cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbial strategies for antagonizing Toll-like-Receptor signal transduction

Within a few years of the discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their role in innate immunity, viral and bacterial proteins were recognized to antagonize TLR signal transduction. Since then, as TLR signaling networks were unraveled, microbial systems have been discovered that target nearly every component within these pathways. However, recent findings as well as some notable exceptions promote the idea that more of these systems have yet to be discovered. For example, we know very little about microbial systems for directly targeting non-cytoplasmic portions of TLR signaling pathways, that is, the ligand interacting portions of the receptor itself. In this review, we compare and contrast strategies by which bacteria and viruses antagonize TLR signaling networks to identify potential areas for future research.
Automating Shallow Seismic Imaging

Our primary research focus during the current three-year period of funding has been to develop and demonstrate an automated method of conducting two-dimensional (2D) shallow-seismic surveys with the goal of saving time, effort, and money. Recent tests involving the second generation of the hydraulic geophone-planting device dubbed the ''Autojuggie'' have shown that large numbers of geophones can be placed quickly and automatically and can acquire high-quality data, although not under all conditions (please see the Status and Results of Experiments sections for details). In some easy-access environments, this device is expected to make shallow seismic surveying considerably more efficient and less expensive. Another element of our research plan involved monitoring the cone of depression around a pumping well, with the well serving as a proxy location for fluid-flow at a contaminated DOE site. To try to achieve that goal, we collected data from a well site at which drawdown equilibrium had been reached and at another site during a pumping test. Data analysis disclosed that although we were successful in imaging the water table using seismic reflection techniques (Johnson, 2003), we were not able to explicitly delineate the cone of depression (see Status and Results of Experiments).
Excision of hemivertebrae in the management of congenital scoliosis involving the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine

We present a study of ten consecutive patients who underwent excision of thoracic or thoracolumbar hemivertebrae for either angular deformity in the coronal plane, or both coronal and sagittal deformity. Vertebral excision was carried out anteriorly alone in two patients. Seven patients had undergone previous posterior spinal fusion. Their mean age at surgery was 13.4 years (6 to 19). The mean follow-up was 78.5 months (20 to 180). The results were evaluated by radiological review of the preoperative, postoperative and most recent follow-up films. The mean preoperative coronal curve was 78.2 degrees (30 to 115) and was corrected to 33.9 degrees (7 to 58) postoperatively, a mean correction of 59%. Preoperative coronal decompensation of 35 mm was improved to 11 mm postoperatively. Seven patients had significant coronal decompensation preoperatively, which was corrected to a physiological range postoperatively. There were no major complications and no neurological damage. We have shown that resection of thoracic and thoracolumbar hemivertebrae can be performed safely, without undue risk of neurological compromise, in experienced hands.
Choosing A University: Applying Student Experiences To Managerial Accounting Concepts

This case allows students to apply their recent university-selection experience to managerial accounting concepts. For some students, the decision to attend a particular university is easy; for others, the number of factors to consider may appear overwhelming. We provide a realistic scenario for making this decision that focuses on both financial considerations and important qualitative aspects of college. Our goal is to provide students a concrete example that allows them to utilize their experience in making this decision with the cost concepts necessary in understanding managerial accounting. Our fictional character, Amy, is choosing between an instate public university, an out-of-state public university, and a private college in the Pacific Northwest. Instructors can use this case to reinforce cost concepts, cost behavior, and relevant costs.
High power density single phase inverter using GaN FETS and active power decoupling for Google little box challenge

This paper presents a comparison between mitigation techniques for double line frequency ripples in single phase micro-inverters based on GaN FETs. A topology based on an auxiliary DC-AC stage is adopted based on optimizing both power density and efficiency to achieve the pressing needs for the next generation of micro-inverters as announced by Google's little box challenge. An accurate yet simple control algorithm is proposed that provides a ripple-free DC current. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented topology and control algorithm to achieve high power density micro-inverter rated at 2kW.
Revascularization and accretion in transplantation. Quantitative studies of the role of the allograft barrier.

The healing of full-thickness iliac bone grafts over a three-month interval was studied in young adult New Zealand white rabbits focusing on the rates of revascularization and new-bone formation. The former was measured by determining the distribution of 51Cr labeled erythrocytes while the latter was estimated from the uptake of 85Sr. Revascularization of autografts proceeded rapidly for four weeks and peaked at six weeks, followed by a slow decline. New-bone formation was maximum at three weeks and remained at a high plateau thereafter. The revascularization of allografts in untreated animals did not show an initial rise and remained significantly lower than autografts after the second week of observation (P less than 0.01). New-bone formation was indolent for the first six weeks (P less than 0.001) and rose slowly thereafter. By contrast, the curves for both factors in allografts of animals treated with azathioprine was virtually superimposable on those of autografts. These studies document and quantitate the barrier imposed on bone implant acceptance by antigenic differences and demonstrate the reversal of this barrier through immunosuppressive treatment.
Advanced applications of wafer bonding

