cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monomer dependence of radiation graft polymerization. V. Poly(ethylene-g-4-vinylpyridine)

The radiation-initiated graft polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine to high density polyethylene has been studied under diffusion-free conditions by the mutual irradiation technique. The reaction rate is 1/2 order in radiation intensity over the range 0.00076 to 0.011 Mrad/h. The reaction rate is first order in monomer at 0.00076 Mrad/h, over the complete range of monomer concentrations; at 0.021 Mrad/h, up to 60 vol % monomer; and at 0.21 Mrad/h, up to 50 vol % monomer.
Dependability modeling of real-time systems using stochastic reward nets

Abstract Dependability modeling plays a major role in the design, validation and maintenance of real-time computing systems. Typical models provide measures such as mean time to failure, reliability and safety as functions of the component failure rates and fault/error coverage probabilities. In this paper we propose a modeling technique that allows the coverage to be dependent upon the local (i.e. embedded at task level) and global (i.e. available at system level) fault/error detection and recovery mechanisms. This approach also ensures important savings in terms of the simulation time required for deriving the coverage probabilities. Stochastic. reward nets are employed as a unique dependability modeling framework. For illustrating the usefulness of this technique we analyze dependability of a railroad control computer.
Sub-femtofarad capacitive sensing for microfabricated transducers using correlated double sampling and delta modulation

The theory, design, and measured performance of a circuit which measures very small capacitances, particularly suitable for microfabricated sensors relegated to a high parasitic environment, is presented. The circuit uses an existing capacitive sensing ASIC configured as a delta modulator to achieve a sense resolution of 0.53 fF at a 6-kHz sample rate in the presence of board-level parasitics. The applicability of the circuit to microfabricated sensors has been successfully demonstrated using a bulk-micromachined vertical transducer that is similar to many pressure sensors and accelerometers.
Human neutrophil azurocidin synergizes with leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G in the killing of Capnocytophaga sputigena.

Abstract Azurocidin was purified in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Electrophoresis revealed at least seven species which exhibited N-terminal sequences consistent with azurocidin. Azurocidin exhibited no bactericidal activity against Capnocytophaga sputigena or other oral bacteria but synergized the bactericidal activity of enzymatically active elastase. Azurocidin also interacted synergistically with cathepsin G.
A scalable method for integration and functional analysis of multiple microarray datasets

Motivation: The diverse microarray datasets that have become available over the past several years represent a rich opportunity and challenge for biological data mining. Many supervised and unsupervised methods have been developed for the analysis of individual microarray datasets. However, integrated analysis of multiple datasets can provide a broader insight into genetic regulation of specific biological pathways under a variety of conditions. Results: To aid in the analysis of such large compendia of microarray experiments, we present Microarray Experiment Functional Integration Technology (MEFIT), a scalable Bayesian framework for predicting functional relationships from integrated microarray datasets. Furthermore, MEFIT predicts these functional relationships within the context of specific biological processes. All results are provided in the context of one or more specific biological functions, which can be provided by a biologist or drawn automatically from catalogs such as the Gene Ontology (GO). Using MEFIT, we integrated 40 Saccharomyces cerevisiae microarray datasets spanning 712 unique conditions. In tests based on 110 biological functions drawn from the GO biological process ontology, MEFIT provided a 5% or greater performance increase for 54 functions, with a 5% or more decrease in performance in only two functions. Contact: ogt@cs.princeton.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data, a collection of predictions made by MEFIT and software implementing MEFIT are available online at http://function.princeton.edu/mefit/.
Simplified Estimation of Economic Seismic Risk for Buildings

A seismic risk assessment is often performed on behalf of a buyer of commercial buildings in seismically active regions. One outcome of the assessment is that a probable maximum loss (PML) is computed. PML is of limited use to real-estate investors as it has no place in a standard financial analysis and reflects too long a planning period. We introduce an alternative to PML called probable frequent loss (PFL), defined as the mean loss resulting from shaking with 10% exceedance probability in 5 years. PFL is approximately related to expected annualized loss (EAL) through a site economic hazard coefficient (H) introduced here. PFL and EAL offer three advantages over PML: (1) meaningful planning period; (2) applicability in financial analysis (making seismic risk a potential market force); and (3) can be estimated using a single linear structural analysis, via a simplified method called linear assembly-based vulnerability (LABV) that is presented in this work. We also present a simple decision-analysis framework for real-estate investments in seismic regions, accounting for risk aversion. We show that market risk overwhelms uncertainty in seismic risk, allowing one to consider only expected consequences in seismic risk. We illustrate using 15 buildings, including a 7-story nonductile reinforced-concrete moment-frame building in Van Nuys, California, and 14 buildings from the CUREE-Caltech Woodframe Project. [DOI: 10.1193/1.1809129]
Synthesis, characterization, and coordination chemistry of two new tartaric acid-derived bis(phosphite) ligands

