cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Barriers to treatment among African Americans with obsessive-compulsive disorder

African Americans are underrepresented in OCD treatment centers and less likely to experience a remission of symptoms. This study examines the barriers that prevent African Americans with OCD from receiving treatment. Seventy-one adult African Americans with OCD were recruited and administered the modified Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale (BTPS) and the Barriers to Treatment Questionnaire (BTQ). Comparing the BTQ between a European American Internet sample (N=108) and the African American OCD sample (N=71) revealed barriers unique to African Americans, including not knowing where to find help and concerns about discrimination. A Mokken Scale Analysis of the BTPS in the African American participants identified seven major barriers, including the cost of treatment, stigma, fears of therapy, believing that the clinician will be unable to help, feeling no need for treatment, and treatment logistics (being too busy or treatment being too inconvenient). Pearson and point-biserial correlations of the scales and demographic and psychological variables were conducted. Significant relationships emerged between age, gender, income, education, insurance status, and ethnic affirmation/belonging among several of the Mokken scales. A one-way ANOVA demonstrated that concerns about cost were significantly greater for those without insurance, versus those with public or private plans. Suggestions for overcoming barriers are presented, including community education, affordable treatment options, and increasing cultural competence among mental health providers.
Antiviral agent blocks breathing of the common cold virus.

A dynamic capsid is critical to the events that shape the viral life cycle; events such as cell attachment, cell entry, and nucleic acid release demand a highly mobile viral surface. Protein mass mapping of the common cold virus, human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14), revealed both viral structural dynamics and the inhibition of such dynamics with an antiviral agent, WIN 52084. Viral capsid digestion fragments resulting from proteolytic time-course experiments provided structural information in good agreement with the HRV14 three-dimensional crystal structure. As expected, initial digestion fragments included peptides from the capsid protein VP1. This observation was expected because VP1 is the most external viral protein. Initial digestion fragments also included peptides belonging to VP4, the most internal capsid protein. The mass spectral results together with x-ray crystallography data provide information consistent with a “breathing” model of the viral capsid. Whereas the crystal structure of HRV14 shows VP4 to be the most internal capsid protein, mass spectral results show VP4 fragments to be among the first digestion fragments observed. Taken together this information demonstrates that VP4 is transiently exposed to the viral surface via viral breathing. Comparative digests of HRV14 in the presence and absence of WIN 52084 revealed a dramatic inhibition of digestion. These results indicate that the binding of the antiviral agent not only causes local conformational changes in the drug binding pocket but actually stabilizes the entire viral capsid against enzymatic degradation. Viral capsid mass mapping provides a fast and sensitive method for probing viral structural dynamics as well as providing a means for investigating antiviral drug efficacy.
Determination of HHG spectrum by measuring the mutual coherence

The interference pattern resulting from a double slit (or pinhole pair) is commonly used to measure the spatial coherence properties of a light source in the visible1, as well as in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV)2,3 regions of the spectrum. This interference pattern results from the path difference of the incident light field from each slit to the observation point. In a standard spatial coherence measurement, the incident field is assumed to be quasi-monochromatic, so that temporal coherence effects are isolated from a measurement of spatial coherence. However, under conditions where a broad bandwidth source illuminates a pinhole pair, the interference pattern will contain both temporal and spatial coherence information of the source, as well as the power spectrum. In this talk we show that the spectrum of a beam can be extracted from a measurement of a double-pinhole interference pattern and the geometry of the set-up4. Such a spectral measurement is unique in that it determines the absolute wavelength and relative spectral intensity of the source, which is a great advantage in the EUV region where calibration is very difficult.
HTLV-III/LAV particle-associated proteins: I. Virus purification, inactivation and basic characterization

Human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy virus (HTLV- III/LAV) is the etiologic agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),1-2 although cofactors may play a significant role in disease expression.5 Changes in social behavior may reduce the rate of AIDS transmission, but complete curtailment of the epidemic seems unlikely without immunological or pharmacological intervention. Much effort has been invested in the direct examination of the virus and its infection processes to elucidate promising strategies of intervention, one of which may be vaccination, Detailed information on HTLV-III/LAV components, especially proteins, should aid the rational design of vaccines by focusing attention on those viral constituents likely to induce protective immunity.
Serological reactions of levans formed from sucrose and raffinose by certain bacilli.

