cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis and Treatment of Venereal Disease

Gonorrhea is the first and syphilis the third most commonly reported of the infectious diseases. In 1970 there were an estimated two million new cases of gonorrhea and 200,000 new cases of infectious syphilis in the United States. Each year finds 10 to 15 percent more cases of gonorrhea being reported, while the number of new cases of syphilis has been about the same over the last decade. The diseases are similar in that they are spread venereally and occur predominantly in persons under 25 years of age. Both diseases respond well to appropriate antibiotic therapy. However, they differ significantly in their clinical presentation and methods of diagnosis. This discussion presents both their similarities and differences.
Co-Regulation and Anti-Corruption in U.S. Journalism

ABSTRACTU.S. journalism’s approach to self-regulation is decentralized, inconsistent, and is in some respects ineffective. Exclusive reliance on modern U.S. self-regulation presents several moral problems as it relates to journalism’s contribution as a public good. This article argues that co-regulation—a regulatory method that includes journalists and nonjournalists deliberating on press complaints—is a prospective complementary model to current forms of self-regulation that has had international success. Its inclusion of nonjournalists in press complaints deliberations reduces the potential for conflicts of interest, increases transparency, and by extension reduces vulnerability to institutional corruption as well as other types of institutional failure without compromising press freedom.
Television food advertisement exposure and FTO rs9939609 genotype in relation to excess consumption in children.

Television food advertisement exposure and FTO rs9939609 genotype in relation to excess consumption in children
Conservation Credits—Evolution of a Market-Oriented Approach to Recovery of Species of Concern on Private Land

When species are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, there are often real or perceived negative consequences for landowners that may produce perverse incentives and lead to the elimination rather than protection of habitat for the species on private land. In Texas, where approximately 95% of the land is privately owned, the listing of one species and the potential listing of another led to the creation of two innovative programs aimed at incentivizing landowners to protect and improve habitat for the two species: Recovery Credit System for the Golden-Cheeked Warbler and Conservation Recovery Award System for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard. Both programs were based on multistakeholder collaborations that included federal and state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private landowners, and which resulted in quasimarket mechanisms for the voluntary protection of habitat by landowners for the species of concern. Key components of both programs included confidentiality of landowner conservation agreements with the state’s wildlife management agency and the creation of not-for profit organizations to implement contracts with landowners and disseminate payments for habitat conservation actions to landowners. These two programs have also informed efforts to protect the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Greater Sage-Grouse, which are under threat on private land in multiple states. Seven lessons learned from protection programs for the four species presented in this article provide useful guidelines for the conservation of other at-risk species on private land elsewhere.
Abstract 3356: Diversity of CD8+ and rgulatory T cells is inversely correlated in follicular lymphoma: A potential predictive biomarker

Gene expression profiling experiments have demonstrated that the immune microenvironment in follicular lymphoma (FL) plays an important role in controlling the behavior of the disease. FL patients with tumors enriched for T cell-related transcripts have a more favorable prognosis. As T cells have been shown to mediate anti-tumor immunity in other cancers, they may also be critical in controlling the progression of FL. T cells are often identified in and around malignant follicles in FL by immunohistochemistry, but it is not known whether their presence relates to their specificity for antigens expressed by FL cells. Hypothesizing that at least a fraction of T cells in FL are truly lymphoma antigen-specific, we have begun to characterize the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of FL tissues using a next generation sequencing platform, and have deeply sequenced T cell receptor (TCR) cDNAs of T cell subset populations present in pretreatment FL biopsy specimens. Regulatory T cell (Treg) TCRs in FL tissues revealed a highly oligoclonal expansion, compared to those in control lymph nodes. Furthermore, an inverse correlation was observed between the diversity of Treg and CD8+ TCRs in FL specimens. Interestingly, a tumor from an FL patient, who has received no anticancer treatment for more than 10 years, was found to have missense mutations in the peptide-binding domain of both HLA class I and class II molecules, which might have presented tumor-specific antigens and enhanced host immune responses. Although further verification is required, our data suggest that the T cell repertoire is skewed and restricted in FL and support the evolving understanding of the microenvironment in this disease. Citation Format: Justin Paul Kline, Xiao Liu, Girish Venkataraman, Jiaying Lin, Kazuma Kiyotani, Sonali M. Smith, Magdeline Montoya, Yusuke Nakamura. Diversity of CD8+ and rgulatory T cells is inversely correlated in follicular lymphoma: A potential predictive biomarker. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3356. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3356
Physical Presentation of Cushing’s Syndrome: Typical and Atypical Presentations

