cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 39: The Transient Receptor-Potential Channel 6 Regulates Thromboxane A2 Receptor-Operated Calcium Entry and Plays a Critical Role in Platelet Function

Although changes in the intracellular levels of calcium is a central step in platelet activation, the underlying mechanism of changes that are dependent on receptor-operated calcium entry (ROCE) remains to be defined. Furthermore, it was proposed, though never proven, that the Transient Receptor-Potential Channels (TRPCs) may play a key role in this process. In this connection, we have previously shown that TRPC6 plays a vital role in physiological hemostasis and thrombogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism by which TRPC6 modulates these processes also remains to be determined. Based on these considerations, we hypothesized that TRPC6 plays an essential role in ROCE and hence platelet function. Using a (genetic) TRPC6 knockout (KO) mouse approach, our preliminary studies revealed that these platelets exhibited a defect in platelet aggregation induced by the thromboxane A 2 receptor (TPR) agonist U46619. Conversely, the aggregation response triggered by ADP or the thrombin receptor activating peptide 4 (TRAP4) was found to be comparable to that of the wild-type (WT) platelets. Separate studies revealed that the TRPC6 deficient platelets were also found to exhibit a defect in TPR-mediated dense granule (ATP) secretion, whereas that of ADP and TRAP4 was normal. Moreover, we observed a defect in integrin GP IIb-IIIa activation that was again specific to TPR (normal activation in response to ADP and TRAP4), suggesting a defect in inside-out signaling. Finally, TPR-dependent CE was also found to be deficient in the TRPC6 KO platelets, unlike that stimulated by ADP or TRAP4. Future studies will further investigate the molecular mechanism of TRPC6-regulated platelet function and CE. Taken together, these findings demonstrate for the first time that TRPC6 regulates CE in a TPR-dependent manner and that this regulation consequently modulates platelet aggregation, secretion, as well as GP IIb-IIIa activation. These studies may define a new therapeutic target for managing multiple thrombosis-based disorders.
Adjacent level disease-background and update based on disc replacement data.

Purpose of review The precise etiology of adjacent segment disease following cervical spine surgery is controversial. Theories for development include inevitable changes secondary to the natural progression of the degenerative cascade and changes secondary to altered biomechanics of the fused cervical spine. Motion preserving techniques, such as cervical disc arthroplasties (CDA), have been introduced with the hopes of reducing the rates of adjacent segment pathology. Recently, 7-year data from the investigational device exemption (IDE) studies have been published. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on cervical adjacent segment disease incorporating this emerging data into the analysis.
Balancing Bleeding and Clotting: The Known Unknowns of Mechanically Assisted Circulation

Mechanically assisted circulation has established a firm footing in the management of patients with advanced heart failure. Relative to the high predicted mortality and poor quality of life associated with inotrope-dependent heart failure, clinical trials and registries have demonstrated a highly favorable impact of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) on these important, patient-centric outcomes. More recently, LVADs were shown to improve survival and submaximal exercise performance in ambulatory heart failure patients not treated with inotropic support.1 Despite this growing and compelling literature, broader adoption by the heart failure and cardiovascular communities has been limited—an interesting paradox for one of the most impactful therapies ever developed to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Concerns over patient selection, device durability, postimplant quality and quantity of life, adverse events, therapeutic complexity, and cost likely fuel the uncertainty. See Article by Andreas et al Seventy percent of patients have a serious adverse event in the first year of LVAD therapy highlighting the need to refine the unique interplay between man, machine, and medicine required to achieve the potential of the therapy.2 Although some adverse events, such as driveline infections, are more directly attributable to human factors, others are linked to the interaction between blood components, the blood-contacting surfaces of the pump, shear stress, and the medications …
Real Time Control of Soft Adaptive Interfacial Matter

Abstract The process control of fragile materials in low dimensional environments offers a number considerable materials and processing challenges. It will be appreciated, for example, that these materials may not be at the thermodynamic limit so that they are technically small systems for which the usual bulk theory either does not apply or is in need of more or less drastic revision. From the standpoint of constructing the kind of coupled chemical kinetic and transport models that are essential within the context of intelligent materials processing these aspects of soft fragile matter may have important consequences. In this paper we review and illustrate a general theory as applied to soft interfacial matter and illustrate the phenomena with some new and counterintuitive experimental results.
Beyond monoculture stoichiometry studies: assessing growth, respiration, and feeding responses of three Daphnia species to P-enriched, low C:P lake seston

