cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of inflammation on collateral circulation of the gingiva.

The effect of inflammation on collateral circulation of the gingiva and the vasculature of the periodontal ligament was studied in 12 squirrel monkeys. Gingival inflammation was induced by tying silk ligature at the cervical area of mandibular bicuspids and molars to encourage plaque accumulation. At 2, 10 and 26 weeks after ligature placement the animal's vasculature was perfused with India ink and calf serum. Nonligatured bicuspids and molars from the same animals served as controls. At all time points, on all experimental tooth surfaces examined, the vascularity (% grid intersections falling over vessel lumen) of the cervical portion of the periodontal ligament was significantly higher than the controls. The number of vessels connecting vessels of the periodontal ligament with supracrestal vessels was also significantly higher. There was a tendency for the number of vessels perforating either the alveolar bone proper or the alveolar crest to increase when inflammation was induced. The results of this study demonstrate the development of collateral circulation from the periodontal ligament to the gingiva in response to inflammation and help to explain the extension of inflammation into the deeper structures of the periodontium, including the periodontal ligament.
Coherent ensemble averaging techniques for impedance cardiography

Ensemble averaging provides some improvement in the stability of the signal and signal-to-noise noise ratio under conditions of nonperiodic influences of respiration and motion. Coherent averaging techniques were developed to determine whether further enhancement of the impedance cardiogram could be obtained. Physiological signals were obtained from 16 male and female subjects during resting conditions, while delivering a speech, and while undergoing submaximal bicycle exercise. Results indicated that improved resolution of dZ/dt signal events could be obtained using coherent ensemble averaging. Although some improvement in precision of event location was obtained, most enhancement of the impedance cardiogram occurred in measurement of the amplitude of the dZ/dt maximum (ejection velocity) during speaking and exercise conditions. Validated increases in dZ/dt maximum exceeding 20% were obtained in some subjects with coherent averaging, suggesting that the diagnostic utility of impedance cardiography can be improved using this technique. >
Design of Cotton Duck Bridge Bearing Pads

Bearings are used to support loads and accommodate movements in bridges. Cotton duck bearing pads (CDP) offer a versatile and economical solution for bearing design. The CDPs have closely spaced layers of elastomer and fabric which result in large compressive strength and strain capacities. However, the engineering response of CDP has not been well understood and CDP design provisions are incomplete because of this limited knowledge. To better establish the engineering response and develop improved design provisions, an extensive experimental research study was conducted. The experimental program modeled loads and deformations induced on a bridge bearing and included both static and dynamic loading regimes in compression, shear, and rotation. The primary study parameters included pad geometry, pad manufacturer, and stress and strain levels. The results indicate that CDPs have significant compressive stress and deformation capacities. Using the experimental results, design limits to control pad damage and quality assurance provisions are proposed to ensure adequate service during the lifetime of the bridge. Delamination of the top pad layers occurs after many cycles of repeated load or deformation and limits on the maximum stress, stress range, and uplift are proposed to limit this type of damage. Diagonal fracture occurs when a CDP is subjected to large strains. Strict maximum strain limits are proposed to prevent this failure mode. Finally, quality control provisions are proposed to ensure adequate engineering performance of the pads.
Selective reductions. 52. Efficient asymmetric reduction of α-acetylenic α′-fluoroalkyl ketones with either B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane or B-isopinocampheyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in high enantiomeric purity. The influence of fluoro groups in such reductions

Abstract A systematic study of the asymmetric reduction of prochiral α-acetylenic α′-fluoroalkyl ketones with (−)- B -chlorodiisopinocampheylborane [(−)-DIP-Chloride, 1 ] and (−)- B -isopinocampheyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ( R -Alpine-Borane, 2 ) reveals that perfluoroalkyl acetylenic ketones can be reduced in very high ee (92->-99%) with both of these reagents. For example, 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-phenyl-3-butyn-2-one, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-5-phenyl-4-pentyn-3-one, and 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-phenyl-1-hexyn-3-one are all reduced with 1 in EE at −25 °C within 0.25–2 h in 98%, 96%, and 94% ee, respectively. The same ketones are reduced with 2 under neat condition, within 1–4 h at rt in 98%, 97%, and 96% ee, respectively. Similarly, 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-octyn-2-one, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-4-nonyn-3-one, and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-5-decyn-4-one are reduced with both 1 and 2 in ≥97% ee. Difluoromethyl and monofluoromethyl acetylenic ketones are reduced with 2 in relatively high ee (78–88% ee) whereas 1 is ineffective for these types of ketones. In all of the above reductions, the fluoroalkyl group acts as the enantiocontrolling group with one exception. A remarkable inversion in selectivity in the reduction of monofluoromethyl acetylenic ketones with 1 is observed as compared to the reduction with 2 , indicating that in the transition state the acetylenic moiety acts as the enantiocontrolling group instead of the anticipated monofluoromethyl group. These results highlight the combined effects of both the electronic and steric influences of the fluorine in controlling both the rate and the enantioselectivity in the asymmetric reduction of prochiral fluorinated acetylenic ketones.
Three-dimensional algorithm animation