There is no one “typical” presentation of a patient with Cushing’s syndrome; however, there are several common features, including weight gain; depression; mood changes (irritability); difficulty sleeping; new-onset diabetes or hypertension; or worsening of diabetes control or hypertension, requiring additional treatments. Physical changes often include a change in facial features, with facial rounding, plethora, and hirsutism in women. Development of supraclavicular fat pads (best assessed by palpation) is quite suggestive of excess exposure to glucocorticoid. The most common cause of Cushing’s is iatrogenic, a result of treatments for other conditions. The physician must ask about a history of steroid exposure (e.g., oral, intramuscular, intraarticular). Less common presentations of Cushing’s syndrome include nontraumatic bone fractures, osteoporosis, psychosis, myopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts. Children and adolescents most commonly have a decrease in growth velocity and delayed puberty. The important medical issue is a change in a patient’s concomitant medical problems, a change in the patient’s physical features, and the suspicion of “something else,” causing these changes and prompting an evaluation for possible Cushing’s.
Quarantine host range of Bikasha collaris, a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in North America

Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Euphorbiaceae), is one of the worst invasive weeds of the southeastern USA impacting coastal wetlands, forests, and natural areas. Traditional mechanical and chemical controls have been unable to limit the spread, and this invasive species continues to expand its range. A proposed biological control candidate, the flea beetle Bikasha collaris (Baly) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), shows high specificity for the target weed Chinese tallowtree. Results from a series of no-choice and choice feeding tests of B. collaris adults and larvae indicated that this flea beetle was highly specific to Chinese tallowtree. The larvae of B. collaris feed by tunneling in the roots, whereas the adults feed on the leaves of Chinese tallowtree. A total of 77 plant taxa, primarily from members of the tallow plant family Euphorbiaceae, were tested in numerous test designs. Larval no-choice tests indicated that larvae completed development only on two of the non-target taxa. Of 80 B. collaris larvae fed roots of Hippomane mancinella L. and 50 larvae fed roots of Ricinus communis L., two and three larvae completed development, respectively. The emerging adults of these five larvae died within 3 days without reproducing. Larval choice tests also indicated little use of these non-target taxa. Adult no-choice tests indicated little leaf damage by B. collaris on the non-targets except for Ditrysinia fruticosa (Bartram) Govaerts & Frodin and Gymnanthes lucida Sw. When given a choice, however, B. collaris adults consumed much less of the non-targets D. fruticosa (7.4%) and G. lucida (6.1%) compared with the control leaves. Finally, no-choice oviposition tests indicated that no eggs were produced when adults were fed all non-target taxa, except those fed G. lucida. These B. collaris adults fed G. lucida leaves produced an average of 4.6 eggs compared with 115.0 eggs per female when fed Chinese tallowtree. The eggs produced from adults fed G. lucida were either inviable or the emerging larvae died within 1 day. These results indicate that the flea beetle B. collaris was unable to complete its life cycle on any of the non-target taxa tested. If approved for field release, B. collaris will be the first biological control agent deployed against Chinese tallowtree in the USA. This flea beetle may play an important role in suppressing Chinese tallowtree and contribute to the integrated control of this invasive weed.
Interoperability and Scalability for Worker-Job Matching across Crowdsourcing Platforms

Crowdsourcing labor market platforms consist of a variety of jobs spanning multiple problem domains and their respective specialized or diverse worker pools. Each platform currently operates independently and isolated from the potential benefits of sharing job and worker pool data across platforms. Previous work introduces infrastructure that optimizes the sharing of both job and worker data collectively, called the open push-pull model. In this paper, to support automated recommendation of workers, we introduce an interoperability standard and computational method that facilitates the aggregation of job data while supporting scalability in response to increasing volumes of data. (i.e. workers and jobs continuously entering the system).
Effects of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on dispersion, anisotropy and reflection in media with planar fractures

