cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility of dorsal pits and pubic tubercle height in parity assessment.

Parity indicators in human skeletal material are highly desirable yet elusive. In this study, the relationships of dorsal pits and pubic tubercle elongation to parity are investigated in a sample of 148 modern female sets of pubic bones with associated birth infor mation. The elonga- tion of the pubic tubercle shows no significant correlation with number of births, but instead is associated with the distance this feature is from the pubic symphysis ( p � 0.01) and the size of the arcuate angle ( p � 0.05). Dorsal pits show a strong association with increasing numbers of births (p � 0.01), especially in younger women. However, in women over 50 years old, dorsal pitting is correlated with BMI ( p � 0.05) and is not sig- nificantly correlated with number of births. While this study lends support to the correlation of dorsal pitting and parity, it currently does not reach the level of accuracy needed for forensic applications at the level of the individual.
Diagnostic Patterns Among Three Violent Offender Types

The promulgation of effective prevention and treatment strategies for the complex behavioral acts that constitute rape and homicide awaits the availability of reliable etiological data, including diagnostic data. This article endeavors to enhance that database by providing a comparison of the diagnostic presentations of three offender groups—murderers, rapists, and rapists who murder their victims.
Neonatal Manifestations of Maternal Phencyclidine (PCP) Abuse

Two cases concerning newborn infants whose mothers used phencyclidine (PCP) during pregnancy are described. The neonatal symptoms of maternal PCP abuse were jitteriness, hypertonicity, vomiting, and one case of diarrhea. In both infants, PCP was detected in the urine during the first few days of life. Both infants were successfully treated with phenobarbital but they continued to remain jittery and slightly hypertonic following discontinuation of the therapy. In one case the infant was noted to be microcephalic. In the neonate, the symptoms of maternal PCP abuse are similar to the symptoms of narcotic withdrawal. The diagnosis of PCP effects in the neonate can be confirmed by urinalysis for the drug. The teratogenicity of PCP remains a possibility. The metabolism and treatment of PCP effects in the newborn need further clarification.
Peeking into the Black Box

Thus far we have approached the problem of analysis of a physiological system from the point of view of identifying its stimulus-response relationship and describing quantitatively its dynamics. That is, our objective has been the determination of the system functional F, where y(t) = F[x(t)] and x(t), y(t) are the stimulus and response, respectively. The identification problem was posed as follows: Given a system y(t) = F[x(t)], choose a set of stimuli {x i (t)} such that the stimulus-response pairs {x i (t), y i (t)} allow you to determine F as completely and accurately as possible, under given experimental conditions.
Worker exposure for at-reactor management of spent nuclear fuel

The radiological impact on workers associated with spent nuclear fuel dry storage operations at reactor sites is discussed. The resulting doses to workers exposed to external radiation include the dose during dry storage system loading, unloading and handling activities, the dose associated with independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) operations, maintenance and surveillance activities, and the dose associated with additional ISFSI construction. Comprehensive dose estimates are reported based on previous radiation surveys.
Portfolio Selection in Goals-Based WealthManagement

The authors propose an incremental step toward combining the insights of modern portfolio theory with some of the propensities documented in the literature on behavioral finance. They develop a goals-based wealth management approach that finds a specific subportfolio to address each of an investor’s goals and then derive the least-cost solution. They relate the closed-form solution for the one-period, two-asset problem to the mean–variance efficient frontier. Consistent with the “lockbox separation”concept proposed by Sharpe, they demonstrate that a multiperiod goal, such as a retirement plan, can be viewed as a collection of single-period problems. Next, they extend their result to a market with many assets, where portfolios are exogenously given. Finally, they illustrate the approach with a case study with multiple asset classes and multiperiod goals.
Dictionary Generation for Sparsity-based Three-Dimensional Super-resolution Microscopy

Sparsity-based reconstruction methods enable high-precision localization of overlapping images of single molecules. Appropriate dictionary selection is critical for 3D sparsity methods. Important dictionary selection considerations include element step size, generation method, and normalization.
Diffusive Mass Transport at the Microscale; Microsolute Redistribution and Microsegregation

As solutes partition differently between the solid and the liquid phases, compositional nonhomogeneities occur at the macro- and microscale level. The microscale nonhomogeneities are termed as microsegregations. Accurate tracking of the solutal field during solidification is required for a comprehensive theoretical treatment of interface morphology. Assessment of microsegregation occurring in solidifying alloys is also important because it influences mechanical properties.
Characteristics of self-powered detectors for measurerment 0f γ-ray dose

The charge-deposited densities of self-powered detectors with different structures, irradiated by γ- rays, are measured. Some experimental results arc given and discussed.
Analysis of the epidemic features of hand-foot-mouth disease in Anyi,2010

