cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to climate variability and change in the US Great Plains:: A multi-scale analysis of Ricardian climate sensitivities

Abstract The Ricardian approach to estimating climate change impacts is an important technique for incorporating how adaptations modulate the overall effect. Past Ricardian work expresses climate sensitivities in terms of local effects only, ignoring the influence on adaptation of broader-scale social, environmental and economic factors. This paper extends the Ricardian approach to account for influences at multiple spatial scales. Results from multi-level modeling support the hypothesis that a county’s Ricardian climate sensitivity is influenced not only by its climate but also by social factors associated with the climate of the agro-climatic zone in which it is located. The model estimates a non-linear, hill-shaped relationship between July maximum temperatures and agricultural land values, with initial increases beneficial in all counties but more beneficial in districts of high interannual temperature variability. Farmers and institutions in districts of high variability have therefore adapted to be more resilient to variability than farmers in areas of comparatively stable climate. However, the underlying reasons for this lessened vulnerability are unclear and may be associated with unsustainable land-use practices. Future research should investigate the precise form of these local and extra-local adaptations to determine if implementing the adaptations elsewhere would compromise agricultural system sustainability.
Characterizing fracture performance and the interaction of propagating cracks with locally weakened interfaces in adhesive joints

Abstract This paper experimentally investigates adhesive fracture resistance and crack path selection in adhesive joints containing well-defined localized interfacial defects. Several systematic patterns of localized interfacial defects were created on base-acid treated aluminum adherends by physical vapor deposition of copper through a mask. Adhesive joints were prepared using a commercially available, structural epoxy adhesive and the effect of localized interface defects on the performance of adhesive joints was studied. Under mode-I loading conditions, the presence of localized weak interfaces influenced the fracture energy of a propagating debond over a considerable distance. For a crack tip approaching a given weak interface pattern, a falling or reverse R-curve type trend was observed. Within the same DCB specimen, as the crack tip advanced beyond the patterned region, a rising R-curve type trend was observed as fracture energy increased with increasing crack lengths, which were recorded visually and were also inferred using compliance and crack length relationship. In addition, the mode-I fracture energy was found to scale with the area fraction of the weak interfaces according to a rule of mixtures. For the adhesive system and the joint geometry used in this study, it was observed that cohesive failure in the adhesive layer can be obtained even in the presence of exceptionally weak interfaces (similar in size to those detected in mode-I loading) when loaded under mixed mode conditions (achieved through asymmetric loading of DCB-like specimens), that tended to steer the crack away from the interface. When loaded with the opposite mode mixity direction, the crack tip propagated through the defects, though the fracture energy did not exhibit similar R-curve type trends as observed in mode-I tests. The results offer insights into the interaction of propagating cracks in adhesive layers and their interactions with discrete, localized defects, which could lead to improvements in surface preparations and bond integrity or even to joint designs having intentionally placed defects useful in controlled disassembly or for other purposes.
Optimization based real-time frequency dependent reduced order modeling of power grid

Modeling of large power system for electromagnetic (EMT) simulation studies is impractical because of the complexity and computational burden. However, it is critical to preserve electromechanical oscillations and high frequency behavior of the system under consideration. Generally such designs can be achieved by modeling the area of interest (study area) in detail and the area not of interest (external area) as a combination of Transient Stability Analysis (TSA) type equivalent and Frequency Dependent Network Equivalent (FDNE). TSA preserves the electromechanical behavior, whereas FDNE preserves high frequency behavior of the external area. In this paper a method of formulating FDNE using stability and passivity enforced online optimization algorithm based on nonlinear programming, and modeling of external area as a combination of FDNE and TSA based wideband equivalent for EMT studies is proposed.
First demonstration of symmetric lateral NPN transistors on SOI featuring epitaxially-grown emitter/collector regions

We report the first demonstration of symmetric lateral NPN transistors on SOI having epitaxially-grown emitter/collector (E/C). Employing a novel notch-assisted epitaxy scheme, using faceted Si epi as RIE mask to expose the vertical intrinsic-base epi-seeding surfaces, the epitaxial E/C are automatically connected to extension regions for metal contact and/or for electrical probing. Healthy device I-V characteristics were obtained with post-epi RTA. The results suggest a path forward for devices suitable for low-power THz electronics applications.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Characteristics and Patterns in Patients with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis

Introduction. Idiopathic subglottic stenosis represents a spectrum of subglottic disease without a clear underlying cause. Prior studies have implicated a pathogenic role of gastroesophageal reflux disease in idiopathic subglottic stenosis. The aim of this study was to examine the presence and pattern of gastroesophageal reflux in a large cohort of patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis at a tertiary referral center. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis from January 2010 to December 2016 who had undergone combined pH impedance testing. Patients with prior gastric or esophageal surgery were excluded. Data obtained included esophageal acid exposure times, number of reflux events, patient position during reflux events (defined as upright, supine, or mixed), body mass index, and the presence of proton pump inhibitor therapy. Results. 159 patients with the idiopathic subglottic stenosis were identified, of whom 41 had undergone esophageal pH impedance testing. 40 (97.6%) were women, with a mean age of 54.8 (range 31–79) years and BMI of 31.0 (range 17–55). Overall, 19 (46.3%) patients were found to reflux as confirmed by abnormal esophageal acid exposure or abnormal number of reflux events. 15 of the 19 patients with reflux had predominantly upright gastroesophageal reflux disease, whereas 2 had supine and 2 mixed reflux. Discussion. In patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis who underwent evaluation by combined pH impedance, close to half were found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease. The majority of gastroesophageal reflux occurred while the patients were in the upright position.
Unilateral Upper Cervical Posterior Spinal Cord Infarction after a Neuroendovascular Intervention: A Case Report.

Context. We describe a case of unilateral posterior upper cervical spinal cord infarction and propose a pathophysiologic mechanism causing this lesion after vertebral artery endovascular intervention. Findings. A 70-year-old male presented with subacute onset of left hemibody sensory changes and gait instability following a left vertebral angioplasty procedure. MRI cervical spine revealed upper posterior cervical spinal cord infarction (PSCI). After 3 months patient had substantial improvement of his symptoms. Conclusion. PSCI is rare but can present as a complication from vertebral artery angioplasty procedure. Early diagnosis of PSCI can be achieved with adequate understanding of its clinical signs and the blood supply of the spinal cord.
Implementing patient safety practices in small ambulatory care settings.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Improving patient safety in the outpatient setting poses unique challenges for patient safety leaders in clinics and hospitals. Even though ambulatory care may be less technologically complex than inpatient care, it is often more complex logistically. Methods and Materials From October 2002 to May 2003, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center developed a tool kit of best practices and conducted a collaborative to institute these best practices within a regional health care network. All clinics evaluated patient safety standards and enhanced medication-related practices. Results Improvements were demonstrated in medication list accuracy. A number of policies were instituted, and medical and nursing staffs were educated in patient safety issues. Improvements were sustained after one year. Discussion The collaborative model of improvement efforts was an effective model for improving patient safety in small group practices. Structural and process changes often do not require major changes in workflow or large technology installations. Many of the projects allowed for, or required, local assessment and management. However, within a large system of clinics, some of the improvements in this study—verbal order policy, methodology and/or technology for assessment of medication and allergy list accuracy, warfarin care—required systemwide efforts. The degree of difficulty of achieving improvements was surprisingly low and barriers were minimal.
Testing of Materials for Passive Thermal Control of Space Suits

An effort is underway to determine the coating material of choice for the AX-5 prototype hard space suit. Samples of 6061 aluminum have been coated with one of 10 selected metal coatings, and subjected to corrosion, abrasion, and thermal testing. Changes in reflectance after exposure are documented. Plated gold exhibited minimal degradation of optical properties. A computer model is used in evaluating coating thermal performance in the EVA environment. The model is verified with an experiment designed to measure the heat transfer characteristics of coated space suit parts in a thermal vacuum chamber. Details of this experiment are presented.
Genetic mapping in lettuce

Cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a diploid (2n = 18) species in the Cichoreae tribe of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. There are three well-established wild species in the subsection Lactuca, L. serriola, L. saligna, and L. virosa; all are 2n = 18 and self-fertilizing. These species can be crossed to L. sativa with increasing difficulty in the order listed. Several other sexually compatible species have been described (Ferakova 1977) but their validity as distinct species remains unclear. L. serriola is closely related to L. sativa and may be conspecific (Lindqvist 1960a; Kesseli et al. 1991). These wild species, especially L. serriola, have been sources of several disease resistance genes (see below; Crute 1988); however, they remain a rich source of variation that has yet to be accessed systematically.
Loss of Inducible Virus in CD45RA Naive Cells After Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Entry Accounts for Preferential Viral Replication in CD45RO Memory Cells