Our objective was to discover the effect of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on the velocity of seismic wave propagation in fluid-saturated media with parallel planar fractures. We used numerical models calculated by analytical solutions to examine the behaviour of P-wave phase velocity dispersion in the normal direction to layering, in non-porous and porous media with planar fractures. We also examined the anisotropy of low frequency phase and group velocities of fast and slow P-waves and angular dependent reflection coefficients in media with planar fractures, under conditions of saturation by fluids with varying bulk moduli, densities, and fracture apertures. We defined several parameters: rHL, rhl, and Ic characterising dispersion, ϵ′ characterising anisotropy, rFS characterising the difference between fast and slow modes, R0 and G′ characterising reflection. Our results show that the behaviour of dispersion shows wider stopbands in the case of gas saturation. Concavity indicator of dispersion Ic for gas saturation was greater than that for liquid saturation, and is usually greater than 1. Anisotropy is more sensitive to bulk modulus contrast than to density contrast between the solid and fluid, and rFS is more sensitive to density contrast than to bulk modulus contrast. The case of gas saturation usually had a greater negative R0 and a greater value of G′ compared with those of brine, heavy and light oil saturations. Our results are helpful in distinguishing fluid types saturating geophysical fractures and estimating the aperture and spacing of planar fractures. In seismic exploration, bulk modulus and fluid density can provide useful information in distinguishing among brine, oil, and gas; fracture geometry is important to estimate the permeability of reservoirs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Urinary Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract Introduction In this review, we discuss major advancements and common challenges in constructing and regenerating a neo-urinary conduit (NUC). First, we focus on the need for regenerating the urothelium, the hallmark the urine barrier, unique to urinary tissues. Second, we focus on clinically feasible scaffolds based on decellularized matrices and molded collagen that are currently of great research interest. Aim To discuss the major advancements in constructing a tissue-engineered NUC (TE-NUC) and the challenges involved in their successful clinical translation. Methods A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature from PubMed and Google Scholar on subjects related to urothelium regeneration, decellularized tissue matrices, and collagen scaffolds was conducted. Main Outcome Measure We evaluated the main biological and mechanical functions of urinary tissues, the need for TE implants to create a urinary diversion, the reasons for their failures in clinical settings, and the applications of decellularized tissue matrices and collagen-based molded scaffolds in their regeneration. Results It is necessary to create a urine barrier that prevents urine leakage into the stroma that can cause failure of the graft. Despite the regeneration potential of the urothelium, the limited supply of healthy urothelial cells in patients with bladder cancer remains a major challenge. In this context, alternative strategies, such as transdifferentiation of cells into urothelium or engineered scaffolds based on decellularized tissues and molded collagen with robust urine barrier properties, are active areas of research. Conclusion There is an immediate need for developing a functional TE-NUC that can improve the quality of life of patients with bladder cancer. It is possible to achieve a TE-NUC by bioengineering an implant that has appropriate biological and mechanical properties to store and transport urine. We anticipate that future advancements in urothelium regeneration and material design will lead us closer to successful neo-urinary tissue constructs. Singh A, Bivalacqua TJ, Sopko N. Urinary Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:35–44.
Is a stepdown unit safe for patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhages

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major source of disability in the United States. The ideal unit in the hospital for patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) has not been elucidated. We sought to investigate whether patients treated in the surgical stepdown area had worse outcomes than those treated in the surgical ICU. We compared patients with ICHs and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) upon admission of 14 or 15 who went to the ICU to those who went to the stepdown area from April 2014 to November 2016. We compared age, gender, Injury Severity Score (ISS), admission GCS (14 or 15), operative intervention, discharge destination, hospital length of stay (HLOS), mortality, and cost between these two groups. Patients admitted to the ICU had a significantly longer HLOS. Admission costs for patients admitted to ICU were also significantly higher than their stepdown area counterparts. This was true for both total charges (p = 0.0001) and for net revenue (p = 0.002) (Table 2). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality, operative intervention, or discharge destination. A surgical stepdown unit can be a safe disposition for patients with mild traumatic ICHs and represents an effective use of hospital resources.
Context in exploratory programming: Towards a theoretical framework

Creativity theory states good designs are achieved by having a multitude of these designs [1]. Exploratory Programming is the process of trying out designs while writing software. Programmers have to evaluate these alternative implementations in order to implement new ideas [2]. These alternatives often have multiple objectives which might prompt a programmer to work towards multiple goals in episodes. Episodes are distinct periods when a programmer works towards a certain goal. These episodes may be interleaved where programmers compare different episodes [3]. However, there is little research which focuses on how programmers abstract meaningful and appropriate information from their exploration of alternatives to integrate into their current work. We refer to these meaningful abstractions as context.
Heptavalent Actinide Tetroxides NpO4- and PuO4-: Oxidation of Pu(V) to Pu(VII) by Adding an Electron to PuO4.

The highest known actinide oxidation states are Np(VII) and Pu(VII), both of which have been identified in solution and solid compounds. Recently a molecular Np(VII) complex, NpO3(NO3)2–, was prepared and characterized in the gas phase. In accord with the lower stability of heptavalent Pu, no Pu(VII) molecular species has been identified. Reported here are the gas-phase syntheses and characterizations of NpO4– and PuO4–. Reactivity studies and density functional theory computations indicate the heptavalent metal oxidation state in both. This is the first instance of Pu(VII) in the absence of stabilizing effects due to condensed phase solvation or crystal fields. The results indicate that addition of an electron to neutral PuO4, which has a computed electron affinity of 2.56 eV, counterintuitively results in oxidation of Pu(V) to Pu(VII), concomitant with superoxide reduction.
Long-term changes in the seasonal timing of landbird migration on the Pacific Flyway

