cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One man's trash: Using XRF to recreate ancient narratives from metallurgical waste heaps in Southern Jordan

Recent excavations at Khirbat al-Jariya, an Iron Age copper smelting center in Southern Jordan, were supplemented with X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to study the diachronic narrative of copper smelting over the site's history. By elementally analyzing copper production waste (copper slag) from stratigraphically controlled contexts, it is possible to compare relative element concentrations in the slags over the chronological framework provided by archaeological excavation. Despite the relatively short-lived occupancy of the site (during the 11th and 10th centuries BCE), the XRF analysis revealed its metal workers successfully improved the efficiency of their craft. Based on the invaluable role of XRF in creating these narratives and its comparative potential, the XRF data sets from studies like the one presented should be disseminated through the cyber-infrastructure to foster grander metallurgical narratives across time and space. Thus, this paper presents a case study of using XRF in metallurgical contexts and suggests a new web-based platform for data dissemination and collaborative projects.
The influence of heat treatment on the thermomechanical response of Ni-rich NiTi alloys manufactured by selective laser melting

Abstract This study presents the effects of solution annealing and subsequent aging on shape memory response of Ni-rich Ni50.8Ti49.2 alloys fabricated by Selective Laser Melting. After solutionizing, samples were heat treated at selected times at 350 °C and 450 °C and their shape memory effect, superelasticity, and transformation temperatures were determined. It was found that transformation temperatures, transformation behavior, strength, and recoverable strain are highly heat treatment dependent. Samples aged at 350 °C showed better recovery in superelasticity tests where 350 °C-18 h aged samples exhibited almost perfect superelasticity with 95% recovery ratio with 5.5% strain in the first cycle and stabilized superelasticity with a recoverable strain of 4.2% after 10th cycle. Meanwhile, 450 °C-10 h aged sample exhibited 68% recovery with a recoverable strain of 4.2% in the first cycle and stabilized recoverable strain of 3.8% after 10th cycle.
Realized and potential fecundity of the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as a function of pupal weight

An oviposition profile of the first 4 d after mating was constructed for the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar). Effects of pupa] weight on potential and realized fecundity were examined by comparing the numbers of oocytes contained in newly emerged females to numbers of oviposited eggs and retained oocytes of females allowed to oviposit for 4 d. Oviposition was greatest on the second night after mating and least on the fourth night. Pupal weight did not influence the percentage of the egg complement that was oviposited in 4 d, but accounted for 81 and 74% of the variation in the size of egg complements among newly emerged moths and moths that oviposited for 4 d, respectively. Slopes of these regression equations were not different and indicated that E. loftini females contain a full egg complement at eclosion. Realized fecundity was also related to pupal weight at 1–4 d after mating. Pupal weight explained an increasing proportion of observed variation in fecundity with increasing oviposition time, from 17% after 1 d to 61% after 4 d. Implications of these findings to future studies are discussed.
TESTS FOR SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THREE SPECIES OF THE PEROMYSCUS TRUEI SPECIES GROUP OF WHITE‐FOOTED MICE

Perhaps because of the cryptic nature of ethological isolating mechanisms in small mammals, behavioral and social differences between individuals and groups of species of small rodents have received little attention. Ethological factors which restrict random mating between closely related forms are well known to ornithologists (see Mayr, 1949), and Dice (1940) has emphasized that sexual isolation is one of the most important factors in the speciation of mammals. This stage of speciation is correlated with data indicating that, in general, reproductive isolation through ethological or social factors precedes the development of intersterility in mammals. To determine the existence of social isolation in artificial societies of Peromyscus, Blair and Howard (1944) devised an experimental method which was later applied by several workers (Blair, 1953, 1954; Clark, 1952; McCarley, 1953; Bradshaw, 1956) to various species of this genus. As data given by these authors indicate the existence of social isolation between Peromyscus species, this experimental method was applied to the sibling species Peromyscus comanche, P. nasutus, and P. truei of the Peromyscus truei species group.
Comparative study of mouthparts of ten species of predaceous midges of the tribe ceratopogonini (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Mouthparts of 10 species representing Ceratopogon, Brachypogon, Echinohelea, Alluaudomyia, Stilobezzia, Monohelea, and Downeshelea of the tribe Ceratopogonini were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Greatest differences among species occurred in the sclerotized mandibles of females, where the mean number of coarse medial teeth ranged from 6.9 to 14.6, small basal teeth from 0.0 to 2.8, lateral teeth from 0.0 to 6.2, and length of the tooth row in relation to length of the mandible from 16 to 25%. Mandible structure is species specific. Mandibles have an interlocking mechanism midway along the blade that functions as a fulcrum; abduction of their bases causes divergence and retraction of their tips and results in a sawing action by which an incision is opened in the prey. Mandibles of males are reduced in size and are either smooth or have a few spicules at their tip. The labrum, hypopharynx, and lacinia are unarmored and play no part in opening the incision in their prey but are inserted into the wound made by the mandibles. The mandibles remain between the labrum and the hypopharynx during feeding and serve as the floor of the food canal and roof of the salivary canal. The laciniae form the lateral proximal boundaries of the food canal. Cylindrical structures present at the tip of the labrum of females of all species except Echinohelea lanei Wirth are thought to be mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors or both; they are present, but smaller, in males. Spicules on the lateral edges of the labrum are much longer in males than in females. Spicules are present on the hypopharynx of females of all genera except Alluaudomyia and of males of the four genera ( Ceratopogon, Brachypogon, Echinohelea, and Downeshelea ) examined. Hypopharyngeal spicules are much longer in males than in females of the same species. Capitate sensilla on the distal end of the third segment of the maxillary palpus arise directly from either the unindented mesal surface of the palpus or in a pit of varying depth. Differences in shape of the terminal bulbous portion (head) and length of the stalk of the sensilla make these structures species definitive. In Downeshelea stonei (Wirth), the heads are located below the rim of the pit, but in the other nine species examined, the sensilla have long stalks so that the heads extend well beyond the pit opening. Males and females have approximately equal numbers of sensilla, suggesting that the sensilla have a reduced role in location of prey by the female. On the basis of number of mandibular teeth, length of the tooth row in relation to length of the mandible, and terminal modification of the labrum, Stilobezzia is considered to be the most specialized and Alluaudomyia the least specialized of the seven genera examined.
Clinical Laboratory Evaluation of the Thermonuclease Test

