cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complexation, Stability and Behavior of L-Cysteine and L-Lysine with Different Iron Sources.

Effective stability constants for cysteine and lysine with five different iron sources were evaluated along with their behavior in solution. The values obtained for ferric chloride-cysteine, ferrous sulfate-cysteine, ferric chloride-lysine, ferrous sulfate-lysine, hydrogen-reduced lysine, and electrolytic-reduced lysine were 6.81 × 102 to 2.78 × 103, 1.33 × 105 to 1.36 × 105, 6.00 × 10-4 to 7.64 × 10-3, 6.37 ×10-4 to 4.82× 10-3, 9.34 × 10-2 to 1.38 × 10-1, and 4.18 × 10-4 to 7.27 × 10-4, respectively. No measurable complexation occurred with hydrogen- and electrolytic-reduced iron with cysteine nor with ferric orthophosphate and cysteine or lysine. The stability of soluble ferric cysteine over the pH range 2.0 to 7.4 indicates that this complex has the potential to be used as an iron additive in food. Approximately half of the hydrogen and electrolytic reduced iron and only 0.11% of ferric orthophosphate were soluble in acid, whereas ferric chloride and ferrous sulfate were completely soluble. Qualitative evaluation of the iron-amino acid systems over a range of pH from 2.0 to 12.0 indicated that there was a mixed valence state of free iron in most cases with low pH favoring reduction and high pH oxidation, until precipitation of iron hydroxides occurred.
Thermal stress in an optical silica fiber embedded (soldered) into silicon

A simple, easy-to-use and physically meaningful analytical (mathematical) model has been developed for the prediction of thermal stresses in an elastic bonded elongated cylindrical tri-material body of finite length. The model has been developed in application to an optical silica fiber embedded (soldered) into Silicon. The body is fabricated at an elevated (soldering, curing) temperature and is subsequently cooled down to a low (room, operation or testing) temperature. Thermal stresses arise because of the thermal contraction mismatch of the dissimilar materials in the body. The addressed stresses include radial, tangential and axial normal stresses acting in the body’s mid-portion, as well as the interfacial shearing stresses that concentrate at the body’s ends. The numerical example is carried out for the case of a “soft” (silver-tin) solder in application to structures, in which an optical silica fiber is soldered into a silicon chip (silicon photonics technology). It is concluded that the appropriate solder material and its thickness should be selected based on the predictions obtained on the basis of the developed model, so that the radial and the longitudinal interfacial stresses in the solder ring are sufficiently low.
From wave to tsunami: the growth of third wave whiteness

Steve Garner has provided a through and far reaching critique on the extent to which a “Third Wave” perspective on whiteness has (or has not) lived up to the theoretical promises and epistemologica...
Enhancing the Ion Transport in LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 by Altering the Particle Wulff Shape via Anisotropic Surface Segregation

Spontaneous and anisotropic surface segregation of W cations in LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 particles can alter the Wulff shape and improve surface stability, thereby significantly improving the electrochemical performance. An Auger electron nanoprobe was employed to identify the anisotropic surface segregation, whereby W cations prefer to segregate to {110} surface facets to decrease its relative surface energy according to Gibbs adsorption theory and subsequently increase its surface area according to Wulff theory. Consequently, the rate performance is improved (e.g., by ∼5-fold at a high rate of 25C) because the {110} facets have more open channels for fast lithium ion diffusion. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling suggested that the surface segregation and partial reduction of W cation inhibit the formation of Mn3+ on surfaces to improve cycling stability via enhancing the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) stability at high charging voltages. This is the first report of using anisotropic surface segregation to thermodynamically control the particle morphology as well as enhancing CEI stability as a facile, and potentially general, method to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of battery electrodes. Combining neutron diffraction, an Auger electron nanoprobe, XPS, and other characterizations, we depict the underlying mechanisms of improved ionic transport and CEI stability in high-voltage LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel materials.
A Review of Cardiac and Non Cardiac Causes of Troponin Elevation and Clinical Relevance Part II Non Cardiac Causes

Non cardiac causes of elevated troponins are often overlooked yet elevated troponins have been shown to closely correlate with the prognosis of these conditions The clinical significance of elevated troponins in non cardiac conditions are not completely known Also it is still unclear if these clinical conditions need to be managed differently when they lead to an increase in troponin levels Some of the non cardiac conditions in which elevated troponins are commonly found include pulmonary embolism end stage renal disease Sepsis Systemic inflammatory response syndrome SIRS and critically ill patient rhabdomyolysis physical exercise burns drug toxicity and stroke This article discusses the suggested etiology of elevated cardiac troponins in these conditions and the prognostic values they carry
Transition of care from the emergency department to the outpatient setting: A mixed-methods analysis

