cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the cohort retention of MSM with negative anti-HIV antibody and its related factors

Objective To study the cohort retention of anti-HIV negative MSM and its related factors.Methods Cohort data was obtained from Zhejiang province in 2011.Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to analyze factors affecting the retention including sociodemographic characteristics,HIV/AIDS knowledge awareness,sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS service.Results 226out of 387(58.40%)MSM recruited in the cohort completed the 15-month follow-up study.The retentions were low when answered the question as"is HIV infection noticeable by appearance?"(OR=0.482,95% CI:0.236-0.983,P0.05),and"can the risk of HIV/AIDS infection be reduced by having only one sexual partner?"(OR=0.306,95% CI:0.100-0.942,P0.05)as well as question like"have you had your HIV tested in the last 3months?"(OR=0.487,95%CI:0.311-0.762,P0.01).Conclusions HIV/AIDS education and service are necessary but still not enough.MSM AIDS patients should be tested regularly and be followed up.
Molecular basis for stem cell transplantation in indolent lymphomas.

Purpose To assess the role of bone marrow transplantation in indolent lymphomas. Patients and methods Autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantations (SCTs) are performed routinely for a number of hematologic malignancies; however, few patients with indolent lymphoma have been treated with SCT. The high incidence of bone marrow infiltration in the indolent lymphomas has made it difficult to perform autologous SCT. In addition, although indolent lymphomas are initially responsive to chemotherapy, many patients have been heavily pretreated, have become chemotherapy resistant, and have a decreased marrow reserve by the time they are considered for high-dose myeloablative therapy. An advantage of studying the indolent lymphomas is that they are characterized by nonrandom chromosomal translocations and/or clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus. These translocations and unique immunoglobulin rearrangements provide clonal markers of disease that can be amplified with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing detection and assessment of the clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) after SCT. Results Studies demonstrate that SCT can be performed safely in patients with indolent lymphomas. Although standard-dose therapy rarely eradicates MRD, high-dose therapy and SCT result in eradication of PCR-detectable MRD in a significant number of patients. Furthermore, eradication of MRD is associated with greatly prolonged disease-free survival. Conclusion These results suggest that our therapeutic goal should be attainment of a "molecular complete remission" for cure in these malignancies.
Adult Cognitive Development: Post-Piagetian Perspectives

Research on adult cognitive development examines cognitive change beyond formal operations, the last of Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Formal operations as a formal logical mode of reasoning has limited applicability to everyday reasoning in adulthood. It is unable to account for styles of adult thinking that are constrained by the pragmatics of daily living and the uncertainty inherent in everyday problem solving. In response to these limitations, there has been a wave of research examining postformal thought. Postformal thought encompasses both relativistic and dialectical styles of thinking. Research indicates some evidence that adults reason more in a postformal manner than younger age groups. This provides a counter-perspective to research emphasizing an inevitable decline in cognitive functioning. However, these age differences are neither robust nor consistent. In addition, there is relatively little evidence that postformal thought represents a uniform stage of adult cognitive development. Thus, researchers have taken a functionalist approach, an approach which suggests that adaptive modes of thinking are evident in adulthood and are related to individual differences in experience. In other words, cognitive competence is evaluated in terms of how individuals' thinking is adaptive in relation to real-world problems in a daily context.
Arthrography and Arthroscopy in the Small Hospital

Arthrography and arthroscopy of the knee need not be confined to the large medical center since the procedure is easily performed with inexpensive equipment in the most basic surgical setting. The techniques used in Montrose have given results comparable to those of other published studies.
Crustal Abundance Modeling of Mineral Resources: Recent Investigations and Preliminary Results

This paper reviews the evolution of crustal abundance models from the early univariate stock-based models of element concentration, to a bivariate statistical model of deposit size and grade, and ultimately to a multivariate model (4-dimensional). The extension to a multivariate statistical model is motivated by the desire to use a crustal abundance model to estimate resources and potential supply. Such use requires that the model possess the structure to permit credible costing of exploration and production. Accommodating such a requirement leads to specification of a statistical model that describes deposit size, grade, depth, and intradeposit grade variance. This paper reports on a preliminary investigation of the estimation of such a model for U.S. uranium.
The machine protection system for the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology Facility

