cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attraction and Interpersonal Relationships

A growing body of research demonstrates that interpersonal relationships are central and significant to the lives of individuals (Berscheid, 1999; Campbell, Converse, & Rodgers, 1976; Myers & Diener, 1995). Satisfying relationships also have strong links to individuals' mental and physical well being. It is not surprising, then, that social psychologists have been interested in how these relationships are established and maintained and how and why they sometimes end. The initial focus of relationship-oriented social psychologists was on the attraction process, primarily between strangers meeting for the first time (Berscheid & Walster, 1969, 1978). In the 1960s, which was a time of expansion for social psychology into new topics, the study of interpersonal attraction became recognized as a major subarea. By the 1980s, social psychologists also began to study more intense sentiments and phenomena experienced in actual relationships (friendships, dating relationships, marriages). Further, the context of a relationship and more specifically, the kind of relationship within which interaction takes place was recognized as an important influence on human social behaviors. Research on attraction and interpersonal relationships has grown steadily since the 1960s. Although the contributions of social psychology to the science of interpersonal
Go online or get sidelined

Synopsis Young professors Baxter, Jim, and Robert are eager to start a new graduate certificate in educational leadership with a focus on technology. The department supports their initiative. The department is even supportive of offering this certificate fully online. Support waned when, in an effort to boost student enrollment, it is suggested that additional graduate courses and programs within the department also move fully online. In department meetings, faculty members argue about the rigor of online courses and if it is possible to convert existing courses and programs to an online delivery format. Tammy and Larry are veteran faculty members who do not want to teach online and have made it clear to the rest of the faculty they are not eager to change. When there are not enough students to offer their programs in the traditional format, all faculty members are forced to begin teach online. Research methodology This is a disguised field-researched case. Relevant courses and levels This case may be used in a variety of graduate business or education courses, such as introduction to business, business ethics, educational leadership, technology leadership, or higher education. Theoretical bases Students should have some understanding of systems change, ethical decision making, and human resources development.
Pronounced centennial-scale Atlantic Ocean climate variability correlated with Western Hemisphere hydroclimate

Surface-ocean circulation in the northern Atlantic Ocean influences Northern Hemisphere climate. Century-scale circulation variability in the Atlantic Ocean, however, is poorly constrained due to insufficiently-resolved paleoceanographic records. Here we present a replicated reconstruction of sea-surface temperature and salinity from a site sensitive to North Atlantic circulation in the Gulf of Mexico which reveals pronounced centennial-scale variability over the late Holocene. We find significant correlations on these timescales between salinity changes in the Atlantic, a diagnostic parameter of circulation, and widespread precipitation anomalies using three approaches: multiproxy synthesis, observational datasets, and a transient simulation. Our results demonstrate links between centennial changes in northern Atlantic surface-circulation and hydroclimate changes in the adjacent continents over the late Holocene. Notably, our findings reveal that weakened surface-circulation in the Atlantic Ocean was concomitant with well-documented rainfall anomalies in the Western Hemisphere during the Little Ice Age.
Gaze Stability, Dynamic Balance and Participation Deficits in People with Multiple Sclerosis at Fall-Risk

Despite the common complaints of dizziness and demyelination of afferent or efferent pathways to and from the vestibular nuclei which may adversely affect the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) and vestibulo-spinal function in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), few studies have examined gaze and dynamic balance function in PwMS. (1) Determine the differences in gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation measures between PwMS and controls, (2) Examine the relationships between gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation. Nineteen ambulatory PwMS at fall-risk and 14 age-matched controls were recruited. Outcomes included (1) gaze stability (angular aVOR gain [ratio of eye to head velocity]; number of compensatory saccades [CS] per head rotation; CS latency; gaze position error; coefficient of variation [CV] of aVOR gain), (2) dynamic balance (functional gait assessment, FGA; four square step test), and (c) participation (dizziness handicap inventory; activities-specific balance confidence scale). Separate independent t-tests and Pearson's correlations were calculated. PwMS were age = 53 ± 11.7 years and had 4.2 ± 3.3 falls/year. PwMS demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) impairments in gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation measures compared to controls. CV of aVOR gain and CS latency were significantly correlated with FGA. Deficits and correlations across a spectrum of disability measures highlight the relevance of gaze and dynamic balance assessment in PwMS. Anat Rec, 301:1852-1860, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Carbon-carbon - An overview

In nonoxidizing high-temperature environments, carbon-carbon composites retain room temperature properties to more than 2225 C; in oxidizing environments, the variety of coatings thus far developed limits maximum operating temperatures to about 1600 C. The high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion of these composites renders them ideal for applications encountering thermal shocks. In addition, the variety of fibers, weave patterns, and layup procedures that can be used for the composites allows mechanical properties to be carefully tailored over a wide range to fit the application in question.
Navigating the nuances of clinical sequence variant interpretation in Mendelian disease