Simultaneous testing for clumping factor, coagulase, deoxyribonuclease, and thermonuclease was performed on 189 clinical isolates of gram-positive cocci with strong catalase activity to determine the suitability of the thermonuclease test as a routine procedure for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus. Positive reactions to all four tests were exhibited by 72 of the strains while 88 of the isolates gave uniformly negative results. Although discrepancies were found between the reactions of 29 organisms, differences were found between the reactions of 29 organisms, differences between tube coagulase ant thermonuclease results were rare. Greater than 90% of positive reactions for both tube coagulase and thermonuclease tests were detected within a four-hour incubation period. The thermonuclease test was found to be simple, reliable, inexpensive and rapid. This test gave easily interpretable reactions within an eight-hour workday, even when only one or two isolated colonies were used for testing. The thermonuclease test is well suited for use as a primary clinical laboratory procedure for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus.
Bacterial Leaching of Manganese Ores

The most important ores of manganese are oxides, although they may also include manganous carbonate (rhodochrosite) and silicate (rhodonite). Some of the oxide minerals of manganese are shown in Table 1. Since the manganese with oxidation states of +3 and +4 in these minerals is insoluble, its hydrometallurgical extraction requires its reduction to the divalent state. Industrially, this can generally be achieved by roasting with a suitable reductant such as gas, oil, or solid fuel, CO and H2 being other examples of effective reducing agents (Sully, 1955).
Comparative Effectiveness of Targeted Prostate Biopsy Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ultrasound Fusion Software and Visual Targeting: a Prospective Study

Purpose: We compared the diagnostic outcomes of magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion and visually targeted biopsy for targeting regions of interest on prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.Materials and Methods: Patients presenting for prostate biopsy with regions of interest on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging underwent magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy. For each region of interest 2 visually targeted cores were obtained, followed by 2 cores using a magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion device. Our primary end point was the difference in the detection of high grade (Gleason 7 or greater) and any grade cancer between visually targeted and magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion, investigated using McNemar’s method. Secondary end points were the difference in detection rate by biopsy location using a logistic regression model and the difference in median cancer length using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: We identified 396 regions of interest in 286 men. The difference i...
pH-DEPENDENT CHANGES IN THE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DOMAINS OF TROPONIN C

