cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying collaborative care teams through electronic medical record utilization patterns.

Objective The goal of this investigation was to determine whether automated approaches can learn patient-oriented care teams via utilization of an electronic medical record (EMR) system. Materials and Methods To perform this investigation, we designed a data-mining framework that relies on a combination of latent topic modeling and network analysis to infer patterns of collaborative teams. We applied the framework to the EMR utilization records of over 10 000 employees and 17 000 inpatients at a large academic medical center during a 4-month window in 2010. Next, we conducted an extrinsic evaluation of the patterns to determine the plausibility of the inferred care teams via surveys with knowledgeable experts. Finally, we conducted an intrinsic evaluation to contextualize each team in terms of collaboration strength (via a cluster coefficient) and clinical credibility (via associations between teams and patient comorbidities). Results The framework discovered 34 collaborative care teams, 27 (79.4%) of which were confirmed as administratively plausible. Of those, 26 teams depicted strong collaborations, with a cluster coefficient > 0.5. There were 119 diagnostic conditions associated with 34 care teams. Additionally, to provide clarity on how the survey respondents arrived at their determinations, we worked with several oncologists to develop an illustrative example of how a certain team functions in cancer care. Discussion Inferred collaborative teams are plausible; translating such patterns into optimized collaborative care will require administrative review and integration with management practices. Conclusions EMR utilization records can be mined for collaborative care patterns in large complex medical centers.
Polymer mediated layer-by-layer assembly of different shaped gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have a wide range of properties with potential applications in electronics, optics, catalysis, and sensing. In order to demonstrate that dense, stable, and portable samples could be created for these applications, multiple layers of GNPs were assembled via drop casting on glass substrates by layer-by-layer (LBL) techniques. Two cationic polyelectrolytes, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and polyethyleneimine, one anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate), and one neutral polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, were combined with four different shapes of GNPs (spherical, rod, triangular prismatic, and octahedral) to prepare thin films. A subset of these polymer nanoparticle combinations were assembled into thin films. Synthesized GNPs were characterized via dynamic light scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy and the LBL thin films were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Sensing applications of the nanoparticles in solution and thin films were tested by monitoring the localized surface plasmon resonance of the GNPs. LBL thin films were prepared ranging from 25 to 100 layers with optical densities at plasmon from 0.5 to 3.0. Sensitivity in solutions ranged from 14 to 1002nm/refractive index units (RIU) and films ranged from 18.8 to 135.1nm/RIU suggesting reduced access to the GNPs within the films.
Marked brain asymmetry with intact cognitive functioning in idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a longitudinal analysis.

AbstractObjective: A 71-year-old (MN) with an 11-year history of left onset tremor diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease (PD) completed longitudinal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. MRI scans showed an asymmetric caudate nucleus (right < left volume). We describe this asymmetry at baseline and the progression over time relative to other subcortical gray, frontal white matter, and cortical gray matter regions of interest. Isolated structural changes are compared to MN’s cognitive profiles. Method: MN completed yearly MRIs and neuropsychological assessments. For comparison, left onset PD (n = 15) and non-PD (n = 43) peers completed the same baseline protocol. All MRI scans were processed with FreeSurfer and the FMRIB Software Library to analyze gray matter structures and frontal fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics. Processing speed, working memory, language, verbal memory, abstract reasoning, visuospatial, and motor functions were examined using reliable change methods. Resul...
Potassium Sorbate and Recovery of Pectinolytic Psychrotrophs from Vacuum-Packaged Pork.

Pork loins were divided into small roasts. Thirty roasts were uninoculated and 30 were inoculated by dipping in 1 % peptone water containing 100 Colony-forming units (CFU)/ml of pectinolytic Yersinia enterocolitica . Twenty-four each of the uninoculated and inoculated roasts were sprayed with or dipped in 5 or 10% solutions of potassium sorbate. All roasts were then vacuum-packaged and stored at 5°C. After storage for 1 or 21 d, three roasts from each group were examined for psychrotrophic plate count (PPC) and the 3-tube most probable number of pectionolytic bacteria. Counts of psychrotrophs on lean surfaces of untreated controls increased by nearly 3.4 log10. Numbers on sorbate-treated lean surfaces increased about 2.0 log10. Growth and differences in counts on fatty surfaces were less. Numbers of pectinolytic bacteria on lean surfaces of controls increased by nearly 2.0 log10, but numbers of pectinase producers did not change significantly during storage of sorbate-treated samples. Of 30 pectinolytic isolates identified from roasts stored 21 d at 5°C, 87% were Yersinia spp. and 13% were Klebsiella oxytoca . Since most of the pectinolytic isolates were psychrotrophs of public health significance, inhibition of their growth by sorbate is of particular importance.
Real-time optically processed target recognition system based on arbitrary moire contours

