cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time evolution of pulsar obliquity angle from 3D simulations of magnetospheres

The rotational period of isolated pulsars increases over time due to the extraction of angular momentum by electromagnetic torques. These torques also change the obliquity angle $\alpha$ between the magnetic and rotational axes. Although actual pulsar magnetospheres are plasma-filled, the time evolution of $\alpha$ has mostly been studied for vacuum pulsar magnetospheres. In this work, we self-consistently account for the plasma effects for the first time by analysing the results of time-dependent 3D force-free and magnetohydrodynamic simulations of pulsar magnetospheres. We show that if a neutron star is spherically symmetric and is embedded with a dipolar magnetic moment, the pulsar evolves so as to minimise its spin-down luminosity: both vacuum and plasma-filled pulsars evolve toward the aligned configuration ($\alpha=0$). However, they approach the alignment in qualitatively different ways. Vacuum pulsars come into alignment exponentially fast, with $\alpha \propto \exp(-t/\tau)$ and $\tau \sim$ spindown timescale. In contrast, we find that plasma-filled pulsars align much more slowly, with $\alpha \propto (t/\tau)^{-1/2}$. We argue that the slow time evolution of obliquity of plasma-filled pulsars can potentially resolve several observational puzzles, including the origin of normal pulsars with periods of $\sim1$ second, the evidence that oblique pulsars come into alignment over a timescale of $\sim 10^7$ years, and the observed deficit, relative to an isotropic obliquity distribution, of pulsars showing interpulse emission.
Relationship of late Quaternary fault scarps to subjacent faults, eastern Great Basin, Utah

High-resolution seismic reflection profiles in the Sevier Desert basin in western Utah help clarify the relationship between some late Quaternary fault scarps and subjacent faults. A profile crossing the Clear Lake fault confirms that Holocene(?) displacement has occurred on a high-angle normal fault that is directly connected to the Sevier Desert detachment. If detachment faults can act as seismogenic source zones, then the young movement on the normal fault suggests that the Sevier Desert detachment may be unstable and perhaps the source of future earthquakes. A swarm of late Quaternary scarps near the Drum Mountains overlies a network of steep faults in competent rock that have had recurrent movement. Many subsurface faults are not associated with scarps, suggesting that selected faults ruptured during the last episode of surface faulting.
Using an online video to teach nursing skills

Abstract Faculty are challenged to find teaching strategies that develop students' technical skills within the clinical learning laboratory. A step-by-step skill-specific video placed online allows students to learn these skills at the same level in comparison to traditional teaching methods. The author will describe how to develop a custom-made digital video for the skill of wet-to-dry sterile dressing change and the success of its use.
Radiation-induced brain injury: A review

Approximately 100,000 primary and metastatic brain tumor patients/year in the US survive long enough (>6 months) to experience radiation-induced brain injury. Prior to 1970, the human brain was thought to be highly radioresistant; the acute CNS syndrome occurs after single doses >30 Gy; white matter necrosis occurs at fractionated doses >60 Gy. Although white matter necrosis is uncommon with modern techniques, functional deficits, including progressive impairments in memory, attention, and executive function have become important, because they have profound effects on quality of life. Preclinical studies have provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Given its central role in memory and neurogenesis, the majority of these studies have focused on the hippocampus. Irradiating pediatric and young adult rodent brains leads to several hippocampal changes including neuroinflammation and a marked reduction in neurogenesis. These data have been interpreted to suggest that shielding the hippocampus will prevent clinical radiation-induced cognitive impairment. However, this interpretation may be overly simplistic. Studies using older rodents, that more closely match the adult human brain tumor population, indicate that, unlike pediatric and young adult rats, older rats fail to show a radiation-induced decrease in neurogenesis or a loss of mature neurons. Nevertheless, older rats still exhibit cognitive impairment. This occurs in the absence of demyelination and/or white matter necrosis similar to what is observed clinically, suggesting that more subtle molecular, cellular and/or microanatomic modifications are involved in this radiation-induced brain injury. Given that radiation-induced cognitive impairment likely reflects damage to both hippocampal- and non-hippocampal-dependent domains, there is a critical need to investigate the microanatomic and functional effects of radiation in various brain regions as well as their integration at clinically relevant doses and schedules. Recently developed techniques in neuroscience and neuroimaging provide not only an opportunity to accomplish this, but they also offer the opportunity to identify new biomarkers and new targets for interventions to prevent or ameliorate these late effects.
Commentary: Delisting and Redeveloping Brownfields in Texas: A Question of Effectiveness