Wafer bonding technology enables disparate crystalline materials to be layered for the fabrication of devices. Its application to high performance depleted CMOS, double gate CMOS and 3D device integration is discussed. The fabrication of photonic and optoelectronic devices, including light sources, light detectors, waveguides, couplers, switches and modulators, can also benefit from wafer bonding. Thin SOI, glass-bonded and twist bonded compliant substrate techniques are described.
Digital Holography of Natural Scenes

A novel technique dubbed self-interference incoherent digital holography (SIDH) is being developed for imaging of natural scenes such as astronomical objects or daylight-illuminated outdoor scenes.
A Conditional Defense of the Dyadic Approach

We contend that the dyadic approach should be employed as a theoretically informed choice. All choices of units in modeling are simplifying. Current criticisms do not render dyadic approaches useless forms of simplification. Indeed, depending on the question and theory, dyadic approaches may be the most appropriate simplification of reality for scholars of international studies. The basic structure of the dyad, a two actor interaction, remains a useful simplification for multiple key questions in conflict research. As such, we offer a conditional defense of the dyadic approach in light of three elements: (i) the choice of level of analysis, (ii) the assumption of independence of cases, and (iii) the benefits accrued by past dyadic research.
Realization of point planar elastic behaviors using revolute joint serial mechanisms having specified link lengths

Abstract This paper presents methods for the realization of 2 × 2 translational compliance matrices using serial mechanisms having only revolute joints, each with selectable compliance. The link lengths of the mechanism and the location of the compliant frame relative to the mechanism base are arbitrary but specified. The realizability of a given compliant behavior is investigated, and necessary and sufficient conditions for the realization of a given compliance with a given mechanism are obtained. These realization conditions are interpreted in terms of geometric relationships among the joints. We show that, for an appropriately sized 3R serial mechanism, any single 2 × 2 compliance matrix can be realized by properly choosing the joint compliances and the mechanism configuration. Requirements on mechanism geometry to realize every particle planar elastic behavior at a given location just by changing the mechanism configuration are also identified.
Theory Analysis and Control Strategy on Rotating Platformfor Simulating the Three Dimension Linear Acceleration

The structure project of simulation rotating platform for testing the three dimension linear acceleration was put forward for meeting the request of signal simulation environment of the three dimension linear acceleration indicator in the field of aviation and spaceflight.Based on the theory analysis of athletics,the fuzzy tuning PID control strategy was adopted.The acceleration compensation principle was explained.The simulation results validate that the structure of the system is reasonable and the algorithm is effective.Three dimension linear acceleration can be simulated accurately using this rotating platform.
SU‐F‐T‐615: Comparison of Plan Quality for Linac‐Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) Using Single‐ and Multi‐Isocenter Techniques

Purpose: To compare the plan quality of linear accelerator (linac)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using single-isocenter volumetric arc therapy (SI-VMAT), restricted single-isocenter dynamic-arc (RSI-DARC), and multi-isocenter DARC (MI-DARC) techniques. Methods: Fifteen SRS cases were randomly selected and re-planned using the SI-VMAT (Pinnacle), RSI-DARC (iPlanNet) and MI-DARC (iPlanNet). The number of planning target volumes (PTVs) for each plan ranged from 1 to 6. For SI-VMAT, a single isocenter and 3-4 VMAT beams are used for all PTVs, while for MI-DARC, each PTV has its own isocetner with 3 DARC beams. RSI-DARC uses one isocnter with 3-6 DARC beams to irradiate all PTVs within 2.5-cm radius. Both SI-DARC and RSI-DARC plans were optimized manually. The prescription dose was 20 Gy to each PTV. The maximal dose was 25 Gy for RSI-DARC and MI-DARC, but could not be controlled for SI-VMAT due to the nature of VMAT planning. Plan quality indexes including PTV coverage, mean dose of PTV (PTVmean) and tissue (Tmean), V12Gy, conformity index (CI), and V10Gy/VPTV were calculated and compared. Results: Full PTV coverage was achieved for all three techniques. Using the MI-DARC plans as the gold standard, the PTVmean of the SI-VMAT plans was 12.5%±8.3% (mean±standard deviation) higher, in comparison to 0.7%±1.4% for the RSI-DARC plans. Similar trend was observed for other indexes including V12Gy (39.4%±27.3% vs. 9.3%±7.8%), Tmean (35.0%±26.8% vs. 2.8%±3.4%), and V10Gy/VPTV (42.2%±31.5% vs. 9.9%±8.2%). CI is comparable (6.2%±14.2% vs. 6.3%±7.2%). Assuming the treatment time is proportional to the number of isocenters, the reduction of the treatment time in comparison to MI-DARC was 70% for SI-VMAT and 42% for RSI-DARC. Conclusion: Although the SI-VMAT can save a considerable amount of treatment time, the plan indexes also significantly deviates from the gold standard, MI-DARC. RSI-DARC, on the other hand, provides a good compromise between the treatment time and plan quality.
Abstract 2677: Unfolded protein response is required for EMT-driven metastasis by inducing CREB3L1

