cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation of proportionality between friction and contact area at the nanometer scale

The nanotribological properties of a hydrogen‐terminated diamond(111)/tungsten‐carbide interface have been studied using ultra‐high vacuum atomic force microscopy. Both friction and local contact conductance were measured as a function of applied load. The contact conductance experiments provide a direct and independent way of determining the contact area between the conductive tungsten‐carbide AFM tip and the doped diamond sample. We demonstrate that the friction force is directly proportional to the real area of contact at the nanometer‐scale. Furthermore, the relation between the contact area and load for this extremely hard heterocontact is found to be in excellent agreement with the Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov continuum mechanics model.
Balancing the global oceanic neodymium budget: Evaluating the role of groundwater

The distinctly different, eNd(0) values of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans requires that the residence time of Nd in the ocean (i.e., τNd) be on the order of, or less than, the ocean mixing time of ∼500–1500 yr. However, estimates of τNd, based on river influxes, range from 4000 to 15,000 yr, thus exceeding the ocean mixing time. In order to reconcile the oceanic Nd budget and lower the residence time by roughly a factor of 10, an additional, as yet unidentified, and hence “missing Nd flux” to the ocean is necessary. Dissolution of materials deposited on continental margins has previously been proposed as a source of the missing flux. In this contribution, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is examined as a possible source of the missing Nd flux. Neodymium concentrations (n=730) and eNd(0) values (n=58) for groundwaters were obtained from the literature in order to establish representative groundwater values. Mean groundwater Nd concentrations and eNd(0) values were used along with recent estimates of the terrestrial (freshwater) component of SGD (6% of river discharge on a global basis) to test whether groundwater discharge to the coastal oceans could account for the missing flux. Employing mean Nd concentrations of the compiled data base (i.e., 31.8 nmol/kg for all 730 analyses and 11.3 nmol/kg for 141 groundwater samples from a coastal aquifer), the global, terrestrialderived SGD flux of Nd is estimated to range between 2.9×10 7 and 8.1×10 7 mol/yr. These estimates are of the same order of magnitude, and within a factor of 2, of the missing Nd flux (i.e., 5.4×10 7 mol/yr). Applying the SGD Nd flux estimates, the global average eNd(0) of SGD is predicted to be −9.1, which is similar to our estimate for the missing Nd flux (−9.2), and in agreement with the mean (±S.D.) eNd(0) measured in groundwaters (i.e., eNd(0)= −8.9±4.2). The similarities in the estimated SGD Nd flux and corresponding eNd(0) values to the magnitude and isotope composition of the missing Nd flux are compelling, and suggest that discharge of groundwater to the oceans could account for the missing Nd flux. Future investigations should focus on quantifying the Nd concentrations and isotope compositions of groundwater from coastal aquifers from a variety of coastal settings, as well as the important geochemical reactions that effect Nd concentrations in subterranean estuaries in order to better constrain contributions of SGD to the oceanic Nd budget.
Who Spiked the Punchbowl

Economic policy is often a confidence game, with the strength of moral persuasion arising from the monetary authority’s power to influence economic investment and consumption. Can a central bank actually fine-tune its way out of a recession?
Frontolimbic functioning during threat-related attention: Relations to early behavioral inhibition and anxiety in children

Children with behavioral inhibition (BI), a temperament characterized by biologically-based hyper-vigilance to novelty, display threat-related attention biases (AB) that shape developmental trajectories of risk for anxiety. Here we explore the relations between BI, neural function, and anxiety. Fifty-six 9-12-year-olds (23 behaviorally inhibited) performed the dot-probe task while undergoing fMRI. AB scores were not associated with BI group or parent-rated anxiety symptoms. Trials requiring attention orienting away from threat engaged an executive and threat-attention network (dlPFC, vlPFC, mPFC, and amygdala). Within that network, behaviorally inhibited children showed greater activation in the right dlPFC. Heightened dlPFC activation related to increased anxiety, and BI levels accounted for the direct relation between dlPFC activation and anxiety. Behaviorally inhibited children may engage the executive attention system during threat-related processing as a compensatory mechanism. We provide preliminary evidence that the link between PFC functioning and anxiety might be attributed to early-emerging temperamental vulnerabilities present before the emergence of clinical anxiety.
The military child care connection.

