cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further Evidence for Neurotensin-Dopamine Interactions in the Central Nervous System

One of the most exciting recent developments in neuroscience has been the discovery that classical neurotransmitters are not the only information-carrying substances in the central nervous system (CNS). More than fifty peptide neurotransmitter or neuromodulatory substances including substance P, cholecystokinin, the enkephalins, and neurotensin (NT) have been observed to interact with and modify the activity of dopamine (DA) neurons. The interaction between the endogenous, tridecapeptide NT, and the classical catecholamine, neurotransmitter, DA, has been of particular interest, as these two systems may be integrally involved in the pathogenesis of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g. schizophrenia, as well as in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs. Since the isolation and characterization of NT by Carraway and Leeman (1973), considerable progress has been made towards elucidating the role of this neuropeptide in the regulation of DA neuronal activity (for extensive review see: Nemeroff, 1986). This chapter focuses on interactions of NT and DA in the CNS, with emphasis on the effects of centrally administered NT, as well as the clinical implications of this interaction. Recent findings from this and other laboratories are highlighted.
Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Standardbreds: Effect of Age and Acute Exercise Before and After Training

Abstract The hypothesis of this study was that yearlings would have higher levels of oxidative stress in the blood and muscle as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH-T), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nitric oxide (NO), cortisol, and creatine kinase (CK) than mares after a single bout of intense exercise; after training, the horses would have similar levels of oxidative stress after a second bout of intense exercise. Ten Standardbred fillies (18 ± 2.4 months) and 10 Standardbred mares (13 ± 2.1 years) ran a repeated sprints exercise test (RSET1) on a treadmill before (RSET1) and after (RSET2) 8 weeks of training. Blood and muscle samples were taken before, during, and after each RSET. Blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit (Hct), total protein (TP), MDA, NO, GPx, GSH-T, cortisol, and CK; muscle samples were analyzed for MDA, NO, GPx, and GSH-T. Analyses were done in the context of a linear mixed model, and data are presented as mean ± SE (P
Post Resection Electro-corticography Predicts Seizure Outcome - A Multivariate Logistic Analysis (P6.339)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate post-resection ECoG spikes with respect to location of the epilepsy, presence of an obvious lesion, and duration of the epilepsy and determine the predictive assessment after epilepsy surgery. BACKGROUND: Electrocorticogophy(ECoG) elucidates the characteristics and the extent of the epileptogenic zone or eloquent cortex. Utility of post resection ECoG recordings in predicting outcome or guiding additional resection in epilepsy surgery is unclear. METHODS: From a prospectively compiled database of 195 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery by a single surgeon at the University of Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, six-month postoperative data was compiled for patients 18 years and older. Independent variables included post-resection ECoG (0=no discharges, 1=subtle or rare discharges 2=significant discharges), age of onset of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, resection type (1=mesial temporal, 2=temporal neocortical and 3=extra-temporal) and pathology type (1=cavernoma/tumor, 2=mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS)/focal cortical dysplasia(FCD), 3=gliosis/heterotopic neurons/encephalomalacia). An ordered logistic regression analysis was used to predict seizure outcome as measured by the ILAE(International League Against Epilepsy) scale was performed. RESULTS: Of the 75 patients included in the analysis, there were 52 (69.3%) mesial temporal lobe surgeries, 7 (9.3%) temporal neocortical only surgeries and 16 (21.3%) extra temporal neocortical cases. Pathology identified 15 cases of cavernoma/tumor, 40 cases of MTS/ FCD, and 20 cases of other non-specific pathologies such as gliosis/encephalomalacia. Logistic regression model incorporating these variables revealed that nonspecific pathologies categorized in group 3 (gliosis/ heterotopias/ encephalomalacias) > MTS/FCD > defined lesions categorized in group 1 (such as tumor/cavernoma) predicted a higher i.e. worse ILAE outcome score (OR=1.65(1.29; 5.46). Post resection spikes significant > rare >none predicted higher ILAE outcome score (OR=1.91(1.08; 3.38). CONCLUSIONS: Pathology predicts outcome after epilepsy surgery. Nonspecific pathologies such as gliosis and post-resection spike discharges predicted worse outcome after epilepsy surgery. The location of surgery did not predict outcomes after epilepsy surgery. Disclosure: Dr. Krish has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hope has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kalamangalam has nothing to disclose. Dr. Slater has received personal compensation for activities with Cyberonics, Novartis, Ortho, and UCB Pharma. Dr. Tandon has nothing to disclose.
Utilization Trends and Short-term Outcomes of Robotic Versus Open Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

