cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical and Patient Risk Factors for Severe Arterial Line Complications in Adults

Background:Prior research has provided inconsistent data regarding the risk factors associated with complications from arterial cannulation. The goal of this study was to clearly define the incidence and risks factors associated with arterial cannulation complications.Methods:After obtaining institu
FIRST ATLANTIC RECORD OF THE PUFFIN CERORHINCA (AVES, ALCIDAE) FROM THE PLIOCENE OF NORTH CAROLINA

(2007). First Atlantic record of the puffin Cerorhinca (Aves, Alcidae) from the Pliocene of North Carolina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 1039-1042.
Research report: a grounded theory description of pastoral counseling

Historically, clerical paradigms of ordained ministry have defined pastoral counseling. However, these fail to describe pastoral counselors in the complex social, theological and medical contexts in which they now work. This study asks the question: How do pastoral counselors in clinical practice describe what is uniquely "pastoral" about the counseling they offer clients? Grounded theory was used to propose a preliminary description and an intermediate theory of how pastoral counselors interpret "pastoral." Eighty-five pastoral counselors were selected for the study over a four year period using criteria to assure maximum variation. Interviews and pastoral identity statements were collected and coded, and theoretical models were organized using NVIVO, a computer assisted qualitative design and analysis software (CAQDAS) package. Results suggest that pastoral counselors share some common ideas regarding "pastoral identity" and clinical practice. How pastoral counselors interpret "pastoral" is highly context sensitive and varies widely.
Summary Report for PSTP2013

The 15th International Workshop on Polarized Source Targets and Polarimeters was held at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville during September 9–13, 2013. It was sponsored jointly by the University of Virginia, Jefferson Laboratory and the International Spin Physics Committee. A summary of the workshop was presented.
Decomposition of Graphite-Nitrate Lamellar Compound

The decomposition processes of graphite-nitrate and graphite-bisulfate lamellar compounds were found by the X-ray diffraction method to be different from each other. The first stage lamellar compound of graphite-bisulfate decomposed to the mixed stage of the second and third stages, and the further decomposition was observed as a gradual shift of (001) diffraction lines. On the other hand, the second stage lamellar compound of graphitenitrate decomposed to the mixed stage of the third and fourth stages, and then decomposed to the residue compound directly. The third stage itself decomposed to the residue compound directly. There were no intermediate stages between the third or fourth stage lamellar compound and the residue compound. The decomposition of the graphite-bisulfate lamellar compound seemed to be caused from the decrease of the concentration of sulfuric acid by the absorption of water vapor, but the decomposition of graphite-nitrate to be caused from the vaporization of nitric acid.
Near-source modeling of the Loma Prieta earthquake: Evidence for heterogeneous slip and implications for earthquake hazard

I have analyzed records from 20 strong-motion instruments that recorded the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake ( ML = 6.9) to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of slip using a tomographic back-projection technique. I find that the earthquake ruptured bilaterally at approximately 80% of the local shear-wave velocity over a distance of slightly more than 30 km from 13 km northwest to 20 km southeast of the hypocenter. Slip within the rupture zone was highly variable both in magnitude and direction. Slip at the hypocenter and immediately up dip was relatively low, about 1 m. There were two main areas of concentrated slip, one centered 7 km northwest of the hypocenter at a depth of 14 km and the other centered 6 km southeast of the hypocenter at a depth of 12 km. Peak slip amplitude on these high-slip patches exceeded 4.5 m. A surprising aspect of the rupture model is that rake varies from being predominately strike-slip to the southeast of the hypocenter to being predominately reverse slip to the northwest. Despite this variation in rake, the average rake determined from the strong-motion data is in agreement with that determined teleseismically. There is a correlation between areas of high slip and areas of low aftershock activity. A simple model to explain this observation is that the areas of high slip are also areas of high strength, which slip only during infrequent large mainshocks. Other areas of the fault are weaker and may slip both seismically and aseismically. Most of the slip in the Loma Prieta earthquake occurred between 9 and 16 km depth on a structure that dips to the southwest and runs underneath the surface trace of the San Andreas fault at a depth of 8 to 10 km. This observation complicates the assessment of seismic hazard on the southern Santa Cruz Mountains segment of the San Andreas fault.
Comparison of Strategies Based on Evolutionary Computation for the Design of Similarity Functions

One of the main keys in case-based reasoning system is the retrieval phase, where the most similar cases are retrieved by means of a similarity function. According to the problem, the similarity function must be selected and adapted depending on the characteristics and properties of the problem's domain. The goal of this article is to present a platform called BRAIN, which incorporates strategies based on different evolutionary approaches to design similarity functions ad hoc for a domain to be used in a case-based reasoning system. The strategies are based on Genetic Programming and Grammar Evolution approaches. Both are applied to different data sets to study the influence of their characteristic in the accuracy rate and in the execution time.
Rethinking Demethylating Agents in Epigenetic Cancer Therapy

