cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimized and secured transmission and retrieval of vital signs from remote devices

Smartphones and other mobile platforms provide a low cost and easily accessible method of monitoring patient health, and aid healthcare professionals in early detection of disease. Immediate access to the gathered data is an essential factor in effective patient care. But the current processes used for patients' vital data collection is slow and error prone. This undermines the advantages of remote monitoring that mobile platforms for health monitoring provide. In this paper, we propose to upload the patient health information to the Cloud. We investigate three different models to transfer data from the smartphone to the Cloud---perform all computations in the smartphone, perform all computations in the Cloud, and divide the computations between the smartphone and the Cloud. The second approach was found to be infeasible due to very high latency in data transfer with a delay of 2.84 seconds at an upload speed of 2500 KBytes per second. In order to protect the privacy of patients, it is required by law that the data gathered from remote monitoring by using mobile platforms must be kept private, and be secured before uploading to the Cloud. This paper explores the use of prominent public key encryption algorithms and their performance on a mobile device to securely transmit confidential electronic personal health information to the Cloud. We analyze performance of three common public key encryption schemes -RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and ECC. It is shown that 160 bit key size in ECC scheme provides the same level of security that a 1024 bit key size does in RSA and Diffie-Hellman. Further, the encryption and decryption time required by ECC is three times less than the other two schemes. Hence, ECC not only requires a smaller key size to provide the same level of security, but also faster encryption and decryption times as compared to the other two schemes. This makes ECC algorithms suitable to be implemented in resource constrained mobile platforms. We also compared ECC curves from three different standards - NIST, SECG, and Brainpool - to determine the optimum ECC curve, and key size to encrypt data in the mobile phone platform. It is shown that the Brainpool curve performed better than the other two standards when the key size is less than 521 bits. We also measured the latency of uploading encrypted data in a wide variety of WiFi and mobile networks.
Pubertal assessment: targeted educational intervention for pediatric trainees.

Background Timely and periodic pubertal assessment in children is vital to identify puberty related disorders. Pediatricians need to have working knowledge of puberty time and tempo. Pediatric residency is an important platform to acquire physical examination skills including pubertal assessment. Objective An educational intervention for teaching pubertal assessment was piloted on pediatric residents at our institution. Methods The intervention comprised of interactive lecture series, ID badge size Tanner stage cards and Tanner posters placed in residents' continuity clinics. Pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3 months post-intervention surveys for participating trainees were administered to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Attitudes, practices, knowledge scores, and barriers to Tanner staging conduct were analyzed. Results Forty-three residents participated in the intervention. Knowledge scores of PGY1 (5.95 ± 1.6 vs. 7.47 ± 1.4, p < 0.01) improved right after the intervention, as did self-reported clinical practices of all trainees 3 months post- intervention with regards to conducting external genital examination and performing pubertal assessment. Confidence levels of pediatric trainees in conducting pubertal assessment and comfort levels in assessing the need for endocrine referral based on abnormal Tanner staging improved after the intervention, although the effect was not statistically significant. Conclusion Our intervention is a worthwhile technique for teaching pubertal assessment to residents as it is simple to conduct, easily reproducible, provides baseline knowledge needed for recognition of normal pubertal development and puberty related conditions, and instills confidence in residents.
Charge‐Transfer Character in a Covalent Diketopyrrolopyrrole Dimer: Implications for Singlet Fission

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) is a strongly absorbing, photostable chromophore that can undergo singlet fission (SF), a photophysical process that promises to significantly enhance solar‐cell performance. In the solid state, DPP packs in a herringbone arrangement that maximizes intermolecular donor–acceptor interactions, suggesting that charge‐transfer (CT) states play a role in DPP SF. In order to characterize intermolecular DPP CT states in molecular assemblies, we have synthesized a covalent DPP dimer bridged by a xanthene linker, which places two thiophene‐substituted DPPs (TDPPs) in a cofacial arrangement that mimics chromophore π–π stacking in the thin film. After photoexcitation in polar solvents, symmetry‐breaking charge separation forms the fully charge separated TDPP+.–TDPP−. ion‐pair state. In nonpolar solvents, charge separation is incomplete leading to the TDPPδ+–TDPPδ− CT state, which is in pseudoequilibrium with the relaxed S1S0 state observed by transient absorption and emission spectroscopy. This study highlights the importance of intramolecular coupling as well as the importance of entropy to promoting SF in chromophore dimers for which SF is endo‐ or isoergic.
Xenotransplantation-the current status and prospects.

