cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of Ion-Containing Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles for Conductive Membranes

While sulfonated polymers are commonly used in membranes for fuel cells and water filtration applications, challenges of controlling ionic aggregation and understanding morphology effects on conductivity and transport still remain. In this work, we investigate the aggregation of copolymer-grafted nanoparticles that are designed to form conductive structures with low sulfonation amounts of chains. We demonstrate that long grafts of polystyrene chains with sulfonated end groups form side-by-side aggregated strings and retain their structures in ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [HMIM][TFSI]. Transmission electron tomography results revealed that these aggregates are monolayers of particles at low sulfonations and planar-like networks at 3 mol % sulfonation in the ionic liquid. Organization of magnetic nanoparticles with the polymer grafting approach is shown, for the first time, to enhance conductivity upon incorporation of an ionic liquid.
Extended Criteria Donors in Renal Transplantation

As the demand for kidney transplantation grows, there is a greater reliance on less-than-ideal deceased donor kidneys, mainly those classified as “extended criteria donor” (ECD) kidneys. In this chapter, this concept is expanded so the reader has a firm understanding of the clinical characteristics of these kidneys, the implications for organ allocation in the future, and anticipated outcomes that can be expected from these kidneys. Given the higher rate of graft failure with these organs, proper clinical management of ECD kidneys requires a fundamentally different approach from the time of organ procurement to short- and long-term immunosuppression. Lessons from pivotal trials and experience from other countries assist the reader in being at the forefront of transplant management in this challenging group of transplant recipients.
Where Doom is Spoken: Threshing Floors as Places of Decision and Communication in Biblical Literature

The fact that an unusual number of supernatural events occur at threshing floors in biblical literature has long been a subject of scholarly interest but seldom of comprehensive inquiry. This has recently changed with a publication arguing that the complex of threshing floor phenomena is explained by biblical conceptions of the relationship between YHWH and the site. In this article I will argue instead that it is the nature of the floor itself and its varied uses on multiple levels of society which created associations and layers of meaning that explain the association of threshing floors with decision and communication. The Yahwistic explanation for these associations favored by biblical authors is a response originating in a biased source, rather than a statement of a universal reality.
Correlation of hepatic fractional extracellular space using gadolinium enhanced MRI with liver stiffness using magnetic resonance elastography

To compare MR hepatic fractional extracellular space (fECS) to liver stiffness (LS) with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for evaluation of liver fibrosis. 71 consecutive patients with suspected chronic liver disease underwent standard liver MRI with MR elastography and additional delayed Gd-DTPA-enhanced sequences at 5 and 10 min in order to calculate hepatic fECS (%) and LS (kilopascals, kPa). Two radiologists blinded to clinical history examined MR images and calculated fECS and LS in identical locations for every patient. Interobserver agreement was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Pearson’s correlation was calculated for LS and fECS measures, as was the area under the receiver operatic curve (AUROC), sensitivity and specificity of fECS to predict liver stiffness ≥2.93 and ≥5 kPa. The sensitivity of fECS for detecting fibrosis was separately analyzed in the subgroup of patients without anatomic findings of cirrhosis. Substantial to excellent interobserver agreement for both LS and fECS measurements was seen with intraclass correlation of 0.88 (95% CI 0.81–0.92) for LS, 0.77 (95% CI 0.66–0.85) for fECS5 and 0.76 (95% CI 0.64–0.84) for fECS10. A significant correlation was found between MRE and fECS5 (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001) and fECS10 (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001). The performance of fECS improved for detection of advanced fibrosis (≥5 kPa) with AUROC, sensitivity and specificity of 0.72, 38%, and 94% for fECS5 and 0.72, 67%, and 66% for fECS10. fECS correlates modestly with MRE-determined LS. fECS at MRI is a simple calculation to perform and may represent a practical way to suggest the presence of fibrosis during routine liver evaluation.
Animal cruelty and firesetting as behavioral markers of fearlessness and disinhibition: putting two-thirds of Macdonald’s triad to work

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine whether animal cruelty and firesetting can serve as markers of fearlessness and disinhibition, respectively. File data gathered on 496 male sex offenders were analyzed in an effort to test two hypotheses, a countervailing hypothesis and a narrowness hypothesis. Results pertaining to the countervailing hypothesis revealed that animal cruelty correlated significantly better with fearlessness than with disinhibition and firesetting correlated significantly better with disinhibition than with fearlessness. A multiple regression analysis controlling for age at time of discharge, participant race, and offender category (pure rapist and pure child molester) also confirmed this hypothesis. Corroborating the narrowness hypothesis, animal cruelty and firesetting failed to predict violent offending after controlling for fearlessness and disinhibition, respectively. These results suggest that animal cruelty may serve as a marker for fearlessness and callous–unemotion...
Does riparian disturbance alter stream amphibian antipredator behaviors

