cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Postural Ergonomics Between Laparoscopic and Robotic Sacrocolpopexy: A Pilot Study

Abstract Study Objective To compare resident, fellow, and attending urologic and gynecologic surgeons' musculoskeletal and mental strain during laparoscopic and robotic sacrocolpopexy. Design Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Academic medical center. Patients Patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy from October 2009 to January 2011. Interventions The Body Part Discomfort (BPD) survey was completed before cases, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index and BPD survey were completed after cases. Higher scores on BPD and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index indicate greater musculoskeletal discomfort and mental strain. BPD scores were averaged over the following body regions: head/neck, back, hand/wrist, arms, and knees/ankles/feet. Changes in body region–specific discomfort scores were the primary outcomes. Measurements and Main Results Multivariable analysis was performed using mixed-effects linear regression with surgeon as a random effect. Sixteen surgeons participated (53% fellows, 34% residents, and 13% attendings). Thirty-three robotic and 53 laparoscopic cases were analyzed, with a median surgical time of 231 minutes (interquartile range, 204–293 minutes) versus 227 minutes (interquartile range, 203–272 minutes; p = .31), a median estimated blood loss of 100 mL (interquartile range, 50–175 mL) versus 150 mL (interquartile range, 50–200 mL; p = .22), and a mean patient body mass index of 27 ± 4 versus 26 ± 4 kg/m 2 (p = .26), respectively. Robotic surgeries were associated with lower neck/shoulder (−0.19 [interquartile range, −0.32 to −0.01], T = −2.49) and back discomfort scores (−0.35 [interquartile range, −0.58 to 0], T = −2.38) than laparoscopic surgeries. Knee/ankle/foot and arm discomfort increased with case length (0.18 [interquartile range, 0.02–0.3], T = 2.81) and (0.07 [interquartile range, 0.01–0.14], p = .03), respectively. Conclusion Surgeons performing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy experienced less neck, shoulder, and back discomfort when surgery was performed robotically.
Methylmalonic Acid Measured in Plasma and Urine by Stable-Isotope Dilution and Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Background: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization is robust and allows accurate measurement of both low- and high-molecular weight components of complex mixtures. We developed a LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of methylmalonic acid (MMA), a biochemical marker for inherited disorders of propionate metabolism and acquired vitamin B 12 deficiency. Methods: We added 1 nmol of the internal standard MMA- d 3 to 500 μL of plasma or 100 μL of urine before solid-phase extraction. After elution with 18 mol/L formic acid, the eluate was evaporated, and butyl ester derivatives were prepared with 3 mol/L HCl in n -butanol at 65 °C for 15 min. For separation, we used a Supelcosil LC-18, 33 × 4.6 mm column with 60:40 (by volume) acetonitrile:aqueous formic acid (1 g/L) as mobile phase. The transitions m/z 231 to m/z 119 and m/z 234 to m/z 122 were used in the selected reaction monitoring mode for MMA and MMA- d 3, respectively. The retention time of MMA was 2.2 min in a 3.0-min analysis, without interference of a physiologically more abundant isomer, succinic acid. Results: Daily calibrations between 0.25 and 8.33 nmol in 0.5 mL exhibited consistent linearity and reproducibility. At a plasma concentration of 0.12 μmol/L, the signal-to-noise ratio for MMA was 40:1. The regression equation for our previous gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method ( y ) and the LC-MS/MS method ( x ) was: y = 1.030 x − 0.032 ( S y|x = 1.03 μmol/L; n = 106; r = 0.994). Inter- and intraassay CVs were 3.8–8.5% and 1.3–3.4%, respectively, at mean concentrations of 0.13, 0.25, 0.60, and 2.02 μmol/L. Mean recoveries of MMA added to plasma were 96.9% (0.25 μmol/L), 96.0% (0.60 μmol/L), and 94.8% (2.02 μmol/L). One MS/MS system used only overnight (7.5 h) replaced two GC-MS systems (30 instrument-hours/day) to run 100–150 samples per day, with reductions of total cost (supplies plus equipment), personnel, and instrument time of 59%, 14%, and 75%, respectively. Conclusions: This method is well suited for large-scale MMA testing (≥100 samples per day) where a shorter analytical time is highly desirable. Reagents are less expensive than the anion-exchange/cyclohexanol-HCl method, and sample preparation of batches up to 100 specimens is completed in less than 8 h and is automated.
A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Polyomavirus Shedding in Lung-Transplant Recipients

