cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygen-induced retinopathy in the rat: relationship of retinal nonperfusion to subsequent neovascularization.

Purpose. To confirm a relationship between oxygen-induced retinal vasoattenuation and subsequent abnormal neovascularization in the newborn rat. Methods. Beginning at birth, some litters of Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 80% constant oxygen while others received oxygen varying between 40% and 80% in a cyclic fashion. The frequency of the change in inspired oxygen (FiO2) was either 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours. The exposure periods lasted for 14 days, at which time some rats from each exposure group were sacrificed and assessed for retinal vasoattenuation with injection of fluorescein-labeled dextran. The remaining rats from each group were transferred at day 14 from the hyperoxic atmosphere to room air for an additional 4 days. These animals were then killed and assessed for retinal neovascularization by staining for vascular ADPase activity. Results. Of all rats raised in variable oxygen, 62% exhibited abnormal retinal neovascularization after 4 days in room air. Only 18% of the rats exposed to constant oxygen responded with abnormal neovascularization. Among the four groups of variable oxygen-exposed rats, there was a direct correlation (R 2 = 0.96) between degree of retinal avascularity upon removal from oxygen and the propensity for subsequent abnormal neovascularization. Constant oxygen-exposed rats did not exhibit this relationship. This exposure produced the greatest retinal avascularity upon removal from oxygen but the lowest incidence of abnormal neovascularization after 4 days in room air. Conclusions. Retinal avascularity may not be the single overriding stimulus for neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy. Other hypotheses bear consideration, including the possibility that variable oxygen leads directly to vascular endothelial cell mitosis, a common retinal manifestation of ischemia-reperfusion. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1994; 35:3429-3435.
Where Does Behaviorism Stand

To adequately grasp the nature of the proposition that alcoholism is a disease entity we must put to rest misconceptions burdening many behavior therapists. We must consider what behaviorism is, not what behavior therapists in the alcohol studies field mistakenly say it is. We have to step back and briefly consider the history and philosophy of psychology, what behaviorism is — and is not — to adequately comprehend how many behavior therapists have misled themselves and others. Before we turn to the important issues of the etiology, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism we have to clear up some misunderstandings and resolve a fundamental controversy. Does the conception of alcoholism as a disease refer to nothing more than a bad habit following the same principles of learning as the acquisition of any other habit? Or, taxonomically does it “carve nature at its joints”. In other words, is there a unique disease entity or bodily condition which we discover or is alcoholism an invention, merely the attribution of negative characteristics to the consequences of ordinary habit formation (Fingarette, 1988b, Szasz, 1972)? This aspect of the dispute concerning the status of the disease concept of alcoholism is in part a manifestation of the long standing controversy between nominalism and realism. Contributing to the unwillingness of many behavior therapists and other revisionists to accept the conception of alcoholism as a disease entity, a part of nature that is discovered in similar fashion as other disease entities such as malaria, diabetes, cancer and AIDS, are the ideological blinders forged by their misunderstanding of txhe fundamental nature of behaviorism.
Neurointerventions in Offenders: Ethical Considerations

The Birks and Buyx (2018) article on mandatory neurointerventions as a morally objectionable form of punishment compared to incarceration provides an interesting and thought-provoking perspective. ...
The role of vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin 8, and insulinlike growth factor in sustaining autophagic DIRAS3-induced dormant ovarian cancer xenografts.

BACKGROUND Re-expression of the imprinted tumor suppressor gene DIRAS family GTPase 3 (DIRAS3) (aplysia ras homology member I [ARHI]) induces autophagy and tumor dormancy in ovarian cancer xenografts, but drives autophagic cancer cell death in cell culture. The current study explored the tumor and host factors required to prevent autophagic cancer cell death in xenografts and the use of antibodies against those factors or their receptors to eliminate dormant autophagic ovarian cancer cells. METHODS Survival factors (insulinlike growth factor 1 [IGF-1], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], and interleukin 8 [IL-8]) were detected with growth factor arrays and measured using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay analysis. Phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), nuclear localization of translocation factor EB (TFEB) or forkhead box O3a (FOXo3a), and expression of microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (MAPLC3B; LC3B) were examined using Western blot analysis. The effect of treatment with antibodies against survival factors or their receptors was studied using DIRAS3-induced dormant xenograft models. RESULTS Ovarian cancer cells grown subcutaneously in nude mice exhibited higher levels of phosphorylated ERK/AKT activity and lower levels of nuclear TFEB/FOXo3a, MAPLC3B, and autophagy compared with cells grown in culture. Induction of autophagy and dormancy with DIRAS3 was associated with decreased ERK/AKT signaling. The addition of VEGF, IGF-1, and IL-8 weakened the inhibitory effect of DIRAS3 on ERK/AKT activity and reduced DIRAS3-mediated TFEB or FOXo3a nuclear localization and MAPLC3B expression in ovarian cancer cells. Treatment with antibodies against VEGF, IL-8, and IGF receptor inhibited the growth of dormant xenografts, thereby prolonging survival from 99 to >220 days (P < .05) and curing a percentage of mice. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with a combination of anti-VEGF, anti-IL-8, and anti-IGF receptor antibodies prevented the outgrowth of dormant cells and prolonged survival in a preclinical model.
Trace element concentrations, elemental ratios, and enrichment factors observed in aerosol samples collected during the US GEOTRACES eastern Pacific Ocean transect (GP16)