Experiments using Liquid Crystal Televisions (LCTVs) as spatial light modulators for optical correlators, and optical input devices, have been reported upon widely. Moreover, applications of these devices for target recognition and automatic inspection systems are well documented. These systems often require the implementation of computer pre- and post- processing for image filtering and target recognition which handicaps real-time optical processing applications. It is possible to construct custom reference gratings that form a desired moire pattern when mixed with images of structurally illuminated targets. The moire patterns can be in any form, from equal depth contours, to error maps, to any arbitrary pattern desired. We have demonstrated video methods to generate such error maps in real-time. Furthermore, we have removed restrictions on the shape of the output moire contours, thus, developing a real-time automated inspection system based on the optical processing of arbitrary moire contours. We chose the moire pattern to be in the form of a Fresnel zone plate which is sent to an LCTV. Illumination of this zone plate with parallel coherent light results in a diffracted beam which produces a focused line on a detector. The result is a mixed video- optical processing system that could be used for real-time quality level sorting or other automated inspection requirements.
Amino Acid Catabolism in Staphylococcus aureus and the Function of Carbon Catabolite Repression

Staphylococcus aureus must rapidly adapt to a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources during invasion of a host. Within a staphylococcal abscess, preferred carbon sources such as glucose are limiting, suggesting that S. aureus survives through the catabolism of secondary carbon sources. S. aureus encodes pathways to catabolize multiple amino acids, including those that generate pyruvate, 2-oxoglutarate, and oxaloacetate. To assess amino acid catabolism, S. aureus JE2 and mutants were grown in complete defined medium containing 18 amino acids but lacking glucose (CDM). A mutation in the gudB gene, coding for glutamate dehydrogenase, which generates 2-oxoglutarate from glutamate, significantly reduced growth in CDM, suggesting that glutamate and those amino acids generating glutamate, particularly proline, serve as the major carbon source in this medium. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies confirmed this supposition. Furthermore, a mutation in the ackA gene, coding for acetate kinase, also abrogated growth of JE2 in CDM, suggesting that ATP production from pyruvate-producing amino acids is also critical for growth. In addition, although a functional respiratory chain was absolutely required for growth, the oxygen consumption rate and intracellular ATP concentration were significantly lower during growth in CDM than during growth in glucose-containing media. Finally, transcriptional analyses demonstrated that expression levels of genes coding for the enzymes that synthesize glutamate from proline, arginine, and histidine are repressed by CcpA and carbon catabolite repression. These data show that pathways important for glutamate catabolism or ATP generation via Pta/AckA are important for growth in niches where glucose is not abundant, such as abscesses within skin and soft tissue infections.IMPORTANCES. aureus is a significant cause of both morbidity and mortality worldwide. This bacterium causes infections in a wide variety of organ systems, the most common being skin and soft tissue. Within a staphylococcal abscess, levels of glucose, a preferred carbon source, are limited due to the host immune response. Therefore, S. aureus must utilize other available carbon sources such as amino acids or peptides to proliferate. Our results show that glutamate and amino acids that serve as substrates for glutamate synthesis, particularly proline, function as major carbon sources during growth, whereas other amino acids that generate pyruvate are important for ATP synthesis via substrate-level phosphorylation in the Pta-AckA pathway. Our data support a model whereby certain amino acid catabolic pathways, and acquisition of those particular amino acids, are crucial for growth in niches where glucose is not abundant.
Plastic Bonded Explosive (PBX) Particle Size Distribution (PSD) Measurements Using an Image Analysis System