Objective Analyzed the epidemic and etiology features of hand-foot-mouth disease in Anyi in the year of 2010 in order to offer suggestions for the prevention and control.Method Data of hand-foot-mouth disease were collected and analyzed with SPSS13.0.Results In 2010,253 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease were reported.The incidence rate was 104.76/100 000.The fatality rate was 0.40%.Most of the victims were children under 3 years old.The frequency of infection in male was higher than the female.The disease is present all year round,and peaked between January and March.Etiological study indicated that 28.30% of infection was due to EV71 and 16.98% was due to COX-16.13.21% of infection was due to the other pathogens.Conclusions The incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease is higher than 2008.Attention should be paid to children under the age of 3.EV71 and COX-16 are the main pathogens that cased hand-foot-mouth disease.
Comparative intraosseal growth of human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC-3 in the nude mouse.

Background: More than 75% of patients with advanced prostate carcinoma have skeletal involvement, which is the principal metastatic site and the major complication of this disease. The goal of this work was to compare the osseous metastasis of androgen-sensitive and insensitive prostate cancers in the nude mouse. Materials and methods: Androgen-sensitive LNCaP or -insensitive PC-3 human prostate carcinoma cells were injected directly into the femur medullas of male nude Beige mice, the animals were then sacrificed at successive time intervals to study the gross and microscopic characteristics of the established tumors. Results: LNCaP and PC-3 both colonized in the bone marrow within a week, then gradually expanded to the entire bone medulla followed by osseous infiltration to produce obvious symptoms in the affected extremities. Based on the morphology, both osteoblastic and osteolytic changes occurred during the course of tumor progression. In addition, PC-3 tumors eventually broke through the bone cortex, invaded the surrounding tissues, and metastasized to the regional lymph nodes. In contrast, LNCaP remained localized within the bone, and appeared to eventually regress and die after displacing the normal bone marrow cells. Immunohistochemically, LNCaP tumors were consistently positive for prostate-specific antigen in bone metastasis, while PC-3 tumors were negative. Tumor cell nuclei of both PC-3 and LNCaP hybridized to a human repeated sequence DNA probe indicating that the proliferating malignant cells were of human origin. Conclusions: These cancer cell lines produced a high incidence of growth in the bone that differed in histogenesis. The relative malignancy of these cell lines was demonstrated in this model.
Physical and cytochemical properties of neutrophils activated in situ in the lung during ZAP infusion in sheep

Increased retention of activated neutrophils in the lungs contributes to endothelial cell injury. However, characterization of the morphological changes that occur in neutrophils during activation ...
Exercise in the Maintenance of Muscle Mass: Effects of Exercise Training on Skeletal Muscle Apoptosis

Sarcopenia is due to loss of fibers as well as atrophy of the remaining fibers. Activation of apoptotic pathways likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia by contributing to both the loss of fibers as well as atrophy of fibers. Exercise training has been shown to increase the resistance to apoptosis in skeletal muscle via adaptations in the mitochondrial- and receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These exercise training-induced adaptations in apoptotic regulatory molecules are discussed.
Identification of Novel Cancer Target Antigens Utilizing EST and Genome Sequence Databases

Completion of the human genome sequence has opened up an enormous opportunity to researchers all over the world. The Human Genome Project, which includes the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) database and the genome sequence database, provides a huge source of data that can be used to study and identify molecular targets for a wide range of diseases, including cancer. Major efforts must now be devoted to develop strategies by which these databases will be mined efficiently to identify the hidden therapeutic treasures. We have utilized the EST and genome databases, different bioinformatics tools, and several experimental methods to identify tissue-specific genes for prostate and breast cancer. The genes identified can be used as novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate and breast cancer.
Criminalizing white-collar misconduct

In this article we examine three explanations for the differential treatment of white-collar offenders by the legal system: (1) an organizational advantage argument in which offenders in “organizationally shielded” positions receive more lenient treatment, (2) an alternative sanctions argument in which civil sanctions replace criminal sanctions in the response to white-collar crime, and (3) a system capacity argument in which the legal response to white-collar crime is driven primarily by resources and caseload pressures. These three theoretical arguments are tested through an analysis of data on individuals suspected of having committed serious crimes against savings and loan institutions in the 1980s. We seek to determine the factors that influenced prosecutors to file criminal charges against some of these suspects and not others. We conclude that all three models may be limited in their ability to explain low rates of prosecution in cases involving white-collar crimes of the sort examined here, and suggest that these limitations may have to do with the circumscribed levels of analysis at which these explanations have been pitched.
Efficient computation of the angularly resolved chord length distributions and lineal path functions in large microstructure datasets

