cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Testing Environment on Pre-Participation Reaction Time in High School Athletes (P02.214)

Objective: To determine the influence of environment on clinical reaction time (RTclin) in high school athletes during pre-participation concussion testing. Background Most currently available reaction time (RT) assessments are computer-based and are of limited utility during competition. Clinical Reaction Time testing (RTclin) is a simple and reliable tool used for quick assessment of neurocognitive status pre- and post-injury that has been successfully used in previous piloted RT studies. Some have questioned the effect that the environment plays on RT. Environmental influences such as motivation, distraction, or isolation may impact RT during pre- and post-concussion testing, thus altering testing results. Design/Methods: 72 high school athletes (62 males and 10 females) were assessed using RTclin testing under three conditions: 1) Motivation, wherein two athletes compete, 2) Distraction, with testing in a crowded auditorium, and 3) Isolation, with testing in a quiet room. The RTclin task requires the use of a weighted ruler, dropped by the examiner without warning, which is caught by the participant as quickly as possible. The distance the ruler falls is converted to RTclin. Results: Preliminary analysis with a paired t -test suggested that mean RTclin were significantly faster in motivated (t=-2.8411, p p 0.01)) conditions than in an isolated environment (t= 0.0029, p > 0.01). There was no significant difference between RTclin in the distracted and motivated conditions (t=0.0029, p > 0.01). Additional techniques appropriate for repeated measures data will be used for further analysis. Conclusions: According to this study9s findings, RTclin varies with environment. No significant RTclin difference was seen between the distracted and motivated settings. RTclin was significantly faster, however, in both of these settings when compared to the isolated setting. Thus, baseline RTclin assessment should be conducted in the same environment pre- and post- injury, in order to provide the most valid comparison. Disclosure: Dr. Almeida has nothing to disclose. Dr. Milani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sudkamp has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stewart has nothing to disclose.
Group consultations: Developing dedicated, technological spaces for collaborative writing and learning

Abstract Using activity theory as a framework, the authors studied how the design of a digital workspace in a multiliteracy center influenced collaboration between human and non-human actors. The authors identified two types of spaces that facilitated collaborative practices in the digital workspace: interstitial and surrounding. The interstitial space was the space between human actors in a consultation and the surrounding space was the space directly outside of human actors in a consultation. Findings suggested that the placement of particular high- and low-tech tools and technologies within these spaces heavily influenced the work that occurred. Furthermore, the shape and style of the furniture in the space also had an impact, with rounded tables and chairs on wheels fostering mobility in the space which also impacted collaboration. Finally, tutor and tutee perceptions of the space also heavily influenced the work that occurred, as there was a common perception that the space would be conducive to group consultations or consultations using technology despite the space being designed with all potential consultations in mind.
Fatty acid composition of commercially manufactured omega-3 enriched pork products, haddock, and mackerel.

This study was conducted to determine the commercial feasibility of feeding a 15% ground flaxseed diet to finishing hogs for up to 42 d before slaughter and to compare the fatty acid composition of the resulting pork products with commercially produced haddock and mackerel. Eighty-seven pigs were fed a control diet (predominantly corn, soybean meal-based) and then a similar diet containing 15% flaxseed for the last 28 (FS28) or 42 d (FS42) before slaughter. Control pigs were continued on the control diet (CO28 and CO42). Percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased (P < .0001), and percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids, most prominently alpha-linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] and the sum of all (sigma) measured (n-3) fatty acids, were increased (P < .0001) in all pork tissues (backfat, liver, and longissimus thoracis) and products (lard, muffins, Braunschweiger, and bacon) due to dietary flaxseed. The percentage of arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)] decreased in FS28 compared to CO28 liver (P < .0001) and in longissimus thoracis polar fraction FS42 compared to CO42. The percentage of 18:3(n-3) was similar in mackerel, CO bacon, and CO longissimus thoracis, and the percentage of 18:3(n-3) and sigma(n-3) in haddock was similar to that in FS bacon and FS longissimus thoracis. The percentage of 20:5 in FS42 longissimus thoracis, polar fraction, approached the level in haddock, but the percentages of 20:5 and 22:6 were greater (P < .0001) in mackerel than in haddock. The percentage of sigma(n-3) was greater (P < .0001) in mackerel than in haddock and sigma(n-6) was greater (P < .0001) in haddock than in mackerel. Commercial production of omega-3 enriched pork products can provide consumers a feasible alternative to a diet higher in fish than that normally consumed.
Clonidine for anticipatory nausea and vomiting: A pilot study examining dose-toxicity relationships and potential for further study