Algorithm animation is the process of abstracting a program's data, operations, and semantics, and creating dynamic graphical views of those abstractions[Sta90]. Algorithm animation systems have been used for both instructional purposes such as augmenting classroom lectures and for "visually documenting" complex programs. To now, algorithm animation systems have supported only 2-D black-and-white or color views. Our work extends algorithin animation to three-dimensional computer graphics.
Fair Allocation in Online Markets

A key characteristic of a successful online market is the large participation of agents (producers and consumers) on both sides of the market. While there has been a long line of impressive work on understanding such markets in terms of revenue maximizing (also called max-sum) objectives, particularly in the context of allocating online impressions to interested advertisers, fairness considerations have surprisingly not received much attention in online allocation algorithms. Allocations that are inherently fair to participating entities, we believe, will contribute significantly to retaining current participants and attracting new ones in the long run, thereby enhancing the performance of online markets. We give two generic online allocation algorithms to address this problem. In the first algorithm, we address the max-min fairness objective which is defined as the minimum ratio among all advertisers of the actual revenue obtained by the allocation to given target revenues. The second algorithm considers a hybrid objective of max-sum with a revenue penalty for each advertiser who misses her revenue target. We consider a penalty that is linear in the difference between the target and the actual revenue. For both these objectives, we give online algorithms that achieve a competitive ratio of $(1-\epsilon)$ for any $\epsilon > 0$ assuming an IID input.
The Synergetic Effect of Compiler, Architecture, and Manual Optimizations on the Performance of CFD on Multiprocessors

This paper discusses the comprehensive performance profiling, improvement and benchmarking of a Computational Fluid Dynamics code, one of the Grand Challenge applications, on three popular multiprocessors. In the process of analyzing performance we considered language, compiler, architecture, and algorithmic changes and quantified each of them and their incremental contribution to bottom-line performance. We demonstrate that parallelization alone cannot result in significant gains if the granularity of parallel threads and the effect of parallelization on data locality are not taken into account. Unlike benchmarking studies that often focus on the performance or effectiveness of parallelizing compilers on specific loop kernels, we used the entire CFD code to measure the global effectiveness of compilers and parallel architectures. We probed the performance bottlenecks in each case and derived solutions which eliminate or neutralize the performance inhibiting factors. The major conclusion of our work is that overall performance is extremely sensitive to the synergetic effects of compiler optimizations, algorithmic and code tuning, and architectural idiosyncrasies.
Neurotransmitters, Genetics, and Aging

This article will review findings from my laboratory on several model systems that provide a versatile range of experimental approaches to unravelling mechanisms in brain aging processes. Genotypic polymorphisms have potentially important influences in some brain systems. Other examples involve hormones and other regulatory factors. Those age-related changes that result from interactions of the brain with extrinsic influences should be extensively modifiable. The premises of this brief overview are stated at the outset.
Quantitative assessment of morphology, T1ρ, and T2 of shoulder cartilage using MRI.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of quantifying shoulder cartilage morphology and relaxometry in a clinically feasible scan time comparing different pulse sequences and assessing their reproducibility at 3 Tesla. Three pulse sequences were compared for morphological assessments of shoulder cartilage thickness and volume (SPGR, MERGE, FIESTA), while a combined T1ρ-T2 sequence was optimized for relaxometry measurements. The shoulders of six healthy subjects were scanned twice with repositioning, and the cartilage was segmented and quantified. The degree of agreement between the three morphological sequences was assessed using Bland-Altman plots, while the morphological and relaxometry reproducibility were assessed with root-mean-square coefficients of variation (RMS-CVs) Bland-Altman plots indicated good levels of agreement between the morphological assessments of the three sequences. The reproducibility of morphological assessments yielded RMS-CVs between 4.0 and 17.7 %. All sequences correlated highly (R > 0.9) for morphologic assessments with no statistically significant differences. For relaxometry assessments of humeral cartilage, RMS-CVs of 6.4 and 10.6 % were found for T1ρ and T2, respectively. The assessment of both cartilage morphology and relaxometry is feasible in the shoulder with SPGR, humeral head, and T1ρ being the more reproducible morphological sequence, anatomic region, and quantitative sequence, respectively. • The thin cartilage morphology can be assessed in the shoulder in vivo. • Non-invasive biochemical assessment of shoulder cartilage is feasible in vivo using MRI.
Inhibition of Acid Gas Corrosion in Pipelines using Glycol for Hydrate Inhibition

Ethylene glycol (MEG) is often used in plants and pipelines to prevent hydrate formation. Worldwide, there are several offshore wet gas pipelines that transport acid-gas across long distances under hydrate-forming conditions. Several pipeline use glycol as a means for dehydration. Under certain conditions, extremely severe corrosion will occur if inhibitors are not used. This article describes effort to develop corrosion inhibitors with glycol that prevent severe corrosion in wet gas systems.
Special problems associated with reprocessing instruments in outpatient care facilities.