Abstract The syntheses of two chiral bis(phosphite) ligands with tartaric acid-derived backbones: 1 (from dimethyl tartrate) and 2 (from dipyrollidene tartramide), three complexes of 1: cis-Mo(CO)4(1), cis-PtCl2(1), and cis-PdCl2(1) and two complexes of 2: cis-Mo(CO)4(2) and cis-PdCl2(2) are described. Each ligand and complex has been fully characterized by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy, and the coordination 31P NMR chemical shifts have been compared to those observed for complexes of related ligands. The X-ray crystal structures of each of the metal complexes have also been determined. The X-ray crystal structures indicate that the conformation of the seven-membered chelate ring varies depending on the substituents on the tartrate backbone. However, the conformations of the seven-membered rings do not change when the metal center is changed or when the coordination environment around the metal center is changed.
Collectivism-Individualism in Perceptions of Speech Rate A Cross-Cultural Comparison

A cross-cultural comparison was made to investigate the relative effects of speech rate in Korea and the United States for perceptions of the speaker's credibility. Employing a three-way factorial design (Speech Rate x Speaker Gender x Culture Type), this study found that rapid delivery can be used as an effective means of enhancing one's credibility in the United States and that this principle can be generalized to Korean female speakers. On the other hand, slow delivery is more effective in increasing the credibility of Korean male speakers. Moreover, regardless of culture type, the data indicate no main effect of the speaker's gender on credibility, except for perceptions of the speaker's competence.
Neoclassical Economics and Federal Policies The Case of the Minimum Wage

In the United States, commentators and politicians demonstrate a deep-rooted persistent adherence to a neoclassical model of the labor market, where a minimum wage increase is seen as an inevitable cause of unemployment, as it is assumed to occur at a point where the labor market was initially in equilibrium. The work of the Minimum Wage Study Commission (1981) uncovered the small size of the unemployment inflation effect, and the new minimum wage research also has corroborated this. Seen against these findings, the persistent rhetoric of sizeable “unemployment effects” of minimum wage increases simply shows the power of employers in a capitalist system. This paper suggests that counteracting the rhetoric is best done by recognizing the agency of the minimum wage worker and portraying this worker not as one who may “suffer unemployment” under a wage increase but who chooses to work fewer hours if hourly wages and benefits become sufficient.
The Pena-Shokeir syndrome: report of five cases and further delineation of the syndrome

We report on five cases of lethal Pena-Shokeir syndrome from three families with affected sibs. In addition to multiple anklyoses, camptodactyly, facial anomalies, and pulmonary hypoplasia, one fetus had pterygia of the neck and axillae and cardiac hypoplasia. Radiographic changes are nonspecific and probably are related to a lack of intrauterine movement. Our data and review of the literature suggest that pterygium formation is one of the manifestations of the Pana-Shokeir syndrome. A recently described lethal form of the recessively inherited multiple pterygium syndrome may represent a severe form of the Pena-Shokeir syndrome.
Abstract 576: ABO Blood Group and Platelet Aggregation

Background: ABO blood groups have been linked to coronary thrombosis, with non-O blood groups at higher risk of thrombosis. ABO blood group antigens are expressed on platelet glycoproteins, including the IIb fibrinogen receptor, and may affect platelet function via glycan modifications. We hypothesized that non-O blood groups would demonstrate higher levels of platelet aggregation compared to type O blood group. Methods: Healthy, non-smoking subjects were recruited to a protocol investigating glycan modification of platelets. Ex vivo platelet aggregation was assessed by light transmission aggregometry of platelet-rich plasma in dose-response to collagen (0.04-0.2 mg/mL) and thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) (1-5 μmol). Maximal platelet aggregation data, aggregation rate and lag time were compared at each concentration across blood groups A, B, AB and O by ANOVA testing. Results: A total of 91 subjects were recruited (ABO types; 32 A, 16 B, 8 AB, 35 O). The average age of the subjects was 31 years, 58% were Caucasian and 61% were female. There were no significant differences in age, race and gender between ABO blood groups. For collagen concentrations ranging from 0.04-0.2 mg/mL, there was no significant difference in mean platelet aggregation, rate of aggregation and lag time between blood groups. For TRAP concentrations between 1-5 μmol, there was also no significant difference in mean platelet aggregation and rate of aggregation between blood groups. For TRAP at 2 μmol and 3 μmol, blood group AB demonstrated a longer lag time compared to blood groups A, B, and O (TRAP 2 μmol; 13 sec type AB vs 5.21 sec type A, 4.18 sec type B, 3.57 sec type O, TRAP 3 μmol; 9.12 sec type AB vs 3.34 sec type A, 4.31 sec type B, 2.65 sec type O) but these secondary analyses were of marginal significance after consideration of multiple testing. Conclusion: These data for ex vivo platelet aggregation dose-response to collagen and TRAP do not support significant differences in platelet function by ABO blood type. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of specific platelet glycoprotein functions are required to address potential subtle influences of ABO glycans on platelet reactivity.
Pt3In7 Ohmic Contacts to n-TYPE GaAs