In preparation for studies of noradrenergic activity in anticipatory nausea and vomiting, we performed an open-dose study of clonidine to examine dose-toxicity relationships and indications of antiemetic activity. Nine patients, three each at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/day, received clonidine twice a day for 5 days before chemotherapy. Unwanted effects, principally blood pressure reduction, dry mouth, and sedation, accumulated between 4 and 5 micrograms/kg/day. Four of eight evaluable patients had no anticipatory symptoms on clonidine. It is concluded that clonidine, at a dose of 4 micrograms/kg/day, might safely probe the role of noradrenergic activity in anticipatory nausea and vomiting.
Quality of Care Provided by a Comprehensive Dementia Care Comanagement Program

Multiple studies have shown that quality of care for dementia in primary care is poor, with physician adherence to dementia quality indicators (QIs) ranging from 18% to 42%. In response, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Health System created the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care (ADC) Program, a quality improvement program that uses a comanagement model with nurse practitioner dementia care managers (DCM) working with primary care physicians and community-based organizations to provide comprehensive dementia care. The objective was to measure the quality of dementia care that nurse practitioner DCMs provide using the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE-3) and Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement QIs. Participants included 797 community-dwelling adults with dementia referred to the UCLA ADC program over a 2-year period. UCLA is an urban academic medical center with primarily fee-for-service reimbursement. The percentage of recommended care received for 17 dementia QIs was measured. The primary outcome was aggregate quality of care for the UCLA ADC cohort, calculated as the total number of recommended care processes received divided by the total number of eligible quality indicators. Secondary outcomes included aggregate quality of care in three domains of dementia care: assessment and screening (7 QIs), treatment (6 QIs), and counseling (4 QIs). QIs were abstracted from DCM notes over a 3-month period from date of initial assessment. Individuals were eligible for 9,895 QIs, of which 92% were passed. Overall pass rates of DCMs were similar (90-96%). All counseling and assessment QIs had pass rates greater than 80%, with most exceeding 90%. Wider variation in adherence was found among QIs addressing treatments for dementia, which patient-specific criteria triggered, ranging from 27% for discontinuation of medications associated with mental status changes to 86% for discussion about acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Comprehensive dementia care comanagement with a nurse practitioner can result in high quality of care for dementia, especially for assessment, screening, and counseling. The effect on treatment QIs is more variable but higher than previous reports of physician-provided dementia care.
Neonatal Infections: A Global Perspective

One of the greatest challenges to global public health is to eliminate the gaps between rich and poor countries in health care resources, in access to preventive and curative services, and in health outcomes. Although infant mortality has declined by more than 50% since 1955, 1 neonatal mortality has changed little in some of the world’s poorest countries. Worldwide, neonatal mortality accounts for a substantial proportion of deaths of both infants and children younger than 5 years. 1, 2, 3 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 4 million neonates die each year and that 98% of these deaths occur in developing countries. 2, 3 Causes of neonatal mortality, especially in developing countries, are difficult to ascertain, partly because many of these deaths occur at home, unattended by medical personnel, and partly because critically ill neonates often present with nondiagnostic signs and symptoms of disease. Infectious diseases, birth asphyxia, and complications of prematurity are thought to be the major causes of neonatal death worldwide. 2, 3, 4, 5
Direct simulation Monte Carlo investigation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) is investigated using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method of molecular gas dynamics. Fully resolved two-dimensional simulations are performed to quantify the growth of flat and single-mode perturbed interfaces between two atmospheric-pressure monatomic gases as a function of the Atwood number and the gravitational acceleration. Future simulations on more extreme computational platforms will enable investigation of the RTI in greater detail.
Trauma, Latency and Amnesia

Drawing on the debate surrounding the representability of trauma, the chapter examines the film paradigm in the laboratory study of intrusive traumatic memories and the role that a film has played in their definition and theorization. The chapter asks why the film goes unnoticed despite the acknowledgement of the studies that it supported drawing attention to transcultural articulations of amnesia and latency in globalized politics of memorialization. The chapter expands this discussion by examining three works by sound artist and filmmaker Shona Illingworth that interrogate the individual, social, cultural and transcultural dynamics of memory in terms of traumatic memories, latency and amnesia and contested sites of remembrance. Illingworth’s works, developed in dialogue with neuro-psychologist Martin Conway, create immersive visual and acoustic environments that are viscerally affecting.
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by a wide variety of cell types with an equally pleiotropic range of activities including the induction of fever, hypotension, adhesion molecule expression, neutrophilia, cartilage destruc­tion, prostanoid production, and induction of the expression of a number of other cytokines. Two forms of IL-1 (IL-1α and IL-1β) have been cloned and, although sharing only approximately 25% amino acid homology, these two molecules have essentially identical biological activities. The biological role for IL-1 in normal phys­iology and in the development of disease has been extensively reviewed elsewhere [1]. Support for a role of IL-1 as an important mediator of pathological events observed in a number of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases has been demon­strated in a large number of animal models. A common characteristic of many of these acute and chronic inflammatory diseases is that the production even of small amounts of IL-1 can have severe consequences in terms of tissue destruction and sys­temic homeostasis. The discovery of a naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has suggested a means through which the pathological effects of IL-1 can be modulated.
Influence of palliative surgical resection on overall survival in patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer: A retrospective single institutional study