E very day the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) uses 297,451 diapers; prepares 594,902 servings of "liquid baby rations"; issues purchase orders for cribs, strollers, and rocking chairs; and sings thousands of lullaby "cadences."' It was not always that way. The profile of the U.S. Armed Forces has changed from that of single members living in barracks, to one of a diverse volunteer workforce with growing numbers of female service members, working spouses, and sole and dual military parents.2 Child care has become a workforce issue vital to U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine families and to the military mission.
Experimental Observations of the Failure Mechanisms in a Bulk Metallic Glass Composite

The deformation and damage evolution behavior of a Ni-based bulk metallic glass composite reinforced with elongated brass phase is studied under cylindrical indentation. The estimated fracture toughness values based on the energy dissipation and the in-situ observation during the loading reveal the details of the damage evolution and toughening mechanisms in this composite system. The results indicate that the enhanced toughness of the BMG composite is plausibly an outcome of crack bridging mechanisms by the ductile brass phase, rather than a diffused array of nucleated shear bands in the hard BMG and arrest by the ductile reinforcing phase.
3D micro-optic circuits in holographic photopolymers

Three-dimensional direct-write lithography into diffusion-mediated photopolymers developed for holography is shown to create 10 micron single-mode waveguides. We demonstrate low-loss waveguides, 90 degree bends off of encapsulated mirrors and fabrication of waveguides to embedded fibers. (Controlling Light with Light: Photorefractive Effects, Photosensitivity, Fiber Gratings, Photonic Materials and More 2007)
Introduction to radiosurgery.

Although radiosurgery treatments began more than 30 years ago and thousands of patients have been treated, the role of radiosurgery in the treatment of intracranial lesions is continuing to evolve. For AVM several groups have reported favorable angiographic response rates. Further information, however, is needed to establish the relationship between this objective measure of response and the risk of subsequent hemorrhage. Ideally this relationship might be established through randomized trials. For ethical reasons, however, such trials are unlikely to be undertaken. Although radiosurgery may finally prove useful in the treatment of lesions other than AVM, currently available retrospective data do not allow firm conclusions in most cases. Various techniques can be used to deposit the dose accurately in a predetermined intracranial volume. Nonetheless, it frequently is difficult to define the three-dimensional configuration of the volume requiring treatment accurately. This difficulty is independent of the radiosurgical technique used and, together with dose prescription and patient selection, is probably of greater importance than possible differences in dose distribution produced by different systems. Because many patients will have radiosurgery in nontrial clinical settings, it is important that future reports provide sufficient information to allow meaningful interpretation. At minimum, reports must contain an accounting of all patients treated, including number followed and number lost to follow-up evaluation or otherwise lacking repeat radiologic studies or clinical evaluation. (The statement that 1000 patients were treated is not useful in the absence of this accounting and may cast doubt on reported results.) Beyond accounting it is helpful if reports provide (1) information on dimensions and intracranial location of lesions treated and correlation with dose and outcome, (2) quantitative information on dose prescribed, including minimum and maximum dose to the target, especially when multiple isocenters are used (when isodose contours from individual isocenters must be summed), (3) detailed information on patients developing complications (in what ways did their presentation or treatment differ from that of other patients?), and (4) thorough data analysis using modern statistical techniques. The number of radiosurgery facilities is increasing rapidly. Whether the number of patients treated in each facility will continue to rise each year as more new facilities are open is conjectural and will depend on the evolution of indications for radiosurgery and on the evolution of referral patterns as techniques, facilities, and results become established.
Linear Algebra Software for Large-Scale Accelerated Multicore Computing

Many crucial scientific computing applications, ranging from national security to medical advances, rely on high-performance linear algebra algorithms and technologies, underscoring their importance and broad impact. Here we present the state-of-the-art design and implementation practices for the acceleration of the predominant linear algebra algorithms on large-scale accelerated multicore systems. Examples are given with fundamental dense linear algebra algorithms – from the LU, QR, Cholesky, and LDLT factorizations needed for solving linear systems of equations, to eigenvalue and singular value decomposition (SVD) problems. The implementations presented are readily available via the open-source PLASMA and MAGMA libraries, which represent the next generation modernization of the popular LAPACK library for accelerated multicore systems.To generate the extreme level of parallelism needed for the efficient use of these systems, algorithms of interest are redesigned and then split into well-chosen computational tasks. The task execution is scheduled over the computational components of a hybrid system of multicore CPUs with GPU accelerators and/or Xeon Phi coprocessors, using either static scheduling or light-weight runtime systems. The use of light-weight runtime systems keeps scheduling overheads low, similar to static scheduling, while enabling the expression of parallelism through sequential-like code. This simplifies the development effort and allows exploration of the unique strengths of the various hardware components. Finally, we emphasize the development of innovative linear algebra algorithms using three technologies – mixed precision arithmetic, batched operations, and asynchronous iterations – that are currently of high interest for accelerated multicore systems.
Prognostic importance of intraoperative rupture of malignant ovarian epithelial neoplasms

