cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF ETHANOL ON GLIAL CELL PROLIFERATION: RELEVANCE TO THE FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Exposure to ethanol during pregnancy is detrimental to brain development. Individuals affected by the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome present a number of central nervous system dysfunctions including microencephaly and mental retardation. Studies on the mechanisms of ethanol's developmental neurotoxicity have focused on its interaction with neurons; however, emerging evidence is suggesting that ethanol can significantly affect glial cells as well. A number of in vitro studies have shown that ethanol can inhibit the proliferation of various glial cells (mostly primary astrocytes or astrocytoma cells) at relatively high concentrations (100–200 mM). On the other hand, proliferation induced by some, but not all mitogens, is inhabited by low concentrations (10–50 mM) of ethanol. These inhibitory effects of ethanol may contribute to its developmental neurotoxicity observed following in vivo exposure. Animal models have indeed shown that ethanol causes microencephaly when given during the brain growth spurt, a period of ...
NekNominate A Deadly, Social Media–Based Drinking Dare

Peer pressure is a well-recognized, influential fuel for excessive alcohol consumption, and now Web-based social networks offer a platform to expand the reach and impact of peer-to-peer coercion. NekNominate is a novel game that involves individuals posting videos of rapid alcohol consumption (“necking”) on social media sites and nominating an acquaintance to exceed their behaviors within 24 hours. The named individual will then drink a larger quantity or more extreme mixture, with associated illegal, risky.... Language: en
Molecular Mechanisms in Basement Membrane Complications of Diabetes: Alterations in Heparin, Laminin, and Type IV Collagen Association

We report alterations in the ligand-binding properties of laminin, the major noncollagenous protein of basement membranes, resulting from nonenzymatic glycosylation in vitro. Mouse laminin was incubated in vitro with 500 mM glucose, and the level of nonenzymatically glycosylated amino acids increased 2-, 6.2-, and 12-fold after incubation for 1, 3, and 12 days, respectively. Ligand binding assays conducted in solution with varying concentrations of [ 3 H]heparin and a constant amount of control or nonenzymatically glycosylated laminin showed a reduction in heparin binding proportional to laminin glycosylation. An analysis of the stoichiometry of [ 3 H]heparin binding to control and nonenzymatically glycosylated laminin at saturating levels of heparin was performed. The results indicated that the total number of heparin binding sites on laminin decreased 4.7- and 14.7-fold due to nonenzymatic glycosylation of laminin for 1 and 3 days, respectively. [ 3 H]heparin binding to 12-day nonenzymatically glycosylated laminin was abolished. Scatchard analyses of the binding data for heparin and laminin gave a dissociation constant ( K d ) of 3.4 × 10 −8 M. The data for nonenzymatic glycosylation of laminin for 1 day in vitro resulted in a biphasic heparin binding curve. Both high- and low-affinity binding was observed ( K d values of 3.3 × 10 −8 and 2.6 × 10 −7 M, respectively). Similar high- and low-affinity binding sites were seen on 3-day nonenzymatically glycosylated laminin ( K d values of 2.1 × 10 −8 and 3.9 × 10 −7 M, respectively). [ 3 H]heparin binding at a fixed concentration to a constant amount of control or 12-day nonenzymatically glycosylated laminin and type IV collagen was also studied. Under control conditions, [ 3 H]heparin binding to laminin was increased 3-fold in the presence of type IV collagen. The nonenzymatic glycosylation of laminin or type IV collagen substantially reduced type IV collagen–enhanced binding of heparin to laminin. The nonenzymatic glycosylation of both laminin and type IV collagen abolished type IV collagen–enhanced binding of heparin and reduced heparin binding to background levels. These observations are discussed in relation to the loss of heparan sulfate proteoglycan from the glomerular basement membrane in diabetes mellitus and in relation to the production of an initial lesion in the basement membranes of diabetic animals and humans.
The role of maternal gesturing in conversations with one-year-olds.

This study explores the question of whether maternal gestures facilitate aspects of the linguistic or communicative behaviour of young children. Four children aged 1; 4 were videotaped playing with their mothers in an unconstrained free condition, and then again in an ungestured condition in which mothers were instructed not to use their hands while interacting with their children. Results from the two conditions of our study show that though children tended to produce attentive responses when they had observed a gesture, these reponses were not necessarily more appropriate to the interaction than responses not preceded by maternal gesture. We conclude that maternal gestures have more of a role in maintaining attention and the flow of interaction for young children than they do in providing specific cues to the grammar the child is acquiring.
Chemical Analysis of the Scent Fluid of Pasimachus californicus and P. duplicatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The largest nonflying ground beetle commonly found in the vicinity of Austin, Tex., is Pasimachus californicus (Chaudoir), a spunky black insect possessing rather large mandibles which can easily draw blood from the incautious collector. These beetles sometimes accumulate in street curbings adjacent to open fields, especially streets of recent construction. Being unable to successfully negotiate the sides of the curbing, they fall on their backs and struggle until death overtakes them, apparently from dehydration. The best time for collecting this species seems to be in the spring and fall, although I have found them in every month of the year except December. The lone January specimen was found wintering under a largeflat rock.
Phase Structure Changes in a Sheared Blend of High Molecular Weight Polybutadiene and Polyisoprene Elastomers