13532 Background: The role of palliative surgical resection in patients presenting with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. Resection is often limited to symptomatic ...
Dry-weight energy density of prey fishes from nearshore waters of the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor, New York

Energy density of prey fishes can affect the survival, growth, and fitness of piscivorous fishes, and these vital rates may change – for better or worse – after fish communities are altered by the establishment of new species. Invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are highly abundant in the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor and serve as alternative food for piscivores. However, there is a paucity of information on the energy density of native and invasive prey fishes in these waters. To better understand the energy density of available prey fishes in nearshore areas of the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor, we compared the energy densities of: (1) native fishes and invasive fishes, (2) age-0 and yearling-and-older conspecific fishes, and (3) upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor conspecific fishes. Fishes were collected from New York waters of the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor during early August through mid-September 2013. We combusted fishes in a bomb calorimeter to determine dry-weight energy densities (J/g) for two invasive and eight native species. Energy densities were dependent on an interaction between fish species and age group, and did not differ between the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor. Yearling-and-older spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) had a significantly higher energy density than all other species examined and was the only species with a significant difference in energy density between age classes. Rudd had an energy density similar to most native fishes; and, although not significantly lower, round goby energy density was lower than most native fishes. Our energy density estimates can be used to better understand mechanisms affecting growth and condition of piscivorous fishes in the upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor.
Alcohol-associated intestinal dysbiosis impairs pulmonary host defense against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Chronic alcohol consumption perturbs the normal intestinal microbial communities (dysbiosis). To investigate the relationship between alcohol-mediated dysbiosis and pulmonary host defense we developed a fecal adoptive transfer model, which allows us to investigate the impact of alcohol-induced gut dysbiosis on host immune response to an infectious challenge at a distal organ, independent of prevailing alcohol use. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with a cocktail of antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, neomycin, vancomycin, and metronidazole) via daily gavage for two weeks. A separate group of animals was fed a chronic alcohol (or isocaloric dextrose pair-fed controls) liquid diet for 10 days. Microbiota-depleted mice were recolonized with intestinal microbiota from alcohol-fed or pair-fed (control) animals. Following recolonization groups of mice were sacrificed prior to and 48 hrs. post respiratory infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Klebsiella lung burden, lung immunology and inflammation, as well as intestinal immunology, inflammation, and barrier damage were examined. Results showed that alcohol-associated susceptibility to K. pneumoniae is, in part, mediated by gut dysbiosis, as alcohol-naive animals recolonized with a microbiota isolated from alcohol-fed mice had an increased respiratory burden of K. pneumoniae compared to mice recolonized with a control microbiota. The increased susceptibility in alcohol-dysbiosis recolonized animals was associated with an increase in pulmonary inflammatory cytokines, and a decrease in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the lung following Klebsiella infection but an increase in T-cell counts in the intestinal tract following Klebsiella infection, suggesting intestinal T-cell sequestration as a factor in impaired lung host defense. Mice recolonized with an alcohol-dysbiotic microbiota also had increased intestinal damage as measured by increased levels of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein. Collectively, these results suggest that alterations in the intestinal immune response as a consequence of alcohol-induced dysbiosis contribute to increased host susceptibility to Klebsiella pneumonia.
Professional capital in your school

Do you recognise and develop the professional capital of the staff in your school? Drawing on research evidence, Ben Solly discusses his take as a school leader on the three key elements – human, decisional and social capital
Cord Blood Transplantation: Therapeutic Use of Perinatal Stem Cells

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell transplants can be lifesaving for patients with hematologic malignancies. Donor sources for allogeneic transplants include bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, and cord blood. Cord blood has several advantages over adult stem cell sources, including no risk to the donor, more rapid time to transplant, and less stringent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching requirements. The major disadvantage of cord blood transplant is low cell dose, leading to delayed engraftment. Several experimental strategies have shown promise in overcoming this disadvantage and include methods to expand or improve homing of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells.
Zukunft: Globalisierung der virtuellen Netzwelten

Mit Blick auf das beginnende 21. Jahrhundert stellt sich die Frage, wie Computemetze und virtuelle Realitat in die Megatrends von Wissenschaft, Technik und Gesellschaft einzuordnen sind. Wir leben bereits in einer technisch-wissenschaftlichen Welt, in der Wissenschaft, Technik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft zu einem globalen und komplexen System zusammenwachsen (Abb. 69). Die Dynamik dieses Systems ist durch Schlusseltechnologien bestimmt, die eng mit Grundproblemen menschlicher Existenz im 21. Jahrhundert verbunden sind. Genannt werden heute Energie-und Umwelttechnologien die erst eine nachhaltige Entwicklung unseres Planeten moglich machen. Die Life Sciences entschlusseln nicht nur die molekularbiologischen Grundlagen des Lebens, sondern schaffen die Voraussetzungen fir neue medizinische Behandlungsmethoden der Krankheitsgeiseln der Menschheit — von Krebs bis zu den Problemen einer immer alter werdenden Gesellschaft. Ebenso geht es um die Behebung weltweiter Ernahrungsprobleme. Neue Materialien zielen auf energiesparende, informationsubertragende und intelligente Werkstoffe. In einer immer starker zusammenwachsenden Menschheit werden neue Verkehrs-und Transporttechnologien eine Schlusselfunktion einnehmen.
Trade-Offs in the Labor Union-CEO Compensation Relationship