OBJECTIVE To determine whether rupture of malignant ovarian epithelial tumors at the time of operation influences the patient's overall prognosis. METHODS Between 1975 and 1990, 79 patients with stage I invasive epithelial ovarian cancer were treated at Massachusetts General Hospital. Patients were identified from the tumor registry, and charts were reviewed retrospectively. In 71 of the 79 cases, pathologic slides were evaluated. Of the 79 patients, 36 had stage Ia tumors, 20 stage Ic secondary to intraoperative rupture (Ic-rupture), and 17 stage Ic secondary to capsular invasion-serosal disease or positive ascites or washings (stage Ic-other). Survival analysis was performed to compare the three groups of patients. RESULTS There were four recurrences and deaths among the 20 women with stage Ic-rupture tumors (20%), compared to one (3%) among the 36 women with stage Ia. The recurrence-free survival at the median follow-up time for the two groups was 97 +/- 3 and 78 +/- 10 months, respectively (P = .03); overall survival was 97 +/- 3 and 73 +/- 12 months (P = .04). There were two recurrences (12%) and one death (6%) among the 17 women with stage Ic-other, giving recurrence-free and overall survivals of 88 +/- 8 and 94 +/- 6 months, respectively. The survival experience of this last group was not significantly different from that in the Ic-rupture group (P = .2). The hazard ratios for overall survival associated with stage Ic-rupture and each potential confounder, except for bloating, exceeded 6.5, with P < or = .10. All deaths occurred in the 28 patients with grade 2 or 3 tumors. Even in this smaller group, the hazard ratio for stage Ic-rupture was 6.8 (P = .09). CONCLUSION Intraoperative rupture of malignant epithelial ovarian neoplasms may worsen the prognosis of patients with stage I ovarian cancer.
Discussion: Metabolic Aspects of Cerebral Hypoxia-Ischemia

To Dr. Siesjo’s list of possible explanations for the relative susceptibility of brain to sub-total ischemia and for the protection afforded by barbiturates, our own studies (1) in the gerbil suggest that an additional factor, i.e., hypermetabolism of variably damaged tissue, may also play a role.
Telehealth strategies and information technology transform patient care within the u.s. department of veterans affairs

For more than a decade, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has pursued two linked strategies for the use of information technology (IT) in improving clinical health outcomes among the more than six million active patients under its care. The first strategy, implementation of computerized patient records (CPRS), was largely complete from 1999 onwards at the VA's 173 hospitals and more than 1000 community based outpatient clinics served by the organization in the United States. Many modifications have occurred since then, under the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), under which CPRS runs. The second major strategic program, taking advantage of CPRS but with its own advantages, has been the use of teleheath technologies. These are used to leverage medical specialty care and overcome the large geographic distances inherent in a health care system serving a widely dispersed population.
Postoperative Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography Predicts Four-Year Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease.

Objectives To evaluate the predictive value of pre- and postoperative amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children operated for congenital heart disease (CHD). Study design Prospectively enrolled cohort of 60 infants with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in the first 3 months of life. Infants with a genetic comorbidity were excluded. aEEG was assessed for 12 hours pre- and 48 hours postoperatively. Background pattern was classified by the use of standard categories, and the presence of seizures and sleep-wake cycles (SWCs) was noted. Outcome at 1 and 4 years of age was assessed with standardized developmental tests. Results Preoperatively, infants either showed continuous normal voltage (n = 56) or discontinuous normal voltage (n = 4). Postoperatively, abnormal background pattern (flat trace, burst suppression, or continuous low voltage) was detected in 7 (12%), discontinuous normal voltage in 37 (61%), and continuous normal voltage in 16 (27%) infants. Nineteen infants (32%) did not return to normal SWCs within the recording period. Seizures were detected in 4 infants preoperatively and in another 4 postoperatively. After we controlled for surgical and postoperative risk factors, abnormal postoperative background pattern and lack of return to SWCs independently predicted poorer intelligence quotient at 4 years ( P = .03 and P = .04 respectively) but was not related to motor outcome. Conclusion aEEG is a useful bedside tool that helps to predict outcome in infants undergoing open-heart surgery for CHD. Abnormal postoperative background pattern and lack of return to SWCs are markers for subsequent impaired cognitive development.
The Rise of International Conservation and Postwar Development