Ecological traps occur when a species makes maladaptive habitat-selection decisions. Human-modified environments including deforested riparian habitats can change how organisms respond to environmental cues. Stream amphibians alter their habitat selection in response to abiotic cues associated with riparian clearing, but little research exists to determine if behavioral shifts to abiotic cues may make them more susceptible to predation. To evaluate if deforested habitats create ecological traps, we studied habitat-selection behavior of larval Black-bellied Salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Holbrook, 1840)) when given conflicting environmental cues. We also evaluated the potential for learning or adaptation to cues in deforested reaches by evaluating individuals from forested and deforested reaches. We anticipated that individuals from deforested reaches would make adaptive antipredator choices when presented with well-lit habitat, whereas individuals from forested reaches would select shaded habit...
Comparison of Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Fracture Surfaces

Based on the above considerations, the scanning electron microscope has unique capabilities for the study of fracture surfaces and should extensively replace the replication fractography currently used with the TEM. The most attractive advantages of the SEM are (a) direct examination, (b) no sample preparation, (c) accommodation of large size samples, (d) satisfactory resolution, (e) range of magnification from 20X to 100,000X, (f) very large depth of focus, and (g) capability to examine a specimen in a number of orientations. Despite the absence of diffraction in the SEM (which appears to be the only disadvantage of this process, at present), it is obvious that, for fractography purposes, scanning electron microscopy has an equally important or a greater role to play than TEM fractography in the coming years.
Dealing with Darwin: Place, Politics, and Rhetoric in Religious Engagements with Evolution: by David N. Livingstone. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. 265 pp. Hardcover. $39.95. ISBN 978-1-421413-26-6.

David N. Livingstone (Professor of Geography and Intellectual History, Queen's University, Belfast) is a historian and geographer who has spent over thirty years of his scholarship exploring the re...
Fort Pitt: Logan's War

In the spring of 1774, several friends and family members of a Cayuga Indian leader known as John Logan were massacred along the Ohio River near the mouth of Yellow Creek, 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. The murders were committed by a group of approximately 30 frontier malcontents led by Daniel Greathouse and John Baker. Logan was absent when the crime was committed, and by the time the news reached him, the perpetrators had fled inland to the safety of the eastern settlements. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, he sought to avenge his murdered family by attacking vulnerable settlements at the far western edge of the frontier. The first of these strikes were in the Ohio Country, but by early fall, Logan and a cadre of warriors under his command had ranged as far south as present-day Tennessee. Logan’s name struck both fear and hatred in the hearts of frontier residents, especially those at Pittsburgh.
Reflexivity in the interstices: a tale of reflexivity at work in, during, and behind the scenes

This article is a story of how the authors came to make sense of the significance of those words in relation to gender, race/ethnicity, and citizenship in writing a manuscript about L1L2 acquisitio...
Using Games to Solve Challenging Multimedia Problems

There are many challenging problems in multimedia research for which state-of-the-art solutions fall short of performing perfectly. The realization that many of these tasks are arduous for computers yet are relatively easy for humans has inspired many researchers to approach those problems from a human computation viewpoint, using methods that include crowdsourcing and games. This paper offers a discussion and advices how to use games to supplement traditional content analysis techniques and assist in the solution of hard multimedia problems.
Apixaban for the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis: A case series.

Abstract Background Venous thrombosis affecting cerebral veins and sinuses (CVT) is an uncommon neurological condition. Traditionally patients are treated with intravenous heparin followed by an oral vitamin K antagonist like warfarin. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may offer advantages over warfarin. There is evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of both dabigatran and rivaroxaban. No data, however, has been published describing the use of apixaban in patients with CVT. Methods Report of three cases of CVT and review literature on available treatment options; efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with systemic thrombosis. Results All patients presented with typical features of CVT. After confirming the diagnosis, they were acutely treated with heparin and later discharged on apixaban. During follow up visits, they tolerated apixaban well and did not have any bleeding complications. Follow up scans showed resolution of the thrombus and recanalization. Conclusion CVT is an uncommon neurological condition and is often complicated by associated intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Although not recommended in current guidelines, apixaban may be a safe and effective option for the treatment of CVT.
Computational thinking and mental models: From kodu to calypso

Reasoning about programs is an important component of computational thinking. Laws of computation give meaning to the formalisms in which programs are expressed, and can be used to predict or explain program behavior, or to uncover bugs. This paper presents Calypso, a language inspired by Microsoft's Kodu Game Lab but designed for programming actual mobile robots rather than characters in a virtual world. The initial implementation of Calypso uses the Cozmo robot by Anki. Like Kodu, the Calypso interpreter can be described by five key laws. An understanding of the laws and how to apply them constitutes a mental model of computation. Calypso provides a variety of affordances and scaffolding techniques to foster development of effective mental models and facilitate computational thinking.
Diabetes: Peripheral nerve modulation to treat metabolic disease.