In spring 1995, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced plans to “delist” over 24,000 sites from its inventory of potential Superfund sites known as CERCLIS (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System). The Clinton Administration hoped that by taking sites that had a very low probability of harboring severe contamination off the federal inventory, they could lift the cloud of environmental uncertainty; and with a gentle federal boost, laissez-faire development would improve conditions in the neediest neighborhoods. Through a review of the delisted sites available via Land View III, local records on brownfield properties, interviews with brownfields coordinators, and Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) inventories, we tabulated the number of delisted sites that were included in the two redevelopment efforts in Texas—the federal brownfields program and state VCP. The most obvious element of this tabulation is the small correspondence between delisted sites and brownfield or VCP efforts. While there is legitimate reason to claim success for the brownfield and voluntary cleanup programs for stimulating redevelopment, they have had little impact on the delisted sites. A national assessment of the process might point to states where there is greater congruence and identify the steps necessary to create greater overlap nationwide.
Child temperament, teacher-child interactions, and teacher-child relationships: A longitudinal investigation from first to third grade

The quality of children’s relationships with teachers in early elementary grades has implications for their academic and behavioral outcomes in later grades (e.g., Hamre & Pianta, 2001). The current study uses data from the NICHD SECCYD to extend work from a recent study of first grade (Rudasill & Rimm-Kaufman, 2009) by examining connections between child shyness, effortful control, and gender and teacher–child relationship quality in third grade directly and indirectly through the frequency of teacher- and child-initiated interactions in third grade, and teacher–child relationship quality in first grade. Path analyses using structural equation models were used to test two different models, one for conflict and one for close ness. Findings reveal five main points: (a) Children’s characteristics (i.e., shyness and effortful control) were related to the frequency of interactions they initiated with their third grade teachers; (b) The number of teacher-initiated interactions with a child in third grade was positively related to teacher perception of conflict, but not closeness, with that child; (c) Teachers’ perceptions of relationship quality and the number of teacher-initiated interactions in first grade predicted teachers’ percep tions of relationship quality and the number of teacher-initiated interactions in third grade; (d) Children’s gender predicted the number of teacher-initiated interactions and teachers’ perceptions of relationship quality in third grade; (e) Teacher–child relationship quality in first grade, and the number of teacher and child-initiated interactions in third grade, mediated associ ations between children’s characteristics and teacher–child relationship quality in third grade. Findings have implications for future research and training for preservice and practicing teachers.
Impact of Acute Intermittent Exercise on Natural Killer Cells in Breast Cancer Survivors

Background. Current research examining the effect of exercise on immune responses in cancer survivors is limited. Objective. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of 1 bout of intermittent exercise on natural killer (NK) cell numbers in breast cancer survivors. Methods. A total of 9 women with stage I to III invasive breast cancer who were 3 to 6 months posttreatment and 9 sedentary women without a history of cancer completed 10 three-minute intervals of aerobic exercise on the cycle ergometer at 60% of VO 2peak (peak oxygen uptake). Whole blood samples were taken pre-exercise, immediately postexercise, and at 2 hours and 24 hours postexercise. NK cell counts were assessed using flow cytometry. Results. In both groups, NK cell counts significantly increased immediately postexercise compared with pre-exercise (P = .004-.008) and returned to near pre-exercise levels during recovery (P = .129-.547). Absolute NK cell counts were significantly lower in breast cancer survivors immediately postexercise when compared with controls (P = .046). Conclusions. The breast cancer survivor group exhibited NK cell responses to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity intermittent aerobic exercise that were comparable with that in the group of physically similar women without a history of cancer. Immune changes related to cancer treatments may be related to the lower absolute NK cell counts observed in the breast cancer survivor group. Although the results of this study are preliminary in nature, they suggest that this type of exercise does not disrupt this aspect of innate immunity in recent breast cancer survivors, thereby supporting current exercise recommendations for this population.
Numerical modeling of short pulse laser interaction with Au nanoparticle surrounded by water

Abstract Short pulse laser interaction with a metal nanoparticle surrounded by water is investigated with a hydrodynamic computational model that includes a realistic equation of state for water and accounts for thermoelastic behavior and the kinetics of electron–phonon equilibration in the nanoparticle. Computational results suggest that, at laser fluences close to the threshold for vapor bubble formation, the region of biological damage due to the laser-induced thermal spike and the interaction of the pressure wave with internal cell structures can be localized within short distances from the absorbing particle comparable to the particle diameter. This irradiation regime is suitable for targeted generation of thermal and mechanical damage at the sub-cellular level.
Effect of Cholesterol Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Cortisone on Aortic Oxygen Consumption in Rabbit

