cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Percolation theory relates corticocancellous architecture to mechanical function in vertebrae of inbred mouse strains.

Abstract Complex corticocancellous skeletal sites such as the vertebra or proximal femur are connected networks of bone capable of transferring mechanical loads. Characterizing these structures as networks may allow us to quantify the load transferring behavior of the emergent system as a function of the connected cortical and trabecular components. By defining the relationship between certain physical bone traits and mechanical load transfer pathways, a clearer picture of the genetic determinants of skeletal fragility can be developed. We tested the hypothesis that the measures provided by network percolation theory will reveal that different combinations of cortical, trabecular, and compositional traits lead to significantly different load transfer pathways within the vertebral bodies among inbred mouse strains. Gross morphologic, micro-architectural, and compositional traits of L5 vertebrae from 15 week old A/J (A), C57BL6/J (B6), and C3H/HeJ (C3H) inbred mice ( n = 10/strain) were determined using micro-computed tomography. Measures included total cross-sectional area, bone volume fraction, trabecular number, thickness, spacing, cortical area, and tissue mineral density. Two-dimensional coronal sections were converted to network graphs with the cortical shell considered as one highly connected node. Percolation parameters including correlation length (average number of connected nodes between superior and inferior surfaces), chemical length (minimum number of connected nodes between surfaces), and backbone mass (strut number) were measured. Analysis of the topology of the connected bone networks showed that A and B6 mice transfer load through trabecular pathways in the middle of the vertebral body in addition to the cortical shell. C3H mice transfer load primarily through the highly mineralized cortical shell. Thus, the measures provided by percolation theory provide a quantitative approach to study how different combinations of cortical and trabecular traits lead to mechanically functional structures. The data further emphasize the interdependent nature of these physical bone traits suggesting similar genetic variants may affect both trabecular and cortical bone. Therefore, developing a network approach to study corticocancellous architecture during growth should further our understanding of the biological basis of skeletal fragility and, thus, provide novel engineering approaches to studying the genetic basis of fracture risk.
Predicting Vulnerabilities of North American Shorebirds to Climate Change

Despite an increase in conservation efforts for shorebirds, there are widespread declines of many species of North American shorebirds. We wanted to know whether these declines would be exacerbated by climate change, and whether relatively secure species might become at–risk species. Virtually all of the shorebird species breeding in the USA and Canada are migratory, which means climate change could affect extinction risk via changes on the breeding, wintering, and/or migratory refueling grounds, and that ecological synchronicities could be disrupted at multiple sites. To predict the effects of climate change on shorebird extinction risks, we created a categorical risk model complementary to that used by Partners–in–Flight and the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan. The model is based on anticipated changes in breeding, migration, and wintering habitat, degree of dependence on ecological synchronicities, migration distance, and degree of specialization on breeding, migration, or wintering habitat. We evaluated 49 species, and for 3 species we evaluated 2 distinct populations each, and found that 47 (90%) taxa are predicted to experience an increase in risk of extinction. No species was reclassified into a lower–risk category, although 6 species had at least one risk factor decrease in association with climate change. The number of species that changed risk categories in our assessment is sensitive to how much of an effect of climate change is required to cause the shift, but even at its least sensitive, 20 species were at the highest risk category for extinction. Based on our results it appears that shorebirds are likely to be highly vulnerable to climate change. Finally, we discuss both how our approach can be integrated with existing risk assessments and potential future directions for predicting change in extinction risk due to climate change.
Support for continuous media in the DASH system

The DASH resource model is defined as a basis for reserving and scheduling resources (disk, CPU, network, etc.) involved in end-to-end handling of continuous-media (information flowing continuously over real time i.e. digital audio or digital video) data. The model uses primitives that express work-load characteristics and performance requirements, and defines an algorithm for negotiated reservation of distributed resources. This algorithm is embodied in the session reservation protocol, a backward-compatible extension of the Internet Protocol. Hardware trends and future applications that motivate the DASH resource model are described. The performance requirements for using continuous media and the limitations of existing systems are discussed. The DASH resource model for reserving and scheduling resources is presented. The DASH kernel is briefly described. >
Renal denervation supersensitivity revisited