Objective To compare utilization trends and short-term outcomes of robotic versus open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer since the introduction of the robotic modifier (ICD-9 17.4x). Materials and Methods Using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database, an all-payer administrative system on all hospital discharges in New York State, we identified patients undergoing radical cystectomy (57.71) with a diagnosis of bladder cancer (188.0-188.9, 233.7, 236.7) from October 2008 to December 2012. Primary outcomes were inpatient complications and mortality at index stay. Results Of the 2525 patients, 24.2% (610 of 2525) underwent robotic and 75.8% (1915 of 2525) underwent open radical cystectomy. The proportion of robotic cases increased from 19.9% (119 of 597) in 2009 to 28.9% (173 of 598) in 2012 (P < .05). From 2009 to 2012, the number of open surgeons decreased from 117 to 109, and that of robotic increased from 56 to 66. Robotic patients had lower approach-specific surgeon and hospital volume, and more likely underwent lymph node dissection, ileal conduit diversion, blood transfusion, and prolonged length of stay. On multivariate analysis, robotic approach conferred a reduced risk of blood transfusion (odds ratio: 0.600, 95% confidence interval: 0.492-0.732, P < .0005) but had no association with prolonged length of stay. There were no significant differences in inpatient complications or mortality at index stay, parenteral nutrition, length of stay, hospital charges, readmission rates up to 90 days, or mortality up to 90 days between the surgical approaches. Conclusion Despite the rapid dissemination and more recent experience of robotic radical cystectomy, we report lower rates of blood transfusion and otherwise similar short-term outcomes with open radical cystectomy.
Current cell models for bioengineering salivary glands

Saliva is critical for sustaining oral health. Patients with salivary gland hypofunction (symptomatically, xerostomia) have difficulties in basic oral functions such as chewing, tasting, and swallowing foods. Additionally, they suffer from caries, periodontal disease, and a variety of microbial infections. Salivary flow has been significantly improved through the use of gene therapies and secretory agonists, thereby mitigating dry mouth symptoms. However, scientific advancements in the area of clinically applied implants are needed to more fully restore compromised salivary gland function. In this book chapter, we will evaluate the advantages and limitations of commonly used salivary cell lines. Furthermore, we will summarize ongoing studies on current salivary cell isolation methods and cell culture techniques using different biomaterials. Then, we will describe the use of stem, progenitor, and acinar cells as candidates for salivary gland regeneration and bioengineering studies. Finally, we will highlight the use of scaffolds for growing salivary glands in vitro. Together, these studies represent the state of the art and trends in the emerging field of salivary gland bioengineering.
Rapid isolation of blood plasma using a cascaded inertial microfluidic device.

Blood, saliva, mucus, sweat, sputum, and other biological fluids are often hindered in their ability to be used in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics because their assays require some form of off-site sample pre-preparation to effectively separate biomarkers from larger components such as cells. The rapid isolation, identification, and quantification of proteins and other small molecules circulating in the blood plasma from larger interfering molecules are therefore particularly important factors for optical blood diagnostic tests, in particular, when using optical approaches that incur spectroscopic interference from hemoglobin-rich red blood cells (RBCs). In this work, a sequential spiral polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device for rapid (∼1 min) on-chip blood cell separation is presented. The chip utilizes Dean-force induced migration via two 5-loop Archimedean spirals in series. The chip was characterized in its ability to filter solutions containing fluorescent beads and silver nanoparticles and further using blood solutions doped with a fluorescent protein. Through these experiments, both cellular and small molecule behaviors in the chip were assessed. The results exhibit an average RBC separation efficiency of ∼99% at a rate of 5.2 × 106 cells per second while retaining 95% of plasma components. This chip is uniquely suited for integration within a larger point-of-care diagnostic system for the testing of blood plasma, and the use of multiple filtering spirals allows for the tuning of filtering steps, making this device and the underlying technique applicable for a wide range of separation applications.
Early Weight Loss Independent Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Diet-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction in Obese, Wistar Rats.

Introduction Several reports suggest that bariatric surgery significantly improves cardiac function in patients with obesity cardiomyopathy. The mechanism is unknown but may be due to weight-loss independent factors. We predict that the changes in gastrointestinal anatomy after a rodent model of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) will have weight-loss independent effects on cardiac dysfunction.
An Accessibility Evaluation of Social Media Through Mobile Device for Elderly

Elderly adults aged 65 years and older are considered the smallest age group among social media users due to age-related impairments and lack of technology comprehension. This paper presents a literature review and preliminary evaluation regarding the accessibility and usability issues experienced by elderly adults accessing social media through a mobile platform. The preliminary evaluation of five mobile apps using general accessibility and usability guidelines showed that there were problems with the color contrast and small button size in most of the mobile apps evaluated. In addition, pilot accessibility and usability test with the two elderly participants indicated the need for training for the elderly. Recommendations for future research directions were also presented.
The effect of preprocessing in dynamic functional network connectivity used to classify mild traumatic brain injury.

