cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of computed tomography angiography and transesophageal echocardiography for evaluating aortic arch disease

Aortic arch (AA) atheroma is a common source of artery-to-artery embolism. Identification of AA atherosclerotic disease is an important component of the embolic stroke workup. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for AA evaluation, but it has associated risks and is not always readily available. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a rapid and noninvasive alternative. This study was conducted to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CTA and TEE for detecting AA disease. We performed a retrospective review of 250 consecutive patients at a tertiary stroke center who underwent both TEE and CTA within a 90-day period. We compared the presence and characteristics of AA plaques using a predetermined grading system for plaques in the ascending, transverse, and descending arch for both modalities (grades 1-4). Out of 750 AA segments (ascending, transverse, and descending AA in 250 patients), 494 were adequately imaged by CTA and TEE. The sensitivity of CTA in detecting grade 1-4 AA atheromas was 53%, and the specificity was 89%. For only high-grade atheromas, the specificity improved to 99%, but the sensitivity decreased to 23%. The negative predictive value of CTA for detection of AA atheromas was 60% (range 54%-65%) for all grades and 95% (range 92%-96%) for high-grade atheromas. CTA has a high negative predictive value for AA atheromas, especially for higher-grade atheromas, and thus may be a useful screening tool to exclude high-grade plaques, indicating a possible complementary role for CTA in detecting AA atheromas.
Temporal difference learning applied to sequential detection

This paper proposes a novel neural-network method for sequential detection, We first examine the optimal parametric sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) and make a simple equivalent transformation of the SPRT that makes it suitable for neural-network architectures. We then discuss how neural networks can learn the SPRT decision functions from observation data and labels. Conventional supervised learning algorithms have difficulties handling the variable length observation sequences, but a reinforcement learning algorithm, the temporal difference (TD) learning algorithm works ideally in training the neural network. The entire neural network is composed of context units followed by a feedforward neural network. The context units are necessary to store dynamic information that is needed to make good decisions. For an appropriate neural-network architecture, trained with independent and identically distributed (iid) observations by the TD learning algorithm, we show that the neural-network sequential detector can closely approximate the optimal SPRT with similar performance. The neural-network sequential detector has the additional advantage that it is a nonparametric detector that does not require probability density functions. Simulations demonstrated on iid Gaussian data show that the neural network and the SPRT have similar performance.
Food insecurity, food assistance and weight status in US youth: new evidence from NHANES 2007-08.

SummaryWhat is already known about this subject Most prior work suggests no consistent association between food assistance programme participation and increased risk for youth overweight. Previous studies have not accounted for youth food insecurity status, which may modify this relationship. What this study adds Associations between food assistance programme participation and youth overweight are modified by food insecurity. In a national sample, food-secure youth, but not food-insecure youth, participating in food assistance programmes had increased body size both by body mass index and waist circumference measures. Objective To investigate food assistance participation as a risk factor for overweight and obesity in youth, and food insecurity as an effect modifier. Methods The sample included youth ages 4–17, in families ≤200% of the federal poverty line in the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 1321). Food insecurity was measured with the US Department of Agriculture survey module. Food assistance participation was assessed for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and school meals. Body size was classified by age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) percentile, BMI z-score and waist circumference percentile. Regression models with direct covariate adjustment and programme-specific propensity scores, stratified by food insecurity, estimated associations between food assistance participation and body size. Results Food assistance participation was not associated with increased body size among food-insecure youth in models with direct covariate adjustment or propensity scores. Compared with low-income, food-secure youth not participating in food assistance, BMI z-scores were higher among participants in models with direct covariate adjustment (0.27–0.38 SD and 0.41–0.47 SD, for boys and girls, respectively). Using propensity scores, results were similar for boys, but less so for girls. Conclusions Food assistance programme participation is associated with increased body size in food-secure youth, but not food-insecure youth. Using both direct covariate adjustment and a propensity score approach, self-selection bias may explain some, but not all, of the associations. Providing healthy food assistance that improves diet quality without contributing to excessive intake remains an important public health goal.
A Population-Based Study of Prevalence and Adherence Trends in Average Risk Colorectal Cancer Screening, 1997 to 2008