A thermodynamic and kinetic rationale was utilized to select Pt3In7 as an ohmic contact to n-GaAs. This analysis predicted that the contact metallurgy would be very simple and extremely uniform upon annealing. Preliminary electrical results showed that annealing samples at temperatures of 650 °C or higher led to ohmic behavior. A contact resistance of 3.4 × 10-5 Ω-cm2 was found upon annealing an uncapped contact at 750 °C for 15 s.
Route Availability Planning Tool Evaluation Visualizations for the New York and Chicago Departure Flows

When operationally significant weather affects a region of the National Airspace System (NAS) a Severe Weather Avoidance Program (SWAP) is initiated for that region. Each SWAP event is a unique mix of demand, weather conditions, traffic flow management (TFM) initiatives and traffic movement. On the day following a SWAP, the SWAP events are reviewed by FAA and airline representatives as part of the daily planning teleconference, and the TFM initiatives used are evaluated to understand their impact on the traffic flows, benefits, and disadvantages. Due to the complexity of the situation various exploratory visualizations were designed in order to evaluate aspects of the aviation environment and the responsive actions of the NAS during outbreaks of convective weather as well as to gain insights on the interaction of weather and traffic operations. From these visualizations, analyses and metrics were developed that could be used to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of TMIs. This paper will present three visualizations that have directly resulted in the development of analyses for TMIs or lead to insights into air traffic operations.
Fixed-branch-point model for pion-nucleon diffraction scattering

A model for high-energy πp scattering is considered in which the positive-signature amplitude is assumed to contain a fixed square-root branch point in the complex angular-momentum plane. The model contains no Pomeranchukon. The highest Regge pole is assumed to be theP′ traejctory. Under various assumptions about the intersect of the pole traejctory and the weight along the cut, the model is fitted to available data on total cross-sections, the phase of the forward-scattering amplitude, and also to the Igi sum rule. Under various physically plausible assumptions a fit exists to within 0.2 mb for the cross-sections, 15% for the real part of the amplitude, and 0.5 mb for the sum rule. The model can be distinguished from other Regge models at energies above 50 GeV.
Pediatric peripheral i.v. insertion success rates.

Determination of an acceptable practice standard for peripheral intravenous (PIV) insertion as well as insertion success rates of inpatient medical/surgical registered nurse (RN) staff at Children's Hospital, Omaha, NE, was examined. The prospective study consisted of a non-randomized sample of 249 total i.v. placements. The inpatient medical/surgical registered nurse (RN) staff and patients were used as study participants. The data were collected on three separate occasions over 20 months by self-report. The cumulative insertion data revealed 53% successful PIV cannulation on the first attempt, 67% within two attempts, and 91% within four attempts. Additionally, the medical/surgical RN staff successfully placed 85% of the medical/surgical PIVs. As a result of this study, the standard of practice is now defined as no greater than four attempts at insertion by RN staff. Future data should be collected in order to substantiate a defined standard for PIV placement.
Increased oxidation of tocopherols in chickens with inherited muscular dystrophy.

Inherited muscular dystrophy in chickens shares many characteristics with inherited muscular dystrophy in humans. Both are conditions caused by the defect of a single recessive gene, both lead to the degeneration of muscle tissue over time, and the underlying biochemical basis for cell death is unknown in both disorders. Numerous hypotheses have seen suggested to explain muscular dystrophy.1 One of these postulates the basic biochemical defect of inherited muscular dystrophy is one which causes oxidative stress in muscle tissue, and that this is the underlying cause of cell death.2 Table 1 summarizes the changes found in dystrophic muscle from both chickens and humans that closely resemble those caused in muscle by oxidative processes.1 Oxidative stress in muscle cells could be caused by two basic biochemical defects. First, the defect could be one which leads to the excessive production of free radicals in muscle tissue. Second, the defect could be in one of the antioxidant systems important to normal muscle integrity, although apparently not in any of the antioxidant systems analyzed to date, all of which show enhanced activity in dystrophic muscle.1
Effectiveness of Health Education on HIV/AIDS-related Knowledge,Attitude,and Performance in Janghua Yao Autonomous County,Hunan

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of health education on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge,attitude,and performance (KAP) in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County.Methods Health education was performed among the different groups with different modes.400 enterprise employees,400 community residents,400 CS workers,and 800 students were randomly selected to investigate HIV/AIDS-related KAP before and after health education.Results After carrying out health education,the knowledge awareness rates of enterprise employees,community residents,CSW,and students increased from 60%,40%,30%,and 70% to 85%,80%,80%,and 95%,respectively.The acceptance rate of voluntary counseling testing (VCT) was improved significantly,the attitude to HIV positive friends and sexual attitudes were greatly improved too.Conclusions Developing HIV/AIDS health education has a certain effect on improving people’s knowledge about AIDS prevention and control,altering negative attitudes,and changing high-risk behaviors.
Role of interleukin 6 and corticosteroids in the regulation of expression of glutathione S-transferases in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