Abstract Atmospheric deposition is an important source of bioactive trace elements to the open ocean, but observations of this flux are sparse. Atmospheric deposition of aerosol iron is of particular interest as it can play an important role in supporting primary production in the global ocean, yet it represents a key uncertainty that hampers accurate numerical modeling of the marine iron cycle. We report concentrations of atmospheric trace elements from samples collected as part of the 2013 US GEOTRACES GP16 zonal transect of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The cruise transected a relatively dusty region which coincided with the Peruvian upwelling zone before entering the much less dusty region of the subtropical gyre. The aerosol chemical composition and elemental ratios indicate crustal sources for Al, Ti, V, Mn, and Fe while the analyses suggest that Cu, Cd, and Pb originate from anthropogenic emissions. Dry deposition fluxes were calculated by applying characteristic deposition velocities based on the expected particle size associated with each element. Bulk deposition, which includes wet and dry deposition, was calculated using the inventory of 7Be in the upper water column. Soluble aerosol iron flux estimates were compared with vertical iron fluxes within the water column to assess the relative importance of atmospheric deposition to the marine iron cycle in the region. Atmospheric deposition was insignificant relative to the upwelling input of iron in the areas near the continental sources but increased in relative importance seaward of the coastal upwelling zone even as the magnitude of deposition decreased away from the coast. This article is part of a special issue entitled: “Cycles of trace elements and isotopes in the ocean – GEOTRACES and beyond” - edited by Tim M. Conway, Tristan Horner, Yves Plancherel, and Aridane G. Gonzalez.
Neoantigen screening identifies broad TP53 mutant immunogenicity in patients with epithelial cancers

The adoptive cell transfer of select tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for personalized immunotherapy can mediate long-term objective tumor regressions in patients with metastatic melanoma, bile duct, cervix, colon, and breast cancers (1–5). These clinical responses are likely mediated by recognition of mutated gene products termed neoantigens because they are absent in normal tissues. Intratumoral T cell responses to mutated neoantigens identified thus far have been unique to the patient, i.e., they are private mutations not identified in other patients’ tumors, except for a neoepitope arising from the KRASG12D driver mutation (1, 3). However, it is largely unknown whether naturally occurring T cells within tumors recognize other shared mutated neoantigens expressed by cancers of unrelated patients. Across all cancer types, TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene, but mutations occur throughout the gene with preference in the DNA binding domain (6, 7). Therapeutic approaches evaluating small-molecule inhibitors and T cells targeting both WT and mutant p53 tumors in mouse models have been described (8–11). Preliminary studies provided some evidence that mutated TP53 could be recognized by peripheral blood T cells after in vitro stimulation and in vivo vaccination (12–14). However, evidence of immune responses to mutated TP53 within human tumors is limited even though most tumors will express a TP53 mutation. We previously reported patient-specific neoantigen screening in 7 patients with metastatic ovarian cancer, 2 of whom had mutated TP53 neoantigens restricted by HLA-DRB3*02:02 (15, 16). Here, we developed a novel strategy to systematically and comprehensively analyze intratumoral T cell responses to defined TP53 hot spot mutations independent of other tumor mutations in 133 new patients with multiple tumor types. The goal was to translate these cells or their TCR genes into broadly applicable adoptive cellular therapies for common epithelial malignancies.
Comparison of two small bowel distending agents for enterography in pediatric small bowel imaging

To evaluate the ability of pediatric patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease to ingest a new oral distending agent at CT or MR enterography (CTE/MRE), and to determine the impact on small bowel (SB) distension and diagnostic confidence. The study design is that of retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent CTE or MRE from January 2014 to June 2016. Patients ingested low-concentration barium suspension or flavored beverage containing sorbitol and mannitol. The need for nasogastric tube (NGT) administration, amount ingested, emesis, distal extent of contrast, SB distension, terminal ileum (TI) transverse dimension, and diagnostic confidence in TI disease were assessed. Three radiologists each blindly reviewed a subset of the studies. Of the total 591 scans in 504 patients, 316 scans used low-concentration barium suspension and 275 scans flavored beverage. Nearly all consumed the entire amount (97% vs. 96%). Low-concentration barium suspension exams required NGT more often (7% [23/316] vs. 1% [3/275]; p low-concentration barium suspension; p = 0.02). Flavored beverage exams demonstrated a slight increase in distal extent of luminal distension (p = 0.02). A new flavored beverage distends small bowel as well as low-concentration barium suspension, with decreased requirement for NGT insertion and improved distal extent of luminal distension, and without any decrease in diagnostic confidence in the presence or the absence of TI disease.
Case study research: of artists, athletes, and engineers