The Machine Protection System (MPS) for the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology Facility (FAST) has been implemented and tested. The system receives signals from several subsystems and devices which conveys the relevant status needed to the safely operate the accelerator. Logic decisions are made based on these inputs and some predefined user settings which in turn controls the gate signal to the laser of the photo injector. The inputs of the system have a wide variety of signal types, encoding methods and urgencies for which the system is designed to accommodate. The MPS receives fast shutdown (FSD) signals generated by the beam loss system and inhibits the beam or reduces the beam intensity within a macro-pulse when the beam losses at several places along the accelerator beam line are higher than acceptable values. TTL or relay contact signals from the vacuum system, toroids, magnet systems etc., are chosen with polarities that ensure safe operation of the accelerator from unintended events such as cable disconnection in the harsh industrial environment of the experimental hall. A RS422 serial communication scheme is used to interface the operation permit generator module and a large number of movable devices each reporting multi-bit status. The system also supports operations at user defined lower beam levels for system commissioning. The machine protection system is implemented with two commercially available off-the-shelf VMEbus based modules with on board FPGA devices. The system is monitored and controlled via the VMEbus by a single board CPU.
Trading with the Enemy

We analyze how trade openness matters for interstate conflict over productive resources. Our analysis features a terms-of-trade channel that makes security policies trade-regime dependent. Specifically, trade between adversarial countries reduces their incentives to arm given the opponent's arming. If they have a sufficiently similar mix of initial resource endowments, a move to trade brings with it a reduction in resources diverted to conflict and thus wasted, as well as the familiar gains from trade. Otherwise, a move to trade can induce greater arming by one of them and thus need not be welfare improving for both. Moreover, when the two adversarial countries do not trade with each other but instead trade with a third (friendly) country, a move from autarky to trade intensifies conflict between the two adversaries. Building on the welfare implications, we also analyze the endogenous choice of trade regimes.
On enhancing the energy conservation by ATIM window in wireless sensor networks

ATIM (Ad hoc traffic Indication Message) window can be used effectively to enhance the potential energy savings at static sensors nodes during data dissemination in wireless sensor networks. Doze and awake are two states a sensor node may be in during ATIM window. We consider a traditional wireless sensor network system consisting of resource-rich static sink and resource-constrained multiple static sensor nodes forming square grids. Sink may be multi-hop away from the sensor nodes and collects the data from them through multi-hop query-response propagation via shortest path. We consider three kinds of sensor nodes: (1) Target node (2) Intermediate nodes forming the shortest path (3) Idle nodes. The target sensor node and the intermediate sensor nodes are in awake state during one complete query-response process and do not follow ATIM concept for that duration. Each idle sensor node in the grid is strictly bound with ATIM window and is in doze state for maximum time to conserve energy. The sleeping sensor node wakes up at regular interval of time to read the beacon messages. If the message comes from sink, sensor node immediately reads the header part of query packet to check whether it is the intermediate node or the target sensor. The target sensor node further reads the remaining part of query packet and responds back to the sink with data through intermediate sensor nodes forming the shorted path. Sink transfers the collected data to the control station directly.
The rupture force of liquid bridges in two and three particle systems

The measurement of the rupture force for an axially strained liquid bridge has been the subject of research for the last three decades and is fundamental to the understanding of the behavior of multiphase systems in granular materials. The study herein presents experimental work measuring the rupture force of pendular and capillary bridges in a three-particle configuration providing an axial and a shear strain. Results and subsequent analysis indicates that the rupture force and maximum rupture distance are the effect of surface characteristics, straining mechanism and effective liquid volume. For systems of more than two particles, we note that the effective packing fraction of the particles has a significant impact on the force required to rupture such a bridge.
Relationship between pre‐transplant physical function and outcomes after kidney transplant

Background Performance-based measures of physical function predict morbidity following non-transplant surgery. Study objectives were to determine whether physical function predicts outcomes after kidney transplant and assess how physical function changes post-transplant. Methods We conducted a prospective study involving living donor kidney transplants recipients at our center 5/2012 to 2/2014. Physical function was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (balance, chair stands, gait speed) and grip strength testing. Initial length of stay (LOS), 30-day rehospitalizations, allograft function and quality of life (QOL) were assessed. Results The majority of the 140 patients in our cohort had excellent pre-transplant physical function. In general, balance scores were more predictive of post-transplant outcomes than the SPPB. Decreased pre-transplant balance was independently associated with longer LOS and increased rehospitalizations but not with post-transplant QOL. 35% of patients experienced a clinically meaningful (≥ 1.0 m/s) improvement in gait speed four months post-transplant. Conclusions Decreased physical function may be associated with longer LOS and rehospitalizations following kidney transplant. Further studies are needed to confirm this association. The lack of relationship between pre-transplant gait speed and outcomes in our cohort may represent a ceiling effect. More comprehensive measures, including balance testing, may be required for risk stratification. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Isobutanol and Methanol Synthesis on Copper Supported on Alkali-Modified MgO and ZnO Supports