Understanding clinical genetic test results in the era of next-generation sequencing has become increasingly complex, necessitating clear and thorough guidelines for sequence variant interpretation. To meet this need the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) published guidelines for a systematic approach for sequence variant interpretation in 2015. This framework is intended to be adaptable to any Mendelian condition, promoting transparency and consistency in variant interpretation, yet its comprehensive nature yields important challenges and caveats that end users must understand. In this review, we address some of these nuances and discuss the evolving efforts to refine and adapt this framework. We also consider the added complexity of distinguishing between variant-level interpretations and case-level conclusions, particularly in the context of the large gene panel approach to clinical diagnostics.
Socioecological Determinants of Drought Impacts and Coping Strategies for Ranching Operations in the Great Plains

Abstract In Great Plains rangelands, drought is a recurring disturbance. Ranchers in this region expect to encounter drought but may not be adequately prepared for it. Efforts to encourage drought preparedness would benefit from a better understanding of the conditions under which managers make decisions to minimize the impacts of drought. We tested the direct and moderating roles of the drought hazard and the social-ecological context on drought impacts and response. This study was conducted with ranchers in western and central South Dakota and Nebraska following the drought that began in 2012. We surveyed ranchers regarding the effects of the drought and their responses and used multimodel analysis to explore the relationships among measures of drought preparedness, drought response, and drought impacts. Drought severity was the primary predictor of all impacts, but specific types of impacts were varied depending on the operation’s enterprise mix, resources, and management. The socioecological characteristics of the ranch system predicted drought response actions taken, by either providing the necessary resources and capacity to take action or creating sensitivity in the system that required action to be taken. We conclude with recommendations for learning from current drought experiences in order to better adapt to future drought events.
Study of Independent Living Residents of a Continuing Care Senior Housing Community: Sociodemographic and Clinical Associations of Cognitive, Physical, and Mental Health.

Objective To examine associations of sociodemographic and clinical factors with cognitive, physical, and mental health among independent living older adults in a continuing care senior housing community (CCSHC). Methods This was a cross-sectional study at the independent living sector of a CCSHC in San Diego County, California. Participants included English-speaking adults aged 65–95 years, of which two-thirds were women. Of the 112 subjects recruited, 104 completed basic study assessments. The authors computed composite measures of cognitive, physical, and mental health. The authors also assessed relevant clinical correlates including psychosocial factors such as resilience, loneliness, wisdom, and social support. Results The CCSHC residents were similar to a randomly selected community-based sample of older adults on most standardized clinical measures. In the CCSHC, physical health correlated with both cognitive function and mental health, but there was no significant correlation between cognitive and mental health. Cognitive function was significantly associated with physical mobility, satisfaction with life, and wisdom, whereas physical health was associated with age, self-rated physical functioning, mental well-being, and resilience. Mental health was significantly associated with income, optimism, self-compassion, loneliness, and sleep disturbances. Conclusion Different psychosocial factors are significantly associated with cognitive, physical, and mental health. Longitudinal studies of diverse samples of older adults are necessary to determine risk factors and protective factors for specific domains of health. With rapidly growing numbers of older adults who require healthcare as well as supportive housing, CCSHCs will become increasingly important sites for studying and promoting the health of older adults.
Abstract SY44-02: Aberrant polycomb repression in midline and hindbrain tumors

The discovery of high-frequency histone H3 missense mutations (‘oncohistones’) in pediatric gliomas was the first time that histone mutations were linked to any disease. Since the original discovery, monoallelic missense mutations in genes encoding histone H3 have been found in a variety of cancer types. Previous studies have led to mechanistic insights into how one class of oncohistones promotes tumorigenesis by demonstrating that lysine-to-methionine (K-to-M) substitutions transform histones from serving as substrates into specific and potent inhibitors of lysine methyltransferases. Approximately 84% of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and 60% of high-grade non-brainstem pediatric midline gliomas contain a lysine 27-methionine (K27M) mutation. DIPG and other midline tumors have extremely low H3K27me3 levels caused by the action of the H3 K27M oncohistone. The H3 K27M protein binds to and inhibits the catalytic subunit (EZH2) of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), a conserved protein complex involved in gene silencing. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are essential for development and are frequently misregulated in human cancers. Polycomb Repressive Complexes (PRC1, PRC2) function in a collaborative epigenetic cross-talk with H3K27me3 to initiate and maintain transcriptional silencing. Posterior fossa type A (PFA) ependymomas also exhibit very low H3K27 methylation but lack the K27M oncohistone. Instead, PFA tumors express high levels of KIP75 (K27M-like inhibitor of PRC2, 75kDa, also termed CXORF67 ). We find that a highly conserved sequence within the C-terminus of KIP75 is necessary and sufficient to inhibit the catalytic activity of PRC2 in vitro and in vivo . Our biochemical experiments indicate that KIP75 directly interacts with the active site of the EZH2 subunit in a mechanism that is remarkably similar to the K27M oncohistone. Furthermore, expression of H3 K27M or KIP75 promote similar chromatin landscapes and gene expression profiles in cell culture. Our data indicate that PFA ependymoma and DIPG tumors are driven in part by the action of peptidyl PRC2 inhibitors that dysregulate gene silencing to promote tumorigenesis. Citation Format: Peter W. Lewis. Aberrant polycomb repression in midline and hindbrain tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr SY44-02.
Tracking trends in monarch abundance over the 20th century is currently impossible using museum records

