cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scan-O-Rama Series

Scan-o-rama: Deadly Predators . By Anna Claybourne. 2016. Silver Dolphin Books. (ISBN 9781626866324). 32 pp. Hardcover. $18.99. The cover of Deadly Predators grabs the reader's attention straightway with a partial X-ray image of a cheetah. My five-year-old son immediately reached for the book when he caught of a glimpse of the cover. As we began to explore the pages within, we discovered “X-rays” (sliding image that shows a predator's skeleton), hidden images (flaps that …
Situating Hobby Drone Practices

This chapter outlines how recreational uses challenge conceptions of drones as mere “unmanned aircraft systems.” Building on ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and research into online drone communities, this chapter illustrates how aerial drone play is embedded in a complex assemblage of human and nonhuman factors across online and offline environments. During recreational drone use, a number of temporal, spatial, mobile, and social relations take effect. While drone hobbyists appear to be interested in keeping a “low profile” in their physical setting, many interviewees manage a comparatively “high profile” when editing, sharing, and live-streaming their drone imagery online. Ultimately, the assemblage-perspective brings together aviation-related and socio-cultural concerns relevant for understanding recreational drone ecologies and mobilities in situ.
Is Maximin egalitarian

According to the Maximin principle of distributive justice, one outcome is more just than another if the worst off individual in the first outcome is better off than the worst off individual in the second. This is often interpreted as a highly egalitarian principle, and, more specifically, as a highly egalitarian way of balancing a concern with equality against a concern with efficiency. But this interpretation faces a challenge: why should a concern with efficiency and equality lead us to a concern only for the very worst off? Egalitarian proponents of Maximin tend to meet this challenge by showing that it possible to formally derive Maximin from surprisingly weak conditions relating efficiency and equality to justice. But in this paper, I argue that this reply fails. The issue is not that the proofs are invalid, but instead that every existing proof of Maximin transforms into an impossibility result as soon as we realize that any reasonable conception of equality must satisfy a certain formal property. The upshot is that even if it is possible to defend Maximin on other grounds, there is no known way to defend it on the grounds that it balances a concern with equality against a concern for efficiency. Further, more general implications of this result for egalitarian theories of distributive justice are also explored.
Molecular Basis of the Biological Compatibility of Nature’s Osmolytes

With the exception of halophilic bacteria, essentially all cells respond to a hyperosmotic stress with an accumulation of certain relatively nontoxic, organic solutes (Yancey et al. 1982; Jones et al. 1977; Costa and Pierce 1983). These compatible solutes or osmolytes have been shown by the speakers at this symposium and others to have unique properties which render them especially fit to serve as intracellular solutes. The purpose of this chapter is to review the fundamental reasons why some solutes (including those commonly used by nature) are “kind” to protein structures and functions and why others are not. While the original literature dealing with this topic relies heavily on thermodynamic arguments to describe protein-solute interactions, this review will attempt to treat the subject matter largely descriptively. In some cases, this requires an interpretation or simplification of thermodynamic observations which may not be totally accurate. However, it is hoped that the benefit of having a physical explanation of solute effects on protein structure will partially offset the disadvantage of not having a rigorous analysis of the various concepts.
A Data-driven Approach to Material Removal Rate Prediction in Chemical Mechanical Polishing

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has been widely used in the semiconductor sector for creating planar surfaces with the combination of chemical and mechanical forces. CMP is very complex because several chemical and mechanical phenomena (e.g., surface kinetics, contact mechanics, stress mechanics, and tribochemistry) are involved. Due to the complexity of the CMP process, it is very challenging to predict material removal rate (MRR) with sufficient accuracy. While physics-based methods have been introduced to predict MRR, little research has been reported on data-driven predictive modeling of MRR in the CMP process. This paper presents a novel decision tree-based ensemble learning algorithm that trains a predictive model of MRR on condition monitoring data. A stacking technique is used to combine three decision tree-based learning algorithms, including the random forests (RF), gradient boosting trees (GBT), and extremely randomized trees (ERT). The proposed method is demonstrated on the data collected from a wafer CMP tool that removes material from the surface of the wafer. Experimental results have shown that the decision tree-based ensemble learning algorithm can predict MRR in the CMP process with very high accuracy.
Employability and Skill Sets of Newly Graduated Engineers in India: A Study

