cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Untersuchungen mit optischer Rotationsdispersion, CXIII1) Molybdat-Pyranose-Komplexe2)

Fur die Komplexbildung mit Molybdat ist bei Pyranosen die Konformation der ersten drei Hydroxylgruppen des Pyranose-Rings entscheidend. Im Spektralbereich 350-220 nm zeigen Molybdat-Losungen von Zuckern mit der moglichen Anordnung der Hydroxylgruppen cis-cis, axial-aquatorial-axial 3 bis 4 Cotton-Effekte; ist nur die Konformation trans-trans, axial-axial-axial moglich, dann konnen im genannten Wellenlangenbereich nur 2 Cotton-Effekte gemessen werden.
The behavior of respondents in contingent valuation: Evidence on starting bids

Abstract Data from a contingent valuation survey of New Jersey beaches provides a test of starting point bias. Subsamples were delineated corresponding to levels of respondent understanding of the commodity being valued. A means- difference test showed statistically significant starting point bias for each subsample of respondents. A bid function is used to show that starting point bias is present and it increases as the level of information (understanding) decreases. Starting point bias was found even though respondents were actually using and paying for the commodity in question and the starting bids were in the neighborhood of the entry fee.
Outcome Prediction of Emergency Patients by Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring

Objectives We used noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in the initial resuscitation beginning in the emergency department (ED) for the following reasons: (1) to describe early survivor and nonsurvivor patterns of emergency patients in terms of cardiac, pulmonary, and tissue perfusion deficiencies; (2) to measure quantitatively the net cumulative amount of deficit or excess of the monitored functions that correlate with survival or death; and (3) to explore the use of discriminant analysis to predict outcome and evaluate the biological significance of monitored deficits. Methods This is a descriptive study of the feasibility of noninvasive monitoring of patients with acute emergency conditions in the ED to evaluate and quantify hemodynamic deficits as early as possible. The noninvasive monitoring systems consisted of a bioimpedance method for estimating cardiac output together with pulse oximetry to reflect pulmonary function, transcutaneous oxygen tension to reflect tissue perfusion, and BP to reflect the overall circulatory status. These continuously monitored noninvasive measurements were used to prospectively evaluate circulatory patterns in 151 consecutively monitored severely injured patients beginning with admission to the ED in a university-run county hospital. The net cumulative deficit or excess of each monitored parameter was calculated as the cumulative difference from the normal value vs the time-integrated monitored curve for each patient. The deficits of cardiac, pulmonary, and tissue perfusion functions were analyzed in relation to outcome by discriminant analysis and were cross-validated. Results The mean (± SEM) net cumulative excesses (+) or deficits (−) from normal in surviving vs nonsurviving patients, respectively, were as follows: cardiac index (CI), +81 ± 52 vs− 232 ± 138 L/m 2 (p = 0.037); arterial hemoglobin saturation, −1 ± 0.3 vs −8 ± 2.6%/h (p = 0.006); and tissue perfusion, +313 ± 88 vs −793 ± 175, mm Hg/h (p = 0.001). The cumulative mean arterial BP deficit for survivors was −10 ± 13 mm Hg/h, and for nonsurvivors it was −57 ± 24 mm Hg/h (p = 0.078). Conclusions Noninvasive monitoring systems provided continuously monitored on-line displays of data in the early postadmission period from the ED to the operating room and to the ICU for early recognition of circulatory dysfunction in short-term emergency conditions. Survival was predicted by discriminant analysis models based on the quantitative assessment of the net cumulative deficits of CI, arterial hypoxemia, and tissue perfusion, which were significantly greater in the nonsurvivors.
LARGE-SCALE CLIMATE SYNCHRONIZES THE TIMING OF FLOWERING BY MULTIPLE SPECIES

Spatially synchronous dynamics are widespread in ecology, but attributing them to environmental correlation, as originally proposed by Moran, is complicated by the synchronizing influences of dispersal and trophic interactions. Nonetheless, spatially correlated masting in trees and its relation to spatial covariation in weather patterns over large regions are strongly suggestive of coupling of populations by large-scale climate. I investigated the potential for population synchronization by large-scale climate in an analysis of long-term (i.e., 50-yr) dynamics of the timing of flowering by three species of plants in 26 populations spanning several hundred kilometers in Norway. Temporal fluctuations in the timing of flowering were highly correlated across populations, both within and among species. Moreover, large-scale climatic fluctuation (the Arctic Oscillation) synchronized the timing of flowering across all three species over distances up to 500 km. These results represent a clear demonstration of population linkage by large-scale climate, and suggest that populations of multiple species may be influenced simultaneously over broad distances by climatic change. Corresponding Editor: M. S. Boyce
Nutrition and the Variation in Level and Age Patterns of Mortality

