cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining risk groups of patients with cancer of unknown primary site and cervical nodal metastases by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography imaging.

Abstract We sought to investigate the clinical utility of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) in Taiwanese patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) and cervical nodal metastases. We also aimed to study the impact of F-18 FDG PET/CT on clinical treatment priority in this patient group. Between September 2006 and May 2014, patients with CUP and cervical nodal metastases who underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging study were retrospectively identified. The clinicopathological risk factors and PET parameters were analyzed in relation to 2-year overall survival (OS) rates using univariate and multivariate analyses. Two-year OS curves were plotted with the Kaplan–Meier method. Of the eligible patients ( n = 54), 12 (22.2%) had distant metastases (DM) at presentation. A total of 13 (24.1%) and 15 (27.8%) primary tumors were identified by FDG PET/CT imaging and an additional triple biopsy, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis identified smoking [ p = 0.033, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.197−40.342], a maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ) of cervical nodes ≥ 14.2 ( p = 0.035, 95% CI = 1.134−28.029), and DM at presentation ( p = 0.031, 95% CI = 1.257−114.854) as independent predictors of 2-year OS. Specifically, patients who carried ≥ 2 risk factors showed poorer outcomes (70.3% vs. 11.8%, p
Race as an Independent Predictor of Temporal Delay in Time to Diagnosis and Treatment in Patients with Cervical Stenosis: A Study of 133 Patients with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Background Prompt decompression in clinically significant cervical stenosis is important in the prevention of neurological sequelae. Disparities exist along the continuum on spine care, with black patients receiving less surgery and experiencing worse postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether black race was an independent predictor for a prolonged time to diagnosis and treatment. Methods The medical records of 133 patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery at a major academic medical center between 2010 and 2012 were reviewed. All patients had prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes measures including visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complication rates were retrospectively collected. Multivariate analysis was performed on variables that trended with delay in diagnosis and treatment on univariate analysis to determine independent predictors of delay in diagnosis and treatment. Results Patient demographics of the cohort included 45.87% male, 80.30% white, 71.97% married, 53.72% employed, 18.8% with a history of depression, and 19.55% with anxiety. The mean ± standard deviation age was 54.02 ± 11.74 years and baseline VAS-neck pain was 4.87 ± 3.19. In a multivariate analysis, race was the only statistically significant variable ( P = 0.0212) to predict increased duration of preoperative pain before treatment. Other variables in the model included depression, anxiety, age, gender, employment status, marital status, body mass index, and baseline VAS-neck pain score. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that race is an independent risk factor for a temporal delay in diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic cervical stenosis.
Beyond “group work”: an integrated approach to support collaboration in engineering education

Working effectively in a collaborative team is not only an outcome required by ABET but also one that scholars and practitioners recognize as necessary for being a successful professional engineer. Technology-based solutions hold promise for supporting collaboration; however, research has shown that technology alone is not sufficient to develop students’ collaborative skills. The authors created a combined pedagogical and technological environment—Google Drive Environment for Collaboration (GDEC)—to support collaborative problem-solving during a semester-long team undergraduate human factor engineering design project. The environment uniquely used an “off-the-shelf” tool to implement collaborative scripts to take advantage of the affordances offered by the cloud-based collaboration technology environment that may contribute positively toward learning and collaboration. We examined the following research questions: We used individual and per team collaborative contributions to GDEC as the independent measure of collaboration, and project scores, homework, and exam scores as dependent variables to show evidence of student learning. GDEC contributions were collected for the three project phases and regressed to student learning measures. Pre/poststudent collaboration skills were measured using the Dimensions of Teamwork Survey. Student open-ended responses to per phase surveys were analyzed for additional evidence of collaborative skills and use of the GDEC environment. Regression analyses clustered by group showed statistically significant relationships between: Pre- to post collaboration skill scores on all Dimensions of Teamwork scales increased; however, the differences were not statistically significant. We argue these results are promising as the combination of pedagogical strategies with the readily available off-the-shelf technology tools used to create GDEC and can be easily replicated. Further, student comments indicated they found the GDEC environment easy to use and effective, and they intended to use similar tools for future collaborative activities.
Stylet Use Does Not Improve Diagnostic Outcomes in Endobronchial Ultrasonographic Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Endobronchial ultrasonographically guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) of thoracic structures is a commonly performed tissue sampling technique. The use of an inner-stylet in the EBUS needle has never been rigorously evaluated and may be unnecessary. Methods In a prospective randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial, patients with a clinical indication for EBUS-TBNA underwent lymph node sampling using both with-stylet and without-stylet techniques. Sample adequacy, diagnostic yield, and various cytologic quality measures were compared. Results One hundred twenty-one patients were enrolled, with 194 lymph nodes sampled, each using both with-stylet and without-stylet techniques. There was no significant difference in sample adequacy or diagnostic yield between techniques. The without-stylet technique resulted in adequate samples in 87% of the 194 study lymph nodes, which was no different from the with-stylet adequacy rate (82%; P = .371). The with-stylet technique resulted in a diagnosis in 50 of 194 samples (25.7%), which was similar to the without-stylet group (49 of 194 [25.2%]; P = .740). There was a high degree of concordance in the determination of adequacy (84.0%; 95% CI, 78.1-88.9) and diagnostic sample generation (95.4%; 95% CI, 91.2-97.9) between the two techniques. A similar qualitative number of lymphocytes, malignant cells, and bronchial respiratory epithelia were recovered using each technique. Conclusions Omitting stylet use during EBUS-TBNA does not affect diagnostic outcomes and reduces procedural complexity. Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.Gov: No. NCT 02201654 ; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Millimeter wave computational imaging with 3D printed leaky wave frequency diverse antenna