Shortage of skills remains one of the major constraints to continued growth of the Indian economy. This employer survey seeks to address this knowledge-gap by answering three questions: Which skills do employers consider important when hiring new engineering graduates? How satisfied are the employers with the skills of engineering graduates? and In which important skills are the engineers falling short? The results confirm a widespread dissatisfaction with the current graduates. After classifying all skills by factor analysis, the authors conclude that employers perceive soft skills (core employability skills and communication skills) to be very important. The findings suggest that engineering education institutions should seek to improve the skill set of graduates, recognize the importance of soft skills, refocus the assessments, teaching-learning process and curricula from lower-order thinking skills, such as remembering and understanding, toward higher-order skills, such as analyzing and solving engineering problems, as well as creativity, and interact more with employers to understand the particular demand for skills in that region and sector.
A Contemporary Analysis of Outcomes and Modifiable Risk Factors of Ethnic Disparities in Kidney Transplantation

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to provide a contemporary analysis of longitudinal kidney transplant outcomes and to evaluate potential causes of ethnic disparities among African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) patients undergoing kidney transplantation at our institution. Patients and methods 1400 patients were identified who underwent kidney transplantation from 2003 to 2013 from a large, academic institution in Cleveland, OH. Relevant recipient and donor demographic and clinical covariates were obtained from an institutional transplant database. Simple descriptive statistics and comparative survival analyses were performed to assess overall survival and graft survival. Results The final cohort was comprised of 341 AA and 1059 CA patients. AAs were less likely to receive a living donor transplant (27.6% vs. 57.2%, p Conclusion AAs undergoing deceased donor renal transplantation demonstrated lower graft survival compared to CAs. Conversely, this disparity did not exist among AAs undergoing living donor transplantation. AAs had higher rates of deceased donor transplantation, immunosuppression non-compliance, chronic rejection, and diabetes. Opportunities exist to use patient education, alternative immunosuppression regimens, and living transplantation to close the ethnic disparity in renal allograft survival.
BEYOND THE AORTA: PULMONARY ARTERY DILATION AND IMPACT OF TREATMENT IN MARFAN SYNDROME

Although common, the prevalence and impact of treatment on main pulmonary artery (MPA) dilation in Marfan syndrome (MFS) are unclear. We sought to determine the prevalence and progression of MPA dilation (Z score ≥2) and impact of treatment over 3 years using the public dataset from the Pediatric
Concurrent Learning of Adjacent and Nonadjacent Dependencies in Visuo-Spatial and Visuo-Verbal Sequences.

Both adjacent and nonadjacent dependencies (AD and NAD) are present in natural language and other domains, yet the learning of nonadjacent sequential dependencies generally only occurs under favorable circumstances. It is currently unknown to what extent adults can learn AD and NAD presented concurrently in spatial and verbal sequences during a single session and whether a second session improves performance. In addition, the relationship between AD and NAD learning and other theoretically related cognitive and language processes has not yet been fully established. In this study, participants reproduced two types of sequences generated from an artificial grammar: visuo-spatial sequences with stimuli presented in four spatial locations, and visuo-verbal sequences with printed syllables. Participants were tested for incidental learning by reproducing novel sequences, half consistent with the grammar and half containing violations of either AD or NAD. The procedure was repeated on a second day. Results showed that both AD and NAD were learned in both visuo-spatial and visuo-verbal tasks, though AD learning was better than NAD and learning of NAD decreased over time. Furthermore, NAD learning for both spatial and verbal tasks was positively correlated with a language measure whereas AD learning for both spatial and verbal tasks was negatively associated with working memory measures in the opposite domain. These results demonstrate that adults can learn both AD and NAD within a single session but NAD learning is more easily disrupted than AD and both types of learning are subserved by partially distinct cognitive processes. These findings increase our understanding of the processes governing the learning of AD and NAD in verbal and spatial domains.
Dendritic architectures by orthogonal thiol-maleimide "click" and furan-maleimide dynamic covalent chemistries.

A set of dendrons and dendrimers is synthesized divergently using an orthogonal combination of kinetically-driven thiol-maleimide “click” chemistry and thermodynamically reversible furan-maleimide cycloaddition/retrocycloaddition reactions. Growth is controlled by taking advantage of the selective thiol–ene addition of thiols to the electron withdrawn alkene of maleimide in the presence of electron rich alkene of oxanorbornene. Subsequent activation of growing dendrons/dendrimers requires only heat to induce the dynamic covalent liberation of peripheral furan protecting groups. The methodology introduced provides a new route to multifunctional dendrimers that could, in principle, be synthesized by introducing different branched monomers at any stage of dendrimer growth, allowing dendrimer architectures and properties to be better tailored to their intended applications.
Blame it on the injury: Trauma is a risk factor for pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy compared with elective resection.