AbstractNumerous studies in ecological stoichiometry have assessed responses of Daphnia to single- and multi-species food resources of varying nutritional quality. Diets based on P-limited algae with a high biomass carbon to phosphorus (C:P) ratio impose decreased growth on Daphnia because P demands for growth are not met. More recently, laboratory studies have shown that P-rich algal food also results in decreased growth rates for Daphnia; however, no published study has tested the impact of low food C:P on Daphnia under field conditions. To address this, we measured growth rate as well as respiration and ingestion rates for D. magna, D. pulicaria, and D. pulex that were fed lake seston experimentally enriched with phosphate (PO43−). Lake seston during the experimental period successfully took up PO43− enrichment treatments and was dominated by cyanobacteria and haptophytes, primarily those from the genus Prymnesium. Growth rate reductions for D. magna were strong in response to high-P food, most likely ...
Cardiac Trabeculae Segmentation: an Application of Computational Topology (Multimedia Contribution)

In this video, we present a research project on cardiac trabeculae segmentation. Trabeculae are fine muscle columns within human ventricles whose both ends are attached to the wall. Extracting these structures are very challenging even with state-of-the-art image segmentation techniques. We observed that these structures form natural topological handles. Based on such observation, we developed a topological approach, which employs advanced computational topology methods and achieve high quality segmentation results.
Echinobase: an expanding resource for echinoderm genomic information.

Echinobase, a web accessible information system of diverse genomics and biological data for the echinoderm clade, grew out of SpBase, the first echinoderm genome project for sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Sea urchins and their relatives are utilitarian research models in fields ranging from marine biology to developmental biology and gene regulatory systems. Echinobase is a user-friendly web interface that links an array of biological data that would otherwise have been tedious and frustrating for researchers to extract and organize. The system hosts a powerful gene search engine, genomics browser and other bioinformatics tools to investigate genomics and high throughput data. The Echinobase information system now serves genomic information for eight echinoderm species: S. purpuratus, Strongylocentrotus fransciscanus, Allocentrotus fragilis, Lytechinus variegatus, Patiria miniata, Parastichopus parvimensis and Ophiothrix spiculata, Eucidaris tribuloides. Herein lies a description of the web information system, genomics data types and content hosted by Echinobase.org. The goal of Echinobase is to connect genomic information to various experimental data and accelerate the research in field of molecular biology, developmental process, gene regulatory networks and more recently engineering biological systems0. Database URL:http://www.echinobase.org
From Epistemic Paradox to Doxastic Arithmetic

The logical analysis of epistemic paradoxes—including, for example, the Moore and Godel-Buridan paradoxes—has traditionally been performed assuming the whole range of corresponding modal logic principles: \(\lbrace \mathsf{D, T, 4, 5}\rbrace \). In this paper, it is discovered precisely which of those principles (including also the law of excluded middle, LEM) are responsible for the paradoxical behavior of the Moore, Godel-Buridan, Dual Moore, and Commissive Moore sentences. Further, by reproducing these paradoxes intuitionistically we reject a conjecture that these paradoxes are caused by the LEM. An exploration of the Godel-Buridan sentence prompts the inquiry into a system, Doxastic Arithmetic, \(\mathsf{DA}\), designed to represent the arithmetical beliefs of an agent who accepts all specific arithmetical proofs and yet believes in the consistency of their own beliefs. For these reasons, \(\mathsf{DA}\) may be regarded as an epistemic way to circumvent limitations of Godel’s Second Incompleteness Theorem.
Using anonymous probe-vehicle data for a performance indicator of bridge service

Anonymous probe-vehicle data are being used to evaluate travel time reliability and congestion conditions along roadways. These telematics data are collected from commercial and private cell phones...
Do Managers Use Extension Elements Strategically in the SEC's Tagged Data for Financial Statements? Evidence from XBRL Complexity

ABSTRACT This study examines whether firm use of XBRL extension elements increases the complexity of mandatory SEC filings. Using the ratio of extension elements to total elements in XBRL 10-K fili...
Torsional stability of uncemented femoral stems in oncologic reconstructions.

Abstract Modular oncology implants using uncemented fixation represent a popular reconstruction technique for limb salvage patients. Initial stability is critical to facilitate bony ingrowth of host bone into the stem of a press-fit oncologic modular rotating-hinge total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The impact of stem design on initial stability has not been defined. The goal of this study was to evaluate the initial stability of 3 different stem designs as defined by torsional load to failure. An analysis of imaging was also performed. The pilot study consisted of 5 femora in each of 3 groups based on stem design. The specimen was mounted on a multi-axis biomechanical test frame equipped with a Vicon 3D motion analysis 4-camera system (Vicon Motion Systems, Lake Forest, California) to track the relative motion between the implant and the femur. Torsional force was applied until failure. The straight-fluted stem design had the highest average torsional stiffness (18.3±8.2 Nm/deg) and average torque at 150 μm of implant micromotion (23.2±10.6 Nm) of the 3 stem types tested.The results of this study will help to guide surgical decision making in limb salvage cases. Further investigation is warranted.
The Brandeis Annotation Tool.

