cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-pregnancy obesity and maternal nutritional biomarker status during pregnancy: a factor analysis

Pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with adverse birth and pregnancy outcomes. Poor essential fatty acid and micronutrient status may contribute to this association. We assessed the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and micronutrient and essential fatty acid (EFA) status in mid-pregnancy. Women (n=129) provided non-fasting blood samples at ≤20 weeks gestation that were assayed for red blood cell EFA, plasma folate, plasma ascorbic acid, serum retinol, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum α-tocopherol, plasma homocysteine, serum soluble transferrin receptors, and serum carotenoids. Principal components analysis of these biomarker measures was used to construct three nutritional components: EFA, Micronutrient, and Carotenoid. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent effect of pre-pregnancy BMI on the likelihood of being in the lowest tertile of each nutritional component. After adjustment for parity, race/ethnicity, and age, obese pregnant women were 3.0 (95% CI: 1.1, 7.7) times as likely of being in the lowest tertile of the EFA component and 4.5 (95% CI: 1.7, 12.3) times as likely of being in the lowest tertile of the Carotenoid component as their lean counterparts. There was no association between obesity and Micronutrient component scores after confounder adjustment. Obese pregnant women may be vulnerable to having insufficient EFA and carotenoids concentrations, which may contribute to their elevated risk of adverse birth outcomes.
Looking into the Crystal Ball for Alzheimer’s Disease

As our population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continues to increase at a rapid rate. An estimated 5 to 10% of individuals over 65, and 40% of individuals over 85, will be affected. The problem is that we cannot accurately predict which of us will be the unlucky ones. Halliday
Comparative analysis of the β transducin family with identification of several new members including PWP1, a nonessential gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is divergently transcribed from NMT1

While investigating the expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase gene (NMT: E.C. 2.3.1.97) by Northern blot analysis, we observed another RNA transcript whose expression resembled that of NMT1 during meiosis and was derived from a gene located less than 1 kb immediately upstream of NMT1. This new gene, designated PWP1 (for periodic tryptophan protein), is divergently transcribed from NMT1 and encodes a 576-residue protein. Null mutants of PWP1 are viable, but their growth is severely retarded and steady-state levels of several cellular proteins (including at least two proteins that label with exogenous [3H]myristic acid) are drastically reduced. New methods for database searching and assessing the statistical significance of sequence similarities identify PWP1 as a member of the beta-transducin protein superfamily. Two other previously unrecognized beta-transducin-like proteins (S. cerevisiae MAK11 and D. discoideum AAC3) were also identified, and an unexpectedly high degree of sequence homology was found between a Chlamydomonas beta-like polypeptide and the C12.3 gene of chickens. A systematic and quantitative comparative analysis resulted in classifying all beta-transducin-like sequences into 11 nonorthologous families. Based on specific sequence attributes, however, not all beta-transducin-like sequences are expected to be functionally similar, and quantitative criteria for inferring functional analogies are discussed. Possible roles of repetitive tryptophan residues in proteins are also considered.
Interaction of Nitric Oxide with Human Heme Oxygenase-1 *

Abstract NO and CO may complement each other as signaling molecules in some physiological situations. We have examined the binding of NO to human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1), an enzyme that oxidizes heme to biliverdin, CO, and free iron, to determine whether inhibition of hHO-1 by NO can contribute to the signaling interplay of NO and CO. An Fe3+-NO hHO-1-heme complex is formed with NO or the NO donors NOC9 or 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide·sodium salt. Resonance Raman spectroscopy shows that ferric hHO-1-heme forms a 6-coordinated, low spin complex with NO. The ν(N-O) vibration of this complex detected by Fourier transform IR is only 4 cm−1 lower than that of the corresponding metmyoglobin (met-Mb) complex but is broader, suggesting a greater degree of ligand conformational freedom. The Fe3+-NO complex of hHO-1 is much more stable than that of met-Mb. Stopped-flow studies indicate that k on for formation of the hHO-1-heme Fe3+-NO complex is ∼50-times faster, andk off 10 times slower, than for met-Mb, resulting in K d = 1.4 μm for NO. NO thus binds 500-fold more tightly to ferric hHO-1-heme than to met-Mb. The hHO-1 mutations E29A, G139A, D140A, S142A, G143A, G143F, and K179A/R183A do not significantly diminish the tight binding of NO, indicating that NO binding is not highly sensitive to mutations of residues that normally stabilize the distal water ligand. As expected from the K d value, the enzyme is reversibly inhibited upon exposure to pathologically, and possibly physiologically, relevant concentrations of NO. Inhibition of hHO-1 by NO may contribute to the pleiotropic responses to NO and CO.
Improving Organizational Responses to Sexual Harassment Using the Giving Voice to Values Approach

Despite significant expenditures on organizational responses to sexual harassment, it remains a persistent challenge. We argue that the legal environment has unduly and negatively influenced the ways in which organizations address the problem of sexual harassment and offer an alternative. Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is an action-oriented approach to business ethics education that can be used to improve the ways in which organizations address the phenomenon of sexual harassment (SH). Because of its focus on action and expressing personal values, GVV can be used to prepare targets, observers, and managers to intervene in instances where they may encounter this behavior at work. The original contribution of this article is a detailed application of GVV to the unique organizational issue of SH training. Ways of developing dialogue in response to sexual behavior at work are presented and implications of the GVV approach are discussed.
Temperature invariance of quantum well modulators using a feedback circuit based on the quantum confined Stark effect.