Opportunistic data provide a tantalizing opportunity to examine patterns in biodiversity over large spatiotemporal scales (1). Recent methodological advancements hold promise for utilizing such data to estimate trends while also highlighting the difficulty in accurately assessing biases (2⇓⇓–5). The idea is to determine the total number of collections of similar species within a reasonably comparable time and place to correct for variations in sampling effort. Using specimen data collected opportunistically, Boyle et al. (6) show a midcentury increase in monarch abundance followed by a decrease starting in the 1960s. However, their analysis used an inappropriate correction with respect to 3 dimensions of effort: taxonomy, place, and time. When these data are restandardized to account for biases in the collection process (Fig. 1), there is no midcentury peak in abundance (Fig. 2). Fig. 1. Within the United States and Canada, monarchs are most abundant in their main summer range (east of −100°W, between 38°N and 50°N; outlined in green) during peak breeding (June 15 to August 14). ( A ) This distribution of … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: leslie.ries{at}georgetown.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Entrepreneurship as Creative Advocacy

This is the second special issue of 2019 devoted to understanding entrepreneurship as a part of art education. Readers previously were introduced to entrepreneurship as a form of creative destructi...
Association of intraoperative hyperglycemia and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a multicenter retrospective study

While pre and postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of surgical site infection, myocardial infarction, stroke and risk of death, there are no multicenter data regarding the association of intraoperative blood glucose levels and outcomes for the non-cardiac surgical population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, a network of 64 hospitals that prospectively collects validated data on surgical patients for the purpose of quality improvement. We included data for adult general, vascular, endocrine, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal operations between 2013 and 2015. We assessed the risk-adjusted, independent relationship between intraoperative hyperglycemia (glucose > 180) and the primary outcome of 30-day morbidity/mortality and secondary outcome of infectious complications using multivariable logistic regression modelling. Post hoc sensitivity analysis to assess the association between blood glucose values ≥250 mg/dL and outcomes was also performed. Ninety-two thousand seven hundred fifty-one patients underwent surgery between 2013 and 2015 and 5014 (5.4%) had glucose testing intra-operatively. Of these patients, 1647 patients (32.9%) experienced the primary outcome, and 909 (18.1%) the secondary outcome. After controlling for patient comorbidities and surgical factors, peak intraoperative glucose > 180 mg/dL was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality/morbidity (adjusted OR 1.05, 95%CI:0.86 to 1.28; p-value 0.623; model c-statistic of 0.720) or 30-day infectious complications (adjusted OR 0.93, 95%CI:0.74,1.16; p 0.502; model c-statistic of 0.709). Subgroup analysis for patients with or without diabetes yielded similar results. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated blood glucose of 250 mg/dL was a predictor of 30-day mortality/morbidity (adjusted OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.05; p 180 mg/ dL compared to patients with glucose values ≤180 mg/ dL.
An analysis of risk factors for brucellosis in employees working in the sheep market in Tongxiang of Zhejiang Province, 2010-2015