ABSTRACT The seasonal phenology of latitudinal movements is one of the key life-history traits of migratory birds. We used quantile regression to examine long-term changes in the timing of spring and autumn migration in 5 species of migratory passerine birds captured at a banding station in northern California, USA, over a 22 yr period from 1987 to 2008. Our 5 study species included 3 short-distance migrants, Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis), Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata), and Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla); and 2 long-distance migrants, Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) and Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia). Median timing of migration advanced in spring for 2 of the 5 species (−2.5 days decade−1) but was delayed during autumn migration for 3 of the species (+2.9 days decade−1). The duration of the migration period also became compressed in some species but more protracted in others. We tested whether annual variation in migration timing was related to 3 indices ...
Hydraulic analogy and visualisation of two-dimensional compressible fluid flows: part 1: theoretical aspects

The principles of the well-known, hydraulic analogy are explained (see Courant and Friedricks, 1948; Loh, 1969). The governing equations of two-dimensional compressible fluid two-dimensional flows in non-dimensional form, based on conservation laws are first discussed. Then, the isentropic flow condition is introduced to produce the isentropic Euler equations. On the other hand, the equations governing surface waves on thin water layers over a flat surface are derived in non-dimensional form, using the assumption of hydrostatic pressure across the water layer, hence the analogy between the two problems is established. The normalised density of the compressible flow corresponds to the normalised height of the thin water layer and the speed of sound corresponds to the speed of surface waves in water, hence, the Mach number corresponds to Froude number. Finally, it is shown that the analogy can be used to visualise supersonic and transonic two-dimensional flow patterns, including shock waves and expansion fans around airfoils and in convergent/divergent nozzles. Also, nonlinear water waves of finite amplitude, in dispersive media, are discussed. In part 2 of this study, water table experiments are presented together with qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques.
Dental Student Skills in Matching Radiographs for Forensic Identification and in Forensic Knowledge

Purpose and Objectives. Dental and dental hygiene curricula must meet the core competencies established by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. As a result, there is limited time to expose students to the research and knowledge associated with additional important topics, such as dental forensics. The purpose of this research is to assess dental forensic knowledge and dental forensic radiographic skills of dental students. Methods. Ten radiographs of extracted permanent maxillary molars were exposed. One of the teeth was heat-altered to 600°F (315.6°C) for 15 minutes and then was radiographed. The 11 radiographs were presented to 152 dental students who were asked to match the radiograph of the heat-altered tooth to the original radiograph of that tooth. Students were also asked to respond to a 10-question survey about dental forensic knowledge. Results. Most (92.1%) students matched the heat-altered tooth’s radiograph with the original radiograph. Five survey questions had at least 70% of the respondents with correct responses. There were no statistically significant differences by dental class status or sex. Conclusion. Although dental students were competent in matching radiographs, there remains a need for more knowledge about dental forensics.
Trials of staphylococcal protein A-treated plasma infusions in cancer therapy: clinical effects and implications for mode of action.

Protein A, a cell wall protein of some strains of Staphylococcus aureus, was found to bind Fc receptors of some classes of IgG from many species (Forsgren and Sjoquist, 1966; Sjoquist, 1973). Its potential role in cancer therapy arose with demonstrations of the role of immunoglobulins as blocking factors (of cell-mediated cytotoxicity) in the serum of tumor-bearing animals (Hellstrom et al., 1969; Ankerst, 1971; Bansal et al., 1972, 1976). Some feel that the blocking factor is an antigen-antibody complex (Sjogren et al., 1971). Blocking activity could be demonstrated by in vitro cytotoxicity testing and could be removed by exposure of sera from tumor-bearing animals to S. aureus bearing protein A (Steele et al., 1974).
The HOPES Registry – Houston Methodist Hospital Outcomes-based Prospective Endpoints in Stroke

Abstract Background We present a single institution registry with the novel feature of 90-day outcome assessments on all hospitalized acute stroke patients, inclusive of every patient with a primary discharge diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Patient data obtained in the HOPES registry include demographics, comorbid diagnoses, medications, health behaviors, laboratory values, imaging studies, vital signs, and outcome measures, most notably the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90days. Results From May 2016 to December 31, 2017, 1607 patients were enrolled in the HOPES registry. 90-day outcome assessments were captured on 1555 patients (97%): 1096 AIS, 230 ICH, 110 SAH, and 119 TIA patients. Mortality rates and 90-day outcomes were most favorable for TIA patients. Mortality and 90-day disability scores were poorest for patients in the ICH group. Conclusions The inclusion of 90-day outcomes data will allow HOPES to stand apart among stroke registries as a new standard for stroke outcomes research. The registry will provide the necessary comprehensive data that the field needs as we transition our focus of stroke research to poststroke recovery.
Comparative Genomic Studies of Salmonella Heidelberg Isolated From Chicken- and Turkey-Associated Farm Environmental Samples

