cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Islet transplantation: a brave new world.

It has indeed been a distinct honor to be the recipient of the 2002 Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award, and I was happy to accept it, on behalf of the entire islet transplant field, as there have been many surgeons, physicians, and scientists who have worked as a team, moving this field forward. I was born the year the Lilly Lecture was established, 1957, and since then, this is the first time that the award goes to islet transplantation, representing indeed a very important recognition to all of us in the field. Therefore, I’d like to outline the major steps in the development of islet transplantation, from a hypothesis, to its clinical application, through what we call translational research, bench to bedside. At the end, some of the challenges ahead, including novel immunomodulatory strategies, tolerance induction, and the development of alternative sources of insulin-producing tissue, are discussed. The challenge, as you may predict, is diabetes. A syndrome well known since over 3,500 years ago, even if the term “diabetes” was coined in the first century by Arataeus from the Greek “siphon” or “pipe-like.” Arataeus described diabetes as “a melting down of flesh and limbs into urine.” It took over 3,500 years to link diabetes to the pancreas, and until insulin was discovered, diabetes remained a devastating, deadly disease, often treated by starvation. The discovery of insulin, by Banting and Best in 1922, changed the course of history in the treatment of the disease, and suddenly children with diabetes could be offered a new chance at life. While definitely a life-saving breakthrough, insulin treatment still cannot fully prevent chronic complications, and intensive insulin treatment to improve metabolic control has paralleled an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia (1). The hypothesis that replacement of the endocrine pancreas by transplantation of insulin-producing tissue could represent …
The Development of Low-Input, On-Farm Composting of High C:N Ratio Residues

The field straw windrow composting study showed that a minimum of two turns and natural rainfall was required to reduce straw residue volume by 80% or greater in 16 to 21 wk. The decomposition of the high C:N ratio straw residue is contrary to established composting methodology where a C:N ratio of 30:1 or less is thought to be required to compost grass straw. The microbial biomass required more C and less N to function in the thermophilic treatment compared to the LT treatment. The microbial biomass N requirement was less than 4% of total straw residue N in both treatments. The low N requirement of the decomposer biomass indicates that the form or compartmentalization of N is more indicative of substrate quality than the concept of combined substrate C:N ratio. The increased requirement of the thermophilic biomass for C resulted in an increase in the decomposition of the lignin fraction compared to the LT treatment. The increased lignin fraction decomposition was detected through changes in the element composition of this fraction. For these reasons, the composting of grass straw residue is feasible without initially lowering the C:N ratio. Composting has value both as an avenue of straw disposal and for its potential for utilization in the cropping system. Volume reductions of straw windrows in this study were as high as 88% over 32 wk making in-field composting a viable straw disposal alternative to open field burning.
Psychosocial Effects of Kawasaki Disease and Transition to Adult Care

Psychosocial outcomes for patients after Kawasaki Disease (KD) have been positive for most patients. However, a common theme after KD is feelings of anxiety and uncertainty regarding long-term outcome, particularly for parents of children with CAA. As we strive to provide optimal medical treatment, healthcare providers need to be aware of the impact of illness and the potential psychosocial outcomes after KD. Patients with coronary sequelae of KD also begin a lifelong interaction with the medical system. The importance of a well-planned transition from pediatric to adult-based care is an integral component in providing care for these patients. Over recent decades, improved longevity for many patients with chronic conditions has highlighted the need for formal programs designed to transition patients from pediatric healthcare systems to adult-based care. Transition programs should involve collaboration between adult cardiologists and pediatric KD specialists. Careful planning and communication is essential, so that patients transition without gaps in medical care.
Aging Populations and Transit-Oriented Development: Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Neighborhood Trends from 2000 and 2010

In the coming years, transportation planners and policy makers in the United States will need to shift their focus to acknowledge the needs of the growing aging population. A principal task that must be addressed is how to cope with meeting the demands of aging adults who may not be able to operate and maintain their own personal vehicles because of growing physical and financial constraints. Transit-oriented developments (TODs), typically defined by mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly development surrounding a transit stop, are places that might benefit aging populations and meet their transportation needs. This paper explores demographic trends and characteristics surrounding transit-oriented developments. To compare how the environment has changed in terms of socioeconomic characteristics, this study examined census attributes such as people’s age, income by age, and the number of various activities performed in TODs. Also investigated were trends in TOD road infrastructure and activity locations. It was...
Storage pool diseases illuminate platelet dense granule biogenesis

