cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Getting things done on computational RFIDs with energy-aware checkpointing and voltage-aware scheduling

Computational RFIDs (CRFIDs) provide flexible, general-purpose computation on a microcontroller via energy that is harvested and stored in capacitors rather than batteries. Our contributions include a definition of CRFIDs, a framework for energy management in CRFIDs, and the preliminary design of Mementos, a medley of compile-time and run-time techniques to achieve effective forward progress of computation on CRFIDs by using energy-aware computational checkpoints and voltage-aware program reordering that maintains program semantics. Our preliminary measurements indicate that Mementos will enable CRFIDs to complete long-running computations despite constant interruptions to power.
The Dangers of Detrimental Coping in Emergency Medical Services

AbstractBackground. To manage the untoward effects of exposure to personally disturbing incidents (PDIs), fire/emergency medical services (EMS) professionals use a variety of coping methods. Some detrimental coping patterns have been steeped in the tradition of emergency services. Objective. To examine the effectiveness of various coping methods utilized by fire/EMS professionals for mitigating the negative effects of exposure to PDIs. Methods. To differentiate a relationship between the demographic data, traumatic stress, exposure to personally disturbing incidents, and coping methods of fire/EMS professionals, three questionnaires were utilized: a background/demographic questionnaire (BDQ), the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC). Descriptive and correlational analyses were used to evaluate the level of traumatic stress symptomatology associated with personally disturbing incidents and describe the relationship between the psychological health of fir...
‘You can't sit with us:’ Gender and the differential roles of social intelligence and peer status in adolescent relational aggression

Abstract Despite common notions that relational aggression (i.e., gossip, rumors, manipulation targeting another's social status; Crick & Grotpeter, 1995) is most commonly exhibited by females, there is mixed evidence regarding gender differences and what factors might heighten gender-specific risk for adolescent relational aggression (RA). The present study considered perceived social intelligence and peer status as such factors. Participants were 258 adolescents (217 males, 41 females) ranging in age from 16 to 19 attending a residential program for youth who have dropped out of school. Males and females did not differ on RA according to self-report or peer nominations. Self-reported social intelligence was associated with higher self-reported RA but only for females. The implications for future research as well as efforts for understanding RA are discussed.
Sibling Death and Adult Maladjustment Indices: A Brief Report

ABSTRACTWhile symptoms of grief pose the most immediate psychological concern in the aftermath of sibling death, emerging research suggests that distal correlates may include strained interpersonal relations and externalized forms of psychological distress. College students with a history of Sibling Loss (n = 36), Parental Loss (n = 32), or No Loss (n = 367) were compared on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Sibling Loss was associated with higher Psychopathic Deviate (Pd; d = .62) and Hypomania (d = .42) scores. The relative risk (RR = 2.96) of a Pd elevation (T > 65) was higher after sibling death.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Produces an Antidepressant-Like Effect and Elicits N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Independent Long-Term Potentiation of Synaptic Transmission in Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus

Background: Growth factors play an important role in regulating neurogenesis and synapse formation and may be involved in regulating the antidepressant response to conventional antidepressants. To date, Insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) is the only growth factor that has shown antidepressant properties in human clinical trials. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods: The antidepressant-like effect of a single IV dose of IGFI was determined using a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm in the rat Porsolt, sucrose preference, novelty-induced hypophagia, and ultrasonic vocalization models. The dependence of the medial prefrontal cortex for these effects was determined by direct medial prefrontal cortex injection followed by Porsolt testing as well as IGFI receptor activation in the medial prefrontal cortex following an optimal IV antidepressant-like dose of IGFI. The effect of IGFI on synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength was assessed in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. The dependence of these effects on IGFI and AMPA receptor activation and protein synthesis were also determined. Results: IGFI produced a rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant-like effect in each of the depression models. These effects were blocked by IGFI and AMPA receptor antagonists, and medial prefrontal cortex was localized. IGFI robustly increased synaptic strength in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex and these effects were IGFI receptor and protein synthesis-dependent but N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor independent. IGFI also robustly facilitated hippocampal metaplasticity 24 hours postdosing. Conclusions: These data support the conclusion that the antidepressant-like effects of IGFI are mediated by a persistent, LTP-like enhancement of synaptic strength requiring both IGFIR activation and ongoing protein synthesis.
Blood histamine, leukocytes and platelets in experimental serum disease in rabbits.

