cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Review of Potential New Methods of On-Line Pork Carcass Evaluation

On-line techniques for estimating carcass composition and value with potential for eventual application in the packing industry must be accurate, rapid, dependable in a plant environment and cost-efficient. Several potential technologies are discussed and data are presented to establish the relative accuracy of real-time ultrasound imaging, electromagnetic scanning and optical electronic fat-lean probes. Market-weight barrows and gilts were subjected to ultrasound image analysis prior to slaughter. Carcasses were evaluated for composition using electromagnetic scanning, ultrasound image analysis, opticai probe analysis and direct measurement of loin muscle area and fat depth with a dot grid and ruler. Carcasses were fabricated into standard U.S. primal cuts and each cut was dissected into lean, fat, bone and skin. Multiple linear regression analyses to predict weight of total dissected carcass lean revealed that the electronic signal from the electromagnetic scanner, carcass length and temperature combined gave an R 2 of .89 (RSD 1.74). Carcass ultrasound images of fat depth and loin muscle area at the 10th rib and warm carcass weight gave an R 2 of .79 (RSD 2.20). The electronic probe for fat and muscle depth at the 10th rib of chilled carcasses and chilled carcass weight gave an R 2 of .79 (RSD 2.19). The R 2 is .81 (RSD 2.07) when actual loin muscle area and fat depth were determined by direct measurement in ribbed carcasses and combined with carcass weight. (Key Words: Carcass Yield, Body Composition, Pigs, Technology.)
Notes on the Ecology of the Dark Rice Field Mosquito, Psorophora Confinnis, in Coachella Valley, California (Diptera: Culicidae)

P. confinnis occur in a variety of temporary waters in this area in southern California, but on many ranches larvae were found only in irrigated date lanes. Here larval-pupal densities are higher in grassy areas and under pruned date fronds than in areas bare of cover, and larvae concentrate near cow droppings. Size of fourth-instar larvae tends to vary inversely with larval density. Fourth-instar larvae and pupae were once observed completing their development in muddy areas where irrigation water had disappeared from the surface. In the laboratory they can do so on moist filter paper, but third-instar larvae develop no farther. Larvae and pupae are attracted to light at night. Water persists in the date lanes for an average of 5.1 days after each semimonthly flooding; the aquatic development of confinnis can be completed within this time only at water temperatures of 26°C or higher. Hence adults are numerous only from mid-June through September. The scarcity or absence of adults on irrigated ranches lacking live-stock suggests that cattle are the necessary principal host. Females usually cannot pierce human skin until 4 hours after emergence; to survive they must feed within 24 hours. Adults are nocturnal and both sexes are attracted to lights. Trap-light captures reach a peak 2 or 3 hours after sunset. During the day adults cling to grasses, especially over moist or soggy soil, and fly only a few meters when disturbed, usually at a height of 1 meter or less. Males disappear rather abruptly but the female population declines slowly as the soil dries. Tests show moist soil with grass cover strongly preferred for oviposition, and moist soil without cover, water, and dry soil are progressively less attractive. Toxaphene, ¾ gallon in 50 gallons of water per 5 acres, kills second- and third-stage larvae, but is ineffective against older aquatic stages. Control possibly could be achieved by changing the irrigation regime so that water would persist in the lanes only 3 or 4 days after each flooding.
Malformation of the erythrocytes in a case of atypical retinitis pigmentosa.

A case is presented of a girl, aged 18, born of parents who were first cousins. She had an atypical retinitis pigmentosa with involvement of the macula. The neurologic examination showed diffuse disease of the central nervous system, as seen in Friedreich’s ataxia. An additional finding (hitherto undescribed) was that of a malformation of the red blood cells. These cells had a peculiar crenated appearance, due to the presence of pseudopods or protoplasmic projections varying in size and shape. They were constantly present in stained blood films taken one year apart. A similar finding in a younger brother, with beginning retinal pigmentary degeneration, added additional proof of the hereditary nature of the condition.
Lysophosphatidic Acid and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Activation of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with lysophosphatic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate activation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Physiological functions of lysophospholipids (LPs) are mediated by cell surface receptors. The study begins with a brief history and nomenclature of the receptor describing its evolution and significance in cell signaling. All of the LP receptors are capable of interacting with a number of heterotrimeric G proteins with different affinities, and wide-ranging physiological responses are produced via the coupling of G proteins. This is explained in detail. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are produced by the action of a number of different enzymes. As signaling mediators in vivo , the production and degradation of lysophospholipids must be tightly controlled. The metabolism of LPA has been partially characterized, and involves a number of convergent biosynthetic pathways and enzymes of varied specificity. There are multiple pathways responsible for LPA production and their metabolism involves a number of specific and highly conserved enzymes. Recent findings from the study of LPA receptor knockouts have identified effects on multiple other organ systems, including lung, cardiovascular, immune system, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract, that are likely to be expanded in the near future.
Model Based Software Development of Non-preemptive Multi-tasking System