The slurry process for producing plastic bonded explosives (PBX) has been used for many years. However, until recently the mechanisms involved have not been studied quantitatively to determine the effects of the various control variables. Recently, the effects of operating variables on the final product have been studied; however, no attempt was made to measure particle growth during the slurry process. This study applies an image analysis tool to measure particle size distributions (PSDs) during the slurry process to produce PBX 9501, a specific formulation used in nuclear weapons. The observed PBX 9501 slurry behavior leads away from the typical population balance description of agglomeration, that is, a discrete particle-particle coalescence mechanism. The behavior observed in these experiments indicates that the initial state of the system contains a number of smaller particles clustered together. The cluster then coalesces into a large particle as solvent is removed and the slurry continuously mixed. Other small fragments are picked up and a relatively small amount of growth is observed. A mass transfer model adequately describes solvent removal, and an empirical model is developed to describe the growth behavior in terms of measured process variables. The image system is applied to dried molding powders.more » The PSD measurement results of the PBX 9501 library lots, historic samples set aside as PBX 9501 lots were accepted from the manufacturer, are also discussed and analyzed. A correlation analysis was conducted to find relationships between the measured PSD and other properties such as bulk density and pressed densities. While no significant correlation was found between the measured PSD and averaged bulk densities for the library lots, significant correlations are found between the measured PSD and pressed density. The final part of the study was to scale-up the PSD measurement capability. Since the large-scale processes are not yet operational, this work makes recommendations for future consideration. Also, some additional small-scale experiments are recommended as well as improvements to the smallscale experimental apparatus.« less
Influence of Pleurectomy and Decortication in Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Complete macroscopic resection surgery, pleurectomy and decortication (PD) improve survival in selected patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Yet its value has been questioned because of concern that this extensive surgical procedure may disrupt health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL was studied in patients undergoing PD surgery for MPM using EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument at baseline (prior to surgery), 1, 4–5, 7–8, and 10–11 months following surgery. Global health and variables in function and symptom domains were investigated. Sub-groups analyses were performed for ECOG performance status (PS), histological sub-types and pathological tumor volume (pTV). Within-patient comparisons to baseline scores were made using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Trends over time were evaluated using Cuzick’s nonparametric test. There were 114 patients with median age of 70 years (range: 50–88) and PS 0: 35 (30.7%), epithelioid histology: 61 (53.5%) and volume <600 ml: 58 (50.9%). Patients with good PS (PS 0), epithelioid histology and small pTV had greater level of functioning and were less symptomatic at baseline. Overall global health worsened at the first postoperative month (p = 0.0005) with subsequent improvement. Non-epithelioid histology and patients with large pTV demonstrated greater improvement in global health, function and symptoms domains following a PD. At baseline, the overall health-related quality of life, function and symptom domains were adversely affected in non-epithelioid histology and patients with large pTV. However, greatest improvement in global health, symptom and function domains were observed first month after PD and during the follow-up in these sub-groups.
In Search of the High Road: Meaning and Evidence:

This article is the first in a series to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ILR Review. We will be highlighting important research themes that have been featured in the journal over its many yea...
Harriet Martineau (1802–1876): Autobiography, Biography, and Literary Legacies

In this chapter, Logan explores the vexed impact of biographical writing on Harriet Martineau’s intellectual and literary legacies. Biographies reflect the attitudes and social mores of the time in which they are written, whether composed by an intimate friend equipped with primary sources or by scholars relying on archival and secondary materials. Whereas early biographical writing on Martineau featured sentimentalized, saccharine productions, modern work reflects a wide array of critical, interdisciplinary analyses better suited to her contributions to literary and intellectual history.
The “Medicinal Cannabis Question”: How Actors Legitimate Vote Choice on Medical Marijuana Policy

While there has been much analysis of how policymakers shape criminal justice policy in the United States, the role of voters in legitimating such policy has been largely overlooked. This is import...
Aperiodic Porous Metasurface-Mediated Organic Semiconductor Fluorescence

Plasmonic metasurfaces exhibit localized electromagnetic properties that are highly relevant for light management in thin-film organic optoelectronic devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes and organic solar cells. However, the effectiveness of metasurfaces for light management in these devices is complicated by molecular orientation effects. Here, we study how the fluorescence emission from organic semiconducting polymers is modified by aperiodic porous metasurfaces. In particular, we identify the role that polymer molecular orientation plays in enhancing or diminishing the light management ability of the metasurface by comparing local- and large-area fluorescence intensity and fluorescence quantum efficiency enhancements, and by varying viewing angle, for three different semiconducting polymers. We find that the porous metasurfaces improve both the local and large-area quantum efficiency of semiconducting polymer films with more out-of-plane molecular chains by up to 414% and 53%, respectively, c...
Errors in Chest Radiology

Errors in chest radiology are caused by improper technique, by failure to interpret results correctly, or by inadequate knowledge of the patients’s clinical history on the part of the radiologist.
Infected symptomatic carotid artery atheroma concurrent with bacterial endocarditis.

Optimal management of patients with stroke due to symptomatic carotid artery disease coexistent with bacterial endocarditis is still not well established. We report the case of a patient who presented with multifocal left middle cerebral artery stroke in the setting of Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis and was found to have near-occlusive ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis in stroke workup. Carotid artery endarterectomy was performed, and atheroma material demonstrated complicated plaque with cultures positive for E. faecalis. This report demonstrates that patients with cardioembolic disorders such as bacterial endocarditis with vegetations who present with stroke may benefit from evaluation for extracranial vessel stenosis. Also, additional consideration should be given to the possibility of infected atheroma in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis with recent or active endocarditis or bacteraemia.
Nationalism and African Intellectuals

