cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does endoscopic sphincterotomy reduce the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis after biliary stenting? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background and Aim Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) is often carried out prior to placement of a biliary stent apparently to reduce the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). However, the protective effect of ES prior to biliary stenting is controversial. The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the risk of PEP and other complications after the placement of biliary stent with or without ES in patients with biliary obstruction and bile leak. Methods We carried out a systematic search in several electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies (OS) comparing the risk of PEP after biliary stenting with or without ES. The Mantel–Haenszel method was used to pool data of adverse outcomes into fixed or random effect model meta-analyses. Results Seventeen studies (five RCT and 12 OS) with a total of 2710 patients met the inclusion criteria. No significant difference was observed in the risk of PEP with biliary stenting with and without ES (RD −0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] –0.03, 0.01). In a subgroup analysis of stenting for biliary obstruction, no difference in the risk of PEP was observed with or without ES. However, ES was associated with lower risk of PEP in patients undergoing biliary stenting for bile leak (RD −0.05; CI −0.10, −0.01). Conclusions ES shows risk reduction in prevention of PEP in patients undergoing endoscopic stenting for bile leak. However, placement of biliary stent without ES is not associated with an increased risk of PEP in patients with distal bile duct obstruction with involvement of pancreatic duct.
Thiol-Based Selective Extraction Assay to Comparatively Assess Bioavailable Mercury in Sediments.

Abstract Bioaccumulation of methylmercury in the aquatic food web is governed in part by the methylation of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg(II)) by anaerobic microorganisms. In sulfidic settings, a small fraction of total Hg(II) is typically bioavailable to methylating microorganisms. Quantification of this fraction is difficult due to uncertainties in the speciation of Hg(II) and the mechanisms of uptake by methylating microbes. However, recent studies have shown that the bioavailable fraction is likely to include a portion of Hg(II) associated with solid phases, that is, nanostructured mercuric sulfides. Moreover, addition of thiols to suspensions of methylating cultures coincides with increased uptake into cells and methylmercury production. Here, we present a thiol-based selective extraction assay to provide information on the bioavailable Hg fraction in sediments. In the procedure, sediment samples were exposed to a nitrogen-purged solution of glutathione (GSH) for 30 min and the amount of GSH-leachab...
Shared Decision Making and the Use of Screening Mammography in Women Younger Than 50 Years of Age

Current breast cancer screening guidelines promote the use of shared decision making for women younger than 50 years of age, yet their effect on mammography utilization is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of two elements of shared decision making on the use of mammogram screening: patient-perceived choice and patient–provider communication. Data were obtained from HINTS 4, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population, administered from 2011 to 2013. Choice was measured with the question “Has a doctor ever told you that you could choose whether or not to have a mammogram?” Communication was measured using a 7-item scale (range: 7–28; higher scores denote better communication). Binary logistic regression models assessed the effect of patient choice and communication on ever having a mammogram using weighted sample data. The sample included 1,085 women younger than 50 years of age: 31% of women perceived having a choice to undergo mammography. The mean patient–provider com...
Sellarsian Realism and Conceptual Change in Science

In his contribution, Prof. Rorty suggested that transcendental arguments are only useful as a means of providing self-referential ad hominem arguments against particular philosophical views, showing that those views fail to make good sense of our knowledge, such as it is, and of our dealings with the world. I do not know if Rorty is correct, for I still do not understand how to delimit transcendental arguments properly. But my argument fits his description. I will offer a self-referential ad hominem argument against the theory of (scientific) truth offered by Wilfrid Sellars and largely shared by Jay Rosenberg. In spite of its specific concern with Sellars, the argument is of general interest. It has two principal strands. One, picked up by Prof. Parsons in his comments, shows that Quine’s doctrine of indeterminacy of translation is incompatible with the most interesting forms of what Sellars, Putnam and Rosenberg call Peircean realism. During the last two years I have been persuaded, rather against my will, that the indeterminacy of translation cannot be evaded. Accordingly, I hold that Peircean articulations of scientific realism cannot be adequately defended. The other major strand of the argument concerns the correction of fact-stating claims forced on us by theory replacement and by conceptual change in science. Such correction undermines the vestiges of a ‘growth by accretion’ model of the development of science which are still to be found in Sellars’s and Rosenberg’s writings. In its general thrust, my argument supports Putnam’s contention that all viable articulations of scientific realism will land us in some form of what he calls “internal realism.”1
DNA Repair and Susceptibility to Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study

