cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery for Cystic Tumors of the Pancreas

Minimizing invasiveness is prevalent in nearly all aspects of surgery, and pancreatic surgery is no exception. Over the last two decades, laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has transitioned from experimental to becoming accepted within the standard of care, for procedures ranging from enucleation of pancreatic masses to distal pancreatectomy and, more recently, pancreaticoduodenectomy. Most reports of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery remain small, and thus few focus specifically on cystic neoplasms, but rather combine patients who received similar surgeries for a variety of indications. Cystic tumors of the pancreas lend themselves to minimally invasive management because they typically lack invasiveness to surrounding organs, are removed prophylactically in younger patients, and can be easily visualized laparoscopically.
Recurrent Malignancy-Associated Atypical Neutrophilic Dermatosis With Noninfectious Shock.

Abstract Sweet syndrome (SS) or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis presents with the sudden onset of fever, leukocytosis and tender, erythematous, edematous, well-demarcated papules and plaques that histopathologically demonstrate a dense neutrophilic infiltrate. A total of 20% of patients with SS have malignancy-associated disease that can present with bullous or atypical skin lesions that mimic pyoderma gangrenosum, another neutrophilic dermatosis. Both entities exist on a spectrum, and in the context of underlying malignancy, these neutrophilic diseases become less clinically distinct. The literature also describes life-threatening cases of neutrophilic dermatoses that mimic severe sepsis. We present a fatal case of a patient with chronic eosinophilic leukemia with recurrent episodes of malignancy-associated atypical neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by necrotic skin lesions, pulmonary infiltrates and noninfectious shock and we also summarize the clinical presentations of an additional 10 patients reported in the literature. We conducted a PubMed search of articles published up to and in 2015, focusing on the English and Spanish literature with SS cross-referenced with the following search terms: neutrophilic dermatosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, shock, multiorgan failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The articles were reviewed and the patients׳ clinical and laboratory findings were summarized. Cases of atypical neutrophilic dermatosis presenting with noninfectious shock syndrome are likely underrecognized clinically and underreported in the literature. Patients with malignancy-associated atypical neutrophilic dermatoses associated with noninfectious shock syndrome typically have multisystem disease characterized by recurrent episodes and typically have poor prognoses.
Single-Nanowire Strain Sensors Fabricated by Nanoskiving.

Abstract This article describes the fabrication of single-nanowire strain sensors by thin sectioning of gold films with an ultramicrotome—i.e., “nanoskiving.” The nanowire sensors are transferred to various substrates from the water bath on which they float after sectioning. The electrical response of these single nanowires to mechanical strain is investigated, with the lowest detectable strain determined to be 1.6 × 10−5 with a repeatable response to strains as high as 7 × 10−4. The sensors are shown to have an enhanced sensitivity with a gauge factor of 3.1 on average, but as high as 9.5 in the low strain regime (e ∼ 1 × 10−5). Conventional thin films of gold of the same height as the nanowires are used as controls, and exhibit inferior sensitivity. The practicality of this sensor is investigated by transferring a single nanowire to polyimide tape, and placing the sensor on the wrist to monitor the pulse pressure waveform from the radial artery. The nanowires are fabricated with simple tools and require no lithography. Moreover, the sensors can be “manufactured” efficiently, as each consecutive section of the film is a quasi copy of the previous nanowire. The simple fabrication of these nanowires, along with the compatibility with flexible substrates, offers possibilities in developing new kinds of devices for biomedical applications and structural health monitoring.
A data-driven approach for improving sustainability assessment in advanced manufacturing

Sustainability assessment (SA) has been one of the prime contributors to advanced manufacturing analysis, and it traditionally involves life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques for retrospective and prospective evaluations. One big challenge to reach a reliable sustainability assessment comes from the inadequate understandings of the underlying activities related to each of the product lifecycle stages based on expert knowledge. Data-driven modeling, on the other hand, is an emerging approach that takes advantage of machine-learning methods in building models that would complement or replace the knowledge-based models capturing physical behaviors. Incorporating suitable data analytics models to utilize real-time product and process data could significantly improve LCA techniques. To address the complexity and uncertainty involved in multilevel SA decision-making activities, this paper proposes a modular LCA framework to accommodate a hybrid modeling paradigm that includes knowledge-based and data-driven models. We identify and emphasize on two important challenges: (1) Generalizing knowledge-based and data-driven models into analytics models so that they can be uniformly deployed and interchanged, and (2) Modularizing the LCA decision logics and model structures so that the LCA decision process can be streamlined and easily maintained. The issues related to the decomposition, standardization, deployment and execution of analytics models are discussed in this paper. Three well-adopted standards — STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data), DMN (Decision Model and Notation), and PMML (Predictive Model Markup Language) are employed to capture the product-related data/information, the decision logic decomposition of analytics models, and the structure decomposition of analytics models, respectively. The feasibility and benefits of the proposed modular, hybrid sustainability assessment methodology have been illustrated with an injection molding case study, incorporating an overall modular Scorecard-based LCA architecture with a Bayesian Network predictive model.
Performance of the Atlas Genetics Rapid Test for Chlamydia trachomatis and Women's Attitudes Toward Point-Of-Care Testing.