To determine whether the chronically denervated kidney is supersensitive to either physiological or pathophysiological plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), studies were conducted in conscious dogs subjected to unilateral renal denervation and surgical division of the urinary bladder into hemibladders to allow separate 24-h urine collection from denervated and innervated kidneys. Plasma NE concentration was increased by chronic infusion of NE (4–5 days) at rates of 25, 100, and 200 ng ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1. Twenty-four-hour control values for mean arterial pressure (MAP), plasma NE concentration, and ratios for urinary sodium and potassium excretion from denervated and innervated kidneys (Den/Inn) were 94 ± 4 mmHg, 145 ± 24 pg/ml, 1.05 ± 0.05, and 0.97 ± 0.07, respectively. With infusions of NE producing plasma levels of NE of up to ∼3,000 pg/ml or plasma concentrations of NE at least threefold greater than present under most pathophysiological conditions and during acute activation of the sympathetic nervous system, there were no significant long-term changes in MAP or relative excretion rates of sodium and potassium from denervated and innervated kidneys. In marked contrast, pharmacological plasma levels of NE (∼7,000 pg/ml) produced chronic increases in MAP (to 116 ± 2% of control) and sustained reductions in Den/Inn for urinary sodium and potassium excretion to 57 ± 4 and 68 ± 5% of control, respectively, indicating a lower excretion rate of these electrolytes from denervated vs. innervated kidneys. We conclude that the chronically denervated kidney does not exhibit an exaggerated antinatriuretic response to either physiological or pathophysiological levels of circulating NE. It is therefore unlikely that renal denervation supersensitivity is a confounding issue in studies employing chronic renal denervation to elucidate the role of the renal nerves in the regulation of sodium excretion.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induces Senescence with a Distinct Secretory Phenotype

Cellular senescence permanently arrests cell proliferation, often accompanied by a multi-faceted senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Loss of mitochondrial function can drive age-related declines in the function of many post-mitotic tissues, but little is known about how mitochondrial dysfunction affects mitotic tissues. We show here that several manipulations that compromise mitochondrial function in proliferating human cells induce a senescence growth arrest with a modified SASP that lacks the IL-1-dependent inflammatory arm. Cells that underwent mitochondrial dysfunction-associated senescence (MiDAS) had lower NAD+/NADH ratios, which caused both the growth arrest and prevented the IL-1-associated SASP through AMPK-mediated p53 activation. Progeroid mice that rapidly accrue mtDNA mutations accumulated senescent cells with a MiDAS SASP in vivo, which suppressed adipogenesis and stimulated keratinocyte differentiation in cell culture. Our data identify a distinct senescence response and provide a mechanism by which mitochondrial dysfunction can drive aging phenotypes.
Virginity Rituals and National Development: Harnessing a Traditional Virtue to Address Modern Challenges in Africa

Africa is grappling with poverty and unemployment. Virtually every sector of the economy is underdeveloped. African females can significantly contribute to the improvement of socioeconomic conditions in Africa considering their active traditional and historical roles in development. However, most females are not entering the formal sector of the economy and indeed the professions because of lack of or inadequate education. Many do not go to school and most do not go beyond elementary education. A significant number of girls drop out of school due to unplanned or unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDs. This paper proposes reinvigoration of virginity rituals as a strategy for enhancing girls’ participation in education and formal wage sector employment. The paper argues that revitalized virginity rituals will serve as a sociocultural incentive for girls to stay longer in school, qualify for participation in formal wage labor force and contribute more meaningfully to national development. Revitalized virginity rituals will result in a healthier African society in that it will significantly reduce sex-related vices including unplanned and unwanted teen pregnancies, complications associated with abortion and childbirth to under-aged adolescents, STIs and HIV/AIDS. The study is informed by a review of extant literature and data on women and development, women and reproductive health, women and education, and virginity rituals in Africa. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p155
Metagame Strategies of Nation-States, with Application to Cross-Strait Relations

Metagames (Howard, 1968), a class of formal models in game theory, model the behavior of players who predict each other’s conditional strategies recursively. We present a framework for three-player games based on metagame theory. This framework is well-suited to the analysis of nation-states, especially when the analyst wishes to make few assumptions about the level of recursive reasoning and the preference orderings of players.
Behavior of Galvalume coated sheet steel at elevated temperatures in O2 and O2/H2O atmospheres

Galvalume (trademark of Bethlehem Steel Corp.) sheet steel samples were heated in pure oxygen and 97% O2/3% H2O atmospheres at temperatures ranging from 300 to 670°C. Time at a particular temperature was varied but did not exceed 48 hr. Above 480°C, the Galvalume coating became rapidly alloyed with iron to form Al13Fe4, and zinc was lost by vaporization. The Zn content dropped to about 15 wt%. The time required to fully alloy the overlay at 490°C was less than 4 hr. Below 480°C, only minor microstructural changes occurred, and coating integrity was maintained. No differences in behavior were observed by the addition of 3% water vapor to the gas stream.
Acute systemic melioidosis. Autopsy findings in four patients.