Cancer initiates and progresses in the presence of a diversity of stresses ranging from nutrient deficiency, low oxygen supply to pH fluctuations. A set of stress response pathways, termed unfolded protein response (UPR), was evolved to maintain homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from disruption by the above stressors. While it is broadly acknowledged that the UPR is involved in tumorigenesis, as tumor cells can employ the UPR as a critical survival strategy to grow and resist chemotherapy, the role of UPR in metastasis remains largely elusive. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cell transdifferentiation program frequently hijacked by cancer cells to migrate and invade. Here we showed cancer cells that have undergone an EMT employ the PERK-ATF4 branch of the UPR to drive metastasis, since loss of ATF4 abrogates the cell invasion upon an EMT. By conducting gene expression profiling, we found that the PERK-ATF4 pathway mediates the expression of a subset of the essential pro-invasion EMT-signature genes. In particular, CREB3L1, an ER-associated transcription factor (TF), is highly induced upon EMT in an ATF4-dependent manner. Knockdown of CREB3L1 effectively inhibits the EMT-driven invasion, while overexpression of CREB3L1 not only promotes invasion but also rescues the decrease of invasion caused by loss of ATF4. Mechanistically, CREB3L1 facilitates invasion through an ECM-FAK cascade. In breast cancer patients, the expression of CREB3L1 is significantly upregulated in breast cancer metastases compared to primary lesions, and predicts a poor prognosis. Most importantly, unlike other EMT-TFs, CREB3L1 could be inhibited by known chemicals, since the activation of CREB3L1 is mediated by the S1P- and S2P- dependent proteolysis. In an orthotopic breast cancer model, we found that chemical inhibition of CREB3L1 drastically suppresses lung metastasis. As a summary, we discovered that an ER stress-associated transcription factor CREB3L1 is required for cancer metastasis, and the susceptibility of CREB3L1 to chemical inhibition makes it a valuable target for drug development. Citation Format: Yuxiong Feng, Dexter X. Jin, Piyush B. Gupta. Unfolded protein response is required for EMT-driven metastasis by inducing CREB3L1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2677.
Towards Resiliency Evaluation of Vector Programs

The systems resilience research community has developed methods to manually insert additional source-programlevel assertions to trap errors, and also devised tools to conductfault injection studies for scalar program codes. In this work, we contribute the first vector oriented LLVM-level fault injectorVULFI to help study the effects of faults in vector architecturesthat are of growing importance, especially for vectorizing loops. Using VULFI, we conduct a resiliency study of nine real-worldvector benchmarks using Intel's AVX and SSE extensions asthe target vector instruction sets, and offer the first reportedunderstanding of how faults affect vector instruction sets. We takethis work further toward automating the insertion of resilienceassertions during compilation. This is based on our observationthat during intermediate (e.g., LLVM-level) code generation tohandle full and partial vectorization, modern compilers exploit(and explicate in their code-documentation) critical invariants. These invariants are turned into error-checking code. We confirmthe efficacy of these automatically inserted low-overhead errordetectors for vectorized for loops.
Test Generation Using RTL Descriptions

The test generation algorithm described in the previous chapter helped to improve the efficiency of test generation for sequential circuits. The main drawback of the approach is that complete covers cannot be generated for very large circuits. Though partial covers are adequate for test generation for certain circuits, for a class of large circuits it is not possible to obtain high fault coverage using partial covers. Also, with the increase in cover sizes, the time taken to perform all the intersections increases, thereby increasing the time required for justification and differentiation. To date, there is no known way of generating partial covers so that they can be made as effective as complete covers for test generation. Though the approach presented in Chapter 2 was shown to be more efficient than previous approaches, there is still a need for test generators that can handle large circuits, especially entire chips.
Releasing Syntaphilin Removes Stressed Mitochondria from Axons Independent of Mitophagy under Pathophysiological Conditions

Chronic mitochondrial stress is a central problem associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Early removal of defective mitochondria from axons constitutes a critical step of mitochondrial quality control. Here we investigate axonal mitochondrial response to mild stress in wild-type neurons and chronic mitochondrial defects in Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)- and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-linked neurons. We show that stressed mitochondria are removed from axons triggered by the bulk release of mitochondrial anchoring protein syntaphilin via a new class of mitochondria-derived cargos independent of Parkin, Drp1, and autophagy. Immuno-electron microscopy and super-resolution imaging show the budding of syntaphilin cargos, which then share a ride on late endosomes for transport toward the soma. Releasing syntaphilin is also activated in the early pathological stages of ALS- and AD-linked mutant neurons. Our study provides new mechanistic insights into the maintenance of axonal mitochondrial quality through SNPH-mediated coordination of mitochondrial stress and motility before activation of Parkin-mediated mitophagy. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Research Priorities: Allocation or Resources among R&D Programs