Diabetes mellitus therapies aim to reduce disease complications, such as nephropathy, by achieving long-term blood glucose regulation, but actually doing so is difficult. A recent study by Sacramento and colleagues has applied electronic modulation of nerve activity in rodents as an approach to treat diabetes mellitus.
Advanced Sperm Processing/Selection Techniques

DNA damage is considered to be one of the main factors linked with male infertility and successful human reproduction partly relies on the integrity of sperm DNA. Assisted reproductive technique (ART) is a treatment of choice for the male and female infertility and mainly relies on the sperm processing and selection techniques to select superior-quality spermatozoa. Even after development of different techniques for selection of spermatozoa, the success rates remain below expectation. Sperm with higher DNA fragmentation are associated with poor fertilization and cleavage rates leading to development of poor-quality embryo and early pregnancy loss. Conventional selection techniques cannot select spermatozoa based on their DNA integrity and chromatin structure. Certain novel advanced techniques such as electrophoresis, zeta potential, molecular binding techniques, morphological evaluation of sperm under high magnification, and microfluidics are able to select sperm with intact DNA. Therefore, this chapter deals with the advanced techniques developed for sperm processing and their use in ART. Additionally we have discussed sperm selection techniques such as confocal light absorption and scattering spectroscopic microscopy, interferometric phase microscopy, Raman spectrometry, and synthetic oligopeptide (DWI) staining, which might be useful in the future.
USE OF CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSING ENDOCARDIAL FIBROELASTOSIS

Endocardial Fibroelastosis (EFE) is caused by avid proliferation of fibroelastic tissue, often associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and intracardiac thrombus formation. A 68-year-old Nigerian male with medical history significant for AF and right heart failure presented with dizziness. Physical
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE SCREENING IN ADULTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE PRIOR TO CARDIAC SURGERY

As adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) grow older, pre-operative screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) may be indicated prior to CHD surgery. There is limited data on timing/methods for pre-operative CAD screening in CHD population. Current practice is to follow ACC/AHA guidelines for
Cost as the Main Driver of T2D Treatment Patterns—Lessons from Real-World Data and Physician Focus Groups

This two-phased study consists of a decision tree model built from real-world claims data to determine factors related to physician choice of 2 nd line therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients after metformin, followed by a physician focus group study to validate results of the data-driven approach. We identified 58patients in the U.S. who initiated sulfonylurea (SU), DPP-4 inhibitor, GLP-1-RA, or insulin after metformin during 2012-2014 from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Claims-derived factors, such as demographics, clinical characteristics, and prior healthcare utilization and costs, were selected from a classification and regression tree (CART) model that minimized classification errors. Of factors most predictive of 2 nd line drug assignment, patients’ cost sharing for antidiabetic drugs (Relative Importance, RI=1) was 3 times more important than HbA1c level (RI=0.3), and 10 times more important than age, comorbidity, and kidney status (GFR) (RI=0.1). SU was most likely to be assigned to patients with lowest drug spending, moderate HbA1c control, abnormal kidney function, or no comorbid conditions. Similar themes were identified from the four physician focus groups (consisting of 8 endocrinologists and 10 PCPs in NYC and LA) and supported the findings. This study identified a gap in diabetes care where patients often receive SU due to lack of access to other treatment options. Disclosure S. Wu: None. A.D. Raval: None. J.J. Stephenson: None. X. Peng: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. H. Weisman: Employee; Self; Anthem, Inc. D.E. Faries: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company.
Nanotechnology for cartilage and bone regeneration

Abstract: Cartilage and bone defects represent common and severe clinical problems. Although traditional therapies have been used to treat cartilage and bone defects clinically, there still exist many shortcomings such as insufficient donor cartilage and bone tissues. Therefore, tissue engineering which aims to create novel and improved tissue and organ substitutes has evoked increasing interest for cartilage and bone repair. Furthermore, since human cartilage and bone have many nano-features in their matrices, nanomaterials with biomimetic features and excellent physiochemical properties hold great potential for cartilage and bone regeneration application. In this chapter, we will review recent progress in applying nanomaterials and tissue engineering for cartilage and bone regeneration.
The Self in Neuroscience and Social Psychology

Less than 40 years ago the reigning opinion in much of social psychology was that thinking about the human self was a waste of time. Fifteen to twenty years ago this was also a popular view among neuroscientists. The study of self is now a thriving enterprise in both fields. In 1999, Antonio Damasio published The Feeling of What Happens which put the self on center stage in his thinking.
Flood Forecasting and Its Reliability

Methodologies for forecasting flood hydrographs are discussed for (a) catchment floods from rainfall and (b) river floods with flow from upstream. Catchment flood forecasting methods include the unit hydrograph techniques, conceptual models, computer-based physical process models, and stochastic simulation models. River flood forecasting methods include physically-based routing models, deterministic lumped system models, station correlation methods, and stochastic process methods. Flood forecasting is inevitably under uncertainties from various sources. Therefore, it is desirable to have not only the forecast of a flood but also some measure of the reliability of the forecast. Techniques to evaluate the reliabili ty for flood forecasting of a catchment and of· a river are suggested.
Confidentiality and the psychological treatment of U.S. Army aircrew members.