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis among risk population and analysis risk factors, and to provide a reference basis for prevention and treatment of brucellosis. Methods Retrospective survey method was used to collect information on brucellosis and epidemiologically confirmed cases in Tongxiang City from 2010 to 2015. The employees gender, age, occupation, job seniority, contact area, contact history to abortion cub and with or without protection measures were analyzed by single factor and multiple factors analysis, calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Totally 1 450 people were investigated and 43 were confirmed positive (2.97%),new cases were 37 with joint pain 86.49% (32/37), low temperature 81.08% (30/37), and weak 62.16% (23/37) as the main body symptoms. Most people were infected in the summer season, accounted for 8.07% (18/223); female cases were relatively higher, accounted for 5.38% (12/223); people younger than 30 years old had the highest positive rate 24.14% (7/29); people working in the processing of animal products had the highest positive rate 6.42% (12/187). The employees gender, age, the types of work, the job seniority, the district distribution and the season were all related to the prevalence of the disease (all P < 0.05) analyzed by Chisquare test and Fisher's exact probability method. By single factor analysis, gender (male, OR = 0.397, 95%CI: 0.178-0.884), age (31-60 years old, OR = 0.254, 95% CI: 0.081-0.796), and types of work (processing personnel, OR = 3.211, 95% CI: 1.424-7.238) and contacting young animal (OR = 3.544, 95% CI: 1.729-7.264), practitioners operating tool (OR = 0.231, 95% CI: 0.070-0.766) were related to the prevalence of the disease; by multiple factors analysis, contacting young animal (OR = 5.198, 95% CI: 2.078-13.000) was a risk factor for brucellosis abortion, and practitioners operating tools(OR = 0.161, 95%CI: 0.045-0.577) were brucellosis protective factors such as wearing gloves. Conclusion We suggest to strengthen health education and health promotion in professional key populations, do a good job in the epidemic monitoring and promote occupational protection awareness, and decrease the infection of brucellosis. Key words: Brucellosis; Risk factors; Serology; Epidemiology
Ultra-Broadband Focusing with Diffractive Flat Lenses

Lenses are essential components in cameras, microscopes, telescopes and other imaging systems. Refractive lenses tend to be bulky due to their curvature; diffractive lenses can be planar, but suffer from debilitating chromatic aberrations. Recently, we have used computational techniques to design, fabricate and characterize flat, multi-level diffractive lenses that can focus three or more wavelengths of light at the same location. We call these super-achromatic diffractive lenses (SADLs).
Colored Motzkin Paths of Higher Order

Motzkin paths of order-$\ell$ are a generalization of Motzkin paths that use steps $U=(1,1)$, $L=(1,0)$, and $D_i=(1,-i)$ for every positive integer $i \leq \ell$. We further generalize order-$\ell$ Motzkin paths by allowing for various coloring schemes on the edges of our paths. These $(\vec{\alpha},\vec{\beta})$-colored Motzkin paths may be enumerated via proper Riordan arrays, mimicking the techniques of Aigner in his treatment of Catalan-like numbers. After an investigation of their associated Riordan arrays, we develop bijections between $(\vec{\alpha},\vec{\beta})$-colored Motzkin paths and a variety of well-studied combinatorial objects. Specific coloring schemes $(\vec{\alpha},\vec{\beta})$ allow us to place $(\vec{\alpha},\vec{\beta})$-colored Motzkin paths in bijection with different subclasses of generalized $k$-Dyck paths, including $k$-Dyck paths that remain weakly above horizontal lines $y=-a$, $k$-Dyck paths whose peaks all have the same height modulo-$k$, and Fuss-Catalan generalizations of Fine paths. A general bijection is also developed between $(\vec{\alpha},\vec{\beta})$-colored Motzkin paths and certain subclasses of $k$-ary trees.
Systematic Literature Review of Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adults with Epilepsy.

Background and purpose Mental illness is disproportionately common in people with epilepsy (PWE). This systematic literature review identified original research articles that reported the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities based upon clinical assessments in a sample of PWE and assessed the clinical features of the populations found in studies included in our review of mental health comorbidity. Methods The included articles were written in English and published from 2008 to 2018, and focused on adults aged ≥18 years who had psychiatric diagnoses determined in clinical assessments, such as those found in medical records, clinician psychiatric evaluations, structured diagnostic interviews, and mental health screening questionnaires specific for a psychiatric disorder. The primary outcome was the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities as a percentage of the total sample of PWE. Additional data included the overall sample size, mean age, epilepsy type, study design, and method of diagnosis. A modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. All 23 articles that were consistent with the inclusion criteria were related to observational studies. Results Mood disorders and anxiety disorders were the most common psychiatric comorbidities, with prevalence rates of 35.0% and 25.6%, respectively. Major depressive disorder was the most common mood disorder, with a prevalence of 24.2%. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had the highest reported prevalence among anxiety disorders, at 14.2%, followed by general anxiety disorder at 11.1%. Other comorbidities included psychosis (5.7%), obsessivecompulsive disorder (3.8%), schizophrenia (1.7%), bipolar disorder (6.2%), and substance abuse (7.9%). The pooled prevalence of suicidality, as reported for two studies, was 9.3%. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was associated with higher levels of psychiatric comorbidity. Two (8.7%) of the 23 studies compared psychiatric comorbidities in TLE with that of extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE), and one of these two studies found that depression was more common in TLE (53.8%) than in ETLE (25%). Regarding seizure types, partial seizures were associated with a higher prevalence of depression vs generalized seizures. Conclusions This systematic literature review of recent original research found a relatively high prevalence of mental health comorbidities in PWE. Mood and anxiety disorders are the most common comorbidities, while psychotic spectrum conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are much rarer. The prevalence of comorbidity may vary with the epilepsy type and treatment responsiveness. These findings suggest that screening tools for depression and anxiety should be included as part of the training for epilepsy care, while resources for other relatively common conditions such as PTSD and substance abuse disorders should be readily available to neurology specialists who treat PWE.
Oral Manifestations of Syphilis: a Review of the Clinical and Histopathologic Characteristics of a Reemerging Entity with Report of 19 New Cases

Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Cases of primary and secondary syphilis are on the rise in the United States, with a 14.4% increase in new cases noted from 2017 to 2018 and an escalation of 71% between the years 2014 and 2018. Fulfilling its nickname of “the great imitator,” oral manifestations of syphilis may mimic a variety of infectious, neoplastic, or immune-mediated processes, both clinically and histopathologically. This large spectrum of appearances can create a diagnostic challenge to the clinician and/or pathologist, leading to delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis. A database of oral syphilis cases was created from archives at the University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh, LIJMC, Columbia University MC, and University of Tennessee. The age, sex, race, location, duration, and clinical description were recorded. Cases without positive reaction upon immunohistochemistry or serologic tests were excluded. We identified 19 new cases of oral syphilis (17 males, one female, and one case unknown sex) and described the clinical and histopathological features of this re-emerging and potentially fatal disease. All cases demonstrated dense lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, often with inflammatory exocytosis or ulceration at the surface, and perivascular inflammation. Early recognition of the histopathologic and clinical manifestations of oral syphilis is imperative for prompt diagnosis, improved patient outcomes, and disease prevention.
Backbone resonance assignment of N15, N30 and D10 T cell receptor β subunits

The αβT Cell receptor (TCR) governs T cell immunity through its interaction with peptide bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHC). Previously, soluble ectodomain constructs have been used to elucidate the binding mode of the TCR for the MHC. However, the full heterodimeric αβTCR has proven difficult to produce reproducibly in recombinant systems to the extent seen in the routine production of novel antibodies. Particularly, the route of production in E. coli, which is most convenient for isotopic labeling of proteins, is challenging for a wide range of αβTCR, including N15αβ, N30αβ, but not D10αβ. With the aim of understanding the TCR-pMHC interaction through the use of dynamic binding measurements, we set out to produce TCRβ subunits with which we could investigate binding with pMHC. The TCRβ constructs are more readily produced and refolded than their αβ counterparts and have proven to be an effective model of preTCR in pMHC binding studies. As a first step towards characterizing potential interactions with protein ligands, we have assigned the backbone resonances of three TCRβ subunits, N15β, N30β and D10β.
Post-transcriptional regulation of the str operon in Escherichia coli: Ribosomal protein S7 inhibits coupled translation of S7 but not its independent translation

The str operon of Escherichia coli consists of the genes for ribosomal proteins S12 ( rpsL ) and S7 ( rpsG ) and elongation factors G ( fusA ) and Tu ( tufA ). Previous studies have shown that S7 is a translational feedback repressor and inhibits the synthesis of itself and of elongation factor G. We have now shown that induction of S7 synthesis from the S7 gene fused to the arabinose promoter on a plasmid also leads to inhibition of the synthesis of S12 from the chromosomal S12 gene, and that this regulation takes place using the same target site as that used for distal gene regulation, i.e. S7 retroregulates S12. We have then demonstrated that S7 synthesis is mostly translationally coupled with the translation of the preceding S12 gene. Using a rpsG'-'lacZ fusion gene as a reporter for S7 synthesis, we found that abolishing S12 translation by a mutational alteration of the AUG start codon of the S12 gene leads to about tenfold reduction of S7 synthesis without significantly affecting its rate of transcription. Deletion of the proximal portion of the S12 gene or a premature temination of S12 translation by an amber mutation at the 26th codon also led to a large reduction of S7 synthesis. Unexpectedly, we have discovered that overproduction of S7 in trans from a plasmid leads to repression of the rpsG'-'lacZ fusion gene when the fusion gene is preceded by the intact S12 gene, but not when the S12 gene carried the above-mentioned mutations that abolish S12 translation. Thus, a novel feature of this regulatory system is that translation of S7 achieved by independent initiation is not inhibited by S7 in vivo , whereas translation of S7 achieved by translational coupling is sensitive to S7 repression. These observations also suggest that the coupled S7 translation is probably achieved by the use of ribosomal subunits employed for translation of the upstream S12 gene.
Abstract T P317: Sepsis in Intracranial Hemorrhage: Does Stroke-Induced Systemic Immunosuppression Play a Role?