Background: Increasing colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) is important for attaining the Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing CRC-related morbidity and mortality. Evaluating CRCS trends can help identify shifts in CRCS, and specific groups that might be targeted for CRCS. Methods: We utilized medical records to describe population-based adherence to average-risk CRCS guidelines from 1997 to 2008 in Olmsted County, MN. CRCS trends were analyzed overall and by gender, age, and adherence to screening mammography (women only). We also carried out an analysis to examine whether CRCS is being initiated at the recommended age of 50. Results: From 1997 to 2008, the size of the total eligible sample ranged from 20,585 to 21,468 people. CRCS increased from 22% to 65% for women and from 17% to 59% for men ( P < 0.001 for both) between 1997 and 2008. CRCS among women current with mammography screening increased from 26% to 74%, and this group was more likely to be adherent to CRCS than all other subgroups analyzed ( P < 0.001).The mean ages of screening initiation were stable throughout the study period, with a mean age of 55 years among both men and women in 2008. Conclusion: Although overall CRCS tripled during the study period, there is still room for improvement. Impact: Working to decrease the age at first screening, exploration of gender differences in screening behavior, and targeting women adherent to mammography but not to CRCS seem warranted. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(2); 347–50. ©2011 AACR .
Dysregulation of Autoantigen Genes in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Involves Alternative Transcripts and New Protein Synthesis

Proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are two major autoantigens in patients with vasculitis with ANCA. The genes encoding these autoantigens are abnormally expressed in peripheral granulocytes of patients with active ANCA-associated vasculitis. This study provides evidence that this transcriptional dysregulation results in a variety of mRNA processing events from the PRTN3 gene locus. In addition to elevated levels of PR3 message, leukocyte RNA from patients contained PR3 transcripts with an alternative 3' untranslated region. Furthermore, we detected usage of an alternative transcription start site within intron 1 of the PRTN3 gene locus that coincided with active disease (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 8.4; P=0.01). This promoter may be developmentally regulated, because it was active in normal human bone marrow, multiple leukemia cell lines, MCF-7 cells, and subjects after GM-CSF treatment but not subjects with a neutrophil left shift. This transcript, which lacks exon 1 of PRTN3, encodes a 24-kD protein (p24(PR3/MBN)) with a sequence similar to that previously described for myeloblastin. Notably, PR3, p24(PR3/MBN), and MPO were synthesized in cultured neutrophils from patients with active ANCA-associated vasculitis, indicating that increased transcription results in newly synthesized autoantigens in peripheral neutrophils of patients. The synthesis of p24(PR3/MBN) seems to expand the autoantigen repertoire, because immunoblots showed that sera from patients recognized p24(PR3/MBN). These findings emphasize the importance of transcriptional dysregulation of the autoantigen in autoimmune disease.
Proxy Indications of Holocene Winter Rains in Southwest Asia Compared with Simulated Rainfall

Reconstructed history of the monsoon rainfall in Rajasthan shows that the monsoon was weak or absent in latest glacial time. With the advent of Holocene climatic patterns, fresh water lakes formed in dune fields and the pollen rain preserved in these reservoirs provides a basis for the reconstruction of the monsoon history. This history shows maximum monsoon amounts in the early Holocene, with a roughly two-thirds decrease to the present, and salinization in Sub-Boreal time. There appears to have been long intervals of near complete desiccation in the last four millennia. The variability of the winter rains is especially pertinent to the past climate of regions to the far west of Rajasthan.
Bisphosphonates and bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis.

Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws is the correct term for this real drug complication that most dental practitioners face. All nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates pose a risk, which is related to the route of administration, the potency of the bisphosphonate, and the duration of use. Although intravenous bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws is mostly permanent, most cases can be prevented or managed if they develop, with only a few cases requiring resection for resolution. Oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws also can be prevented with knowledge of the risk level related to the duration of use and the C-terminal telopeptide blood test results. Most cases can be resolved with a drug holiday either spontaneously or via straightforward debridement.
Moist Process Biases in Simulations of the Madden–Julian Oscillation Episodes Observed during the AMIE/DYNAMO Field Campaign

AbstractTwo Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) episodes observed during the 2011 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program MJO Investigation Experiment (AMIE)/DYNAMO field campaign are simulated using a regional model with various cumulus parameterizations, a regional cloud-permitting model, and a global variable-resolution model with a high-resolution region centered over the tropical Indian Ocean. Model biases in relationships relevant to existing instability theories of MJO are examined and their relative contributions to the overall model errors are quantified using a linear statistical model. The model simulations capture the observed approximately log-linear relationship between moisture saturation fraction and precipitation, but precipitation associated with the given saturation fraction is overestimated especially at low saturation fraction values. This bias is a major contributor to the excessive precipitation during the suppressed phase of MJO. After accounting for this bias using a linear statisti...
Taphonomic Inferences on Boring Habit in the Richmondian Onniella meeki Epibole