We report the design and performance characteristics of a voltage feedback circuit which can rapidly compensate for the temperature-dependent shift of the excitonic peak energy positions in quantum confined Stark effect modulators. The energy position remains invariant over a temperature shift of 10 degrees . The circuit is simple and can be operated with a single device or an array of modulators.
Gene–Environment Interaction and Susceptibility to Pediatric Brain Tumors

Many pediatric brain tumors (pBTs) may result from the interplay of environmental factors with biological mechanisms at critical developmental periods in a child’s life. While several genetic disorders have been linked to development of pBTs, many pBTs may result from low-penetrant gene alterations in common pathways. Importantly, alterations and pathways that may be important to etiology in certain tumor types may not play a role in other pBT types. It is probable that heterogeneity in alterations, and possibly even pathways, exists within tumor groups as well. Identification of which pathways are most significant in the etiology of each pBT type will be critical in developing therapies for these tumors. While therapies for single gene mutations have been successful in the past for certain cancers, it is possible that therapies based on pathway inhibition will prove to be more successful in the treatment of tumors that have several mutations throughout a pathway such as pBTs. This chapter describes the current state of the research on environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors possibly involved in the development of pBTs. It covers epidemiological research on environmental factors that have been investigated in relation to pBTs, the involvement of neural stem cells, progenitor cells, and developmental pathways in the etiology of pBTs, the genetic and epigenetic alterations that have been identified in common pBTs, and how these factors may interact with mitochondrial-nuclear signaling to increase individual susceptibility to pBTs.
All Wrapped Up and Nowhere to Gogo: Wrap Contracts Meet the Wrapture

The legal community’s unenthusiastic acceptance of electronic boilerplate “wrap” contracts is pervasive. Boilerplate and wrap contracts are generally justified as cost-reducing and a fair result of parties’ freedom to contract. But only a small share of internet users are aware that clicking “I Agree” creates contractual obligations, and the overwhelming majority of those users fail to read or appreciate the obligations contained in wrap contracts. Certain forms of “wrap” contracts are widely recognized in the legal community, like browsewrap and clickwrap, and others are exotic, like hybridwrap, tapwrap, and installwrap. The problem, though, is these defined forms should bear no legal consequence because they all boil down to the same three considerations: Does the presentation of the terms provide reasonable notice of their existence? Does the user have a fair opportunity to read the terms? What terms did the user accept by an express manifestation of assent? This article surveys the inappropriate proliferation of “wrap” contract characterizations. The proliferation muddles the predictable course of contract formation and allows divergent application of precedent. The article covers seminal cases like ProCD, Inc. v. Zeidenberg and Ariz. Retail Sys. v. Software Link, Inc., and recent decisions like Savetsky v. Pre-Paid Legal Servs. and Berkson v. Gogo LLC. The article lays out a simple alternative to avoid the ‘wrap’ nomenclature – retaining the “shrinkwrap” characterization and calling all other electronic contracts of adhesion “clickthrough agreements.” Clickthrough agreements are further characterized by three necessary elements: (1) the agreement’s presentation must provide reasonable notice of the terms, (2) the agreement includes only those terms which the user had a fair opportunity to read, and (3) the user’s express manifestation of assent must evidence acceptance of the terms qualifying under (1) and (2).
Predictors of dropout in concurrent treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence: rate of improvement matters

Abstract Objective The present study examined predictors and moderators of dropout among 165 adults meeting DSM-IV criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence (AD). Participants were randomized to 24 weeks of naltrexone (NAL), NAL and prolonged exposure (PE), pill placebo, or pill placebo and PE. All participants received supportive AD counseling (the BRENDA manualized model). Method Logistic regression using the Fournier approach was conducted to investigate baseline predictors of dropout across the entire study sample. Rates of PTSD and AD symptom improvement were included to evaluate the impact of symptom change on dropout. Results Trauma type and rates of PTSD and AD improvement significantly predicted dropout, accounting for 76% of the variance in dropout. Accidents and “other” trauma were associated with the highest dropout, and physical assault was associated with the lowest dropout. For participants with low baseline PTSD severity, faster PTSD improvement predicted higher dropout. For those with high baseline severity, both very fast and very slow rates of PTSD improvement were associated with higher dropout. Faster rates of drinking improvement predicted higher dropout among participants who received PE. Conclusions The current study highlights the influence of symptom trajectory on dropout risk. Clinicians may improve retention in PTSD-AD treatments by monitoring symptom change at regular intervals, and eliciting patient feedback on these changes.
Synthesis of cis and trans bis-alkynyl complexes of Cr(III) and Rh(III) supported by a tetradentate macrocyclic amine: a spectroscopic investigation of the M(III)-alkynyl interaction.

