However, for cold water washes at short durations, greater desizing was achieved for samples treated with helium/carbon tetrafluoride plasma than for a control. Tensile testing demonstrated no loss in tensile or elongation properties due to plasma treatment, and dye absorption was not adversely affected.
Building a Special Collection of Children’s Literature in Your Library: Identifying, Maintaining and Sharing Rare or Collectible Items

Building a Special Collection of Children’s Literature in Your Library fills a gap in the literature. While works such as Jones’ Special Collection in Children’s Literature: An International Direct...
FaRSA for ℓ1-regularized convex optimization: local convergence and numerical experience

FaRSA is a new method for minimizing the sum of a differentiable convex function and an -norm regularizer. The main features of the method include: (i) an evolving set of indices corresponding to v...
Assessing Mortality Models in Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

The gender, age, and lung physiology (GAP) model, interstitial lung diseases—GAP (ILD-GAP) model, and the smoking history, age, and diffusion capacity of the lung (SADL) model were compared using a systemic sclerosis-ILD (SSc-ILD) cohort to evaluate which best determined prognosis. The models were applied to a cohort of 179 patients with SSc seen at a tertiary care center within 1 year of ILD diagnosis. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and mortality were recorded. The performance of the models was assessed using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of observed versus predicted outcomes for calibration and concordance (c)-statistics for discrimination. SSc-ILD patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (31, 17%) had a higher mortality than those with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (147, 83%) (hazard ratio 2.27; 95%CI 1.03–4.97). All 3 models had comparable discrimination (c = 0.72, 0.72, and 0.71, respectively). Regarding calibration, the ILD-GAP model underestimated mortality (SMR 1.50; 95%CI 1.05–2.14). Calibration was acceptable for SADL (SMR 1.00; 95%CI 0.70–1.44) and GAP (SMR 0.90; 95%CI 0.63–1.29). The SADL model underestimated mortality in Stage I ILD. The ILD-GAP model underestimated mortality, and the SADL model underestimated mortality in certain subgroups. However, the GAP model performed well in this cohort, providing the best prognostic information for SSc-ILD.
Possibility of Excitonic Superconductivity

The purpose of this talk is to review the present status of the theory of the possibility of getting an effective attraction between electrons by means of virtual electronic excitation in such a way as to enhance the phonon contribution and thus the superconducting transition temperature, Tc. This is an old idea that has been discussed for many years by Little, Ginzburg and others, but as yet there is no experimental evidence that it actually occurs. Two or three years ago, A1lender, Bray and I (ABB) [1] proposed a study of a single interface between a very thin metallic film on a semiconductor substrate. The purpose was to try to observe the effect under rather ideal conditions, not to get a high Tc. If an effect were observed, one could possibly make use of the excitonic mechanism in composite materials which have very thin alternating layers of metal and semiconductor. In suitable metals, there may be an intrinsic low-lying electronic excitation that could be used.
Oxidation Kinetics of Si in Dry CO2

Oxidation kinetics of p-type (100) silicon in 1 atm dry carbon dioxide-carbon monoxide-argon gas mixture were examined using thermogravimetry. The kinetics follow the parallel diffusion model originally proposed by Han et al. for oxidation in dry oxygen. The oxidation rates are governed by only the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and they are independent of the partial pressures of carbon monoxide and oxygen. The possible reaction mechanism is proposed, where the dominant diffusion species and less dominant species are the interstitial oxygen molecule and oxygen vacancy.
Serotonin in Medial Hypothalamic Nuclei Controls Circadian Patterns of Macronutrient Intake

