cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postoperative pain treatment on wards – USA experience

A large variety of treatment options are now available to experienced pain therapists. Effective doses of opioids can be administered by the oral, rectal, transdermal, or sublingual route, or by subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection or infusion. Patient–controlled analgesia (PCA) is now familiar and commonly available. Most PCA pumps also offer the option to add a continuous background infusion to the basic patinet–controlled mode with the possibility of therapeutic benefits and new problems. Alternative delivery routes and PCA drugs have been reported. A variety of neural blockade techniques can provide effective and safe analgesia. These include topical application, local infiltration of incicions, and blockade of peripheral nerves or plexuses. Intrathecal and epidural opioids are now commonly used to control pain following a wide variety of surgical procedures, but many questions remain to be answered. The concept of postoperative pain management by anesthesiologists is growing in popularity in North America. It is not surprising that such a revolutionaryidea involving basic changes in long–established practices is receiving attention not only from clinicians, but also from economists and politicians. One manifestation of this attention in the United States is a clinical practice guideline entitled Acute Pain Management: Operative or Medical Procedures and Trauma. Important elements of the guideline include recognition of historic inadequacies in postoperative pain management and acknowledgement of the importance of effective pain control.
LABORATORY CULTIVATION OF THE MARINE COPEPOD PSEUDODIAPTOMUS CORONATUS WILLIAMS1, 2

Pseudodinptomus coronutus Williams was reared at 20°C through 4 consecutive generations, in individual beakers containing 70 cc natural water (ZO-25%,) using Chlamydomonas as food. There were 5 nauplius and 6 copcpodite instars. The average generation time was 25 days. Copepoditc development was faster in males than in females. The rate of oviposition depended on the presence of males. Females isolated from males after copulation produced up to two viable clutches of eggs. The ability of copepodites to attach to substrata and the relatively high passive sinking speed of adults may contribute to the spatial distribution of estuarine populations.
Public and academic understandings about language : The intellectual history of Ebonics

The Ebonics controversy revealed surprising public rejection of the ideas of academic linguists. The intellectual history of the situation provides a reasonable explanation. Linguists lack consensus themselves, while the public consensus includes inherent contradictions. Academic and public ideas of language came into conflict over Ebonics in part because linguists attempted to impose their own ideas on the public, in part because of confusion over terminology, and in part because the situation was entangled in social politics. The lessons of the affair suggest an approach to language and public policy in which linguists come to terms with public views of language.
The MAJIC-FET: A high speed power switch with low on-resistance

For high power switching applications, it is desirable to have a semiconductor device that exhibits a low on resistance during current conduction in order to minimize the steady state conduction losses, and high speed turn-off to minimize the switching losses. The ideal device must operation at high current densities during forward conduction, minimizing the chip size required for any given current handling capability and lowering costs. This article describes a new device structure which realizes these features. In this device the injection of minority carriers from the gate junction controls its admittance.
A kinetic study of the methanation of CO2 over nickel-alumina

Abstract The methanation rate of CO2 over nickel-alumina was studied under differential reactor conditions between 210 and 315 °C at a total pressure of 1 atm, with He used as diluent in some experiments. The rate was one-half order in both reactants. When the H2/CO2 ratio was varied, the rate exhibited a maximum in the H2-rich region. Based on these observations, a reaction mechanism in which there are 2 slow steps, either of which can be rate determining, is suggested. The site-density criterion for allowable rate-determining steps was also used. This criterion was applied to 15 steps and only 7 meet the criterion. The 2 steps postulated to be slow are among the 7. The activation energies for the reactant mixtures which were 30, 50, and 70% in H2 (using no diluent) were found from Arrhenius plots to be 21.4, 19.1, and 21.9 kcal/mole, respectively.
NATO's War in Kosovo and the Final Report to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia rejects Yugoslavia's allegations of NATO war crimes committed during the 1999 war. In "NATO's War in Kosovo and the Final Report to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia," Professor Schwabach evaluates the OTP's report. The author, though pleased with the report's outcome, is troubled by its reasoning. The article first defines the scope and sources of authority of international reviewing bodies. The author explains that the OTP relied both on conventional international law (such as Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions) and customary international law. The article then categorizes the primary allegations: use of depleted uranium projectiles and cluster bombs, damage to the environment, and problems relating to target selection. Of particular concern to the author is the OTP's reasoning regarding environmental damage. He explains that the issue can be easily disposed of because the alleged pollution probably preceded the NATO attacks. Instead, the OTP set a standard for environmental damage that will likely never be met. The author's second major concern surrounds the concept of casualty-averaging: The OTP fails to recognize the value of an individual life in calculating problems of proportionality. Finally, the author criticizes the report's treatment of the Chinese Embassy bombing. The OTP avoided assessing individual liability because senior leaders were provided faulty information. Professor Schwabach explains how this reasoning allows, and encourages, nations to escape liability for wrongful actions if the decision-making process is sufficiently decentralized.
Abstract 20178: Short Chain Acyl-CoA Intermediates in the Failing Heart: Further Evidence of an Energy Starved State