K-Cu y Mg 5 CeO x and Cs-Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalyze isobutanol and methanol synthesis from H 2 -CO mixtures, but synthesis rates are inhibited by CO 2 and H 2 O formed during reaction. The initial C-C bond in ethanol forms directly from CO on K-Cu 0.5 Mg 5 CeO x catalysts, but via CH 3 OH coupling reactions on Cs-Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. Reactions of pure ethanol on these catalysts show that chain growth occurs via bifunctional aldol-type condensation pathways requiring Cu metal crystallites and basic sites on alkali-modified MgO and ZnO. On both types of catalysts, cross-coupling reactions of aldehydes and 13 C-labeled methanol suggest that chain growth occurs by condensation of C 2 + alcohols or aldehydes with a reactive intermediate derived from methanol.
Women survivors and their children born of wartime sexual violence in northern Uganda

Girls and women who bear children owing to wartime sexual violence committed by armed actors face challenges in gaining acceptance on return to their families and societies. This study analyses the lives of women survivors and their children born of wartime sexual violence in Uganda. It draws on a population-based survey of 1,844 households in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions of northern Uganda, as well as on in-depth qualitative interviews conducted in 2014 and 2015 with 67 purposefully selected women survivors of wartime sexual violence. The study finds that: stigma is linked to broader gender discriminatory sociocultural norms and practices and changes under different circumstances; women's economic agency is essential to reducing stigma; households with members who suffered war-related sexual violence experienced significantly higher rates of violence post conflict than did other households; and the passage of time is less of a determining factor in their acceptance and reintegration than previously thought.
An Efficient Spectral-Projection Method for the Navier–Stokes Equations in Cylindrical Geometries: I. Axisymmetric Cases

Abstract An efficient and accurate numerical scheme is presented for the axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations in primitive variables in a cylinder. The scheme is based on a new spectral-Galerkin approximation for the space variables and a second-order projection scheme for the time variable. The new spectral-projection scheme is implemented to simulate the unsteady incompressible axisymmetric flow with a singular boundary condition which is approximated to within a desired accuracy by using a smooth boundary condition. A sensible comparison is made with a standard second-order (in time and space) finite difference scheme based on a stream function-vorticity formulation and with available experimental data. The numerical results indicate that both schemes produce very reliable results and that despite the singular boundary condition, the spectral-projection scheme is still more accurate (in terms of a fixed number of unknowns) and more efficient (in terms of CPU time required for resolving the flow at a fixed Reynolds number to within a prescribed accuracy) than the finite difference scheme. More importantly, the spectral-projection scheme can be readily extended to three-dimensional nonaxisymmetric cases.
Reason (and science) for hope

In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker documents how we have systematically applied knowledge to problems in order to propel ourselves to unimaginable levels of progress. Since the Enlightenment, he reveals, more people live longer, healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives filled with enriching works of art, music, literature, science, technology, and medicine.
Craving to Quit: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Smartphone App-Based Mindfulness Training for Smoking Cessation.

INTRODUCTION Mindfulness training may reduce smoking rates and lessen the association between craving and smoking. This trial tested the efficacy of mindfulness training via smartphone app to reduce smoking. Experience sampling (ES) was used to measure real-time craving, smoking, and mindfulness. METHODS A researcher-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of mobile mindfulness training with experience sampling (MMT-ES; Craving to Quit) versus experience sampling only (ES) to (1) increase 1-week point-prevalence abstinence rates at 6 months, and (2) lessen the association between craving and smoking. A modified intent-to-treat approach was used for treatment starters (MMT-ES n = 143; ES n = 182; 72% female, 81% white, age 41 ± 12 year). RESULTS No group difference was found in smoking abstinence at 6 months (overall, 11.1%; MMT-ES, 9.8%; ES, 12.1%; χ2(1) = 0.43, p = .51). From baseline to 6 months, both groups showed a reduction in cigarettes per day (p < .0001), craving strength (p < .0001) and frequency (p < .0001), and an increase in mindfulness (p < .05). Using ES data, a craving by group interaction was observed (F(1,3785) = 3.71, p = .05) driven by a stronger positive association between craving and cigarettes per day for ES (t = 4.96, p < .0001) versus MMT-ES (t = 2.03, p = .04). Within MMT-ES, the relationship between craving and cigarettes per day decreased as treatment completion increased (F(1,104) = 4.44, p = .04). CONCLUSIONS Although mindfulness training via smartphone app did not lead to reduced smoking rates compared with control, our findings provide preliminary evidence that mindfulness training via smartphone app may help lessen the association between craving and smoking, an effect that may be meaningful to support quitting in the longer term. IMPLICATIONS This is the first reported full-scale randomized controlled trial of any smartphone app for smoking cessation. Findings provide preliminary evidence that smartphone app-based MMT-ES may lessen the association between craving and smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02134509.
The low skull base: an invitation to disaster.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of anatomy including variations observed with endoscopy or computerized tomography scan is vital to the performance of safe endoscopic sinus surgery. The lower-than-normal skull base/cribriform plate is an anatomic variation, which if not noted preoperatively, can lead to entrance into the brain causing major injury. METHODS: Four case studies of chronic rhinosinusitis are reviewed in which either the whole anterior skull base or the cribriform plate is lower than usual and major complications occurred. RESULTS: All four cases had unilateral or bilateral entrance into the skull base/cribriform plate of the brain in the biopsy specimen, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, and/or brain hemorrhage. One patient died from the injury, three patients had marked neurological sequelae. The low skull base and its meaning for the surgeon is discussed at length. CONCLUSION: The preoperative anatomy as determined by endoscopy and computerized tomography scanning has to be identified. Variations or abnormalities should be noted and taken into consideration for preoperative and operative planning. Failure to note skull base or cribriform anatomy variations may lead to brain entrance, injury, and death. Language: en
Quasisymmetric Models for the Analysis of Square Contingency Tables