Falola and Agbo offer an engaging analysis of African nationalism since the nineteenth century. The constant question confronting African intellectual thought for two centuries now has been: Against the background of Western incursion, how can Africa uplift itself? Falola and Agbo examine the intersection between nationalism and African intellectuals in the quest by African elites to address issues of tradition, change, politics, and power. They discuss efforts by African elites to reconstruct a new image for Africa; how nationalism shaped the production of knowledge and influenced politics in Africa; the relationship between African intelligentsia and the Europeans and subsequent state formations; the contradictions manifested within Pan-Africanism and nationalism; and the relation of academic institutions and intellectual production to the state during the nationalist period and beyond.
Hedonic and utilitarian shopping goals: a decade later

AbstractI am pleased to be invited to share some thoughts about my article on the topic of hedonic and utilitarian shopping goals, which was co-authored by Renee Florsheim and published in the Journal of Business Research in 2008. Our article is among the most-cited ever to appear in the Journal of Business Research (JBR), which is quite an honor for us as authors as well as a strong statement about the importance of the topic. What I have done in this invited article is to begin by describing the process by which we developed our ideas, then briefly revisit our key findings, and discuss in some detail the directions that have been taken by later researchers citing our seminal work. Finally, I conclude with ideas on some of the factors that influence how a paper becomes widely cited and suggest areas of further research that could build upon this work.
Disabling Written Descriptors and Attitudes Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

We used variations in disability descriptors to assess stability of attitudes toward persons with disabilities among participants with spinal cord injuries. Participants completed one of three versions of the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP) Scale; these versions used either nondisabling, disabling, or the original wording of the ATDP. We found a significant difference between the three groups' attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, based on the wording of the ATDP, F(2, 33) = 12.69, p < .0001. Post hoc tests revealed that the original wording (“disabled persons”) yielded the least favored attitude toward individuals with disabilities. Participants viewed the nondisabling version (“persons with disabilities”) most favorably, although the difference between scores related to this wording and the disabling version (“the disabled”) was not significant. Participants also rated the “author” of the questionnaires on the liking and positive and negative adjectives endorsement variables, with no significant differences noted. The current results differed from those of previous studies, which failed to demonstrate a significant difference based on disabling descriptors, in persons with and without mild disabilities. Results of this study suggested that individuals with severe and likely permanent disabilities may be more sensitive to the wording used to refer to them than are persons with mild disabilities, and these terms may affect their perception of individuals with disabilities in general. These findings highlight the need to use nondisabling language.
Quantitative Approaches to Seizure Severity

Assessment of the severity of seizures or their clinical manifestations may be of equal or greater impact on patient functional status as the total number of seizures. However, subjective and qualitative aspects of seizures are difficult to quantify. The major problems inherent in assessing seizure severity include dependence on patient recall and reporting, as well as observer documentation. Reports focus on whether the patient was alert and in control during a seizure, whether a warning aura (simple partial onset) preceded altered consciousness, whether a fall during a seizure caused self-injury (e.g., compression fracture during tonic-clonic seizures) and similar items as major issues in assessing seizure severity.
Microbody (peroxisome) matrix: transformation into tubular structures.

Following CPIB treatment one or more double-walled tubular structures, measuring 110 μ in diameter, were observed in the hepatic microbody profiles in hypophysectomized rats, as well in rats bearing liver tumors. These tubules appeared as straight rigid rods of considerable length and were oriented irregularly within the microbody profiles. Examination of several microbody profiles containing these tubules suggests that these structures may be formed as a result of transformation of microbody matrix protein(s). Varying degrees of electron lucency of microbody matrix and the size and shape of the channels containing these straight tubules are considered as further evidence to indicate that microbody proteins circulate within the endoplasmic reticulum channels.
An Unapportioned Wealth Tax Has Constitutional Problems

This article is a response to one written by Professor Calvin Johnson, who contends that a wealth tax like those proposed by presidential candidates Warren and Sanders would be clearly constitutional. This article argues that a wealth tax would be a direct tax and that, under the Constitution, it would therefore have to be apportioned among the states on the basis of population to be valid. If a wealth tax would have to be apportioned, it couldn’t work in the way intended. Among other things, the article challenges Professor Johnson’s arguments that the apportionment rule wasn’t intended to constrain the national taxing power and that it applies only when it makes no difference — when the tax base is spread state-by-state in a way proportionate to state populations. Most important, Professor Johnson, like many other academics who have supported the constitutionality of an unapportioned wealth tax, ignores what the Supreme Court held in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius only seven years ago: that a tax on any property — and what is a wealth tax but a tax on property? — is direct. In the real world, what the Supreme Court says about constitutional meaning trumps the writing of academics.
Artificial Intelligent Virtual Assistant for Plastic Surgery Patient's Frequently Asked Questions: A Pilot Study.

