cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical signs and histopathology associated with domoic acid poisoning in northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and comparison of toxin detection methods

Between July 2005 and March 2009, 33 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) were collected after stranding along the central California coast between Sonoma and San Luis Obispo counties. Of these, 26 were collected live and could be observed for signs of neuroexcitotoxicity. Approximately half exhibited the classic clinical signs of domoic acid (DA) toxicosis including muscle twitches and ataxia, to seizures and coma, and had lesions in the central nervous system and heart. Several biological fluids were collected for DA analysis including aqueous humor, serum, stomach contents, feces, urine, abdominal fluid, amniotic fluid and milk. Four analytical methods were employed including receptor binding assay (RBA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLCUV) and ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). The DA concentrations determined by each method were positively correlated. Domoic acid was detected in 83% of fecal samples collected from northern fur seals in the present study and in one animal was calculated to contain up to 18.6 mg DA/g. Interestingly, DA was detected and confirmed in the aqueous humor of the only animal this sample-type was collected from, suggesting that this may prove to be a useful diagnostic body fluid for algal toxin detection in marine mammal mortality events. These data document for the first time that northern fur seals are impacted by DA-producing harmful algal blooms along the California coast.
From Transformation to Revitalization: A New Research Agenda for a Contested Global Economy

This introductory article offers an overview of the contemporary labor movement revitalization perspective. Moving beyond the transformation of industrial relations literature of the 1980s and 1990s, this growing body of work has emerged in response to contemporary realities, to address above all the urgency of innovative union strategies in the face of dramatically worsening international and domestic conditions. There are two central arguments in the revitalization literature. The first is that contemporary circumstances provide openings for a resurgence of social movement unionism. The second is that such strategies matter: They have been instrumental in promoting workplace, social, and political change, and they contain as well the potential for breakthroughs in labor movement and broader democratic revitalization.
Using Athletes as Role Models? Conceptual and Empirical Perspectives from a Sample of Elite Women Soccer Players:

Although popular discourse claims that elite female athletes serve as effective role models for a broad set of characteristics, theoretical and empirical perspectives on athletes as role models are sparse and somewhat inconsistent. In exploratory research designed to clarify conceptualizations of athletes as role models by asking for the athlete's own perspectives, we surveyed 39 elite women soccer players in the USA. Drawing primarily on open-ended responses, we found that the players did articulate a consistent cultural script for the characteristics of a role model and felt comfortable with their role-model status. Interestingly, however, that script was not as focused on the athletic prowess that made the players public figures. Instead, the players focused on role models as characterized by meritocratic personality traits (such as being disciplined and hard working) and interpersonal abilities (such as being caring and generous). We discuss implications for those interested in promoting, working with...
Modulated high power thermal battery test stand

The purpose of this research is to develop a modulated high power test stand to characterize thermal batteries. Thermal batteries have a very high theoretical specific energy, making them attractive for compact pulsed power applications. Many of today's commercially available thermal batteries have had little characterization beyond verifying that they meet a customer's specifications. Initial work with Lithium-polymer batteries indicates agreement between measured specific energy and power and documented values. Future work includes a semiconductor based load capable of higher frequency switching as well as constant current and constant power characteristics. Initial battery characterization will be presented.
Distal, intermediate, and proximal mediators of racial disparities in renal disease mortality in the United States.

Background: Kidney failure and associated mortality is one of the major components of racial disparities in the United States. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the role of distal (socioeconomic status, SES), intermediate (chronic medical diseases), and proximal (health behaviors) factors that may explain Black-White disparities in mortality due to renal diseases. Patients and Methods: This is a nationally representative prospective cohort with 25 years of follow up. Data came from the Americans’ Changing Lives (ACL) study, 1986 to 2011. The study included 3361 Black (n = 1156) or White (n = 2205) adults who were followed for up to 25 years. Race was the main predictor and death due to renal disease was the outcome. SES, chronic medical disease (diabetes, hypertension, obesity), and health behaviors (smoking, drinking, and exercise) at baseline were potential mediators. We used Cox proportional hazards models for data analysis. Results: In age and gender adjusted models, Blacks had higher risk of death due to renal disease over the follow up period. Separate models suggested that SES, health behaviors and chronic medical disease fully explained the effect of race on renal disease mortality. Conclusions: Black-White disparities in rate of death due to renal diseases in the United States are not genuine but secondary to racial differences in income, health behaviors, hypertension, and diabetes. As distal, intermediate, and proximal factors contribute to racial disparities in renal disease mortality, elimination of such disparities requires a wide range of policies and programs that target income, medical conditions, and health behaviors.
A False Sense of Insecurity