We examine the relationship between union presence and CEO compensation. Based on the notion that the union taxes the firm’s returns, we test whether unions successfully capture a larger share of the firm’s returns with respect to the share captured by the CEO. On average CEOs in union firms are paid 19 percent less than those in nonunion firms, after controlling for several determinants of CEO pay. CEO compensation risk is lower in union firms because the reduced compensation risk is a trade-off for the lower level of CEO compensation.
Clifford Algebras, Projective Representations and Classification of Fundamental Particles

We discuss the use of Clifford Algebras in the classification of elementary particles as an alternative to the use of unitary Lie groups as internal symmetry groups, their physical interpretation and advantages. The relation of Clifford algebras to the projective representations of finite groups is given. We further introduce the concepts of Clifford algebras over the Heisenberg ring and Symplectic Clifford algebras that describe the internal geometry of relativisitic quantum systems.
An approach for safer navigation under severe hurricane damage

The US are increasingly prone to sustaining severe damage from climate change as hurricanes are predicted to become more severe. During and after hurricanes, navigation around flooded areas is a primary objective for both first responders and hurricane victims. Printed or cached maps, because of their static nature, are not ideal for conveying network availability that will be constantly in flux post-disaster. And online services may not be available or may provide unreliable information. We propose a relatively cost-effective decentralized sensing and navigation system for regular grid networks that allows effective and efficient navigation around flooded areas. Using the proposed algorithm, about 59% of the cars with reachable destination were successful in reaching their destinations for the worst case scenario, that is, a dynamically spreading flood. On average, the path length taken by successful cars is 33% longer than the shortest path without flooding. The results of the experiments show that the proposed algorithm has a low computational complexity which makes it a good fit for real-time safe path finding in regular grid networks and it has the potential for extension to other types of road networks.
Hardware Performance Counters for Embedded Software Anomaly Detection

A recent trend in software security has utilized hardware performance counters as a security mechanism for integrity checks as well as malware detection. In this work we have developed two methods to check and validate the runtime integrity of a program to protect against malicious intrusions. The two methods developed utilize Hidden Markov Models and Long Short Term Memory neural networks trained on traces of a program's performance counter data which allows for classification, offline anomaly detection, and online anomaly detection. In our benchmark of embedded software the HMMs achieved a classification accuracy of 100%, while offline anomaly detection achieved an average 98% accuracy with only 1% false positives, and online detection with a heuristic achieved 95% with only 0.38% false positives. On the same embedded software benchmark LSTMs neural networks achieved an offline anomaly detection rate of 100% with no false positives, and an online anomaly accuracy was 98% on average with no false positives.
PerDREP: Personalized Drug Effectiveness Prediction from Longitudinal Observational Data

In contrast to the one-size-fits-all approach to medicine, precision medicine will allow targeted prescriptions based on the specific profile of the patient thereby avoiding adverse reactions and ineffective but expensive treatments. Longitudinal observational data such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have become an emerging data source for personalized medicine. In this paper, we propose a unified computational framework, called PerDREP, to predict the unique response patterns of each individual patient from EHR data. PerDREP models individual responses of each patient to the drug exposure by introducing a linear system to account for patients' heterogeneity, and incorporates a patient similarity graph as a network regularization. We formulate PerDREP as a convex optimization problem and develop an iterative gradient descent method to solve it. In the experiments, we identify the effect of drugs on Glycated hemoglobin test results. The experimental results provide evidence that the proposed method is not only more accurate than state-of-the-art methods, but is also able to automatically cluster patients into multiple coherent groups, thus paving the way for personalized medicine.
Image Processing: What Is Needed and Unique for Vessel Wall Imaging?

