cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absence of symmetry in superior articular facets on the first cervical vertebra in humans: implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Objective Little attention has been given to the craniovertebral articulations. Specifically, gross observations of variations of the superior articular facets on the atlas have not been described with respect to static and motion palpation findings. This study describes the anatomical variations of these facets and the clinical implications associated with asymmetrical structure. Design The superior articular facets of thirty human first cervical vertebrae were chosen for this study because the atlas constitutes the middle of the upper cervical complex and the atlanto-occipital joint contributes greatly to head movements. Setting The basic science research department of Logan College of Chiropractic, St. Louis, Missouri. SPECIMEN POPULATION: All available previously dissected anatomy laboratory and library specimens (30) were used in this study. All of the specimens were dry with intact facet surfaces and no regard was given to age, gender, or race. Interventions The atlases were studied out of situ and all soft tissue was removed so that the bony articular surfaces could be clearly viewed and photographed. Main outcome measures Palpation and unaided visual examination were performed on 30 atlases. The shape, size, angle, texture, border, and number of superior articular facets on each atlas were recorded to determine symmetry. Results The classically described kidney-shaped facet was in fact an infrequent finding. Upon comparison of right and left sides, none (0%) of the facets were mirror images of symmetry, while 19 of the atlases (63%) had grossly asymmetrical facets, and 11 of 30 atlases (37%) had facets which were only slightly asymmetrical in regard to shape, border, depth and angle. Furthermore, 7 of the 19 grossly asymmetrical atlases (37%) had three or four separate superior articular facets. Three atlases had two facets on the left and one on the right, while two atlases had two facets on the right with a single facet on the left, and two atlases had four superior facets (two on each side). Conclusion The validity of vertebral joint assessment based on the assumption of facet symmetry is challenged, impugning certain chiropractic theories and/or techniques which rely on symmetry as being "normal." To achieve symmetrical function, the anatomical structure must be symmetrical. Since true structural symmetry does not exist, true symmetry of segmental movement may not be possible.
Linking residency training effectiveness to clinical outcomes: a quality improvement approach.

Article-at-a-Glance Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)'s Outcome Project requires training programs to use external measures such as quality of care indicators to assess their effectiveness. A practical, quality improvement (QI) process was implemented at Henry Ford Hospital to enhance the training program's educational effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Methods A QI process consisting of a modified Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was applied to residency and fellowship curricula in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). The PDSA activities focused on improving clinical outcomess but also outlined educational goals for residents and fellows, defined teaching methods, and determined assessment methods for the ACGME curricula. The improvement process linked clinical outcomes to specific competency-based educational objectives. Residents and fellows received instruction on QI and applied the new curricula to their clinical training in the MICU. Results Two of seven MICU clinical outcomes demonstrated initial performance below national benchmarks: iatrogenic pneumothorax rate and sepsis-specific mortality. During the QI process, clinical outcomes in both areas improved. Training program directors used the MICU clinical outcomes as indicators of their programs' educational effectiveness. They also assessed individual trainee performance in QI initiatives through direct observation and review of their written summaries of these projects. Conclusions Training programs can use hospital-tracked clinical outcomes to analyze their educational strengths and weaknesses and accordingly to enhance their educational curricula. Linking competency-based learning objectives for trainees to the clinical outcomes of their patients can improve physician education and patient care.
Ligand-Binding Interactions and Stability

The reversible interaction or binding of ligands to biological macromolecules is fundamental to nearly every aspect of biochemistry and cell biology. Binding events typically do not occur in isolation in biochemistry, and are almost always coupled or linked to other reactions such as protonation changes, other ligand-binding interactions, structural transitions, and folding. It is rarely sufficient to simply state that something binds. An understanding of binding requires a measure of affinity, stoichiometry, and the contributions of linked reactions. Emphasis is placed here on defining binding and the influence of linkage on binding and stability using both spectroscopic and calorimetric data.
Pectus excavatum from a pediatric surgeon's perspective.