In vitro estimation of aortic QO2 in normal rabbits revealed the thoracic portion to be lower than that of the arch and abdominal segments. These latter were not significantly different. Renal hypertension, cortisone administration and their combination with or without cholesterol feeding resulted in significant elevations of the oxygen consumption of all segments. The thoracic portion under these conditions was lowest and that of the arch was greater than that observed in the abdominal aorta. A depression of QO2 was observed in the aortas from normotensive rabbits subjected to cholesterol feeding with or without cortisone treatment. Although these findings indicate that hypertension and cortisone may profoundly alter the metabolic activity of the aorta, they could not be correlated with the degrees of cholesterol atherosclerosis observed in the various experimental situations explored.
VEGF/neuropilin-2 regulation of Bmi-1 and consequent repression of IGF-IR define a novel mechanism of aggressive prostate cancer

We demonstrate that the VEGF receptor, neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is associated with high-grade, PTEN-null prostate cancer and that its expression in tumor cells is induced by PTEN loss as a consequence of c-Jun activation. VEGF/NRP2 signaling represses IGF-1R expression and signaling and the mechanism involves Bmi-1-mediated transcriptional repression of the IGF-1R. This mechanism has significant functional and therapeutic implications that were evaluated. IGF-1R expression correlates with PTEN and inversely with NRP2 in prostate tumors. NRP2 is a robust biomarker for predicting response to IGF-1R therapy because prostate carcinomas that express NRP2 exhibit low levels of IGF-1R. Conversely, targeting NRP2 is only modestly effective because NRP2 inhibition induces compensatory IGF-1R signaling. Inhibition of both NRP2 and IGF-1R, however, completely blocks tumor growth in vivo.
The asymptotic redundancy of Bayes rules for Markov chains

We derive the asymptotics of the redundancy of Bayes rules for Markov chains of fixed order over a finite alphabet, extending the work of Barron and Clarke (1990) on independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) sources. The asymptotics are derived when the actual source is the class of /spl phi/-mixing sources which strictly includes Markov chains. These results can be used to derive minimax asymptotic rates of convergence for universal codes when a Markov chain of fixed order is used as a model.
Skin Pigmentation Changes in a Patient with a Sleep Disorder

This young man presented to the sleep disorders clinic complaining of difficulty sleeping at night. Describe the skin findings in the photograph (Figure). What is the patient's underlying sleep disorder? How are the skin findings and the diagnosis related? Answers: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome Hyperpigmentation and lichenification secondary to skin irritation Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) afflicts this gentleman and is the indirect cause of his localized and remarkable skin changes. He was first diagnosed with OSAS in May 2000 at which time he weighed 293 pounds (BMI: 50 kg/m2). The patient was prescribed nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but over the next 5 years his weight rose to 525 pounds(BMI: 71 kg/m2) and he found his CPAP to be less effective. He actually noted that he could only sleep by sitting upright and leaning his head against a wall. On physical examination, his forehead demonstrated an area of prominent post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and lichenification. This area corresponded to the region that would rest and rub against the wall when the patient attempted to sleep. Our patient has now been effectively reinstated on nasal CPAP but unsurprisingly his required pressure has increased from 10 to 15cm H20.
Scenario Analysis with BASICS

In scenario analysis representative and meaningful scenarios can be obtained with the help of branch-and-bound algorithms, equation systems as well as optimization and simulation models. The computer program BASICS simulates scenarios by a stepwise probability adjustment of scenario components. BASICS uses a rational function for adjusting. Here the question arises why this special kind of adjustment function is chosen. We additionally use similar but easier adjustment functions, compare the results and use cluster analysis to test the representativity of the total scenario space.
Genetic Risk Score for Essential Hypertension and Risk of Preeclampsia.

Background Preeclampsia is a hypertensive complication of pregnancy characterized by novel onset of hypertension after 20 weeks gestation, accompanied by proteinuria. Epidemiological evidence suggests that genetic susceptibility exists for preeclampsia; however, whether preeclampsia is the result of underlying genetic risk for essential hypertension has yet to be investigated. Based on the hypertensive state that is characteristic of preeclampsia, we aimed to determine if established genetic risk scores (GRSs) for hypertension and blood pressure are associated with preeclampsia. Methods Subjects consisted of 162 preeclamptic cases and 108 normotensive pregnant controls, all of Iowa residence. Subjects' DNA was extracted from buccal swab samples and genotyped on the Affymetrix Genome-wide Human SNP Array 6.0 (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Missing genotypes were imputed using MaCH and Minimac software. GRSs were calculated for hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) using established genetic risk loci for each outcome. Regression analyses were performed to determine the association between GRS and risk of preeclampsia. These analyses were replicated in an independent US population of 516 cases and 1,097 controls of European ancestry. Results GRSs for hypertension, SBP, DBP, and MAP were not significantly associated with risk for preeclampsia (P > 0.189). The results of the replication analysis also yielded nonsignificant associations. Conclusions GRSs for hypertension and blood pressure are not associated with preeclampsia, suggesting that an underlying predisposition to essential hypertension is not on the causal pathway of preeclampsia.
Mastitis Control by Penicillin and Novobiocin