Background. Polyomavirus infection causes renal dysfunction after kidney transplantation, but it has not been thoroughly investigated in nonrenal solid-organ transplantation. Methods. Fifty lung-transplant recipients provided prospective urine and blood samples over the course of 17 months. Samples were analyzed for BK virus (BKV), JC virus (JCV), and simian virus 40 (SV40) using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequence analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results. Thirty-one (62%) of 50 patients had polyomavirus detected in at least 1 urine specimen, including 16 (32%) for BKV, 12 (24%) for JCV, and 6 (12%) for SV40. Mean BKV loads (5.0 log 10 copies/mL) did not differ from those of JCV (5.7 log 10 copies/mL; P = .38), but SV40 loads (2.5 log 10 copies/mL) were lower than those of BKV (P = .006) and JCV (P = .002). Blood samples were negative. Infection with individual polyomaviruses or polyomavirus infection in aggregate was not associated with reduced creatinine clearance. Patients not shedding polyomavirus had better survival than patients shedding polyomavirus (P = .049). Conclusions. Polyomaviruses BKV and JCV were commonly detected in urine from lung-transplant recipients. SV40 was found in 12% of patients but was shed at a lower frequency and with lower viral loads than the other viruses. Polyomavirus infection was not associated with renal dysfunction.
Friction measurements on a Large Area TPaD

We describe a variable friction haptic display on a large area of glass, and characterize its performance. The Large Area Tactile Pattern Display (LATPaD) uses modulation of surface friction created by ultrasonic vibration, as in previous smaller devices [8]. Unlike those, the LATPaD does not operate in the lowest resonant mode. As a consequence, the vibration amplitude varies across the surface of the LATPaD (being zero at nodal lines) and therefore the friction reduction effect varies spatially. In practice, the variation in friction reduction is less than might be expected, due to the finite extent of the finger pad. We measure friction over the surface for several mode shapes.
Optical Characterization of Hydrogenated Silicon Films in the Extended Energy Range

This work introduces a new interference technique for the diagnostic characterization of hydrogenated silicon thin films. The interference technique is based on new self-consistent data analysis algorithms for simultaneous optical transmission and specular reflection using exact interference equations for the system of a film on a substrate. It provides a quick non-destructive optical measurement of absorption coefficient and refractive index spectra of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si:H) thin films in a wide range of the incident photon energies (0.5-3.5 eV). This non-contacting, high sensitivity method is a powerful probe of various material properties including thickness, refractive index and absorption spectra, hydrogen content, alloy fraction, energies of localized defect states and their concentrations. Experimental results for optical study of hydrogenated Si films indicate that the proposed method makes possible high precision measurements of the absorption in the region near the fundamental edge. In this region the absorption coefficient varies over several orders of magnitude. Also, the absorption related to impurities and defects in the subgap energy region at least from 102 cm−l can be detected. As a result, the interference technique shows promise in providing feedback for monitoring film growth and device fabrication processes.
Lu Xun’s Allegory of Realism: Psychology and the Aims of Writing

As a key figure in China’s May Fourth movement, Lu Xun has been discussed as a pioneer in the development of narrative realism and also as a bold experimentalist whose literary innovations justly place him in the forefront of modern letters. His early short stories in particular have been singled out as seminal examples of early Chinese realism, whereas their formal qualities alone guarantee their importance to subsequent literature. However, the problematic aspects of realism as a critical term have become increasingly evident in recent years and have prompted a re-examination of his style and subject matter. In this short paper, I shall consider Lu Xun’s early short story, Diary of a Madman, in terms of how exaggeration and humor constitute the basis for a new understanding of modern Chinese writing. By considering this story as an allegory concerned with the birth of modern Chinese writing, I hope to show that Lu Xun’s contribution to literature has a phenomenological significance that is inseparable from an implicit challenge to realism as an ideology.
Hepatic imaging with multidetector CT.

Combining the advantages of a multirow detector array with a fast gantry rotation time, multidetector computed tomographic (CT) scanners can acquire sections at a faster rate than was previously possible. As a result, multidetector CT permits scanning during multiple specific phases of intravenous contrast enhancement and the acquisition of very thin sections over a large area, allowing the creation of multiplanar reconstructions with high z-axis resolution. The authors present an imaging strategy for the diagnosis and staging of hepatic pathologic conditions that emphasizes the role of multidetector CT. Users must master several scanning parameters to obtain the best image quality. For hepatic CT, it is practical to use relatively narrow collimation, increasing the pitch as needed to cover the entire liver. The choice of reconstruction interval is dependent on the problem for which the study is being performed. Water is recommended as an oral contrast agent for nonaxial reconstructions, since high-attenu...
Direct Imaging of “Explosively” Propagating Buried Molten Layers In Amorphous Silicon Using Optical, Tem And Ion Backscattering Measurements

The behavior of pulsed laser-induced “explosively” propagating buried molten layers (BL) in ion implantation-amorphized silicon has been studied in a time- and spatially-resolved way, using nanosecond time-resolved reflectivity measurements, “Z-contrast” scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) imaging of implanted Cu ions transported by the BL, and helium ion backscattering measurements. Infrared (1152 nm) reflectivity measurements allow the initial formation and subsequent motion of the BL to be followed continuously in time. The BL velocity is found to be a function of both its depth below the surface and of the incident KrF laser energy density (E l ); a maximum velocity of about 14 m/s is observed, implying an undercoolingvelocity relationship of about 14 K/(m/s). Z-contrast STEM measurements show that the final BL thickness is less than 15 nm. Time-resolved optical, TEM and ion backscattering measurements of the final BL depth, as a function of E 1 , are also found to be in excellent agreement with one another.
On Potential Interactions between Non-selective Cation Channel TRPM4 and Sulfonylurea Receptor SUR1