Case study research has attained a routine status as a viable method for conducting educational research. However, it is complicated investigative work that has the potential to confuse novice researchers. In this paper, I focus on comparing the methodology of three noted qualitative researchers, all of whom have written 'how-to' books on the process. I draw on findings from Robert Stake, Sharan Merriam, and Robert Yin in order to show the accessibility, though somewhat contested and complicated, of case study design and dissemination. The analysis of these researchers' methods shows that while licensure and flexibility exist, certain aspects of case study design are absolutely necessary. This paper makes an argument for a more comprehensive take on case study methodology and concludes by suggesting a step-by-step field manual for the novice educational researcher moving forward.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Trigeminal Neuralgia

Background Trigeminal neuralgia in the setting of multiple sclerosis (MS-TN) is a challenging condition to manage that is commonly treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS; Elekta AB). However, data regarding the efficacy of this treatment are somewhat limited, particularly for repeat GKRS. Objective To report outcomes of GKRS for MS-TN from a cohort study. Methods Retrospective review of our GKRS database identified 77 cases of unilateral MS-TN (UMSTN) in 74 patients treated with GKRS between 2001 and 2016, with 37 cases undergoing repeat GKRS. Background medical history, treatment outcomes and complications, and dosimetric data were obtained by retrospective chart reviews and telephone interviews. Results Eighty-two percent of UMSTN cases achieved Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) IIIb or better pain relief following initial GKRS for a median duration of 1.1 yr. Estimated rates of pain relief at 1, 3, and 5 yr were 51, 39, and 29% respectively. Eighty-eight percent achieved BNI IIIb or better pain relief after repeat GKRS for a median duration of 4.0 yr. Estimated rates of pain relief at 1 and 3 yr were 70 and 54%, respectively. Median doses for initial and repeat GKRS were 85 and 80 Gy to the 100% isodose line, respectively. Those with MS-TN had a shorter duration of BNI IIIb or better pain relief after initial (4.6 vs 1.1 yr), but not repeat GKRS (3.8 vs 4.0 yr) compared to a historical cohort from our institution. Conclusion GKRS is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for patients with MS-TN. More durable relief is often achieved with repeat GKRS.
Macrophage activation by edible mushrooms is due to the collaborative interaction of toll-like receptor agonists and dectin-1b activating beta glucans derived from colonizing microorganisms

Research supports the theory that the microbiome of plants and mushrooms produce potent activators of pathogen recognition receptors which are principal contributors to the stimulation of macrophages. We have previously reported that the in vitro macrophage stimulatory activity of water-soluble extracts from 13 different types of edible mushrooms is predominantly due to bacterial components originating from the naturally occurring bacterial communities within these materials. The purpose of the current study was to further investigate the bacterial-dependent activity of the water-soluble extracts and assess whether these 13 types of mushrooms contain water-insoluble beta glucans that activate the dectin-1b signaling pathway. Activity of the water-soluble extracts was predominantly due to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 agonists. For dectin-1b-dependent activity (indicative of water-insoluble beta glucans), culinary mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus varieties) were essentially inactive, whereas most of the medicinal mushrooms (Lentinula edodes, Grifola frondosa, Hypsizygus marmoreus varieties, Flammulina velutipes) exhibited potent activation. A. bisporus samples with no detectable dectin-1b-dependent activity had yeast colony forming units that were 687 times lower than L. edodes exhibiting high activity, indicating that the active insoluble beta glucans are derived from colonizing yeast. In addition, co-stimulation of macrophages with the TLR agonists and insoluble beta glucan was found to result in a synergistic enhancement of in vitro cytokine production. Taken together, these findings indicate that the in vitro macrophage activating potential of edible mushrooms is due to the collaborative interaction of water-soluble TLR agonists (derived from colonizing bacteria) and water-insoluble beta glucans (derived from colonizing yeast).
E-Advising: Expanding Advising for Distance LIS Students