Introduction Dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC), derived from magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), is an important technique in the search for biomarkers of brain diseases such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). At the individual level, mTBI can affect cognitive functions and change personality traits. Previous research aimed at detecting significant changes in the dFNC of mTBI subjects. However, one of the main concerns in dFNC analysis is the appropriateness of methods used to correct for subject movement. In this work, we focus on the effect that rearranging movement correction at different points of the processing pipeline has in dFNC analysis utilizing mTBI data. Methods The sample cohort consists of 50 mTBI patients and matched healthy controls. A 5-min resting-state run was completed by each participant. Data were preprocessed using different pipeline alternatives varying with the place where motion-related variance was removed. In all pipelines, group-independent component analysis (gICA) followed by dFNC analysis was performed. Additional tests were performed varying the detection of temporal spikes, the number of gICA components, and the sliding-window size. A linear support vector machine was used to test how each pipeline affects classification accuracy. Results Results suggest that correction for motion variance before spatial smoothing, but leaving correction for spiky time courses after gICA produced the best mean classification performance. The number of gICA components and the sliding-window size were also important in determining classification performance. Variance in spikes correction affected some pipelines more than others with fewer significant differences than the other parameters. Conclusion The sequence of preprocessing steps motion regression, smoothing, gICA, and despiking produced data most suitable for differentiating mTBI from healthy subjects. However, the selection of optimal preprocessing parameters strongly affected the final results.
Q-matrix: an algebraic formulation for the analysis and visual characterization of network graphs

Given an undirected network, we describe a two-dimensional graphical measure based on the connected component distribution of its degree-limited subgraphs. This process yields an unambiguous visual portrait, which reveals important network properties. It can be used as a classification tool, as graphs from related application areas have striking similarities. It can also be used as an efficient algorithm to demonstrate graph non-isomorphism for large graphs with identical degree distributions. Finally, it can be used as an analysis tool to help distinguish real-world networks from their synthetic counterparts.
Mammary Gland Morphogenesis and Function during Pregnancy

Chapter Summary In response to progesterone and prolactin, the murine mammary epithelium executes an accelerated proliferative program that is required to generate numerous ductal side branches and alveoli during early pregnancy. With prolactin exposure later in pregnancy, alveolar epithelial cells differentiate to enable the synthesis and secretion of enough milk components to meet the nutritional demands of an average litter size. Termination of the suckling stimulus at weaning triggers regression of the alveolar-ductal network through proteinase- and apoptotic-mediated remodeling steps, collectively termed involution. Following postlactational involution, the remodeling of the mammary gland to a ductal structure similar to that of the prepregnant mouse completes this mammary cycle of development. The fact that the mammary gland can enter this developmental cycle with each successive pregnancy strongly supports the existence of a resident mammary stem cell.
How to grow more pairs: suggesting review targets for comparison-friendly review ecosystems

We consider the algorithmic challenges behind a novel interface that simplifies consumer research of online reviews by surfacing relevant comparable review bundles: reviews for two or more of the items being researched, all generated in similar enough circumstances to provide for easy comparison. This can be reviews by the same reviewer, or by the same demographic category of reviewer, or reviews focusing on the same aspect of the items. But such an interface will work only if the review ecosystem often has comparable review bundles for common research tasks. Here, we develop and evaluate practical algorithms for suggesting additional review targets to reviewers to maximize comparable pair coverage, the fraction of co-researched pairs of items that have both been reviewed by the same reviewer (or more generally are comparable in one of several ways). We show the exact problem and many subcases to be intractable, and give a greedy online, linear-time 2-approximation for a very general setting, and an offline 1.583-approximation for a narrower setting. We evaluate the algorithms on the Google+ Local reviews dataset, yielding more than 10x gain in pair coverage from six months of simulated replacement of existing reviews by suggested reviews. Even allowing for 90% of reviewers ignoring the suggestions, the pair coverage grows more than 2x in the simulation. To explore other parts of the parameter space, we also evaluate the algorithms on synthetic models.
A Normative Account of Temperance

An analysis of temperance must acknowledge that desire is intimately involved with pleasure.1 For both Aristotle and Aquinas there are two realms from which pleasure arises; either the intellect or the sensate aspects of existence. While their detailed account of human nature analyzes these “parts” in a way that gives the impression they are distinct and separate, in fact, there is a very close relationship between these pleasure faculties.
The Fallacy of the Transgender Skeleton

Gender variance is likely a cross-cultural phenomenon with deep antiquity that bioarchaeological data can document effectively. Yet, recent reports that have gone viral in mediascapes, the “transsexual” cavemen being one pointed example discussed in this chapter, should give investigators pause. That is, describing ancient socio-sexual lives as such complicates normative notions about the body, gender, and sexuality, but the designation is a fallacy since these terms are modern Western inventions. The use of trans- more generally to describe identities or experiences in the bioarchaeological record points to effacement of recent sociopolitical processes, as well as a disregard for dimensions of sex/gender systems that are contingent and dynamic.
A comparison of two structured taxonomic strategies in capturing adverse events in U.S. hospitals