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of human foodborne gastroenteritis in the United States. In addition, Salmonella contributes to morbidity and mortality in livestock. The control of Salmonella is an increasing problematic issue in livestock production due to lack of effective control methods and the constant adaptation of Salmonella to new management practices, which is often related to horizontal acquisitions of virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. Salmonella enterica serotype Heidelberg is one of the most commonly isolated serotypes in all poultry production systems in North America. Emergence and persistence of multi-drug resistant Salmonella Heidelberg isolates further impact the poultry production and public health. We hypothesized that distinct poultry production environments affect Salmonella genomic content, and by consequence its survival and virulence abilities. This study compared the genomic composition of S. Heidelberg isolated from environmental samples (19 chicken and 12 turkey isolates) of different breeder farms (16 chicken and 8 turkey farms) in the Midwest, U.S. Whole genome comparison of 31 genomes using RAST and SEED identified differences in specific sub-systems in isolates between the chicken- and turkey-associated farm environmental samples. Genes associated with the type IV secretion system (n= 12) and conjugative transfer (n= 3) were absent in turkey farm isolates compared to the chicken ones (p-value <0.01); Further, turkey farm isolates were enriched in prophage proteins (n= 53; p-value <0.01). Complementary studies using PHASTER showed that prophages were all Caudovirales phages and were more represented in turkey environmental isolates than the chicken isolates. This study corroborates that isolates from distinct farm environment show differences in S. Heidelberg genome content related to horizontal transfer between bacteria or through viral infections. Complementary microbiome studies of these samples would provide critical insights on sources of these variations. Overall, our findings enhance the understanding of Salmonella genome plasticity and may aid in the development of future effective management practices to control Salmonella.
Physician-assisted suicide in the United States: the underlying factors in technology, health care and palliative medicine--Part one.

In an age of rapid advances in life-prolonging treatment, patients and caregivers are increasingly facing tensions in making end-of-life decisions. An examination of the history of health care in the United States reveals technological, economic, and medical factors that have contributed to the problems of terminal care and consequently to the movement of assisted suicide. The movement has its roots in at least two fundamental perceptions and expectations. In the age of technological medicine energized by the profit motive, dying comes at a high price in suffering and in personal economic loss. The failure to provide affordable resources for terminal care is the result of the marketplace in health care. The medical profession has been painfully slow in responding to the challenges of terminal care, mainly because of the pressures of the marketplace and lack of adequate training. This has occurred at a time of rapid advances in life-sustaining treatment and of expanding public awareness of personal rights under the law. Overly aggressive treatment in the final stages of terminal illness has enhanced anxieties over a painfully prolonged and expensive dying. These factors have promoted the movement to assisted suicide. In the U.S. debate of the issues, ethicists tend to argue abstractly without examining adequately the context of terminal care that is the health care system. It is a system in dire need of a reform that will remove it from the marketplace.
Adaptive Support for Representation Skills in a Chemistry ITS Is More Effective Than Static Support

Multiple visual representations can enhance learning in STEM, provided that students have prerequisite representation skills to make sense of how the visuals show information and to fluently perceive meaning in the visuals. Prior research shows that instructional support for sense-making skills and perceptual fluency enhances STEM learning. This research also shows that students need different types of support, depending on their prior representation skills. Hence, instruction may be most effective if it adaptively assigns students to support for sense-making skills and perceptual fluency. We tested this hypothesis in an experiment with 45 undergraduates in an introductory chemistry course. Students were randomly assigned to a 6-week instructional module of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) that (1) provided a static sequence of activities that supported sense-making skills and perceptual fluency or (2) adaptively assigned the activities. Results show that the adaptive version yielded significantly higher gains of chemistry knowledge. Our findings expand theories of representation skills and yield recommendations for ITSs with multiple visual representations.
Past 30-day co-use of tobacco and marijuana products among adolescents and young adults in California.

