cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The standard one gram dose of vancomycin is not adequate prophylaxis for MRSA.

Introduction The indications for vancomycin prophylaxis to prevent Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infections are increasing. The recommended dose of vancomycin has traditionally been 1 gram intravenous. However, the increasing prevalence of obesity in our population coupled with increasing resistance of MRSA to vancomycin has resulted in recent recommendations for weight-based dosing of vancomycin at 15 mg/kg. We hypothesize that the standard one gram dose of vancomycin is inadequate to meet the recently recommended dosage of 15 mg/kg. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review on 216 patients who were screened positive for MRSA prior to undergoing elective total joint or spine surgeries between January 2009 to January 2012. All patients were given 1 gram of vancomycin within an hour prior to surgical incision as prophylaxis. Using the revised dosing protocol of 15 mg/kg of body weight for vancomycin, proper dosage was calculated for each patient. These values were then compared to the 1 gram dose given to the patients at time of surgery. Patients were assessed as either underdosed (a calculated weight-based dose >1 gram) or overdosed (a calculated weight-based dose Results Out of 216 patients who tested positive for MRSA, 149 patients (69%) were determined to be underdosed and 22 patients (10%) patients were determined to be overdosed. The predicted VAN level at the end of procedure was 1.0 mg/L. Based on 1 g dosing, 5/6 patients with MRSA positive SSIs had wound closure levels of Conclusion In settings such as hospitals, where the risk for resistant bacteria, especially MRSA, is high, it is becoming increasingly important to accurately dose patients who require vancomycin. In order to avoid incorrect dosing of vancomycin health care providers must use weight-based dosing.
Consequences of randomized clinical trial design decisions need to be clarified.

Clinical trial design has taken on greater importance given recent emphasis on the role and impact of pragmatic trials. In the old days (for some of us), clinical trial design was almost exclusively restricted to rigid control and strong emphasis on efficacy and mechanistic inquiry. With recent (for some of us) attention paid to comparative effectiveness research, pragmatic trials have become the focus of many clinical trial design teams, patients, and policy makers [1]. This is not to say that more explanatory trial designs have lost favor. For example, trials similar to the doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial of vertebroplasty, an invasive procedure for painful vertebral fractures by Buchbinder et al. [2], have been critical to understanding true procedural vs. placebo effects attributable to an invasive treatment. Motivated by recent momentum and interest by a variety of stakeholders, the topic of pragmatic trials has received much attention in this journal and elsewhere. With the current health care research climate in mind, Nieuwenhuis et al. [3] set out to discuss some nuanced issues related to trial design with particular emphasis on how trial design decisions across the pragmatic/explanatory continuum potentially impact trial execution and interpretation. Although the interventions discussed are pharmacologic, the issues discussed likely apply to most if not all trials of health care interventions. I will elaborate on what I believe are the critical issues addressed by Nieuwenhuis et al. and what could potentially be done to expand on these issues. The main thesis of the article by Nieuwenhuis et al. is that although recently published pragmatic explanatory
Vertical deformation associated with normal fault systems evolved over coseismic, postseismic, and multiseismic periods

Vertical deformation of extensional provinces varies significantly and in seemingly contradictory ways. Sparse but robust geodetic, seismic, and geologic observations in the Basin and Range province of the western United States indicate that immediately after an earthquake, vertical change primarily occurs as subsidence of the normal fault hanging wall. A few decades later, a ±100 km wide zone is symmetrically uplifted. The preserved topography of long-term rifting shows bent and tilted footwall flanks rising high above deep basins. We develop finite element models subjected to extensional and gravitational forces to study time-varying deformation associated with normal faulting. We replicate observations with a model that has a weak upper mantle overlain by a stronger lower crust and a breakable elastic upper crust. A 60° dipping normal fault cuts through the upper crust and extends through the lower crust to simulate an underlying shear zone. Stretching the model under gravity demonstrates that asymmetric slip via collapse of the hanging wall is a natural consequence of coseismic deformation. Focused flow in the upper mantle imposed by deformation of the lower crust localizes uplift under the footwall; the breakable upper crust is a necessary model feature to replicate footwall bending over the observed width (<10 km), which is predicted to take place within 1–2 decades after each large earthquake. Thus the best-preserved topographic signature of rifting is expected to occur early in the postseismic period. The relatively stronger lower crust in our models is necessary to replicate broader postseismic uplift that is observed geodetically in subsequent decades.
Efficacy of Rice Straw Mulching Combined with Reduced Herbicide Rates for Weed Control in Transplanted Sweet Corn