The Brandeis Annotation Tool (BAT) is a web-based text annotation tool that is centered around the notions of layered annotation and task decomposition. It allows annotations to refer to other annotations and to take a complicated task and split it into easier subtasks. The central organizing concept of BAT is the annotation layer. A corpus administrator can create annotation layers that involve annotation of extents, attributes or relations. The layer definition includes the labels used, the attributes that are available and restrictions on the values for those attributes. For each annotation layer, files can be assigned to one or more annotators and one judge. When annotators log in, the assigned layers and files therein are presented. When selecting a file to annotate, the interface uses the layer definition to display the annotation interface. The web-interface connects administrators and annotators to a central repository for all data and simplifies many of the housekeeping tasks while keeping requirements at a minimum (that is, users only need an internet connection and a well-behaved browser). BAT has been used mainly for temporal annotation, but can be considered a more general tool for several kinds of textual annotation.
GRI’s Research Program on Crack Initiation and Arrest Properties of 9% Nickel Steels Used in LNG Storage Vessels

The structural integrity of 9% nickel steels used in the fabrication of cryogenic containment vessels was first demonstrated in tests conducted in 1960, termed “Operation Cryogenics.” Since then more than 50 liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks fabricated from 9% nickel steels have been put into service. No brittle fractures have been reported in LNG vessels fabricated from 9% nickel steels and built in accordance with the requirements of API 620 Appendix Q or other equivalent standards. In spite of the excellent safety record exhibited by the large number of LNG storage tanks in service, a question has been raised as to whether or not adequate testing has been carried out to ensure that a running crack in the wall of an LNG tank made of 9% nickel steel will be arrested. Consequently, the Gas Research Institute (GRI) considered it pertinent and prudent to examine the ability of 9% nickel steels to arrest a running crack at LNG temperatures should a crack be triggered at a flaw and grow because of unfavorable local circumstances.
The Role of Norepinephrine in Drug Addiction: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract While the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in addiction has conventionally been emphasized, there is a substantial body of literature describing drug-induced dysfunction of the noradrenergic system and its contributions to drug reward, aversion, withdrawal, and relapse. Findings from both animal and human studies suggest that noradrenergic-based therapies may be able to normalize neurobiological changes caused by chronic drug exposure, and treat certain aspects of addiction. This chapter reviews the role of norepinephrine in substance abuse by (1) discussing how drug-induced perturbations in noradrenergic signaling promote addictive behaviors, (2) highlighting the findings of preclinical and clinical studies using noradrenergic therapies, and (3) proposing ways in which new neuroscientific tools can be used to further investigate the role of norepinephrine in addiction circuitry and, in the future, potentially be adapted for clinical use.
Impact of anticoagulant choice on hospitalized bleeding risk when treating cancer-associated venous thromboembolism.

Essentials Bleeding risk by anticoagulant choice for cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CA-VTE) is unknown. 26 894 people with CA-VTE were followed for bleeding in a claims database in the United States. Hospitalized bleeding risk was similar with direct acting oral anticoagulants vs. warfarin. Relative hospitalized bleeding risk varied by cancer type and anticoagulant choice. SUMMARY: Background Direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are associated with less bleeding than traditional venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatments in the general population but are little studied in cancer-associated VTE (CA-VTE). Objective To determine whether different anticoagulation strategies for CA-VTE have different hospitalized bleeding rates. Patients/Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients with CA-VTE, diagnosed between 2011 and 2015, in a large administrative database. Using validated algorithms, we identified 26 894 CA-VTE patients treated with anticoagulants and followed them for hospitalized severe bleeding. Cox models were used to assess bleeding risk, adjusted for age, sex, high dimensional propensity score and frailty. Results Over 27 281 person-years of follow-up (median 0.6 years), 1204 bleeding events occurred, for a bleeding rate of 4.4% per patient-year. Bleeding rates varied by cancer type, with the highest rate for upper gastrointestinal cancers (8.6%) and the lowest for breast cancer (2.9%). In Cox models (hazard ratio [HR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]), compared with warfarin, DOACS and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) had similar hazards of bleeding (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.69-1.11 and 0.98; 0.85-1.13). Compared with LMWH, there was no difference in hazard of bleeding with DOACs (0.86; 0.66-1.12). There was heterogeneity in bleeding risk with DOACs by cancer type, with a higher risk of bleeding in upper gastrointestinal cancers and lower risk of bleeding in prostate cancer and hematologic cancers. Conclusions In this practice-based sample of CA-VTE patients, DOACs were associated with similar bleeding risks to warfarin and LMWH. These findings suggest a complex association of bleeding risk with anticoagulant choice in cancer patients.
Wireless Smartphone Control using Electromyography and Automated Gesture Recognition