Chord length distributions (CLDs) and lineal path functions (LPFs) have been successfully utilized in prior literature as measures of the size and shape distributions of the important microscale constituents in the material system. Typically, these functions are parameterized only by line lengths, and thus calculated and derived independent of the angular orientation of the chord or line segment. We describe in this paper computationally efficient methods for estimating chord length distributions and lineal path functions for 2D (two dimensional) and 3D microstructure images defined on any number of arbitrary chord orientations. These so called fully angularly resolved distributions can be computed for over 1000 orientations on large microstructure images (5003 voxels) in minutes on modest hardware. We present these methods as new tools for characterizing microstructures in a statistically meaningful way.
Beyond Ethnic Politics in Africa

Why do ethnic politics emerge in some ethnically diverse societies but not others? Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, Dominika Koter argues that the prevailing social structures of a country play a central role in how politicians attempt to mobilize voters. In particular, politicians consider the strength of local leaders, such as chiefs or religious dignitaries, who have historically played a crucial role in many parts of rural Africa. Local leaders can change the electoral dynamics by helping politicians secure votes among people of different ethnicities. Ethnic politics thus can be avoided where there are local leaders who can serve as credible electoral intermediaries between voters and politicians. Koter shows that there is widespread variation in the standing of local leaders across Africa, as a result of long-term historical trends, which has meant that politicians have mobilized voters in qualitatively different ways, resulting in different levels of ethnic politics across the continent.
Pathway of Hope: A Learning Certification Solution for Internally Displaced Children in Northern Syria

The author reinvigorates the topic of learning certification for displaced children in this chapter, which focuses on education service delivery in conflict-affected northern Syria. It assesses existing evidence from past certification programs in similar contexts, analysis threats to uncertified learning, and effective pathways to certification. From this, it identifies a durable solution to enable recognition of the completion of accredited basic education for children in northern Syria. Recommended protocols for such a scheme are provided in this chapter. It further posits that the establishment of a supranational regional certification body, under the auspices of UNESCO, must be considered to carry forward these recommendations if the humanitarian community is to help prevent a lost generation of Syrian school children.
Phylogeography of a widespread small carnivore, the western spotted skunk ( Spilogale gracilis ) reveals temporally variable signatures of isolation across western North America

We analyzed phylogeographic patterns in the western spotted skunk, Spilogale gracilis Merriam, 1890 (Carnivora: Mephitidae) in relation to historical events associated with Pre-Pleistocene Divergence (PPD) and Quaternary climate change (QCC) using mitochondrial DNA from 97 individuals distributed across Western North America. Divergence times were generated using BEAST to estimate when isolation in putative refugia occurred. Patterns and timing of demographic expansion was performed using Bayesian skyline plot. Putative climatic refugia resulting from Quaternary climate change were identified using paleoecological niche modeling and divergence dates compared to major vicariant events associated with Pre-Pleistocene conditions. We recovered three major mitochondrial clades corresponding to western North America (California, Baja, and across the Great Basin), east-central North America (Texas, central Mexico, New Mexico), and southwestern Arizona/northwestern Mexico. Time to most recent common ancestor for S. gracilis occurred ~1.36 Ma. Divergence times for each major clade occurred between 0.25 and 0.12 Ma, with signature of population expansion occurring 0.15 and 0.10 Ma. Ecological niche models identified three potential climatic refugia during the Last Interglacial, (1) west coast of California and Oregon, (2) northwestern Mexico, and (3) southern Texas/northeastern Mexico as well as two refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum, (1) western USA and (2) southern Texas/northeastern Mexico. This study supports PPD in shaping species-level diversity compared to QCC-driven changes at the intraspecific level for Spilogale, similar to the patterns reported for other small mammals (e.g., rodents and bats). Phylogeographic patterns also appear to have been shaped by both habitat and river vicariance, especially across the desert southwest. Further, continuing climate change during the Holocene coupled with anthropogenic modifications during the Anthropocene appears to be removing both of these barriers to current dispersal of western spotted skunks.
Evolution of Damage in Brazilian Test Using Holographic Interferometry

A common method for estimating the tensile strength of concrete is the Brazilian Test. The test is carried out by loading a cylinder on its side in diametral compression. Accodring to the theory of elasticity, this loading configuration produces a nearly constant stress along approximately 75 percent of the diameter. Although the state of stress is not uniaxial and there is redistribution of stress due to nonlinearity of concrete, the tensile stress value at failure has proven to be a useful measure of the tensile strength. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the distribution of deformations on the surface of a disk specimen as it is loaded and determine the failure sequence.
A Multisubstrate Blood-Tissue Exchange Model for the Analysis of Indicator Dilution Curves from Whole Organs