Controversy exists concerning the preferential infection and replication of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) within naive (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) subsets of CD4+ lymphocytes. To explore the susceptibility of these subsets to HIV-1 infection, we purified CD45RA+/CD4+ (RA) and CD45RO+/CD4+ (RO) cells from normal donors and subjected them to a novel monokine activation culture scheme. Following HIV-1 infection and interleukin-2 (IL-2) induction, viral production measured on day 13 was 19-fold greater in RO cultures compared with RA cultures. IL-2-stimulated proliferation in uninfected control cultures was equivalent. To explore the mechanisms by which RA cells were reduced in viral production capacity, RA and RO cells were exposed to HIV-1 followed by treatment with trypsin, and then phytohemagglutinin antigen (PHA)-stimulated at days 4, 7, and 10 postinfection. HIV-1 production in day 4 postinfection RA and RO cultures was analogous, indicating that viral fusion and entry had occurred in both cell types. However, whereas similarly treated day 7 and 10 postinfection RO cultures produced virus, HIV-1 was markedly reduced or lost in the corresponding RA cultures. These results suggest that a temporally labile postfusion HIV-1 complex exists in unstimulated RA cells that requires cellular activation signals beyond that provided by IL-2 alone for productive infection.
Theory and Praxis and the Beginning of Science

In the Introduction to his Naturphilosophie in the Encyclopadie, Hegel begins by examining various ‘Ways of Considering Nature’ (PN, p. 3). He starts with man’s practical approach to Nature (§ 245), and only after discussing this approach does he turn to man’s thinking or theoretical consciousness or consideration of Nature (§ 246). The order is understandable given that man’s first relation to nature is an immediate and external one, whereas the latter is viewed as containing the means for the satisfaction of one’s own practical urges. Through our practical approach to Nature we transform the particular objects of Nature into means for our own immediate physical survival and well-being. Only then does Hegel turn, in the next paragraph of the Enyklopadie, to man’s theoretical or thinking consideration of Nature and the Philosophy of Nature per se.
Effect of Sn on the production of methanol during syngas conversion over Co/alumina

Abstract Hydrocarbons are the main reaction products of syngas conversion over cobalt-based catalysts. Methanol is also produced as a minor by-product and has been proposed to be produced via a specific reaction pathway involving formates species located at the interface with the support. The poisoning of a Co/alumina catalyst with Sn was studied here and showed to induce a strong decline in methanol production, similar to that of hydrocarbons. The addition of Sn did not prevent the formation of formates as observed by operando diffuse reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. However, the reactivity of formates was markedly lowered in the presence of Sn. We propose that these observations have two possible origins. Firstly, Sn addition reduced significantly the H2 adsorption capacity of the Sn-modified samples. Hydrogen, which is required for the hydrogenation of formates to methanol, is probably activated on the cobalt metal particles, some sites of which were strongly poisoned by Sn. Secondly, Sn addition could also have specifically poisoned interfacial sites, where the most reactive formates are present.
Curbing Lipids: Impacts ON Cancer and Viral Infection

Lipids play a fundamental role in maintaining normal function in healthy cells. Their functions include signaling, storing energy, and acting as the central structural component of cell membranes. Alteration of lipid metabolism is a prominent feature of cancer, as cancer cells must modify their metabolism to fulfill the demands of their accelerated proliferation rate. This aberrant lipid metabolism can affect cellular processes such as cell growth, survival, and migration. Besides the gene mutations, environmental factors, and inheritance, several infectious pathogens are also linked with human cancers worldwide. Tumor viruses are top on the list of infectious pathogens to cause human cancers. These viruses insert their own DNA (or RNA) into that of the host cell and affect host cellular processes such as cell growth, survival, and migration. Several of these cancer-causing viruses are reported to be reprogramming host cell lipid metabolism. The reliance of cancer cells and viruses on lipid metabolism suggests enzymes that can be used as therapeutic targets to exploit the addiction of infected diseased cells on lipids and abrogate tumor growth. This review focuses on normal lipid metabolism, lipid metabolic pathways and their reprogramming in human cancers and viral infection linked cancers and the potential anticancer drugs that target specific lipid metabolic enzymes. Here, we discuss statins and fibrates as drugs to intervene in disordered lipid pathways in cancer cells. Further insight into the dysregulated pathways in lipid metabolism can help create more effective anticancer therapies.
General Medical Clinicians’ Attitudes Toward People with Serious Mental Illness: A Scoping Review

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) experience significant premature mortality due to somatic conditions but often receive sub-optimal somatic care, but little research has been done to understand how general medical clinicians’ attitudes may affect care provision or health outcomes. This review describes general medical clinicians’ attitudes toward people with SMI, compares these attitudes to attitudes among mental health clinicians or toward individuals without SMI, and examines the relationship between attitudes and clinical decision making. Seventeen studies were reviewed. General medical clinicians reported negative attitudes toward individuals with SMI. These attitudes were generally more negative than attitudes among mental health clinicians and were consistently more negative when compared to attitudes toward individuals without SMI. Four studies suggest that these negative attitudes have an adverse effect on clinician decision making.
Strategic Internationalization Starts at Home: The Case of Capacity Creation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The 2016 outbursts of nationalism have left globalization moribund. We wonder how the creation of capacity for transportation infrastructure, leveraging internationalization, affects economic development. We nurture our reflections through the field observations of a US expert whose expertise was requested by DRC leaders. We find that the lack of capacity to perform infrastructure development can be addressed by Western and local institutions, generating greater internationalization. This paper explores the needs of programs and methods through which Western Universities and local organizations can provide such capacity, even in one of the most challenging business environments on Earth.
Modern Greek Literature’s Intersections with Greek History and the Past: A Concise Outline