PurposeThis study compared performance of the Atlas io polymerase chain reaction–based, point-of-care (POC) assay for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), to Aptima Combo 2, a standard of care nucleic acid amplification assay, and evaluated patient attitudes toward POC testing.MethodsWomen 14 years or older
RESOLVING MECHANISTIC AMBIGUITIES

Abstract The elucidation of reaction mechanisms is important but difficult. The importance is clear for even simple chemical reactions, but is particularly apparent for enzymatic reactions–only by understanding the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis can we hope to relate the structures of enzymes to their functions. The difficulty in the field is that there are no good methods for the direct observation of reaction paths, so mechanisms are established by excluding all reasonable alternatives. Even after such tools as stereochemical and isotopic labelling and detailed kinetic studies have been applied, there frequently remain several mechanistic alternatives. Approaches to selecting the correct mechanism among such alternatives will be illustrated for some enzymatic reactions and for some simple chemical reactions which mimic enzymatic processes.
REGULATION OF ALDOSE REDUCTASE BY ALDEHYDES AND NITRIC OXIDE

Aldose reductase (AR) is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. It was initially discovered in the seminal vesicles, where it is believed to catalyze the NADPH-mediated reduction of glucose to sorbitol-which in turn is metabolized to fructose required for spermatogenesis (for review see Bhatnagar and Srivastava, 1992). The conversion of glucose to fructose via sorbitol, or the so called polyol pathway was later identified in several other tissues and AR was found to be universally expressed in most tissues examined and in species ranging from yeast to man. Based on the observations that high concentration of polyols accumulate during sugar cataractogenesis, it was suggested that during hyperglyce- mia, the flux of glucose via the polyol pathway is increased and that due to the low permeability of the membrane to polyols, sugar alcohols accumulate in diabetic tissues leading to marked hydration, cell swelling and lysis (Kinoshita and Nishimura, 1988).
Soil Moisture Observations for Flash Flood Research and Prediction

Soil moisture is an important contributor to many hydrologic and meteorologic processes. For example, the exchange of water mass and energy between the land surface and the atmosphere is directly influenced by soil moisture conditions (Betts and Ball [6]). Furthermore, existing soil moisture conditions influence surface processes such as infiltration and runoff. Thus, the characterization of soil moisture over a variety of spatial and temporal domains is a key issue in determining the movement of water within the land-atmosphere continuum.
Abstract 5149: Statin Use and Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis

Background : The beneficial effects of statin therapy may extend well beyond its cholesterol-lowering properties. Such ‘pleiotropic’ effects of statins may include reducing systemic inflammation, improving endothelial function and lowering cellular oxidative stress. Since these mechanisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, statin therapy may, therefore, potentially reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Methods : We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of statin therapy on the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Effect estimates were calculated using a random effects model. Results : We identified 5 clinical trials of statin treatment that reported incident diabetes, which included 42,860 patients without preexisting diabetes. Intervention in these trials included four different statins with a dose range of 10 to 40 mg/d. There was a significant heterogeneity between the studies in terms of ascertainment of diabetes, which was not the primary outcome in these RCTs. We found no difference between the incidence of type 2 diabetes among patients randomized to statins (3.6%) compared to placebo (3.4%) during an average (weighted mean) follow-up of 47.2 months (Relative Risk: 1.05; 95% confidence intervals: 0.95–1.16; p=0.36). The results were similar when stratified by age or specific statin used. Conclusion : Current evidence from RCTs does not support a beneficial effect of statin therapy on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. RCTs of statin therapy with diabetes as a primary outcome are required to definitively determine the role of statins in the primary prevention of diabetes.
Substance-Related Problems Other Than Alcohol

This chapter focuses on the socio-cultural problems of substance abuse. Substance abuse as one kind of psychopathology is characterized, on the one hand, as strongly related to biological factors in its occurrence and manifestation and, on the other, as heavily influenced by psychological and sociocultural factors in its development and spread. It is a particular kind of psychiatric disorder that shows remarkable vicissitude subject to social and cultural factors. Abuse depends on the availability of a substance, as well as economic aspects, social control, and cultural fashions. Cultural factors, functioning closely with social ones, contribute to the basic attitudes toward the abuse of substances, the choice of chemical indulgence as a coping mechanism for stress, and efforts to deal with social problems. There is a general tendency that when a society as a whole faces certain stresses, such as socioeconomic crisis, social instability, or cultural disintegration, the problems of substance abuse and other associated social pathologies tends to rise. The emerging of substance abuse, in turn, accelerates the process of social and cultural disintegration in a vicious way. Thus, substance abuse serves as one of the indexes for social stability. The abuse of a certain substance depends on the social structure and cultural attitudes. In general, if a society is healthy enough, the problems of abuse fades away naturally.
Research Techniques Made Simple: CAR T-Cell Therapy

