cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep after arousal from hibernation is not homeostatically regulated

Electroencephalographic slow-wave activity (SWA) in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep is directly related to prior sleep/wake history, with high levels of SWA following extended periods of wake. Therefore, SWA has been thought to reflect the level of accumulated sleep need. The discovery that euthermic intervals between hibernation bouts are spent primarily in sleep and that this sleep is characterized by high and monotonically declining SWA has led to speculation that sleep homeostasis may play a fundamental role in the regulation of the timing of bouts of hibernation and periodic arousals to euthermia. It was proposed that because the SWA profile seen after arousal from hibernation is strikingly similar to what is seen in nonhibernating mammals after extended periods of wakefulness, that hibernating mammals may arouse from hibernation with significant accumulated sleep need. This sleep need may accumulate during hibernation because the low brain temperatures during hibernation may not be compatible with sleep restorative processes. In the present study, golden-mantled ground squirrels were sleep deprived during the first 4 h of interbout euthermia by injection of caffeine (20 mg/kg ip). We predicted that if the SWA peaks after bouts of hibernation reflected a homeostatic response to an accumulated sleep need, sleep deprivation should simply have displaced and possibly augmented the SWA to subsequent recovery sleep. Instead we found that after caffeine-induced sleep deprivation of animals just aroused from hibernation, the anticipated high SWA typical of recovery sleep did not occur. Similar results were found in a study that induced sleep deprivation by gentle handling (19). These findings indicate that the SWA peak immediately after hibernation does not represent homeostatic regulation of NREM sleep, as it normally does after prolonged wakefulness during euthermia, but instead may reflect some other neurological process in the recovery of brain function from an extended period at low temperature.
Novel Multifunctional Nanomatrix Reduces Inflammation in Dynamic Conditions in Vitro and Dilates Arteries ex Vivo

Inflammatory responses play a critical role in tissue-implant interactions, often limiting current implant utility. This is particularly true for cardiovascular devices. Existing stent technology does little to avoid or mitigate inflammation or to influence the vasomotion of the artery after implantation. We have developed a novel endothelium-mimicking nanomatrix composed of peptide amphiphiles that enhances endothelialization while decreasing both smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelet adhesion. Here, we evaluated whether the nanomatrix could prevent inflammatory responses under static and physiological flow conditions. We found that the nanomatrix reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and expression of monocyte inflammatory genes (TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-1β, and IL-6). Furthermore, the nitric-oxide releasing nanomatrix dramatically attenuated TNF-α-stimulated inflammatory responses as demonstrated by significantly reduced monocyte adhesion and inflammatory gene expression in both static and physiological flow conditions. These effects were abolished by addition of a nitric oxide scavenger. Finally, the nanomatrix stimulated vasodilation in intact rat mesenteric arterioles after constriction with phenylephrine, demonstrating the bioavailability and bioactivity of the nanomatrix, as well as exhibiting highly desired release kinetics. These results demonstrate the clinical potential of this nanomatrix by both preventing inflammatory responses and promoting vasodilation, critical improvements in stent and cardiovascular device technology.
A model-based approach to anomaly detection in software architectures

In an organization, the interactions users have with software leave patterns or traces of the parts of the systems accessed. These interactions can be associated with the underlying software architecture. The first step in detecting problems like insider threat is to detect those traces that are anomalous. Here, we propose a method to find anomalous users leveraging these interaction traces, categorized by user roles. We propose a model based approach to cluster user sequences and find outliers. We show that the approach works on a simulation of a large scale system based on and Amazon Web application style.
A Practical Approach for Model Checking C/C++11 Code

Writing low-level concurrent software has traditionally required intimate knowledge of the entire toolchain and often has involved coding in assembly. New language standards have extended C and C++ with support for low-level atomic operations and a weak memory model, enabling developers to write portable and efficient multithreaded code.In this article, we present CDSChecker, a tool for exhaustively exploring the behaviors of concurrent code under the C/C++ memory model. We have used CDSChecker to exhaustively unit test concurrent data structure implementations and have discovered errors in a published implementation of a work-stealing queue and a single producer, single consumer queue.
Closing the Brief Case: Safe To Go Back in the Water? Vibrio parahaemolyticus Wound Infection Associated with Brackish Water.