Objective To compare the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Quality and Safety Review System (QSRS) and the proposed triadic structure for the 11th version of the International Classification of Disease (ICD-11) in their ability to capture adverse events in U.S. hospitals. Data sources/study setting One thousand patient admissions between 2014 and 2016 from three general, acute care hospitals located in Maryland and Washington D.C. Study design The admissions chosen for the study were a random sample from all three hospitals. Data collection/extraction methods All 1000 admissions were abstracted through QSRS by one set of Certified Coding Specialists and a different set of coders assigned the draft ICD-11 codes. Previously assigned ICD-10-CM codes for 230 of the admissions were also used. Principal findings We found less than 20 percent agreement between QSRS and ICD-11 in identifying the same adverse event. The likelihood of a mismatch between QSRS and ICD-11 was almost twice that of a match. The findings were similar to the agreement found between QSRS and ICD-10-CM in identifying the same adverse event. When coders were provided with a list of potential adverse events, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of ICD-11 improved. Conclusions While ICD-11 may offer an efficient way of identifying adverse events, our analysis found that in its draft form, it has a limited ability to capture the same types of events as QSRS. Coders may require additional training on identifying adverse events in the chart if ICD-11 is going to prove its maximum benefit.
Metabolic Syndrome and Economic Strain Among Sexual Minority Young Adults.

Abstract Purpose: The study tested if sexual orientation is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in young adulthood (ages 24–32), and if economic strain impacts associations. Methods: Gender-s...
An Open-Source Benchmark Suite for Microservices and Their Hardware-Software Implications for Cloud & Edge Systems

Cloud services have recently started undergoing a major shift from monolithic applications, to graphs of hundreds or thousands of loosely-coupled microservices. Microservices fundamentally change a lot of assumptions current cloud systems are designed with, and present both opportunities and challenges when optimizing for quality of service (QoS) and cloud utilization. In this paper we explore the implications microservices have across the cloud system stack. We first present DeathStarBench, a novel, open-source benchmark suite built with microservices that is representative of large end-to-end services, modular and extensible. DeathStarBench includes a social network, a media service, an e-commerce site, a banking system, and IoT applications for coordination control of UAV swarms. We then use DeathStarBench to study the architectural characteristics of microservices, their implications in networking and operating systems, their challenges with respect to cluster management, and their trade-offs in terms of application design and programming frameworks. Finally, we explore the tail at scale effects of microservices in real deployments with hundreds of users, and highlight the increased pressure they put on performance predictability.
Report of the ALCTS Acquisitions Section (AS) Acquisitions Managers and Vendors Interest Group Meeting. American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, June 2018

The ALCTS Acquisitions Section (AS) Acquisitions Managers and Vendors Interest Group meeting at the 2018 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana consisted of ...
Crack tip stress based kinetic fracture model of a PVA dual-crosslink hydrogel

Abstract The Mode I fracture of a dual-crosslink hydrogel under creep and constant stretch rate loading is investigated experimentally. The hydrogel network contains both permanent, or chemical, bonds and transient, or physical bonds that are constantly breaking and reforming. The resulting material is highly viscoelastic and capable of deforming to large strains prior to failure. Finite element and asymptotic analyses of the crack tip stress fields are used to calculate a stress intensity factor like crack tip parameter. Using this parameter in a kinetic model of failure in which the rate of bond breaking depends exponentially on the stress level, results from creep fracture tests are used to develop a fracture criterion that is then applied to predict failure under constant stretch rate loading conditions.
Placental pathology and neonatal brain MRI in a randomized trial of erythropoietin for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Newborns with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may exhibit abnormalities on placental histology. In this phase II clinical trial ancillary study, we hypothesized that placental abnormalities correlate with MRI brain injury and with response to treatment. Fifty newborns with moderate/severe encephalopathy who received hypothermia were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of erythropoietin for HIE. A study pathologist reviewed all available clinical pathology reports to determine the presence of chronic abnormalities and acute chorioamnionitis. Neonatal brain MRIs were scored using a validated HIE scoring system. Placental abnormalities in 19 of the 35 (54%) patients with available pathology reports included chronic changes (N = 13), acute chorioamnionitis (N = 9), or both (N = 3). MRI subcortical brain injury was less common in infants with a placental abnormality (26 vs. 69%, P = 0.02). Erythropoietin treatment was associated with a lower global brain injury score (median 2.0 vs. 11.5, P = 0.003) and lower rate of subcortical brain injury (33 vs. 90%, P = 0.01) among patients with no chronic placental abnormality but not in patients whose placentas harbored a chronic abnormality. Erythropoietin treatment was associated with less brain injury only in patients whose placentas exhibited no chronic histologic changes. Placentas may provide clues to treatment response in HIE.
CMS Hospital Compare System of Star Ratings and Surgical Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Surgery for Cancer: Do the Ratings Matter?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare star rating system has been proposed as a means to assess hospital quality performance. The current study aimed to investigate outcomes and payments among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal, lung, esophageal, pancreatic, and liver cancer across hospital star rating groups. The Medicare Standard Analytic Files (SAF) from 2013 to 2015 were used to derive the analytic cohort. The association of star ratings to perioperative outcomes and expenditures was examined. Among 119,854 patients, the majority underwent surgery at a 3-star (n = 34,901, 29.1%) or 4-star (n = 30,492, 25.4%) hospital. Only 12.2% (n = 14,732) were treated at a 5-star hospital. Across all procedures examined, patients who underwent surgery at a 1-star hospital had greater odds of death within 90 days than patients who had surgery at a 5-star hospital (colorectal, 1.41 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.25–1.60]; lung, 1.97 [95% CI 1.56–2.48]; esophagectomy, 1.83 [95% CI 0.81–4.16]; pancreatectomy, 1.70 [95% CI 1.20–2.41]; hepatectomy, 1.63 [95% CI 0.96–2.77]). A similar trend was noted for failure to rescue (FTR), with the greatest odds of FTR associated with 1-star hospitals. The median expenditure associated with an abdominal operation was $1661 more at a 1-star hospital than at a 5-star hospital (1-star: $17,399 vs 5-star: $15,738). A similar trend was noted for thoracic operations. The risk of FTR, 90-day mortality, and increased hospital expenditure were all higher at a 1-star hospital. Further research is needed to investigate barriers to care at 5-star-rated hospitals and to target specific interventions to improve outcomes at 1-star hospitals.
Developing a comprehensive APPE-readiness plan with a focus on skills, attitudes, and behaviors.