A method of modeling, simulation and auto-coding of OSEK compliant software for embedded application with non-preemptive multitasking is presented in this paper. The system services and the application programming interfaces (APIs) of the operating system (OS) has been modeled in Matlab ® environment. The application layer model uses the OS interfaces and simulates the functionality along with interaction with operating system so that the design can be verified before the implementation. The paper discusses the challenges of modeling and simulating the OS interactions and demonstrates the example models developed and the experiences. Also, an overview of the model based software development process is portrayed.
The process of family member marginalization: Turning points experienced by “black sheep”

Family member marginalization, or feeling different, not included, or not approved of by family, is a chronically stressful interpersonal process with negative mental and physical health consequences. Framed by hurtful communication, this study took an interpretive approach to understanding the process of marginalization in families. Across 30 marginalized family members, 184 turning points were reported, which were organized into 22 event categories and 4 supracategories. Communication events included disclosures, ceasing contact, and deception, among others. The most commonly reported turning points were “normative” life events such as weddings and having children. Five trajectories captured the process of marginalization. Ambivalent events and a new way of understanding the underlying motivations behind turning points are forwarded, with implications for interpersonal process scholars.
Training Current and Future Leaders

Abstract Medicine lags behind other professions in prioritizing leadership development initiatives. Medical professionals are faced with increasingly complex and ethically challenging situations on a daily basis. Utilizing effective leadership techniques such as the democratic and transformative leadership styles result in improved outcomes at all levels of an organization. Learning effective leadership skills is beneficial to medical professionals at any point in their career. These skills can be taught through mentorship, formal academic coursework, focused workshops, and intensive assessments tailored to individual personality types. Important initial steps toward developing current and future leaders among healthcare professionals include dedicating the time and resources required and accepting leadership development as a necessary part of professional development within medicine.
A vanadium dioxide integrated hybird metamaterial with electrically driven multifunctional control

An electric current triggered multifunctional vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) integrated photonic metamaterial is presented. In our metamaterial design, the nanoengineered topologically continuous metallic structure simultaneously supports the optical and electrical functionalities. Moreover, acting as part of the resonating structure, the VO 2 thin film enables the tunable nature of the device. By presenting a series of proof-of-concept studies, we demonstrate the proposed hybrid metamaterial as a new platform for multifunction electro-optic control including reflectance switching, a rewritable memory process and manageable localized camouflage. The design methodology introduced here provides a universal approach to creating self-sufficient and highly versatile nanophotonic systems.
Value-Based Pricing

Rising costs in healthcare mean that many countries can no longer absorb the increased expenses associated with innovative yet expensive new medicines. Innovation and investment in research and development (R&D) have become secondary factors to cash-strapped governments looking to control spending on healthcare. To award a premium price, governments in these markets now require a demonstration of clinical, patient and economic value of comparable products. In accordance with this trend, both the US and UK Governments have introduced reforms to measure and establish comparative value. The differences in their healthcare systems represent an ideal comparison of the impact of reforms in a predominantly public funded system (UK) with a system largely supported by private health insurance contributions (US). The extent to which these reforms affect national spending on healthcare will very likely inform and influence countries looking to implement their own healthcare reforms. Through its creation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the UK has long been an advocate of understanding the cost effectiveness of available medicines. The UK has now developed plans to link established value, as determined by NICE, to a list price under value-based pricing (VBP). The US, on the other hand, has ensured that any comparisons of value are made on clinical qualities and not on cost effectiveness. As part of its healthcare reforms, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has been created to fund and carry out comparative effectiveness research to determine comparative value of therapeutic alternatives. Importantly, legislation prevents it from funding and carrying out cost-effectiveness comparisons. Furthermore, public providers in the US, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are prohibited from basing coverage decisions solely on the PCORI’s research. This is in contrast to the UK where NICE appraisals are directly linked to product uptake and can have significant effects on the success of the product. Either way, in both the US and UK, the dissemination of data comparing therapeutic options, using direct or indirect comparisons, will enable both private and public payers to make informed decisions on product value. Such VBP significantly steps away from the free pricing environment that previously characterized these markets. These reforms will have implications for the way the industry conducts R&D and will place varying levels of importance on different types of evidence. Head-to-head comparisons and postmarket observational research will likely become critical factors in achieving and maintaining premium prices in the UK and access in the US.
A New Suite of Plasmid Vectors for Fluorescence-Based Imaging of Root Colonizing Pseudomonads