DNA methylation inhibitors 5-Azacytidine and 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine have been increasingly used in the clinic to treat myeloid disorders and cancer since their FDA approval over a decade ago. Increasing the efficiency and efficacy of these drugs require better understanding on their mechanism of action. Recent studies show that DNA methylation inhibitors have widespread anti-tumor functions and act by modulating oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes expression as well as stimulating the immune system. These findings demonstrate the significant progress that has been made in the field of epigenetic therapy to improve patients’ outcome.
A Penal Panopticon in Kanaleneiland

“At-risk boys” from Kanaleneiland, the Netherlands, and local governing policies regarding security and participation are involved in a complex relationship with each other. Several institutions in the neighborhood make efforts to integrate these adolescents with a criminal record and deviant social behavior into the body of normal, civil citizens, without much success. The boys’ habit of causing public disturbance, expressing themselves in uncivil ways, telling lies and sabotaging any interaction with the authorities gives them the reputation of discredited outcasts within the neighborhood. The all-encompassing approach to youth and security in the neighborhood is effective in monitoring the whereabouts of the boys, but it is less effective in its efforts to discipline them. Consequently, the distance between the lived world of young urban troublemakers and the domain of “good citizens” remains large, despite policy efforts at “integration.”
Economic Principles of International Trade

International trade theory has come a long way since the days of the classical economists. However, the intuition that can be gained from the great theorists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo still dominates the thinking of modern economists. In particular, Ricardo demonstrated that free trade was a “first-best” policy solution.1 This holds true today, even though the formal analysis of international trade theory has changed substantially. In fact, many of the opponents of international trade today (from the “anti-globalists” on the left of the political spectrum to the economic nationalists on its right) present arguments that Ricardo himself was able to dismiss over a hundred years ago. While the names and the subjects have changed, the basic principles have not.
A Prospective Pilot Study on the Systemic Absorption of Oral Vancomycin in Children With Colitis

BACKGROUND: Oral vancomycin is used to treat refractory colitis due to Clostridium dificile infection. Traditionally, oral vancomycin was thought to not be absorbed systemically, but recent adult studies have demonstrated detectable serum levels in over half of patients with severe colitis. This has not been studied in children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the absorption of oral vancomycin and the renal safety profile of oral vancomycin in children hospitalized with colitis. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational, pilot proof of principle study at the North Carolina Children's Hospital in patients 2 years to 18 years of age receiving oral vancomycin for the treatment of C dificile colitis. Severity of disease was determined using a validated scoring system. Serial serum vancomycin levels and renal function tests were performed during the administration of oral vancomycin. RESULTS: All patients enrolled (n = 8) had mild to moderate C dificile colitis and varying severity of underlying systemic dise...
Proximal femoral replacement in contemporary revision total hip arthroplasty for severe femoral bone loss: a review of outcomes

AimsLoss or absence of proximal femoral bone in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a significant challenge. While the main indication for the use of proximal femoral replacements (PFRs) ...
Sustained Notch2 signaling in osteoblasts, but not in osteoclasts, is linked to osteopenia in a mouse model of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome

Individuals with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) present with osteoporosis, and HCS is associated with NOTCH2 mutations causing deletions of the proline-, glutamic acid-, serine-, and threonine-rich (PEST) domain that are predicted to enhance NOTCH2 stability and cause gain-of-function. Previously, we demonstrated that mice harboring Notch2 mutations analogous to those in HCS (Notch2HCS) are severely osteopenic because of enhanced bone resorption. We attributed this phenotype to osteoclastic sensitization to the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and increased osteoblastic tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11 (Tnfsf11) expression. Here, to determine the individual contributions of osteoclasts and osteoblasts to HCS osteopenia, we created a conditional-by-inversion (Notch2COIN) model in which Cre recombination generates a Notch2ΔPEST allele expressing a Notch2 mutant lacking the PEST domain. Germ line Notch2COIN inversion phenocopied the Notch2HCS mutant, validating the model. To activate Notch2 in osteoclasts or osteoblasts, Notch2COIN mice were bred with mice expressing Cre from the Lyz2 or the BGLAP promoter, respectively. These crosses created experimental mice harboring a Notch2ΔPEST allele in Cre-expressing cells and control littermates expressing a wild-type Notch2 transcript. Notch2COIN inversion in Lyz2-expressing cells had no skeletal consequences and did not affect the capacity of bone marrow macrophages to form osteoclasts in vitro. In contrast, Notch2COIN inversion in osteoblasts led to generalized osteopenia associated with enhanced bone resorption in the cancellous bone compartment and with suppressed endocortical mineral apposition rate. Accordingly, Notch2 activation in osteoblast-enriched cultures from Notch2COIN mice induced Tnfsf11 expression. In conclusion, introduction of the HCS mutation in osteoblasts, but not in osteoclasts, causes osteopenia.
Global Modeling of Thermospheric Airglow in the Far-Ultraviolet