Abstract The flow-induced phase behavior of polyisoprene—polybutadiene elastomer blends is of concern to the rubber industry because of the wide practical applications of these blends. We have been investigating examples of these blends using a Rheo-SALS instrument in conjunction with light microscopy. The subject of this work was a high molecular weight, near-critical blend (35/65 ratio) comprising polybutadiene (Mn=413, 000) and polyisoprene (Mn=177, 000) (Blend II). The results were contrasted with those for a previously studied blend (Blend I) comprising polybutadiene (Mn=164, 000) and polyisoprene (Mn=125, 000), also near the critical composition at a 40/60 ratio. Both featured the same microstructure. Each was examined under quiescence and flow conditions. For Blend I at a 24 °C quench depth, the scattering pattern was the expected spinodal ring; which, upon shearing, changed to an H-shaped pattern and then to a bright streak in the vorticity direction. Direct observation showed that these patterns ...
Patient-Reported Outcomes Labeling for Products Approved by the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products of the US Food and Drug Administration (2010-2014)

PurposeTo review the use of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data in medical product labeling granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for new molecular entities and biologic license applications by the FDA Office of Hematology and Oncology Products (OHOP) between January 2010 and December 2014, to elucidate challenges faced by OHOP for approving PRO labeling, and to understand challenges faced by drug manufacturers to include PRO end points in oncology clinical trials.MethodsFDA Drug Approval Reports by Month were reviewed to obtain the number of new molecular entities and biologic license applications approved from 2010 to 2014. Drugs approved by the FDA OHOP during this period were selected for further review, focusing on brand and generic name; approval date; applicant; indication; PRO labeling describing treatment benefit, measures, end point status, and significant results; FDA reviewer feedback on PRO end points; and study design of registration trials. First in class, priority review, fa...
Application of Data Exchange Platform in Information Construction of State Grid Corporation of China

Through data exchange platform,the vertical data exchange within units of all levels in State Grid Corporation of China(SGCC) is realized.The platform adopts service-oriented and distributed symmetric SOA architecture,and supports unified access service to business systems,various data exchange methods and formats,flexible exchange control and dispatching management mechanism.As an important component of the SG186 integrated platform,it realizes the vertical connection of information systems of SGCC successfully.
Masked Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Events in a Prospective Cohort of Blacks: The Jackson Heart Study

Masked hypertension, defined as nonelevated clinic blood pressure (BP) with elevated out-of-clinic BP, has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Europeans and Asians. Few data are available on masked hypertension and CVD and mortality risk among blacks. We analyzed data from the Jackson Heart Study, a prospective cohort study of blacks. Analyses included participants with clinic-measured systolic/diastolic BP
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence of Postoperative Cyst Formation Does Not Appear to Affect Clinical Outcomes After Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation of the Talus.

Purpose To identify potential cysts using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) as well as to determine the effect of cysts on short-term clinical outcomes. Methods Eighty-nine MRI scans of 37 patients who had AOT for an OLT were evaluated. Radiographic variables examined included cyst presence, cyst location, bone edema, and cartilage integrity. Patient clinical variables recorded and examined for association with the presence of a cyst included gender, age, preoperative lesion size, size and number of osteochondral graft used, symptoms reported, and pre- and postoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) scores measured at final follow-up. Results Twenty-four patients (64.8%) had MRI evidence of cystic change after AOT for an OLT at a mean MRI follow-up time of 15 months after surgery (range 2-54). Patients with presence of a cyst after surgery were older (mean age, 42.7 years) than those without cysts (mean age, 32.7 years) ( P = .041), and among patients with a cyst, older patients more often had involvement of the subchondral plate (57.3 v 36.7 years) ( P P = .028) and FAOS ( P = .032) preoperative scores and more improvement in SF-12 ( P = .006) and FAOS ( P = .016) scores than patients with cysts. Conclusions Postoperative cyst formation on MRI was found to be a common occurrence after AOT for OLT. Although increasing age was related to increased cyst prevalence, the clinical impact of cyst formation was not found to be significant at short-term follow-up. Continued long-term longitudinal follow-up of postoperative cysts is needed. Level of Evidence Level IV, prognostic case series.
The influence of carboxymethylated chitosan on the structure, rheology, and dewatering properties of clay