Determining how to respond to the terrorist challenge has become a major public policy issue in the United States over the last three years. However, there is a perspective on terrorism that has been very substantially ignored. It can be summarized, somewhat crudely, as follows: assessed in broad but reasonable context, terrorism generally does not do much damage, and the costs of terrorism very often are the result of hasty, ill-considered, and overwrought reactions than from anything the terrorists have done. A sensible policy approach to the problem might be to stress that any damage terrorists are able to accomplish likely can be absorbed, however grimly. While judicious protective and policing measures are sensible, extensive fear and anxiety over what may prove to be a rather limited problem are misplaced, unjustified, and counterproductive.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome

A 66-year-old man presented with complete right facial paralysis (figure 1). Three days before, he had experienced a burning sensation in the right ear and developed oral lesions. On examination, there was a peripheral right facial palsy with hyperacusis and loss of taste sensation. He had herpetic vesicles on the right anterior tongue and palate (figure 1). We diagnosed Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Following treatment with valacyclovir and corticosteroids, he made a near-complete recovery. Figure 1 Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. (A) Complete right facial palsy. (B) Vesicular rash on …
Prostaglandins as Putative Neurotoxins in Alzheimer's Disease

Chronic inflammatory reactions in the brain appear to be one of the primary etiological factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is supported by the fact that the secretory products of inflammatory reactions, which include cytokines, complement proteins, adhesion molecules, and free radicals, are neurotoxic. We have recently reported that prostaglandins (PGs), which are also released during inflammatory reactions, cause rapid degenerative changes in differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells (NB) in culture. PGA1 is more effective than PGE1. Similar observations were made in a primary culture of fetal rat hippocampal cells. Epidemiological and clinical studies on AD also support the involvement of PGs in neuronal degeneration. Thus, we propose a hypothesis that PGs are one of the major extracellular signals that initiate neuronal degeneration, which is mediated by intracellular signals such as the beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) and ubiquitin, since the levels of these proteins are increased by PG treatment. We further suggest that adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is one of the factors that regulate the levels of both Abeta and ubiquitin in NB cells. Increases in the level of Abeta in NB cells following an elevation of intracellular cAMP levels appear to be due to an increase in the rate of processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) rather than an increase in the expression of APP. The mechanisms underlying Abeta-induced neuronal degeneration have been under intense investigation, and several mechanisms of action have been proposed. We postulate that PG-induced elevation of Abeta may lead to an increased binding of Abeta to the 20S proteasome, resulting in a reduction of 20S proteasome-mediated degradation of ubiquitin-conjugated proteins. This is predicted to lead to an increase in an accumulation of abnormal proteins, which ultimately contribute to neuronal degeneration and death. Based on our hypothesis and on studies published by others, we propose that a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit the synthesis of PGs, and antioxidant vitamins, which quench free radicals and both of which have been recently reported to be of some value in AD treatment when used-individually, may be much more effective in the prevention and treatment of AD than the individual agents alone.
RTM Angle Gathers Using Poynting Vectors

Angle-domain common image gathers have been shown to provide several advantages for the analysis of migrated images. In this abstract we describe an efficient new method for creating angle gathers for reverse time migration (RTM). The method relies on the computation of the direction of energy flux (known in electromagnetics as the Poynting vector) in the space-time domain. Given the Poynting vectors for source and receiver wavefields, we may readily derive reflection angle and azimuth, and reflector dip and azimuth if desired. Unlike some previously considered angle-gather algorithms, the method depends only on local information at the reflection point, thereby avoiding the loss of resolution inherent in mixing quantities from different horizontal locations. In addition, we derive the weight function needed to produce correct relative amplitudes for these angle gathers.
Psychological Distress in Relation to Employee Age and Job Tenure

The present study examined psychological distress among workers at various stages of career development, with special reference to the first year of job tenure, the organizational socialization period. Measures of psychological and physical health, as well as demographic data, were obtained from 3,151 employed persons who participated in a national health interview survey conducted by the Census Bureau in 1978. Analysis of covariance was performed in which employee age and job tenure were predictor variables, and gender, marital status, educational level, and number of physical health conditions entered as covariates. The results indicated that distress was highest among workers with less than 6 months tenure, and distress levels decreased progressively with longer tenure. Employee age moderated these effects, however, in that older workers with less than 6 months tenure reported higher levels of distress than younger workers with similar tenure. Older workers also showed a delayed decrease in psychologic...
Occult Specimen Contamination in Routine Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing Testing.