Abstract Shell boring is one of the few quantifiable, well-preserved biotic interactions in the fossil record. While some workers have used boring intensity as a proxy for predation pressure in both Recent and fossil assemblages, others have warned that taphonomic and other effects can alter the boring intensity and lead to paleoecological misinterpretation. When the biocoenosis is known, however, taphonomic effects can be “undone” a posteriori. Because the valve ratio of any bivalved organism must be 1:1 in the biocoenosis, strengths of between-valve taphonomic biases can be calculated directly for any disarticulated assemblage of bivalved fossils. By back-calculating the biocoenotic boring intensities, improved estimates of boring stereotypy may be obtained. These “restored” boring intensities can provide more accurate paleoecological interpretations of boring habit while remaining numerically conservative. Taphonomic analysis of a bored Ordovician brachiopod assemblage shows that (1) the assemblage had...
Tactical Approaches to Interconverting GPCR Agonists and Antagonists

There are many reported examples of small structural modifications to GPCR-targeted ligands leading to major changes in their functional activity, converting agonists into antagonists or vice versa. These shifts in functional activity are often accompanied by negligible changes in binding affinity. The current perspective focuses on outlining and analyzing various approaches that have been used to interconvert GPCR agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists in order to achieve the intended functional activity at a GPCR of therapeutic interest. An improved understanding of specific structural modifications that are likely to alter the functional activity of a GPCR ligand may be of use to researchers designing GPCR-targeted drugs and/or probe compounds, specifically in cases where a particular ligand exhibits good potency but not the preferred functional activity at the GPCR of choice.
Destruction of Aflatoxin in Corn with Sodium Bisulfite 1, 2, 3 .

The ability of sodium bisulfite to destroy aflatoxins B1 and B2 in naturally contaminated corn containing about 2350 ppb of B1 and 450 ppb of B2 was investigated. Under certain conditions, complete destruction of aflatoxin B1 was achieved. Aflatoxin B2, on the other hand, was resistant to sodium bisulfite and never over about 50% was destroyed. Moisture, sodium bisulfite level, time, as well as temperature had significant effects on aflatoxin degradation. Moisture levels of over 50% (wet weight basis) had a strongly adverse effect on the aflatoxin-bisulfite reaction. The most effective treatment involved soaking whole-kernel corn in a 10% sodium bisulfite solution for 72 h, removing the solution and incubating the corn in sealed plastic bags at 50°C. Complete destruction of aflatoxin B1 was achieved by 21 d. Sodium bisulfite exhibited antimicrobial activity in corn comparable to that of propionic acid, indicating possible utility as an effective mold inhibitor in stored corn at up to 40% moisture. Feed consumption by young chickens was unaffected until feed containing over 20 g of sodium bisulfite/kg was presented.
Architecting Scalable Academic Virtual World Grids: A Case Utilizing OpenSimulator

To better understand the technological requirements of academic institutions looking to implement an OpenSimulator virtual world grid, an observational study was performed to better understand the solution requirements. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an analysis of the parameters and considerations utilized to architect a scalable, open-source virtual world grid for use in various academic delivery scenarios. This specific case focuses on the detail leading up to deployment of the solution, and includes a discussion regarding solution selection and incorporation of various virtualization technologies to maximize institutional hardware resources based on established functional need. The computing resources utilized for this case were allocated via a virtualized infrastructure. Discussion and results include presentation of a proposed layered model outlining the solution elements and their relationships as well as various approaches to structuring and organizing in-world content and activity.
Simulating Developmental Time of Preadult Face Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) from Air Temperature Records

Cohorts of face fly, Musca autumnalis DeGeer, were reared in constant-temperature environments. Within a temperature range of 13.8 to 34.7°C, developmental times from egg to adult ranged from 7.8 to 46.1 days, and combined prepupal stages averaged 30.5% of the total. Mean developmental rate (inverse of days) was accurately described by a curvilinear function of temperature. A rate summation model was derived which accurately predicted the temporal distribution of emerging adults from additional cohorts of flies reared in growth chambers with fluctuating temperatures and also in the field. Comparisons of summed developmental rates by using air and cowpat temperatures recorded concurrently in the field indicated that linear corrections of daily minimum and maximum air temperatures were necessary to simulate accurately developmental times of the dung- and soil-inhabiting stages of face fly.
Physical properties of red cells as related to effects in vivo. III. Effect of thermal treatment on survival of red cells in the dog. Role of the spleen.