The present article addresses the issue of confidentiality in U.S. Army psychological services and the special considerations affecting the confidentiality afforded to Army aviation personnel receiving such services. The author reviews Army regulations and American Psychological Association ethical standards relevant to the issue of confidentiality for aircrew members. Recommendations are offered for mental health professionals who provide services to Army aviation personnel, and a hypothetical clinical case is presented to illustrate the concepts discussed.
EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES FOR DNA CLONING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses experimental techniques and strategies for DNA cloning. The requirements for cloning are (1) a replicon (cloning vehicle or vector) that is able to propagate itself in a recipient organism, (2) a method of joining another DNA segment to the vector, (3) a procedure for introducing the composite molecule into a biologically functional recipient cell, and (4) a method of selecting or identifying the cells that have acquired the hybrid DNA species. These are the in vivo tools for the recombinant DNA work. The earliest DNA cloning experiments utilized bacterial plasmids, which are circular extrachromosomal elements of DNA that are capable of autonomous replication. Most simply, a plasmid can be viewed as a replication system to which another segment of DNA has been linked by natural recombination mechanisms. The use of plasmids as vectors in DNA cloning experiments depends on the ability to introduce plasmid DNA molecules into bacterial cells by transformation. The development of a procedure for transformation of E. coli K-12 with plasmid DNA has made it possible to establish clones of bacterial cells that carry the progeny of a single plasmid DNA molecule. This, in turn, has enabled studies with plasmids in ways that previously had been practical only with bacteriophages.
A Discrete-cell Model of Tissue-equivalent Compaction

We (and others) have spent considerable effort over the last decade to develop continuum models partial differential equations (PDEs) of cell-populated collagen gels. These models have a number of advantages: they are relatively simple and easy to solve, they resemble transport equations familiar to engineers, and they are a natural description of the material on the scale of interest. There have, however, been recent advances in understanding the behavior of individual cells or fibrils. We are thus exploring ways to incorporate discrete cell/fibril information into our continuum model in a logical and tractable way.
Density Functional Theory for The Study of Single-Molecule Electronic Systems

A top-priority objective in the field of design of new materials for nanotechnology is the study of small metal clusters in contact throughalligator clipswith small organic molecules so that their properties can be know precisely and used as extrapolations for the study of larger systems. Several properties using metal atoms can not be determined experimentally with the same precision, as it is possible with first and second row atoms. Achieving this goal clearly requires a good understanding of the factors that determine single interactions between metal clusters and molecules. This will allow us to predict interactions for proposed target molecules prior to undertaking what are often lengthy and costly synthetic efforts. The use of ab initio techniques help us tremendously to learn how structural, electronic and external factors influence the chemistry of metal and transition metal clusters, and to quantitatively predict the characteristics of their interactions with other elements in the periodic table.
Experimental demonstration of a dispatchable latent heat storage system with aluminum-silicon as a phase change material

Abstract In this work, we present the design, construction, and experimental results of a prototype latent heat thermal energy storage system. The prototype consists of a thermal storage tank with 100 kg of the aluminum-silicon eutectic as a phase change material, a valved thermosyphon that controls heat flow from the thermal storage tank to the power block, and thermoelectric generators for conversion of heat to electricity. We tested the prototype over four simulated days, where each day consisted of four phases of operation: charging, discharging, simultaneous charging and discharging, and storage. Our results show three major conclusions. First, the thermal energy storage system was able to receive and distribute heat with small temperature gradients – less than 5 °C throughout the thermal storage tank. Second, the valved thermosyphon was able to effectively control heat transfer, demonstrating an on/off thermal conductance ratio of 430. Third, the interfaces between subsystems had small temperature drops: of the ∼ 560 °C temperature drop from the thermal storage tank to the heat rejection system, ∼ 525 °C occurred across the power block. This work overcomes the challenges of integrating previously-developed subsystems together, providing a proof-of-concept of this system.
Cover letter RE “Video observations of the acute effects of dredged sediment deposition on mobile epifauna”