Historically, pectus excavatum (PE) was reported to be congenital, but in our experience only 22% are noticed in the first decade of life. Thus far, genetic studies support an autosomal recessive heritability, which coincides with only 40% of our patients having some positive family history, but is also contradictory given a constant sex ratio of 4:1 in favor of males. This inconsistency may be explained by the effect of more than one pectus disease-associated allele. Once the deformity is noticed, it tends to progress slowly until puberty, when rapid progression is often seen. We recommend surgical repair at around 12–14 years of age since the chest wall is still typically flexible and because this allows us to keep the bar in place as the patient progresses through puberty which may help decrease growth-related recurrences. Patients with mild to moderate PE are treated with therapeutic deep breathing, posturing, and aerobic exercises, and in appropriately selected patients, the vacuum bell may also be offered. Patients that have severe symptomatic PE are offered Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum (MIRPE). The surgical technique in children is similar to that of adults, except for the higher forces involved that often necessitate sternal elevation and more involved stabilization strategies. Postoperative management includes pain control, deep breathing, and early ambulation. Exercise restriction is mandatory for the first six weeks with slow resumption of normal activity after 12 weeks.
On the Determinants of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sub-Saharan African Health Systems: Beyond Sector-Specific Conditions and Factors

The paper reviews the efficiency and effectiveness of African health systems. In particular, the study computes efficiency and effectiveness scores and assesses the determinants of cross-country variations in efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency and effectiveness scores in the health sector are found to be associated with sector-specific and broader conditions and factors. The policy implication is that improving the degree with which resources are managed within the health sector, alone, will not deliver all the expected efficiency and effectiveness gains. This should be complemented and reinforced by the implementation of a much broader agenda of boosting economy-wide productivity.
Structural manifold analysis: A new method for dimensionality reduction based on a computational theory of human concept learning

A new non-parametric method for reducing the number of dimensions in binary and continuous data, and for measuring the complexity of binary and continuous datasets, is introduced. The method, named Structural Manifold Analysis (SMA), is based on “Generalized Invariance Structure Theory” [1–6], a theory that has been successful in characterizing and accurately predicting human concept learning and categorization performance. SMA is unique among data reduction and classification methods because it determines the degree of “diagnosticity” or classification potential of each of the dimensions in a multidimensional dataset up to a pre-specified discrimination resolution threshold. We compared SMA to five classical and recent dimensionality reductions methods using supervised and unsupervised classification techniques on 304 actual and simulated datasets. Overall, SMA performed as well as or better than any of the five methods tested while providing significant advantages over each.
PCI Choice: Cardiovascular clinicians’ perceptions of shared decision making in stable coronary artery disease

Abstract Objective Describe cardiovascular clinicians’ perceptions of Shared Decision Making following use of a decision aid (DA) for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) “PCI Choice”, in a randomized controlled trial. Methods We conducted a semi-structured qualitative interview study with cardiologists and physician extenders (n = 13) after using PCI Choice in practice. Interviews were transcribed then coded. Codes were organized into salient themes. Final themes were determined by consensus with all authors. Results Most clinicians (70%) had no prior knowledge of SDM or DAs. Mixed views about the role of the DA in the visit were related to misconceptions of how patient education differed from SDM. Qualitative assessment of clinician perceptions generated three themes: 1) Gaps exist in clinician knowledge around SDM; 2) Clinicians are often uncomfortable with modifying baseline practice; and 3) Clinicians express interest in using DAs after initial exposure within a research setting. Conclusions Use of DAs by clinicians during clinic visits may improve understanding of SDM. Initial use is marked by a reluctance to modify established practice patterns. Practice implications As clinicians explore new approaches to benefit their patients, there is an opportunity for DAs that provide clinician instruction on core elements of SDM to lead to enhanced SDM in clinical practice.
Failed Removal of Indwelling Urinary Catheters in Patients With Acute Stroke: Incidence and Risk Factors

Abstract Background Reducing the incidence of indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) use and early removal of the devices that are inserted are appropriate priorities for quality patient care. Just like symptomatic bacteriuria, failed catheter removal as a complication of IUC use is associated with considerable morbidity. In the ideal setting, patients who need IUCs have them, and patients who do not need them will have them removed safely, with the goal of reducing medical complications and facilitating the rehabilitation phase of care. Objective To determine the incidence of failed removal of IUCs and the factors associated with failed removal in persons hospitalized with acute stroke. Design Retrospective review of medical records and associated clinical data collection platforms. Setting Comprehensive stroke center at a tertiary care hospital. Patients The study cohort included 175 stroke patients admitted to the hospital and managed with IUCs. Mean age was 66.1 years (standard deviation=15), 55% were female. Methods Univariable and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Variables assessed included age, gender, race, duration of hospital stay, stroke subtype, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and 6-Clicks Scale, which is a measure of functional status. Main Outcome Measurements The dependent variable was occurrence of a failed attempt at removal of an IUC, defined as removal followed by a catheter reinsertion. Results During the study period, 175 of 432 patients with acute hospital admission for new stroke had an IUC removal event. Of these patients, 46 (26%) experienced a failed catheter removal. On univariate analysis, factors significantly associated with failed removal included presence of a hemorrhagic stroke ( P = .005), lower level of physical function (by 6-Clicks and NIHSS scores), hospital length of stay ( P P = .005). Bedside bladder ultrasound testing by nursing staff was used more frequently in the group of patients who had unsuccessful IUC removals (95% confidence interval 4.56-21.67, P P P = .001), and hemorrhagic stroke ( P = .009) were associated independently with failed catheter removal after adjustment for other clinical variables. Conclusions This single-site study identified a high incidence of failed urinary catheter removal in patients with stroke, along with factors associated with failed removal. This is the first step in developing a predictive model that could reduce the incidence of this adverse event. Policies, penalties, and protocols designed to reduce catheter days must be sensitive to the special situations in which IUCs are medically necessary and equal consideration given to identifying the patients for which catheter removal poses a greater risk than continued catheter use. Level of Evidence III
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Children