This study examines the interaction between carboxymethylated chitosan and clay by determining effects of carboxymethylated chitosan on microstructure, rheology, and water retention ability of clay. Results are compared to that of clay and alginate systems whose interactive chemistry and relationship to water retention has been recently studied. Microscopy results of the interactions between the carboxymethylated chitosan and clay correlate to the water retention ability and dynamic and steady rheological measurements. The degree of interaction of carboxymethylated chitosan and clay mixtures relates directly to the water retention properties of the clay. The resulting properties are different from that of clay and alginate mixtures. Application: Coating structure has an important influence on the water release properties of a coating. Particle to particle and particle to polymer interactions are crucial to the development of good water retention.
An Overview of European National Models

The aim of this chapter is to provide something of a historical perspective from which to view recent advances in National Travel Demand Models, as an introduction to the discussion in other chapters of this book.
Vesicoureteral Reflux And Pyelonephritis In The Monkey: A Review

P-fimbriated Escherichia coli, which cause nonobstructive pyelonephritis, adhere to a specific urothelial glycolipid receptor. In either the presence or absence of reflux (in the area of turbulent urine flow) these bacteria ascend the ureter and cause a decrease in ureteral motility. Endotoxin causes peristalsis to cease, leading to ureteral dilatation and change in papillary shape, thus allowing intrarenal reflux and adherence of the bacteria to renal tubules. Bacterial infection of a refluxing ureter may cause reflux to persist. Once the bacteria reach the kidney rapid effects occur at the cellular level with activation of complement followed by granulocytic aggregation and capillary obstruction, causing renal ischemia and damage during reperfusion. In addition, during phagocytosis the respiratory burst occurs, releasing toxic oxygen molecules, which leads to renal tubular death, invasion of the interstitium, microabscess and renal scar formation, that is chronic pyelonephritis, which equates with reflux nephropathy.
The Gaze Analytics Pipeline

Often the goal of recording eye movements is to gain insight into human behavior, perception, or analysis of some performance via eye movement process measures.
I’m not afraid: Zombies, video games, and life after death:

My daughter has always been drawn to the frightening and the spooky, with a special interest in zombies. When she was four years old, she and I played a zombie video game together which instigated ...
5. GROSSRAUM AND GEOPOLITICS: RESITUATING SCHMITT IN AN ATLANTIC CONTEXT

Contemporary theorists of international relations and historians of empire have found utility in the spatial theory of “Grossraum,” or “great space,” that Carl Schmitt developed in the 1930s and 40s. This article asks whether Schmitt's concept of Grossraum can be fully disentangled from its German history—from the Nazi pursuit of Lebensraum in which it eventually culminated, but with which it is not identical either. I argue that Schmitt's Grossraum theory is neither merely a symptomatic reflection of the Third Reich's objectives, nor a free-floating theory with strong potential for critiquing imperialism, but is best approached as an important moment in the transatlantic conversation among empires that unfolded between 1890 and 1945 about the sources, methods, and prerogatives of global power. It compares Schmitt with other figures in German geopolitics such as Friedrich Ratzel and Karl Haushofer in order to establish a genealogy of the distinction between land and sea powers, arguing that Schmitt's writings on Grossraum modernize and transmit to the twentieth century the most influential theories of political geography and geopolitics developed in the Atlantic world between 1890 and 1930.
A Model to Protect Sharing Sensitive Information in Smart Watches

Abstract Wearable technologies offer us different ways of improving the quality of life. Currently, they are mostly used to monitor one’s physical routines which includes step counts, heart rate, calories burned, and so on. Different applications collect these sensitive information with no control given to the user on what happens to the data after collection. The current binary standard leaves the user no options on selecting their privacy preferences on their data and if they do not agree to the terms, they cannot use the device. With Apple Health for example, the user can only either allow or deny access to their data. To address these problems, we are proposing and implementing a model which allows the user to select their privacy preferences for the data being collected from them by the apps installed on their wearable devices. Tizen’s operating system is used to develop our model with its simulator used for result verification purposes. With our model, we provide users with the flexibility of expressing their privacy preferences.
Regulation Without Representation

A few weeks ago, the quadrennial exercise in collective bargaining began in earnest at my home institution. At the table sat housestaff members and paid officials of the Residents Union on one side and labor negotiators and the Deans for Graduate Medical Education of the three medical schools in our university system on the other. The setting has a particular piquancy for me because as the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education of New Jersey Medical School, my job is to represent management. Yet I recollect very well when as a senior resident I was also the President of the Committee of Interns and Residents. Then I represented my trainee constituents in the turbulent 1970s in New York City where collective bargaining was more of a free for all than it is today.
Structure and Function of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of vesicular stomatitis virus consists of two proteins: the large protein L (242 kD) and the phosphoprotein P (29 kD). Together, these two proteins transcribe the negative strand genome RNA wrapped with the nucleocapsid protein N to produce the viral messages (see Banerjee and Barik, 1992, for a recent review). Considerable knowledge on the structure and function of these two proteins has been gathered primarily due to the availability of an in vitro transcription system and the advent of recombinant DNA technology. This article will summarize some of the recent findings from our laboratory.
Acquired cerebral arteriovenous malformation induced by an anaplastic astrocytoma: An interesting case