ConclusionsIt appears that in rabbits histamine is linked via the histamine containing platelets with blood coagulation, and this is connected via heparin with the heparin producing basophiles. All these elements are involved in serum disease. The first injection of serum is followed by a rise in histamine and platelets, the second by a drop in these elements. The destruction of the white cell layer following reinjection calls forth an outpouring of heparin which in turn is followed by basophilia in the blood. Only the changes following reinjection can be regarded as allergic. Neohetramine was found to effect only the primary reactions following the first administration of serum. It suppressed the rise in blood histamine and the proteinuria observed during the first week following the first injection, and also impeded the primary mesenchymal reactions in lungs and heart which are believed to be instrumental in antibody formation. There are reasons to believe that this was not a specific antihistaminic eff...
Nanofibrous Microposts and Microwells of Controlled Shapes and Their Hybridization with Hydrogels for Cell Encapsulation

A simple, robust, and cost-effective method is developed to fabricate nanofibrous micropatterns particularly microposts and microwells of controlled shapes. The key to this method is the use of an easily micropatternable and intrinsically conductive metal alloy as a template to collect electrospun fibers. The micropatterned alloy allows conformal fiber deposition with high fidelity on its topographical features and in situ formation of diverse, free-standing micropatterned nanofibrous membranes. Interestingly, these membranes can serve as structural frames to form robust hydrogel micropatterns that may otherwise be fragile on their own. These hybrid micropatterns represent a new platform for cell encapsulation where the nanofiber frames enhance the mechanical integrity of hydrogel and the micropatterns provide additional surface area for mass transfer and cell loading.
Numerical simulation of pre-mixed abrasive high pressure water jet cutting nozzle

To prolong the life of nozzle and raise the efficiency of the water jet equipment,the design of nozzles used in PMAHPWJ(pre-mixed abrasive high pressure water jet) equipment was optimized.The interior flow of several typical nozzles was simulated with CFD software,and a series of simulation datum such as pressure distributing, velocity distributing,turbulent kinetic energy distributing and axis-oriented velocity distributing on the axis were gained.After the analyses of every simulation,the better nozzle structure was drawn out which may offer evidences for the design of perdurable nozzles.The simulation results prove to be exact by a series of experiments with the three nozzles.
Attaining the full potential of historical archaeology.

Historical archaeology is not adrift; rather through the collective contributions of generations of dedicated scholars it has matured into an inclusive discipline that seeks solutions to a wide range of problems regarding past peoples and their cultural expressions. While it is appropriate to seek to understand cultural regularities we must also explore the rich texture of variation expressed in the material patterns left behind. I agree with Charles E. Cleland’s that new and rigorous methodologies must develop in order for historical archaeology to reach its potential. We need not constrain our creativity, however, nor the potential of thorough utilization of archival sources, by limiting ourselves to the construction of oppositions between the historical and archaeological record. Rather, our models should embrace an examination, and testing, of questions derived from the intersection of both sources of information. The full engagement of both history and archaeology in the framing of questions will lead to a more complete understanding of the dynamic nature of cultural expressions recoverable through archaeological inquiry.
Effect of indomethacin on the vascular architecture of preovulatory ovine follicles: possible implication in the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.

Ovarian follicles sometimes fail to rupture and accumulate large quantities of fluid, yet undergo luteinization and form a steroidogenically competent luteal structure, the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome. This condition can be mimicked in mammals by administration of indomethacin, an inhibitor of biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Blockade of ovulation by this drug is exerted at the follicular level. Ovulatory failure in sheep given a single intramuscular injection of indomethacin after induction of a surge of luteinizing hormone was associated with follicular hyperemia as assessed by scanning electron microscopic examination of microcorrosion vascular casts and light microscopic quantification of follicular vascular space. The apical stigma of control (ovulatory) follicles was ischemic. The luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome appears to be the consequence of a chronic follicular inflammatory-like reaction involving inhibition of synthesis of prostaglandins.
Meniscal Allograft Interposition Combined with Proximal Row Carpectomy

Background Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is contraindicated in wrists with preexisting arthritis of the proximal capitate or radiolunate fossa. Patients with these conditions frequently pursue wrist arthrodesis with its associated functional limitations. Questions/Purposes The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of using lateral meniscal allograft interposition (LMAI), in combination with PRC, in patients with symptomatic wrist arthritis. The primary question is whether this allograft will allow wrist function comparable to that in patients having only a PRC. A secondary question was to determine the short-term longevity of the allograft. Patients/Method Between 2006 and 2012, nine wrists underwent PRC with LMAI. Patient demographics and rates of complication or graft failure were determined. During independent clinical exams, functional outcomes were reviewed, patients completed a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, and radiographs were taken. Results Four patients met the inclusion criteria, having clinical follow-up at an average of 4.2 years. DASH scores at the time of follow-up ranged from 9 to 33, with an average of 24. Average radiocapitate joint space in the first postoperative radiograph was 2.8 mm compared with 1.8 mm at the time of final follow-up. No wrists went on to arthrodesis. Conclusion Early outcomes of PRC with LMAI are comparable to those results found in the literature of PRC alone. LMAI with PRC may be a valid short-term option as a motion-preserving procedure in those patients contraindicated to having a PRC alone. Level of Evidence Level IV
Short-circuit current enhancement in p-i-n GaAs/Ge solar cells with tuned superlattices, embedded in the mid-region