In this article we introduce a new type of frequency diverse antenna based on a leaky waveguide. We have shown with simulated experiment that the antenna can achieve 2cm spatial resolution at K-band frequencies.
Consensus and Debate in Salazar's Portugal

Ellen Sapega’s study documents artistic responses to images of the Portuguese nation promoted by Portugal’s Office of State Propaganda under Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Combining archival research with current theories informing the areas of memory studies, visual culture, women’s autobiography, and postcolonial studies, the author follows the trajectory of three well-known cultural figures working in Portugal and its colonies during the 1930s and 1940s. The book begins with an analysis of official Salazarist culture as manifested in two state-sponsored commemorative events: the 1938 contest to discover the “Most Portuguese Village in Portugal” and the 1940 Exposition of the Portuguese-Speaking World. While these events fulfilled their role as state propaganda, presenting a patriotic and unambiguous view of Portugal’s past and present, other cultural projects of the day pointed to contradictions inherent in the nation’s social fabric. In their responses to the challenging conditions faced by writers and artists during this period and the government’s relentless promotion of an increasingly conservative and traditionalist image of Portugal, Jose de Almada Negreiros, Irene Lisboa, and Baltasar Lopes subtly proposed revisions and alternatives to official views of Portuguese experience. These authors questioned and rewrote the metaphors of collective Portuguese and Lusophone identity employed by the ideologues of Salazar’s Estado Novo regime to ensure and administer the consent of the national populace. It is evident, today, that their efforts resulted in the creation of vital, enduring texts and cultural artifacts.
Point-of-Sale E-cigarette Advertising Among Tobacco Stores

The marketing expenditure and sale of e-cigarettes increased sharply in the United States in recent years. However, little is known about neighborhood characteristics of point-of-sale (POS) e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores. The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic characteristics of POS e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores in the Omaha metropolitan area of Nebraska, USA. Between April and June 2014, trained fieldworkers completed marketing audits of all stores that sell tobacco (n = 463) in the Omaha metropolitan area and collected comprehensive e-cigarette advertising data of these stores. Based on the auditing information, we categorized tobacco stores based on e-cigarette advertising status. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between neighborhood socio-demographic factors and e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores. 251 (54.2%) of the 463 tobacco stores had e-cigarette advertisements. We found that neighborhoods of stores with POS e-cigarette advertising had higher per capita income (p < 0.05), higher percentage of non-hispanic whites (p < 0.005), and higher percentage of individuals with high school education (p < 0.005) than neighborhoods of stores without POS e-cigarette advertising. There were negative associations between e-cigarette advertising and number of adolescents or number of middle/high school students. After adjusting for covariates, only percentage of non-Hispanic Whites remained a significant factor for e-cigarette advertising. POS e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores is related with neighborhood socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Future studies are needed to understand how these characteristics are related with e-cigarette purchasing and e-cigarette prevalence among social groups.
Abstract 182: Reduction in Interleukin-10 Level in Plasma and in Renal Tissue During Systemic Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Anesthetized Mice