Dog red cells heated at 49 C. for 15 minutes with no change in osmotic fragility, showed a decreased rate of survival in vivo, and increased sequestration by the spleen, and an increase in the osmotic fragility when recovered from the spleen. The peripheral blood showed normal osmotic fragility at all times. These changes were comparable to those seen in the spleen in homozygous sickle-cell disease and hereditary spherocytosis. There was no hemoglobinemia. Splenectomy decreased the rate of destruction of such heated red cells in vivo. In these studies the rigidity of the red cells with increased viscosity, but with normal osmotic fragility, may have resulted in the removal of the heated red cells by the spleen and subsequent conditioning of these cells in the spleen. In contrast to the 15 minutes heating, dog cells heated at 49 C. for 60 minutes had increased osmotic fragility and were rapidly removed from the circulation. There was sequestration by the spleen or by the liver with hemoglobinemia. The red cells with the greatest increase in osmotic fragility were not preferentially removed in vivo.
The public trust doctrine and critical legal geographies of water in California

Abstract Legal processes shape how water resources are allocated, regulated, distributed, and governed. This paper examines the public trust doctrine, a legal principle that addresses the state’s role in governing natural resources by requiring states to manage certain bodies of water and their shorelines for the good of the public. The paper focuses on how the public trust doctrine has been used—with varying degrees of success—to protect water bodies by contesting the diversion and transfer of water in California. The paper compares how the doctrine was applied in two cases: Mono Lake and the Salton Sea, two California lakes that have been threatened by water diversions and transfers. Advocates at Mono Lake successfully used the public trust doctrine for environmental protection, while public trust was an unsuccessful strategy at the Salton Sea. The paper examines issues of nonequilibrium ecosystems, natural versus artificial ecosystems, and wasteful versus reasonable uses of water. By investigating why one case was deemed eligible for public trust protections while the other was not, this paper examines how discursive constructions of nature are embedded in and enacted by legal institutions and how these constructions of nature impact the implementation of legal protections of natural resources. In examining the use of the public trust doctrine in California, the paper examines both the potential and the limitations of the public trust in practice, showing how legal processes and institutions can be used to protect public interests in natural resources but also how particular environmental narratives are reinforced through these institutions.
The wheezing infant

In summary, wheezing is a common manifestation of viral respiratory tract disease in infancy. The precise pathogenetic mechanisms of virus-induced wheezing and its sequelae are not clear, although recent reports about participation of the cellular and humoral immune systems are promising. Although therapies like those used to treat asthma are employed in the treatment of virus-induced wheezing in infancy, their efficacy remains controversial in bronchiolitis. Recently developed agents with antiviral properties are promising and the choice of any of these agents in a therapeutic regimen should be individualized. Antiviral agents during acute infections may modify the long-term sequelae. Clearly, much work needs to be done to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms, and to develop new, safe, and effective anti-inflammatory agents for the therapy of these disorders.
Magnetic Breakdown in Graphite Intercalation Compounds

The presence of large, in-plane superlattices in acceptor graphite intercalation compounds (GIC) can lead to extensive restructuring of the Fermi surfaces. We present the first direct evidence of these extra Fermi surfaces, showing that they can be broken down in a large magnetic field to reveal the simpler, graphitic-derived Fermi surfaces. Similar results are found in GIC with H2SO4, HNO3, and Br2. The superlattice sizes determined from deHaas-van Alphen orbit areas are in good agreement with direct x-ray diffraction studies of the same samples. A detailed analysis of the experimental data shows the presence of significant magnetic interaction (Schoenberg effect).
Salvaging the obstructed ureterosigmoidostomy using an ileal interposition technique

AbstractUreterointestinal obstruction is a major complication of ureterosigmoidostomy and one that usually forces a flight to other forms of urinary diversion. Many patients, however, are reluctant to give up the life-style that ureterosigmoidostomy offers and prefer an alternative that permits retention of the basic features of the procedure. To satisfy these demands a technique has been developed in which an intussuscepted segment of small bowel is interposed between the colon and the ureters. This operation has allowed salvage of an obstructed ureterosigmoidostomy in 6 patients and has given such good results that it has been done as a primary procedure in 1. In addition to its use for the salvage of existing ureterosigmoidostomies, the operation permits primary ureterosigmoidostomy to be done in patients with dilated ureters, and it may even lessen the risk of colon cancer by separating the urothelium from the colonic mucosa.
Methods for Evaluating Respondent Attrition in Web-Based Surveys

Background: Electronic surveys are convenient, cost effective, and increasingly popular tools for collecting information. While the online platform allows researchers to recruit and enroll more participants, there is an increased risk of participant dropout in Web-based research. Often, these dropout trends are simply reported, adjusted for, or ignored altogether. Objective: To propose a conceptual framework that analyzes respondent attrition and demonstrates the utility of these methods with existing survey data. Methods: First, we suggest visualization of attrition trends using bar charts and survival curves. Next, we propose a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to detect or confirm significant attrition points. Finally, we suggest applications of existing statistical methods to investigate the effect of internal survey characteristics and patient characteristics on dropout. In order to apply this framework, we conducted a case study; a seventeen-item Informed Decision-Making (IDM) module addressing how and why patients make decisions about cancer screening. Results: Using the framework, we were able to find significant attrition points at Questions 4, 6, 7, and 9, and were also able to identify participant responses and characteristics associated with dropout at these points and overall. Conclusions: When these methods were applied to survey data, significant attrition trends were revealed, both visually and empirically, that can inspire researchers to investigate the factors associated with survey dropout, address whether survey completion is associated with health outcomes, and compare attrition patterns between groups. The framework can be used to extract information beyond simple responses, can be useful during survey development, and can help determine the external validity of survey results. [J Med Internet Res 2016;18(11):e301]
Heat-induced-radiolabeling and click chemistry: A powerful combination for generating multifunctional nanomaterials.