High efficiency in crystalline solar cells is currently of great importance and can be achieved by a combination of high and low band gaps in heterostructure designs. Such devices absorb in both short and long wavelengths, thus covering wider absorption areas from the solar spectrum. On the other hand, p-i-n cells provide space for excess absorption at specific wavelengths through layers grown in the mid-region of the cell. In this communication, the host device is a GaAs-GaAs-Ge solar cell with the mid-layer (GaAs) hosting a short-period GaAs/Ge superlattice. Under illumination, the device generates two current density components (a) bulk current density of 18mA/cm2 and (b) excess current density of 12mA/cm2, due to thermionic escape mechanisms in quantum wells, with a total current in the neighborhood of 30mA/cm2. We calculate from first principles thermionic currents from quantum traps under one-sun illumination, with quantum wells tuned to 1eV incident solar photons. We predict 12mA/cm2 from a structure with the following geometry: twenty-period superlattice with 20nm-width of Ge-layers (0.66eV as low gap material) and 200nm barriers (1.42eV, GaAs as wide-gap medium, with negligible tunneling). The repeat distance of the superlattice is 220nm which for 20 layers translates to 4.4 μm of total superlattice thickness. For an 80μm, bulk GaAs-GaAs-Ge solar cell, this means that the excess carrier contribution would come from a superlattice layer which is under 6% of total device thickness. We predict that the total short circuit current density is in excess of 30mA/cm2, which along with open-circuit voltage increase, makes the device desirable for high current cells and subsequently for high efficiency cells as well. By appropriate n-doping of the germanium layers we show that it is possible to increase total thermal currents right off the quantum wells in GaAs-Ge layers. The figure below depicts a short superlattice in the middle of the p-i-n PV device: green stands for Ge layer and the rest stands for GaAs. As seen from the second figure (next page), collection efficiency is depicted in excess of 28% with open-circuit voltage ∼1.00V, FF factor 90%, short circuit current 30 ma?cm2 under nominal 100mW/cm2 solar radiation. Ideal applications of such designs would apply for tandem devices, where open circuit voltage increase due to the series connection would increase overall OC voltage (and hence efficiency) by a factor of 2.
Taking Precautions when Shaping a Child's Values

Parents’ discretion to shape their children’s values is limited both by society’s interests in the people those children will become and by the children’s own interests. This article examines the limits imposed by children’s interests. It uses several examples, including ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel who send their son to a school that does not teach secular subjects beyond an elementary-school level. If the son remains religious, his education will have been suitable. But if he does not, he will be ill-prepared to thrive in a secular society. This article compares the religious parents’ choice about secular education to commonplace decisions about risk and appropriate precautions. On this account, the propriety of the religious parents’ choice depended on how likely their child was to become secular and whether the child would be worse off (from his own perspective) if he grew up to be secular and lacked secular education than he would be if he grew up to be religious and lacked a childhood devoted primarily to religious texts.The paper considers various objections that might be made by fundamentalist parents who think they need not consider their child’s future welfare from his adult perspective. Among the objections considered is that parents are entitled not to be complicit with outcomes they regard as evil. Unlike much of the literature in this area, the paper does not focus on the value of autonomy. Instead it emphasizes the value of authenticity.
Thrombotic microangiopathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare disease comprising of a diverse set of disorders linked by a common histologic finding of endothelial injury. Monoclonal immunoglobulins may act as a potential trigger in the pathogenesis of TMA. To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy and clinicopathological features of TMA associated with monoclonal immunoglobulin, we performed a retrospective study in adults (18 and older) with a clinical diagnosis of TMA. Of 146 patients with TMA, we detected monoclonal immunoglobulin in 20 patients (13.7%). Among patients 50 and older, the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy was 21%, which is approximately five-fold higher than the 4.2% expected rate in this population. Fifteen patients had monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, one had multiple myeloma, one with smoldering myeloma, two had POEMS syndrome, and one had T-cell lymphocytic leukemia. Renal biopsy was performed in 15 cases, of which six showed thrombi, 11 showed mesangiolysis, and all showed double contours along glomerular capillary walls. Acute tubular injury was present in 12 cases. Treatment options were varied and included therapeutic plasma exchange in 11 patients. Ten patients progressed to end-stage renal disease, of which two received kidney transplant. Thus, our study shows an unexpectedly high prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy in patients with TMA, suggesting a potential pathogenetic mechanism. This study underscores the importance of evaluating for a monoclonal gammopathy in patients with TMA as well as the potential for targeting the underlying hematologic disorder as an approach to treating TMA.
Cognitive Radio Architectures