Objectives: To evaluate the extent of human-to-human specimen contamination in clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Methods: Using haplotype analysis to detect specimen admixture, with orthogonal validation by short tandem repeat analysis, we determined the rate of clinically significant (>5%) DNA contamination in clinical NGS data from 296 consecutive cases. Haplotype analysis was performed using read haplotypes at common, closely spaced single-nucleotide polymorphisms in low linkage disequilibrium in the population, which were present in regions targeted by the clinical assay. Percent admixture was estimated based on frequencies of the read haplotypes at loci that showed evidence for contamination. Results: We identified nine (3%) cases with at least 5% DNA admixture. Three cases were bone marrow transplant patients known to be chimeric. Six admixed cases were incidents of contamination, and the rate of contamination was strongly correlated with DNA yield from the tissue specimen. Conclusions: Human-human specimen contamination occurs in clinical NGS testing. Tools for detecting contamination in NGS sequence data should be integrated into clinical bioinformatics pipelines, especially as laboratories trend toward using smaller amounts of input DNA and reporting lower frequency variants. This study provides one estimate of the rate of clinically significant human-human specimen contamination in clinical NGS testing.
Information-theoretic analysis of x-ray scatter and phase architectures for anomaly detection

Conventional performance analysis of detection systems confounds the effects of the system architecture (sources, detectors, system geometry, etc.) with the effects of the detection algorithm. Previously, we introduced an information-theoretic approach to this problem by formulating a performance metric, based on Cauchy-Schwarz mutual information, that is analogous to the channel capacity concept from communications engineering. In this work, we discuss the application of this metric to study novel screening systems based on x-ray scatter or phase. Our results show how effective use of this metric can impact design decisions for x-ray scatter and phase systems.
Analysis of General Dustproof Effect and Pneumoconiosis Morbidity of Two Coal Mine in Northern Anhui

Objective To Analyze general dustproof effect and pneumoconiosis morbidity situation of Hengyuan coal electricity company and Liuqiao mine and provide the basis for formulating preventive measure.MethodsRetrospective review method was used to analyze numbers of worker exposed to dust and confirmed pneumoconiosis cases,and surveillance data of dust from 1963 to 2005 in the two ores.ResultsThere was a significant difference of dust thickness between the two ores(P0.05).There were no significant difference of dust disperse degree and content of free silicon dioxide between the two ores(P 0.05).Detection rate of pneumoconiosis in Hengyuan coal electricity company was a lower than that in Liuqiao ore.There was a significant difference of pneumoconiosis between the two ores(P0.05).Average incidence length of service for I pneumoconiosis cases in Hengyuan coal electricity company was longer than that in Liuqiao ore.There was a significant difference of the incidence length of service between the two ores(P0.05).Before 1970,no obvious decreasing trend of pneumoconiosis detection rate was observed in the two ores and average incidence length of service of pneumoconiosis cases was not prolonged.ConclusionEnhancing integrated control measures,and strengthening the worker's self-protection consciousness were the key to controlling pneumoconiosis morbidity.
Advancing Health Education Pedagogy Through Life-Enhancing and Life-Saving Perspectives, and Backward Design:

Fulfilling a growing need to address the spectrum of problems, perceptions, and practices compromising students’ wellness, and as a tool for health promotion, new approaches to health education can...
Acceleration of postmortem tenderization in ovine carcasses through infusion of calcium chloride: effect of concentration and ionic strength.

Ovine carcasses were arterially infused with a volume equal to 10% of the live weight after electrical stimulation. The infusion solutions contained .075 M, .15 M or .3 M calcium chloride. Results indicated that .3 M calcium chloride treatment was the most effective concentration of CaCl2 to reduce the shear force value measured at 24 h postmortem. To examine the contribution of ionic strength to tenderization that occurs by infusion of carcasses with .3 M CaCl2, ovine carcasses were infused with CaCl2 and NaCl solutions of identical ionic strength. Results indicated that the tenderization that occurred by infusion of carcasses with CaCl2 was not due to ionic strength of the CaCl2 solution. Results also indicated that, compared to control animals, NaCl-infused carcasses were more tender after 6 d of postmortem storage (but not after 1 d, as observed with CaCl2-infused carcasses). Evidence is presented that indicates that activation of calcium-dependent proteases could be responsible for the observed tenderization (reduction in shear force) due to infusion of ovine carcasses with CaCl2.
Effect of Akimbo versus Raised Arm Positioning on Breast and Cardiopulmonary Dosimetry in Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: In pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), radiotherapy (RT)-related late toxicities are a prime concern during treatment planning. This is the first study to examine whether arm positioning (raised versus akimbo) result in differential cardiopulmonary and breast doses in patients undergoing mediastinal RT. METHODS: Two treatment plans were made for each patient (akimbo/arms-raised); treatment was per Children’s Oncology Group AHOD0031 protocol, including AP/PA fields. The anterior midline T6-T7 disc space was used as an anatomic reference of “midline”. Heart/lungs were contoured for each setup. For females, breasts were also contoured and nipple positions identified. Volumetric centers of contoured organs were defined and three-dimensional distances from “midline” were computed. Analyzed dosimetric parameters included V5 (volume receiving ≥5 Gy), V10, V15, V20, and mean dose. Statistics were performed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Fifteen (6 female, 9 male) pediatric HL patients treated with mediastinal RT were analyzed. The median lateral distance from the breast center/nipple to “midline” with arms akimbo was larger than that with arms raised (8.6 vs. 7.7cm left breast, p=0.04; 10.7 vs. 9.2cm left nipple, p=0.04; 8.7 vs. 7.0cm right breast, p=0.004; 9.9 vs. 7.9cm, p=0.007 right nipple). Raised arm position was associated with a median 2.8/3.0cm decrease in breast/nipple separation, respectively. There were no significant differences in craniocaudal breast/nipple position based on arm positioning (p>0.05). Increasing breast volume was correlated with larger arm position-related changes in breast/nipple separation (r=0.74, p=0.06 / r=0.85, p=0.02). Akimbo positioning lowered median breast V5, V10, V15, and mean dose (p0.05). Arm position had no significant effect on cardiopulmonary doses. CONCLUSIONS: Akimbo arm positioning may be advantageous to decrease breast doses in female pediatric HL patients undergoing mediastinal RT, especially in the absence of axillary disease.
Dose-dependent intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production from particulate matter exposure: comparison to oxidative potential and chemical composition

Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations have been associated with cardiopulmonary risks. In this study, alveolar macrophages and ventricular myocytes were exposed to PM extracts from 104 ambient filters collected in multiple rural and urban sites in the greater Atlanta area. PM-induced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) were measured to investigate the effect of chemical composition and determine whether chemical assays are representative of cellular responses. For summer samples, the area under the ROS/RNS dose-response curve per volume of air (AUCvolume) was significantly correlated with dithiothreitol (DTT) activity, water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), brown carbon, titanium, and iron, while a relatively flat response was observed for winter samples. EC50 was also correlated with max response for all filters investigated, which suggests that certain PM constituents may be involved in cellular protective pathways. Although few metal correlations were observed, exposure to laboratory-prepared metal solutions induced ROS/RNS production, indicating that a lack of correlation does not necessarily translate to a lack of response. Collectively, these results suggest that complex interactions may occur between PM species. Furthermore, the strong correlation between organic species and ROS/RNS response highlights a need to understand the contribution of organic aerosols, especially photochemically driven secondary organic aerosols (SOA), to PM-induced health effects.
The price of free tissue transfer after tongue reconstruction: quantifying the risks

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the preoperative variables, mean operative time, morbidity, and mortality associated with reconstruction of partial glossectomy defects. Study Design Retrospective data analysis. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients having undergone glossectomy procedures. The study sample was split into two groups based on the lack or presence of a flap reconstruction. A total of 1,012 glossectomy patients were identified, with 805 undergoing nonflap reconstruction and 207 undergoing free flap reconstruction. Variables evaluated included wound complications, major and minor morbidity, return to the operating room, mortality, and mean operative time. Results Patients undergoing free flap reconstruction experienced significantly longer mean operative times (482.1 vs. 183.0 minutes, P < .001), were more likely to return to the operating room (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-4.29, P = .003), and had higher likelihood of wound complications (OR = 5.78, 95% CI = 2.72-12.26, P < .001), major morbidity (OR = 12.39, 95% CI = 7.02-21.85, P < .001), and minor morbidity (OR = 4.20, 95% CI = 2.12-8.33, P < .001). There was no difference in mortality between groups (OR = 8.62, 95% CI = 0.53-141.7, P = .131). Conclusions Free flap reconstruction of glossectomy defects involving up to half of the tongue is associated with increased morbidity and operative time when compared with nonflap reconstruction. Currently available functional outcomes data for tongue reconstruction are poor. Possible functional impairment must be weighed against the associated morbidity when deciding which defects require reconstruction, and the decision to reconstruct should not be taken lightly. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017
Racial And Ethnic Differences In The Frequency Of Workplace Injuries And Prevalence Of Work-Related Disability

Occupational injuries and illnesses lead to significant health care costs and productivity losses for millions of workers each year. This study used national survey data to test for differences between members of minority groups and non-Hispanic white workers in the risk of workplace injuries and the prevalence of work-related disabilities. Non-Hispanic black workers and foreign-born Hispanic workers worked in jobs with the highest injury risk, on average, even after adjustment for education and sex. These elevated levels of workplace injury risk led to a significant increase in the prevalence of work-related disabilities for non-Hispanic black and foreign-born Hispanic workers. These findings suggest that disparities in economic opportunities expose members of minority groups to increased risk of workplace injury and disability.
Model Reference Adaptive Control for Manipulators–A Review

Abstract Based on the model reference approach and Popov's hyperstability theory, several adaptive control laws are derived in a simple and unified manner. The concepts of hyperstabi1ity theory and model reference adaptive control systems are introduced by means of a first order constant linear system. The theory is then applied to the design of adaptive controllers for manipulators having complex and nonlinear dynamics.
Magnetic relaxation studies of low symmetry defects in quenched nickel