In this paper, a wearable, wireless system is demonstrated using electromyography (EMG) signals for realtime control of a smartphone device. The system allows gesturebased control of a smartphone or tablet computer without physical contact, direct line of sight, or significant movement. Additionally, automated gesture detection is shifted to the smartphone, eliminating the need for robust computing hardware. The electronic system and gesture prediction algorithm are described, and measured results are presented and for multiple users. The system demonstrates a maximum true positive detection rate of 92% for a trained user, using three distinct hand gestures. The EMG-based detection system serves as a proof-of-concept for providing wireless, gesture-based control of computer interfaces using low-cost consumer hardware.
Scaffolded Daily Writing Assignments Introducing the Writing of Mathematical Proofs

Writing mathematical proofs is a key component of writing in the discipline in mathematics. Historically, many students have struggled in pursuing this endeavor, particularly during their early exposure to the process. To help students progress toward the goal of being able to consistently create well-written proofs, I present an incremental approach used in a course for elementary education majors who are concentrating in mathematics. This approach uses daily low-stakes writing assignments. Using this instructional technique, I found that student engagement improved and that, overall, better mathematical proofs were written. One more instructor at my institution has already adopted the same methods, and I expect more to do so.
Lower general executive function is primarily associated with trait worry: A latent variable analysis of negative thought/affect measures.

This exploratory latent-variable study sought to identify common sources of variance between two multi-faceted important sets of constructs: executive functions (EFs) and negative thoughts/affect. One-hundred ninety-two college students completed nine tasks representing three types of EFs (inhibition, updating, and shifting) and a set of questionnaires assessing four facets of negative thought/affect (anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, worry, and rumination). Results indicated that, although the four negative thought/affect constructs were substantially correlated with one another, trait worry was the construct uniquely associated with EFs. Specifically, worry was associated with general EF abilities underlying all three subtypes of EFs (common EF), but was not associated with specific EF abilities (i.e., shifting-specific and updating-specific). These findings highlight the importance of partitioning common and specific variances in both EFs and negative thought/affect when examining the associations between these two research domains.
325) Does Time Variation between Study Visits Relate to Differences in Pain Ratings

Experimental pain research often requires research participants to complete multiple study visits. Variability in the time difference between study visits may be a factor that should be controlled for in pain research. We aim to investigate the question of how variation in the time interval between two study visits affects pain ratings and whether anxiety or pain catastrophizing moderate this effect. During the first visit (V1), participants rated pain intensity (visual analog scale) after each noxious heat stimulus in a series (7 stimuli of 48°C, 10 seconds each). In addition, subjects completed self-reported measures for anxiety (PROMIS® Anxiety) and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale). The second visit (V2) included a repeat of the self-report measures and the same noxious heat stimuli during an MRI scan. Pain intensity ratings of the 48°C stimuli were averaged for each visit, and difference scores (V2 minus V1), as well as the percent change [(average intensity V2 minus average intensity V1)/average intensity V1], were calculated for each participant. This is a secondary analysis of 100 healthy adults (31 males, 69 females, age 28.8±6.8) from the parent study. The average difference between study visits was 20.1±20.5 days (range: 1 to 83 days). No significant correlations were identified for the time difference between study visits and pain intensity rating difference (p=0.166), and including anxiety and pain catastrophizing into the analysis did not affect the relationships (p=0.715 and p=0.262 respectively). Similar results were found using percent reduction in pain ratings. Sex and age were included in the models and did not have a significant effect on the relationships. The realities of human research make it difficult to schedule multiple study visits at exact time intervals. Despite variable time between study visits, time difference does not appear to have a significant effect on pain ratings in healthy adults.
Understanding Stochasticity in Carbon Nanotube Manufacturing

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are tubes of nanometer-scale diameter that can be thought of as one-atom-thick graphene sheets that are wrapped seamlessly into tubes. Individual CNTs can exist as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) or multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs), depending on the number of wrapped one-atom-thick sheets of carbon forming the tubes. The unique structural attributes of CNTs and their superior properties have motivated over two decades of research into their fabrication and characterization. In addition to the interest in the properties of individual CNTs, a significant body of work focuses on the properties of large populations of CNTs that collectively exhibit unique anisotropic mass and energy transport properties. Such CNT ensembles exist in many architectures with stochasticity in their morphology like mats, yarns, and forests. Importantly, the behavior and properties of such ensembles can be tailored by engineering their architectures, which can be tuned by controlling the process parameters in their fabrication. Hence, understanding the stochastic nature of this process-structure-property relationship is key in advancing the science and technology of manufacturing functional nanomaterials based on architectured CNT ensembles.
Energy-saving opportunities of direct-DC loads in buildings