INTRODUCTION: Infection is a significant cause of mortality in patients with both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This is thought to occur as a result of stroke-induced systemic immunosuppression (SIIS). The role of cerebral damage pre-disposing to sepsis has only been addressed in a few studies for ischemic stroke, and literature is sparse in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage (SICH) patients who have higher mortality, greater disability and require more intensive medical care. We sought to determine identify predictors of SIIS and sepsis, so we may be able to recognize and intervene early. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed 40 patients with SICH admitted to the NICU between January 2012 and January 30, 2014. We included patients with SICH. We excluded patients with multi-compartmental hemorrhage and patients lacking outcome data. Patient demographics including age, gender, location, volume of SICH, GCS, and total lymphocyte counts from days one to five of hospitalization was recorded. Data was divided into a non-infection group, where patients lacked any clinical or laboratory evidence of infections, and an infection group. Statistical analysis was performed to compare lymphocyte depletion over time between patients that developed an infection and those that did not. RESULTS: From the cohort of 40 patients with SICH, 20 developed an infection during their hospital course. Total lymphocyte counts were lower on all five days in the infection group compared to the non-infection group and became significant on day four of hospitalization (1 in the infection group vs. 2.1 in the non-infection group, p<0.01. Lymphopenia preceded clinical signs and symptoms of infection, which occurred in average on day 5.8 of hospitalization. Patients in the infection group had greater hemorrhage volume (32.5 ml vs. 15.5 ml) and poorer GCS scores on admission (12.7 vs. 11.8) although these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sepsis is high in SICH patients, and these patients have worse prognostic parameters. Our data suggests identification of lymphopenia may be a significant predictor of development of clinical infection in these patients. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.
Wheelchair transportation safety on school buses: stakeholder recommendations for priority issues and actions

This paper presents results from and provides discussion of a state-of-the-science workshop in which highly informed stakeholders in wheelchair transportation safety for students on school buses were participants. The Nominal Group Technique was used to create a process in which the main issues preventing safe transportation of wheelchair-seated students and key strategies to overcome these issues were identified and ranked. These results, along with a synthesis of group discussion and recommendations for action, are presented along with consideration of current policies, regulations, and political realities. Critical safety shortcomings exist in this highly specialized enterprise that varies from state to state. Recommended strategies include implementing wheelchair requirements in federal transportation safety standards, creation of a clearinghouse for wheelchair transportation best practices and education, creation of national standards for training, practices, and monitoring, and increased "buy-in" to voluntary wheelchair standards by wheelchair manufacturers.
Attaining high operating bandwidth using sensor arrays and frequency domain methods

Proposed in this paper is the design of sensor arrays using low pass-band sensors (sensors with low but different bandwidth) to attain a high operating bandwidth. In certain control applications, it is necessary that a high bandwidth sensor be used to improve the efficiency of feedback. The design of a single sensor with the desired high bandwidth may not be easy and economically feasible. To better tackle this situation, we propose a new approach, which recommends the implementation of an array of low pass-band sensors in place of a single sensor of high bandwidth. We show that the idea of sensor arrays can be utilized to obtain a cost effective and efficient solution to the problem posed. The proposed sensor array that consists of multiple sensors with possible overlapping operating regions requires that an effective fusion technique be used to unite multi-sensor data. A multi-sensor data fusion scheme using Frequency Response Methods is developed to facilitate the implementation of proposed sensor arrays.
Design of a biofeedback device for gait rehabilitation in post-stroke patients

A novel device, named ‘Walk-Even’, was developed to measure human gait and provide real-time feedback to correct gait asymmetry. Gait asymmetry is usually exhibited in patients with stroke or with certain neurological disorders. Our device can measure the weight pressure distribution that the patient exerts on each foot, in addition to the gait time, swing time, and stance time of each leg while walking. Based on the real time information, a biofeedback is given by means of auditory, and unpleasant electrotactile stimulation to actively correct gait asymmetry. The device consists of custom insoles with embedded force sensors adjustable to fit any shoe size, electrotactile and auditory feedback circuits, microcontroller, and wireless XBee transceivers. We compared the gait measurements from our device with that of a commercial device (MobilityLab) to verify its accuracy. Preliminary testing on post-stroke patients has shown that our device helps to improve their gait symmetry.
Historical efforts on R&M integration into engineering curricula