The management of technology-based industrial firms faces the problem of deciding how much of their resources should be devoted to RD that is, the subject is the distribution of resources among continuing or proposed research programs in an industrial setting. The important question of how much corporate funds should be devoted to research is another subject for another time.
A Novel Approach to the Dynamics of Flexible Robot Arms

Abstract A novel approach to the dynamics of flexible structure undergoing large overall motions is proposed whereby the equations of motions are referred directly to the inertial frame. This results in a drastic simplification of the inertia. operator which now has an structure identical to that arising in rigid body mechanics. The proposed formulation is capable of accommodating elastic instability phenomena and nonconservation loading. Applications include flexible robot arms, rotor blades of aircraft propellers and flexible Earth-orbiting satellites
How to use Max Weber’s ideal type in sociological analysis:

The main problem that is addressed in this article is how to use Max Weber’s concept of the ideal type in concrete sociological research. The ideal type was invented by Weber more than a century ag...
Not just about the trees: Key role of mosaic-meadows in restoration of ponderosa pine ecosystems

Abstract Historical pre-settlement conditions in ponderosa pine ecosystems ranged from savannas ( 6 m from overstory trees) on understory vegetation in five recently thinned ponderosa pine stands and one long-undisturbed stand in Colorado. We also compared historical spatial patterns in mosaic-meadows to current conditions in ponderosa pine stands and determined whether thinning treatments are recreating historical conditions. Mosaic-meadows in ponderosa pine ecosystems declined substantially from a mean of 55% of stand area in 1860–1875 to 7% in 2010–2013 prior to tree thinning. The loss of mosaic-meadows has ecological consequences for the function of ponderosa pine ecosystems because spatial patterns of mosaic-meadows strongly influenced understory vegetation. At our sites, understory cover increased by 3%/m with distance from overstory trees, and understory richness increased from 6 species/m2 within 1 m of overstory trees to 9 species/m2 at 10 m away from overstory trees. Cover and richness of understory vegetation (especially native forbs) responded rapidly to creation of mosaic-meadows within 1 to 4 years after treatment. Thinning treatments at two stands brought the coverage of mosaic-meadows within the historical range of variation, but there was a noticeable lack of mosaic-meadows >12 m from overstory trees at all treated stands. Restoration of the fundamental ecological characteristics of ponderosa pine ecosystems should intentionally include variably sized mosaic-meadows.
Self-Heating Assessment on Bulk FinFET Devices Through Characterization and Predictive Simulation

This paper describes three different measurement methodologies for the electrical characterization of FinFET self-heating at wafer-level. Finite element simulations of heat transport are used to interpret heater-sensor temperature gradients and validate the measurements. The different sensor types were designed to use the threshold voltage ( ${V} _{\text {T}}$ ) of an adjacent FET, the forward bias ( ${V} _{\text {D}}$ ) of an adjacent pn-junction or the gate resistance ( ${R} _{\text {G}}$ ) of the device itself. We report that self-heating is underestimated by 35% when sensed at a neighboring device. We also confirm that heat from local and surrounding sources are additive.
Lipid Raft Membrane Skeletons

Most cellular plasma membranes are organized into specialized domains that are defined by extracellular cues. For instance, contact with specific extracellular matrix components triggers the formation of focal adhesions and hemidesmosomes at basal cell surfaces (Hahn and Labouesse, 2001; Wehrle-Haller and Imhof, 2002). Similarly, homophilic interactions between cell-cell adhesion molecules create junctional complexes that integrate tissues (Green and Gaudry, 2000; Vasioukhin and Fuchs, 2001; Braga, 2002; Jamora and Fuchs, 2002). Adaptor proteins—which bind simultaneously to cytoplasmic sequences in adhesion molecules, ion channels, and cytoskeletal and signaling proteins—then create protein scaffolds that constitute sites of localized signal transduction. Although the components of these membrane domains can be dynamic, the domains themselves are intra-membrane “landmarks,” some lasting for the duration of the cell cycle. Stabilized by multiple strong protein-protein interactions, these “membrane skeletons” resist extraction with nonionic detergents and can, in many cases, be purified to homogeneity (Yu et al., 1973; Skerrow and Matoltsy, 1974; Tsukita, 1989; Slusarewicz et al., 1994).
Legal Reform Through the Eyes of Russia's Leading Jurists: The Vlast Debate on the Russian Judiciary

The discussion of judicial independence kicked off by imprisoned former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky's June 2009 article "Russia Awaiting Trial" reveals the incompatibility between the goal of a "rule of law" state and the reality of the "power vertical."
Hypoglossal Motor Neuron Death Via Intralingual CTB-saporin (CTB-SAP) Injections Mimic Aspects of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Related to Dysphagia.