This study investigated the role of DNA repair in susceptibility to sunlight-induced basal cell carcinoma using a host cell reactivation assay in peripheral lymphocytes. The study included Maryland basal cell carcinoma patients and cancer-free dermatologic controls who had had noncancerous skin disorders diagnosed between 1987 and 1990. Logistic regression models were used to assess the independent effect of the selected variables stratified by DNA repair level, with adjustment for age and family history. Skin type, lifetime number of severe sunburns, and actinic elastosis were also selected as risk factors for basal cell carcinoma. Cryopreserved lymphocytes from 88 cases and 135 controls were used for the DNA repair assay. When data were stratified by DNA repair level and adjusted for age and family history of skin cancer, significantly increased odds ratios associated with lighter skin (odds ratio (OR) = 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-7.3), six or more severe sunburns in a lifetime (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.6-10.7), and moderate or severe actinic elastosis (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.5-12.8) were observed in persons with low DNA repair but not in those with high DNA repair. These findings suggest that impaired DNA repair may be a susceptibility factor for sunlight-induced skin cancer in the general public, as it is in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum.
Common hand injuries in the athlete

SUMMARY Various injuries to tendon, ligament, and bony systems of the hand have been considered. Each may have an impact on the athlete's ability to compete, and particularly on his eventual hand function and occupation. What seems initially an innocuous injury, and what so often in the past has been underemphasized, must be carefully evaluated and treated.
Guidelines for Evaluating the Efficacy of Chemical Insecticides as Protectants of Stored Grain Against Insect Pests

It is the policy of the USDA to encourage the use of practical and effective controls of pest insects that attack cereal grains. oil seeds, and their products while they are in storage, in transportation facilities, in marketing channels, and in food and feed processing plants. The problems of effective control are presently being compounded, however, by the tolerance of some insect species and the resistance of others to certain of the chemical insecticides that are now used. Studies are therefore being conducted to develop new formulations from chemicals with low mammalian toxicity. In these studies, the efficacy of the new chemicals as protectants of grain and oil seeds is measured, and the residues remaining on the seed and processed products are determined.
Xas Studies of Peo Based Polymer Electrolytes

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been very useful in elucidation the structure of polymer electrolytes, in particular ion-ion and ion-polymer interactions. Several examples are discussed. One is the use of XAS to study the effect of temperature on ion pairing. The other is the elucidation of the mixed cation effect on electrolyte conductivity. Several investigations have indicated abnormally high oxygen coordination numbers for cations. These are discussed.
Earthquakes in the Area Surrounding the Quabbin Reservoir in Central Massachusetts

On October 2, 1994 a magnitude 3.4 earthquake occurred near the town of Hardwick, Massachusetts. Near the epicenter and in surrounding towns, this earthquake generated ground motion at the level of intensity IV on the Modified Mercalli scale. The rate of seismic activity is quite low in this area, even when compared to the generally low rate of activity in some of the more “active” parts of the northeastern United States. Thus, the occurrence of the 1994 earthquake motivated an investigation of the history of seismic activity in central Massachusetts. The record of seismicity in central Massachusetts extends back to the early 1800's, and during that period of time there have been about a dozen small earthquakes in the area (magnitudes ranging from 1.6 to 3.4). Earthquake-generated ground motion at the level of about intensity IV has been reported for five earthquakes in this area. Between 1939 and 1946, the area near the 1994 epicenter was evacuated and flooded to create the Quabbin Reservoir (with a capacity of 1.6 km 3 of water). Because of the presence of this reservoir in the epicentral area, we were curious as to whether or not the 1994 earthquake, or any of the other earthquakes in this area, might have been reservoir-induced. Based on our initial analysis of locations and magnitudes of earthquakes in the study area, there appeared to have been an increase in the level of earthquake activity in the vicinity of the reservoir, beginning at about the time that the reservoir was filled. A more detailed analysis of earthquake catalogs and felt effects of earthquakes that occurred in 1854, 1931, 1951, and 1994, however, revealed that there is no strong evidence of such an increase in seismicity near the reservoir.
Lesbian Police Officers’ Interpersonal Working Relationships and Sexuality Disclosure: A Qualitative Study

This study examines workplace interpersonal relationships and the factors related to sexual identity disclosure using qualitative data from 15 in-depth interviews with lesbian police officers. Findings suggested that (a) factors surrounding job performance were more influential than sexual orientation and the degree of disclosure on interpersonal working relationships, and (b) sexuality disclosure within the police department was a multifaceted and dynamic process. We discuss policy implications and provide directions for future research.
Reactive astrocyte scar and axon regeneration:suppressor or facilitator?