Abstract This article presents an overview of emergency department care for patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The pathophysiology and natural history of CRPS are explained, and multiple methods of diagnosis are also explored. A thorough background of the natural history of CRPS is given, and a table is included that outlines the stages of CRPS and how they can be used to understand how advanced the disease is. Treatment of CRPS and where to refer patients for continued and definitive treatment are described. In addition to physical therapy and pain psychology, multiple medication management strategies are also discussed.
A metric for characterization of two-dimensional spatial coherence

A metric is developed providing a quantitative measure of the two-dimensional spatial coherence of scattered fields. The metric is based on fitting a function similar to bivariate Gaussian to measured two-dimensional coherence surfaces. This function provides a robust fit to the measured data for a range of coherence lengths and surface asymmetries. Through an eigendecomposition of the bivariate Gaussian covariance matrix, it is possible to define surface orientation as well as coherence lengths along the major and minor axes. The metric is applied to normal-incidence scattering data collected in recent field trials at Seneca Lake, NY.
Effects of watershed and in-stream liming on macroinvertebrate communities in acidified tributaries to an Adirondack lake

Abstract Liming techniques are being explored as a means to accelerate the recovery of aquatic biota from decades of acid deposition in many regions. The preservation or restoration of native sportfish populations has typically been the impetus for liming programs, and as such, less attention has been given to its effects on other biological assemblages such as macroinvertebrates. Furthermore, the differing effects of various lime application strategies such as in-stream and watershed applications are not well understood. In 2012, a program was initiated using in-stream and aerial (whole-watershed) liming to improve water quality and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) recruitment in three acidified tributaries of a high-elevation Adirondack lake in New York State. Concurrently, macroinvertebrates were sampled annually between 2013 and 2016 at 3 treated sites and 3 untreated reference sites to assess the effects of each liming technique on this community. Despite improvements in water chemistry in all three limed streams, our results generally suggest that neither liming technique succeeded in improving the condition of macroinvertebrate communities. The watershed application caused an immediate and unsustained decrease in the density of macroinvertebrates and increase in the proportion of sensitive taxa. These changes were driven primarily by a one-year 71 percent reduction of the acid-tolerant Leuctra stoneflies and likely represent an initial chemistry shock from the lime application rather than a recovery response. The in-stream applications appeared to reduce the density of macroinvertebrates, particularly in one stream where undissolved lime covered the natural substrate. The close proximity of our study sites to the in-stream application points (50 and 1230 m) may partly explain these negative effects. Our results are consistent with prior studies of in-stream liming which indicate that this technique often fails to restore macroinvertebrate communities to a pre-acidification condition, especially at distances
Electronic cigarettes for adults with tobacco dependence enrolled in a tobacco treatment program: A pilot study.

Abstract Introduction Electronic cigarettes (ECs) have emerged as a potential harm-reducing alternative for tobacco smokers. However, the role ECs might play in treatment settings is unclear. We conducted an exploratory study of treatment-seeking smokers enrolling in a standard tobacco treatment program who were provided with either a nicotine or non-nicotine EC to use as needed to cease tobacco smoking. Methods Treatment-seeking smokers received standard tobacco treatment for 8 weeks and were given nicotine transdermal patch therapy, behavioral counseling, and either a nicotine or non-nicotine EC to use as needed. Smoking and EC use patterns were tracked longitudinally to week 24. Results 40 subjects were enrolled into the study. At week 24, 6 subjects (15%) were abstinent, and the mean reduction in reported cigarettes smoked per day was 6.8 ± 12. There were no significant differences in smoking outcomes between those who received a nicotine or non-nicotine EC (proportion abstinent at 24 weeks: nicotine EC = 4/20 (20%); non-nicotine EC = 2/20 (10%); p = 0.66). Among subjects assessed at follow-up, 62.5% were EC non-users. Conclusions The addition of a 2nd generation EC to outpatient tobacco treatment among tobacco smokers is feasible. Among those who quit smoking, half were still using the EC at 6-month follow-up. Appeal of the EC among smokers was variable, and those who had quit smoking tended to switch to lower strength nicotine solutions. Further research is needed to determine whether ECs can reduce harm and be an effective adjunct to existing tobacco treatment interventions.
The New Bohemia as Urban Institution