The effect of recombinant interleukin 6 (rIL-6) on the transcript levels of rat glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes rGSTA2, rGSTP1, rGSTM1 and rGSTM2 was examined in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. rIL-6 had little effect on the increase in expression of rGSTP1 that occurs in cultured hepatocytes. Dexamethasone (DEX), in contrast, prevented the expression of rGSTP1 by hepatocytes, and rIL-6 in combination with DEX had no additional effect. Neither rIL-6 nor DEX alone had a significant effect on the transcript levels of rGSTA2, rGSTM1 and rGSTM2 in cultured hepatocytes. However, when both were present (15 ng/ml rIL-6 and 10(-7) M DEX) the transcript levels of rGSTA2, rGSTM1 and rGSTM2 decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after 48 h in culture. If the rIL-6 was removed from the cultures after 24 h, the levels of transcripts recovered and were the same at 48 h as cells cultured without rIL-6 for the entire period. Dose-response relationships of rIL-6 with 10(-7) M DEX were determined for transcripts of each GST isoenzyme and the IC50 values were between 1.5 and 7.5 ng/ml. Declines in transcript levels of rGSTA2 were observed with rIL-6 plus 10(-8) or 10(-7) M DEX but not with rIL-6 plus 10(-9), 10(-6), or 10(-5) M DEX. To determine if the cytokine and glucocorticoid effects were mediated by sequences in the 5'-flanking sequence of rGSTA2, a plasmid construct containing a 1.6 kb fragment of the 5'-flanking sequence of the rGSTA2 gene and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene was used to transfect rat hepatocytes in primary culture. The addition of rIL-6 and DEX to the culture medium caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in CAT activity after 48 h in culture. If rIL-6 was removed after 24 h in culture, CAT activity after an additional 24 h in culture was greater than the CAT activity in cells cultured for 48 h without rIL-6. Therefore cytokines and glucocorticoids may be important physiological regulators of GST expression.
A call for budget reform

This article calls for reform of the U.S. Federal budget from two perspectives, preparation and content. The first aspect of reform proposes to amend the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 by eliminating the requirement for an executive budget. It proposes replacing the executive budget submission with a budget prepared by a joint executive-legislative council. While the decision-making process for approval of the budget would remain the same, the council-proposed budget would eliminate several time consuming issues of disagreement such as whose economic estimates are used. The second aspect of reform proposes an examination of the contents of the budget. The current budget focuses on agency appropriations and the debt/surplus figure. Many more issues such as unfunded pension liabilities, true costs of credit, value of government-owned assets and the number of appropriations are largely neglected. This aspect of the budget should be examined by a non-partisan group of experts to make recommendations for an improvement in the informational content of the budget. Improved information could help support sound decisionmaking. The article contends that we can preserve the constitutional separation of powers dealing with the budget while we simply improve the methods used to prepare the document itself, and once the document is prepared it would be structured so it can be examined in a meaningful manner by interested citizens in order to ascertain the financial conditions of the country.
Geobiochemistry of metabolism: Standard state thermodynamic properties of the citric acid cycle

Abstract Integrating microbial metabolism into geochemical modeling allows assessments of energy and mass transfer between the geosphere and the microbial biosphere. Energy and power supplies and demands can be assessed from analytical geochemical data given thermodynamic data for compounds involved in catabolism and anabolism. Results are reported here from a critique of the available standard state thermodynamic data for organic acids and acid anions involved in the citric acid cycle (also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the Krebs cycle). The development of methods for estimating standard state data unavailable from experiments is described, together with methods to predict corresponding values at elevated temperatures and pressures using the revised Helgeson–Kirkham–Flowers (HKF) equation of state for aqueous species. Internal consistency is maintained with standard state thermodynamic data for organic and inorganic aqueous species commonly used in geochemical modeling efforts. Standard state data and revised-HKF parameters are used to predict equilibrium dissociation constants for the organic acids in the citric acid cycle, and to assess standard Gibbs energies of reactions for each step in the cycle at elevated temperatures and pressures. The results presented here can be used with analytical data from natural and experimental systems to assess the energy and power demands of microorganisms throughout the habitable ranges of pressure and temperature, and to assess the consequences of abiotic organic compound alteration processes at conditions of subsurface aquifers, sedimentary basins, hydrothermal systems, meteorite parent bodies, and ocean worlds throughout the solar system.
Do national drug policies influence antiretroviral drug prices? Evidence from the Southern African Development community.