Alkynyl complexes of the type [M(cyclam)(CCR)2]OTf (where cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane; M = Rh(III) or Cr(III); and R = phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 1-naphthalenyl, 9-phenanthrenyl, and cyclohexyl) were prepared in 49% to 93% yield using a one-pot synthesis involving the addition of 2 equiv of RCCH and 4 equiv of BuLi to the appropriate [M(cyclam)(OTf)2]OTf complex in THF. The cis and trans isomers of the alkynyl complexes were separated using solubility differences, and the stereochemistry was characterized using infrared spectroscopy of the CH2 rocking and NH bending region. All of the trans-[M(cyclam)(CCR)2]OTf complexes exhibit strong Raman bands between 2071 and 2109 cm–1, ascribed to νs(C≡C). The stretching frequencies for the Cr(III) complexes are 21–28 cm–1 lower than for the analogous Rh(III) complexes, a result that can be interpreted in terms of the alkynyl ligands acting as π-donors. UV–vis spectra of the Cr(III) and Rh(III) complexes are domin...
New Battery Cathode Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Performance of M1-xV3O8-yFz·nH2O (M = NH4, K)

The aqueous synthesis and electrochemical properties of the new nanocrystalline material M1-xV3O8-yFz·nH2O (M = NH4, K; x ≈ 0.0−0.2; y ≈ 0.0−0.2; z ≈ 0.1−0.2; n ≈ 1) are described. This material is easily prepared by precipitation from aqueous HF-acidified ammonium or potassium vanadate solutions. M1-xV3O8-yFz·nH2O has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, TGA, chemical analyses, and electrochemical studies. The proposed atomic structure is related to that of (NH4)2V6O16, with V6O16 layers separated by layers of hydrated ammonium cations. The M = NH4 material exhibits a high Li capacity with good reversibility within the first few charge−discharge cycles. The lithium capacity of an electrode composed of (NH4)0.9V3O7.9F0.1·nH2O/EPDM/carbon (88/4/8) is 409 (mA h)/g (C/80 rate), and the energy density is ∼1000 (W h)/kg (128-μm-thick cathode, 4−1.5 V versus Li metal anode). The HF concentration, starting vanadate salt, and temperature are important parameters in the synthesis of...
An Abnormal Grasshopper with Two Median Ocelli (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

Among a number of grasshoppers caught near Iowa City in October 1957 a male Melanoplus differentialis differentialis (Thomas) with two median ocelli was found. The unusual condition was not noticed until the head had been removed for experimental work and the cut cervicum had been sealed with vaseline. Several hours later the head—still alive as indicated by the movements of mouth parts and antennae—was placed in 70 percent alcohol to which a little formalin had been added.
"Only slaves climb trees" : Revisiting the myth of the ecologically noble savage in Amazonia.

Professional and popular publications have increasingly depicted native peoples of Amazonia as “natural” conservationists or as people with an innate “conservation ethic.” A few classic examples are cited repeatedly to advance this argument with the result that these cases tend to be generalized to all indigenous peoples. This paper explores the premise that many of these systems of resource conservation come from areas of Amazonia where human survival depends on careful management of the subsistence base and not from a culturally imbedded “conservation ethic.” Where resource constraints do not pertain, as in the case of the Yuqui of lowland Bolivia, such patterns are unknown. Finally, the negative consequences of portraying all native peoples as natural conservationists is having some negative consequences in terms of current struggles to obtain indigenous land rights.
United States Indian Policy and the Debate over Philippine Annexation: Implications for the Origins of American Imperialism

An examination of United States Indian policy during the nineteenth century reveals a clear pattern of colonialism toward Native Americans. This essay will suggest that this policy served as a precedent for imperialist domination over the Philippines and other islands occupied during the Spanish-American War. Historians are divided over the origins of United States imperialist sentiment-whether the nation "stumbled" into empire, followed manifest destiny policies from the Mexican War, or annexed islands in a search for commercial markets. However, there seems to be a mistaken consensus, at least among many diplomatic historians, that the United States did not have a tradition of holding alien peoples as colonial subjects before 1898. That the Indian precedent has been ignored is perhaps testimony to the treatment Native Americans have received from historians. Rather than being considered as independent peoples, Indians have been so closely associated with the early frontier that they have been largely ignored as a factor in later American diplomatic history. There has been a tendency to stereotype Indians as a "vanishing race," especially after the passing of the frontier. 1 On the contrary, the demographic reality is that American Indian population has continued to grow during every decade since 1890 and in specific ethnic groups the population rebound occurred even earlier.2 This fact perplexed American policy-makers, who were supposed to oversee the continual decline of their I"vanishing" charges and who had to decide what status these peoples would
Course Factors that Motivate Students to Submit End-of-Course Evaluations