AbstractOnline programs expand the possibility of LIS education. With 24/7 access to coursework, students grow accustomed to immediate access to information. Online education presents unique consid...
Patient Characteristics and Surgical Start Time Affect Length of Stay Following Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Currently, no consensus exists for selection criteria of appropriate candidates for outpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study evaluates patient characteristics associated with same-day discharge, examined surgical start time’s effect on rates of same-day discharge, and compares readmission and reoperation rates between groups. Methods All patients who underwent a THA by one surgeon at a single quaternary care hospital between February 2016 and May 2018 were captured. All patients were given the option for same-day discharge. Patient characteristics and perioperative variables were analyzed. Results A total of 429 patients met inclusion criteria, 153 (36%) were discharged on the day of surgery. In a multivariate analysis, age (P = .000), multiple comorbidities (P = .004), and start time remained statistically significant (P = .000). Patients with start times prior to 9 AM had odds ratio of 11.56 of being discharged same day when compared to those with start times after 12 PM. Patients discharged the day of surgery were less likely to have a 90-day emergency room visit (P = .010), a readmission within 30 days (P = .001) or 90 days (P = .000), or a reoperation (0 vs 14, P = .003). Conclusion Same-day discharge following THA is safe and feasible. Patient’s age and number of comorbidities should be considered when developing selection criteria for same-day discharge programs. Patients selected for same-day discharge should receive earlier operating room start times.
CONSTITUTIVE EQUATIONS FOR VISCOELASTIC MATERIALS

This chapter presents constitutive equations for viscoelastic materials. There are a few constitutive equations for polymeric materials that have been derived from well-defined molecular models on the basis of certain simplifying assumptions and approximations. The equations are of considerable importance in their own right, because of the information that they give concerning the influence of molecular structure on rheological properties, and have also had a considerable influence on the choice of constitutive equations to be found in the literature on viscoelastic materials. The rubberlike solid constitutive equation is derived from a molecular network model in the so-called Gaussian approximation. The molecular network mechanism in the Gaussian approximation is responsible for the fact that it is the contravariant body tensors that are simply related to one another.
Bright and dark optical solitons for (3+1)-dimensional Schrödinger equation with cubic–quintic-septic nonlinearities

Abstract This work addresses the soliton propagation for a sixth-order (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation with fourth-order and sixth-order dispersive terms under the influence of cubic–quintic–septic nonlinearities. We formally retrieve bright and dark optical soliton solutions for this equation. In addition, we find certain constraints on the parameters to determine these optical solutions. We employ other ansatze to determine other singular and periodic solutions. The obtained results may be helpful in understanding the wave dynamics in a cubic–quintic–septic nonlinear material such as chalcogenide glass.
Building Resilient Coastal Communities: The NHERI Experimental Facility for Surge, Wave, and Tsunami Hazards

Through the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure program (NHERI) established by the National Science Foundation in the United States, a suite of experimental facilities has been made available to the research community to advance the resilience of civil infrastructure and communities to coastal storm and earthquake hazards. An experimental facility called the NHERI Experimental Facility hosted at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University (HWRL EF) was created through this program that serves as a state-of-the-art engineering research, education, and outreach center related to tsunamis caused by earthquakes and coastal waves and surge caused by windstorms. HWRL EF includes two specialized large-scale resources for physical model testing of coastal systems: a large wave flume (LWF) and a directional wave basin (DWB). These facilities are available to the research community to address grand challenges relating to tsunami and coastal windstorm surge and wave hazards impacting the built and natural environments. This paper describes the capabilities of the HWRL EF and presents 10 example projects conducted under NHERI since 2016. The research projects highlight the broad scientific interest and potential application of physical model testing in multi-hazard mitigation and resilience in coastal communities.
Propellers, motors, and fans

Effective demonstrations make immediate visual and aural impact but also inspire discussion, analysis—even argument. From quick study to in-depth examination, inexpensive drone motors and small cooling fans provide excellent objects for classroom demonstration of the acoustics of rotating machinery. One of the most fundamental concepts—blade passage rate—is straightforward to show, to understand, and to relate to the acoustic signature. From there, the process of discovery expands to shaft rotation rate, blade thickness and loading noise, blade/strut interaction, flow noise, gear-mesh noise, electrical-to-mechanical coupling through magnetic-field interaction, and the impact of pulse-width modulation of the drive signal on the acoustic radiation. Processing can be as simple as visualization of a microphone output using an oscilloscope or a spectrogram display; however, the processing can grow to synchronous averaging androtation-rate compensation with the addition of straightforward optical or electrical measurements. A relatively simple apparatus provides a broad spectrum of concepts in a highly visible form.
China: Socialist or Capitalist?

Viewing contemporary China from the perspective of Economic Democracy, a stylized model of market socialism featuring workplace democracy, social control of investment and an entrepreneurial capitalist sector, I argue that China is not capitalist, and will not likely “go capitalist.”
Treaties and the Presumption Against Preemption

When deciding whether a federal statute that regulates domestic issues preempts state law, “the Supreme Court presumes that Congress does not intend to displace the traditional regulatory authority of the States.” The question arises whether this same presumption applies when the federal law at issue is a treaty. At this stage, the Restatement (Fourth) of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States replies that “[t]he case law does not clearly support any presumption regarding preemption of State law by a treaty.” This Article — part of the BYU Law Review Symposium on Treaty Law and the Restatement — demonstrates that there is (or should be) more clarity in favor of a presumption against preemption in the treaty context than the Draft Restatement suggests.
Using Interactive Fiction to Teach Clinical Decision-Making in a PharmD Curriculum