Systemic inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in mice increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) level in plasma. The present study examined the hypothesis that an inhibition of interleukin-10 (IL-10; anti-inflammatory cytokine) in response to NOS inhibition facilitates such enhancement in TNFα production. Levels of IL-10 and TNFα were measured (using ELISA kits) in plasma and in renal tissues obtained from anesthetized mice (C57BL6; ∼10 wks age) infused with or without NOS inhibitor, nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 200 μg/min/kg, iv). Protein expressions of IL-10 and TNFα in the renal tissues were also measured by immuno-staining. L-NAME infusion alone for 130 min (n=6) resulted in decreased IL-10 levels in plasma (0.3±0.1 vs 2.6±0.6 ng/mL) and in renal tissue (0.5±0.1 vs 1.3±0.1 ng/mg protein) which were associated with increased TNFα levels in plasma (432±82 pg/mL vs undetected) and in renal tissue (58±7 vs 6±5 pg/mg protein) as compared to vehicle treated control mice (n=6). There was marked down-regulation of IL-10 protein expression (present only in the distal tubules in control mice) and up-regulation of TNFα protein expression (distal tubules and collecting ducts) in the renal tissues in L-NAME treated mice. Infusion of NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP; 25 μg/min/kg for 75 min) in a separate group of L-NAME treated mice (n=6) restored the IL-10 level in plasma (1.0±0.1 ng/mL) and in renal tissue (1.5±0.1 ng/mg protein) closer to the values in control mice indicating that L-NAME induced IL-10 responses are specific to NO inhibition. SNAP infusion in L-NAME treated mice also reduced TNFα level in plasma (to an undetected level) and in renal tissue (20±4 pg/mg protein) along with its protein immune-expression. Infusion of mouse IL-10 (0.075 ng/min/g for 75 min) in another separate group of L-NAME treated mice (n=7) also attenuated TNFα level in plasma (50±16 pg/mL) and in renal tissue (21±7 pg/mg protein) along with its protein immune-expression indicating that L-NAME induced TNFα responses are specific to reduction in IL-10 level. The results demonstrate that systemic NOS inhibition decreases IL-10 production and thus, minimizes its immune down-regulating action on the production of TNFα, particularly in the kidney.
Rear-facing car safety seat use for children 18 months of age: prevalence and determinants

Objective To examine the prevalence and potential determinants of rear-facing car safety seat use among children approximately 18 months of age born at a university hospital. Study design We administered a telephone survey to caregivers of children 17-19 months of age who were born between November 2013 and May 2014. The survey was designed to assess the prevalence of rear-facing car safety seat use and estimate the likelihood of rear-facing car safety seat use, compared with forward-facing car seat use, in reference to hypothesized determinants. aORs and 95% CIs were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Results In total, 56% of potentially eligible caregivers (491/877) completed the survey; 62% of these reported rear-facing car safety seat use. Race, education, rurality, and household income were associated with rear-facing car safety seat use after controlling for potential confounders. Additionally, caregivers who reported having discussed car seats with their child's provider (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.6); receiving their child's primary care in pediatrics compared with family practice clinics (aOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-2.6); and being aware of the American Academy of Pediatrics rear-facing recommendation (aOR 2.8; 95% CI 1.8-4.1) were significantly more likely to report rear-facing car safety seat use. Conversely, caregivers who previously used a car seat with another child were less likely to have their child rear facing at 18 months of age (aOR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.9). Conclusions A large proportion of children were forward facing at 18 months of age. Future efforts focused on encouraging providers to discuss car seats during patient visits, increasing awareness of the American Academy of Pediatrics' rear-facing recommendation, and targeting high-risk populations may improve the prevalence of children who remain rear facing until 2 years of age.
ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF ADULT CARABIDAE IN FOUR SOYBEAN CROPPING SYSTEMS IN VIRGINIA

Carabidae (Coleoptera) were monitored from pitfall trap catches in four soybean cropping systems in Westmoreland Co., Virginia during the summer of 1982. Harpalus pensylvanicus DeGeer, Poecilus chalcites Say, Amara spp., and Agonum octopunctatum Fabricius were the most commonly encountered among the 39 species collected. These four species were more abundant in drill-planted and double-cropped soybean fields which were conservation tillage systems as compared to conventionally plowed fields. Significantly more species per field and more carabids per trap were found during June than in later summer months. The Shannon-Weaver diversity and Berger-Parker dominance indices showed no significant differences in species diversity among the cropping systems. The total number of carabids present in soybeans is more important in comparisons than either species number of species evenness.
Association of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease with processes of care and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Aims To examine the association of acute kidney injury (AKI) with long-term outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI), and evaluate whether effect modification is present according to baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) status. Methods and results ACTION Registry records from 2008 to 2012 were linked to Medicare claims data, creating a cohort of 76 500 acute MI patients aged ≥ 65 years who survived to hospital discharge. Mild, moderate, and severe AKI were defined as changes in creatinine from baseline to peak of 0.3 to < 0.5, 0.5 to < 1.0, and ≥ 1.0 mg/dL, respectively. Stage 3, Stage 4, and Stage 5 CKD were defined as estimated glomerular filtration rates of 30-59, 15-29, and <15 mL/min/m2, respectively. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to examine associations of AKI with long-term outcomes. The prevalence of baseline CKD was: Stage 3 (41.2%), Stage 4 (6.7%), and Stage 5 (1.0%). The incidence of AKI was: mild (7.5%), moderate (6.0%), and severe (3.0%). A significant interaction of AKI with baseline CKD was observed for 1-year mortality (Pinteraction <0.001). Acute kidney injury was associated with worse multivariable-adjusted 1-year mortality among individuals without CKD: mild AKI [hazard ratio (HR): 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.49], moderate AKI (HR:1.66, 95% CI: 1.46-1.89), and severe AKI (HR: 2.87, 95% CI: 2.41-3.43). An attenuation of this effect was noted with advancing stages of baseline CKD such that among patients with Stage 5 CKD, AKI was not associated with 1-year mortality. Conclusion Acute kidney injury is associated with worse long-term outcomes after MI. This effect is modified by baseline CKD status.
The Barrow Innovation Center Case Series: Early Clinical Experience with Novel, Low-Cost Techniques for Bone Graft Containment in the Posterolateral Fusion Bed