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the weed control efficacy and impact on crop yield of rice- straw mulching in combination with herbicides at reduced rates in sweet corn. Acetochlor and pendimethalin were applied at a quarter,half and full recommended doses to a transplanting sweet corn field. Rice- straw mulching provided 60% and74% weed control from transplant to harvesting based on weed density and fresh weight,respectively. Combining rice-straw mulching with acetochlor improved weed control more than with pendimethalin at the three doses evaluated. The good plant individual and fresh weight control effect of rice straw mulching combined with acetochlor at one fourth of the dose were 59. 92% and 74. 10% respectively. However,if the rice straw covering was combined with a quarter of the recommended dose of pendimethalin,better control efficiency was achieved than when aceoachlor was combined with the rice straw mulching,with an efficiency of 69. 56% and 82. 87%,based on plant density and fresh weight,respectively. Yield of sweet corn increased by 10. 3%.
Impact testing of the residual limb: System response to changes in prosthetic stiffness

Currently, it is unknown whether changing prosthetic limb stiffness affects the total limb stiffness and influences the shock absorption of an individual with transtibial amputation. The hypotheses tested within this study are that a decrease in longitudinal prosthetic stiffness will produce (1) a reduced total limb stiffness, and (2) reduced magnitude of peak impact forces and increased time delay to peak force. Fourteen subjects with a transtibial amputation participated in this study. Prosthetic stiffness was modified by means of a shock-absorbing pylon that provides reduced longitudinal stiffness through compression of a helical spring within the pylon. A sudden loading evaluation device was built to examine changes in limb loading mechanics during a sudden impact event. No significant change was found in the peak force magnitude or timing of the peak force between prosthetic limb stiffness conditions. Total limb stiffness estimates ranged from 14.9 to 17.9 kN/m but were not significantly different between conditions. Thus, the prosthetic-side total limb stiffness was unaffected by changes in prosthetic limb stiffness. The insensitivity of the total limb stiffness to prosthetic stiffness may be explained by the mechanical characteristics (i.e., stiffness and damping) of the anatomical tissue within the residual limb.
Making of a Revelation: Daniel, Revelation and the Portuguese Restoration of 1640

The Portuguese Restoration of 1640 put an end to the union of the Iberian Crowns. Historians normally explain it as the result of a mix of historical, economic, and social conditions. Religious beliefs, however, were one of the strongest motifs used to catapult the “revolution” against Spain, while explaining how such a small kingdom as Portugal was God’s chosen nation to lead humankind towards the end of time. This eschatological ideal is particularly important among members of the Society of Jesus. In this paper, it is our goal to further explore sixteenth-century theoretical conceptualizations regarding the establishment of tahe “Fifth Empire” as forecast in Daniel and in Revelation. For this, we will analyze the work of a Portuguese Jesuit, Antonio Vieira: the History of the Future and the Clavis Prophetarum. Vieira, in his two books concerning this concept of the end of time, fi rst follows a panegyric approach of the Portuguese people; and later, in light of biblical texts, explains Portuguese supremacy and the role to be played by the Portuguese monarch. It is our aim to demonstrate how texts such as Daniel and Revelation, given their timeless character, can be used in other historical moments of distress similar to those of the turn of the Era.
Resolution of Acute Inflammation and the Role of Resolvins in Immunity, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology

Acute inflammation is a host-protective response that is mounted in response to tissue injury and infection. Initiated and perpetuated by exogenous and endogenous mediators, acute inflammation must be resolved for tissue repair to proceed and for homeostasis to be restored. Resolution of inflammation is an actively regulated process governed by an array of mediators as diverse as those that initiate inflammation. Among these, resolvins have emerged as a genus of evolutionarily conserved proresolving mediators that act on specific cellular receptors to regulate leukocyte trafficking and blunt production of inflammatory mediators, while also promoting clearance of dead cells and tissue repair. Given that chronic unresolved inflammation is emerging as a central causative factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, an understanding of the endogenous processes that govern normal resolution of acute inflammation is critical for determining why sterile maladaptive cardiovascular inflammation perpetuates. Here, we provide an overview of the process of resolution with a focus on the enzymatic biosynthesis and receptor-dependent actions of resolvins and related proresolving mediators in immunity, thrombosis, and vascular biology. We discuss how nutritional and current therapeutic approaches modulate resolution and propose that harnessing resolution concepts could potentially lead to the development of new approaches for treating chronic cardiovascular inflammation in a manner that is not host disruptive.
The literary uses of high-dimensional space:

Debates over “Big Data” shed more heat than light in the humanities, because the term ascribes new importance to statistical methods without explaining how those methods have changed. What we badly...
Digital Wallet System for Smart Ticketing

This paper briefly discusses an effective, efficient, convenient ticketing system designed especially for the transportation system in the Indian Subcontinent, which can be also extended to different types of domain by introducing few changes in design according to working environment. This system reduces man power which in turn reduces the maintenance costs to a greater extent.
From ‘poison’ to ‘seeder’: the gap between propaganda and xuanchuan is cultural*