In the United States, more patients obtain health care in specialty clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and physicians’ offices than in hospitals. In 2008, there were 1.2 billion ambulatory care visits in the United States, including physicians’ offices, outpatient hospitals, and emergency departments. Nearly 61% of those visits were to primary care physicians’ offices.1 Although many outbreaks of infection associated with instrument processing in outpatient care facilities go unreported, reported outbreaks occur with frequency. In 2003, Srinivasan et al2 reported an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with bronchoscopes in an outpatient setting, apparently caused by loose biopsy ports on the bronchoscopes. Thirty-nine patients were infected. Sixty-seven percent of these 39 patients were infected with P aeruginosa. In 2012, a commentary by Weber and Rutala3 that looked back at bronchoscopies from the 12-year period between 2000 and 2012 found 25 outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks in the literature. The outbreaks described in their commentary resulted in 82 infections and 4 deaths. Notably, single use, disposable bronchoscopes are available. In 2013, Kovaleva et al4 reported on transmission of infections via endoscopy and found, of the 98 outbreaks assessed, 1,113 patients were contaminated and 249 patients were infected. Kovaleva et al4 noted that if deficiencies related to cleaning, disinfection, automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs), contaminatedwater, and drying were eliminated, approximately 85% of outbreaks would be eliminated as shown in Table 1. Neither the work byWeber and Rutala3 nor Kovaleva et al4 distinguish between outbreaks associated with inpatient and outpatient facilities. This paper looks at 2 problems associated with instrument processing practices at a large university teaching hospital’s outpatient facilities: 1.) physical space problems and 2.) training and education problems related specifically to high-level disinfection (HLD) practices and attempts to offer solutions or at least improvements to these two problems. PROBLEM 1: PHYSICAL SPACE
Factors associated with recurrent tuberculosis more than 12 months after treatment completion

Setting Even among persons who have completed a course of treatment for their first tuberculosis (TB) episode, patients with a history of TB are at higher risk for having TB. Objective To describe factors from the initial TB episode associated with recurrent TB among patients who completed treatment and remained free of TB for at least 12 months. Design During 1993-2006, US TB cases stratified by birth origin were examined. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association of factors during the initial episode with recurrence at least 12 months after treatment completion. Results Among 632 US-born patients, TB recurrence was associated with age 25-44 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.77, 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-3.09, attributable fraction [AF] 1-34%), substance use (aHR 1.57, 99%CI 1.23-2.02, AF 8-22%), and treatment supervised by health departments (aHR 1.42, 99%CI 1.03-1.97, AF 2-28%). Among 211 foreign-born patients, recurrence was associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection (aHR 2.24, 99%CI 1.27-3.98, AF 2-9%) and smear-positive TB (aHR 1.56, 99%CI 1.06-2.30, AF 3-33%). Conclusion Factors associated with recurrence differed by origin of birth, and might be useful for anticipating greater risk for recurrent TB among certain patients with a history of TB.
Re-evaluating the Role of Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells: New Roles in Image-Forming Functions

Recently, researchers identified a novel ganglion cell photoreceptor in vertebrates, called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These ipRGCs are photosensitive due to expression of a photopigment, melanopsin. Although ipRGCs were initially thought to be a uniform population of cells involved solely in subconscious, non-image forming behaviors, recent research points to a role for ipRGCs in pattern vision. Here we highlight the emerging evidence for this influence of ipRGCs on pattern vision and discuss important future directions for understanding this newly appreciated contribution of melanopsin signaling to visual processing.
Pilzzüchtende Blattschneiderameisen: die ultimativen Superorganismen

Weil Blattschneiderameisen eines der komplexesten Kommunikationssysteme im Tierreich besitzen, ebenso wie die ausgeklugeltsten Kastensysteme, eine klimatisierte Nestarchitektur und Populationsgrosen, die in die Millionen reichen, verdienen sie die Anerkennung als ultimativer Superorganismus der Welt.
Relations Between Past‐Week Physical Activity and Recent Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury in Treatment‐Seeking Psychiatric Adults

Objective This research study examines the relationship between past-week physical activity and recent (i.e., within the past 30 days) nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in a sample of treatment-seeking adults. Method Participants included 353 (49.29% female; mean age = 35.16 years) adults attending a partial hospitalization program for acute psychiatric issues. Data were extracted from the program's admission battery of computer-based self-report measures completed by each participant on the first treatment day. Results Participants with a recent history of NSSI (i.e., within the past 30 days) engaged in significantly less past-week physical activity than those without a history of NSSI. Group differences remained significant while controlling for anxiety, but not depression. Conclusion Results suggest that, on average, individuals who have never engaged in NSSI exercise more in the week prior to entering the partial hospital program than those who have a recent history of NSSI. Regular physical activity may be an interesting area of study to explore as a promising adjunctive intervention for NSSI (e.g., vigorous exercise as a way to tolerate distress and manage urges to self-injure).
Structural behavior of cylindrical shells