Several major factors are known to contribute to CNS axon regenerative failure after injury, including reduced intrinsic growth capacity of developed neurons and extrinsic factors mediating axon outgrowth. For the latter, a non-permissive environment around the lesion and the lack of sufficient neurotrophic support within the adult CNS play important roles (Silver et al., 2015). In addition to generation of various inhibitory substrates by oligodendrocytes, fibrotic tissues, inflammatory cells and other cell types, reactive astrocytes surrounding lesions are thought to highly suppress regeneration of injured CNS axons (Silver and Miller, 2004; Ohtake and Li, 2014). A great number of studies suggest that reactive astrocytic scars form one of the major barriers preventing axon regeneration after CNS injuries, including spinal cord injury (SCI). However, reactive astrocytes were reported to provide a beneficial role by reducing infiltrating immunoreactive cells into adjacent domains, protecting bordering neural tissue from damage and generating numerous supportive extracellular matrix (ECM) components to promote cell survival and growth (Bush et al., 1999). Previous data showed that ablation of reactive astrocytes increased inflammation and secondary tissue damage, prevented blood-brain barrier formation and increased local neurite growth. Interestingly, a recent study by Anderson et al (2016) provides evidence that reactive astrocytes around the lesioned spinal cord support axon regeneration after SCI, rather than block regrowth (Anderson et al., 2016).
The MiR-23a MicroRNA Cluster Inhibits B Cell Development.

Abstract Abstract 1465 Poster Board I-488 The miR-23a microRNA (miRNAs) cluster inhibits both [ITALIC]in vitro[/ITALIC] and [ITALIC]in vivo[/ITALIC] B cell development. When murine hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing the 23a cluster miRNAs were cultured in B cell promoting conditions we observed over a five-fold decrease in the generation of CD19+ B cells compared to control cultures. Conversely, we observed over a five-fold increase in CD11b+ myeloid cells. When irradiated mice were transplanted with bone marrow expressing the miR-23a cluster we observed a two-fold decrease in bone marrow and splenic B cells, 8 weeks post-transplant compared to control mice. The miR-23a cluster codes for a single pri-transcript, which when processed yields three mature miRNAs: miR-23a, miR-27a, and miR-24-2. All three mature miRNAs are more abundant in myeloid cells compared to other hematopoietic cells. In vitro miR-24 alone is necessary and sufficient to inhibit B cell development. The promoter for the cluster contains conserved binding sites for the essential myeloid transcription factors PU.1 and C/EBP alpha. Chromatin immunoprecipitations demonstrated that PU.1 and C/EBP alpha are associated with the promoter in myeloid cells. In addition, C/EBP alpha is bound to several highly conserved regions upstream of the promoter. Both PU.1 and C/EBP alpha promote myeloid development at the expense of lymphopoiesis. Our work suggests that the miR-23a cluster may be a critical downstream target of PU.1 and C/EBP alpha in the specification of myeloid cell fate. Although miRNAs have been identified downstream of PU.1 and C/EBP alpha in mediating the development of monocytes and granulocytes, the 23a cluster is the first downstream miRNA target implicated in the regulating lymphoid cell fate acquisition. We are currently identifying targets of miR-24 that may mediate the inhibitory effect on B lymphopoiesis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Time Spent on Beneficial Leisure Activities Among Elder Caregivers in Their Third Age

ABSTRACTThe Third Age is an emerging postretirement life stage characterized by better health and greater independence than previous cohorts have experienced, and recognized as an ideal time for personal growth and leisure. Yet the same demographic force that is partially responsible for this new life stage—population aging—is also driving an increased need for long-term services and supports, and Third Agers often find themselves fulfilling these caregiving roles. Thus, data from the 2013 American Time Use survey were analyzed to assess elder-caregiving-related barriers to leisure among Third Agers. While, caregivers were found to report more total leisure time and social activities, they reported less time on physical activities than noncaregivers. Results were found to differ by weekday or weekend status. Future research needs to consider specific types of leisure time use, as well as timing of leisure activities, to promote quality of life among caregivers in their Third Age.
Reconciling the Irreconcilable: Progress toward Sustainable Development

This chapter measures that progression against Hudson's definition of progress as the "building of institutions which promise to serve the needs of future generations". The analysis measures international moves toward sustainable development against three different conceptions of progress: rhetorical, conceptual, and material. If there is a hierarchy of progress toward sustainable development, the first level surely involves rhetorical embrace of the concept. As described above, there has already been significant progress on this front. Intergenerational equity stems in part from a vision of the state as a partnership between past, present and future generations. Overall, despite oft-repeated concerns for intergenerational equity, this is an area where progress has been halting. Conceptually, the lack of intra-generational equity poses a fundamental challenge to claims for inter-generational equity. Success will require progress on many levels: rhetorical, conceptual and material. Keywords: conceptual; Intergenerational equity; rhetorical progress; sustainable development
Who we are and how we feel: Self-discrepancy theory and specific affective states