We examine the associations between nutrition and mortality at the national level. Altogether four aspects of this association are explored: (1) total calories with expectation of life, (2) dietary composition with expectation of life, (3) total calories with the age patterns of mortality, and (4) dietary composition with the age patterns of mortality. The data consist of life tables and national food balance sheets for 341 populations from 96 countries. A preliminary principal components analysis conducted on the dietary composition data yields three dietary components: (1) the overall quality and quantity of the diet, (2) the relative contribution of carbohydrates versus fats, and (3) the relative contribution of fats versus proteins. The results indicate that expectation of life at birth increases with total calories, with overall quality and quantity of the diet, and with the ratio of fats to proteins. The ratio of carbohydrates to fats is negatively associated with level of mortality. However, evidence indicates that the main effect of the ratio of fats to proteins is reversed when diets are high in quality and that all the effects tend to saturate at high nutrient availability. Variation in nutrition is also strongly associated with the international variation in age patterns of mortality. For example, when expectation of life is held constant, populations with higher quality diets tend to have lower childhood mortality and higher adult mortality. The results indicate that nutritional patterns are highly correlated with much of the worldwide variation in mortality and may be a useful criterion for selecting or predicting the best suited model life table for use on a particular population.
Analysis of Cray XC30 Performance Using Trinity-NERSC-8 Benchmarks and Comparison with Cray XE6 and IBM BG/Q

In this paper, we examine the performance of a suite of applications on three different architectures: Edison, a Cray XC30 with Intel Ivy Bridge processors; Hopper and Cielo, both Cray XE6’s with AMD Magny–Cours processors; and Mira, an IBM BlueGene/Q with PowerPC A2 processors. The applications chosen are a subset of the applications used in a joint procurement effort between Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Strong scaling results are presented, using both MPI-only and MPI+OpenMP execution models.
Personality and Assessment

This chapter is written in four major sections. The first provides some historical background to mainstream psychology’s approach to the areas traditionally designated as ‘‘personality and assessment.” The second section focuses on limitations and other difficulties of contemporary notions and practices. The themes running through the first two sections have to do with established psychologists’ inclinations to look upon human affairs in terms of natural laws operating independently of human consciousness. From the perspective of other psychologists, who regard humans as being not only objects of nature but also as being active subjects, the predominant view is not so much wrong as it is incomplete. The incompleteness, however, can have deleterious consequences when it takes the form of either: (a) an explicit reduction of all human events to mechanics and/or electrochemistry, or (b) an implicit technologized comprehension—which occurs in the absence of formal recognition of specifically human characteristics.
A SOLUTION OF THE STEADY LINEAR HEAT-FLOW EQUATION WITH HEAT GENERATION AND CONDUCTIVITY ARBITRARY FUNCTIONS OF TEMPERATURE

Heat flux measurements were made on a small argon plasma jet. Experimental values as high as 4.5 kcal/cm/sup 2/ sec were obtained for the transient-heating rate of a small copper slug. The heat-flux variation with energy supplied and the energy distribution to cathode, anode, and plasma are presentcd. (auth)
Achieving nanometer scale tip-to-substrate gaps with micrometer-size ultramicroelectrodes in scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) tips with rounded glass insulation around the metal wire (radius a = 5 μm) were fabricated (apparent RG < 1.1, where RG is the ratio of the radius of the ...
Salvage of a failed open gastrocutaneous fistula repair with an endoscopic over-the-scope clip

Abstract Once enteral access via gastrostomy tube (G-tube) is no longer indicated, the tube is typically removed in clinic with a high probability of spontaneous closure. When spontaneous closure is not achieved, the formation of a gastrocutaneous fistula (GCF) is possible. The incidence of GCF is directly related with the length of time the tube has been placed. When conservative management fails, surgical intervention is the standard treatment. Endoscopic techniques have been described for primary closure of GCF in adults including banding and cauterizing of the fistula tract with placement of a standard endoscopic clip. Over-the-scope clips (OTSC) have recently been reported in primary GCF closure in children (Wright et al., 2015). In patients with skin irritation surrounding a GCF making surgical repair difficult, endoscopic OTSC closure provides particular benefit. It is our belief that this is the first case report of endoscopically salvaging a leak from a failed open GCF repair.
Age-Related Changes and Condition-Dependent Modifications in Distribution of Limb Movements During Embryonic Motility

It has long been known that the chick initiates spontaneous motility early in embryogenesis, that the distribution of this activity is episodic, and that it varies both quantitatively and qualitati...
Time to Invest in Sickle Cell Anemia as a Global Health Priority.