The “beneficial uses” of dredged sediment are increasingly being explored for habitat restoration and beach nourishment. At ocean and nearshore deposition sites, any beneficial use must be tempered by evaluating impacts to the benthos. We studied a site at the mouth of the Columbia River where a “thin-layer” sediment deposition method was employed to minimize mounding and disperse sediment within a prescribed area. We used baited benthic video landers (BVLs) in a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) experimental design to test the acute effects of sediment deposition on the Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and dog whelk (Nassarius spp). We considered the acute effects of both sediment deposition depths and the lateral surge (the turbidity front transiting the seafloor). Observations revealed sedimentation levels were limited (
Microsatellite Instability Occurs in a Subset of Follicular Thyroid Cancers

Background: Inactivation of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and the resulting microsatellite instability (MSI) are frequently observed in endometrial, stomach, and colorectal cancers, as well as more rar...
A Preliminary Perspective on Kinship and Ethnicity Among Chinese in Thailand

This essay focuses on the question of how kinship affects individual choices of ethnicity among two groups in Thailand; the overseas Chinese and the Yunnanese Chinese. Kinship is shown to be releva...
Association of obesity with survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

Abstract Background Obesity confers an overall increased risk for development of endometrial cancer. However there are conflicting reports regarding the effect of obesity on patients' overall and disease specific survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on survival in women with endometrial cancer. Methods After IRB approval, records of women with diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer from 1999 to 2016 were abstracted for histopathological, treatment and demographic data. Death was confirmed by query of the Social Security Death Index. Kaplan Meier survival curves and Cox regression modeling was performed with Stata version 14.0. Results Of 1732 evaluable patients, there were significant differences in age at diagnosis, histology (endometrioid versus non-endometrioid), stage, race, grade, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and treatment between normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients (p Conclusions Obesity is associated with younger age at diagnosis and earlier stage disease. Obesity is associated with improved disease specific survival for stage 3 and 4 non-endometrioid endometrial cancers.
Individual Differences in Cerebral Lateralization: Homeostatic Brain Functions of Schizophrenics

One of the typical experiences of a psychiatrist or psychologist interviewing a schizophrenic patient is the feeling that if they asked the right question, they would get a coherent answer. Yet each new question produces a tangent, a circumstantial response, and a fragmented piece of fictious perception with the gestalt never completed. After a while the clinician finds elements of an underlying theme. This elusive and inconclusive search for the right question and answer is typical of our scientific study of schizophrenia. Each new study and theory gives us yet another fragment in our search for understanding and ultimately for better treatment methods.
Non-contacting measurement of torque and axial translation in high-speed rotating shafts

Abstract This paper focuses on the development and experimental demonstration of a unique non-contacting Variable Reluctance (VR) sensor system that enables simultaneous estimation of torque, speed, and axial translation in high-speed rotating shafts. A novel tooth geometry is introduced featuring alternating slants on every third tooth of an otherwise standard toothed wheel. A novel torque and axial processing (TAP) algorithm allows axial translation to be extracted from the VR sensor measurements. Simulations confirm shaft speed, torque, and axial translation can be accurately estimated based on timing measurements. Experiments conducted on a high-speed driveshaft further validate the TAP approach and reveal that the accuracy of shaft torque estimation improves significantly with axial translation compensation.
Pediatric CAPD Update -1983:

This paper reviews progress in CAPD in pediatric patients from the treatment of the first child in 1978 through the spring of 1983. It will summarize current approaches to catheters, dialysis mecha...
Review of David Birks and Thomas Douglas, eds., Treatment for Crime: Philosophical Essays on Neurointerventions in Criminal Justice: Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2018, 384 pp

Neurological interventions are sometimes used to prevent criminal behavior. For instance, in some jurisdictions, sex offenders can be compelled to undergo treatment designed to reduce sexual desire. As David Birks and Thomas Douglas observe in their introduction to this volume, “chemical castration” may be just the tip of the iceberg. As neuroscience advances, it could reveal many other ways to control criminality. For instance, pharmacological treatments may help combat violent behavior or drug abuse. Such “crime-preventing neurointerventions” (CPNs) have been controversial. On the one hand, proponents argue that CPNs could be both more effective and more humane than incarceration. On the other, critics argue that coercively imposed CPNs violate individual rights and that society has a poor track record of using medical interventions for social control. The nineteen original essays in this book comprehensively cover and effectively advance the moral debate over the appropriate use of CPNs.
Extracorporeal Life Support in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.