Introduction: Several studies have implicated energetic deficits in chronic heart failure. Recently, our group has described a state of myocardial substrate deficiency across a broad spectrum of lipid species in non-diabetic end-stage heart failure. We hypothesized that lipid substrate depletion in end-stage heart failure would be associated with dysregulation of short chain acyl-CoA intermediates implicated in important metabolic pathways. Methods: Left ventricular samples were obtained at the time of orthotopic heart transplantation for failing cases with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) n=16, and brain-dead organ donors without a history of heart failure (NF) n=18. Samples were snap frozen at -80°C for further analysis with liquid chromatography in tandem mass spec LC MS/MS. Stable isotope labeled essential nutrient in cell culture (SILEC) internal standards for acyl-CoAs were generated using 13 C 3 15 N 1 pantotheonate in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Results: In the myocardium of failing as compared to NF, we identified a significant decrease in Succinyl-CoA (Avg 10.5 versus 17.7 pmol/mg, p = 0.004 ), Propionyl-CoA (0.9 versus 1.8 pmol/mg, p=0.004) and a concomitant increase in β-hydroxybutyryl -CoA (BHB-CoA Avg 0.57 versus 0.29 pmol/mg, p =0.008 ). The ratio of myocardial Succinyl-CoA to Acetyl-CoA, a potential marker of tricarboxylic acid cycling, is significantly decreased in end-stage heart failure ( 0.84 versus 1.93, p= 0.005 ). The figure depicts the levels of myocardial acyl-CoA species in the non-diabetic cohort. Conclusion: We have identified important differences in myocardial acyl CoA species—an increase in the ketogenic BHB-CoA and decreased Succinyl-CoA and Propionyl-CoA in end-stage human heart failure. These data, along with the recently identified state of myocardial lipodeficiency, are strongly supporting the concept of a bio-energetic deficit in end-stage heart failure.
Sex Attraction and Mating of Lesser Peach Tree Borer Moths

The sexual vigor of moths of Synanthedon pictipes (Grote & Robinson) that were progeny of larvae reared for 5 successive generations on small thinning apples did not differ from that of moths emerging from peach wood. One-day-old virgin female moths were the most attractive to males, and their attractiveness declined gradually as they aged. Males were able to inseminate virgin females once a day for as many as 10 days, but no females contained more than 1 spermatophore.
Inorganic photovoltaic devices fabricated using nanocrystal spray deposition.

Soluble inorganic nanocrystals offer a potential route to the fabrication of all-inorganic devices using solution deposition techniques. Spray processing offers several advantages over the more common spin- and dip-coating procedures, including reduced material loss during fabrication, higher sample throughput, and deposition over a larger area. The primary difference observed, however, is an overall increase in the film roughness. In an attempt to quantify the impact of this morphology change on the devices, we compare the overall performance of spray-deposited versus spin-coated CdTe-based Schottky junction solar cells and model their dark current–voltage characteristics. Spray deposition of the active layer results in a power conversion efficiency of 2.3 ± 0.3% with a fill factor of 45.7 ± 3.4%, Voc of 0.39 ± 0.06 V, and Jsc of 13.3 ± 3.0 mA/cm2 under one sun illumination.
BEFORE THE STORM: AN ANALYSIS OF THE FIJI GENERAL ELECTION OF 1987

On 7 April 1987, the people of Fiji went to the polls for the fifth time since attaining independence from Great Britain in 1970. After a long three-month campaign and a week’s polling, the newly formed Fiji Labour Party-National Federation Party Coalition won a convincing and historic victory over the long-reigning Alliance party, capturing twenty-eight of the fifty-two seats in the Fiji Parliament. Dr. Timoci Bavadra, the new prime minister, assumed power with quiet dignity but unmistakable firmness, and quickly set in motion a government intent on delivering early on its various election pledges. Bitterly disappointed with the unexpected results of the election, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the defeated Alliance leader, conceded defeat in a terse statement and urged his party to accept the verdict of the ballot box. This surprisingly smooth, textbook transfer of power led Sir Leonard Usher, the doyen of local journalists, to write, with premature optimism as it turned out, “It had been a long--too long--campaign, and at times some unpleasant elements of bitterness had crept in. These were now set aside. Democracy, clearly, was well and alive in Fiji.” The 1987 election results both reaffirmed the dominant trends in Fiji’s ethnically-based electoral politics and heralded the faint beginnings of a new era that promised to break away from it. In the circumstances, it was change and the promise--as well as the fear--of further divergence from the established patterns of political behavior that
Lectures on Tropical Curves and Their Moduli Spaces