Brain serotonin (5-HT) is known to have an inhibitory effect on feeding behavior. Recent pharmacological studies have characterized more precisely the nature of this effect, identified the brain sites and receptors involved, and defined a possible physiological role of endogenous 5-HT in controlling natural patterns of eating and nutrient selection. The medial hypothalamus is found to be a critical brain area in the mediation of 5-HT’s action. This includes the paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei, which are known to be involved in controlling energy balance, in addition to the suprachiasmatic nucleus which determines circadian patterns of eating. Serotonergic stimulation of these nuclei, with exogenous 5-HT or drugs that release endogenous 5-HT, preferentially reduces carbohydrate intake in naturally feeding animals, specifically through satiety mechanisms involved in the termination of feeding. This phenomenon is mediated by 5-HT1B and possibly 5-HT1c receptors, in contrast to 5-HT1A autoreceptors which potentiate feeding possibly through inhibition of 5-HT release. The activity of serotonergic function in the medial hypothalamus exhibits a circadian rhythm, possibly controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This rhythm is characterized by a peak at the beginning of the active cycle, when motivation to eat is strongest and is triggered by deficits in energy stores. At this time, carbohydrate is found to be the naturally preferred macronutrient, and it is suggested that 5=HT becomes most activated under these conditions to terminate the carbohydrate=rich meal, possibly by activating “satiety” neurons localized in the medial hypothalamus. In this process, 5-HT may interact antagonistically with norepinephrine and its α2-noradrenergic receptors that normally function to enhance carbohydrate intake at onset of the feeding cycle. Moreover, while inducing satiety for carbohydrate, 5=HT may additionally play a role in switching the animal’s preference towards protein. This macronutrient is regulated in close relationship to carbohydrate and is normally preferred in the second meal of the natural feeding cycle. Pharmacological and biochemical evidence in humans is in general agreement with this proposal and suggests that disturbances in brain 5-HT may mediate certain symptoms of eating disorders.
Characterization of 3-Dimenthysulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and its Analogs with Mass Spectrometry

Identification of 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) most often relies upon indirect methods, such as gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) released after treatment with base. Conventional electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS) has traditionally not played a major role in the direct characterization of tertiary sulfonium compounds, such as DMSP, because of the low inherent volatility of these molecules. The development of desorption/ionization MS techniques, which do not require the sample to be introduced in the gas phase, has permitted DMSP and its analogs to be analyzed directly by mass spectrometry. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, introduced in the early 1980’s, is a simple technique that provides ions representative of the intact molecule with little fragmentation. With stable isotope labeled analogs as internal standards, we have used FAB-MS to routinely identify and quantify DMSP levels in a variety of plant tissues. FAB-MS has also been employed recently to characterize synthetic potential precursors of DMSP and to follow isotope incorporation patterns in biosynthetic studies. Other alternative ionization techniques, including plasma desorption and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry have also shown some promise for the characterization of DMSP. Recently, a new approach based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed to analyze DMSP and its analogs. The carboxyl group is first protected by t-butyldi-methysilylation, and after co-injection of the derivatized sample with a catalyst, a nucleophile-assisted on-column demethylation step converts nonvolatile tertiary sulfonium compounds to their volatile S-methyl analogs. The GC-MS method has an advantage over direct MS analysis, since retention times and mass spectral data provide two dimensional characterization. Further, this method is particularly suitable for mixture analysis and the required instrumentation is widely available.
The impact of obesity on cardiac surgery outcomes.

BACKGROUND A survival benefit for obese patients has been observed in various medical and surgical populations. We examined the effect of obesity on outcomes after cardiac surgery from a large national database. METHODS A total of 6 648 334 adult patients were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample who underwent cardiac surgery between 1998 and 2011, of who 598 450 were obese. Multivariable regression analysis and propensity score matching were used for comparisons of outcomes and costs. RESULTS In-hospital mortality was 2.0% for obese patients versus 2.3% for non-obese patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84, 0.94). Obese patients were at increased risk for acute renal failure (OR, 1.20; CI, 1.16, 1.23) and wound infection (OR, 1.29; CI, 1.18, 1.40), but less likely to require blood transfusion (OR, 0.96; CI, 0.94, 0.98). Mean length of stay was the same (8.7 days), with greater mean total charges for obese patients ($103 645 vs $101 763, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Obesity is associated with lower in-hospital mortality rates, but a higher incidence of acute renal failure and wound infections.
Social Determinants of Health Curriculum Integrated Into a Core Emergency Medicine Clerkship.

Introduction Demand that health centers address health inequities has led medical schools to emphasize social determinants of health (SDH). The Emergency Department often serves as first (or sole) ...
Explanations and Implications of Diminishing Intervention Impacts Across Time

Abstract Early academic interventions that boost children's school readiness often show smaller or no discernible differences between treatment and control children in the years following the end of treatment. This pattern of declining impacts has important implications for theories of children's mathematical development. In particular, patterns of fadeout can be used to estimate the relative sizes of the effects of prior knowledge and other factors in producing differential stability in children's mathematics achievement across development. Further, the pervasiveness of fadeout implies the need to reconsider research design and statistical analysis in research on children's mathematical cognition. Especially needed are long follow-up assessment intervals in some experimental research and comparisons of estimates from nonexperimental longitudinal research on mathematical cognition with experimental impacts. Finally, fadeout deserves careful consideration by those attempting to translate research on mathematical cognition into interventions intended to produce positive effects on children's long-term mathematics achievement.
Personal vs. Social Utilitarianism

Yet another illustration of this circumstance is afforded by noting how the tradition objections to utilitarianism can be dissolved by shifting the level of consideration from the personal to the social plane.
Patient Selection After Mandatory Bundled Payments for Hip and Knee Replacement: Limited Evidence of Lemon-Dropping or Cherry-Picking.