Abstract Background Limited research among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has assessed tobacco and marijuana co-use in light of specific products. We examined the patterns of past 30-day co-use of tobacco and marijuana products, and the product-specific associations among past 30-day use of these substances. Methods Data from three school-based convenience samples of California AYA (aged 15–22) (Sample 1 = 3008; Sample 2 = 1419; Sample 3 = 466) were collected during 2016–2017. Proportions of past 30-day co-use of tobacco (e-cigarettes, cigarettes, hookah, cigars) and marijuana (combustible, vaporized, edible, blunt) were estimated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between use of each tobacco and marijuana product for individual samples, then the pooled analysis calculated combined ORs. Results In the three samples, 7.3–11.3% of participants reported past 30-day co-use. Combinations of e-cigarettes or cigarettes and combustible marijuana were the most common co-use patterns. Past 30-day use of e-cigarettes or cigarettes (vs. non-use) increased the odds of past 30-day use of all marijuana products [e-cigarettes: ORs (95%CI) ranging from 2.5 (1.7, 3.2) for edible marijuana to 4.0 (2.8, 5.2) for combustible marijuana; cigarettes: from 3.2 (2.1, 4.2) for vaporized marijuana to 5.5 (3.8, 7.3) for combustible marijuana]. Past 30-day use of hookah or cigars was positively associated with past 30-day use of three of four marijuana products, except for hookah and vaporized marijuana, and for cigars and combustible marijuana. Conclusions Given various co-use patterns and significant associations among tobacco and marijuana products, interventions targeting AYA should address co-use across the full spectrum of specific products for both substances.
Effect of Low Back Pain Chronicity on Patient Outcomes Treated in Outpatient Physical Therapy: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract Objective To examine the potential relationship between physical therapy (PT) treatment outcomes and chronicity of low back pain (LBP) in the outpatient setting. Design Retrospective observational study. Setting Outpatient PT clinics across 11 states. Participants A total of 11,941 patients with LBP provided with PT services and discharged from care between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. Main Outcome Measures Focus on Therapeutic Outcome Low Back Functional Status (FS) Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) was the primary outcomes measure used. It assesses the patients’ perceived physical abilities for patients experiencing LBP impairments. It determined a functional score on a linear metric ranging from 0 (low functioning) to 100 (high functioning). The difference in score between the intake FS and final FS score produced the FS change, which represented the overall improvement of the episode of care. Results The mean FS change was 16.997 (n=11,945). Patients with chronic symptoms (>90-d duration) had an FS change of 15.920 (n=7264) across 14.63 visits. Patients with subacute symptoms (15-90d) had an FS change of 21.66 (n=3631) across 14.05. Patients with acute symptoms (0-14d) had an FS change of 29.32 (n=1050) across 13.66 visits. Stepwise regression analysis revealed a significant â for chronicity (−4.155) with all models. Conclusions Overall, this study shows patients experiencing shorter duration of LBP symptoms before starting a PT episode of care experience significantly better outcomes than patients who waited. Furthermore, the number of treatment session and duration of care was similar between groups, indicating potential ineffective or insufficient care was provided for patients with chronic pain.
Genetics of Type 1 Diabetes Comes of Age.

Younger age at diagnosis often reflects a greater influence of genetic factors in disease. Type 1 diabetes, which develops most frequently in childhood but can also present in adult life, is a prime candidate to explore the relationships among risk loci, age at diagnosis, and genetic contribution to disease. Type 1 diabetes genetic risk scores (GRS) (calculated as the weighted sum of alleles statistically associated with type 1 diabetes present in a given individual) are inversely correlated with age at diagnosis. Studies have suggested age-related heterogeneity in the association of established risk alleles with type 1 diabetes, although no consistent pattern has developed. Further investigations into the genetic factors that influence age of clinical onset may refine our understanding of type 1 diabetes pathogenesis and provide opportunities for individualized preventive therapies. It has long been recognized that genetics plays a role in determining age at type 1 diabetes diagnosis. For monozygotic twins, concordance for type 1 diabetes increases with younger age at diagnosis in the index twin (1). HLA genotypes that confer risk for type 1 diabetes are more prevalent among subjects with younger age at clinical onset (2). GRS combining information from type 1 diabetes–associated HLA and non-HLA loci predict progression from single to multiple autoantibody positivity in individuals under age 35 years but not in older participants (3). A genome-wide analysis by Inshaw et al. (4) showed that rs9273363 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (tagging the HLA DQB1*03:02 haplotype) and the 6q22.33 region, which contains the genes encoding protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor κ ( PTPRK ) and thymocyte-expressed molecule involved in selection ( THEMIS ), are associated with younger age at diagnosis, although not with type 1 diabetes overall. Additional chromosomal regions reported to influence age at type 1 diabetes diagnosis are interleukin-2 ( IL2 ) (4q27, rs2069763) and renalase ( RNLS ) (10q23.31, rs10509540) (5). On the …
Net energy and cost benefit of transparent organic solar cells in building-integrated applications