ABSTRACTPropaganda has been perceived as ‘poison’ in the field of communication study. Xuanchuan, propaganda’s counterpart in China with a master metaphor of ‘seeder,’ however, has different histories and traditions that do not fit into the ideology-charged theoretical framework. Drawing upon Chinese thought and scholarship on xuanchuan/propaganda, the author demonstrates a deep conceptual and perceptual gap, rooted in culture, between propaganda and xuanchuan. Revelation of the gap is of paramount importance for studying China’s propaganda, both theoretically and empirically.
PREVALENT DIGOXIN USE IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF DEATH OR HOSPITALIZATION IN AMBULATORY HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH A REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION

Background: Despite more than 200 years of clinical experience and a pivotal trial, recently published research has called into question the safety and efficacy of digoxin therapy in heart failure (HF). Methods: HF-ACTION enrolled 2331 outpatients with HF and an EF <35% and randomized them to
Emerging paradigm of virtual-microscopy for histopathology diagnosis: survey of US and Canadian oral pathology trainees.

The application of virtual microscopy (VM) to research, pre-doctoral medical and dental educational training, and diagnostic surgical and anatomic pathology is well-documented but its application to the field of oral and maxillofacial pathology has not been explored. This is the first study to evaluate the enthusiasm and readiness of US-/Canada-based oral and maxillofacial pathology (OMFP) residents toward employing VM use over conventional microscopy (CM) for diagnostic purposes. All 46 current US-/Canada-based OMFP residents were invited to participate in an anonymous electronic survey via ‘Survey Monkey’ in 2015. The survey comprised sixteen multiple choice questions and two ‘free text’ questions. 14% of respondents of the 22 (48%) respondents who completed the survey indicated a willingness to substitute CM with VM in <5 years, and 33% within 10 years. 52% reported they would never substitute CM with VM. Approximately 10 and 57% of respondents thought VM will become an acceptable sole diagnostic tool in most centers within 5 and 10 years, respectively. These findings are irrespective of the fact that overall, 90% of respondents reported being familiar with VM use. VM technology is unlikely to substitute CM in diagnostic oral and maxillofacial histopathology practice among future OMFP practitioners in the foreseeable future.
Unmixing multiple intimate mixtures via a locally low-rank representation

Hyperspectral images often contain multiple intimate (nonlinear) mixtures. When attempting to unmix such datasets it is important to identify (cluster) the different mixtures present in the data and also minimize the effects of the nonlinearities in the data due to intimate mixing (embedding). Manifold clustering and embedding techniques appear to be an ideal tool for this task. Previous work in the field of manifold clustering either make simplifying assumptions or trade-off the embedding objective to improve the clustering. This is unacceptable in the case of unmixing as the embedded data is used for future processing (for e.g. abundance estimation). We discuss a low rank neighborhood representation which expresses each point as an affine combination of its neighbors on the same manifold. This ensures that the reconstruction matrix has a block diagonal structure, enabling the identification of classes by spectral clustering. The embedding of the different manifolds can also be obtained from this matrix. We will show the improved performance of this algorithm on simulated as well as real hyperspectral reflectance data of two ternary mixtures with two shared endmembers.
Observational review of paediatric intraosseous needle placement in the paediatric emergency department.

AIM Intraosseous (IO) access is a life-saving option during resuscitations in the paediatric emergency department (PED). This study aimed to compare success rates and time to placement for Manual IO versus EZ-IO needles in PED patients ≤8 and >8 kg. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of IO use in a single-centre tertiary PED from 2006 to 2014. Cases were identified through diagnosis codes for IO infusion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac arrest and admissions to the intensive care unit. Categorical measures were compared with Z-test for comparison of two proportions and continuous with Student's t-tests. RESULTS Of 1748 charts screened, 50 had an IO attempted. In patients ≤8 kg, Manual IO had success rate of 55% (17/31) versus 47% (8/17) for EZ-IO (P = 0.61). In patients >8 kg, Manual had success rate of 100% (2/2) versus 93% (14/15) for EZ-IO (P = 0.71). Manual performance was no different for ≤8 kg than >8 kg (P = 0.21), but EZ-IO was less successful for ≤8 kg than >8 kg (P = 0.005). In patients ≤8 kg, Manual IO had a shorter time to placement at 4.5 min versus 12.8 for EZ-IO (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION We observed no difference in performance between Manual and EZ-IO devices in children ≤8 kg, but the Manual IO were placed more quickly. We observed lower success rates with EZ-IO devices in children ≤8 kg compared to >8 kg. Future investigations should focus specifically on training for IO placement in children ≤8 kg.
High-Risk Palliative Care Patients' Knowledge and Attitudes about Hereditary Cancer Testing and DNA Banking.