Background The efficacy of low- and middle-income countries’ (LMIC) national drug policies in managing antiretroviral (ARV) pharmaceutical prices is not well understood. Though ARV drug prices have been declining in LMIC over the past decade, little research has been done on the role of their national drug policies. This study aims to (i) analyse global ARV prices from 2004 to 2013 and (ii) examine the relationship of national drug policies to ARV prices. Methods Analysis of ARV drug prices utilized data from the Global Price Reporting Mechanism from the World Health Organization (WHO). Ten of the most common ARV drugs (first-line and second-line) were selected. National drug policies were also assessed for 12 countries in the South African Development Community (SADC), which self-reported their policies through WHO surveys. Results The best predictor of ARV drug price was generic status—the generic versions of 8 out of 10 ARV drugs were priced lower than branded versions. However, other factors such as transaction volume, HIV prevalence, national drug policies and PEPFAR/CHAI involvement were either not associated with ARV drug price or were not consistent predictors of price across different ARV drugs. Conclusion In the context of emerging international trade agreements, which aim to strengthen patent protections internationally and potentially delay the sale of generic drugs in LMIC, this study shines a spotlight on the importance of generic drugs in controlling ARV prices. Further research is needed to understand the impact of national drug policies on ARV prices.
Abstract B33: Determination of protein expression of candidate prostate cancer genes from a novel region on chromosome 7 identified in African American men

In the United States, African American (AA) men are at 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than European American (EA) men, and AA men are 2.4 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than EA men. Although these disparities are frequently attributed to the greater aggressiveness of prostate cancer among AA men, it is not known what causes that prostate cancer aggressiveness in AA men. To identify germline genetic variation that could explain some of this disparity, our previous admixture mapping study identified a novel region on chromosome 7q31-34 where local ancestry was associated with risk of disease. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether candidate genes in this gene region show differences in protein product expression by cell line origin (AA vs. EA) and by cell line metastatic potential. We specifically examined the expression of three proteins sourced from this gene region through immunoblot analysis, filamin C (FLNC), glutamate receptor metabotropic B (GRM8), and cadherin-like and PC-esterase domain containing 1 (CPED1). The cell lines DU-145, PC3, LNCaP, RWPE1, and WPE1 were derived from biological specimens from EA men, whereas the PCa2b and the RC77T cell lines were sourced from AA men. The RWPE1 and WPE1 cell lines were derived from normal prostate cells, while the remaining cell lines were derived from metastatic prostate cancers. Using immunoblot analysis, we found that GRM8 is expressed at higher levels in the cell lines derived from AA men with prostate cancer compared to those from EA men with prostate cancer. In contrast, FLNC and CPED1 are expressed at higher levels in the cell lines from EA men with prostate cancer compared to those from AA men with prostate cancer. Interestingly, both FLNC and CPED1 expression is also low in the androgen sensitive LNCaP cell line. Importantly, these results are consistent with our fine mapping results in AA men, where the SNP with greatest evidence for association is located. Further, previous studies have demonstrated that the methylation status and mRNA expression of CPED1 and FLNC differed between prostate cancers from AA and EA men. Taken together, these results provide us with a foundation to test the relevance of these genes in prostate cancer growth and metastasis and contribute to our understanding of the molecular differences in prostate cancer between EA and AA men. Citation Format: Casey Wizner, Julie Ruterbusch, Nicole Kubinec, Gregory Dyson, Albert Levin, Julie Boerner, Cathryn Bock. Determination of protein expression of candidate prostate cancer genes from a novel region on chromosome 7 identified in African American men. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B33.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Upper Extremity Masses and Tumors

The appropriate evaluation of hand and upper extremity masses is an important aspect of the care of orthopedic patients. Although most of these masses are benign, the orthopedic surgeon must have a high index of suspicion when assessing them because early diagnosis and treatment of aggressive or malignant masses may have a great effect on patient outcomes. This article provides an overview of benign and malignant osseous and soft tissue masses that orthopedic surgeons may encounter and a detailed algorithm for evaluating these masses. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e758-e764.].
Effect of Food and Mating on Longevity and Egg Production in the Green June Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

A laboratory rearing experiment was conducted to determine the effect of food intake and mating on longevity and egg production of the female adult green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.). A positive relationship existed between the number of eggs laid per beetle and beetle longevity (r = 0.37; P < 0.0001), where apple-fed beetles laid 2.2 eggs per day during a lifespan of 23.0 days and the water-fed beetles laid 1.87 eggs per day during a significantly shorter lifespan of 14.8 days (P < 0.0001). After mean adjustments for the effects of beetle longevity (by the LSMEANS procedure), the apple-fed beetles laid an average of 50.8 eggs which was significantly higher than the 26.9 eggs laid by the water-fed beetles (P < 0.0002). The number of matings had no effect on the numbers of eggs produced nor on beetle longevity. The treatment effects on percentage egg hatch by mating and feeding were insignificant. However, the effect of mating on the percentage of egg hatch differed depending on feeding. These differen...
Clinical course of idiopathic anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND Only a few groups have reported on idiopathic anaphylaxis. We analyzed our experience with idiopathic anaphylaxis, especially in regards to prognosis. METHODS Thirty-seven patients with the diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis were retrospectively identified by a medical records search from 1989-1992. Thirty-five patients were evaluable and a telephone questionnaire was conducted to determine the current treatment and course of their idiopathic anaphylaxis since their initial evaluation. RESULTS Patient ages ranged from 26 to 71 years (mean 48), 72% were women, and 43% were atopic. Frequent episodes of idiopathic anaphylaxis (> 5/year) occurred in 31%. At follow-up (mean 2.5 years), 21 patients (60%) had resolution of idiopathic anaphylaxis, and the frequency of anaphylaxis was decreased in nine, increased in two, and the same in three patients. Only three patients were still having frequent episodes and two required chronic glucocorticoids. Patients with frequent idiopathic anaphylaxis treated with only antihistamines and adrenergics underwent remission or improvement as frequently as those treated with chronic glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS These results are similar to other reports of idiopathic anaphylaxis and indicate a generally favorable prognosis. Some patients with frequent idiopathic anaphylaxis improved without the need for glucocorticoids. Well controlled studies may be required to analyze the role of glucocorticoids in this disease.
Rapid enhancement of biodiversity occurrence records using unconventional specimen data