The first part of this paper is a concise outline of some of the ways in which modern Greek literature has entered into a dialogue with Greek history and the past from the nineteenth century to the present by idealizing, Hellenizing, suppressing, inventing, negotiating, critiquing, or reinterpreting and re-inventing them. Along these lines, the paper weaves together different literary, ideological, and historical threads which help the readers realize that the topics examined by the ensuing papers of this Special Issue do not emerge out of a vacuum, but instead constitute responses to—or have been prompted by—concrete developments in the realms of modern Greek literature, ideology, and history. The second part of the paper delineates the Special Issue’s specific focus, scope, aims, approach and methodology, while summarizing the main arguments and contributions of each of the individual papers.
Electrochemical enhancement of glucose oxidase kinetics: Gluconic acid production with anion exchange membrane reactor

Enzyme-catalysed reactions provide a means to perform many industrial processes because they enhance chemical reactions specifically and avoid the formation of by-products and the use of toxic organic solvents. Current enzyme applications range from laundry detergent supplements to the destruction of nerve gas agents. Although enzyme specificity is attractive there are also significant disadvantages to enzymatic catalysis. One of the principal disadvantages being relatively short lifetimes, ranging from a few hours to several days. However, literature has shown that by immobilizing an enzyme on a support matrix, the lifetime of the enzyme is increased since the rigidity of the support matrix helps prevent unfolding. Microfiltration membranes are often a good choice for enzyme attachment. The high surface area in the pores allows for enzyme attachment and reduction of mass transfer limitations.
Primary carcinoma of the distal male urethra: a case treated with lymphadenectomy and interstitial radiation therapy

We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the distal male urethra with a single inguinal node metastasis. Treatment consisted of unilateral pelvic and inguinal lymphadenectomy, and a combined course of external beam and interstitial radiation therapy to the distal urethra and penis by the Henschke modification of the Paris technique.
The Impact of Actotoxumab Treatment of Gnotobiotic Piglets Infected With Different Clostridium difficile Isogenic Mutants

Nosocomial infections with Clostridium difficile are on the rise in the Unites States, attributed to emergence of antibiotic-resistant and hypervirulent strains associated with greater likelihood of recurrent infections. In addition to antibiotics, treatment with Merck anti-toxin B (TcdB) antibody bezlotoxumab is reported to reduce recurrent infections. However, treatment with anti-toxin A (TcdA) antibody actotoxumab was associated with dramatically increased disease severity and mortality rates in humans and gnotobiotic piglets. Using isogenic mutants of C. difficile strain NAPI/BI/027 deficient in TcdA (A-B+) or TcdB (A+B-), and the wild type, we investigated how and why treatment of infected animals with anti-TcdA dramatically increased disease severity. Contrary to the hypothesis, among piglets treated with anti-TcdA, those with A+B- infection were disease free, in contrast to the disease enhancement seen in those with wild-type or A-B+ infection. It seems that the lack of TcdA, through either deletion or neutralization with anti-TcdA, reduces a competitive pressure, allowing TcdB to freely exert its profound effect, leading to increased mucosal injury and disease severity.
Expectations and recommendations for toileting

Abstract This chapter describes appropriate developmental expectations for toileting based on normative child development. Recommendations for initiating toilet training are provided. Common problems associated with toileting (constipation, encopresis, and enuresis) are identified as the prevalence and etiology of these conditions. Evidence-based medical treatment and behavioral health intervention for these problems are discussed. Evidence-based strategies for the practicing clinician are provided. Psychiatric comorbidities and both short- and long-term outcomes are identified.
Intellectual Property and Cultural Rights: A Conversation with Anthony Seeger

Today we are speaking with the internationally renowned Anthony Seeger, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UCLA and Director Emeritus, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. (See Figure 1). MR:Thank you s...
Survival Advantage of Cohort Participation Attenuates Over Time: Results from Three Long-Standing Community-Based Studies