Cylindrical shells subject to hydrostatic loading occur as structural components of moving undersea vehicles as well as chambers fixed to the floor of the sea. The pressure hull of most submersibles consists of a cylindrical shell, capped at the ends by a spherical, torispherical, or ellipsoidal shell. To furnish necessary strength and rigidity at great depths the pressure hull is almost always reinforced by circular rings, which may be interior or exterior to the cylindrical portion. In this chapter it is assumed that the submersible is at a sufficiently great depth that the hydrostatic pressure is, as an approximation, taken to be constant over the entire exterior cylindrical surface. The cylindrical shell is free of initial (no-load) geometric imperfections and free of initial stresses because of all aspects of fabrication, including welding effects. Neglecting localized effects because of the closures at each end, the external hydrostatic loading produces membrane stresses in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions given by elementary analysis of strength of materials. However, the presence of the circular reinforcing rings, usually welded to the cylindrical pressure hull greatly changes the structural behavior of the system. These rings are often structural I-sections, WF sections, or sometimes T-sections.
How Many Kinds of Birds Are There and Why Does It Matter

Estimates of global species diversity have varied widely, primarily based on variation in the numbers derived from different inventory methods of arthropods and other small invertebrates. Within vertebrates, current diversity metrics for fishes, amphibians, and reptiles are known to be poor estimators, whereas those for birds and mammals are often assumed to be relatively well established. We show that avian evolutionary diversity is significantly underestimated due to a taxonomic tradition not found in most other taxonomic groups. Using a sample of 200 species taken from a list of 9159 biological species determined primarily by morphological criteria, we applied a diagnostic, evolutionary species concept to a morphological and distributional data set that resulted in an estimate of 18,043 species of birds worldwide, with a 95% confidence interval of 15,845 to 20,470. In a second, independent analysis, we examined intraspecific genetic data from 437 traditional avian species, finding an average of 2.4 evolutionary units per species, which can be considered proxies for phylogenetic species. Comparing recent lists of species to that used in this study (based primarily on morphology) revealed that taxonomic changes in the past 25 years have led to an increase of only 9%, well below what our results predict. Therefore, our molecular and morphological results suggest that the current taxonomy of birds understimates avian species diversity by at least a factor of two. We suggest that a revised taxonomy that better captures avian species diversity will enhance the quantification and analysis of global patterns of diversity and distribution, as well as provide a more appropriate framework for understanding the evolutionary history of birds.
PTSD and Suicides Among Veterans—Recent Findings

The mental health of military personnel returning from war is an issue of profound social, ethical, and economic consequence. This article reviews recent literature from academic journals, governme...
Coherent magnetization reversal and high magnetic coercivity in Co nanowire assemblies

Abstract Nanowires (NWs) of single crystalline hcp Co with length from 200 to 530 nm and diameter from 8 to 20 nm (corresponding to the aspect ratio from 10 to 66) are synthesized via a solvothermal method by controlling the Co-precursor to amine mole concentration. The increased aspect ratio leads to enhanced coercivity of randomly oriented Co NWs up to an optimum value of 6.7 kOe, for the NWs of average length 200 nm and average diameter 15 nm (aspect ratio ∼13). Alignment of the NWs in a magnetic field leads to further enhanced coercivity up to a doubled value of 12.5 kOe at 300 K. The high magnetic coercivity achieved in the random and aligned assemblies is due to both the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the shape anisotropy. For a better understanding of the coercivity mechanism of the NWs, angular dependence of the coercivity has been experimentally investigated for the aligned NW assemblies and the corresponding magnetization reversal mode is determined to be a coherent reversal mode according to an analytical simulation based on the Stoner-Wohlfarth model.
Regression by Eye: Estimating Trends in Bivariate Visualizations

Observing trends and predicting future values are common tasks for viewers of bivariate data visualizations. As many charts do not explicitly include trend lines or related statistical summaries, viewers often visually estimate trends directly from a plot. How reliable are the inferences viewers draw when performing such regression by eye? Do particular visualization designs or data features bias trend perception? We present a series of crowdsourced experiments that assess the accuracy of trends estimated using regression by eye across a variety of bivariate visualizations, and examine potential sources of bias in these estimations. We find that viewers accurately estimate trends in many standard visualizations of bivariate data, but that both visual features (e.g., "within-the-bar" bias) and data features (e.g., the presence of outliers) can result in visual estimates that systematically diverge from standard least-squares regression models.
Academy can be trusted to put children's health first