Abstract Background and purpose Pharmacy schools must have a framework to ensure students have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to be successful during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Educational activity and setting Ten summative assessments, called APPE-readiness assessments (ARAs), were developed based on eight competencies encompassing skills, behaviors, and attitudes that must be demonstrated prior to APPEs. All eight competencies were assessed in the course Case Studies in Pharmacotherapy IV, which is offered in the final semester of the didactic curriculum immediately prior to APPEs. A 15-question pre- and post-survey was conducted to assess student confidence in performing each APPE-readiness competency. Cohort data was evaluated by the curriculum and assessment committee to assess curriculum effectiveness and areas for improvement. Findings Upon completion of the course, the average first-attempt pass rate across all ARAs was 92.4%. All students who failed on the first attempt passed on the second attempt, thereby demonstrating APPE-readiness. Out of 62 students, 45 and 44 completed the pre- and post-survey, respectively. Prior to the ARAs, the overall average of students who felt (strongly) confident about their ability to perform each competency was 82.2 ± 2.1%. This increased to 92.6 ± 1.6% after the ARAs. Summary The development of an APPE-readiness assessment plan focusing on skills, attitudes, and behaviors provides insight into student and cohort performance and allows for continuous quality assurance of the pre-APPE curriculum.
High-resolution crystal structures of Escherichia coli FtsZ bound to GDP and GTP.

Bacterial cytokinesis is mediated by the Z-ring, which is formed by the prokaryotic tubulin homolog FtsZ. Recent data indicate that the Z-ring is composed of small patches of FtsZ protofilaments that travel around the bacterial cell by treadmilling. Treadmilling involves a switch from a relaxed (R) state, favored for monomers, to a tense (T) conformation, which is favored upon association into filaments. The R conformation has been observed in numerous monomeric FtsZ crystal structures and the T conformation in Staphylococcus aureus FtsZ crystallized as assembled filaments. However, while Escherichia coli has served as a main model system for the study of the Z-ring and the associated divisome, a structure has not yet been reported for E. coli FtsZ. To address this gap, structures were determined of the E. coli FtsZ mutant FtsZ(L178E) with GDP and GTP bound to 1.35 and 1.40 A resolution, respectively. The E. coli FtsZ(L178E) structures both crystallized as straight filaments with subunits in the R conformation. These high-resolution structures can be employed to facilitate experimental cell-division studies and their interpretation in E. coli.
A Humanoid Robot Object Perception Approach Using Depth Images

Humanoid robots have had significant research interest in the past two decades. Their classification as mobile manipulators allows them to work in unstructured environments creating new possibilities for human-robot interaction. Object grasping and manipulation are essential and enabling capabilities for mobile humanoid robots that require reliable perception. This paper presents a perception approach using depth images from an RGB-D camera to estimate the work plane and estimate object positions relative to the robot. Results from experiments with a set of object shapes and scenarios are presented.
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture

The purpose of this review is to examine trends, outcomes, and principles in treatment of proximal humerus fractures in the elderly with a critical focus on reverse shoulder arthroplasty as a developing treatment option. Recent literature shows an increase in reverse shoulder arthroplasty and a decrease in hemiarthroplasty performed for proximal humerus fractures. More predictable outcomes and lower revision rates are seen in older individuals treated primarily or secondarily with reverse shoulder arthroplasty compared to those treated with hemiarthroplasty. We report current and historical treatments, outcomes, and principles in reverse shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of complex, displaced proximal humerus fractures in older individuals (≥ 65 years old).
A Cooperative Program for Evaluating Crack Arrest Testing Methods

Early and incomplete results of a multilaboratory test program examining two procedures for measuring crack arrest toughness are presented. The program involves 30 laboratories, with each participant conducting 10 tests, including eight of a common heat of A533B steel. The preliminary results are encouraging. No special difficulties in applying the test procedures have been encountered and the test specimens are performing satisfactorily. The results appear to be quite reproducible. Crack arrest toughness values derived from the two procedures with a static analysis agree closely, but values calculated using a dynamic analysis differ by about 50 percent. A possible source of this discrepancy is identified.
COPD Overdiagnosis and Its Effect on 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates.

BACKGROUND: Although specific guidelines exist for diagnosing COPD on the basis of spirometry testing data (FEV1/FVC METHODS: We retrospectively identified all subjects who were coded with a COPD hospital discharge in 2018 at Cleveland Clinic main campus and had spirometry data available, including FEV1 and FVC. FEV1/FVC was calculated and compared with the predicted lower limit of normal values. Hospital discharge diagnosis and 30-d hospital readmission data were captured along with comorbidities and other demographics. RESULTS: In 2018, there were 424 hospital discharges with a COPD diagnosis with spirometry testing available. Of these subjects, 124 (29%) were overdiagnosed in the lower limit of normal group and 99 (23.3%) were in the ≥ 0.70 group. One hundred subjects (23.6%) had a 30-d hospital readmission. Of these subjects, 35 had FEV1/FVC that was greater than their predicted lower limit of normal on spirometry. Of the 324 subjects who were not readmitted within 30 d, 89 (27.5%) had FEV1/FVC greater than the lower limit of normal. If the 35 readmitted subjects had not been coded with COPD, the 30-d readmission rate would have decreased significantly from 23.6% to 16.7% (100 of 424 vs 65 of 389, P = .01). Even if all of the 124 subjects who had pulmonary function test data greater than the lower limit of normal had not been counted, the readmission rate would still have decreased from 23.6% to 21.7%, but this was not significant (from 100 of 424 to 65 of 300, P = .3). CONCLUSIONS: COPD was overdiagnosed in our cohort of subjects; this was true whether the FEV1/FVC
Ministerial Training on Consumer Culture and Volunteer Management May Prevent Burnout for Small-Church Clergy

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate Nazarene small-church pastors’ perceptions of ministerial education. The issues the study addressed included managing volunteers and the consumer culture. This study involved 12 Nazarene clergy who had (1) completed the same ministerial leadership training as part of their ordination requirements, (2) pastored in the small-church setting for five or more consecutive years, and (3) experienced burnout in their assignments. The researcher themed the data, and the following themes emerged: (1) Consumer culture training is insufficient, vital, preventive; (2) People management training is inadequate, paramount, relational; (3) Pastoral burnout is contextually consumer-driven, volunteer-void. The literature indicated that small-church pastors are at a disadvantage in a consumer culture because their churches cannot compete with larger churches. The literature also indicated the necessity for leaders in nonprofit organizations and churches to understand how to manage volunteers.
Pediatric PROMIS Computer Adaptive Tests Are Highly Correlated With Adult PROMIS Computer Adaptive Tests in Pediatric Sports Medicine Patients

Background:The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a powerful set of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that are gaining popularity throughout orthopaedic su...
Rate Splitting, Superposition Coding and Binning for Groupcasting over the Broadcast Channel: A General Framework.

A general inner bound is given for the discrete memoryless broadcast channel with an arbitrary number of users and general message sets, a setting that accounts for the most general form of concurrent groupcasting, with messages intended for any set of subsets of receivers. Achievability is based on superposition coding and rate-splitting without and with binning, where each receiver jointly decodes both its desired messages as well as the partial interference assigned to it via rate-splitting. The proof of achievability builds on the techniques for the description and analysis of superposition coding recently developed by the authors for the multiple-access channel with general messages as well as a new recursive mutual covering lemma for the analysis of the more general achievable scheme with binning.
Disability Incidence Rates for Men and Women in 23 Countries: Evidence on Health Effects of Gender Inequality.