We surveyed students (N = 152) in several sections of an undergraduate educational psychology course to determine what course factors would most motivate them to submit course evaluations. The survey directed students to choose among several pairs of course characteristics as to their relative impact on their decision to submit a course evaluation. After tabulating their choices, we ranked the course characteristics for the total sample and then for various demographic and performance subgroups. In general, students indicated that positive aspects of a course would motivate them to submit course evaluations more than would negative aspects.
Graphene control cutting using an atomic force microscope based nanorobot

The electrical properties of graphene strongly rely on its size,geometry and edge structure.Therefore,the ability of fabricating graphene into desired configuration is one of the enabled techniques to manufacture graphene-based nanodevices and push it into practical applications.However,there is no effective way to achieve this goal till today.In this paper,an Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM) based mechanical cutting method is developed to meet the urgent need of graphene fabrication.Theoretical analysis between cutting force and lattice cutting angle is carried out,which reveals that the value of the cutting force is related with the graphene cutting direction.Different graphene shapes are fabricated to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method.Furthermore,after many times of cutting experiments with the rotation sample method,we proved that the cutting forces do vary with the lattice cutting direction.The experimental results keep consistent with the theoretical analysis.This discovery makes it possible to build a close-loop fabrication method with real-time force as sensor feedback.It also lays the foundation of theory and experiments on controllable graphene cutting with lattice precision.Combining parallel multi-tip technology,the proposed method makes it possible to fabricate large-scale graphene-based device at low cost and high efficiency.
Direct Radiative Effects of Anthropogenic Aerosols and Their Effects on the South Asian Winter Monsoon

The spatial–temporal distribution and direct radiative effect of three anthropogenic aerosols(sulfate, black carbon, and organic carbon) were simulated by using the regional climate model RegCM4.0(Regional Climate Model verson 4.0) coupled with a chemistry module. Results from our investigation of the effect of aerosols on the South Asian winter monsoon show that the temporal and spatial changes in optical depth and surface short wave radiative forcing may be caused primarily by the sulfate aerosol. In the transition period between the South Asian summer and winter monsoons and during the prevailing South Asian winter monsoon, the distributions of negative short wave radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere and at the surface are nearly consistent with the distribution of the aerosols. The absolute value of the intensity of the radiative forcing at the surface is much greater than its intensity at the top of the atmosphere. Correlation and composite analyses show that the aerosols' column burdens in the main distribution area of anthropogenic aerosols in South Asia is negatively correlated with the onset and intensity of the South Asian winter monsoon in the transition period between the South Asian summer and winter monsoons and during the prevailing South Asian winter monsoon. These effects may be attributed to the fact that aerosols absorb solar radiation, thereby inducing the changes in temperature and geopotential height.
Viewing problems in bone biology from the perspective of lineage identification.

Just as the field of hematology made major strides in understanding diseases of blood when they migrated from the blood smear and hematocrit to molecular phenotyping mapped to defined stages of progenitor development, so too must bone biologists begin to move beyond standard histology and bone mass measurements to methods that allow cells at defined levels of progenitor and mature development to be identified, isolated and characterized. We are developing a strategy to meet this goal utilizing GFP-based reporters linked to promoters that activate at defined levels of development within the bone lineage. Table 1 indicates the transgenic reporter constructs currently available. The key to the use of this strategy is demonstrating that the cells identified by a GFP signal represent a cell with reproducible properties that biologists agree meet a defined level of development. With the caveat that an expression pattern is associated with a specific (and commonly shared) transgenic line, an experience can be assembled that increasingly gives confidence in how to interpret the stage of development of a cell identified as GFP+. We have focused on four criteria to make an assignment: (1) the expression pattern in primary bone cell culture (spatial and temporal); (2) bone histology using a tape transfer protocol that preserves GFP in cryosections of bone (spatial association with standard techniques of bone histology); (3) microarray of FACS isolated GFP+ populations and (4) transplantation to assess the differentiation potential of a progenitor population. Figure 1 illustrates some of the spatial features that associate GFP+ cells to a level of cellular differentiation. pOBCol3.6GFP is expressed in a wide variety of type I collagen producing cells and in bone cell cultures it is first observed in pre-osteoblastic cells in association with AP expression. In bone histology it is seen in periosteal fibroblasts and on bone surfaces that may or may not be associated with dynamic labeling (Figure 2A). In contrast, pOBCol2.3GFP is limited to bone nodules in culture. In bone histology it is always associated with an active labeling surface (Figure 2B) and continues to be active in osteocytes. hOC-GFP and DMP-GFP appear to split the function of pOBCol2.3 into active forming surfaces (hOC-GFP) and osteocytes (DMP-GFP). Figure 3 conceptuJ Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2005; 5(4):350-352
Rubrics and Reflection: A Discursive Analysis of Observation Debrief Conversations between Novice Teach for America Teachers and Mentors.