The system architecture for the SDR analog/RF is significantly different from that of traditional narrowband radio systems. In the original software radio proposal by Joseph Mitola in 1992 [8], he proposed an architecture where in the receiver,the RF bandwidth is digitized (no down-conversion), and signal analysis and demodulation is performed in the digital domain. Similarly, in the transmitter, the RF signal is synthesized in the digital domain, converted to analog and transmitted. The conceptual transceiver architecture is shown in Fig. 2.1. The Mitola architecture provides the maximum amount of flexibility through an increase in software capability. However, this architecture imposes impractical requirements on the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters necessary for this architecture. For example, as discussed in [9], a 12 GHz, 12-bit ADC that might be used in a Mitola receiver would dissipate 500W of power! As a result, the ideal goal of communication at any desirable frequency, bandwidth, modulation and data rate by simply invoking the appropriate software remains far from realizable.
Influence of lake surface area and total phosphorus on annual bluegill growth in small impoundments of central Georgia

The relationships between environmental variables and the growth rates of fishes are important and rapidly expanding topics in fisheries ecology. We used an informationtheoretic approach to evaluate the influence of lake surface area and total phosphorus on the age-specific growth rates of Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) in 6 small impoundments in central Georgia. We used model averaging to create composite models and determine the relative importance of the variables within each model. Results indicated that surface area was the most important factor in the models predicting growth of Bluegills aged 1–4 years; total phosphorus was also an important predictor for the same age-classes. These results suggest that managers can use water quality and lake morphometry variables to create predictive models specific to their waterbody or region to help develop lake-specific management plans that select for and optimize local-level habitat factors for enhancing Bluegill growth.
Nitric oxide-donating aspirin (NO-Aspirin) suppresses lung tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo and these effects are associated with modulation of the EGFR signaling pathway

Although regular aspirin use has been shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer, its efficacy against lung cancer is weak or inconsistent. Moreover, aspirin use increases the risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding. In this study, we determined the efficacy of nitric oxide-donating aspirin (NO-Aspirin), a safer form of aspirin in which the parent drug is linked to a nitric oxide-releasing moiety through a spacer, to suppress lung tumorigenesis. Under in vitro conditions, NO-Aspirin significantly reduced the proliferation and survival of tumorigenic bronchial cell line (1170) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549, H1650, H1975 and HCC827) and colony formation by NSCLC cells at sub- or low micromolar concentrations (≤1 µM for 1170 cells and ≤6 µM for NSCLC cells) in a COX-2 independent manner. These effects were paralleled by suppression of phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), -STAT3, -Akt and -ERK and enhanced caspase 3 and PARP cleavage. Among NSCLC cells, EGFR mutant cells (H1650, H1975 and HCC827) were more sensitive than cells expressing wild-type EGFR (A549) and H1650 cells were the most sensitive. Moreover, NO-Aspirin sensitized H1650 and H1975 cells to the antiproliferative effects of erlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In in vivo studies using 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of lung tumorigenesis, NO-Aspirin significantly reduced the number and size of lung tumors, expression of phospho-EGFR and -Akt as well as the pro-inflammatory molecules TNF-α and interferon-gamma. Overall, these results indicate the potential of NO-Aspirin for the chemoprevention of lung cancer in high risk populations.
Determinants of Reverse Remodeling of the Left Atrium After Transaortic Myectomy.