BACKGROUND Inequality in gender varies across social contexts, which may influence the health of both men and women. Based on theories of gender as a social system, we examine whether systematic gender inequality at the macro-level influences health of men and women. METHOD Using harmonized panel data from the Gateway to Global Aging Data in 23 high- and middle-income countries (N = 168 873), we estimate disability prevalence and incidence for men and women ages 55-89 (2000-2016). Within each country or geographic region, we also investigate gender differences in age gradients of the probability of disability onset. We, then, pool data from all countries and test the hypothesis that gender inequality increases the probability of disability onset. RESULTS We found substantial cross-country variation in disability incidence rates, and this variation is greater for women than for men. Among ages 65-69, disability incidence rates ranged from 0.4 to 5.0 for men and from 0.5 to 9.4 for women. Our within-country analysis showed significant gender differences in age gradients of the probability of disability onset in the United States, Korea, Southern Europe, Mexico, and China, but not in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, England, and Israel. Testing hypothesized effects of gender inequality, we find that gender inequality is significantly associated with the probability of disability onset for women, but not for men. CONCLUSIONS Macro-level societal gender inequality is significantly associated with the probability of disability onset for women. Reducing and eliminating gender inequality is crucial to achieving good health for women.
Data Analytics in the financial statement audit: Assessing its active learning effects on student performance

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact that completing a data analytics (DA) assignment has on student learning in a financial statement audit course. The growing implementation of DA in financial auditing, the need for those entering the profession to possess higher order thinking skills, and the ability to perform analysis tasks makes our study timely and relevant. Two groups of students are compared for their exam performance in a financial statement audit course, with one group completing an IDEA assignment after the first exam and other not doing so. Results show that student performance on the second and third exams improved for those who completed the assignment but there was no similar improvement for those who did not. Our results suggest that there is value in using DA in a financial statement auditing course. This should be appealing both to accounting education and to the audit profession due to the implication that graduates would be better prepared to meet the growing demands for higher order thinking and DA skills.
The use of 3D printed models on trainee and patient experience for partial nephrectomies.

363Background: 3D printing is a growing tool in surgical education due to the ability to visualize organs, tissue, and masses from multiple angles before operating on a patient. Previous studies us...
Heat profiles of ‘superhot’ and New Mexican type chile peppers (Capsicum spp.)

Abstract Breeding for capsaicinoid content is one of the major objectives for chile pepper breeding programs due to its culinary, agricultural, and medicinal uses. The objectives of the current study were to determine the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) of select New Mexico State University (NMSU) chile pepper varieties and ‘superhot’ genotypes using high-performance liquid chromatography, and to verify the feasibility of using capsaicinoid content as a taxonomic indicator for the ‘superhot’ varieties. Significant variation (P
Can Video Advertisements Change Partisanship? Results from Panel Survey Experiments

UPDATE: Please see updated paper for a description of a differential attrition problem that will require changes to the analysis and further experimentation. Although partisan orientations are sometimes characterized as the unmoved movers of political evaluations and vote choice, both panel surveys and aggregate time-series indicate that partisan change does occur. To date, however, researchers have seldom attempted to induce a change in partisanship experimentally. Guided by longstanding explanations of how people come to acquire and update their partisan attachments, we worked with media consultants to develop persuasive political advertising designed to win partisan converts. These video ads were deployed in a series of multi-wave survey experiments that tracked panel respondents over time in an effort to gauge the messages' immediate and persistent effects on party identification, as well as their downstream effects on political evaluations and voting preferences. We find that party-focused messaging operates as theoretically expected, especially at high dosages, producing small but demonstrable effects on partisanship with downstream consequences for political preferences. The fact that these effects dissipate over time helps illuminate individual- and aggregate-level patterns of partisan change.
QCM Study of Tribotronic Control in Ionic Liquids and Nanoparticle Suspensions