In the early months of 1948, Julian Huxley felt optimistic. As the most devastating war in human history faded from view, the reconstruction of his native Britain slowly took shape. At the same time, the new international organization he had been selected to lead, the United Nations Education, Social, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was getting off the ground. A highly regarded scientist, writer, and internationalist, Huxley held high hopes for UNESCO. He believed his new organization would usher in an era of more harmonious relations between different nations, cultures, and individuals. World War II had shown humankind at its most destructive; now was a time for the world to create new institutions that would revive common bonds between disparate societies, bring advances in science to bear upon pressing social and economic problems, and link together the world's brightest minds in the hopes of crafting a lasting peace. UNESCO, Huxley wrote, would “help the peoples of the world to mutual understanding and to a realization of the common humanity and common tasks which they share, as opposed to the nationalisms which too often tend to isolate and separate them.” Huxley dedicated the better part of his postwar career to bringing about just such an understanding. Amid all the social problems that Huxley hoped to address with UNESCO was an issue close to his heart but one that found only a handful of supporters worldwide in 1948: the devastation of natural flora and fauna. The world wars not only shattered many illusions about the relationship between human societies. They also called into question the relationship between humankind and nature. War alters the nonhuman environment in substantial ways, a fact made all the more apparent by the particular destructiveness of the technologies used during World War II. To Huxley, the war's impact on the environment represented the culmination of longer trends of destruction, despoliation, and exploitation. Since the late nineteenth century, rapid economic and social development in the United States, Europe, and Japan had spurred wide-scale environmental change. Industrialization, urbanization, increasing use of natural resources, and rapid worldwide population growth all threatened the natural world.
TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF INDEPENDENT PHONOLOGICAL MEASURES OF 2-YEAR-OLD SPEECH: A PILOT STUDY

Introduction: Within the field of speech-language pathology, many assume commonly used informal speech sound measures are reliable. However, lack of scientific evidence to support this assumption is problematic. Speech-language pathologists often use informal speech sound analyses for establishing baseline behaviors from which therapeutic progress can be measured. Few researchers have examined the test-retest reliability of informal phonological measures when evaluating the speech productions of young children. Clinically, data regarding these measures are critical for facilitating evidence-based decision making for speech-language assessment and treatment. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify the evidence-base regarding temporal reliability of two such informal speech sound measures, phonetic inventory and word shape analysis, with two-year-old children. Methods: The researchers examined analyses conducted from conversational speech samples taken exactly one week apart for three children 29- to 33-months of age. The videotaped 20-minute play-based conver­sational samples were completed while the children interacted with their mothers. The samples were then transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and analyzed using the two informal measures noted above. Results: Based on visual inspection of the data, the test-retest reliability of initial consonant and consonant cluster productions was unstable between the two conversational samples. However, phonetic inventories for final consonants and word shape analyses were relatively stable over time. Conclusion: Although more data is needed, the results of this study indicate that academic faculty, clinical educators, and practicing speech-language pathologists should be cautious when interpreting informal speech sound analyses based on play-based communication samples of young children.
Organic semiconductors: Dynamic duos

The discovery of intermediate high-spin multiexciton states with surprisingly long lifetimes provides new opportunities for engineering singlet fission, which may also provide an intriguing route to quantum information and spintronic applications.
Surface Transport Processes in Charged Porous Media

Surface transport processes are very important in chemistry, colloidal sciences, engineering, biology, and geophysics. Natural or externally produced charges on surfaces create electrical double layers (EDLs) at the solid-liquid interface. The existence of the EDLs produces several complex processes including bulk and surface transport of ions. In this work, a model is presented to simulate bulk and transport processes in homogeneous porous media comprising big pores. It is based on a theory for capacitive charging by ideally polarizable porous electrodes without Faradaic reactions or specific adsorption of ions. A volume averaging technique is used to derive the averaged transport equations in the limit of thin electrical double layers. Description of the EDL between the electrolyte solution and the charged wall is accomplished using the Gouy-Chapman-Stern (GCS) model. The surface transport terms enter into the average equations due to the use of boundary conditions for diffuse interfaces. Two extra surface transports terms appear in the closed average equations. One is a surface diffusion term equivalent to the transport process in non-charged porous media. The second surface transport term is a migration term unique to charged porous media. The effective bulk and transport parameters for isotropic porous media are calculated solving the corresponding closure problems.
The World Is Pleiotropic

So there! By this rash assertion I mean that in the biological world almost every macromolecular constituent is likely to function in more than just one way, i.e., is pleiotropic. One and the same protein may be enzymatic, regulatory, and structural; one nucleic acid, informational, structural, and regulatory; and so on. Clarence Jeffery called this “moonlighting.”
Diagnosis and management of tricyclic antidepressant ingestion