Abstract While our earlier blood-tissue exchange models permitted consumption, consumed solute was considered as either sequestered and retained or as having reacted to form a product whose kinetics were not modeled. We have extended the four region, three barrier, axially distributed model that accounts for convection in the capillary, diffusion into the endothelial cells, ISF, and parenchymal cells (Bassingthwaighte, Wang and Chan, 1989) to account for a sequence of reactions in all regions. It uses the same sliding fluid element flow algorithm and analytic method for solving the convection-diffusion equations at each time step. Metabolic reactions are considered to be the sum of two processes: a fraction of the amount consumed goes to a product that can exchange with adjacent regions or may be further metabolized; the remainder is permanently sequestered in the region in which it was formed. The reaction sequence is unidirectional, i.e., no reactions are permitted that result in the return of tracer to an antecedent substrate. Each substrate has its own unique parameters for permeabilities, reaction rates, and volumes of distribution. The model is useful for analyzing data from tracer glucose, thymidine, adenosine, and fatty acids. Simulations with the model illustrate that endothelial and parenchymal cell events can be clearly distinguished and have shown the importance of metabolism in endothelial cells for producing products whose outflow curves have peaks only slightly shifted in time from that of the parent. (Supported by NIH Grant RR1243.)
The Politics of Poverty Measurement and Social Policies: Global Observations

Countries of all shapes, sizes, and characteristics have been experimenting with various forms of social policy to reduce poverty. However, these experiments have not allowed governments to proclaim poverty-free zones, and a universally agreed upon and proven strategy has not emerged to magically reduce poverty. Part of the reason for this difficulty in devising proven strategies is political since such strategies would invoke major resource reallocations that require broad political support.
Energy consumption in long-range linear wireless sensor networks using LoRaWan and ZigBee

This paper compares the energy consumption used for communication in the special case of a wireless sensor network that is deployed linearly over a long distance to monitor assets such as transmission lines or pipelines. A model for energy consumption is developed based on a suitable network architecture for a linear wireless sensor network (WSN). Using the model, the energy consumption of networks based on two popular wireless communication protocols, LoRaWan and Zigbee, is compared. The results show LoRaWan has significantly better energy efficiency than ZigBee for a linear WSN.
Estimating rooftop solar technical potential across the US using a combination of GIS-based methods, lidar data, and statistical modeling

We provide a detailed estimate of the technical potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation throughout the contiguous United States. This national estimate is based on an analysis of select US cities that combines light detection and ranging (lidar) data with a validated analytical method for determining rooftop PV suitability employing geographic information systems. We use statistical models to extend this analysis to estimate the quantity and characteristics of roofs in areas not covered by lidar data. Finally, we model PV generation for all rooftops to yield technical potential estimates. At the national level, 8.13 billion m2 of suitable roof area could host 1118 GW of PV capacity, generating 1432 TWh of electricity per year. This would equate to 38.6% of the electricity that was sold in the contiguous United States in 2013. This estimate is substantially higher than a previous estimate made by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The difference can be attributed to increases in PV module power density, improved estimation of building suitability, higher estimates of total number of buildings, and improvements in PV performance simulation tools that previously tended to underestimate productivity. Also notable, the nationwide percentage of buildings suitable for at least some PV deployment is high—82% for buildings smaller than 5000 ft2 and over 99% for buildings larger than that. In most states, rooftop PV could enable small, mostly residential buildings to offset the majority of average household electricity consumption. Even in some states with a relatively poor solar resource, such as those in the Northeast, the residential sector has the potential to offset around 100% of its total electricity consumption with rooftop PV.
Globalization and Global University Rankings

Globalization has been neither neutral nor uniform in its impact. It affects countries, cultures, and systems in different ways—some in positive ways and others in more negative ways. All sectors of society are being affected; and higher education is no exception. The increased importance of the knowledge industry, innovations in information and communication technologies, a stronger orientation to the market economy, and growth in regional and international governance systems all contribute to an accelerated flow of people, ideas, culture, technology, goods, and services in our globalized world. University documents and mission statements indicate the importance of higher education in the global arena. A number of issues link globalization and higher education, including a growing demand for post-secondary education, a growing number and types of “for-profit” sponsors of higher education, and the emergence of innovative cross-border institutions. As globalization has become the focal point of higher education, competition has become a central preoccupation. Competition is closely connected with a global free-market economy. Combined with the impact of globalization and the development of the global “knowledge economy,” these competitive forces have resulted in the global competition phenomenon that is currently reshaping higher education. Many developments characterize global competition in higher education. This paper discusses some of these developments, including (1) the rise of global university rankings, (2) declarations by nations to have a world-class university, (3) the development of regional units of control and reform, (4) the development of cross-border quality assessment practices, and (5) the internationalization of universities.
A STUDY ON THE STABILITY OF RAILWAY SUBGRADE IN A SALT LAKE

SYNOPSIS There is a segment of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway which passes through a zone with extremely complex and unfavorable geological conditions, i.e., a zone of salt karst in a salt lake. In the present paper, the physical and mechanical properties of the rock salt and the regularities of salt karst development in that zone are presented; the measures taken for ensuring the subgrade stability in the salt karst zone are described; and the results of acoustic monitoring for ensuring the safety of the railway subgrade are emphatically discussed.
Building Effective Emergency Management Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for Information Sharing