The Global Airglow (GLOW) model has been updated and extended to calculate thermospheric emissions in the far-ultraviolet, including sources from daytime photoelectron-driven processes, nighttime recombination radiation, and auroral excitation. It can be run using inputs from empirical models of the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere, or from numerical general circulation models of the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere system. It uses a solar flux module, photoelectron generation routine, and the Nagy-Banks two-stream electron transport algorithm, to simultaneously handle energetic electron distributions from photon and auroral electron sources. It contains an ion-neutral chemistry module that calculates excited and ionized species densities and the resulting airglow volume emission rates. This paper describes the inputs, algorithms, and code structure of the model, and demonstrates example outputs for daytime and auroral cases. Simulations of far-ultraviolet emissions by the atomic oxygen doublet at 135.6 nm and the molecular nitrogen Lyman-Birge Hopfield (LBH) bands, as viewed from geostationary orbit, are shown, and model calculations are compared to limb-scan observations by the Global Ultraviolet Imager on the TIMED satellite. The GLOW model code is provided to the community through an open-source academic research license.
Religious Teachings, Perceptions, and Intimate Partner Violence: A Pilot Project

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of the role of religion as a social factor influencing gender roles and potentially Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). A total of 6 respondents were included in the study, three who identified as members of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and three who identified as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in the Salt Lake Valley. All respondents were asked to take part in an hour interview with a newly constructed questionnaire. The questionnaire asked basic demographic questions as well as open-ended questions pertaining to the role of religion with regard to women's rights, and gender roles. The results demonstrated a consistent support for gender equality and women's rights. At the same time, respondents had mixed reactions to questions on abortion. The results seem to imply that religion has micro and macro levels of influence within society. As this is only a pilot project, further research needs to be conducted to better understand how religious teachings and perceptions influence IPV.
National Trends in Demographics and Outcomes Following Cervical Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Study Design:Retrospective trends analysis.Objectives:Cervical fusion is a common adjunctive surgical modality used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The purpose of this st...
Experimental investigation of a compact thermal compressor for an ammonia-water absorption heat pump

Abstract An experimental evaluation of the thermal compressor of an ammonia-water absorption system is presented. A compact desorber and a rectifier based on diabatic distillation principles that lead to optimized system operation are designed and fabricated. Performance of these compact components as a thermal compressor for small-capacity absorption heat pumps is measured and compared with model predictions. Optimal desorption temperatures for energetic and exergetic performance established in previous modeling work are validated. The results of this study demonstrate the utility of modeling several components of an absorption system as a thermal compressor, which facilitates system design and control.
Concordant extra-medullary and bone marrow disease (EMD-BM) of blastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-BP) in the tyrosine kinase (TKI) era: Characteristics, treatments and outcomes.

e19022Background: Occasionally, patients with CML-BP present extramedullary disease (EMD), frequently concomitantly with bone marrow disease (EMD-BM). Characteristics, treatment and outcome of thes...
Patterns of End-of-Life Oncologic Care for Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the United States

Background/aim Because aggressive oncological management just prior to death constitutes a substantial proportion of end-of-life (EOL) costs, we investigated patterns of EOL oncologic care for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in USA to better determine at which point in the patient's management new treatments were being initiated. Materials and methods The National Cancer Database was queried for stage IV NSCLC patients who received any cancer-directed therapy with known timing thereof. Results A total of 281,990 stage IV NSCLC patients were analyzed. Of all patients, 10.8% commenced any first-course cancer therapy within four weeks of death, and 24.5% within eight weeks of death. Conclusion 10-15% of stage IV NSCLC patients start cancer therapy within four weeks of death, and 25-30% within eight weeks. This represents a population for whom cancer therapy may not be required, which has implications on reducing EOL healthcare costs.
DIFFERENTIATION FOR COLLAGEN SYNTHESIS IN CULTURED CELLS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the process for differentiation for collagen synthesis in cultured cells. The use of the term differentiation to include the development of specialized structures and functions of all kinds implies that there is a common basis for all specialization. Like immunoglobulin, collagen is a secretory product, but in contrast, it has no function at the molecular level. Its function is in morphogenesis and is usually accomplished by deposition of the molecules in a regular order as fibrils, which become stably cross linked to form the fibrous structure of tendon, bone, cartilage, etc. As about one-third of the body protein of mammals consists of collagen, it is their principal structural material. There are some variations in the nature of the collagen formed depending on the cell type specialized for its synthesis. These collagens differ slightly in amino acid composition and have probably come into existence through modification of the structural gene for collagen. The collagen-synthesizing fibroblast can reversibly convert from a resting cell mainly engaged in collagen synthesis to a rapidly growing cell. There is, therefore, no need of a stem cell population at a more primitive level to supply mature, collagen-synthesizing cells.
READY OR NOT, HERE I COME: SURRENDER, RECOGNITION, AND MUTUALITY IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