Even at the end of life, testing cancer patients for inherited susceptibility may provide life-saving information to their relatives. Prior research suggests palliative care inpatients have suboptimal understanding of genetic importance, and testing may be underutilized in this clinical setting. These conclusions are based on limited research. This study aimed to estimate genetic testing prevalence among high-risk palliative care patients in a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. We also aimed to understand these patients’ understanding of, and attitudes toward, hereditary cancer testing and DNA banking. Palliative care in-patients with cancer completed structured interviews, and their medical records were reviewed. Among patients at high risk for hereditary cancer, we assessed history of genetic testing/DNA banking; and related knowledge and attitudes. Among 24 high-risk patients, 14 (58.3%) said they/their relatives had genetic testing or they had been referred for a genetics consultation. Of the remaining 10 patients, seven (70%) said they would “probably” or “definitely” get tested. Patients who had not had testing were least concerned about the impact of future testing on their family relationships; two (20%) said they were “extremely concerned” about privacy related to genetic testing. Of patients without prior testing, five (50%) said they had heard or read “a fair amount” about genetic testing. No high-risk patients had banked DNA. Overall, 23 (95.8%) said they had heard or read “almost nothing” or “relatively little” about DNA banking. Written materials and clinician discussion were most preferred ways to learn about genetic testing and DNA banking. Overall, this study demonstrates underutilization of genetics services at the end of life continues to be problematic, despite high patient interest.
Simultaneous analog tuning of the series- and anti-resonances of acoustic wave resonators

A new electronically-reconfigurable hybrid acoustic-wave-lumped-element resonator (AWLR) is presented that enables simultaneous analog tuning of both the series- and anti-resonant frequencies. Acoustic-wave resonators are combined with lumped inductors and two tunable capacitors in such a way that physically small fully reconfigurable resonators with Qs in the order of 100s are generated. Due to the simultaneous control, AWLR-based filters with both reconfigurable transmission zeros and center frequencies are possible. A record 2.6% series-resonant frequency tuning is demonstrated and Qs up to 680 are shown.
Mechanism of Ionic Current Blockades during Polymer Transport through Pores of Nanometer Dimensions

Linear anionic polymers driven through the α-hemolysin channel produce ionic current blockades. Three parameters of the blockades can be measured, including blockade amplitude, duration and modulations of amplitude within a single event. To test the hypothesis that blockade amplitude is related to the molecular volume of a linear polymer traversing the pore, the effects of four different polymers on the ionic current flowing through single α-hemolysin channels were compared. The amplitude of the blockade is proportional to the fraction of the pore volume occupied by the translocating polymer. We conclude that the primary contribution to the amplitude of a blockade is molecular volume, although other factors may also play minor roles. These results suggest that single nucleotide resolution will require a pore volume near the size of the individual monomers in a polynucleotide (~ 0.3 nm3), which will require an improvement of nearly two orders of magnitude over the current limiting volume provided by the α-hemolysin pore (~ 18 nm3).
THE APPLICATION OF MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL THEORY TO SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL

ABSTRACT An appraisal is made of past, present, and future applications of the general theory of multivariable control to the problem of spacecraft attitude control. It is noted that, while multivariable control has always been a characteristic of spacecraft applications, there has been remarkably little direct application of formal, general, “modern control theory” to this problem. Evolving uses of modern estimation theory in this field are described, and ad hoc approaches to multivariable control are noted, but formal applications of optimal estimation and control theory are seen to be limited for the most part to paper studies. Deficiencies of present theory are identified as obstacles to spacecraft applications, and directions for further development are suggested. The primary obstacle to successful application is seen to be the reliance of the theory on the fidelity of the model, which is peculiarly complex for modern spacecraft. Future projections indicate a need for a broader theory which envelops the modeling problem, in order to meet the challenges of configuration and attitude control of planned spacecraft with distributed flexibility, distributed sensors, and distributed actuators for control.
The elusive market: Embeddedness and the paradigm of economic sociology

L'article critique la notion d'embeddedness (inclusion) comme paradigme de l'economie sociale, considerant que si le concept a ete utile pendant une decennie, il conviendrait a present d'etudier la facon dont ce concept a ete developpe et utilise a l'interieur de la discipline de l'economie sociale
Cultural Stereotypes- From Dracula's Myth to Contemporary Diasporic Productions