1. Which of the following biochemical patterns is characteristic of V. parahaemolyticus? Answer: b. V. parahaemolyticus is oxidase positive and almost always non-lactose fermenting and non-sucrose fermenting. In contrast, V. vulnificus and V. metschnikovii ferment lactose in 85 and 50%
TH-E-209-00: Radiation Dose Monitoring and Protocol Management

Radiation dose monitoring solutions have opened up new opportunities for medical physicists to be more involved in modern clinical radiology practices. In particular, with the help of comprehensive radiation dose data, data-driven protocol management and informed case follow up are now feasible. Significant challenges remain however and the problems faced by medical physicists are highly heterogeneous. Imaging systems from multiple vendors and a wide range of vintages co-exist in the same department and employ data communication protocols that are not fully standardized or implemented making harmonization complex. Many different solutions for radiation dose monitoring have been implemented by imaging facilities over the past few years. Such systems are based on commercial software, home-grown IT solutions, manual PACS data dumping, etc., and diverse pathways can be used to bring the data to impact clinical practice. The speakers will share their experiences with creating or tailoring radiation dose monitoring/management systems and procedures over the past few years, which vary significantly in design and scope. Topics to cover: (1) fluoroscopic dose monitoring and high radiation event handling from a large academic hospital; (2) dose monitoring and protocol optimization in pediatric radiology; and (3) development of a home-grown IT solution and dose data analysis framework. Learning Objectives: 1.Describe the scope and range of radiation dose monitoring and protocol management in a modern radiology practice 2.Review examples of data available from a variety of systems and how it managed and conveyed. 3.Reflect on the role of the physicist in radiation dose awareness.
Liability to Defensive Harm

What do we mean when we claim that someone is morally liable to defensive harm? The concept of liability as I use it in this book is introduced in this chapter, as well as the related constraints of proportionality and necessity. This rights-based account of permissible harm is the predominate theory held by most philosophers working on the topic. I discuss the ways in which people can undertake certain actions such that they can be held morally responsible for unjust threats, and thereby make themselves liable to harm. After providing two cases to explicate the theory, I discuss the two primary conditions that must be met in the case of Osama bin Laden for him to be properly liable to be killed: his own moral responsibility for unjust lethal threats; and, the necessity and proportionality conditions of permissible harm being met for his killing.
Custom Map Projections for Regional Groundwater Models

For regional groundwater flow models (areas greater than 100,000 km2), improper choice of map projection parameters can result in model error for boundary conditions dependent on area (recharge or evapotranspiration simulated by application of a rate using cell area from model discretization) and length (rivers simulated with head-dependent flux boundary). Smaller model areas can use local map coordinates, such as State Plane (United States) or Universal Transverse Mercator (correct zone) without introducing large errors. Map projections vary in order to preserve one or more of the following properties: area, shape, distance (length), or direction. Numerous map projections are developed for different purposes as all four properties cannot be preserved simultaneously. Preservation of area and length are most critical for groundwater models. The Albers equal-area conic projection with custom standard parallels, selected by dividing the length north to south by 6 and selecting standard parallels 1/6th above or below the southern and northern extent, preserves both area and length for continental areas in mid latitudes oriented east-west. Custom map projection parameters can also minimize area and length error in non-ideal projections. Additionally, one must also use consistent vertical and horizontal datums for all geographic data. The generalized polygon for the Floridan aquifer system study area (306,247.59 km2) is used to provide quantitative examples of the effect of map projections on length and area with different projections and parameter choices. Use of improper map projection is one model construction problem easily avoided.
Direct phase-based strain estimator for ultrasound tissue elasticity imaging

Palpation has been widely used to detect hard tumorous tissues surrounded by softer normal tissues. The goal of ultrasound tissue elasticity imaging is to extract information regarding tissue stiffness that is closely related to pathology. For this tissue elasticity imaging, compression is applied first, and the amount of resulting tissue deformation or strain needs to be estimated. Traditionally, strain estimators aim to accurately derive tissue displacements between pre- and post-compression and compute strain from the displacements. However, the displacement can be as large as a thousand times of strain for typical compression levels used in ultrasound elasticity imaging. Error in displacement estimation leads to a large variance in strain, thus resulting in poor signal to noise ratio for the estimated strain. We have developed a novel strain estimator that directly estimates strain from the phase of temporal and spatial correlation instead of estimating small strain from large displacements. SNRe (signal to noise ratio of elastogram) and CNRe (contrast to noise ratio of elastogram) using the direct strain estimator are at least three times and six times larger than that using conventional displacement-based strain estimators, respectively. These results indicate that the direct strain estimator can significantly improve accuracy and lesion detectability in ultrasound elasticity imaging. In addition, the direct strain estimator is computationally efficient compared to conventional estimators, thus enabling the realtime implementation and clinical use of this new ultrasound imaging mode.
What's in a Surname? Central Asian Participation in the Culture of Naming of Medieval China