Abstract Despite the recent interest in direct current (DC) power distribution in buildings, the market for DC-ready loads remains small. The existing DC loads in various products or research test beds are not always designed to efficiently leverage the benefits of DC. This work addresses a pressing need for a study into the development of efficient DC loads. In particular, it focuses on documenting and demonstrating how to best leverage a DC input to eliminate or improve conversion stages in a load’s power converter. This work identifies how typical building loads can benefit from DC input, including bath fans, refrigerators, wall adapters, task lights, and zone lighting. It then details the development of several prototypes that demonstrate efficiency savings with DC. The most efficient direct-DC loads are explicitly designed for DC from the ground up, rather than from an AC modification.
Additional Insights into the Relationship Between Brain Network Architecture and Susceptibility and Resilience to the Psychiatric Sequelae of Childhood Maltreatment.

Childhood maltreatment is associated with an increased risk for psychiatric and substance use disorders. However, some maltreated individuals appear resilient to these consequences while manifesting the same array of brain changes as maltreated individuals with psychopathology. Hence, a critical issue has been to identify compensatory brain alterations in these resilient individuals. We recently reported that maltreatment is associated with a more vulnerable structural brain network architecture. Resilient individuals have this same vulnerability but appeared to be able to effectively compensate due to reduced nodal efficiency (ability of a node to influence the global network) in 9 specific brain regions that moderate the relationship between maltreatment and psychopathology. Following up, we now report that network vulnerability increases progressively during late adolescence to plateau at about 21 years of age, which may help to explain age of onset of psychopathology. Further, we found that network vulnerability was most significantly affected by parental verbal abuse between 16 and 18 years of age and number of types of maltreatment during childhood. Asymptomatic individuals with no history of psychopathology had more prominent alterations in nodal efficiency than asymptomatic individuals with prior history, who specifically showed reduced nodal efficiency in the right amygdala and right subcallosal gyrus. Experiencing inadequate financial sufficiency during childhood increased the risk of susceptibility versus resilience by 2.98-fold (95% CI 1.49–5.97, p = 0.002) after adjusting for differences in exposure to maltreatment. Interestingly, adequate-to-higher financial sufficiency appeared to be protective and was associated with reduced nodal efficiency in the right postcentral gyrus and subcallosal gyrus “resilience” nodes.
The Importance of Infrequent, High-Intensity Rainfall Events for Longleaf Pine ( Pinus palustris Mill.) Radial Growth and Implications for Dendroclimatic Research

Abstract Tree-ring based precipitation reconstructions are beneficial in placing interannual variability in an historical context. However, absent specificity on what is being modeled (e.g., event type or rainfall intensity), similar rainfall totals inferred from reconstructions between different years imply similar conditions. Consequently, variability in specific precipitation event types or intensity can affect radial growth widths despite no changes in overall precipitation amount. Here, we use a longleaf pine latewood chronology to demonstrate how infrequent, intense (i.e., > 2.0 SD above mean) rainfall events (IREs), representing ~ 50% of total summer (July–September) precipitation amounts and 14.1% of rainfall events, principally determine interannual variability (R2 = 40.7%) in latewood while total summer rainfall amounts excluding IREs provide minimal explanatory power (R2 = 10.4%). These results suggest that slight decreases in IRE frequency can promote significant reductions in latewood growth indicating strong sensitivity to minor changes in climate.
Fatigue-life prediction of SiC particulate reinforced aluminum alloy 6061 matrix composite using AE stress delay concept

A study of the residual fatigue life prediction of 6061-T6 aluminum matrix composite reinforced with 15 vol % SiC particulates (SiCp) by using the acoustic emission technique and the stress delay concept has been carried out. Fatigue damages corresponding to 40, 60 and 80% of total fatigue life were stimulated at a cyclic stress amplitude. The specimens with and without fatigue damage were subjected to tensile tests. The acoustic emission activities were monitored during tensile tests. It was found that a lower stress level was required to reach a specified number of cumulative AE events for specimens fatigued to higher percentage of the fatigue life. This stress level is called stress delay. Approximately a linear relation was found between stress delay and fatigue damage. Using the procedure defined in this study, the residual fatigue life can be predicted by testing the specimen in tension and monitoring the AE events. The number of the cumulative AE events increased exponentially with the increase of strain during tensile tests. This exponential increase occurred when the material was in the plastic regime and was attributed mainly to SiC particulate/matrix interface decohesion and linkage of voids. In high cycle fatigue, it was observed that the residual tensile strengths of the material did not change with prior cyclic loading damages since the high cycle fatigue life was dominated by the crack initiation phase.
Oblique trajectory angles in robotic stereo-electroencephalography.