Abstract The magnetic aftereffect and resistivity of quenched high purity nickel was investigated. Two resistivity annealing steps at 50°C and 135°C were found. The defect which annealed at 50°C was associated with a strongly temperature dependent aftereffect of the initial magnetic permeability which was measured between − 105°C and − 125°C. Change of slope measurements of the resistivity in the region of the 135°C annealing step yielded an activation energy of motion of 1.0 eV. The analysis of the magnetic aftereffect data yielded an activation energy of reorientation of about 0.3 eV for the defect mobile in the 50°C isochronal stage. The nature of the defects which were mobile in the two annealing stages is discussed. The magnetic aftereffect data are discussed on the basis of a divacancy reorientation mechanism.
Autonomous suturing via surgical robot: An algorithm for optimal selection of needle diameter, shape, and path

In autonomous suturing with a surgical robot, needle shape, diameter, and path are critical parameters that directly affect suture depth and tissue trauma. This paper presents an optimization-based approach to specify these parameters. Given clinical suturing guidelines, a kinematic model of needle-tissue interaction was developed to quantify suture parameters and constraints. The model was further used to formulate constant curvature needle path planning as a nonlinear optimization problem. The inputs of the optimization include the tissue geometry, surgeon defined entry/exit points, and optimization weighting factors. The outputs are the needle geometry and suggested path. Off-line simulations were used to evaluate the accuracy and performance of the proposed model, and to determine optimized needle geometry and path for several clinically relevant input sets. The output and the optimization results were confirmed experimentally with the Raven II surgical system. The proposed needle path planning algorithm guarantees minimal tissue trauma and complies with a wide range of suturing requirements.
The neural code for tactile roughness in the somatosensory nerves

Our sense of touch endows us with an exquisite sensitivity to the microstructure of surfaces, the most salient aspect of which is roughness. We analyze the responses evoked in tactile fibers of mon...
Cardioprotective action of the aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna bark against toxicity induced by doxorubicin.

Abstract Background The aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna (TA) bark (TAAqE) has been shown to have a direct inotropic effect on ventricular myocytes. Active constituents of TAAqE contain various flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, some of which are known to have antioxidant activities. Whether TAAqE affords a cardioprotective action against oxidative stress (OS) remains unclear. Purpose Increased OS is one of the major mechanisms underlying cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DOX), a commonly-used anticancer agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential cardioprotective effect of TAAqE against DOX-induced OS and cardiac dysfunction. Methods OS and cytotoxicity were induced by 1 µM DOX for 24 h in H9c2 cells, a cardiac tissue-derived cell line, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was induced by intrapleural injection of DOX (accumulative 20 mg/kg body weight) to mice. Cellular oxidative levels and morphology were assessed using microscopy and oxidative-sensitive fluorescent dyes with and without co-treatment with TAAqE. LV function was monitored weekly with echocardiography. Results TAAqE reduced OS and preserved mitochondria and cell growth of H9c2 cells against DOX treatment. TAAqE (in drinking water) attenuated the decreased LV function and altered myocardial structure caused by DOX treatment. Conclusion TAAqE exerts a protective action against cardiotoxicity caused by DOX in part via suppression of OS. Thus, TAAqE is a promising cardiotonic in adjuvant cancer chemotherapy.
Generic derivation of induction for impredicative encodings in Cedille

This paper presents generic derivations of induction for impredicatively typed lambda-encoded datatypes, in the Cedille type theory. Cedille is a pure type theory extending the Curry-style Calculus of Constructions with implicit products, primitive heterogeneous equality, and dependent intersections. All data erase to pure lambda terms, and there is no built-in notion of datatype. The derivations are generic in the sense that we derive induction for any datatype which arises as the least fixed point of a signature functor. We consider Church-style and Mendler-style lambda-encodings. Moreover, the isomorphism of these encodings is proved. Also, we formalize Lambek's lemma as a consequence of expected laws of cancellation, reflection, and fusion.
Black-hole kicks from numerical-relativity surrogate models

Binary black holes radiate linear momentum in gravitational waves as they merge. Recoils imparted to the black-hole remnant can reach thousands of $\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s}$, thus ejecting black holes from their host galaxies. We exploit recent advances in gravitational waveform modeling to quickly and reliably extract recoils imparted to generic, precessing, black-hole binaries. Our procedure uses a numerical-relativity surrogate model to obtain the gravitational waveform given a set of binary parameters; then, from this waveform we directly integrate the gravitational-wave linear momentum flux. This entirely bypasses the need for fitting formulas which are typically used to model black-hole recoils in astrophysical contexts. We provide a thorough exploration of the black-hole kick phenomenology in the parameter space, summarizing and extending previous numerical results on the topic. Our extraction procedure is made publicly available as a module for the Python programming language named surrkick. Kick evaluations take $\ensuremath{\sim}0.1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{s}$ on a standard off-the-shelf machine, thus making our code ideal to be ported to large-scale astrophysical studies.
The Role of Environmental Contamination in the Transmission of Nosocomial Pathogens and Healthcare-Associated Infections