The sulfonylurea receptor SUR1 associates with Kir6.2 or Kir6.1 to form KATP channels, which link metabolism to excitability in multiple cell types. The strong physical coupling of SUR1 with Kir6 subunits appears exclusive, but recent studies argue that SUR1 also modulates TRPM4, a member of the transient receptor potential family of non-selective cation channels. It has been reported that, following stroke, brain, or spinal cord injury, SUR1 is increased in neurovascular cells at the site of injury. This is accompanied by up-regulation of a non-selective cation conductance with TRPM4-like properties and apparently sensitive to sulfonylureas, leading to the postulation that post-traumatic non-selective cation currents are determined by TRPM4/SUR1 channels. To investigate the mechanistic hypothesis for the coupling between TRPM4 and SUR1, we performed electrophysiological and FRET studies in COSm6 cells expressing TRPM4 channels with or without SUR1. TRPM4-mediated currents were Ca2+-activated, voltage-dependent, underwent desensitization, and were inhibited by ATP but were insensitive to glibenclamide and tolbutamide. These properties were not affected by cotransfection with SUR1. When the same SUR1 was cotransfected with Kir6.2, functional KATP channels were formed. In cells cotransfected with Kir6.2, SUR1, and TRPM4, we measured KATP-mediated K+ currents and Ca2+-activated, sulfonylurea-insensitive Na+ currents in the same patch, further showing that SUR1 controls KATP channel activity but not TRPM4 channels. FRET signal between fluorophore-tagged TRPM4 subunits was similar to that between Kir6.2 and SUR1, whereas there was no detectable FRET efficiency between TRPM4 and SUR1. Our data suggest that functional or structural association of TRPM4 and SUR1 is unlikely.
Toxicity of "DiI" for embryonic rat motoneurons and sensory neurons in vitro.

Abstract The carbocyanine dye DiIC18(3) (“DiI”) is commonly used for both anterograde and retrograde labeling of neurons, including live neurons in situ and in vitro. In the present experiments, DiIC18(3) was used to label motoneurons in the spinal cords and sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia of embryonic rats. When the neurons from these regions were placed in culture, the neurons labeled by the dye were found to die rapidly, suggesting that DiIC18(3) can be toxic to neurons of these types. A related dye, DiIC18(3), was found to be equally suitable for labelling these neurons, and was found not to have detectable toxic effects in vitro.
Limited reputation sharing in P2P systems

The increasing popularity of resource exchange through peer-to-peer networks has encouraged the development of ways to support more complex commercial transactions over these networks. Unfortunately, the prospect of higher volume and higher value transactions attracts agents seeking to exploit or weaken the network by propagating bad information and services. This paper presents advantages and disadvantages of resource selection techniques based on peer reputation. We evaluate the effect of limited reputation information sharing on the efficiency and load distribution of a peer-to-peer system. We show that limited reputation sharing can reduce the number of failed transactions by a factor of 20.
Relationship between therapeutic use and abuse of opioid analgesics in rural, suburban, and urban locations in the United States

SUMMARY Purpose The goal of these studies was to determine the relationship between prescribed use of opioid analgesics and their non-medically related use (abuse) at a regional level across the country. Methods To gather information about prescription drug abuse, we asked 233 drug abuse treatment specialists to provide us Quarterly reports on the number of cases of prescription opioid analgesic abusers who used opioid analgesics to get high in the past 30 days. Results and Conclusions We found that there was a very strong correlation between therapeutic exposure to opioid analgesics, as measured by prescriptions filled, and their abuse. There were, however, geographical loci that represented outliers in which abusewas disproportionately high relative to therapeutic use (>95th percentile), most of which were invery small urban, suburban, and rural areas. The rank order of abuse shows that buprenorphine products, extended release (ER) oxycodone and methadone are the most intensely abused prescription opioid analgesics, with hydrocodone the least abused, when the data are corrected for degree of exposure, i.e., cases/1000 persons filling a prescription. If, on the other hand, one uses the number of cases/100000 population, hydrocodone ranked as high as ER oxycodone and all other drugs grouped together at very low levels of abuse. Since the latter conclusion ignores therapeutic exposure, we conclude that the rate of abuse of highly efficacious opioid analgesics is best expressed as cases of abuse/1000 persons filling a prescription, which yields the best possible estimate of the risk-benefit ratio of these drugs. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. key words—risk management; risk-benefit; post-marketing surveillance; drug abuse; drug diversion; opioid analgesics;
Cephalosporin Side Chain Cross-reactivity