Objective Traditional stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) entails the use of orthogonal trajectories guided by seizure semiology and arteriography. Advances in robotic stereotaxy and computerized neuronavigation have made oblique trajectories more feasible and easier to implement without formal arteriography. Such trajectories provide access to components of seizure networks not readily sampled using orthogonal trajectories. However, the dogma regarding the relative safety and predictability of orthogonal and azimuth-based trajectories persists, given the absence of data regarding the safety and efficacy of oblique sEEG trajectories. In this study, the authors evaluated the relative accuracy and efficacy of both orthogonal and oblique trajectories during robotic implantation of sEEG electrodes to sample seizure networks. Methods The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 150 consecutive procedures in 134 patients, accounting for 2040 electrode implantations. Of these, 837 (41%) were implanted via oblique trajectories (defined as an entry angle > 30°). Accuracy was calculated by comparing the deviation of each electrode at the entry and the target point from the planned trajectory using postimplantation imaging. Results The mean entry and target deviations were 1.57 mm and 1.89 mm for oblique trajectories compared with 1.38 mm and 1.69 mm for orthogonal trajectories, respectively. Entry point deviation was significantly associated with entry angle, but the impact of this relationship was negligible (-0.015-mm deviation per degree). Deviation at the target point was not significantly affected by the entry angle. No hemorrhagic or infectious complications were observed in the entire cohort, further suggesting that these differences were not meaningful in a clinical context. Of the patients who then underwent definitive procedures after sEEG, 69 patients had a minimum of 12 months of follow-up, of whom 58 (84%) achieved an Engel class I or II outcome during a median follow-up of 27 months. Conclusions The magnitude of stereotactic errors in this study falls squarely within the range reported in the sEEG literature, which primarily features orthogonal trajectories. The patient outcomes reported in this study suggest that seizure foci are well localized using oblique trajectories. Thus, the selective use of oblique trajectories in the authors' cohort was associated with excellent safety and efficacy, with no patient incidents, and the findings support the use of oblique trajectories as an effective and safe means of investigating seizure networks.
Adjusting Group Intercept and Slope Bias in Predictive Equations

Methods to assess measurement invariance in constructs have received much attention, as invariance is critical for accurate group comparisons. Less attention has been given to the identification and correction of the sources of non-invariance in predictive equations. This work developed correction factors for structural intercept and slope bias in common regression equations to address calls in the literature to revive test bias research. We demonstrated the correction factors in regression analyses within the context of a large international dataset containing 68 countries and regions (groups). A mathematics achievement score was predicted by a math self-efficacy score, which exhibited a lack of invariance across groups. The proposed correction factors significantly corrected structural intercept and slope bias across groups. The impact of the correction factors was greatest for groups with the largest amount of bias. Implications for both practice and methodological extensions are discussed.
Automated analysis of prescription data to reduce prolonged antibiotic courses in the pediatric urgent care setting

Background: With the increase of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) in the United States and abroad, good antibiotic stewardship has become an integral aspect of delivering appropriate care to patients As utilization of retail clinics and urgent care centers increases in the U S , it becomes especially important to evaluate the antibiotic prescribing practices in those settings Existing research in this area has noted that urgent cares and retail clinics prescribe antibiotics for 39 0% and 36 4% of their visits respectively, compared to 13 8% and 7 1% for Emergency Department (ED) and medical office visits respectively [1] At the pediatric urgent cares in our institution, we identified prolonged durations for antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections (UTIs) Our aim was to reduce the proportion of cephalexin prescriptions for UTI with a prolonged duration from 81% to 20% within 6 months Methodology: Our team in conjunction with our infectious disease colleagues implemented guidelines for appropriate antibiotic courses We developed an algorithm that automatically abstracts data from the electronic health record (EHR) and evaluates the appropriateness ofantibiotic prescription in relation to diagnosis, taking into account both duration and dose Plan-Do-Study-Act(PDSA) cycle #1 interventions were the development and dissemination of appropriate antibiotic dosingschedules for presumed UTI to our team and creating appropriate order-sets for antibiotic prescribing basedon diagnosis and age PDSA cycle #2 interventions were continued provider education, dissemination ofguidelines to our moonlighting staff, and further improvement of order-sets Our primary measure was thepercent of antibiotic prescriptions for UTI that were adherent with the guidelines set forth by the team Discussion: From October to January 2019, 81% of antibiotic prescriptions for UTI had either a prolongedduration or a dose that was inconsistent with our internal guidelines After PDSA#1, there was a notablereduction in the percentage of prescriptions that did not adhere to the recommended guidelines to 34% AfterPDSA#2 we were able to reduce the percentage to 0% however after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order in ourstate was enacted we noted a sudden increase in our nonadherence to 62% which was well outside our goal of<20% (Figure 1) Conclusion: Our fully automated algorithm allowed us to quickly identify non-adherence toour prescribing guidelines, automatically produce tailored education to individual providers and reportswithout the need for manual chart review Using QI methodology, we demonstrated that education and EHRorder-set implementation can successfully increase adherence to our organization's prescribing guidelines,leading to improved antibiotic stewardship Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic likely led providers tofocus on other areas of care leading to a sudden increase in nonadherence to guidelines Therefore, we arecontinuing our efforts to develop additional decision to support to guide providers to the recommendedantibiotic duration
The Crustacean Antennule: A Complex Organ Adapted for Lifelong Function in Diverse Environments and Lifestyles