Background In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), enlargement of the left atrium (LA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality because of risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, and heart failure. In this study, we investigated whether LA reverse remodeling occurs after septal myectomy. Methods Between August 2007 and July 2015, 656 patients underwent myectomy at our institution and had preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) recording of LA volume index (LAVI). We reviewed clinical and echocardiographic data of these patients, and assessed for changes over time by comparing preoperative and postoperative measurements. Results The median age was 56 (interquartile range [IQR], 46, 65) years, and 370 (56%) were male. New York Heart Association Class III/IV dyspnea was present in 581 (89%). Preoperative TTE showed LAVI of 48 (IQR, 38, 60) mL/m2. In patients with history of AF, preoperative LAVI was 57 (IQR, 45, 68) mL/m2, and in those without AF, LAVI measured 45 (IQR, 37, 57) mL/m2 (p Conclusions Left atrial volume decreases significantly after surgical relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Early changes likely reflect lower LA pressure due to gradient relief and abolishment of mitral regurgitation, and late reduction suggests continued reverse remodeling.
Genotypes associated with tacrolimus pharmacokinetics impact clinical outcomes in lung transplant recipients.

Most lung transplantation immunosuppression regimens include tacrolimus. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes important to tacrolimus bioavailability and clearance (ABCB1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5) are associated with differences in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in these genes would impact immunosuppression-related outcomes. We categorized ABCB1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 SNPs for 321 lung allograft recipients. Genotype effects on time to therapeutic tacrolimus level, interactions with antifungal medications, concentration to dose (C0 /D), acute kidney injury, and rejection were assessed using linear models adjusted for subject characteristics and repeat measures. Compared with CYP3A poor metabolizers (PM), time to therapeutic tacrolimus trough was increased by 5.1 ± 1.6 days for CYP3A extensive metabolizers (EM, P < 0.001). In the post-operative period, CYP3A intermediate metabolizers spent 1.2 ± 0.5 days less (P = 0.01) and EM spent 2.1 ± 0.5 days less (P < 0.001) in goal tacrolimus range than CYP3A PM. Azole antifungals interacted with CYP3A genotype in predicting C0 /D (P < 0.001). Increased acute kidney injury rates were observed in subjects with high ABCB1 function (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.6, P = 0.01). Lower rates of acute cellular rejection were observed in subjects with low ABCB1 function (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.07-0.94, P = 0.02). Recipient genotyping may help inform tacrolimus dosing decisions and risk of adverse clinical outcomes.
The Importance of Information Technology Attitudes and Competencies in Primary and Secondary Education

Since the early days of Information Technology (IT) in education, attitudes and competencies of students (and later teachers) have been in the domain of interest of researchers, because they appeared to be an important factor in the decision to use IT in educational practice. In 1995 the US Office of Technology Assessment (US Congress, 1995) reported that helping teachers “effectively incorporate technology into the teaching and learning process is one of the most important steps the nation can take to make the most of past and continuing investments in educational technology” ( p. 8). Although during the 1970s the study of effective incorporation into teaching and learning often focused on the specific impact an IT intervention might have on student learning (Marshall and Cox, 2008), by the mid-1980s the emphasis had shifted toward the study of intervening variables such as attitudes and competencies. This was in part due to the low recorded level of IT usage by teachers and students in spite of large increases in IT resources in schools and informal educational settings (Marshall and Cox, 2008). Some specific examples serve to add emphasis to this point:
Eulerian geometric discretizations of manifolds and dynamics

This thesis explores new methods for geometric, structure-preserving Eulerian discretizations of dynamics, including Lie advection and incompressible fluids, and the manifolds in which these dynamics occur. The result is a novel method for discrete Lie advection of differential forms, a new family of structure-preserving fluid integrators, and a new set of energies for optimizing meshes appropriate for some discrete geometric operators. First, high-resolution finite volume methods are leveraged to introduce a new method for discretizing the Lie advection of discrete differential forms, along with the related contraction operator, on regular grids. Through its geometric approach, the method exactly preserves properties such as the closedness of Lie advected closed forms. This results in an extension of finite volume techniques applicable to forms of arbitrary degree. After this, attention is turned to simplicial meshes, where new meshing techniques are developed to give formal error bounds on the discrete diagonal Hodge star, an important operator for geometric computations. Utilizing weighted Delaunay triangulations, both the primal mesh and its dual are optimized simultaneously over the entire space of orthogonal primal/dual pairs. Improved accuracy of the solution of Poisson equations is demonstrated as a practical application, as well as an increase in percentage of well-centered elements. Finally, a new structure-preserving method for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on simplicial meshes is developed, offering in the inviscid case the exact conservation of either the discrete energy or symplectic form. This leads to capturing the correct energy decay when viscosity is added, resulting in dissipation independent of grid and time resolution.
Reproductive health in adolescent and young adult women with chronic kidney disease