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdoses have become less common over the last 20 years as their overall use has decreased with the advent of safer and more effective antidepressants. Despite their declining popularity in the management of depression, they continue to be used clinically for conditions including the management of neuropathic and chronic pain, cyclic vomiting, nocturnal enuresis, OCD and ADHD. These medications continue to be a leading cause of mortality from intentional ingestions, and account for nearly half of all antidepressant-related deaths (Yates et al. Semin Dial 27(4):381–389, 2014). Common tricyclic antidepressants in use today include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine and doxepin.
CLONING OF AAV INTO pBR322: RESCUE OF INTACT VIRUS FROM THE RECOMBINANT PLASMID IN HUMAN CELLS

Publisher Summary Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a defective parvovirus that requires helper virus coinfection for its own replication. In the absence of helper virus, AAV DNA can integrate into the host genome to establish a latent infection. In the case of latently infected human cells, AAV may be rescued with high efficiency up to 10% of latent cells yield virus with either adenovirus or herpes simplex virus. The chapter describes an experiment that was conducted to determine the essential sequences needed for AAV virion propagation. For this purpose, intact duplex AAV DNA was cloned into the bacterial plasmid pBR322. Transfection of the recombinant plasmid into human cells with Adenovirus 5 as helper resulted in rescue and replication of the AAV genome. Rescued virus DNA and wild type AAV DNA are indistinguishable when they are compared by restriction analysis.
Promoting Early Literacy for a Child in Foster Care

Beginning first grade with limited literacy skills creates a disadvantage for academic success. Alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and oral language skills are crucial for age-appropriate ...
Frequency dependent line modeling and equipment sizing for a transmission level wind farm integration

Due to environmental impacts of traditional energy production, the integration of renewable energy in high volume has become more favorable. A series of analytical studies are required prior to integration of windfarms into the transmission system. For instance, equipment sizing and high voltage analysis are some of the crucial assessments. Equipment sizing in high voltage substation is done considering Transient Over Voltage (TOV) quantity that any device may tolerate due to experiencing surge and/or switching. The high elevation levels that windfarms are installed, make them more susceptible to TOVs related to lightning strikes. This paper focuses on sizing the required protecting devices in a windfarm interconnected to transmission system through a high voltage substation. The study methodology is suitable for fast transient analysis such as lightning analysis.
Accurate surgical skills evaluation: Does it mandate raters have a medical background?

Abstract Background Surgeons rarely have time to assess/rate trainee performance. From a 10 year-experience of implementing OSCE style assessments, we hypothesize that the accurate scoring of interns in selected tests is not affected by the rater's medical background. Methods A prospective collection of quantitative scoring data by both medical school graduates and college students was compared. Each rater underwent training and then watched three videos of actors performing in each of two OSCE stations and individually scored them. Results Twelve college students and 16 medical graduates participated. There was no difference in the mean scores between rating groups for chest tube insertion (Video 1: 1.7 vs. 2.0; Video 2: 2.9 vs 3.1; Video 3: 6.1 vs 6.1; p = 0.8) and cricothyrotomy (Video 1: 4.0 vs 4.5; Video 2: 4.8 vs 5.1; Video 3: 9.2 vs 9.1; p = 0.7). Conclusion Accurate scoring of surgical performance does not mandate a medical background. Given the limited availability of attending surgeons for assessments, use of validated, simple checklists can help raters with minimal medical experience perform assessments proficiently.
Networked: Social media’s impact on news production in digital newsrooms:

This study examines social media usage by journalists through the prism of the hierarchy of influences model. Utilizing interviews with 53 digital journalists, it identifies the actors playing a ro...
Case 22: Postoperative Airway Complication Following Sinus Surgery

A 28-year-old man (ASA 1) with chronic sinusitis is scheduled for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) since he has failed medical management. He is 84 kg and 5 feet 10 inches. He has had one previous general anesthetic for an acute appendix at age 10. Otherwise his medical history and physical exam is unremarkable. He is at present not taking any medication and has no known allergies to medicines. He has a normal white cell count and his Hb is 14 mg%. After sedation with midazolam 2 mg IV, he is taken to the operating room where a routine general anesthetic is induced uneventfully. Tracheal intubation (grade 1 view) is done atraumatically on the first attempt after the patient is fully checked to be fully paralyzed with a nerve stimulator (vecuronium 7 mg.). The pharynx is deemed normal both preoperatively and during endotracheal intubation. The endotracheal tube (ETT) is secured, and bilateral air entry is recorded with presence of CO2 on the capnograph. General anesthesia is maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide, isoflurane, morphine, and fentanyl. The operation lasts 90 min, and the vital signs throughout the surgery are within normal limits. The estimated blood loss is 900 ml. No airways or oral packs are used during the surgery, except a nasal posterior pack that was placed before the FESS commenced and removed after surgery. The inferior nasal vault was not packed, but small hemostatic sponges were placed in the ethmoid cavities. Before the patient was fully awake, the pharynx was gently suctioned using Yankauer suction, an oral gastric tube placed on its first attempt, suction applied, and the tube withdrawn completely. 50 ml of gastric juice was aspirated. With the patient fully awake and able to follow commands, the ETT is removed. In the recovery room, the patient is comfortable with stable vital signs. However, 10 min later he complains of coughing and difficulty in breathing. Despite supplemental oxygen (6 l/min) via an oxygen mask, his oxygen saturation decreased to 86%. You are called back and examine the patient’s chest and can hear only minimal scattered expiratory noises (stridors). Racemic epinephrine is given with minimal improvement. You put another saturation monitor on his finger but the saturation is still 86%.
Using expectancy-value theory to understand academic self-control