Background The use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has expanded to include unique populations such as peripartum women. This systematic review aims to (1) quantify the number of cases and ind...
I Wrote this Paper for the Lulz: the Ethics of Internet Trolling

Over the last decade, research on derogatory communication has focused on ordinary speech contexts and the use of conventional pejoratives, like slurs. However, the use of social media has given rise to a new type of derogatory behavior that theorists have yet to address: internet trolling. Trolls make online utterances aiming to frustrate and offend other internet users. Their ultimate goal is amusement derived from observing a good faith interlocutor engage with their provocative posts. The basis for condemning a pejorative utterance is often taken to be the harm it causes or a defective attitude in the speaker. However, trolling complicates this picture, since trolling utterances are by definition insincere and should be recognizable as such to other trolls. Further, these utterances seem morally questionable even when they cause little to no harm (e.g. when a troll’s utterance fails to secure uptake), and they often do not feature conventional pejoratives. I argue that while the potential for negative effects is relevant to ethical assessment, in general trolling is pro tanto wrong because the troll fails to accord others the proper respect that is their due (independently of whether they harm them). However, this characteristic wrong-making feature is sometimes overridden.
Intraoperative coagulopathy during cesarean section as an unsuspected initial presentation of COVID-19: a case report.

The world’s understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve as the scientific community discovers unique presentations of this disease. This case report depicts an unexpected intraoperative coagulopathy during a cesarean section in an otherwise asymptomatic patient who was later found to have COVID-19. This case suggests that there may be a higher risk for intrapartum bleeding in the pregnant, largely asymptomatic COVID-positive patient with more abnormal COVID laboratory values. The case patient displayed D-Dimer elevations beyond what is typically observed among this hospital’s COVID-positive peripartum population and displayed significantly more oozing than expected intraoperatively, despite normal prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, and platelets. There is little published evidence on the association between D-Dimer and coagulopathy among the pregnant population infected with SARS-CoV-2. This case report contributes to the growing body of evidence on the effects of COVID-19 in pregnancy. A clinical picture concerning for intraoperative coagulopathy may be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during cesarean sections, and abnormal COVID laboratory tests, particularly D-Dimer, may help identify the patients in which this presentation occurs.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in a patient undergoing left upper lobectomy for adenocarcinoma of the lung: A case report

Abstract Introduction Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a rare congenital heart disease that complicates surgical management of pulmonary pathology. Case presentation This case describes the successful management of a 73-year-old female with a left upper lobe adenocarcinoma and pre-operative discovery of left superior anomalous pulmonary venous return into the innominate vein. This patient presented to our clinic for evaluation regarding her newly discovered adenocarcinoma of the lung. Here, we also discuss findings in the literature for management of these patients regarding the importance of preoperative evaluation to determine the extent to which a lobectomy will alter pulmonary function with special emphasis on identifying patients at risk of increased shunting leading to cardiopulmonary failure. Conclusion Consideration should focus on the extent of the shunting, the presence of symptoms, and underlying right heart strain or pulmonary hypertension.
Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant

In the past decade, the view of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) epidemiology has changed. A large burden of community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) disease was reported by prison and jail systems in California, Texas, Mississippi, and Georgia. Outbreaks have provided incentives to examine the epidemiology of CA-MRSA in closer detail. Importantly, these increases were directly translated into similar increases in the overall burden of S. aureus disease. Important genetic phenomena are believed to be responsible for the phenotypic differences observed in comparisons of CA-MRSA and hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) isolates. A survey of 16 toxin genes known to be present in genomically sequenced S. aureus strains revealed that important differences can be identified when HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA isolates are compared. Six exotoxin genes were found significantly more often among CA-MRSA isolates, and seven were found significantly more often among HA-MRSA strains. Asymptomatic colonization is the most frequent outcome of host interaction with S. aureus. The mainstay of treatment for skin abscesses is incision and drainage of the lesion. The pneumonia may be classified as ‘’necrotizing’’ if the chest CT shows a consolidative infiltrate, destruction of normal lung architecture, and loss of tissue enhancement. The CA-MRSA epidemic has complicated the selection of empirical antibiotic therapy for presumed S. aureus infections. Distinguishing HA-MRSA from CA-MRSA is useful in defining the changing epidemiology, identifying those at risk, and choosing empirical antibiotic therapy when required.
Apotemnophilia – the Neurological Basis of a ‘Psychological’ Disorder

The question of how the human brain combines disparate sensory inputs to construct a unified body image is of longstanding interest^1,2,3^ . We approached this subject by studying the unusual medical condition of apotemnophilia, in which otherwise mentally normal individuals express the strong and persistent desire for the amputation of a specific healthy limb^4,5,6^ . Here we show using functional brain imaging - magnetoencephalography (MEG) - that the condition is characterised by an absence of activity in the right superior parietal lobule (SPL) when the affected limb is touched. When this discovery is combined with our earlier finding of a simultaneous increase in skin conductance response (SCR) on touching the affected limb^7^ , which reflects increased sympathetic nervous system activity relating to the limb^8^ , we conclude that what has been regarded as a purely psychological condition, actually has a neurological basis and is caused by a failure to represent one or more limbs in the right SPL. This has the bizarre consequence that although sufferers can feel the affected limb being touched, it does not actually integrate into their body image - a mismatch that results in a desire for the affected limb to be amputated.
Multirate log/sub d/(N,e,p) networks