Introduction There is a continuing worldwide shortage of organs from deceased human donors for transplantation into patients with end-stage organ failure. Genetically engineered pigs could resolve this problem, and could also provide tissues and cells for the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and corneal blindness. Sources of data The current literature has been reviewed. Areas of agreement The pathobiologic barriers are now largely defined. Research progress has advanced through the increasing availability of genetically engineered pigs and novel immunosuppressive agents. Life-supporting pig kidneys and islets have functioned for months or years in nonhuman primates. Areas of controversy The potential risk of transfer of a pig infectious microorganism to the recipient continues to be debated. Growing points Increased attention is being paid to selection of patients for initial clinical trials. Areas timely for developing research Most of the advances required to justify a clinical trial have now been met.
Direct Contact with the World

Critical survey of all available data suggests that there is lasting merit in the nineteenth-century scheme dividing primary afferent neurons of skin nerves into strictly specialized, quality-specific submodalities (or labelled lines), of mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and nociceptors. Among the mechanoreceptive fibers further subdivisions have been discerned. Whether or not thermoreceptors fall into two categories, cold-sensitive and warm-sensitive, is in dispute, but the weight of evidence seems to fall in favor of the notion that there indeed are two categories of temperature sensors.
HIV/AIDS Care: The Minimum Package and Scaling Up

As recently as 2002, experts argued that prevention should take priority over treatment for HIV/AIDS in Africa based on cost effectiveness considerations. However, cost effectiveness analyses failed to take into account arguably the most important reason for implementing widespread HIV treatment—treating the sick. Twenty years into the epidemic, fewer than 5% of people worldwide who required treatment had access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) (WHO, 2002). Additionally, many prevention programs were failing and those that were successful were not being taken to scale. In 2002, the unchecked spread of HIV and mounting death toll among those who were already infected had widespread and serious effects on the communities most heavily burdened by HIV; ranging from orphaning to famine and from stigma to professional burnout. Where it was available, antiretroviral therapy (ART) resulted in a 80% reduction in mortality (WHO, 2002). Many argued that prevention efforts alone were unlikely to succeed in high prevalence settings unless AIDS treatment was made available and combined with evidence-based prevention such as the use of condoms, ART to prevent maternal to child transmission, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, and education linked to knowledge of one’s status. Activism, largely led by people living with HIV, to bring highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) to the countries with the highest burden of AIDS took center stage at the International AIDS Society in Durbin, South Africa in 2000. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS called for massive increases in aid to help poor countries cope with the AIDS
P24: Effects of iodide on nitrite reduction by ascorbate and implications on nitrosoamine formation

Background Under acidic conditions of the stomach with gastric juice pH ranging from 1.7 to 2.6, nitrite is reduced to nitric oxide. When a diet rich in nitrate is consumed, it is partially reduced to nitrite in the mouth by oral bacteria followed by ingestion and partial reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide (NO) in the stomach. When the dietary nitrate is consumed along with protein, secondary amines from protein react with nitrite via the formation of reactive nitrogen species to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Ascorbic acid, also obtained from diet, can react with nitrite to form NO in the acidic gastric juice, which does not react with amines. Ascorbate has a protective effect on the formation of carcinogenic compounds like nitrosamines by reducing nitrite faster and out competing nitrosamine formation by reactive oxygen species and amines. Iodide can also reduce nitrite to NO in acidic pH, which is the basis of a nitrite assay used in nitric oxide analyzers. Although it has been suggested that dietary iodide would lead to increased nitrosamine formation the enhanced formation of NO from nitrite due to iodide suggests iodide would be protective against nitrosamine formation. Thus, the combined effect of ascorbate and sodium iodide in the presence of nitrite and amines under acidic conditions on nitrosamine formation was studied. Methods In this study the effect of ascorbic acid and sodium nitrite on nitrite reduction and nitrosamine formation was determined in vitro. Nitrite reduction to NO was determined under anaerobic conditions by ozone chemiluminescence by the Nitric Oxide Analyzer (NOA 280i, Sievers, GE Analytical Instruments, Boulder, CO). Nitrosamine concentrations were measured using absorption spectroscopy according to a modification of method by Mirvish et al., Science 175 (1972) 65–68. Results Both Iodide and ascorbic acid are effective in reducing nitrite to NO at the pH range that includes the pH of stomach. There is a synergistic effect of ascorbic acid and iodide on the rates of nitrite reduction to NO. Very low levels of nitrite are reduced to NO by either ascorbic acid or iodide alone. Nitrosomorpholine formation is reduced by iodide and ascorbate combined compared to ascorbic acid alone at pH 2. Conclusions The results indicate that, due to the increased rate of nitrite reduction byascorbic acid in the presence of iodide, nitrosation of morpholine to nitrosomorpholine can be reduced. Given that both nitrate and iodide are taken up by salivary glands and concentrated in the oral cavity, their combined effects on nitrosamine formation could have substantial impact. Disclosure This work was supported by NIH Grant HL058091.
Awareness and perceptions of ergonomic programs between workers and managers surveyed in the construction industry.