Abstract Transparent photovoltaics is a new technology that can be used in buildings applications to simultaneously save energy and produce electricity. This study evaluates the potential of transparent photovoltaic (TPV) in window and skylight applications for four cities in the United States: Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Honolulu. Building energy demand simulation, photovoltaic generation, and life cycle assessment (LCA) are combined to evaluate the net energy benefit (NEB). The use of TPV on windows is evaluated for both new windows, for which the solar cell is deposited in the interior surface of the glass pane, and for the refurbishment of existing windows, for which plastic encapsulated solar cells are placed on the interior surface of existing windows. The NEB was found to be positive for all scenarios considered, and the cradle to gate energy to manufacture a transparent organic photovoltaic module was found to be negligible. The NEB was used to calculate the energy return on investment (EROI) and the energy payback time (EPBT). Both were found to be either better or comparable to other photovoltaic technologies. For glass modules, the best EROI was 102 in Phoenix for window and 208 in Honolulu for skylights. The EPBT varied from 51 days to 1.1 years, depending on the location and type of module. The use of transparent photovoltaics in the US was found to have both environmental and cost benefits due to the combined reduction in building energy consumption and electricity production.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Headaches Among Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Objectives This cross-sectional study examined the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and history of frequent headaches (including migraine) among children 3-17 years old using data from the 2016 and 2017 U.S. National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Background ACEs include abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual), parental divorce, death, mental illness, or addiction, and are linked to higher morbidity and mortality in adulthood. A relationship between ACEs and headaches exists among adults, but studies examining the relationship among children are lacking. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the link among children using NSCH data. Methods The NSCH is a nationally representative survey of U.S. children's physical and emotional well-being aimed at understanding their health needs. Parental-reported information was collected on child history of headaches and 9 ACEs for the selected child. The survey collected information on 71,881 children in 2016 and 2017 out of which 61,565 were eligible for the study (age ≥3 years and not missing data on history headaches). Children with missing values for headache, ACEs, or covariates (n = 58,958) were excluded from the final analysis. We used multivariable logistic regression with survey weighting and adjusted for demographics and comorbidities (anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and brain injury) to examine the association between ACEs and headaches overall and stratified by gender. We further assessed the independent relationship between each ACE and headaches. Results In the current study, out of 61,656 children, 26,884 (48.6%) experienced at least 1 ACE and 3426 (6.5%) experienced 4+ ACEs. Overall, compared with children with no ACEs, the adjusted odds of headache were 1.34 times higher among children with 1 reported ACE (95% CI: 1.07, 1.68), 2.15 times higher among children with 2 ACEs (95% CI: 1.66, 2.80), 1.89 times higher among children with 3 ACEs (95% CI: 1.40, 2.53), and 3.40 times higher among children with 4+ ACEs (95% CI: 2.61, 4.43). Females with 3 and 4+ ACEs were somewhat more likely to report headaches compared to males with the same number of ACEs. Individually, no ACE was independently associated with history of headaches except for difficulty due to family's income (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.98, 3.06). Conclusion Experiencing one or more ACEs vs none was associated with higher risk of headaches in children, and difficulty due to family's income was the only ACE independently associated with headaches. Our findings support results of other studies on ACEs and headache in young adults and suggest that adverse ACE-related health outcomes begin earlier than previously recognized. Additionally, struggling due to low income may represent a constellation of chronic stressors that independently contribute to poor health outcomes in childhood as compared to other individual ACEs. Future research should examine the importance of specific ACE clusters and stressors during childhood.
When aid builds states: party dominance and the effects of foreign aid on tax collection after civil war

Does foreign aid strengthen or weaken post-conflict states? We examine the effects of aid on tax collection after civil war, an important dimension of state effectiveness. While the literature emph...
Poroelastic Mechanical Properties of the Brain Tissue of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Patients During Lumbar Drain Treatment Using Intrinsic Actuation MR Elastography.

Rationale and Objectives Hydrocephalus (HC) is caused by accumulating cerebrospinal fluid resulting in enlarged ventricles and neurological symptoms. HC can be treated via a shunt in a subset of patients; identifying which individuals will respond through noninvasive imaging would avoid complications from unsuccessful treatments. This preliminary work is a longitudinal study applying MR Elastography (MRE) to HC patients with a focus on normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Materials and Methods Twenty-two ventriculomegaly patients were imaged and subsequently received a lumbar drain placement for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. NPH lumbar drain responders and NPH syndrome nonresponders were categorized by clinical presentation. Displacement images were acquired using intrinsic activation (IA) MRE and poroelastic inversion recovered shear stiffness and hydraulic conductivity values. A stable IA-MRE inversion protocol was developed to produce unique solutions for both recovered properties, independent of initial estimates. Results Property images showed significantly increased shear modulus (p = 0.003 in periventricular region, p = 0.005 in remaining cerebral tissue) and hydraulic conductivity (p = 0.04 in periventricular region) in ventriculomegaly patients compared to healthy volunteers. Baseline MRE imaging did not detect significant differences between NPH lumbar drain responders and NPH syndrome nonresponders; however, MRE time series analysis demonstrated consistent trends in average poroelastic shear modulus values over the course of the lumbar drain process in responders (initial increase, followed by a later decrease) which did not occur in nonresponders. Conclusion These findings are indicative of acute mechanical changes in the brain resulting from CSF drainage in NPH patients.
Disorganisation of retinal inner layers is associated with reduced contrast sensitivity in retinal vein occlusion