Image processing plays a key role in vessel wall imaging. Vessel wall analysis typically requires multiple contrast-weighted imaging, image registration, and both qualitative and quantitative measurements to assess vessel wall status for disease. Image processing plays a key role in all these areas, and currently available software systems are capable of quantitative measurements of vessel area, thickness, eccentricity, and composition to assess vessel and disease status. New improvements in techniques and artificial intelligence offer new possibilities which can dramatically improve vessel wall analysis.
Volt-VAR Control in Power Distribution Systems with Deep Reinforcement Learning

Volt-VAR control (VVC) plays an important role in enhancing energy efficiency, power quality, and reliability of electric power distribution systems by coordinating the operations of equipment such as voltage regulators, on-load tap changers, and capacitor banks. VVC not only keeps voltages in the distribution system within desirable ranges but also reduces system operation costs, which include network losses and equipment depreciation from wear and tear. In this paper, the deep reinforcement learning approach is taken to learn a VVC policy, which minimizes the total operation costs while satisfying the physical operation constraints. The VVC problem is formulated as a constrained Markov decision process and solved by two policy gradient methods, trust region policy optimization and constrained policy optimization. Numerical study results based on IEEE 4-bus and 13-bus distribution test feeders show that the policy gradient methods are capable of learning near-optimal solutions and determining control actions much faster than the optimization-based approaches.
Carbon dioxide laser versus cold-steel supraglottoplasty: A comparison of post-operative outcomes

Objective Supraglottoplasty is the mainstay of surgical treatment for laryngomalacia, and is commonly performed via two methods: cold steel or carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The degree of post-operative monitoring following supraglottoplasty varies, both within and between institutions. The aim of this study was to compare the post-operative monitoring and interventions required by patients undergoing cold-steel versus CO2 laser supraglottoplasty. Design Retrospective cohort of pediatric patients (age 24 h). Results 155 cases were eligible for inclusion. Fifty-eight (37.4%) patients had a comorbid condition. Common indications for surgery included feeding difficulty (56.1%), severe respiratory distress (33.5%), and obstructive sleep apnea (25.2%). CO2 laser was employed in 49 cases and cold-steel in 106 cases. Prolonged ICU-stay (>24 h) was observed in 14 CO2 laser cases (28.6%) and 11 cold-steel cases (10.4%) (adjusted OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.43, 8.33). CO2 laser cases were more likely to require post-operative intubation, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and nebulized racemic epinephrine. Concomitant neurological condition was associated with an increased risk of prolonged ICU-stay, while extent of surgery and age were not. Conclusions CO2 laser supraglottoplasty is associated with an increased risk of prolonged ICU-stay and need for ICU-level airway intervention, compared to the cold-steel technique. While this association should not be misconstrued as a causal relationship, the current study demonstrates that specific surgical factors may influence the patient monitoring requirements following supraglottoplasty, particularly the choice of instrument and the extent of surgery.
Eutectic Synthesis of the P2-Type NaxFe1/2Mn1/2O2 Cathode with Improved Cell Design for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

An engaging area of research in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) has been focusing on discovery, design, and synthesis of high-capacity cathode materials in order to boost energy density to levels close enough to that of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. Of particular interest, P2-type layered oxide, Na2/3Fe1/2Mn1/2O2, has been researched as a potential cathode in SIBs based on its high theoretical capacity of 260 mA h/g and use of noncritical materials. However, the reported synthesis methods are not only complex and energy-demanding but also often yield inhomogeneous and impure materials with capacities less than 200 mA h/g under impractical test conditions. Here, we report a novel synthesis route using low-temperature eutectic reaction to produce highly homogeneous, crystalline, and impurity-free P2-NaxFe1/2Mn1/2O2 with enhanced Na-ion diffusivity and kinetics. The overall electrochemical performances of the Na-ion cells have been improved by pairing the P2-cathode with presodiated hard carbon anodes, leading to reversible capacities in the range of 180 mA h/g. This new approach is a contribution toward the simplification of synthesis and scalability of sodium-based cathodes with high crystallinity and fine-tuned morphology and the realization of a sodium-ion battery system with lower cost and improved electrochemical performance.
Molecular Adaptations in Mesolimbic Circuitry and Pathological Ethanol Intake

It is very challenging for humans with alcohol use disorders to overcome the strong psychological and physical drives which seem to compel alcohol intake despite adverse social, personal, physical, and legal consequences. Neuroadaptations that occur after long-term alcohol intake likely play a critical role in this maladaptive motivation to pursue alcohol. Here we address neuroadaptations within the mesolimbic and related circuitry (primarily the nucleus accumbens, NAcb, and ventral tegmental area [VTA]) that have been observed using preclinical rodent models and that may serve to promote pathological intake or other alcohol-related behaviors. We focus in particular on functional changes in ion channels, GABA and dopamine receptors, and several neuropeptides. Identification of such neuroadaptive changes in preclinical intake models may support the development of new therapeutic interventions for alcoholism.
Rehabilitating simulated worn dentition by using a complete digital workflow and five anatomic guidelines.

Abstract This report describes the rehabilitation of worn dentition by using a complete digital workflow on a nonhinged simulated patient. A dentiform was used to represent an individual with loss of occlusal vertical dimension. Interim restorations were designed following the simulated patient's midline, interpupillary line, and ala-tragus line and a defined central incisal edge position, posterior maxillary teeth central groove, and buccal cusp position of posterior maxillary teeth. The definitive restorations were then designed and fabricated by following the contour of the interim restorations.
Impact of RBC Transfusion on Peripheral Capillary Oxygen Saturation and Partial Pressure of Arterial Oxygen.