Introduction: The goal of this study was to characterize current practices in the transition of care between the emergency department and primary care setting, with an emphasis on the use of the electronic medical record (EMR). Methods: Using literature review and modified Delphi technique, we created and tested a pilot survey to evaluate for face and content validity. The final survey was then administered face-to-face at eight different clinical sites across the country. A total of 52 emergency physicians (EP) and 49 primary care physicians (PCP) were surveyed and analyzed. We performed quantitative analysis using chi-square test. Two independent coders performed a qualitative analysis, classifying answers by pre-defined themes (inter-rater reliability > 80%). Participants’ answers could cross several pre-defined themes within a given question. Results: EPs were more likely to prefer telephone communication compared with PCPs (30/52 [57.7%] vs. 3/49 [6.1%] P < 0.0001), whereas PCPs were more likely to prefer using the EMR for discharge communication compared with EPs (33/49 [67.4%] vs. 13/52 [25%] p < 0.0001). EPs were more likely to report not needing to communicate with a PCP when a patient had a benign condition (23/52 [44.2%] vs. 2/49 [4.1%] p < 0.0001), but were more likely to communicate if the patient required urgent follow-up prior to discharge from the ED (33/52 [63.5%] vs. 20/49 [40.8%] p = 0.029). When discussing barriers to effective communication, 51/98 (52%) stated communication logistics, followed by 49/98 (50%) who reported setting/environmental constraints and 32/98 (32%) who stated EMR access was a significant barrier. Conclusion: Significant differences exist between EPs and PCPs in the transition of care process. EPs preferred telephone contact synchronous to the encounter whereas PCPs preferred using the EMR asynchronous to the encounter. Providers believe EP-to-PCP contact is important for improving patient care, but report varied expectations and multiple barriers to effective communication. This study highlights the need to optimize technology for an effective transition of care from the ED to the outpatient setting.
Maternal and child dietary intake: The role of maternal healthy-eater self-schema.

Abstract Background Mothers play a key role in shaping the dietary intake of their young children through their own dietary intake and the foods they make available at home. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying maternal food choices is crucial. Cognitions about the self as a healthy eater, referred to as healthy-eater self-schema (HESS), predict dietary intake in diverse samples, but the linkage has not been investigated in mothers and their feeding behaviors. This study examined the relationship between a maternal HESS, maternal and child intake of fruits, vegetables, saturated fat, and added sugar, and home food availability. Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used with mothers and their 2–5 year old children (N = 124 dyads). Kendzierski's Healthy-Eater Self-Schema questionnaire was used to measure HESS. Block Food Frequency Screeners were used to measure diets (mother and child) and the Home Environment Survey was used to measure home availability of fruits/vegetables and fats/sweets. Multiple regression and multiple mediation analyses were performed. Results Maternal HESS was positively associated with maternal intake of fruits and vegetables, and negatively associated with intake of added sugar. Maternal HESS was not directly associated with child dietary intake, but was indirectly associated with child intake of fruits, vegetables, and added sugar through maternal intake of the same foods. Home food availability was not significantly associated with HESS. Conclusion This study found that a mother's HESS was positively associated with her diet, which was subsequently associated with aspects of her child's diet. Interventions to foster development of HESS in mothers may be an effective means to promote healthy dietary intake in mothers and their young children.
Analysis and design of pressurized structures

In airplanes, missiles, and space vehicles, much of the structure must be designed to take internal pressure loads. The cockpits and cabins of all airplanes that fly at high altitudes must be pressurized. Man carrying space vehicles must be pressurized. Fuel tanks, oxidizer tanks, combustion chambers, hydraulic systems, many boxes for electronic components, etc., are pressurized.
Cardiorespiratory Variability: Fractals, White Noise, Nonlinear Oscillators, and Linear Modeling. What’s to Be Learned

Over the last 20 years, the study of heart rate (HR) variability has progressed from a phenomenological description of the spontaneous oscillations of HR to an understanding that relatively complex physiological control systems underlie the observed beat-to-beat fluctuations. Many of the current concepts have evolved from the use of either linear analysis techniques or linear systems modeling to evaluate classical physiological control systems such as respiratory sinus arrhythmia or the arterial baroreflex. Despite these efforts, linear techniques have only been successful at explaining a portion of the total variance in HR and arterial blood pressure (ABP). The remaining variance must be accounted for in one of two ways: 1) more complex linear models, or 2) nonlinear system elements which may contribute both locally and globally to the process of physiologic equilibrium known as homeostasis. This paper attempts to briefly examine both possibilities.
AVP-induced Ca fluxes and contraction of rat glomerular mesangial cells