CULTURAL STEREOTYPES: FROM DRACULA'S MYTH TO CONTEMPORARY DIASPORIC PRODUCTIONS by Ileana Florentina Popa A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Director: Marcel Cornis-Pope, Chair, Department of English This study is focused on a highly topical theme, which belongs to the pluralist practice of cultural studies, and aims at investigating a remarkable phenomenon of identity-shaping and cross-cultural exchange. Starting from an analysis of Dracula as the epitomized image of the Balkans (and of Romania, more specifically) abroad, this paper provides a comprehensive historical and (con)textual analysis of the myth, enlarged to incorporate it into the fictions of exile and to draw the reader's attention to the "demonic" dimension of the Balkan area in general, and the Romanian area in particular. The first chapter provides a theoretical overview meant to clarify the production of racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes, as well as to suggest a more accurate delimitation of these from the generous (and generously used notion of) cultural encounters. While most stereotypes result from common experience, generally acquired in a direct way, due to education, geographic proximity, work relations, political alliances and hostilities, colonial domination, etc. the cultural stereotypes are imposed upon us in an indirect way, by means of oral or written literature, visual arts, music, and other widely-spread recording means. The second chapter aims at exemplifjrlng their mechanism and spreading force by analyzing probably the oldest cultural stereotype, contemporary with the appearance of Guttenberg's printing press: the South-Eastern European myth of Dracula. With this goal in mind, I begin by considering the historical origins of the myth, and then explore closely its proliferation through German, Russian, Romanian, Italian, and Byzantine channels as early as Vlad the Impaler's lifetime. Moving across centuries to Bram Stoker's Dracula, I pay special attention to the cultural environment that made possible the instant success of his novel. I also offer a brief survey of the main directions taken by the impressive interpretive corpus on Bram Stoker's novel, with a particular focus on exploring the main ideas promoted by the Hibernian school of criticism. The chapter ends with an analysis of the Gothic romance and the current vogue of vampire stories in popular culture, be it written, cinematic, or electronic. In the last chapter, I broaden the discussion by analyzing Dracula's stereotypical correlation with the Transylvanian area as a cultural
Chemoprophylaxis by Interferons or Inducers against Chemical Carcinogenesis

Human malignancies arise commonly after exposure to environmental carcinogens. Bladder cancer is a well-studied and excellent preclinical model for this process. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the lower urinary tract accounts for approximately 4% of human cancers. Most of the TCC arise in the urinary bladder, with a male:female ratio in the U.S. of about 3:1. Chemical carcinogen-induced mouse and rat tumors in situ and transplantable bladder cancer models, which mimic the pathogenesis of the human disease, have been developed (1–4). Neoplasms can be histologically graded and staged in a manner similar to that for human bladder carcinoma.
Evaluating Staff Development Four Decision-Making Models

T he goal of all inservice education, given adequate resources, is to offer the highest quality program possible. If staff developers are to achieve and maintain high-quality programs, they must collect trustworthy information so that their immediate and future decisions are based on empirical data. There are a variety of general evaluation models from which staff developers may select to assess their programs. Ernest R. House (1978) identified eight major evaluation models, their assumptions, and uses. These eight models are applicable to staff development and subsume the program evaluation strategies described by Bruce W. Tuckman (1985). The models described in House's taxonomy are the following:
A Combinatorial Testing-Based Approach to Fault Localization

Combinatorial testing has been shown to be a very effective strategy for software testing. After a failure is detected, the next task is to identify one or more faulty statements in the source code that have caused the failure. In this paper, we present a fault localization approach, called BEN, which produces a ranking of statements in terms of their likelihood of being faulty by leveraging the result of combinatorial testing. BEN consists of two major phases. In the first phase, BEN identifies a combination that is very likely to be failure-inducing. A combination is failure-inducing if it causes any test in which it appears to fail. In the second phase, BEN takes as input a failure-inducing combination identified in the first phase and produces a ranking of statements in terms of their likelihood to be faulty. We conducted an experiment in which our approach was applied to the Siemens suite and four real-world programs, flex , grep, gzip and sed , from Software Infrastructure Repository (SIR). The experimental results show that our approach can effectively and efficiently localize the faulty statements in these programs.
Housing Affordability: Local and National Perspectives

This paper presents a new approach to measuring affordable homeownership. Future changes in the homeownership rate will depend on the ability of today’s renters to become homeowners. Our proposed housing affordability for renters index (HARI) focuses on how affordable homeownership is for current renters. We look at the share of renters who reported the same or more income than those who recently purchased a home using a mortgage, in effect measuring how many renters have enough income to purchase a house. For each metropolitan statistical area (MSA), we construct a local area index that compares renters and borrowers in the same MSA and a national index that compares renters nationwide with homeowners in a specific MSA. We rely on the Administrative Data Research Facility to construct these indices. This database, constructed by the Urban Institute, aggregates American Community Survey variables and Home Mortgage Disclosure Act variables to common geographies. The new indices reveal that slightly more than a quarter of current US renters have incomes higher than those who recently became homeowners using a mortgage. The indices also reveal how housing affordability differs over time and across race/ethnicity groups and locations. We demonstrate the value of our new indices by showing that they are predictive of homeownership rates: MSAs that are deemed more affordable by our index have higher homeownership rates.
RF Channel-Select Micromechanical Disk Filters—Part I: Design