SummaryLevans formed in sucrose and raffinose broth by B. subtilis, B. panis, 5 other strains of Bacillus, and 3 strains of non-sporulating Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria possessed serological properties similar to those previously described for the levans of several strains of S. salivarius and of one strain of Bacillus. This evidence extends the serological information on the levari class of bacterial polysaccharide and gives a better basis for the application of serological procedures to the detection of bacterial levans both in laboratory culture fluids and In the various materials in which they occur in nature.
Determination of trace lead in condiments by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry method

The Lead in Various Condiments was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS)method.The samples were treated with dry ashing method at 500℃ for 6h,which was dissolved with 1.0% nitric acid and used ammonium nitrate as matrix modifier.The samples were analyzed under the optimized instrument conditions.The results showed good linearity of Lead ranged from 0 to 50μg/L.The lowest determination limit was 0.6μg/L.The recovery and the relative standard deviation of method were 83.80%~87.65%% and 1.82%~3.40%,respectively.This method is rapid,sensitive and accuracy,which could meet the demand for trace lead analysis in condiments.
Could This Be True?: I Think So! Expressed Uncertainty in Online Rumoring

Rumors are regular features of crisis events due to the extreme uncertainty and lack of information that often characterizes these settings. Despite recent research that explores rumoring during crisis events on social media platforms, limited work has focused explicitly on how individuals and groups express uncertainty. Here we develop and apply a flexible typology for types of expressed uncertainty. By applying our framework across six rumors from two crisis events we demonstrate the role of uncertainty in the collective sensemaking process that occurs during crisis events.
Single-cell variability guided by microRNAs

A single zygote with a defined DNA sequence gives rise to all the varied cells of the mammalian body. This variety of cell fates may arise in part from cell-to-cell variability in the gene expression programs of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Three recent studies have taken different approaches to characterizing this variability in gene expression in stem cells ( 1 – 3 ). These results suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play an important role in controlling and generating this variability.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE NORMAL DISTRIBUTION BY PROPERTIES OF INFINITE SUMS OF RANDOM VARIABLES

This chapter discusses infinite linear forms in independently and identically distributed random variables. The first characterization theorem using the properties of infinite sums of random variables was provided by J. Marcinkiewicz. According to the theorem of Cramer, the sum of two independent random variables is normally distributed and, in turn, each summand is normally distributed. A linear form and a monomial have the same distribution.
Phase-locking behavior in a high-frequency gymnotiform weakly electric fish, Adontosternarchus

An apteronotid weakly electric fish, Adontosternarchus, emits high-frequency electric organ discharges (700–1500 Hz) which are stable in frequency if no other fish or artificial signals are present. When encountered with an artificial signal of higher frequency than the fish’s discharge, the fish raised its discharge frequency and eventually matched its own frequency to that of the artificial signal. At this moment, phase locking was observed, where the timing of the fish’s discharge was precisely stabilized at a particular phase of the artificial signal over a long period of time (up to minutes) with microsecond precision. Analyses of the phase-locking behaviors revealed that the phase values of the artificial stimulus at which the fish stabilizes the phase of its own discharge (called lock-in phases) have three populations between −180° and +180°. During the frequency rise and the phase-locking behavior, the electrosensory system is exposed to the mixture of feedback signals from its electric organ discharges and the artificial signal. Since the signal mixture modulates in both amplitude and phase, we explored whether amplitude or phase information participated in driving the phase-locking behavior, using a numerical model. The model which incorporates only amplitude information well predicted the three populations of lock-in phases. When phase information was removed from the electrosensory stimulus, phase-locking behavior was still observed. These results suggest that phase-locking behavior of Adontosternarchus requires amplitude information but not phase information available in the electrosensory stimulus.
The magic of internet protocol

As the developing use of web and intranet keep on expanding colossally, the issue to suit more clients and gadgets has been risen. Subsequently, a location range must be required to oblige the hurry. Sadly, IPv4 address region and alternatives are insufficient to meet this new necessity. A fresh out of the box new Protocol is expected to satisfy the developing interest. IPv6 is the best response to the above issues. We should have an early on study on IPv6 convention. IPv6 convention offers verity of advantages that incorporates a more extensive location region and upgraded choices and changes that are not beforehand be found in the IPv4. IPv6 in contrast with IPv4 have a wide address range, simple documentations for representation of a location, enhanced administrations and alternatives, upgraded header, propelled highlights, new choices and bolster, auto setup highlight, new convention bolster, Network Security, Virus and Worms Security, Support for different Operating frameworks and stage including Microsoft windows, Linux and MAC.
New Technologies for Vascular Injuries and Hemorrhage Control

The rapid control of hemorrhage is at the cornerstone of all injury care. In most cases, direct surgical exploration and control of hemorrhage suffices even with large volume blood loss. However, some new advances have given us additional tools that can be quite helpful in selected cases. Binders can reduce the bony elements of the pelvis, reducing pelvic fracture hemorrhage. A number of commercially available hemostatic agents provide direct pressure onto blood vessels and promote clotting. Newer resuscitation strategies stress the use of plasma and platelets early. This balanced resuscitation likely prevents the coagulopathy of trauma instead of treating it.
Photonic crystal enhanced photothermal lens