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes pH-dependent changes in the spatial relationship between the domains of Troponin C. The pH dependence of the TnC conformation in solution was studied by measuring the distance from the N-terminal domain to Cys-98 in the C-terminal domain using the technique of resonance energy transfer. Energy transfer measurements were carried out using as the donor either the luminescent rare earth ion Tb3+ bound to TnC or a fluorophor (IAEDANS) attached to Met-25 and, as the acceptor, the chromophoric maleimide derivative DAB attached to Cys-98. The findings show that the distance from the low affinity metal binding sites in the N-terminal domain to Cys-98 in the C-terminal domain of TnC changes from >5.2 nm at pH 5 to ∼2.7 nm at pH 7. Under similar conditions, the distance between probes at Met-25 and Cys-98 change only slightly from 4.6 to 4.3 nm. These results indicate that whereas the solution structure of TnC at pH 5 is compatible with the elongated crystal structure, it is more compactly folded at pH 7.
Abstract 247: Understanding the role of tyrosine 1101 in the nuclear translocation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subclass of breast cancers that are negative for the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and HER2. Currently, TNBCs have poor prognosis and very few proven molecular targets. One promising target in TNBC has been the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as it is overexpressed in as many as 80% of TNBCs. Strikingly, however, antibody-based therapy directed against the EGFR (cetuximab) in TNBCs has had modest clinical impact. Over the last decade, advances in EGFR biology have established that the EGFR functions in two distinct signaling pathways: classical membrane-bound signaling and the nuclear EGFR signaling pathway. We previously demonstrated that EGFR nuclear translocation is dependent on Src Family Kinases (SFKs) and phosphorylation of tyrosine 1101 (Y1101) on the cytoplasmic tail of the EGFR. In these studies, translocation of the EGFR to the nucleus led to activation of the nuclear EGFR signaling pathway, which resulted in cetuximab resistance. Resistance could be reversed by simultaneously targeting both the nuclear EGFR signaling pathway and the classical EGFR signaling pathway through the inhibition of its nuclear transport (blockade of SFKs) and with cetuximab, respectively. Despite the identification of nuclear EGFR as a functional molecular target in TNBC, the role of Y1101 in EGFR translocation has yet to be identified. In this study, we seek to better understand the role of Y1101 in the nuclear translocation of EGFR in TNBC. Using a battery of TNBC cell lines, we have created isogenic pairs that overexpress either wild type EGFR (EGFR-WT) or EGFR with a mutant Y1101 (EGFR-Y110F). Using electron and super-resolution confocal microscopy as well as cellular fractionation, we have shown that EGFR-Y1101 undergoes normal endocytosis upon EGF stimulation in multiple cell lines, but unlike EGFR-WT, EGFR-Y1101F deposits around the perinuclear region. These data suggest that EGFR-Y1101F is able to undergo normal translocation to the perinuclear space, but that amino acid Y1101 is necessary for direct nuclear entry, potentially due to its interactions with nucleoporins. Current work is focused on the identification of nucleoporins with which EGFR-Y1101 may interact. In addition, continued work focuses on allelic mutation using CrisprCas9. Ultimately, the long-term goal of this project is to understand how Y1101 mediates EGFR nuclear translocation. With this information, we will then aim to develop allosteric inhibitors of Y1101 that may abrogate EGFR nuclear translocation and lead to a novel therapeutic which targets the nuclear EGFR signaling pathway in TNBC. Citation Format: Bailey G. Flanigan, Mari Iida, Toni M. Brand, Deric L. Wheeler. Understanding the role of tyrosine 1101 in the nuclear translocation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 247.
Implantable Wireless Microsystems

The ability to use wireless techniques for measurement and control of various physiological parameters inside human body has been a long-term goal of physicians and biologists going back to the early days of wireless communication. From early on, it was recognized that this capability could provide effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and prosthetic tools in physiological research and pathological intervention. However, this goal eluded scientists prior to the discovery of transistor in 1947. Vacuum tubes were too bulky and power hungry to be of any use in implantable systems. During the late 50’s, MacKay performed his early pioneering work on what he called “Endoradiosonde” [1]. This was a single-transistor blocking oscillator designed to be swallowed by a subject and was able to measure pressure and temperature in the digestive track. Following this early work came a number of other simple discrete systems each designed to measure a specific parameter (temperature, pressure, force, flow, etc.) [2]. By the late 60’s, progress in the design and fabrication of integrated circuits provided an opportunity to expand the functionality of these early systems. Various hybrid single and multichannel telemetry systems were developed during the 70’s and the 80’s [3]. In addition, implantable therapeutic and prosthetic devices started to appear in the market. Cardiac pacemakers and cochlear prosthetics proved effective and reliable enough to be implanted in thousands of patients. Recent advances in microelectromechanical (MEMS) based transducer and packaging technology, new and compact power sources (high efficiency inductive powering and miniature batteries), and CMOS low-power wireless integrated circuits have provided another major impetus to the development of wireless implantable microsystems [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].
Multifocal tenosynovial giant cell tumors in a child with Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder with variable expression of distinctive facial features, webbed neck, chest deformity, short stature, cryptorchidism and congenital heart disease. The association of Noonan syndrome and giant cell granulomas of the mandible is widely reported. However, Noonan syndrome may also be associated with single or multifocal tenosynovial giant cell tumors, also referred to as pigmented villonodular synovitis. We report a child with Noonan syndrome, giant cell granulomas of the mandible and synovial and tenosynovial giant cell tumors involving multiple joints and tendon sheaths who was initially misdiagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is important for radiologists to be aware of the association of Noonan syndrome and multifocal giant cell lesions, which can range from the more commonly described giant cell granulomas of the mandible to isolated or multifocal intra- or extra-articular tenosynovial giant cell tumors or a combination of all of these lesions.
Thinking fast, not slow: How cognitive biases may contribute to racial disparities in the use of force in police-citizen encounters