I have a 4-year-old boy with a history of urticaria and angioedema to both penicillin and Suprax (cefixime). A skin test is negative to Pre-Pen and penicillin G. He is scheduled for a cautious oral challenge to penicillin. My question is: what are the other cephalosporins to which I can challenge him that have nonidentical R-group side chains to those of Suprax? Answer: Thank you for your question. Most of the cross-reactivity information related to side chains is related to amoxicillin and ampicillin. The R-group side chains are identical in amoxicillin and cefadroxil, cefprozil, and cefatrizine. Ampicillin shares side chains with cephalexin, cefaclor, cephradine, cephaloglycin, and loracarbef. Benzyl penicillin has similar side chains as cephalothin and cephaloridine. Ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefepime, cefotaxime, and cefodizime share a methoxymino side chain. Thus, I cannot find any sharing of side chains with cefixime and other cephalosporins (see Table I and statements from Practice Parameters below). 1 “Summary Statement 93: Most hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins are probably directed at the R-group side chains rather than the core b-lactam portion of the molecule. (D) Summary Statement 104: Patients allergic to amoxicillin should avoid cephalosporins with identical R-group side chains (cefadroxil, cefprozil, and cefatrizine) or receive them via rapid induction of drug tolerance. (C) Similarly, patients allergic to ampicillin should avoid cephalosporins and/or carbacephems with identical R-group side chains (cephalexin, cefaclor, cephradine, cephaloglycin, loracarbef) or receive them via rapid induction of drug tolerance. (C) Summary Statement 105: Patients with a history of an immediate-type reaction to a cephalosporin should undergo penicillin skin testing, if available, before treatment with penicillin. (E) If test results are negative, they may safely receive penicillins. (B) If test results are positive, an alternate drug should be used or they should undergo rapid penicillin induction of drug tolerance. (B) If penicillin skin testing is unavailable, penicillin may be administered via cautious graded challenge. (C) Patients with a history of an immediate-type allergic reaction to a cephalosporin who require penicillin should undergo penicillin skin testing. If results are negative, they can receive penicillin; if results are positive, they should receive an alternate drug or undergo penicillin induction of drug tolerance.” Because your patient had a mild reaction to both penicillin and cefixime and these do not share side chain similarities, it is possible that the reactivity is to the b-lactam nucleus, despite the fact that cephalosporin reactions are often side chain dependent (see above from Practice Parameters). Because testing is now negative to penicillin and penicilloyl-polylysine, I think your patient is at very low risk of reacting to an oral challenge. I would suggest cefpodoxime as it is available in a liquid formulation and has a unique side chain. For additional reassurance, skin testing could be considered using 2-3 mg/mL
Self-Efficacy of US High School Teachers Teaching the Federal Budget, National Debt and Budget Deficit: A Mixed-Methods Case Study

This study examined US high school social studies teachers' self-efficacy in teaching the federal budget, national debt and budget deficit prior to and after implementing a pilot curriculum on these topics. The authors examined 24 teachers' topical knowledge, inquiry-based instructional skills in democratic-dialogue-focused lessons and attitudes in civic engagement activities by using baseline and post-self-efficacy surveys, and interviews. The findings revealed that the implemented pilot curriculum had no effect on teachers' confidence of topical knowledge in teaching the topics, while a positive effect was found in the confidence of teachers in facilitating democratic dialogue. Additionally, after using the curriculum, teachers showed an increase in their belief that citizens can make a difference in society. The qualitative data from interviews with the teachers confirmed the survey results, and the teachers' positive perceptions of the curriculum experience suggested an overall success of the curricul...
Depression: Ketamine steps out of the darkness

The way in which ketamine exerts its antidepressant effects has been perplexing. Evidence that a metabolite of the drug is responsible, and acts on a different target from ketamine, might be the key to an answer. See Article p.481
WE-AB-BRB-01: Memorial Introduction; Storage Phosphor Panels for Radiation Therapy Dosimetry