Abstract Purpose Cohort participants usually have lower mortality rates than nonparticipants, but it is unclear if this survival advantage decreases or increases as cohort studies age. Methods We used a 1975 private census of Washington County, Maryland, to compare mortality among cohort participants to nonparticipants for three cohorts, Campaign Against Cancer and Stroke (CLUE I), Campaign Against Cancer and Heart Disease (CLUE II), and Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) initiated in 1974, 1989, and 1986, respectively. We analyzed mortality risk using time-truncated Cox regression models. Results Participants had lower mortality risk in the first 10 years of follow-up compared with nonparticipants (fully adjusted average hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals] were 0.72 [0.68, 0.77] in CLUE I, 0.69 [0.65, 0.73] in CLUE II, and 0.74 [0.63, 0.86] in ARIC), which persisted over 20 years of follow-up (0.81 [0.78, 0.84] in CLUE I, 0.87 [0.84, 0.91] in CLUE II, and 0.90 [0.83, 0.97] in ARIC). This lower average hazard for mortality among participants compared with nonparticipants attenuated with longer follow-up (0.99 [0.96, 1.01] after 30+ years in CLUE I, 1.02 [0.99, 1.05] after 30 years in CLUE II, and 0.95 [0.89, 1.00] after 30+ years in ARIC). In ARIC, participants who did not attend visits had higher mortality, but those who did attend visits had similar mortality to the community. Conclusions Our results suggest the volunteer selection for mortality in long-standing epidemiologic cohort studies often diminishes as the cohort ages.
CHAPTER 1 – An Overview

Publisher Summary The Burroughs systems have exhibited an organization consistent with a powerful semantic model for program execution, one that reflects a control structure—flow of control and addressing relationships—that is natural for, and hence one that facilitates the execution of algorithms. It was common in the early 1960's to teach—in universities that an algorithm is a sequence of procedural steps which, when coded in a higher level Algol-like language, could be structured as a set of nested blocks that defined the scopes of the algorithm's identifiers and dynamic resource requirements when executed on a computer. The coding of an individual task exhibits a structure that resembles in every respect an Algol or PL/1 procedure but might also have additional steps to create, destroy, or synchronize with such other tasks. The B6700 represents in some sense a best display, that is, an improved representation of the corresponding ideas in the B5700. In other respects, such as memory size and raw speed, the B5700 is simply a more limited version of the B6700.
Integrated Auxiliary Interferometer for Self-Correction of Nonlinear Tuning in Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry

A new hardware configuration to correct nonlinear tuning affects in optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) is proposed. Unlike conventional correction methods, the new configuration does not require a separate auxiliary interferometer detection, which may eliminate the need for an extra detection device and an acquisition channel. In the proposed method, an intentional beat signal is introduced at the beginning of the OFDR spectrum, which is treated as an auxiliary interferometer to acquire tunable laser phase information for the nonlinear tuning correction. The proposed method may reduce the overall system cost, reduce the data acquisition time and computational load, and make system configuration simpler by eliminating the need for extra components. In this article, the feasibility of the proposed configuration is demonstrated by correcting nonlinear tuning affects using simulations and experiments in a ∼50 m long optical fiber. Distributed strain and temperature sensing are also performed in a 50 m optical fiber with the proposed new configuration.
Mary and Isis

An examination of the degree to which the modern conception of the Virgin Mary was affected and influenced by the cult of Isis.
Safety of the first dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

The safety of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) on immunomodulatory therapy is unknown because these individuals were largely excluded from the vaccine trials. The levels of systemic reactogenicity reported with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines to date have raised concern for a more serious adverse event profile in patients with underlying immune dysregulation. There is currently no direct evidence about mRNA vaccine safety in patients with RMD and current guidance is based on expert opinion.1 Concerns relating to the side effect profile of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been identified as a primary concern of patients resulting in vaccine hesitancy.2 To assess tolerability and peri-vaccination reactogenicity in this patient population, we studied a sample of patients with RMD on immunomodulatory therapy who underwent early vaccination. Patients with RMD who received the SARS-COV-2 mRNA vaccine between 17 December 2020 and 11 February 2021 were recruited to participate in this observational cohort study by invitation on social media. Information on demographics, diagnoses and therapeutic regimens was collected. Participants completed an online questionnaire detailing any reactions experienced within the first week following the first vaccine dose. We studied 325 participants with RMD, of whom 51% received Pfizer/BioNTech and 49% received Moderna vaccine. …
The Other Costs of Children: Motherhood, Substance Use, and Depression

There is an extensive theoretical literature identifying the negative effects of the number of children on the outcomes for mothers. While several studies have examined the effects on labor market and health outcomes, little research to date has considered effects on mental health and substance use. I use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth and a variety of empirical strategies to explore the causal effect of family size on maternal depression and drug use. To address the endogeneity of fertility decisions, I use two natural experiments that exogenously increase the number of children--parity-specific twin births and the gender composition of the first two children. My results provide suggestive evidence that an increase in family size at the third birth parity leads to an increase in a mother's probability of depression. The main findings indicate that a third birth induced by a twin birth or the same-sex composition of the first two children increases a mother's probability of alcohol consumption by about 5.0 percentage points. These estimated effects on alcohol consumption are greater for married mothers. By contrast, I do not find strong evidence of increased marijuana use after the birth of an additional child.
Is first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) beneficial to platinum-eligible patients (pts) with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC)? a meta-analysis.