Teaching of clinical decision-making is an important component of health professions education. Patient case examples are widely used in didactic coursework to teach this material, but engaging all learners in large, lecture-based courses remains a challenge. Interactive fiction (IF), a digital choose-your-own-adventure media, provides an accessible way for students to individually explore the narrative of a patient-case in a safe environment. Here, we report the development of interactive, digital patient-cases (eCases) using Twine, a free IF development platform. Fourteen eCases were developed in collaboration with 11 faculty members and were used in seven different PharmD courses over three semesters. eCase content was developed by faculty members for their respective instructional topics and accessed via Web browsers on students’ personal electronic devices. eCases were received positively by students, with > 90% of students reporting that eCases were easy to use, helped them learn the material at their own pace, and gave them an opportunity to learn from mistakes. Student self-perceived confidence also increased significantly after eCase use. Faculty reported that eCases took more time to develop than conventional cases, but were easier to deliver and provided better student engagement. IF is an accessible media for creating and delivering low-fidelity interactive patient cases that can engage all students in a large class. eCases allow students to apply their knowledge, practice clinical decision-making, and safely learn from their mistakes. eCases are versatile and well suited for both in-person and virtual teaching across a variety of health professions programs to teach clinical decision-making.
Understanding event attendees’ intentions to participate food waste reduction (FWR) practices: The role of perceived CSR value and perceived usefulness

Since event attendees produce significant amounts of food waste, it is important to promote the reduction of food waste among attendees. However, studies that have investigated attendees’ intention...
The Utility of Peers and Trained Raters in Technical Skill-based Assessments a Generalizability Theory Study.

OBJECTIVE The gold standard for evaluation of resident procedural competence is that of validated assessments from faculty surgeons. A provision of adequate trainee assessments is challenged by a shortage of faculty due to increased clinical and administrative responsibilities. We hypothesized that with a well constructed assessment instrument and training, there would be minimal differences in procedural assessments made by near-peer resident raters (RR), faculty raters (FR), and trained raters (TR). DESIGN Deidentified videos of residents performing hand-sewn (HA) and stapled (SA) anastomoses were distributed to blinded reviewers of 3 types. Intra-class correlation (ICC) of RR, FR and TR assessments was determined for each procedure. A fully-crossed design was used to examine the internal structure validity in a generalizability study. A Decision study was performed to make projections on the number of raters needed for a g-coefficient > 0.70. SETTING This study was conducted within a private academic institution, using the creation of intestinal anastomoses as the procedural model. PARTICIPANTS Raters consisted of residents who were untrained to the assessment (UTA) tool, UTA faculty surgeons, and individuals with training. RESULTS Twenty nine videos were reviewed (15 HA and 14 SA) by a total of 9 video reviewers (4 RR, 2 FR, and 3 TR). HA ICC values were 0.84 (Confidence Interval [CI]:0.81–0.87) for RR, 0.89 (CI:0.86-0.92) for FR, and 0.88 (CI:0.86-0.90) for TR. SA ICC values were 0.77 (CI:0.72-0.80) for RR, 0.79 (CI:0.75-0.83) for FR, and 0.86 (CI:0.83-0.88) for TR. The g-coefficient was RR = 0.72, FR = 0.85, and TR = 0.77 for HA; and RR = 0.33, FR = 0.38, and TR = 0.4 for SA. The D-study indicated that at least 2 raters of any type were needed for HA and > 11 FR for SA. CONCLUSIONS Faculty without training have high assessment agreement. Peers for surgical skills assessment is an option for formative evaluation without training. Training to assessment tools should be performed for any assessment, formative or summative, for the optimal evaluation of procedural competence.
Clinical Significance of Mast Cells in the Supraglottic Larynx of Children With Aerodigestive Disease

Objective To analyze the association of mast cells found on supraglottic biopsy of pediatric patients with common aerodigestive diseases. Study design Cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care children's hospital. Methods A total of 461 pediatric patients undergoing otolaryngology aerodigestive procedures provided consent between 2014 and 2019, and biopsies of the supraglottic larynx were collected at the time of their surgery. Pathologists reviewed biopsies for the presence and number of mast cells per high-power field. The patients' electronic health records were reviewed for relevant demographic data and clinical diagnoses present at the time of biopsy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of mast cells with odds of aerodigestive disease. Results Patients with mast cells in their biopsy had significantly higher odds of asthma (odds ratio [OR], 2.02; 95% CI, 1.17-3.46), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.47-3.77), laryngomalacia (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.80-4.94), laryngeal anomalies (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.52-3.55), and obstructive sleep apnea (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.35-3.45). When mast cells were evaluated as a continuous variable, there was a nonlinear relationship between increasing mast cell count and odds of disease. Conclusions Mast cells are known to be associated with inflammatory conditions, though little is known about their presence in laryngeal inflammation. Results from our study demonstrate an association between mast cells in the pediatric larynx and asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, laryngomalacia, laryngeal anomalies, and obstructive sleep apnea. Our study also showed a nonlinear relationship between number of mast cells and odds of disease diagnosis.
The Road to Value Demands a Smarter Approach to Risk.