AbstractHigh grade gliomas foster an environment rich in angiogenic factors that promote neovascularity. We report a case of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, which developed in the setting of a high grade astrocytoma. The patient presented with complaints of confusion and left hemiparesis. An initial cerebral angiogram was normal. Repeat angiography six weeks later demonstrated an extremely vascular lesion with arteriovenous shunting involving the right thalamus and occipital lobe. Histopathologic evaluation of open biopsy and autopsy specimens demonstrated a high grade astrocytoma in association with an arteriovenous malformation. Immunohistochemical staining with VEGF was diffusely positive. A possible role for the hyperangiogenic environment of a high grade astrocytoma resulting in the development of an arteriovenous malformation is discussed. [Neurol Res 2000; 22: 473-477]
Population Dynamics in Cell Death: Mechanisms of Propagation

Cell death can occur through numerous regulated mechanisms that are categorized by their molecular machineries and differing effects on physiology. Apoptosis and necrosis, for example, have opposite effects on tissue inflammation due to their different modes of execution. Another feature that can distinguish different forms of cell death is that they have distinct intrinsic effects on the cell populations in which they occur. For example, a regulated mechanism of necrosis called ferroptosis has the unusual ability to spread between cells in a wave-like manner, thereby eliminating entire cell populations. Here we discuss the ways in which cell death can propagate between cells in normal physiology and disease, as well as the potential exploitation of cell death propagation for cancer therapy.
Baryogenesis and Leptogenesis

This is a short review on the mechanism of leptogenesis, which provides an attractive link between two important pieces of evidence for beyond Standard Model physics, namely, observed neutrino masses and matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. We give special emphasis on TeV-scale leptogenesis models and provide a concrete example, which is testable in foreseeable laboratory experiments.
The Effects of Training on Instructor Beliefs about and Attitudes toward Online Teaching

This study examines the relationship between one approach to training new online instructors and the ways in which the program influenced their beliefs about and attitudes about teaching online ove...
Idiopathic generalized epilepsies.

Abstract The idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) are a spectrum of epilepsy syndromes that are characterized by seizures of generalized onset, and by known or presumed genetic etiology. These syndromes occur frequently in adults and children aged above 2 years. Manifestations are age-dependent, and seizure types include absence, myoclonic, generalized tonic–clonic, and potentially atonic and tonic. Intelligence is normal, although subtle neuropsychological differences may be present. Broad-spectrum antiseizure medications are indicated; medications that target partial-onset seizures should be avoided. Seizures in some IGE subtypes tend to respond to particular medications or treatments. Prognosis is generally favorable, but remission rates vary between subtypes. The pathophysiology of IGE has been investigated via animal models and neuroimaging techniques, localizing abnormalities to a network of cortical and subcortical/thalamic regions. A family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures may be present. In some pedigrees and syndromes, numerous candidate susceptibility genes and single gene mutations have been found, involving genes that encode for voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels. However, the majority of IGE subtypes are likely produced by complex inheritance involving the interaction of a number of loci. As genetic etiologies are clarified, pathophysiology will be understood more precisely, and the classification of idiopathic generalized epilepsies will be refined.
DIAL now protocol: A randomized trial examining the provision of phone coaching to those with sub-optimal early weight loss during an Internet weight management program.

Abstract Background While low-intensity Internet-delivered weight loss (IDWL) programs are efficacious, many patients fail to achieve clinically significant weight loss (WL). Given the positive association between 4-week and post-treatment WL, providing a more intensive intervention for those with sub-optimal 4-week WL may improve outcomes for a greater proportion of individuals. This stepped-care approach would minimize cost by reserving more aggressive treatment for those with sub-optimal early WL. Objective This randomized trial examines whether the provision of brief or extended phone coaching for those with sub-optimal early WL improves 4- and 12-month WL when compared to no coaching. Secondary aims include examination of cost/kg WL and intervention engagement. Methods 450 individuals (age 18–70 years, BMI: 25–45 kg/m2) will be randomized to: 1) IDWL+3 weeks of coaching (‘Brief’), 2) IDWL+12 weeks of coaching (‘Extended’), or 3) IDWL only (‘Control’). All individuals will receive a 4-month IDWL program followed by an 8-month IDWL maintenance program. At week 4, individuals will be classified as early sub-optimal responders ( Discussion Study findings can inform the development of more effective IDWL programs. This model which provides additional support to those with sub-optimal early WL can easily be translated into healthcare and community settings.
IDENTIFICATION OF FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD RISK FACTORS IN HIGH SCHOOL DISTANCE RUNNERS AND PREVALENCE OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION: A PILOT STUDY:

Background:The female athlete triad (Triad) has been associated with increased risk of bone stress injury (BSI) in certain populations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevale...
RiboSimR: A Tool for Simulation and Power Analysis of Ribo-seq Data

RNA-seq and Ribo-seq are widespread quantitative methods for assessing transcription and translation. They can be used to detect differential expression, differential translation, and differential translation efficiency between conditions. The statistical power to detect differential genes is affected by multiple factors, such as the number of replicates, sequencing depth, magnitude of differential expression and translation, distribution of gene counts, and method for estimating biological variance. As power estimation of translational efficiency involves the combination of both RNA-seq measurements and Ribo-seq measurements, this task is particularly challenging. Here we propose a power assessment tool, called RiboSimR, based purely on data simulation. RiboSimR, produces semi-parametric simulations that generate data based on real RNA and Ribo-seq experiments, with customizable choices on baseline parameters and tool configurations. We demonstrate the usefulness of our tool by simulating data based on two published Ribo-seq datasets and analyzing various aspects of experimental design.
Case report: Urogenital myiasis in an adult male.

Abstract Urogenital Myiasis is rarely documented in developed countries, so epidemiological data are limited and often associated with travel to endemic regions. We report a Case of urogenital myiasis, unassociated with travel, in a 31 year old male. The patient presented to the emergency department after passing a larval fly during micturition. Pathologic examination of the initial urine sample confirmed the presence of living fly larvae and further evaluation was arranged with the urology department. The patient had no further episodes, and resolution was confirmed via urinalysis and cystoscopy. Several common risk factors were identified, including poor sanitation and hygiene.
Functionalized separator for next-generation batteries

Abstract Advancements in battery technology have dramatically increased demand for improvements in separator design, as the separator plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and electrochemical performance of the cells. Current separators, either in commercial usage or under investigation, have yet to meet the high stability and lifespan performance standards necessary to prevent deterioration in the efficiency and reliability of the battery technologies. Recently, considerable effort has been devoted to developing functionalized separators, ranging from designing a variety of new materials and modification methods, and increasingly, to optimizing advanced preparation processes. In order to understand how the mechanisms of separator performance are affected by different properties, we will first summarize recent research progress and then have in-depth discussions regarding the separator’s significant contribution to enhancing the safety and performance of the cell. We then provide our design strategy for future separators, which not only meets the requirements of different type of batteries, but also aims for multifunctionality. We hope such a perspective could provide new inspiration in the development of separator research for future battery technologies.
Evaluation of anatomical landmark position differences for head computed tomography: A reliability study among technologists.

Abstract Introduction In computed tomography (CT) imaging protocols, lack of practice standards and variability in head positioning may all yield substantial inter-study image variance in the clinical setting which may limit the diagnostic and comparative value of subsequent scans. We aimed to evaluate repeatability of multiplanar reformatting of head CT based on the tuberculum sella (TS) to internal occipital protuberance (IOP) reference line and reduce variance. Methods Reference lines that correspond to the TS-IOP plane on high-resolution CT scans were reviewed by technologists manually to calculate Yaw (z-rotation, rotation along the superoinferior direction), Pitch (x-rotation, rotation along the left-right direction), and Roll (y-rotation, rotation along the anteroposterior direction) angles in this pre-post design intervention study. The Yaw, Pitch, and Roll angles deviating from the reference TS-IOP in the head CT images before and after technologist training were measured with the technologists’ actual graphical prescriptions, and their differences were calculated with t-tests. The intra-rater agreement was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Mean pitch, yaw, and roll before technologist training was 6.7° ± 5.4°, 0.9° ± 1.5°, and 1.1° ± 1.2° and after training were 3.2° ± 2.6°, 0.6° ± 1.1°, and 0.6° ± 1.1°, respectively. Technologist training resulted in a significant decrease in pitch (p 0.950). Conclusion TS-IOP reference line corrected for direct roll, yaw, and pitch can be readily achieved by trained technologists. Implications for practice Adoption of the TS-IOP reference line should facilitate intra- and intermodality comparisons, leading to more reproducible and readily interpretable CT images.
Assessing motorist behavior during flash floods in Tucson, Arizona