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease leading to degeneration of motor neurons and skeletal muscles, including those required for swallowing. Tongue weakness is one of the earliest signs of bulbar dysfunction in ALS, which is attributed to degeneration of motor neurons in the hypoglossal nucleus in the brainstem, the axons of which directly innervate the tongue. Despite its fundamental importance, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and strategies to preserve swallowing function have seldom been studied in ALS models. It is difficult to study dysphagia in ALS models since the amount and rate at which hypoglossal motor neuron death occurs cannot be controlled, and degeneration is not limited to the hypoglossal nucleus. Here, we report a novel experimental model using intralingual injections of cholera toxin B conjugated to saporin (CTB–SAP) to study the impact of only hypoglossal motor neuron death without the many complications that are present in ALS models. Hypoglossal motor neuron survival, swallowing function, and hypoglossal motor output were assessed in Sprague–Dawley rats after intralingual injection of either CTB–SAP (25 g) or unconjugated CTB and SAP (controls) into the genioglossus muscle. CTB–SAP treated rats exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.05) deficits vs. controls in: (1) lick rate (6.0 ± 0.1 vs. 6.6 ± 0.1 Hz; (2) hypoglossal motor output (0.3 ± 0.05 vs. 0.6 ± 0.10 mV); and (3) hypoglossal motor neuron survival (398 ± 34 vs. 1018 ± 41 neurons). Thus, this novel, inducible model of hypoglossal motor neuron death mimics the dysphagia phenotype that is observed in ALS rodent models, and will allow us to study strategies to preserve swallowing function.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Mortality and In-Hospital Outcomes after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for increased mortality in advanced heart failure and in those undergoing cardiac surgery. However, there is paucity of large-scale data on its influence on outcomes in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We sought to determine the impact of DM on in-hospital outcomes after LVAD placement. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS), we identified patients who underwent LVAD implantation from 2010-2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate in-hospital outcomes. Results A total of 15,483 patients (32.1% with DM) underwent LVAD implantation. Patients with DM were older (59.1 vs 55.2 years), with higher prevalence of obesity (21.2 vs 10.5%) and greater burden of comorbidities (Elixhauser 7.7 vs 6.1), compared to patients without DM. There was no significant difference in mortality during the hospitalization post-LVAD implantation between patients with and without DM (9.6 vs 14.6%; OR 0.84; p 0.64). There was also no difference in the incidence of other major in-hospital complications analyzed such as bleeding, infection, renal failure and stroke (Table 1). Conclusion Diabetes is relatively common in LVAD recipients but does not increase mortality or incidence of major in-hospital complications in this national database.
Two-Year Changes in Neighborhood Juvenile Arrests After Implementation of a Park-Based Afterschool Mental Health Promotion Program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2015-2017.

Objectives. To examine the association of Fit2Lead, an afterschool park-based youth mental health promotion program, and neighborhood juvenile arrests (2015–2017) in Miami–Dade County, Florida.Meth...
Rural Sociology and Rural Social Work: An Historical Essay

The relationship between rural sociology and rural social work can be traced back to the days of the Country Life Commission (1908), and has experienced many fluctuations throughout the years. This paper examines the interconnections between the developments in the two fields, drawing from historical data which lead to che hypothesis that those fluctuations were caused by forces within each discipline as well as by developments affecting the interactions of each field with the other. It appears that academic and theoretical issues were not alone in causing contention in the relationship between rural sociology and the practice of rural social work. Political moods and market priorities were equally influential.
Barely benign: The dangers of BB and other nonpowder guns.

Abstract Objective To characterize the risks of nonpowder guns commonly used by children for recreation. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of children ≤ 18 years of age treated for nonpowder gun injuries at a pediatric level I trauma center during 2013–2017. Demographics, injury characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Forty-six cases were identified; of these, 78% were male and the median age was 10 years (IQR 7–13). All guns were either ball-bearing or pellet guns. Eighty-five percent (38/46) of injuries were penetrating. The most common location was the head and neck (28%), followed by the anterior torso (26%) and eye (24%). Significant injuries that penetrated organs or body cavities occurred in 39% (18/46) and included subarachnoid hemorrhage; lung, liver, and kidney lacerations; pulmonary artery injury; and tracheal injury. Nine percent (4/26) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 37% (17/46) underwent surgery, and there were no deaths. Discussion Injuries from recreational nonpowder guns such as ball-bearing or pellet guns can cause severe injuries in children. A thorough penetrating trauma workup should always be undertaken. Safety precautions should be taken when using these guns and access to young children should be restricted. Level of evidence Prognosis level IV
Perioperative Continuation of Buprenorphine at Low–Moderate Doses Was Associated with Lower Postoperative Pain Scores and Decreased Outpatient Opioid Dispensing Compared with Buprenorphine Discontinuation