These are notes for a series of five lectures on “Moduli and degenerations of algebraic curves via tropical geometry” delivered at the CIMPA-CIMAT-ICTP School on Moduli of Curves, February 29–March 4, 2016 in Guanajuato, Mexico.
The Law of the Fathers: Hawthorne

As they passed before the Statue of Liberty on their way into New York harbor, Freud is reported to have said to Jung: ‘They don’t realize we’re bringing them the plague’.1 The remark reflects Freud’s sense of irony. It also suggests his belief in the relatively primitive state of culture in America and the naivete of most Americans. However, according to Lacan, who reports Freud’s comment, the incident also foreshadows a punishment for Freud’s hubris. For if psychoanalysis changed America, the country also changed psychoanalysis in ways that distressed Freud during his life and would have made him even angrier after his death.
PREDATOR: Proactive Recognition and Elimination of Domain Abuse at Time-Of-Registration

Miscreants register thousands of new domains every day to launch Internet-scale attacks, such as spam, phishing, and drive-by downloads. Quickly and accurately determining a domain's reputation (association with malicious activity) provides a powerful tool for mitigating threats and protecting users. Yet, existing domain reputation systems work by observing domain use (e.g., lookup patterns, content hosted) often too late to prevent miscreants from reaping benefits of the attacks that they launch. As a complement to these systems, we explore the extent to which features evident at domain registration indicate a domain's subsequent use for malicious activity. We develop PREDATOR, an approach that uses only time-of-registration features to establish domain reputation. We base its design on the intuition that miscreants need to obtain many domains to ensure profitability and attack agility, leading to abnormal registration behaviors (e.g., burst registrations, textually similar names). We evaluate PREDATOR using registration logs of second-level .com and .net domains over five months. PREDATOR achieves a 70% detection rate with a false positive rate of 0.35%, thus making it an effective and early first line of defense against the misuse of DNS domains. It predicts malicious domains when they are registered, which is typically days or weeks earlier than existing DNS blacklists.
Operationalization of Earth Observation

The concept of “operationalization” of Earth Observation refers to the use of Earth Observation data in an “operational” way, which we will define as the use of such data as a routine source of information, which has economic, social, strategic, political or environmental value to a segment of society. The implication of this definition is that operational users have, as their objective, the generation of wealth through the application of derived information in a continuous and routine way to the problems and issues of our society. It also emphasizes the fact that the business of Earth Observation is an INFORMATION business. The ultimate output product of each acquisition by a space-borne (or airborne) instrument is information about the surface and/or atmosphere of the Earth at a particular point in time. The tangible result of all the effort that goes into building and operating an Earth Observation spacecraft and its associated infrastructure is a set of measurements of the Earth system from space from which we can derive information of economic, social, strategic, political or environmental value. It is this concept of the value of information which is key to understanding the economics of Earth Observation and the issue of gaining a return on investments made in such systems be they financed by public or private means.
Off-axis illumination for extending optical microlithographic system performance

OFF-AXISILLUMINATIONFOR EXTENDINGOPTICAL MICROLITHOGRAPHICSYSTEMPERFORMANCE Steve Brainerd Supervising professor: Raj Solanki Improvements in depth of focus and resolution for microlithographic projection printing systems can be achieved by illuminating the object (mask) with oblique or off axis rays. Three types of illumination as used on a waferstepper with a 0.48 numerical aperture objective lens were characterized for their effect on resolution, depth of focus, and proximity. The illumination types evaluated were partially coherent (sigma =0.64), off-axis quadrupole (inner sigma 0.26, outer sigma 0.70 and opening sigma = 0.26),and off-axisring annular(inner sigma=0.40 and outer sigma =0.70). All projected images were recorded in a modem high contrast positive photoresist. While this type of illumination offers significant performance gains. it is not without limitations. Two shortcomings are the loss of image imKlianceand defocus proximity effects. This project will evaluate original methods to improve the later. The results show that off-axis annular and quadrupole illumination improve the depth of focus for dense 0.36 to 0.50 micron linewidths as compared to partially coherent illumination by 45% and 56% respectively. The "defocus proximity effects" with off-axis illumination mentioned above is where the depth of focus for an exterior line on a dense line-space group is significantly less than an interior line. Three potential solutions evaluated for improving this exterior linewidth proximity defocus effect were: 1. The use of special sub-resolution compensating structures on the mask (object) features, 2. Contrast enhancement photoresist processing, and 3. Anti-reflective substrate coatings. The use of a modified reticle improved the depth of focus for an exterior line, while contrast enhancement and anti-reflectivecoatings did not offer any improvement. The experimental results were modeled using Silvacos SOLID 3.1 optical lithography simulator (Sjmulation of !!ptical LIthography in three Dimensions). Excellent cOlTelationbetween the SOLID simulation model calibrated to the specific photoresist process used here and the experimental results was achieved.
Study Interval, Manipulated Frequency, and Verbal Discrimination Learning