In the terrestrial ecosystem, plant-microbe symbiotic associations are ecologically and economically important processes. To better understand these associations at structural and functional levels, different molecular and biochemical tools are applied. In this study, we have constructed a suite of vectors that incorporates several new elements into the rhizosphere stable, broad-host vector pME6031. The new vectors are useful for studies requiring multi-color tagging and visualization of plant-associated, Gram-negative bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas plant growth promotion and biocontrol strains. A number of genetic elements, including constitutive promoters and signal peptides that target secretion to the periplasm, have been evaluated. Several next generation fluorescent proteins, namely mTurquoise2, mNeonGreen, mRuby2, DsRed-Express2 and E2-Crimson have been incorporated into the vectors for whole cell labeling or protein tagging. Secretion of mTurquoise2 and mNeonGreen into the periplasm of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 has also been demonstrated, providing a vehicle for tagging proteins in the periplasmic compartment. A higher copy number version of select plasmids has been produced by introduction of a previously described repA mutation, affording an increase in protein expression levels. The utility of these plasmids for fluorescence-based imaging is demonstrated by root colonization of Solanum lycopersicum seedlings by P. fluorescens SBW25 in a hydroponic growth system. The plasmids are stably maintained during root colonization in the absence of selective pressure for more than 2 weeks.
Ex-vivo culture of normal and cancerous tissues: a tissue slice model

398 Purpose: Cell cultures are widely used in cancer research though correlation with in vivo research is often poor. We propose an ex-vivo model of human tissue cultures that more closely resemble the in vivo three-dimensional environment to evaluate biological mechanisms present in pathological conditions. Fresh tissue are cut at the desired thickness by a vibrating microtome to obtain organotypic cultures. For validation we assessed tissue viability and the expression of selected members of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Procedures: We investigated 14 samples of colorectal, lung and prostate carcinomas (K) and 5 matched normal (N) specimens. Slices (400μm thick) were cultured on permeable membrane inserts in complete Ham F-12 media up to 96h after resection. Slices were evaluated every 24h: for each time point, one slice was formalin-fixed for morphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation and one slice was snap-frozen for qPCR studies. Slices for baseline conditions (T0) were used as reference for all experiments. Tissues proliferative status was assessed by Mib1 staining. We investigated the PI3K/Akt pathway by phospho-specific antibodies and by qPCR (table 1). Results: Tissue viability was maintained across all time points. All tumor tissues displayed proliferative activity up to 96h in contrast to normal samples. FASN displayed the most stable expression among the whole dataset. In tumors we observed an increase in p-S6K at 24, 48 and 96h schedules. Normal cultures showed stable low levels of p-AKT and p-S6K. Results of qPCR are presented in table 1. Normal samples were remarkably stable across all time points regardless of tissue origin. In tumors, a general increase in mRNA synthesis was appreciated. FAK and PI3K were upregulated from T24 to T96 whereas only BIRC5 was reduced. Conclusions: This tissue slice model represents a simple and suitable method to maintain tissue architecture with preservation of tumor-stroma interactions. This model can be used to evaluate dynamically pathological processes.
Endocrine and metabolic profile of peripubertal Standardbred colts.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of reproductive and metabolic hormones during the peripubertal period and to assess their relationship with testicular development and body fat deposition. Blood samples were collected from 23 healthy Standardbred colts every four weeks for twelve months. Colts were weighed monthly, and percent of body fat and testicular volume estimated by ultrasound. Onset of puberty was determined as the month when testosterone was two standard deviations above the previous mean. Plasma FSH, LH, leptin, estradiol-17β, androstenedione, IGF-1, insulin, inhibin-A, and inhibin-B were analyzed for a seven month peripubertal period. Spring born Standardbred colts underwent puberty at 13 months of age; onset of puberty coincided with exponential testicular growth but did not coincide with an increase in cutaneous body fat deposition or leptin (p > 0.05). Plasma inhibin-B concentrations were significantly increased in the postpubertal period (p
Evaluation Techniques of the PICC Tip Placement

Correct tip position of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) is of paramount importance in order to ensure good catheter performances and to prevent severe complications such as venous thrombosis or vessel/heart perforation. PICCs are prone to high rates of primary malposition if placed without any intraoperative method of tip control, due to their pronounced flexibility and the long route they must go through to reach the atriocaval junction.
Current advances in ER stress intervention therapies