This book chapter is currently under a 24-month embargo by the publisher and will be publicly available after January 31st, 2020. Until that time, this book chapter is accessible only to UH users only.
Systematic Review of Physical Activity Interventions in Hispanic Adults

Introduction:Physical activity (PA) has demonstrated substantial physical and psychological benefits. However, Hispanics engage in less leisure-time PA when compared with other groups, putting them...
Trauma: An Introduction

Orthopedic trauma has evolved alongside the Ilizarov method over the past 50 years, and presently, both are considered subspecialties within orthopedic surgery. This chapter demonstrates the natural complement of these two fields on each other in managing acute and late reconstruction of fractures. The ability to comprehensively describe and analyze coronal, sagittal, and axial malalignment, so integral to the Ilizarov method, has fostered the development of sound surgical solutions. The advancement of surgical techniques and implants adopting Ilizarov’s principles combines (1) trauma and limb reconstruction, (2) limb alignment, and (3) callus distraction. This section of the atlas demonstrates a varied but consistent use of the said principles. The application of monolateral or circular external fixation and internal fixation (plates, intramedullary nails, lengthening intramedullary nails) and their combination (so-called integrated techniques) will be demonstrated. Acute, delayed, and late reconstruction of fractures is challenging as the problems range from routine to extremely difficult. The surgeon must be facile with techniques that cross orthopedic disciplines and have the creativity and confidence to execute them, even when faced with limbthreatening injuries. Most of the cases presented could not be safely approached with only classic trauma care. Massive bone loss, soft tissue defects, limb shortening, large deformities, avascular, and infected bone are some of the entities that will be demonstrated.
The Desegregation of America's Special Schools: Strategies for Change.

There is strong philosophical, legal, and empirical support for integrated educational programs for students with severe disabilities. In spite of this support, significant numbers of students with...
1 Ventricular assist devices: developments in asia and global outlook for the next 10 years

The advent of left ventricular assist systems to support patients with advanced-stage heart failure has been a 50 year odyssey, now available broadly to such patients.1 Engineering advances have ushered in an era of small, durable devices that can be fully implanted within the chest. Yet, haemocompatibility related adverse events, which emanate from the interaction between the device and the patient they support are manifest principally in increased stroke rates, de novo device thrombosis requiring replacement and in gastrointestinal bleeding (a peculiar adverse event resulting from the unnatural physiology of continuous flow with low systemic pulse pressure).2 A novel fully „magnetically levitated pump, the HeartMate 3 pump has now been introduced which is engineered with wide blood flow pathways (to decrease shear stress and haemolysis) and programmed with an artificial intrinsic pulse. A large study has demonstrated its superiority in ameliorating pump thrombosis, reducing stroke rates and improving medical resource use and cost of care when compared with other devices such as the HeartMate II pump with a mechanical bearing and axial flow pathway.3 However, much needs to be learned, especially within the Asia Pacific region. Questions of genetic diversity in response to anticoagulation targets, predilection towards haemocompatibility complications and outcomes within this distinct population remain less well understood. Estimates of patient need in this region suggest that over 50 000 eligible patients with advanced heart failure may qualify for such mechanical support but access, cost and regulatory barriers as well as the optimal medical management of these pumps remain poorly understood. In the Asia Pacific realm, >100 centres currently implant such pumps with most performing References Mehra MR. Evolving disruption in left ventricular assist systems: Forgiving but not yet forgettable. Eur J Heart Fail 2018 December 3. doi:10.1002/ejhf.1340 [Epub ahead of print]. Mehra MR. The burden of haemocompatibility with left ventricular assist systems: A complex weave. Eur Heart J 2017 February 23. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx036 Mehra MR, Goldstein DJ, Uriel N, et al. MOMENTUM 3 Investigators. Two-year outcomes with a magnetically levitated cardiac pump in heart failure. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1386–1395. Drakos SG, Mehra MR. Clinical myocardial recovery during long-term mechanical support in advanced heart failure: Insights into moving the field forward. J Heart Lung Transplant 2016;35:413–420.
Photobioreactors for Bioenergy Systems and Lipid Extraction Methods from Microalgae

Biofuels, especially those derived from plant materials, are being heavily investigated as an alternative to fossil fuels. Unfortunately, issues related to the use of food crops and arable land have plagued biofuel production efforts. In response, algae are touted as a suitable biofuel feedstock: they exhibit high growth rates, readily metabolize fossil fuel combustion products, and thrive well in marginal environments or intensive systems. Despite this, the efficiencies of the current algal production systems, their scalability, and the eventual price of the final product still require much research. The following review will attempt to chronicle the evolution of algal photobioreactors and also discusses the methodologies for oil extraction through the current state-of-the-art technologies. In particular, it aims to identify the contemporary and emerging issues involved in culturing algae for nutrient recycling and production of biofuels and ultimately compile and highlight the proposed solutions for the optimization of these systems.
The Elimination Disorders