* Abbreviations: MDG — : Millennium Development Goal NBS — : newborn screening NCD — : noncommunicable disease POC — : point of care SCA — : sickle cell anemia SDG — : Sustainable Development Goal More than 500 children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) die every single day because of lack of access to early diagnosis and associated treatment, yet SCA remains an invisible global health problem. Over the last several decades, unprecedented improvements in the survival of children across the world have been accomplished through strategic collaboration among global health leaders and funding agencies by targeting specific preventable and treatable conditions associated with high early mortality.1 The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) program has been remarkable, and through MDG 4, the number of deaths in children <5 years of age has declined from 12.7 million in 1990 to nearly 6 million in 2015. Despite the historical and paradigm-shifting successes of the MDG program, much work remains to be done. Although the MDG era has resulted in many global health improvements, the progress has been somewhat uneven because global health funding has largely focused on a small number of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, polio, and malaria.2 The successful efforts in these areas have demonstrated that focused and goal-oriented global health strategies can result in dramatic improvements from a baseline situation that may appear dire. As we transition from the MDGs to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we must learn from the successes of the MDG era while focusing on diversification of the global health agenda beyond just a few specific health conditions. With the transition to the SDGs, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have risen to the forefront of the global health agenda. In an effort to include children in the global NCD initiative, the American Academy of Pediatrics has become a leader in NCD Child, a global alliance focused on NCDs in children and adolescents. The NCD Child Initiative importantly recognizes the necessity of including children in the NCD discussion, but, as is … Address correspondence to Patrick T. McGann, MD, MS, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229. E-mail: patrick.mcgann{at}cchmc.org
Extrusion Foaming of Poly(Lactic acid) Blown with CO2: Toward 100% Green Material:

This paper presents a thorough investigation of the continuous extrusion foaming of amorphous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the blowing agent. Detailed results describing th...
Interval lung cancer after a negative CT screening examination: CT findings and outcomes in National Lung Screening Trial participants

Objectives This study retrospectively analyses the screening CT examinations and outcomes of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) participants who had interval lung cancer diagnosed within 1 year after a negative CT screen and before the next annual screen.
Relevance of MUC1 mucin variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in Helicobacter pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells

622 The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of the MUC1 mucin Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric cells. The Gram negative bacterium H. pylori is involved in the pathogenesis of several gastrointestinal diseases, ultimately leading to gastric carcinogenesis. The attachment of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells is mediated by the interaction between bacterial adhesins and LPS, and the gastric cell membrane glycolipids and glycoproteins. MUC1 is a membrane glycoprotein that protects epithelial surfaces and has also been recently identified as an H. pylori-binding target. MUC1 shows a highly glycosylated polymorphic VNTR domain, that may be involved in the binding of the bacteria. However, the relevance of MUC1 VNTR variability for H. pylori adhesion to gastric cells remains to be clarified. We used a gastric carcinoma cell line model, GP202, established from a signet ring cell gastric carcinoma that constitutively expresses MUC1. This cell line was stably transfected with FLAG epitope-tagged MUC1 constructs with 0, 3, 9 and 42 Tandem Repeat units (respectively GP202-MUC1 deleted-TR, GP202-MUC1 3TR, GP202-MUC1 9TR and GP202-MUC1 42TR). Two H. pylori strains were used in this study: the pathogenic strain 26695 (vacA s1/m1, cagPAI+) and the non-pathogenic strain Tx30a (vacA s2/m2, cagPAI-). An ELISA-based adhesion assay was performed to evaluate the bacterial binding to the different transfectants and parental cell line, using the anti-H. pylori monoclonal antibody MAB922. Adhesion of the pathogenic strain 26695 to gastric cells was higher than the adhesion of the non-pathogenic strain Tx30a in all the transfectants and parental cell line, which may contribute to the previously described pathogenicity of the 26695 strain. There was also a correlation between the increased number of Tandem Repeats and the increased adhesion for both strains. This may be due to the fact that MUC1 with larger Tandem Repeat regions contains more potential binding sites, thus enhancing bacterial adhesion. Moreover, differences in VNTR length lead to glycosylation changes in MUC1, which may also contribute to the altered adhesion observed. This work shows that MUC1 VNTR polymorphism may play an important role in Helicobacter pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa. Supported by FCT (POCI/SAU-IMI/56895/2004).
Complexes and Negative Activation Energies in Arylhalocarbene/Alkene Additions: Activation Parameter Dependence on Alkane Solvent Chain Length.

Activation parameters for the additions of PhCCl, F5-PhCCl, and 3,5-dinitro-PhCCl to tetramethylethylene, cyclohexene, and 1-hexene have been determined in decane. With the exception of two carbene/alkene combinations, Arrhenius correlations of ln kaddn vs 1/T were unimodal and linear, affording negative activation energies and entropies. The additions of PhCCl or F5-PhCCl to 1-hexene gave bimodal Arrhenius correlations. Comparisons to the analogous experimental data obtained in pentane and computational studies help to elucidate the observed behavior. Activation entropies decrease in parallel with activation enthalpies going from pentane to decane solvent, suggesting that enthalpy–entropy compensation is operative in these carbene additions. The bimodal Arrhenius behavior is proposed to result from carbene–alkene additions taking place intrinsically or extrinsically to decane solvent cage assemblies.
Response to Lester Lave: Economic Impacts of Alternative Acid Rain Control Strategies