In a study of the treatment of mastitis, cows from sixteen Southwestern Virginia Holstein dairy farms were used, including both milking parlour and stanchion barn herds. These herds also reflected a range of subjective management scores of poor, fair, good and excellent, as judged by the technicians who visited the farms on a weekly basis. Cows were assigned sequentially as they were identified, rather than randomly, to the treatments.
HOSPITAL VARIATION IN MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Clinical trials have not clearly identified specific therapies that improve outcomes for patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This uncertainty is likely to result in variation in care for HFpEF patients in US hospitals. We identified patients ≥18
Development of New High Temperature Power Generating Couples for the Advanced Thermoelectric Converter (ATEC)

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) have served as a reliable source of space power for decades, enabling robotic spacecraft to explore regions of the Solar System where photovoltaic systems are impractical. The increased power requirements for future missions, combined with the reduced availability of radioisotope fuel, has prompted the development of a higher specific power, higher efficiency converter system employing thermocouples with advanced thermoelectric materials. The challenges in incorporating these advanced materials into power generating thermocouples suitable for operation in a space-rated RTG are discussed herein.
Effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone on renal compensatory hypertrophy in rats.

SummaryThe effect of hypophysectomy on renal compensatory hypertrophy (RCH) was observed in unilaterally nephrectomized rats receiving no therapy and those receiving replacement therapy and was compared to the RCH attained by non-hypophysectomized unilaterally nephrectomized rats at 2, 5, and 10 days. In the latter group there was an initial rapid RCH seen at day 2 which continued, but at a slower rate, through day 10. In the hypophysectomized group without replacement therapy there was also an initial RCH in the first 48 hours. However, instead of the RCH continuing there was a regression in kidney size at 5 days and with no subsequent change at 10 days. In the hypophysectomized group receiving hormone replacement there was an initial RCH comparable to the other two groups, but the further renal enlargement at 10 days was much less than that of the non-hypophysectomized animals. The results of this experiment and of other reported studies imply the existence of a renotropic factor which is not produced i...
Thyroid Hormones: Effect on Aortic Acid Mucopolysaccharides and Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

SummaryThe effects of thyroid hormones on the serum lipids, aortic atherosclerosis and acid mucopolysaccharides were studied in 40 New Zealand white rabbits in two successive dietary periods: low and high contents of cholesterol. Thiouracil-treated rabbits had higher serum cholesterol levels but lesser cholesterol accumulation in the aorta than the euthyroid controls. On the other hand, thyroxine-treated rabbits tended to have serum cholesterol levels lower than those of the controls during cholesterol feeding but exhibited a greater degree of cholesterol accumulation in the aorta. Such a paradox could only be partially explained by a decrease of aortic hyaluronic acid in the thyroxine-treated group and an increase of heparitin sulfate in the thiouracil-treated group. These differences in aortic AMPS contents were only observed during low-cholesterol feeding periods and were abolished by cholesterol feeding.
Photoperiodic Induction and Seasonal Incidence of Embryonic Diapause in the Cotton Fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus,

Diapausing cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter) (Miridae), eggs are deposited in September, before the advent of adverse winter weather. Diapause is not immediately terminated in most eggs by a return to favorable conditions. About 50 percent of field collected eggs seem to be in an intense diapause and must receive chilling temperatures below 10°C before reactivation. The remaining 50 percent are in a less intense diapause. Low intensity diapause was induced by exposure of the parental generation to test photophases of 12 h or less. Inductive photoperiods must be experienced by the parental generation earlier than the 3rd instar. When placed in a drop of water, diapausing eggs remain opaque and yellowish. Non-diapausing eggs become clear and the embryo usually can be distinguished.
Status of Insecticide Resistance in Sugarcane Borer Populations in Louisiana

Endrin replaced cryolite and ryania for control of 2nd- and 3rd-generation infestations of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), about 1958 primarily because of its efficacy. By 1963 control failures began to occur and resistance was subsequently verified (Yadav et al. 1965). Azinphosmethyl, an organophosphate, was substituted for endrin and has been used extensively for 8 years. The studies reported herein were undertaken to determine if any field populations of the sugarcane borer have developed resistance to azinphosmethyl.
69 A MULTICOMPONENT MODEL CORRELATE WITH DELAYED GASTRIC EMPTYING IN DIABETIC GASTROPARESIS.