Distributions of taxa across time and space are central to understanding biodiversity and biotic change, yet currently available occurrence data, drawn from biodiversity specimen records and observational datasets, are often insufficient to answer many driving questions. Records of “associated taxa,” taxa co-occurring with a specimen at the time and place of collection, have the potential to fill data gaps and expand the spatiotemporal scope of current occurrence records. I developed a method to extract associated taxon records from 84,328 digitized specimen records and examined the potential of these data to improve the quantity and quality of existing species occurrence data. Adding associated taxon records increased the size of the test dataset by 18.5%, spanned multiple decades (1937–2016), and potentially extended the known range of 217 taxa in Florida and up to 1500 taxa in the United States, demonstrating the capacity of these records to deepen our understanding of changes in the distributions of taxa on Earth. These results suggest that increased attention to documenting associated taxa could be a promising way to maximize the impact of every collecting event.
Faculty Perceptions of Tenure in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to assess faculty perceptions of tenure in parks, recreation, and tourism. To answer our research questions, we designed a 26-item survey and posted it on The ...
Foreign cues and public views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

As foreign sources in the news might help the public assess their home country’s foreign policies, scholars have recently turned attention to the effects of foreign source cues on domestic public o...
Clinical Impact of Thrombophilia Screening in Young Adults with Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract Objective: We evaluated the ability of genetic and serological testing to diagnose clinically relevant thrombophilias in young adults with ischemic stroke. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke at a comprehensive stroke center between 2011 and 2015 with laboratory testing for thrombophilia. The primary outcome was any positive thrombophilia screening test. The secondary outcome was a change in clinical management based on thrombophilia testing results. Logistic regression was used to assess whether the prespecified risk factors of age, sex, prior venous thromboembolism, family history of stroke, stroke subtype, and presence of patent foramen ovale were associated with outcomes. Results: Among 196 young ischemic stroke patients, at least 1 positive thrombophilia test was identified in 85 patients (43%; 95% CI, 36%-51%) and 16 (8%; 95% CI, 5%-13%) had a resultant change in management. Among 111 patients with cryptogenic strokes, 49 (44%) had an abnormal thrombophilia test and 9 (8%) had a change in management. After excluding cases of isolated hyperhomocysteinemia or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or Factor V Leiden gene mutation heterozygosity, the proportion of patients with an abnormal thrombophilia screen decreased to 24%. Prespecified risk factors were not significantly associated with positive thrombophilia testing or a change in management. Conclusions: Two-of-five young patients with ischemic stroke who underwent thrombophilia screening at our institution had at least 1 positive test but only one-in-twelve had a resultant change in clinical management. Neither cryptogenic stroke subtype nor other studied clinical factors were associated with a prothrombotic state.
Two-Layer Distributed Protocols for Cooperative Tracking in Mixed-Order Interconnected Multiagent Systems

Using relative measurements in agents' neighborhoods, graph theoretic distributed algorithms have been widely investigated to achieve agreement in a group of individual dynamical systems. We consider a class of partially known multiagent systems with mixed first- and second-order agents whose nonlinear dynamics interact over two agent layers. We assume a constant reference command is sent to only a few agents and propose a cooperative reference tracking problem from a large-scale system viewpoint. We investigate the case that no local control implementation is permitted and, proposing a linear distributed protocol with two communication topologies as control layers, formulate the problem as two graph topology design tasks to be solved using an optimal control theoretic approach. We develop closed-form solutions for these control layers and prove the robustness of exponential reference tracking behavior with respect to the modeling uncertainties over agent layers. We also investigate the robust performance of closed-loop multiagent system based on a quadratic cost function. We verify the feasibility of these developments through a simulation study.
Effects of Real-Time Video Feedback on Plantar Pressure Measures in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability During Walking

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been shown to have increased lateral plantar pressure during walking which is thought to contribute to symptoms associated with CAI. The object...
Rasamsonia argillacea species complex myocarditis in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease.