Reproductive healthcare management for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic kidney disease is an essential part of their overall healthcare. These young people are facing a multitude of healthcare realities, many of which have a direct relation on their overall sexual and reproductive health. During this time period, these AYA are faced with important health-related decisions that can either increase or improve their risk for negative long-term health outcomes. Special attention is required to ensure appropriate steps are taken and all essential factors are addressed to best ensure their maximal positive healthcare outcomes.
Impact of polymers on the aggregation of wet-milled itraconazole particles and their dissolution from spray-dried nanocomposites

Abstract We explore the impact of various polymers and their molecular weight on the stabilization of wet-milled suspensions of itraconazole (ITZ), a poorly soluble drug, and its dissolution from spray-dried suspensions. To this end, ITZ suspensions with SSL, SL, and L grades of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) having molecular weights (MWs) of 40, 100, and 140 kg/mol, respectively, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E3 with 10 kg/mol), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30 with 50 kg/mol), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, surfactant), and HPC SL–SDS were wet media milled and spray-dried. Laser diffraction results show that 2.5% HPC SL–0.2% SDS led to the finest ITZ nanosuspension, whereas without SDS, only 4.5% HPC with SL/L grades ensured minimal aggregation. Rheological characterization reveals that aggregated suspensions exhibited pronounced pseudoplasticity, whereas stable suspensions exhibited near Newtonian behavior. Spray-drying yielded nanocomposites with 60–78% mean ITZ loading and acceptable content uniformity. Severe aggregation occurred during milling/drying when 4.5% polymers with MW ≤ 50 kg/mol were used; their nanocomposites exhibited incomplete redispersion due to slow matrix erosion and released ITZ slowly during dissolution test. Overall, high drug-loaded, surfactant-free ITZ nanocomposites that exhibited immediate release (>80% dissolved in 20 min) were prepared via spray-drying of wet-milled ITZ with 4.5% HPC SL/L.
Sugary Drink Consumption Among NYC Children, Youth, and Adults: Disparities Persist Over Time, 2007–2015

Sugary drink consumption is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including weight gain, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. These beverages are widely marketed and ubiquitously available. This analysis explores sugary drink consumption across all age groups among New York City (NYC) residents using representative survey data. Three population-based representative surveys of NYC residents of different age groups were analyzed. Adult participants, youth participants, and caregivers of child participants self-reported the number of sugary drinks they consumed per day. Mean sugary drink intake per day was estimated overall and by demographic characteristics, for the 2015 cycle of each survey and the 2007–2015 cycles of the adult survey. T tests were used to determine whether means differed by demographics. Long-term trends in mean sugary drink consumption among adult participants were conducted to examine changes over time overall and by demographic characteristics. In 2015, the mean daily number of sugary drinks consumed was 0.53 (95% CI 0.45, 0.61) among children 0–5 years old, 1.05 (95% CI 0.90, 1.21) among children 6–12 years old, and 1.16 (95% CI 1.09, 1.29) among NYC high school students. Among all NYC adults, sugary drink intake decreased 36% from 1.03 (95% CI 0.99, 1.08) in 2007 to 0.66 (95% CI 0.62, 0.70) drinks per day in 2015, p < 0.01. However, at each age level, there were persistent disparities in sugary drink consumption by sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty level. Decreasing overall rates of sugary drink consumption are promising; however, disparities by socio-demographics are a concern. Reducing sugary drink consumption across all ages is recommended as is minimizing the introduction at an early age. Reduction of sugary drink consumption will require a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach.
Artificial Intelligent Agent for Autonomous Prediction and Dynamic Feedback for High Performance Athletes

We present an autonomous artificial intelligent agent to dynamically communicate to a high performance athlete how much time remains for that athlete to sustain his current effort in watts, and then, if the result is incorrect, to autonomously recalibrate its algorithms to not make that same mistake again, it takes a series of experiments to ascertain what algorithms are most suited for this goal. The field of measuring elite athletes's abilities is based upon measurements such as maximal O2 consumption (V O2max), Heart beats per minute (bpm), Watts of energy (watts and kilojoules) and peak power output ((Ppeak)) to name a few. Because there is an element of uncertainty and imprecision in measuring human performance, this field of art suits the likes of Rough Set Theory. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Rough Set Theory is remarkably adept at yielding accurate predictions of performance limits at a particular time. The aforementioned leads one to the hypothesis that a Rough Set engine may, in the future, select the best Knowledge Discovery in Database (KDD) tool form a plurality of KDD, fuzzy, neural and machine learning tools - to eventually become intelligent in predicting the performance limits of high performance athletes. This paper first reviews lactate and blood issues in delivering O2 to muscles, then it presents the rough set hypothesis, experimentations and experiment results.
Protein Kinase C Signaling in Carcinogenesis