We demonstrate a photonic crystal-based method that is capable of enhancing the photothermal lens effect generated by light absorbing materials. The method was used to analyze gold nanoparticles and exhibited stronger photothermal lens signals.
Abstract 208: Altered Cerebrovascular Reactivity Following One Month of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as a significant risk factor for stroke. However, little is known regarding the effects of OSA on the cerebrovascular wall. Using a novel rodent model of OSA we assessed the hypothesis that (1) OSA augments endothelin (ET-1) induced constrictions of cerebral arteries and (2) OSA attenuates dilations of cerebral arteries by agonist-induced nitric oxide (NO) release from the cerebrovascular endothelium. The repetitive airway closures associated with OSA lead to intermittent hypoxia/hypercapnia and reoxygenation, increased negative intrathoracic pressures, and arousals. In order to model the physiological consequences of OSA, we have chronically instrumented rats with inflatable endotracheal obstruction devices. Unanesthetized freely-ranging rats underwent 30 apneas/ hour for 8 hours/ day (sleep phase) for 1 month. During apnea pO2 decreased from 122±3 to 67±3 mm Hg; pCO2 increased from 43±1 to 51±1 mm Hg; pH decreased from 7.46±0.00 to 7.38±0.01; and hemoglo...
Learning and Pooling, Pooling and Learning

We explore which types of probabilistic updating commute with convex IP pooling (Stewart and Ojea Quintana 2017). Positive results are stated for Bayesian conditionalization (and a mild generalization of it), imaging, and a certain parameterization of Jeffrey conditioning. This last observation is obtained with the help of a slight generalization of a characterization of (precise) externally Bayesian pooling operators due to Wagner (Log J IGPL 18(2):336–345, 2009). These results strengthen the case that pooling should go by imprecise probabilities since no precise pooling method is as versatile.
Path to Eco-Driving: Electric Vehicle HVAC and Route Joint Optimization

This article targets at optimizing driving range and battery lifetime for EVs. The authors propose a scheme by which heating, ventilation, and air condition systems can be jointly optimized with driving routes while considering electric motors. —Zili Shao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University .
Testing the mindfulness-to-meaning theory: Evidence for mindful positive emotion regulation from a reanalysis of longitudinal data

Background and objective The Mindfulness to Meaning Theory (MMT) provides a detailed process model of mindful positive emotion regulation. Design We conducted a post-hoc reanalysis of longitudinal data (N = 107) derived from a RCT of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder to model the core constructs of the MMT (attentional control, decentering, broadened awareness, reappraisal, and positive affect) in a multivariate path analysis. Results Findings indicated that increases in attentional control from baseline to post-training predicted increases in decentering by 3 months post-treatment (p<.01) that in turn predicted increases in broadened awareness of interoceptive and exteroceptive data by 6 months post-treatment (p<.001). In turn, broadened awareness predicted increases in the use of reappraisal by 9 months post-treatment (p<.01), which culminated in greater positive affect at 12 months post-treatment (p<.001). MBSR led to significantly greater increases in decentering (p<.05) and broadened awareness than CBT (p<.05). Significant indirect effects indicated that increases in decentering mediated the effect of mindfulness training on broadening awareness, which in turn mediated enhanced reappraisal efficacy. Conclusion Results suggest that the mechanisms of change identified by the MMT form an iterative chain that promotes long-term increases in positive affectivity. Though these mechanisms may reflect common therapeutic factors that cut across mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral interventions, MBSR specifically boosts the MMT cycle by producing significantly greater increases in decentering and broadened awareness than CBT, providing support for the foundational assumption in the MMT that mindfulness training may be a key means of stimulating downstream positive psychological processes.
Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate in the prevention of postoperative adhesions

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a commonly used progestogen, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), in the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation. Design A double-blind, controlled study evaluated the efficacy of MPA to reduce postoperative adhesion formation and compared it with other adjuvants and controls in a rat model. Setting Animal Care Facility of an academic research setting. Subjects Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley female rats randomly divided into five groups. Interventions Three weeks before surgery, the animals from each group were administered an IM injection of one of the following regimens: [1] 15mg MPA; [2] both 15mg MPA and 0.75mg leuprolide acetate (LA); [3] 0.75 LA; or [4] and [51 comparable volumes of sterile saline. A standardized surgical trauma was inflicted in all animals. Before abdominal closure, 2mL of Ringer's Lactate was instilled in the abdominal cavity of all groups except group 5 (controls). Three weeks after surgery, the rats were killed and the adhesions were scored on a scale of 0 to 3 according to their size, thickness, and vascularity. Main Outcome Measure Postoperative adhesions. Results The preoperative administration of MPA resulted in the least number and the least severe adhesions. The combination of LA and MPA did not reduce postoperative adhesion formation. Both Ringer's Lactate and LA reduced postoperative adhesions but not to the same extent as MPA. Conclusion The preoperative administration of MPA in our laboratory animal model results in the most significant reduction of postoperative adhesion formation. This action of MPA may be mediated by the induction of both a progestational and a hypoestrogenemic milieu. However, the ultimate role of MPA in a clinical situation requires further investigation.
Stereotactic radiosurgery practice patterns for brain metastases in the United States: a national survey