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of synthesis and folding of membrane-localised and secretory proteins. The load upon ER client proteins that cells process varies considerably depending on cell type and physiological state and cells adapt to this variation by modulating both the capacity of the ER to process proteins and the load of client proteins synthesised. The flux of proteins through the ER is carefully monitored by cells for abnormalities, including a build up of mis-folded proteins. Mammalian cells have evolved an intricate set of signalling pathways from the ER to the cytosol and nucleus, to allow the cell to respond to the presence of misfolded proteins within the ER. These pathways, known collectively as the unfolded protein response (UPR), are important for normal cellular homeostasis and organism development and may play key roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this chapter we will discuss a number of diseases whose pathogenesis involves ER stress and UPR. In addition we discuss the potential therapeutic avenues available for modulation of ER stress in disease states and autophagy.
The Picture Exchange Communication System: Effects on Manding and Speech Development for School-Aged Children with Autism

We examined the effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS; Frost & Bondy, 2002) on the manding (requesting) and speech development of school-aged children with autism. In study 1, two participants, Damian and Bob, were taught PECS within a delayed multiple baseline design. Both participants demonstrated increased levels of manding after implementation of PECS. Only Damian demon- strated any measurable speech during study 1. His speech development occurred primarily during phase IV of PECS. Because of the positive relationship between Phase IV and increased speech for Damian, study 2 was conducted to confirm a functional relationship between phase IV procedures and speech development for an additional participant. Carl received phase IV training procedures in two conditions, administered in an ABAB design. In condition A, no reinforcement was provided for vocalization; in condition B, reinforcement was provided for vocalization after a delay of 3- to 5-s. The vocal reinforcement procedures in phase B differentially increased Carl's speech. Results are discussed in terms of research on augmentative and alternative commu- nication and speech development for children with autism.
Plasma HPV cell-free DNA monitoring in advanced HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract Background Measuring cell-free (cf)DNA in blood and tissues holds significant potential as a minimally invasive method for disease monitoring in cancer. Cancers arising in the oropharynx and causally linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) represent an ideal model in which to interrogate these methods. Patients and methods We designed an ultrasensitive and quantitative droplet digital (dd)PCR assay to detect the five dominant high-risk HPV subtypes linked to oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). We enrolled a pilot observational cohort of 22 patients with advanced HPV+ OPC to evaluate the clinical utility of our assay and explore its predictive and prognostic potential. Results Total tumor burden (TTB) strongly correlated with HPV cfDNA levels (R = 0.91, P = 2.3×10−6) at this cohort size, and in most cases more distant anatomic disease locations predicted increasing HPV cfDNA levels. All participants demonstrated a corresponding change in their HPV cfDNA levels at a median of 16 days (range 12–38) before restaging scans confirming treatment response or progression. Patients with locoregional disease in the head and neck or pulmonary-only metastases had worse outcomes (P = 0.01). Both TTB and median plasma HPV cfDNA levels negatively correlated with survival (R=−0.65, P = 0.01; R=−0.48, P = 0.05, respectively). Conclusion(s) Plasma HPV cfDNA monitoring recapitulates fluctuations in disease status. While blood-based HPV DNA monitoring does not currently have a role in managing HPV+ OPC, these data speak to their broad clinical potential in an era of precision medicine.
Da Vinci Xi robot decreases the number of thoracotomy cases in pulmonary resection.

Background: Minimally invasive pulmonary resection has been shown to provide superior outcomes compared to open thoracotomy. We sought to determine if adding a robot to a general thoracic surgery practice would decrease the total number of open thoracotomy cases. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database from 2012–2017. We grouped patients before and after the date of first robot usage with the vascular stapler in pulmonary resections. We analyzed the number of patients who underwent either an elective thoracotomy or were converted to thoracotomy from a planned minimally invasive approach. Results: There were 389 patients who underwent pulmonary resection between the two time periods. There were 220 patients (56.6%) from 2012–2015 prior to the first use of the robot with vascular stapler and 169 patients (43.4%) from 2016–2017 after the addition of the robot. During the pre-robot time period, 194 of 220 cases (88.2%) were performed with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) while during the post-robot time period, 118 of 169 cases (69.8%) were performed with the robot. A significantly higher number of patients (41 total, 19%) required a thoracotomy in the pre-robot time period compared to the post-robot time period (8 total, 5%, P Conclusions: The adoption of a robot with a vascular stapler may decrease the number of patients who require a thoracotomy. Potential explanations include an improved ability to perform complex minimally invasive pulmonary resections.
Risk factors for fistula formation after interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced gynecological cancers involving vagina.