BACKGROUND Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a significant source of morbidity following distal pancreatectomy (DP). There is a lack of information regarding the impact of trauma on POPF rates when compared with elective resection. We hypothesize that trauma will be a significant risk factor for the development of POPF following DP. METHODS A retrospective, single-institution review of all patients undergoing DP from 1999 to 2017 was performed. Outcomes were compared between patients undergoing DP for traumatic injury to those undergoing elective resection. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed using SAS (version 9.4). RESULTS Of the 372 patients who underwent DP during the study period, 298 met inclusion criteria: 38 DPs for trauma (TDP), 260 elective DPs (EDP). Clinically significant grade B or C POPFs occurred in 17 (44.7%) of 38 TDPs compared with 41 (15.8%) of 260 EDPs (p < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, traumatic injury was found to be independently predictive of developing a grade B or C POPF (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.10-8.89). Age, sex, and wound infection were highly correlated with traumatic etiology and therefore were not retained in the multivariable model. When analyzing risk factors for each group (trauma vs. elective) separately, we found that TDP patients who developed POPFs had less sutured closure of their duct, higher infectious complications, and longer hospital stays, while EDP patients that suffered POPFs were more likely to be male, younger in age, and at a greater risk for infectious complications. Lastly, in a subgroup analysis involving only patients with drains left postoperatively, trauma was an independent predictor of any grade of fistula (A, B, or C) compared with elective DP (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.09-24.15), suggesting that traumatic injury is risk factor for pancreatic stump closure disruption following DP. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study represents the largest cohort of patients comparing pancreatic leak rates in traumatic versus elective DP, and demonstrates that traumatic injury is an independent risk factor for developing an ISGPF grade B or C pancreatic fistula following DP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, Therapeutic, level III.
A prospective assessment of sacral pressures in healthy volunteers seated upright and reclined with legs elevated in a recliner.

Prolonged, unrelieved pressure is a major risk factor for pressure ulceration, and interface tissue pressures have been shown to be very high when a person is sitting. Using convenience sampling methods, 23 healthy participants (four men, 19 women, mean age 45 years, body mass index [BMI] range 20-45) participated in a prospective pilot study to evaluate the effect of BMI and two commonly used seating positions in standard hospital reclining chairs on tissue (especially sacral) interface pressures. Measurements were obtained when volunteers were seated upright with plantar surfaces of feet touching the floor (Position 1) and reclining with legs resting on an elevated surface (Position 2). Measurements were obtained for 6 minutes using a thin, flexible force sensing array 430-mm x 430-mm seat mat. Average pressure, maximum pressure, and the number of sensors reading >60 mm Hg and >80 mm Hg were used for analysis across the total surface and at the sacrum. Participants were categorized by BMI (category 1: 20-22, category 2: 23-28, category 3: 29+; no participants had a BMI 60 mm Hg at the sacrum (from 31.4 to 27.1, P = 0.047). BMI and position were significantly correlated with the number of sensors reading >80 mm Hg (P = 0.008) and average pressure (P = 0.031). Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences existed between BMI categories 1 (average delta: -3.63, indicating down position is better) and 3 (average delta: 4.67, indicating up position is better) for the difference in number of sensors above 80 mm Hg (P = 0.030). Research is needed to further explore the relationship between BMI and tissue pressure, but the results of this study suggest that for patients with a BMI >29, elevating the heels/reclining the chair significantly reduces sacral tissue interface pressure. Further research specific to pressure relief in the sitting position is needed, as neither position examined in this study was found to reduce interface pressures to generally considered safe levels for reduced-mobility patients.
Ginger and its bioactive component 6-shogaol mitigate lung inflammation in a murine asthma model.

Asthma, a common disorder associated with airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, remains a significant clinical burden in need of novel therapeutic strategies. Patients are increasingly seeki...
Ultrasound and microbubble mediated therapeutic delivery: Underlying mechanisms and future outlook.

Abstract Beyond the emerging field of oncological ultrasound molecular imaging, the recent significant advancements in ultrasound and contrast agent technology have paved the way for therapeutic ultrasound mediated microbubble oscillation and has shown that this approach is capable of increasing the permeability of microvessel walls while also initiating enhanced extravasation and drug delivery into target tissues. In addition, a large number of preclinical studies have demonstrated that ultrasound alone or combined with microbubbles can efficiently increase cell membrane permeability resulting in enhanced tissue distribution and intracellular drug delivery of molecules, nanoparticles, and other therapeutic agents. The mechanism behind the enhanced permeability is the temporary creation of pores in cell membranes through a phenomenon called sonoporation by high-intensity ultrasound and microbubbles or cavitation agents. At low ultrasound intensities (0.3–3 W/cm2), sonoporation may be caused by microbubbles oscillating in a stable motion, also known as stable cavitation. In contrast, at higher ultrasound intensities (greater than 3 W/cm2), sonoporation usually occurs through inertial cavitation that accompanies explosive growth and collapse of the microbubbles. Sonoporation has been shown to be a highly effective method to improve drug uptake through microbubble potentiated enhancement of microvascular permeability. In this review, the therapeutic strategy of using ultrasound for improved drug delivery are summarized with the special focus on cancer therapy. Additionally, we discuss the progress, challenges, and future of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery towards clinical translation.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as an Immediate-Early Activator of UV-induced Skin Injury