Abstract Purpose To illuminate how racial disparities in police use of force may arise and to guide research aimed at explaining such disparities. Methods We draw on research on policing, racial disparities in criminal justice, and cognitive bias and decision making to argue that police-citizen encounters require rapid assessments that demand reliance on cognitive “shortcuts,” or heuristics, that may influence the use of force. Results When cognitive shortcuts rely on biases about the dangerousness of racial minorities, they can contribute to disparities in the use of force. These biases may interact with those that citizens hold, which creates a greater potential for disparities. In addition, biases of officers and citizens may be influenced by such factors as officer training, social context, and reaction time. Conclusions Research is needed that identifies cognitive shortcuts used during police-citizen encounters, conditions under which they are activated, and strategies for minimizing their role in contributing to racial disparities in the use of force.
Motivating Instructors and Administrators to Adopt e-Learning

We submit here that by strategically identifying motivating tactics, higher education administrators can turn avoidance motivators into adoption motivators. University presidents, provosts, and deans who want to motivate instructors and other administrators on their campuses to adopt e-learning are well advised to be informed and vigilant regarding the beliefs and circumstances that interfere with adoption as well as motivations among those who adopt online offerings over time. We focus here on how instructors’ motivation to provide students with online learning opportunities develops and why motivation changes for both instructors and administrators. Identifying what motivates instructors as well as administrators to either avoid or adopt e-learning provides us with the information we need to identify strategies that higher education leaders might employ to encourage campus-wide adoption.
Adult Connection in Assault Injury Prevention among Male Youth in Low-Resource Urban Environments

Strengths-based strategies to reduce youth violence in low-resource urban communities are urgently needed. Supportive adolescent-adult relationships may confer protection, but studies have been limited by self-reported composite outcomes. We conducted a population-based case-control study among 10- to 24-year-old males in low-resource neighborhoods to examine associations between supportive adult connection and severe assault injury. Cases were victims of gunshot assault injury (n = 143) and non-gun assault injury (n = 206) from two level I trauma centers. Age- and race-matched controls (n = 283) were recruited using random digit dial from the same catchment. Adolescent-adult connections were defined by: (1) brief survey questions and (2) detailed family genograms. Analysis used conditional logistic regression. There were no significant associations between positive adult connection, as defined by brief survey questions, and either gunshot or non-gun assault injury among adolescents with high prior violence involvement (GSW OR = 2.46, 95% CI 0.81–7.49; non-gun OR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.54–4.67) or low prior violence involvement (GSW OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.34–2.44; non-gun OR = 1.96, 95% CI 0.73–5.28). In contrast, among adolescents with high levels of prior violence involvement, reporting at least one supportive adult family member in the family genogram was associated with higher odds of gunshot assault injury (OR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.36–11.80) and non-gun assault injury (OR = 4.22, 95% CI 1.48–12.04). We were thus unable to demonstrate that positive adult connections protected adolescent males from severe assault injury in this highly under-resourced environment. However, at the time of injury, assault-injured adolescents, particularly those with high prior violence involvement, reported high levels of family support. The post-injury period may provide opportunities to intervene to enhance and leverage family connections to explore how to better safeguard adolescents.
Drug-Associated Acute Kidney Injury Identified in the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System Database

Study objective Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition associated with both short-term and long-term consequences including dialysis, chronic kidney disease, and mortality. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database is a powerful tool to examine drug-associated events, to our knowledge, no study has analyzed this database to identify the most common drugs reported with AKI. The objective of this study was to analyze AKI reports and associated medications in the FAERS database. Design Retrospective pharmacovigilance disproportionality analysis. Data source Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. Measurements and main results We queried the FAERS database for reports of AKI from 2004 quarter 1 through 2015 quarter 3. Extracted drugs were assessed using published references and categorized as known, possible, or new potential nephrotoxins. The reporting odds ratio (ROR), a measure of reporting disproportionality, was calculated for the 20 most frequently reported drugs in each category. We retrieved 7,241,385 adverse event reports, of which 193,996 (2.7%) included a report of AKI. Of the AKI reports, 16.5% were known nephrotoxins, 18.6% were possible nephrotoxins, and 64.8% were new potential nephrotoxins. Among the most commonly reported drugs, those with the highest AKI ROR were aprotinin (7614 reports; ROR 115.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 110.63-121.01), sodium phosphate (1687 reports; ROR 55.81, 95% CI 51.78-60.17), furosemide (1743 reports; ROR 12.61, 95% CI 11.94-13.32), vancomycin (1270 reports, ROR 12.19, 95% CI 11.45-12.99), and metformin (4701 reports; ROR 10.65, 95% CI 10.31-11.00). The combined RORs for the 20 most frequently reported drugs with each nephrotoxin classification were 3.71 (95% CI 3.66-3.76) for known nephrotoxins, 2.09 (95% CI 2.06-2.12) for possible nephrotoxins, and 1.55 (95% CI 1.53-1.57) for new potential nephrotoxins. Conclusion Acute kidney injury was a common reason for adverse event reporting in the FAERS. Most AKI reports were generated for medications not recognized as nephrotoxic according to our classification system. This report provides data on medications needing further research to determine the risk of AKI with these new potential nephrotoxins.
The prevention of nuclear war