Abstract We applied expectancy-value theory to understand academic self-control. In three studies of middle and high school students (Ntotal = 2620), subjective values, but not expectancy beliefs, predicted motivation and behavior toward academic activities over alternative activities. Moreover, results showed that intrinsic value was a stronger incremental predictor of academic self-control compared to utility value. Study 1 used experience sampling and showed that momentary perceptions of intrinsic value were more strongly associated with motivational conflict during engagement in academic activities compared to perceptions of utility value. Study 2 used daily diaries and demonstrated that intrinsic value predicted greater self-control for homework over 14 days. Study 3 was a longitudinal study that showed the proposed framework generalized across math and science: Compared to utility value, intrinsic value of math and science were more strongly associated with academic self-control in each subject. Collectively, results suggest that enhancing enjoyment of academics may encourage greater self-control.
Mirror, Mirror . . . Who is the Real Self?

The doubled mirror phrase is stolen from Disney’s film, Snow White. In this movie, mirrors prattle on, making comparative judgments about physical beauty, but ignore substantive issues like the Oedipal struggles of the heroine and conflicts between old and young, ineffectual fathers, evil stepmothers and seven psychologically arrested dwarfs. The mirror “on the wall” comforts the evil queen by declaring her the fairest of all, but the mirror is silent about the extent of reference. A later mirror “in the hand” has no mental reservations and responds with a bit of taunting that Snow White is “lovelier far o queen than thee.”1
Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in commercial ham, formulated with or without antimicrobials, under conditions simulating contamination in the processing or retail environment and during home storage.

Commercial cured ham formulated with or without potassium lactate and sodium diacetate was inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes and stored to simulate conditions of processing, retail, and home storage. The ham was sliced, inoculated with a 10-strain composite of L. monocytogenes (1 to 2 log CFU/cm2), vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 degrees C to simulate contamination following lethality treatment at processing (first shelf life). After 10, 20, 35, and 60 days of storage, packages were opened, samples were tested, and bags with remaining slices were reclosed with rubber bands. At the same times, portions of original product (stored at 4 degrees C in original processing bags) were sliced, inoculated, and packaged in delicatessen bags to simulate contamination during slicing at retail (second shelf life). Aerobic storage of both sets of packages at 7 degrees C for 12 days was used to reflect domestic storage conditions (home storage). L. monocytogenes populations were lower (P 0.05). In ham containing lactate-diacetate, similar counts were found during the home storage experiment under both contamination scenarios, and only in 60-day-old product did samples from the first shelf life have higher (P < 0.05) pathogen numbers than those found in samples from the second shelf life. These results should be useful in risk assessments and for the establishment of "sell by" and "consume by" date labels for refrigerated ready-to-eat meat products.
Vitreous Cytokine Expression and a Murine Model Suggest a Key Role of Microglia in the Inflammatory Response to Retinal Detachment.

Purpose Retinal detachment (RD) separates the retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium, resulting in a gradual degeneration of photoreceptor (PR) cells. It is known that RD also results in an inflammatory response, but its contribution to PR degeneration is unknown. In this study we examine the inflammatory responses to RD in patient vitreous and validate a mouse experimental RD as a model of this phenomenon. Methods Multiplex bead arrays were used to examine cytokine levels in vitreous samples from 24 patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) undergoing reattachment surgery and from 10 control patients undergoing vitrectomy for vitreous opacities or epiretinal membrane. Activation of the innate immune response was then examined in a mouse model of RD. Results Twenty-eight factors were significantly increased in vitreous from RD patients versus controls. Notable were the cytokines MCP-1 (CCL2), IP-10 (CXCL10), fractalkine (CX3CL1), GRO (CXCL1), MDC (CCL22), IL-6, and IL-8, which all exhibited relatively high concentrations and several-fold increases in the vitreous of RD patients. Concentrations of various analytes correlated with a range of clinical variables such as duration of detachment and visual acuity. Retinal detachment in the mouse resulted in cytokine mRNA expression changes consistent with human RD vitreous results, as well as microglial proliferation and migration toward the outer retina. Conclusions The findings suggest that an inflammatory response involving microglia is a component of the reaction to retinal detachment that may impact visual acuity after surgical repair and that mouse experimental RD can serve as a model to study this effect.
Action-Focused, Plain Language Communication for Overdose Prevention: A Qualitative Analysis of Rhode Island’s Overdose Surveillance and Information Dashboard