The negative health consequences of acute ultraviolet (UV) exposure are evident, with reports of 30,000 emergency room visits annually to treat the effects of sunburn in the United States alone. Acute effects of sunburn include erythema, edema, and severe pain, and chronic overexposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer. While the pain associated with the acute effects of sunburn may be relieved by current interventions, existing post-sunburn treatments are not capable of reversing the cumulative and long-term pathological effects of UV exposure, an unmet clinical need. Here we show that activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is a direct and immediate consequence of acute UV exposure, and activation of VEGF signaling is necessary for the initiating the acute pathological effects of sunburn. In UV-exposed human subjects, VEGF signaling is activated within hours. Topical delivery of VEGF pathway inhibitors, targeted against the ligand VEGF-A (gold nanoparticles conjugated with anti-VEGF antibodies) and small molecule antagonists of VEGF receptor signaling, prevent the development of erythema and edema in UV-exposed mice. Collectively, these findings suggest targeting VEGF signaling may reduce the subsequent inflammation and pathology associated with UV-induced skin damage, which reveals a new post-exposure therapeutic window to potentially inhibit the known detrimental effects of UV on human skin.
Fibroids and Urinary Symptoms Study (FUSS).

Objective The aims of the study were to characterize pelvic floor and urinary symptoms in women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids and to explore the association between uterine/fibroid size and pelvic floor symptoms. Methods Women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids at a single academic center were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants underwent pelvic imaging and completed the Symptom Severity Subscale of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL) and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). Results One hundred ninety-five women with a mean age of 41 ± 6 years and body mass index of 29 ± 7 kg/m2 were included. In this cohort, 58% identified as Black and 38% had at least 1 vaginal delivery. Women attributed pelvic pain (68%), dyspareunia (37%), and urinary incontinence (31%) to their fibroids. The mean ± SD UFS-QOL score was 48.7 ± 25.4, and 63% of participants reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by tightness/pressure in pelvic area, 60% by frequent daytime urination, and 47% by nocturia. The mean PFDI-20 score was 45.5 ± 31.9. Women reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by heaviness/dullness in the pelvis (60%), frequent urination (56%), pelvic pain or discomfort (48%), and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying (43%). The PFDI-20 and UFS-QOL scores were not correlated with uterine volume (r = 0.12, P = 0.12, and r = 0.06, P = 0.44) or fibroid size (r = 0.09, P = 0.26, and r = 0.01, P = 0.92). Conclusions Women presenting for evaluation and treatment of fibroids report high rates of pelvic floor symptoms, particularly urinary frequency and pelvic pressure. However, uterine size and fibroid size are not associated with pelvic floor symptom bother.
Russian Students' Use of Social Network Sites for Selecting University Abroad: Case Study at the Russian State University for Humanities

This qualitative case study explores how undergraduate students from the Russian State University for Humanities used social network sites (SNSs) for their decision to transfer to higher education institutions (HEIs) abroad. Participants reported using specific SNS features, such as likes and shares, for measuring HEI rating and indicated that ability to use native language was among motivating factors for membership in a specific SNS. The reported benefits of SNSs included instantaneous connections with likeminded individuals, realistic visualization of campuses, and unbiased and multidimensional views presented by SNS members. One of the emerging findings was that participants with no connections abroad relied exclusively on SNSs for their college choice. Participants with connections abroad relied on the advice of international contacts, and SNSs played a complementary role. HEI professionals may consider hiring and training international students to maintain consistent and meaningful content on different SNS platforms, particularly in their countries’ specific SNSs.
Protests from Within: Engaging with Employee Activists

Recent years have witnessed a growing trend of stakeholder issues becoming prominent in discussions of corporate governance. One source of this pressure comes from an unexpected constituent: the company’s own employee base. In this Closer Look, we examine the rise of employee activism and its implications on corporate mission, the board, and management. We ask: • How well does management and the board understand the impact of employee activism on its business? • Does activism lead to lost productivity, or does supporting activist initiatives improve the company’s reputation in the labor market? • How well has the board set the boundaries on ESG-related activities the company will engage in? • How should companies engage in relevant issues without losing sight of the company’s core mission?
Structures of topoisomerase V in complex with DNA reveal unusual DNA binding mode and novel relaxation mechanism