Two hypotheses suggested by a frequency theory of verbal discrimination learning were investigated: (a) than an increase in study time would facilitate acquisition of a verbal discrimination list; and (b) that increasing familiarization with stimulus materials prior to training would retard acquisition rate of a verbal discrimination list. Study intervals of 2 and 4 seconds were factorially combined with verbal discrimination pairs of high and low frequency. Free recall learning was employed to produce frequency differentials among discrimination pairs. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis regarding a possible relationship between study time and verbal discrimination acquisition. A significant effect in speed of acquisition due to differential frequency was obtained, indicating faster learning of low frequency pairs.
Is Free Speech Compatible with Human Dignity, Equality, and Democratic Government: America, a Free Speech Island in a Sea of Censorship?

The American model of free speech jurisprudence is based upon the absolutist language of the First Amendment — Congress shall pass no law abridging freedom of speech. This model is unique in the Western world and glaringly contrasts with free speech models in Britain and Canada — examples of which I have labeled the European Model. This Article examines these models and the foundations and presuppositions of both, and the extent to which Canada and Britain, in applying the European Model, protect or fail to protect their citizens’ freedom of expression. Is one model moving toward totalitarianism while pretextually asserting it is standing for human dignity, equality, and democracy? This article answers that question.
Apodization design for the focused forked grating coupler

The Forked Grating Coupler (FGC) is a novel silicon photonics device that can interface with Optical Vortex (OV) light beams. First generation FGC devices had long adiabatic feed tapers and flat-amplitude grating apodization functions. This resulted in an inconveniently large device with degraded OV mode fidelity. New designs have been developed with a focused forked gratings allowing size to be reduced significantly. In addition, a Hamming apodization improves vortex mode fidelity within the constraint of a short focal length.
Neighbor Billing and Network Neutrality

This Article explains that the Internet is inherently non-neutral, and that this non-neutrality stems from the very architectural features that make the Internet a cost-effective means of communication. I argue that the ongoing network neutrality debate is better understood as being about the allocation of the costs of the Internet infrastructure. Instead of focusing on whether different parties are “neutrally” charged for Internet access, this Article focuses on how best to allocate these costs to maximize the value of the infrastructure. To this end, this Article proposes a model rule, “neighbor billing,” which is based in the economics of multi-sided markets to reduce the effects of the current potential market failures without creating new ones. This rule pushes pricing decisions into the network core, which allows internal market forces to allocate costs as appropriate, without need for external regulation. Though not a perfect rule, this proposal suggests considerations of importance to the ongoing network neutrality debate. [NB: This version may contain non-substantive differences from the version as published]
Ventricular Fibrillation and Flutter

Ventricular fibrillation leads to sudden death and must be reversed to save the patient's life. This is done by electrical defibrillation, sometimes preceded by mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The latter can be life-saving until a defibrillator is available. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization therapy are used chronically to prevent ventricular fibrillation. Drugs may be of complementary use by virtue of their antiarrhyhmic effects, and other benefit to the cardiovascular system.
Alternate Methods for the Determination of Boron in Silicates

Two methods for determination of boron in silicates are described. The results of analyses of 83 samples by both methods were computed and subjected to statistical evaluation; the methods were shown to be identical, within experimental error, in precision and accuracy, and the results obtained by one method are interchangeable with results obtained by the other.
Selective protection of specific DNA sequences in the heterochromatin of C-banded human Y chromosomes.

The molecular basis of C-banding was investigated by in situ hybridization of human Y chromosome-derived repeated sequences, DYZ1 and DYZ2, to untreated or to alkaline-treated metaphases. Autoradiography of G-banded metaphases showed that both probes hybridized to the long arm of Y. Alkaline hydrolysis significantly reduced grain number for DYZ2 (58%-82%; P less than .05) but not for DYZ1 (P greater than .05). Similar results were observed for interphase nuclei. These findings demonstrated that the heterochromatin of the long arm contains at least two repetitive DNA fractions having two different sensitivities to alkaline hydrolysis. These observations support the notion that DYZ2 maps terminally on the Yq arm and may be nonheterochromatic.
Remembering: Does the emotional content of a photograph affect boundary extension?