Bohemia, the colorful intersection of place, lifestyle, and artistic imagination, is rooted in the urban revolutions of 19th century Paris, and has proven to be a durable and transposable tradition...
Leveraging Real-World Evidence Derived from Patient Registries for Premarket Medical Device Regulatory Decision-Making

ABSTRACTIn this era of “Big Data,” there are many sources of real-world healthcare data that could be leveraged in clinical research in the regulatory environment. While such large quantities of data reflect real-world clinical practice and may potentially be used to reduce the cost or time of conducting clinical research, challenges arise concerning using real-world evidence derived from real-world data to inform or support premarket regulatory decision-making for medical devices. This article discusses such opportunities and challenges from statistical and regulatory perspectives with an emphasis on the use of real-world evidence derived from high-quality national and international patient registries.
Child Welfare Interviews at School: A Review of Statues and Policies

Child welfare investigators have come to expect access to interview children at school as a means to ensure their own safety. Court cases have questioned if interviews at school without a warrant, court order, exigent circumstances, or parental consent violates the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights of child and parents. This review paper uses the 2011 Supreme Court case, Camreta v. Greene, to set the stage for the need to conduct a review of relevant statutes and policies from all 50 states that regulate interviews at schools. Guidelines with variation in the amount of detail offered by each state leaves a need for further examination of what are best practice standards for child welfare investigators who interview children at school.
A robust model of brackish water electrodialysis desalination with experimental comparison at different size scales

Abstract This paper presents a robust analytical model for brackish water desalination using electrodialysis (ED), with prediction of the desalination rate, limiting current density, and total energy use including pumping energy. Several assumptions reduce computation time and accurately model ED system behavior. The predicted desalination rate, limiting current density, and total energy usage agree with measurements across two diverse ED stack designs, differing in total membrane area (0.18 m2, 37.1 m2), membrane manufacturers (GE Water, PCA GmbH), and flow channel spacers. The commercial-scale stack was additionally tested with real groundwater, demonstrating that brackish groundwater may be modeled as an equivalent concentration NaCl solution. Sensitivity to the membrane diffusion coefficient, area available for ion transport, level of discretization along the flow channel length, boundary layer and membrane resistances, and water transport are analyzed to guide empirical characterization when higher accuracy is required. No single existing model for pressure drop in the membrane spacers could accurately predict pumping power in both stacks. One model for each stack was found to reasonably approximate pressure drop, however experimental validation of specific spacer designs is recommended. The fully quantitative, parametric description of electrodialysis behavior presented forms a useful tool to design, evaluate, and optimize ED systems.
Postoperative medical management

• A common and frustrating dilemma associated with sinus surgery is scarring between the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall.
Metal-Modified Carbide Anode Electrocatalysts

Fuel cells are being extensively studied to help ease the potential energy crisis. There have been many recent advances in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). These devices have shown promise for portable power applications because of the high gravimetric energy density of methanol. One major limitation of the technology is its extensive use of platinum in its anode catalyst. This chapter will provide a review of the work done to eliminate or significantly decrease the amount of platinum in DMFC catalysts by replacing platinum with tungsten monocarbide (WC) and monolayer coverages of platinum or palladium on WC.
It is in the numbers: How market orientation impacts journalists’ use of news metrics:

This study examines how market orientation affects the use of web analytics in newsrooms. The researcher conducted 57 in-depth interviews with journalists working full time in United States-based n...
Somatic Health Issues in Trauma-Related Disorders: Effects on Psychobiological Axes Affecting Mental and Physical Health