Abstract Background In 2015, the state of Rhode Island reported the fifth highest drug overdose mortality rate in the United States. In response to this crisis, Rhode Island created a statewide, publicly accessible drug surveillance and information system, www.PreventOverdoseRI.org (PORI). Alongside near real-time overdose surveillance data, PORI provides plain language materials and resources regarding overdose prevention, recognition and response. We sought to determine how people who use drugs (PWUD) perceive and utilize overdose prevention material, and to evaluate PORI’s action-based, plain language content. Methods We conducted 21 semi-structured qualitative interviews with PWUD from February-June 2017 in the state of Rhode Island. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded in NVivo (Version 11), and key themes were developed. Results Participants viewed online health promotion and harm reduction materials as a useful approach for overdose prevention. Information displayed as accessible, action-driven statements was seen as most desirable for learning and dissemination. After viewing overdose prevention material, participants reported feeling better prepared for responding to an accidental overdose and motivated to share the infographics and website to other people either at risk for or likely to witness an overdose. Conclusion Action-focused, plain language approaches for overdose prevention materials can be of particular use for public health campaigns addressing opioid overdose crises. Overdose prevention health campaigns should incorporate evidence-based testing to ensure that outreach material is grounded in plain language techniques.
Trochanteric pressure ulcers: preoperative management and reconstructive considerations.

Tan et al. present an interesting case of a trochanteric pressure ulcer repair (1). The reconstruction utilized three local flaps to cover the defect exposed over the greater trochanter. Most of the greater trochanter was covered with a tensor fascia latae myocutaneous flap, while the inferior portion of the bone was covered with two fasciocutaneous flaps ( Figure 1 ). The authors stressed that thorough wound debridement and dead space elimination are the most crucial components of pressure ulcer repair and we agree with this fundamental principle for successful pressure ulcer reconstruction. In this editorial we will highlight the important aspects of trochanteric pressure ulcer management and identify areas deserving of greater collective attention.
Design, fabrication and evaluation of non-imaging, label-free pre-screening tool using quantified bio-electrical tissue profile

The design, fabrication, and performance of pre-screening tool using bioelectrical tissue profile is described. A probe of 8 electrodes using active-probe-sensing (AP-sensing) module was linearity distortion in the frequency response bonded to the 8 sub-regions of the breast surface forming the Bioimpedance transfer measurement system. Each measurement channel acquired the data from 1/8 of breast according to each breast defined in 8 sub-regions with split current injection channel and response behavioural bioelectricity detection. For this tissue bioelectrical measurement system, the electrodes were placed on the breast surface and before the bioelectrical profile were measured, we investigated a closed loop technique to compensate for the effects and measure the channel-skin-contact impedance. The AP-sensing module and connecting pads could be placed in the measurement electrode-Bras according to different breast size, and all measurement sub-regions should be equivalent for each case, but could be different in scale of 1- 2cm in related to different breast size. Bilateral structure was applied to compare each breast tissue bioelectrical properties in related to tissue behavioural in different frequency. Bioelectrical measurement efficiency was evaluated by the use of bioelectrical plots equivalent to a theoretical plot of the pure tissue profile versus average intracellular and extracellular and admittance behavioural of breast tissue able to flow electric field using Cole-Cole structure tissue modelling as a well-known bioelectrical tissue profile. The bioelectrical tissue profile as a pre-screening tool using theoretical pure tissue profiles and experimental measurements were evaluated in related a conventional Bioimpedance spectroscopy instruments. Breast bioelectrical profile of different breast density categories and average measurement values were significant, according to exist of fibro-glandular tissues in the total breast volume. The different of the theoretical values corresponding to pure fatty and fibro-glandular breast tissue behaviour was slightly different with the experimental measurements. We demonstrated the bioelectrical profile of breast tissue and extracting bioelectrical features that comparing in a bilateral structure to apply bioelectrical features as a supplementary data in the machine learning algorithms and present correspond risk factor for susceptibility of breast cancer in future studies. The preliminary equivalent theoretical and experimental results, evaluate the possibility of this new, non-imaging and label-free quantitative technique.
Macroecological patterns of mammals across taxonomic, spatial, and temporal scales