Dear Colleagues, Some weeks ago I attended my daughter9s graduation from the University of Virginia School of Law. It was a proud and happy day for the Zanga family, though it will be more difficult for me to tell lawyer jokes in the future. Sitting in the blazing sun on a cloudless day at the edge of summer, I thought it might be difficult for me to pay attention or learn much from the commencement speaker. I, therefore, was delighted the U.S. Solicitor General kept my attention with some profound remarks. At one point he asked — no, challenged — the law school graduates with words delivered several years ago to graduates of this same school by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. His charge to these men and women was to always ask themselves, "Can you be trusted?"
Barriers to Engagement in Collaborative Care Treatment of Uncontrolled Diabetes in a Safety-Net Clinic

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to evaluate patient factors associated with nonengagement in a Diabetes Collaborative Care Team (DCCT) program in a safety-net clinic.MethodsThe first 18 months of a multidisciplinary care, team-based diabetes care management program in a safety-net primary care clinic were studied. Nonengagement was defined as fewer than 2 visits with a team member during the 18 months of the program. Patients who did not engage in the program were compared with those who did engage on demographics, comorbid medical and psychiatric diagnoses, and cardiovascular risk factors, using univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsOf the 151 patients referred to the DCCT, 68 (45%) were nonengaged. In unadjusted analyses, patients who did not engage were more likely to be female and have higher baseline A1C values; they were less likely to have major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, any depression diagnosis, and hyperlipidemia. Female gender and chronic pain were independently associate...
Evaluating models for polycaprolactone crystallization via simultaneous rheology and Raman spectroscopy

The crystallization of a polymer melt is characterized by dramatic structural and mechanical changes that significantly impact the processing conditions used to generate industrially-relevant products. Relationships between crystallinity and rheology are necessary to simulate and monitor the effect of processing conditions on the properties of the final product. However, separate measurements of crystallinity and rheology are difficult to correlate due to differences in sample history, geometry, and temperature. Recently, we have developed a rheo-Raman microscope for simultaneous rheology, Raman spectroscopy, and polarized reflection-mode optical measurements of soft materials, which allows for quantitative crystallinity measurements through features in the Raman spectrum. In this work, we apply this technique to monitor the isothermal crystallization of polycaprolactone to probe the relationship between structure, crystallinity, and rheology. Both crystallinity and the shear modulus vary over comparable timescales, but the birefringence increases much earlier in the crystallization process. We directly plot rheological parameters as a function of crystallinity to probe a range of suspension-based and empirical models relating the complex modulus to crystallinity, and we find that the previously developed models cannot describe the crystallinity-modulus relationship over the crystallization process. By developing a suspension-based model we can fit the complex modulus over the crystallization range. The crystallization process is characterized by a critical percolation fraction and a single scaling exponent.
Brokering the Evidence-Practice Gap: A Strategy for Moving Evidence Into Clinical Practice

Moving novel, evidence-based interventions into broad community use is challenging. This column describes how a midlevel public health administrator acted in the role of broker to link university-based researchers with maternal health clinical staff to successfully implement an innovative, evidence-based maternal depression treatment. Program evaluation assessed adoption, implementation, reach, and effectiveness. In reflecting on this partnership, the broker provided critical elements of access, credibility, and accountability. A partnership between service providers and research teams provides one strategy to disseminate evidence-based practices among those served by public-health programs.
Transport of target anions, chromate (Cr (VI)), arsenate (As (V)), and perchlorate (ClO4-), through RO, NF, and UF membranes.

Rejection and transport of chromate (Cr (VI)), arsenate (As (V)), and perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) by and through reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and ultrafiltration were found to be affected by solution pH and ionic strength. In this study, the rejection of these target ionic contaminants increased with increasing pH at the same conductivity (ionic strength) for the tested membranes, regardless of salt type. General trends showed that the rejection followed the order: CaCl 2 2 SO 4 , at the same pH and conductivity condition. The rejection also significantly decreased as conductivity was increased regardless of the salt type. These results support the notion that a more negative surface charge due to increasing pH and/or decreasing ionic strength (conductivity) enhances rejection; lower molecular weight cut-off also enhances rejection. Measured values of hindered diffusion coefficient through the membrane pores (D p ) for the target contaminants significantly decreased as pH was increased, regardless of salt type at the same conductivity. At the same pH and conductivity, the D p of the target contaminants follows the order: CaCl 2 > KCl > K 2 SO 4 , in the presence of different types of salts. The D p of the target contaminants significantly increased as conductivity was increased regardless of the salt type. The rejection data were modeled by application of a non-equilibrium thermodynamic model. The rejection model has five transport parameters: the molecular transport coefficient (ω), osmotic pressure gradient (ΔΠ), molecular reflection coefficient (σ), the average bulk fluid interfacial concentration between the feed and permeate side ( C avg ), and the solvent flux ( J v ). The transport parameters were determined by independent measurements (and calculation with minimum assumptions.) Measurements and predictions of the target contaminant transport were in good agreement.
Development of a Noninvasive Marker of Wall Shear Stress Effects in Discrete Subaortic Stenosis