OBJECTIVES RBCs are known to undergo deleterious changes during storage, known as storage lesions, which have been shown to result in decreased oxygen-carrying capacity. However, there is inadequate literature describing the effects of stored RBC allogeneic transfusion on oxygen parameters in vivo. The oxygen standard parameters were retrospectively assessed before and after RBC transfusion. METHODS Patients who received 1 RBC transfusion were assessed for hemoglobin (Hb) levels, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (Spo2), and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (Pao2) from 12 hours before and 24 hours after transfusion. RESULTS In total, 78 patients who were monitored by Spo2 and 28 patients monitored by Pao2 were included in this analysis. Following RBC transfusion, Hb levels increased significantly (P < .001); however, there was a significant decrease in both Spo2 and Pao2 within 24 hours after transfusion (P = .04 and P = .003, respectively), indicating lower tissue oxygenation and lower soluble oxygen level. CONCLUSIONS This single-center, retrospective study revealed evidence of significantly decreased oxygenation and tissue perfusion after single-unit RBC transfusion, despite corrected Hb levels.
An In Vitro Comparison of Albuterol Delivery to a Spontaneously Breathing Pediatric With Different Airway Resistance and Lung Compliance During Noninvasive Ventilation

Background: Delivery efficiency of nebulizers has been described with noninvasive ventilation. However, albuterol delivery to patients with different airway resistance (Raw) and lung compliance (CL) has not been quantified. The purpose of this study is to compare albuterol delivery during noninvasive ventilation of a simulated pediatric with different levels of Raw and CL. Methods: A collecting filter at the bronchi of a teaching manikin was attached to a passive test lung (QuickLung, Ingmar Medical) to simulate a spontaneously breathing pediatric. A ventilator (Trilogy 202, Philips) with a single limb circuit (S/T mode, inspiratory pressure: 6 cm H2O, expiratory pressure 8 cm H2O, respiratory rate: 30 breaths/min and I:E ratio 1:2) was connected to a pediatric upper airway manikin via the standard oronasal mask (AF541, Respironics). Albuterol sulfate (2.5 mg/3 mL) was delivered with jet (MistyMax10) and mesh (NIVO) nebulizers at Raw of 5 and 20 cm H2O/L/s and CL of 10 and 20 L/cm H2O during noninvasive ventilation (n = 5). Descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney U test were used for data analysis (P
AI and Data Rights Considerations for U.S. Policy

The inception of artificial intelligence (AI) dates back to the 1950s, with the latest wave of AI featuring unprecedented “machine learning” capabilities, including “deep learning.” With these increased capacities, AI is disrupting society in both beneficial and disempowering ways, exemplified in medical and scientific advances and enabling oppressive surveillance [1] . The rate of adoption and potential of this wave of AI are novel, as are the socio-technical problems developing with emerging technologies powered by AI.
Racial and geographic disparities with gastrostomy tube placement in dementia and parkinsonian disorders.

Abstract Introduction Many patients with advanced dementia and Parkinson's disease and related disorders (PDRD) are receiving gastrostomy tube (GT) placement annually, despite its lack of proven benefit for preventing aspiration, enhancing nutrition, or prolonging survival. Given clinical practice variability in the care of people with neurodegenerative disorders, we sought to examine racial and geographic disparities in GT placement for these populations in the United States. Method Data were extracted from a publicly-available national database using diagnostic and procedural codes from 2006 to 2010. GT placement rates and odds ratios were calculated for two groups: PDRD and non-parkinsonian dementia (NPD). Results In the PDRD group, odds of GT placement were higher among patients coded as Black (OR 1.69, CI 0.80–3.56, p = 0.17) and Asian (OR 2.17, CI 0.70–6.78, p = 0.18) than Whites; although these tendencies did not reach statistical significance. In the NPD group, GT placement among Black patients was significantly more likely (OR 2.88, CI 1.90–4.36, p Conclusion This study showed geographic and racial disparities in GT placement among PDRD and NPD patients. Further studies should aim to clarify best practices for GT placement in PDRD and causes of practice differences within and between PDRD and NPD groups.
Analyzing the Relationship between Campus Environments and Academic Self-Efficacy in College