The author describes what the US Air Force has done to achieve improved R&M (reliability and maintainability). The Air Force has been vitally interested in all graduate engineers becoming knowledgeable of R&M so they will be able to readily include R&M in their designs. It is pointed out that R&M must be designed into new systems as they evolve through the complete design process, and not be attempted as an extra addition or afterthought. Only by having the designer be proficient in the principles and tools of R&M can the final design be successful. The only way for all the designers to have the knowledge of R&M is to include R&M in the design courses within the academic environment. It is noted that the time is here for R&M education to be included in every engineer's education. This does not imply that the education must be increased, or that some items must be eliminated to make room for the R&M principles in design. What is implied is that the measurement of the design is not adequate until the success of the design (R&M) is determined. >
Psychogenic Coma following Upper Endoscopy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Background: Failure to regain consciousness after general anesthesia has a multitude of life-threatening causes, including neurological injury, metabolic derangements, or drug effects. Failure to promptly recognize the cause of unconsciousness after anesthesia can result in significant patient morbidity or mortality, costly laboratory and radiographic evaluation, and physician anxiety. Rarely, patients fail to awaken after anesthesia due to a psychiatric cause. The early recognition of psychogenic coma can result in reduced iatrogenic complications, hospital cost, and physician anxiety. Case: We present a case of a 28-year-old female who became unresponsive after general anesthesia for an upper endoscopy. Physical, laboratory, and radiographic examination after the procedure revealed no apparent organic cause for her failure to awaken. The patient spontaneously awoke after 16 hours without neurological deficit. Discussion: We reviewed the literature and identified 10 previously reported cases of ...
Deconstructing the auxetic behavior of paper

The objective of this research is to understand more fully the out-of-plane auxetic behavior of paper. In the reported research, initial characterization of the auxetic properties of common, commercially available papers is described. The results of these experiments suggest that the auxetic response seen in paper structures is related to the cellulose fiber network structure, as previously suggested, and is related to inter-fiber bonding and fiber organization in the sheet. These results also indicate that further study is needed to understand how materials and processing variables influence auxetic behavior. A mathematical model, attempting to explain auxetic response in an idealized arrangement of fibers is included. Ultimately, the fundamental understanding resulting from this research should lead to new product development opportunities for forest product-based paper materials as well as to the establishment of predictive structure–property relations for auxetic materials using paper as a model system.
Obesity & the First Law of Thermodynamics

Obesity is the costliest preventable health problem in the United States. Understanding and applying the first law of thermodynamics will help students prevent and treat this all-too-common problem.
Fitness and the Development of Atrial Fibrillation

The beneficial effect of exercise on most aspects of cardiovascular disease is well established with a salutary effect on the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure, and premature death in those who participate in regular physical activity.1,2 This effect becomes apparent with moderate increases in activity without a defined upper limit of toxicity. For cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation (AF) in particular, the story appears more complex. In fact, only limited studies have been published on the beneficial effect of physical activity on AF, whereas a number of case-control studies have emphasized the deleterious effect of exercise when performed at sustained high levels.3,4 Article see p 1827 The pathophysiology of AF is highly heterogeneous and complex. Among the contributing clinical factors that lead to the development and progression of AF are advanced age, left ventricular dysfunction, valvular disease, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.1 These physiological stressors alter the normal electrophysiological substrate of a small, rapidly conducting, uniformly repolarizing medium through fibrosis, inflammation, oxidation, and altered ion channel physiology to one adversely remodeled to support re-entry and repetitive pulmonary vein and atrial firing.5,6 The extent of structural and electric remodeling of the atria generally becomes apparent only once AF is clinically established. By that point, risk factor (RF) modification may reduce the frequency and duration of AF paroxysms and theoretically may slow the progression to a more persistent pattern, but maintenance of sinus rhythm requires an ablative or pharmacological approach to make the atrial milieu less favorable for AF. Promising developments in imaging and therapeutic energy delivery to target the atrial substrate supporting AF7 have recently advanced the former, whereas antiarrhythmic drug development has been highly disappointing for longer than the last 2 decades. Despite these advances in …
Variation in evoked potential measures over the menstrual cycle: a pilot study.

Abstract Nancy Kluck, Scan J. O'Connor, Victor M. Hesselbrock, Allan Tasman and Donald Maier, Lance Bauer: Variation in Evoked Potential Measures Over the Menstrual Cycle: A Pilot Study. Prog. Neuro. Psychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiat. 1992. 16(6): 901–911. 1. 1. The P3 component of a visual event related potential (ERP) was studied for five consecutive weeks in six women with normal menstrual cycles. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone were studied during the same period. 2. 2. Increases in P3 amplitude, although nonsignificant, were noted in the week preceding onset of menses. 3. 3. No significant changes in reaction times to target/nontarget stimuli were noted over the same time period.
Applying Inoculation Theory to the Study of Recidivism Reduction in Criminal Prison Inmates

The purpose of the authors through this study is to establish inoculation theory as a viable method in the prevention or reduction of recidivism in criminal prison inmate populations in the United States. The authors begin with a detailed literature review on inoculation. They also describe, in detail, recidivism in prisons. In doing so, they provide a series of interconnected topics, such as the total number of inmates in U.S. prisons, statistical displays of repeat offenders or subjects of recidivism, and the types of crimes often times repeated by convicted criminals. What comes afterwards is an explication of how inoculation theory can be applied in the context of reducing prisoner recidivism. The authors conclude this study with a discussion section that offers suggestions for future research.
Experimental study of polystyrene thermolysis to moderate conversion