Introduction We have previously reported that a multicomponent model of autonomic and enteric factors can help predict gastric emptying in diabetes mellitus. Patients 87 patients (38 males, 49 females; mean age 39 6 10 years) with diabetes mellitus presenting with signs and symptoms of gastroparesis. Methods Autonomic tests included adrenergic tests by VC (vasoconstriction to cold) and PAR (postural ratio), cholinergic AFT was measured by ECG R to R interval (RRI). Enteric measure (EGG) was measured by cutaneous electrogastrogram. The data were compared to results of standardized solid gastric emptying reported as T50. Results Patients were distributed in 5 groups based on gastric emptying time (GET): 28% very delayed, 15% delayed, 22% normal, 17% rapid, and 18% very rapid (Table 1). There were statistically significant differences among the 5 group means for VC and RRI but not for EGG and PAR (Table 2). Conclusions A multicomponent model demonstrates specific autonomic and enteric differences in subgroups of diabetic gastroparesis. Therapies for diabetic gastroparesis, including drugs and devices, may need to take into account these physiologic differences when looking at therapeutic outcomes.
Effects of Modified Parvalbumin EF-Hand Motifs on Cardiac Myocyte Contractile Function.

Abstract Cardiac gene delivery of parvalbumin (Parv), an EF-hand Ca 2+ buffer, has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for diastolic heart failure, in which slow Ca 2+ reuptake is an important contributor. A limitation of wild-type (WT) Parv is the significant trade-off between faster relaxation and blunted contraction amplitude, occurring because WT-Parv sequesters Ca 2+ too early in the cardiac cycle and prematurely truncates sarcomere shortening in the facilitation of rapid relaxation. We recently demonstrated that an E → Q substitution (ParvE101Q) at amino acid 12 of the EF-hand Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ binding loop disrupts bidentate Ca 2+ binding, reducing Ca 2+ affinity by 99-fold and increasing Mg 2+ affinity twofold. ParvE101Q caused faster relaxation and not only preserved contractility, but unexpectedly increased it above untreated myocytes. To gain mechanistic insight into the increased contractility, we focused here on amino acid 12 of the EF-hand motif. We introduced an E → D substitution (ParvE101D) at this site, which converts bidentate Ca 2+ coordination to monodentate coordination. ParvE101D decreased Ca 2+ affinity by 114-fold and increased Mg 2+ affinity 28-fold compared to WT-Parv. ParvE101D increased contraction amplitude compared to both untreated myocytes and myocytes with ParvE101Q, with limited improvement in relaxation. Additionally, ParvE101D increased spontaneous contractions after pacing stress. ParvE101D also increased Ca 2+ transient peak height and was diffusely localized around the Z-line of the sarcomere, suggesting a Ca 2+ -dependent mechanism of enhanced contractility. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ load was not changed with ParvE101D, but postpacing Ca 2+ waves were increased. Together, these data show that inverted Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ binding affinities of ParvE101D increase myocyte contractility through a Ca 2+ -dependent mechanism without altering sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ load and by increasing unstimulated contractions and Ca 2+ waves. ParvE101D provides mechanistic insight into how changes in the Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ binding affinities of parvalbumin's EF-hand motif alter function of cardiac myocytes. These data are informative in developing new Ca 2+ buffering strategies for the failing heart.
Calculation of node-to-node congestion price

To the current trial power market with primary centralized-agreements and a few bilateral-agreements,a calculation approach for node-to-node congestion price is introduced.Its basic concept and detailed formulation are given.The congestion cost of each congested line for unit energy transmission is calculated according to the difference of the total energy cost between the economic dispatch with the corresponding single line capacity constraint and without any line capacity con-straint.The node-to-node congestion prices are then computed based on the power transmission distribution factors.If necessary,the congestion price can be allocated to both parties of an agreement.The agreements aggravating congestion are charged while the agreements alleviating congestion are compensated,and the amount(congestion charge or compensation) depends on the influence on the congested power flows.A five-node example from the PJM power market is tested and compared with the financial transmission rights mode.Results indicate that this approach is easy to operate,supplying the economic signals for effective congestion management.
The Potential Reduction of Medical Complications from Induced Abortion

Reducing medical complications resulting from induced abortion by identifying the safest and most appropriate procedures(s) for each gestational age is the purpose of this study. Data on all women who had induced abortions at all hospitals in the State of Hawaii where such procedures were performed between March 11, 1970, when the new abortion law went into effect, and June 30, 1974 were analyzed. Study findings show that if the abortion procedure with the least risk of complications at each length of gestation were selected a reduction in the complication rate of nearly 30% could result.
Changes in Functional Mobility and Musculoskeletal Pain After Bariatric Surgery in Teens With Severe Obesity: Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Study.