Background Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (WMSDs) are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time in the construction industry. Ergonomics is still a relatively new theme for the construction industry. Understanding of the workers' and managers' knowledge and perception of ergonomic issues in construction can play a critical role to develop and implement effective ergonomic programs and policies. Objective To study the similarities and differences of the workers' and managers' knowledge and perceptions of ergonomics matters in the construction industry. Methods A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to both workers and management personnel employed by sixteen different construction contractors performing various types of construction work. The final questionnaire comprised of a total of forty questions and consisted of four major sections: background, safety and ergonomic programs, injuries and illnesses, and work conditions. Results Eighty-eight workers and managers completed the survey questionnaire. Nearly all of their employer had a written safety program, while only one third had an ergonomics program. Ergonomics was perceived as relatively less important compared to the safety issues. Managers were more likely to think that management encourages feedback from site employees than were workers. Managers appeared to be more likely to know that their companies have an ergonomic training program or policy than were workers. Workers were more likely to consider to purchase or select the ergonomic hand tools than were managers. Workers and managers alike reported having slight regard for the potential occurrence of a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Conclusions While the construction industry has done an admirable job developing safety programs, it has done far less to develop comprehensive ergonomic programs and policies that would help provide education and guidance to its workers and managers in the industry.
A novel MRI segmentation method using CNN-based correction network for MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy

Purpose The purpose of this study was to expedite the contouring process for MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy (MR-IGART), a convolutional neural network (CNN) deep-learning (DL) model is proposed to accurately segment the liver, kidneys, stomach, bowel and duodenum in 3D MR images. Methods Images and structure contours for 120 patients were collected retrospectively. Treatment sites included pancreas, liver, stomach, adrenal gland, and prostate. The proposed DL model contains a voxel-wise label prediction CNN and a correction network which consists of two sub-networks. The prediction CNN and sub-networks in the correction network each includes a dense block which consists of twelve densely connected convolutional layers. The correction network was designed to improve the voxel-wise labeling accuracy of a CNN by learning and enforcing implicit anatomical constraints in the segmentation process. Its sub-networks learn to fix the erroneous classification of its previous network by taking as input both the original images and the softmax probability maps generated from its previous sub-network. The parameters of each sub-network were trained independently using piecewise training. The model was trained on 100 datasets, validated on 10 datasets and tested on the remaining 10 datasets. Dice coefficient, Hausdorff distance (HD) were calculated to evaluate the segmentation accuracy. Results The proposed DL model was able to segment the organs with good accuracy. The correction network outperformed the conditional random field (CRF), a most comparable method that is usually applied as a post-processing step. For the 10 testing patients, the average Dice coefficients were 95.3 ± 0.73, 93.1 ± 2.22, 85.0 ± 3.75, 86.6 ± 2.69, and 65.5 ± 8.90 for liver, kidneys, stomach, bowel, and duodenum, respectively. The mean Hausdorff Distance (HD) were 5.41 ± 2.34, 6.23 ± 4.59, 6.88 ± 4.89, 5.90 ± 4.05, and 7.99 ± 6.84 mm, respectively. Manual contouring, as to correct the automatic segmentation results, was four times as fast as manual contouring from scratch. Conclusion The proposed method can automatically segment the liver, kidneys, stomach, bowel, and duodenum in 3D MR images with good accuracy. It is useful to expedite the manual contouring for MR-IGART.
What if the Doyle-Fuller-Newman Model Fails? A New Macroscale Modeling Framework

The Doyle-Fuller-Newman (DFN) model is generally considered the modeling standard to assess the worthiness of reduced-order electrochemical models. An aspect of such a macroscale model which has often been overlooked is that they are approximate representations of pore-scale transport dynamics and their predictive ability is hence susceptible to certain operating conditions. In this paper, we identify battery operating conditions that lead to loss of accuracy and root mean square error as high as 83.9 mV in the voltage prediction of the DFN model, and interpret our observations using a phase diagram analysis. Under the same scenarios, we simulate the performance of a full-homogenized macroscale (FHM) model developed by applying multiple-scale expansions to the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) transport equations. The performance of both models is assessed against experiments conducted on 18650 cylindrical lithium-ion cells. Results infer that the DFN model fails to predict battery voltage accurately towards the end of discharge at temperatures higher than 40°C. The FHM model accurately predicts measured battery terminal voltage with less than 22 mV RMS error for the evaluated conditions.
Transitions in ECEC Services: The Experience of Children from Migrant Families.