Topoisomerase V is a unique topoisomerase that combines DNA repair and topoisomerase activities. The enzyme has an unusual arrangement, with a small topoisomerase domain followed by 12 tandem (HhH)2 domains, which include three AP lyase repair domains. The unusual architecture of this enzyme bears no resemblance to any other known topoisomerase. Here we present structures of topoisomerase V in complex with DNA. The structures show that the (HhH)2 domains wrap around the DNA and in this manner appear to act as a processivity factor. There is a conformational change in the protein to expose the topoisomerase active site. The DNA bends sharply to enter the active site, which melts the DNA and probably facilitates relaxation. The structures show a DNA binding mode not observed before and provide information on the way this unusual topoisomerase relaxes DNA.
Sodium Intake in the U.S.: Evidence From Scanner Data

Diet quality can be improved via two factors: healthier product offerings by food manufacturers and healthier purchasing habits of consumers. In this paper, we take a closer look at sodium, a food constituent identified as an important determinant of several acute health problems. In 2009, food manufacturers in the U.S. voluntarily committed to substantial reductions in sodium content through a self-regulatory process known as the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI). The NSRI set sodium reduction targets for 2012 and 2014, where the targets were based on a sales-weighted average of the sodium content across products. While the existing evidence suggests that the NSRI was partially successful in reducing sodium intake, a limitation of using a sales-weighted measure as a metric is that it conflates two effects: reformulation efforts by food manufacturers (the focal point of the initiative) and changes in consumer purchasing behavior. In this paper, we use UPC-level nutrition data on the near-universe of all packaged food products in the U.S. over 2007-2015 to quantify each effect. We find that the two effects exerted strikingly opposing forces, nearly canceling each other out: while reformulation efforts contribute to a 53% reduction in sodium intake, the changes in consumer shopping behavior increase the intake by 48.3%. Furthermore, our results show that lower income households as well as ethnic and racial minority groups experience the smallest sodium reductions. The results suggest that policy interventions towards reducing the sodium intake should focus on altering consumer behavior, especially in vulnerable populations.
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey response rates are significantly affected by patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patients’ satisfaction of their hospital experience. A minority of discharged patients return the survey. Underlying bias among who ultimately returns the survey (non-response bias) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may affect results of the survey. Thus, the objective of the current study is to assess the relationship between patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes on HCAHPS survey nonresponse. Methods All adult patients at a single institution undergoing inpatient, elective, primary TKA between February 2013 and May 2020 were selected for analysis. Following discharge, all patients had been mailed the HCAHPS survey. The primary outcome analyzed in the current study is survey return. Patient characteristics, surgical variables, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with return of the HCAHPS survey. Results Of 4,804 TKA patients identified, 1,498 (31.22%) returned HCAHPS surveys. On multivariate regression analyses controlling for patient factors, patients who did not return the survey were more likely to have a higher American Society of Anesthesia score (ASA score of 4 or higher, OR = 2.37; P<0.001), and be partially or totally dependent (OR = 2.37; P = 0.037). Similarly, patients who did not return the survey were more likely to have had a readmission (OR = 1.94; P<0.001), be discharged to a place other than home (OR = 1.52; P<0.001), or stay in the hospital for longer than 3 days (OR = 1.43; P = 0.004). Discussion Following TKA, HCAHPS survey response rate was only 31.22% and completion of the survey was associated with several demographic and postoperative variables. These findings suggest that HCAHPS survey results capture a non-representative fraction of the true TKA patient population. This bias is necessary to consider when using HCAHPS survey results as a metric for quality of healthcare and federal reimbursement rates.
Ionic strength modulates HU protein-induced DNA supercoiling

Abstract The histone-like protein from E. coli strain U93 (HU) is an abundant nucleoid-associated protein that contributes to the compaction of the bacterial genome as well as to the regulation of many of its transactions. Despite many years of investigations, the way and extent to which HU binding alters the DNA double helix and/or generates hierarchical structures using DNA as a scaffold is not completely understood. Here we combined single-molecule magnetic measurements with circular dichroism studies to monitor structural changes in the DNA-HU fiber as HU concentration was increased from 0 to 1000 nM under low and physiological monovalent salt conditions. We confirmed that DNA compaction correlated with HU concentration in a biphasic manner but DNA unwinding varied monotonically with HU concentration in 100 mM KCl. Instead, in more physiological 200 mM salt conditions, DNA compaction was monotonic while HU-induced DNA unwinding was negligible. Differential compaction and unwinding of DNA may be part of the response of bacteria to large variations in salt concentrations.
A longitudinal investigation of COVID-19 pandemic experiences and mental health among university students