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is known to exert Ca mobilization and contraction in glomerular mesangial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the relationship between changes in intracellular Ca and transmembrane Ca fluxes is not clear at the present time. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of AVP on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and Ca fluxes as estimated by measurements of 45Ca2+ efflux. Changes of [Ca2+]i in response to AVP were directly measured in monolayers of adherent cultured mesangial cells. AVP induced rapid concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ efflux. AVP also induced contraction of mesangial cells. This effect was blocked only by the V1 (pressor)-antagonist, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. Stimulation of Ca2+ efflux and changes in [Ca2+]i by AVP completely desensitized the mesangial cells to a subsequent identical challenge of AVP with no cross-tachyphylaxis to other hormones. Even in Ca2+-free medium, AVP increased [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ efflux, but to a lesser extent. Under this condition, contraction of mesangial cells induced by AVP was also observed. Readdition of extracellular Ca2+ following the AVP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i caused a second and slower [Ca2+]i increase. In Ca2+-containing conditions, lanthanum ion-reduced AVP evoked [Ca2+]i stimulation to the value observed in Ca2+-free medium. The Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, partially inhibited AVP-induced Ca2+ influx but totally blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by high K. Verapamil did not inhibit AVP-stimulated Ca2+ efflux and cell contraction. Dantrolene, a blocker of Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, inhibited AVP-stimulated Ca2+ efflux and cell contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Artifact Mistaken for Electrical Interference Recorded From a Pulmonary Artery Catheter

Artifactual signals superimposed on the electrocardiogram have been well documented [1-5]. These signals can originate from infusion pumps [1, 2], occlusion heads from cardiopulmonary bypass machines [3,4], and dialysis apparatus [5]. Artifacts on a pulmonary artery tracing, such as those produced by "catheter whip," are well described [6], and rarely if ever confuse the clinician. Extraneous electrical signals are of major concern because they pose a hazard to susceptible patients. We report a case in which the blood pressure tracing from the pulmonary artery revealed an artifact that looked at first glance like 60 cycle alternating current (AC) electrical interference. The investigation as to its origin revealed important lessons in the analysis of human error.
The ligands and receptors of the lymphotoxin system.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related cytokines have emerged over the past 2 years as a large family of pleiotropic mediators of host defense and immune regulation. Members of this family exist in membrane-anchored forms acting locally through cell-to-cell contact, or as secreted proteins capable diffusion to more distant targets. A parallel family of receptors signals the presence of these molecules leading to the initiation of cell death or cellular proliferation and differentiation in the target tissue (see Smith et al. 1994; Banchereau et al. 1994 for reviews). The focus of this review is on two members of this family produced by activated T cells, the original lymphotoxin-α (LT-α, previously referred to as TNF-β), and a new member, lymphotoxin-β (LT-β), and their specific receptors. Initially discovered by cytotoxic activity in vitro, lymphotoxn, as a secreted molecule, was one of the earliest postulated mechanisms used by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Ruddle and Waksman 1968; Granger and Williams 1868). The molecular cloning of LT and TNF dramatically revised the view of these cytokines as limited nonspecific cytotoxins and revealed their more intricate role in immunoregulation and host defense. Although once thought to be merely a redundant form of TNF, new findings have indicated that lymphotoxin has a role in immune physiology distinct from TNF and forms a system of secreted and membrane-anchored immunoregulatory molecules.
Correlation of the cytochrome c 2 content of cyanobacterial Photosystem II with the EPR properties of the oxygen-evolving complex

The Mn4 cluster of PS II advances through a series of oxidation states (S states) that catalyze the breakdown of water to dioxygen in the oxygen-evolving complex. The present study describes the engineering and purification of highly active PS II complexes from mesophilic His-tagged Synechocystis PCC 6803 and purification of PS II core complexes from thermophilic wild-type Synechococcus lividus with high levels of the extrinsic polypeptide, cytochrome c 550. The g = 4.1 S2 state EPR signal, previously not characterized in untreated cyanobacterial PS II, is detected in high yields in these PS II preparations. We present a complete characterization of the g = 4.1 state in cyanobacterial His-tagged Synechocystis PCC 6803 PS II and S. lividus PS II. Also presented are a determination of the stoichiometry of cytochrome c 550 bound to His-tagged Synechocystis PCC 6803 PS II and analytical ultracentrifugation results which indicate that cytochrome c 550 is a monomer in solution. The temperature-dependent multiline to g = 4.1 EPR signal conversion observed for the S2 state in cyanobacterial PS II with high cytochrome c 550 content is very similar to that previously found for spinach PS II. In spinach PS II, the formation of the S2 state g = 4.1 EPR signal has been found to correlate with the binding of the extrinsic 17 and 23 kDa polypeptides. The finding of a similar correlation in cyanobacterial PS II with the binding of cytochrome c 550 suggests a functional homology between cytochrome c 550 and the 17 and 23 kDa extrinsic proteins of spinach PS II.
Therapy of childhood acute nonlymphocytic leukemia : the pediatric oncology group experience (1977-1988)