Medieval China, and particularly the Tang dynasty, witnessed unprecedented cultural interactions among Chinese and non-Chinese peoples. One well-researched aspect of these interactions is the changing practice of naming. By reading documents in Central Asian languages, in particular Khotanese, in conjunction with transmitted Chinese records, this article highlights the distinctive Central Asian tradition in the use of Chinese surname. I argue that, unlike the better-studied North Asian tradition, in which surnames were derived from usually multisyllabic tribal names, surnames for Central Asian peoples were largely invented and not traceable in Central Asian languages. In particular, these surnames were usually monosyllabic and hence formally much closer to typical Chinese surnames. The Central Asian participation in the practice of surnaming did not introduce a large number of new surnames, but it did profoundly influence what a surname could mean in medieval China.
Brain and Gut CRF Signaling: Biological Actions and Role in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Background Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) pathways coordinate behavioral, endocrine, autonomic and visceral responses to stress. Convergent anatomical, molecular, pharmacological and functional experimental evidence supports a key role of brain CRF receptor (CRF-R) signaling in stress-related alterations of gastrointestinal functions. These include the inhibition of gastric acid secretion and gastric-small intestinal transit, stimulation of colonic enteric nervous system and secretorymotor function, increase intestinal permeability, and visceral hypersensitivity. Brain sites of CRF actions to alter gut motility encompass the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, locus coeruleus complex and the dorsal motor nucleus while those modulating visceral pain are localized in the hippocampus and central amygdala. Brain CRF actions are mediated through the autonomic nervous system (decreased gastric vagal and increased sacral parasympathetic and sympathetic activities). The activation of brain CRF-R2 subtype inhibits gastric motor function while CRF-R1 stimulates colonic secretomotor function and induces visceral hypersensitivity. CRF signaling is also located within the gut where CRF-R1 activates colonic myenteric neurons, mucosal cells secreting serotonin, mucus, prostaglandin E2, induces mast cell degranulation, enhances mucosal permeability and propulsive motor functions and induces visceral hyperalgesia in animals and humans. CRF-R1 antagonists prevent CRF- and stressrelated gut alterations in rodents while not influencing basal state. Discussion These preclinical studies contrast with the limited clinical positive outcome of CRF-R1 antagonists to alleviate stress-sensitive functional bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. Conclusion The translational potential of CRF-R1 antagonists in gut diseases will require additional studies directed to novel anti-CRF therapies and the neurobiology of brain-gut interactions under chronic stress.
The Influence of Secondary Flows Near the Endwall and Boundary Layer Disturbance on Convective Transport From a Turbine Blade

A naphthalene sublimation technique is used to investigate convective transport from a simulated turbine blade in a stationary linear cascade. In some of the tests undertaken, a trip wire is stretched along the span of the blade near the leading edge. The disturbance produced by tripping the boundary layers on the blade near the leading edge causes early boundary layer transition, creates high mass transfer rate on the pressure side and in the laminar flow region on the suction side, but lowers the transfer rate in the turbulent flow region on the suction side. Comparison is made with other heat and mass transfer studies in the two-dimensional regionfarfrom the endwall and good agreement is found. Near the endwall, flow visualization indicates a strong secondary flow pattern. The impact of vortices initiated near the endwall on the laminar-turbulent transition extends three-dimensional effects to about 0.8 chord lengths on the suction side and to about 0.2 chord lengths on the pressure side away from the endwall. The effect of the passage vortex and the new vortex induced by the passage vortex on mass transfer is clearly seen and can be traced along the suction surface of the blade. Close to the endwall the highest mass transfer rate on the suction surface is not found near the leading edge. It occurs at about 27 percent of the curvilinear distance from the stagnation line to the trailing edge where a strong main flow and the secondary passage flow from the pressure side of the adjacent blade interact. The influences of some small but very intense corner vortices and the passage vortex on mass transfer are also observed on both surfaces of the blade.
Has the risk of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty performed for displaced femoral neck fracture improved with modern implants