e16506Background: ICI have proven to benefit patients diagnosed with aUC who are platinum-ineligible. The role of platinum-eligible patients, in the first-line setting is being further elucidated a...
Neonatal Birth Trauma- Analysis of Yearly Trends, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

Objective To evaluate the trends, proportions, risk factors, resource utilization, and outcomes of neonatal birth trauma in the US. Study design This cross-sectional study of in-hospital births used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2006-2014. We divided the cases by type of birth trauma: scalp injuries and major birth trauma. Linear regression for yearly trends and logistic regression were used for risk factors and outcomes. A generalized linear model was used, with a Poisson distribution for the length of stay and a gamma distribution for total spending charges. Results A total of 982 033 weighted records with neonatal birth trauma were found. The prevalence rate increased by 23% from (from 25.3 to 31.1 per 1000 hospital births). Scalp injuries composed 80% of all birth traumas and increased yearly from 19.87 to 26.46 per 1000 hospital births. Major birth trauma decreased from 5.44 to 4.67 per 1000 hospital births due to decreased clavicular fractures, brachial plexus injuries, and intracranial hemorrhage. There were significant differences in demographics and risk factors between the 2 groups. Compared with scalp injuries, major birth trauma was associated with higher odds of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, seizures, need for mechanical ventilation, meconium aspiration, and sepsis. Length of stay was increased by 56%, and total charges were almost doubled for major birth trauma. Conclusions Neonatal birth trauma increased over the study period secondary to scalp injuries. Major birth trauma constitutes a significant health burden. Scalp injuries are also associated with increased morbidity and might be markers of brain injury in some cases.
Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites

Environmental context Carbon nanotubes are added to polymers such as polycarbonate and epoxy to form nanocomposites with enhanced material properties. Environmental factors including temperature, UV light exposure and pH have the potential to degrade these composites and increase the release of toxic polymer-associated chemicals. This study investigates how carbon nanotube loading decreases the release of known endocrine-disrupting compounds, bisphenol A and 4-tert-butylphenol, from polymer nanocomposites under simulated weathering environments. Abstract Nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes are increasingly added to polymer matrices to improve tensile strength and electrical and thermal conductivity, and to reduce gas permeability. During use and after disposal, these plastic nanocomposites (PNCs) are degraded into microplastics by physical and chemical processes including mechanical abrasion, UV light exposure, hydrolysis and oxidation. Such polymers have the potential to enter aquatic environments and release potentially hazardous polymer-associated chemicals and transformation products. This work identifies and quantifies polymer-associated chemicals leached from polymers and nanocomposites during simulated environmental exposure. Epoxy and polycarbonate PNCs containing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) loadings ranging from 0 to 1 wt-% were exposed to water for 5 days, and the release of the chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-butylphenol (TBP) was measured. The role of UV exposure, pH, temperature and natural organic matter in regulating chemical release was also investigated. Temperature, pH and UV light were found to be the most significant factors influencing release of TBP and BPA from PNCs. Additionally, increasing carbon nanotube loading in both polycarbonate and epoxy composites was found to decrease the release of these phenolic chemicals. A 0.3 % higher SWCNT loading decreased the release of BPA 45 ± 18 %, and a 1 % SWCNT loading decreased chemical release from epoxy by 48 ± 26 % for BPA and 58 ± 8 % for TBP. This information provides important data that can be used to help assess the risks posed by SWCNT polymer nanocomposites in aqueous environments, particularly as they age and are transformed.
Rare intracranial EWSR1-rearranged myxoid mesenchymal tumour in a teenager.

A 14-year-old girl presented with 10 months of worsening headaches with associated nausea and 1 month of visual impairment, including blurry and double vision. Her headaches initially occurred monthly but increased in frequency and became intractable to medical management. Physical examination was
Trends in Cardiovascular Disease by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Ethnicity, Medicare Health Outcomes Survey 2011-2015.