SUMMARY A parametric model is presented for the analysis of square contingency tables where there is a one-to-one correspondence between the categories of the row variable and the categories of the column variable. The model is applicable to cross-classifications where the categories are unordered, partially ordered or completely ordered, but the interpretation of the model and associated parameters is most straightforward when the categories are at least partially ordered. Connections with the mover-stayer model and the usual model of quasisymmetry are described. Two data sets are used to illustrate the utility of the model.
Theoretical study of spin-orbit coupling in molecules

ix CHAPTER I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 L Introduction 1 2. Dissertation organisation 2 References 4 CHAPTER n. A STUDY OF THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF ONE AND TWO ELECTRON CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPIN-ORBIT COUPLING 5 Abstract 5
Abstract B68: Adnexal tumors associated with endometriosis: Experience from an academic institution

Background: Endometriosis affect pelvic organs in ~10% of cases. The question of endometriosis being a precancerous lesion versus an incidental association with adnexal (fallopian tubes and ovaries) tumors is a point of debate. This study aimed to determine the frequency of adnexal tumors in cases with histologically proven endometriosis of adnexal structures at our institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with adnexal endometriosis from 2013-2017 was performed. Patients’ age, demographic data, and associated ipsilateral benign or malignant adnexal tumors were obtained from the pathology notes. Results: 151 cases with a histologically verified endometriosis of fallopian tubes and/or ovaries were retrieved. The average age of the patients was 42 years (range of 22-78 years). The race/ethnic groups of the patients were white, black, and others in 120 (79%), 17 (11%) and 14 (9%), respectively. Associated malignant tumors were identified in 8 (5.3%) cases while 10 (6.6%) cases were found to have benign neoplasms in the ipsilateral site of endometriosis. The malignant tumors were endometrioid adenocarcinoma (n=4), high-grade serous carcinoma (n=3), and clear cell carcinoma (n=1). The benign neoplasms were serous cystadenoma/ cystadenofibroma (n=7) and seromucinous tumors (n=3). Conclusions: The incidence of malignant neoplasms, especially endometrioid and high-grade serous carcinoma, is relatively high in cases with histologically verified endometriosis in our experience. Among benign tumors, serous cystadenoma and seromucinous neoplasms appear to be frequently associated with endometriosis. More studies are needed to further highlight the significance of adnexal endometriosis in causation of malignant and benign adnexal tumors. Citation Format: Mohamed Mokhtar Desouki. Adnexal tumors associated with endometriosis: Experience from an academic institution. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference: Addressing Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment; Oct 1-4, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(15_Suppl):Abstract nr B68.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is an Independent Predictor for 30-Day Complications and Readmissions Following 1- to 2-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design:Retrospective cohort.Objectives:To study evidence to assess the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on 30-day outcomes following 1- to 2-level anterior cervical disc...
Insurance status predicts health care use and indirect disease burden in youth with functional abdominal pain disorders

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated patterns of health care utilization (HCU) and indirect disease burden for youth with pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) and explored whether health insurance status, a proxy for socioeconomic status (SES), plays a role in these patterns initially and over time. Participants included youth with FAPD (n = 99) at a large midwestern children’s hospital who completed measures of HCU and indirect disease burden at initial visit and six month follow-up. Results suggest that public insurance status was generally related to higher HCU and indirect burden over time across multiple domains. Further, those with private insurance generally experience more reductions in HCU over time as compared to their publicly insured counterparts, though similar results were not observed on measures of indirect disease burden. Findings generally suggest higher HCU and indirect disease burden for youth with public (vs. private) health insurance within the pediatric FAPD popula...
PIMap: A Flexible Framework for Improving LUT-Based Technology Mapping via Parallelized Iterative Optimization