The study explored the experience of young children from migrant families during their first entry into an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service and analysed how the children cope with ...
Robust human-machine interfaces enabled by a skin-like, electromyogram sensing system

Recent advances in materials engineering, chip miniaturization, wireless communication, power management, and manufacturing technologies have shaped our perspectives on wearable electronics in ways that wearing a Fitbit is as casual as driving to work. However, establishing a robust sensor-to-skin interface remains as a significant challenge due to the drastic contrast in soft, dynamic human skin and rigid electronics, limiting the adoption of technology to leisurebased applications. Here, we present an engineering solution by combining the respective merits of thin-film nanostructures, soft materials, and miniature electronic components and developing a soft, hybrid, wireless, wearable platform. We exploit conventional CMOS processes to fabricate metal/polymer nanostructures, implemented as dry contact electrodes (thickness ~3 μm) as well as a flexible interconnection system (thickness ~10 μm). The electrodes are further optimized by incorporating an open-mesh network geometric features allowing for prolonged, intimate contact throughout repeated and dynamic deformation of human skin. The skin-electrode impedance and the signal-to-noise ratio are ~18 kΩ and 29.52 dB, respectively, from electromyogram (EMG) recordings, matching the qualities of Ag/AgCl hydrogel electrodes. The stretchable circuit layer contains pad metal structures compatible for integration of surface mount chip components using a conventional reflow soldering process, allowing for easy integration of commercially available integrated circuit solutions. Silicone-based elastomer is used as both the carrier substrate for the thin-film structures and the backing layer providing the necessary adhesiveness to the skin. We verify that the completed system can be stretched up to 10% based on computational and experimental analysis. Finally, we demonstrate the robustness of the system functionality by showcasing human-machine interfaces (HMI) based on a single-channel forearm EMG with a real-time classification distinguishing four different hand gestures (accuracy: 95.9%) as well as the control of a robotic hand using three devices simultaneously.
A Single-Center Experience with a Pregnant Immigrant Population and Zika Virus Serologic Screening in New York City.

Objective Our institution is in an area of New York City with a large population of immigrants from Zika virus endemic areas. With the recent Zika virus outbreak, we sought to examine our center's experience with screening for Zika virus and outcomes among patients who tested positive for the disease during pregnancy. Study Design We performed a chart review of all pregnant patients who tested positive (positive serum or urine polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) or presumed positive (immunoglobulin M [IgM] enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] positive or IgM ELISA equivocal with positive plaque reduction neutralization test) for Zika virus. All tests were performed by the Department of Health (DOH) and followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in effect at the time of specimen collection. Testing of cord blood, placenta, and/or neonatal blood were/was performed by the DOH for New York County. Prenatal ultrasounds for fetal head size and surveillance for calcifications were performed by maternal–fetal medicine specialists. Infant head ultrasound results were included when available. Results Between March 2016 and April 2017, 70 pregnant patients were positive or presumed positive for Zika infection during pregnancy. Of those, 16 women had positive urine or serum PCR and the remaining 54 were presumed positive. Among positive cases, five women tested positive via urine PCR only, nine women tested positive via serum PCR only, and two women had both positive urine and serum PCR. Fifteen of 67 infants (22%) born during the study period were born to mothers with positive urine or serum PCR testing. Sixty-five newborns were clinically normal with normal head measurements. Of the intracranial ultrasound performed, one infant had a grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage, four had incidental choroid plexus cysts, and one had severe ventriculomegaly that was also noted antenatally. There were 2 positive and 15 equivocal infant serum IgM samples and 1 positive placental PCR from these pregnancies. There were four pregnancy terminations and two cases with fetal anomalies in this population that were split evenly between patients who tested positive and those who tested presumed positive for Zika virus during pregnancy. Conclusion We found no differences in pregnancy or neonatal outcomes between women who tested positive and presumed positive for Zika virus during pregnancy. Testing of infants and placenta tissue after delivery was largely inconclusive. Improvement in testing for Zika virus infection is needed to determine which pregnancies are at risk for congenital anomalies. Further research is still needed to determine which children are at risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes related to Zika virus and how to best coordinate care among the immigrant population during a new disease epidemic.
Relative kinetics of nucleation and condensation of silane pyrolysis in a helium atmosphere provide mechanistic insight in the initial stages of particle formation and growth

Abstract Chemical nucleation for the synthesis of solid nanoparticles from gas phase precursor is a fundamental process of technological relevance, yet, not well understood. In this work, a silane pyrolysis system was built to obtain insights in particle formation and growth. Primary particle analysis was used to determine the relative condensation and nucleation rates in the aerosol process of silane pyrolysis. TEM, XRD and SMPS allow the comparison between primary particle and agglomerate dynamics. The analysis reveals that nucleation is correlated to silane concentration to the power of 2/3. This relationship and other observations are used to assess the impact of magnetic interactions in classical Brownian agglomeration in the initial stages of primary particle dynamics in silane pyrolysis. Furthermore, this mechanism is consistent with key observations reported in the literature regarding nanoparticles of various materials, suggesting the proposed mechanism could be valid for more materials and deserves further attention.
Telemedicine interventions for medication adherence in mental illness: A systematic review.