Despite widespread IMRT treatments at modern radiation therapy clinics, precise dosimetric commissioning of an IMRT system remains a challenge. In the most recent report from the Radiological Physics Center (RPC), nearly 20% of institutions failed an end-to-end test with an anthropomorphic head and neck phantom, a test that has rather lenient dose difference and distance-to-agreement criteria of 7% and 4 mm. The RPC report provides strong evidence that IMRT implementation is prone to error and that improved quality assurance tools are required. At the heart of radiation therapy dosimetry is the multidimensional dosimeter. However, due to the limited availability of water-equivalent dosimetry materials, research and development in this important field is challenging. In this session, we will review a few dosimeter developments that are either in the laboratory phase or in the pre-commercialization phase. 1) Radiochromic plastic. Novel formulations exhibit light absorbing optical contrast with very little scatter, enabling faster, broad beam optical CT design. 2) Storage phosphor. After irradiation, the dosimetry panels will be read out using a dedicated 2D scanning apparatus in a non-invasive, electro-optic manner and immediately restored for further use. 3) Liquid scintillator. Scintillators convert the energy from x-rays and proton beams into visible light, which can be recorded with a scientific camera (CCD or CMOS) from multiple angles. The 3D shape of the dose distribution can then be reconstructed. 4) Cherenkov emission imaging. Gated intensified imaging allows video-rate passive detection of Cherenkov emission during radiation therapy with the room lights on. Learning Objectives: 1.To understand the physics of a variety of dosimetry techniques based upon optical imaging 2.To investigate the strategies to overcome respective challenges and limitations 3.To explore novel ideas of dosimeter design Supported in part by NIH Grants R01CA148853, R01CA182450, R01CA109558. Brian Pogue is founder and president of the company DoseOptics LLC, dedicated to developing and commercializing the first dedicated Cerenkov imaging camera and system for radiation dose imaging. Work reported in this talk does not involve the use of DoseOptics technology.; H. Li, this work was supported in part by NIH Grant No. R01CA148853; S. Beddar, NIH funding R01-CA182450
Issues to Discuss: Consultation Style in Transition

The aim of this chapter is to illustrate how age-appropriate consultation styles focusing on adolescents differ from any other age group. The consultation style in transition is not merely about the timing of treating the adolescent patient like an adult patient. Rather, specific elements such as consultation setting, content, and communication style can make a difference with regard to patient outcome and overall satisfaction with disease management.
Genres and Conventions

‘Narrative form,’ the subject of the preceding chapters, often means something entirely different from the tools and techniques described in most of this text. To the question ‘What form is this narrative?’ an interlocutor may expect an answer that names a genre. It is an epic in twelve books. It is a mystery novel, with a gathering of characters in an English country house, one of whom will be revealed to be the murderer. It begins as a psychological thriller and halfway through turns into a farce. It is a space opera. It is the third and climactic part of a fantasy trilogy. These forms (or kinds, types, or subgenres) have often been left out of theoretical discussion of narrative form, as the undignified sub-literary cousins of ‘serious fiction’ which obey no formulas, as the irrelevant impingements of ancient traditions on up-to-date narratives, or as the too-contingent categories that confute the premise of structuralist ahistoricity.1 The rejection of the idea of genre often implies that genre impedes originality, that it imposes form onto an artist’s ideas, and that it is the enemy of innovation. Yet as Claudio Guillen observes, genre is but an ‘invitation’ to combine matter and form in ways that resemble previously achieved combinations (Literature as System, 109). Neither a strict recipe nor an exclusionary tradition, genre can thus be seen as Guillen recommends, as a problem-solving model, whose usefulness is demonstrated when real writers match matter and form (Literature as System, 110–11).
A Global Perspective on Resilience and Creativity

The question often comes up as to whether what is important in the progression of disease is the soil or the seed. The soil might be an individual’s mind–body makeup, relationships, or the ecology that determines the conditions around a disease. Exposure to the seed of disease is unavoidable, whereas whether a person or a population will fall ill seems to depend on these “soft” conditions of personal characteristics, social and cultural orientations, and the policy structures we collectively choose to implement. In covering global perspectives on medical resilience, we will examine in this chapter: (a) the mind–body continuum that gives relevance to resilience and self-healing in the face of illness; (b) creativity as a characteristic particularly of children that can lead powerfully to a path toward resilience; (c) the opposite of creativity, or violence at both individual and societal levels, and how it can undermine human potential and exacerbate illness; (d) policy implications for creativity-based health promotion and human-centered good governance.
Hidden Devices in the School Setting: What the Nurse Needs to Know About Shunts:

The role of school nurse today not only includes making a thorough assessment of the child but also the knowledge and skill to understand hidden medical devices. As of 2011, there were approximately 14.6 million children in the United States living with special health care needs. Many of these children could have hidden medical devices. The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC) program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute received requests for in-person training regarding ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts.
Examining the Antiascetic Hypothesis Through Social Control Theory: Delinquency, Religion, and Reciprocation Across the Early Life Course:

With empirical research in both sociology of religion and criminology finding conflicting evidence of the directional relationship between religious institutions and delinquency, we test the tempor...
Altered environmental light drives retinal change in the Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) over timescales relevant to marine environmental disturbance.