Abstract Background Displaced femoral neck fractures (DFNF) in the elderly can be treated with hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA). One concern with utilizing THA in this setting is post-operative dislocation. The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of hip dislocation following THA for DFNF and to identify risk factors for dislocation. Methods The charts of 66 posterior-approach THA cases performed for DFNF with mean post-operative follow-up of 4.4 years were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative patient demographic data and intra-operative clinical data were recorded including age, race, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), femoral head diameter, acetabular cup diameter, use of an elevated liner, and cementing of femoral component. For patients with available post-operative pelvis radiographs, acetabular cup inclination and version angles were also calculated. Results Four dislocation (4/66, 6%) events occurred at an average of 51 days after surgery. No specific risk factors for dislocation were identified but the use of a cemented femoral stem did approach significance (p = 0.06). 47% of the acetabular cups were located outside of the Lewinnek safe zone. Although the dislocation rate of THAs with acetabular cups outside of the safe zone was higher than the dislocation rate for THAs with cups in the safe zone (12.5% vs 0%), placement of acetabular cups outside of the safe zone was not a risk factor for dislocation. Conclusions Posterior THA with proper cup positioning and meticulous soft tissue repair is an effective treatment option for DFNF with low dislocation risk.
Perioperative Care of the Orthopedic Patient with Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is amongst the most prevalent of chronic diseases. As such it is frequently encountered in surgical patients where its impact is felt in other important ways, specifically the higher risk of infection and impaired healing seen in these patients. These problems, coupled with the challenges of perioperative glucose management, ensure that the patient with diabetes will tax the skills of the perioperative physician. In this chapter a method for approaching and managing the diabetic in the perioperative setting is presented.
Time to stop skyrocketing drug costs

The recent editorial by Fox and Knoer[1][1] about drug prices is very timely. High drug costs continue to have a major impact on the delivery of affordable, quality healthcare in the United States, and consumers agree. Six in 10 Americans associated with all parts of the political spectrum
Low auto-fluorescence broadband antireflection coatings for human genome sequencing optical platform

Ever since the human genome was first sequenced, scientists have been inspired by possibilities of using genomic information for medical research. In recent year, new generation sequencing platform to deliver complete genome sequence data with higher throughputs are to be built to conduct genomic studies on a large scale. This requires the development of a wide field multi-channel fluorescence imager system. The complexity of this optical system for human genome sequencing application would also have specific optical coating challenges. For the objective lens system, it requires selection of multiple glass types with normal and anomalous dispersions in order to successfully correct chromatic aberrations to diffraction-limited level over a broad wavelength spectrum. The challenge is anti-reflection (AR) coatings need to be coated over these multi-glass types with various refractive index from 1.43 to 1.8 and operate through an extended range of broad spectrum range. In addition, auto-fluorescence of optical components and coatings applied to the lenses are considered an isotropic generation of the secondary stray light inside the system. This is undesirable and should be minimized. This research work presents the AR coating design strategy to accommodate the multiple glass types in the lens system over a broadband application range and the investigation results of achieving low auto-fluorescence through material selection and coating process control.
Ascites und Anschwellung des Leibes

Mir sind in der letzten Zeit eine ganze Reihe falscher Diagnosen bei Ascites unterlaufen. Diese Irrtumer, die ich mit einigen der besten Diagnosten des Landes teilte, fuhrten mich zum Studium der Ursachen dieses Symptomes. Bis zuletzt hatte ich geglaubt, die Diagnose der Ursache des Ascites sei eine der leichtesten der Medizin. Ich war deswegen erstaunt, als mir 1909 ein sehr erfahrener Kollege sagte, er hielte die Diagnose einer Cirrhose fur sehr schwierig; aber nach meinen letzten Erlebnissen muste ich ihm beinahe recht geben. Um fur die Zukunft die Zahl der Irrtumer zu vermindern, will ich in diesem Kapitel mit folgendem mich beschaftigen.
Sexual Issues: Role of Sexually Transmitted Infections on Male Factor Fertility

Sexual behaviors resulting in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their treatment may contribute toward male factor subfertility/infertility. Although no specific pattern of semen and/or hormonal alterations has been identified in men with STI-associated infertility, findings may include elevated seminal leukocytes, transient impairments in spermatogenesis, or obstructive oligospermia/azoospermia. Proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms for STI-induced infertility include generation of reactive oxygen species, direct cytotoxic effects of bacteria, vascular and histologic changes associated with inflammation, and development of antisperm antibodies. Among the various infectious syndromes, orchitis and epididymitis are most often associated with infertility, while insufficient data exists to suggest a significant role for male accessory gland infections or urethritis. Select organisms appear to have greater impacts on fertility, with Neisseria gonorrhoea being most commonly associated. Ureaplasma urealyticum has also been associated with infertility and may impact DNA integrity and assisted reproductive technique outcomes. Chlamydia and other mollicutes demonstrate inconsistent or conflicting data, with no evidence to suggest benefits with antibiotic therapy. Among viral organisms, human immunodeficiency virus and related medical therapies are associated with progressive declines in seminal parameters, while herpes simplex and human papillomaviruses are less strongly associated. There is no current evidence to suggest any role for cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, Epstein-Barr, or hepatitis B in male factor infertility. Given the significant limitations and poor quality of data available, additional research is required to determine the true pathophysiologic role of STIs and potential benefits, if any, with therapy.
Non-traumatic Shoulder Dislocation.