Background A frequently encountered problem during posterolateral fusion (PLF) is bone graft displacement from the posterolateral space during closure. Commercially available solutions to this problem are seldom used because of their exceptionally high cost. The purpose of this report is to describe 3 novel, low-cost techniques we developed for bone graft containment during PLF. Methods Three low-cost bone graft containment techniques are described: rapid suture weave, makeshift bone bag, and cellulose rooftop. Early clinical experience with these techniques is reported for a 5-patient case series. Results One or more of these bone graft containment techniques were used in 5 patients who underwent PLF. Rapid suture weave was the least expensive ( Conclusions These 3 novel surgical techniques for bone graft containment in the posterolateral space add minimally to the cost and length of the procedure. Our early clinical experience suggests that these techniques are safe and effective. Additional clinical experience is warranted, and prospective data collection is ongoing.
The Epidemiology of Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a rare tumor among the general population, but is the most common type of cancer among young men in many countries. The vast majority of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors. As a result, the terms “testicular cancer” and “testicular germ cell tumors” (TGCT) are often used interchangeably. Globally, the incidence of TGCT is highest among men of northern European ancestry and lowest among men of Asian and African descent. Incidence rates of TGCT have been increasing around the world for at least 50 years, but mortality rates, at least in developed countries, have been declining. While reasons for the decreases in mortality are related to improvements in therapeutic regimes introduced in the late 1970s, reasons for the increase in incidence are less well understood. An accumulating body of evidence suggests, however, that TGCT arises in fetal life. As the great majority of TGCTs arise among men between the ages of 15 and 44 years, this chapter will focus on the etiology of the tumors in this age group.
The Constant Sum Problem in Geochemistry

An array of geochemical data, wherein rows of the array represent rock samples and columns represent geochemical variables, is, or is part of, a complete array wherein each row sums to a constant (100 percent, 10 parts per million, etc.). Because of this, nonzero correlation coefficients between geochemical variables, and distinct trends on graphical plots, are to be expected in the absence of geochemical associations. This is the most difficult general problem faced in attempts to understand bivariate and multivariate relations in geochemistry, and renders many multivariate techniques useful in other fields of geology since the introduction of modern computers, less informative than they might be otherwise. No general solution to the problem has been found. A method developed by F. Chayes and W. Kruskal, however, may be used to test the hypothesis that none of the variables in a specific geochemical problem are correlated in excess of the correlation attributed to effects of the constant sum. Where the hypothesis is accepted, no further examination or analysis of the correlations for geochemical significance seems warranted. Where the hypothesis is rejected, however, no information is obtained regarding the statistical or geochemical significance of individual correlations; the pairs of variables that are correlated geochenically cannot be identified. The fundamental cause of the constant sum
Predicting the clinical impact of human mutation with deep neural networks

Millions of human genomes and exomes have been sequenced, but their clinical applications remain limited due to the difficulty of distinguishing disease-causing mutations from benign genetic variation. Here we demonstrate that common missense variants in other primate species are largely clinically benign in human, enabling pathogenic mutations to be systematically identified by the process of elimination. Using hundreds of thousands of common variants from population sequencing of six non-human primate species, we train a deep neural network that identifies pathogenic mutations in rare disease patients with 88% accuracy and enables the discovery of 14 new candidate genes in intellectual disability at genome-wide significance. Cataloging common variation from additional primate species would improve interpretation for millions of variants of uncertain significance, further advancing the clinical utility of human genome sequencing.
Implantation techniques and outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Background Patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) are at risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). There are limited data on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) techniques and long-term outcomes in this population. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine implantation techniques and efficacy of CRT for CCTGA. Methods A 15-year retrospective review of patients with CCTGA undergoing CRT was performed. Results Twenty patients were identified (mean age 40.1 ± 15.3 years; baseline New York Heart Association class 2.0 [interquartile range 1.5–3.5]). Indication was pacing-induced ventricular dysfunction in 12 (60%), atrioventricular block with anticipation for >40% ventricular pacing in 5 (25%), and intact atrioventricular conduction with CHF and QRS prolongation in 3 (15%). A transvenous approach was successful in 18 of 19 patients (95%) in whom it was attempted, with cannulation of a posteroseptal ostium in 14 (78%), vein of Marshall in 2 (11%), and superior ectopic ostium in 2 (11%). Of patients with baseline CHF, 8 (67%) were acute responders, with loss of response in 2 patients (median 1.1 and 1.5 years, respectively). Of 4 patients referred for heart transplantation, 3 (75%) could be de-listed following CRT. Only lead location in the right ventricular outflow tract predicted poor CRT response (P = .026). Post-procedure, the QRS duration increased by 4.3 ms/y (P Conclusion A transvenous approach to CRT involving distinct coronary venous patterns is feasible for most patients with CCTGA anatomy. Long-term outcome is favorable, but is characterized by return of right ventricular dysfunction in some patients.
B4C nanoskeleton enabled, flexible lithium-sulfur batteries