This Part I of two papers introduces a design flow for micromechanical RF channel-select filters with tiny fractional bandwidths capable of eliminating strong adjacent channel blockers directly after the antenna, hence reducing the dynamic range requirement of subsequent stages in an RF front-end. Much like VLSI transistor circuit design, the mechanical circuit design flow described herein is hierarchical with a design stack built upon vibrating micromechanical disk building blocks capable of ${Q}$ ’s exceeding 10 000 that enable low-filter passband loss for tiny fractional bandwidths. Array composites of half-wavelength coupled identical vibrating disks constitute a second level of hierarchy that reduces the filter termination impedance. A next level of hierarchy couples array composites with full-wavelength beams to affect fully balanced differential operation. Finally, identical differential blocks coupled with quarter-wavelength beams generate the desired passband. Part II of this study corroborates the efficacy of this design hierarchy via experimental results that introduce a 39-nm-gap capacitive transducer, voltage-controlled frequency tuning, and differential operation toward demonstration of a 0.1% bandwidth, 223.4-MHz channel-select filter with only 2.7 dB of in-band insertion loss and 50 dB of stopband rejection.
Fasciotomy Improvement Through Recognition of Errors Course: A Focused Needs Assessment for Error Management Training for Lower Extremity Fasciotomy Performance.

Background Many injuries from recent wars involve extremity trauma secondary to blasts, which predispose patients to developing extremity compartment syndrome. In military studies, 17% of fasciotomies required revision on arrival to a Role 4 hospital, and 41% of these had missed compartments, which is similar to that seen in civilian centers. While training has decreased this rate to 8%, this number is still too high. We conducted a focused needs assessment to guide the development of lower-extremity fasciotomy training. Methods In a predeployment assessment, 42 military surgeons performed a 2-incision, 4-compartment, lower-extremity fasciotomy on simulated lower leg models. Models were assessed for standardized and objectively-assessed major (inadequate skin or fascial incisions, missed compartments) and minor (failure to make an H-shaped incision over the lateral compartments, division of the greater saphenous vein) errors based on joint Trauma System clinical practice guidelines and approved training curricula. Results Four of 42 (9.5%) models contained no errors. Models averaged 4.3 ± 2.6 major and 0.3 ± 0.5 minor errors. 11 models (26.2%) had at least one missed compartment. The most common missed compartments were the deep posterior (17%) and anterior (14%). 29 (69%) had inadequate or poorly-placed skin incisions, with the most common being inadequate distal extension of the medial (10, 24%) and lateral (14, 33%) incisions, inadequate proximal extension of the lateral incision (6, 14%), medial incision too close to the tibia (7, 17%), and lateral incision over or behind the fibula (12, 29%). A total of 36 (86%) had inadequate fascial incisions. Inadequate fasciotomies were seen in the anterior (57%), lateral (55%), superficial (52%), and deep (34%) posterior compartments Conclusions Performance on the models approximates what has been seen in military and civilian settings. This needs assessment will inform development of a simulation curriculum based on error-management and mastery learning theory to reduce the morbidity of lower-extremity compartment syndrome.
Black Saints in Early Modern Global Catholicism

From the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, Spanish and Portuguese monarchs launched global campaigns for territory and trade. This process spurred two efforts that reshaped the world: missions to spread Christianity to the four corners of the globe, and the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. These efforts joined in unexpected ways to give rise to black saints. Erin Kathleen Rowe presents the untold story of how black saints - and the slaves who venerated them - transformed the early modern church. By exploring race, the Atlantic slave trade, and global Christianity, she provides new ways of thinking about blackness, holiness, and cultural authority. Rowe transforms our understanding of global devotional patterns and their effects on early modern societies by looking at previously unstudied sculptures and paintings of black saints, examining the impact of black lay communities, and analysing controversies unfolding in the church about race, moral potential, enslavement, and salvation.
Cognitive processing speed in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis: Baseline characteristics of impairment and prediction of decline.

Background:Cognitive impairment occurs in approximately one-third of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) patients. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), a widely used cognitive screen in a...
Medium Chain Triglycerides induce mild ketosis and may improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies

Abstract Introduction/aim The brain in Alzheimer’s disease shows glucose hypometabolism but may utilize ketones for energy production. Ketone levels can potentially be boosted through oral intake of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of MCTs on peripheral ketone levels and cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Methods Medline, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for literature up to March 1, 2019. Meta-analyses were performed by implementing continuous random-effects models and outcomes were reported as weighted Mean Differences (MDs) or Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs). Results Twelve records (422 participants) were included. Meta-analysis of RCTs showed that, compared with placebo, MCTs elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate [MD = 0.355; 95 % CI (0.286, 0.424), I2 = 0 %], showed a trend towards cognitive improvement on ADAS-Cog [MD = −0.539; 95% CI (−1.239, −0.161), I2 = 0 %], and significantly improved cognition on a combined measure (ADAS-Cog with MMSE) [SMD = −0.289; 95 % CI (−0.551, −0.027), I2 = 0 %]. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, we demonstrated that MCTs can induce mild ketosis and may improve cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. However, risk of bias of existing studies necessitates future trials.
Dejects and Cannibals: Postmodern Abjection in Ana Lily Amirpour's The Bad Batch

Ana Lily Amirpour’s 2017 film The Bad Batch is a nightmare of postmodern abjection. Set in a desert wasteland in Texas, the film depicts a quasi-futuristic society that starkly reveals the dark underside of contemporary society, here portrayed in two realms, both exhibiting the height of abjection: the cannibal town called the Bridge and the shanty town of Comfort, where a lone perverse patriarch impregnates all the women while doling out steady doses of LSD to contain the masses. Borrowing from Julia Kristeva’s description of the ‘deject’ in her work Powers of Horror, this analysis focuses on those characters who ultimately choose neither of these options. Having confronted and internalized the abject, these characters become eternal exiles, achieving a measure of liberation by assuming and embodying their partiality and by embracing ‘a weight of meaninglessness, about which there is nothing insignificant’ (Kristeva, J., 1982: 2).
Synthesis, characterization, and solution studies of polyoxometalate-doped conducting polymers:

The present research focus is to design a new catalyst by doping polyoxometalate (POM) in conducting polymers. Polypyrrole (PPy)-doped Keggin type POM [PMO12O40]3− with various molar concentrations...
A Data Driven Approach to Study the Social and Political Statuses of Urban Communities in Kunming

This article presents a data-driven approach to the study of the social and political statuses of urban communities in modern Kunming. Such information is lacking in government maps and documents. Using data from a wide variety of sources, many unconventional, I subject them to critical evaluation and computational analysis to extract information that can be used to produce a land use map of sufficient detail and accuracy to allow scholars to address and even answer questions of a socio-political, economic and, indeed, humanistic nature. My method can also be applied to other Chinese cities and to cities elsewhere that lack accurate information.
Major ion geochemistry in Na-Ca-Mg-K-Cl-SO4 brines using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract Knowledge of the geochemistry of natural waters contributes to the understanding of Earth systems including crustal evolution, geochemical cycles, precipitation and dissolution of chemical sediments, and limits for extremophilic microorganism, as well as contributing hypotheses about other planets and moons that host chemical sediments. However, the traditional methods for quantification of saline waters presents analytical challenges that can lead to inaccurate or unrelatable results. Here, we demonstrate the accuracy and limits of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) for analysis of major ion geochemistry in brines from five continents. Results from a validation sample subset show R2 values >0.95 for K+, Ca2+, SO42−, >0.90 for Mg2+, Cl−, and 0.85 for Na+ when compared with sample concentrations reported from external laboratories. Dilution experiments demonstrate that the minimum sensitivity of pXRF photon response by major ion varies from >1 to >1000 mg/L. The application of this method for quantifying saline water chemistry presents opportunities for further study of brines on Earth and the exploration of saline systems on other planetary bodies. Plain language summary The use of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry presents an untapped opportunity for characterization of saline waters. Here, we demonstrate the precision and limits of this proposed method for salt water samples collected from saline lakes and salt playas across the Earth.
Optical Detection of Single Nanoparticles With a Subwavelength Fiber-Taper

A nanoparticle detection scheme with single particle resolution is presented. The sensor contains only a taper fiber, thus offering the advantages of compactness and installation flexibility. The sensing method is based on monitoring the transmitted light power which shows abrupt jumps with each particle binding to the taper surface. The experimental validation of the sensor is demonstrated with polystyrene nanoparticles of radii 120 and 175 nm in the 1550-nm wavelength band.
Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein Binds as a Dimer to RNA-Free PABP1 but Not to the PABP1·Poly(A) RNA Complex

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a highly contagious human pathogen that is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year. Non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a crucial protein expressed by IAV to evade the host immune system. Additionally, NS1 has been proposed to stimulate translation because of its ability to bind poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4G. We analyzed the interaction of NS1 with PABP1 using quantitative techniques. Our studies show that NS1 binds as a homodimer to PABP1, and this interaction is conserved across different IAV strains. Unexpectedly, NS1 does not bind to PABP1 that is bound to poly(A) RNA. Instead, NS1 binds only to PABP1 free of RNA, suggesting that stimulation of translation does not occur by NS1 interacting with the PABP1 molecule attached to the mRNA 3'-poly(A) tail. These results suggest that the function of the NS1·PABP1 complex appears to be distinct from the classical role of PABP1 in translation initiation, when it is bound to the 3'-poly(A) tail of mRNA.
Discussion of 'Audit Committee Financial Expertise and Earnings Management: The Role of Status' by Badolato, Donelson, and Ege