Background Artificial Intelligent Virtual Assistants (AIVA) is a segment of artificial intelligence that is rapidly developing. However, its utilization to address patients' frequently asked questions remains unexplored. Methods We developed an AIVA to answer questions related to 10 frequent topics asked by plastic surgery patients in our institution. Between July 27, 2018, and August 10 of 2018, we recruited subjects with administrative positions at our health care institution to chat with the virtual assistant. They asked, with their own words, 1 question for each topic and filled out a satisfaction questionnaire. Postsurvey analysis of questions and answers allowed assessment of the virtual assistant's accuracy. Results Thirty participants completed the survey. The majority was female (70%), and the mean age was 27.76 years (SD, 8.68 [19-51] years). The overall accuracy of the plastic surgery AIVA was 92.3% (277/294 questions), and participants considered the answer correct in 83.3% of the time (250/294 answers). Most of the participants considered the AIVA easy to use, answered adequately, and could be helpful for patients. However, when asked if this technology could replace a human assistant, they stayed neutral.
Fast Algorithms for Conducting Large-Scale GWAS of Age-at-Onset Traits Using Cox Mixed-Effects Models.

Age-at-onset is one of the critical traits in cohort studies of age-related diseases. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of age-at-onset traits can provide more insights into genetic effects on disease progression and transitions between stages. Moreover, proportional hazards (or Cox) regression models can achieve higher statistical power in a cohort study than a case-control trait using logistic regression. Although mixed-effects models are widely used in GWAS to correct for sample dependence, application of Cox mixed-effects models (CMEMs) to large-scale GWAS is so far hindered by intractable computational cost. In this work, we propose COXMEG, an efficient R package for conducting GWAS of age-at-onset traits using CMEMs. COXMEG introduces fast estimation algorithms for general sparse relatedness matrices including, but not limited to, block-diagonal pedigree-based matrices. COXMEG also introduces a fast and powerful score test for dense relatedness matrices, accounting for both population stratification and family structure. In addition, COXMEG generalizes existing algorithms to support positive semidefinite relatedness matrices, which are common in twin and family studies. Our simulation studies suggest that COXMEG, depending on the structure of the relatedness matrix, is orders of magnitude computationally more efficient than coxme and coxph with frailty for GWAS. We found that using sparse approximation of relatedness matrices yielded highly comparable results in controlling false-positive rate and retaining statistical power for an ethnically homogeneous family-based sample. By applying COXMEG to a study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Family Study from the National Institute on Aging sample comprising 3456 non-Hispanic whites and 287 African Americans, we identified the APOE e4 variant with strong statistical power (P = 1e-101), far more significant than that reported in a previous study using a transformed variable and a marginal Cox model. Furthermore, we identified novel SNP rs36051450 (P = 2e-9) near GRAMD1B, the minor allele of which significantly reduced the hazards of AD in both genders. These results demonstrated that COXMEG greatly facilitates the application of CMEMs in GWAS of age-at-onset traits.
Attitudes about aggression and perpetration of Adolescent Dating Aggression: A cross-lagged panel model.

Abstract Introduction Several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have found associations between attitudes about aggression and aggressive behaviors. However, few studies examine all subtypes of Adolescent Dating Aggression (ADA)—physical, psychological/emotional, sexual, and stalking; occurring in person or electronically—and there is a paucity of longitudinal studies that follow adolescents over several years. Methods Middle school and high school students (N = 1240), in the Midwestern United States, participated in surveys one time per year for four years. Data from each year (Y1, Y2, Y3, & Y4) was used to conduct a cross-lagged panel analysis of attitudes about aggression and aggressive behaviors, among both cohorts. Results By Y4, approximately 46% of the middle school cohort and 60% of the high school cohort perpetrated some form of ADA. The cross-lagged panel analysis revealed significant cross-sectional associations in the middle school (Y1, Y2, & Y4) and high school (Y1 & Y2) cohorts. Aggressive behaviors were significantly associated with future aggressive behaviors for the middle and high school cohorts each year. Similarly, attitudes about aggression were significantly associated with attitudes in the following years for both cohorts. Among the middle school cohort, there were significant cross-lagged effects between aggressive behaviors in Y2 and attitudes about aggression in Y3, as well as aggressive behaviors in Y3 and attitudes about aggression in Y4. Among the high school cohort, a bidirectional association was found from Y2 to Y3. Conclusions These findings suggest prevention programs should be implemented earlier, among middle school aged adolescents, and target factors beyond attitudes supporting aggression.
The Audio Spectrum

The age-old question is: If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?
DNA Methyltransferase 3A Is Involved in the Sustained Effects of Chronic Stress on Synaptic Functions and Behaviors

Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms regulate aberrant gene transcription in stress-associated mental disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated about the role of DNA methylation and its catalyzing enzymes, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), in this process. Here, we found that male rats exposed to chronic (2-week) unpredictable stress exhibited a substantial reduction of Dnmt3a after stress cessation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a key target region of stress. Treatment of unstressed control rats with DNMT inhibitors recapitulated the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on decreased AMPAR expression and function in PFC. In contrast, overexpression of Dnmt3a in PFC of stressed animals prevented the loss of glutamatergic responses. Moreover, the stress-induced behavioral abnormalities, including the impaired recognition memory, heightened aggression, and hyperlocomotion, were partially attenuated by Dnmt3a expression in PFC of stressed animals. Finally, we found that there were genome-wide DNA methylation changes and transcriptome alterations in PFC of stressed rats, both of which were enriched at several neural pathways, including glutamatergic synapse and microtubule-associated protein kinase signaling. These results have therefore recognized the potential role of DNA epigenetic modification in stress-induced disturbance of synaptic functions and cognitive and emotional processes.
Assessing the impact of a restrictive opioid prescribing law in West Virginia.

BACKGROUND The Opioid Reduction Act (SB 273) took effect in West Virginia in June 2018. This legislation limited ongoing chronic opioid prescriptions to 30 days' supply, and first-time opioid prescriptions to 7 days' supply for surgeons and 3 days' for emergency rooms and dentists. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of this legislation on reducing opioid prescriptions in West Virginia, with the goal of informing future similar policy efforts. METHODS Data were requested from the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) including overall number of opioid prescriptions, number of first-time opioid prescriptions, average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and prescription duration (expressed as "days' supply") given to adults during the 64 week time periods before and after legislation enactment. Statistical analysis was done utilizing an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) interrupted time series analysis to assess impact of both legislation announcement and enactment while controlling secular trends and considering autocorrelation trends. Benzodiazepine prescriptions were utilized as a control. RESULTS Our analysis demonstrates a significant decrease in overall state opioid prescribing as well as a small change in average daily MME associated with the date of the legislation's enactment when considering serial correlation in the time series and accounting for pre-intervention trends. There was no such association found with benzodiazepine prescriptions. CONCLUSION Results of the current study suggest that SB 273 was associated with an average 22.1% decrease of overall opioid prescriptions and a small change in average daily MME relative to the date of legislative implementation in West Virginia. There was, however, no association of the legislation on first-time opioid prescriptions or days' supply of opioid medication, and all variables were trending downward prior to implementation of SB 273. The control demonstrated no relationship to the law.
Thrombophilia Testing After Ischemic Stroke: Why, When, and What?

Thrombophilia testing is frequently performed after an ischemic stroke, particularly when cryptogenic. However, there is minimal evidence supporting a significant association between most condition...
Arterial Fat Embolism in a Pediatric Patient with Femur Fracture: A Case Report.

Case Here, we present the case of a pediatric polytrauma patient found to have lower extremity intra-arterial fat embolism causing ischemic necrosis and ultimately necessitating below-the-knee amputation. Conclusion Fat embolism, a common complication of long bone fractures in adults, can be associated with significant morbidity. Although rare, it should be considered among the possible etiologies for a pulseless limb after trauma. Early fracture stabilization may prevent fat embolism and fat embolism syndrome; however, there is no known definitive treatment, and management is supportive.
“Liberation Theology opted for the Poor, and the Poor opted for [Neo-]Pentecostalism”:

One of the most significant movements in the history of Christianity is Pentecostalism, and Brazil probably has the largest number of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians in the world. Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon and exhibits diversity of expression, depending on a combination of factors that include culture, ecclesial traditions, and localized beliefs and practices. Amid this religious diversity certain key ideas appear to be pervasive if not altogether universal. One of these key ideas is the so-called “prosperity gospel”, which refers to the belief that as part of the blessings of the kingdom of God believers have the right to expect both health and material benefit. One of the contradictions with this kind of religious expression is the fact that the people who appear to hold to this view most ardently are in fact the poor of Pentecostalism. Why is it the case the poorest of the poor hold on to a view that is often transmitted from the United States of America and appears to reflect the material aspirations associated with the “American dream” rather than the empirical realities of Latin American contexts? This paper seeks to illustrate how [Neo-]Pentecostals hold on to their belief in the “prosperity gospel”, identifying the key biblical text that is used in this hermeneutic, as well as the cultural practices that support its maintenance. From this analysis, questions are raised about what aspects might inform the so-called historic churches when seeking to negotiate their relationship with [Neo-]Pentecostals.
Analysis of EMI Source in the Balanced Inverter with Desynchronization of Gate Signals

This paper presents an analytical model for estimating electromagnetic interference (EMI) generation when a balanced inverter experiences desynchronization of its inverter gate signals. The balanced inverter is a novel topology that can reduce the common-mode emissions significantly when the gate signals are tightly synchronized. However, the impact of non-ideal conditions in the inverter or machine must be carefully investigated. This condition may be attributable to a variety of sources including desynchronization of the gate signals, unbalanced parasitic inductances in the PCB board, or unbalanced impedances in the three-phase machine windings. Wide-bandgap (WBG) power devices are used in this research which exacerbates the common-mode emissions issue due to the high switching frequencies and high dv/dt values made possible by these devices. The presented analytical approach confirms that gate signal desynchronization should be minimized in order to maximize the CM emissions reduction benefits made possible by the balanced inverter.
Come one, come all? Re-evaluating RNA polymerase II pre-initiation complex assembly using single-molecule microscopy.