Modern FPGA synthesis tools typically apply a predetermined sequence of logic optimizations on the input logic network before carrying out technology mapping. While the “known recipes” of logic transformations often lead to improved mapping results, there remains a nontrivial gap between the quality metrics driving the pre-mapping logic optimizations and those targeted by the actual technology mapping. Needless to mention, such miscorrelations would eventually result in suboptimal quality of results.In this article, we propose PIMap, which couples logic transformations and technology mapping under an iterative improvement framework for LUT-based FPGAs. In each iteration, PIMap randomly proposes a transformation on the given logic network from an ensemble of candidate optimizations; it then invokes technology mapping and makes use of the mapping result to determine the likelihood of accepting the proposed transformation. By adjusting the optimization objective and incorporating required time constraints during the iterative process, PIMap can flexibly optimize for different objectives including area minimization, delay optimization, and delay-constrained area reduction. To mitigate the runtime overhead, we further introduce parallelization techniques to decompose a large design into multiple smaller sub-netlists that can be optimized simultaneously. Experimental results show that PIMap achieves promising quality improvement over a set of commonly used benchmarks, including improving the majority of the best-known area and delay records for the EPFL benchmark suite.
Hierarchical Abstractions for Reachability Analysis of Probabilistic Hybrid Systems

We consider the problem of reachability analysis of probabilistic hybrid systems (PHS) which model discrete, continuous and probabilistic behaviors. The discrete and probabilistic dynamics are captured using finite state Markov decision processes (MDP), and the continuous dynamics are modeled by annotating the states of the MDP with differential equations/inclusions. We focus on linear dynamics and propose a two tier abstraction for computing bounds on the probability of reachability, wherein the first step performs dynamics simplification by applying hybridization such that the resulting dynamics is a polyhedral inclusion and the second step constructs a finite state markov decision process that abstracts the polyhedral inclusion dynamics. This two-tier abstraction is computationally simpler than applying predicate abstraction directly on the linear PHS. We have implemented the abstraction and analysis algorithms in a Python toolbox. Our experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
A new risk and issue management system to improve productivity, quality, and compliance in clinical trials

Objective We present a new system to track, manage, and report on all risks and issues encountered during a clinical trial. Materials and methods Our solution utilizes JIRA, a popular issue and project tracking tool for software development, augmented by third-party and custom-built plugins to provide the additional functionality missing from the core product. Results The new system integrates all issue types under a single tracking tool and offers a range of capabilities, including configurable issue management workflows, seamless integration with other clinical systems, extensive history, reporting, and trending, and an intuitive web interface. Discussion and conclusion By preserving the linkage between risks, issues, actions, decisions, and outcomes, the system allows study teams to assess the impact and effectiveness of their risk management strategies and present a coherent account of how the trial was conducted. Since the tool was put in production, we have observed an increase in the number of reported issues and a decrease in the median issue resolution time which, along with the positive user feedback, point to marked improvements in quality, transparency, productivity, and teamwork.
Against Self-Isolation as a Human Right of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America

Advocacy of an indigenous right to isolation in the Latin American context responds to multiple depredations, above all to plundering by extractivists. Two prominent international instruments declare a human right to indigenous self-isolation and articulate a principle of no contact between indigenous peoples and the non-indigenous majority population: Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact in the Americas and Guidelines on the Protection of Indigenous Peoples. In analyzing both, (1) I argue against the notion of a human right to indigenous isolation and for limited, controlled contact between the indigenous peoples and a narrow segment of the larger society. (2) I propose relational human rights as rights that connect people, as rights-bearers, across borders and differences. They would allow for limited outside observation for possible human rights violations within indigenous communities. I then articulate relational human rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation as rights to (3) agency, (4) health, (5) territory, and (6) identity.
102. CARPE DIEM MEDIUM: MAKING THE MOST IMPACT IN AN ACADEMIC HALF DAY