Purpose To determine risk factors for fistula formation after interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) in patients with advanced gynecologic cancers. Material and methods We performed an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved retrospective review of 44 patients treated with transperineal template-based ISBT from 2011 to 2017 at a major metropolitan county and university health system. All patients were treated with image-guided high-dose-rate ISBT. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test to identify factors correlated with fistula formation. Survival and tumor control outcomes were calculated using Kaplan Meier analyses. Results Patients had a mean age of 53 years (range, 28-81 years), a mean external beam dose of 43.1 Gy (range, 42.5-51.3 Gy), and a mean brachytherapy dose of 22.8 Gy (range, 21.3-30 Gy). Two of 44 patients had fistulas that could be definitively attributed to therapy for a fistula rate of 4.5%. Six additional patients (13.6%) developed fistula after treatment with associated recurrent disease but were included in the causality analysis. We analyzed patient tumor and treatment factors, and on univariate analyses we found that age ≥ 60 years, Hispanic ethnicity, bladder involvement, rectal D2 cc ≥ 70 Gy, and whether patients had post-radiation biopsies were predictors for fistula formation. The 1-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were 85%, 58.5%, and 76.9%, respectively, with a mean follow-up time 23 months (range, 4.0-68.8 months). Conclusions We identified factors that predict fistula formation in patients with advanced gynecologic tumors treated with ISBT. These factors can be used to stratify patients into a high-risk group, with potential for modification of brachytherapy planning to reduce their risk of fistula formation.
Evapotranspiration in North America: implications for water resources in a changing climate

Accurate quantification of evapotranspiration (ET) is important to understanding its role in the global hydrological cycle of terrestrial ecosystems and feedbacks to the climate system. This study improves ET quantification in North America using a data assimilation technique and a process-based Terrestrial Ecosystem Model as well as in situ and satellite data. ET is modeled using the Penman-Monteith equation with an improved leaf area index (LAI) algorithm in a biogeochemistry model, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM). The evaluated TEM was used to estimate ET at site and regional scales in North America from 2000 to 2010. The estimated annual ET varies from 420 to 450 mm year−1 with the improved model, close to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer monthly data with a root-mean-square error less than 10 mm month−1 for the study period. Alaska, Canada, and the conterminous US account for 33%, 6%, and 61% of the regional ET, respectively. Water availability, the difference between precipitation and ET, is 181 mm month−1, averaged from 2000 to 2010. Under IPCC Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, the regional ET increases by 11% and 24%, respectively. Consequently, the water availability decreases in the region by 2.4% and 23.7%, respectively. For the period of 2020–2100, due to uncertain parameters, TEM versions integrated with three different ET algorithms estimated that the regional ET in the USA are 430.5 ± 10.5 mm year−1, 482.1 ± 11.2 mm year−1, and 489.7 ± 13.4 mm year−1, and the available water is − 105.3 ± 8.7 mm year−1, − 20.3 ± 11.9 mm year−1, and − 126.2 ± 15.4 mm year−1, respectively, by the end of the twenty-first century. Our analysis suggests natural terrestrial ecosystem soils in North America will get drier under future climate conditions, which will impact the regional water resource and the climate system. Based on our ET simulation under three climate change scenarios, our study suggests that the RCP 2.6 is the optimum trajectory for preserving freshwater resources in North America and other regions in the globe.
Evaluation of citrus fiber as a natural replacer of sodium phosphate in alternatively-cured all-pork Bologna sausage.

Abstract The effects of sodium tripolyphosphate replacement with citrus fiber on color, texture, lipid oxidation, and sensory characteristics of an alternatively-cured all-pork Bologna sausage during 98 d of storage at storage 0–1 °C were studied. Replacement of sodium phosphates in processed meat with citrus fiber could enable manufacturers to make their products more consistent with the current “clean label” trend. The Bologna sausage was assigned one of five treatments: sodium tripolyphosphate control (0.38%), no-sodium-tripolyphosphate control, or one of several citrus fiber levels (0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%). Citrus fiber treatments resulted in Bologna sausage with acceptable technological parameters, as indicated by similar cook/chill yields and emulsion stability compared to the sodium tripolyphosphate control. The results showed the replacement of sodium tripolyphosphate with citrus fiber did not significantly alter most physical, chemical or sensory characteristics of the Bologna sausage during refrigerated storage.
Religion, Gender, and Social Welfare: Considerations Regarding Inclusion

There is increased interest in faith-based social service provision in recent years, both in the United States and across Europe. While faith-based organizations provide welcome and needed services, there are several potential problems of social inclusion which involve gender, including decreased availability of social services when faith-based organizations are expected to compensate for cuts in government spending, potential for religious discrimination in employment, and potential for religious discrimination against recipients.
Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures: Indications and Technique