Numerous studies have been undertaken to determine the economic consequences of acid rain controls in the United States. Virtually all of the control programs evaluated thus far have focused on reducing SO2 emissions at existing coalfired power plants, and have differed only with respect to the magnitude and timing of SO2 reduction. In addition, these studies have consistently focused almost exclusively on the cost to utilities and the resulting impact on the cost of electricity to consumers. Although recognizing that acid rain controls would lead to significant shifts in coal production and employment from high- to low-sulfur coal producing areas, none of these studies have attempted to estimate the indirect costs of these shifts in economic activity.
Development of a chicken ileal explant culture model for measurement of gut inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract Gut mucosa holds a single layer of epithelial cells and the largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body. Although the epithelial cell culture model is widely used to assess intestinal barrier function, it has limitations for studying cellular interactions, in particular those of the immune system. In this study, a chicken ileal explant culture model was developed for investigating short-term gut inflammatory and secretory responses in an ex vivo environment. Initially, ileal explants from broilers at 21 d of age were cultured ex vivo up to 6 h. Explants cultured for a maximum of 2 h remained over 90% viable, based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Morphologically, explants cultured for 2 h displayed normal morphology compared to those cultured longer, further confirming that short-term culture for up to 2 h duration is an acceptable model for studying ex vivo regulation of inflammation. Subsequently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dose-related responses were determined for explants cultured for 2 h. Results from LDH activity assay showed that the viability of explants was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) at an LPS dose higher than 50 μg/mL. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) nitric oxide release was observed at LPS concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/mL. In addition, the highest inflammatory and secretory responses were detected at 20 μg/mL LPS based on gene expression of TLR-4, IL-1β, IL-8, MUC2, IgA, and pIgR (P ≤ 0.05). However, the gene expression of claudin-1 and claudin-4 were not increased at the determined LPS concentrations (P > 0.05). These results demonstrated the potential usefulness of this intestinal explant culture model for short-term study of biological factors in gut inflammatory and secretory responses, but not a sufficient duration for evaluation of tight junction responsiveness.
P4.24 Swipe left on disease: the effects of contextual factors and dating app usage on sexual risk behavioursamong young adults

Introduction With the rise of social media and smartphones, millennials increasingly report meeting their romantic partners through mobile dating apps. Yet there is concern that this may also be the reason behind increases in sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among young adults. This study examines whether contextual factors affect young adults’ perceived STI risk and engagement in sexual risk behaviours. In addition, we compare sexual histories among app users and non-users. Methods We recruited our sample from 111 college Facebook groups over a 10 week period. Participants were presented with 1 of 32 scenarios varying in levels of perceived risk. They answered questions pertaining to relationship status, dating app and sexual experience, condom usage, and STI testing experience. Results A total of 4429 eligible participants between the ages of 18–24 completed the survey. Participants were more likely to believe that their partner had a greater number of sexual partners and engaged in casual sex if the scenario involved either a male partner, perceived high-risk location, or one-night stand. They were more likely to enforce condom usage if their partner was male. Lastly, they were more likely to ask about their partner’s STI status if the scenario involved a male partner or one-month dating. Among sexually active participants, dating app usage was associated with sexual experience and having casual relationships, more sexual partners, higher perceived STI risk, and STI testing. While over half of the sexually active participants had inconsistent condom usage and had not been tested for STIs, they generally reported low perceived STI risk. Conclusion Dating app users are more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviours and to have had STI testing. For these reasons, dating apps can be a useful platform for increasing STI knowledge and reducing the incidence of STIs among their users.
Impact of ITRS 2014 realizations on altimeter satellite precise orbit determination