Weather events often force motorists to drive in unsafe conditions or alter travel plans. Both decisions are imbued with costs that drivers may minimize by developing adaptation behaviors that facilitate safe travel. This study examines motorist behavior in Tucson, where urban flash floods are potentially avoided by strategies such as changing the route or trip timing. A sample of 108 residents completed a stated adaptation questionnaire regarding which behaviors they take to avoid floods prior to departure and upon encountering a flood. A multiple regression analysis tests whether behaviors depend on demographic characteristics, familiarity with flood locations, and previous experience entering floodwaters. This study also considers the types of information that people seek upon encountering a flood. The results highlight the importance of flexibility and familiarity for motorists’ decision making. Fewer adaptation behaviors are used for urgent commute trips, but route switching is common for the most frequent trips to work, school, and home. Pre-trip behaviors account for most differences because most respondents use adaptation behaviors upon flood encounter, but age, ethnicity, and previous experience with floods are key factors. Differences in flood avoidance behaviors appear to be linked to travel flexibility, not just propensity to take risks. These results also highlight the significant potential for communicating alternate routes to help motorists reduce flood exposure and other point-location hazards while minimizing travel disruption.
Evaluation of Opioid Prescription and Consumption Habits Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background There has been a dramatic rise in opioid-related deaths over the past decade. Most of the reduction strategies have focused on outpatient use; however, recent studies have demonstrated an association between inpatient opioid use and consumption following discharge across a variety of surgical procedures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of inpatient use of opioids as well as the consumption of opioids after discharge following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods A prospectively maintained database was reviewed for cases between 2015 and 2018. Patients were included in the study if they underwent an elective EVAR, had an intensive care unit stay less than 1 day and total length of stay less than 3 days. Patients were contacted to participate in a survey of opioid use if they received a prescription at discharge. The primary outcome was percent of prescribed opioids consumed following discharge. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of receiving an opioid prescription. Results One hundred seventy-one patients were included in the analysis; 95% patients were white and 85% male. 59% of patients responded to the survey. Seventy-one (42%) received an opioid prescription at discharge. Patients that received a discharge prescription tended to be younger (71 vs. 75 years, P = 0.005) and more likely to have received opioids while in the hospital (79% vs. 45%, P Conclusions This study evaluates inpatient opioid use and postdischarge consumption following EVAR. These data identify key factors associated with receiving an opioid prescription at discharge and demonstrate that patients consume far fewer opioids than prescribed. These findings provide insight as to which patients may not require an outpatient prescription following EVAR, leading to potential practice-changing opioid reduction strategies.
Response to: ‘Correspondence on ‘Disease activity, cytokines, chemokines and the risk of incident diabetes in rheumatoid arthritis’’ by Ruscitti et al

We were pleased to read the commentary on our recent article by Ruscitti et al and we share their interest in the potential role of inflammatory pathways in the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Indeed, both interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 levels were independently associated with the development of diabetes in our original study, implicating them as potential mediators of metabolic changes that could lead to the development of diabetes.2 Observational research is, of course, limited to defining associations and cannot prove causality. In our study, as in many large observational studies, we were unable to assess total adiposity or to assess visceral fat content; factors that play an important role in diabetes risk …
Integrating OWL and Rules: A Syntax Proposal for Nominal Schemas

This paper proposes an addition to OWL 2 syntax to incorporate nominal schemas, which is a new description-logic style extension of OWL 2 which was recently proposed, and which makes is possible to express “variable nominal classes” within axioms in an OWL 2 ontology. Nominal schemas make it possible to express DL-safe rules of arbitrary arity within the extended OWL paradigm, hence covering the well-known DL-safe SWRL language. To express this feature, we extend OWL 2 syntax to include necessary and minimal modifications to both Functional and Manchester syntax grammars and mappings from these two syntaxes to Turtle/RDF. We also include several examples to clarify the proposal.
The Many Faces of Administrative Adjudication in the European Union

Federal and state administrative adjudication in the United States fits comfortably into a procedural template involving some variation of an adversarial trial-type hearing conducted by a neutral decisionmaker and often controlled by an Administrative Procedure Act. Although the European Union (EU) engages in a huge array of administrative adjudication, there is no such procedural template like those in the US or, for that matter, the UK or the EU member states. Instead, adjudicatory proceedings in each regulatory sector are different from the others. The procedure for investigation and hearing is inquisitorial rather than adversarial, so that the hearing (if there is one) is viewed as part of the investigation rather than as a separate phase from the investigation. In a fascinating and unexpected common-law process, the EU courts have imposed some due process-like norms on this structure. This article (written as part of the ABA Administrative Law Section's European Union project) introduces the reader to the world of EU administrative adjudication. It focuses on six regulatory sectors in which adjudication occurs at the EU level rather than the member state level: competition, trade regulation, trademarks, food safety, pharmaceutical licensing, and state aids.
Cut and paste based text summarization

We present a cut and paste based text summarizer, which uses operations derived from an analysis of human written abstracts. The summarizer edits extracted sentences, using reduction to remove inessential phrases and combination to merge resulting phrases together as coherent sentences. Our work includes a statistically based sentence decomposition program that identifies where the phrases of a summary originate in the original document, producing an aligned corpus of summaries and articles which we used to develop the summarizer.
Closed-form multi-dimensional multi-invariance ESPRIT