Abstract Self-discrepancy theory proposes that specific conflicting cognitive representations of the self result in “emotional vulnerabilities” (Higgins, 1987). We investigated relationships between self-discrepancies (i.e., ideal-own, ideal-other, should-own, and should-other) as measured by the Integrated Self-Discrepancy Index (Hardin & Lakin, 2009) and lower-order specific affective states (i.e., sadness, joviality, self-assurance, guilt, fear, hostility, attentiveness, shyness, fatigue, serenity, and surprise) as measured by Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded (Watson & Clark, 1994) among undergraduate students ( N = 450). Sadness was positively associated with the ideal-own self-discrepancy; and joviality, self-assurance, and surprise were negatively associated with the ideal-own self-discrepancy. Serenity was negatively associated with the ideal-other self-discrepancy. Guilt was positively associated with the should-other self-discrepancy, and attentiveness was negatively associated with both the ideal-own and should-own self-discrepancies. Overall, results found support for the notion that self-discrepancies are associated with specific affective states, with the ideal-own self-discrepancy emerging as the most consistent predictor of specific affective states.
Insights on the Physics of Stokes Flow

Some key concepts on the physics of Stokes (i.e., low Reynolds number) flow are introduced. Stokes flow presents many paradoxes, in particular in its 2D formulation. For example, in 2D the drag on a moving particle will always strongly depend on the boundary conditions, even if very faraway. Ultimately this emerges by the fact that Stokes flow is the end member case of Navier Stokes for infinitively fast vorticity diffusion. Fundamental solutions of Stokes flow (Stokeslet, Stresslet, Rotlets) allow writing the solution of a sphere and any other body as a combination of them. Einstein viscosity can be shown to result from the average for the contribution for a large number of spheres. For high packing the viscosity increases until, jamming.
Singularly Perturbed Markov Chains and Applications to Large-Scale Systems under Uncertainty

This chapter is concerned with large-scale hybrid stochastic systems, in which the dynamics involve both continuously evolving components and discrete events. Corresponding to different discrete states, the dynamic behavior of the underlying system could be markedly different. To reduce the complexity of these systems, singularly perturbed Markov chains are used to characterize the system. Asymptotic expansions of probability vectors and the structural properties of these Markov chains are provided. The ideas of decomposition and aggregation are presented using two typical optimal control problems. Such an approach leads to control policies that are simple to obtain and perform nearly as well as the optimal ones with substantially reduced complexity.
Abstract IA21: Systematic, network-based elucidation of synthetic lethal proteins and synergistic compounds

Given the complex nature of cancer and the cell9s ability to effectively compensate for individual perturbation through evolutionarily honed adaptive mechanisms, there is strong expectation that combination therapy approaches may be required to address the limitations that have emerged from single agent therapy. Synthetic lethality provides strong biological rationale supporting this observation, although mechanisms of compound synergy and sensitization are in general more complex than individual gene-pair interactions. Synthetic lethal genes have been elucidated mainly via large-scale screens in model organisms, or by pooled shRNA/CRISPR screens in cells harboring specific genetic events, or based on mechanistic understanding of specific pathways. These methodologies are laborious, expensive, and prone to significant false positive and negative rates due to the nature of pooled screens. More importantly, results are often idiosyncratic, depending on the specific genetic and epigenetic context of the cellular models used in the analysis. To address these challenges, we have developed network-based methods to identify master regulator proteins that are responsible for maintaining tumor state, despite being rarely mutated using only patient-derived data. Master regulators are highly enriched in synthetic lethal interactions that can be elucidated computationally, via protein-target analysis. Furthermore, the approach can be trivially extended to elucidate synergistic drug interaction, based on perturbational assays of individual compounds. In this presentation, we will address the discovery of synthetic lethal genes and synergistic compounds in several tumor contexts, including lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and glioma, which has led to the design and implementation of novel clinical trials. We will also discuss integration of these methodologies into an N of 1 protocol, which is currently enrolling 260 patients across 14 distinct malignancies. Citation Format: Andrea Califano. Systematic, network-based elucidation of synthetic lethal proteins and synergistic compounds [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Opportunities and Challenges of Exploiting Synthetic Lethality in Cancer; Jan 4-7, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2017;16(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA21.
A Left Ventricular Papillary Fibroelastoma Presenting as an Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Primary cardiac neoplasms are rare, with a prevalence of 0.001%–0.03% according to echocardiographic and autopsy studies.1, 2 Approximately three-quarters of these tumors are benign in nature. Aortic valve tumors are four times and left atrial tumors 1.9 times more likely to result in embolic events compared with other cardiac tumors.3 We describe a case of a left ventricular (LV) papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) that manifested as an acute coronary syndrome.
THE EFFECTS OF BIG BATHS ON BANK OPACITY