For many fish species, retinal function changes between life history stages as part of an encoded developmental program. Retinal change is also known to exhibit plasticity because retinal form and function can be influenced by light exposure over the course of development. Aside from studies of gene expression, it remains largely unknown whether retinal plasticity can provide functional responses to short-term changes in environmental light quality. The aim of this study was to determine whether the structure and function of the fish retina can change in response to altered light intensity and spectrum—not over the course of a developmental regime, but over shorter time periods relevant to marine habitat disturbance. The effects of light environment on sensitivity of the retina, as well as on cone photoreceptor distribution were examined in the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) on 2- and 4-month timescales. In a spectral experiment, juvenile M. atlanticus were placed in either ‘red’ or ‘blue’ light conditions (with near identical irradiance), and in an intensity experiment, juveniles were placed in either ‘bright’ or ‘dim’ light conditions (with near identical spectra). Analysis of the retina by electroretinography and anti-opsin immunofluorescence revealed that relative to fish held in the blue condition, those in the red condition exhibited longer-wavelength peak sensitivity and greater abundance of long-wavelength-sensitive (LWS) cone photoreceptors over time. Following pre-test dark adaption of the retina, fish held in the dim light required less irradiance to produce a standard retinal response than fish held in bright light, developing a greater sensitivity to white light over time. The results show that structure and function of the M. atlanticus retina can rapidly adjust to changes in environmental light within a given developmental stage, and that such changes are dependent on light quality and the length of exposure. These findings suggest that the fish retina may be resilient to disturbances in environmental light, using retinal plasticity to compensate for changes in light quality over short timescales.
On the Computational Characterization of Charge-Transfer Effects in Noncovalently Bound Molecular Complexes.

Charge-transfer (CT) is an important binding force in the formation of intermolecular complexes, and there have been a variety of theoretical models proposed to quantify this effect. These approaches, which typically rely on a definition of a “CT-free” state based on a partition of the system, sometimes yield significantly different results for a given intermolecular complex. Two widely used definitions of the “CT-free” state, the absolutely localized molecular orbitals (ALMO) method (where only on-fragment orbital mixings are permitted) and the constrained density functional theory (CDFT) approach (where fragment electron populations are fixed), are carefully examined in this work. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and the regularized symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) are also briefly considered. Results for the ALMO and CDFT definitions of CT are compared on a broad range of model systems, including hydrogen-bonding systems, borane complexes, metal–carbonyl complexes, and complexes formed by water an...
Assessing the Anthropogenic Fugitive Dust Emission Inventory and Temporal Allocation Using an Updated Speciation of Particulate Matter

Crustal materials are mainly emitted by anthropogenic and windblown fugitive dust, but also may potentially include some fly ash and industrial process emissions which are chemically similar to crustal emissions. Source apportionment studies have shown that anthropogenic fugitive dust emissions contribute on the order of 5–20% of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) and 40–60% of PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) in urban areas that either have been or potentially may be unable to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 and/or PM10. On the other hand, air quality models suggest vastly higher contributions from current fugitive dust emission inventories, with contributions ranging from 50% to 80% for PM2.5 and 70–90% for PM10. This paper uses an improved speciation of PM to include, in addition to the current species, eight trace metals as well as separate non-carbon organic matter to assess potential improvements to the emission estimates of anthropogenic fugitive dust (unpaved and paved road dust, dust from highway, commercial and residential construction and agricultural tilling).
Myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia in connective tissue disease after single-agent chemotherapy

Cytopenias are typical of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) and are usually related to autoimmune phenomena. In some cases, cytopenia may be the result of treatment with cytotoxic agents. Although multi-drug therapy is known to produce myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients with CTD, treatment with single-agent therapy, particularly methotrexate, has rarely been associated with secondary MDS or AML. Blood and marrow samples were studied from 3 men and 5 women with rheumatoid arthritis (5 cases), Behcet's disease (2 cases), and systemic lupus erythematosus (1 case) developing MDS or AML after methotrexate (5 cases), chlorambucil (2 cases), and cytoxan (1 case). The durations of CTD ranged from less than 6 months to more than 10 years. Five patients (63%) presented with MDS including refractory anemia (RA), refractory thrombocytopenia (RT), refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and RAEB in transformation. Patients with RT, CMML, and RAEB in transformation developed AML. Of six patients presenting with or developing AML, four had AML with differentiation (FAB M2), one acute myelomonocytic leukemia (FAB M4), and one M4Eo. Inv 16 was seen in the M4Eo and t(8;21) in one case of M2. Four of six patients are alive up to 6 years after diagnosis of AML. One of three patients with MDS is alive 6 months after diagnosis of MDS. Cytopenias in patients with CTD may be due to therapy-related MDS or AML occurring in a setting of single-agent chemotherapy, including methotrexate.
Heart Failure in Constrictive Pericarditis Improves Rapidly with Medical Therapy in Patients with Higher Inflammatory Burden