Complementary papers by Nguyen et al. (2021) and Baek et al. (2021) track the assembly of the pre-initiation complexes at gene promoters using single-molecule microscopy, revealing dynamic spatiotemporal regulation of transcription initiation.
Preventing 30-day readmissions for patients with cancer: A root-cause analysis.

226Background: The high rate of unplanned 30-day readmissions for patients with cancer is a significant driver of costs and a marker of poor quality. In this study, we analyzed 30-day readmissions ...
Tests for Specification Errors in Classical Linear Least-Squares Regression Analysis

SUMMARY The effects on the distribution of least-squares residuals of a series of model mis-specifications are considered. It is shown that for a variety of specification errors the distributions of the least-squares residuals are normal, but with non-zero means. An alternative predictor of the disturbance vector is used in developing four procedures for testing for the presence of specification error. The specification errors considered are omitted variables, incorrect functional form, simultaneous equation problems and heteroskedasticity. THE objectives of this paper are two. The first is to derive the distributions of the classical linear least-squares residuals under a variety of specification errors. The errors considered are omitted variables, incorrect functional form, simultaneous equation problems and heteroskedasticity. It is assumed that the disturbance terms are independently and normally distributed. It will be shown that the effect of the specification errors considered above is, with the exception of the error of heteroskedasticity, to yield residuals which though normally distributed do not have zero means, so that the distribution of the squared residuals is non-central x2. The second objective is to derive procedures to test for the presence of the specification errors considered in the first part of the paper. The tests are developed by comparing the distribution of residuals under the hypothesis that the specification of the model is correct to the distribution of the residuals yielded under the alternative hypothesis that there is a specification error of one of the types considered in the first part of the paper. As a preliminary step to deriving the test procedures the classical least-squares residual vector is transformed to a sub-vector which has more desirable properties for testing the null hypothesis that the specification of the model is correct. Also, under certain assumptions, with respect to the alternative hypothesis, it is shown that the mean vector of the residuals can be approximated by a linear sum of vectors qj,
IOP telemetry in the nonhuman primate

This review is focused on continuous IOP monitoring using telemetry systems in the nonhuman primate (NHP), presented in the context that IOP fluctuations at various timescales may be involved in glaucoma pathogenesis and progression. We use glaucoma as the primary framework to discuss how the dynamic nature of IOP might change with age, racial heritage, and disease in the context of glaucoma susceptibility and progression. We focus on the limited work that has been published in IOP telemetry in NHPs, as well as the emerging data and approaches. We review the ongoing efforts to measure continuous IOP, and the strengths, weaknesses and general pitfalls of the various approaches.
Protein-Ionic Detergent Interaction VOLUME AND ELECTROPHORETIC CHANGES PRODUCED BY SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE REACTION WITH BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract The volume effects produced by the reaction of sodium dodecyl sulfate with bovine serum albumin were determined dilatometrically at 30.0 ± 0.001°. The calculated volume isotherms indicate the operation of at least two major processes: (a) a volume decrease which is caused by a high affinity protein-detergent interaction and occurs at detergent concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 m; and (b) a volume increase which occurs at SDS concentrations g0.08 m and is attributed to detergent interaction with the structurally altered protein. At detergent concentrations less than 0.02 m either positive or negative volume changes are produced depending on the type and ionic charge of the protein. The effect of pH was investigated by comparing the volume isotherms produced by albumin at pH 5.1 and at pH 8; the negatively charged albumin exhibited a more pronounced volume decrease compared with the isoionic albumin. The volume isotherms are a unique function of the composition, structural organization, and charge of the protein. Acrylamide gel electrophoretic studies of these systems reveal the generation of at least two categories of protein-detergent complexes. At low ratios of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to protein, there is a progressive increase of the mobility of protein complexes with increasing anion concentration. At detergent concentration ≥0.02 m another component is formed whose mobility is substantially faster than that observed at lower concentrations. At SDS concentrations ≥0.08 m this is the only component present; the mobility of this component is invariant in the concentration region of 0.02 to 0.5 m SDS.
A kinetic model for oxotremorine M binding to recombinant porcine m2 muscarinic receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The kinetic mechanism of super high affinity [3H]oxotremorine M binding to porcine m2 muscarinic receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was examined. In cell lines expressing low receptor numbers (10(4) binding sites/cell) and in high expression (10(6) sites/cell) cell lines treated with cholate, [3H]oxotremorine M association and dissociation kinetics were monophasic. The reciprocal relaxation time for the association reaction was independent of [3H]oxotremorine M concentration and equaled the dissociation rate constant consistent with a special case for a mechanism involving a protein conformational change followed by ligand binding. Membranes from high expression cell lines and porcine atrial membranes showed complex kinetic behavior. Two kinetic phases were observed for [3H]oxotremorine M association, and both reciprocal relaxation times were independent of ligand concentration. The number of kinetic phases and their relative amplitudes seen in dissociation experiments were dependent on whether dissociation was initiated by dilution or by addition of unlabeled ligand(s) as well as on the fractional saturation of the receptor. Computer simulations of the data led to a model consistent with the existence of asymmetric receptor dimers as well as monomers and the ligand-dependent interconversion of fully occupied dimers and monomers.
Desmond Morris's The Human Animal: A Personal View of the Human Species—The Language of the Body