The precise etiology of discrete subaortic stenosis is unknown. It has been suggested that shear forces play a role in its initiation and progression. Because shear stress and its derivatives cannot be directly measured in vivo, we designed this study to define a clinical index of the wall shear stress and its spatial derivative using Doppler echocardiography. Using a computational model, we tested the hypothesis that a modification of the Dean number, a dimensionless index that describes shear rates in curved vessels, may yield a correlate of shear stresses in the region of interest. This would enable verification of our proposed etiology and may yield a noninvasive method to predict the development of subaortic stenosis. With the results from the computational model, we determined an index based on modifications to the Dean number that linearly correlates with the magnitude and the spatial derivative of shear stress.
Tailoring weight ratio of PCL/PLA in electrospun three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds and the effect on osteogenic differentiation of stem cells

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as artificial ECMs have been extensively studied to mimic the critical features of natural ECMs. To develop more clinically relevant 3D scaffolds, electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with different weight ratios of PCL/PLA (i.e., 100/0, 60/40, and 20/80) were fabricated via the thermally induced (nanofiber) self-agglomeration (TISA) method. The hypothesis was that, with the weight ratio increase of stiffer and more bioactive PLA in the 3D PCL/PLA blend scaffolds, the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) would be enhanced. The results indicated that, all of the 3D scaffolds were elastic/resilient and possessed interconnected and hierarchical pores with sizes from sub-microns to ∼300 μm; therefore, the morphological structures of these scaffolds were similar to those of natural ECMs. The PLA80 scaffolds exhibited the best overall properties in terms of density, porosity, water absorption capacity, mechanical properties, bioactivity, and cell viability. Furthermore, with increasing the PLA weight ratio, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content, and gene expression level were also increased, probably due to the improved stiffness/bioactivity of scaffold. Hence, the novel 3D electrospun PLA80 nanofibrous scaffold might be desired/favorable for the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
Extent of surgical treatment in the management of soft tissue sarcomas

Background In the past, the surgical treatment was used as a single modality, for the eradication of primary soft tissue sarcomas. Amputation was used in 40 to 50% of extremity sarcomas. The local recurrence rate for wide resection was about 30% and local excision about 65%. Since the mid-1970's a shift toward combination of modalities and limb salvage has been introduced. Methods The experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and other cancer centers, in the era of combination of modalities, is reviewed. Resection plus radiation (preoperative intraoperative or postoperative), or intraarterial chemotherapy, radiation and resection have been employed. Results The rate of limb salvage has increased to as high as 95%. The rate of local recurrence varies from 10 to 15%. Modifications in surgical technique and approaches have occurred which permit resection of the majority tumors with preservation of function. Conclusions Combination of modalities has been successful in permitting a high limb-salvage rate with a relatively low rate of local recurrence which improves the quality of life of these patients.
Connecting Inadequate Health Insurance to Poorer Cancer Treatment Outcomes

A journal article's findings confirm that patients in Kentucky with private health insurance have better clinical outcomes than patients with other types of insurance. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS PROPERTIES OF SMALL CLEAR SPECIMENS TAKEN FROM COMMERCIALLY PROCURED NO.2 2×8 AND 2×10 SOUTHERN PINE DIMENSION LUMBER

This technical note focuses on the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of small clear southern pine (Pinus spp.) test pieces cut from commercially procured full-size lumber specimens. A production-weighted sample of 476 No.2 grade 2×8s and 2×10s was acquired from retail establishments throughout the southern pine producing region. The specimens were subjected to static bending tests to measure MOR and MOE. From 447 of those specimens, a single small clear beam (3.8 × 3.8 × 61 cm) was extracted and subjected to a static bending test of the same properties. Two-sample t tests showed no evidence of statistical difference in either mean MOE or MOR between the small samples taken from the 2×8s and the 2×10s. Bivariate correlations and r2 values showed an overall weak relationship (r = 0.30, r2 = 0.09) between the small clears and their parent specimens in respect to MOR. A more moderate relationship (r = 0.60, r2 = 0.36) was found in respect to MOE between small clears and their parent specimens. In addition, a relatively strong relationship was found between the MOR and MOE values of the small clears themselves (r = 0.77, r2 = 0.59). It is intended that subsequent publications will examine similar relationships in other grades and sizes.
Initial Reduction of the PdO(101) Surface: Role of Oxygen Vacancy Formation Kinetics

We investigated the initial thermal reduction of the PdO(101) surface using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The defect-free PdO(101) surface consists of parallel rows of undercoordinated Pd and O atoms (Pdcus and Ocus, respectively). DFT was used to map out the elementary processes of Ocus vacancy formation, oxygen surface atom diffusion along the Pdcus rows, and various O2 formation pathways. Because oxygen vacancies form during the reduction of the surface, the elementary processes were examined with and without the presence of adjacent Ocus vacancies. DFT calculations show that the presence of oxygen vacancies strongly affects the barriers of adjacent surface processes. Barriers for O vacancy formation are reduced by nearly 50% with an adjacent O vacancy. The barrier for O2 formation along the Pdcus row drops from 1.54 eV on the defect-free PdO(101) surface to 0.81 eV in the presence of an Ocus vacancy dimer. However, the presence of Ocus vacancies also leads to more strongly bound O2 on ...
Querying About the Use of Specific E-Cigarette Devices May Enhance Accurate Measurement of E-Cigarette Prevalence Rates Among High School Students.