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and chimeric autoantibody receptor T-cell therapy hold great promise in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease, respectively. This powerful technique involves genetically engineering T lymphocytes to enable selective destruction of disease-causing cells. In the current approach, a patient's T cells are genetically engineered to express an antigen-specific antibody fragment fused to activating cytoplasmic T-cell signaling domains. After ex vivo activation and genetic modification of a patient's own T cells, the individually tailored CAR T cells are then infused into the patient for the selective destruction of cells bearing the targeted antigen. CAR T cells directed against the CD19 antigen expressed on B lymphoma cells have shown remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of refractory lymphoma, with two anti-CD19 CAR-T products recently gaining approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. For dermatological disease, preliminary studies have shown efficacy of CAR T cells in targeting melanoma cells and the pathogenic B cells in pemphigus vulgaris. Despite its great promise, current clinical CAR T-cell (or CAR-T) therapy carries a high risk of cytokine release syndrome, a potentially fatal systemic inflammatory response that can be manifest in cutaneous findings. For the dermatologist, the rapid clinical emergence of CAR-T therapy promises to treat and cure a variety of dermatological conditions, but it also requires an astute awareness of potential cutaneous complications in the increasing number of patients undergoing CAR-T therapy.
Residual stresses and springback reduction in U-channel drawing of Al5182-O by using a servo press and a servo hydraulic cushion

The increasing use of aluminum alloys in automotive industry brings new challenges regarding formability and springback. Servo presses and servo hydraulic cushions can accurately control ram motion and blank holder force during the forming process, reducing the difficulties encountered in forming Al alloys. This study presents an experimental and numerical analysis of springback and residual stresses induced during the U-channel drawing of Al 5182-O. During the U-channel drawing, the draw-in of the sheet material into the die cavity is controlled by blank holder force. So, the material is under stretch bending condition when it slides around the die corner radius. When the material passes the die corner radius it unbends. The reverse loading resulted from the unbending process provides heterogeneous stress distribution through the sheet thickness in the wall section. The effect of post stretching, applied by the use of a servo hydraulic cushion, on reduction of residual stresses and springback at the wall is investigated. The benefit of using servo hydraulic cushion for reducing springback and residual stresses has been demonstrated experimentally. Results illustrate a significant reduction of residual stresses and springback when post stretching is applied.
Experience with Applying and Improving Feasibility of an Enhanced Recovery Model for Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Aged 65 and Older

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Patients of advancing ages represent a significant proportion of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). In recent years, up to 30% of patients receiving an allogeneic HSCT are older than 60 with about 5% greater than 70. This trend is also occurring at our large (over 700 HSCT per year) program at a major Southwest comprehensive cancer center. As a result, a multi-departmental and multidiscipline effort was formed to evaluate HSCT patients aged 65 and older for conditions which can lead to increase frailty, cognitive impairments, and malnutrition potentially leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis Our team approach assesses for early identification of these conditions to minimize, prevent, and mitigate the HSCT complications in the pre-transplant phase and follow the patients’ progress throughout their first 100 days post-HSCT. We applied the principles of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) programs which have shown to impact outcomes related to decreased opiate use and pain levels, shortened average length of stay, increased patient satisfaction, and reduce cost. Literature is limited for enhanced recovery pathway within the HSCT population. Our program, entitled Enhanced Recovery Stem Cell Transplant (ER-SCT), has utilized similar approaches of ERAS. This includes evaluation by Prehabilitation (Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT) and Rehabilitation MD evaluation), Gerontologist, Clinical Nutritionist, clinical pharmacist, and by our Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and nursing coordinators. Additionally, ER-SCT patients are followed by our inpatient RNs, APPs, PT/OT and nutrition teams, with discharge follow-up with Prehabilitation and Clinical Nutrition. Findings & Interpretation Feasibility of the applying ERAS principles, foundation, and elements was established through a quality improvement (QI) project. Through application of the Model of Improvement (part of the QI program), a need was discovered to improve scheduling, care coordination, and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care; resulting in the creation of an ER-SCT clinic. This was shown to reduce patient appointments and decrease time from enrollment in ER-SCT to completion of pre-HSCT visits. Discussion & Implications ER-SCT is currently looking evaluating program outcomes through the development of an research protocol. There is discussion about broadening this program to younger HSCT patients at higher risk for prolonged recovery and to the autologous HSCT population.
Future Seniors and the Travel Industry