BACKGROUND The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in the aging population. However, little is known about CVD risk factors and outcomes for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander (NH/PI) older adults by disaggregated subgroups. METHODS Data were from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2011-2015 Health Outcomes Survey, which started collecting expanded racial/ethnic data in 2011. Guided by Andersen and Newman's theoretical framework, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the prevalence and determinants of CVD risk factors (obesity, diabetes, smoking status, hypertension) and CVD conditions (coronary artery disease [CAD], congestive heart failure [CHF], myocardial infarction [MI], other heart conditions, stroke) for 12 Asian American and NH/PI subgroups and white adults. RESULTS Among the 639,862 respondents, including 26,853 Asian American and 4,926 NH/PI adults, 13% reported CAD, 7% reported CHF, 10% reported MI, 22% reported other heart conditions, and 7% reported stroke. CVD risk factors varied by Asian American and NH/PI subgroup. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes and hypertension was higher among most Asian American and NH/PI subgroups than white adults. After adjustment, Native Hawaiians had significantly greater odds of reporting stroke than white adults. CONCLUSIONS More attention should focus on NH/PIs as a priority population based on the disproportionate burden of CVD risk factors compared to their white and Asian American counterparts. Future research should disaggregate racial/ethnic data to provide accurate depictions of CVD and investigate the development of CVD risk factors in Asian Americans and NH/PIs over the life course.
Modeling the Clinical Implications of Andexanet Alfa in Factor Xa Inhibitor-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background and Objectives: Andexanet alfa was recently approved as a reversal agent for the Factor Xa inhibitors (FXai) apixaban and rivaroxaban, but its impact on long-term outcomes in FXai-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unknown. We aimed to explore potential clinical implications of andexanet alfa in FXai-associated ICH in this simulation study. Methods: We simulated potential downstream implications of andexanet alfa across a range of possible hemostatic effects using data from a single center that treats FXai-associated ICH with prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). We determined baseline probabilities of inadequate hemostasis across FXai and non-FXai patients via multivariable regression models, then determined probabilities of unfavorable 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale 4-6) using models comprising established predictors and each patient’s calculated probability of inadequate hemostasis. We applied bootstrapping with model parameters from this derivation cohort to simulate a range of hemostatic improvements and corresponding outcomes, then calculated absolute risk reduction (relative to PCC) and projected number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one unfavorable outcome. Results: Training models using real-world patients (n=603 total; 55 FXai) had good accuracy in predicting inadequate hemostasis (AUC 0.78) and unfavorable outcome (AUC 0.78). Inadequate hemostasis was strongly associated with unfavorable outcome (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.0-9.9) and occurred in 11.4% of FXai patients. Across simulated FXai patients comparable to those in the ANNEXA-4 study, predicted absolute risk reduction of unfavorable outcome was 4.9% (95% CI 1.3%-7.8%) when the probability of inadequate hemostasis was reduced by 33%, and 7.4% (95% CI 2.0%-11.9%) at 50% reduction, translating to projected NNTs of 21 (cumulative cost $519,750) and 14 ($346,500), respectively. Discussion: Even optimistic simulated hemostatic effects suggest that the costs and potential benefits of andexanet alfa should be carefully considered. Placebo-controlled randomized trials are needed before its use can definitively be recommended.
Police Criminality: Nature and Extent of Crimes Committed by Female Police Officers:

Given the recent attention focusing on “bad apples” in police departments across the country, police behaviors have been the subject of considerable controversy and protest. Still, research indicat...
Physical Chemical Studies of Mineralization and Demineralization of Apatites

The formation, remineralization, and dissolution of hard tissue such as bones and teeth are complex processes not only because of the presence of multiple components in the solution media but also because of the numerous calcium phosphate phases that may be involved. Moreover, other phases such as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP) as well as defect apatites may participate. Calcium phosphates are also used in many orthopaedic and dental implant applications such as HAP-plasma coated titanium (HPCTI) prosthetic devices. Such materials are of considerable interest because of their osteoconductive and possible osteoinductive properties [1–3].
Effect of Motivational Stress upon Physical Performance

Abstract This is a pilot study to investigate the relationship existing between specific kinds of motivation and work output, oxygen consumption, mechanical efficiency, and several aspects of cardio-respiratory response in men and women. It was found that the reaction of men and women to motivation is similar in kind and quality; that motivational techniques elicit greater work output; and that when motivational stressors indicating success are employed, the gross mechanical efficiency of the body is greater than when neutral stressors or stressors indicating failure are employed.
Activated Gαq Inhibits p110α Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Akt