Melioidosis is a disease caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Pseudomonas pseudomallei . It is endemic in Southeast Asia, but is being seen with increasing frequency in the United States as more military personnel return from Vietnam. We have recently autopsied four patients with relatively minor burns who died with the acute systemic form of melioidosis. The clinical course was that of a fulminating septicemia. Grossly visible lesions were present in three patients, whereas microscopic lesions were present in all. The lungs, liver, spleen, and bone marrow were characteristically involved. The morphogenesis of a t3rpical pulmonary lesion was traced. The grossly visible lesions had a zonal architecture. Necrotic centers were surrounded by degenerative histiocytes. Peripherally, there was a mixed infiltrate of neutrophils and viable histiocytes. The entire lesion was surrounded by a hemorrhagic border. The causative organism was easily seen, using modified Giemsa or Gram stains. Early treatment in one case appeared to sterilize the lesion.
Conflicting Identities in New Ventures: When Academic Founders may be a Liability

This study investigates how conflicting social identities among members of the founding team may influence the impact of knowledge developed by entrepreneurial new ventures. Set within the context ...
Does breeding a bulldog harm it? Breeding, ethics and harm to animals

It is frequently claimed that breeding animals that we know will have unavoidable health problems is at least prima facie wrong, because it harms the animals concerned. However, if we take ‘harm’ to mean ‘makes worse off’, this claim appears false. Breeding an animal that will have unavoidable health problems does not make any particular individual animal worse off, since an animal bred without such problems would be a different individual animal. Yet, the intuition that there is something ethically wrong about breeding animals — such as purebred pedigree dogs — in ways that seem negatively to affect welfare remains powerful. In this paper, an animal version of what is sometimes called the non-identity problem is explored, along with a number of possible ways of understanding what might be wrong with such breeding practices, if it is not that they harm the animal itself. These possibilities include harms to others, placeholder arguments, non-comparative ideas of harm, an ‘impersonal’ approach, and concerns about human attitudes and dispositions.
Light-Induced Changes Among Fast-Relaxing Hydrogens in Plasma-Deposited Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

Light-induced rearrangements in a-Si:H,D during and after illumination have been studied by deuteron magnetic resonance (DMR). A film sample was deposited on a 230°C Al substrate by plasma decomposition of S1H4 and D2. The high quality film contained 4 at.% H and 4 at. % D. DMR spectra of fast-relaxing components were examined at 700 msec or less after radio frequency saturation. At 30 K these showed a broad central signal (primarily nanovoid-trapped HD and D2), part of which shifted paramagnetically during illumination. No comparable shifts were shown by spectral components from Si-bonded hydrogen or from microvoid-contained dense fluid hydrogen. The observed post-illumination shifts vanished upon 150°C dark anneal and reflected light-induced metastable magnetic changes in the surroundings of hydrogen trapped in nanovoids.
Large Eddy Simulation of Soot Formation in Turbulent Premixed Flames

A subgrid model for soot dynamics is developed for large-eddy simulation (LES). The model uses a Method of Moments approach with Lagrangian Interpolative Closure (MOMIC) so that no a priori knowledge of the particles distribution is required. The soot model is implemented within a subgrid mixing and combustion model so that the reaction-difiusionMOMIC coupling is possible without requiring ad hoc flltering. A relatively detailed multispecies ethylene-air kinetics is employed for the gas phase combustion, and is used here to study the efiect of employing a detailed species variable difiusion coe‐cients on soot production in turbulent premixed ∞ames. The results show that the variable transport properties afiect the general structure of the ∞ame in the form of wider curvature probability density function tails and higher turbulent ∞ame speed. In addition, the efiect on the relative thermal to molecular difiusivity in the subgrid level (Lewis number efiect) changes the surface growth rate and the soot production level.
[Treatment of unstable thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures with Cotrel-Dubousset instruments].

Diese retrospektive Studie berichtet uber erste Erfahrungen mit instabilen Wirbelsaulenfrak-turen, die mit dem Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentarium behandelt wurden. Funfunddreisig instabile Wirbelsaulenverletzungen wurden zwischen Juni 1985 and August 1987 mit dem CD-Instrumentarium an der Universitats-klinik von Louisville - Trauma Center Kategorie I - behandelt. Es handelte sich um 17 Berstungsfrakturen, 12 Kompressionsfrakturen and je 2 Frakturdislokationen, Flexion-Distraktionsfrakturen and Flexion-Rotationsverletzungen. Zwanzig Patienten wurden zweistufig operiert, 15 einstufig. Kein Patient verschlechterte sich neurologisch nach der Operation, 5 Patienten verbesserten sich neurologisch sofort nach dem Eingriff. Auf eine postoperative Korsettbehandlung konnte in 11 Fallen verzichtet werden. Die Hospitalisationszeit betrug 6 bis 35 Tage, durchschnittlich 20 Tage. Der Nachuntersuchungszeitraum betrug mindestens ein Jahr (12–30 Monate, durchschnittlich 19 Monate). Der Korrekturverlust in der lateralen Projektion lag im Durchschnitt bei 5,6 Grad (Variationsbreite von 0 bis 20 Grad) beim letzten Nachuntersuchungstermin. Komplikationen aufgrund des Implantates konnten, auser einem thorakalen Hakenausris, nicht beobachtet werden. Die grose Stabilitat dieses Instrumentariums fuhrt zu fruher Rehabilitation, sowie zu einem vermindertem Risiko von posttraumatischer Kyphose oder Verschlechterung des neurologischen Status.[/p]
The role of iodine-124 positron emission tomography in molecular imaging