Abstract This paper evaluates orbit accuracy and systematic error for altimeter satellite precise orbit determination on TOPEX, Jason-1, Jason-2 and Jason-3 by comparing the use of four SLR/DORIS station complements from the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) 2014 realizations with those based on ITRF2008. The new Terrestrial Reference Frame 2014 (TRF2014) station complements include ITRS realizations from the Institut National de l’Information Geographique et Forestiere (IGN) ITRF2014, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) JTRF2014, the Deutsche Geodatisches Forschungsinstitut (DGFI) DTRF2014, and the DORIS extension to ITRF2014 for Precise Orbit Determination, DPOD2014. The largest source of error stems from ITRF2008 station position extrapolation past the 2009 solution end time. The TRF2014 SLR/DORIS complement impact on the ITRF2008 orbit is only 1–2 mm RMS radial difference between 1992–2009, and increases after 2009, up to 5 mm RMS radial difference in 2016. Residual analysis shows that station position extrapolation error past the solution span becomes evident even after two years, and will contribute to about 3–4 mm radial orbit error after seven years. Crossover data show the DTRF2014 orbits are the most accurate for the TOPEX and Jason-2 test periods, and the JTRF2014 orbits for the Jason-1 period. However for the 2016 Jason-3 test period only the DPOD2014-based orbits show a strong and statistically significant margin of improvement. The positive results with DTRF2014 suggest the new approach to correct station positions or normal equations for non-tidal loading before combination is beneficial. We did not find any compelling POD advantage in using non-linear over linear station velocity models in our SLR & DORIS orbit tests on the Jason satellites. The JTRF2014 proof-of-concept ITRS realization demonstrates the need for improved SLR+DORIS orbit centering when compared to the Ries (2013) CM annual model. Orbit centering error is seen as an annual radial signal of 0.4 mm amplitude with the CM model. The unmodeled CM signals show roughly a 1.8 mm peak-to-peak annual variation in the orbit radial component. We find the TRF network stability pertinent to POD can be defined only by examination of the orbit-specific tracking network time series. Drift stability between the ITRF2008 and the other TRF2014-based orbits is very high, the relative mean radial drift error over water is no larger than 0.04 mm/year over 1993–2015. Analyses also show TRF induced orbit error meets current altimeter rate accuracy goals for global and regional sea level estimation.
FGF2-mediated attenuation of myofibroblast activation is modulated by distinct MAPK signaling pathways in human dermal fibroblasts.

Abstract Background Previous human and animal studies have demonstrated the ability of exogenously administered basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) to act as an antifibrotic agent in the skin. Though the activity of FGF2 as an anti-scarring agent is well-established for fibrotic skin wounds, the mechanisms by which FGF2 exerts these actions are not entirely understood. Canonical FGF2 signaling proceeds in part via FGFR/MAPK pathways in human dermal fibroblasts, and FGF2 has been described to prevent or reverse the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, which is driven by TGFβ signaling and understood to be an important step in the formation of a fibrotic scar in vivo. Thus, we set out to investigate the antagonistic effects of FGF2 on TGFβ signaling as well as the broader effects of MAPK inhibition on the TGFβ-mediated induction of myofibroblast gene expression. Objective To better understand the effects of FGF2 signaling pathways on myofibroblastic gene expression and cell phenotypes. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in vitro in the presence of FGF2, TGFβ, and/or MAPK inhibitors, and the effects of these agents were investigated by molecular biology techniques including qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and flow cytometry. Results FGF2 inhibited TGFβ-mediated fibroblast activation, resulting in more rapidly proliferating, spindle-shaped cells, compared to the more slowly proliferating, flatter TGFβ-treated cells. Treatment with FGF2 also attenuated TGFβ-mediated increase in expression of myofibroblast markers smooth muscle α-actin, calponin, transgelin, connective tissue growth factor, ED-A fibronectin, and collagen I. FGF2-mediated antagonism of the TGFβ-mediated fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition was reversed by small molecule inhibition of ERK or JNK, and it was potentiated by inhibition of p38. MAPK inhibition was demonstrated to have qualitatively similar effects even in the absence of exogenous FGF2, and small molecule inhibition of p38 MAPK was sufficient to attenuate TGFβ-mediated fibroblast activation. Conclusions Inhibition of select MAPK signaling pathways can reverse or potentiate anti-fibrotic FGF2 effects on human dermal fibroblasts, as well as exert their effects independently of exogenous FGF2 supplementation.
Multi-band beyond-Nyquist disturbance rejection on a galvanometer scanner system

In many laser processing applications, galvanometer scanners are integrated to a larger system that creates external disturbances to the actual laser-material interaction. To reject such disturbance with feedback-based control schemes, the sampling of the output needs to be fast enough to capture all major frequency components of the disturbance. In some applications, however, the sensor's sampling speed is limited, such that the disturbance is beyond the sampler's Nyquist frequency. This paper introduces a multi-rate control scheme to fully reject narrow-band beyond-Nyquist disturbances in galvanometer scanner systems. The proposed algorithm consists of a special bandpass filter with tailored frequency response, and a model-based predictor that reconstructs signals from limited sensor data. Verification of this algorithm is conducted by both simulated and experimental results on a commercial galvanometer scanner testbed.
Randomized controlled pilot study of an educational video plus telecare for the early outpatient management of musculoskeletal pain among older emergency department patients