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as an important modality for the treatment of intracranial metastases. There are currently few established guidelines delineating indications for SRS use and fewer still regarding plan evaluation in the treatment of multiple brain metastases. An 18 question electronic survey was distributed to radiation oncologists at National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers in the USA (60). Centers without radiation oncologists were excluded. Physicians who indicated that they do not prescribe SRS were excluded from the remaining survey questions. Sign test and Chi-square test were used to determine if responses differed significantly from random distribution. One hundred sixteen of the 697 radiation oncologists surveyed completed the questionnaire, representing 51 institutions. Sixty-two percent reported treating patients with brain metastases using SRS. Radiation oncologists prescribing SRS most commonly treat CNS (66.2%) and lung (49.3%) malignancies. SRS was used more frequently for 10 brain metastases (82.5%; p < 0.0001). The maximum number of lesions physicians were willing to treat with SRS without WBRT was 1–4 (40.4%) and 5–10 (42.4%) (p < 0.0001 compared to 11–15, 16–20 and no limit). The most important criteria for choosing SRS or WBRT were number of lesions (p < 0.0001) and performance status (p = 0.016). The most common margin for SRS was 0 mm (49.1%; p = 0.0021). The most common dose constraints other than critical structure was conformity index (84.2%) and brain V12 (61.4%). The LINAC was the most common treatment modality (54.4%) and mono-isocenter technique for multiple brain metastases was commonly used (43.9%; p = 0.23). Most departments do not have a policy for brain metastases treatment (64.9%; p = 0.024). This is one of the first national surveys assessing the use of SRS for brain metastases in clinical practice. These data highlight some clinical considerations for physicians treating brain metastases with SRS.
Expression of the Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) in Mouse Skin: Loss of Expression in Suprabasal Layers of the Epidermis and Up-Regulation by erbB-2

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a newly identified serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in integrin signaling. To investigate the functions of ILK in vivo, we have analyzed the expression and regulation of ILK in the skin, in which proper control of cell-extracellular matrix interactions and cell proliferation is essential for its normal development and homeostasis. We report here that ILK is abundantly expressed throughout the extracellular matrix-rich dermis. ILK mRNA was also detected in the hair follicles and the basal cells of the interfollicular epidermis. However, ILK expression is lost in the suprabasal layers of keratinocytes that are undergoing terminal differentiation. PINCH, an ILK-binding protein, exhibited a similar expression pattern in the skin. Recent studies have indicated that erbB-2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family, plays a pivotal role in epidermal growth, differentiation, and hair follicle morphogenesis. Using a transgenic mouse system in which an activated erbB-2 is overexpressed in the epidermis, we show that ILK expression is regulated by erbB-2. The in vivo expression and regulation patterns of ILK, together with its biochemical activities, suggest an important role of ILK in coordinating the integrin signaling pathways and the growth factor signaling pathways in the development of the skin and the pathogenesis of skin diseases.
Games: Real, Complex, Imaginary

The subject of game theory is by now a fairly substantial branch of mathematics, treated in dozens of books, hundreds of research papers, and at least two full-time journals. Game theory comes in many quite different flavors, including economic, political, military, and, of course, recreational; but all of these branches have one thing in common. In all but very rare cases, the games analyzed are not traditional existing games but rather new games, invented not to be played but to be analyzed. There are a few exceptions like the game of Dots and Boxes, which predates game theory. Also very recently Elwyn Berlekamp has been applying some of the most sophisticated ideas of combinatorial game theory to certain positions in the game of go. However, this work has little to do with actually playing go, in the same way that chess problems have little to do with playing chess.
An analytical cost model for co-located floating wind-wave energy arrays

Abstract Offshore wind and wave energy are co-located resources, and both industries are driven to reduce cost of energy. Due to the maturity of offshore wind technology and continued growth of both offshore floating wind and wave energy converter (WEC) technology, there is new opportunity to combine wind and wave technologies in the same leased ocean space through co-located array development. Co-location is projected to have synergistic effects that reduce direct and indirect costs for developments, but few of these synergistic effects have been quantified, and many have not been related to cost. Moreover, there is currently no cost model that incorporates these effects. In this study, we address this need by developing a cost model that represents co-located array developments, particularly for floating offshore wind and WEC technologies. We exemplify the use of this cost model through a case study. Results suggest floating wind-wave co-located arrays are advantageous to WEC-only or floating wind-only. These results are contingent on our assumptions regarding cost categories and values included in the model and also the power production and reliability of the devices. We conclude by identifying research gaps and uncertainties to be minimized in future improvements of the model.
1956–1973: I Believe Large Dams Provide an Exceptional Opportunity for Integrated River Basin Development