OBJECTIVES Previous studies have established a link between the COVID-19 pandemic and poor mental health. They further suggest that young adults may be especially vulnerable to worsened mental health during the pandemic, but few studies have investigated which specific aspects of the COVID-19 experience affect psychological well-being over time. To better understand concrete predictors of poor mental health outcomes in this population, we identified several pandemic-related experiences and evaluated their effects on mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol, and substance use) in a sample of U.S. college students (N = 176). METHODS Both mental health symptoms and pandemic-related experiences were evaluated at the start of quarantine (March/April 2020, Time 1) and the end of the Spring 2020 semester (May 2020, Time 2). Given the limited literature on specific predictors of mental health during a pandemic, we used elastic net regression, a novel analytic method that helps with variable selection when theoretical background is limited, to narrow our field of possible predictors. RESULTS While mental health symptoms were elevated at both timepoints, there were no clinically significant changes from Time 1 to Time 2 and few differences between sociodemographic groups. Both disruption due to the pandemic (β = .25, p = .021) and limited confidence in the federal government's response (β = -.14, p = .038) were significant predictors of depression symptoms at the end of the semester, even when controlling for baseline depression. Further, predictions that the pandemic would continue to impact daily life further into the future were linked with pandemic stress response symptoms (β = .15, p = .032) at Time 2, beyond the effects of baseline symptoms. Alcohol (β = -.22, p = .024) and substance use (β = -.26, p = .01) were associated with reduced adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that specific aspects of the pandemic experience may be influencing internalizing symptoms and alcohol/substance use in college students, pointing to potential avenues for targeted support and intervention. PRACTITIONER POINTS A range of factors may influence university student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who expect the pandemic will continue to impact daily life further into the future maybe more likely to report stress symptoms. Disruption due to the pandemic and limited confidence in the federal government's response may be associated with depression symptoms. Alcohol and substance use are associated with lower COVID-19 guideline adherence in university students.
Jewish Messianism and the History of Philosophy

Jewish Messianism and the History of Philosophy contests the ancient opposition between Athens and Jerusalem by retrieving the concept of meontology - the doctrine of nonbeing - from the Jewish philosophical and theological tradition. For Emmanuel Levinas, as well as for Franz Rosenzweig, Hermann Cohen and Moses Maimonides, the Greek concept of nonbeing (understood as both lack and possibility) clarifies the meaning of Jewish life. These thinkers of 'Jerusalem' use 'Athens' for Jewish ends, justifying Jewish anticipation of a future messianic era as well as portraying the subjects intellectual and ethical acts as central in accomplishing redemption. This book envisions Jewish thought as an expression of the intimate relationship between Athens and Jerusalem. It also offers new readings of important figures in contemporary Continental philosophy, critiquing previous arguments about the role of lived religion in the thought of Jacques Derrida, the role of Plato in the thought of Emmanuel Levinas and the centrality of ethics in the thought of Franz Rosenzweig.
Chemotherapy of Legionnaires' Disease with Macrolide or Quinolone Antimicrobial Agents

Effective antimicrobial chemotherapy of Legionnaires’ disease is driven primarily by the location of Legionella pneumophila inside cells, primarily alveolar macrophages. Determining optimal chemotherapy for Legionnaires’ disease by conducting truly informative clinical trials is generally of little use since the disease is uncommon and because the fatality rates in most community-acquired cases are relatively low. For effective chemotherapy to occur there must be colocalization of the bacterium and antimicrobial agents, and the antimicrobial agent must retain bioactivity against the bacterium. The β-lactam drugs are instead found in the cytosol, probably the main reason why they are ineffective in the treatment of Legionnaires’ disease. In cell culture model, erythromycin therapy results in survival rates that are the same for azithromycin or active quinolone antimicrobial agents. A number of obstacles have prevented such studies, including the great cost of diagnostic testing for Legionnaires’ disease, the relative rarity of the disease, and the usually low mortality in most community-acquired cases of the disease. Erythromycin is relatively poorly active against Legionella pneumophila in cell culture and animal model studies. The superior drugs are azithromycin, levofloxacin, and some of the newer quinolone antimicrobial agents. There is little good evidence that addition of rifampin is beneficial for those receiving azithromycin, levofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin, and there is potential for undesirable toxicities or side effects from addition of rifampin.
Pneumococcal Invasion: Development of Bacteremia and Meningitis

Invasive pneumococcal infection is one of the most common causes of death in children worldwide. Particularly severe are infections of the blood and brain, the focus of this chapter. The underlying molecular mechanism of bacterial translocation across epithelia and endothelia, known as innate invasion, is surprisingly simple and, after its discovery for pneumococcus, it has been documented for a wide variety of respiratory pathogens. To reach the brain, the causative agents of meningitis share the ability to bind to laminin receptors to adhere to cerebral vessels. Endocytosis is then initiated by bacterial surface-bound phosphorylcholine, which, by molecular mimicry, binds the ubiquitous chemokine receptor platelet activating factor receptor. Once in the tissues, pneumococcal cell wall and pneumolysin are potent inflammatory signals and induce widespread host cell damage. Each step in this conserved invasion scenario offers targets for improved therapy and prevention of meningitis.
Robot manipulation in human environments