In 1977, the members of the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG, formerly the Pediatric Division of the Southwest Oncology Group) initiated a series of protocols designed for the investigation and therapy of childhood acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). In general, studies of childhood ANLL prior to the early 1970s were concerned primarily with induction response rates. Those studies usually employed single agents or drug combinations which had proven effective for the more frequently occurring acute lymphocytic leukemia of childhood.
A Momentum Disdrometer for Measuring Raindrop Size from Aircraft

There exists a need to measure raindrop distributions in storms being investigated by radar. A new airborne instrument for such measurements has been developed which measures simultaneously the dro...
What FLT3 inhibitor holds the greatest promise

Determining which FLT3 inhibitor holds the greatest promise is a difficult task, as the drugs vary according to potency, specificity, protein-binding, drug interactions, and side effect profile. The best choice depends on when in the course of the disease the inhibitor will be used. Moreover, as the results of ongoing trials become available, newer agents could supplant former 'best' drugs. This paper reviews FLT3 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy early in the disease in FLT3 mutant patients, as single agents or in combination in advanced disease, or in the post-transplant setting to provide separate answers to the main question.
Urban clear zones, street trees, and road safety

Abstract The roadside area where fixed-object hazards are explicitly minimized is called the clear zone, which became standard design practice soon after the 1966 Congressional hearings on road and automobile safety. Mounting evidence, however, is beginning to cast doubt on what we think we know about the impact of roadside clear zones on actual safety outcomes. This is particularly an issue with street trees in urban contexts, which are known to provide economic, environmental, and livability benefits but are also widely considered a road safety detriment. This research relies upon advances in remote sensing to map both tree canopy and street-tree locations in GIS for the entirety of the city and county of Denver, Colorado. We then statistically test the association between street trees and seven years of road safety outcomes while controlling for factors known to be associated with crash outcomes. Despite fifty years as standard design practice, our results suggest that the expected safety benefit of roadside clear zones – at least with respect to street trees in an urban context – may be overstated. In fact, larger tree canopies that extend over the street are associated with fewer injury/fatal crashes as well as fewer crashes overall while holding all other variables constant. The number of street trees per mile associates with improved safety in wealthier neighborhoods but can be detrimental in low-income neighborhoods; this inconsistency represents an equity issue in need of future research. When assessing the safety impact of street trees in the clear zone, municipalities and transportation agencies need to be more cognizant of how street design may impact road user behaviors, particularly related to issues that directly affect safety such as travel speeds and driver awareness.
Importance of the physical exam: double-blind randomized controlled trial of radiologic interpretation of ventral hernias after selective clinical information

Increasingly, radiologic imaging is obtained as part of the pathway in diagnosing ventral hernias. Often, radiologists receive incomplete or incorrect clinical information from clinicians. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine if clinical exam findings alter radiological interpretation of ventral hernias on CT. This is a single-institution double-blind, randomized trial. All patients with a recent abdominal/pelvic CT scan seen in various surgical clinics were enrolled. A surgeon blinded to the CT scan findings performed a standardized physical examination and assessed for the presence of a ventral hernia. Seven independent radiologists blinded to the study design reviewed the scans. Each radiologist received one of three types of clinical exam data per CT: accurate (correct), inaccurate (purposely incorrect), or none. Allocation was random and stratified by the presence of clinical hernia. The primary outcome was the proportion of radiologic hernias detected, analyzed by chi square. 115 patients were enrolled for a total of 805 CT scan reads. The proportion of hernias detected differed by up to 25% depending on if accurate, no, or inaccurate clinical information was provided. Inaccurate clinical data in patients with no hernia on physical exam led to a significant difference in the radiologic hernia detection rate (54.3% versus 35.7%, p = 0.007). No clinical data in patients with a hernia on physical exam led to a lower radiologic hernia detection rate (75.0% versus 93.8%, p = 0.001). The presence and accuracy of clinical information provided to radiologists impacts the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias in up to 25% of cases. Standardization of both clinical and radiologic examinations for hernias and their reporting are needed. Clinicaltrials.gov, Number NCT03121131, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03121131.
Social movement schools: sites for consciousness transformation, training, and prefigurative social development

We develop the concept of “social movement school’ (SMS), showing how these organizational spaces are deliberately designed for purposes of educating, mentoring, training, and coordinating individu...
Robot-assisted cholecystectomy is a safe but costly approach: A national database review.