Harvard Graduate School became more interesting during the Spring Semester when I began project planning for my Ph.D. dissertation fieldwork. The project I had in mind would combine both my interest in doing an original human ecological study of an African culture and my love of the mountains and nature. The Mountains were the Ruwenzori Mountains of the Moon in Western Uganda which, rising to 16,000 feet, were the most glaciated mountains in Africa. The people were the Bakonjo who lived only on the lower slopes of the Ruwenzori and apparently was the only ethnic group living there. Better yet, they were said to communicate from one ridge to another across steep canyons by an African version of yodeling.
Use of iris pattern recognition to evaluate ocular torsional changes associated with head tilt.

Purpose:To describe the use of enhanced iris images and a computer software program to quantify ocular torsional changes associated with head tilt.Methods:Pixel coordinates of the pupil and differe...
Impact of Ligand Substitutions on Multielectron Redox Properties of Fe Complexes Supported by Nitrogenous Chelates

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have recently been recognized as a potentially viable technology for scalable energy storage. To take full advantage of RFBs, one possible approach for achieving high energy densities is to maximize a number of redox events by utilizing charge carriers capable of multiple one-electron transfers within the electrochemical window of solvent. However, past efforts to develop more efficient electrolytes for nonaqueous RFBs have mostly been empirical. In this manuscript, we shed light on design principles by theoretically investigating the effects of systematically substituting pyridyl moieties with imine ligands within a series of Fe complexes with some experimental validation. We found that such replacement is an effective strategy for reducing the molecular weight-to-charge ratios of these complexes. Simultaneously, calculations suggest that the reduction potentials and ligand-based redox activity of such substituted N-heterocyclic Fe compounds might be maintained within their +4...
Evaluation of split-time artificial insemination following administration of a long or short-term progestin-based estrus synchronization protocol in beef heifers.

Abstract Fixed-time and split-time AI were compared following the melengestrol acetate (MGA®) prostaglandin F2α (Experiment 1) and 7-d CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR®) protocols (Experiment 2). Heifers in Experiments 1 (n = 524) and 2 (n = 456) were assigned within pen to balanced treatments based on weight and reproductive tract score (RTS; Scale 1–5). In Experiment 1, MGA® (0.5 mg∙animal−1∙d−1) was fed for 14 d, and prostaglandin F2α (PG; 250 μg im cloprostenol sodium) was administered 19 d after MGA® withdrawal. In Experiment 2, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 100 μg gonadorelin acetate) was administered coincident with CIDR® (1.38 g progesterone [P4]) insertion. Inserts were removed after 7 d, and PG (250 μg im cloprostenol sodium) was administered at CIDR® removal. In both experiments, estrus detection aids (Estrotect®) were applied at the time of PG administration. Estrous status was recorded at FTAI or STAI. Estrus was defined as removal of ≥ 50% of the grey coating from the Estrotect® patch. Heifers assigned to FTAI treatments received GnRH and were artificially inseminated at the standard time for FTAI for each protocol: 72 or 54 h after PG administration for the MGA-PG or 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR® protocol, respectively. In the STAI treatments, only heifers that expressed estrus prior to the standard time of FTAI were artificially inseminated at that time. For heifers failing to express estrus, AI was postponed 24 h. Only heifers that failed to exhibit estrus by the delayed time received GnRH concurrent with AI. In both experiments, estrous response prior to the standard time of FTAI did not differ between treatments. Total estrous response was increased (P
Towards an Extremal Network Theory – Robust GDoF Gain of Transmitter Cooperation over TIN

We study the GDoF gain of transmitter cooperation (TC) over power control and treating interference as noise (TIN) for 3 regimes – a TIN regime where TIN is GDoF optimal for the K user IC, a CTIN regime where the GDoF region achieved by TIN is convex without time-sharing, and an SLS regime where a simple layered superposition scheme is optimal in the K user MISO BC for K≤3. Under finite precision CSIT, appealing to extremal network theory we obtain the following results. In the TIN regime as well as the CTIN regime, the extremal GDoF gain from TC over TIN is Θ (1). In fact, the gain is at most a factor of 2 in the CTIN regime and exactly 3=2 in the TIN regime for K > 1. In the SLS regime, the extremal GDoF gain is Θ(log(K)).
Development of a pulsatile cadaver-based simulation for training of open abdominal vascular surgery skills.