Rib fractures are present in approximately 10% of patients and flail chest, defined as three or more ribs fractured at two points, is present in 3–5% of patients admitted to a trauma center (Dehghan et al., J Trauma Acute Care Surg 76(2):462–468, 2014; Ziegler and Agarwal, J Trauma 37(6):975–979, 1994). Six or more rib fractures and flail chest are strongly associated with respiratory failure, need for prolonged hospitalization, and death. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) practice management guidelines for the treatment of flail chest support the use of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) in patients who cannot be liberated from mechanical ventilation despite use of a multimodality pain regimen. In this group, SSRF has been shown to significantly reduce the need for and duration of mechanical ventilation, need for tracheostomy, risk of developing pneumonia, and death. As such, it is imperative that trauma surgeons be well versed in this technique.
Federalism as a Double-Edged Sword: The Slow Energy Transition in the United States:

Much literature on federalism and multilevel governance argues that federalist institutional arrangements promote renewable energy policies. However, the U.S. case supports a different view that fe...
Carbon monoxide concentration in mainstream E-cigarette emissions measured with diode laser spectroscopy

The e-fluid heated in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is largely composed of organic compounds, specifically propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and flavouring compounds. When heated, as it is in an e-cigarette, the chemical species in this fluid have the potential to oxidise into carbon monoxide (CO) and other species. Using diode laser spectroscopy, the concentration of CO in e-cigarette mainstream effluent as a function of e-cigarette power and flavour was measured. Carbon monoxide concentration was found to be a direct function of the power of the resistive heating. At the highest powers testable using commercial e-cigarette components, the maximum CO concentration measured was over 180 ppm. The flavouring compounds in the e-fluid also had an effect on the concentration of carbon monoxide present in the effluent.
Conformable Fractional Inequalities

This is a long journey in the modern realm of Conformable fractional differentiation. In that setting the author presents the following types of analytic inequalities: Landau, Hilbert–Pachpatte, Ostrowski, Opial, Poincare, and Sobolev inequalities. We present uniform and Lp results, involving left and right conformable fractional derivatives, as well engaging several functions. We discuss many interesting special cases.
Influence of NICU Nurse Education on Intention to Support Lactation Using Tailored Techniques: A Pilot Study.

Background Preterm infants' outcomes improve when fed their mothers' milk. Low percentages of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses support mothers facing barriers to establishing and sustaining adequate milk supplies. Nurses' motivations and attitudes are instrumental, but understudied, factors in their intention to promote maternal lactation. Purpose Using the Theory of Reasoned Action, this study explored (1) NICU nurses' attitudes, social pressures, feelings of preparedness, perceptions of comfort, and intention to support lactation; and (2) magnitude of relationships among these concepts before and after undertaking an educational module. Methods A descriptive pre-/postintervention design included a sample of 24 NICU nurses who completed a module, including general lactation and hands-on expressing information. The Nursing Support for Breastfeeding Questionnaire was administered before and after completing the module. Results Attitudes, social norms, perception of preparedness, and intention were moderate to high before and after completion of the module. Perception of comfort was moderate. When comparing pre- and postintervention, effect sizes for intention and perception of comfort were moderate. Magnitude of the relationship between attitudes and intention was strong before intervention and moderate after intervention. Subjective norms demonstrated stronger relationships with attitudes and intention after intervention. Preparedness and comfort had stronger relationships with attitudes than with intention both before and after intervention. Implications for practice Nurses' attitudes, perception of preparedness, and comfort are modifiable considerations in developing strategies to support evidence-based lactation techniques. Implications for research Additional studies are needed with fully powered and stronger designs to validate findings to guide interventions for nurse support for NICU mothers to optimize lactation.
Snap Removal: Concept; Cause; Cacophony; and Cure

So-called “snap removal” – removal of a case from state to federal court prior to service on a forum state defendant – has divided federal trial courts for 20 years. Recently, panels of the Second, Third and Fifth Circuits have sided with those supporting the tactic even though it conflicts with the general prohibition on removal when the case includes a forum state defendant, a situation historically viewed as eliminating the need to protect the outsider defendant from possible state court hostility. Consistent with the public policy underlying diversity jurisdiction – availability of a federal forum to protect against defending claims in an inconvenient or hostile forum – such removals are barred so long as resident defendants are properly joined “and served.” Defendants preferring the federal forum have invested significant resources monitoring state trial dockets in order to race to remove before service on forum defendants can be effectuated. Where such snap removal is permitted, defendants, both in-state and outsider are allowed to select their preferred forum – an outcome in derogation of the history, purpose, and logic of permitting removal. This clever strategy of defense counsel is facilitated and accelerated by electronic docket monitoring and sometimes (as in the Third Circuit case) attorney trickery amounting to deceit. The recent federal appellate decisions are regrettable both in taking the wrong fork of the metaphorical road regarding snap removal and in shifting the trial court landscape from one of resistance to snap removal to one of toleration. Disturbingly, the appellate decisions (without recorded dissent) analyzed the issue through the simplistic lens of textual literalism with narry a nod to the history, purpose, and public policy of federal removal law. In doing so, the Circuit panels not only reached a problematic result but also displayed an impoverished interpretative methodology. Corrective action by Congress can put a stop to these mistaken results in a manner that vindicates the intent and purpose of the 1948 Congress that added the service requirement and that adequately protects the interests of both plaintiffs and defendants. We outline and assess the most prominent suggestions for fixing the snap removal problem, including our own preferred solution.
O13 Acceptability and Affordability of a Meal Kit Intervention for Low-Income Families