BACKGROUND On April 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced bundled-payment programs for hip replacement and knee replacement (HKR) in selected metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) to decrease the costs and cost variability of HKR and to increase the quality of care. Early program analyses showed cost savings; however, studies also demonstrated a trend toward the selection of healthier patients for HKR performed under the bundled system. We compared the characteristics of patients who underwent HKR before implementation of the bundled-payment system (pre-policy) with those of patients who underwent HKR after implementation (post-policy). METHODS Patients who underwent HKR from 2015 to 2016 were identified from Medicare inpatient claims files. After matching for MSA characteristics, we used a difference-in-difference design to evaluate changes in patient case mix from pre-policy to post-policy by comparing Medicare beneficiaries receiving HKR in bundled MSAs (bMSAs) with those receiving HKR in non-bundled MSAs (nbMSAs). The main characteristics of interest were race, dual eligibility (for Medicare and Medicaid), tobacco use, obesity, presence of diabetes with or without complications, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) value. We also evaluated pre-policy to post-policy changes in patient case mix by comparing Medicare beneficiaries in bMSAs who underwent HKR compared with those who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty. Hip hemiarthroplasty was used as a control to determine whether there were changes in access to HKR. RESULTS We found significant differences in the unadjusted baseline characteristics between the bMSA and nbMSA cohorts, both for unmatched and matched samples. We found no significant post-policy changes in the characteristics of patients undergoing HKR. Patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty had significantly higher CCI values than did those undergoing HKR in bMSAs post-policy, although the difference was small (0.36-point higher CCI value; p < 0.01). Patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty were also 2.4% more likely to have diabetes mellitus without complications compared with those who underwent HRK post-policy (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previous investigators, we found little to no significant change in the characteristics (including race, dual eligibility, tobacco use, obesity, presence of diabetes with or without complications, and CCI value) of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent HKR after the initiation of the CMS mandatory bundled-payment policy.
Development of a Suitability Review Process for High-Risk Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Candidates

Introduction One-year survival outcomes for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) at an Academic Medical Center's Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) program fell outside the risk-adjusted outcomes model developed by the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR)[1]. Suitability Review was designed in order to evaluate potential allogeneic HCT recipients deemed high-risk based on CIBMTR survival statistics. Methods Center-specific results were used in order to recognize variables identified as clinically significant for allogeneic HCT patients in relation to one-year survival outcomes[1]. Recipients were presented for formal discussion in Suitability Review with the following criteria: • Relapsed/refractory lymphoma, regardless of age • Co-morbidity index (CI) (Sorror Score) >/= 8, regardless of age • Age >/= 65, regardless of CI or diagnosis • Significant clinical decline, disease progression, or prolonged hospitalization within 21 days of HCT preparative regimen Predicted patient one-year survival probability estimate was calculated using the CIBMTR survival calculator tool[2]. Cases were presented to Academic Medical Center's BMT Medical Director and transplant provider team by patient's primary transplant physician. Potential recipients were deemed eligible, ineligible or deferred. The review process was documented in the center's electronic transplant database. Results One-year survival for high-risk HCT patients that proceeded to transplant after suitability review was 58%. Expected survivals for this patient populated would be less than 35% based on CIBMTR survival statistics. Conclusion Allogeneic HCT remains a potential curative treatment option for high-risk HCT patients. Suitability Review continues to be modified to reflect advances in treatment options while still providing exceptional care to complicated patients with advanced disease and significant co-morbidities.
Executive function phenotypes in pediatric obesity.