Observers falsely remember seeing beyond the bounds of a photograph (i.e., boundary extension [BE]). Do observers "zoom in" when viewing negative emotion photographs, resulting in boundary restriction (Safer, Christianson, Autry, & Osterlund, 1998)? Studies have yielded inconsistent outcomes, perhaps because emotional valence was compared across photographs of completely different scenes. To control physical scene structure, two contrasting (negative vs. positive) emotional versions of the same scenes were created by dramatically changing individuals' facial expressions; 14 such scene pairs were selected based on participants' (n = 134) ratings of the emotional valence elicited. We attempted to enhance sensitivity to negative scene content by including participants who scored either high (n = 104) or low (n = 104) on trait rumination, which is characterized by repetitive analysis of negative mood and a narrowing of attention. They viewed either all negative or all positive emotion scenes (15 s each). These scenes were repeated at test and rated as "the same," "closer-up," or "farther away" than the stimulus view (on a 5-point scale). Participants in all groups exhibited BE, but neither emotional valence nor trait rumination affected performance, even though mood induction had occurred. Only physical scene context affected BE (irrespective of the emotional valence of the scenes). Results underscore the importance of controlling physical scene context in tests of the effect of emotion on spatial memory. The resilience of BE to negative-mood-inducing scenes is discussed in terms of the adaptive value of anticipating one's surroundings while navigating through scenes in the world. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Doing feminism: a conversation between Cynthia Enloe and Roxani Krystalli

“As we go forward in the twenty-first century,” Cynthia Enloe writes, “feminists inside and outside academia need to be on our guard against a cynical form of knowing. We need to send the roots of ...
Midkine activation of CD8+ T cells establishes a neuron–immune–cancer axis responsible for low-grade glioma growth

Brain tumors (gliomas) are heterogeneous cellular ecosystems, where non-neoplastic monocytic cells have emerged as key regulators of tumor maintenance and progression. However, relative to macrophages/microglia, comparatively less is known about the roles of neurons and T cells in glioma pathobiology. Herein, we leverage genetically engineered mouse models and human biospecimens to define the axis in which neurons, T cells, and microglia interact to govern Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) low-grade glioma (LGG) growth. NF1-mutant human and mouse brain neurons elaborate midkine to activate naive CD8+ T cells to produce Ccl4, which induces microglia to produce a key LGG growth factor (Ccl5) critical for LGG stem cell survival. Importantly, increased CCL5 expression is associated with reduced survival in patients with LGG. The elucidation of the critical intercellular dependencies that constitute the LGG neuroimmune axis provides insights into the role of neurons and immune cells in controlling glioma growth, relevant to future therapeutic targeting. The role of neurons and T cells in glioma progression remains poorly understood. Here the authors show that midkine-dependent activation of a neuron-T cell-microglia axis promotes the growth of optic pathway gliomas.
Characterization of Differences in the Time Course of Reflex and Voluntary Responses Following Botulinum Toxin Injections in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Spasticity is a major impairment that can occur following a hemispheric stroke and is often treated with injections of botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin that impairs transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Hyperreflexia is a defining feature of spasticity. Our main objective here was to quantify the time course of changes in the deep tendon reflex (DTR) responses and voluntary activation capacity following BT injection as well as to track changes in a clinical assessment of spasticity. Four chronic stroke survivors, scheduled to receive BT in their Biceps Brachii(BB) as part of their clinical care plan, were recruited for repeated testing sessions over the course of 4 months post injection. Both surface BB EMG reflex response to bicipital tendon taps as well as signals of applied tendon tap forces were recorded before and up to 18 weeks post-BT. Voluntary force and biceps EMG signals were also recorded during maximum voluntary (isometric) contractions (MVC) at each testing session. Our results show major reductions (up to 75%) in voluntary sEMG and force arising between 11 to 35 days post-BT-injection. The stretch reflex gain declined two weeks after the maximal reductions in voluntary EMG and force. Paradoxically, there was a short-term increase in stretch reflex gain, in three out of four participants, approximately 11–35 days post BT. The time course of recovery of voluntary MVC and reflex responses varied considerably with a longer recovery time for the reflex responses.
“They Sold Us Illusions”: Informality, Redevelopment, and the Politics of Limpieza in the Dominican Republic

In the capital city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, climate change and environmental concerns are used to justify massive redevelopment projects in informal settlements located along the rivers Ozama and Isabela. Residents in such river communities negotiate the uncertainty of state planning under a new socio-environmentalism that prioritizes the environment over social concerns, while continuing to pursue bottom-up neighborhood planning despite the powerful rationality of limpieza (cleanliness), the pervasive techniques of responsibilization, and the celebratory spectacles of megaprojects. The uncertainty resulting from governance under socio-environmentalism produces ambivalence towards environmentcentered projects among residents. Drawing on oral histories and interviews with long-time community members, we suggest that residents engage in three ‘sensemaking strategies’ to process their ambivalence in the face of daily precarity, in particular the ongoing threat of evictions. Residents ‘keep up’ with the state and strategically utilize planning language to advocate for community priorities. They engage in practices of storytelling that reproduce a deep sense of community and provide a longer historical understanding of planning interventions. Finally, through verbal speculation and other ‘unsanctioned speech acts’ they analyze disruptions caused by socio-environmentalism, build solidarity with other communities, and think ahead despite uncertainty.
NeuroDAC: An open-source arbitrary biosignal waveform generator