Abstract Wise selection of host materials and judicious design of electrodes are critical for constructing high-performance energy storage devices. Here we report an unusual cathode configuration for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries employing B4C nanowires (BC-NWs) as a skeleton, porous activated cotton textile (ACT) as a flexible carbon scaffold, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a self-adaptive protective shell. This BC-NWs@ACT/S/rGO cathode achieved superlative sulfur confinement and electrochemical performance with excellent cycling stability (over 1000 cycles at a high current density of 1.5 mA/cm2), an ultralow capacity decay rate (0.056% per cycle) and remarkable capacities at a wide range of discharging rate from 0.1 to 1.5 mA/cm2, demonstrating its potential to achieve high capacity and long cycle life simultaneously in Li-S batteries.
Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic polyisobutylene/poly(ethylene glycol) di- and triblock copolymers

Di- and triblock copolymers of polyisobutylene PIB and poly(ethylene glycol) PEG have been prepared and characterized. The syntheses involved the capping with tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate TDI various molecular weight α-phenyl-ω-(p-phenol) polyisobutylenes C6H5-PIB-C6H4OH and α,ω-di-(p-phenol)polyisobutylenes HOC6H4-PIB-C6H4OH, or commercially available mono- and di-hydroxyl-terminated PEGs. In this manner a series of PIB-b-PEG diblock copolymers, and PEG-b-PIB-b-PEG and PIB-b-PEG-b-PIB triblock copolymers have been obtained. The complete removal of the prepolymers from these amphiphilic sequential copolymers by conventional solvent extraction techniques could not be achieved because of the very high emulsifying action of the latters. In contrast, satisfactory separation was obtained by column chromatography using mixed (polar/nonpolar) eluents. The blocking efficiencies and composition of the block copolymers have been determined.
Principles of Valid Clinical Research

In clinical studies, errors are usually categorized into systematic errors (bias, confounding) and random errors. Systematic errors are of particular concern because they lead to over- or under-estimation of effects. Bias is a systematic error that distorts the relationship between exposure and outcome. As a general rule, it is not possible to mathematically adjust for biases once they have been introduced. Confounding is a special case when the distorted relationship between cause and effect is caused by a third factor. Confounding can be neutralized using careful study design or statistical methods. Validity is the opposite of bias, and is usually divided into internal validity and external validity. A study is internally valid if the estimates drawn from the study population are free of confounding and bias. A study is externally valid if its results can be applied to a separate population. Internal validity is a prerequisite for external validity.
Epac1 and Glycyrrhizin Both Inhibit HMGB1 Levels to Reduce Diabetes-Induced Neuronal and Vascular Damage in the Mouse Retina

The role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in acute diabetic retinal damage has been demonstrated. We recently reported that glycyrrhizin, a HMGB1 inhibitor, protected the diabetic retina against neuronal, vascular, and permeability changes. In this study, we wanted to investigate the role of exchange protein for cAMP 1 (Epac1) on HMGB1 and the actions of glycyrrhizin. Using endothelial cell specific knockout mice for Epac1, we made some mice diabetic using streptozotocin, and treated some with glycyrrhizin for up to 6 months. We measured permeability, neuronal, and vascular changes in the Epac1 floxed and knockout mice. We also investigated whether Epac1 and glycyrrhizin work synergistically to reduce the retinal inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1-beta (IL1β), as well as sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels. Epac1 and glycyrrhizin reduced inflammatory mediators with synergistic actions. Glycyrrhizin also increased SIRT1 levels in the Epac1 mice. Overall, these studies demonstrate that glycyrrhizin and Epac1 can work together to protect the retina. Finally, glycyrrhizin may regulate HMGB1 through increased SIRT1 actions.
Host DNA integrity within blood meals of hematophagous larval gnathiid isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae).