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine-threonine kinases that plays an essential role in diverse physiological processes. As such, dysregulation of these kinases results in a number of pathological conditions including cancer. Functional studies have shed light on key PKC signaling pathways that contribute to maintaining survival, growth, and metastatic potential of cancer cells. Targeting specific PKC isoforms is effective at inhibiting cancer development and progression in animal models, providing proof of concept that the members of the PKC family are potentially promising therapeutic targets. Unfortunately, to date there is limited success in generating efficacious and safe PKC modulators mainly due to the high structural conservation among PKC members. An additional challenge is effectively targeting a single PKC isoform in the context of the complex interplay among the isoforms in specific tissues and cancer subtypes. Recent findings on isoform-specific binding partners provide us with an opportunity to control the activity of a single isoform without affecting others. Moving forward, there is potential to utilize specific PKC isoforms as prognostic and predictive biomarkers to guide therapeutic choice and predict response to treatment.
Chronic fluoxetine treatment of juvenile zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) does not elicit changes in basal cortisol levels and anxiety-like behavior in adulthood.

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during development may elicit long-term neuroadaptive changes that could alter the basal regulation of stress-associated physiological and behavioral processes later in life. Currently, the effects of juvenile fluoxetine exposure in rodent models appear to be dependent on the developmental window targeted as well as the duration of drug exposure. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) model is rapidly becoming a useful tool in pharmacological research and can be used to help elucidate some of the long-term effects of fluoxetine exposure prior to sexual maturation on neuroendocrine and behavioral stress markers. In the current study, juvenile zebrafish were chronically exposed to fluoxetine hydrochloride (0 or 100 μg/L) for 14 days (31-44 days post-fertilization (dpf)), then were left untreated until young adulthood. Starting at 90 dpf, basal neuroendocrine stress and behavioral responses of zebrafish were assessed. Cortisol was extracted from the young adult zebrafish body (trunk) and quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in response to introduction to the novel tank test. It was expected that juvenile exposure to fluoxetine would (1) reduce basal cortisol levels and (2) elicit anxiolytic effects in the novel tank test in adulthood. However, fluoxetine exposure during the juvenile period was not associated with alterations in basal levels of cortisol nor were there any significant changes in anxiety-like behavior in the young adult zebrafish. Thus, in zebrafish, it does not appear that SSRI exposure during the juvenile period has a long-term adverse or maladaptive impact on the basal expression of cortisol and anxiety-like behavior in adulthood. Further studies are needed to determine if SSRI exposure during this developmental window influences neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to acute stress.
Correction to: Stephen Scher and Kasia Kozlowska: Rethinking health care ethics

The originally published review of this book did not include the information that an electronic version is available.
Development of a real-time PCR assay for detection of African swine fever virus with an endogenous internal control.

Real-time PCR assays are highly sensitive, specific and rapid techniques for the identification of ASF virus (ASFV) (Section 3.8, OIE Terrestrial Manual, 2019). Although an ASFV p72 gene-based real-time PCR assay (a.k.a. the Zsak assay) (Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005, 43, 112) has been widely used for ASFV detection, several more ASFV whole genome sequences have become available in the 15 years since the design of the Zsak assay. In this study, we developed a new ASFV p72 gene-based real-time PCR after analysis of all currently available sequences of the p72 gene and multiplexed the new assay with a modified Zsak assay aiming to have a broader coverage of ASFV strain/isolates. To reduce false-negative detections, porcine house-keeping gene, beta actin (ACTB), was applied as an internal control. Eight ACTB sequences from the GenBank and 61 partial ACTB sequences generated in this study, and 1,012 p72 sequences from the GenBank and 23 p72 sequences generated at FADDL, were used for ACTB and ASFV primer and probe designs, respectively, to ensure broader host and ASFV coverage. Multiplexing ACTB in the reaction did not affect ASFV amplification. The multiplex assay was evaluated for strain/isolate coverage, sensitivity and specificity. The in silico analysis showed high ASFV strain/isolate coverage: 98.4% (978/994) of all p72 sequences currently available. The limit of detection (LOD) was 6 plasmid copies or 0.1-1 TCID50 /ml of ASFV isolates per reaction. Only targeted ASFV isolates and the viruses in the positive clinical samples were detected, indicating that the assay is highly specific (100% specificity). The test results of 26 ASFV isolates with different country origins showed that this newly developed multiplex assay performed better than the Zsak assay that has been widely accepted and used worldwide, indicating that it may be used as an alternative assay for ASFV detection.
Clinician Accuracy in Identifying and Predicting Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Children.