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique has been employed to tune friction at liquid–solid interfaces with tribotronic methods employing externally applied electric fields in both nanoparticle suspensions and ionic liquid systems. The setup consists of a QCM immersed in liquid containing electrically charged constituents whose sensing electrode faces a nearby counter electrode. An electric field perpendicular to the QCM surface is created when a potential is applied between the two electrodes, which allows the charged constituents in the surrounding liquid to be repositioned. QCM measurements are able to detect differences in friction under various field conditions, and thus detectably tune the friction in both nanoparticle and ionic liquid systems. The versatility and simplicity of QCM friction measurements render it an ideal tool for the rapidly expanding research area of tribotronics.
Improving comparability of studies using HCoV-OC43 as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has renewed interest in human coronaviruses that cause the common cold, particularly as research with them at biosafety level (BSL)-2 avoids the added costs and biosafety concerns that accompany work with SARS-COV-2, BSL-3 research. One of these, human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), is a well-matched surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 because it is also a Betacoronavirus, targets the human respiratory system, is transmitted via respiratory aerosols and droplets and is relatively resistant to disinfectants. Unfortunately, growth of HCoV-OC43 in the recommended human colon cancer (HRT-18) cells does not produce obvious cytopathic effect (CPE) and its titration in these cells requires expensive antibody-based detection. Consequently, multiple quantification approaches for HCoV-OC43 using alternative cell lines exist, which complicates comparison of research results. Hence, we investigated the basic growth parameters of HCoV-OC43 infection in three of these cell lines (HRT-18, human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) and African green monkey kidney (Vero E6) cells) including the differential development of cytopathic effect (CPE) and explored reducing the cost, time and complexity of antibody-based detection assay. Multi-step growth curves were conducted in each cell type in triplicate at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 with daily sampling for seven days. Samples were quantified by tissue culture infectious dose50(TCID50)/ml or plaque assay (cell line dependent) and additionally analyzed on the Sartorius Virus Counter 3100 (VC), which uses flow virometry to count the total number of intact virus particles in a sample. We improved the reproducibility of a previously described antibody-based detection based TCID50 assay by identifying commercial sources for antibodies, decreasing antibody concentrations and simplifying the detection process. The growth curves demonstrated that HCoV-O43 grown in MRC-5 cells reached a peak titer of [~]107 plaque forming units/ml at two days post infection (dpi). In contrast, HCoV-OC43 grown on HRT-18 cells required six days to reach a peak titer of [~]106.5 TCID50/ml. HCoV-OC43 produced CPE in Vero E6 cells but these growth curve samples failed to produce CPE in a plaque assay after four days. Analysis of the VC data in combination with plaque and TCID50 assays together revealed that the defective:infectious virion ratio of MRC-5 propagated HCoV-OC43 was less than 3:1 for 1-6 dpi while HCoV-OC43 propagated in HRT-18 cells varied from 41:1 at 1 dpi, to 329:4 at 4 dpi to 94:1 at 7 dpi. These results should enable better comparison of extant HCoV-OC43 study results and prompt further standardization efforts.
Exploring PV circularity by modeling socio-technical dynamics of modules’ end-of-life management

The circular economy (CE) tackles environmental and resource scarcity issues by maximizing value retention in the economy. The concept implies design strategies such as reducing the use of materials or improving products’ durability and end-of-life (EOL) strategies, for example, reusing products and components and recycling materials. With an estimated 80 million tons of global cumulative EOL photovoltaic (PV) modules, applying CE principles to the PV industry could alleviate resource scarcity issues while also providing economic benefits. However, transitioning to a CE may imply changes in organizations and consumer behaviors. In this context, assessment of CE strategies may require accounting for behavioral change, a requirement that methods from complex system science such as agent-based modeling meet. Thus, this paper uses an agent-based modeling (ABM) approach to study circularity in the photovoltaics supply chain. Four types of agents are represented in the ABM: PV owners, installers, recyclers, and manufacturers. Moreover, five possible EOL options – including three CE strategies – are modeled. Departing from traditional techno-economic analysis, the model includes techno-economic factors as well as social factors to model EOL management decisions. Results show that each dollar decrease in the recycling fees improves the recycling rate by roughly 1.1%. However, excluding social factors underestimates the effect that lower recycling prices have on material circularity.
Influence of extended aging on beef quality characteristics and sensory perception of steaks from the gluteus medius and longissimus lumborum

The objective was to determine the influence of post-fabrication aging (2, 14, 21, 42, and 63 days) on beef quality characteristics and consumer sensory perception of gluteus medius (GM) and longissimus lumborum (LL) steaks. Lipid oxidation and aerobic plate counts increased (P<0.05) with longer aging periods and retail display times. An aging period by day of retail display interaction (P<0.05) was observed for a* and b* values for both muscles and L* values for the LL. Warner-Bratzler shear force values decreased (P<0.05) with longer aging for the LL, while no difference was observed for the GM. Consumer panel results demonstrated that longer aging periods increased (P<0.05) tenderness of both muscles. Our results indicate that extended aging reduces retail color stability yet has positive effects on consumer perception of tenderness of beef loin muscles.
Distributed Systems of Microservices Using Docker and Serfnode

We review container technology and the challenge of service discovery in micro service architectures and introduce Serf node, a fully decentralized open source solution to the service discovery problem, based on the Serf project. Serf node is a non-intrusive Docker image that composes one or more arbitrary Docker containers. The new images can be deployed into a cluster of Serf nodes, where it advertises itself and provides service discovery mechanisms, monitoring, and self-healing. The resulting cluster is a homogeneous and complete graph, with no master node. We survey existing solutions to the service discovery problem and compare them to Serf node. As an example of the extensibility of Serf node, we show the construction of a file system synchronization solution between Docker containers using Git.
Proteomics in the postgenomic age

Technical developments in the field of proteomics are poised to generate advances in our understanding of protein structure, function, and organization in complex signaling and regulatory networks. Improvements in mass spectrometry instrumentation, the implementation of protein arrays, and the development of robust informatics software are providing sensitive, high-throughput technologies for large-scale identification and quantitation of protein expression, protein modifications, subcellular localization, protein function, and protein-protein interactions. These advances have significant implications for understanding how cellular proteomes are regulated in health and disease.