A 42-year-old female with a past medical history significant for intravenous drug abuse presented to the emergency department complaining of a two-week history of worsening left shoulder pain. She denied any trauma to the shoulder but noted it had become increasingly difficult to move secondary to pain. On physical exam she was afebrile and the rest of her vital signs were within normal limits. Asymmetry was noted between the right and left shoulders and the left shoulder was warm, erythematous and tender to palpation. Her left arm was held in adduction and internal rotation, with extremely limited range of motion secondary to pain. We obtained a radiograph of the shoulder and laboratory tests that revealed an elevated white blood cell count of 12.9, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 66 mm/hr and a C-reactive protein level of 5.4 mg/dl. Orthopedic surgery was then consulted. A needle tap of the left shoulder yielded 30 ml of purulent fluid. Lab cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the patient was started on empiric intravenous vancomycin. In the operating room orthopedic surgery found that the patient had an extracapsular subdeltoid abscess. A review of the literature indicates this is a rare case of an extracapsular abscess causing marked radiographic evidence of dislocation in the shoulder. There are case reports of septic arthritis in the shoulder represented with radiographic evidence of dislocation.1 Atlanto-axial subluxation secondary to retropharyngeal abscess is described; however, there are no reports of similar dislocations outside of the axial skeleton.2 This case reinforces the point that every dislocation is not secondary to trauma. It also emphasizes the importance of a detailed history and physical examination to discern the causes of pain, with corroboration of radiographic findings.
SD meets OR: a new synergy to address policy problems

We reflect on our past seven years of collaboration to develop systems models of U.S. higher education and scientific workforce development. Based on three recent modeling examples, we offer a methodological proposition that many traditional Operations Research (OR) models can be improved by including feedback processes as is commonly done in system dynamics (SD) modeling. Such models, even if simple and approximate, can be powerful, insightful, easy to communicate, and effective. While these modeling examples may not follow conventional SD or OR modeling, they benefit from and contribute to both schools of modeling. We argue that to build such synergy, modeling teams should be willing to create models building on the strengths of each school of modeling.
Before the Bright Star: football in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

South Sudan’s independence was accompanied by the creation of a new national football team and its entry into the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA). Despite Sudan’s football h...
Clinical utility of androgen-receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) determinations in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

e17067Background: Detection/dynamics of AR-V7 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a determinant of resistance to novel AR-targeted treatment (NART) in mCRPC (Antonarakis et al. NEJM 2014 & Markows...
Awa Drinking as Identity Marker and Cultural Practice

AbstractThe focus of this paper is the reemergence of socialized drinking of ‘awa and the role it plays in Hawaiian national identity. The authors explore the social cohesion and integration of the...
Genetics of Central Obesity and Body Fat

Abstract Abdominal obesity, also termed visceral obesity, has been closely related to a variety of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and total mortality. The most widely used measures for abdominal obesity include waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which are determined by both environmental and genetic factors. Classic genetic studies such as twin studies and family studies have indicated that a high proportion of variance in WC or WHR is determined by genetic components. While linkage studies and candidate-gene-based association studies are largely unsuccessful in identification of genetic loci for abdominal obesity, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have detected nearly 20 loci associated with WC or WHR, mostly in Caucasians. The genetic effects on abdominal obesity show an apparent sex-specific fashion, with stronger effects observed in women. Recently, emerging evidence suggests environmental factors such as lifestyle (e.g., physical activity, sedentary lifestyle) and diet (e.g., sugar-sweetened beverages) may modify genetic susceptibility to obesity, and other changes such as epigenetic alterations may also be involved in modulation of the relation between the human genome and abdominal obesity.
Uncertainty, Contracting, and Beliefs in Organizations

We examine a multidivisional firm with headquarters exposed to moral hazard by division managers under uncertainty. We show the aggregation and linearity properties of Holmstrom and Milgrom (1987) hold under IID ambiguity of Chen and Epstein (2002). Due to uncertainty aversion, agents' beliefs depend endogenously on their exposure to uncertainty, either for their position in the organization (hierarchical exposure) or contracts (contractual exposure). Incentive contracts, by loading primarily on division cash-flow, lead division managers to be more conservative than headquarters, aggravating moral-hazard. By hedging uncertainty, headquarters design contracts that reduce disagreement, lower incentive provision costs, promoting effort. Because hedging uncertainty interacts with hedging risk, optimal contracts differ from those in standard principal-agent models. Our model helps explain the prevalence of equity-based incentive contracts and the rarity of relative-performance compensation.
Closing the gap on patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke.