Platelet dense granules (DGs) are membrane bound compartments that store polyphosphate and small molecules such as ADP, ATP, Ca2+, and serotonin. The release of DG contents plays a central role in platelet aggregation to form a hemostatic plug. Accordingly, congenital deficiencies in the biogenesis of platelet DGs underlie human genetic disorders that cause storage pool disease and manifest with prolonged bleeding. DGs belong to a family of lysosome-related organelles, which also includes melanosomes, the compartments where the melanin pigments are synthesized. These organelles share several characteristics including an acidic lumen and, at least in part, the molecular machinery involved in their biogenesis. As a result, many genes affect both DG and melanosome biogenesis and the corresponding patients present not only with bleeding but also with oculocutaneous albinism. The identification and characterization of such genes has been instrumental in dissecting the pathways responsible for organelle biogenesis. Because the study of melanosome biogenesis has advanced more rapidly, this knowledge has been extrapolated to explain how DGs are produced. However, some progress has recently been made in studying platelet DG biogenesis directly in megakaryocytes and megakaryocytoid cells. DGs originate from an endosomal intermediate compartment, the multivesicular body. Maturation and differentiation into a DG begins when newly synthesized DG-specific proteins are delivered from early/recycling endosomal compartments. The machinery that orchestrates this vesicular trafficking is composed of a combination of both ubiquitous and cell type-specific proteins. Here, we review the current knowledge on DG biogenesis. In particular, we focus on the individual human and murine genes encoding the molecular machinery involved in this process and how their deficiencies result in disease.
Interpretation Of Thermographic Data For The Identification Of Building Heat Loss

This paper presents a tutorial introduction to the methods used in acquiring and interpreting ground-based thermographic data. It summarizes basic principles used in the anal-ysis of groundbased thermographic data for the detection of building heat losses. The major heat loss mechanisms in buildings which produce the thermal anomalies detectable by infrared scanning systems are described. The paper emphasizes that the analysis of thermographic data is an exercise in pattern recognition and, as such, gives results of a qualitative nature. The thermal patterns of several classes of building defects are presented. Methods for determining from thermographic inspection voids in insulated walls, areas with partial insulation, defective ceiling insulation, fissures and shrinkage in insulation, heat loss around doors and windows, air leakage at wall and floor joints, attic bypasses and thermal bridges, air penetration into interior cavities, and moisture damaged insulation are illustrated by examples of thermograms showing each class of defect. The difficulty of performing thermographic inspection under nonstandard conditions when the building is subjected to a small temperature difference across the building envelope, solar loading on the inspected surface, or transient environmental conditions is discussed. The relative merit of interior and exterior surveys and the effect of environmental conditions, thermal reflections and variation in the surface properties on the interpretation of thermograms are analyzed.
ROOT DETERMINED NODULATION1 Is Required for M. truncatula CLE12, But Not CLE13, Peptide Signaling through the SUNN Receptor Kinase

The combinatorial interaction of a receptor kinase and a modified CLE peptide is involved in several developmental processes in plants, including autoregulation of nodulation (AON), which allows legumes to limit the number of root nodules formed based on available nitrogen and previous rhizobial colonization. Evidence supports the modification of CLE peptides by enzymes of the hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase (HPAT/RDN) family. Here, we show by grafting and genetic analysis in Medicago truncatula that, in the AON pathway, RDN1, functioning in the root, acts upstream of the receptor kinase SUNN, functioning in the shoot. As expected for a glycosyltransferase, we found that RDN1 and RDN2 proteins are localized to the Golgi, as was shown previously for AtHPAT1. Using composite plants with transgenic hairy roots, we show that RDN1 and RDN2 orthologs from dicots as well as a related RDN gene from rice (Oryza sativa) can rescue the phenotype of rdn1-2 when expressed constitutively, but the less related MtRDN3 cannot. The timing of the induction of MtCLE12 and MtCLE13 peptide genes (negative regulators of AON) in nodulating roots is not altered by the mutation of RDN1 or SUNN, although expression levels are higher. Plants with transgenic roots constitutively expressing MtCLE12 require both RDN1 and SUNN to prevent nodule formation, while plants constitutively expressing MtCLE13 require only SUNN, suggesting that the two CLEs have different requirements for function. Combined with previous work, these data support a model in which RDN1 arabinosylates MtCLE12, and this modification is necessary for the transport and/or reception of the AON signal by the SUNN kinase.
Review: Emerging strategies for antimicrobial drug delivery to the ocular surface: Implications for infectious keratitis.