Objective: Researchers are developing biomedical devices with embedded closed-loop algorithms for providing advanced adaptive therapies. As these devices become more capable and algorithms become more complex, tasked with integrating and interpreting multi-channel, multi-modal electrophysiological signals, there is a need for flexible bench-top testing and prototyping. We present a methodology for leveraging off-the- shelf audio equipment to construct a biosignal waveform generator capable of streaming pre-recorded biosignals from a host computer. By re-playing known, well-characterized, but physiologically relevant real-world biosignals into a device under test, researchers can evaluate their systems without the need for expensive in vivo experiments. Approach: An open-source design based on the proposed methodology is described and validated, the NeuroDAC. NeuroDAC allows for 8 independent channels of biosignal playback using a simple, custom designed attenuation and buffering circuit. Applications can communicate with the device over a USB interface using standard audio drivers. On-board analog amplitude adjustment is used to maximize the dynamic range for a given signal and can be independently tuned for each channel. Main Results: Low noise component selection yields a no-signal noise floor of just 5.35 ± 0.063 μVrms. NeuroDAC's frequency response is characterized with a high pass -3 dB rolloff at 0.57 Hz, and is capable of accurately reproducing a wide assortment of biosignals ranging from EMG, EEG, and ECG to extracellularly recorded neural activity. We also present an application example using the device to test embedded algorithms on a closed-loop neural modulation device, the Medtronic RC+S. Significance: By making the design of NeuroDAC open-source we aim to present an accessible tool for rapidly prototyping new biomedical devices and algorithms than can be easily modified based on individual testing needs. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT04281134, NCT03437928, NCT03582891
Conformational Ensembles by NMR and MD Simulations in Model Heptapeptides with Select Tri-Peptide Motifs

Both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are routinely used in understanding the conformational space sampled by peptides in the solution state. To investigate the role of single-residue change in the ensemble of conformations sampled by a set of heptapeptides, AEVXEVG with X = L, F, A, or G, comprehensive NMR, and MD simulations were performed. The rationale for selecting the particular model peptides is based on the high variability in the occurrence of tri-peptide E*L between the transmembrane β-barrel (TMB) than in globular proteins. The ensemble of conformations sampled by E*L was compared between the three sets of ensembles derived from NMR spectroscopy, MD simulations with explicit solvent, and the random coil conformations. In addition to the estimation of global determinants such as the radius of gyration of a large sample of structures, the ensembles were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). In general, the results suggest that the -EVL- peptide indeed adopts a conformational preference that is distinctly different not only from a random distribution but also from other peptides studied here. The relatively straightforward approach presented herein could help understand the conformational preferences of small peptides in the solution state.
It's Time for a Black Bioethics.

There are some long-standing social issues that imperil Black Americans’ relationship with health and healthcare. These issues include racial disparities in health outcomes (Barr 2014), provider bi...
Assessment of retinal microvascular health by optical coherence tomography angiography among persons with HIV.

Microvasculopathy may link HIV-related chronic inflammation and premature multimorbidity. In this proof-of-concept study, we used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate the retina as a convenient assessment of microvascular health among persons with HIV (PWH) undergoing surveillance ophthalmic care at Emory from 2018-2021. Among patients with longstanding HIV, OCTA identified microvascular abnormalities even among eyes without clinical retinal pathology. Retinovascular evaluation by OCTA is a feasible, non-invasive technique for assessing microvasculopathy among PWH.
An evaluation of online flipped instruction methods during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden switch from face-to-face to online instruction. Switching from face-to-face instruction into fully online classes in a short timeframe could be challenging esp...
A ratiometric dual color luciferase reporter for fast characterization of transcriptional regulatory elements

Plant synthetic biology requires precise characterization of genetic elements to construct complex genetic circuits that can improve plant traits or confer them new characteristics. Transcriptional reporter assays are essential to quantify the effect of gene expression regulator elements. Therefore, transcriptional reporter systems are a key tool in understanding control of gene expression in biology. In this work we construct and characterize a dual-color luciferase ratiometric reporter system that possesses several advantages over currently used reporters. It is ratiometric, reducing variability and increasing consistency between experiments; it is fast, as both reporters can be measured at the same time in a single reaction, and it is cheaper to perform than current dual-luciferase reporter assays. We have validated our system quantifying the transcriptional capability of a panel of promoters and terminators commonly used in synthetic biology with a broad range of expression magnitudes, and in a biologically relevant system, nitrate response.
Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is an epithelial-based malignancy that is often described by its location of origin within the biliary tree. Curative-intent treatment is based upon patient fitness, extent of disease, absence of metastatic disease, and, when liver resection is required, anticipated amount of liver parenchyma remaining. Systemic and regional therapies are often required in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and can be employed in a neoadjuvant or adjuvant fashion. While cytotoxic chemotherapy has traditionally been studied in the adjuvant setting, the optimal treatment regimen, role of radiotherapy, and use of targeted therapies remain topics of investigation. Neoadjuvant therapy, traditionally reserved for borderline-resectable or oncologically high-risk disease, continues to be studied in these patients as well as in patients otherwise suited for up-front resection. As with evolving treatment regimens, patient selection and prognostic factors are increasingly studied through use of national and multi-institutional databases to enhance the multidisciplinary approach required for treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
The Variation in Media Influence