Introduction Diastolic heart failure is the primary pathophysiologic manifestation of constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy is the choice of treatment for patients who fail medical therapy. Constrictive pericarditis may be chronic or transient inflammatory or a combination of both. Medical therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs improves the pericardial inflammation in patients with increased delayed hyper-enhancement (DHE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. The evolution of constrictive physiology, heart failure manifestations and outcomes with such treatment need more study. Hypothesis We hypothesize that in inflammatory constrictive pericarditis, anti-inflammatory therapy may reduce the need for pericardiectomy by reducing inflammation and improving heart failure symptoms. We also hypothesize that patients with severe inflammation have the best response to medical therapy. Methods Consecutive patients diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis and pericardial inflammation as evidenced by their CMR and elevated inflammatory markers were included. Patients were treated as per standard of care with anti-inflammatory therapy and diuretics, and followed on an outpatient basis. CMR imaging was obtained at approximately 6 month intervals. Patients received pericardiectomy if they had persistent constrictive physiology and signs and symptoms of heart failure despite optimal therapy. Baseline characteristics, laboratory values, echocardiographic and CMR data were collected. Pericardial delayed hyper-enhancement was quantified by measuring the volume of DHE using an intensity cutoff of >6 SD above normal septal myocardium. Results A total of 44 patients with 123 CMRs were included. Pericardiectomy was performed in 19 patients. Mean age was 57.9 ± 14.5 years and 9 (28%) patients were female. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 59 ± 6.5 %. There were no significant baseline differences between patients who underwent pericardiectomy and those who did not. On mixed model logistic regression analysis, the odds of having constrictive physiology was reduced by 49% (95% CI: 14%–70%, P=0.011) per year of optimal medical therapy. Patients with DHE above median had a 69% lower risk of needing pericardiectomy (HR: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.10–0.95, P=0.039) (Figure. 1). Conclusions With optimal anti-inflammatory therapy, constrictive physiology resolves significantly over time. The risk of requiring pericardiectomy is lower in patients with higher pericardial delayed hyper-enhancement at baseline.
The importance of the biliopancreatic limb length in gastric bypass: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most durable treatment for obesity, and it also provides improvement of obesity's associated co-morbidities. Although several mechanisms for its metabolic effects have been studied, the implications of the surgically constructed anatomy on its functioning physiology have not been elucidated. This leaves some uncertainty regarding the recommended limb lengths in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The alimentary limb length and function has been studied extensively, but few have studied the influences of the biliopancreatic limb length. Objective To present a systematic review of the literature comparing variations in length of BP limb and results in order to determine BP limb length influence. Setting Academic Hospital, United States. Methods We present a systematic review of all the articles comparing variations of the biliopancreatic limb length and their results. Results Thirteen articles were identified and analyzed. Most of the articles are prospective studies. Weight loss was superior in longer limbs. Conclusion Based on our review of the subject, we can conclude that the release of enterohormones in response to a food load in the distal small bowel seems to play an important role in the remission of co-morbidities. Hence, the length of the biliopancreatic limb might affect this process.
A Data Model for Nuclear Power Plant Work Packages

The migration of paper-based work packages to an electronic version for the nuclear power industry results in opportunities for work optimization through data analytics and integration. This can on...
La Interinstitucionalidad en las Relaciones Multilaterales de la Cooperación Interregional en América Latina

espanolInterinstitutionality is a different way of understanding cooperation, represents the joint activity between institutions, both state and international, based on the objectives of Latin American regional integration and cooperation, which means, locate interinstitutionality from the point where foreign policy and internal politics are blurred. This subject is precisely the disjunctive between internal and external borders, leaving aside the fears of interference or sovereign discussions, and focusing more on joint issues, through democratic and permanent structures over time. This seems to be more practical than traditional unilateral decisions or the situation of the moment, encouraged for political or economic reasons in most cases. EnglishLa interinstitucionalidad es una forma distinta de entender la cooperacion, representa la actividad conjunta entre instituciones, tanto estatales como internacionales, tomando como base los objetivos de integracion y cooperacion regional latinoamericanos, es decir situar la interinstitucionalidad desde el punto en donde se difumina la politica exterior y la politica interna. Este tema se ubica precisamente en esta disyuntiva de fronteras internas y externas, dejando de lado los temores de las injerencias o discusiones soberanas, y centrandose mas en temas conjuntos, a traves de estructuras democraticas y permanentes en el tiempo. Ello parece ser mas practico que las tradicionales decisiones unilaterales o de la situacion particular del momento, incentivada por razones politicas o economicas en la mayoria de los casos.
BRCA testing in unaffected young women in the United States, 2006-2017.