Randall Lehman Sorenson practiced what he preached as a scholar, teacher, and clinical psychoanalyst. In my experiences with him in personal and professional contexts, he encouraged relationships characterized by mutuality, respect, curiosity, and genuine personal involvement. These key values and processes distinguish relational psychoanalytic psychology. This article will explore the clinical outworking of two interrelated concepts; namely, mutual recognition and self-assertion in the psychotherapy relationship. These together are foundational to the creation of what Benjamin (1995) calls intersubjectivity. I will develop a particular focus on how to move out of moments of relational impasse and into a new experience of freedom and possibility for growth. An in-depth case presentation with a particular focus on therapeutic interaction will illustrate the struggle toward mutuality and recognition, and the powerful positive effects for both persons in the relationship.
Diagnostic impact of preoperative corticosteroids in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Abstract Purpose High dose corticosteroids are an effective tool for rapidly alleviating neurologic symptoms caused by intracranial mass lesions. However, there is concern that preoperative corticosteroids limit the ability to obtain a definitive pathologic diagnosis, particularly if imaging features suggest primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Methods To explore the impact of preoperative corticosteroids in newly diagnosed PCNSL patients, from 2009 to 2018 treated at our institution. Results We identified 54 patients; 18 had received corticosteroids prior to biopsy or resection. Only in one case did the patient have a prior non-diagnostic biopsy, requiring a second procedure. The cumulative doses of preoperative dexamethasone ranged from 4 mg to 120 mg (mean 32 mg, median 24 mg), given over 1–14 days (mean 2 days, median 1 day), and the majority had received corticosteroids for only 1–2 days. There was a trend for a larger diameter of lesional T1 contrast enhancement for patients who received steroids (39 mm vs. 34 mm, p = 0.11). In this series of cases with pathologically and clinically proven PCNSL, preoperative corticosteroids had been given in a third of cases, suggesting that they may be given for symptomatic relief without compromising pathologic diagnosis. Conclusions Despite the commonly held tenet that preoperative corticosteroids can obscure the pathologic diagnosis in PCNSL, this is likely not the case in the majority of patients who receive a short course preoperatively. Obtaining a second stereotactic scan to confirm continued presence of the lesion prior to tissue sampling may also mitigate these concerns.
Parent preferences for text messages containing infant feeding advice

Background: Text-messaging is beneficial in health promotion. Research on impact of message framing (gain- versus loss-framed) has had variable results, depending on type of behavior targeted. There is no research on framing of text-messaging to promote healthful infant feeding practices. Methods: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to examine whether parents of infants aged three months or younger viewed gain- or loss-framed text messages as more helpful and which style was viewed as more likely to affect feeding practices. A secondary purpose was to determine what time of day and frequency of messaging was preferred. Parents were recruited from an urban pediatric medical clinic. PsychData was used to administer the survey. Parents rated message pairs targeting constructs of the Health Belief Model using a five-point Likert scale. Paired t- tests compared overall ratings for helpfulness and likelihood of messages affecting feeding practices between gain- and loss-framed messages. Descriptive and frequency analyses were applied to demographics and questions regarding preferred timing for receiving messages. Results: A total of 34 parents (3 fathers and 31 mothers, mean age 26±5.5 years) completed the survey, with 41% enrolled in WIC and 29% in SNAP. There was no overall difference in helpfulness or likelihood of messages affecting feeding practices between gain- and loss-framed messages. Message style did not affect likelihood of adopting a feeding practice. However, gain framed messages relating to benefits and self-efficacy for breastfeeding were viewed more positively (mean =2.32; P=0.034; mean =1.79; P=0.041, respectively). The greatest proportion of parents (38%) preferred receiving messages once per week, and 50% preferred morning messages. Conclusions: Framing of text messages appeared to have little effect on parents’ acceptance of messages related to infant feeding practices. Parents were receptive to receiving messages from their infant’s healthcare provider once per week, in the morning.
Synthesis and characterization of isomeric diphenylphosphatoisosorbide acrylates

Isosorbide is a diether diol readily available from starch, an abundant, renewable biomaterial. Because of its structure and functionality, it may serve as a base for the development of nontoxic po...
Dantrolene Attenuates Cardiotoxicity of Doxorubicin Without Reducing its Antitumor Efficacy in a Breast Cancer Model.