Psychological trauma is common and can have long-lasting deleterious effects on mental and physical health. Childhood adversity and maltreatment, as well as adult exposures to interpersonal violence, accidents and disasters, and other life-threatening medical events, such as myocardial infarcts can all be associated with psychological trauma, as can even lifesaving medical procedures such as surgeries and intensive care unit stays. Exposure to trauma in childhood and as adults is associated with increased risk for psychiatric morbidity, in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but also increased rates of depression and anxiety disorders. It has long been appreciated that PTSD has substantial comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, including in depression and substance use disorders, and there is also accumulating evidence that childhood adversity, adult trauma exposure, and PTSD all have considerable somatic health consequences and are associated with increased disease risk and increased medical morbidity and mortality. These include conditions often associated with somatization and psychiatric morbidity, such as irritable bowel disorder, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain disorders, but also more common medical disorders such as coronary artery disorder, atherosclerosis, cancer, and stroke. Trauma exposure and PTSD are associated with increased levels of health risk behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, poor diet, and physical activity, as well as increased body mass index (BMI) and rates of obesity; PTSD is also associated with poorer medical compliance and healthcare utilization. All of these at-risk health behaviors likely contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality associated with trauma exposure and PTSD. It is possible that, in addition, specific physiological processes related to trauma exposure and PTSD may also contribute to disease processes and increase morbidity. This chapter will review evidence linking trauma and PTSD to several psychobiological processes or “axes” that may contribute and/or mediate increased morbidity. Long-term effects of trauma and PTSD are presumably mediated and maintained by alterations on the brain/central nervous system (CNS) that then lead to alterations in output and activity of peripheral nervous system and autonomic as well as neuroendocrine systems that then effect changes on peripheral physiological processes such as cardiovascular function, immune function, and metabolism that lead to increased pathophysiological processes and disease risk. This chapter will review evidence of effects of trauma and PTSD on specific CNS functions that may be associated with “downstream” pathological processes, as well as evidence of effects of trauma and PTSD on the sympathetic autonomic system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and immune function (in particular, inflammatory processes), all of which could contribute and/or mediate effects of trauma and PTSD on medical morbidity.
Edible bacteriophage based antimicrobial coating on fish feed for enhanced treatment of bacterial infections in aquaculture industry

Abstract As the fastest growing food-producing industry in the world, aquaculture industries frequently suffer from the outbreaks of various bacterial diseases. There is a need to develop alternatives to antibiotics to address the challenge of bacterial infections without using conventional antibiotics. This study developed a bacteriophage based edible antimicrobial coatings on fish feed, providing an effective biological control strategy for treating fish and human pathogens in an aquaculture system. The edible whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings were effective in enhancing loading of phages on fish feed pellets and reducing the loss of phage activity during storage of feed. The feasibility of both dip coating and air-brush spray coating methods were demonstrated in this study. The edible coatings decreased the release of phages in salt water by >1 log PFU/pellet after 2-h exposure as compared to control coatings on feed without the biopolymer coatings. The simulated gastric-intestinal digestion assay demonstrates that this coating provides enhanced stability of phages in a simulated gastric environment and a significant bacterial reduction (3–5 logs of target bacteria) in a simulated intestinal digestion. These antimicrobial activity results were demonstrated using a model bacterium (E. coli) and a fish pathogen (Vibrio spp.). Overall, the results show that phage incorporated WPI coatings on fish feed can be an effective approach for enhancing the treatment fish infections, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture environment, and improving the safety and sustainability of aquaculture industry.
2018 Jack Kenney Award for Outstanding Service.

On April 30, 2010, Jack Kenney retired from the ASM Journals Department after 25 years of service. He served as the production editor for the Journal of Bacteriology for the last 13 of those years. I worked with Jack for almost 10 years. He was an especially gifted production editor; he solved
Revitalising language through music: a case study of music and culturally grounded pedagogy in two Kanien’ke:ha (Mohawk) language immersion programmes

Since the 1990s scholars, teachers, and policy makers have debated over the importance of culturally grounded or culture-based education (CBE) approaches in primary and secondary programmes. For In...
The Microbiome in Health and Disease

Abstract This article considers the human microbiome—the collective genetic material of the microbes that live on and in the human body—and its relationships to human health and disease. The article begins by reflecting on the technologies, both hardware and software, that have made possible the explosion of explorations of the human microbiome over the last decade. The article then reflects on the microbiome of four body sites: the skin, the vagina, the oral cavity, and the gut, and the contribution of the microbiome to health and disease in these four areas of the body. Major diseases of these areas in which the microbiome has a major role are discussed, including acne, atopic dermatitis, wound healing, bacterial vaginosis, Alzheimer's disease, preterm birth, periodontal disease, dental caries, metabolic disorders, and obesity. Linkages between the microbiome and inflammatory processes are described throughout these discussions. This article concludes with a short description of possible research avenues for applications of the strategies and systems biology tools to further elucidate the role of the human microbiome in health and disease.
Schelling’s Pauline Anthropology