BACKGROUND The discovery of the BRCA gene in the 1990s created an opportunity for individualized cancer prevention. BRCA testing in young women before cancer onset enables early detection of those with an increased cancer risk and creates an opportunity to offer lifesaving prophylactic procedures and medications. This study assessed trends in BRCA testing in women younger than 40 years without diagnosed breast or ovarian cancer (unaffected young women [UYW]) for cancer prevention between 2006 and 2017 in the United States. METHODS This study included 93,278 adult women 18 to 65 years old with insurance claims for BRCA testing between 2006 and 2017 from the de-identified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database. The data contained medical claims and administrative information from privately insured individuals in the United States. The proportion of BRCA testing in UYW younger than 40 years among adult women aged 18 to 65 years who received BRCA testing was assessed. RESULTS In 2006, only 10.5% of the tests were performed in UYW. The proportion of BRCA tests performed in UYW increased significantly to 25.5% in 2017 (annual percentage change for the 2006-2017 period, 6.9; 95% confidence interval, 6.4-7.3; P < .001). The increased trend in the proportion of BRCA tests in UYW significantly differed by region of residence and family history of breast or ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS Over the past decade, there was increased use of BRCA testing for cancer prevention. Additional efforts are needed to maximize the early detection of women with BRCA pathogenic variants so that these cancers may be prevented.
Educational identification of students with serious emotional disability and/or autism spectrum disorder: how current practices perpetuate disproportionality

Abstract Special educational eligibility evaluations are focused on identifying students who have a disability that adversely impacts their access to general education. Sociocultural factors (such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parent education) confer disproportionality in access to special education and within specific eligibility categories. Although these challenges likely impact students across all eligibility categories specified by federal law, this review focuses on two eligibility classifications that are differentially impacted by sociocultural influences: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Serious Emotional Disability (SED). Understanding these influences may help guide efforts to remediate disparities in special education service provision.
Incapacitating Errors: Sentencing and the Science of Change

Despite widespread support for shifting sentencing policy from “tough on crime” to “smart on crime,” reflected in legislation like the federal First Step Act, the scope of criminal justice reform has been limited. We continue to engage in practices that permanently incapacitate people while carving out only limited niches of sentencing reform for special groups like first-time nonviolent offenders and adolescents. We cannot, however, be “smart on crime” without a theory of punishment that supports second chances for the broadest range of people convicted of crimes. This Article posits that the cultural belief that adults do not change poses a major impediment to “smart on crime” policies. Current sentencing policies focus on long-term incapacitation of adults with criminal records because of our folk belief that adult personality traits are immutable. Whereas adolescents are expected to mature over time, and thus can rarely be determined to require permanent incapacitation, adults lack the benefit of the presumption of change. Standing in contrast to our folk belief that adults do not change is a growing body of neuroscientific and psychological literature that this Article refers to as, “the science of adult change,” which demonstrates that adult brains change in response to environmental prompts and experience. The science of adult change has powerful implications for punishment theory and practice. In its broadest sense, the science of adult change supports an empirically grounded, normative claim that sentencing should not attempt to identify the true criminal to permanently exclude. Rather, sentencing policy should engage in only modest predictions about future behavior. The presumption of reintegration as a full member of society should be the norm. Moreover, because adult change occurs in response to environmental stimuli, the science of adult change supports both public accountability for the conditions of confinement and, ultimately, a challenge to incarceration as our primary means of responding to social harm.
Rhetorical cartographic story maps as public work

This essay details the process of creating an interactive visual aid—a digital story map—for the 2019 Rhetoric Society of America Project in Power, Place, and Publics at the University of Nevada, R...
Strategies first year doctor of pharmacy students use to promote well-being.

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study is to assess strategies that first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students utilize to manage stress and promote well-being throughout the program. Methods Participants included students at a university in an urban Midwestern region. Students were enrolled in the second semester of their first year of a four-year PharmD program. Students were participating in a social and administrative sciences course in which they were required to write a two-page reflection before a small group discussion and lecture on their overall well-being while in pharmacy school. Open and axial coding was conducted on these reflections using a standard content analysis approach of qualitative thematic analysis. Results A total of 49 pharmacy students reported multiple strategies to help cope with stressors of a PharmD program and improve their well-being. Four themes emerged, including: (1) availability and accessibility of institutional resources, (2) personal time management and organizational strategies, (3) personal mental and physical health strategies, and (4) activities that maintain social relationships. Conclusions First-year pharmacy (P1) students are actively thinking about and participating in activities to promote personal well-being, manage extreme stress, and proactively prevent the detrimental effects of burnout. P1 students were aware of the need to incorporate specific strategies into their daily routine to aid in their overall well-being and experience during pharmacy school. Colleges and schools of pharmacy can use the findings of this study to understand strategies students currently use to identify approaches for supporting student needs and any gaps in wellness resources.
Addressing the Information Systems mindshare Divide in Developing Countries

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who benefit from the digital technologies and those who cannot. The difference in the availability and accessibility to technology and systems is quite dramatic between developed and developing countries. Current practice is to attempt to make technologies available to more people in developing countries by bolstering IT stock without addressing the underlying issues surrounding ICT illiteracy in these countries. Such an approach is only compounding the problems. More often than not, ill-suited technologies paired with systems that do not support local practices meet with minimal usage and are deemed a failure. This research paper proposes three facilitating factors – (i) Technology Exposure, (ii) Cultural Awareness and (iii) Systems Blending to increase the effectiveness of systems deployments in developing environments. The paper extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to measure the impact of each of these three factors on the system adoption outcome.