Abstract Dysregulation of calcium homeostasis is a major mechanism of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Treatment with DOX causes activation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) ryanodine receptor (RYR) and rapid release of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm resulting in depression of myocardial function. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dantrolene (DNT) a RYR blocker on both the cardiotoxicity and antitumor activity of DOX in a rat model of breast cancer. Female F344 rats with implanted MAT B III breast cancer cells were randomized to receive intraperitoneal DOX twice per week (12 mg/kg total dose), 5 mg/kg/day oral DNT or a combination of DOX + DNT for 3 weeks. Echocardiography and blood troponin I levels were used to measure myocardial injury. Hearts and tumors were evaluated for histopathological alterations. Blood glutathione was assessed as a measure of oxidative stress. The results showed that DNT improved DOX-induced alterations in the echocardiographic parameters by 50%. Histopathologic analysis of hearts showed reduced DOX induced cardiotoxicity in the group treated with DOX + DNT as shown by reduced interstitial edema, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and myofibrillar disruption, compared with DOX-only–treated hearts. Rats treated with DNT lost less body weight, had higher blood GSH levels and lower troponin I levels than DOX-treated rats. These data indicate that DNT is able to provide protection against DOX cardiotoxicity without reducing its antitumor activity. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosing of DNT and DOX in a tumor-bearing host.
Radiation Oncology Initial Certification Qualification Examinations: The Resident Experience in 2019

Abstract Purpose To characterize the resident experience preparing for the 2019 American Board of Radiology initial certification (IC) qualifying examinations in radiation oncology. Methods and Materials The Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology distributed a survey to 360 radiation oncology residents from the 2019 and 2020 graduating classes covering topics pertinent to preparation for the medical physics (MP), radiation and cancer biology (RCB), and clinical radiation oncology (CRO) qualifying examinations. Results The response rate was 58% (n = 210). In the 12 weeks before the MP and RCB examinations, first-time examinees studied a median of 160 hours (interquartile range, 96 to 270). Residents reported a "moderate" or "significant" negative effect on research productivity (3 [2-4]), mental health (3 [2-4]), clinical development (3 [2-4]), and family life (3 [2-4]). Half of surveyed residents (52%, n=110) used a protected research or elective block to study while an additional 21% (n = 45) used a median of 5 (3-20) vacation days. Residents overall "agreed" (4 [2-4]) that their program's physics course was "important" for their preparation but were "neutral" (3 [2-4]) regarding the value of their program's radiobiology course. Question-based educational resources were most frequently rated as "important" study resources. Respondents "strongly" endorsed the development of a consensus radiation oncology curriculum (5 [4-5]) and "agreed" (4 [3-4]) that consolidation of the MP, RCB, and CRO qualifying examinations into a single written examination would be preferred. Conclusions Radiation oncology residents dedicate substantial time preparing for the IC examinations at the expense of training- and health-related outcomes. Residents report a wide range in quality of internal program didactic courses in physics and radiobiology, endorse development of a consensus radiation oncology curriculum, and prefer consolidation of the three qualifying examinations into a single written IC examination. We caution the high pass rates seen on the 2019 examinations do not obviate the need for ongoing improvement in radiation oncology graduate medical education and the board certification process.
Machine Learning for End-to-End Congestion Control

End-to-end congestion control has been extensively studied for over 30 years as one of the most important mechanisms to ensure efficient and fair sharing of network resources among users. As future networks are becoming more and more complex, conventional rule-based congestion control approaches tend to become inefficient and even ineffective. Inspired by the great success that machine learning (ML) has achieved in addressing large-scale and complex problems, researchers have begun to shift their attention from the rule-based method to an ML-based approach. This article presents a selected review of the recent applications of ML to the field of end-to-end congestion control. In this survey, we start with a brief review of the relationship between congestion control and ML. We then review the recent works that apply ML to congestion control. These works either help the agent to make an intelligent congestion control decision or achieve enhanced performance. Finally, we highlight a series of realistic challenges and shed light on potential future research directions.
Neuroscience and teleosemantics

Correctly understood, teleosemantics is the claim that “representation” is a function term. Things are called “representations” if they have a certain kind of function or telos and perform it in a certain kind of way. This claim is supported with a discussion and proposals about the function of a representation and of how representations perform that function. These proposals have been retrieved by putting together current descriptions from the literature on neural representations with earlier explorations of the features common to most things we are inclined to call representations (… maps, graphs, human language, signals between animals, stop signs … etc.) as these were assessed in Millikan (Language, thought and other biological categories. MIT Press, Cambridge, 1984 and following). Of interest is the degree to which these independent sources converge. I conclude that there is no need to employ any new or technical sense of the term “representation” for it to play an important role in neuroscience.
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Monocyte Inflammatory Gene Expression and Influences Social Behavior in Nonhuman Primates