Background There are a variety of challenges to providing meaningful and relevant education to pediatric residents, including adapting to different adult learning styles, availability of lecturers, and balancing protection of educational times and coverage of patient care. In 2015, our program noticed a decline in our board pass rate to 25% for this graduating class, which lowered our three year pass rate for first time takers to 65% for 2013-15. Aim Statement Our educational goal is planned to improve in training exam (ITE) standard scores to national average and improve first-time-taker board pass rates to meet 3 year pass rate of at least 80% by 2019 and 100% by 2021. Interventions We used serial PDSA cycles with change processes during the academic afternoons from 2015 through 2019. In 2015-16, we initiated a standardized 18-month curriculum. In 2016-17, we revised curriculum focusing on American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) content specifications and providing residents with standardized pre-reading materials. In 2017-18, we adjusted the curriculum to 12-months and started to follow residents’ progress and assess knowledge gaps using an online pediatric question bank. This also helped us track residents considered “at risk” for board failure. Measures We trended ITE scores and first-time-taker ABP board pass rates to measure effectiveness in changes to half day processes. Results When tracking ITE scores, our intern class in 2015 had a score 9 points below national average, and in their third year closed gap to 3 points below. As for our intern class from 2016, they averaged a 16 point deficit, improved to a 4 point deficit in 2017, and surpassed national average by 2 points in 2018. In regards to first-time-taker board pass rates, we had rates of 40% (2/5 residents) for 2015, 83% (5/6) for 2016, 83% (5/6) for 2017, and 100% (7/7) for 2018. Our 3 year first-time board pass rate increased to 85% for 2016-18. Conclusions and Next Steps Academic half days do pose some challenges in regards to scheduling coverage and faculty lecturers; however, our utilization has been successful and well received by our residents. We have shown significant improvement in ITE scores and board pass rate with minor changes each year. Our next PDSA cycle now incorporates weekly board review for the third year residents and a longitudinal developmental/behavioral/psychiatric curriculum for first and second year residents.
Beyond the Calculus of Power and Position: Relationships and Theorizing in Ethnography:

Ethnography is made of relationships. Even when the observations the ethnographer writes of take place between others in the field, it is through the development of relationships that data are gene...
Understanding Power and Leadership in Higher Education: Tools for Institutional Change

Within higher education, power is often perceived negatively. Rather than avoiding the idea of power, this book explores the importance of embracing and effectively engaging power to affect positive change on campus. Understanding Power and Leadership in Higher Education gives college and university administrators the tools to understand the relationship between leadership, power, and influence within higher education. Highlighting real stories of effective college and university administrators, this book helps readers understand and analyze the use of power, preparing leaders for the realities of today’s administrative environment.
Hardware Design and Experimental Demonstrations for Digital Acoustofluidic Biochips

A digital microfluidic biochip (DMB) is an attractive platform for automating laboratory procedures in microbiology. To overcome the problem of cross-contamination due to fouling of the electrode surface in traditional DMBs, a contactless liquid-handling biochip technology, referred to as acoustofluidics, has recently been proposed. A major challenge in operating this platform is the need for a control signal of frequency 24 MHz and voltage range ±10/ ±20 V to activate the inter-digital-transducer (IDT) units in the biochip. A preliminary solution based on amplifiers, mechanical relays, and jump wires introduces signal loss (at least 6dB), signal coupling, and waveform distortion. In this paper, we present a new IDT-driver design that offers three major advantages: smaller form factor and lower cost, effective and high-quality signal generation and transmission, and fully-automated and flexible biochip control. Experimental demonstrations of droplet routing and a simple bioassay highlight the effectiveness of our hardware design.
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders

In the 1940s, Leo Kanner wrote about a small group of children who exhibited severe language abnormalities, social isolation, and unusual responses to their physical environment among other behavioral characteristics. Today Kanner is credited with being the first individual to describe the syndrome of autism. Classified in the DSM-IV-TR under the pervasive developmental disorders, autistic disorder is one of three disorders commonly referred to as the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The ASD are recognized for their lifelong nature, difficulties with social interaction, deficits in communication, and presence of ritualized and repetitive behaviors. The specific causes of ASD remain unknown; however, its prevalence is increasing. Individuals with ASD and their families are faced with many challenges including family stress and obtaining appropriate education and treatment.
Corruption: Challenges of Anti-Corruption in the US

According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reports, the United States government has become more corrupt under Trump’s administration. This largely attributes to political polarization, pa...
Mechanisms of Exercise in Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Survivorship

Being physically active reduces the overall risk of developing at least ten different types of cancer and is associated with better outcomes in several cancers. However, in order to obtain the full benefit of physical activity and/or exercise for prevention or treatment, the mechanisms by which exercise impacts cancer development must be understood. Research on mechanistic relationships between physical activity or exercise and cancer has gained momentum in the last decades, and there is now evidence to support several different potential mechanisms. In this chapter, we review tumor cell intrinsic and extrinsic changes induced by exercise. We review tumor microenvironment changes including changes in the vasculature and immune response to cancer, as well as epigenetic changes within tumor cells. Finally, we briefly highlight emerging mechanisms that are likely to be important for the impact of physical activity on cancer development, treatment, and outcomes.
Worthwhile Questions and Dancing Through Despair to Hope