Introduction Prevalence estimates of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use may underestimate actual use in youth. Confusion resulting from the fact that a multitude of devices (eg, vape pens, JUULs) fall under the umbrella term "e-cigarettes," the use of different names to refer to e-cigarettes (eg, vapes, electronic vaping devices), and the use of different terminology to refer to e-cigarette use (eg, "vaping," "JUULing"), may lead some young e-cigarette users to incorrectly indicate nonuse. Therefore, we compared rates of endorsing lifetime e-cigarette use when adolescents were asked about lifetime e-cigarette use in two different ways. Methods In May to June 2018, a total of 1960 students from two high schools in Connecticut completed a computerized, school-based survey. Participants first reported on lifetime "e-cigarette" use and, subsequently, on lifetime use of five different e-cigarette devices: disposables, cig-a-likes, or E-hookahs; vape pens or Egos; JUULs; pod systems other than JUULs such as PHIX or Suorin; and advanced personal vaporizers or mods. Results In total, 35.8% of students endorsed lifetime "e-cigarette" use, whereas 51.3% endorsed lifetime use of at least one e-cigarette device. The kappa statistic indicated only 66.6% agreement between the methods of assessing e-cigarette use. Overall, 31.5% of adolescents who endorsed lifetime device use did not endorse lifetime "e-cigarette" use, although rates of discordant responding varied across subgroups of interest (eg, sex, race). Conclusions Assessing adolescents' use of specific e-cigarette devices likely yields more accurate results than assessing the use of "e-cigarettes." If these findings are replicated in a nationally representative sample, regulatory efforts requiring all e-cigarette devices to be clearly labeled as "e-cigarettes" may help to reduce confusion. Implications Different prevalence estimates of lifetime e-cigarette use were obtained depending on the way that prevalence was assessed. Specifically, fewer adolescents (35.8%) endorsed lifetime e-cigarette use when they were asked "Have you ever tried an e-cigarette, even one or two puffs?" than when they were queried about lifetime use of five different e-cigarette devices (51.3%). Among those who endorsed lifetime use of at least one specific e-cigarette device, 31.5% did not endorse lifetime "e-cigarette" use. These findings suggest that when assessing adolescents' lifetime e-cigarette use, using of terms referring to specific devices likely produces more accurate prevalence estimates than using the term "e-cigarettes."
Infrastructure: Reappraisal and Reorientation

Shifting capital spending toward agriculture dramatically reduced the flow of infrastructure projects in the early 1960s, a slide intensified by the withdrawal of Soviet experts, and the cutoff of construction equipment and spare parts from the USSR. Still, the time had come for more systematic organization and management of all infrastructure systems, through drafting a comprehensive manual for freight and passenger train operations or with intensification of worker training through campaigns contrasting local work routines with best practices elsewhere in the PRC. By 1964, major dam and reservoir projects restarted, with “thousands of computations” replacing the mass urgency of their 1950s predecessors. Comparably, widespread efforts undertook to repair and renovate hastily built or pre-Liberation power stations, railways, and irrigation systems, with Chairman Mao’s Thought empowering veteran workers and cadres to convene discussion sessions that determined priorities and tabled plausible innovations. Formalized in the Design Reform Movement, “red” pressures mounted on construction “experts” to get out of their offices, go to sites to design “on the spot,” and learn how best to proceed from local cadres and workers.
Discussion of “Trading down and the Business Cycle”

Abstract This note discusses the article “Trading Down and the Business Cycle” by Nir Jaimovich, Sergio Rebelo and Arlene Wong.
Expanding the genetic basis of ataxia.

More than one dozen hereditary ataxias are caused by repeat expansions. A newly discovered expansion may be the first known common genetic cause of late-onset ataxia.
Concise Review: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Postnatal Injury-Induced Enteric Neurogenesis