Abstract Herein, we present a case of successfully treated biopsy-proven Rasamsonia argillacea species complex myocarditis, pericarditis, and pulmonary infection in a 35-year-old male with a history of chronic granulomatous disease. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated numerous pulmonary nodules and mass-like pulmonary lesions, and subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an infiltrating mass-like lesion within the interventricular septum and pericarditis. Endobronchial, thoracoscopic, and eventual myocardial biopsies with cultures were ultimately reported as positive for R. argillacea species and the patient was treated with tailored antifungal therapy resulting in a significant therapeutic response upon short interval follow-up. This case stresses the importance of recognizing unusual thoracic imaging manifestations of an atypical fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals in order to expedite treatment of an otherwise potentially fatal disease.
Activity of imipenem/relebactam against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae with high colistin resistance.

Objectives Imipenem/relebactam, an investigational β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination for treatment of Gram-negative infections, and comparators including ceftazidime/avibactam, piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin were tested for activity against representative carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates. Methods MICs of the antimicrobial agents were determined using standard broth microdilution methodology for CPE isolates collected from Indiana patients, primarily during the time frame of 2013-17 (n = 199 of a total of 200 isolates). Inhibitors were tested at 4 mg/L in all combinations. Results Of the CPE in the study, 199 produced plasmid-encoded KPC class A carbapenemases; 1 Serratia marcescens isolate produced the SME-1 chromosomal class A carbapenemase. MIC50/MIC90 values of imipenem/relebactam were ≤0.25/0.5 mg/L, whereas MIC50/MIC90 values of ceftazidime/avibactam were 1/2 mg/L. Resistance to colistin was observed in 54% (n = 97) of 180 non-Serratia isolates tested (MIC50 of 4 mg/L). Colistin resistance mechanisms included production of a plasmid-encoded mcr-1-like gene (n = 2) or an inactivated mgrB gene. Conclusions Imipenem/relebactam was the most potent agent tested against CPE in this study and may be a useful addition to the antimicrobial armamentarium to treat infections caused by these pathogens.
Risks, costs, and outcomes of cerebrospinal fluid leaks after pediatric skull fractures: a MarketScan analysis between 2007 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE Skull fractures are common after blunt pediatric head trauma. CSF leaks are a rare but serious complication of skull fractures; however, little evidence exists on the risk of developing a CSF leak following skull fracture in the pediatric population. In this epidemiological study, the authors investigated the risk factors of CSF leaks and their impact on pediatric skull fracture outcomes. METHODS The authors queried the MarketScan database (2007-2015), identifying pediatric patients (age < 18 years) with a diagnosis of skull fracture and CSF leak. Skull fractures were disaggregated by location (base, vault, facial) and severity (open, closed, multiple, concomitant cerebral or vascular injury). Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were used to compare baseline characteristics, complications, quality metrics, and costs. RESULTS The authors identified 13,861 pediatric patients admitted with a skull fracture, of whom 1.46% (n = 202) developed a CSF leak. Among patients with a skull fracture and a CSF leak, 118 (58.4%) presented with otorrhea and 84 (41.6%) presented with rhinorrhea. Patients who developed CSF leaks were older (10.4 years vs 8.7 years, p < 0.0001) and more commonly had skull base (n = 183) and multiple (n = 22) skull fractures (p < 0.05). These patients also more frequently underwent a neurosurgical intervention (24.8% vs 9.6%, p < 0.0001). Compared with the non-CSF leak population, patients with a CSF leak had longer average hospitalizations (9.6 days vs 3.7 days, p < 0.0001) and higher rates of neurological deficits (5.0% vs 0.7%, p < 0.0001; OR 7.0; 95% CI 3.6-13.6), meningitis (5.5% vs 0.3%, p < 0.0001; OR 22.4; 95% CI 11.2-44.9), nonroutine discharge (6.9% vs 2.5%, p < 0.0001; OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.7-5.0), and readmission (24.7% vs 8.5%, p < 0.0001; OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.5-4.7). Total costs at 90 days for patients with a CSF leak averaged $81,206, compared with $32,831 for patients without a CSF leak (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The authors found that CSF leaks occurred in 1.46% of pediatric patients with skull fractures and that skull fractures were associated with significantly increased rates of neurosurgical intervention and risks of meningitis, hospital readmission, and neurological deficits at 90 days. Pediatric patients with skull fractures also experienced longer average hospitalizations and greater healthcare costs at presentation and at 90 days.
Bound to Please: The Shaping of Female Beauty, Gender Theory, Structural Violence, and Bioarchaeological Investigations