SUMMARY: As healthcare nears year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and health systems should consider accepting significant responsibility for the total cost of care from all sources, per covered life, over time. One place to start: Reduce avoidable spending on chronic conditions, which, combined with mental health conditions, account for most healthcare expenditures. This shift will necessitate investments that strengthen the ability to identify at-risk populations and react in ways that help avoid complications and reduce unnecessary costs.Even before the pandemic, it was clear that there were missed opportunities to reduce costs of care. Failures in care coordination contributed to billions of dollars in waste each year. Now, as payers explore innovative risk-based arrangements for addressing the impacts of social determinants of health and delayed care on health outcomes, healthcare providers should seek opportunities to partner with payers in developing shared-risk approaches to patient engagement and chronic condition management. Steps toward designing a model for risk innovation include rewarding physicians and clinicians for managing the total cost of care, involving physicians in discussions around acceptable levels of risk in value-based contracts, ensuring that the organization's cost accounting approach meets its strategic needs, investing in actuaries to study data that can identify rising-risk patients, and exploring innovative partnerships for funding the infrastructure for value.
ESR2 regulates indian hedgehog signaling in neonatal rat ovary

The transcriptional regulatory function of estrogen receptor {beta} (ESR2) is essential for the regulation of primordial follicle activation (PFA). Increased PFA due to the loss of ESR2 becomes evident as early as postnatal day 8 (PND8). To identify the ESR2-regulated genes that control PFA, we performed RNA-seq analyses of wildtype, and Esr2 knockout (Esr2KO) neonatal rat ovaries collected on PND4, PND6, and PND8. Among the differentially expressed genes in Esr2KO ovaries, indian hedgehog (Ihh) displayed the highest downregulation among the ovary enriched genes. IHH regulated genes including Hhip as well as the steroidogenic enzymes were also downregulated in Esr2KO rat ovaries. Remarkably, the expression of Ihh in Esr2KO ovaries was not upregulated despite the high levels of Gdf9 and Bmp15, which are known regulators of Ihh expression in granulosa cells. Our findings suggest that indian hedgehog signaling in the neonatal rat ovary is dependent on ESR2.
Tennessee Citizen Police Academies: Program and Participant Characteristics

Citizen police academies (CPAs) are popular programs developed by police departments with the twin goals of educating the public about law enforcement and improving police-community relationships. Citizen police academies can help law enforcement agencies by providing them with graduates who may support police departments through volunteering, crime reporting, advocacy, and crime prevention. CPAs may aid citizens by providing them with opportunities to work with the police to make their communities safer. During the course of the citizen police academy, not only will participants have opportunities to learn more about the police depar'tment and their communities, but they may be given opportunities to patrol with police officers, solve mock crime scenes, or attend moot court. This study examines citizen police academies in Tennessee and provides an exploratory investigation of the programs and its participants. Data obtained from 31 police departments indicate CPA programs with more than a 20 year history in Tennessee. Results of a pretest and posttest of 4 citizen police academies’ participants found that attending these programs significantly and positively changed participants’ familiarity with the police chief, local law enforcement, community crime, and the criminal justice system.
A Detection Mechanism for SMS Flooding Attacks in Cellular Networks

In recent years, cellular networks have been reported to be susceptible targets for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks due to their limited resources. One potential powerful DDoS attack in cellular networks is a SMS flooding attack. Previous research has demonstrated that SMS-capable cellular networks are vulnerable to a SMS flooding attack in which a sufficient rate of SMS messages is sent to saturate the control channels in target areas. We propose a novel detection algorithm which identifies a SMS flooding attack based on the reply rate to messages sent by a handset. We further propose a mitigation technique to reduce the blocking rate caused by the attack. Our simulation results show that the false positive and false negative rates of our detection algorithm are low even when the attack traffic is blended with flash crowd traffic and/or the attack traffic mimics flash crowd traffic, and that the blocking rate is successfully reduced through the mitigation technique.
The Cost Consequences of Improving Diabetes Care: The Community Health Center Experience