ABSTRACTDrawing upon discursive psychology as a theoretical and methodological framework, the author analyzes a set of five postobservation debrief conversations between novice teachers and their mentors. The author presents analysis and findings by highlighting how the interpretative repertoires of the rubric and protocol documents may be used to shape and limit what counts as reflective practice. Next, the author highlights contrasts in the ways in which participants oriented to reflection protocol documents either as authoritative or irrelevant. Finally, the author consider the implications of these orientations in terms of varied versions of reflection on practice.
Interpersonal assertiveness: Inside the balancing act

Whether in everyday disagreements, bargaining episodes, or high-stakes disputes, people typically see a spectrum of possible responses to dealing with differences with others, ranging from avoidance and accommodation to competition and aggression. We believe people judge their own and others' behaviors along this dimension, which we call interpersonal assertiveness, reflecting the degree to which someone stands up and speaks out for their own positions when they are faced with someone else who does not want the same outcomes. In this article, we review long-standing and recent scholarship to characterize the curvilinear consequences of assertiveness (both “too little” and “too much” can be problematic). We consider the sources of accommodating and assertive behavior, such as motivations, expectancies, and failures of self-regulation. We also examine ways in which people can assert themselves effectively, ranging from making precise offers in negotiations to employing rationales as part of their proposals. We conclude by noting promising directions for future research.
Entropy of the Bose-Einstein-condensate ground state: Correlation versus ground-state entropy

Calculation of the entropy of an ideal Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a three-dimensional trap reveals unusual, previously unrecognized, features of the canonical ensemble. It is found that, for any temperature, the entropy of the Bose gas is equal to the entropy of the excited particles although the entropy of the particles in the ground state is nonzero. We explain this by considering the correlations between the ground-state particles and particles in the excited states. These correlations lead to a correlation entropy which is exactly equal to the contribution from the ground state. The correlations themselves arise from the fact that we have a fixed number of particles obeying quantum statistics. We present results for correlation functions between the ground and excited states in a Bose gas, so as to clarify the role of fluctuations in the system. We also report the sub-Poissonian nature of the ground-state fluctuations.
Basic Experimental Strategies and Data Analysis for Science and Engineering

(2017). Basic Experimental Strategies and Data Analysis for Science and Engineering. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 298-299.
Locally Free Finite Rank Butler Groups and Near Isomorphism

Poset representations are used to functorially relate near isomorphism classes of strongly indecomposable finite rank Butler groups to classes of almost completely decomposable groups. Examples and applications of this correspondence are given.
Formal Power Series

This chapter discusses a variety of algorithms for manipulating formal power series. Formal power series are infinite power series where we are not concerned with issues of convergence. Thus, both f(t) and g(t) $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {f\left( t \right) = 1 + t + \frac{{{t^2}}}{{2!}} + \frac{{{t^3}}}{{3!}} + \frac{{{t^4}}}{{4!}} + \cdots ,} \\ {g\left( t \right) = 1 - t + 2!{t^2} - 3!{t^3} + 4!{t^4} + \cdots } \end{array} $$ are formal power series, even though g(t) does not converge for any non-zero value of t.
Experimental Study of the Effect of External Pressure on Particle Bed Effective Thermal Properties

Accurate prediction of the thermomechanical responses of particle beds in fusion blankets depends strongly on the availability of experimental data on their thermal properties as a function of the blanket operating conditions. In this study, a series of experiments is conducted to measure the effective thermal conductivity and interface conductance of single-size aluminium, beryllium, and lithium zirconate particle beds as a function of applied external load in the 0- to 1.6-MPa range. Experiments are carried out with both helium and air as cover gas over a pressure range of 30 to 760 Torr. In both the aluminium and beryllium beds, as the applied load is increased to 1.5 MPa, the effective thermal conductivity increases by a factor of ∼ 3 to 7 in an air cover gas and by a factor of ∼ 2 to 3 in helium. With 1.2-mm lithium zirconate particles and air or helium as the cover gas, changes in the bed thermal conductivity when the aplied load is varied in the 0 to 1.6-MPa range are small and within the expermiental error. The increase in the interface conductance values with applied external load shows variations similar to those of the thermal conductivity. Based on the Hertz elastic equation and finite element models, the particle-to-particle contact areas as a function of the applied external load are evaluated and used in a predictive model by Bauer, Schlunder, and Zehner to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of a beryllium particle bed as a function of external pressure. The experimental results are in good agreement with the model predictions
A Possible Link Between HCN Channels and Depression

Growing evidence suggests a possible link between hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated nonselective cation (HCN) channels and depression. In a recent study published in Molecular Psy...
Value, Chronic Critical Illness, and Choosing Wisely.