Importance Severe obesity is associated with mobility limitations and higher incidence of multijoint musculoskeletal pain. It is unknown whether substantial weight loss improves these important outcomes in adolescents with severe obesity. Objective To examine the association of bariatric surgery with functional mobility and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents with severe obesity up to 2 years after surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants The Teen – Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Study is a prospective, multicenter, observational study, which enrolled 242 adolescents (≤19 years of age) who were undergoing bariatric surgery from March 2007 through February 2012 at 5 US adolescent bariatric surgery centers. This analysis was conducted in November 2015. Interventions Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 161), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 67), or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (n = 14). Main Outcomes and Measures Participants completed a 400-m walk test prior to bariatric surgery (n = 206) and at 6 months (n = 195), 12 months (n = 176), and 24 months (n = 149) after surgery. Time to completion, resting heart rate (HR), immediate posttest HR, and HR difference (resting HR minus posttest HR) were measured and musculoskeletal pain concerns, during and after the test, were documented. Data were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), and surgical center (posttest HR and HR difference were further adjusted for changes in time to completion). Results Of the 206 adolescents with severe obesity included in the study, 156 were female (75.7%), the mean (SD) age was 17.1 (1.6) years, and the mean (SD) body mass index was 51.7 (8.5). Compared with baseline, significant improvements were observed at 6 months for the walk test time to completion (mean, 376 seconds; 95% CI, 365-388 to 347 seconds; 95% CI, 340-358; P Conclusions and Relevance These data provide evidence that bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity is associated with significant improvement in functional mobility and in the reduction of walking-related musculoskeletal pain up to 2 years after surgery.
Problems in Female Urology: Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome, Pelvic Floor Disorders, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Objectives 1. Provide a resource for nurse practitioners caring for female urology patients to aid in diagnosis and management of complex pelvic pain, including interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). 2. Review other female pelvic floor disorders (PFD) including pelvic organ prolapse (POP). 3. Differentiate among a broad range of differential diagnoses to exclude other causes of pelvic pain. 4. Recognize and manage IC/BPS according to the American Urological Association guidelines. 5. Outline the steps of evaluation and nonoperative as well as surgical management of pelvic floor disorders, e.g., pelvic organ prolapse.
Accessing and distributing large volumes of NetCDF data

In this paper, we will discuss how NASA's Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC) is distributing large volumes of ‘structured’ data using Daily Surface Weather Data and a corresponding Climatological Summaries Dataset (Daymet) as an example.
Young Women’s Reflections of Viewing a Sexual Image for the First Time

Women are surrounded by sexualized imagery as well as cultural narratives that dictate their sexual behavior. These diverse cultural narratives include: women are sexually passive, women should desire sex and be sexually empowered, and women are expected to navigate ambivalent societal messages regarding their sexuality. In our study, we explored how college-aged young women describe and understand their first exposure to a sexual image. This mixed methods study, guided by critical feminism, addresses how young women, reflecting on their experiences since girlhood, have navigated changing cultural standards for female sexuality in light of complex negotiations among varying expectations. We examined 445 young women’s written reflections on seeing a sexual image for the first time. Most of the women reported that this experience occurred when they were in elementary school, and at home with friends, family, or alone. We found four themes of reactions to seeing the image for the first time: unwanted, intrigued, ambivalent, and neutral. Implications for comprehensive sex education include the need for teachers, parents, and other trusted adults to provide accurate and age-appropriate knowledge and opportunities for discussion about sexuality. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.
Analysis of exchange effects in the /sup 16/O(/sup 6/Li,/sup 4/He)/sup 18/F and /sup 16/O(/sup 3/He,/sup 1/H)/sup 18/F reactions. [34 and 19. 8 MeV]

Exact finite-range cluster transfer distorted-wave Born approximation calculations were done for the reactions $^{16}\mathrm{O}$($^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$)$^{18}\mathrm{F}$ at 34 MeV and $^{16}\mathrm{O}$($^{3}\mathrm{He}$, $^{1}\mathrm{H}$)$^{18}\mathrm{F}$ at 19.8 MeV. Exchange contributions were included. The exchange process was found to be important for the $^{16}\mathrm{O}$($^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$)$^{18}\mathrm{F}$ reaction and it significantly improved the fit to the data. Spectroscopic factors for the exchange process in this reaction were extracted. Exchange is predicted to be inhibited by kinematic considerations for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$($^{3}\mathrm{He}$, $^{1}\mathrm{H}$)$^{18}\mathrm{F}$; the calculation confirmed that the exchange process was several orders of magnitude too small to affect the fit to the data.
Spatial and temporal variation in abundance, group size and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in the Florida coastal Everglades