Juvenile gnathiid isopods are common ectoparasites of marine fishes. Each of the three juvenile stages briefly attach to a host to obtain a blood meal but spend most of their time living in the substrate, thus making it difficult to determine patterns of host exploitation. Sequencing of host blood meals from wild-caught specimens is a promising tool to determine host identity. Although established protocols for this approach exist, certain challenges must be overcome when samples are subjected to typical field conditions that may contribute to DNA degradation. The goal of this study was to address a key methodological issue associated with molecular-based host identification from free-living, blood-engorged gnathiid isopods—the degradation of host DNA within blood meals. Here we have assessed the length of time host DNA within gnathiid blood meals can remain viable for positive host identification. Juvenile gnathiids were allowed to feed on fish of known species and subsets were preserved at 4-h intervals over 24 h and then every 24 h up to 5 days post-feeding. Host DNA extracted from gnathiid blood meals was sequenced to validate the integrity of host DNA at each time interval. DNA was also extracted from blood meals of wild-fed gnathiids for comparison. Attempts were also made to extract host DNA from metamorphosed juveniles. Using a cox1 universal fish primer set, known fish host DNA sequences were successfully identified for nearly 100% of third-stage juvenile gnathiid blood meals, digested for up to 5 days post-feeding. For second-stage juveniles, host identification was 100% successful when gnathiids were preserved within 24 h of collection. Fish hosts were positively identified for 69% of sequences from wild-fed gnathiid isopods. Of the 31% of sequences not receiving a ≥ 98 % match to a sequence in GenBank, 25 sequences were of possible invertebrate origin. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the degradation rate of gnathiid isopod blood meals. Determining the rate at which gnathiids digest their blood meal is an important step in ensuring the successful host identification by DNA-based methods in large field studies.
Concurrent hyoid bone fracture associated with multiple facial fractures secondary to assault: Case report and review of literature

Abstract Introduction Hyoid bone fractures are rarely reported as an isolated entity due to the infrequent occurrence accounting for only 0.002% of all head and neck fractures and 1.15 as the highest incidence. Strangulation remains the most common cause of isolated hyoid bone fractures with an incidence of 27–50%. However, blunt trauma, motor vehicle crash, sport related injuries, falls, assaults, and gunshot wounds are additional documented causes of hyoid bone fractures. Case report A 23-year-old male who was assaulted to the face. He complained of pain to the face and neck, sore throat, dysphagia and changes in speech. The face and neck CT scans revealed multiple facial fractures along with a hyoid bone fracture. Patient was admitted to for observation and close monitoring for airway protection until the mandible and hyoid bone fractures were treated. ORIF of the mandibular fractures took place; we elected to treat the hyoid bone fracture conservatively as it was asymptomatic. The patient's hospital course was unremarkable. Result 56 articles were reviewed from 1949 to 2017, which revealed that isolated hyoid bone fractures and hyoid bone fractures associated with other facial fractures are very rare. Hyoid bone fractures due to direct trauma, road traffic accidents, falls, assault and gunshot wounds are more common in males than females. However, in strangulation and suicidal hanging, the incidence is higher in females than males. Multiple methods can be used to evaluate the hyoid bone fractures. The majority of hyoid bone fractures are treated conservatively
Improving short-term retention after robotic training by leveraging fixed-gain controllers.

IntroductionWhen developing control strategies for robotic rehabilitation, it is important that end-users who train with those strategies retain what they learn. Within the current state-of-the-art...
Interstitial lung abnormalities in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study evaluating prevalence and progression.

Author(s): Dong, Huawei; Julien, Peter J; Demoruelle, M Kristen; Deane, Kevin D; Weisman, Michael H | Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Pulmonary disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we investigated the prevalence and progression of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) in a prospective cohort study of 18 subjects with early RA. METHODS:Eighteen adults diagnosed with anti-citrullinated protein-antibody-positive RA within the prior year underwent baseline high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), symptom assessment, and pulmonary function and laboratory testing. The follow-up HRCT and clinical assessment were completed after 1 year. RESULTS:Seven of the 18 patients (39%) had baseline HRCT abnormalities including septal thickening, honeycombing, ground glass opacities, and/or traction bronchiectasis. At follow-up, 6 out of the 7 subjects (86%) with ILAs at baseline exhibited progression, while 10 out of 11 (91%) without ILAs at baseline remained stable. A higher Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire score was associated with both the presence and progression of HRCT abnormalities (10 vs 2, p=0.045; 10 vs 2, p=0.009, respectively). C-reactive protein (CRP) trended higher in patients with radiologic abnormalities (3.5 mg/L vs 1.1 mg/L, p=0.08) and was significantly higher in those with progression (3.5 mg/L vs 1 mg/L, p=0.024). Smoking, pulmonary function, and autoantibodies were not associated with HRCT abnormalities. CONCLUSION:ILAs are prevalent in patients with early RA. If identified at baseline, radiographic progression of ILAs after 1 year is likely, while those without ILAs at baseline are unlikely to develop new ILAs. In addition, early respiratory symptoms and higher CRP levels may correlate with the presence and progression of underlying ILAs.
Construction and Application of a Static Load Performance Testing Platform for Truck-Mounted Drilling Rigs