Radioactive iodine has been, in various forms, the mainstay of Nuclear Medicine. Iodine-123 is the most widely used iodine isotope for single photon imaging. Iodine-125 continues to be used in diverse applications from in vitro radioassay to in vivo estimation of various pathophysiologic correlates. Iodine-131 (131I), useful for imaging as well as therapy, has contributed more than any other radionuclide to the growth and sustenance of Nuclear Medicine. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an indispensable tool in current clinical practice, spurred by the rapid and increasing availability of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo imaging. Most clinical PET imaging utilizes fluorine-18; there is a need for positron emitters with longer half-lives, suitable for imaging larger molecules of interest. Iodine-124 (124I) has approximately 23 % positron emission; its 4-day half-life lends itself to sequential imaging, and its dosimetry is comparable to iodine-131. Iodine can be easily attached to a variety of molecules without alteration of physico-chemical or biologic properties. PET with 124I-labeled molecules enables longitudinal in vivo assessment of their distribution; such pharmacokinetic and biodistribution information has considerable utility in oncologic and non-oncologic applications. We will provide a clinical perspective on the physical and chemical characteristics of 124I, as the iodide, as well as radiolabeled to a wide variety of molecules of interest. Radioiodination is accomplished based on the chemical and biologic nature of the ligand to be studied, and issues of relevance will be highlighted. We will conclude by describing the current and potential future clinical applications of 124I-based tracers used for molecular imaging in diagnosis and therapy.
Use of Hematopoietic Hormones for Bone Marrow Defects in AIDS

Aboulafia provides an extensive review of the occurrence of and treatments for bone marrow disorders that complicate HIV infection and AIDS. Understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders is increasing, and the availability of recombinant colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) has, in many ways, facilitated the treatment of HIV-1 infection and its complications. Nonetheless, numerous critical questions remain regarding the optimal use of these expensive and powerful reagents.
Stratification of cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist efficacy: Manipulation of CB1R density through use of transgenic mice reveals congruence between in vivo and in vitro assays

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are an emerging class of abused drugs that differ from each other and the phytocannabinoid ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their safety and cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) pharmacology. As efficacy represents a critical parameter to understanding drug action, the present study investigated this metric by assessing in vivo and in vitro actions of THC, two well-characterized SCs (WIN55,212-2 and CP55,940), and three abused SCs (JWH-073, CP47,497, and A-834,735-D) in CB1 (+/+), (+/-), and (-/-) mice. All drugs produced maximal cannabimimetic in vivo effects (catalepsy, hypothermia, antinociception) in CB1 (+/+) mice, but these actions were essentially eliminated in CB1 (-/-) mice, indicating a CB1R mechanism of action. CB1R efficacy was inferred by comparing potencies between CB1 (+/+) and (+/-) mice [+/+ ED50 /+/- ED50], the latter of which has a 50% reduction of CB1Rs (i.e., decreased receptor reserve). Notably, CB1 (+/-) mice displayed profound rightward and downward shifts in the antinociception and hypothermia dose-response curves of low-efficacy compared with high-efficacy cannabinoids. In vitro efficacy, quantified using agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in spinal cord tissue, significantly correlated with the relative efficacies of antinociception (r = 0.87) and hypothermia (r = 0.94) in CB1 (+/-) mice relative to CB1 (+/+) mice. Conversely, drug potencies for cataleptic effects did not differ between these genotypes and did not correlate with the in vitro efficacy measure. These results suggest that evaluation of antinociception and hypothermia in CB1 transgenic mice offers a useful in vivo approach to determine CB1R selectivity and efficacy of emerging SCs, which shows strong congruence with in vitro efficacy.
Phragmén-Lindelöf Principle

This chapter continues the bounded type theory for the upper half-plane II. In Theorem 6.13 we rewrite the inner-outer factorization 5.14(ii) in the form $$F(z)=e^-i\tau z B(z)\frac{S+(z)}{S-(z)}G(z)$$ , where τ is a real number called the mean type of F(z), B(z) is a Blaschke product, S±(z) are singular inner functions (stripped of factors of the form e iaz , which go into the factor e−iτz), and G(z) is an outer function. Formulas for τ are derived in terms of the behavior of F(z) on the imaginary axis and the average behavior of F(z) on semicircles (Theorem 6.15).
Gene–Environment Interaction in the Intergenerational Transmission of Asthma

Researchers have found strong linkages between parent and child health, but the mechanisms underlying intergenerational health transmission are not well understood. This paper investigates how the importance of genetic health transmission mechanisms varies by environmental conditions in the case of pediatric asthma, the single most common chronic health condition among American children. Using a sample that includes approximately 2000 adoptees and a large number of similar biological families, I find that the relative importance of genetic transmission differs strongly by socioeconomic status (SES). In high SES families, parent-child asthma associations are approximately 75% weaker among adoptees than biological children, suggesting a dominant role for genetic transmission. In lower SES families, parent-child asthma associations are virtually identical across biological and adoptive children, suggesting a negligible role for genetic transmission. A potential interpretation of this difference is that as environmental conditions affecting asthma improve among higher SES children, an increasingly large share of asthma variation is due to genetics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IMPROVEMENT IN SKIN DISEASE SEVERITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED PROGRESSION OF AORTIC WALL THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

Psoriasis (PSO), an inflammatory disease associated with increased subclinical atherosclerosis (ATH), provides a useful in vivo model for investigating atherogenesis. Aortic wall thickness (AWT) is known to be associated with prospective cardiovascular events. The effect of modulating skin
Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline.