Abstract Objective To conduct a systematic review to assess the evidence for telemedicine interventions for pharmacologic adherence in persons with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Method We searched PubMed and PsycINFO in August 2018 without restrictions on years or language. We also searched tables of contents in 2 journals, meeting abstracts, reference lists from identified studies and review articles. The selection criteria required that articles be randomized controlled trials involving outpatient adults diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia; that they involve telemedicine interventions; and that they include an outcome of medication adherence. Initially, 1 author identified relevant titles. Two authors independently reviewed the abstracts and titles. Results Of 512 articles identified through database searching, we identified 17 articles that we categorized by intensity of intervention and rated by quality of evidence. There were 3 low-, 3 medium- and 11 high-intensity interventions. The most common type of technology used was the phone. Efficacy for adherence was demonstrated by 9 studies. Conclusions Telemedicine may improve medication adherence in patients with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Future studies are needed to better understand how technology can be tailored to different types of nonadherence.
The clinical and high-resolution CT characteristics of invasive pulmonary fungal infections in children

Objective To investigate and summarize the clinical and high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) characteristics of invasive pulmonary fungal infections(IPFIs)in children. Methods Clinical and HRCT data of 35 cases with IPFIs admitted in our hospital between March 2007 and July 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical and HRCT characteristics were summarized. Results Thirty-five patients consisted of 23 boys and 12 girls with mean age of(3.2±1.9)years.Host factors included acute leukemia(n=12), primary immunodeficiency disease(n=4), congenital heart disease(n=2), cerebral palsy(n=2), severe influenza A infection(H1N1)(n=2), ichthyosis(n=1), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(n=1), systemic lupus erythematous(n=1), tubercular meningitis(n=1), mechanical ventilation(n=2). All patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotic, ranking by descending order: third-generation cephalosporins(28 cases), carbapenems(19 cases)and vancomycin(18 cases). Seventeen cases were treated with corticosteroids systemically and 12 cases with acute leukemia took antineoplastic medicine.The symptoms of IPFIs were intermittent or persistent fever, cough and rales.HRCT results: nodules(n=25, 71.4%), subpleural patchy opacities(n=24, 68.6%), mass(>3 cm)(n=4, 11.4%), halo sign(n=27, 77.1%), cavities(n=8, 22.9%), air crescent sign(n=4, 11.4%), miliary nodules(n=2, 5.7%), pleural effusion(n=14, 40%). Conclusion There are certain specific characteristics of IPFIs in children in clinical and HRCT aspects.The possible diagnosis of IPFIs can be made based on clinical and HRCT features. Key words: Invasive pulmonary fungal infections; High-resolution computed tomography; Children
Regulation Considerations of Medical Devices with Wireless Technology

Wireless technology has been widely used in medical devices and has brought convenience to medical care. However, wireless medical devices face risks such as data security and radio frequency interference. This study highlights safety and effectiveness evaluation of wireless medical devices, and discusses technical characteristics and regulation requirements, providing references for industry development and regulation.
Confronting puzzles in understanding Chinese family change: A personal reflection

I present an overview of selected findings from four major research projects I conducted earlier in my career that were designed to describe and explain the patterns of continuity and change in fam...
Delayed presentation and sub-optimal outcomes of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Objective Early presentation and prompt diagnosis of acute appendicitis are necessary to prevent progression of disease leading to complicated appendicitis. We hypothesize that patients had a delayed presentation of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected severity of disease on presentation and outcomes. Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who were treated for acute appendicitis at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital (MSCH) between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in New York City (NYC). For comparison, we reviewed patients treated from March 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019, prior to the pandemic. Demographics and baseline patient characteristics were analyzed for potential confounding variables. Outcomes were collected and grouped into those quantifying severity of illness on presentation to our ED, type of treatment, and associated post-treatment outcomes. Fisher's Exact Test and Kruskal-Wallis Test were used for univariate analysis while cox regression with calculation of hazard ratios was used for multivariate analysis. Results A total of 89 patients were included in this study, 41 patients were treated for appendicitis from March 1 to May 31 of 2019 (non-pandemic) and 48 were treated during the same time period in 2020 (pandemic). Duration of symptoms prior to presentation to the ED was significantly longer in patients treated in 2020, with a median of 2 days compared to 1 day (p = 0.003). Additionally, these patients were more likely to present with reported fever (52.1% vs 24.4%, p = 0.009) and had a higher heart rate on presentation with a median of 101 beats per minute (bpm) compared to 91 bpm (p = 0.040). Findings of complicated appendicitis on radiographic imaging including suspicion of perforation (41.7% vs 9.8%, p Conclusion Patients treated for acute appendicitis at our children's hospital during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented with more severe disease and experienced suboptimal outcomes compared to those who presented during the same time period in 2019. Level of Evidence III
Recycling biofloc waste as novel protein source for crayfish with special reference to crayfish nutritional standards and growth trajectory.