Abstract Background This study sought to evaluate surgical outcomes, cost, and opiate utilization of patients who underwent laparoscopic (LC) or robotic cholecystectomy (RC). Methods The Vizient database was queried for patients admitted with mild to moderate severity of illness (SOI) scores who underwent LC or RC from January 2015 through December 2017. Rates of overall complications, postoperative infection, mortality, LOS, cost, and opiate utilization were compared between groups using IBM SPSS v.25.0, α = 0.05. Results 91,849 patients (LC:N = 89,878; RC:N = 1,971) met the inclusion criteria. Robotic approach was associated with more complications (LC:0.9%, RC:1.7%; p Conclusion The direct cost of RC is significantly higher than LC with no added benefit. Routine use of the robotic platform for cholecystectomy should be discouraged until costs are reduced.
Understanding temporal and spatial variations of viral disease in the US: The need for a one-health-based data collection and analysis approach.

Abstract Viral diseases exhibit spatial and temporal variation, and there are many factors that can affect their occurrence. The identification of these factors is critical in the efforts to predict and lessen viral disease burden. Because viral infection is able to spread to humans from the environment, animals, and other humans, the One-Health framework can be used to investigate the critical pathways through which viruses are transported and transmitted. A holistic approach, incorporating publicly available clinical data for human, livestock, and wildlife disease occurrence, together with environmental data reported in federal and state databases such as parameters related to land use, environmental quality, and weather, can enhance the understanding of variations in disease patterns, leading to the design and implementation of surveillance systems. An example analysis approach is presented for Michigan, United States, which is a state with large urban centers as well as a sizeable rural and agricultural population. Analysis of publicly available data from 2017 indicates that gastrointestinal (GI) and influenza-associated illnesses in Michigan may have been related with agricultural land use to a higher extent than with developed land use during that year. Meanwhile, hepatitis A virus appears to be most closely related with developed land use in dense population areas. GI illnesses may be related to precipitation, and this relationship is strongest in the springtime, although GI illnesses are most common in the winter months. Integration of human-related clinical data, animal disease data, and environmental data can ultimately be used for prioritization of the most critical locations and times for viral outbreaks in both urban and rural environments.
Perception of treatment need among adults with substance use disorders: Longitudinal data from a representative sample of adults in the United States

Abstract Background Most individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) do not seek treatment. Lack of perceived treatment need (PTN) is one contributing factor, but little is known about PTN over time. We estimated whether PTN changed over three years among those with SUDs in the United States and identified select variables, including sociodemographics and symptom burden, that predict malleability vs. stability of PTN. Methods Data were from Waves 1 (collected 2001–2002) and 2 (collected 2004–2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC); 1695 adults who met DSM criteria for alcohol or non-alcohol SUD at Wave 1 and maintained ≥1 diagnostic symptom at Wave 2 were included. Results Most individuals with SUDs (77.2%) did not perceive a need for treatment at Wave 1 baseline. Only about 1 in 8 individuals not perceiving a need for treatment in Wave 1 came to perceive a need in Wave 2 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.18, 99% confidence interval = 0.11–0.29). In contrast, about half the individuals who perceived a need for treatment in Wave 1 no longer did so in Wave 2, despite maintaining ≥1 SUD symptom. Married respondents, and respondents with more SUD symptoms, were more likely to transition from low- to high-PTN status three years later. Respondents with incomes >$35,000 were less likely to transition to high-PTN status three years later. Conclusions PTN was more likely to decline than increase over time. Low PTN appears to be stable among adults with SUDs in the United States, presenting a potentially enduring barrier to treatment-seeking.
Expanding Faculty Development of Teaching Skills: A National Needs Assessment of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Faculty.

Objectives High-quality clinical teaching is an essential element in preparing trainees to become independently competent clinicians. In order to better understand the context-specific faculty development needs of teaching faculty in a specific community, we sought to determine the self-reported teaching skill deficits of pediatric critical care medicine faculty and their preferences and motivations regarding faculty development to enhance their teaching. Design Modified Delphi technique was used to create an online survey in which respondents rated their need for education on a variety of teaching skills, their preferred learning modalities, and factors that motivate their participation in faculty development. Setting Pediatric Critical Care Medicine divisions at the 64 sites in the United States with fellowship programs. Subjects Five-hundred forty-five Pediatric Critical Care Medicine faculty who teach fellows and other trainees. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Response rate was 40%. Respondents reported a median of 8.5 years (interquartile range, 4-16 yr) as teaching faculty. The median age of faculty was 44.6 years (interquartile range, 38-50 yr). Only 20% of respondents indicated that improving their teaching was a low priority. Thirty-six percent of respondents had not participated in any formal teaching skill development as faculty. The most frequently cited factors motivating engagement in faculty development were education being included as part of regularly attended conferences, resources readily available when needed, and participation promoted by a supervisor. Preferred learning modalities included a brief discussion with a colleague, a 10-minute video, and a regular conference series. Conclusions Pediatric Critical Care Medicine faculty reported they experience challenges in teaching and would benefit from faculty development training aimed at improving their knowledge and skills about being an educator. Preferred learning methods and motivating factors highlight the importance of efficiency in content delivery and endorsement by faculty supervisors. Consideration of these needs and preferences may be useful in creating context-focused, community of practice-based faculty development programs.
Unlocking Creativity: Connections Between Psychic and External Reality