Persons over the age of 55 will soon comprise the majority of the travel industry. The impact of market size and potential is staggering. The author discusses the future senior travel market and provides recommendations for attracting and servicing this group.
Abstract 2738: Wnt11 regulates migration and invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is strongly associated with cancer development and metastasis, but non-canonical Wnt signaling and its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis is not well understood. Wnt11 is implicated in cancer cell motility through non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, however, previously described mechanisms are diverse and tissue specific. We investigated Wnt11 expression and its effects on PDAC cell motility/invasion and correlated these with gene expression signatures generated through single cell RNA-sequencing of PDAC tumors. Expression of Wnt11 was confirmed by RT-qPCR in PDAC cell lines derived from genetically engineered mouse models (KPC) and PDAC patient derived xenografts. Wnt11 was overexpressed in three PDAC cell lines following transfection with Wnt11 cDNA cloned into a pcDNA3.1 backbone and confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blot. siRNAs targeting Wnt11 were used to silence Wnt11 in PDAC cell lines relative to non-targeting controls and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Transwell migration/invasion assays were performed in triplicate with matched MTT proliferation assays in 3 PDAC cell lines with stable Wnt11 overexpression and 3 PDAC cell lines following Wnt11 siRNA knockdown. For single cell transcriptomic analysis, single cell suspensions were generated from 14 unique patient PDAC tumors. 10x GemCode microfluidics technology was used to isolate single cells into gel-bead in emulsion (GEM) units and were individually barcoded, lysed and reverse-transcribed. Barcoded cDNA libraries were then amplified and underwent next-generation sequencing. PDAC cell subpopulations with >4-fold levels of Wnt11 expression relative to all sequenced cells were identified and compared to the remaining tumor cell population to develop differentially expressed gene profiles. Pathways analysis of this gene set was performed using ENRICHR. Single cell transcriptomic analysis of PDAC cells derived from 14 different PDAC patients confirmed strong Wnt11 expression in subpopulations of PDAC cells. Wnt11 overexpression resulted in a 3.2-fold increase in migration and invasion (p 4-fold) Wnt11 expression, ERICHR analysis using the NCI pathway interaction database revealed significant enrichment in β-integrin signaling (p Citation Format: Tara Hughes, Xinqun Li, Bingbing Dai, Jenying Deng, Christian Siangco, Kaberi Das, Shanshan Bai, Min Hu, Emi Sei, Tapsi Seth, Nicholas Navin, Michael Kim. Wnt11 regulates migration and invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2738.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Trends Among Adult Populations, U.S., 2010-2016.

Introduction Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. The most effective strategy for preventing influenza is annual vaccination. However, vaccination coverage has been suboptimal among adult populations. The purpose of this study is to assess trends in influenza vaccination among adult populations. Methods Data from the 2010–2016 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed in 2018 to estimate vaccination coverage during the 2010–2011 through 2015–2016 seasons. Trends of vaccination in recent years were assessed. Vaccination coverage by race/ethnicity within each group was examined. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal models were conducted to identify factors associated with vaccination, and interactions between race/ethnicity and other demographic and access-to-care characteristics were assessed. Results Vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years increased from 38.3% in the 2010–2011 season to 43.4% in the 2015–2016 season, with an average increase of 1.3 percentage points annually. From the 2010–2011 through 2015–2016 seasons, coverage was stable for adults aged ≥65 years and changed by −0.1 to 9.9 percentage points for all other examined subgroups. Coverage in 2015–2016 was 70.4% for adults aged ≥65 years, 46.4% for those aged 50–64 years, and 32.3% for those aged 18–49 years; 47.9% for people aged 18–64 years with high-risk conditions; 64.8% for healthcare personnel; and 50.3% for pregnant women. Among adults aged ≥18 years for the 2015–2016 season, coverage was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites. Conclusions Overall, influenza vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years increased during 2010–2016, but it remained below the national target of 70%. Vaccination coverage varied by age, risk status, race/ethnicity, healthcare personnel, and pregnancy status. Targeted efforts are needed to improve coverage and reduce disparities.
Examining Institutional Support Structures and Worldview Climate for Sexual Minority Students in Christian Higher Education

Using data from a survey administered at 61 institutions from 2011 to 2015, we examined how campus support structures for sexual minority students (e.g., a recognized LGBTQ student organization) in...
RNAiSeq: How to See the Big Picture