The aim of this review is to highlight the role of environmental contamination in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and to discuss the most commonly implicated nosocomial pathogens. Recent studies suggest that environmental contamination plays a significant role in HAIs and in the unrecognized transmission of nosocomial pathogens during outbreaks, as well as ongoing sporadic transmission. Several pathogens can persist in the environment for extended periods and serve as vehicles of transmission and dissemination in the hospital setting. Cross-transmission of these pathogens can occur via hands of healthcare workers, who become contaminated directly from patient contact or indirectly by touching contaminated environmental surfaces. Less commonly, a patient could become colonized by direct contact with a contaminated environmental surface. This review describes the role of environmental contamination in HAIs and provides context for reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene and environmental decontamination for the prevention and control of HAIs.
Elementos de urbanismo azul: lagos naturales y artificiales

The article approaches a key component of blue urbanism: urban lakes, whether natural or artificial. It studying the close relationship of these bodies of water with the origin of cities and its deterioration to be transformed over time in landfills of residential and industrial wastewater. It’s analysed: the services and benefits that these blue spaces bring to cities and environmental; the phenomena involving higher threats; and some elements for its restoration or rehabilitation. It is concluded that rehabilitate or restore urban lakes wherever they are degraded is a task of urban planners and designers.
ADAM13 Function in Development

ADAM13 is a cell surface metalloprotease containing a disintegrin domain. It was cloned in an effort to identify ADAM proteins that function during early embryogenesis in the frog Xenopus laevis. ADAM13 is most similar in sequence to the meltrins (ADAM12, 19 and 33) and is expressed as a zygotic messenger RNA at the Mid Blastula Transition (MBT). The protein is expressed in Cranial Neural Crest (CNC) cells and somites during neurulation and subsequent tailbud formation. ADAM13 is a protease that can cleave itself and the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein fibronectin. Xenopus XTC cells expressing ADAM13 can remodel a fluorescent fibronectin substrate while cells expressing a dominant negative form of ADAM13 cannot. The adhesive domain of ADAM13 (DC) binds to the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin at the same site as the proteoglycan syndecan. Mutations in fibronectin that abolish syndecan binding also prevent ADAM13 association. The proteolytic activity of ADAM13 is essential for CNC migration in two of the three main pathways (Branchial and Hyoid but not Mandibular), while this activity is not essential for CNC migration in vitro. ADAM13 proteolytic specificity depends on the adhesive region of the extracellular domain (DC) rather than on the metalloprotease domain. Finally, ADAM13 activity is controlled by two specific regions of its cytoplasmic domain. The juxtamembrane domain controls protein level while the proline-rich carboxyl terminal region binds to proteins containing an SH3-domain. One of these SH3-containing proteins, PACSIN-2, binds to and down regulates ADAM13 proteolytic function in embryos.
Morphology, Cytology, and Fine Structure

Harpellales - The Harpellaceae and Legeriomycetaceae, commonly referred to as “harpellids,” have similar asexual and sexual reproductive structures and life cycles (Fig. 7.1). In the unbranched Harpellaceae, asexual reproduction commences after the maximum but limited number of cells has been produced. Each compartment becomes a generative cell, giving rise exogenously to an appendaged trichospore. In the branched Legeriomycetaceae, only the terminal parts of branches normally become fertile, and vegetative growth and sporulation may continue as trichospores are maturing on older branches of the thallus.
Bladder Stones Following Sci In The Sprague-Dawley Rat

AbstractObjective: To develop a spinal cord injury (SCI) animal model for the study of bladder stones and compare this model with a non-SCI animal model.Methods: Small pieces of catheters were implanted into the bladders of Sprague-Dawley rats as a nidus for bladder stone formation. Three weeks later, the rats underwent an SCI surgery (SCI transection or sham SCI). Control rats had SCI surgery, but no catheters were implanted into their bladders.Main Outcome Measures: Bladder stone number, weight, and composition were determined in two groups of SCI and sham SCI animals: Group A (recent spinal shock: 2 weeks post-SCI/sham SCI surgery) and Group B(out of spinal shock: 3 weeks to 3 months post-SCI/sham SCI surgery). AX2 test was used to compare the incidence of bladder stones in SCI vs sham SCI animals. AStudent t test was used to compare the weight of bladder stones in the 2 groups.Results: Group A(recent spinal shock): Of the 20 SCI rats, 8 (40%) had stones. None of the sham SCI rats with implanted cathet...
Systems design issues in planning and implementation: lessons learned and strategies for management