Badolato et al. (2014) (BDE) examine the effectiveness of audit committee financial expertise. They find that financial expertise does not deter irregularities unless the audit committee also has high status. I review prior research on financial expertise to place the current study in the literature and for guidance in assessing the paper’s assumptions and empirical specifications. BDE’s conclusions run counter to many of the prior findings and to broad patterns in the data. I discuss how empirical research design choices and self-selection may affect the paper’s conclusions.
A universal configurational entropy metric for high-entropy materials

Abstract In recent years, high-entropy materials have become increasingly complex, outgrowing simple solid-solution based calculations of configurational entropy, and with that, the previously established metrics for high-, medium-, and low-entropy. Those previous metrics are derived from metals-specific approximations of the entropy of fusion and the internal energy of a monatomic gas, and thus, do not apply to other materials. A new entropy metric is proposed that is universally applicable for crystalline materials, from simple solid-solution high-entropy alloys to high-entropy materials with complex crystal structures and multiple sublattices. Additionally, the methods for calculating configurational entropy in complex crystal structures are discussed.
Category-specific activations depend on imaging mode, task demand, and stimuli modality: An ALE meta-analysis.

Abstract The cortical organization of the semantic network has been examined extensively in neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies; however, after decades of research, several issues remain controversial. A comprehensive and systematic investigation is needed to characterize the consistent patterns of category-specific activations as well as to examine factors that contribute to the varying findings across numerous neuroimaging studies. In this study, we reviewed 113 published papers that reported category-specific activations for living or nonliving concepts from the past two decades. Using the Activation Likelihood Estimate (ALE) method, we characterized the brain regions associated with living and nonliving concepts and revealed how the observed patterns were heavily influenced by methodological factors including imaging mode, task demand, and stimuli modality. Our findings provided the most comprehensive summary of category-specific activations for living and nonliving concepts and critically revealed that these activation patterns are highly contextually dependent. This work advanced our knowledge about the organization of the cortical semantic network and provided important insights into theoretical accounts and future research directions.
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1)-mediated plasticity in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus promotes a fundamental adaptation to stress

Abstract BACKGROUND Habituation is defined as a progressive decline in response to repeated exposure to a familiar and predictable stimulus and is highly conserved across species. Disrupted habituation is a signature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In rodents, habituation is observed in neural, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to repeated exposure to the predictable and moderately intense stress or restraint. We previously demonstrated that lesions to the posterior division of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (pPVT) impairs habituation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific neural connections among the pPVT and other brain regions that underlie habituation are unknown. METHODS Behavioral and neuroendocrine habituation was assessed in adult male Sprague-Dawley restraints using the repeated restraint paradigm. Pan neuronal and Cre-dependent Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) were used to chemogenetically inhibit the pPVT and the subpopulation of pPVT neurons that project to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), respectively. Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) expression was knocked down in the pPVT using siRNA directed towards Arc. Golgi staining was used to assess structural plasticity of pPVT neurons. Local field potential recordings were used to assess coherent neural activity between the pPVT and mPFC. The attentional set-shifting task was used to assess mPFC-dependent behavior. RESULTS Here, we show that Arc promotes habituation by increasing stress-induced spinogenesis in the pPVT, increasing coherent neural activity with the mPFC, and improving mPFC-mediated cognitive flexibility. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that Arc induction in the pPVT regulates habituation to repeated restraint and mPFC function. One Sentence Summary We demonstrate that Arc in the posterior division of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus promotes habituation to repeated stress by increasing dendritic spines.
Collagen cross-links as markers of bone and cartilage degradation

An early study showed that desmosine and isodesmosine from degraded elastin are not metabolized, but are quantitatively excreted in urine [1].The structurally related pyridinoline cross-links of collagen were later also found in urine [2].Robins and colleagues introduced methods for measuring urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline residues as markers of systemic collagen degradation, and in particular of bone resorption [3].Finding that most of the urinary pyridinolines were in a narrow size-range of small peptides, we identified the amino acid sequences containing the cross-linking residues for immunoassay on the premise that this would provide greater specificity to their originating tissues and collagen types [4].First, we targeted cross-linked N-telopeptide fragments of type I collagen, most of which must have originated from bone based on their HP:LP ratio [5].Commercial versions of this assay (NTx) for urine and serum have seen widespread use in clinical studies, for example of anti-osteoporotic drugs [6,7].Immunoassays for the cross-linked Ctelopeptides of type I collagen (CTx), also identified in urine [8],have been introduced as comparable bone resorption markers [9].