This chapter offers readers a broad overview of several literatures concerning media effects, the history of modern journalism, and the development of broadcast news (e.g., television). The chapter links the larger consideration of punditry and academic appearances across media to the academic study of how those in elite positions influence public perceptions. The chapter also features famous quotes from journalism giants Walter Lippmann and Edward R. Murrow. Both journalists offered insights over the last century that speak directly to the need for academics to add their contributions in the production of political coverage.
No Difference in Dislocation Rates Comparing Large Diameter Jumbo Femoral Heads and Dual-Mobility Bearings in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Dual-mobility (DM) bearings reduce instability in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA); however, DM bearings are costly and reports of corrosion have recently emerged. Furthermore, no study has compared DM to standard bearings with large diameter femoral heads ≥40-mm. This study’s purpose was to compare postoperative dislocation rates of standard and DM bearings with large femoral heads after revision THA. Methods A retrospective review of 301 consecutive revision THAs was performed. The mean follow-up was 37.1 months. To isolate the effect of the double articulation, standard and DM bearings with femoral heads ≥40-mm were compared. Outcomes were postoperative dislocation and reoperation within 90 days. Results The cohort consisted of 182 standard bearings and 75 DM bearings. There were no differences in revision indication comparing standard and DM bearings (P = .258). Overall dislocation rate was 8.6% (22 of 257). The dislocation rate was 5.7% for standard bearings with ≥40-mm femoral heads compared with 6.9% in DM bearings with ≥40-mm femoral heads (P = 1.000). In multivariate analysis, lower body mass index (odds ratio 1.72), female sex (odds ratio 2.01), and decreased outer femoral head diameter–to–cup component size ratio (odds ratio 1.64) were predictors of postoperative dislocation regardless of bearing type. Conclusion This study showed no difference in dislocation rates between standard and DM bearings when comparing similar femoral head diameters of ≥40-mm used in revision THAs. Considering the cost and potential deleterious issues associated with additional interfaces, DM bearings should be used judiciously considering similar results may be achieved with single-articulation bearings using large femoral heads. Level of Evidence Level III.
溝通臨床距離: 已有知識的再發現: Bridging Clinical Distance: An Empathic Rediscovery of the Known

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese我在本文中提出，現代醫學的疾病觀在描述疾病時通常排斥直觀知識，由此而造成一種從機能上說給人印象深刻的然而從人的角度說沒有什麼根據的醫學。受過技街化了的解剖病理學疾病觀訓練的醫生們，脫離了過去已知的大部分有關疾病的知識。他們不僅缺少一種嚴密的或規範的方法去面對醫學實踐中的那些非技術的方面，而且，許多人甚至看不見醫學的動機和目的。在此，我力主一種以直觀為基礎的、以人自身為根據的疾病本體論。這樣一種本體論以理解和把握病人的經驗而不是對病狀的所謂“客觀的”，描述作為自己的出發點。只有通過一門活生生的病症科學，人們才有可能達致一種真正的人本主義醫學。DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 21 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.
Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism After Knee Arthroscopy