AbstractThe crustacean first antenna, or antennule, has been an experimental model for studying sensory biology for over 150 years. Investigations have led to a clearer understanding of the functional organization of the antennule as an olfactory organ but also to a realization that the antennule is much more than that. Across the Crustacea, the antennules take on many forms and functions. As an example, the antennule of reptantian decapods has many types of sensilla, each with distinct structure and function and with hundreds of thousands of chemosensory neurons expressing hundreds of genes that code for diverse classes of receptor proteins. Together, these antennular sensilla represent multiple chemosensory pathways, each with its own central connections and functions. The antennule also has a diversity of sensors of mechanical stimuli, including vibrations, touch, water flow, and the animal's own movements. The antennule likely also detects other environmental cues, such as temperature, oxygen, pH, salinity, and noxious stimuli. Furthermore, the antennule is a motor organ-it is flicked to temporally and spatially sample the animal's chemo-mechanical surroundings-and this information is used in resolving the structure of chemical plumes and locating the odor source. The antennule is also adapted to maintain lifelong function in a changing environment. For example, it has specific secretory glands, grooming structures, and behaviors to stay clean and functional. Antennular sensilla and the annuli on which they reside are also added and replaced, leading to a complete turnover of the antennule over several molts. Thus, the antennule is a complex and dynamic sensory-motor integrator that is intricately engaged in most aspects of the lives of crustaceans.
Identification and Interpretation of Potential Domains in Protein Sequences

Many proteins have been found to be composed of two or more different domains; some contain multiple copies of one or more domains. Further, as a result of genetic events such as exon shuffling, related domains may be shared in various combinations and arrangements among a number of large multidomain proteins. As domains can often be correlated with structural or functional capabilities, it is important to recognize them in newly sequenced proteins. We have developed a protocol to aid in the identification, interpretation, and evaluation of potential domains in protein sequences, using the database and programs of the Protein Identification Resource. We can apply these techniques in recognizing features of different kinds of domains, in defining domain limits, and in discovering similar domains in proteins of known structure. Statistical evaluation of similarities cannot alone prove homology and may be difficult for small domains (less than 100 residues), but can lead to predictions of functional relationships for experimental testing. Our methods are illustrated with some new examples in recently sequenced proteins.
Chapter 1 Properties of Disequilibrium Adjustment in Double Auction Markets

Publisher Summary The tendency of double auction markets to converge to the equilibrium of the associated competitive equilibrium model is well known, but the equilibration process is not understood. The reason for adjustment and the processes that are actively involved with the adjustment process are still a mystery. However, the study of many markets reported over the years by many different research groups have provided some properties of disequilibria and the dynamics of the adjustment process. Double auction markets have properties that are closely associated with certain institutional and environmental features and have been studied extensively. First, there is a period structure to the markets: an open and a close. Second, major changes, such as parameter changes, occur between the close of one period and the open of the next and this fact is public information. That is, parameter changes do not occur during a period. Third, the commodity traded is like a service that does not have a life of over one period. Redemption values and costs are active for only one period at a time. If the commodity does have a time life—like a security—it will systematically change its value between periods, such as a dividend that is paid at the end of a period. This chapter does not specifically explores the dynamics of adjustment that occur in other market structures, the properties listed in the chapter are characteristic of the asset markets that have been studied: speculative markets and economies characterized by overlapping generations.
Metabolic capacity of nasal tissue: interspecies comparisons of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes

High levels of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes occur in the nasal mucosa of all species studied. In certain species, including rats and rabbits, unique enzymes are present in the nasal mucosa. The function of these enzymes is not well understood, but it is thought that they play a role in protecting the lungs from toxicity of inhalants. The observation that several nasal xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes accept odorants as substrates may indicate that these enzymes also play a role in the olfactory process. Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes were found in the nasal cavity around 15 years ago. Since that time, much has been learned about the nature of the enzymes and the substrates they accept. In the present review, this information is summarized with special attention to species differences in xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes of the nasal cavity. Such differences may be important in interpreting the results of toxicity assays in animals because rodents are apparently more susceptible to nasal toxicity after exposure to inhalants than are humans.
The low energy spectra of gamma-ray bursts