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are abundant in many coastal ecosystems, including the coastal Everglades. Understanding spatial and temporal variation in their abundance and group sizes is important for estimating their potential ecological importance and predicting how environmental changes (e.g. ecosystem restoration) might impact their populations. From August 2010 to June 2012, we completed a total of 67 belt transects covering a total of 2650 linear km and an area of 1232 km2. Dolphin densities varied spatially and temporally. The highest densities of dolphins were found in coastal oceans and inland bays and were lowest in rivers. Use of rivers, however, increased during the dry season while densities in other habitats remained similar across seasons. Dolphins appeared to prefer portions of bays close to mangrove-covered islands over open waters. A resighting rate of 63.6% of individuals across the 2-year study suggests that at least a portion of the population is probably resident within study regions over long time periods. The largest groups (mean 6.28, range 1–31) were found in open waters and bays despite apparently low predation pressure. Indeed, shark bite scars – likely the result of unsuccessful predation attempts – were conclusively observed on only 1% of individuals. Although further studies are warranted, the high densities of dolphins suggest that they are an important upper trophic level predator in the coastal Everglades, but their ecological importance probably varies in space and time.
What's Happening and What Happened: Searching the Social Web

Every day millions of users share links and post comments on different social networks. At scale, this behavior can be very useful for building a new type of search engine that exploits relevant links and their associated metadata in a temporal fashion. Our goal is to find links that are relevant on social networks as a mechanism to discover what people are talking about at a given point in time and make such information searchable and persistent. In other words, a continually updated archive of relevant content that is currently being shared, beyond the obvious trending news of the day. The techniques we use surface new and interesting content by mining social network posts that contain links, constructing diffusion trees from those links, and extracting related entities and other associated metadata. By looking at the size of the trees and their structure in combination with the conversation around each link and related topics, we designed and implemented a search engine that provides relevant fresh content and features a "wayback machine''. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by processing a dataset comprising millions of English language tweets generated over a one year period. Finally, we perform an offline evaluation of our techniques and conduct a use case study using an available data set of fake and real news links.
Effect of dietary oils on peripheral neuropathy-related endpoints in dietary obese rats.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary oils (olive, safflower, evening primrose, flaxseed, or menhaden) enriched in different mono unsaturated fatty acids or polyunsaturated fatty acids on peripheral neuropathies in diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods Rats at 12 weeks of age were fed a high-fat diet (45% kcal) for 16 weeks. Afterward, the rats were fed diets with 50% of the kilocalories of fat derived from lard replaced by the different dietary oils. In addition, a control group fed a standard diet (4% kcal fat) and a high fat fed group (45% kcal) were maintained. The treatment period was 32 weeks. The endpoints evaluated included motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, thermal sensitivity, innervation of sensory nerves in the cornea and skin, and vascular relaxation by epineurial arterioles. Results Menhaden oil provided the greatest benefit for improving peripheral nerve damage caused by dietary obesity. Similar results were obtained when we examined acetylcholine-mediated vascular relaxation of epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve. Enriching the diets with fatty acids derived from the other oils provided minimal to partial improvements. Conclusion These studies suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish oil could be an effective treatment for neural and vascular complications associated with obesity.
Characteristics of Older Adults Who Are Unable to Perform a Floor Transfer: Considerations for Clinical Decision-Making.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The ability to get down to and up from the floor or to perform a floor transfer (FT) is a vital and useful skill for older adults at risk of falling. Little is known about the health-related factors that separate older adults who can perform FT independently from those who cannot. Therefore, the specific aims of this cross-sectional study are to (1) describe and compare health-related factors among older adults who were independent, assisted, or dependent in FT performance; and (2) establish the parallel reliability between self-reported and actual performance of FT. METHODS A total of 46 community-dwelling adults ages 65 to 96 years were recruited using a stratified sampling technique based on self-reported levels of FT ability: independent (n = 15), assisted (n = 15), or dependent (n = 15). Participants were asked to perform the actual FT test and were categorized according to test result as independent (n = 18), assisted (n = 10), or dependent (n = 17). Sociodemographic and health-related factors of participants were separated into the 3 FT test outcome groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare these factors across the 3 FT test outcome groups. The quadratic-weighted κ coefficient was calculated to determine the agreement between self-reported FT ability and FT test performance. RESULTS Significant differences were observed among the FT test outcome groups based on all sociodemographic and health-related factors (P < .05). Older adults who were dependent in FT were older and dependent in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL, 100%). Also, this group required some type of help during basic activities of daily living (ADL, 35.3%), which reflected a homebound status and the need for caregiver support, including the use of 2-handed assistive devices during ambulation. More than half the participants in this category had fallen at least once in the past 6 months. Conversely, older adults who were independent in FT were younger and living independently in the community (83.3%). The parallel reliability between the self-reported FT ability and actual FT test performance was 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.97). CONCLUSION Sociodemographic and health-related factors were significantly different among older adults who demonstrated varying abilities on the FT test. This study has shown that the self-reported FT ability and actual FT test performance represented reliable alternative forms to assess the ability to transfer from a standing to a supine position on the floor and then back to an erect position. Evaluation of FT ability and/or performance is recommended as a standard component of geriatric functional assessment to make more informed clinical decision in providing effective physical therapy interventions.
The Application of Series Elastic Actuators in the Hydraulic Ankle-Foot Orthosis