Background Meal kit services are increasingly popular, yet target higher income consumers. Low-income families may benefit from this service because it reduces barriers to cooking healthy foods at home, but acceptability and affordability must be determined. Objective To determine the acceptability and affordability of a culturally acceptable, healthy meal kit service for low-income families. Study Design, Setting, Participants A 6-week pilot study was conducted with low-income, African American (n = 36) participants recruited from Gainesville, Florida. Participants were given weekly meal kits each containing 3 healthy recipes with ingredients to feed 4 people each, cooking tools, and nutrition handouts. Data collection occurred at baseline, weekly during the intervention, and post-intervention via face-to-face surveys. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Participant demographics were collected at baseline. Weekly process surveys were used to determine acceptability and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for each meal. Food shopping preferences, economic perspectives, and overall acceptability data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Participant demographics and acceptability were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A cost analysis of the meal kits was completed and used to compare cost of meal kits versus participants’ WTP. Results Participants were 42.5 ± 13.8 years of age, primarily female (89%), had 2.3 ± 1.2 children in the household, and had a body mass index of 35.4 ± 9.2. Almost all (91%) of the meals were prepared, and 94% of participants were somewhat or very satisfied with the meal kits post-intervention. On average, the actual food cost of each weekly meal kit (containing 3 recipes) was $25.10, and individual recipes ranged in price from $3.65 to $14.96. Participants stated a WTP of $55.80 ± 42.13 per weekly meal kit. Of those who received SNAP benefits (n = 28), 100% would definitely or possibly use their benefits on meal kits. Conclusion Meal kits may be an acceptable and affordable resource for low-income families. Alternative production and delivery methods should be considered to keep meal kits affordable. Funding None.
More than a matter of the heart: the concept of intravascular multimorbidity in cardiac rehabilitation.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death of cardiovascular disease. It is initiated by atherosclerosis, which narrows the coronary arteries and limits blood flow and oxygen to the ...
Association between opioid dose escalation and time to death in a comfort measures only population.

Purpose Opioids are crucial to the relief of pain and dyspnea experienced by patients dying in the hospital setting; however, there are concerns about the association of opioid dosage with hastened death via opioid-induced respiratory depression, and there is little published evidence regarding the association between opioid dose escalation and time to death in the inpatient comfort measures only (CMO) population. Methods The medical records of adult patients admitted to 2 hospitals who had an active CMO order at the time of death and received opioid dose escalations after CMO pronouncement were assessed in a retrospective cohort study. Patients were categorized into higher and lower opioid dose escalation groups according to an institutional palliative care symptom guide. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to test the associations between dose escalation group, patient sex, opioid naivety, palliative care consultation, and opioid dosage after CMO pronouncement (independent variables) and time to death (dependent variable). Results In the 71-patient cohort, 39 patients (54.9%) were male and 32 (45.1%) were female. The mean (SD) age of patients was 67.2 (16.6) years. Higher dose escalation (n = 46, 64.8%) was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in survival time compared to lower dose escalation (n = 25, 35.2%), with a mean difference in time to death of 19.8 hours (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-2.97). Receipt of a palliative care consult (n = 56, 78.9%) during the final hospital visit was associated with increased survival time (mean difference, 20.1 hours; HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.63). Conclusion Time to death in an inpatient CMO population was not significantly associated with the degree of opioid dose escalation.
The effects of iron deficiency and the quality and quantity of fat on chemically induced cancer.

Iron deficiency has been shown to affect a number of systems including the immune system, the gastrointestinal system, the erythron, and the utilization of at least one essential nutrient and perhaps others. A number of studies have indicated that in irondeficient animals and humans there is decreased killing by polymorpholeucocytes (1,2), but phagocytosis may not be altered. Additionally, in iron-deficient humans, it is shown to depress the response of T cells to mitogens.(3)
Investigation on acoustic wave transfer variation between fibers of different diameters and types using acoustic coupler

When using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications, one of the drawbacks is that the sensor location is fixed once it is installed and it is difficult to extend an already existing system. The use of an acoustic coupler to transfer fiber guided traveling waves from one fiber to another could resolve this issue as the system could be modified for extension. In this study, we investigate the coupling of optical fiber guided waves between two different types of fibers through an acoustic coupler. Specifically, input waves are launched into an input fiber and coupled to an output fiber through the acoustic coupler. The input waves are measured using a high-resolution 3D laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) and the output waves from the output fiber are measured using an FBG. We demonstrate that the wave coupling between two fibers varies with the cross-sectional area of the input fiber.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta suppress myofibroblast activation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling in 3D-cultured mitral valve interstitial cells.