Musculoskeletal pain is a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits. Following discharge from the ED, patients, particularly older patients, often have difficulty controlling their pain and managing analgesic side effects. We conducted a pilot study of an educational video about pain management with and without follow-up telephone support for older adults presenting to the ED with musculoskeletal pain. ED patients aged 50 years and older with musculoskeletal pain were randomized to: (1) usual care, (2) a brief educational video only, or (3) a brief educational video plus a protocol-guided follow-up telephone call from a physician 48–72 hours after discharge (telecare). The primary outcome was the change from the average pain severity before the ED visit to the average pain severity during the past week assessed one month after the ED visit. Pain was assessed using a 0–10 numerical rating scale. Of 75 patients randomized (mean age 64 years), 57 (76%) completed follow up at one month. Of the 18 patients lost to follow up, 12 (67%) had non-working phone numbers. Among patients randomized to the video (arms 2 and 3), 46/50 viewed the entire video; among the 25 patients randomized to the video plus telecare (arm 3), 23 were reached for telecare. Baseline pain scores for the usual care, video, and video plus telecare groups were 7.3, 7.1, and 7.5. At one month, pain scores were 5.8, 4.9, and 4.5, corresponding to average decreases in pain of -1.5, -2.2, and -3.0, respectively. In the pairwise comparison between intervention groups, the video plus telecare group had a 1.7-point (95% CI 1.2, 2.1) greater decrease in pain compared to usual care, and the video group had a 1.1-point (95% CI 0.6, 1.6) greater decrease in pain compared to usual care after adjustment for baseline pain, age, and gender. At one month, clinically important differences were also observed between the video plus telecare and usual care groups for analgesic side effects, ongoing opioid use, and physical function. Results of this pilot trial suggest the potential value of an educational video plus telecare to improve outcomes for older adults presenting to the ED with musculoskeletal pain. Changes to the protocol are identified to increase retention for assessment of outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02438384 . Registered on 5 May 2015.
Excreted Steroids in Vertebrate Social Communication

Steroids play vital roles in animal physiology across species, and the production of specific steroids is associated with particular internal biological functions. The internal functions of steroids are, in most cases, quite clear. However, an important feature of many steroids (their chemical stability) allows these molecules to play secondary, external roles as chemical messengers after their excretion via urine, feces, or other shed substances. The presence of steroids in animal excretions has long been appreciated, but their capacity to serve as chemosignals has not received as much attention. In theory, the blend of steroids excreted by an animal contains a readout of its own biological state. Initial mechanistic evidence for external steroid chemosensation arose from studies of many species of fish. In sea lampreys and ray-finned fishes, bile salts were identified as potent olfactory cues and later found to serve as pheromones. Recently, we and others have discovered that neurons in amphibian and mammalian olfactory systems are also highly sensitive to excreted glucocorticoids, sex steroids, and bile acids, and some of these molecules have been confirmed as mammalian pheromones. Steroid chemosensation in olfactory systems, unlike steroid detection in most tissues, is performed by plasma membrane receptors, but the details remain largely unclear. In this review, we present a broad view of steroid detection by vertebrate olfactory systems, focusing on recent research in fishes, amphibians, and mammals. We review confirmed and hypothesized mechanisms of steroid chemosensation in each group and discuss potential impacts on vertebrate social communication.
A Time‐Symmetric Self‐Normalization Approach for Inference of Time Series

Self‐normalization has been celebrated as an alternative approach for inference of time series because of its ability to avoid direct estimation of the nuisance asymptotic variance. However, when being applied to quantities other than the mean, the conventional self‐normalizer typically exhibits certain degrees of asymmetry, an undesirable feature especially for time‐reversible processes. This paper considers a new self‐normalizer for time series, which (i) provides a time‐symmetric generalization to the conventional self‐normalizer, (ii) is able to automatically reduce to the conventional self‐normalizer in the mean case where the latter is already time‐symmetric to yield a unified inference procedure, and (iii) possibly leads to narrower confidence intervals when compared with the conventional self‐normalizer. For the proposed time‐symmetric self‐normalizer, we establish the asymptotic theory for its induced inference procedure and examine its finite sample performance through numerical experiments.
Prostaglandins and Other Arachidonate Metabolites

Tissue injury in many skin diseases is a result of immunological reactions and inflammation. The prostaglandins and their associated compounds are important in the regulation of these host responses and probably influence epidermal cell function. In this chapter we describe the biochemistry and structure of the prostaglandins and the newly discovered compounds within the metabolic pathways between essential fatty acids, the primary prostaglandins, and the nonprostanoate products. The influence of prostaglandins in initiation and regulation of immune/inflammatory processes is reviewed. The possible role of these compounds in cutaneous pathophysiology is discussed.
Use of nonpharmacological techniques to prevent chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.

The use of nonpharmacological techniques as adjuvant antiemetic treatment for oncology patients has gained popularity over the last 10 years at major cancer centers throughout the world. The advantages of these techniques—relaxation therapy, desensitization therapy, guided imagery, and self-hypnosis—extend beyond specific symptom management to potentiating the placebo effect on medication and improving patient-provider relationships. In addition, patient participation in nonpharmacological interventions transforms the role of patient from passive recipient to active participant, thereby improving compliance to chemotherapy regimens (Laszlo 1983).
Characterization of Metal Defects in Insulating Materials