Advances in ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) technology have been trending toward more powerful and lightweight devices. A hydraulic series elastic actuator (HSEA) was explored to design a lightweight powered AFO that meets the high peak power demand of ankle gait. With its excellent power density and its ability to separate the power supply from the actuator using a hose, hydraulic power was used, combined with an SEA that takes advantage of the high-peak and low-average power profile of ankle gait to store energy and release it during the push-off stage of gait. The parameters required for the SEA were determined and validated using simulation. A gait pattern that would require 235W of motor power was able to be tracked using a motor rated at 95W. The actuator weight of the hydraulic ankle-foot orthosis (HAFO) at the ankle was 0.35, which is 43% of an equivalent electromechanical system. A novel design of an HSEA with a clutch capability is proposed for future HAFO applications.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
‘Closing the Life Cycle’ of Andricus quercuslanigera (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

While the alternation of asexually and sexually reproducing generations is common among the oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), it has been hypothesized that the diversity of taxa displaying this unique life cycle is underestimated because either 1) the alternative generation has not yet been described or 2) each generation is currently described as two distinct species and should be collapsed into one heterogonic organism (referred to as ‘closing the life cycle’). Through field observations, experimental rearing, morphological identification, laboratory behavioral assays, and genetic analysis, we demonstrate heterogony in the cynipid species Andricus quercuslanigera (Ashmead 1881) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), which was previously only described from the asexual generation. We confirm that the asexual generation, which develops in ‘fuzzy’ galls on the central vein on the underside of leaves on live oaks in southeast Texas, Quercus virginiana, represents only one generation in a bivoltine life cycle that alternates with a newly discovered sexual generation that develops in galls on catkins on the same host. Our study highlights the need for detailed inspections of the life cycles of unisexual gall wasp species and we discuss the closure of the A. quercuslanigera life cycle in light of recent advances in the study of the ecology and evolution of heterogony in the Cynipidae.
Aerobic Glycolysis Is Essential for Normal Rod Function and Controls Secondary Cone Death in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Aerobic glycolysis accounts for ∼80%-90% of glucose used by adult photoreceptors (PRs); yet, the importance of aerobic glycolysis for PR function or survival remains unclear. Here, we further established the role of aerobic glycolysis in murine rod and cone PRs. We show that loss of hexokinase-2 (HK2), a key aerobic glycolysis enzyme, does not affect PR survival or structure but is required for normal rod function. Rods with HK2 loss increase their mitochondrial number, suggesting an adaptation to the inhibition of aerobic glycolysis. In contrast, cones adapt without increased mitochondrial number but require HK2 to adapt to metabolic stress conditions such as those encountered in retinitis pigmentosa, where the loss of rods causes a nutrient shortage in cones. The data support a model where aerobic glycolysis in PRs is not a necessity but rather a metabolic choice that maximizes PR function and adaptability to nutrient stress conditions.
HOW FORMAL STRUCTURE OF ELECTRONIC KNOWLEDGE SHARING NETWORKS INFLUENCES PARTICIPATION BEHAVIOR IN A GLOBAL ENTERPRISE

The literature on organizational electronic knowledge sharing networks depicts the networks as self-organizing and self-sustaining, comprised of volunteers. Rarely does the literature examine them embedded in formal structures of the organization. Yet, in global enterprises, there is a real challenge to ensure that experts continue to dedicate time to participate in the networks despite of many demands on their time and despite of being distant and geographically isolated from the other network members. To maintain sustained participation, the firms no longer rely solely on the voluntary nature of the sharing activity, but rather integrate the networks in the formal structures of the organization. Grounding our study in motivation theories, we examine how the formal structure impacts participation and how does the geographical distance from other members and the geographical diversity of the network moderate this relationship? By analyzing posted inquiries and contributed responses in over 100 different knowledge sharing networks in a global company, we show that embedding network in the formal structure is a double edged sword. On one hand, formal structure increases participation of members within the structure. On the other hand, formal structure seems to have little impact on those not part of the formal structure. One key implication is that organizations need to give special consideration to the size of the formal and informal aspects of the electronic knowledge sharing networks.