What is usually known as Schelling’s late thought, the system of negative and positive philosophy, is marked by a deep engagement with the question of the religious—and with Christianity in particular. Yet ironically, this does not mean that Schelling is in any immediate sense a resource for the project of developing a religious ethics, if what is meant by such an ethics is the articulation, evaluation, and prescription of moral norms such as might be provided by Christian scripture. Schelling instead mounts a fundamental critique of the possibility of such an ethical project, and does so, one might say, precisely in the name of Christianity. For ethics for Schelling is necessarily a question of universal moral norms imposed by reason upon itself; but the universality of this moral law is such that it cannot account for what in us touches most closely, and stands most in need, of the divine: our non-universalizable personhood. In a philosophical recasting of Paul’s critique of the Law, Schelling attempts to show how only as free persons searching for a free God can we hope to establish a religious bond as an actual and historical force. Schelling’s Pauline anthropology thus allows him to show how negative philosophy, as the project of knowing God as the sum total of reality by a priori reason, ends in the need for a God outside of the mere concept, a God as the history of religious consciousness may give us hope there is.
Turning Points and Classification

Economic time-series data is commonly categorized into a discrete number of persistent regimes. I survey a variety of approaches for real-time prediction of these regimes and the turning points between them, where these predictions are formed in a data-rich environment. I place particular emphasis on supervised machine learning classification techniques that are common to the statistical classification literature, but have only recently begun to be widely used in economics. I also survey Markov-switching models, which are often used for unsupervised classification of economic data. The approaches surveyed are computationally feasible when applied to large datasets, and the machine learning algorithms employ regularization and cross-validation to prevent overfitting in the face of many predictors. A subset of the approaches conduct model selection automatically in forming predictions. I present an application to real-time identification of US business cycle turning points based on a wide dataset of 136 macroeconomic and financial time series.
Network-Based Group Account Classification

We propose a classification method for group vs. individual accounts on Twitter, based solely on communication network characteristics. While such a language-agnostic, network-based approach has been used in the past, this paper motivates the task from firmly established theories of human interactional constraints from cognitive science to sociology. Time, cognitive, and social role constraints limit the extent to which individuals can maintain social ties. These constraints are expressed in observable network metrics at the node (i.e. account) level which we identify and exploit for inferring group accounts.
Splenic abscess as a rare presentation of blastomycosis.

An 18-year-old man with no significant medical history was admitted to an academic medical centre in the state of Iowa, USA, with a 1-day history of left upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever. Seven months prior to the admission, he developed cough, fever and malaise and involuntarily lost 14 kg
Chapter 50 – Theophylline

Publisher Summary Theophylline remains one of the most widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide, since it is inexpensive and widely available. The frequency of side-effects at the previously recommended doses and the relatively low efficacy of theophylline have recently led to reduced usage, since inhaled β2-agonists are far more effective as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids have a greater anti-inflammatory effect. Despite the fact that theophylline has been used in asthma therapy for over 70 years, there is still considerable uncertainty about its molecular mode of action in asthma and its logical place in therapy. Theophylline is a methylxanthine similar in structure to the common dietary xanthines caffeine and theobromine. Many salts of theophylline have also been marketed, the most common being aminophylline, the ethylene diamine salt used to increase solubility at neutral pH, so that intravenous administration is possible. Theophylline has several cellular effects that may contribute to its clinical efficacy in the treatment of asthma. The primary effect of theophylline is assumed to be the relaxation of airway smooth muscle. It is suggested that theophylline may exert its effects in asthma via some action outside the airways. It may be relevant that theophylline is ineffective when given by inhalation until therapeutic plasma concentrations are achieved. The molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects of theophylline is now becoming clearer, and it seems likely that there is a synergistic interaction with the anti-inflammatory mechanism of corticosteroids through restoration of HDAC activity. This interaction may underlie the beneficial effects of theophylline when added to inhaled corticosteroids. This may be particularly appropriate in patients with more severe asthma in whom corticosteroids are less effective as there may be a reduction in HDAC activity in these patients as well as in smoking asthmatics patients and patients with COPD.
Shortened immunotherapy dose-escalation saves time, but is it safe? A case-control study comparing the rates of adverse reactions between conventional and fast-escalation subcutaneous immunotherapy protocols during the induction phase.