In this essay, the author reflects on teaching a social studies methods course during the COVID 19 pandemic focusing on our responsibility to one another and profound connection to each other in our shared world. Teaching, as always, has surprises of joy and connection as we explore who we are as individuals and global citizens in a changed world as we continue to advocate for social justice and equity.
Teachers in a Market Economy

Maria joins the Peace Corps after graduation from college and pursues her passion for teaching in the developing world. While on this assignment Maria is shocked by the levels of abject poverty presented in many places in the world. This chapter introduces the basics of a market economy. It explains how wealth is created and how it generally has very little to do with natural resources. The concepts of market, prices, property rights, voluntary exchange, and the profit motive are explained. Maria’s eyes are opened to the possibility that these characteristics of economic freedom are what lead nations towards prosperity.
Sex Differences in Vagus Nerve Stimulation Effects on Rat Cardiovascular and Immune Systems.

Background Investigations into the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) through pre-clinical and clinical research have led to promising findings for treating several disorders. Despite proven effectiveness of VNS on conditions such as epilepsy and depression, understanding of off-target effects and contributing factors such as sex differences can be beneficial to optimize therapy design. New methods In this article, we assessed longitudinal effects of VNS on cardiovascular and immune systems, and studied potential sex differences using a rat model of long-term VNS. Rats were implanted with cuff electrodes around the left cervical vagus nerve for VNS, and wireless physiological monitoring devices for continuous monitoring of cardiovascular system using electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. ECG morphology and heart rate variability (HRV) features were extracted to assess cardiovascular changes resulting from VNS in short-term and long-term timescales. We also assessed VNS effects on expression of inflammatory cytokines in blood during the course of the experiment. Statistical analysis was performed to compare results between Treatment and Sham groups, and between male and female animals from Treatment and Sham groups. Results Considerable differences between male and female rats in cardiovascular effects of VNS were observed in multiple cardiovascular features. However, the effects seemed to be transient with approximately 1-h recovery after VNS. While short-term cardiovascular effects were mainly observed in male rats, females in general showed more significant long-term effects even after VNS stopped. We did not observe notable changes or sex differences in systemic cytokine levels resulting from VNS. Comparison with existing methods Compared to existing methods, our study design incorporated wireless physiological monitoring and systemic blood cytokine level analysis, along with long-term VNS experiments in unanesthetized rats to study sex differences. Conclusion The contribution of sex differences for long-term VNS off-target effects on cardiovascular and immune systems was assessed using awake behaving rats. Although VNS did not change the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers in systemic circulation for male and female rats, we observed significant differences in cardiovascular effects of VNS characterized using ECG morphology and HRV analyses.
Assessment of right ventricular reserve utilizing exercise provocation in systemic sclerosis.

Right ventricular (RV) capacity to adapt to increased afterload is the main determinant of outcome in pulmonary hypertension, a common morbidity seen in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We hypothesized that supine bicycle echocardiography (SBE), coupled with RV longitudinal systolic strain (RVLSS), improves detection of limitations in RV reserve in SSc. 56 SSc patients were prospectively studied during SBE with RV functional parameters compared at rest and peak stress. We further dichotomized patients based on resting RV systolic pressure (RVSP) to determine the effects of load on contractile response. Our pooled cohort analysis revealed reduced global RVLSS at rest (−16.2 ± 3.9%) with normal basal contractility (−25.6 ± 7.7%) and relative hypokinesis of the midventricular (−14.1 ± 6.0%) and apical (−8.9 ± 5.1%) segments. With exercise, global RVLSS increased significantly (p = 0.0005), however despite normal basal contractility at rest, there was no further augmentation with exercise. Mid and apical RVLSS increased with exercise suggestive of RV contractile reserve. In patients with resting RVSP < 35 mmHg, global and segmental RVLSS increased with exercise. In patients with resting RVSP ≥ 35 mmHg, global and segmental RVLSS did not increase with exercise and there was evidence of exertional RV dilation. Exercise provocation in conjunction with RVLSS identified differential regional contractile response to exercise in SSc patients. We further demonstrate the effect of increased loading conditions on RV contractile response exercise. These findings suggest subclinical impairments in RV reserve in SSc that may be missed by resting noninvasive 2DE-based assessments alone.
A Histopathology-based Assessment of Biological Behavior in Oral Hyalinizing Extraosseous Lesions by Differential Stains.