Physicians are exercising their responsibility as healers in their efforts to prevent nuclear war. Death for Hiroshima survivors was experienced in four stages: the immediate impact of destruction, the acute impact of radiation, delayed radiation effects, and later identification as an atomic bomb survivor. Each phase had its physical and psychological impacts and negates Hiroshima as a model for rational behavior despite those who claim survival is possible for those who are prepared. The psychic effects of modern nuclear, chemical, and germ warfare need to be challenged with a symbolization of life and immortality. Studies of psychological reactions to the terror children felt during practice air-raid drills indicate that the fears can be surpressed and re-emerge in adult life as a linking of death with collective annihilation. Other themes which emerge are feelings of impermanence, craziness, identification with the bomb, and a double existence. Psychic numbing and the religion of nuclearism cause dangerous conflicts with the anxieties caused by increasing awareness of death. (DCK)
Who Wants What

Although the quote from Tennyson’s immortal poem may also give effect to the inner thoughts of more than a few expatriate subsidiary managers, the quote is used here to butress the obvious: investments are not made without reason. In particular, FDI is not made without strategic objective.
Boundary Conditions at the Viscous Sliding Interface of Incompressible Porous Deformable Media

The boundary conditions at the interface between sliding porous deformable media are derived, taking into account the viscosity of the interstitial fluid. These boundary conditions are shown to reduce to all the known limiting conditions, including those of Beavers and Joseph (1967), and Hou et al. (1989). These equations can be used to investigate the frictional interactions at the sliding interface of soft hydrated biological tissues such as articular cartilage.
The Hidden Curriculum of College Athletic Recruitment

In this article, Kirsten Hextrum considers institutional avenues that limit upward mobility opportunities by revealing a hidden curriculum of athletic recruiting that favors students from privileged backgrounds. The study's data center on forty-seven life history interviews with National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes from an athletically and academically prestigious university. Hextrum's findings reveal three phases of a hidden curriculum—socialization, covert selection, and overt selection—that secure greater access to elite colleges for White middle-class communities via athletic participation. In this case, social reproduction required active effort by both representatives of higher education and representatives of White middle-class communities to protect existing class and race relations.
Letícia Parente in Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA (Los Angeles/Latin America)

This exhibit review considers three separate exhibitions that were part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA (Los Angeles/Latin America) for how their simultaneous showcase of works by Leticia Parente (Brazil, 1930– 19 91) effectively revealed multiple layers of meaning in her work, while acting as a through line between exhibitions.
A social-ecological-technical systems approach to understanding urban complexity and building climate resilience

Urban areas—their inhabitants and their infrastructure—are often concentrated in exposed areas like coasts and drylands and thus vulnerable to extreme events. Climate change is driving increasing frequency and magnitude of such events, such that risk to people and infrastructure in cities is one of the prime manifestations of the interaction between these two major components of global change. As a result of this accelerating risk, there is increased awareness of and interest in the concept of resilience among city practitioners and urban scholars alike. We present a conceptual framework for urban social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) that integrates three domains: social/equity/governance, environmental/ecological, and engineering/built environment/technology issues. We assert that socioecological systems and socially sensitive engineering approaches that fail to incorporate the third dimension may reduce resilience to climate-related disaster. The Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network is exploring: 1) potential solutions such as green infrastructure and safe-to-fail design, 2) modifications of ecosystem services approaches and vulnerability and resilience assessment under a SETS framing, and 3) participatory visioning of sustainable, resilient futures to guide urban transformation. A SETS approach enriches these activities through sensible balancing of the three domains, evaluating tradeoffs among them and opportunities for emergence that can support transformation. The infrastructure of the future must leverage ecosystem services, improve social well being, and exploit new technologies in ways that benefit all segments of urban populations and are context specific. Contexts are defined not only by the biophysical environment but also by culture and institutions of each place. The SETS conceptual framework is being applied in ten diverse western hemisphere cities to co-develop, with city practitioners, visions of resilient SETS infrastructure for an uncertain future.
Maternal HIV and Adolescent Functioning in South Africa: The Role of the Mother-Child Relationship:

Black South Africans are disproportionately affected by HIV compared with White counterparts. In their unique social context, South African families affected by HIV are vulnerable to adverse psycho...
Fluid type influences acute hydration and muscle performance recovery in human subjects