Objective To comprehensively examine the behavioral phenotypes of children with and without executive function (EF) impairments in a clinical sample of youth with obesity. Methods Youth aged 8 to 17 years (Mean age = 12.97) attending a medical clinic for obesity and their caregivers (N = 195 dyads) completed a battery of behavioral questionnaires. Caregiver-proxy report of EF was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Latent Class Analysis was conducted to identify EF groupings. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were conducted to examine associations between EF groups and behavioral phenotypes. Results Four latent classes of EF impairment were identified (No/Low Impairment; Behavioral Regulation Impairment; Metacognition Impairment; Global Impairment). There was an overall positive pattern of associations between these EF groups and behavioral/emotional symptoms, such that behavioral/emotional symptoms tended to increase with EF impairment. Conclusions Children with obesity and EF impairment demonstrate a dysregulated behavioral phenotype ranging from internalizing to externalizing behavioral and weight-related symptoms. This phenotype framework may be clinically beneficial for utilizing screening/assessment results to develop, tailor, and/or match treatment approaches in pediatric obesity.
Anatomy and Physiology for the Emergency Provider

This chapter will discuss different ways to view the body, the standardized terms for describing placement in and on the body, and describing the body’s position.
Predicting Self-Rated Health Across the Life Course: Health Equity Insights from Machine Learning Models

Self-rated health is a strong predictor of mortality and morbidity. Machine learning techniques may provide insights into which of the multifaceted contributors to self-rated health are key drivers in diverse groups. We used machine learning algorithms to predict self-rated health in diverse groups in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), to understand how machine learning algorithms might be used explicitly to examine drivers of self-rated health in diverse populations. We applied three common machine learning algorithms to predict self-rated health in the 2017 BRFSS survey, stratified by age, race/ethnicity, and sex. We replicated our process in the 2016 BRFSS survey. We analyzed data from 449,492 adult participants of the 2017 BRFSS survey. We examined area under the curve (AUC) statistics to examine model fit within each group. We used traditional logistic regression to predict self-rated health associated with features identified by machine learning models. Each algorithm, regularized logistic regression (AUC: 0.81), random forest (AUC: 0.80), and support vector machine (AUC: 0.81), provided good model fit in the BRFSS. Predictors of self-rated health were similar by sex and race/ethnicity but differed by age. Socioeconomic features were prominent predictors of self-rated health in mid-life age groups. Income [OR: 1.70 (95% CI: 1.62–1.80)], education [OR: 2.02 (95% CI: 1.89, 2.16)], physical activity [OR: 1.52 (95% CI: 1.46–1.58)], depression [OR: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.63–0.68)], difficulty concentrating [OR: 0.62 (95% CI: 0.58–0.66)], and hypertension [OR: 0.59 (95% CI: 0.57–0.61)] all predicted the odds of excellent or very good self-rated health. Our analysis of BRFSS data show social determinants of health are prominent predictors of self-rated health in mid-life. Our work may demonstrate promising practices for using machine learning to advance health equity.
66. Vacutainer Tube Alternative Vaginoscopy Technique in a Prepubertal Female: A Case Report

Background Vaginoscopy is a recommended procedure for multiple indications in the pediatric and adolescent gynecology population. The use of a small sterile tube for circumferential tissue visualization with a fiberoptic scope is used for anoscopy, and has not been suggested as a technique for vaginal tissue visualization during pediatric vaginoscopy. Case A 5-year-old female presented to the emergency room with vaginal bleeding from a vulvar straddle injury caused by a fall onto a metal trampoline spring. She was brought to the operating room where a deep laceration at the posterior fourchette to the rectal capsule was repaired surgically. Routine vaginoscopy was attempted by hysteroscope-instilled saline, but adequate vaginal distension was not obtained despite trouble-shooting the equipment. A modified technique using a sterile glass tube was suggested by pediatric surgery colleagues which had been similarly applied in an adapted anoscopy approach by their team. A lavender top vacutainer tube was carefully placed into the vagina after removing the rubber top. The glass tube was secured with one of the operator's hands while the hysteroscope was placed into the tube to the apex. While slowly withdrawing the scope, the cervix and entire circumferential vaginal canal was able to be visualized completely. No distension media was required. No additional lesions, sources of bleeding or lacerations were found. The procedure was completed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital post-operatively without complications. Comments In the above described case, routine vaginoscopy during exam under anesthesia was indicated for full evaluation after a penetrating straddle injury. Although many techniques have been described for this simple procedure, functional cystoscope or hysteroscope equipment is required which may produce technical challenges if being performed during an emergent surgery. A clear plastic tube placed in the rectum is used in pediatric anoscopy, but the use of a glass specimen tube inserted partly into the rectum is an available inexpensive modification. The vaginal length in prepubertal girls measures 4 to 5 cm, and increases to 8 cm in length in the peri-menarchal period. A vacutainer or glass specimen tube was available in 7 and 10 cm length, is around 1 cm in diameter, and fits atraumatically into the prepubertal vaginal canal. The described surgical technique in this clinical case by hysteroscopic visualization of the tissue through a transparent glass tube proved to be a fast, effective, and inexpensive modification for routine vaginoscopy. This technique may not be generalizable to adolescents or older women with larger vaginal sizes due to inadequate distention with the available tube sizes.
Deepfake Representation with Multilinear Regression.