Every one of us began life wetting the bed and making a “mess” of diapers on a daily basis. Our parents and others then imposed some form of toilet training on us. By various means, they taught us when to eliminate and when to withhold urine and feces—and they insisted that we learn to comply with the rules. We were not alone. In a classic study of 22 cultures, Whiting and Child (1953) concluded that toilet training is the most basic and universal target of socialization everywhere. Moreover, bladder and bowel training are closely linked. That is, parents almost always begin training for urination and defecation concurrently and generally report that children stop soiling and become dry at about the same time, regardless of whether it is “early” or “late.”
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Otolaryngology trainee education.

Author(s): Guo, Theresa; Kiong, Kimberley L; Yao, Christopher MKL; Windon, Melina; Zebda, Denna; Jozaghi, Yelda; Zhao, Xiao; Hessel, Amy C; Hanna, Ehab Y | Abstract: BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has reduced clinical volume with a negative impact on trainee education.MethodsSurvey study of Otolaryngology trainees in North America, during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.ResultsOf 216 respondents who accessed the survey, 175 (83%) completed the survey. Respondents reported a universal decrease in clinical activities (98.3%). Among participants who felt their program utilized technology well, there were significantly decreased concerns to receiving adequate educational knowledge (29.6% vs 65.2%, P = .003). However, 68% of trainees still expressed concern in ability to receive adequate surgical training. In addition, 54.7% of senior trainees felt that the pandemic had a negative impact on their ability to secure a job or fellowship after training.ConclusionsTrainees universally felt a negative impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of technology was able to alleviate some concerns in gaining adequate educational knowledge, but decreased surgical training remained the most prevalent concern.
Metabolic effects of the schizophrenia-associated 3q29 deletion are sex-specific and uncoupled from behavioral phenotypes

SUMMARY The 1.6 Mb 3q29 deletion is associated with developmental and psychiatric phenotypes. Reduced birthweight and a high prevalence of feeding disorders in patients suggest underlying metabolic dysregulation. We investigated 3q29 deletion-induced metabolic changes using the B6.Del16+/Bdh1-Tfrc mouse model. We found that B6.Del16+/Bdh1-Tfrc animals preferentially use dietary lipids as an energy source. Untargeted metabolomics showed a strong sex-dependent effect of the 3q29 deletion on fat metabolism. A high-fat diet (HFD) partially rescued the 3q29 deletion-associated weight deficit in females, but not males. Untargeted metabolomics after HFD revealed persistent fat metabolism alterations in females. The HFD did not affect B6.Del16+/Bdh1-Tfrc behavioral phenotypes, suggesting that 3q29 deletion-associated metabolic and behavioral outcomes are uncoupled. Our data indicate a HFD intervention in 3q29 deletion syndrome may improve weight phenotypes without exacerbating behavioral manifestations. Our study also highlights the importance of assessing sex in metabolic studies and suggests mechanisms underlying 3q29 deletion-associated metabolic phenotypes are sex-specific.
Surgical Repair of the Genital Hiatus: A Narrative Review.

An enlarged genital hiatus (GH) is associated with the development of prolapse and may be associated with prolapse recurrence following surgery; however, there is insufficient evidence to support surgical reduction of the GH as prophylaxis against future prolapse. The objective of this review is (1) to review the association between GH size and pelvic organ prolapse and (2) to discuss the existing literature on surgical procedures that narrow the GH. A literature search was performed in the PubMed search engine, using the keyword “genital hiatus.” Articles were included if they addressed any of the following topics: (1) normative GH values; (2) associations between the GH and prolapse development or recurrence; (3) surgical alteration of the GH; (4) indications, risks or benefits of surgical alteration of the GH. An enlarging GH has been observed prior to the development of prolapse. Multiple studies show that an enlarged pre- and/or postoperative GH is associated with an increased risk of recurrent prolapse following prolapse repair surgery. There are limited data on the specific risks of GH alteration related to bowel and sexual function. GH size and prolapse appear to be strongly associated. Because GH size appears to be a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse, the GH size should be carefully considered at the time of surgery. Surgeons should discuss with their patients the risks and potential benefits of additional procedures designed to reduce GH size.
A Novel Role for Hypothalamic AgRP Neurons in Mediating Depressive Behavior

A recent paper by Fang et al. examined the role of Agouti-Related Peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in mediating depressive-like behavior in mice. Chronic, but not acute stress, led to changes in neuronal excitability in AgRP neurons concomitant with the display of depressive-like behaviors, which were bidirectionally modulated using AgRP-selective chemogenetic manipulations. Together, these findings broaden our understanding of the diverse roles AgRP neurons play in driving motivational states, aside from their influence on hunger and feeding behaviors.
Ecosystem modification and network position impact insect-mediated contaminant fluxes from a mountaintop mining-impacted river network.