Infectious keratitis is a medical emergency that can cause severe visual morbidity if not treated promptly. Depending upon the causative microorganism, effective management of infectious keratitis requires frequent application of antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops, which may have low bioavailability, undesirable side effects, and poor patient compliance. Ocular formulations of antimicrobials that can increase corneal permeation and provide extended presence on ocular surface are being developed. Such formulations include nanoparticles, mucoadhesives, in situ forming hydrogels, and contact lenses. Testing of these formulations in in vitro models and ex vivo excised corneas, and in vivo rabbit testing have demonstrated increased bioavailability and extended presence on the cornea. Many of these formulations have also demonstrated success in treating infectious keratitis in animal models. However, the majority of studies have evaluated fluoroquinolone antibacterials, and more studies are needed to test the delivery of antifungal drugs. Moreover, additional efficacy data in animal models and future studies in humans to determine the duration of inhibitory concentrations of these antimicrobials in tear fluid will be required to prove the effectiveness of these formulations for clinical management of infectious keratitis.
Garbage management: An important risk factor for HPAI-virus infection in commercial poultry flocks

Garbage management represents a potential pathway of HPAI-virus infection for commercial poultry operations as multiple poultry premises may share a common trash collection service provider, trash collection site (e.g., shared dumpster for multiple premises) or disposal site (e.g., landfill). The types of potentially infectious or contaminated material disposed of in the garbage has not been previously described, but is suspected to vary by poultry industry sector. A survey of representatives from the broiler, turkey, and layer sectors in the United States revealed that many potentially contaminated or infectious items are routinely disposed of in the trash on commercial poultry premises. On-farm garbage management practices, along with trash hauling and disposal practices are thus key components that must be considered in order to evaluate the risk of commercial poultry becoming infected with HPAI-virus.
Timing of Operative Intervention in Traumatic Spine Injuries Without Neurological Deficit.

Background Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of early decompression and stabilization in unstable spine injuries with incomplete neurological deficits. However, a clear consensus on timing to operative intervention still does not exist in those with a normal neurological exam and unstable spine. Objective To determine the optimal timing of operative intervention in traumatic spine injuries without neurological deficit. Methods Retrospective chart review at a single institution was performed including patients with traumatic spine injuries without neurological deficit admitted from December 2001 to August 2012. Estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), in-hospital complications, postoperative hospital length of stay (HLOS), intensive care unit length of stay (ICULOS), and ventilator days were recorded. Delayed surgery was defined as surgery 72 h after admission. Results A total of 456 patients were included for analysis. There was a trend towards statistical significance between the time to operative intervention and EBL in bivariate analysis (P = .07). In the risk-adjusted multivariable analysis delayed vs early surgery was not associated with increased EBL or complications. Delayed surgery was associated with increased ICULOS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-3.51; P = .001), ventilator days (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.28-3.43; P = .004), and increased postoperative HLOS (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.22-2.76; P = .004). Conclusion Earlier operative intervention was associated with decreased ICULOS, ventilator days, and postoperative HLOS and did not show a statistically significant increase in EBL or complications. Earlier operative intervention for traumatic spine injuries without neurological deficit provides better outcomes compared to delayed surgery.
Demography and Epidemiology

Demography and epidemiology are the studies of population, health, and disease. This chapter reviews facts, statistics, and distribution of psychiatric disorders among older adults. This information is essential in aiding with the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders among older adults.
‘Hass’ avocado quality as influenced by temperature and ethylene prior to and during final ripening

Abstract Avocados (Persea americana Mill.) are often held for short periods after harvest at relatively high temperatures both in the field, in storage during preconditioning (ethylene ripening), or prior to ripening with unknown effects on subsequent quality. To better understand the quality effects of short-term high temperature exposure, avocados were harvested at five different times during the first commercial season and held at 20, 25, 30 or 35 °C for 24 h or 48 h, with and without ethylene. During the subsequent season (2) the experiment was repeated, but without the 30 and 35 °C treatments. In both seasons, following the short-term temperature treatment, fruit were either immediately ripened at 20 °C or stored for 14 d at 5 °C and then ripened to determine the influence of storage. After final ripening to eating firmness (4.4–6.7 N) the fruit were evaluated for quality parameters. Results from the first two seasons showed that even a 24 h exposure to 25 °C and above was sufficient to inhibit subsequent ripening and enhance the occurrence of postharvest disorders such as stem end rot and body rot. Application of ethylene during the short-term temperature exposure was ineffective in preventing the disorders. In the third season of the study the effect of prolonged temperature exposure on final ripening was examined. Although there had been research done in the past on this subject, prior work had not examined the effect of different ripening temperatures on flavor. Avocados were harvested at seven harvest dates, stored for either 4 d or 14 d at 5 °C and then ripened to eating firmness at temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C. Increasing temperatures up to 20 °C decreased ripening time, beyond which there was no further change. Avocados ripened at temperatures above 20 °C had an increased incidence of the development of pink discoloration in the mesocarp. Ripening temperature had no effect on overall likeability, or ratings of grassy or rich flavor. This correlated with a lack of clear effect of ripening temperature on aroma volatile content of the fruit. Panelists found fruit ripened at 15 °C to have a different texture that those ripened at 20 °C but this had no influence on likeability. This study strongly indicated the importance of maintaining the ripening temperature of avocados at or near 20 °C both when the fruit is ripened soon after harvest or after storage to optimize postharvest quality.
Etiologies and predictors of 30‐day readmissions in patients undergoing percutaneous mechanical circulatory support–assisted percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States: Insights from the Nationwide Readmissions Database