BACKGROUND Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only intervention believed to change the course of atopic diseases. As dogs appear to have fewer severe adverse events (AEs) compared to people receiving AIT, a prolonged dose-escalation induction phase might not be needed. OBJECTIVES To report the incidence and characteristics of AEs induced by a fast-escalation subcutaneous immunotherapy (f-SCIT) protocol compared to a conventional (c-SCIT) regimen. ANIMALS One hundred dogs treated with either f- SCIT (Centre 1, 50 dogs) or c-SCIT (Centre 2, 50 dogs). METHODS AND MATERIALS A case-control study retrospectively evaluating AEs during the induction of AIT. We determined the incidence and type of AEs in each SCIT group; we also assessed factors such as self-limitation and the need for AE-associated protocol changes. RESULTS Twelve of 100 dogs (12%) developed a SCIT-attributable AE during the induction phase, with one dog having a local and 11 having systemic reactions (nine Grade I, two Grade II, none of grades III or IV). Dogs treated with the f-SCIT had a significantly higher rate of AEs (11 of 50; 22%) compared to those receiving the c-SCIT (one of 50; 2%). Most of the AEs (10 of 11; 91%) in the f-SCIT group were mild and self-limiting. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The induction phase of f-SCIT is simpler, and the maintenance phase is reached faster than that of the c-SCIT. Despite its higher rate of AEs than with the c-SCIT regimen, the majority of f-SCIT-associated AEs were mild and self-limiting. Whether or not this f-SCIT protocol leads to a faster time-to-efficacy needs to be determined.
Dynamics of spheroids in an unbound quadratic flow of a general second-order fluid

This work employs the second-order fluid model to investigate the effect of first and second normal stresses on the motion of spheroidal particles in unbound parabolic flows, where particles migrate toward the flow center. We specifically examine the effects of fluid Weissenberg number Wi and the ratio of normal stress coefficients α = ψ2/ψ1. Previous works have considered the motion of spheroidal particles in the co-rotational limit (α = −0.5), where the effect of fluid viscoelasticity is to modify the fluid pressure but not the shear stresses. Here, we examine all ranges of α that are found for functional complex fluids such as dilute polymer solutions, emulsions, and particulate suspensions and determine how viscoelastic shear stresses alter particle migration. We use perturbation theory and the Lorentz reciprocal theorem to derive the O(Wi) corrections to the translational and rotational velocities of a freely suspended spheroid in an unbound tube or slit flow. Our results show that for both prolate and oblate particles, the viscoelasticity characterized by α significantly affects the particle cross-stream migration, but does not qualitatively change the trends seen in the co-rotational limit (α = −0.5). For a range of α (−0.9 ≤ α ≤ 0) investigated in this work, particles possess the largest mobility when α = −0.9 and smallest mobility when α = 0. Although α does not alter particle rotation at a given shear rate, we observe significant changes in particle orientation during migration toward the flow center because changes in migration speed give rise to particles experiencing different shear histories.
Reconstruction of Bilateral Mandibular Condyles Using a Single Vascularized Fibula.

Patients with end-stage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology present with loss of vertical ramus height with resulting retrognathia, anterior open bite, and restricted jaw function requiring joint reconstruction. Costochondral grafts, long considered the gold standard for TMJ reconstruction, carry risks of bony ankylosis and resorption. Custom-made alloplastic TMJ prostheses show excellent objective and subjective outcomes but are also associated with complications such as infection or metal sensitivity, and necessitate hardware explantation in some cases. Revision surgeries are rare but present a real challenge. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman with longstanding TMJ arthritis, having undergone many surgical procedures to her TMJ, including explantation of failed alloplastic replacement, who presented with bilateral facial weakness as well as difficulty chewing and swallowing food. She had class II malocclusion with retrodisplacement of her mandible and anterior open bite, and moderate trismus with an inter-incisal opening of only 15 mm, consistent with fibrous ankylosis. After weighing all the reconstructive options, bilateral mandibular condyle and ramus reconstruction with a single fibula free flap (FFF) was planned with the use of preoperative virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D-printing of osteotomy and repositioning guides. A 2-team approach increases efficiency of the procedure and decreases operative time. The procedure and postoperative recovery were uncomplicated, and at her 2-month follow-up, she had increased range of motion and maintained the planned position of her mandible. Her masticatory function and deglutition were also improved due to the correction of her malocclusion and repair of her anterior open bite.
Identifying the Optimal case-volume threshold for pancreatectomy in contemporary practice