Introduction: The treatment options for prevention of recurrent of cryptogenic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) have been intensely debated in the recent decades. The suggested op...
Choledochoplasty with Gallbladder Wall Free Flap: A Novel Technique for Large Bile Duct Defects from Mirizzi Syndrome in High-Risk Patients-A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background. Cholecystectomies are almost universally performed laparoscopically with complication rates similar to open surgery. Possible complications include bleeding and damage to surrounding structures. These often require intervention to repair the damage immediately when recognized intraoperatively or postoperatively. These injuries can cause significant morbidity and mortality, and additional interventions further compound this, especially for high-risk patients. All attempts should be made to a lower risk while performing the safest operation and addressing complications appropriately. We present a case of a surgically high-risk patient who underwent an attempted laparoscopic, converted to open, cholecystectomy for Mirizzi syndrome, during which a biliary defect was found and repaired with a novel technique of choledochoplasty with a gallbladder wall free flap. Case. An 82-year-old female with abdominal pain was diagnosed with a cholecystocholedochal fistula from chronic cholecystitis and Mirizzi syndrome. During cholecystectomy, a large common bile duct defect was noted, and given intraoperative instability, the repair was completed using a gallbladder wall free flap. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well through a 4.5-year follow-up. Conclusion. Complications from laparoscopic cholecystectomy are rare but may result in additional interventions. For patients who are high-risk surgical candidates, gallbladder wall free flap choledochoplasty should be considered to avoid additional morbidity and mortality.
Sympathetic Nervous System Activity in Preschoolers Who Stutter

Background: In our Dynamic Pathways, account, we hypothesized that childhood stuttering reflects an impairment in speech sensorimotor control that is conditioned by cognitive, linguistic, and emotional factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential differences in levels of sympathetic arousal during performance of speech and nonspeech tasks, between children who do and do not stutter. Methods: Seventy-two preschool-aged children participated in the study, 47 children who stutter (CWS; 38 boys) and 25 children who do not stutter (CWNS; 18 boys). We recorded skin conductance and blood pulse volume signals, indices of sympathetic arousal, during higher/lower load speech tasks (structured sentence production and picture description) and nonspeech tasks (jaw wagging and forceful blowing). We included a measure that reflects children’s attitudes about their communication skills and a parent-report assessment of temperament. Results: We found no significant differences between preschool CWS and CWNS in phasic skin conductance response amplitude or frequency, blood pulse volume, and pulse rate for any of the experimental tasks. However, compared to CWNS, CWS had, on average, significantly higher skin conductance levels, indexing slowly changing tonic sympathetic activity, across both speech and nonspeech experimental conditions. We found distinctive task-related profiles of sympathetic arousal in both groups of preschool children. Most children produced the highest levels of sympathetic arousal in the physically demanding blowing task rather than in speech, as seen in previous studies of adults. We did not find differences in temperament between the two groups of preschool children nor a relationship among behavioral indices of temperament and communication attitude and physiological measures of sympathetic arousal. Conclusions: We did not find that atypically high, speech-related sympathetic arousal is a significant factor in early childhood stuttering. Rather, CWS had higher, on average, task-related tonic skin conductance levels across speech and nonspeech tasks. A relationship among behavioral measures of temperament and physiological measures of sympathetic arousal was not confirmed. Key questions for future experiments are how the typical coupling of sympathetic and speech sensorimotor systems develops over childhood and adolescence and whether task related developmental profiles follow a different course in children who continue to stutter.
Neuroconsumerism and Comprehensive Neuroethics

In her article “Dimensions of Ethical Direct-to-Consumer Neurotechnologies,” Kreitmair (2019) presents a strong case for the seven ethical dimensions she outlines pertaining to direct-to-consumer (...
Why Design Matters: From Decorated Metal Oxide Clusters to Functional Metal–Organic Frameworks

The opportunity to generate functional solids with defined properties by deliberate design has not been materialized in traditional solid-state chemistry over many decades. The emergence of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), permanently porous, crystalline solids with defined metrics, has allowed for studying design, synthesis, and properties, which then translated into new applications. Aggregates of metal ions stitched together by multidentate functional groups form such metal oxide clusters and represent the nodes of MOFs. These clusters, termed secondary building units (SBUs), are decorated with organic moieties that provide directionality and can be linked through geometric principles into extended nets using organic molecules (spacers). This concept of reticular chemistry has afforded permanently porous MOFs, and has resulted in over 20,000 structures over the past 20 years. However, there are still only a limited number of symmetric, discrete SBUs commonly used to design and synthesize MOFs. We herein introduce the most important SBUs that have emerged over time together with prototypal MOF structures and their fundamental applications. Both the discovery and the scientific impact will be highlighted alongside advantages and/or drawbacks. In addition, an outlook will be given on how the combination of multiple SBUs can lead to heterogeneous but ordered materials with higher complexity and functionality.
Antibiotic use in lateral skull base surgery: A survey of the north american skull base society