Management of limited health-care resources has been of growing concern. Stewardship of health-care dollars and avoidance of low-value care is being increasingly recognized as a matter that affects...
The Impact of World War II on American Society and Scholarly Publishing: December 7, 1941–1942

America entered World War II on December 7, 1947, and the nation underwent a dramatic mobilization. Scholarly publishing was impacted by a series of presidential executive orders and governmental regulations resulting in the rationing of paper, ink (that contained oil), and supplies needed to print books and journals and the creation of a censorship office. This chapter analyzes these events and the creation of the Manhattan Project’s secret research operation under the leadership of General Leslie Groves. A positive development was the G.I. Book Program, which distributed +122 million books, including some scholarly books, to military personnel during the war.
Posteromedial versus Anteromedial Hamstring Tendon Harvest for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Comparison of Accidental Gracilis Harvests, Outcomes, and Operative Times

Hamstring autografts are frequently harvested for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), traditionally through the anteromedial (AM) approach. Recently, a posteromedial (PM) approach has been described. The primary purpose of this study was to compare rates of unintentional gracilis (Gr) harvest or premature tendon amputation with these approaches. We also sought to compare operative times and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between both groups and between those with only semitendinosus (ST) grafts or with combined ST and Gr grafts. Patients who underwent ACLR with hamstring autograft by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. An accidental harvest was identified as an unintentional Gr harvest or premature graft amputation. PROMs included the Knee Osteoarthritis and Outcomes Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and International Knee Documentation Committee score. Two out of 22 (9.1%) patients in the AM group had unintentional Gr tendon harvests, while none (out of 29) were identified in the PM group (p = 0.101). Group mean PROMs were not significantly different between patients in either group or patients with either ST-only grafts and those with combined ST + Gr. Average operative times and tourniquet times were significantly shorter with the PM approach versus the AM approach (101 ± 18.2 vs 129 ± 25.6 minutes, p = 0.002; 68 ± 14.8 vs 90 ± 28.9 minutes, p = 0.005). The PM approach was associated with a trend toward decreased risk of unintentional harvest of the Gr tendon and significantly decreased operative and tourniquet times without affecting knee outcomes compared with the traditional AM approach. Accidental Gr harvest was not associated with worse outcomes.
Classroom Education Using Animation and Virtual Reality of the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling: Human Subject Testing

Virtual reality (VR) was employed to create the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling using several software and hardware. Different techniques of displaying the construction methods, such as on-site photos, 3D static images and animations from SOLIDWORKS, and VR, were implemented, and a human subject testing of the VR using an Oculus Rift headset was performed on graduate students in the seminar led by the second author. The results were positive, and some suggestions included better rendering of the 3D models in VR. Therefore, the present chapter discusses different techniques of texture iterations to correct and improve the texture of the 3D models of the Great Wall. Overall, several pedagogical aspects, such as tools, value integrators, and interactions of VR, in the Smart learning environment are presented and discussed in this study. For future studies, the authors hope that this study will open up more research and generate more propositions and implementations of VR in classroom settings.
Spousal Caregivers Are Caregiving Alone In The Last Years Of Life

Caregiving in the last years of life is associated with increased depression and negative health outcomes for surviving spouses, many of whom are themselves in poor health. Yet it is unclear how of...
Support for Breastfeeding Employees: Assessing Statewide Worksite Lactation Support Recognition Initiatives in the United States.

BackgroundAlthough the reasons for discontinued breastfeeding are multifactorial, an unsupportive work environment is consistently reported as a barrier to continued breastfeeding. In the United St...
Transmigration of Tetraspanin 2 (Tspan2) siRNA Via Microglia Derived Exosomes across the Blood Brain Barrier Modifies the Production of Immune Mediators by Microglia Cells.