Western diet consumption is associated with inflammation, cardiometabolic disease, and mortality in humans, while Mediterranean diet consumption confers protective effects. One likely pathway for this association is through environmentally induced changes in monocyte function, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We conducted the first randomized, long-term diet manipulation in a non-human primate model to determine whether Western- or Mediterranean-like diets alter monocyte polarization and health. Monocyte gene expression profiles differed markedly between the two diet groups, with significant differences in over 40% of expressed genes. The Western diet induced a more proinflammatory monocyte phenotype overall and upregulated specific monocyte polarization genes. Diet also disrupted the coexpression of numerous gene pairs, including small RNAs and transcription factors associated with metabolism and adiposity in humans. Diet altered affiliative and anxiety-associated behaviors and mediation analysis showed that the diet-altered behaviors contributed significantly (~50% of the effect of diet on gene expression) to 25% of the differentially expressed genes, suggesting that diet effects on central mechanisms also modulate monocyte gene expression. Together, these results identify both behavioral and molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet regimen.
Social Distancing: Technology to the Rescue

The Covid-19 pandemic, with the unprecedented rate of global spread, and the huge and multidimensional impact it has created, has a significant impact on the way we work and socialize. Amidst the pandemic, and with an eye on the future, Scientists and Engineers are fighting the virus spread with all technological means. In this the use of ICT can offer valuable tools in ensuring social distancing. This paper presents some characteristic cases, focusing mainly on practical and already applicable tools, both in terms of software and hardware. This paper aims to increase public awareness on cutting edge technological solutions which can assist with the CoViD-19 social distancing measures compliance both individually and collectively.
Improving Access to Care: Telemedicine Across Medical Domains

Over the past 20 years, the use of telemedicine has increased exponentially. Its fundamental aim is to improve access to care. In this review, we assess the extent to which telemedicine has fulfilled this promise across medical domains. Additionally, we assess whether telemedicine has improved related health outcomes. Finally, we determine who has benefited from this novel form of health care delivery. A review of the literature indicates that (a) telemedicine has improved access to care for a wide range of clinical conditions ranging from stroke to pregnancy; (b) telemedicine in select circumstances has demonstrated improved health outcomes; and (c) telemedicine has addressed geographical, but less so social, barriers to care. For telemedicine to fulfill its promise, additional evidence needs to be gathered on health outcomes and cost savings, the digital divide needs to be bridged, and policy changes that support telemedicine reimbursement need to be enacted.
Numerical Simulation Calculation Analysis of Very Fast Transient Overvoltage Arcing Characteristics in GIS Under Dynamic Arc Model

In gas insulated substation (GIS), very fast transient over-voltage (VFTO) is caused during the switching operation because of repeated arc reignition. At present only the first arc is considered for numerical simulation of VFTO, which can’t describe the character of VFTO exactly, because the time of arc reignition and extinction is difficult to determine. Base on arc dynamic energy equation, the paper confirms the decision condition of arc reignition and extinction, and gets VFTO wave and peak voltage of each node during arc reignition by simulating. Comparing to the two results, it could see that, for the same node, there was not great change in wave forms; the VFTO maximums both on mains side of switching, also this node’s peak voltage had the largest difference, base on the first arc peak voltage, approximately 10.78%, which should been attention to for insulation of apparatus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: epidemiologic assessment of prevalence of systemic rheumatic and autoimmune diseases

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Hormonal imbalance is known to contribute to systemic autoimmune diseases. To examine the frequency of certain rheumatic diseases in PCOS. This retrospective study utilized and analyzed electronic medical records from January 2004 through February 2020. A diagnosis of PCOS and specified rheumatic diseases was searched using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. A total of 754 adult patients with PCOS and 1,508 age- and body mass index–matched patients without PCOS were included. Frequencies of the rheumatic diseases were compared between PCOS and non-PCOS subjects or literature data. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was found to be 2.25% (17/737) in the PCOS patients, numerically higher than 1.26% (19/1489) in the non-PCOS subjects. The difference was significant with a confidence level of 90% (1.04–3.15) but not at 95% with an odds ratio of 1.808 (95% CI = 0.934–3.4, p = 0.0747). When compared with the literature data from the US female population, the prevalence of RA in PCOS patients was significantly higher (2.25% vs. 1.40%, p < 0.0001). Among the autoimmune diseases examined, both systemic sclerosis (0.40% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.0369) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (0.53% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.0123) were significantly more frequent in the PCOS patients than the non-PCOS. Additionally, PCOS patients had a significantly higher frequency of osteoarthritis than non-PCOS patients (5.44% vs. 2.92%, p = 0.0030) with an odds ratio of 1.913 (95% CI = 1.239–2.955). We have shown unprecedentedly that certain rheumatic diseases are more prevalent in PCOS. This study provides important insight into autoimmunity in association with PCOS.
Optical hysteresis shape transformation using linear polarization components