Abstract A general model for polymer degradation by concurrent random and chain-end processes was developed using continuous distribution kinetics. Population balance equations based on fundamental, mechanistic free radical reactions were solved analytically by the moment method. The model, applicable to any molecular weight distribution (MWD), reduces to the cases of independent random or chain-end scission. Polystyrene degradation experiments in mineral oil solution at 275–350°C supported the model and determined reaction rate parameters. The degradation proceeded to moderate extents requiring a MW-dependent random scission rate coefficient. Throughout the experiments, the polymer MWD, which was measured by GPC, maintained the exponential form, so that the logarithm of MWD varies linearly with MW, with slope directly related to the number-average MW. Polystyrene random scission activation energy was 7.0 kcal/mol, which agrees well with other thermolysis investigations but is lower than that found by pyrolysis due to fundamental differences between the processes. Magnesium oxide, added as a heterogeneous catalyst in solution, was found to have no effect on polystyrene degradation rate.
A standardized examination in the interpretation of electrocardiograms.

A standardized objective examination was developed by the Cardiovascular Subspecialty Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine to assess competence in the interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs). The questions consisted of 12 lead ECGs with lead II and V1rhythm strips, accompanied by brief clinical statements. Examinees chose their answers from a comprehensive list of 129 choices; the list was the same for each question. The score from the ECG examination was combined with scores from the other sections of the examination to derive a single score for the Cardiovascular Board examination using a norm-referenced method for determining the passing score. An additional trial was conducted to study the feasibility of testing for a minimal level of competence; the trial used a subset of “core” ECGs and a criterionreferenced scoring method based on a consensus of members of the Cardiovascular Board on the level of performance that should be expected of certified cardiologists. Fifty examinees (2.7%) failed the core ECG examination. If examinees had been required to pass both the core ECG examination and the remainder of the examination, 164 examinees (9%) would have changed their pass-fail status on the overall examination. The examination appeared to be a valid test for a minimal level of skill in this area of cardiology. The minimal level of competence was met by a large majority but not all of the examinees.
Medical treatment versus surgery for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract Gastroesophageal reflux disease has significant and profound effect on the population at large. This increasingly prevalent disease has been shown to have adverse effect on quality of life and work productivity, interference with daily living, and much less the direct and indirect diagnostic and therapeutic costs. Effective medical and surgical therapies are available. This discussion focuses on evidence for justifying therapy—with both a risk and reward assessment of outcomes. Best practice recommendations and caveats for each pathway of therapy are discussed.
SmartGossip: an improved randomized broadcast protocol for sensor networks

We investigate four performance metrics for randomized broadcast protocols on sensor networks: the fraction of nodes that receive the message (coverage), the number of first-time receivers per transmission (energy efficiency), the node-average normalized time till reception (per hop latency), and the average number of control messages per node (overhead). Our focus is to evaluate the extent to which the exchange of local information (either active or passive) can improve protocol performance. To this end we study via simulation three protocols from the literature that exploit local information (GOSSIP3 from [8], SPIN-1 from [10], and PUSH&PULL from [12])and compare their performance against the well known GOSSIP1 ([8]) protocol which does not employ any local information in making transmission decisions. Our findings are that i) local information is of course quite valuable in increasing protocol performance, and ii) it is possible to obtain high coverage and efficiency but one must then incur either increased delay or increased overhead. We study the strengths and weaknesses of the above protocols and propose the new SmartGossip protocol which combines several ideas from the above protocols, as well as several new mechanisms, to achieve superior performance.
Landscape-Level Processes and Wetland Conservation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

The function of wetland ecosystems is not independent of the landscapes in which they are embedded. They have strong physical and biotic linkages to the surrounding landscape. Therefore, incorporating a broad-scale perspective in our study of wetland ecology will promote our understanding of these habitats in the Southern Appalachians. Changes in the surrounding landscape will likely affect wetlands. Broad-scale changes that are likely to affect wetlands include: 1) climate change, 2) land use and land cover change, 3) water and air-borne pollution, 4) a shift in disturbance/recovery regimes, and 5) habitat loss and fragmentation. Changes in climate and land cover can affect the hydrology of the landscape and, therefore, the water balance of wetlands. Excessive nutrients and toxin transported by air and water to wetlands can disrupt natural patterns of nutrient cycling. Periodic disturbances, like flooding in riparian zones, is required to maintain some wetlands. A change in disturbance regimes, such as an increase in fire frequency, could alter species composition and nutrient cycles in certain wetlands. Many plant and animal species that found in small, isolated wetlands have populations that are dependent on complementary habitats found in the surrounding landscape. Loss or fragmentation of these complementary habitats could result in the collapse of wetland populations.