Background Patients undergoing percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS)-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a high-risk group vulnerable to complications and readmissions. Hypothesis Thirty-day readmissions after pMCS-assisted PCI are common among patients with comorbidities and account for a significant amount of healthcare spending. Methods Patients undergoing PCI and pMCS (Impella, TandemHeart, or intra-aortic balloon pump) for any indication between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2014, were selected from the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were identified using appropriate ICD-9-CM codes. Clinical risk factors and complications were analyzed for association with 30-day readmission. Results Our analysis included 29 247 patients, of which 4535 (15.5%) were readmitted within 30 days. On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years, female sex, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart failure, prior implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, liver disease, end-stage renal disease, and length of stay ≥5 days during index hospitalization were independent predictors of 30-day readmission. Cardiac etiologies accounted for ~60% of readmissions, of which systolic or diastolic heart failure (22%), stable coronary artery disease (11.1%), acute coronary syndromes (8.9%), and nonspecific chest pain (4.0%) were the most common causes. In noncardiac causes, sepsis/septic shock (4.6%), hypotension/syncope (3.2%), gastrointestinal bleed (3.1%), and acute kidney injury (2.6%) were among the most common causes of 30-day readmissions. Mean length of stay and cost of readmissions was 4 days and $16 191, respectively. Conclusions Thirty-day readmissions after pMCS-assisted PCI are common and are predominantly associated with increased burden of comorbidities. Reducing readmissions for common cardiac etiologies could save substantial healthcare costs.
L-Selectin, a Lectin-Like Receptor Involved in Normal Lymphocyte Recirculation and Inflammatory Leukocyte Trafficking

L-selectin is a calcium-dependent lectin-like receptor1,2 that is widely distributed on all leukocytes in the blood and belongs to the newly emerging selectin family of cell-cell adhesion proteins, which includes E-selectin and P-selectin3. Each selectin contains an amino-terminal C-type lectin domain, followed by an EGF-like motif, short consensus repeats (SCR) similar to those found in complement-regulatory proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. These three proteins functions as lectins by virtue of a calcium-type lectin domain4 at the amino terminus of each. The selectins are involved in a wide array of leukocyte-endothelial and leukocyteplatelet interactions in the blood vascular compartment (Table 1).
Measurement-based voltage stability monitoring for load areas

Abstract This article introduces a measurement-based voltage stability monitoring method for a load area fed by N tie lines. Compared to a traditional Thevenin equivalent (TE)-based method, the new method adopts an N + 1 buses equivalent system so as to model and monitor individual tie lines. For each tie line, the method solves the power transfer limit against voltage instability analytically as a function of all parameters of that equivalent, which are identified online from real-time synchronized measurements on boundary buses of the load area. Thus, this new method can directly calculate the real-time power transfer limit on each tie line. The method is first compared with a TE-based method using a four-bus test system and then demonstrated by case studies on the Northeast Power Coordinating Council's 48-machine, 140-bus power system.
Proliferative, Migratory, and Transition Properties Reveal Metastate of Human Amnion Cells.

Amnion epithelial cell (AEC) shedding causes microfractures in human placental membranes during gestation. However, microfractures are healed to maintain membrane integrity. To better understand the cellular mechanisms of healing and tissue remodeling, scratch assays were performed using primary AECs derived from normal term not in labor membranes. AECs were grown under different conditions: i) normal cultures (control), ii) oxidative stress (OS) induction by cigarette smoke extract (CSE), iii) co-treatment of CSE and antioxidant N-acetyl- l -cysteine, and iv) treatment with amniotic fluid (AF). Cell migration time and distance, changes in intermediate filament (cytokeratin-18 and vimentin) expressions, and cellular senescence were determined. Control AECs in culture exhibited a metastate with the expression of both cytokeratin-18 and vimentin. During healing, AECs proliferated, migrated, and transitioned from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype with increased vimentin. Wound healing was associated with mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). CSE-induced OS and senescence prevented wound healing in which cells sustained mesenchymal state. N-acetyl- l -cysteine reversed CSE's effect to aid wound closure through MET. AF accelerated cellular transitions and healing. Our data suggest that AECs undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition during proliferation and migration and MET at the injury site to promote healing. AF accelerated whereas OS diminished cellular transitions and healing. OS-inducing pregnancy risk factors may diminish remodeling capacity contributing to membrane dysfunction, leading to preterm birth.
Notes on Stochastic Processes on Manifolds