Information asymmetry in the banking sector is important to regulators, analysts, and investors. We examine the change in the information environments of banks following large nonrecurring writeâ€ downs (baths) and find a reduction in information asymmetry in the three years following a bath. This result is conditional on the type of asset being written down. Loanâ€ related baths result in a permanent decrease in information asymmetry, but mergerâ€ related baths are associated with a transitory increase in information asymmetry. Conversely, baths not related to either loans or mergers result in increased opacity. Consistent with a permanent decrease in information asymmetry, we find an increase in earnings responsiveness in the three years following loanâ€ related baths.
Against ‘Placebo.’ The Case for Changing our Language, and for the Meaning Response

In this paper I argue against continued use of the terms ‘placebo effect’ and ‘placebo response’. I cite a broad range of evidence to indicate that such events are not caused by ‘placebos’ but by their meanings, what they represent to patients, clinicians, families, and communities.
How Young We Were

I met Kostya in 1971 in the Steklov Institute of Mathematics. Those days he was a graduate student and I was an undergraduate student of Professor Sergei Aleksandrovich Telyakovskii. Later, we both defended our PhD dissertations under Telyakovskii’s auspices. Thus, we are “scientific brothers” with Kostya. In the beginning of the 1970s trigonometric series and approximation of periodic functions by trigonometric polynomials was a “hot topic.” The Russian translation of the fundamental book of A. Zygmund on trigonometric series was published in 1965. This and strong traditions of Russian school in the theory of functions and in approximation theory attracted many young mathematicians including Kostya and me to that topic. These activities were concentrated around seminars run by D.E. Men’shov and P.L. Ul’yanov in Moscow State University and by S.B. Stechkin in the Steklov Institute of Mathematics. We had a chance to interact on an everyday basis not only between ourselves but also with great mathematicians working in that area. Let me discuss in detail only one of Kostya’s results from [2]which will help to understand a wonderful mathematical atmosphere in Moscow of those days.
Opportune Romance: How College Campuses Shape Students’ Hookups, Dates, and Relationships

By merging Online College Social Life Survey data from heterosexual students at 21 U.S. colleges and universities (N = 17,897) with campus-level data, this article examines the effects of student b...
Tractable Non-Gaussian Representations in Dynamic Data Driven Coherent Fluid Mapping

This chapter discusses the elements of a Dynamic Data Driven Applications System in the context of mapping coherent environmental fluids using autonomous small unmanned aircraft. The application and and its underlying system dynamics and optimization are presented along with three key ideas. The first is that of a dynamically deformable reduced model, which enables efficacious prediction by solving non-Gaussian problems associated with coherent fluids. The second is the use of ensemble learning in nonlinear estimation, which mitigates model errors in the form of bias, reduces sampling burdens in estimation whilst offering direct state space adjustments for filtering and smoothing and producing compact posterior ensembles. The third idea is the use of tractable variational information theoretic inference in estimation that also requires minimal resampling and allows for gradient-based inferences for non-Gaussian high-dimensional problems with few samples.
Integrating 16S rRNA Sequencing and LC⁻MS-Based Metabolomics to Evaluate the Effects of Live Yeast on Rumen Function in Beef Cattle.

We evaluated the effects of live yeast on ruminal bacterial diversity and metabolome of beef steer. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein steers were assigned randomly to one of two treatment sequences in a study with two 25-d experimental periods and a crossover design. The steers were housed in individual pens. The dietary treatments were control (CON) or yeast (YEA; CON plus 15 g/d of live yeast product). Bacterial diversity was examined by sequencing the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene. The metabolome analysis was performed using a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometry system (LC–MS). Live yeast supplementation increased the relative abundance of eight cellulolytic bacterial genera as well as Anaerovorax and Lachnospiraceae. Proteiniclasticum, Salmonella, and Lactococcus were not detected in the YEA treatment. Live yeast supplementation increased the concentrations of 4-cyclohexanedione and glucopyranoside and decreased the concentrations of threonic acid, xanthosine, deoxycholic acid, lauroylcarnitine, methoxybenzoic acid, and pentadecylbenzoic acid. The bacteroidales BS11, Christensenellaceae R-7, and Candidatus saccharimonas showed positive correlations with the metabolites involved in amino acid biosynthesis and the metabolism of energy substrates; the functions of these bacteria are not fully understood in relation to the mode of action of yeast. This study confirms the usefulness of LC–MS-based metabolomics in deciphering the mode of action of live yeast in the rumen.
Children Are Born to Dance! Pediatric Medical Dance/Movement Therapy: The View from Integrative Pediatric Oncology.