Conventional studies have shown that an unbuffered network, while having a simpler design, produces a lower throughput than a buffered network. But conventional studies ignored the combinatorial aspect of the performance evaluation. The present authors compare the two approaches in designing nonblocking networks. The base of the comparison is log/sub d/(N,e,p) networks. It is shown that if fixed path routing is adopted to maintain the packet sequence of a buffered network, then its throughput is even lower than that of an unbuffered network.
The use and mode of action of ethacrynic acid in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

The use of diuretic agents in the treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus had been reported to result in decreased urine volume and decreased clearance of free water. A study of the use of ethacrynic acid, a potent saluretic agent, was instituted in patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in an attempt to achieve a significant antidiuretic response while allowing a liberal sodium diet. Intravenous ethacrynic acid resulted in decreased urine volume, decreased clearance of free water and decreased RPF and GFR. Prolonged oral administration of ethacrynic acid promoted a significant antidiuretic response when the daily sodium intake was limited to 60 mEq. The effect of ethacrynic acid on renal function, potassium and chloride. excretion, and uric acid metabolism are discussed.
The Volatile Nitrites as Sexual Drugs: A User Survey

A questionnaire was completed by 255 recreational users of amyl and/or isobutyl nitrite. The typical respondent was a 30 year old male, who first used nitrites five years ago. Current use frequency...
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: Analysis of 145 cases with comparison to conventional squamous cell carcinoma

Background Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare subtype squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that frequently occurs in the larynx. BSCC is generally considered an aggressive SCC variant; however, because of its rarity, most studies are underpowered to detect statistical differences in disease-specific survival (DSS). Methods Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we compared clinicopathologic data and DSS between patients with laryngeal BSCC and SCC. Results Patients with relative SCC, those with laryngeal BSCC, presented with more advanced local, regional, and distant disease (p < .001). Patients with BSCC had worse DSS, regardless of stage, tumor location within the larynx (glottis/supraglottis; p < .001), or treatment received (p ≤ .052). Conclusion Analysis of the largest laryngeal BSCC series to date (n = 145) demonstrates that BSCC carries a worse prognosis than conventional SCC of the larynx. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 164–170, 2014
Lipid Multilayer Grating Arrays Integrated by Nanointaglio for Vapor Sensing by an Optical Nose

Lipid multilayer gratings are recently invented nanomechanical sensor elements that are capable of transducing molecular binding to fluid lipid multilayers into optical signals in a label free manner due to shape changes in the lipid nanostructures. Here, we show that nanointaglio is suitable for the integration of chemically different lipid multilayer gratings into a sensor array capable of distinguishing vapors by means of an optical nose. Sensor arrays composed of six different lipid formulations are integrated onto a surface and their optical response to three different vapors (water, ethanol and acetone) in air as well as pH under water is monitored as a function of time. Principal component analysis of the array response results in distinct clustering indicating the suitability of the arrays for distinguishing these analytes. Importantly, the nanointaglio process used here is capable of producing lipid gratings out of different materials with sufficiently uniform heights for the fabrication of an optical nose.
DENDROECOLOGICAL METHODS FOR RECONSTRUCTING HIGH-SEVERITY FIRE IN PINE-OAK FORESTS

Recent high-severity fires in pine-oak forests of the southwestern United States are creating shrubfields that may persist for decades to centuries. Shrubfields embedded in conifer forests that predate documentary records are potential evidence of older high-severity fire patches, and may therefore provide insights into the occurrence and extent of past high-severity fires and vegetation type conversion dynamics. In this paper we test whether dendroecological evidence can be used to reconstruct a high-severity, type-changing fire of known date in a ponderosa pine-dominated (Pinus ponderosa var scopulorum Engelm.) forest. Dendroecological evidence included (1) Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii, Nutt.) regeneration dates, (2) fire scars, (3) death dates, and (4) tree-ring growth changes. We reconstructed the historical fire regime and fire-climate relationship to evaluate whether the recent high-severity fire was driven by climate or fuel build-up related to a fire regime disruption. The dendroecological evidence correctly dated the year (1993) and season (spring) of the documented fire, and synchronous oak re-sprouts provided a means to estimate the minimum high-severity patch size. The historical fire regime at the site (1625–1871) consisted of frequent, low-severity fires occurring in dry years preceded by wet years. Fires stopped in 1871, coincident with increased regional livestock grazing. The 1993 fire occurred under relatively cool and wet conditions, but followed a 122-year firefree interval (four times the maximum historical interval). Multiple lines of evidence suggest that increased fuel loads from fire exclusion, combined with high winds, were primary drivers of the highseverity fire. The dendroecological approach we outline can be applied to reconstruct high-severity fire across a range of conifer-shrubland ecosystems.
Normal development of motor behavior in the rat and effect of midthoracic spinal hemisection at birth on that development