A closed-form multi-dimensional multi-invariance generalization of the ESPRIT algorithm is introduced to exploit the entire invariance structure underlying a (possibly) multiparametric data model, thereby greatly improving estimation performance. The multiple-invariance data structure that this proposed method can handle includes: (1) multiple occurrence of one size of invariance along one or multiple parametric dimensions, (2) multiple sizes of invariances along one or multiple parametric dimensions, and (3) invariances that cross over two or more parametric dimensions. The basic (uni-dimensional uni-invariance) ESPRIT algorithm is applied in parallel to each multiple pair of matrix-pencils characterizing the multiple invariance relationships in the data model, producing multiple sets of cyclically ambiguous estimates over the multi-dimensional parameter space. A weighted least-squares hyper-plane is then fitted to these set of estimates to yield very accurate and unambiguous estimates of the signal parameters.
The False Dichotomy of Peace versus Justice and the International Criminal Court (La fausse dichotomie entre paix et justice et la Cour penale internationale)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was created to end impunity for the international crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. But can it insist that states reject trading peace for justice when the cost of refusal is measured in human lives?Part I of this essay examines the interpretations of the ICC statute that might allow the ICC to defer to alternative methods of justice. It evaluates four possibilities: (1) acceptance of a UN Security Council request to suspend prosecution as a threat to international peace; (2) application of the principle of complementarity to render the ICC case inadmissible; (3) application of the ICC "ne bis idem" provision to block ICC proceedings; and (4) exercise of prosecutorial discretion.Part II proposes criteria, based on international criminal justice theory and the literature on transitional justice, to guide the ICC in its determination of whether to defer to negotiated local justice methods.The essay is based on a more extensive article analyzing the peace vs. justice dilemma in the ICC's investigation in Northern Uganda. See Linda M. Keller, "Achieving Peace With Justice: The International Criminal Court and Ugandan Alternative Justice Mechanisms," 23 Conn. J. Int'l L. 209 (2008) (available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1018539).
Exceptionally Safe Futures

A future is a well-known programming construct used to introduce concurrency to sequential programs. Computations annotated as futures are executed asynchronously and run concurrently with their continuations. Typically, futures are not transparent annotations: a program with futures need not produce the same result as the sequential program from which it was derived. Safe futures guarantee a future-annotated program produce the same result as its sequential counterpart. Ensuring safety is especially challenging in the presence of constructs such as exceptions that permit the expression of non-local control-flow. For example, a future may raise an exception whose handler is in its continuation. To ensure safety, we must guarantee the continuation does not discard this handler regardless of the continuation's own internal control-flow (e.g. exceptions it raises or futures it spawns). In this paper, we present a formulation of safe futures for a higher-order functional language with first-class exceptions. Safety can be guaranteed dynamically by stalling the execution of a continuation that has an exception handler potentially required by its future until the future completes. To enable greater concurrency, we develop a static analysis and instrumentation and formalize the runtime behavior for instrumented programs that allows execution to discard handlers precisely when it is safe to do so.
Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the in vitro secondary antibody response in mice. II. Abrogation of the suppressive capacity of endotoxin.

Abstract Previous experiments have shown that bacterial endotoxin (ET) can be highly inhibitory to the in vitro secondary IgG antibody response when added 1–2 days after antigen. This paper examines the capacity of ET and another adjuvant, poly(AU), to circumvent the suppressive capacity of ET. It was found that ET or poly(AU) given simultaneously with antigen prevented any subsequent inhibition by ET added later to the cultures. Poly(AU) was effective in amounts as low as 1 μg/ml and ET in amounts as low as 0.1 μg/ml. Poly(AU) in greater amounts (50–100 μg/ml) also suppressed antibody synthesis when added 1–2 days after antigen, similar to ET. As with ET suppression, both ET and poly(AU) when added simultaneously with antigen were capable of overcoming the suppressive capacity of poly(AU). The capacity of small amounts of poly(AU) and ET to circumvent suppression in vitro by ET may help to explain why suppression by ET given after antigen has not been routinely observed in vivo . Lymphoid cells in vivo are most likely constantly exposed to either nuclear material released upon natural cell turnover or to ET from bacteria habitating the gut, resulting in an abrogation of any subsequent suppression by ET.
Age-Related CD8+ T Cell Clonal Expansions Express Elevated Levels of CD122 and CD127 and Display Defects in Perceiving Homeostatic Signals