Children freely expressing themselves through spontaneous dance is a natural part of childhood. The healing powers of dance are universal in all cultures across history. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) in pediatric oncology is little known and underutilized. This article discusses DMT, specifically focusing on pediatric oncology. It defines and clarifies the difference between medical DMT as a psychotherapeutic modality aimed at addressing the patient’s psychosocial needs, and dance and therapeutic dance used recreationally to engage patients during their hospital visits. A literature review of DMT with medically ill children in the United States and worldwide is provided. It culminates with a focus on advancements in the field, discussing the future of pediatric medical DMT. Grounded in a biopsychosocial perspective, the intrinsically nonverbal and embodied nature of pediatric medical DMT is uniquely positioned to be a strong component of integrative oncology services. The use of DMT to synthesize potentially traumatic aspects of the medical experience is proposed. It ends with a call for research posing the question: Can pediatric medical DMT support the patient to express feelings while in cancer treatment within the context of a psychotherapeutic milieu, enabling the patient to create an embodied coherent narrative that fosters expressivity and empowerment?
Site Inversion Induces Thermodynamic Stability against Coarsening in Zinc Aluminate Spinel

Experimental thermodynamic and structural informations on surfaces and grain boundaries are of prime relevance for an in-depth understanding and control of microstructural evolution, including the ...
Gender and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Among United States Adults

Public health emergency preparedness can improve a community's ability to cope health outcomes associated with environmental disasters and complex emergencies. Previous studies of gender and preparedness have yielded mixed results. The objective of this study was to examine the association between gender and public health emergency preparedness among U.S. adults using data from the behavioral risk factors surveillance system (BRFSS). Data was analyzed from the 2006-2012 BRFSS for 96,137 adults from 10 states. Three self-reported preparedness behaviors were evaluated: household preparedness (3-day supply of water, 3-day supply of food, battery-operated radio, and flashlight), emergency evacuation plan, and 3-day supply of medication. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to estimate associations between gender and each preparedness behavior. Gender-specific regression analyses were also conducted to identify determinants of public health emergency preparedness. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, women were less likely to report household preparedness (PR 0.71, 95% CI 0.67-0.75) and a 3-day supply of medication (PR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-0.99) than men. Among women, being divorced, widowed or separated (PR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71, 1.00) and living in a household with children (PR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77, 0.92) was inversely associated with reported household preparedness. This study adds to the epidemiology literature regarding gender and preparedness behaviors in the United States. Future investigations are warranted to confirm these findings and inform practices aimed at improving public health emergency preparedness.
Aftershocks of the 2012 Off-Coast of Sumatra Earthquake Sequence

Abstract Aftershocks of the 2012 Off-Coast of Sumatra Earthquake Sequence exhibit a complex and diffuse spatial distribution. The first-order complexity in aftershock distribution is clear and well beyond the influence of typical earthquake location uncertainty. The sequence included rupture of multiple fault segments, spatially separated. We use surface-wave based relative centroid locations to examine whether, at the small scale, the distribution of the aftershocks was influenced by location errors. Surface-wave based relative location has delineated precise oceanic transform fault earthquake locations in multiple regions. However, the relocated aftershocks off the coast of Sumatra seldom align along simple linear trends that are compatible with the corresponding fault strikes as estimated for the GCMT catalog. The relocation of roughly 60 moderate-earthquake epicentroids suggests that the faulting involved in the 2012 earthquake aftershock sequence included strain release along many short fault segments. Statistical analysis and temporal variations of aftershocks show a typical decay of the aftershocks but a relatively low number of aftershocks, as is common for intraplate oceanic earthquakes. Coulomb stress calculations indicate that most of the moderate-magnitude aftershocks are compatible with stress changes predicted by the large-event slip models. The patterns in the aftershocks suggest that the formation of the boundary and eventual localization of deformation between the Indian and Australian plate is a complicated process.
Triple-Pnictogen Bonding as a Tool for Supramolecular Assembly

Supramolecular assembly utilizing simultaneous formation of three pnictogen bonds around a single antimony vertex was explored via X-ray crystallography, solution NMR, and computational chemistry. An arylethynyl (AE) ligand was designed to complement the three electrophilic regions around the Sb compound. Though solution studies reveal large binding constants for individual pyridyl units with the Sb donor, the rigidity and prearrangement of the AE acceptor proved necessary to achieve simultaneous binding of three acceptors to the Sb-centered pnictogen-bond donor. Calculations and X-ray structures suggest that negative cooperativity upon sequential binding of three acceptors to a Sb center limits the utility of triple-pnictogen bonding pyridyl acceptors. These limitations can be negated, however, when positive cooperativity is designed into a complementary acceptor ligand.
The use of long-lasting insecticide netting to prevent dispersal of stored product insects:

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, are two notorious primary and secondary pests of stored products. Extensive research has been done to prevent the establishment and subsequent infestation of the insects in stored product facilities. Long-lasting insecticide netting (LLIN) on mosquitoes has proved effective in controlling the spread of malaria, but little research has been conducted on the LLIN’s behavioral effects of stored product insects. In this study, a movement and dispersal assay were performed. In the movement assay, the video-tracking software, Ethovision, recorded the movement of R. dominica and T. castaneum after 1-10 min exposures to LLIN or control netting and a waiting period of 1 min, 24 hr, 72 hr, or 7 days after netting exposure. In the dispersal assay, R. dominica and T. castaneum were observed after 5 minutes of exposure to LLIN or control netting to measure the insects’ ability to reach new food patches at three different distances. The results from the movement assay showed a significant reduction in horizontal movement and significant increase in angular velocity for beetles exposed to LLINs, indicating that movements were more erratic and less directed. The dispersal assay revealed that exposure to LLIN had a significant effect on the dispersal ability of both R. dominica and T. castaneum with averages of 0-3 from a group of 20 beetles reaching the new food patch. These results indicate that LLINs can be an effective tool for the prevention of stored product insect establishment and colonization.
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) are now an established therapy for HF pts. While LVADs are a life-prolonging treatment for advanced HF, optimal management of hypertension and HF in this population is not known. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ARNI therapy in LVAD pts. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all LVAD pts implanted between 8/2010 and 5/2019 who were subsequently treated with ARNI for at least 3 months. The primary outcome was change in NT-proBNP between the time of ARNI initiation (t0) and at 3- and 6-mo follow up. Safety endpoints included changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), serum creatinine and potassium pre- and post-ARNI therapy. Data on concomitant drug therapy including diuretic dosing equivalents were also gathered. The above mentioned variables were log-transformed prior to analysis with repeated measures ANOVA. Pairwise comparisons were performed with Bonferroni's post hoc test. Results 30 pts met our inclusion criteria (age 54.7 ± 15.5 y; 90% M; HM3 17[57%], HMII 12[40%], HVAD 1 [3%]). ARNI was initiated at a median of 250 [67 - 601] days after LVAD implant. Prior to ARNI initiation, 47% were on ACE inhibitor, 13% on ARB, 40% on neither and 60% were treated with diuretics, with an average oral furosemide equivalent dose of 34 mg/day. At t0, 73% were started on 24/26 mg, and at 6 mos, 27% were on 49/51 mg and 32% on 97/103 mg of ARNI (Table). There was no statistically significant change in median MAP, serum creatinine or potassium (Table). A significant decrease in NT-proBNP was noted from t0 to follow-up (t0 = 1082 pg/mL, 3 mos = 724 pg/mL, 6 mos = 651 pg/mL) (Figure). Conclusion The use of ARNI therapy was well tolerated among LVAD pts. There was a significant decrease in NT-proBNP levels, an effect previously reported in HF pts without LVADs in the PARADIGM-HF and PIONEER-HF trials. Randomized studies to determine the role of ARNI on the clinical course of LVAD patients are warranted.
CROI 2015: Complications of HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy

Noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, renal and bone disease, and malignancies are an ongoing concern during the course of treated HIV disease. Research in this area continues to focus on the epidemiology and risk factors associated with these conditions, identifying the contributions of HIV-related immunopathology to specific and collective end-organ diseases, and evaluating interventions to prevent or reduce the morbidity associated with these conditions. Infectious complications of HIV, such as tuberculosis and cryptococcal disease, also continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality; diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of these is an area of focus. The 2015 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections provided new insights into all of these areas.
Dispossession by financialization: the end(s) of rurality in the making of a speculative land market

This article elaborates upon the concept of speculative urbanism and the theory of accumulation by dispossession by delving into the recent history of the transformation of Bengaluru (formerly Bang...
Perceived health, adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

Background:Exposure to armed conflict and fleeing country of origin for refugees has been associated with poorer psychological health.Methods:Within the first month following their arrival in the U...
Learn to Lead: Developing Curricula that Foster Climate Change Leaders

In this chapter, we identify the need for a curriculum that is intended to not only enable educators to teach about climate change, but to also foster leaders who can engage in policy analysis and civic action related to the issue of climate change. Unlike Chap. 3, which details a whole-school approach, we have specifically focused our attention on developing a curriculum with an associated implementation plan since the ability of teachers to build transferable leadership skills in younger generations are integral to any larger reform initiative. Ultimately, the efficacy of the curriculum is enhanced by a more holistic approach to the prioritization of climate change action in the context of schools and broader education systems, so a synthesis of approaches is recommended.
Listening for affect: musical ethnography and the challenge of/to affect

Listening to music might make one tremble, cry or get up and dance in response. Musical feelings might spread from listener to listener in a hard to pin down but nevertheless palpable ‘emotional co...
Young learners’ voices: Towards a learner-centered approach to understanding language assessment literacy:

Language assessment literacy (LAL) has recently gained substantial attention among language educators and other stakeholders. However, existing models focus almost exclusively on teachers, test dev...
R&D Spillover Effects on Firm Innovation – Estimating the Spatial Matrix from Panel Data

Firms’ research and development (RD it is also linked to past R&D and patenting behaviour of firms.
Primary Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Biceps Femoris Muscle Complicated by Hemorrhage: An Underrecognized Entity

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma currently known as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma is the commonest soft tissue sarcoma of mesenchymal origin. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma is commonly located in the extremities, trunk, head and neck in decreasing order of frequency. We report a case of primary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the biceps femoris muscle in a 50-year-old male complicated by hemorrhage. Diagnostic workup included ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histopathology and positive results on immunohistochemistry especially CD-68. High-grade liposarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma were regarded as differential diagnoses of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Demonstration of spontaneous hemorrhage within the lesion on follow-up ultrasonography done at one month from the time of diagnosis deserves a special mention in this report. Radical excision with tumor-free margins of the biceps femoris and tendon reconstruction was undertaken. MRI at six months follow-up did not reveal tumor recurrence at the site of surgery and CT chest did not reveal metastases.
Types of Anchor Institution Initiatives: An Overview of University Urban Development Literature

Interest in universities as anchor institutions within their communities and cities is growing as civic leaders search for ways to build local wealth. Systematic analysis of the effects of anchor institution initiatives remains difficult due to the disparate nature of anchor initiatives and a relative lack of a shared language describing the work. This article reviews the anchor literature to summarize current understandings of universities and economic development, then develops a typology of anchor institution initiatives based upon the literature. The typology is based upon the type of capital leveraged by initiatives: (a) financial, (b) physical, (c) intellectual, and (d) human. The author then uses the typology to categorize a number of initiatives found within the literature and through a rough sampling process. This typology offers a shared language for scholars to use to guide discussions around universities as anchor institutions, and, more importantly, the typology can frame analyses of the differential effects, costs, and benefits of different anchor strategies.
Chapter 5 Mathematical Analysis of Viscoelastic Fluids

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the equations arising from the modeling of viscoelastic polymeric liquids. This means that a sizable mathematical literature on other kinds of non-Newtonian fluids—for example, generalized Newtonian fluids, micropolar fluids, and liquid crystals—has been ignored. On the mathematical side, the chapter focuses on the topics generally of interest to analysts working in partial differential equations, such as the questions of existence, stability, and development of singularities. While the analysis of viscoelastic flows has made major progress over the past thirty years, a number of major open questions in the field, which have so far yielded only fragmentary results and which pose interesting challenges for the future, have been reviewed in the chapter. Among those, the chapter mentions in particular the following: (1) the questions of global existence (or possibly the lack of it) for large data, both for initial value problems and steady flows, (2) a rigorous proof for the asymptotics of jet breakup; (3) the understanding of flows in the high Weissenberg number limit, (4) the rigorous analysis of stability and bifurcation, and (5) the characterization of final states (in terms of stress and motion) to which a flow can be controlled.
Discovery and clinical development of HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

Publisher Summary The discovery and development of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitors demonstrated a new paradigm for drug discovery and may be one of the first examples of this paradigm to come to fruition. In particular, the power of molecular and structural biology applied to the drug discovery effort was convincingly demonstrated Initiating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors with dual nucleosides represents the most important treatment development for persons with HIV infection. These inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk for disease progression and death for persons with advanced immune suppression (less than 200 CD4 cells). Clinicians must educate patients regarding the risk and benefit for initiating t this complex therapy and be responsible for selecting a combination that will maximally suppress viral replication. Therapy with HIV-1 protease inhibitor and dual nucleosides may represent the most active combination. Expert clinicians and patients must also balance toxicity, convenience, and adherence with the known beneficial activity associated with HIV-1 protease inhibitors.
Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen cycling for a Prosopis woodland in the Sonoran Desert

Prosopis woodlands in the Sonoran Desert have levels of above-ground biomass and productivity much higher than those predicted for desert plant communities with such low levels of precipitation. A stand of P. glandulosa near the Salton Sea, California, has 13,000kg ha-1 above-ground biomass and a productivity of 3700 kg ha-1 yr-1. Such a high level of productivity is possible because Prosopis is decoupled from the normal limiting factors of water and nitrogen availability. Soil nitrogen contents for the upper 60 cm of soil beneath Prosopis canopies have 1020 g m-2 total nitrogen, 25 per cent of which is in the form of nitrate. Such accumulations of nitrogen may be the result of active symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Early estimates suggest that about 25–30 kg N ha-1 yr-1 is fixed in these stands. Since Prosopis covers only 34% of the ground surface and its water resources are not limiting, much higher levels of nitrogen fixation and productivity may be possible in managed stands at greater densities.