Desmond Morris's The Human Animal:. Personal View of the Human Species—The Language of the Body. Clive Bromhall. dir. Princeton: Films for the Humanities and Sciences, 1999. 50 min.
Declining Cancer Rates in the 1990s

PURPOSE: To provide evidence of a substantial decline in cancer rates for the period 1991 through 1995 and characterize major risk factors that seem to be driving secular trends in cancer mortality and incidence. DESIGN: Incidence and mortality rates were calculated using national surveillance data collected through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the National Center for Health Statistics. RESULTS: All-sites cancer incidence and mortality fell in the period 1991 through 1995; this decline is largely attributable to decreases in the smoking-related cancers, especially lung cancer. Of the 20 leading incident cancers today, both incidence and mortality are decreasing among 11 sites for men and 12 for women. In men, the decline in mortality has been notable and is especially apparent for the smoking-related cancers, including those of the lung, oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, and, to a lesser extent, bladder. In women, all-sites mortality decreased only approximately 0.4% f...
Interdisciplinary and Intradisciplinary Research and Teaching in Kinesiology: Continuing the Conversation

Interdisciplinary work is increasingly becoming a larger expectation in research and teaching. Moreover, prominent kinesiologists have proposed interdisciplinary research as a solution to perceived and/or real fragmentation issues that have developed within the field and across, and even within the various subdisciplines. For such an important topic, however, there is a lack of research surrounding interdisciplinary research in kinesiology. This may be due to the ambiguity surrounding interdisciplinary research, an often misunderstood and misapplied concept with deep philosophical roots. The purpose of this article is to help those in kinesiology understand and use interdisciplinary concepts in their work. Toward this end, the article provides an overview of the literature and suggests kinesiology-specific definitions for interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary research. Additionally, the article gives examples of interdisciplinary research projects. Finally, the article will expand beyond scholarship and...
On the simulation of analog VLSI systems operating in the subthreshold and transition regions

Issues related to the simulation of analog integrated systems are investigated, especially those utilizing MOSFETs in the subthreshold region. Simulation program with IC emphasis SPICE3, CAzM, and anaLOG, three of the most commonly available university tools, are examined to determine their relative strengths and applicability. The ease of obtaining convergence, the reliability of results, and modeling issues are discussed. >
Quantitative trait loci for fluctuating asymmetry of discrete skeletal characters in mice

Levels of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) are often taken as indicators of the degree to which genotypes differ in their ability to buffer genetic and environmental sources of variation. Interval mapping techniques were used to search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting directional asymmetry (DA) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in six bilateral discrete skeletal traits in house mice. These six characters as well as 76 microsatellite markers were scored in over 500 mice that resulted from crosses of F1 mice originally produced from matings of the Large (LG/J) and Small (SM/J) inbred strains. The number of QTLs affecting DA in each of the characters was no more than expected by chance alone so it was concluded that there was little evidence for individual genes affecting DA. There appeared to be a genetical basis for FA in these characters, however, because the number of QTLs significantly affecting FA (10 at the 5% level, three at the 1% level) was greater than expected by chance alone. The 10 QTLs significantly affecting FA in any given character were located on eight different chromosomes, mostly at locations for QTLs affecting other characters or DA in other characters. Their cumulative contribution to the total phenotypic variance was small, averaging only 3.9% per locus. Dominance genotypic values for these QTLs were more extreme than additive genotypic values, suggesting that heterozygotes at many loci are better buffered than homozygotes and that allelic interactions (dominance) may play an important role in the production of FA.