Microglia are implicated in the neuropathogenesis of HIV. Tetraspanin 2 (Tspan2) is closely related to CD9 and CD81 proteins, and are expressed on microglia cells. They have been implicated in cell fusion and adhesion and in the immune response, and neuroinflammation. Developing therapeutics that target microglia remains a challenge as these therapeutics must cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Our goal was to use microglia derived exosomes as a vehicle to deliver siRNA across the BBB to target human telomerase reverse transcriptase immortalized human microglial cells (HTHU) latently infected by HIV (HTHU-HIV) and to evaluate if the knockdown of Tspan2 gene expression in changes the activation state of microglia cells, thereby modulating the neuroinflammatory response. A blood brain barrier (BBB) model that closely mimics and accurately reflects the characteristics and functional properties of the in vivo BBB was used to examine HTHU microglia exosome effects on BBB permeability, and their ability to migrate across the and delivery small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cells on the CNS side of the BBB model. Exosomes were loaded with Texas-Red control siRNA (20 pmol) or Cy5-Tspan2 siRNA and then placed in the apical side of the BBB model, 24 h after incubation, HTHU-HIV cells microglial cells on the lower chamber were either imaged for siRNA uptake or analyzed for gene expression induced modifications. HTHU exosomes transmigrate from the apical side of the BBB to deliver Texas-Red control siRNA or Cy5-Tspan2 siRNA to HTHU-HIV microglia cells on the CNS side of the BBB model. A dose dependent (5–40 pmol) increase in Cy5-Tspan2 uptake with a corresponding decrease in gene expression for Tspan2 occurred in HTHU-HIV microglia. A decrease in Tspan2 gene expression as a consequence of knockdown with Tspan2 siRNA at both 20 and 40 pmol concentrations resulted in a significant decrease in C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) gene expression in HTHU-HIV microglia. Furthermore, a decrease in the gene expression levels of the Interleukins, IL-13 and IL-10 and an increase in the gene expression levels for the Fc gamma receptor 2A(FCGR2A) and TNF-α occurred in HTHU-HIV microglial cells These data demonstrate that HTHU exosomes cross the BBB and are efficient delivery vehicles to the CNS. Moreover, modifying the expression levels of Tspan2, has downstream consequences that includes alterations in cytokines and microglia biomarkers.
Clinical outcomes following proton therapy for adult craniopharyngioma: a single-institution cohort study.

Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that commonly develops within the suprasellar region. The tumor and treatment can have debilitating consequences for pediatric and adult patients, including vision loss and pituitary/hypothalamic dysfunction. Most craniopharyngioma series focus on treatment of the pediatric population. We evaluated the outcomes of all adult craniopharyngioma patients treated at our institution using proton therapy to report outcomes for disease control, treatment-related toxicity, and tumor response. We analyzed 14 adult patients (≥ 22 years old). All patients had gross disease at the time of radiotherapy. Five were treated for de novo disease and 9 for recurrent disease. Patients received double-scattered conformal proton therapy to a mean dose of 54 GyRBE in 1.8 GyRBE/fraction (range 52.2–54 GyRBE). Weekly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helped to evaluate tumor changes during radiotherapy. With median clinical and radiographic follow-up of 29 and 26 months, respectively, the 3-year local control and overall survival rates were both 100%. There were no grade 3 or greater acute or late radiotherapy-related side effects. There was no radiotherapy-related vision loss or optic neuropathy. No patients required intervention or treatment replanning due to tumor changes during radiotherapy. Two patients experienced transient cyst expansion at their first post-radiotherapy MRI. Both patients were followed closely clinically and radiographically and had subsequent dramatic tumor/cyst regression, requiring no interventions. Our data support the safety and efficacy of proton therapy in the treatment of adult craniopharyngioma as part of primary or salvage treatment. We recommend early consideration of radiotherapy.
Lung cancer mortality among never-smokers in the United States: estimating smoking-attributable mortality with nationally representative data.

Abstract Purpose Lung cancer mortality among never-smokers is an often overlooked yet important cause of adult mortality. Moreover, indirect approaches for estimating smoking-attributable mortality use never-smoker lung cancer death rates to approximate smoking burden. To date, though, most studies using indirect approaches import rates from the Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II), which is not representative of the U.S. population. Methods We use the nationally representative 1985–2015 National Health Interview Survey-Linked Mortality Files (NHIS-LMF) to calculate lung cancer death rates among never-smokers aged 50 years or older. We then import rates from NHIS-LMF and CPS-II into the Preston–Glei–Wilmoth indirect method to determine whether smoking-attributable fractions differ. Results Never-smokers account for 16% of U.S. lung cancer deaths among women and 11% among men. Lung cancer death rates among never-smokers are higher in NHIS-LMF than CPS-II for several age groups. Smoking-attributable fractions of mortality are slightly lower with NHIS-LMF rates (19% of male deaths and 16% of female deaths) than with CPS-II rates (21% of male deaths and 17% of female deaths). Conclusions Fractions based on nonrepresentative CPS-II data may modestly overestimate smoking-attributable mortality. Thus, indirect methods should use never-smoker lung cancer death rates from such nationally representative datasets as NHIS-LMF.
Quantitative T2 mapping using accelerated 3D stack-of-spiral gradient echo readout.

Abstract Purpose To develop a rapid T2 mapping protocol using optimized spiral acquisition, accelerated reconstruction, and model fitting. Materials and methods A T2-prepared stack-of-spiral gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequence was applied. A model-based approach joined with compressed sensing was compared with the two methods applied separately for accelerated reconstruction and T2 mapping. A 2-parameter-weighted fitting method was compared with 2- or 3-parameter models for accurate T2 estimation under the influences of noise and B1 inhomogeneity. The performance was evaluated using both digital phantoms and healthy volunteers. Mitigating partial voluming with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was also tested. Results Simulations demonstrates that the 2-parameter-weighted fitting approach was robust to a large range of B1 scales and SNR levels. With an in-plane acceleration factor of 5, the model-based compressed sensing-incorporated method yielded around 8% normalized errors compared to references. The T2 estimation with and without CSF nulling was consistent with literature values. Conclusion This work demonstrated the feasibility of a T2 quantification technique with 3D high-resolution and whole-brain coverage in 2–3 min. The proposed iterative reconstruction method, which utilized the model consistency, data consistency and spatial sparsity jointly, provided reasonable T2 estimation. The technique also allowed mitigation of CSF partial volume effect.
A Lagrangian fluctuation-dissipation relation for scalar turbulence. Part III. Turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection

A Lagrangian fluctuation–dissipation relation has been derived in a previous work to describe the dissipation rate of advected scalars, both passive and active, in wall-bounded flows. We apply this relation here to develop a Lagrangian description of thermal dissipation in turbulent Rayleigh–Benard convection in a right-cylindrical cell of arbitrary cross-section, with either imposed temperature difference or imposed heat flux at the top and bottom walls. We obtain an exact relation between the steady-state thermal dissipation rate and the time for passive tracer particles released at the top or bottom wall to mix to their final uniform value near those walls. We show that an ‘ultimate regime’ with the Nusselt number scaling predicted by Spiegel (Annu. Rev. Astron., vol. 9, 1971, p. 323) or, with a log correction, by Kraichnan (Phys. Fluids, vol. 5 (11), 1962, pp. 1374–1389) will occur at high Rayleigh numbers, unless this near-wall mixing time is asymptotically much longer than the free-fall time . Precisely, we show that with the Rayleigh number, the Prandtl number, and the Nusselt number. We suggest a new criterion for an ultimate regime in terms of transition to turbulence of a thermal ‘mixing zone’, which is much wider than the standard thermal boundary layer. Kraichnan–Spiegel scaling may, however, not hold if the intensity and volume of thermal plumes decrease sufficiently rapidly with increasing Rayleigh number. To help resolve this issue, we suggest a program to measure the near-wall mixing time , which is precisely defined in the paper and which we argue is accessible both by laboratory experiment and by numerical simulation.
Hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures in proton exchange membranes for fuel cells

Abstract With the turn of the millennium, research and development in the area of proton exchange membrane (PEM) for fuel cells has made a noticeable transition from use of purely polymeric or purely ceramic membrane materials to employment of organic/polymer-ceramic/inorganic hybrid materials. Particularly, in the last decade, with the rapid development in nanomaterials, PEM research has witnessed an increased use of polymeric and/or inorganic nanostructures within the domain of polymer-inorganic hybrid membranes. This remarkable transition from blends, alloys, and simple mixtures to nanocomposites in the PEM domain has taken place keeping pace with the stupendous development in the overall field of nanocomposites in a wide variety of applications. The core reason behind the necessity of this transition was that pure materials, polymeric or ceramic, were found lacking in imparting all necessary functionalities with the PEMs, as required for their applications in fuel cells. This chapter aims to bring out the recent developments that have been reported in this particular area, i.e., the use of hybrid nanocomposites-based PEMs in fuel cells. For this purpose, this chapter discusses the exciting fabrication techniques, properties, mechanisms, results achieved, and pros and cons in different categories of hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites, taking into account representative published reports that are important in author’s viewpoint.
Developing a Superior Brand Essence Statement

Brands make promises to consumers, but where do these promises come from? How do brand teams decide what promise to make? This is where the brand essence statement (BES) comes in. It is a document, picture, video, or some other communication vehicle that captures, usually in words and visuals, the intrinsic nature and indispensable quality that makes the brand unique, compelling, and meaningful to the target. Importantly, the BES goes far beyond marketing communications to describe the holistic nature of the brand, and it informs company-wide decision-making. Identifying the essence of a brand such that it fits with the target, can fit with the current brand, and is superior to competitors requires artistry and science—artistry to create a BES and science to assess, refine, validate, and perfect it. This note explores the process of developing a superior BES—and then consistently executing against it. Excerpt UVA-M-0892 Rev. Jun. 13, 2018 Developing a Superior Brand Essence Statement Think of Wal-Mart. What comes to mind? How about ESPN? Or NASCAR? Or Kim Kardashian? How did Tide, over the past nearly 70 years, come to stand for superior performance on tough, important laundry problems? Why does Coke own “refreshing” in the minds of consumers? Over time, brands come to stand for something. They carry meaning, feelings, and emotions that are captured in the minds and hearts of consumers. These perceptions of a brand (i.e., brand image) impact whether consumers have interest in purchasing a product or service, how much they are willing to pay, and the degree to which consumers are willing to share their feelings, thoughts, and recommendations with others (i.e., word-of-mouth and social media effects). What remains elusive to many companies and marketers, however, is how to determine what the brand essence should be so that you can then implement it in such a way as to ensure that brand image you have is the one that you want. As an example of how important a brand essence is in driving overall performance, consider J. C. Penney. . . .