Abstract In this paper, a static load performance testing platform for truck-mounted drilling rigs is constructed, which can directly test the static torque and static lifting force on the truck-mounted drilling rig, and replace current methods of theoretical calculation and construction experience for obtaining the above parameters. This platform detection is intuitive, accurate and efficient, and thus has been successfully applied to static load performance tests and delivery inspections on truck-mounted drilling rigs.
S-band GaAs FET Reconfigurable Reflectarray for Passive Communications

A reflectarray operating at 3.5 GHz is created with individual control of unit element reconfigurability for beamsteering in both azimuth and elevation. The unit element has been co-designed with a gallium arsenide (GaAs) FET on the back side of the reflector to allow the reflected phase to change between 0° and 180°. The phase control can be used to both beamform the reflected signal in a desired direction and modulate data onto a signal of opportunity for short range communications. The simplicity of the unit element and control routing enables the elements to be electrically small (~λ/6 spacing). Over-the-air laboratory measurements indicate the ability to modulate the reflected signal at 10 kbps with a path forward towards higher data rates.
Modeling Timed Component-Based Real-time Systems

Component based middleware helps to facilitate software reuse by separating application-specific concerns into modular components that are shielded from the concerns of other components and from the common concerns addressed by underlying middleware services. In real-time systems, concerns such as invocation rates, execution latencies, deadlines, and concurrency semantics cross-cut multiple component and middleware abstractions. Thus, the verification of these systems must consider features of the application components (e.g., their execution latencies and relative invocation rates) and of the supporting middleware (e.g., concurrency and scheduling) together. However, existing approaches only address a sub-set of the features that must be modeled in component based real-time systems, and a new more comprehensive approach is needed. To address that need, this paper offers three main contributions to the state of the art in the verification of component based real-time systems: (1) it introduces a formal model called component automata that combines new input/output rate specifications with input/output actions and timed internal actions from the existing interface automata and timed automata models respectively; (2) it presents new component composition operations for single-threaded and cooperative Notes: This research was supported in part by NSF grant CCF-0448562 titled CAREER: Time and Event Based System Software Construction. Type of Report: Other Department of Computer Science & Engineering Washington University in St. Louis Campus Box 1045 St. Louis, MO 63130 ph: (314) 935-6160 Modeling Timed Component-Based Real-time Systems∗ Huang-Ming Huang and Christopher Gill Department of Computer Science and Engineering Washington University, St.Louis, MO, USA {hh1, cdgill}@cse.wustl.edu
Implantation and Diffusion of Au in Be: Behavior During Annealing of a Low-Solubility Implant

The behavior of implanted gold in single-crystal a-beryllium has been studied during annealing, under conditions where the local concentration of the implant was much greater than the solid solubility. Room temperature implants of ≃ 1.0 x 1017 Au atom/cm2 at 100 keV resulted in a concentration peak of ≃ 14 at.% at a depth of ≃ 700 A. Energy spectra of backscattered 2 MeV He+ ions were used to determine the Au concentration versus depth during isothermal anneal sequences at 665 and 780 C. It was found that the implantation peak in the Au concentration profile did not broaden with annealing, but rather decreased continuously in amplitude. Gold diffused from the implanted layer into the bulk of the sample, where its concentration was ≲ 0.1 at.%. A quantitative description of this behavior was achieved by using the diffusion equation and by assuming the concentration outside the implanted layer to be limited by the solid solubility of Au in a-Be. Diffusion coefficients D and solid solubilities Co were extracted from the analysis with uncertainties of about ±30% in D and ±10% in Co: at 665 C, DA = 2.8 x 10-12 cm2/sec, DC = 1.5 x 10-12, and Co = 0.043 at.%; at 780 C, DA = 6.5 x 10-11, DC = 4.3 x 10-11, and Co = 0.10 at.%. The absolute magnitude, temperature dependence, and anisotropy of D (DC/dA ~ 0.6) were found to be similar to those reported for Cu in Be. This consistency contrasts with the findings of Naik, Dupouy, and Adda for Ag in Be, where the anisotropy was reversed (DC/DA ~ 1.8).
BMO Solvability and Absolute Continuity of Caloric Measure

We show that BMO-solvability implies scale invariant quantitative absolute continuity (specifically, the weak- $A_{\infty }$ property) of caloric measure with respect to surface measure, for an open set Ω ⊂ ℝn+ 1, assuming as a background hypothesis only that the essential boundary of Ω satisfies an appropriate parabolic version of Ahlfors-David regularity, entailing some backwards in time thickness. Since the weak- $A_{\infty }$ property of the caloric measure is equivalent to Lp solvability of the initial-Dirichlet problem, we may then deduce that BMO-solvability implies Lp solvability for some finite p.
Mental Health Services in the United States Public High Schools.