Targeting genes via RNA interference (RNAi) has become a successful method to reduce pest populations. Ideally, the expression of a gene critical for a life function in the insect is targeted by specific dsRNA, via spray or oral delivery. Experts have developed working guidelines in the development and regulation of RNAi as a pesticide. We argue that an important tool in the validation of RNAi is genome-wide expression analysis in the targeted pest, and we name this approach RNAiSeq. We have used RNAiSeq in the coleopteran model Tribolium castaneum to validate knockdown of target genes, and to examine the effect of knockdown on other genes. With RNAiSeq, we identified compensation responses to the knockdown of a gene encoding a major digestive enzyme in larvae that correlated to the responses we have observed with ingested protease inhibitors. Compensation can mask RNAi phenotypic responses and is important to understand in the context of efficacy. RNAiSeq also has identified new gene interactions that were previously unassociated with the target gene, important in the context of the large number of genes without associated functions in insects and other organisms. We discuss other research where RNAiSeq has led to important findings. These data not only provide validation of target knockdown, but also further identify changes in the expression of other genes impacted by the knockdown. From the context of pest control, this information can be used to predict genetic changes that will impact the efficacy of RNAi products in target pests.
Better Being Wrong (Sometimes): Classroom Assessment That Enhances Student Learning and Motivation.

AbstractAn important element of the classroom assessment event and student performance occurs when students are wrong, which is often denigrated in our success-oriented secondary schools where only...
Imagining communities: historical reflections on the process of community formation: edited by Gemma Blok, Vincent Kuitenbrouwer, and Claire Weeda, Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Press, 2018, 234 pp., (hardcover), € 99,00, ISBN 9789462980037, e-book (pdf) €98.99 ISBN 9789048529162

Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities (1983) marked a milestone in the study of collective memory and identity, exerting a profound effect on theoretical studies in a wide range of academic fiel...
A simulation‐free approach to assessing the performance of the continual reassessment method

The continual reassessment method (CRM) is an adaptive design for Phase I trials whose operating characteristics, including appropriate sample size, probability of correctly identifying the maximum tolerated dose, and the expected proportion of participants assigned to each dose, can only be determined via simulation. The actual time to determine a final "best" design can take several hours or days, depending on the number of scenarios that are examined. The computational cost increases as the kernel of the one-parameter CRM design is expanded to other settings, including additional parameters, monitoring of both toxicity and efficacy, and studies of combinations of two agents. For a given vector of true DLT probabilities, we have developed an approach that replaces a simulation study of thousands of hypothetical trials with a single simulation. Our approach, which is founded on the consistency of the CRM, very accurately reflects the results produced by the simulation study, but does so in a fraction of time required by the simulation study. Relative to traditional simulations, we extensively examine how our method is able to assess the operating characteristics of a CRM design for a hypothetical trial whose characteristics are based upon a previously published Phase I trial. We also provide a metric of nonconsistency and demonstrate that although nonconsistency can impact the operating characteristics of our method, the degree of over- or under-estimation is unpredictable. As a solution, we provide an algorithm for maintaining the consistency of a chosen CRM design so that our method is applicable for any trial.
Tantrums, toddlers and technology: Temperament, media emotion regulation, and problematic media use in early childhood.

Abstract Parents regularly use media to help regulate their child's difficult emotions, particularly for those with a more difficult temperament. However, no research has examined how this may be related to the development of problematic (or addictive-like) media use in early childhood. The purpose of the study was to examine associations between temperament, parental media emotion regulation, and problematic media use in young children, using both questionnaires and observational data. Participants included 269 toddlers (2–3 years old) and their parents, who completed several observational tasks and questionnaires. Analyses revealed that higher levels of media emotion regulation was associated with more problematic media use and more extreme emotions when media was removed in toddlers. Additionally, temperament (specifically negative affect and surgency) was related to problematic media and extreme emotions and was mediated by media emotion regulation. Parents should avoid using media as a primary way of regulating their children's emotions as this may be related to the development of problematic media strategies during infancy.
Validation of hair ethyl glucuronide using transdermal monitoring and self-reported alcohol use in women of childbearing potential.

AIM The present study aimed to evaluate the validity of hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations compared with transdermal alcohol concentration and self-reported alcohol use. METHODS This trial included 25 adolescent and young adult females, aged 16-24, who reported at least one heavy drinking episode (≥4 drinks) in the two weeks prior to baseline. All participants were asked to wear an alcohol biosensor over a one-month prospective study. Detailed self-report of drinking behaviors was assessed weekly. Estimates of blood alcohol concentration were computed from self-report data using the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration equation. Transdermal alcohol concentration and estimated blood alcohol concentration data were categorized into at-risk (>0.05 g/dL alcohol) and high-risk (>0.08 g/dL alcohol) drinking events. Hair ethyl glucuronide concentration, total number of drinking events, moderate (>0.05 g/dL) and high level (>0.08 g/dL) of transdermal alcohol concentration, and estimated blood alcohol concentration drinking events were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation test for validity comparisons. RESULTS No significant correlations were found between hair ethyl glucuronide values and total number, and moderate or high levels of detected drinking events by estimated blood alcohol concentration or transdermal alcohol concentration. Total number of drinking events detected and number of drinking events >0.08 g/dL using estimated blood alcohol concentration and transdermal alcohol concentration methods were significantly correlated with each other (respectively, R = .33, P < .05; R = .42, P < .05). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that, due to the number of false negatives, hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations should be used with caution for monitoring abstinence from alcohol use.
Thermodynamics of the R_h=ct Universe: A Simplification of Cosmic Entropy