While addressing the enigmatic and alluring nature of creativity, this essay focuses on associations between creative temperament and clinical disorder. Implications considered include relations between psychic and external realities, between artists and society, and between artists and therapists.
Improvements in sexual function following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Background Three-fourths of Americans are sexually active, and studies show a correlation between sexual activity and good health. Rotator cuff tears and subsequent repairs can cause significant disruption in daily living including sexual activity. Orthopedic surgeons rarely discuss sexual activity with patients. Therefore, patients have little information about expectations, restrictions, and return to sexual activity. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate patient improvement in sexual activity following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and evaluate factors that affect sexual activity. Methods An anonymous 20-item multiple-choice survey was sent to patients > 6 months after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed by 7 fellowship-trained orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgeons between March 2018 and May 2019. The survey assessed preoperative and postoperative sexual activity and included questions regarding frequency, pain, positioning, and postoperative injury. Results A total of 88 patients met the inclusion criteria and completed the survey. Preoperatively, 65% of patients admitted that their shoulder interfered with the quality and/or frequency of their sexual activity, most commonly secondary to an inability to bear weight on the affected arm (31%). Postoperatively, the majority of patients (79%) found it easier to engage in sexual activity, with 35% of patients attributing this to less pain. At 6 weeks postoperatively, 72% of patients returned to sexual activity. The overall trend demonstrated a statistically significant (P Conclusion Prior to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, most patients experience limitations in the quality and/or frequency of their sexual activity secondary to their shoulder. Following surgery, the majority of patients will more easily engage in sexual activity by 6 weeks, with increasing frequency as time progresses from surgery. Many patients are noncompliant with sling wear during sexual activity, and 7% will aggravate their shoulder.
Differences in Longevity of Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) (Macquart) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) (Fabricus) Adults

There are certain morphological features and individual characteristics that are special to varying species that affect their lifecycle through every phase. Certainly, not every species will live for the same amount of time from emergence to death. In our case, there are two species of interest for our experiment. These two species are Chrysomya rufifacies (Hairy Maggot Blow Fly) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Secondary Screwworm). Both fly species have a detrimental impact on the livestock industry. They enjoy feeding on dead tissue after a sustained injury and are the cause of myiasis presence in several livestock species. For this reason, and many more, they are a concern economically. Through general observations, we have noticed that adult Chrysomya rufifacies appear to be much bigger than Cochliomyia macellaria adults are, and wondered if this meant there would be a distinction in longevity of adult life and if the variation in size is indicative of adulthood longevity. Wild maggots were obtained and raised on food-grade bovine liver. The adults were given a sugar water mixture daily until death, in which the number of days lived by each adult was recorded. The data was analyzed using a T-test in SPSS. Analyzing the data this way allowed us to obtain and compare measurements of mean, standard deviation, standard error, and the P value. Our results indicate that Cochliomyia macellaria (p=.0467) adults live much longer than Chrysomya rufifacies adults do, and that size is not indicative of longer life. Further research is needed to evaluate varying results for these two species, as well as conduct new experiments with other forensically important insect species.
Rapid Onset Development of Myocardial Calcifications in the Setting of Renal Failure and Sepsis.

Myocardial calcifications can arise following damage to myocardial tissue or in the setting of disturbances in the calcium and phosphorus balance. They are associated with a number of cardiac seque...
Case Report: Infantile Urticaria as a Herald of Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease With a Novel Mutation in NLRP3

Neonatal multisystem onset inflammatory disorder (NOMID) is a severe autoinflammatory syndrome that can have an initial presentation as infantile urticaria. Thus, an immediate recognition of the clinical symptoms is essential for obtaining a genetic diagnosis and initiation of early therapies to prevent morbidity and mortality. Herein, we describe a neonate presenting with urticaria and systemic inflammation within hours after birth who developed arthropathy and neurologic findings. Pathologic evaluation of the skin revealed an infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and scattered neutrophils. Genetic analysis identified a novel heterozygous germline variant of unknown significance in the NLRP3 gene, causing the missense mutation M408T. Variants of unknown significance are common in genetic sequencing studies and are diagnostically challenging. Functional studies of the M408T variant demonstrated enhanced formation and activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome, with increased cleavage of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Upon initiation of IL-1 pathway blockade, the infant had a robust response and improvement in clinical and laboratory findings. Our experimental data support that this novel variant in NLRP3 is causal for this infant’s diagnosis of NOMID. Rapid assessment of infantile urticaria with biopsy and genetic diagnosis led to early recognition and targeted anti-cytokine therapy. This observation expands the NOMID-causing variants in NLRP3 and underscores the role of genetic sequencing in rapidly identifying and treating autoinflammatory disease in infants. In addition, these findings highlight the importance of establishing the functional impact of variants of unknown significance, and the impact this knowledge may have on therapeutic decision making.
Reactivating mutant p53 using small molecules as zinc metallochaperones: awakening a sleeping giant in cancer.