Vision, as a sensing modality, differs from sensing a position of a shaft or the voltage from a thermocouple in that the data comes in the form of a two dimensional array coded in such a way that the location of objects, typically the information to be used in defining the feedback signal, must be extracted from the array through some auxiliary process involving image segmentation, computation of centroids, etc. It is both a blessing and a curse that sensing via light is a noncontact, “remote” modality so that the meaning of what is being sensed depends in a significant way, on the positioning of the vision sensor relative to the objects being sensed.
Basic Circuit Concepts

There are three fundamental components commonly used in electrical/electronic circuitry: resistors, capacitors, and inductors (although this last component will get some qualifying remarks in just a bit). Another component commonly encountered is the transformer and it will get some discussion, too, later. All of these components are passive. That is, they do not generate electrical energy, but either dissipate energy as heat (resistors) or temporarily store energy in an electric field (capacitors) or in a magnetic field (inductors). Transformers involve magnetic fields, as do inductors, but do not store energy. We’ll return to transformers later in the book. The first three components have two-terminals (the transformer in its simplest form has four), as shown in Fig. 1.1.
Delayed discharge does not decrease the cost of readmission after pulmonary lobectomy.

Background Readmission after pulmonary lobectomy has become a potentially avoidable source of excess health care costs. Initiatives that focus on expedited discharge after lobectomy may decrease costs, but a criticism of this approach is that expedited discharge may be associated with more frequent and more expensive readmissions. We explored whether patients are at greater risk for costly readmission after expedited discharge. Methods The Nationwide Readmission Database was queried for cases of lobectomy for lung cancer between 2010 and 2014. Patients 65 years of age and older were categorized into three groups: patients discharged between hospital day 1 and 3 (expedited), between hospital days 4 and 7 (routine), or discharge after day 8 (late). Risk-adjusted 90-day readmission rates and hospital costs for readmission were compared among groups. Results A total of 104,905 patients underwent lobectomy for lung cancer during the study period. There were 18,652 (17.8%) expedited discharges, 54,551 (52.0%) routine discharges, and 31,702 (30.2%) late discharges. Compared with the expedited group, patients in the routine discharge group had a 3.2% greater risk-adjusted readmission rate (P Conclusion Expedited discharge after lobectomy is associated with a greater risk-adjusted readmission rate and greater index hospital costs over routine and late discharge, with no increased costs for readmission. These data demonstrate that prolonged hospital duration of stay does not decrease the risk of 90-day readmission after lobectomy, providing support for protocols that expedite patient discharge and decrease overall health care utilization.
Tourism in Nepal: Shangri-La's Troubled Times

The sporadic domestic political instability during the last decade, compounded with the ongoing international war on terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond, has created a substantial decline in tourist visits to Nepal. Safety and security are important aspects of travel destination choice and the perceived risk within Nepal and the South Asian region has mired the pace of international tourist arrivals. The objectives of this paper were to examine the state of tourism in Nepal and the negative repercussions of the political instability and international conflict that has thwarted the potential for growth. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
Treating the Seriously Mentally Ill in Prison: An Evaluation of a Contingency Management Program

The management and care of inmates with mental health needs creates immense strain for correctional administrators and staff—leaving questions surrounding the best way to treat and house those with...
Abstract MP34: Associations Muscle Quality, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Mass With All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Men and Women

Although muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle quality are important risk factors for disability and mortality in elderly men and women, the associations of these variables with all-cause mortal...
Standardizing Handoff Decreases Episodes of Missed Care

Background: Respiratory Care has their own practice for handoff, all include face-to-face communication, but many are not given bedside. No process is in place defining how to deliver handoff. This leads to avoidable errors. Moving to a standardized approach utilizing our EMR can help with consistency increase patient safety. Among hospitalized children who require respiratory therapy does standardizing handoff between respiratory therapists (RTs) compared to non-standardized handoff affect patient safety such as episodes of missed care? . Methods: Evidence-based model for evidence-based practice change search strategy. The initial search identified 106 articles, 89 were discarded, as they were duplicates or not related to the question based on title and abstract review. 17 articles were reviewed in full text and appraised. Keywords: handoff, missed care, respiratory therapy, end of shift, beside handoff, shift report, missed orders, handover, medical errors. Databases searched: MedLine, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, PubMed. Filters used: Publication date 2000-present, English language, pediatric/adult critical appraisal 7 studies answered the question: 1 lesser quality systematic review, 2 longitudinal, 3 QI, and 1 cohort. Results: The evidence received a moderate grade and showed that a standardization reduced falls, medical errors, pressure ulcers, preventable adverse events, mortality, codes, infection rates, line errors, delay of care, and documentation errors. The 7 studies shared similar mnemonics none were superior to another. It is strongly recommended that health care professionals utilize a standardized handoff for transitions in patient care to reduce missed care. Conclusions: Implementation of standardization would need support from administration. Changing the way RTs perform handoff is a culture change that will impact all RTs. Communication of perceived benefits including safety and cost perspectives will be needed. Implementing a standardized bedside handoff across the organization for the RTs needs to involve the EMR. Staff will utilize a standard patient list, handoff tool and safety check. All RTs will need access to a computer. Expectations will be defined on how to perform handoff, prior to implementation support will be needed to develop and provide RTs with education. Evaluation needed post implementation: audits of adherence, measured outcomes (UE, VAE, safety events, and RT satisfaction). Baseline data collected, IRB submitted, begin with one pilot unit.
Serum IgE against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) in healthy and atopic dogs.