Background Mental health services in the United States public schools are an important component of the academic success of a student. Not all schools, however, have the necessary personnel and funding to offer such services. Methods In this paper, we provide an analysis of data collected from schools in 3 geographic locations. Comparisons were made of the availability of personnel to assess and treat mental health disorders in students enrolled in city, urban, and suburban schools, with over 10,000 schools represented. The data were part of the 2015 to 2016 School Survey on Crime and Safety. Results Accessibility of mental health practitioners and reasons that limited efforts of a school to provide the services were assessed. Statistically significant differences were identified by school location, demonstrating that those in rural communities were most challenged providing diagnostic assessment and treatment for students by school mental health professionals, for several reasons. Conclusions Increased state and county funding to support mental health practitioners in public high schools is one suggestion to address mental health disorders in students. Other strategies are offered for timely and appropriate diagnoses and treatment for mental health disorders that may impact the quality of life of a student for a lifetime.
Gastric bleeding in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis that classically affects large- and medium-sized vessels in the head and neck but can also manifest extracranially. We report the case of an elde...
Newly Diagnosed Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological Support, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Disease Activity

Background: Newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encounter many physical, mental, and social uncertainties. In other chronic diseases, patients having access to disease-specific information and psychological support adhere better to medical regimens. Currently, there is a paucity of data on how newly diagnosed patients with IBD interact with their medical providers. Methods: Patients diagnosed with IBD within 5 years completed a series of questionnaires related to heath-related quality of life (HRQoL), disease activity, health education resources, medical provider relationship, and psychological support. Results: A total of 89 patients were included in the study. IBD activity correlated with disease-specific quality of life (r=-0.69, p<0.0001). Patient satisfaction with gastroenterologist interaction correlated with HRQoL (r=0.33, p=0.04) and disease activity for Crohn's disease (CD) patients (Harvey Bradshaw Index, r=-0.52, p<0.001). Eleven percent of recently diagnosed patients reported receiving educational or psychological support as part of their treatment program, whereas 42% of patients believed that they would benefit from having these types of support incorporated in their treatment protocol. Discussion: In patients with newly diagnosed CD, the patients' perceived relationship with their medical provider was closely related to both HRQoL and disease activity. More attention to education, support, and the doctor-patient relationship at diagnosis could result in better patient outcomes.
22533 Marshallese Mothers' and Maternal Health Care Providers' Perspectives of the Structural and Socio-Cultural Barriers to Prenatal Care: A Comparison Article

ABSTRACT IMPACT: This study will be used to culturally tailor interventions to reduce maternal and infant health disparities in a Marshallese community. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Inadequate prenatal care is associated with adverse birth outcomes including preterm births, low birth weight infants, and neonatal mortality. Marshallese Pacific Islanders are less likely to receive early and consistent prenatal care compared to other racial/ethnic groups and are thus at a higher risk for maternal and infant health disparities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This article used a qualitative comparative analysis method to compare and contrast the perceived barriers to prenatal care for the prospective of Marshallese mothers and Maternal Health Care Providers (MHCPs). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Marshallese mothers and MHCPs identified the same structural barriers to prenatal care: health insurance, transportation, and language. The socio-cultural barriers to prenatal care were depicted quite differently by Marshallese mothers verses MHCPs. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: While the description of structural barriers were consistent among Marshallese mothers and MHCPs, the socio-cultural barriers and the value assigned to those barriers was quite different. Understanding the perspectives from both lenses is an important step towards addressing the barriers to prenatal care among Marshallese.
Promoting Teachers’ Implementation Adherence and Quality of the Good Behavior Game Using Behavioral Skills Training

Management of classroom behavior is one of the primary responsibilities of teachers, yet teachers report they receive little to no training in this area. Research demonstrates that classrooms with ...
Guardian Authorized to Partially Renounce Incapacitated Person's Interest in an Estate as Part of Medicaid Planning

In Matter of Baird, the Suffolk County Supreme Court granted a guardian's petition to partially renounce an incapacitated person's interest in a decedent's estate. It authorized the renunciation of only that portion of the inheritance that, when completed, would result in assets that passed to Mrs. Baird, the incapacitated person, sufficient to pay for her nursing home care during the resulting period of Medicaid disqualification. Matter of Baird is the most recent in a series of decisions that authorized guardians to engage in Medicaid planning on behalf of incapacitated persons. What distinguishes Matter of Baird from these earlier decisions, however, is the implicit holding that the renunciation should be treated as any other asset transfer for purposes of Medicaid planning. This Article discusses Baird and its significance in estate planning, given the potential Medicaid consequences that may result.