Telecommunications Company (TC) [company identity is concealed] produced a sales management application through internal and contract resources. This application, Schedule Graph (SG) System, was designed to automate the sales schedule process that had previously been a paper and pencil process. The system was designed and implemented in a matter of months to reduce cost and deliver an application that was long overdue. The project had been proposed for years, but funding issues had routinely delayed initiation. The sales development organization worked on the design and development for this application for approximately six months.The application was released with numerous software, hardware and network problems. The effects on the customer community, the information systems department and other stakeholders were sharp and far reaching. This case study investigates the lessons learned with this application and the implications for theory and practice. It can be instrumental to information systems managers, academicians and students to learn from the success and pitfalls of other organizations related to information systems development and management.
FACIAL REFLEXES AND THE ONTOGENY OF FACIAL DISPLAYS

This chapter examines facial reflexes and the ontogeny of facial displays. To begin with, the facial reflexes are crucial to any evolutionary account of human facial displays. Normal adult facial physiology includes various reflexes that are generally considered innate and immutable and are characterized by few synapses. These reflexes are generally protective, although some are now mostly vestigial, such as the Hering-Breuer (dive) reflex, which slows the heart when the face is cooled. The facial reflexes are usually divided into three kinds: (1) superficial reflexes, (2) visceral reflexes, and (3) myotatic reflexes. Both the normal and, in infancy, the pathological facial reflexes act to facilitate more complex activities. These actions are very complex and their effects are too broad to be considered typical reflexes, but their stereotypy and inertia make them reflex-like. Many theorists are interested generally in the relations between facial actions and those of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Adults shape the child's developing displays, and the raw material shaped by this parental pedagogy is the repertoire of preexisting facial reflexes. Subsequently, children may develop mature displays by direct imitation of caretakers who model and prompt for appropriate displays; this mechanism is entirely independent of the form and function of the facial reflexes. Three cases of reflexes and their arguably emancipated counterparts in adult human displays can be proposed: (1) tickling and amusement displays, (2) startle and surprise displays, and (3) gagging and revulsion displays.
Novel sonification and haptic displays of physiologic variables to improve patient safety

Auditory medical alarms in healthcare are uninformative, poorly localizable, have a low positive predictive value, and are set at thresholds forcing practitioners to be reactive instead of proactive. Sonifying patient physiology as it transitions from normal to abnormal will allow practitioners to respond before the patient status devolves into an emergency. Multimodal interactions have the potential to enhance future sonification tools by reducing alarm fatigue—the addition of haptic cuing to novel physiologic sonification may improve patient safety. To increase the overall efficiency of alarm design in healthcare, we propose reducing alarm fatigue by integrating multisensory streams. We present an experiment that characterizes how the integration of tactile and auditory signals affects the speed and accuracy of alarm responses. Participants received multisensory auditory and haptic input while performing a task designed to tax attentional resources mimicking working in the ICU. Our results indicate there is a trend towards increased perception of change of physiologic variables with concordant haptic stimuli and participants are significantly better at determining the direction of change versus the physiologic variable of change. Future directions include simplification of the sonification schemata and increasing information complexity in the haptic modality to utilize multisensory integration.
Design of a Compact GNSS Antenna for Vehicular Applications

Two crossed dipole antennas are investigated for GNSS operation on vehicles. The first antenna is a wide band crossed dipole antenna designed by using two orthogonal dipoles with 90° phase shift between them to produce circular polarization. The arms of each dipole are etched on opposite sides of Rogers RO4350 substrate with common square feed. To get compact size, meander lines are used to design the dipole arms. Two metallic strips are used to match the antenna to the required frequencies. The same topology is investigated for dual band operation but this time with asymmetric arm length to generate circular polarization for both bands. Finally, both antennas are simulated affixed to 1 meter metallic ground plane to see its performance when connected to vehicle roof.
Test Compaction by Test Removal Under Transparent Scan