Exercise and heat trigger dehydration and an increase in extracellular fluid osmolality, leading to deficits in exercise performance and thermoregulation. Evidence from previous studies supports the potential for deep-ocean mineral water to improve recovery of exercise performance post-exercise. We therefore wished to determine whether acute rehydration and muscle strength recovery was enhanced by deep-ocean mineral water following a dehydrating exercise, compared to a sports drink or mountain spring water. We hypothesized that muscle strength would decrease as a result of dehydrating exercise, and that recovery of muscle strength and hydration would depend on the type of rehydrating fluid. Using a counterbalanced, crossover study design, female (n = 8) and male (n = 9) participants performed a dehydrating exercise protocol under heat stress until achieving 3% body mass loss. Participants rehydrated with either deep-ocean mineral water (Deep), mountain spring water (Spring), or a carbohydrate-based sports drink (Sports) at a volume equal to the volume of fluid loss. We measured relative hydration using salivary osmolality (Sosm) and muscle strength using peak torque from a leg extension maneuver. Sosm significantly increased (p < 0.0001) with loss of body mass during the dehydrating exercise protocol. Males took less time (90.0 ± 18.3 min; P < 0.0034) to reach 3% body mass loss when compared to females (127.1 ± 20.0 min). We used a mono-exponential model to fit the return of Sosm to baseline values during the rehydrating phase. Whether fitting stimulated or unstimulated Sosm, male and female participants receiving Deep as the hydrating fluid exhibited the most rapid return to baseline Sosm (p < 0.0001) regardless of the fit parameter. Males compared to females generated more peak torque (p = 0.0005) at baseline (308.3 ± 56.7 Nm vs 172.8 ± 40.8 Nm, respectively) and immediately following 3% body mass loss (276.3 ± 39.5 Nm vs 153.5 ± 35.9 Nm). Participants experienced a loss. We also identified a significant effect of rehydrating fluid and sex on post-rehydration peak torque (p < 0.0117). We conclude that deep-ocean mineral water positively affected hydration recovery after dehydrating exercise, and that it may also be beneficial for muscle strength recovery, although this, as well as the influence of sex, needs to be further examined by future research. clincialtrials.gov PRS, NCT02486224 . Registered 08 June 2015.
Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors, quality of life, and health behaviors of cancer survivors and their spouses: findings from MEPS

Few population-based studies have examined the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors, quality of life (QOL), and health behaviors of cancer survivors and their spouses. This case-control study aimed to fill this gap using the data from a set of large-scale surveys of individuals and families across the USA. Data were obtained from the 2010–2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Using one-to-many (1:5) propensity score matching, we identified cancer survivors (N = 1037) and noncancer-matched controls (N = 5185), as well as survivor spouses (N = 1038) and matched controls (N = 5190). We used weighted multivariable logistic and linear regressions to examine the categorical and numerical outcomes. Compared with noncancer controls, survivors have higher rates of stroke (p < .05), hypertension (p < .05), high cholesterol (p < .01), fair or poor health (p < .0001), and report self-reported worse physical QOL scores (PCS) (p < .0001). A higher percentage of survivors report receiving BP checks (p < .01), serum cholesterol assessments (p < .001), routine physical checkups (p < .01), blood stool tests (p < .05), colonoscopies (p < .0001), and flu vaccinations (p < .05). Survivor spouses, compared to their respective matched controls, reported higher rates of serum cholesterol testing (p < .001), routine physical checkups (p < .01), and flu vaccinations (p < .01). Compared to the general population, cancer survivors are at higher risk for CVD, report worse physical QOL, and, along with their spouses, more frequently receive certain preventive health care services. There is a need for intervention to more fully engage cancer survivors and spouses in lifestyle behavior change associated with decreased CVD and related risk factors and improved QOL.
Depression predicts self assessment of social function in both patients with schizophrenia and healthy people

Abstract Background Impairments in social functioning are central to Schizophrenia (SCZ). Patients with SCZ have challenges in the ability to evaluate their functioning. A correlate of self-assessments in SCZ is depression, wherein negligible depression predicts overestimation. Healthy individuals misestimate their functioning, but mild dysthymia predicts accuracy. We examined depression, gender, and schizophrenia as predictors of self-reported everyday functioning. Methods 218 people with SCZ and 154 healthy controls self-reported their social functioning. They self-reported their depression with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and their social cognitive ability on the Observable Social Cognition Rating Scale (OSCARS). Results 64% of subjects were male. Schizophrenia patients reported more depression, poorer social functioning, and worse social cognition. Linear regression analyses revealed significant correlations between self-reported social functioning and BDI scores, which also predicted self-reported social cognition. There was no significant effect of sex on self-reports of social functioning or social cognition. Finally, when BDI and OSCARS were directly compared to diagnosis and sex for prediction of self-reported social functioning, there was no impact of diagnosis or sex. Implications Self-reported interpersonal functioning is determined by current depression. Both healthy people and people with schizophrenia index their social functioning and their social cognitive by their level of depression.
Patient-specific factors modulate leukocyte response in dimethyl fumarate treated MS patients