Purpose: There has been a marked increase in testosterone prescriptions in the past decade resulting in a growing need to give practicing clinicians proper guidance on the evaluation and management of the testosterone deficient patient.Materials and Methods: A systematic review utilized research from the Mayo Clinic Evidence Based Practice Center and additional supplementation by the authors. Evidence-based statements were based on body of evidence strength Grade A, B, or C and were designated as Strong, Moderate, and Conditional Recommendations with additional statements presented in the form of Clinical Principles or Expert Opinions (table 1 in supplementary unabridged guideline, http://jurology.com/).Results: This guideline was developed by a multi-disciplinary panel to inform clinicians on the proper assessment of patients with testosterone deficiency and the safe and effective management of men on testosterone therapy. Additional statements were developed to guide the clinician on the appropriate car...
Deactivation of wastewater-derived N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors with chlorine dioxide oxidation and the effect of pH.

In this study, the effect of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) oxidation on the deactivation of wastewater (WW)-derived N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors was investigated under various conditions (i.e., ClO2 application pH, dose and contact time). At pH 6.0, decreases in NDMA formation potentials (FPs) or occurrences (under uniform formation conditions [UFC]) were relatively low (<25%) with ClO2 oxidation regardless of WW-impact. A negative removal was also observed after ClO2 oxidation in some of the non-impacted waters. However, NDMA FP removals were significant (up to ~85%) under the same oxidation conditions in WW-impacted waters at pH 7.8. This indicates that the majority of WW-derived NDMA precursors can be deactivated with ClO2 oxidation above neutral pH. This was attributed to the better oxidative reaction of ClO2 with amines that have lone pair electrons to be shared at higher oxidation pH conditions. In addition, relatively short oxidation periods with ClO2 (i.e., ≤10 min) or low Ct (concentration × time, ~10 mg ∗ min/L) values were sufficient for the deactivation of WW-derived NDMA precursors. ClO2 oxidation was effective in freshly WW-impacted waters. Natural attenuation processes (e.g., sorption, biodegradation, etc.) can change the reactivity of WW-derived NDMA precursors for oxidation with ClO2. The effect of ClO2 on the removal of THM precursors was low (<25%) and independent of oxidation conditions. Given the low formation of regulated THMs and HAAs, ClO2 oxidation presents a viable option for the simultaneous control of NDMA and regulated DBP formation during water treatment, especially for utilities treating WW-impacted water sources.
Resettled Refugee Youth Leveraging Their Out-of-School Literacy Practices to Accomplish Schoolwork

This ethnographic study explores how three resettled refugee teens leveraged their out-of-school literacy practices to accomplish their schoolwork. As teens drew upon their out-of-school literacy p...
Amino Acid Disorders

Amino acids function as the building blocks of proteins, as energy sources, and as precursors for a number of different biological molecules. The chemical properties of amino acid side chains largely determine the structural and functional characteristics of proteins. Multiple metabolic pathways exist for the synthesis and catabolism of different amino acids. Mutational impairment of these pathways can cause a number of different inherited diseases that often cause significant neurological dysfunction. Analysis of amino acids is an effective diagnostic approach and many of these conditions are amenable to treatment.
Sexuality and Urology

The peripheral and low central innervations of the genital and lower urinary tracts are similar. Both areas receive sympathetic, parasym-pathetic, and somatic innervation from identical or adjacent thoracolumbar and sacral cord areas. Major afferent pathways are shared or closely related (1-3), and it is not surprising, therefore, that urologic disease processes initiated by neural lesions adversely influence sexual function.
Employers’ Perspectives on the Performance of Higher Education Institutions in Preparing Graduates for the Workplace: A Review of the Literature

Educational credentials play an important role in the job attainment process. To employers, academic credentials signal that a prospective employee has acquired certain competencies that certify readiness for the workplace. As grantors of educational credentials, higher education institutions (HEIs) are entrusted with the important duty of preparing graduates to enter the workforce. In order to better understand what employers need from HEIs in terms of preparing recent graduates for the workforce and the degree to which employers currently view the performance of HEIs in terms of preparing graduates to meet these needs, a review of the literature concerning employers’ perceptions of HEI performance was conducted for the current study. Sources were reviewed and analyzed for reoccurring ideas or themes in the literature. Three themes emerged from the review: (a) the need for work-related skills, (b) the need for internships, and (c) skepticism toward for-profit higher education (FPHE) graduates. Suggestions for future research are offered based on the emergent themes. This study is beneficial to prospective college students, college administrators, employers, and higher education professionals and scholars.
Optimal management of mesh infection: Evidence and treatment options