Tumor protein p53 (TP53) is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer. The majority of mutations are missense, and generate a defective protein that is druggable. Yet, for decades, the small-molecule restoration of wild-type (WT) p53 function in mutant p53 tumors (so-called p53 mutant ‘reactivation’) has been elusive to researchers. The p53 protein requires the binding of a single zinc ion for proper folding, and impairing zinc binding is a major mechanism for loss of function in missense mutant p53. Here, we describe recent work defining a new class of drugs termed zinc metallochaperones that restore WT p53 structure and function by restoring Zn2+ to Zn2+-deficient mutant p53.
Distributed primal strategies outperform primal-dual strategies over adaptive networks

This work studies distributed primal-dual strategies for adaptation and learning over networks from streaming data. Two first-order methods are considered based on the Arrow-Hurwicz (AH) and augmented Lagrangian (AL) techniques. Several results are revealed in relation to the performance and stability of these strategies when employed over adaptive networks. It is found that these methods have worse steady-state mean-square-error performance than primal methods of the consensus and diffusion type. It is also found that the AH technique can become unstable under a partial observation model, while the other techniques are able to recover the unknown under this scenario. It is further shown that AL techniques are stable over a narrower range of step-sizes than primal strategies.
Binding of Steroids to Progesterone Receptor Proteins in Chick Oviduct and Human Uterus

A number of synthetic and naturally occurring steroids were studied for competitive binding to two progesterone receptors, one in chick oviduct and another in human uterus. The results show a good correlation of relative (to progesterone) binding affinity with progestational activity as measured by subcutaneous Clauberg assay. 17α-Ethynyltestosterone and closely related compounds compete very well in binding to both receptors; 19-nor derivatives show dramatic enhancement of binding affinity to the human receptor. Of the substituted progesterones tested, 21-fluoro- and 6αfluoroprogesterone competed best with progesterone for binding to both receptors. 17α-Acetoxyprogesterone and the substituted 17α-acetoxyprogesterones tested were fairly good competitors for the human receptor but did not compete at all for the chick. The binding data are assessed in terms of structural requirements for formation of a steroid-receptor complex. The data suggest that the receptors are able to modify the mode of binding at ring D to accommodate several different types of C-17 substitution. Of the steroids with reactive halo, thio, diazo or chloromercuri substituents which were tested as possible substrates for affinity labeling of the receptor active site, only 6α- and 6β-bromoprogesterone and 17β-thiol- and 17β-methylthio-4-androsten-3-one competed sufficiently well with progesterone as to be considered good candidates.
Rational Functions and Association Scheme Parameters

The parameters of metric, cometric, symmetric association schemes with q \not= \pm 1 (the same as the parameters of the underlying orthogonal polynomials) can be given in general by evaluating a single rational function of degree (4, 4) in the complex variable q^j. But in all known examples, save the simple n-gons, these reduce to polynomials of degree at most 2 in q^j with q an integer. One reason this occurs is that the rational function can have singularities at points which would determine some of the parameters. This paper deals with the case in which not all of the singularities are removable, thus giving some reason why then -gons might naturally be the only exceptions to schemes with parameters being polynomials of degree at most 2 inq^j , except possibly for schemes of very small diameter.
National Self-Determination and Justice in Multinational States

Introduction. 1. Multinational states and moral theories of international legal doctrine. 1.1 Current International Norms. 1.2 Moral Theories of International Legal Doctrine Concerning Self-Determination. 1.3 Self-Determination, Territory, and the Continuity of Entitlement. 2. Collective agents and group moral rights. 2.1 Group Rights and Hart's Condition. 2.2 Collective Moral Rights and the Constitution of Group Agents: Primary Versus Derivative Group Rights. 2.3 The ontological status of group agents. 2.4 Practical Issues Associated with Primary Group Moral Rights. 2.5 Self-Determination as a Moral Right and Its Benefits. 3. A definition of nationhood. 3.1 A General Methodological Approach to Defining Nationhood. 3.2 Some Definitions. 3.3 A New Definition of Nationhood. 3.4 Nationhood and Self-Determination. 4. Potential political cultures. 4.1 Political Culture: Overview of the Continuum. 4.2 Three Problems. 4.3 Implications and Advantages of the Nations Approach. 5. The modified right to self-determination. 5.1 National Groups' Entitlement to Self-Determination. 5.2 The Modified Right to Self-Determination. 6. The implications of the modified right to self-determination. 6.1 The Nations Approach. 6.2 Multinational Federations and the Nations Approach. 6.3 A Teleological Justification of the Nations Approach. 6.4 The implementation of the nations approach. 6.5 Empirical Considerations. Conclusion. Notes.
La seguridad privada en Guatemala: el caso de la supervisión y el control