Low persistence and degree completion rates are of paramount concern for higher education researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. There is some evidence that students’ success in higher educa...
Demographics and Risk Factors of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Readmissions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients and increases the readmission rates for hospitalizations. This study evaluates the risk factors and comorbidities associated with an increase in 30-day readmissions among pediatric PH patients. METHODS National Readmission Database (NRD) 2017 was searched for patients less than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with PH based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software v25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Of 5.52 million pediatric encounters, 10,501 patients met the selection criteria. The 30-day readmission rate of 14.43% (p < 0.001) was higher than hospitalizations from other causes {Odds Ratio (OR) 4.02 (3.84-4.20), p < 0.001}. The comorbidities of sepsis {OR 0.75 (0.64-0.89), p < 0.02} and respiratory infections {OR 0.75 (0.67-0.85), p < 0.001} were observed to be associated with lower 30-day readmissions. Patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube {OR 1.66 (1.4-1.96), p < 0.001} or tracheostomy tube {OR 1.35 (1.15-1.6), p < 0.001} had increased unplanned readmissions. Patients with higher severity of illness based on All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) were more likely to get readmitted {OR 7.66 (3.13-18.76), p < 0.001}. CONCLUSION PH was associated with increased readmission rates compared to the other pediatric diagnoses, but the readmission rate in this study was lower than one previous pediatric study. Invasive mechanical ventilation, Medicaid insurance, higher severity of illness, and female gender were associated with a higher likelihood of readmission within 30 days.
Ventilatory Assistance and Its Complications

Ventilatory emergencies occur when individuals are unable to ventilate their pulmonary gas-exchanging units adequately to meet metabolic needs. Preceding chapters have reviewed specific clinical respiratory emergencies that may require artificial mechanical ventilatory support when patients are critically ill. Whether the source of gas exchange impairment lies in airway obstruction, parenchymal infiltrate, vascular occlusion, pleural disease, or neuromuscular weakness, the final common pathway is ventilatory failure, which can be readily detected in the arterial blood gas (ABG). The PacO2 rises above 44, pH falls below 7.36, and the PaO2 falls below age-predicted or previously stable values.
Studies of Ribonucleic Acid Chain Initiation by Escherichia coli Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase Bound to T7 Deoxyribonucleic Acid II. THE EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS IN IONIC STRENGTH ON CHAIN INITIATION AND ON THE CONFORMATION OF BINARY COMPLEXES

Abstract When highly stable binary complexes are formed between Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and T7 DNA at low molar ratios of enzyme to DNA (fewer than three enzyme molecules per DNA) a major fraction of the enzyme molecules is able to initiate an RNA chain extremely rapidly (t1/2 ∼ 0.2 s) when presented with the four ribonucleoside triphosphates. The initiation of T7 RNA chains by binary complexes is altered in two ways when elevated concentrations of KCl are included in the reaction. For binary complexes formed in the absence of KCl, the presence of 0.2 m KCl during initiation lowers the rate of chain initiation about 5-fold but does not affect the fraction of enzyme molecules which can initiate an RNA chain rapidly. However when binary complexes are formed in the presence of increasing amounts of KCl, the fraction of enzyme molecules which can initiate an RNA chain is progressively decreased, even when initiation takes place after dilution to lower salt concentrations. Evidence is presented that binary complexes formed in the presence of KCl contain enzyme bound at or near the T7 early promoter region but that the enzyme is in a state (I complex) which is unable to initiate an RNA chain or can initiate only very slowly. The enzyme in the I complex is in equilibrium with enzyme in a state (RS complex) which can rapidly initiate T7 RNA chains.
Improved Yields of Iodine‐124 from the Enriched Tellurium‐124 Dioxide/Aluminum Oxide Target

The escalating clinical application of Positron Emission Tomography results from the novel radiotracers which are available to monitor specific biochemical or physiologic processes. Future developments of the technique will require an increasing availability of additional unique radioligands and radionuclides. Iodine‐124, a radionuclide whose potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications is widely recognized, has been prepared at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center on a weekly basis for several years (1). With its characteristic 4.18 day half life and complex decay scheme (2) which includes positron emission (22.0 ± 0.5%) and electron capture (78 ± 0.5%), this radionuclide has been shown to be appropriate for radiotracers describing slow physiologic processes with the clearance of non‐specific radioactivity. The refinements and modifications being engineered into the cyclotron target system to increase the absolute yield of recoverable radioactivity from each irradiation and its chemical processing of the reusable solid target matrix are described..
Experimental use of dispersants for spill countermeasures on Arctic beaches

Field experiments have been conducted on arctic beaches to asses the effectiveness of dispersants for the cleanup of stranded oil. The application of two commercially available chemical dispersants to aged and emulsified oil plots, in the intertidal zone on a semi-sheltered beach, resulted in a significant reduction of oil loadings immediately following the experiment as compared to loadings on adjacent intertidal control plots. The use of dispersants may, therefore, be of some value in mitigation of the potential adverse effects of oil immediately following stranding. In the semi-sheltered arctic environment in which the 1981 experiments were conducted (fetch up to 100 km; two-month open-water season), natural reworking of the oiled intertidal control plots over a 40-day period was effective in removing approximately 85 to 95% of the original oil loading. Further experiments in 1982 replicated the 1981 study in a more sheltered location, with a fetch area of less than 2 km, and indicate that the use of dispersants was not effective in this very low-energy environment. The conclusions drawn from this arctic experiment have a direct relevance to other coastal environments in lower latitudes.
Categorical Data Analysis II