Article-at-a-Glance Background Despite significant interest in the business case for quality improvement (QI), there are few evaluations of the impact of QI programs on outpatient organizations. The financial impact of the Health Disparities Collaboratives (HDC), a national QI program conducted in community health centers (HCs), was examined. Methods Chief executive officers (CEOs) from health centers in two U.S. regions that participated in the Diabetes HDC (N = 74) were surveyed. In case studies of five selected centers, program costs/revenues, clinical costs/revenues, overall center financial health, and indirect costs/benefits were assessed. Results CEOs were divided on the HDC's overall effect on finances (38%, worsened; 48%, no change; 14%, improved). Case studies showed that the HDC represented a new administrative cost ($6–$22/patient, year 1) without a regular revenue source. In centers with billing data, the balance of diabetes-related clinical costs/revenues and payor mix did not clearly worsen or improve with the program's start. The most commonly mentioned indirect benefits were improved chronic illness care and enhanced staff morale. Discussion CEO perceptions of the overall financial impact of the HDC vary widely; the case studies illustrate the numerous factors that may influence these perceptions. Whether the identified balance of costs and benefits is generalizable or sustainable will have to be addressed to optimally design financial reimbursement and incentives.
Tracking POD's Engagement with Diversity: A Content Analysis of To Improve the Academy and POD Network Conference Programs From 1977 to 2011

This study examines the degree to which sessions from the annual Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network Conference and articles from To Improve the Academy engage questions of diversity. The titles and abstracts of 3,946 conference sessions and 560 journal articles were coded for presence and type of diversity. A significant variation in inclusion of diversity over time was found for the conference sessions (p < .001) but not the journal articles. Overall, the findings suggest that the organization has been inconsistent in its scholarly engagement with diversity and should work to encourage more regular engagement with diversity by its members.
Always Be Closing

Steve Fraser, Every Man a Speculator: A History of Wall Street in American Life (New York: Harper Collins 2005) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, 2005. Dir. by Alex Gibney. Prod, by Jason Kliot, Joana Vicente, and Susan Motamed. HDNet Films. 109 mins. T.J. Jackson Lears, Something for Nothing: Luck in America (New York: Viking 2003) Scott A. Sandage, Born Losers: A History of Failure in America (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press 2005)
Interaktive Datenverarbeitung im Bereich Entwicklung und Forschung

Die Entwicklung der Datenverarbeitung vollzieht sich in Zyklen: Die ersten elektronischen Rechanlagen wurden gebaut, um mit ihrer Hilfe komplizierte, technisch-wissenschaftliche Aufgaben losen zu konnen. Grose Verbreitung fanden die Anlagen jedoch erst durch ihren Einsatz auf dem kommerziellen Gebiet. Die Stapelverarbeitung erwies sich als wirtschaftlichste Organisationsform.
Dissimilatory Reduction of Inorganic Sulfur by Facultatively Anaerobic Marine Bacteria

Three strains, selected from a large number of newly isolated, facultatively anaerobic marine bacteria, reduced inorganic sulfur compounds other than sulfate anaerobically in defined culture media in the following different patterns: (i) sulfite and thiosulfate were reduced to sulfide, and tetrathionate was reduced to thiosulfate; (ii) tetrathionate was reduced to thiosulfate only; or (iii) thiosulfate was reduced to sulfide only when pyruvate was the substrate. Comparison of anaerobic growth in the presence or absence of inorganic sulfur compounds indicated true dissimilatory reductions.
Understanding the Implications of Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies for Water

Direct terror attacks on water infrastructure will have implications not only for water or wastewater systems but also for other interdependent systems (e.g. fire protection and other emergency services, manufacturing, and food production). At the same time, attacks on other infrastructures (e.g. power production, chemicals production, transportation, and communications) may have an impact that would impair or debilitate the operation of water and wastewater systems. Although broad system interdependencies are covered earlier in the Handbook, this article will discuss the water-specific interdependencies and what infrastructure managers can do to understand, quantify, and hence plan for the implications of infrastructure failures beyond their direct control. Keywords: water; interdependencies; critical infrastructure; natural hazards; security; energy; telecommunications; transportation
Time-interleaved integrating quantizer incorporating channel coupling for speed and linearity enhancement

This paper presents a new dual-slope-based time-interleaved quantizer architecture. Time information between interleaved quantizer channels is utilized to perform time-domain delta modulation. This technique decouples the conversion rate of dual-slope quantizers from their input voltage amplitude without the need for extra timing phases or dedicated hardware.
Stabilizing controllers for perturbed distributed parameter systems

The question of stabilization of perturbed (or uncertain) infinite-dimensional systems is considered. The class of perturbations for which the system remains stabilizable by the same feedback law as for the nominal system is identified. Sufficient conditions are presented that guarantee strong stabilizability of the perturbed system, given that the unperturbed system has similar properties. It is shown that for deterministic as well as stochastic systems, exponential stability can be achieved by choice of a suitable feedback controller. The theoretical results are illustrated by some numerical examples. >
Real-time left ventricular volume of the canine heart from ultrasonic dimension data