Aim The assessment of hyalinization to determine aggressive behavior in oral pathological lesions is a scarcely researched field that requires further exploration. The current study aims to predict the biological behavior of oral hyalinizing extraosseous lesions (OHEOL) by employing four differential stains with clinicopathologic correlation. Materials and methods The study was performed on retrospectively diagnosed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cases of salivary gland tumors (SGTs) (n = 13), benign soft tissue (BST) lesions (n = 24), and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) (n = 53). The hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were analyzed for the severity of hyalinization (SOH). Differential stains periodic acid Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue, safranin O, and picrosirius red with polarizing microscopy were used to assess the components of hyalinized tissue. The SOH was correlated with differential staining characteristics and clinicopathologic features to analyze possible correlation with aggressive potential in BST, advancement of disease in OSMF, and recurrence in SGT. Results Intensity of picrosirius red stain significantly correlated with SOH of SGTs (p = 0.044). The intensity of PAS stain (p = 0.040), picrosirius red polarizing greenish-yellow color (p = 0.002), and pattern of distribution of picrosirius red (p = 0.023) significantly correlated with recurrence of SGTs. The intensity of differential stains increased with the SOH in BST lesions indicating their correlation with SOH. The intensity (p = 0.008) and pattern (p = 0.010) of Alcian blue staining and intensity of safranin O stain (p = 0.003) significantly correlated with SOH in OSMF. Picrosirius red polarizing color reddish and yellowish red (p = 0.002) significantly correlated with SOH distinguishing early and advanced OSMF. Conclusion Picrosirius red and PAS stains are reliable indicators of SOH and recurrence potential in SGT. Alcian blue, safranin O, and picrosirius red polarizing colors enable detection of SOH and accurately distinguish early from advanced OSMF. Clinical significance SOH can be considered as a histological predictor of aggressive biologic behavior in OHEOL. These findings will result in appropriate management protocols.
Respectful Language as Perceived by People with Disabilities

Respectfully and adequately referring to people with various disabilities is difficult due to societal norms and constantly evolving languages. In this work, we address the question of how expert researchers in the field of accessibility are referring to people with disabilities and whether this terminology corresponds to how people with disabilities prefer to be addressed. By conducting a systematic literature review of the past three ASSETS proceeding, we summarize how accessibility researchers are currently referring to people with disabilities in English. A survey of 63 people with disabilities further revealed that while researchers from ASSETS are using terms that are mostly aligned with participants’ expectations, the same terminologies can be perceived both respectful and disrespectful by varying participants. Through this preliminary work, we pave the path for researchers to further explore respectful terminology and encourage researchers to improve the inclusivity and diversity of language use in our community.
Mechanisms of Genome Stability and Evolution

This chapter examines the ‘’natural genetics’’ of methanogenic, halophilic, and thermophilic archaea, progressing from the molecular scale to cells and finally to populations. The simplest reconciliation of observations would seem to be that the thermophilic and hyperthermophilic archaea have alternative molecular strategies that assume the function of classical MMR and NER systems but do not involve homologous proteins. In its most general sense, genetic recombination means the creation of new DNA sequences from existing sequences by processes involving strand exchange rather than error-prone synthesis. ‘’Illegitimate’’ recombination breaks and joins DNA sequences with negligible influence of the sequences involved. Limited migration elevates the importance of mutation and recombination in the evolution of natural populations. Testing hypothesis that archaea, or major archaeal groups will involve measuring molecular processes central to the survival, reproduction, and evolution of archaea and to the development of experimental tools for establishing gene function at the molecular level. Compared with bacteria and unicellular eucarya, archaea that have been analyzed in genetic terms have rather low rates of neutral mutation and high rates of recombination. This combination of properties would seem ideal for evolutionary adaptation. Combining computational genetic analyses of natural populations with experimental analyses of cultured archaea will help clarify how molecular mechanisms of archaea determine genetic properties and how genetic properties of archaea affect genome stability and evolution.
Central Modulation of Circadian Rhythm via CK1 Inhibition for Psychiatric Indications

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the central modulation of circadian rhythms (CRs) via casein kinase (CK1) inhibition for psychiatric indications. Circadian biology involves the study of CRs, which are periodic behavioral and physiologic processes that cycle approximately every 24 h. CRs are primarily regulated by an organism's environmental photoperiod (day/night); thus, CRs likely function to synchronize critical biologic processes with light/dark cycles. CRs in higher organisms are generated by a master clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain. The master clock synchronizes central and peripheral clocks in the body regulating numerous and diverse functions including sleep–wake cycles, hormone release, and body temperature. There is a growing body of evidence linking disrupted CRs to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, including insomnia, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder. Mammalian genetics has played a large part in defining the components of the circadian timing system. In humans, familial advanced sleep phase syndrome is a disease in which patients show a daily advance in the time when they go to sleep. Confirmation of CK1 as a drug-able target is validated by the identification of chemical matter consistent with drug-like attributes, including good ligand efficiency, lipophilic efficiency, and brain availability. Moreover, these compounds have provided the in vivo translation of circadian biology and have shown CR entrainment and phase shifts in nonhuman primates and rodents.