Screening of novel feedstuffs, that too for data-deficient (nutritionally) animals, is somewhat ambiguous or problematic. Through systematic meta-analyses, the present study formulated most up-to-date crayfish nutritional standards, against which a recyclable waste (biofloc biomass, BM) from intensive aquaculture systems was assessed as a novel protein source. Growth trajectory dependencies and thermal growth coefficient qualifying for good growth in crayfish (TGC 0.5-0.64 units) were benchmarked. Using these standards and a 7-week growth trial, BM's suitability as a novel protein source for red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii was evaluated through its graded inclusions in a commercial feed. Results suggest that BM can elevate growth at 33-66% inclusion in existing feed formulations. Beyond 66% inclusion, BM can deteriorate growth in crayfish due to high ash content (exceeding physiological limit > 14%), arginine deficiency (~ 14-20% lower than an optimum requirement), and insufficient non-protein energy: protein ratio (3.7 cal mg-1). Arginine is perhaps the most critical amino acid in dietary protein for crayfish, and deficient in BM. Although no critical bioaccumulation levels of heavy metals were breached by feeding 100% BM to crayfish, a mineral and heavy metal (Hg) stress seemed plausible. Crayfish raised solely on biofloc may not realize full growth potential.
Dexmedetomidine Infusion as a Novel Supportive Therapy for Fluphenazine-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in a 10-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 10-year-old boy developed symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) 1 month following initiation of fluphenazine for behavioral therapeutic management. Dexmedetomidine infusion was able to adequately control the symptoms of NMS with resolution of encephalopathy. This is the first report of novel dexmedetomidine utilization for the treatment of NMS. We suggest using dexmedetomidine as an adjunctive agent to control NMS symptomatology without attendant risk of respiratory depression.
Transition of dose-adjusted EPOCH therapy into the outpatient healthcare setting, quality and cost considerations under an alternate payment model.

e18655Background: Dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin DA-(EPOCH)-containing regimens are frequently utilized in lymphoma, however, outpatient EPOCH or mo...
Discretion Without Oversight: The Federal Government’s Powers to Investigate and Prosecute Domestic Terrorism

Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, elected officials and terrorism experts renewed previous calls for Congress to pass a domestic terrorism statute to empower the federal government to pursue white supremacists and other domestic terrorists. However, the debate over whether the federal government needs additional powers to investigate and prosecute domestic terrorism has been hampered by the absence of a full account of the federal government’s existing authorities in this area. To that end, this article has two purposes. First, it provides a comprehensive summary of the federal government’s powers over the chronological lifespan of a domestic terrorism case, as well as an account of how the government has used these powers in the past. This summary demonstrates that the Executive branch has significant discretion to define and pursue domestic terrorists with limited oversight from the judiciary or Congress. Second, this article urges a reconsideration of the debate surrounding a domestic terrorism statute. Rather than addressing whether the government’s existing powers are sufficient, this article contends that these authorities give the government too much latitude to pursue domestic terrorists. Given the federal government’s history of surveilling, harassing, and prosecuting dissident groups, the current political moment is ripe for civil liberties infringements, as diffuse protest movements across the political spectrum risk being labeled and prosecuted as domestic terrorists. The federal government’s discretionary use of its authorities against ill-defined political groups creates the potential for it to classify political speech and acts of protest as domestic terrorism.
Bacterial Vaginosis and Its Association With Incident Trichomonas vaginalis Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with an increased risk for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections. We evaluated the association between BV and incident Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection in women. METHODS MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for articles published between January 1, 1980, and May 7, 2021. Observational studies in women that evaluated the relationship between having/not having BV and the risk for acquiring TV were included. RESULTS Fourteen studies were included in the systematic review; 12 studies were included in meta-analyses involving 18,424 participants. Most studies used Nugent scoring to diagnose BV. For TV diagnosis, 12 studies used wet mount microscopy or culture, and 2 used nucleic acid amplification tests. There was diversity in the measures of association used, so an overall effect size could not be calculated. The majority of studies reported odds ratios, which showed an increased risk of incident TV among women with BV versus without BV (adjusted odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.40; P = 0.007). However, there were heterogeneity and potential confounding factors (eg, age, sexual partners) reported among studies. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence for a nearly 2-fold higher risk for acquiring TV among women with BV compared with women without BV.
Effect of spatial averaging on the amplitude ring ratio in multifocal electroretinography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of spatial averaging on the multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) amplitude ring ratios used in screening for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity. This was a retrospective review of the records of patients screened for HCQ retinopathy at the USF Eye Institute (University of South Florida) during the period of 2015–2020. Patients were tested binocularly with Diagnosys mfERG system (Diagnosys LLC, Lowell, MA). Only the records of patients referred internally were used. The effects of the lowest level (level 1, or 8%) of spatial averaging on the P1 amplitude ring ratios used for screening of HCQ maculopathy: R1/R2, R2/R5, R5/R3 and R5/R4, were evaluated. The records of 40 patients (4 males, 36 females) aged 54.4 ± 14.1 years were selected for analysis. The use of spatial averaging had a significant effect on P1 amplitudes, and on the ring ratios and this effect was correlated with the magnitude of the amplitudes and the ratios. Spatial averaging diminished P1 amplitude significantly in ring 1 (p < 0.0001) and increased it slightly in ring 4 (p < 0.05), while it had no effect on the amplitude of the other three rings. Although as a group spatial averaging had a moderate effect on the R1/R2 ratio (~ −15%), on an individual basis the range was wide, from −36 to 43%. The effect on the other ring ratios was similar: The average group effect was ~ −5%, ~ −3.4% and ~ −4% for R2/R5, R5/R3 and R5/R4 ratios, but individual effects ranged from 0.18% to −27.3%, 0.9% to −14.2% and 0.9% to −26.2%, respectively. For all ring ratios used in this analysis, spatial averaging has a substantial effect on the ring ratio, which could affect the interpretation of the results. Therefore, use of spatial averaging should be avoided when analyzing mfERG results for HCQ screening.
Effects of Nanocrack Behavior on Radiation-Induced, Elastic Modulus Changes in Nuclear Graphites