Abstract Background The volume-mortality association led to regionalization recommendations for pancreatic surgery. Mortality following pancreatectomy has declined, but case-volume thresholds remain unchanged. Methods Patients undergoing pancreatectomy from 2004 to 2013 were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Hospitals were divided into low (LV), medium (MV), and high-volume (HV) strata using 30-day mortality quartiles and logistic regression with cubic splines. Adjusted absolute difference and odds of 30-day mortality between strata were calculated. Results Annual volumes for LV, MV, and HV were 18 cases using quartiles and 18 using cubic splines. Absolute 30-day mortality trended downwards, with differential improvements for MV and LV. Benchmark 30-day mortality for hospitals with >18 cases was 2.8%. For this benchmark, the case-volume threshold decreased from 31 in 2004 to 6 in 2013. Conclusion Differential improvement in 30-day mortality at LV and MV hospitals led to similar 30-day mortality odds at MV and HV hospitals by 2013.
Feeding to Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint is a new area for dairy managers, veterinarians, environmentalists, and consumers. Government and industry groups have agreed to reduce the dairy carbon footprint by 20%. While controversy surrounds these discussions, it is a win-win situation for dairy producers and the environment. Dairy managers benefit by capturing more carbon as an energy source for their dairy cattle. An important concept is to express carbon footprint as the amount per unit of product (pounds of milk or milk solids). Three areas will be discussed in the presentation. Feed efficiency provides economic and viable comparisons, monitoring pounds of milk produced per pound of dry matter consumed. Feed efficiency can be calculated and evaluated using on-farm measured values to calculate an adjusted feed efficiency. Feeding strategies and rumen modifiers can reduce the level of methane reducing the dairy farm footprint. Dairy heifer feeding programs that reduce dry matter intake while maintaining growth and optimizing age at first calving can reduce their carbon footprint.
The LROSE Science Gateway: One-Stop Shop for Weather Data, Analysis, and Expert Advice

Nexrad data along with software to convert between binary formats, perform quality control, analyze, and visualize the data are all public and open for access and download. What is missing is the knowledge of how to use the available components with reproducible results. A science gateway provides a web-based platform to bring all the components together. Where a novice can learn from experts, and where expert researchers can customize software tools for atmospheric science.
Epigenetic pathways in PTSD

Abstract Body Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are critical for translational research due to their close genetic, physiological, and behavioral similarity to humans. In particular, higher brain functions depend on brain regions and neural circuits that evolved differently between primates and rodents. Thus, NHPs are a strong translational model system to investigate the pathophysiology and relevant biological correlates of mental disorders. This talk will focus on translational approaches leveraging NHP models to advance our understanding of environmentally induced epigenetic changes in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Environmental factors including early life stress significantly contribute to risk and resilience for psychiatric disorders including PTSD. However, human studies are often confounded, and it remains challenging to identify robust epigenetic signals in clinical populations even in large studies. We investigate the natural spectrum of behavioral phenotypes in rhesus macaques to complement human studies with a focus on stress and fear. This talk will present data on epigenetic signatures of fear and the effects of early life stress in rhesus monkeys and their relationship to human studies. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Tuning Cobalt(III) Schiff Base Complexes as Activated Protein Inhibitors

Cobalt(III) Schiff base complexes ([Co(acacen)(L)2]+, where L = NH3) inhibit histidine-containing proteins through dissociative exchange of the labile axial ligands (L). This work investigates axial ligand exchange dynamics of [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes toward the development of protein inhibitors that are activated by external triggers such as light irradiation. We sought to investigate ligand exchange dynamics to design a Co(III) complex that is substitutionally inert under normal physiological conditions for selective activation. Fluorescent imidazoles (C3Im) were prepared as axial ligands in [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ to produce complexes (CoC3Im) that could report on ligand exchange and, thus, complex stability. These fluorescent imidazole reporters guided the design of a new dinuclear Co(III) Schiff base complex containing bridging diimidazole ligands, which exhibits enhanced stability to ligand exchange with competing imidazoles and to hydrolysis within a biologically relevant pH range. These studies infor...
EFFECT OF ADJUVANTS ON ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF RABBITS INOCULATED WITH VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS

Shepel, Michael (U.S. Army Biological Laboratories, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.) and Maxwell R. Klugerman. Effect of adjuvants on antibody response of rabbits inoculated with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus. J. Bacteriol. 85:1150–1155. 1963.—Hemagglutination-inhibition, neutralization, and complement-fixation tests were performed on sera of rabbits inoculated with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus in combination with Freund's adjuvants and in Hank's salt solution. This study indicated that the complete adjuvants (i.e., with mycobacteria) considerably increased the antibody response to VEE virus. Mycobacterium butyricum (M. smegmatis) appeared to be more effective than M. tuberculosis H37Ra. In the absence of mycobacteria, the response was much less pronounced. Paper electrophoretic studies of the antisera demonstrated a marked increase in gamma-globulin production, an increase in the beta-globulin, and an increase in total protein as the result of adding VEE virus to the complete adjuvants. A decrease in the albumin fraction appeared to be caused by the complete adjuvants rather than by the VEE virus itself. The incomplete adjuvant (without mycobacteria) plus virus contributed little, if any, stimulation toward the production of gamma-globulin, nor did it appear to affect the serum-albumin levels.
30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, by K. Pillemer

It is a rare opportunity that a book can give the reader a panoramic view of life's continuum from start to finish, complete with all the details in the middle. Karl Pillemer's book, 30 Lessons for...