Abstract Objective Developing competence in open aortic surgery is increasingly challenging in vascular surgery training programs. Although static cadaver models provide an opportunity for dissection and exposure, the lack of pulsatility limits further education in managing blood vessels. We developed an affordable pulsatile cadaver simulation model to improve training in open abdominal aortic surgery with the primary objective of determining whether it incorporated the fidelity required to teach critical surgical techniques. Methods The University of Minnesota Bequest program supported a pilot project to develop a fresh pulsatile cadaver. A written pretest on exposure of the aorta in various locations was given to all trainees. The external iliac artery was exposed, cannulated, then perfused in a pulsatile fashion using normal saline and a pump. Trainees were then evaluated and timed on location of the aorta, retractor placement, dissection, and creation of an aortic anastomosis. Results Twenty-six pulsatile cadaver procedures were performed with five fellows over 13 months. All procedures were performed under the supervision of the same faculty member. Total cost over the study period was $8800. Four abdominal aortic aneurysms were found (15%). With bilateral iliac artery ligation, adequate pulsatility was created for blind supraceliac aortic dissection. Abdominal wall and organ relationships were ideal for teaching proper retractor placement and techniques for vascular dissection, endarterectomy, and anastomosis. Although 100% of fellows documented written understanding of the steps for procedures on the pretest, no fellow successfully placed a supraceliac aortic clamp, properly positioned retractors for proper open AAA exposure, or placed all proximal aortic back wall sutures transmurally on the initial assessment. After training for a variable number of cases, all were able to place a supraceliac clamp blindly within 4 minutes from skin incision. Retractor placement and suturing technique improved significantly for all trainees during the study period. Conclusions The implementation of a pulsatile cadaver-based simulation model for abdominal vascular surgery has the potential to be both affordable and provide necessary haptics and fidelity for training fellows in critical abdominal vascular techniques.
Surface science of shape-selective metal nanocrystal synthesis from first-principles: Growth of Cu nanowires and nanocubes

The authors present results from first-principles density functional theory aimed at understanding the aqueous solution-phase growth of fivefold twinned copper nanowires and single-crystal nanocubes capped by hexadecylamine (HDA). The role of solution-phase chloride, present in the Cu salt or as an additive, is emphasized. Using ab initio thermodynamics, the authors delineate the range of solution-phase conditions, characterized by the chemical potentials of chloride and HDA, under which Cu nanowires and nanocubes can be grown. The authors discuss the likelihood of thermodynamic and/or kinetic nanostructures for various solution-phase concentrations. Their results are in good agreement with experiments and indicate that methods and insights developed for surface science in gas-phase or vacuum conditions can yield much insight into liquid-phase systems. The authors present results from first-principles density functional theory aimed at understanding the aqueous solution-phase growth of fivefold twinned copper nanowires and single-crystal nanocubes capped by hexadecylamine (HDA). The role of solution-phase chloride, present in the Cu salt or as an additive, is emphasized. Using ab initio thermodynamics, the authors delineate the range of solution-phase conditions, characterized by the chemical potentials of chloride and HDA, under which Cu nanowires and nanocubes can be grown. The authors discuss the likelihood of thermodynamic and/or kinetic nanostructures for various solution-phase concentrations. Their results are in good agreement with experiments and indicate that methods and insights developed for surface science in gas-phase or vacuum conditions can yield much insight into liquid-phase systems.
Addressing Accent Mismatch In Mandarin-English Code-Switching Speech Recognition

Automatic speech recognition systems suffer from accuracy degradation when code-switching (multiple languages are spoken in a single utterance) is encountered. This is especially common for non-native speakers where there is a mismatch between speech and acoustic model. In this paper, we experiment on Mandarin-English code-switching audio spoken by native Chinese speakers and evaluate three techniques to improve accuracy–data adaptation, individual senone modeling and lexicon enrichment. Our results show the recognition of accented speech improves up to 12% on various code-switching datasets. We also propose several metrics to measure code-switching recognition quality, not captured in typical word error rate (WER) measurement.
Sleep-dependent cellular chemical changes in the aging brain

Abstract Most of an animal’s neuronal cells are present at birth and continue to function until the animal’s death. Thus, in contrast to a skin, blood or liver cell, whose life cycle ranges from days to months, a neuron may need to maintain its integrity across decades, all the while maintaining its capacity to connect to other neurons in an ever-changing environment. This unique cellular aging constraint requires permanent homeostatic and plastic capabilities to maintain circuitry over years and create new connections and controlling ad hoc neurochemical changes within the neuronal cells, as well as in their extracellular environment. While it is unclear how neural tissues achieve such a feat, a recurring period of our lives may be critical for the survival, maintenance, and plasticity of our brain: sleep. Although often described to as a behavior, we hypothesize that sleep and its stages are a recurring biological state critical for the cellular maintenance of plasticity of the central nervous system and associated cognitive abilities. Over the average 75-year life span, an individual may sleep over 10,000 full days. However, those 10,000 days of sleep are not distributed evenly across a lifetime; sleep duration often declines with age. There is strong evidence in young to middle-aged adults that reduced sleep quality correlates with cognitive impairment, which suggests that life-span changes in sleep contribute to the widespread changes in cognitive functioning commonly observed in older adults. If so, then improving sleep might delay or reverse cognitive aging. However, there is a massive gap between describing comorbidity of sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in aging to understanding the mechanistic interlinks between sleep, aging, and cognition. The goal of this perspective is to provide new insights on the role(s) of sleep on the nuclear, membrane/synapse, and extracellular components of the brain tissue during aging.
Has the vision of a gender quota rule been realized for community-based water management committees in Kenya?