Objective Determine if patient-specific factors modulate absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), neutrophil count (ANC), and/or Neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) treated patients. Methods A retrospective study of patients who initiated DMF between 2013–2018. A multicenter study of two MS clinics: Charlottesville, VA (UVA) and Dallas, TX (DaVA) Results 103 patients (67-UVA, 36-DaVA) met eligibility. At baseline, the DaVa population was younger (mean±sd: 38.6±9.0 vs 42.2±12.5, p 0.152) and had a higher proportion of males (61% vs. 35%), consistent with a veteran cohort. Pre-treatment, all other laboratory parameters were similar between the two groups. On treatment there was a 30% lowering of mean ALC, with 3% having grade-3 lymphopenia (ALC < 500). Sustained neutropenia occurred in 3.9% of patients and was more common in males. Over 50% of patients had a high NLR at baseline, with a further 44% increase in NLR on-treatment. Age was significantly predictive of lymphopenia, with grade-3 lymphopenia found in 33% of patients ≥ 55 years. Neutropenia was more common in males. Serum BG (sBG) has modest correlation to leukocyte parameters. BMI was not correlated with any leukocyte-related outcomes. Conclusions Patient-specific factors, specifically–age, sex, and serum blood glucose, modulate leukocyte response and ratios in DMF treated MS patients. Age appears to be a relevant predictor of lymphopenia and should be a factor in treatment decision making. Neutropenia, independent of lymphopenia, can occur and males may be at increased risk. High sBG may impact leukocyte count and ratios in MS patients and merits further study, particularly in patients with diabetes. NLR is abnormal in MS and increased with DMF-treatment, the clinical implications of this will require further study.
Ray Tracing Simulation of Images of Dislocations and Inclusions on X-Ray Topographs of GaAs Epitaxial Wafers

In x-ray topography studies, ray tracing simulation has been particularly useful in identifying and characterizing Burgers vectors of dislocations using only one reflection instead of the traditional method of recording at least three reflections and applying $$\vec{g} \cdot \vec{b} = 0$$ and $$\vec{g} \cdot \vec{b} \times \vec{l} = 0$$ criteria. In this study, ray tracing simulation of expected dislocations in (AlxGa(1–x))0.5In0.5P epitaxial layers on GaAs substrates has been carried out by using well-known expressions for displacement fields around dislocations. By comparing the simulated images with observed images on monochromatic x-ray topographs, the Burgers vectors have been characterized. The x-ray topographs from the (AlxGa(1–x))0.5In0.5P epitaxial layers also reveal a unique pattern consisting of a series of circular dark contrast features from inclusions. These dark circles decrease in size as the center of the inclusions is approached. Ray tracing simulated image of an inclusion assuming a spherical strain field matches well with the experimental image, thus providing information on the level of strain around the inclusion.
A phase I dose-escalation trial of SRS boost treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV)-unassociated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

e16026 Background: HPV-negative status and/or significant smoking history predict for poor radiation response in patients with OPSCC. To improve disease control outcomes in this population, we are ...
Recent trends in medicare utilization and reimbursement for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND CONTEXT Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been considered the gold standard for treating various cervical spine pathologies stemming from cervical degenerative disorders. While cervical artificial disc replacement has emerged as an alternative in select cases, ACDF still remains a commonly performed procedure. PURPOSE This study seeks to define the costs of ACDF and identify trends and variations in ACDF volume, utilization, and surgeon and hospital reimbursement rates. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing ACDF PATIENT SAMPLE Medicare patients undergoing ACDF between 2012 and 2017 OUTCOME MEASURES ACDF volume, utilization rates, and surgeon/hospital reimbursement rates METHODS This study tracked annual Medicare claims and payments to ACDF surgeons using publicly-available databases and aggregated data at the county level. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models were used to evaluate trends in procedure volume, utilization rates (per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries), and reimbursement rates, and to examine associations between county-specific variables (ie, urban or rural, average household income, poverty rate, percent Medicare population, race/ethnicity demographics), and ACDF utilization and reimbursement rates. RESULTS A total of 264,673 ACDF surgeries were performed in the Medicare population from 2012 to 2017, with a 24.2% increase in annual procedure volume. Utilization also increased by 6.5% from 8.0 surgeries per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries in 2012 to 8.5 in 2017. Hospital reimbursements for cervical spine fusion surgeries without complications or co-morbidities experienced nominal and inflation-adjusted increases of 9.5% and 0.7%, respectively, from $12,030.11 in 2012 to $13,167.64 in 2017. Surgeon reimbursements for single-level and multilevel ACDF each nominally decreased from $958.11 and $1,173.01, respectively, in 2012 to $950.34 and $1,138.41 in 2017 (a 0.8% and 2.9% decrease, respectively), but after adjusting for inflation, reimbursements per case fell by an average of 8.7% and 10.7%, respectively. In contrast, mean reimbursements per case for hospitals rose by 7.1% (1.5% inflation-adjusted decrease). A significant upward yearly trend in ambulatory surgical centers volume, resulted in a net increase of 184.5% between 2015 and 2017 (p CONCLUSIONS While ACDF volume and utilization has continued to increase since 2012, Medicare payments to hospitals and surgeons have struggled to keep up with inflation. Our study confirms that Medicare reimbursement per case continues to decrease at a disproportionate rate for surgeons, compared to hospitals. The increasing trend in procedures performed at ambulatory surgical centers shows promise for a future model of cost-efficient and value-based care.
Small molecule inhibition of non-canonical (TAK1-mediated) BMP signaling results in reduced chondrogenic ossification and heterotopic ossification in a rat model of blast-associated combat-related lower limb trauma