The elastic responses of nuclear graphites depend not only on the graphitic content itself but are largely dictated by the microstructural constitution of the material. The types of raw materials combined with the manufacturing processes used to produce the graphite yield the microstructural content which primarily includes graphite filler, graphitized pitch binder, and voids/defects that typically occupy approximately 20% of the volume. Among these microstructural components, porosity, microcracking (considered to be part of voids/defects) and intracrystallite nanocracking (Mrozowski cracks) heavily influence the overall properties of the material including the elastic moduli. Models describing the elastic moduli of porous, polycrystalline graphite materials have been developed to interpret experimental determinations of Young's modulus and shear modulus in oxidized graphites, and these include the effects of nano/microcracks. This work will demonstrate the role that the effects of neutron irradiation on Mrozowski cracks could have on the phenomenon of turnaround in nuclear graphites and will present directions to be pursued to account for microstructure-related effects that generally occur as a result of neutron irradiation.
Techniques for studying photoprotective function of carotenoid pigments.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes how to perform experiments in various kinds of organisms to study the ability of carotenoid pigments to protect against photosensitization. These techniques can be used to determine if carotenoids of interest can give protection, as well as to study the mechanisms of protection. Carotenoid protection against photosensitization by either endogenous or exogenous photosensitizers can be easily studied in bacteria. For photobiological experiments to determine the protective ability of carotenoids, cultures of the wild type and mutant(s) to be studied are harvested in the logarithmic phase of growth, centrifuged, and resuspended in phosphate or Tris buffer to contain about 10 6 to 10 7 cells/ml. As far as mammals are concerned, various kinds of fibroblasts, including mammary cells and erythrocytes from protoporphyric patients have been studied; the former have been used to determine the ability of carotenoids to prevent various kinds of cellular and nuclear damage, and the latter to see if carotenoids can prevent photohemolysis. Continued studies of this most important function of carotenoids are well warranted.
Use of an Oligoribonucleotide Containing the Polypurine Tract Sequence as a Primer by HIV Reverse Transcriptase

A primary site for initiation of plus strand DNA synthesis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) corresponds to a 19-nucleotide-long purine rich sequence located just upstream of the U3 region, designated the polypurine tract (PPT). The HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) uses its RNase H activity to cut the genomic RNA after minus strand DNA synthesis. A plus strand PPT primer is formed, extended, and then removed. In vitro, the HIV-RT recognizes this primer specifically, using it much more efficiently than other RNA primers. However, the PPT still primes significantly less efficiently than DNA primers. The 19-nucleotide PPT primer is partially resistant to degradation when compared with other oligoribonucleotides. Prior to initiation of DNA synthesis, several nucleotides are removed by the RT from the 3′ ends of some of the PPT primers. Cleavage is enhanced in the absence of dNTPs. We suggest that DNA synthesis suppresses primer degradation, so that primer extension and cleavage occur in proper sequence. As a result of 3′ end degradation, PPT elongation products contain 5′-RNA segments from 16 to 19 nucleotides in length. These shorter segments are also generated from a longer transcript containing the PPT sequence, indicating that they are not created as a result of binding of the RT to the 5′ end of the PPT oligoribonucleotide. Full-length and shorter versions of the PPT primers are cleaved from the extended DNA by RT. These experiments show that HIV-RT has a specificity to generate a primer in the region of the PPT but that the ends of the primer are not well defined.
Endovascular neural stimulation via a novel basket electrode catheter: comparison of electrode configurations.