We provide a mathematical model to elucidate how a linear polarizer can be used to transform the shape of an optical-power hysteresis curve into the canonical counterclockwise (CCW) shape, clockwise (CW) shape, and upward-switching and downward-switching butterfly shapes. This transformation is possible for optical signals whose states of polarization also exhibit hysteresis. Critical to our model is a generalized Malus' law that accounts for elliptical input polarization as well as insertion loss, finite extinction ratio, and pass-axis orientation angle of the linear polarizer. The generalized Malus' law reveals that the transmittivity of the polarizer itself exhibits a bistable hysteresis curve, and this transmittivity acts on the input-power hysteresis curve to produce the variety of output-power shapes. Additionally, we model the optimization of the hysteresis contrast of the CCW and CW shapes, achieving 20 dB or more by using a polarization controller placed upstream of the polarizer. Modeling and experimental validation are carried out using a polarization-varying bistable signal generated by an anisotropic Fabry–Perot semiconductor optical amplifier, and the results are applicable to other nonlinear resonators and means of polarization-varying signal generation. This model can be used for the study, design, and optimization of a variety of sequential and combinational all-optical signal processing applications.
Stress, Strain, and Strength of Soil Bodies

The reaction of a body to a force or a combination of forces, acting on or within it, is characterized in terms of its strain—that is, the ratio of the deformation to the body's initial dimensions. In soils, strain is often very large. In small and confined samples of soil, strain may be uniform. Under natural soil conditions, though, deformation can take place in very complicated geometric patterns. In soils, failure under stress is more complex than in most ductile or brittle materials. Depending on variables such as moisture and clay content, soil properties can vary from those of a viscous liquid to those of a plastic solid and finally to those of a brittle elastic solid. In quantitative terms, soil strength is defined as the maximal stress that a given soil body can bear without failing. The measurement of soil strength is generally based on some procedure for determining the stresses acting on or within a body at the moment of its mechanical failure. Soil resistance to applied stresses is characterized in terms of two parameters: cohesiveness ( c ) and the angle of internal friction (φ). Two principal methods are used to measure failure by shear in soil and thus to obtain the values of c and φ—namely, direct shear apparatus test and the cylindrical shearing test. In the later test , the failure surface is not predetermined but allowed to form within a specimen, as successive combinations of lateral and axial stresses are applied to a series of samples of the same soil.
Characteristics of Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum , Winter Den-sites in Living Trees in Wisconsin

Although Porcupines ( Erethizon dorsatum ) denned in a variety of structures in Sandhill Wildlife Area, Wood County, Wisconsin, hollow living trees predominated (67 percent). Diameter at breast height of den trees was significantly greater than that of trees in the surrounding forest, and den openings in living hollow trees were nearly twice the circumference of Porcupines. Porcupines probably do not prefer certain tree species over others; rather, they select species more prone to heart rot with cavities large enough to house a Porcupine.
The Relation of Community Occupational Structure and Prevalence of Obesity in New York City Neighborhoods: An Ecological Analysis

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between community occupational structure (COS) and neighborhood obesity in selected neighborhoods of New York City. Design: Data from the 2000 US Population Census were used to classify New York city neighborhoods according to community occupational structure (ie, the proportion of white-collar workers per neighborhood). Data from 2002–2004 New York City Community Health Surveys were used to generate prevalence estimates for obesity. Neighborhood obesity was estimated by the proportion of neighborhood residents with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more. Weighted estimates for all study variables, including socioenvironmental characteristics, were generated using SUDAAN and all statistical analyses of weighted data were then conducted using SAS. Results: Obesity prevalence was inversely associated with community occupational structure with the highest (24.5%) and lowest (11.7%) obesity prevalence proportions being observed in low-category and high-categor...
Restricted least squares, pre-test, ols and stein rule estimators: Risk comparisons under model misspecification

Abstract The predictive squared error risk behavior of a restricted least squares estimator (RLS), pre-test estimator (PT), and Stein rule (SR) estimator are each compared to the behavior of the OLS estimator when relevant variables are omitted. Risk superiority conditions dependent on prior constraint error and this model specification error in a two-dimensional parameter space are exhibited. Among the consequences of this model misspecification, it is found that (i) perfectly correct prior constraints do not ensure risk superiority of any of the alternatives to OLS, (ii) the risk difference between OLS and PT is no longer bounded, and (iii) the SR no longer dominates OLS. The usefulness of risk superiority hypothesis tests based on the doubly non-centralF distribution is examined.
Islet Inflammation: A Causal Link Between Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer?