Background Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) are Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding carbohydrate structures common to plant and insect species. In people, anti-CCD IgE is thought to be clinically irrelevant, but to have the potential to confound serological IgE test interpretations. Previous studies reported the detection of anti-CCD IgE in 24-73% of atopic dog sera; prevalence in healthy dogs has not been reported. Objective To compare the prevalence of anti-CCD IgE in a group of healthy and atopic dogs. Animals Sera from 61 healthy dogs and 101 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis were analyzed for IgE against CCD. Methods and materials Sera were analyzed for the presence of anti-CCD IgE and IgE against environmental allergens using a commercial multiplex allergen-specific IgE assay. Results Anti-CCD IgE was detected in 17 of 101 (16.8%) atopic dog sera and eight of 61 (13.1%) healthy dog sera (P = 0.65, Fisher's exact test). All healthy and atopic dogs with anti-CCD IgE had strong reactivity to grass pollens. Conclusions and clinical importance A similar prevalence of anti-CCD IgE was found in healthy and atopic dogs. Further investigation is warranted to determine the clinical significance of anti-CCD IgE antibodies in dogs, how they are best detected and if blocking these antibodies during diagnostic testing has clinical value.
Financial Stress and the Relative Income Hypothesis Among Black College Students

The majority of college students experience financial stress, but not all experience it with the same frequency or intensity. Research suggests Black students experience a greater intensity of financial stress than their White peers do. This study revealed a link between perception of relative consumption and financial stress among 965 Black students at 52 predominantly White colleges and universities in the United States. The relative income hypothesis (RIH) literature offers potential mediators of financial stress. The findings have implications for families, college students, therapists, financial educators, and school administrators.
Availability and advertising of electronic cigarettes in two Russian cities following implementation of comprehensive tobacco advertising restrictions.

INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) continue to gain popularity globally. Jurisdictions with comprehensive tobacco control policies, which limit the use and availability of combustible tobacco products but do not regulate e-cigarettes (as in Russia), may be vulnerable to the expansion of the e-cigarette market. METHODS Using McNemar's test conducted in STATA, this observational study assessed changes between 2014 and 2016 in the availability of e-cigarettes across 239 retail outlets in Moscow and St Petersburg. Also, this study characterized the presence of retail advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes in 2016. RESULTS Between 2014 and 2016, the availability and display of e-cigarettes increased within traditional tobacco product retail venues (27.6% in 2014 vs 51.9% in 2016; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Observations indicate that there has been an increase in the proportion of retailers selling and displaying e-cigarettes.
The pioneer factor GAF is essential for zygotic genome activation and chromatin accessibility in the early Drosophila embryo

Abstract Following fertilization, the genomes of the germ cells are reprogrammed to form the totipotent embryo. Pioneer transcription factors are required for remodeling the chromatin and driving the initial wave of zygotic gene expression. In Drosophila melanogaster, the pioneer factor Zelda is essential for development through this dramatic period of reprogramming, known as the maternal- to-zygotic transition (MZT). However, it was unknown whether additional pioneer factors were necessary for this transition. We identified an additional maternally encoded factor required for development through the MZT, GAGA Factor (GAF). GAF is needed to activate widespread zygotic transcription and to remodel the chromatin accessibility landscape. We demonstrated that Zelda preferentially controls expression of the earliest transcribed genes, while genes expressed during widespread activation are predominantly dependent on GAF. Thus, progression through the MZT requires coordination of multiple pioneer factors, and we propose that as development proceeds transcriptional control is gradually transferred from Zelda to GAF.
Charting the Design of Community College Student Success Courses: Uncovering Their Espoused and Enacted Curricula

Community colleges increasingly turn to various types of student success courses for their potential as high-impact practices to foster college completion. Despite commonly held assumptions of what...
Characterizing Effortful Swallows from Healthy Community Dwelling Adults Across the Lifespan Using High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation Signals and MBSImP Scores: A Preliminary Study