Mesh reinforcement is generally considered the standard of care in ventral hernia repair. Infection is a common complication following ventral hernia repair. Infection extending to the mesh is a complex problem. Knowledge of current treatment strategies is necessary for surgeons performing abdominal wall reconstruction. A comprehensive literature review was performed of current literature to assess risk factors and treatment options for mesh infection. Modifiable risk factors for mesh infections include active smoking, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, abdominal skin or wound issues, and obesity. Operative factors that increase the risk of mesh infection include prior hernia repair, enterotomy and contamination of the surgical field. Of the synthetic meshes, lightweight polypropylene has the highest likelihood of salvage. Patients that are current smokers, those with other synthetic mesh types, and those infected with MRSA are rarely salvaged. Following excision of infected mesh, multi-staged abdominal wall reconstruction can be considered. Biologic or biosynthetic mesh is recommended when repairing incisional hernias following excision of infected mesh and likely represent the patient's best chance at a definitive hernia repair. Wound VAC-assisted delayed primary closure should be considered in higher-risk patients. Mesh infection is a complex complication that is commonly encountered by surgeons performing hernia repair. Prevention through patient optimization should be performed whenever appropriate. However, when patients develop a mesh infection, most will require complete mesh excision and recurrent hernia repair.
The effect of black cohosh on Ki67 levels in DCIS patients.

e13541Background: Recent evidence suggests that black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) may prevent and treat breast cancer through anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-estrogenic, and anti-inflammat...
Abstract WP170: Chronic Kidney Disease as a Risk Factor for Enlarged Perivascular Spaces, and Relation to Racial Group

Purpose: Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) are brain MRI markers of subclinical small vessel disease (SVD). Recent studies suggest that basal ganglia (BG) EPVS represent hypertensive vasculopathy...
Near-Field Microwave Imaging of Embedded Objects in a Dense Slab with Normal Dipole Illumination

A normal dipole based microwave imaging method is proposed to distinguish different sized objects buried in dense media. Unlike using a parallel dipole, where the energy is focused into the normal direction due to the lensing effect caused by refraction at the boundary between two layers with a high dielectric contrast, the normal dipole can provide wide-angle illumination in the dense media. The effectiveness of the normal-dipole approach is verified by implementing 3D simulation of different spherical voids buried in a dense slab.
Role of motor and cognitive tasks in gait of individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience difficulties with memory and task execution. Walking while performing a secondary task could affect gait of individuals with MCI and increase fall risk. The aim of the study was to investigate gait in individuals with MCI performing motor
CT Scans Obtained for Nonpulmonary Indications: Associated Respiratory Findings of COVID-19.

Radiologists should maintain a high index of suspicion with respect to the lungs in patients with primary extrapulmonary clinical symptoms who undergo non–chest CT studies to facilitate earlier dia...
Incidental Schwannoma Identified During Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis: a Case Report.

Introduction Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumors that make up less than 1 percent of all gastrointestinal tumors. Schwannoma can occur along peripheral nerves anywhere throughout the body. Gastrointestinal schwannoma is relatively rare and most commonly occurs in the stomach, small intestine, and colon, respectively. There have only been a handful of case reports describing appendiceal schwannomas. Approximately 30-50 percent of appendicular tumors show clinical symptoms and signs similar to those of appendicitis. Case report A 36-year-old male presented initially for right lower quadrant pain of one day duration. He denied any other associated symptoms. CT imaging of abdomen and pelvis showed a fluid-filled and dilated appendix with fat stranding consistent with appendicitis. He underwent laparoscopic appendectomy without complication. The pathology report showed a well-defined proliferation of bland uniform cells that contained small smooth nuclei and abundant foamy cytoplasm at the tip of the appendix. Scattered eosinophils were noted. These neoplastic cells were positive for S100 and negative for CD68, CD34, and CD117, most consistent with a schwannoma. Discussion Diagnosing appendiceal schwannoma pre-operatively is a challenging task due to the rare nature of the tumors and the lack of clinical features to separate it from other appendiceal pathology. Appendiceal schwannomas are benign but it is unclear if malignant transformation is possible if left untreated. While there are currently no agreed upon treatment guidelines for appendiceal schwannoma, it is currently thought that complete surgical resection is the best treatment while chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not effective.
Robustness Analysis of Scaled Resource Allocation Models Using the Imperial PEPA Compiler