In the standard model of cosmology, the Universe began its expansion with an anomalously low entropy, which then grew dramatically to much larger values consistent with the physical conditions at decoupling, roughly 380,000 years after the Big Bang. There does not appear to be a viable explanation for this `unnatural' history, other than via the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSL), in which the entropy of the bulk, S_bulk, is combined with the entropy of the apparent (or gravitational) horizon, S_h. This is not completely satisfactory either, however, since this approach seems to require an inexplicable equilibrium between the bulk and horizon temperatures. In this paper, we explore the thermodynamics of an alternative cosmology known as the R_h=ct universe, which has thus far been highly successful in resolving many other problems or inconsistencies in LCDM. We find that S_bulk is constant in this model, eliminating the so-called initial entropy problem simply and elegantly. The GSL may still be relevant, however, principally in selecting the arrow of time, given that S_h ~ t^2 in this model.
Resource-Constrained Target Classification on Distant Aerial Targets

As UAVs are expected to expand, there is a need to perform efficient target classification within a resource-constrained environment. This paper investigate developing, training, and testing custom classifier models. These lightweight models offer reduced computation resource consumption and processing delay while improving inference accuracy over baseline models. A reduction of processing time is critical to support real-time target classification applied on-platform, but also eliminates the need for large data offloads, thereby reducing energy consumption in a fielded Unmanned Aircraft System.
Iatrogenic Hypophosphatemia in Infants with Renal Insufficiency

Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia are commonly associated with glomerular insufficiency. Provision of a reduced dietary phosphate intake to infants with renal insufficiency has been greatly simplified by the availability of low phosphate containing proprietary milk formulas. Caution should be exercised in combining the oral administration of aluminum hydroxide gel with these low phosphorus formulas lest excessive hypophosphatemia result.
Treatment with sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction.

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction, as up to half of men with renal failure may be affected and only 60–75% recover potency after transplantation. Patients and methods Fifty patients with erectile dysfunction and a functioning renal transplant were treated using sildenafil (mean age 54 years, mean time on dialysis 35 months, mean time from transplantation 20 months). The hypogastric artery was not used during transplantation in any patient. Sildenafil citrate was prescribed at doses of 25 or 50 mg depending on baseline creatinine values and on the response, and plasma levels of cyclosporin/FK506 were monitored. Results Thirty patients (60%) had a satisfactory response, with a mean time on dialysis of 23 months. Six patients (12%) did not take the sildenafil and in 14 (28%) the drug was ineffective. The mean time on dialysis in this group was 43 months. Six patients (12%) had side-effects that in no case led to withdrawal of treatment. Plasma levels of cyclosporin/FK506 remained within the safety and efficacy limits in all patients. Conclusions Treatment with sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction is an effective and safe option, with few side-effects. Plasma levels of immunosuppressants are unchanged. The response was more effective in patients with a shorter time on dialysis, as penile vascular disease is less advanced.
Footprinting Methods to Examine the Structure and Dynamics of Nucleic Acids

Footprinting technology includes in vitro and in vivo methods of examining the average structure of macromolecules on the basis of the solvent accessibility and sensitivity of the macromolecule to covalent modification or cleavage. Analytical methods to separate, identify, and quantitate the unmodified and modified macromolecules are essential features of the method. In addition, a key characteristic of all footprinting assays is that the modification or cleavage reaction is of limited extent, such that the information obtained from the population of macromolecules represents the structure of the intact molecule, and thus is biologically relevant. For footprinting of nucleic acids, cleavage of accessible sites on the backbone or covalent modification of accessible bases is carried out in order to probe the structure. For cleavage-based methods, cleavage of the backbone is limited, such that on average, each molecule cleaved is cleaved only once. Sequencing gels are used to analyze the cleaved products; this allows structure probing at the monomer level due to the high resolution of the gels. Keywords: Footprinting; DNase I; Hydroxyl Radical; One-hit Kinetics; Fenton Chemistry; Radiolysis; Reverse Transcriptase; Primer Extension; In Vivo Footprinting
Social Media and Professional Boundaries in the NICU Setting