Metal inclusions of various geometries and composition were embedded in epoxy and characterized with photoacoustic and piezoelectric detection. Good agreement is found between experiment and theory for the photoacoustic results. Comparison of experimental results obtained with piezoelectric detection demonstrates the differences between the two methods, and illustrates the contributions to the thermal wave profiles related to the thermal and thermoelastic properties of the inclusions.
What Speech Errors Can Tell Us About Word-Form Generation: The Roles of Constraint and Opportunity

The likelihood of occurrence of a speech error is influenced by constraints imposed on the word-form generation process as well as by characteristics of the words in the utterance. In three tongue twister experiments I investigated these roles of constraint and opportunity. In Experiments 1 and 2 word onsets were more likely to interact with each other in a speech error than with phonemes in other positions. However, phonemes in word-internal positions were less likely to interact with each other than with word onsets. These results indicate that word onsets are particularly error-prone and therefore often interact with each other, but are also very likely to engage in interactions with phonemes in other positions if the elicitation technique encourages these interactions. The fatal experiment aimed to create speech errors in which consonants and vowels interacted. These errors are rarely reported in the literature but were successfully generated in this experiment. The implications for a model of word-form generation are discussed.
Classification of Breast Cancer Risk Factors Using Several Resampling Approaches

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall. Predicting the risk of breast cancer occurrence is an important challenge for clinical oncologists as it has direct influence in daily practice and clinical service. Classification is one of the supervised learning models that is applied in medical domains. Achieving better performance on real data that contains imbalance characteristics is a very challenging task. Machine learning researchers have been using various techniques to obtain higher accuracy, generally by correctly identifying majority class samples while ignoring the instances of the minority class. However, in most of the cases the concept of the minority class instances usually is of higher interest than the majority class. In this research, we applied three different classification techniques on a real world breast cancer risk factors data set. First, we applied specified classification techniques on breast cancer data without applying any resampling technique. Second, since the data is imbalanced meaning data has an unequal distribution between the classes, we applied several resampling methods to get better performance before applying the classifiers. The experimental results show significant improvement on using a resampling method as compared to applying no resampling technique, particularly for the minority class.
Interpersonal Relationships and Behavioral Homeostasis

The brain is continually involved in secretory activity— producing transmitters, enzymes and other hormonal substances. The interaction or equilibrium of those chemical substances is the cauldron from which the behavioral readout emanates. We may say that the brain, in conjunction with all other organ systems in the body, secretes behavior. This is analagous to the secretory activity of the kidney the enzyme activity of which, in conjunction with various chemical agents in the perfusing blood flow, results in the output of urine. The secretion (or perhaps excretion) of the brain depends on informational input as well as chemical activity.
Barium in deep-sea bamboo corals: Phase associations, barium stable isotopes, & prospects for paleoceanography

Abstract Reconstruction of past seawater δ 138 / 134 BaNIST (barium-isotopic compositions) can augment existing proxies of water mass provenance and deep-ocean circulation. Deep-sea bamboo corals are uniquely poised to record Ba-isotopic variations, given their widespread oceanographic distribution and incorporation of ambient Ba in approximate proportion to that in surrounding seawater. However, the utility of such records requires knowing: the phases hosting Ba in deep-sea coral skeletons, that specimens faithfully capture modern Ba-isotopic chemistry, and that internal skeletal variability relates principally to historical variations in the composition of ambient seawater. We investigated each of these requirements using a stepped cleaning experiment, a ‘core-top’ comparison of eight live-collected specimens from the California margin (870–2,055 m) against ambient seawater, and through examination of historical variability in skeletal Ba chemistry, respectively. First, we report that non-carbonate phases minimally contribute to bamboo coral Ba/Ca, obviating the need for chemical cleaning of live-collected specimens. Second, using newly-obtained profiles of northeast Pacific Ba-isotopic chemistry, we observe that bamboo corals faithfully reflect ambient seawater with a taxonomically- and environmentally-invariant Ba-isotopic offset, Δ 138 / 134 Bacoral–SW, of −0.37±0.03‰ (±2 SD, n = 8 ). The partition coefficient for Ba, K D Ba, is similarly insensitive to taxonomy, but linearly decreases with depth. The driving mechanism is unresolved. Third, we find minimal Ba/Ca and Ba-isotopic variability in historical growth representing the past century. We interpret this invariance as evidencing the overall fidelity of deep-sea bamboo corals for ambient Ba chemistry over their long lifespans. The insensitivity of Δ 138 / 134 Bacoral–SW to environmental gradients indicates that the Ba-isotopic composition of bamboo corals can be solely interpreted in terms of seawater composition, which should find myriad applications to the study of past ocean circulation over a range of timescales.
Commentary: Alas, we are not yet zebrafish.