Abstract Certain motor behavior depends on the presence of descending systems, whereas other motor behavior can be elicited in the absence of descending input. We determined the extent to which the development of motor behavior depends on the integrity of the descending systems. The spinal cord of neonatal rats was hemisected at T 6–7 . Motor behavior was examined for as long as 4 months and included general posture, postural reflexes (placing, monopedal hopping, righting, vestibular drop, and hind limb support) and locomotion (spontaneous and conditioned in which “difficulty” was varied using three runways of different widths and two grids with different size holes). Motor behavior after the lesion was of one of three classes. In the first class motor behavior never developed. For example, accurate stepping by both hind limbs and tactile placing by the hind limb ipsilateral to the lesion were not spared. In the second class the development of motor behavior was delayed or only developed partially. For example, the onset of the vestibular response was delayed bilaterally and in the hind limb ipsilateral to the lesion it never fully matured. In the last class motor behavior developed fully. The time course, for example, of the development of placing in response to proprioceptive stimulation in three directions was the same as that in normal rats. These results suggest that the degree of dependence on descending systems for development is different for different motor behaviors. They also suggest that for some motor behavior, development must be partially or totally dependent on the peripheral and/or intraspinal systems
Evidence for localized character of electronic structure in vanadium borides from 51V nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract Measurements are reported of the Knight shift of the nuclear magnetic resonance of 51V in the known intermetallic compounds of vanadium and boron, V3B2, VB, V5B6, V3B4, V2B3, and VB2. The shifts are found to occur with four well-resolved distinct values which may be correlated with the four types of boron environment of vanadium which arises in these intermetallic compounds. This correlation suggests the possibility of treating the electronic structure of the borides in terms of a synthesis of the band structures of the basic structural units, i.e., those of vanadium metal, VB, and VB2.
A presenilin 1 mutation associated with familial frontotemporal dementia inhibits gamma-secretase cleavage of APP and notch.

Abstract A novel presenilin 1 mutation, insR352, associated with a frontal temporal dementia phenotype has been identified (E. A. Rogaeva et al., 2001, Neurology 57, 621–625). This mutation does not increase Aβ42 levels, but instead acts as dominant negative presenilin, decreasing amyloid β protein (Aβ) production by inhibiting γ-secretase cleavage of the Aβ precursor. The distinct clinical phenotype associated with this mutation suggests that chronic partial inhibition of γ-secretase activity may result in neurodegeneration.
Ancel Keys Lecture Adventures (and Misadventures) in Understanding (and Reducing) Disparities in Stroke Mortality

One of the 2 key goals of the Healthy People 2010 statement, the guiding document for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is to “eliminate health disparities among different segments of the population” by the year 2010.1 The US Congress has by law directed National Institutes of Health (NIH) to specifically define health disparities to include the components: For brevity, we focus on a review of the magnitude of the disparities in stroke of only the first 2 of these disparities: review progress in reducing these disparities, and assess barriers and opportunities to reduce these disparities. Racial differences in stroke mortality are the most well-known and well documented of the stroke disparities.3–5 Among non-Hispanics aged between 45 and 64 years, in 2009, there were 4359 deaths from stroke and an age-adjusted death rate of 48.9 per 100 000 in blacks, whereas there were 9994 deaths and a death rate of 16.3 per 100 000 in whites; this represents a 3-fold difference in death rates.6 There would have been ≈3000 fewer deaths for blacks in this 20-year age range if they had the mortality rate of whites (4359×(16.3/48.9)=1424 projected deaths for a reduction of 2935 deaths). If the case-fatality rate is 20%, then these 3000 deaths would have arisen from ≈15 000 extra stroke events (3000/0.2=15 000), and a public health burden of the racial disparity in stroke is ≈$2.1 billion dollars annually (assuming a $140 000 cost of stroke).7 The racial disparity in stroke mortality has been remarkably persistent, where between 1949 and 1951 the nonwhite (primarily blacks)/white stroke mortality ratio was 1.63 for men …
A model to predict crop response to applied fertilizer nutrients in heterogeneous fields

In this paper we develop a model to quantify spatial variability in indigenous soil nutrient supply and assess the impact of this heterogeneity on fertilizer use efficiency with uniform or site-specific nutrient application. Utilizing field data for wheat and rice response to applied N and cotton response to applied K, the model predicts that the magnitude of the difference in the nutrient input requirement of a heterogeneous field for site-specific versus uniform nutrient application depends on (1) a curvilinear crop response to nutrient supply and the mathematical form of the response function, (2) the degree and spatial distribution of the nonuniformity in native soil-nutrient supply as quantified by its variance and skewness, (3) the targeted yield level, and (4) the effectiveness of fertilizer-nutrient addition, quantified by the slope of the relationship between the net increase in actual nutrient supply available to the crop and the quantity of applied nutrient.