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program A search of online databases provided evidence that nurses are not sure about how to maintain professional boundaries when using social media sites. Concerns about how to protect staff members from potential social media violations led to the development of an evidence‐based practice project to address the issue. Proposed Change To determine if the implementation of a structured social media education program would increase neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses' understanding of professional boundaries when using social media networks. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation A presurvey was conducted to assess staff understanding of social media and professional boundaries. After completion of the presurvey, an educational presentation about how to maintain professional boundaries when using social media platforms was presented to staff in the NICU at Baylor All Saints Medical Center. Following the presentation, a postsurvey was sent to see if there was an increase in staff awareness. Postsurvey results indicated that 100% of staff surveyed are now aware of the differences between professional and personal relationships; 95% of staff are now aware of the Baylor Health Care System Social Media Policy; and 76% of staff are now familiar with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing position on social media use. These results show an improvement in staff awareness about social media and professional boundaries when using social media sites. Implications for Nursing Practice Further studies are warranted to determine if nurses will change behavior regarding social media now that they are more knowledgeable about the issue.
Search for a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of 225 Ra atom

We are searching for a permanent EDM of the 225 Ra atom. Recently we have observed spin precession of 225 Ra atoms in parallel electric and magnetic fields.
Probiotics and diseases of altered IgE regulation: A short review

AbstractThe use of probiotics has gained considerable popularity in the marketplace in the US and has been steadily increasing due to consumer interest in potential treatment of various diseases, which may be due to modulation of immune responses. The aim of this review is to present information from representative studies regarding some of the possible applications and clinical effects of probiotic use in diseases of altered immunoglobulin (IgE) regulation (allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) and food sensitization). Reports in humans are sparse or controversial; there is currently little reliable scientific data that supports the theory that there exists a cause–effect relationship between taking probiotics and alleviation of allergic disease. Unfortunately, these findings are too variable to allow substantial conclusions as to the efficacy and effectiveness of probiotic use in these disease states.
Sympathetic withdrawal and forearm vasodilation during vasovagal syncope in humans

Dietz, Niki M., John R. Halliwill, John M. Spielmann, Lori A. Lawler, Bettina G. Papouchado, Tamara J. Eickhoff, and Michael J. Joyner. Sympathetic withdrawal and forearm vasodilation during vasova...
Throwing space back in: a tale of Indian fishermen, ICT and travel behavior

A suite of agent-based models is designed seeking to replicate and expand the findings of a case study examining the effects of introducing cell phones in a regional fisheries market in southern India. The remote availability of market price information led to economic benefits but also longer average travel distances for the fishermen. Our work generalizes these findings, highlighting the role of space and developing scenarios that involve different configurations for the markets and different assumptions about information-gathering strategies. Here we focus on the development of the model as a tool for exploring behavioral adaptations of ICT-using, utility-oriented travelers in different spatio-temporal contexts.
On an inhomogeneous deformation of a generalized Neo-Hookean material

We study the inhomogeneous deformation of a wedge of an incompressible generalized power-law Neo-Hookean material. We find solutions which have a “boundary layer structure”, in the sense that adjacent to the boundary the solution is inhomogeneous, while in the core region the solution is homogeneous. It is found that such solutions have an associated pressure field that is bounded. Inhomogeneous solutions are also possible when the pressure varies logarithmically with the radial coordinate. We also establish explicit exact solutions for specific values of the parameter. The results reduce to the Neo-Hookean solution when the power law exponent is set to unity.
Aquatic heterotrophic bacteria have highly flexible phosphorus content and biomass stoichiometry

Bacteria are central to the cycling of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in every ecosystem, yet our understanding of how tightly these cycles are coupled to bacterial biomass composition is based upon data from only a few species. Bacteria are commonly assumed to have high P content, low biomass C:P and N:P ratios, and inflexible stoichiometry. Here, we show that bacterial assemblages from lakes exhibit unprecedented flexibility in their P content (3% to less than 0.01% of dry mass) and stoichiometry (C:N:P of 28: 7: 1 to more than 8500: 1200: 1). The flexibility in C:P and N:P stoichiometry was greater than any species or assemblage, including terrestrial and aquatic autotrophs, and suggests a highly dynamic role for bacteria in coupling multiple element cycles.
Tolerance and cross-tolerance to cannabinoids in mice: schedule-controlled responding and hypothermia

Rationale Cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists vary in efficacy in vitro; however, relationships between efficacy and behavioral effects are unclear.
Absorption coefficients and exciton oscillator strengths in AlGaAs-GaAs superlattices