Examination of direct forms of control in the bioarchaeological record has been limited to physical violence identified as traumatic bodily injury, and seen on the skeleton as healed defensive fracturing, cut marks, blunt force trauma, and in some cases, burial position. But there are indirect modes of control that present as skeletal deformation that occur over long periods of time, but are not often included in the suite of bioarchaeological indicators of violence. This “chronic violence” manifests as both physiological and psychological control, and when read properly can reveal structural inequalities that are often disguised as either expected social performance as dictated by the elite or ruling class or as social control over those on the margins: purposeful pain. Until recently, these markers of social control have lacked a strong framework for consideration in bioarchaeology. This chapter explores how purposeful pain can be read in the subornation of females, as reflected in the cultural performance of beauty. Weaving together skeletal markers of deformation, ethnology, and historic contexts, the structural violence inherent in the performance of beauty, through the binding and shaping of the female body to fit social standards, is revealed. Examples of indirect cultural violence that asserts control over female bodies, specifically foot-binding, neck rings, and corset use, are examined through the physical body as well as the narratives of mothers who engage in these practices to assure that their daughters adhere to social expectations. These examples also offer a new way to consider how androcentric typological approaches have been widely accepted as truth and continue to be used to support the notion that females are truly problematized by their physical body, instead of considering the complexities of social performance and identity. Weaving embodiment and gender theory with structural violence theory, bioarchaeological analysis can reveal how indirect cultural violence that asserts control over female bodies forged in the industrial era has influenced how females in the archaeological record have been, and continue to be, assessed.
Disposable Polyurethane Nanospiked Gold Electrode-Based Label-Free Electrochemical Immunosensor for Clostridium difficile

A polyurethane (PU) nanospiked gold electrode-based label-free electrochemical immunosensor for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin B detection was developed. Different from nanomaterial-mod...
Probe position sensor to track image location in 2D ultrasound

Abstract Background Two-dimensional ultrasounds (2D US) have low reproducibility of given images in later sessions and often depend on the operator’s experience. Purpose Due to difficulties in reproducing images in 2D US separated in time, a device to track the position of the ultrasound probe was created. This device aims to measure the probe position angle in two axes for 2D US to provide accurate repositioning of the 2D US probe for repeatability of the desired imaging plane. Materials and methods The device uses an inclinometer with an Arduino microprocessor to determine the angle of the ultrasound probe to subsequently establish the specific position coordinates of the probe. To test the effectiveness of this device, a 2D US probe was placed on a frontal burr hole of a neonatal swine to image the brain. Results When fixing the point of contact, using the probe with the angle sensing device helped the operator reproduce images that were both visually and positionally similar. This attachment allows the probe to return to the same image with at least 95% similarity in between different sessions, based on evaluations using an image analysis Matlab program. The sensor can return images of the same location with landmarks within the tolerance of 1.400°. Conclusion This device could potentially improve 2D US image reproducibility such that accuracy of images between sessions is increased, thereby increasing the reproducibility of 2D US in diagnostic and interventional procedures.
“Mobility Has Always Been a Part of My Life”: Work-related Mobility and Families in Canada

An estimated 17% of the Canadian labor force engage in complex/extended employment-related geographical mobility ranging from extended daily commutes to regional, interprovincial and international mobility. The opportunities and challenges of particular types of mobility for family lives have been studied most often in isolation (i.e. daily commutes, fly-in/fly-out or international migration), and attention to mobility is largely absent from the work-family literature. Drawing on presentations and discussions at two recent conferences with a focus on families, work and mobility in Canada, this Research Note highlights some of the gaps in existing knowledge about families, work and mobility and some family-related challenges associated with extended/complex mobility for work from the standpoint of those living it, those studying it and those striving to serve and support these workers and their families. Examples discussed here encompass families where members are employed offshore, in other provinces and in the military. The impact of mobility on the family lives of temporary foreign workers is also discussed. We conclude with a few policy recommendations related to helping workers and their families deal with extended/complex mobility.
Fifteen-Year Single-Center Experience of Biliary Complications in Liver Trauma Patients: Changes in the Management of Posttraumatic Bile Leak.

Introduction Management of posttraumatic bile leak has evolved over time in our unit, from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) stenting to intraperitoneal drainage (IPD) alone as first-line treatment for intraperitoneal bile leak. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of liver trauma patients from 2002 to 2017. Demographics, time and mode of diagnosis of bile leak, management, and outcome were analyzed of the box plot. Results In 118 patients, there were 28 traumatic bile leaks. Eighteen were free intraperitoneal and 10 were localized bilomas. The median time of diagnosis was 6 days following injury. The modes of diagnosis were preemptive hepatobiliary scintigraphy (18), computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (7), and laparotomy (3). Free intraperitoneal biliary leak management included 11 IPD alone, 3 IPD plus ERCP, 2 IPD plus transcystic biliary stent (TBS), 1 operative cholangiogram, and 1 no intervention. Median time of IPD duration was 7 days (4–95) in IPD alone versus 14 days (6–40) in IPD + ERCP/TBS (p = 0.3). Median inpatient length of stay was 13 days (8–44) in IPD alone versus 12 days (8–22) in IPD + ERCP/TBS (p = 0.4). Conclusion Placement of IPD alone, as first-line treatment, is safe and effective in the management of intraperitoneal bile leaks, avoiding the costs and potential complications of ERCP.