A key advantage of nanomaterials for biomedical applications is their ability to feature multiple small reporter groups (multimodality), or combinations of reporter groups and therapeutic agents (multifunctionality), while being targeted to cell surface receptors. Here a facile combination of techniques for the syntheses of multimodal, targeted nanoparticles (NPs) is presented, whereby heat-induced-radiolabeling (HIR) labels NPs with radiometals and so-called click chemistry is used to attach bioactive groups to the NP surface. Click-reactive alkyne or azide groups were first attached to the nonradioactive clinical Feraheme (FH) NPs. Resulting “Alkyne-FH” and “Azide-FH” intermediates, like the parent NP, tolerated 89Zr labeling by the HIR method previously described. Subsequently, biomolecules were quickly conjugated to the radioactive NPs by either copper-catalyzed or copper-free click reactions with high efficiency. Synthesis of the Alkyne-FH or Azide-FH intermediates, followed by HIR and then by click reactions for biomolecule attachment, provides a simple and potentially general path for the synthesis of multimodal, multifunctional, and targeted NPs for biomedical applications.
Morphological novelty and modest developmental truncation in Barboides, Africa's smallest vertebrates (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Miniaturization, the evolution of extremely small adult body size, is widespread amongst animals and commonly associated with novel ecological, physiological, and morphological attributes. The phenotypes of miniaturized taxa are noteworthy because they combine reductions and structural simplifications with novel traits not developed in their larger relatives. Previous research on miniature cyprinid fishes (focused predominantly on South and South East Asian taxa of a single subfamily) has identified two distinct classes of miniature taxa: proportioned dwarves and developmentally truncated miniatures. Miniaturization has also occurred independently in the subfamily Cyprininae, particularly in African lineages. We investigate the skeletal anatomy of Barboides, a genus of miniature African cyprinids that includes Africa's smallest known species of vertebrates, to assess whether miniaturization has resulted in similar organismal outcomes in different lineages of the Cyprinidae. The skeleton of Barboides is characterized by the complete absence of a number of dermal and endochondral ossifications, and marked reduction in size and/or complexity of other skeletal elements, particularly those of the dermatocranium. Absent skeletal elements in Barboides include those which develop relatively late in the ossification sequence of the non-miniature African relative ‘Barbus’ holotaenia suggesting that their absence in Barboides can be explained by a simple scenario of developmental truncation. In contrast to this theme of loss and reduction, the os suspensorium of Barboides is enlarged and the outer arm distally trifid and associated with a novel bulbous muscle in males. An evaluation of the skeleton of Barboides provides further evidence for a link between developmental truncation and evolutionary morphological novelty in Cyprinidae. In the spectrum of miniature cyprinids ranging from proportioned dwarves with few bones missing to highly progenetic taxa with dozens of missing bones, the two species of Barboides range roughly in the middle showing that the extremes are connected by intermediate levels of truncatedness.
Payout Policy in the 21th Century: The Data

In early 2002, we surveyed 384 financial executives, to determine the factors that drive dividend and share repurchase decisions. Our survey was supplemented by in-depth interviews with an additional 23 executives. The survey consisted of 11 main questions, most with subparts - over 100 questions in total. Although the survey was anonymous, we also collected information on 20 characteristics of the firms and management. We asked questions about firm size, number of employees, industry, CEO education, age of the CEO, CEO tenure, ownership, the proportion of common stock owned by insiders, credit ratings, debt/equity ratios, dividend payout, earnings per share, average price to earnings ratio over the past few years, and the current price of the stock. The analysis was recently published in the September 2005 Journal of Financial Economics (http://ssrn.com/abstract=571046). Our findings indicate that maintaining the dividend level is on par with investment decisions, while repurchases are made out of the residual cash flow after investment spending. Perceived stability of future earnings still affects dividend policy as in Lintner (1956). However, 50 years later, we find that the link between dividends and earnings has weakened. Many managers now favor repurchases because they are viewed as being more flexible than dividends and can be used in an attempt to time the equity market or to increase earnings per share. Executives believe that institutions are indifferent between dividends and repurchases and that payout policies have little impact on their investor clientele. In general, management views provide little support for agency, signaling, and clientele hypotheses of payout policy. Tax considerations play a secondary role. We provide new analysis of the survey responses which are conditional on the firm and CEO characteristics. In addition, we provide the codebook and original survey data. This allows researchers to conduct question-conditional analysis. It is now possible to address questions like: given the set of respondents that answered one set of questions in a particular way, what are their responses to other questions? We hope that these data spur future research on payout policy.
Immunohistochemical localization of nerve growth factor, tropomyosin receptor kinase A, and p75 in the bone and articular cartilage of the mouse femur:

Sequestration of nerve growth factor (NGF) significantly attenuates skeletal pain in both animals and humans. However, relatively little is known about the specific cell types that express NGF or its cognate receptors tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and p75 in the intact bone and articular cartilage. In the present study, antibodies raised against NGF, TrkA, and p75 (also known as CD271) were used to explore the expression of these antigens in the non-decalcified young mouse femur. In general, all three antigens displayed a remarkably restricted expression in bone and cartilage with less than 2% of all DAPI+ cells in the femur displaying expression of any one of the three antigens. Robust NGF immunoreactivity was found in mostly CD-31- blood vessel-associated cells, a small subset of CD-31+ endothelial cells, an unidentified group of cells located at the subchondral bone/articular cartilage interface, and a few isolated, single cells in the bone marrow. In contrast, p75 and TrkA were almost exclusively expressed by nerve fibers located nearby NGF+ blood vessels. The only non-neuronal expression of either p75 or TrkA in the femur was the expression of p75 by a subset of cells located in the deep and middle zone of the articular cartilage. Understanding the factors that tightly regulate the basal level of expression in normal bone and how the expression of NGF, TrkA, and p75 change in injury, disease, and aging may provide insights into novel therapies that can reduce skeletal pain and improve skeletal health.
Experience and Lessons Learned from Using SIMIODE Modeling Scenarios

We share our experience and lessons learned from using Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations (SIMIODE) modeling scenarios in our Differential...
Microscopic Studies of Intercalated Graphite

In recent years a variety of high resolution microscopic probes have become available, providing non-statistical information on many structural issues, including the c-axis structure, staging fidelity, the in-plane structure, novel surface features, intercalant island formation, domain structure and superlattice formation.1 With regard to such issues as staging fidelity, the information provided by x-ray and microscopy probes is complementary,2 whereas microscopy provides unique information about phenomena such as intercalant island morphology, the structure near surface steps and the nature of Daumas-Herold domains. Microscopy is indeed a powerful tool for the study of charge density wave (CDW) phases in transition metal dichalcogenide systems and of phase transitions associated with such phases.3 No clear evidence for CDW phases have yet been reported for GICs.
New Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance

Antibiotic resistance for many pediatric pathogens has been increasing steadily over the past decades and has complicated the antibiotic management of both community- and hospital acquired infections. This review will focus on two Gram-positive organisms- Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae and selected Gram-negative organisms that are important nosocomial organisms.
A modified HIV continuum of care: A six-year evaluation of a viral load cascade at a hospital-based clinic in Kingston, Jamaica:

To achieve the goal of HIV viral suppression, provision of medication alone is not sufficient. Concomitant frameworks to evaluate HIV care delivery programmes are needed. This study examined the care continuum at a hospital-based HIV clinic in Kingston, Jamaica using a modified HIV continuum of care, with an increased focus on viral load indicators (viral load samples taken, results returned and viral suppression). A statistical analysis of patient flow through the care continuum to identify gaps in programme delivery was performed. Key programmatic areas for process improvement and the utility of this approach for viral load suppression interpretation were identified. Between 2010 and 2015, more than 1600 patients had been registered for care and more than 1000 had accessed antiretroviral therapy at this location. Consistent trends in programme performance were seen from 2010 to 2012. Although declines in the proportion of viral load samples taken and results returned occurred because of laboratory failu...
On the Design of Security-Guaranteeing Dynamic Watermarks

Dynamic watermarking is a defense mechanism to secure cyberphysical systems from arbitrary sensor attacks. The approach involves the actuators of a plant superimposing on the control policy-specified input a “small” random signal called the dynamic watermark (DW), and conducting certain carefully designed tests to detect the presence of adversarial sensors. Prior works on this topic have restricted attention to systems where the process and measurement noises affecting the system are Gaussian random processes. In this letter, we go beyond the class of Gaussian systems and address the problem of designing watermarks for linear systems affected by arbitrarily distributed noise. We first show how the fundamental security guarantee of DW can fail when the statistics of the watermark are not chosen appropriately taking into account the parameters of the noise process that affects the system. Subsequently, we address the problem of how security-guaranteeing DWs should be designed. Specifically, we consider the class of finite-dimensional, perfectly observed, linear stochastic systems with arbitrary process noise distributions, and derive for any such system the necessary and sufficient conditions that the statistics of the watermark should satisfy in order for the fundamental security guarantee to hold.
Simple and Efficient Identification of Heavy Hitters Based on Bitcount