Abstract Persisting gender inequities across political, economic, and public life have motivated global agendas to increase women’s leadership at all levels of society. Gender quotas offer one solution to encourage equitable gender representation in public decision-making by specifying a target number of women to serve on publicly-elected bodies. For natural resource governance sectors, can gender quotas promote women’s representation and participation in leadership? In 2010, Kenya enacted a new Constitution that included an article mandating that no one gender should make up greater than two-thirds of the composition of public committees. This ‘two-thirds gender rule’ also applies to community-level governance of water resources through water user resource associations, which were formally recognized in 2002. We present a study of community-based water committee compliance with Kenya’s national two-thirds gender rule based on surveys, focus groups, and interviews with water committee members. We show that Kenya’s gender quota has been moderately successful in increasing women’s representation on water committees. However, men hold more higher-level leadership positions than women, who typically serve as treasurers. Although there were no statistically significant differences between men and women’s self-reported participation frequency in various committee activities, men contributed significantly more hours per week to committee activities, facilitated meetings more frequently, and were more willing to lead meetings. Based on this leadership gap, we examine the sufficiency of a gender quota to promote equal leadership opportunities for women. We find that realizing the vision of a gender quota is conditional on how individuals are represented on community-based environmental committees as well as how individuals participate in committee activities.
Disparities in Access to Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy in a Suburban Community Hospital: A Patient-Level Analysis

Study Objective Prior studies have identified differences in access to minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH) based on demographic characteristics. These differences do not always persist when including patient-level information that may affect surgical decision-making. This study aims to identify racial or ethnic differences in access to MIH (laparoscopic or robotic) at our institution, as well as trends in access over time. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Suburban community hospital. Patients or Participants All adult women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications, January 2015– December 2019. Exclusion criteria were a preoperative diagnosis of pelvic malignancy, concurrent sacrocolpopexy, emergent hysterectomy, or vaginal hysterectomy. Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results A total of 1,632 patients were included in the analysis. 54% were non-Hispanic white, 17% non-Hispanic black, 21% Hispanic of any race, and 8% Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander or self-identified as “other”. Black and Hispanic women were significantly less likely to undergo MIH than white women, OR 0.490 (CI 0.371 – 0.646, p Conclusion This study identified a disparity in likelihood of undergoing MIH for non-white women. This was eliminated for black and “other” women after controlling for patient-level information but persisted in Hispanic women. Further study is warranted to better understand the factors underlying this finding.
Towards resolution of antibacterial mechanisms in metal and metal oxide nanomaterials: a meta-analysis of the influence of study design on mechanistic conclusions

While the antibacterial potency of metal and metal oxide engineered nanomaterials (MMO ENMs) has been well-established in the literature, the underlying mechanisms of antibacterial activity are regarded by many as uncertain, despite a considerable volume of publications on this subject. In order to illuminate sources of perceived uncertainty and disagreement, 318 articles pertaining to the mechanism of antimicrobial activity of Ag, Cu, CuO, TiO2 and ZnO ENMs were analyzed. The 318 studies all aimed to assess one or more of eight mechanistic questions, and both positive (i.e. affirmative) and negative conclusions were reported for each mechanistic question for each of the five core compositions. Differences in study design, including the exposure conditions and experimental methods used, were found to statistically significantly correlate with differences in reported mechanistic conclusions. Further analysis of studies which investigated two or more mechanisms revealed how assumptions about which mechanisms predominate for a given core composition may influence study design and, in turn, conclusions. Finally, 181 distinct experimental methods were identified, many of which are relatively untested and have not been evaluated in the published literature, while many frequently-used methods were found to have limitations that may obscure interpretation and mechanistic insight.
Closing the Gap: A Learning Algorithm for the Lost-Sales Inventory System with Lead Times