Aging is accompanied by numerous changes in T cell biology. Among the most dramatic changes at the population level are the appearance and persistence of CD8 + T cell clonal expansions (TCE), whose frequency increases steadily with age, and whose biology is incompletely understood. In this study, we examined trafficking, phenotypic makeup, and homeostatic responsiveness of TCE, which arise spontaneously in specific pathogen-free mice. We show that these cells make up a specialized subset of central memory T cells with distinguishable phenotypic characteristics, most notably the higher expression of CD122 and CD127, molecules that make up IL-15R and IL-7R, respectively, than other memory T cells. We confirm that these cells proliferate at a continuous pace upon adoptive transfer into the eulymphoid recipient, unlike their non-TCE memory-phenotype counterparts, which remain undivided and die. However, upon transfer into lymphopenic recipients, TCE fail to rapidly expand, but rather resume their slow, continuous proliferation. The above results are discussed in light of possible mechanisms that afford selective survival advantage to TCE over other T cells in an aged T lymphocyte pool.
A Smoking Cessation Website for Childbearing Adolescents

Smoking during pregnancy or near an infant has potential health risks. Therefore, quality smoking cessation strategies for childbearing adolescents are essential in preventing and ending smoking habits. The S.M.A.S.H Out Cigarettes Website (http://www.smashoutcigarettes.org) combines evidence-based practices from traditional and Web-based smoking cessation programs in an easily accessible tool that offers an alternative approach to smoking cessation specifically designed for childbearing adolescents.
Neuromuscular disruption with ultrashort electrical pulses

Experimental studies on single cells have shown that application of pulsed voltages, with submicrosecond pulse duration and an electric field on the order of 10 kV/cm, causes sudden alterations in the intracellular free calcium concentration, followed by immobilization of the cell. In order to examine electrical stimulation and incapacitation with such ultrashort pulses, experiments on anesthetized rats have been performed. The effect of single, 450 nanosecond monopolar pulses have been compared with that of single pulses with multi-microsecond duration (TASER pulses). Two conditions were explored: 1. the ability to elicit a muscle twitch, and, 2. the ability to suppress voluntary movement by using nanosecond pulses. The second condition is relevant for neuromuscular incapacitation. The preliminary results indicate that for stimulation microsecond pulses are advantageous over nanosecond pulses, whereas for incapacitation, the opposite seems to apply. The stimulation effects seem to scale with electrical charge, whereas the disruption effects don't follow a simple scaling law. The increase in intensity (time of incapacitation) for a given pulse duration, is increasing with electrical energy, but is more efficient for nanosecond than for microsecond pulses. This indicates different cellular mechanisms for incapacitation, most likely subcellular processes, which have been shown to become increasingly important when the pulse duration is shortened into the nanosecond range. If further studies can confirm these initial results, consequences of reduced pulse duration are a reduction in weight and volume of the pulse delivery system, and likely, because of the lower required energy for neuromuscular incapacitation, reduced safety risks.
Vagus nerve stimulation for pharmacoresistant epilepsy: clinical symptoms with end of service.

Abstract Purpose. Limited capability exists to predict when vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) battery deterioration becomes significant. Initial models last 2–5 years. We evaluated the first 18 patients with pharmacoresistent epilepsy after reimplantation to examine the clinical course observed during VNS end of service (EOS). Methods. Of 72 patients with VNS, 18 patients had generator replacement. EOS was estimated based on duration of use and stimulus parameters in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Eight males and ten females had pharmacoresistent epilepsy for a mean of 17.9 years. Thirteen with localization-related epilepsy (LRE) and 5 nonverbal patients with symptomatic generalized epilepsy (SGE) failed a mean of 11.1 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over 21.5 years. Seven had intracranial evaluations and five failed epilepsy surgery. Reimplantation was performed after a mean of 34.4 months. Symptoms at end of service (EOS) were addressed by postoperative survey submitted at initial reprogramming within 2 weeks of reimplantation. Stimulus parameters were compared before and after surgery. Results. Nine of thirteen (69.2%) verbal patients and 11 of 18 (61.1%) total patients had signs or symptoms prior to replacement, suggesting clinical EOS, and 4 of 18 (22.2%) failed interrogation denoting battery failure without symptoms; however, this did not reach significance (X2=0.359,p=0.54). Increased seizures were the most frequent sign in 8 of 18 (44.4%), with intensification in 7 of 18 (38.9%). Irregular stimulation was detected in 5 of 18 (27.7%), with less intense stimulation in 4 of 18 (22.2%). Painful stimulation and behavioral worsening each occurred in 2 of 18 (11.1%). A subjective improvement in function after reimplantation was noted in 12 of 13 (92.3%) verbal patients, with greater intensity and consistency. Maximally tolerated reimplant current averaged −0.56 mA less. All but one (94.4%) felt surgery should be performed before clinical EOS occurred. Conclusions. We conclude that clinical signs and symptoms may arise during VNS EOS and following replacement. Seizure increase or a change in seizure pattern was most frequently observed. The tolerated reimplant current was less than the preoperative output current in most cases. Battery replacement before EOS appears desirable from a patient perspective.