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is characterized hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion and a deficit of pancreatic beta cells in the setting of insulin resistance. Most individuals are able to compensate for insulin resistance by increasing insulin secretion so the genetic basis of T2DM appears to be linked to the underlying mechanisms leading to this abnormal pancreatic islet response to insulin resistance. In support of this, pancreatic islets in T2DM have a specific pathology. The ~65% deficit in beta cells is presumably due to increased beta cell apoptosis, the underlying mechanisms of which include a misfolded protein induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and local release of inflammatory cytokines. It has long been recognized that there is an association between T2DM and pancreatic cancer. One explanation for this is the development of diabetes in relation to pancreatic cancer, when the diagnoses are temporarily related. However there is also an increased risk of pancreatic cancer with long standing T2DM. We propose that a plausible explanation for this association is the consequence of long term exposure of surrounding pancreas to cytokines release by inflamed islets. Further, we speculate that there is a common progenitor cell niche in the pancreas for exocrine and endocrine repair, comparable to that in other gastroenterological organs, repopulating the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Chronic inflammatory mediated stimulus of such a progenitor would be expected with time, in those with underlying relevant mutations such as KRAS activating, to increase the risk of malignant transformation.
Time Resolved Measurements of Exhaust Composition and Flow Rate in a Wankel Engine

Measurements were made of exhaust histories of the following species: unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitric oxide (NO). The exhaust mass flow rate is time resolved by forcing the flow to be locally quasisteady at an orifice placed in the exhaust pipe. The composition and flow histories provide sufficient information to calculate the time resolved flow rates of the individual species measured. The information so generated shows most of the NO is exhausted with the leading gas while most of the HC is exhausted with the trailing gas. /GMRL/
Chapter 12 The invention of the alkynol cycloisomerization reaction: Application to the synthesis of digitoxin

Publisher Summary The first synthesis of carbohydrate-derived cyclic enol ethers (glycals) was developed by Emil Fischer early in the 20th century, featuring reductive elimination of glycosyl halides from carbohydrate starting materials. A newer approach to glycals features ring-closing metathesis of vinyl ethers with terminal alkenes. The development of methods for glycal synthesis has been accompanied by studies on the regio- and stereoselective functionalization of glycals, which can be applied to the introduction of functional groups at the 2-position. Thus, an endo-regioselective “alkynol cycloisomerization” process would provide another pathway to the synthesis of various cyclic enol ethers, including possibly glycals, if a reaction that is compatible with a variety of functional groups can be developed. With the discovery of six-membered ring formation via tungsten carbonyl reagents, the possibilities of synthesizing not only hexose sugars but also glycosides were considered. To test for the compatibility of alkynes with glycoside-forming methodologies, a microscale experiment with iodoglycosylation of chiral non-racemic alkynyl alcohol with commercially available tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal (25) has been conducted. The product iodoglycoside was observed as a single diastereomer by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the reaction mixture.
Rare Earth Element Recovery and Resulting Modification of Resin Structure

Experimental and industrially produced polystyrene and silica resins are tested for recovery capabilities of Rare Earth Elements (REE). Testing regimes being used are typical of resin analysis. Inductively Coupled Plasma-AES results indicate that preferential separation and recovery is possible in the adjusted pH range of2 to 10, solution conditions, and resin type. Testing conditions are resulting in structure modification of the composite resin as indicated by X-Ray Diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Mercury Porisometry, and density analysis. Resin modification indicates both surface and internal structure alteration outside of reported standard behavior of resins. Structural changes have ramification for both Rare Earth Recovery RER and traditional resin operations. Analysis shows that the resin uptake of REE can be manipulated for concentration. Further analysis with SEM work indicates that widespread surface and interior modification is taking place as resins load with REE. This modification is leading to pore rupture and particle breakage. Further investigation is being performed to determine the mode of breakage.
Markov Renewal Function and Markov Renewal‐Type Equations

This article defines Markov-renewal functions, introduces Markov renewal-type equations, and gives a brief overview of the main results. Keywords: Markov-renewal sequence; matrix convolution notation; Markov renewal arguments; Markov renewal equation; key Markov-renewal theorem
BARS AND BULLFIGHTS ON THE BORDER

This paper outlines an interview / ethnographic research assignment which involved students living in the border city of Laredo in a total process of data collection, data analysis, and data presentation. Data were collected on leisure time activities popular in the border communities of Laredo (Texas)/ Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipus, Mexico), including data on bars, bullfights, bingo and boxing. The research process is discussed here, along with summary reports on bars and bullfights, the two leisure activities which involved border crossing experiences.