OBJECTIVE An increasing number of individuals are prescribed buprenorphine as medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Our institution developed guidelines for perioperative buprenorphine continuation with an algorithm for dose reduction based upon the surgical procedure and patient's maintenance dose. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of buprenorphine continuation with those of discontinuation on postoperative pain scores and outpatient opioid dispensing. DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SUBJECTS Surgical patients on buprenorphine from March 2018 to October 2018. Patients on buprenorphine for chronic pain and those with minor procedures were excluded from analysis. METHODS We compared postoperative outpatient opioid dispensing and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) pain scores in patients where buprenorphine was continued compared with held perioperatively, collecting single surgical subspecialty prescriber data on outpatient full mu-opioid agonist prescriptions dispensed, converted into mean morphine equivalents. Buprenorphine formulations were not included in our morphine milligram equivalents (MME) total. RESULTS There were 55 patients total (38 cont. vs 17 held). There was no difference in postoperative buprenorphine treatment adherence (91% cont. vs 88% held, P = 0.324). The number of opioid prescriptions dispensed was significantly higher with buprenorphine discontinuation (53% cont. vs 82% held, P = 0.011), as was MME dispensed (mean of 229 cont. vs mean of 521 held, P = 0.033). PACU pain scores were higher with buprenorphine discontinuation (mean 2.9 cont. vs mean 7.6 held, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant reduction in opioid prescriptions filled, MME dispensed, and PACU pain scores in patients where buprenorphine was continued vs held perioperatively. We provide evidence to support that buprenorphine can be continued perioperatively and that continuation is associated with decreased postoperative pain and decreased outpatient opioid dispensing. These results contribute to the existing literature supporting the perioperative continuation of buprenorphine.
18 – The second-best theory of public expenditures: Overview

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on the second-best theory of public expenditures. The second-best public expenditure theory has been at the forefront of theoretical developments in public sector economics for the past many years. In extending the methodology of second-best tax theory to expenditure theory, public sector theorists have shattered the received doctrine of first-best expenditure theory. The essence of second-best analysis is the addition of constraints to the basic first-best general equilibrium model beyond the fundamental constraints of production technologies and market clearance. The promise of second-best theory is its move toward realism—that is, the additional constraints capture important features of actual economies such as the existence of monopoly elements in the private sector, distorting taxes, and private information. The drawback of the theory is that the second-best decision rules necessarily vary depending upon both the number of constraints that are added to the model and the precise form that each constraint takes. Unlike the first-best analysis, the set of policy prescriptions is virtually unlimited.
Sexual dimorphism and growth in Alouatta palliata based on 20+ years of field data.

OBJECTIVES Alouatta palliata patterns of growth and sexual dimorphism are evaluated using 20 plus years of field data. Comparisons are made to other species of Alouatta and other New World primates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Records of 92 A. palliata from Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, were used to generate growth curves for body mass and linear measurements. Timing of growth for the properties was compared, and males and females were contrasted. Slopes and elevations for periods of rapid growth were evaluated. Growth allometry and proportion ratios were also explored. RESULTS Body mass growth is rapid during the first 2 years. Males and females begin to diverge around a year of age as male growth increases and female growth slows. Adult mass for both is reached about 4 years of age. Linear measurements show rapid growth the first 18 months for both sexes. Differences develop as males continue the same rate of linear growth while female growth slows. Adult size is reached for head and body length around 3 years, and for hind-foot and tail lengths around 2 years. DISCUSSION A. palliata males grow in mass more rapidly than females, while both grow similarly in linear dimensions, so that dimorphism is more pronounced in mass. This pattern is seen in other dimorphic New World primates. Male A. palliata may grow more rapidly than A. seniculus, reflecting earlier emigration for A. palliata males. Linear dimensions reach adult proportions earlier than body mass. For hind-foot and tail, this is probably an adaptation for gripping.
Perceived discrimination and mental health in college students: A serial indirect effects model of mentoring support and academic self-concept.

OBJECTIVE Examine the direct and indirect effects of perceived discrimination, mentoring support, and academic self-concept on college student mental health. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred fifteen undergraduates of minorized gender (72%), ethnic (57%), and sexual (37%) identities. METHODS An online survey assessed perceived discrimination, mentoring support, academic self-concept, and mental health. RESULTS Perceived discrimination was associated with mentoring support (B=-0.11, p=.019), academic self-concept (B=-0.13, p<.001), and mental health (B=-0.15, p<.001). Additionally, mentoring support (B = 0.29, p<.001) and academic self-concept (B = 0.53, p<.001) were associated with mental health, and each other (B = 0.25, p<.001). Significant indirect effects were observed such that mentoring support and academic self-concept, individually and collectively, contributed to the association between perceived discrimination and mental health. CONCLUSIONS Addressing discrimination, creating supportive relationships, and facilitating academic growth may reduce mental health concerns in undergraduate populations, thereby having implications for college transition and retention strategies.
Neural manifolds for odor-driven innate and acquired appetitive preferences

Abstract Sensory stimuli evoke spiking neural responses that innately or after learning drive suitable behavioral outputs. How are these spiking activities intrinsically patterned to encode for innate preferences, and could the neural response organization impose constraints on learning? We examined this issue in the locust olfactory system. Using a diverse odor panel, we found that ensemble activities both during (‘ON response’) and after stimulus presentations (‘OFF response’) could be linearly mapped onto overall appetitive preference indices. Although diverse, ON and OFF response patterns generated by innately appetitive odorants were still limited to a low-dimensional subspace (a ‘neural manifold’). Similarly, innately non-appetitive odorants evoked responses that were separable yet confined to another neural manifold. Notably, only odorants that evoked neural response excursions in the appetitive manifold were conducive for learning. In sum, these results provide insights on how encoding for innate preferences can also set limits on associative learning.
Thyroid hormone signaling promotes hepatic lipogenesis through the transcription factor ChREBP.