The field of macroecology has made many contributions to our understanding of mammalian ecology and evolution through its use of big data and the examination of statistical patterns that emerge. Here, we review the advances in three areas of mammalian macroecology: 1) spatial and temporal patterns of assemblage structure and space use, 2) the processes and constraints underlying the evolution of body size and life history, and 3) advances in understanding and predicting loss of biodiversity. We highlight the important role that studies of mammals have played in the advancement of macroecological theories and patterns, and note that both mammalogy and macroecology are richer because of this linkage.
GS-0976 (Firsocostat): an investigational liver-directed acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) inhibitor for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Introduction: De novo lipogenesis (DNL) plays a major role in fatty acid metabolism and contributes significantly to triglyceride accumulation within the hepatocytes in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) converts acetyl-CoA to malonyl CoA and is a rate-controlling step in DNL. Furthermore, malonyl-CoA is an important regulator of hepatic mitochondrial fat oxidation through its ability to inhibit carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. Therefore, inhibiting ACC pharmacologically represents an attractive approach to treating NASH.Areas covered: This article summarizes preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy and safety of the liver-targeted ACC inhibitor GS-0976 (Firsocostat) for the treatment of NASH. In a phase 2 trial that included 126 patients with NASH and fibrosis, GS-0976 20 mg daily for 12 weeks showed significant relative reduction in liver fat by 29%; however, treatment was associated with an increase in plasma triglycerides with 16 patients having levels >500 mg/dL.Expert opinion: Preclinical and preliminary clinical data support the development of GS-0976 as treatment for NASH. ACC-induced hypertriglyceridemia can be mitigated by fish oil or fibrates, but the long-term cardiovascular effects require further investigations.
On Characterizing the Propagation of Information-State in Online Social Networks

Information-state is the vital concept in generalized virtual economics.Recent years have witnessed the explosive growth of online social networks,which provide a perfect platform for observing thepropagation of information-state.Based on the conceptual framework of Rong-jie state of dualistic values,an information-state propagation model called UPNL has been proposed in this paper,which considers both the positive and negative attitudes contained in the information-state and their interactions.Numerical simulations of UPNL have been extensively conducted,which show that the attitude bias of information-state has a great impact on the propagation process,and the neighbors' attitude is the decisive factor for a node's attitude shift.This research attempts to complement the theoretical framework of information-state,and thus to further promote the theory of generalized virtual economics.
Solving Traveltime Tomography with Deep Learning

This paper introduces a neural network approach for solving two-dimensional traveltime tomography (TT) problems based on the eikonal equation. The mathematical problem of TT is to recover the slowness field of a medium based on the boundary measurement of the traveltimes of waves going through the medium. This inverse map is high-dimensional and nonlinear. For the circular tomography geometry, a perturbative analysis shows that the forward map can be approximated by a vectorized convolution operator in the angular direction. Motivated by this and filtered back-projection, we propose an effective neural network architecture for the inverse map using the recently proposed BCR-Net, with weights learned from training datasets. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed neural networks.
Improved adaptive-optics performance using polychromatic speckle mitigation.

Adaptive-optics (AO) systems correct the optical distortions of atmospheric turbulence to improve resolution over long paths. In applications such as remote sensing, object tracking, and directed energy, the AO system’s beacon is often an extended beacon reflecting off an optically rough surface. This situation produces speckle noise that can corrupt the wavefront measurements of the AO system, degrading its correction of the turbulence. This work studies the benefits of speckle mitigation via polychromatic illumination. To quantify the benefits over a wide range of conditions, this work uses a numerical wave-optics model with the split-step method for turbulence and the spectral-slicing method for polychromatic light. It assumes an AO system based on a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor. In addition, it includes realistic values for turbulence strength, turbulence distribution along the path, coherence length, extended-beacon size, and object motion. The results show that polychromatic speckle mitigation significantly improves AO system performance, increasing the Strehl ratio by 180% (from 0.10 to 0.28) in one case.
Parent-reported toilet training practices and the role of pediatric primary care providers.

Background Toilet training is a universal developmental milestone and a stressful period for families with few empirically based guidelines. Purpose This study identified currently used methods of toilet training and sources used for parental guidance. Methodological orientation A descriptive, qualitative design was used. Sample Participants included 479 parents of children aged 2-6 years. Conclusions Parents described diverse toilet training strategies, most of which were behavioral and inconsistent with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Most children were toilet trained between 24 and 36 months within 5 weeks. Forty-one percent of parents relied on the Internet for toilet training information, and fewer than half reported involvement of their child's primary care provider. Implications for practice Parents in the community would likely benefit from additional education and anticipatory guidance from primary care providers about normative toilet training. Further work is needed to understand the effectiveness of different methods of training and improve adherence to AAP recommendations.