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is defined as ectopic bone formation around joints and in soft tissues following trauma, particularly blast-related extremity injuries, thermal injuries, central nerve injuries, or orthopaedic surgeries, leading to increased pain and diminished quality of life. Current treatment options include pharmacotherapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radiotherapy, and surgical excision, but these treatments have limited efficacy and have associated complication profiles. In contrast, small molecule inhibitors have been shown to have higher specificity and less systemic cytotoxicity. Previous studies have shown that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and downstream non-canonical (SMAD-independent) BMP signaling mediated induction of TGF-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) contributes to HO. In the current study, small molecule inhibition of TAK1, NG-25, was evaluated for its efficacy in limiting ectopic bone formation following a rat blast-associated lower limb trauma and a murine burn tenotomy injury model. A significant decrease in total HO volume in the rat blast injury model was observed by microCT imaging with no systemic complications following NG-25 therapy. Furthermore, tissue-resident mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) harvested from rats treated with NG-25 demonstrated decreased proliferation, limited osteogenic differentiation capacity, and reduced gene expression of Tac1, Col10a1, Ibsp, Smad3, and Sox2 (P < 0.05). Single cell RNA-sequencing of murine cells harvested from the injury site in a burn tenotomy injury model showed increased expression of these genes in MPCs during stages of chondrogenic differentiation. Additional in vitro cell cultures of murine tissue-resident MPCs and osteochondrogenic progenitors (OCPs) treated with NG-25 demonstrated reduced chondrogenic differentiation by 10.2-fold (P < 0.001) and 133.3-fold (P < 0.001), respectively, as well as associated reduction in chondrogenic gene expression. Induction of HO in Tak1 knockout mice demonstrated a 7.1-fold (P < 0.001) and 2.7-fold reduction (P < 0.001) in chondrogenic differentiation of murine MPCs and OCPs, respectively, with reduced chondrogenic gene expression. Together, our in vivo models and in vitro cell culture studies demonstrate the importance of TAK1 signaling in chondrogenic differentiation and HO formation and suggest that small molecule inhibition of TAK1 is a promising therapy to limit the formation and progression of HO.
An integrated iterative annotation technique for easing neural network training in medical image analysis

Neural networks promise to bring robust, quantitative analysis to medical fields. However, their adoption is limited by the technicalities of training these networks and the required volume and quality of human-generated annotations. To address this gap in the field of pathology, we have created an intuitive interface for data annotation and the display of neural network predictions within a commonly used digital pathology whole-slide viewer. This strategy used a 'human-in-the-loop' to reduce the annotation burden. We demonstrate that segmentation of human and mouse renal micro compartments is repeatedly improved when humans interact with automatically generated annotations throughout the training process. Finally, to show the adaptability of this technique to other medical imaging fields, we demonstrate its ability to iteratively segment human prostate glands from radiology imaging data.
The Embodiment of Worship: Relations Among Postural, Psychological, and Physiological Aspects of Religious Practice

In addition to a set of beliefs, religion is fundamentally a corporeal practice. Across religions, specific postures adopted for prayer and worship may not simply reflect arbitrary customs but are closely intertwined with religious experience. This contribution reviews embodiment theory and related empirical evidence showing how body postures influence our emotions, thoughts, and decision-making. We propose a typology of postures adopted in religious practices along the dimensions of expansiveness-constrictiveness and upward-downward body orientation, and review the corpus of published/unpublished research on the embodiment of worship. We further discuss that in addition to enabling the experiential and ritualistic aspect of religion, embodiment serves at least four functions: communicative, social, cognitive, and intrapersonal. Finally, we suggest contextual and individual differences variables that may constrain the choice and psychological consequences of postures within and outside religious contexts. Together, we emphasize that the locus of religion’s psycho-social “effects” is not only in the mind or the brain but in the full body.
The dual nature of escapism in video gaming: A meta-analytic approach

Abstract Researchers have previously argued that escapism via video games can lead to negative and positive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate which outcomes (negative or positive) outweigh the others. Further, the authors examined how the cultural context (Western and Non-Western) affects the association between escapism and its dual outcomes. To achieve the study aims, the authors conducted two meta-analyses using the PRISMA approach. The authors included 27 studies having a sample size of N ​= ​28,893 in the two meta-analyses. The results show that escapism has a significant relationship with both negative (Q (40) ​= ​2411.001, p ​