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua underwent a series of internal conflicts, largely as a result of economic and social inequalities and repressive political regimes, fueled by the policies of the two main superpowers at the time. Since 1996 when the peace agreements were signed the presence of private security companies in Guatemala has increased significantly, given the climate of insecurity and demand for protection by society at large. The provision of security by the private sector is challenging the state’s role as the main actor responsable for the security and safety of citizens and the protection of their assets. In the absence of an efficient legal system or regulatory structure, these private sector activities raise issues of legality, legitimacy, and accountability in the area of security policy. This paper seeks to analyze the state of control and supervision of the private sector in the field of public security in Guatemala.
Abstract 9796: Association of Unrecognized Myocardial Infarctions With Impaired Fasting Glucose in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: It has been estimated that approximately 25% of initial myocardial infarctions (MI) are unrecognized (UMI). The prognostic implications of UMI’s have been shown to be as severe as those of symptomatic MI’s. Risk factors for UMI’s are not well understood. Because diabetes mellitus is known to be a risk factor for UMI, it is reasonable to investigate impaired fasting glucose (IFG) as a candidate risk factor. Additionally, it has recently been estimated that up to one-third of all adult Americans have IFG. Methods: The relationship between IFG and UMI was examined in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA): a cohort of individuals aged 45 to 84 years without clinical cardiovascular disease. At baseline, participants with normal fasting glucose (NFG; n = 4955) and IFG (n=930) underwent a baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Using Minnesota code, an UMI was identified by the presence of pathological Q waves or minor Q waves with ST-T abnormalities. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates in 2 models. Model 1 adjusted for age, race, gender, and body mass index. Model 2 adjusted for model 1 + systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive medication use, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, lipid-lowering medication use, and cigarette use. Results: The sample was 46% male, 41% white, 26% black, 20% Hispanic, and 12% Asian. There were 72 UMIs identified in the normal fasting glucose (NFG) subjects and 30 UMIs among the IFG subjects. The two corresponding prevalences (1.4% vs. 3.2%) resulted in a crude OR for UMI of 2.26 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.47-3.48; p<0.001). With model 1 adjustments, the OR for UMI in IFG compared with NFG was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.12-2.8; p=0.015). With further adjustments in model 2, this relationship remained significant (OR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.02-2.56); p=0.041). Conclusion: Unrecognized myocardial infarctions by electrocardiogram are associated with impaired fasting glucose in a population without overt cardiovascular disease. Because of the high prevalence of impaired fasting glucose, the implications of this finding may have ramifications for a large proportion of the adult population.
Kernel-based association measures

Measures of associations have been widely used for describing the statistical relationships between two sets of variables. Traditional association measures tend to focus on specialized settings (specific types of variables or association patterns). Based on an in-depth summary of existing measures, we propose a general framework for association measures unifying existing methods and novel extensions based on kernels, including practical solutions to computational challenges. The proposed framework provides improved feature selection and extensions to a variety of current classifiers. Specifically, we introduce association screening and variable selection via maximizing kernel-based association measures. We also develop a backward dropping procedure for feature selection when there are a large number of candidate variables. We evaluate our framework using a wide variety of both simulated and real data. In particular, we conduct independence tests and feature selection using kernel association measures on diversified association patterns of different dimensions and variable types. The results show the superiority of our methods to existing ones. We also apply our framework to four real-word problems, three from statistical genetics and one of gender prediction from handwriting. We demonstrate through these applications both the de novo construction of new kernels and the adaptation of existing kernels tailored to the data at hand, and how kernel-based measures of associations can be naturally applied to different data structures including functional input and output spaces. This shows that our framework can be applied to a wide range of real world problems and work well in practice.
Fiction or Not? Fifty Shades is Associated with Health Risks in Adolescent and Young Adult Females

Abstract Background: No prior study has empirically characterized the association between health risks and reading popular fiction depicting violence against women. Fifty Shades—a blockbuster fiction series—depicts pervasive violence against women, perpetuating a broader social narrative that normalizes these types of risks and behaviors in women's lives. The present study characterized the association between health risks in women who read and did not read Fifty Shades; while our cross-sectional study design precluded causal determinations, an empirical representation of the health risks in women consuming the problematic messages in Fifty Shades is made. Methods: Females ages 18 to 24 (n=715), who were enrolled in a large Midwestern university, completed a cross-sectional online survey about their health behaviors and Fifty Shades' readership. The analysis included 655 females (219 who read at least the first Fifty Shades novel and 436 who did not read any part of Fifty Shades). Age- and race-adjusted m...