The increase in scale provided by distributed computing systems has expanded scientific discovery and engineering solutions. Stochastic modeling with Performance Evaluation Process Algebra (PEPA) has been used to evaluate the robustness of static resource allocations in parallel and distributed computing systems. These evaluations have previously been performed through the PEPA Plug-In for the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment and have been limited by factors that include: i) the size and complexity of the underlying, in-use PEPA model, ii) a small number of resource allocation models available for analysis, and iii) the human interaction necessary to configure the PEPA Eclipse Plug-In, thus limiting potential automation. As the size and complexity of the underlying PEPA models increases, the number of states to be evaluated for each model also greatly increases, leading to a case of state space explosion. In this work, we validate the Imperial PEPA Compiler (IPC) as a replacement for the PEPA Eclipse Plug-In for the robustness analysis of resource allocations. We make available an implementation of the IPC as a Singularity container, as part of a larger online repository of PEPA resources. We then develop and test a programmatic method for generating PEPA models for resource allocations. When combined with our IPC container, this method allows automated analysis of resource allocation models at scale. The use of the IPC allows the evaluation of larger models than it is possible when using the PEPA Eclipse Plug-In. Moreover, the increases in scale in both model size and number of models, support the development of improved makespan targets for robustness metrics, including those among applications subject to perturbations at runtime, as found in typical parallel and distributed computing environments.
Foundry-processed optomechanical photonic integrated circuits

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are a maturing technology with foundries enabling wafer-scale PIC fabrication. At the same time, optomechanics, in which micro-/nano-optical and -mechanical structures are coupled, is well-established with many basic research and practical applications. However, optomechanical devices have so far required highly-customized fabrication that limits their inclusion in foundry-processed PICs. To address this need, we design optomechanical PICs using standard low-loss process design kit (PDK) components. Our approach ensures access to the foundry’s low-loss PDK components and enables process compatibility. As a demonstration, we design a foundry-processed optomechanical Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). Measurements demonstrate that a π-phase shift can be accumulated over an optomechanical interaction length of only 60 µm and tunable phase shifting can be achieved using gradient electric force actuation. We further demonstrate all-optical excitation and readout of mechanical resonances for sensing applications. Our PDK-focused optomechanics design approach enables the co-integration of optomechanics, photonics, and electronics in a single PIC.
Prescription Antibiotic Use Among the US population 1999-2018: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Background Antibiotic resistance has been identified as a public health threat both in the United States and globally. The United States published the National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in 2014, which included goals to reduce inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) years 1999-2018. Weighted prevalence of past 30-day nontopical outpatient antibiotic use was calculated, as well as the change in prevalence from 1999-2002 to 2015-2018 and 2007-2010 to 2015-2018, both overall and for subgroups. Associations with past 30-day nontopical outpatient antibiotic use in 2015-2018 were examined using predictive margins calculated by multivariable logistic regression. Results The overall prevalence of past 30-day nontopical outpatient antibiotic use adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty status, time of year of the interview, and insurance status from 1999-2002 to 2015-2018 changed significantly from 4.9% (95% CI, 3.9% to 5.0%) to 3.0% (95% CI, 2.6% to 3.0%), with the largest decrease among children age 0-1 years. From 2007-2010 to 2015-2018, there was no significant change (adjusted prevalence ratio [adjPR], 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.2). Age was significantly associated with antibiotic use, with children age 0-1 years having significantly higher antibiotic use than all other age categories >6 years. Being non-Hispanic Black was negatively associated with antibiotic use as compared with being non-Hispanic White (adjPR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.8). Conclusions While there were declines in antibiotic use from 1999-2002 to 2015-2018, there were no observed declines during the last decade.
Interplay between Spin-Orbit Torques and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interactions in Ferrimagnetic Amorphous Alloys.

Ferrimagnetic thin films are attractive for low-power spintronic applications because of their low magnetization, small angular momentum, and fast spin dynamics. Spin orbit torques (SOT) can be applied with proximal heavy metals that also generate interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI), which can stabilize ultrasmall skyrmions and enable fast domain wall motion. Here, the properties of a ferrimagnetic CoGd alloy between two heavy metals to increase the SOT efficiency, while maintaining a significant DMI is studied. SOT switching for various capping layers and alloy compositions shows that Pt/CoGd/(W or Ta) films enable more energy-efficient SOT magnetization switching than Pt/CoGd/Ir. Spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance confirms that Pt/CoGd/W has the highest spin-Hall angle of 16.5%, hence SOT efficiency, larger than Pt/CoGd/(Ta or Ir). Density functional theory calculations indicate that CoGd films capped by W or Ta have the largest DMI energy, 0.38 and 0.32 mJ m-2 , respectively. These results show that Pt/CoGd/W is a very promising ferrimagnetic structure to achieve small skyrmions and to move them efficiently with current.
Public Good Provision in Large Groups: Olson Was (Almost Always) Right!