Objectives Antibiotic use in lateral skull base surgery (LSBS) has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature. There is wide variability in antibiotic use and insufficient data to guide management. This study aims to describe the factors and patterns influencing antibiotic use in LSBS among the membership of the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS). Design An online-based survey was designed and distributed to the membership of the NASBS. Data was analyzed using bivariate analysis and logistic regression modeling. Setting Online-based questionnaire. Participants NASBS membership. Main Outcome Measures Use of intraoperative antibiotics and use of postoperative antibiotics. Results The survey response rate was 26% (208 respondents). Of the 208 total respondents, 143 (69%) respondents performed LSBS. Most respondents are neurosurgeons (69%) with the remaining being otolaryngologists (31%). The majority of respondents (79%) are fellowship-trained in skull base surgery. Academic or government physicians make up 69% of respondents and 31% are in private practice with or without academic affiliations. Bivariate analysis showed that practice setting significantly influenced intraoperative antibiotic use (p = 0.01). Geographic location significantly affected postoperative antibiotic use (p = 0.01). Postoperative antibiotic duration was significantly affected by presence of chronic otitis media, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and surgeon training (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, and p = 0.006, respectively). Logistic regression modeling showed that the motivation to reduce infection significantly impacted postoperative antibiotic use (p = 0.03). Conclusion This study demonstrates significant variations in intraoperative and postoperative antibiotic use in LSBS among the NASBS membership. Appropriate guidelines for optimal perioperative antibiotic use patterns should be determined with randomized studies in the future.
Examining enrolment decisions and life challenges of adult learners in advanced technologies programs

The majority of students in the United States completing advanced technologies coursework, certifications, and AS/AAS degree programs within two-year colleges are adults with complex lives. They ha...
Acute Lengthening of Progenitor Mitosis Influences Progeny Fate during Cortical Development in vivo.

Background/aims Prenatal microcephaly is posited to arise from aberrant mitosis of neural progenitors, which disrupts both neuronal production and survival. Although microcephaly has both a genetic and environmental etiology, the mechanisms by which dysregulation of mitosis causes microcephaly are poorly understood. We previously discovered that prolonged mitosis of mouse neural progenitors, either ex vivo or in vitro, directly alters progeny cell fate, -resulting in precocious differentiation and apoptosis. This raises questions as to whether prolonged progenitor mitosis affects cell fate and neurogenesis in vivo, and what are the underlying mechanisms? Methods/results Towards addressing these knowledge gaps, we developed an in vivo model of mitotic delay. This uses pharmacological inhibition to acutely and reversibly prolong mitosis during cortical development, and fluorescent dyes to label direct progeny. Using this model, we discovered that a causal relationship between mitotic delay of neural progenitors and altered progeny cell fate is evident in vivo. Using transcriptome analyses to investigate the state of delayed cells and their progeny, we uncovered potential molecular mechanisms by which prolonged mitosis induces altered cell fates, including DNA damage and p53 signaling. We then extended our studies to human neural progenitors, demonstrating that lengthened mitosis duration also directly alters neuronal cell fate. Conclusions This study establishes a valuable new experimental paradigm towards understanding mechanisms whereby lengthened mitosis duration may explain some cases of microcephaly.
Beyond texts: Using queer readings to document LGBTQ game content

Queer readings of texts allow audiences, queer or not, to see the possibility for queerness in media that does not explicitly name LGBTQ identities. At times these readings are intended by creators but they need not be, as audiences themselves help establish the queer potential of texts through their own reception practices. Studying queerly read content in media necessarily requires moving beyond a singular textual object, as authorship, fandom, and reception practices are all central to identifying queerly readable content in media. Yet scholarship on queerly reading digital game texts has largely relied upon close academic readings of the text itself. Drawing on our ongoing project documenting a large number of games with LGBTQ or queerly read content, herein we argue that given the unprecedented access to fan queer readings online communities make available, we can expand our methodological toolkit for documenting this content. Specifically, rather than considering fan queer readings as data to be analyzed on its own, we argue that these sources can be read alongside game content and producer statements as evidence of queerness in game texts. That is, by moving beyond the text, scholars can address a larger scope of queer reading practices as well as properly value fan work. We conclude that queer readings available in these spaces allow us to archive and preserve queer reception activities, but also allow fans actively shape the meaning of these texts.
Luttinger Liquid Plasmons in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Quantum-confined electrons in one-dimensional (1D) metals are described by a Luttinger liquid. Using infrared nano-imaging, we probe the Luttinger liquid plasmons in single walled carbon nanotubes, which behave qualitatively different from conventional metallic plasmonic systems.
Arterial oxygenation in anesthetized horses placed in a 5-degree reverse Trendelenburg position