Thyroid hormone (TH) action is essential for hepatic lipid synthesis and oxidation. Analysis of hepatocyte-specific thyroid receptor β1 (TRβ1) knockout mice confirmed a role for TH in stimulating d...
Angular-dependent interatomic potential for the Cu–Ta system and its application to structural stability of nano-crystalline alloys

Abstract Atomistic computer simulations are capable of providing insights into physical mechanisms responsible for the extraordinary structural stability and strength of immiscible Cu–Ta alloys. To enable reliable simulations of these alloys, we have developed an angular-dependent potential (ADP) for the Cu–Ta system by fitting to a large database of first-principles and experimental data. This, in turn, required the development of a new ADP potential for elemental Ta, which accurately reproduces a wide range of properties of Ta and is transferable to severely deformed states and diverse atomic environments. The new Cu–Ta potential is applied for studying the kinetics of grain growth in nano-crystalline Cu–Ta alloys with different chemical compositions. Ta atoms form nanometer-scale clusters preferentially located at grain boundaries (GBs) and triple junctions. These clusters pin some of the GBs in place and cause a drastic decrease in grain growth by the Zener pinning mechanism. The results of the simulations are well consistent with experimental observations and suggest possible mechanisms of the stabilization effect of Ta.
Idea: using system level testing for revealing SQL injection-related error message information leaks

Completely handling SQL injection consists of two activities: properly protecting the system from malicious input, and preventing any resultant error messages caused by SQL injection from revealing sensitive information. The goal of this research is to assess the relative effectiveness of unit and system level testing of web applications to reveal both error message information leak and SQL injection vulnerabilities. To produce 100% test coverage of 176 SQL statements in four open source web applications, we augmented the original automated unit test cases with our own system level tests that use both normal input and 132 forms of malicious input. Although we discovered no SQL injection vulnerabilities, we exposed 17 error message information leak vulnerabilities associated with SQL statements using system level testing. Our results suggest that security testers who use an iterative, test-driven development process should compose system level rather than unit level tests.
A novel N/OFQ antagonist that is potent, selective, orally-bioavailable, and has demonstrable on-target actions (656.4)

Background: Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a 17 amino acid peptide whose receptor is designated ORL1 or NOP. Agonists and antagonists for the receptor have been designed and employed to help elu...
Fabry-Perot intensity modulator

Summary form only given. This work concerns the development of a bulk Fabry-Perot optical intensity modulator. Many applications, such as lidar, require the microwave modulation of high-power (>1 MW) blue-green (532 nm) optical pulses. Because commercially available modulators cannot meet these requirements, a novel device was conceived, as described in the ensuing sections. The Fabry-Perot cavity was formed by depositing dielectric mirrors directly on the end surfaces of a l-mm-long y-cut LiNbO/sub 3/:MgO crystal.
Feedback in Electromechanical Drive Systems

The majority of published Mossbauer experiments make use of an electromechanical drive system (loudspeaker system or, as it will be referred to in this paper, transducer).† In most of these cases, the very efficient combination with a multichannel analyzer has been used. In several experiments with very different physical problems under investigation and with different isotopes, the setup described here proved to be very useful, reliable, and economical. This setup has essentially been described elsewhere [3], but some of its features are summarized here again to demonstrate the situation in which the feedback system, our main topic, is applied.
Positron Lifetime Studies of Electron-Irradiated Copper

Single-crystal copper was irradiated at 80 K with 4.5 MeV electrons producing simple Frenkel defects as well as a significant concentration of multivacancies. Mean positron lifetime characteristics, which are sensitive tothe presence of vacancies and multivacancies in copper, were monitored after isochronal anneals between 80 and 800 K. A study of the dependence of the mean positron lifetime on the total electron fluence was made and compared with existing theories relating these lifetimes to vacancy or multivacancy concentrations. Numerical data from curve-fitting procedures using a conventional trapping model for defect-induced changes in positron lifetimes indicate that about 8 percent of the defects produced by the irradiation were multivacancy units. Multivacancies appear to be about six times more effective in trapping positrons than are monovacancies. Further, the data suggest that Stage III annealing processes in electron-irradiated copper most probably involve the motion and removal of both monovacancies and divacancies. A conglomerate (multivacancy) unit appears to exist as a stable entity even after annealing procedures are carried out at temperatures slightly above the Stage III region. Such a stable unit could serve as a nucleation center for the appearance of voids.
Filling Abandoned Mines with Fluidized Bed Combustion Ash Grout