Some Gq-coupled receptors have been shown to antagonize growth factor activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream effector, Akt. We used a constitutively active Gαq(Q209L) mutant to explore the effects of Gαq activation on signaling through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Transient expression of Gαq(Q209L) in Rat-1 fibroblasts inhibited Akt activation induced by platelet-derived growth factor or insulin treatment. Expression of Gαq(Q209L) also attenuated Akt activation promoted by coexpression of constitutively active PI3K in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Gαq(Q209L) had no effect on the activity of an Akt mutant in which the two regulatory phosphorylation sites were changed to acidic amino acids. Inducible expression of Gαq(Q209L) in a stably transfected 293 cell line caused a decrease in PI3K activity in p110α (but not p110β) immunoprecipitates. Receptor activation of Gαq also selectively inhibited PI3K activity in p110α immunoprecipitates. Active Gαq still inhibited PI3K/Akt in cells pretreated with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Finally, Gαq(Q209L) co-immunoprecipitated with the p110α-p85α PI3K heterodimer from lysates of COS-7 cells expressing these proteins, and incubation of immunoprecipitated Gαq(Q209L) with purified recombinant p110α-p85α in vitro led to a decrease in PI3K activity. These results suggest that agonist binding to Gq-coupled receptors blocks Akt activation via the release of active Gαq subunits that inhibit PI3K. The inhibitory mechanism seems to be independent of phospholipase C activation and might involve an inhibitory interaction between Gαq and p110α PI3K.
Biophysics of Neural Computation

This paper discusses neural computation in vision. Optimal design links structure-function relationships. This is evident at the cellular level with rod photoreceptor structure subserving detection in the presence of noise; and it is evident in the architecture of neural networks in which parallel computation is carried out in converging and diverging lines between different levels of the nervous system. Such an architecture makes possible some interesting schemes for information processing, including the computation of explicit parameters, resolution and reliability.
Why Substitutional Quantification Does Not Express Existence

Fundamental to Quine’s philosophy of logic is the thesis that (Q) Substitutional quantification does not express existence. We here consider the content of this claim and the reasons for thinking it true.
Stratified Charge Rotary Engine Internal Flow Studies at the MSU Engine Research Laboratory

High-speed visualization and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) systems consisting of a 40-watt copper vapor laser, mirrors, cylindrical lenses, a high speed camera, a synchronization timing system, and a particle generator were developed for the study of the fuel spray-air mixing flow characteristics within the combustion chamber of a motored rotary engine. The laser beam is focused down to a sheet approximately 1 mm thick, passing through the combustion chamber and illuminates smoke particles entrained in the intake air. The light scattered off the particles is recorded by a high speed rotating prism camera. Movies are made showing the air flow within the combustion chamber. The results of a movie showing the development of a high-speed (100 Hz) high-pressure (68.94 MPa, 10,000 psi) fuel jet are also discussed. The visualization system is synchronized so that a pulse generated by the camera triggers the laser's thyratron.
L-band radar fading statistics vs. resolution

Radar-signal variability was investigated as a function of the size of the resolution cell from 25 m*25 m to 6400 m*6400 m, using L-band data from the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B). Scenes treated were from Illinois farmland, Amazon rain forest, and Japanese mountains. Fading ranges (5% to 95%), means, and medians were determined for each SIR-B scene and for composites of each area and of the entire set. It is shown that L-band radar signals from the ground vary over a 9-10-dB range at 25-m resolution, but that the variation is reduced to about 2 dB for 6.4-km footprints. For the homogeneous Amazon rain forest the variation is somewhat less than average, and for a combination of mountains, farmland, and cities in Japan it is slightly more than average. This information should be useful to radar designers in determining required system dynamic range and the range of clutter that must be discriminated against. >
THREE DIMENSIONAL VISCOELASTICITY IN FINITE STRAIN: FORMULATION OF A RATE-TYPE CONSTITUTIVE LAW CONSISTENT WITH DISSIPATION

Viscoelastic constitutive models can predict transient phenomena like creep and stress relaxation. Among the materials that can exhibit such effects in finite strain are biological soft tissues which are commonly modeled using a multiphasic continuum theory. Under infinitesimal strain, the classical 1-D Standard Linear Model (1-D SLM) is a simple law containing a stress rate and exhibiting the desired transient and equilibrium behavior observable in many soft tissues. The derivation of a rate-type constitutive law appropriate for modeling the non-linear viscoelasticity of soft tissues is the focus of this study. Well-posed laws should be objective and consistent with thermodynamic considerations of dissipation and energy. Infinitesimal models are not objective, while many non-linear analogies to the 1-D SLM fail to address dissipation. In the current study, internal variables are introduced, and employed in the derivation of a 3-D non-linear rate-type viscoelastic constitutive law. Evolution of the internal variables is assumed to involve first order rates. Properties of the 1-D SLM as well as existing non-linear models of soft tissues are used to motivate the constitutive assumptions and additional requirements. These requirements include symmetry of the stress, isotropy, reduction to hyperelasticity (via material parameters) and the existence of a hyperelastic equilibrium state. A class of objective rate-type constitutive laws satisfying dissipation and the additional requirements is derived. As an illustration, a compressible finite linear model is formulated. In infinitesimal strain, this model provides a 3-D analogy to the 1-D SLM with a set of constraints on the material parameters. The finite linear model is analyzed under simple time-dependent compression, extension and shear and shown to be consistent with expected behavior.