This brief describes a new approach to test compaction under transparent scan. Transparent scan achieves higher levels of test compaction than possible with the conventional scan-based tests by interleaving scan shift cycles and functional clock cycles in arbitrary ways. Earlier approaches relied on the computation of a single transparent-scan sequence, and the omission of test vectors from it. However, a single transparent-scan sequence can be prohibitively long. In the approach described in this brief, a transparent-scan test set consists of several sequences whose lengths are limited. Test compaction is achieved by combining sequences into longer sequences that detect more faults, and removing from the test set entire sequences that become unnecessary. Experimental results for benchmark circuits demonstrate the ability of the procedure to achieve test compaction without creating prohibitively long transparent-scan sequences.
Phase 2B dose selection of BG00011 for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Introduction: avb6 is upregulated on alveolar epithelial cells in IPF patients and drives the activation of TGF-b. BG00011 is an anti-αvβ6 monoclonal antibody. The BG00011 phase 2A, conducted in patients with IPF, demonstrated TGF-b suppression as evidenced by reduction in pSMAD2 signaling and TGF-b dependent gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. Preclinical models have shown maximal fibrosis inhibition correlating with 70% pSMAD reduction. Objectives: To select an optimal phase 2B dose based on the exposure response (E/R) analysis and to assess potential covariates that could impact exposure in the phase 2A study. Methods: PK and BAL biomarker data were evaluated in forty one subjects from five ascending dose cohorts. An E/R analysis was performed using area under the curve at steady state and percent change from baseline in pSMAD2 from BAL cells. Body weight and sex were evaluated to determine their influence on PK variability. Results: BG00011 showed dose proportional increase in exposure from 0.015 to 1.0 mg/kg, and greater than proportionally at doses >1.0 mg/kg. The E/R curve showed a steep dose-response between the 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg doses. The dose of 0.7 mg/kg was projected to allow for exploration of the efficacious portion of the E/R curve. Body weight and sex did not influence exposure, thus allowing for the selection of a flat dose of 56mg (based on an average weight of ~80 kg for patients from this and previous IPF trials). Conclusion: The E/R analysis from the 2A study, along with knowledge from preclinical models, allowed for the selection of a flat dose that is optimal for exploration of key portion of the E/R curve in the phase 2B trial.
Phthalate exposure in pregnant women and the influence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Background: Phthalates have been blended in various compositions as plasticizers worldwide for a variety of purposes, and there are more and more polymers in the packaging of tobacco.Methods: We in...
Online professional development for environmental educators: strategies to foster critical thinking and social interactions

AbstractMassive open online courses (MOOCs) offer opportunities for professional development of environmental educators globally, yet we lack understanding of participants™ cognitive and social lea...
Introduction to Coastal Ecuador

This chapter delineates and describes each of the study sites in Ecuador. The chapter operates from north to south beginning with the estuary of Cayapas-Mataje estuary in the north and ending with the estuaries of El Oro province in the south. Detailed maps are presented for each study area that delineates the boundaries of the analysis and represents all the protected areas within each estuary. For each of the eight delineated estuaries, the following are described; the protected status, the climate, the environmental conditions, the prevailing socioeconomic conditions, the local livelihoods, and the estuarine biodiversity. Finally, the legal framework of both shrimp farms and mangrove forest are examined. In addition to the facts and figures of the study areas, this chapter attempts to represent the milieu of the local residents of each estuary with a focus on both Chone Estuary and Cayapas-Mataje Estuary.
Vascular complications associated with percutaneous left ventricular assist device placement: A 10-year US perspective.

BACKGROUND Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices(p-LVADs). p-LVADs are being increasingly used during complex coronary interventions and for acute cardiogenic shock. These large bore percutaneous devices have a higher risk of vascular complications. We examined the vascular complication rates from the use of p-LVAD in a national database. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of the National In-patient Sample (NIS) dataset from 2005 till 2015. We used the ICD-9-CM procedure codes 37.68 and 37.62 for p-LVAD placement regardless of indications. We investigated common vascular complications, defining them by the validated ICD 9 CM codes. χ2 test and t test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively for comparison. RESULTS A total of 31,263 p-LVAD placements were identified during the period studied. A majority of patients were male (72.68%) and 64.44% were white. The overall incidence of vascular complications was 13.53%, out of which 56% required surgical treatment. Acute limb thromboembolism and bleeding requiring transfusion accounted for 27.6% and 21.8% of all vascular complications. Occurrence of a vascular complication was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality (37.77% vs. 29.95%, p < .001), length of stay (22.7 vs. 12.2 days, p < .001) and cost of hospitalization ($ 161,923 vs. $ 95,547, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS There is a high incidence of vascular complications with p-LVAD placement including need for vascular surgery. These complications are associated with a higher in-hospital, LOS and hospitalization costs. These findings should be factored into the decision-making for p-LVAD placement.
Metrics and Optimization of Internal Poses for Highly Redundant Truss-Like Serialized Parallel Manipulators.

This paper presents a kinematic definition of a serialized Stewart platform designed for autonomous in-space assembly called an Assembler. The Assemblers architecture describes problems inherent to the inverse kinematics of over-actuated mixed kinematic systems. This paper also presents a methodology for optimizing poses. In order to accomplish this with the Assembler system, an algorithm for finding a feasible solution to its inverse kinematics was developed with a wrapper for a nonlinear optimization algorithm designed to minimize the magnitude of forces incurred by each actuator. A simulated version of an Assembler was placed into a number of representative poses, and the positions were optimized. The results of these optimizations are discussed in terms of actuator forces, reachability of the platform, and applicability to high-payload structure assembly capabilities.