Background/Aims To determine if disorganisation of retinal inner layers (DRIL) is associated with reduced contrast sensitivity (CS) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with a history of macular oedema (ME). Methods Prospective, observational cohort study. Patients with a history of ME secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) from October 2017 to July 2019 at a single institution were included. Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and CS testing using the quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) method. Eyes with coexisting macular disease were excluded. SD-OCT images were analysed for presence and extent of DRIL, intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF), hyperreflective foci, epiretinal membrane (ERM), external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, central macular thickness (CMT) and central foveal thickness (CFT). Multivariable mixed-effect linear regressions were performed for the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) using Stata (StataCorp). P values Results 58 visits from 31 patients were included (1.9±1.2 visits per patient). 29 (50%) were for CRVO. The average age was 63.9±10.5 years. On multivariable analysis, DRIL extent (p Conclusions DRIL extent is associated with reduced CS in eyes with ME secondary to RVO. DRIL is an imaging feature that has important implications for visual function.
Multi-omics data integration in the Cloud: Analysis of Statistically Significant Associations Between Clinical and Molecular Features in Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers are among the most common forms of cancers impacting women with over 1 million diagnoses every year worldwide. They are complex cancers characterized by distinct clinical outcomes, morphological and molecular features. As high-throughput technologies generating data at the mRNA and protein levels become cheaper and more accessible, researchers are now able to study these entities in concert with clinical features to gain a more holistic picture of Breast Cancer and other complex diseases. In this poster, we aimed at identifying the concordance or discordance of mRNA and protein expressions that are significantly associated with Breast Cancer histological subtypes and other relevant clinical features. We employed a novel cloud-based approach to analyze these statistical associations using available genomic, proteomic, and clinical cancer data on the Google Cloud through the ISB-CGC, one of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cloud Resources. Our results indicate that, considering all available clinical features, a considerable number of molecules (genes and proteins) are significantly associated with the Breast Cancer histological subtypes of infiltrating ductal carcinoma and infiltrating lobular carcinoma, two common forms associated with invasive Breast Cancer. Moreover, statistically significant associations were overrepresented for molecules involved in PI3K/AKT signaling, negative regulation of the PI3K/AKT network and extra-nuclear estrogen signaling. Taken together, these results demonstrate how powerful cloud-based analytics can be in identifying novel molecular relationships relevant for Breast Cancer. text here.
Black Appetite, White Food

I have found that in many educator-oriented texts, the text uses alienating jargon and remains situated in theory. Lyiscott breaks that mold throughout the book by using a voice rooted in authentic...
In situ observation of fast surface dynamics during the vapor-deposition of a stable organic glass

By measuring the increments of dielectric capacitance (ΔC) and dissipation (Δtan δ) during physical vapor deposition of a 110 nm film of a molecular glass former, we provide direct evidence of the mobile surface layer that is made responsible for the extraordinary properties of vapor deposited glasses. Depositing at a rate of 0.1 nm s−1 onto a substrate at Tdep = 75 K = 0.82Tg, we observe a 2.5 nm thick surface layer with an average relaxation time of 0.1 s, while the glass growing underneath has a high kinetic stability. The level of Δtan δ continues to decrease for thousands of seconds after terminating the deposition process, indicating a slow aging-like increase in packing density near the surface. At very low deposition temperatures, 32 and 42 K, the surface layer thicknesses and mobilities are reduced, as are the kinetic stabilities.
Heated Debate and the Frozen Trucker: Argumentative Moves in Judicial Opinions Reviewing Agency Interpretations of Statutes

During the confirmation hearings of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, a senator criticized Gorsuch’s dissent in TransAm Trucking v. ARB, which the media dubbed the “Frozen Trucker” case. TransAm was a hard case in which the court had to decide how an administrative agency could permissibly interpret certain statutory language. Highlighting the double-layered nature of this issue, this article examines the justifications in the majority and dissenting opinions in TransAm, tracing their argumentative moves.
Contemporary RNA Therapeutics for Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and is universally lethal with a median survival of less than two years with standard therapy. RNA-based immunotherapies have significant potential to establish a durable treatment response for malignant brain tumors including GBM. RNA offers clear advantages over antigen-focused approaches but cannot often be directly administered due to biological instability. This review will focus on utilization of RNA dendritic cell vaccines and RNA nanoparticle therapies in the treatment of GBM. RNA-pulsed dendritic cell vaccines have been shown to be safe in a small phase I clinical trial and RNA-loaded nanoparticle vaccines will soon be underway in GBM patients (NCT04573140).