A real-time (instantaneous) system is presented to measure the dynamic volume of the left ventricle. This system uses the invasive measurement of long axis diameter, short axis diameter, and wall thickness of the cardiac left ventricle. Three pairs of pulse-transit ultrasonic dimension transducers are used to obtain these measurements. The dynamic volume was then found by applying these measurements to an ellipsoidal shell model of the left ventricle. It is possible to obtain on-site, real-time, continuous measurements of the left ventricular volume (LVV) by employing an electronic device which implements a corrected volume equation for the ellipsoidal shell model. The device's output is a calibrated estimation for the LVV. The function of the device is shown to compare well with other accepted measurements for the LVV. >
Spatial variability in nutrient transport by HUC8, state, and subbasin based on Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin SPARROW models

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) has been linked to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. With geospatial datasets for 2002, including inputs from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and monitored loads throughout the MARB, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) watershed models were constructed specifically for the MARB, which reduced simulation errors from previous models. Based on these models, N loads/yields were highest from the central part (centered over Iowa and Indiana) of the MARB (Corn Belt), and the highest P yields were scattered throughout the MARB. Spatial differences in yields from previous studies resulted from different descriptions of the dominant sources (N yields are highest with crop-oriented agriculture and P yields are highest with crop and animal agriculture and major WWTPs) and different descriptions of downstream transport. Delivered loads/yields from the MARB SPARROW models are used to rank subbasins, states, and eight-digit Hydrologic Unit Code basins (HUC8s) by N and P contributions and then rankings are compared with those from other studies. Changes in delivered yields result in an average absolute change of 1.3 (N) and 1.9 (P) places in state ranking and 41 (N) and 69 (P) places in HUC8 ranking from those made with previous national-scale SPARROW models. This information may help managers decide where efforts could have the largest effects (highest ranked areas) and thus reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.
Use of Real-Time Ultrasonography to Diagnose Pseudolabor

Pseudolabor has been reported in a handful of cases over the past 20 years and has been proposed as a subtype of conversion disorder. Pseudolabor is not well understood and remains a challenge for obstetrical providers to diagnose early enough so as to prevent unnecessary use of tocolytics and other unnecessary care for preterm labor. Contraction patterns observed in pseudolabor patients have classically been described with 2 different morphologies, both caused by prolonged abdominal skeletal muscle contraction. One morphology is described as “spiked,” abrupt in onset, and abrupt in descent. The second is described as an abrupt onset, plateau or flattop phase, followed by an abrupt descent. Here we describe a case of a 30-yearold woman who presented with signs suspicious for pseudolabor whose contraction patterns were convincing for uterine smooth muscle contractions. In this case, real-time ultrasound was used to demonstrate that the uterus was not contracting, thus confirming a diagnosis of pseudolabor.
Therapeutic potential of berberine against neurodegenerative diseases

Berberine (BBR) is an organic small molecule isolated from various plants that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Isolation of this compound was its induction into modern medicine, and its usefulness became quickly apparent as seen in its ability to combat bacterial diarrhea, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, inflammation, heart diseases, and more. However, BBR’s effects on neurodegenerative diseases remained relatively unexplored until its ability to stunt Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression was characterized. In this review, we will delve into the multi-faceted defensive capabilities and bio-molecular pathways of BBR against AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and trauma-induced neurodegeneration. The multiple effects of BBR, some of which enhance neuro-protective factors/pathways and others counteract targets that induce neurodegeneration, suggest that there are many more branches to the diverse capabilities of BBR that have yet to be uncovered. The promising results seen provide a convincing and substantial basis to support further scientific exploration and development of the therapeutic potential of BBR against neurodegenerative diseases.
Cloning of ShIII (Shaw-Like) cDNAs Encoding a Novel High-Voltage-Activating, TEA-Sensitive, Type-A K$^{+}$ Channel

Transient voltage-dependent potassium (K$^{+}$) currents, also known as A currents, have been of great interest to neurophysiologists due to their special roles in neuronal excitability. Several cDNAs encoding transcripts expressing A currents have been characterized. Recently, a cDNA (KShIIIC or Raw3) was isolated which expresses an unusual A current that is highly sensitive to TEA, and activates at potentials more positive than -20 mV. Channels containing this protein may have specialized roles in modulating the electrical behaviour of neurons. Here we report the isolation and characterization of two rat cDNAs corresponding to two alternatively spliced transcripts (KShIIID. 1 and KShIIID. 2) from another gene (KShIIID) of the same subfamily as KShIIIC, the ShIII or Shaw-related gene subfamily. KShIIID. 1 also expresses an unusual high-voltage-activating, TEA-sensitive A-type channel. There are, however, significant differences between KShIIIC and KShIIID channels which may have interesting functional consequences. The two most important differences are: (i) KShIIID channels conduct in the steady-state over a much broader window of potentials than KShIIIC; this reflects differences between the kinetic schemes of the two channels; and (ii) KShIIID inactivates with significantly slower kinetics than KShIIIC. The identification of KShIIID transcripts contributes to our knowledge of the molecular components that may determine the functional diversity of A currents and provides exciting opportunities to increase our understanding of the structure and function of K$^{+}$ channels.