It is well established that the provision of a pure public good is increasing in group size if the good is normal. What I show is that if the good exhibits even a small degree of rivalry, then the individual level of consumption of the public good falls to 0 in a large group. Thus, a strong version of the Olson hypothesis applies to anything other than an pure public good. Technically, what is important is the nature of the public good as the group size grows large. If the good approaches a pure public good in the limit, we will not obtain a strong version of the Olson hypothesis, but if the commodity exhibits any degree of rivalry in the limit, then we do obtain a strong version of his hypothesis.
The Real Reason 60 Is the New 30: Consumer Debt and Income Insecurity in Late Middle Age†

In this analysis, we revisit the arguments made in our 2007 book, Post-Industrial Peasants: The Illusion of Middle Class Prosperity, and foreshadow our arguments in our forthcoming book, Middle Cla...
Arithmetic Operations in Interval Spaces

If M is an ordered algebraic structure every operation * can be extended to intervals over M by the following two steps: 1. Extend the Operation to the powerset PM of M and 2. Round this result into the set of intervals IM by taking the least interval which includes the result in PM. This process leads to the best possible approximation of the Operation in PM by that in IM. Because of the nature of the definition of the powerset Operation, however, this process does not lead to executable formulas if in actual applications M is replaced by the set of vectors or matrices over the real numbers, the complex numbers or the set of vectors or matrices over the complex numbers. We show that for all of these sets different definitions of the Operations can be given which via isomorphism lead to executable formulas for the optimal arithmetic even on subsystems of the various sets mentioned above. Interval arithmetic in product spaces was originally defined by these executable formulas. In such an approach, however, the connection with the powerset Operations and several other interpretations, which are of fundamental interest in interval analysis, are missing.
Electromyographic Analysis of Patterns Used to Reproduce Muscular Tension.

Abstract The major purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals who are more accurate in muscular force reproduction have certain electromyographic pattern characteristics which would distinguish them as a group as opposed to individuals who as a group are less accurate reproducers. Pattern characteristics measured included rate of muscle action potential production, variability in rate of muscle action potential production, and amount of intertrial muscle action potential activity. Results supported the following conclusions: (1) more accurate individuals, as a group, produce a significantly lower rate of muscle action potential production, (2) more accurate individuals, as a group, are significantly more variable in rate of muscle action potential production, (3) the degree of relaxation between trials is not related to success in reproducing the standard task, and (4) as accuracy increases, muscle action potential characteristics of rate and variability in rate of production follow differ...
Subpatent infection with nucleoside transporter 1-deficient Plasmodium blood stage parasites confers sterile protection against lethal malaria in mice.

Summary Repeated immunizations with whole Plasmodium blood stage parasites and concomitant drug cure of infection confer protective immunity against parasite challenge in mice, monkeys and humans. Moreover, it was recently shown that infections with genetically modified rodent malaria blood stage parasites conferred sterile protection against lethal blood stage challenge. However, in these models vaccination resulted in high parasitemias and, in consequence, carries risk of vaccine-induced pathology and death. Herein, we generated a novel, completely blood stage-attenuated P. yoelii rodent malaria strain by targeted deletion of parasite nucleoside transporter 1 (NT1). Immunization of inbred and outbred mouse strains with a single low dose of Pynt1- blood stages did not induce any patent infections and conferred complete sterile protection against lethal heterologous blood stage and sporozoite challenges. Partial protection was observed against lethal challenges with another parasite species, P. berghei. Importantly, subcutaneous immunization with Pynt1- conferred sterile protection against lethal blood stage challenges. We show that cellular and humoral immune responses are both essential for sterile protection. The study demonstrates that genetic manipulation provides a platform for the designed, complete attenuation of malaria parasite blood stages and suggests testing the safety and efficacy of P. falciparum NT1 knockout strains in humans.
NC algorithms for computing the number of perfect matchings in K 3,3 -free graphs and related problems

We show that the problem of computing the number of perfect matchings in K3,3-free graphs is in NC. This stands in striking contrast with the #P-completeness of counting the number of perfect matchings in arbitrary graphs. As corollaries we obtain NC algorithms for checking if a given K3,3-free graph has a perfect matching and if it has an EXACT MATCHING. Our result also opens up the possibility of obtaining an NC algorithm for finding a perfect matching in K3,3-free graphs.
Metabolic Hyperactivity of the Medial Posterior Parietal Lobes in Psychogenic Tremor

Background: The pathophysiology of psychogenic movement disorders, including psychogenic tremor (PT), is only emerging. Case Report: This is a single case report of a patient who met diagnostic criteria for PT. He underwent positron emission tomography (PET) of brain with 18F-deoxyglucose at resting state. His PET study showed symmetrically increased 18F-deoxyglucose uptake in both posterior medial parietal lobes. There was no corresponding abnormality on structural imaging. Discussion: Hypermetabolism of the medial aspects of posterior parietal lobes bilaterally may reflect abnormal activity of sensory integration that is important in the pathogenesis of PT. This further supports the idea that non-organic movement disorders may be associated with detectable functional brain abnormalities.