Abstract Aquatic-terrestrial contaminant transport via emerging aquatic insects has been studied across contaminant classes and aquatic ecosystems, but few studies have quantified the magnitude of these insect-mediated contaminant fluxes, limiting our understanding of their drivers. Using a recent conceptual model, we identified watershed mining extent, settling ponds, and network position as potential drivers of selenium (Se) fluxes from a mountaintop coal mining-impacted river network. Mining extent drove insect Se concentration (p = 0.008, R2 = 0.406), but ponding and network position were the principal drivers of Se flux through their impact on insect production. Se fluxes were 18 times higher from ponded, mined tributaries than from unponded ones and were comparable to fluxes from larger, productive mainstem sites. Thus, contaminant fluxes were highest in the river mainstem or below ponds, indicating that without considering controls on insect production, contaminant fluxes and their associated risks for predators like birds and bats can be misestimated.
Statewide Analysis Reveals Period of Well-Child Visit Attendance for Earlier Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective To explore the relationship between well-child visit (WCV) attendance during early childhood and age at autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis using data drawn from a statewide all-payer claims database. Study design We used a correlational study design with longitudinal data drawn from the Virginia All-Payer Claims Database. All children born in 2011 with a diagnosis of ASD were included (n = 253). Survival analysis determined the impact of WCV attendance on ASD diagnosis at each American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended early childhood visit, and the 5-year visit. Results Survival analysis revealed a significant impact of WCV attendance at the 24-month, 3-, and 4-year visits on earlier ASD diagnosis. Children who attended the 24-month visit were diagnosed nearly 10 months earlier than those who did not. Overall, children with ASD attended fewer than 50% of visits during early childhood. Conclusions Promoting consistent WCV attendance during early childhood is an actionable strategy for improving early identification of ASD. Further exploration is needed to determine barriers to visit attendance and the impact of patterns of early childhood WCV attendance on age of ASD diagnosis. Development and implementation of interventions to promote adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended visits is needed.
Erk1/2: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (vertebrates) (MAP, MBP, EGF receptor T669 (Ert))

The chapter discusses the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2) that have a wide variety of substrates, many of which are important regulatory proteins, leading to the idea that they are pleiotropic in function. They are activated nearly 1000-fold by phosphorylation on a tyrosine and a threonine residue. Both sites must be phosphorylated for high enzymatic activity. These two phosphorylations appear to be catalyzed by a single type of protein kinase known as Mek or MAP “kinase kinase”. Erk1 and Erk2 autophosphorylate to low stoichiometry on the tyrosine residue, but the regulatory significance of this is not known. The major isoforms, Erk1 and Erk2 (p44 and p42 MAP kinase), both exist as monomers. Erk1/2 consists of a kinase domain with short N- and C-terminal extensions. The crystal structure of Erk2 has been solved. Erkl has been sequenced from rat (brain), mouse (3T3–L1 cells), human (T cells, HeLa), and Chinese hamster (fibroblasts). Erk2 has been sequenced from rat (brain), mouse (3T3 cells), and human (T cells, HeLa). Erk homologues have been identified in X. laevis, Drosophila. melanogaster, plants, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Transient modification within a pool of CD4 T cells in the maternal spleen

Summary Classic models suggest maternal tolerance is dependent on regulation of fetal antigen-specific T cell responses. We hypothesize that factors unique to a particular fetal antigen-specific T cell, rather than the state of pregnancy per se, are important determinants of T cell fate during pregnancy. To investigate the fate of fetal antigen-specific CD4 T cells in the systemic circulation, we examined spleen cells in a CD4 T cell receptor transgenic mouse specific for the male antigen H-Y. We observed a transient decrease in CD4+ Vβ6+ cell numbers and, due to transient internalization of CD4, an increase in CD4− Vβ6+ T cells. Antigen-specific in vitro responsiveness was not depressed by pregnancy. These data suggest that pregnancy supports fluidity in this particular CD4 T cell pool that may, in turn, help to meet competing requirements of maternal immune responsiveness and fetal tolerance.
Integration of Small Scale Farmers in Value Chains in Bulgaria – A Case Study on Organic Dairy Sheep Farming

This paper presents the state of integration of small scale dairy farms in value chains in Bulgaria and a case study on organic farming as a new prospective approach for market inclusion. It outlines the evolution of dairy sheep farming and organic production; analyzes the pace, factors and impacts of development of a successful organic dairy sheep farm from North-West Bulgaria; specifies driving factors and prospects of small-scale organic farming development; assesses possibilities for replication of positive experience in other farms, and suggests recommendations for improvement of public policies and farming strategies.
Providing a High Level Abstraction for SDN Networks in GENI