We have experimentally determined the absolute optical-absorption coefficients and exciton oscillator strengths in AlGaAs-GaAs superlattices at liquid-helium temperatures. We find that although the magnitude of the band-to-band absorption coefficient is essentially independent of the quantum-well width, the absorption coefficient due to exciton absorption is greatly enhanced as the well width becomes smaller. The absorption energies and exciton oscillator strengths are compared to theoretical calculations and shown to be in very good agreement. We find that the oscillator strength per unit volume is proportional to 1/${L}^{2}$ in narrow wells. The effects due to coupling between wells was also investigated by the comparison of structures with barriers of 100 A\r{} to those with barriers of only 25 A\r{}. The subband energies in the coupled wells decreased from their values in uncoupled wells in quantitative agreement with our calculations while the oscillator strength also decreased.
Transcriptional Activation: How λ repressor talks to RNA polymerase

The bacteriophage lambda repressor protein can activate or repress transcription. Amino-acid substitutions in the sigma subunit of RNA polymerase affect repressor-stimulated transcription, shedding light on the activation process.
A heterogeneous system with finite waiting space

A simple queue with two heterogeneous servers is analyzed. The emphasis is on comparing the two-server heterogeneous and homogeneous systems with the restriction of an upper limitN on the queue size. The optimal service rates for both the servers are found in terms of the arrival rate and the traffic intensityρ. The average characteristics of the heterogeneous system are minimized, and their improvement over the corresponding homogeneous system characteristics is established. For different values ofN andρ, tables are given which compare the average characteristics of the two systems.
Canonical transformation for a class of time-varying multivariable systems

This paper concerns the transformation of time-varying multivariable systems into canonical structures. The study employs differential matrix operators. It leads to a systematic and straightforward technique for developing canonical forms for time-varying multivariable systems that are uniformly observable and «lexicography-fixed’. It shows that canonical forms derived by other authors are special cases of the canonical form of this paper. The derived canonical forms are not unique. However, their structures are controlled by the designer
Chemical modifications of transfer RNA species. Transfer RNA's terminating in 2′- and 3′-O-methyladenosine

Abstract The preparation of transfer RNA's terminating in 2′- and 3′- O -methyl-adenosine has been undertaken by a combination of chemical and enzymatic techniques to permit a determination of the mechanism of tRNA aminoacylation. Neither of the two synthetic tRNA's was aminoacylated substantially in the presence of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, consistent with the hypothesis that the aminoacyladenylate moiety exists in the form of a species with considerable orthoester character.
On the Geometric Weight System of Topological Actions on Cohomology Quaternionic Projective Spaces.

In this paper, we take those cohomology manifolds X of rational cohomology type of quaternionic projective spaces as the testing spaces for the study of cohomology theory of topological transformation groups. We follow the general viewpoint set out in [-3, 4] of seeking for the socalled topological Schur lemma in the form of splitting theorem in equivariant cohomology for torus group actions on cohomology quaternionic projective spaces. The main result of this paper is precisely such a structural theorem, Theorem(2.1), which proves that topological actions of torus groups (of rank >__ 2) have exactly the same cohomological behavior as that of suitable linear models. Namely, for a cohomology manifold X of QP-type with a given effective action of a torus group G (rank _>2, or 3 if all fixed points are isolated), there exists a unique lifting ( of the generator (o of H * ( X ) into H G (X) such that
Effects of Extended Periods of Osmotic Stress on Water Relationships of Pepper

Pepper plants grown to uniform size in a controlled environment were subjected to an osmotic stress for periods of 1 to 10 days. Polyethylene glycol 400 was used as the osmotic agent. Leaf area of the plants, grown under uniform conditions, was proportional to the weight of the plants. This relationship was not altered by reduction in rate of growth due to a decrease in osmotic potential of the nutrient solution. The rate of transpiration of the pepper plants decreased as the osmotic potential of the nutrient solution was decreased. The reduction in rate of transpiration was most rapid when the osmotic potential was reduced from −0.5 to −7.5 bars. There was continued reduction in the rate of transpiration with change in potential to −12.5 bar but this change was less than that at the higher potentials. The rate of transpiration remained at a reduced rate for as long as the plants were growing in the solution with low osmotic potential. Alternating the osmotic potential of the nutrient solution between −0.5 and −5.0 bar did not change the response to the −5.0 tension. The reduction in rate of transpiration resulting from the lowering of the osmotic potential by addition of NaCl was similar to that produced by addition of polyethylene glycol. Water potential, osmotic potential, relative water content and stomatal movement were all in dynamic equilibrium with the water content of the leaves. The water content of the leaves was regulated by the supply and demand. In these investigations the demand remained constant. The supply was altered by decreasing the difference in water potential between leaf and substrate and by an increase in resistance to flow of water in the roots as a result of the decrease in osmotic potential of the nutrient solution.