Human environments present special challenges for robot manipulation. They are often dynamic, difficult to predict, and beyond the control of a robot engineer. Fortunately, many characteristics of these settings can be used to a robot's advantage. Human environments are typically populated by people, and a robot can rely on the guidance and assistance of a human collaborator. Everyday objects exhibit common, task-relevant features that reduce the cognitive load required for the object's use. Many tasks can be achieved through the detection and control of these sparse perceptual features. And finally, a robot is more than a passive observer of the world. It can use its body to reduce its perceptual uncertainty about the world. In this thesis we present advances in robot manipulation that address the unique challenges of human environments. We describe the design of a humanoid robot named Domo, develop methods that allow Domo to assist a person in everyday tasks, and discuss general strategies for building robots that work alongside people in their homes and workplaces. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
The bacteriostatic activity of pHisoHex on the vaginal flora.

Abstract The results of this study indicate that pHisoHex will control the growth of certain bacteria. Its effectiveness was most consistent among gram-positive cocci and anaerobic bacteria, the more frequent offenders in puerperal infection. The coliform group which may also incite puerperal infections was less affected by the detergent. Actually when pHisoHex was self-administered positive cultures for these organisms increased. Hence, the hazard of coliform invasion of the vagina in self-administered therapy is a definite one. When frequent instillations were performed under aseptic precautions, marked reduction in coccal forms of bacteria was observed. In approximately 34 per cent of the patients who received this type of treatment, vaginal cultures became sterile. It is well recognized that potential pathogens such as aerobic and anaerobic streptococci are best maintained in a media at a constant pH which approaches that of blood. Therefore, the bacteriostatic effect of the detergent pHisoHex undoubtedly involves a reduction of the vaginal pH as well as the antibacterial action of the substance itself.
The Longevity Prescription: The 8 Proven Keys to a Long, Healthy Life, by Robert N. Butler

This final book by world renowned gerontologist Robert Butler is a must-have for all libraries. The Longevity Prescription focuses on a variety of ways individuals can control their own health at a...
The relative efficacy of antifibrinolytics in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: Antifibrinolytics can reduce intraoperative blood loss. The primary aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of intraoperative tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, and placebo at reducing perioperative blood loss and the transfusion rate in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal arthrodesis. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, and placebo used intraoperatively in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. One hundred and twenty-five patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were randomly assigned to the tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, or control groups. Parameters recorded included estimated blood loss, hematocrit, blood product usage, drain output, and total blood losses. The primary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage. Secondary outcomes were transfusion requirements and hematocrit changes both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results: One hundred and twenty-five patients (ninety-seven female and twenty-eight male, with a mean age of fifteen years) were randomized to receive tranexamic acid (thirty-six patients), epsilon-aminocaproic acid (forty-two patients), or saline solution (forty-seven patients). The groups were similar at baseline, with one exception: the saline solution group had a higher estimated blood volume at baseline than the tranexamic acid group. Both tranexamic acid and epsilon-aminocaproic acid reduced the estimated blood loss per degree and estimated blood loss per pedicle screw. Epsilon-aminocaproic acid, but not tranexamic acid, reduced estimated blood loss and estimated blood loss per level. Tranexamic acid also reduced total blood losses compared with epsilon-aminocaproic acid or saline solution. In an analysis controlling for level, degree, and number of anchors, tranexamic acid reduced drain output and total blood losses. Tranexamic acid or epsilon-aminocaproic acid had a smaller decrease in hematocrit postoperatively. In an analysis controlling for the mean arterial pressure during surgical exposure, tranexamic acid reduced estimated blood loss and total blood losses. Overall, antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid or epsilon-aminocaproic acid) reduced estimated blood loss, total blood losses, and the decline in hematocrit postoperatively compared with saline solution. There was no difference among the groups with respect to the transfusion rate, duration of surgery, levels fused, or pedicle screws placed. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid and epsilon-aminocaproic acid reduced operative blood loss but not transfusion rate. Tranexamic acid is more effective at reducing postoperative drainage and total blood losses compared with epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Maintenance of the mean arterial pressure at <75 mm Hg during surgical exposure appears to be critical for maximizing antifibrinolytic benefit. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Alterations in three-dimensional joint kinematics of anterior cruciate ligament-deficient and -reconstructed knees during walking.