Software Defined Networks make it possible to decouple routing from forwarding, allowing the routing decisions to be made by a (logically)centralized controller which are then communicated to the switches in the network (for example, via the Open Flow protocol). One problem facing end users is the need to map high level abstractions -- like the path a flow should take -- to a set of low level forwarding rules tailored to, and installed at, every switch along the path. Installing such rules manually is tedious and error prone, and writing a controller program to do it is equally, if not more, challenging. In this paper, we propose a new set of tools that allow users (experimenters)to easily map their high level routing policies to low level Open Flow rules, and to help users reverse engineer high level policies from the installed set of low level flow rules. The tools provide users with the abstraction of end-to-end flows that users can install, list, and delete. The tools automatically handle the details of computing and installing all the rules needed to implement end-to-end flows, and are also capable of identifying flows and, if desired, removing flows that already exist. The tools have been implemented as modules in the GENI Desktop providing users with a graphical interface to their flows. In addition, we have implemented a module to monitor the performance of flows that have been installed. We describe our prototype implementation and present performance numbers obtained via the service.
Peroxisome proliferator ameliorates endocardial endothelial and muscarinic dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) develop hypertension (HT) at the age of 2-6 weeks. Endocardial endothelial (EE) dysfunction, autonomic suppression, left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH), and fibro...
The Economic Dynamics of Environmental Law: Cost-Benefit Analysis, Emissions Trading, and Priority-Setting

An economic dynamic approach to environmental law offers a more promising avenue for regulatory reform that the current staticefficiency-based approach. An economic dynamic approach seeks to emulate the creativity and innovation that free markets sometimes produce, instead of the efficiency that the economists ascribe to it for purposes of economic modeling. Environmental law must cope with a predictable set of economic dynamics. Population and consumption increases tend to increase pollution and natural resource destruction over time while empowering dirty old industries. We need a reform agenda focused on regulatory design that encourages innovations adequate to cope with significant environmental change over time. Such an agenda would emphasize changes in regulatory process to reduce the influence of existing dirty industries, regulatory designs that encourage innovation, and creative efforts to circumvent problems with languid and sometimes ineffectual governmental decisionmaking processes.
Nondestructive Testing, 7. Other Methods

The article contains sections titled: 1. Visual and Optical Inspection 2. Acoustic Emission 2.1. Detection 2.2. Material Behavior 2.3. Source Location 2.4. Acoustic Emission Monitoring 3. Penetrant Methods 4. Leak Testing 4.1. Pressurized Gas Leaks 4.2. Pressurized Liquid Leaks 4.3. Vacuum System Leaks 5. Uses 5.1. Metallic Pressure Vessels and Piping 5.2. Composite Pressure Vessels and Piping 5.3. Weldments 5.4. Other Uses
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of invasive Shigella flexneri in food.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a 760-base-pair (bp) fragment with the 220-kbp invasive plasmids of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii, and Shigella sonnei as templates. This PCR product was easily detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. A 210-bp AccI-PstI fragment lying within the amplified region was used as a probe in Southern hybridization blots and showed that the PCR-generated product was derived from the invasive plasmid. The application of PCR as a rapid method to detect enteroinvasive bacteria in foods was tested by inoculating lettuce with 10(4) S. flexneri cells per g in shigella broth base. Plasmid DNA was isolated from cultures of inoculated and uninoculated lettuce in broth after 0, 4, and 24 h of incubation. With the PCR, the 760-bp fragment was generated only from lettuce inoculated with S. flexneri, as shown by gel electrophoresis and confirmed both by Southern blotting and by nucleotide sequencing of the amplified region. Because the isolation of plasmid DNA, the performance of PCR, and gel electrophoresis all can be completed in 6 to 7 h, invasive enteric bacteria can be detected in less than 1 day. Images
Association of depression with 10-year poststroke mortality.

Objective Depression has been linked to higher than expected mortality from natural causes, particularly among elderly patients with physical illness. The authors examined the effect of depression on mortality among a group of stroke patients followed up for 10 years. Method A consecutive series of 103 patients was assessed for major or dysthymic (minor) depression approximately 2 weeks after stroke with the use of a structured mental status examination and DSM-III diagnostic criteria. Vital status was determined for 91 of these patients 10 years later. Results Forty-eight (53%) of the 91 patients had died. Patients with diagnoses of either major or minor depression were 3.4 times more likely to have died during the follow-up period than were nondepressed patients, and this relationship was independent of other measured risk factors such as age, sex, social class, type of stroke, lesion location, and level of social functioning. The mortality rate among depressed patients with few social contacts was especially high: over 90% had died. Conclusions These results indicate that depressed mood following stroke is associated with an increased risk of subsequent mortality. Patients who are depressed and socially isolated seem to be particularly vulnerable.