Purpose To (1) determine the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) after knee arthroscopy and arthroscopy-assisted procedures at a single institution and (2) determine associated risk factors for VTEs in these patients. Methods The records of patients who underwent knee arthroscopy at a single institution between 1988 and 2008 were reviewed. Chemoprophylaxis was not routinely used. Confirmed VTEs occurring within 4 weeks after the index arthroscopy procedure were included. A 2:1 matched control group was generated to include patients in whom knee arthroscopy was performed by the same surgeon either on the same day or immediately before each case resulting in a VTE. Preoperative and perioperative data were collected with respect to demographic data, medical history, medications, and surgical and anesthesia data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results During the study period, 12,595 patients underwent knee arthroscopy. Among these patients, 43 cases of VTEs (35 deep venous thromboses [DVTs], 5 pulmonary embolisms [PEs], and 3 DVTs that progressed to PEs) occurred, resulting in an incidence of 0.30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22% to 0.41%) for DVT, 0.06% (95% CI, 0.03% to 0.12%) for PE, and 0.34% (95% CI, 0.25% to 0.46%) for VTEs overall. Factors associated with an elevated risk of symptomatic postoperative VTEs included a history of malignancy ( P = .01; odds ratio [OR], 6.3), a history of VTEs ( P = .02; OR, 5.2), or the presence of more than 2 classic risk factors for VTEs ( P = .01; OR, 13.6). Conclusions In this study, symptomatic VTEs were rare and occurred infrequently, with an incidence of 0.34% (95% CI, 0.25% to 0.46%), after knee arthroscopy and arthroscopy-assisted cases in the absence of routine chemoprophylaxis. Patients with a history of VTEs, a history of malignancy, or 2 or more classic risk factors are at increased risk of VTEs after knee arthroscopy, and chemoprophylaxis should be considered in these select patients. Level of Evidence Level III, case-control study.
Evidence-Based Practice with Children and Adolescents Experiencing Social Isolation and Loneliness

Estimates of loneliness among children and adolescents suggest that loneliness is a serious, often unrecognized problem. According to Asher et al., more than 10% of children in grades three through six report feelings of loneliness defined in part by not having anyone to play with. Moore and Schultz estimate that loneliness among high school students ranges from 8% to 16% of all students. In surveys of school counselors and social workers, Calabrese and France et al. report an increasing proportion of young people who feel alienated, isolated and alone as a result of increasing mobility, rising divorce rates, increasing numbers of single-parent families, and declining access to the extended family. Additional factors that may contribute to feelings of loneliness in children include: death of a parent or a significant person; divorce of parents; conflict within the home or at school; child abuse and neglect; moving to a new school or neighborhood; losing a friend, possession, or pet; immigrant status coupled with limited competence in English; poor clothing and hygiene; concerns about physical attractiveness; and routine rejection by playmates. Low self-esteem, shyness, anxiety, and self-consciousness, aggressiveness, and higher sensitivity to rejection may also contribute to inadequate peer relationships and difficulty in making friends. This chapter provides reasons for social isolation that sometimes leads to depression over the course of the life span. Internal and external reasons for loneliness are explored and a case is presented of a lonely adolescent boy and the EBP treatment he receives for loneliness, and why it seems to be helping him.
EMISSIONS PATTERNS OF DIESEL-POWERED PASSENGER CARS

The gaseous and particulate emissions from a light-duty diesel powered passenger car were measured by a variety of chemical analysis techniques for three different fuels, typical No. 1 and No. 2 commercial diesel fuels and the Federal Register No. 2-D smoke test fuel. Hydrocarbon emissions were found to be inversely related to fuel molecular weight. The NO2/NO ratio was found to be much higher than for gasoline engines approaching 0.3 at low load. Particulate emissions were approximately 0.3 grams/mile for all fuels and driving cycles tested. Sulfate emissions were high, approaching that of some catalyst cars. Sulfate emissions decreased with decreasing fuel sulfur and increased by a factor of two in highway driving over urban driving. The potential pollution problems with such cars are worthy of further study.
History and Significance of Information Systems and Public Health

From the earliest development of counting and counting machines to today’s sophisticated public health systems, a fundamental problem of public health practice has been the development of systems that can collect and analyze data, then convert it to useful forms. The development of modern mechanical measuring devices was a quantum leap toward solving the problem, but even after the invention of the computer in the twentieth century, there was a continuing need for systems that would maximize integration of system components and minimize duplication of data entry. A review of the three waves of modern federal-state public health system development reveals the progression toward the optimization goal. In general, today’s systems to manage public health data and information have evolved in step with the scientific basis underlying public health practice, a practice that integrates findings in the biomedical field with the sciences of epidemiology and biostatistics.
Trends in Multiple Tobacco Product Use, Among High School Students.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify trends of tobacco use, among all students and current tobacco users, in a nationally representative sample of high school students from 1999 to 2013. METHODS Trends in individual and concurrent use of cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco (SLT) products were tested using 8 repeated cross-sections of the YRBS between 1999 and 2013. Tests for effect modification of race/ethnicity and sex were conducted for each trend. RESULTS Among all students, there were significant non-linear changes detected for the concurrent use of all 3 products, and the dual use of cigarettes and cigars. Girls significantly increased their use of SLT. Among users, significant changes were detected for each individual product and all combinations. Female users significantly increased their concurrent use of cigarettes and cigars and concurrent use of cigarettes and SLT. Male users significantly decreased their use of cigarettes and cigars. CONCLUSION While the decrease in the youth prevalence of cigarette use is a public health success, there is concern about the increase in non-cigarette products, among tobacco users. These changes further drive increases in the concurrent use of tobacco products, adding to the potential health burden.