Abstract Background High risk of cartilage degeneration and premature osteoarthritis development has been clinically observed in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees. The risk has not been significantly reduced even after ACL reconstructive surgery. It was hypothesized that three-dimensional knee joint kinematics has been altered after ACL injury, and the biomechanical alteration has not been fully restored to a normal level after reconstructive surgery. Methods Spatiotemporal parameters and three-dimensional knee joint rotations and translations were measured in ACL-deficient, ACL-reconstructed, and ACL-intact knees during level walking. The variables were compared between the ACL-deficient and ACL-intact knees, as well as between the ACL-reconstructed and ACL-intact knees. Findings Altered spatiotemporal variables and key event timings in a gait cycle were observed in both ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed subjects. Significant reduction of extension was observed in the ACL-deficient knees during midstance and in the ACL-reconstructed knees during swing phase. Greater varus and internal tibial rotation were identified in the ACL-deficient knees. Although being small in magnitude, these secondary kinematic alterations were consistent throughout the whole gait cycle, and such trends were not eliminated in the ACL-reconstructed knees. Interpretation Significant abnormalities of spatiotemporal performance and three-dimensional joint kinematics during walking were identified in the ACL-deficient knees. The ACL-reconstructed knees exhibited some improvement in joint kinematics, but not being fully restored to a normal level. Identification of biomechanical alterations during daily activities in ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees could help better understand clinical outcomes and seek improvement in surgical technique and rehabilitation regimen for ACL injury treatment.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL LAGRANGIAN MODEL OF CHIRAL SU(3) x SU(3) FOR MESONS AND BARYONS WITH SYMMETRY BREAKING.

Using the techniques of nonlinear realization of $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$, we write a Lagrangian for the pseudoscalar nonet and ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$-baryon octet with a symmetry-breaking term transforming like a vector in a (3,3*) \ensuremath{\bigoplus} (3*,3) representation of $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$. This Lagrangian yields a mass formula (different from the Gell-Mann-Okubo mass formula) for the pseudoscalar octet, and, if we neglect $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mixing, then this formula fits the experimental masses to an accuracy of about 1 MeV. From this Lagrangian, explicit expressions for the axial-vector currents in terms of particle fields are obtained. The tree-diagram prescription then yields a modified Goldberger-Treiman relation consistent with experimental measurements.
Kappa-opioid receptor selectivity for ischemic neuroprotection with BRL 52537 in rats.

κ-Opioid receptors (KOR) have been implicated in neuroprotection from ischemic neuronal injury, but less work has been performed with transient focal cerebral ischemia to determine the role of KOR during reperfusion. We tested the effects of a selective and specific KOR agonist, BRL 52537 hydrochlor
Evaluation of [18F]-(-)-norchlorofluorohomoepibatidine ([18F]-(-)-NCFHEB) as a PET radioligand to image the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in non-human primates

Abstract Introduction The aims of the present study were to develop an optimized microfluidic method for the production of the selective nicotinic acetylcholine α 4 β 2 receptor radiotracer [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB ([ 18 F]-Flubatine) and to investigate its receptor binding profile and pharmacokinetic properties in rhesus monkeys in vivo . Methods [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB was prepared in two steps, a nucleophilic fluorination followed by N -Boc deprotection. PET measurements were performed in rhesus monkeys including baseline and preblocking experiments with nicotine (0.24 mg/kg). Radiometabolites in plasma were measured using HPLC. Results [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB was prepared in a total synthesis time of 140 min. The radiochemical purity in its final formulation was > 98% and the mean specific radioactivity was 97.3 ± 16.1 GBq/μmol (n = 6) at end of synthesis (EOS). In the monkey brain, radioactivity concentration was high in the thalamus, moderate in the putamen, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and lower in the cerebellum. Nicotine blocked 98-100% of [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB specific binding, and the non-displaceable distribution volume ( V ND ) was estimated at 5.9 ± 1.0 mL/cm 3 (n = 2), or 6.6 ± 1.1 mL/cm 3 after normalization by the plasma free fraction f P . Imaging data are amenable to kinetic modeling analysis using the multilinear analysis (MA1) method, and model-derived binding parameters display good test-retest reproducibility. In rhesus monkeys, [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB can yield robust regional binding potential ( BP ND ) values (thalamus = 4.1 ± 1.5, frontal cortex = 1.2 ± 0.2, putamen = 0.96 ± 0.45, and cerebellum = 0.10 ± 0.29). Conclusion An efficient microfluidic synthetic method was developed for preparation of [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB. PET examination in rhesus monkeys showed that [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB entered the brain readily and its regional radioactivity uptake pattern was in accordance with the known distribution of α 4 β 2 receptors. Estimated non-displaceable binding potential ( BP ND ) values in brain regions were better than those of [ 18 F]2-FA and comparable to [ 18 F]AZAN. These results confirm previous findings and support further examination of [ 18 F]-(-)-NCFHEB in humans.