Detecting and identifying heavy hitters on very high speed links is important for many network management applications, ranging from detecting network attacks and traffic anomalies, to relieving link congestion, planning network capacity and traffic engineering. Most existing solutions to the problem are based on sampling and sketch-based techniques. Sampling-based solutions use partial observations of packets or flow records to extract flow-level information. Sketch-based approaches use a compressed data structure to keep a summary of the original data and estimate traffic statistics such as flow size for all traffic flows. However, these approaches either induce information losses due to sampling or incur computational and space overheads for key recovery. In this paper, we propose a novel method, Bitcount, which uses a flexible counter array to detect and identify heavy hitters. Both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluations show that Bitcount can provide higher precision for identifying heavy hitters with low memory and computational overheads.
Associations Between Insurance Type and the Presentation of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

Purpose In the setting of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), delays in diagnosis can have permanent effects including sensory loss, muscle weakness, and atrophy of intrinsic hand muscles. This study sought to evaluate the association of insurance type on the severity of CuTS. We hypothesized that publicly insured patients will have delayed presentation to the orthopedics office and more significant condition severity. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients evaluated for CuTS between December 2013 and January 2018 by a fellowship-trained orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon at our tertiary referral center. Insurance type, demographics, and measures of CuTS severity were compared. Results Patients presenting with CuTS of severity greater than or equal to McGowan stage 2A had 4.4-fold greater odds of being publicly insured than privately. Motor and sensory velocities across the elbow were diminished at 42.2 ± 13.9m/s and 33.0 ± 20.8m/s in publicly insured patients compared with 47.5 ± 11.3 m/s and 47.0 ± 16.4m/s for privately insured patients. The same trend was present for motor and sensory amplitudes at 6.6 ± 3.8 μV and 16.9 ± 17.8 μV in publicly insured patients compared with 8.5 ± 3.2 μV and 26.0 ± 18.9 μV in privately insured patients. Patients with public insurance were symptomatic for longer prior to their initial visit, on average 82.8 ± 86.5 weeks, compared with 42.4 ± 58.9 weeks for patients with private insurance. Conclusions Publicly insured patients were significantly delayed in seeing an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation and treatment of CuTS and presented with more severe clinical and electrodiagnostic findings compared with privately insured patients. These findings suggest that insurance type, among other socioeconomic factors, may be a barrier to CuTS care. Type of study/level of evidence Prevalence IV.
Evaluation of the host cytokine response in dogs with sepsis and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify plasma cytokine concentrations in dogs with sepsis and noninfectious systemic inflammation and to evaluate the association between plasma cytokines and outcome in dogs with sepsis. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Forty‐five dogs with sepsis, 10 dogs with noninfectious systemic inflammation (nSIRS), and 15 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled from June 2015 to February 2016 and followed to hospital discharge. Dogs with sepsis satisfied ≥2 SIRS criteria and had a documented or highly suspected bacterial infection. Dogs with nSIRS satisfied ≥2 SIRS criteria but had no evidence of infection. Dogs <3 kg and those with documented coagulopathy were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of inflammatory cytokines and high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB‐1) was performed on each group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: High‐mobility group box‐1 concentrations were analyzed by ELISA. Plasma concentrations of 13 cytokines were measured in singlet using multiplex magnetic bead assays. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's multiple comparison tests were used to compare biomarker concentrations between groups. Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to compare biomarker concentrations between survivors and nonsurvivors. Associations between biomarkers were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients. Independent outcome predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Alpha was set at 0.05. Concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐6, C‐X‐C motif chemokine (CXCL)‐8, keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC)‐like, C‐C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and HMGB‐1 were significantly greater in dogs with sepsis versus healthy controls (all P ≤ 0.034). In dogs with sepsis, only CCL2 was independently associated with survival (odds ratio [OR] 0.996, 95% CI 0.993–0.999, P = 0.004). A cut‐off of 385 pg/mL for CCL2 was 80% sensitive and 91.4% specific for nonsurvival (area under the ROC curve [AUROC] 0.866). CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with sepsis have significantly increased concentrations of HMGB‐1 and inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐6, CXCL8, and KC‐like. Increased CCL2 concentration is a negative prognostic indicator in dogs with sepsis. These findings should be confirmed using duplicate analyses in larger, distinct populations of dogs with sepsis before applying them to clinical patients.
Exploring perioperative outcomes in metabolic and bariatric surgery amongst the elderly: an analysis of the 2015-2017 MBSAQIP database.