Although still controversial, there is increasing agreement that postnatal neurogenesis occurs in the enteric nervous system (ENS) in response to injury. Following acute colitis, there is significant cell death of enteric neurons and evidence suggests that subsequent neural regeneration follows. An enteric neural stem/progenitor cell population with neurogenic potential has been identified in culture; in vivo, compensatory neurogenesis is driven by enteric glia and may also include de-differentiated Schwann cells. Recent evidence suggests that changes in the enteric microenvironment due to injury-associated increases in glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [HT]), products from the gut microbiome, and possibly endocannabinoids may lead to the transdifferentiation of mature enteric glia and may reprogram recruited Schwann cells. Targeting neurogenic pathways presents a promising avenue toward the development of new and innovative treatments for acquired damage to the ENS. In this review, we discuss potential sources of newly generated adult enteric neurons, the involvement of GDNF, 5-HT, endocannabinoids, and lipopolysaccharide, as well as therapeutic applications of this evolving work. Stem Cells 2019;37:1136-1143.
Creating value in spine surgery: using patient reported outcomes to compare the short-term impact of different orthopedic surgical procedures.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Society increasingly asks Medicine to create “value” for patients. As health-care costs rise, this question will become more important. Debate exists regarding the relative “value” of many surgical procedures, including spinal surgery. Comparison of the relative value that patients experience after different orthopedic procedures is theoretical, but informs the ongoing debate. METHODS The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessments for Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Depression are routinely collected in our orthopedic clinics. Patients who underwent lumbar discectomy (DSC) or arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) were retrospectively identified. Data relating to PROMIS domains, patient demographics, and other relevant encounter details were extracted. The primary outcomes were (1) preoperative PROMIS domain scores, (2) scores at a minimum of 40 days postoperatively for DSC patients and 133 days postoperatively for ACLR patients, and (3) the change in scores with surgery. Propensity score matching identified age-, sex-, race-, and comorbidity-matched groups from each cohort. Chi-square tests and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests compared the distribution of outcomes and characteristics. Multivariate linear regression models with interactions between the matched cohort and operative phase estimated the change in the outcomes scores between the two cohorts and controlled for the baseline differences between them. RESULTS Before surgery, the DSC cohort had lower physical function, higher pain interference and higher depression scores as compared with the ACLR cohort. This pattern remained postoperatively, indicating less desirable outcomes for DSC patients. However, after controlling for their baseline scores, DSC patients experienced significantly greater improvements after surgery of 3.84 (95% CI 1.08–6.60; p=.01), −4.87 (95% CI −7.52 to −2.23; p CONCLUSIONS Based upon PROMIS assessments at short-term follow-up, DSC patients receive a larger benefit from surgery than ACLR despite the overall less desirable postoperative PROMIS scores in the DSC cohort. This result, while theoretical, informs the debate regarding the comparative value of DSC to patients.
Essentials of Anesthesia for Infants and Neonates

It is estimated that 1.5 million infants undergo surgery and anesthesia in the USA each year. However, there are serious concerns within the pediatric anesthesia community regarding the safety of anaesthesia in infants and children. There is mounting evidence from animal studies that anesthetics in common clinical use are neurotoxic to the developing brain and cause long-term neurobehavioral abnormalities. Essentials of Anesthesia for Infants and Neonates provides a comprehensive guide to the special needs of infants undergoing anesthesia. It focuses on the first year of life, the time when anesthesia mortality and morbidity is highest. Chapters are illustrated in color throughout, and include sections on newborn physiology for anesthetic management, specific procedures, pain management, and topics such as regional anesthesia and sedation. Written by nationally recognized experts, this book will become an invaluable point of reference for any physician interested in pain management in the first year of life.
Abstract 112: Soluble (pro) Renin Receptor Serves as Novel Insulin Sensitizing Agent in Mice With Diet-Induced Obesity

Thiazolidinediones, the PPARgamma agonists, represent a unique class of insulin sensitizers for management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes but are limited by the side effect of fluid retention....
Bacterial and Fungal Diseases of Zebrafish

Abstract Zebrafish are used as a model organism for research on a growing and wide range of studies. They are also susceptible to a variety of bacterial and fungal infections that might occur in any closed-system aquaculture setting. It is ideal that infectious diseases are minimized, to limit losses due to disease, and the potential impacts of these infections on research endpoints. Mycobacteriosis is the most commonly occurring bacterial diseases of zebrafish, caused by several different species. Because virulence differs between Mycobacterium species and strains, it is important that the specific agent is identified. Edwardsiella ictaluri is less commonly reported in zebrafish, but because it is associated with acute and severe disease, it should be avoided and can typically be recognized in quarantine. Other bacterial and fungal infections tend to occur opportunistically when fish experience poor husbandry conditions or other physiological stress. Excluding these agents from a facility through quarantine and screening should be the focus of any control program. Once established, there are strategies for monitoring, isolation, and treatment that can assist in managing or eliminating these infections.
Compact, multi-wavelength, passively Q-switched laser by means of volume Bragg gratings (Conference Presentation)

Recent progress in the development of dual-wavelength passively Q-switched lasers has allowed for the generation of high-average-power, narrow-band THz waves based upon the frequency down-conversion in nonlinear crystals. Here we demonstrate a compact, multi-wavelength, passively Q-switched Nd3+:YAG laser utilizing volume Bragg gratings (VBG) for the spectral selectivity and combination of multiple modes oscillating in a single linear cavity. The cavity is capable of supporting more than two lasing modes, each having sub-30-ns pulse duration at 10s of KHz repetition rate. The presence of more than two wavelengths in the output beam further allows for the generation of multiple THz frequencies.