Abstract Mitral valve disease is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity throughout the world. Many different mitral valve pathologies feature fibrotic remodeling, often accompanied by an inflammatory state. Mitral valve fibrosis is mediated by valvular interstitial cells (VICs), which reside in the valve leaflets and often differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells during disease conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) on mitral VICs, since these pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to exert pleiotropic effects on various cell types in other fibrotic disorders. Using biomimetic three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrated that TNF-α and IL-1β suppress myofibroblast differentiation in mitral VICs, as evidenced by gene and protein expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle 22 alpha. Addition of TNF-α and IL-1β also inhibited mitral VIC-mediated contraction of collagen gels. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB, which is downstream of TNF-α and IL-1β, reversed these effects. These results reveal targetable pathways for potential development of pharmaceutical treatments for alleviating fibrosis during mitral valve disease. Statement of significance Mitral valve disease is a common cardiovascular condition that is often accompanied by fibrotic tissue remodeling. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs), the fibroblast-like cells that reside in heart valve leaflets, are thought to drive fibrosis during valve disease by differentiating into activated myofibroblasts. However, the signaling pathways that regulate this process in the mitral valve are not fully understood. In the present study, we cultured mitral VICs in collagen and poly(ethylene glycol) scaffolds designed to mimic the heart valve microenvironment and treated the cell-seeded scaffolds with cytokines. Using these 3D culture models, we found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β downregulate myofibroblast and fibrosis markers in mitral VICs via the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway.
Does National Culture Matter? Restaurant Employees’ Workplace Humor and Job Embeddedness:

The ability to retain employees is a tenacious phenomenon in the restaurant workplace. Focusing on job embeddedness (JE) as possible explanatory factor in the application of the broaden-and-build t...
Have Imagers Aptly or Inadvertently Overlooked the Neuronal Myocardial Compartment

Imaging of the myocardium has been immensely challenging but equally rewarding. The heart is a constantly moving organ, normally beating 60–100 times a minute and every beat studded with multiphasic physiology. The continuous imaging is pleasing, but quantitative measurements require meticulous
Book Review: The Invisible Soldiers: How America Outsourced Our Security By Ann Hagedorn

This review discusses Ann Hagedorn's book, which addresses the post-millennial proliferation of arms-bearing contractors that has roiled the human rights community and catalyzed a global conversation about the nature and future of modern warfare. Hagedorn’s perspective and insights on arms bearing contractors, democracies, and empires — intensely personal, yet thoughtfully cognizant of policy, political theory, and philosophy — should interest readers new to the field, as well as those well versed in the issues. Outsourcing the use of force is sufficiently important to the future of democratic states that this book — as well as the growing corpus of literature it adds to — merits serious contemplation.
Matrix Signatures: From MACs to Digital Signatures in Distributed Systems

We present a general implementation for providing the properties of digital signatures using MACs in a system consisting of any number of untrusted clients and nservers, up to fof which are Byzantine. At the heart of the implementation is a novel matrix signaturethat captures the collective knowledge of the servers about the authenticity of a message. Matrix signatures can be generated or verified by the servers in response to client requests and they can be transmitted and exchanged between clients independently of the servers. The implementation requires that no more than one third of the servers be faulty, which we show to be optimal. The implementation places no synchrony requirements on the communication and only require fair channels between clients and servers.
BVIEW: A Tool for Monitoring Distributed Systems

The advent of distributed computer systems with hundreds of processors has created the need for software tools for monitoring their resource usage and system status. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and performance of the BVIEW software tool for monitoring distributed systems. Our tool has been tested on a 64 node PC cluster running the Linux operating system. However, it could be easily ported to any Unix based workstation cluster.
Commentary: Democracy, temporalities of capitalism, and dilemmas of inclusion in Occupy movements

The two articles in this issue that I consider here raise fascinating questions about the temporalities of capitalism and about the dilemmas of inclusion in the recent Occupy movements. I explore some of these questions by focusing on three features of the movements: their temporal registers, their moral imaginaries, and their implicit and explicit understandings of democracy. I connect these different threads by showing their relationships to one another and also to what activists believe Occupy has emerged in opposition to: the interrelated crises of global capitalism and representative democracy. [democracy, capitalism, public protest, Occupy, temporality]