At the end of the previous chapter, we spent some time considering the difference between statistical significance and the strength of an association. In this chapter, we spend some time on a measure that combines elements of both: the odds ratio, which for 2 ×2 tables, is the recommended test of both the strength and the statistical significance of an association. As with many SAS statistical procedures we have seen, the actual execution of the procedure is fairly simple. The challenge is in understanding the underlying statistical process and interpreting the results.
A numerical investigation of supercells in landfalling tropical cyclones

[1] Supercell thunderstorms are known to occur in the outer rainbands of tropical cyclones (TCs), and these cells are of interest because they are occasionally tornadic. A series of multi-scale quasi-idealized TC simulations are used to study the development of outer rainband supercells. Within the environment of landfalling TCs, the sea-to-land transition of the rainbands is found to locally benefit supercell development onshore due in part to (1) enhanced surface-based destabilization during the day and (2) increased surface friction slowing and backing the low-level winds. Landfall time of day is shown to have a substantial impact on the average number, strength, and lifetime of the ensemble of simulated supercells. These idealized simulations represent a first attempt at controlled hypothesis tests for supercell and tornado ingredients within the context of a highly resolved parent TC.
Superconductivity and quantum oscillations in crystalline bi nanowire

While bulk bismuth (Bi) is a semimetal, we have found clear evidence of superconductivity in 72 nm diameter crystalline Bi nanowire below 1.3 K. In a parallel magnetic field (H), the residual resistance of the nanowire below Tc displays periodic oscillations with H, and the period corresponds to a superconducting flux quantum. This result indicates that the superconductivity originates from the cylindrical shell between Bi inner core and the surface oxide layer. Under a perpendicular H, the resistance in the superconducting state shows Shubnikov−de Haas (SdH)-like oscillations, a signature of a normal metal. These results suggest a novel coexistence of superconducting and metallic states in the temperatures well below Tc.
Raman spectroscopic study of tropomyosin denaturation

Raman spectra of the pH denaturation of tropomyosin are presented. In the native state tropomyosin has an alpha-helical content of nearly 90%, but this value drops rapidly as the pH is raised above 9.5. The Raman spectrum of the native state is characterized by a strong amide I line appearing at 1655 cm−1, very weak scattering in the amide III region around 1250 cm−1, and a medium-intensity line at 940 cm−1. When the protein is pH-denatured, a strong amide III line appears at 1254 cm−1 and the 940 cm−1 line becomes weak. The intensities of the latter two lines are a sensitive measure of the alpha-helical and disordered chain content. These results are consistent with the helix-to-coil studies of the polypeptides. The Raman spectra of α-casein and prothrombin, proteins thought to have little or no ordered secondary structure, are investigated. The amide III regions of both spectra display strong lines at 1254 cm−1 and only weak scattering is observed at 940 cm−1, features characteristic of the denatured tropomyosin spectrum. The amide I mode of α-casein appears at 1668 cm−1, in agreement with the previously reported spectra of disordered polypeptides, poly-L-glutamic acid and poly-L-lysine at pH 7.0 and mechanically deformed poly-L-alanine.
Determination of the source of 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neuronal projections to the neural and intermediate lobes of the rat pituitary gland through the use of electrical stimulation and lesioning experiments

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-containing axons and terminals have been visualized in the neural and intermediate lobes of the rat pituitary gland, but the origin of these fibers remains in question. This study was designed to determine if 5-HT cell bodies in the brainstem or in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus project to either of these pituitary lobes. Since lesions and electrical stimulation of 5-HT cell bodies decrease and increase, respectively, the rate of 5-HT synthesis in region innervated by these cells, these techniques were employed. The in vivo rate of 5-HT synthesis was determined by quantifying the rate of accumulation of the 5-HT precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), in the neural and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland 30 min after the administration of a decarboxylase inhibitor (NSD 1015, 100 mg/kg, i.p.). The application of 30 min of stimulating current (monophasic cathodal pulses of 1 ms duration and 0.3 mA current delivered at a frequency of 10 Hz) to electrodes implanted in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei increased the rate of 5-HT synthesis in both the neural and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine lesions of these nuclei altered neither 5-HTP accumulation nor 5-HT concentrations in the neural and intermediate lobes, but similar lesions of the nuclei raphe pontis and raphe magnus decreased both the concentration of 5-HT and the accumulation of 5-HTP in these pituitary regions. Taken together these results suggest that electrical stimulation activated 5-HT fibers of passage which project to the neural and intermediate lobes and which originate in cell bodies caudal to the dorsal and median raphe nuclei. These perikarya may reside in the nucleus raphe pontis and/or raphe magnus. In contrast, neither electrical stimulation nor electrolytic lesioning of the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus altered 5-HTP accumulation in either the neural or intermediate lobe indicating that this nucleus does not contain the cell bodies of origin of 5-HT fibers in the pituitary gland.