We examine the implications of observed γ‐ray burst spectra for the physical conditions and geometries of the sources. Explanation of the continua in terms of optically‐thin thermal bremsstrahlung requires a relatively large area, but a quite shallow depth. Alternatively, a spectrum similar to that observed could be produced by rapid flickering of sources with less extreme geometries, if each flicker emits a Comptonized thermal spectrum. To interpret the low energy feature as cyclotron extinction, either field inhomogeneities or plasma motions are required. An alternative explanation is photoelectric absorption by heavy atoms, which requires a very high field strength, large enough to make one‐photon electron positron annihilation possible. We conclude proposing some observational tests of these possibilities.
A Comparison of Extended and Traditional Master's of Social Work Students: A Repeated Measures Analysis

Abstract This study reviews student performance in the University of Pittsburgh Extended Master of Social Work and traditional Master of Social Work programs in the areas of foundation knowledge (Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Generic Practice, Social Welfare, and Research) and practice values related to the field of social work. The EMSW program was designed as an experimental program to evaluate the feasibility of fulfilling academic requirements on a part-time basis without the full-time residency requirement and with minimal interruption to students' employment and/or family responsibilities.
Gruppe der Orthomyxoviren (Influenza)

Der Name Myxovirus soll darauf hinweisen, das diese Viren eine bestimmte Affinitat zu Mucinen besitzen. Er wurde ursprunglich fur die zuerst entdeckten Mitglieder dieser Gruppe, die Influenza-Viren, vorgeschlagen. Sie besitzen RNS in Form eines Helix-formigen Nucleoproteins, das von einer Ather-emp-findlichen Hulle umgeben ist. Der ausere Durchmesser der pleomorphen Partikel schwankt zwischen 90 und 250 nm. Andere Viren — wie Mumps-, Masern-, RS- und Parainfluenza-Viren — weisen die gleichen Charakteristika auf; in anderen wesentlichen Eigenschaften unterscheiden sie sich jedoch deutlich von den Orthomyxoviren. Entsprechend der Grose der inneren, Ribonucleo-protein-haltigen Helix werden die Myxoviren in Untergruppen eingeteilt; bei den Orthomyxoviren ist die Helix 9 nm gros, bei den Paramyxoviren 18 nm (siehe auch Kapitel 35).
The role of magnetic susceptibility in magnetic resonance imaging: MRI magnetic compatibility of the first and second kinds

The concept of magnetic susceptibility is central to many current research and development activities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); for example, the development of MR-guided surgery has created a need for surgical instruments and other devices with susceptibility tailored to the MR environment; susceptibility effects can lead to position errors of up to several millimeters in MR-guided stereotactic surgery; and the variation of magnetic susceptibility on a microscopic scale within tissues contributes to MR contrast and is the basis of functional MRI. The magnetic aspects of MR compatibility are discussed in terms of two levels of acceptability: Materials with the first kind of magnetic field compatibility are such that magnetic forces and torques do not interfere significantly when the materials are used within the magnetic field of the scanner; materials with the second kind of magnetic field compatibility meet the more demanding requirement that they produce only negligible artifacts within the MR image and their effect on the positional accuracy of features within the image is negligible or can readily be corrected. Several materials exhibiting magnetic field compatibility of the second kind have been studied and a group of materials that produce essentially no image distortion, even when located directly within the imaging field of view, is identified. Because of demagnetizing effects, the shape and orientation, as well as the susceptibility, of objects within and adjacent to the imaging region is important in MRI. The quantitative use of susceptibility data is important to MRI, but the use of literature values for the susceptibility of materials is often difficult because of inconsistent traditions in the definitions and units used for magnetic parameters-particularly susceptibility. The uniform use of SI units for magnetic susceptibility and related quantities would help to achieve consistency and avoid confusion in MRI.
Plasma lipids as collateral risk factors in coronary artery disease--a study of 371 males with chest pain.

Abstract A group of 371 males with chest pain was studied to ascertain the way in which the risk of coronary artery disease depends on the joint variation of plasma lipid concentrations. Patients were divided into two groups: one called diseased in which one or more major coronary vessels was shown on angiography to have at least a 25% stenosis; and the second called normal. For both groups, advanced techniques were used to estimate the joint probability density function which represents the way in which the two lipid concentrations vary jointly. With these density functions, we analyzed the risk of coronary artery disease as a function of plasma triglyceride concentration for fixed plasma cholesterol concentrations. We found that in general this risk increases markedly with increasing plasma triglyceride concentration, and this effect is more pronounced at higher cholesterol levels. These results suggest an association between elevated plasma triglyceride and the risk of coronary artery disease independent of that implied by the co-existing plasma cholesterol concentration. Our analytical approach can be used in other investigations of risk factors in coronary artery disease.