We previously showed that parasympathetic stimulation by a basket electrode catheter (BEC) positioned in the superior vena cava (SVC) can slow sinus rate (SR) or ventricular response (VR) during atrial fibrillation (AF). In 11 dogs, anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital, standard ECG leads II and aVR, blood pressure and right atrial electrograms were continuously monitored. Two different BEC configurations (B1, B2) were tested in the SVC. B1 consisted of five metal splines, each 3cm in length. Stimulation was applied between adjacent splines. B2 consisted of 2 electrodes at opposite ends of each of 5 splines and a larger electrode at the middle of each spline. Stimulation was delivered between the two end electrodes and the middle electrode on the same arm. Stimulation consisted of square wave stimuli, each 0.1msec duration, frequency 20Hz at voltages from 1–40V. Six dogs were studied with B1 and five were studied with the B2 configuration. The average voltage required to produce a 50% decrease in heart rate was 22± 12V when stimulating between adjacent splines (B1) compared to 10± 5V when stimulating along a single spline (B2), a 55% decrease (p≤0.05). During AF, the voltage required to reduce the average ventricular rate to 100beats/min was 19± 13V for B1 and 8± 5V for B2, a 58% reduction (p≤0.05). Thus, the significant difference between B1 and B2 and in slowing SR or VR during AF was probably due to a greater current density delivered with B2 to the endovascular wall and adjacent neural elements.
Impact of Culture in Small Business Enterprise Innovation in Ghana

The purpose of this article is to analyze the effect of culture in small business enterprise innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular reference to Ghana. Traditionally, funeral was a social event to pay respect to a loved one but these past few decades, the concept has been exploited for financial gain and this new idea of funeral commercialization has inspired the study. Hence, the culture involving funeral arrangements has created opportunities for small business enterprise innovation, and has given the funeral industry a new significance. Thus, the establishment of innovative small-scale businesses in Ghana could continue to play a vital role in the relative reduction of the unemployment rate. The research results reveal that 79 percent of restaurant businesses and 76 percent of retail business owners affirmed that the culture of organizing prestigious funerals has given them the opportunity to acquire more than 10 years of business experience, while 68 percent of all business owners affirm that they have also been in business at least one year. This data demonstrates that small business enterprises are most of the time directly linked with the culture involving funerals, and they have shown a steady commitment of entrepreneurship. The research results demonstrate that the number of funeral home businesses increased by an average of 25 percent every five years over the past two decades. This remains the largest revenue producer among the small business enterprises. Thus, this study confirms that the cultural impact in the funeral industry plays a primary role in the Ghanaian sustainable economic expansion. Keywords: Culture, loop, conspicuous, funeral, innovation, gigantic
Falling through the cracks

Abstract Heightened attention to international accounting rates at the ITU and the WTO has led some observers to conclude that carriers soon will impose cost-based termination charges. This article concludes that while accounting rates have declined on some routes, many incumbent carriers can and will delay or thwart progress. The article examines the FCC’s unilateral regulatory initiative as evidence of a growing schism between governments keen on immediate progress and those that fear a ‘free fall’ in accounting rates and quick end to settlement surpluses. The article also considers technological innovations like call-back and Internet telephony with an eye toward assesssing whether and how widespread accounting rate reductions will occur.
Algren Meets Donoso

True story, Word of Honor: Back in 1966, with the Vietnam War going on, in September, the start of a new academic year at the legendary Writers' Workshop out at the University of Iowa, I introduced the world-class novelist Nelson Algren, onetime lover of Simone de Beauvoir, wife of Nobel Laureate Jean-Paul Sartre, to the world-class novelist Jos? Donoso, nickname "Pepe," both of them now in Heaven.
Aphasia and the neuropsychobiology of stress

Individuals with aphasia face significant challenges in their lives. These challenges stem from the difficulties caused by impaired language function. Impairment in the ability to successfully communicate could be a significant source of stress to individuals with aphasia. The purpose of the current paper is to present a review of the literature on the neuropsychobiology of stress and aphasia, give a contemporary conceptualization of stress (both neurobiological and psychological), offer a framework and directions for future investigations in stress and aphasia, and finally suggest clinical implications for this line of inquiry.