Abstract Background Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is increasingly performed in patients >65 years. Studies of perioperative outcomes have shown equivocal results. Objectives Our study objective was to explore perioperative outcomes in elderly MBS patients compared with those Setting Academic Hospital. Methods Primary sleeve (SG) and gastric bypass (RYGB) cases were identified from the 2015–2017 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database. Selected cases were stratified by age (≥65 yr versus Results 26,557 (5.6%) of MBS cases were performed in elderly patients, who were more likely to be white, male, have a lower mean body mass index (BMI), receive a gastric bypass, and robotic-assisted surgery. Elderly patients had a significantly higher disease burden, and most outcome measures were significantly higher in elderly patients, including mortality and morbidity. On multivariate regression analyses, elderly patients undergoing SG have significantly less risk of mortality and morbidity compared with RYGB. In general, co-morbidities were in most cases more strongly predictive of complications than age alone. The number needed to harm (NNH) for overall and related morbidity were 59 and 232, respectively. Conclusion Elderly MBS patients have higher disease burden and higher adverse outcomes following MBS; however, complications in this cohort remain overall rare. When performing bariatric surgery on elderly patients, procedure consideration should favor SG as RYGB is independently associated with worse outcomes.
Factors influencing the physical functional ability among older women

The final issue for the 2019 year is a diverse collection of manuscripts focusing on factors influencing the physical functional ability among older women. The Encyclopedia of Public Health (2008) ...
Multilayered microcasting of agarose–collagen composites for neurovascular modeling

Abstract The in vitro fabrication of vascular networks is one of the most complex challenges currently faced in tissue engineering. We describe a method to create multi-layered, cell-laden hydrogel microstructures with coaxial geometries and heterogeneous elastic moduli. The technique can be used to build in vitro vascular structures that are fully embedded in physiologically realistic hydrogels. Our technique eliminates rigid polymeric surfaces from the vicinity of the cells—overcoming a limitation of many microfluidic models—and allows layers of multiple cell types to be defined with tailored ECM composition and stiffness, and in direct contact with each other. We demonstrate channels with internal diameters as small as 175 ​μm, and agarose–collagen (AC) gels whose Young’s moduli range from 1.4–8.3 ​kPa. We also show co-axial geometries with layer thicknesses as small as 125 ​μm. One potential application of such structures is to simulate brain microvasculature. Towards this goal, the composition and mechanical properties of the composite AC hydrogels are optimized for cell viability and biological performance in both 2D and 3D culture. Seven-day viability of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) and SY5Y glial cells is found to be maximized with a collagen content of 0.05% (w/v) when agarose content ranges between 0.25% and 1% (w/v). Additionally, we quantify the roles of type I bovine and rat-tail collagen, Matrigel, and poly- d -lysine–collagen–Matrigel coatings in promoting HMEC spreading, proliferation and confluence. 3D triple-layer vascular constructs have been fabricated, composed of a cannular monolayer of HMECs surrounded by two regions of SY5Ys with differing spatial densities. The endothelia are confluent and maintain trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values around 300 ​Ω ​cm2 over 11.5 days. This prototype opens the way for intricate multi-luminal blood vessels to be fabricated in vitro.
Deferral, Agency, and Hope: Pre-Service Social Studies Teachers Making Sense of the Pedagogical Demands of Engaging Climate Crisis

This study works to answer the question: In what ways are pre-service social studies teachers conceptualizing the difficult knowledge of climate crisis? By analyzing a small group discussion following a pedagogical encounter with climate crisis in a teacher education program, and employing the notion of difficult knowledge, the author theorizes moments of hope, agency, and deferral in the sense-making processes. Issues of ecological harm have largely been excluded from social studies education research, including social studies teacher education, and this omission, paired with the urgent need for climate crisis pedagogies, builds the case for research that seeks to understand the ways in which pre-service social studies teachers are making sense of the difficult knowledge of climate crisis and the ways they are conceptualizing this as part of their work as social studies educators. The analysis reveals the multitude of challenges pre-service teachers face as they work to make sense of climate crisis both for themselves and in imagining the pedagogical demands of engaging young adolescents in issues of climate crisis in their future classrooms. Also highlighted are discourses of deep pessimism and deferral, running alongside hopefulness, as these pre-service teachers grapple with the size, urgency, injustice, and totality of the challenges that lay ahead. The ways these pre-service teachers are making sense of climate crisis has important implications for pedagogies of difficult knowledge regarding the complex challenges of climate justice relevant in the social studies classroom.
Battery-free subsea internet of things

How a scalable underwater sensor network, which is entirely battery-free, has the potential to monitor the world's oceans.