There is growing enthusiasm to develop inexpensive, non-invasive, and portable methods that accurately assess swallowing and provide biofeedback during dysphagia treatment. High-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA), which uses acoustic and vibratory signals from non-invasive sensors attached to the anterior laryngeal framework during swallowing, is a novel method for quantifying swallowing physiology via advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques. HRCA has demonstrated potential as a dysphagia screening method and diagnostic adjunct to VFSSs by determining swallowing safety, annotating swallow kinematic events, and classifying swallows between healthy participants and patients with a high degree of accuracy. However, its feasibility as a non-invasive biofeedback system has not been explored. This study investigated 1. Whether HRCA can accurately differentiate between non-effortful and effortful swallows; 2. Whether differences exist in Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) scores (#9, #11, #14) between non-effortful and effortful swallows. We hypothesized that HRCA would accurately classify non-effortful and effortful swallows and that differences in MBSImP scores would exist between the types of swallows. We analyzed 247 thin liquid 3 mL command swallows (71 effortful) to minimize variation from 36 healthy adults who underwent standardized VFSSs with concurrent HRCA. Results revealed differences (p < 0.05) in 9 HRCA signal features between non-effortful and effortful swallows. Using HRCA signal features as input, decision trees classified swallows with 76% accuracy, 76% sensitivity, and 77% specificity. There were no differences in MBSImP component scores between non-effortful and effortful swallows. While preliminary in nature, this study demonstrates the feasibility/promise of HRCA as a biofeedback method for dysphagia treatment.
Does Combined Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction With Patient Fitted Total Joint Prosthesis and Orthognathic Surgery Reduce Symptoms in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients

Purpose Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and TMJ involvement may have major dentofacial deformities, pain, and jaw dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes for JIA patients relative to TMJ pain, headache, jaw function, diet, disability, and quality-of-life (QOL) after TMJ reconstruction with patient-fitted total joint prostheses (TJP) and concomitant orthognathic surgery. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a JIA patient group (JIAG) with significant dentofacial deformity, reconstructed with TJP and concomitant orthognathic surgery, and was compared to a control group (CG) of non-JIA patients that received the same surgical protocol with similar surgical movements. Primary predictors were the 2 groups: JIAG and CG. Data were evaluated and compared presurgery and at longest follow-up using Likert analog scales for the primary variables: TMJ pain, headache, jaw function, diet, and disability. Maximum interincisal opening (MIO) was measured in mm. QOL was rated in JIAG as improved, same, or worse. Comparative data were tested for significance (α = 0.05) using Wilcoxon signed rank and paired T-tests. Results Forty JIAG patients (8 males, 32 females) met the inclusion criteria, median age 17.5 years, median follow-up 26.5 months, and 26 CG patients (1 male, 25 females), median age 35.5 years, follow-up 24 months. Significant improvements ( P ≤ .05) occurred postsurgery for TMJ pain, headache, jaw function, diet, and disability for both groups. Mean increase MIO for JIAG was 36.4 to 43.3 mm, for CG was 35.2 to 37.8 mm. Thirty-eight JIA patients (95%) improved in QOL, 2 had no change, and none were worse. Conclusions This study suggests that patient-fitted TJP for TMJ reconstruction in conjunction with orthognathic surgery for the JIA patient provides long-term improvement relative to TMJ pain, headache, jaw function, diet, disability, MIO, and QOL.
Forward simulations of walking on a variable surface-impedance treadmill: A comparison of two methods

Recent experiments with a variable stiffness tread-mill (VST) suggest that modulating foot-ground contact dynamics during walking may offer an effective new paradigm for gait rehabilitation. How gait adapts to extended perturbations of asymmetrical surface stiffness is still an open question. In this study, we simulated human gait with prolonged asymmetrical changes in ground stiffness using two methods: (1) forward simulation of a muscle-reflex model and (2) optimal control via direct collocation. Simulation results showed that both models could competently describe the biomechanical trends observed in human experiments with a VST which altered the walking surface stiffness for one step. In addition, the simulations revealed important considerations for future experiments studying the effect of asymmetric ground stiffness on gait behavior. With the muscle-reflex model, we observed that although subtle, there was a difference between gait biomechanics before and after the prolonged asymmetric stiffness perturbation, showing the behavioral signature of an aftereffect despite the lack of supraspinal control in the model. In addition, the optimal control simulations showed that damping has a large effect on the overall lower-body muscle activity, with the muscle effort cost function used to optimize the biomechanics increasing 203% between 5 Ns/m and 2000 Ns/m at a stiffness of 10 kN/m. Overall, these findings point to new insights and considerations for advancing our understanding of human neuromotor control of locomotion and enhancing robot-aided gait rehabilitation.
Irony and the Modern Theatre