We consider a periodic-review single-product inventory system with lost-sales and positive lead times under censored demand. In contrast to the classical inventory literature, we assume the firm does not know the demand distribution a priori, and makes adaptive inventory ordering decision in each period based only on the past sales (censored demand) data. The standard performance measure is regret, which is the cost difference between a feasible learning algorithm and the clairvoyant (full-information) benchmark. When the benchmark is chosen to be the (full-information) optimal base-stock policy, Huh et al. [Mathematics of Operations Research 34(2): 397-416 (2009)] developed a nonparametric learning algorithm with a cubic-root convergence rate on regret. An important open question is whether there exists a nonparametric learning algorithm whose regret rate matches the theoretical lower bound of any learning algorithms. In this work, we provide an affirmative answer to the above question. More precisely, we propose a new nonparametric algorithm termed the simulated cycle-update policy, and establish a square-root convergence rate on regret, which is proven to be the lower bound of any learning algorithms. Our algorithm uses a random cycle-updating rule based on an auxiliary simulated system running in parallel, and also involves two new concepts, namely, the withheld on-hand inventory and the double-phase cycle gradient estimation. The techniques developed are effective for learning a stochastic system with complex systems dynamics and lasting impact of decisions.
Hematoma After Non-Oncologic Breast Procedures: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence

Hematoma after non-oncologic breast surgery is a common concern requiring expeditious treatment. The purpose of this study is to perform an evidence-based review of perioperative factors that may contribute to hematoma in non-oncologic breast procedures. A comprehensive literature review was performed of non-oncologic breast procedures: breast augmentation, single-stage augmentation-mastopexy, mastopexy, and reduction. In total, 28 studies highlighting incidence and potential risk factors for hematoma were included; overall level of evidence was established regarding each perioperative factor examined and hematoma rate. The hematoma rate in breast augmentation ranges from 0.2 to 5.7%. There is inconclusive evidence to support an association between pocket choice or incision location and hematoma rate (Level III) and no evidence of an association between implant type and hematoma (Level V). Single-stage augmentation-mastopexy may have a lower hematoma rate than augmentation alone (Level II). Hematoma may increase the risk of capsular contracture (Level III). In breast reduction, the hematoma rate ranges from 1.0 to 9.3%. Evidence of an association between incision choice and hematoma rate is inconclusive (Level III). Use of epinephrine-containing solution, pedicle choice, and resection weight do not appear to affect hematoma rate (Level V, II, and II, respectively). The use of postoperative drains and ketorolac do not affect the incidence of hematoma (Level I and III, respectively). Intraoperative hypotension may increase the risk of hematoma after breast reduction (Level III). Breast hematomas are not uncommon complications. Current literature lacks ample evidence for risk factors for hematoma after non-oncologic breast procedures, warranting further, high-powered investigations. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Reversed Robin Hood Syndrome and Ischemic Stroke: Usefulness of Transcranial Doppler (TCD/TCCS) to Real-Time Monitoring

In the presence of cerebral autoregulation and intact vasomotor reserve, hypercapnia leads to vasodilation of the intracranial arteries allowing for greater cerebral perfusion. There is a positive association between the presence of hypercapnia and carotid occlusive disease or intracranial arterial stenosis. However, in some patients, a paradoxical response is noted in the intracranial vasculature distal to a stenosis or occlusion in response to hypercapnia, namely, a decrease in cerebral blood flow due to exhausted vasomotor reserve in the presence of normal vasodilation in the contralateral healthy vessels. This intracranial steal has been termed reversed Robin Hood phenomenon, wherein you “rob the poor,” that is, the side with the exhausted vasomotor reserve, to “feed the rich,” that is, increase the cerebral blood flow to the healthy side of the brain. This phenomenon, when leading to neurological symptoms and sequel, is defined by the term reversed Robin Hood syndrome. Determination of one’s vasomotor reactivity can be made using inhaled CO2, intravenous injection of acetazolamide, or most simply by calculating the breath-holding index.
Treatment of Depression in Alcohol-Dependent Patients

Alcoholism is a source of enormous morbidity and mortality. Depressive disorders occur commonly in the course of alcoholism and affect its outcome. While the exact relationship of depression and alcoholism for most patients is controversial, it is probably heterogenous, with much depression resulting from the toxic effects of alcohol and at least some representing an independent disorder.
Adolescent and Young Adult Concerns

There has been an increasing effort to address the unique needs of patients between the ages of 15 and 39 diagnosed with cancer who often feel isolated between the worlds of pediatric and adult oncology. This group of individuals is now identified in clinical trials and in clinical care as the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. Historically, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has been applied selectively to younger, healthier patients, and hematologic malignancies are among the most common cancers of the AYA population. Therefore, attention to their age-specific needs constitutes quality care. Each domain of AYA cancer care should be approached with the patient’s age and developmental status in mind. An ideal AYA team consists of medical providers, nurse specialists, social workers, vocational counselors, fertility experts, geneticists, physical and occupational therapists, and community-based services with peer support.
Developments and Innovations in Resident and Fellowship Education: Review Article

BackgroundMedical trainee education has drastically changed over the past 30 years significantly since the inception of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 1981. Wit...