Objectives To determine clinician accuracy in the identification and prediction of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital PICU. Patients Patients admitted to the PICU with an anticipated PICU length of stay greater than 48 hours. Interventions None. Measurements and main results For each patient, the clinical team (attending, fellow, resident/nurse practitioner) was surveyed regarding existing and anticipated organ dysfunction. The primary outcomes were clinicians' accuracy at identifying multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and predicting new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, compared to the objective assessment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome using Proulx criteria. We also measured sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and negative and positive likelihood ratios of clinician assessments. We tested for differences in accuracy by clinician type using chi-square tests. Clinicians rated their confidence in prediction on a 5-point Likert scale. There were 476 eligible PICU admissions, for whom 1,218 surveys were completed. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was present in 89 patients (18.7%) at enrollment, and new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome occurred in 39 (8.2%). Clinicians correctly identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with 79.9% accuracy and predicted additional organ dysfunction with 82.6% accuracy. However, the positive and negative likelihood ratios for new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome prediction were 3.0 and 0.7, respectively, indicating a weak relationship between the clinician prediction and development of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The positive predictive value of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome prediction was just 22.1%. We found no differences in accuracy by clinician type for either identification of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (80.2% vs 78.2% vs 81.0%; p = 0.57) or prediction of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (84.8% vs 82.8% vs 80.3%; p = 0.26) for attendings, fellows, and residents/nurse practitioners, respectively. There was a weak correlation between the confidence and accuracy of prediction (pairwise correlation coefficient, 0.26; p Conclusions PICU clinicians correctly identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and predicted new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with 80% accuracy. However, only 8% of patients developed new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, so accuracy was largely due to true negative predictions. The positive predictive value for new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome prediction was just 22%. Accuracy did not differ by clinician type, but was correlated with self-rated confidence and was higher for negative predictions.
Stereotactic navigation in anterior cervical spine surgery: surgical setup and technique

Intraoperative stereotactic navigation in spine surgery is quickly becoming popularized for accurate placement of spinal instrumentation as well as assisting in the verification of anatomic landmarks. Navigation is less commonly utilized in anterior cervical spine surgery due to instrumentation being able to be placed under direct visualization. The utility of navigation in anterior cervical spine surgery is its ability to aid in the verification of anatomic location, particularly when anatomy is distorted or pathology comes close to critical neurovascular structures. We present a technique guide for anterior cervical spine navigation that we have applied at our institution and have found to be very beneficial in select patients, particularly those with complex anatomy, large body mass index, undergoing revision surgery, sustained spinal trauma and those patients with severe anterior ossification where depth or medial-lateral landmarks are difficult to visualize. We describe utilization of the technique using a case examples and specifically in a patient with significant ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and severe spinal cord compression that underwent multilevel cervical corpectomy. The described technique was found to be reproducible and effective, allowing cervical spine surgeons to perform more complex or minimally invasive procedures with safety and accuracy. We emphasize that navigation does not replace knowledge of anatomy or technical aspects of the procedure.
Chemokine receptor antagonists with α 1 -adrenergic receptor blocker activity.

Objectives Chemokine receptor antagonists are being explored for their therapeutic potential in various disease processes. As the chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonist RS504393 is known to compete with ligand binding to α1-adrenoceptors, we tested a panel of 10 CCR antagonists for interactions with α1-adrenoceptors to evaluate potential cardiovascular activities and side-effect profiles. Methods The PRESTO-Tango β-arrestin recruitment assay was utilized to test whether the CCR antagonists interfere with α1b-AR activation upon stimulation with phenylephrine. Pressure myography with isolated rat resistance arteries was employed to assess their effects on phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. The following antagonists were tested: CCR1-BX471, BX513, BI639667; CCR2-RS504393, INCB3284; CCR3-SB328437; and CCR4-AZD2098, and C021; CCR5-Maraviroc; CCR10-BI6901. The pan-α1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin was used as control. Results Among the CCR antagonists tested, RS504393, BX513, and C021 inhibited phenylephrine-induced β-arrestin recruitment to α1b-adrenoceptor and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. While RS504393 functioned as a competitive α1-adrenoceptor blocker, BX513 and C021 functioned as noncompetitive α1-adrenoceptor antagonists in both assay systems. Furthermore, RS504393, BX513, and C021 dose-dependently dilated arteries that were fully preconstricted with phenylephrine. Conclusions Our data suggest that CCR antagonists should be screened for cross-reactivity with α1-adrenoceptors to exclude potential adverse cardiovascular effects when used as anti inflammatory drugs.