Irony and theatre share intimate kinships, not only regarding dramatic conflict, dialectic or wittiness, but also scenic structure and the verbal or situational ironies that typically mark theatrical speech and action. Yet irony today, in aesthetic, literary and philosophical contexts especially, is often regarded with skepticism - as ungraspable, or elusive to the point of confounding. Countering this tendency, William Storm advocates a wide-angle view of this master trope, exploring the ironic in major works by playwrights including Chekhov, Pirandello and Brecht, and in notable relation to well-known representative characters in drama from Ibsen's Halvard Solness to Stoppard's Septimus Hodge and Wasserstein's Heidi Holland. To the degree that irony is existential, its presence in the theatre relates directly to the circumstances and the expressiveness of the characters on stage. This study investigates how these key figures enact, embody, represent and personify the ironic in myriad situations in the modern and contemporary theatre.
Cross-design synthesis for extending the applicability of trial evidence when treatment effect is heterogeneous: Part I. Methodology

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide reliable evidence for approval of new treatments, informing clinical practice , and coverage decisions. The participants in RCTs are often not a represen...
Memories of a Great Scientist and a Great Person

I first met Walter Kohn in person in 1986 when I visited him at the University of California at Santa Barbara in my capacity as a Program Manager at the NSF where I was on a one-year temporary appointment on a leave from the Naval Research Laboratory. Of course, I “met” Walter a lot earlier in my studies as a graduate student and in my professional career research work and readings and writings that followed.
The Dynamism of Integral Liberation: Reconsidering Gustavo Gutiérrez's Central Concept after “the End of History”

This essay questions Daniel Bell Jr.'s claim that liberation theology is ignorant of the links between the cultural and structural formations of capitalism. Focusing especially on Bell's treatment of the thought of Gustavo Gutierrez, the article argues that Gutierrez's concept of integral liberation provides a complex account of the manner in which the structural, cultural, and theological levels of liberation are interrelated. It contends, contra Bell, that Gutierrez's concept does not reduce politics to “statecraft” but instead provides an illuminating framework for understanding the integrity of Christian life within the contemporary neoliberal globalization project. Finally, the paper moves to consider the manner in which Gutierrez's concept might be fruitfully paired with Leslie Sklair's theorization of global capitalism in order to specify the process of liberation today.
Growth and specification: fly Pax6 homologs eyegone and eyeless have distinct functions.

Development requires not only the correct specification of organs and cell types in the right places (pattern), but also the control of their size and shape (growth). Many signaling pathways control both pattern and growth and how these two are distinguished has been something of a mystery. In the fly eye, a Pax6 homolog (eyeless) controls eye specification together with several other genes. Now Dominguez et al.1 show that Notch signaling controls eye growth through a second Pax6 protein (Eyegone). In mice and humans the single Pax6 gene appears to encode both specification and growth controlling proteins through alternative mRNA splicing. BioEssays 26:600–603, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Justification of intervention for limb-threatening ischemia: a surgical decision analysis.

Abstract Intervention for vascular occlusive disease of the distal lower extremity in elderly patients will inevitably be scrutinized as medical resources decline. The authors applied surgical decision analysis to three treatment options: revascularization, amputation and expectant management. The appropriate outcome probabilities were derived from our experience with revascularization to the tibial and pedal vessels, and utility scores were obtained by formalized patient assessment. Revascularization was predicted to improve patient outcome by 1.10 quality-adjusted life-years compared with primary amputation and by 1.16 quality-adjusted life-years compared with expectant management. To gain one additional quality-adjusted life-years, revascularization would cost $5280 more than expectant management, but $33 900 less than primary amputation. Sensitivity analysis predicted revascularization to be the least costly treatment per quality-adjusted life-years as long as 1-month patency exceeds 11%. Revascularization for limb-threatening ischemia of the distal lower extremity is justified and can be performed at a reasonable cost.
Hydrogen spark switches for rep-rated accelerators

The Pulsed Power Technology Branch at NAVSWC is investigating high-power switch technologies for use in rep-rated, high-current accelerators. Switches are needed that can handle 10 kJ of energy, 500 kV, 100 kA, while operating with jitter less than 10 ns at repetition rates up to 10 kHz. In-house efforts have concentrated on spark-gap switches because of their high-voltage and high-current capabilities in single-shot devices and because of their simplicity and low cost. We have shown that hydrogen gas, with its high thermal diffusivity, allows an order-of-magnitude improvement in the recovery time (and, therefore, repetition rate) of an unblown spark-gap switch. Recovery of the switch can be made even faster by triggering the switch well below its self-break voltage, allowing voltage to be reapplied while the gas is still hot. Tests have shown that recovery times (to the operating voltage) can be reduced an order-of-magnitude when the gap is undervolted by approximately 50%. The combination of high-pressure hydrogen gas and undervolted triggering provide a factor of 100 improvement over typical air spark gaps. Recent tests have demonstrated 100-μs recovery of an undervolted hydrogen spark gap without gas flow. High energy tests have been performed at 50 kV, 170 kA and 12 kJ with 100 μs recovery times. High voltage tests with a 5-pulse burst at 500 kV are presently underway. Recovery of the switch appears to be largely independent of voltage and energy transferred.