Generative neural network architectures such as GANs, may be used to generate synthetic instances to compensate for the lack of real data. However, they may be employed to create media that may cause social, political or economical upheaval. One emerging media is "Deepfake".Techniques that can discriminate between such media is indispensable. In this paper, we propose a modified multilinear (tensor) method, a combination of linear and multilinear regressions for representing fake and real data. We test our approach by representing Deepfakes with our modified multilinear (tensor) approach and perform SVM classification with encouraging results.
Extent of and reasons for osteoporosis medication non-adherence among veterans and feasibility of a pilot text message reminder intervention

We determined the extent of and reasons for non-adherence to oral bisphosphonates among veterans and conducted a pilot text message reminder application aimed at the most commonly cited reason for non-adherence. The intervention was found to be acceptable and feasible. To evaluate the extent of and reasons for non-adherence to oral bisphosphonates among veterans and to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot text message reminder application. We surveyed 105 veterans initiating oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis/osteopenia within the prior 18 months utilizing a validated self-report measure adapted for osteoporosis. Additionally, we conducted a pilot text message reminder to determine feasibility in 12 veterans who were initiating or were currently non-adherent to oral bisphosphonates. Of the 43 (40.9% response rate) completed surveys, the most common reasons for non-adherence were “I forgot” (37.5%), “I had other medications to take” (20.5%), “my bones are not weak” (18.4%), “I felt well” (18.4%), and “I worried about taking them for the rest of my life” (17.9%). Median MPR for the 49 (46.7%) non-adherent (MPR < 0.80) veterans was 0.35 (IQR 0.21–0.64). Of veterans offered a weekly automated text message reminder, 12 (50%) accepted. Nine of these 12 veterans reported that the text message reminders did “very well” at reminding them to take their medication and would recommend the application to other patients/family/friends. The median 6-month MPR for the reminder group was 0.96 (IQR 0.54–1.00). Half the veterans in our sample were taking insufficient doses of oral bisphosphonates to attain the full benefit of fracture risk reduction. Reasons for poor adherence included forgetfulness, polypharmacy, and misconceptions about osteoporosis. A pilot text message reminder intervention targeted to one of the most commonly cited reasons was found to be acceptable and feasible among veterans.
Canaries in the Data Mine: Understanding the Proprietary Design of Youth Environments

Canaries in the Data Mine is a thoughtful, provocative, and pressing analysis of the ways young people are serving as an early warning system (canaries) for the rest of society for the ways social ...
Reply to Vale et al. Comment on "Zhong et al. Sugar-Sweetened and Diet Beverage Consumption in Philadelphia One Year after the Beverage Tax. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1336".

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the recent letter to the editor regarding our paper “Sugar-Sweetened and Diet Beverage Consumption in Philadelphia One Year after the Beverage Tax” [...]
Residual sympathetic tone is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity in patients with autonomic failure

Parkinson disease, an α-synucleinopathy, is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes mellitus. Importantly, these metabolic alterations have been shown to contribute to disease progression. The purpose of this study was to determine if reduced insulin sensitivity is also present in other α-synucleinopathies associated with autonomic failure. We studied 19 patients with multiple system atrophy and 26 patients with pure autonomic failure. For comparison, we studied 8 healthy controls matched for body mass index. Insulin sensitivity and beta cell function were calculated using fasting glucose and insulin levels according to the homeostatic model assessment 2. A multiple linear regression model was performed to determine factors that predict insulin sensitivity in autonomic failure. There was a significant difference in insulin sensitivity among groups (P = 0.048). This difference was due to lower insulin sensitivity in multiple system atrophy patients: 64 % [interquartile range (IQR), 43 to 117] compared to healthy controls 139 % (IQR, 83 to 212), P = 0.032. The main factor that contributed to the reduced insulin sensitivity was the presence of supine hypertension and residual sympathetic tone. Multiple system atrophy patients have reduced insulin sensitivity that is associated with residual sympathetic activation and supine hypertension. These patients may therefore be at high risk for development of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus.
Robust Feedback Linearization of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems

We present a result on the robust stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems exhibiting parametric uncertainty. Consider a nonlinear system with a vector of unknown parameters perturbed about a known value. A Taylor series of the system about the nominal parameter vector coupled with a feedback linearizing control law yields a linear system plus nonlinear perturbations about the nominal parameters. Via a structure matching condition, a Lyapunov based control law is shown to stabilize the full system. The novelty of the result is that the linearizing coordinates are completely known since they are defined about the nominal parameter vector.
Very fast visual tracking algorithm using scanlines

Scanlines, which are specifically processed rows or columns of a digital camera image, are used to develop a very fast visual tracking algorithm. The bottleneck of any visual robot tracking system is the large amount of data processed by the vision system in order to determine the pose (position and orientation) of an object moving in space. Scanlines provide a means of using minimal (if not the minimum) amount of information necessary for pose determination; thereby, increasing the sensor response time and the tracking speed. The scanline-based algorithm is developed to track the 6-dimensional pose of regular polygonal objects such as squares, triangles, and circles. Experimental verifications are provided for a single-camera and a dual-camera system.
Chapter 12 Cellular regulation of protein kinase C

Publisher Summary Members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases transduce a multitude of signals, operating through diverse receptor mechanisms. The function of PKC is exquisitely sensitive to its phosphorylation state, subcellular location, and cofactor interactions. This family of enzymes has been implicated in a multitude of cellular responses, with recent studies pointing to its key involvement in signaling pathways, which are activated in response to cellular stress. Initial findings implicated PKC in both cellular survival and death, which seemed contradictory. Any one cell type expresses multiple isozymes, which are activated by similar mechanisms. Molecular-genetic approaches provide an explanation for these observations and demonstrate that different PKC isozymes play distinct roles in cell survival. The emerging theme is that conventional and typical PKC family members transduce signals, which ultimately result in cell survival, whereas novel isoforms, most notably PKC δ are involved in pro-apoptotic signaling. Despite these opposing functions, PKCs also share some similarities in their response to cellular stress.
A novel antenna concept for future solar sails missions

Nearly all interplanetary missions have solely been dependent on some kind of chemical propellant for spacecraft navigation. Recent studies have shown that interplanetary missions may be made possible using a deployable solar sails, which employ solar flux power providing thrust for spacecraft while reducing on board fuel requirements. These sails require a large surface area (i.e. 100 m diameter) to capture enough solar flux for spacecraft navigation. An interesting question could be asked if one would be able to use the sails for creating an effective means for communications. In this paper, a novel communication antenna concept is proposed for future solar sails missions by taking advantage of the large surface area of the solar sail via application of zone plate Fresnel antennas. This study focuses on utilizing a design/analysis methodology for the Fresnel antennas which may be applicable to solar sail missions.
13 - Horse Flies and Deer Flies ( Tabanidae )

Publisher Summary Horse flies and deer flies are large size, and have striking appearance and diurnal biting habits. They are large species of tabanids, typically 10─30 nm in length. The family Tabanidae includes approximately 4300 species and subspecies in 133 genera worldwide. Tabanid larvae are spindle-shaped and generally whitish in color, although some are shades of brown or green. Tabanid adults are stout-bodied flies. Tabanids undergo 6─13 larval molts and overwinter as larvae. As soil dwellers, they are difficult to observe and sample. Tabanid larvae are rarely free-swimming in nature, but some, such as T. punctifer, are buoyant and can swim effectively by repeatedly flipping the rear half of the body and propelling themselves in short, gliding spurts. Tabanid mating occurs in flight, especially in the morning. They are a serious nuisance to livestock and can mechanically transmit several significant animal pathogens, including those that cause surra, anaplasmosis, and equine infectious anemia. The human diseases transmitted by tabanid are loiasis and tularemia. The outdoor activities and tourism suffer in areas where tabanid populations are high. The techniques used to control tabanids include use of insecticides, use of traps, water management, and the use of biological control agents.
Projected impacts of climate change on wind energy density in the United States

Wind-generated electricity is a growing renewable energy resource. Because wind results from the uneven heating (and resulting pressure gradients) of the Earth, future wind resources may be affected by anticipated climate change. Many studies have used global and regional climate models to predict trends in the future wind resource over the continental United States. While some of these studies identified regions that are expected to gain wind energy, their results often come with a high degree of uncertainty, and lack of agreement across different climate models. In this paper we focus on wind energy density as a measure of the available wind resource over the continental United States. We estimate the change in wind energy density from the period 1968–2000 to the period 2038–2070 by using output from four regional climate models from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP). We find strong agreement across all 4 models that the wind energy resource is expected to increase in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas – a region already in possession of both large scale generating capacity and political support for wind energy.