Leveraging intrinsic cardiomyocyte repair mechanisms may allow for restoration of myocardial function in heart failure, but extensive further preclinical validation of these strategies is needed.
Spatial and temporal distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis patients in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017

OBJECTIVE To explore the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017, so as to provide reference for the formulation of echinococcosis prevention and control strategies and for the identification of key areas. METHODS The spatial distribution maps of detection of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis were plotted in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017, and the spatial distribution characteristics and epidemic trends were analyzed. RESULTS From 2007 to 2017, the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis appeared a decline in Sichuan Province year by year, and the areas with a high detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis were mainly located in western, northwestern and northern parts of Sichuan Province, while the areas with a low detection rate were predominantly found in the southern and eastern parts of the province. The global Moran's I values were 0.19, 0.22, 0.17, 0.44, 0.48, 0.31 and 0.16 for the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2016 (all Z scores > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), suggesting spatial aggregation distribution during this period. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the"high-high"areas and"low-low"areas for the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis all showed an aggregation tendency. CONCLUSIONS The detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis decreases in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017 year by year, and shows a spatial aggregation. The echinococcosis control activities should be intensified in Shiqu, Seda, Dege, Ganzi and Baiyu counties.
The Scheme Programming Language

Publisher Summary The Scheme Programming Language was developed in 1975. The goal was to build a Lisp-like prototype of Carl Hewitt's Actors system. To their surprise, after removing several layers of syntactic and semantic sugar, what remained was an extension of an applicative order λ-calculus supporting state and first class continuations. Since then, there have been four revisions of the language definition and an effort is underway to create an IEEE standard for Scheme. Scheme today still stands as an extended λ-calculus with declarative and imperative components. It is in use at numerous universities and research centers as the first programming language for students or at the core of research projects or software products. Due to its Lisp origin, the basic syntactic units of Scheme are fully parenthesized expressions. The basic control structure of Scheme is procedure application. Procedures are either represented as λ-expressions or are primitive, operating on numbers, strings, symbols, cons pairs, lists, vectors, and global I/O streams. Scheme is call-by-value, that is, procedures are applied to the values of their arguments, in contrast to ALGOL 60 and lazy languages. A convenient way to delay the evaluation of an expression is to define it as a parameterless procedure. Applying this procedure to no arguments entails the evaluation of the delayed expression. This makes it simple to define streams, as illustrated by the solution to the extended Hamming problem.
60 Years after Kefauver: Household income required to buy prescription drugs in the United States and abroad.

Abstract Background Assessing drug prices relative to income in the US compared to other Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries provides context for policymakers seeking to improve access and affordability. Methods Using current drug p. rice and income data, we recreate a historical analysis presented in 1960 to the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly led by Sen. Estes Kefauver. We identified frequently prescribed generic and brand name drugs for US and international comparison by drug price category (low-price generics, mid-price brands, and high-price specialty brands) as a function of income. We further extend our analysis to consider US prices relative to the current Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Results For the low-price drugs, all fell below 1% of all of the US income levels presented. Mid-price drugs were below 10% of income for those at the US median household income level but approached 30% of income for those at the FPL. High-price drugs varied greatly, reaching over 600% FPL for one product. Conclusions Americans receive bargain prices on par with international comparators for many low-priced generics drugs. For commonly used mid-priced drugs or high-priced specialty products, whether or not drug prices are considered a bargain in the US compared to international markets may depend on individual income. External reference pricing policies may help inform the negotiation for some drug prices, but affordability may still be limited for lower wage earners.
Adopting an alternative structure for clinical trials in immunotherapy

Background: This evaluation emphasizes the main points of the original article ‘Position paper: new insights into the immunobiology and dynamics of tumor–host interactions require adaptations of cl...
Diverse Applications of Sociological Imagination: A Qualitative Study of Service-Learning Mentoring:

This project expands discussions regarding critical ways that students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences intertwine with service-learning and social justice. Educators need to empower the next g...
Application of Experimental Transfer Path Analysis and Hybrid FRF-Based Substructuring Model to SUV Axle Noise

This paper describes an axle gear whine noise reduction process that was developed and applied using a combination of experimental and analytical methods. First, an experimental Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) was used to identify major noise paths. Next, modeling and forced response simulation were conducted using the Hybrid FEA-Experimental FRF method known as HYFEX [1]. The HYFEX model consisted of an experimental FRF representation of the frame/body and a finite element (FE) model of the driveline [2] and suspension. The FE driveline model was calibrated using experimental data. The HYFEX model was then used to simulate the axle noise reduction that would be obtained using a modified frame, prior to the availability of a prototype. Hardware testing was used as the final step in the process to confirm the results of the simulation.
My Own Private Library: A Peek inside the Personal Library of a Librarian

Open Access. Originally published by Kennesaw State University in Georgia Library Quarterly, 2011, v.48, iss.1
Pleading Securities Fraud Claims--Only Part of the Story

The failure to survive a motion to dismiss based on deficient pleading of claims alleged in a federal securities class action results in the end of the litigation (when such motion is granted with prejudice). This obstacle, however, presents only part of the story. Today, due to developments that are addressed in this Article, plaintiffs institute federal securities class actions against fewer types of defendants as contrasted with the situation two decades ago.