Abstract Low arterial oxygen is a common complication in anesthetized horses and placing the animal in reverse Trendelenburg (RT) position may treat hypoxemia. The objective of this study was to assess the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in horses placed in a 5-degree RT compared to horizontal (H) position. Client-owned healthy horses (n = 60) undergoing elective surgeries were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical study. Horses were sedated with butorphanol, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, ± acepromazine and induced with ketamine combined with a benzodiazepine, propofol, or guaifenesin. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen with mechanical ventilation. Each group (RT and H) included 30 horses, 10 in each recumbency (dorsal, right and left lateral). Arterial blood gas analyses (aBG) were performed following arterial catheter placement then hourly. Time first-to-last aBG, changes in PaO2, dynamic compliance (Cdyn), estimated pulmonary shunt fraction (F-shunt), and alveolar dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) were evaluated with a 2-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance was set at p
Goal-Directed BCI Feedback Using Cortical Microstimulation

Paralyzed individuals would benefit from brain-computer interface (BCI) systems that restore not just motor function but also tactile and proprioceptive feedback. Such feedback has been shown to be critical to motor performance. Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) has often been employed to provide artificial sensory feedback. However, it remains a question of how best to encode the multidimensional nature of this information (e.g. location, intensity, frequency of tactile signals). This project explored encoding goal-directed error signals as a way to simplify the feedback. We used a behavioral paradigm with rats in which ICMS was used as a tunable error signal to direct the subjects to unseen goal locations. We found that with relatively little training, the rats performance in the task with ICMS feedback was statistically as good as with natural sensory feedback. The results provide a demonstration that multidimensional sensory feedback can be mapped to single goal-related encoded signal in certain behavioral contexts to decrease the cognitive burden associated with interpreting multiple ICMS-evoked percepts.
IONIZED GAS IN THE FIRST 10 kpc OF THE INTERSTELLAR GALACTIC HALO: METAL ION FRACTIONS*

We present direct measures of the ionization fractions of several sulfur ions in the Galactic warm ionized medium (WIM). We obtained high-resolution ultraviolet absorption-line spectroscopy of post-asymptotic giant branch stars in the globular clusters Messier 3 [(l, b) = (42.{sup 0}2, +78.{sup 0}7), d = 10.2 kpc, and z = 10.0 kpc] and Messier 5 [(l, b) = (3.{sup 0}9, +46.{sup 0}8), d = 7.5 kpc, and z = +5.3 kpc] with the Hubble Space Telescope and Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer to measure, or place limits on, the column densities of S I, S II, S III, S IV, S VI, and H I. These clusters also house millisecond pulsars, whose dispersion measures give an electron column density from which we infer the H II column in these directions. We find fractions of S{sup +2} in the WIM for the M 3 and M 5 sight lines x(S{sup +2}) {identical_to} N(S{sup +2})/N(S) = 0.33 {+-} 0.07 and 0.47 {+-} 0.09, respectively, with variations perhaps related to location. With negligible quantities of the higher ionization states, we conclude that S{sup +} and S{sup +2} account for all of the S in the WIM. We extend the methodology to study the ionmore » fractions in the warm and hot ionized gas of the Milky Way, including the high ions Si{sup +3}, C{sup +3}, N{sup +4}, and O{sup +5}. The vast majority of the Galactic ionized gas is warm (T {approx} 10{sup 4} K) and photoionized (the WIM) or very hot (T > 4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} K) and collisionally ionized. The common tracer of ionized gas beyond the Milky Way, O{sup +5}, traces <1% of the total ionized gas mass of the Milky Way.« less
Regional shocks and the formation of interconnected markets: A network approach

Abstract We examine the strategic incentives of a set of regions, inhabited by risk-averse agents, to form interconnected markets to: (i) diversify the risk arising from random shocks to endowments, and (ii) gain from exchange. We characterize the equilibrium architecture of interconnected markets. Of particular import is the issue of heterogeneity, and we characterize the equilibrium size and composition of interconnected markets with respect to heterogeneity in variances and covariances of shocks across regions. We then compare the equilibrium architecture of interconnected markets to that derived from a pure risk diversification mechanism such as income-sharing. We also characterize the efficient architecture that maximizes aggregate utility.