The hydraulic backfilling of abandoned room and pillar coal mines with ash-based grout holds promise as an environmentally beneficial method of ash disposal, capable of preventing acid mine drainage and subsidence. For this scheme to be economically viable, the grout must be sufficiently flowable so that mines can be filled from a small number of boreholes. This paper describes the development and testing of a water-ash-bentonite grout using ash from a coal and gob burning atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustor. Bentonite was needed to prevent settling which would limit the ability of the grout to spread. Laboratory techniques were devised to measure the rheological parameters of the grout. A static model was developed to predict the maximum distance of spread due to gravity. A field injection of 765 m{sup 3} of grout into an inactive mine panel showed that the grout flows well enough to make hydraulic backfilling feasible.
Perspectives on the Caspian Sea Dilemma: A Framing Comment

(2003). Perspectives on the Caspian Sea Dilemma: A Framing Comment. Eurasian Geography and Economics: Vol. 44, No. 8, pp. 617-622.
ANTICIPATING THE GROWTH OF AN OCEAN AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

In assessing the future expansion of aquaculture in coastal-ocean environments, most studies focus only on the constraint posed by the local environmental assimilative capacity. In open-ocean environments, however, the assimilative capacity is difficult to gauge. We develop an alternative economic approach for projecting the growth of the open-ocean aquaculture industry. We evaluate equilibria in the market for seafood, where the product may be supplied either by a wild-harvest fishery or open-ocean aquaculture or both. In our framework, the net demand for farmed fish determines the size of the aquaculture industry and, in turn, the levels of pollution discharges. We illustrate our approach with a case study of a groundfish fishery and the proposed open-ocean aquaculture of Atlantic cod in New England. We find that, for a range of competitive production costs for aquaculture, the optimal industry structure would comprise both a wild-harvest fishery and aquaculture.
Real-Time Vehicle Dynamics Parameter Estimation

Vehicle dynamics parameters such as understeer coefficient are very important factors to determine the stability and dynamic handling behavior of a vehicle. These parameters vary during the lifetime of a vehicle according to different loading, tire pressure/wear or vehicle-to-vehicle variations of suspension characteristics, etc. The parameter deviations from nominal values may cause performance degradation of chassis/vehicle control systems, which is often designed based on the nominal values. Therefore, if the vehicle dynamics parameters can be estimated and monitored in real-time, the performance of chassis/vehicle control systems could be further enhanced. This paper presents a real-time vehicle dynamics parameter estimation method that estimates vehicle understeer coefficient and front/rear cornering compliances. The algorithm is implemented using Simulink, and analyzed, and validated using VehSim, which is a PC windows-based vehicle simulation software for vehicle dynamics controls and integration. The simulation results show that the developed algorithm is well capable of estimating vehicle dynamics parameters of VehSim, and, therefore, is highly feasible for in-vehicle applications.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Paved With Good Intentions and Marred by Half-Truths∗

New York mandated open access to data regarding outcomes associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 1991, and in the subsequent 2 decades, public reporting has been a divisive topic [(1)][1]. Over that time, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have also instituted public reporting of
Assessing lifelong learning: The role of information gathering and application skills

This special session will explore different approaches to measuring and promoting lifelong learning skills in support of fulfilling ABET student outcome criterion 3.i. “The recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning”[1] is mult-faceted and challenging to both define and measure and is comprised of a mixture of skills, abilities, and habits, and attitudes. This session focuses on those aspects of lifelong learning associated with self-directed learning, and in particular the information gathering and application skills required for effective independent learning. As a result of this session, we will develop some shared understandings of these skills, our ability to measure them, and an agenda for future research on measuring and supporting activities related to student outcome criteria 3.i.
α-Adrenergic influences on neuronal responses to visceral afferent input in the nucleus tractus solitarius

Studies were made of the effects of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine on spontaneous and synaptically evoked activity in the solitary tract nucleus in isolated, perfused slices of the brain of the rat and those effects were compared to the effects of the alpha 2-agonist clonidine. Methoxamine had no effect on the spike activity of 7 out of 8 spontaneously firing neurones, with no response to electrical stimulation of the solitary tract. Among neurones that responded to tract stimulation, those which were otherwise silent (N = 38) showed a decrease of responsiveness to tract input during the infusion of methoxamine, whereas those with spontaneous activity (N = 10) showed mostly increases of both firing rate and responsiveness. The effects of activation of alpha 2-receptors on responsiveness to tract stimulation were the opposite of previously demonstrated effects of activation of alpha 2-receptors, and these opposing effects could be demonstrated in the same neurone. These results suggest that the transmission of visceral sensory information within the nucleus tractus solitarius may be controlled by opposing alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptor-mediated neural systems.