cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The green tea polyphenol EGCG alleviates maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects by inhibiting DNA hypermethylation.

Background Maternal diabetes increases the risk of neural tube defects in offspring. Our previous study demonstrated that the green tea polyphenol, Epigallocatechin gallate, inhibits high glucose-induced neural tube defects in cultured embryos. However, the therapeutic effect of Epigallocatechin gallate on maternal diabetes–induced neural tube defects is still unclear. Objective We aimed to examine whether Epigallocatechin gallate treatment can reduce maternal diabetes–induced DNA methylation and neural tube defects. Study Design Nondiabetic and diabetic pregnant mice at embryonic day 5.5 were given drinking water with or without 1 or 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate. At embryonic day 8.75, embryos were dissected from the visceral yolk sac for the measurement of the levels and activity of DNA methyltransferases, the levels of global DNA methylation, and methylation in the CpG islands of neural tube closure essential gene promoters. embryonic day 10.5 embryos were examined for neural tube defect incidence. Results Epigallocatechin gallate treatment did not affect embryonic development because embryos from nondiabetic dams treated with Epigallocatechin gallate did not exhibit any neural tube defects. Treatment with 1 μM Epigallocatechin gallate did not reduce maternal diabetes–induced neural tube defects significantly. Embryos from diabetic dams treated with 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate had a significantly lower neural tube defect incidence compared with that of embryos without Epigallocatechin gallate treatment. Epigallocatechin gallate reduced neural tube defect rates from 29.5% to 2%, an incidence that is comparable with that of embryos from nondiabetic dams. Ten micromoles of Epigallocatechin gallate treatment blocked maternal diabetes–increased DNA methyltransferases 3a and 3b expression and their activities, leading to the suppression of global DNA hypermethylation. Additionally, 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate abrogated maternal diabetes–increased DNA methylation in the CpG islands of neural tube closure essential genes, including Grhl3 , Pax3 , and Tulp3 . Conclusion Epigallocatechin gallate reduces maternal diabetes–induced neural tube defects formation and blocks the enhanced expression and activity of DNA methyltransferases, leading to the suppression of DNA hypermethylation and the restoration of neural tube closure essential gene expression. These observations suggest that Epigallocatechin gallate supplements could mitigate the teratogenic effects of hyperglycemia on the developing embryo and prevent diabetes–induced neural tube defects.
INDIA'S APPROACH TO ELIMINATING PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA: A MODELING PERSPECTIVE

Approximately one-third of the world's population that is at risk to malaria lives in India. Plasmodium falciparum, a deadly form of malaria, accounts for about 50% of the cases there. Since 1940s, India has used a number of programs to combat the disease with variable success. Since 1998, the total numbers of malaria cases, and in particular P. falciparum cases, have been steadily declining, making India one of the success stories among the countries supported by the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership. This article considers India's P. falciparum control methods from the perspective of a Ross-MacDonald type model. The model is fitted to the P. falciparum cases in India over the period 1983–2009. We focus on the disease reproduction number as being a measure of success of programs. Before the start of RBM measures, the disease reproduction number was , meaning that the incidence of disease was increasing among the population. With the new control measures , suggesting that P.falciparum cases may be declining to zero but extremely slowly. The model here projects 0.734 million cases of P. falciparum malaria for 2010, down from 1.14 million cases in 2000. This impressive 36% decrease falls somewhat short of the RBM's goal of 50% reduction. However, a sensitivity analysis of the disease reproduction number done here suggests that India's control programs do apply controls at the most critical points in the disease cycle; namely, mosquito biting rates, mosquito mortality, and treatment of infected humans. This suggests that as more resources become available, they should be applied to strengthen these controls. The novelty here is in fitting recent data on malaria from India to derive current values of the disease reproduction number.
Reaching the kids: NFL youth marketing and media

This article looks at how the National Football League (NFL) uses television and new media technologies to engage in a pedagogical project of teaching the game and its culture to children so that they can produce themselves as fans valuable to the NFL. The NFL takes these steps because becoming a fan of any sport is not a passive process; it requires significant, focused labor to learn the requisite knowledge and perform an identity tied to the consumption of specific cultural commodities. We specifically look at the television show NFL Rush Zone, produced in partnership with Nickelodeon, and the website nflrush.com that together form an inter-textual pedagogical and performative narrative space where children can learn to be football fans and simultaneously perform a fan identity. Since fans are central to the NFL’s $9.5 billion annual revenues, we argue that this process of subjectification is also a process of commodification.
Learning Gender Equality: Women's Movement Influence on Youth Attitudes in a Comparative Perspective

Comparative analyses of gender role attitudes have largely focused on the characteristics of individuals or national level social characteristics, such as levels of women’s employment (Banaszak and Plutzer 1993; Berggren n.d.). Understudied has been the role which women’s movement activity plays in influencing gender attitudes, even though public battles for women’s equality appear to have led to a sea change in gender role attitudes. This paper focuses on the gender role attitudes of young people and asks whether protest by women’s movements reported in national news influences young citizens’ gender attitudes. Using a sample of students in the eighth grade from 16 countries surveyed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) as part of the 1999 Civic Education (CivEd) and event data from the European Protest and Coercion Data, we seek to understand how women’s movement activities shape adolescents’ attitudes toward gender roles. We utilize multilevel modeling techniques to examine our hypotheses. We find that when women’s movement protest was reported in the news during the years immediately before the survey is administered support for equal gender roles among adolescents increased. We also find that young women are more likely to be affected by the existence of a women’s movement. The paper expands our understanding of how national level contexts of civic engagement influence public opinion and contributes to our understanding of how gender role attitudes develop.
Application of the electrocardiogram and dynamic electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of viral mgocarditis in children

Objective:To investigate the comtribution of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and dynamic ECG in the diagnosis of viral myocarditis in chiadren.Methods:The positive detectable rate of the ECG and dynamic ECG in 121 children with viral myocarditis was analyzed.Results:The positrve detectable rate of the ECG and dynamic ECG was 72.6% and 93.6% respectively.Conclusion:In order to elevate the positive detectable rate of viral myocarditis in children,we must pay attention to the superiority and insufficient,and adopt the two methods reasonably in the diagnosis of riral myocarditis for improving the accurate rate.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Genosensor for the Detection of Fusarium culmorum

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based DNA biosensors have been shown to be rapid, label-free, and selective tools for the detection of PCR products. Here, we describe an SPR sensor based on DNA hybridization for the detection of Fusarium culmorum, a fungal pathogen of wheat. A 0.57 kb DNA fragment of F. culmorum was amplified by specific primers, and a 25-mer oligonucleotide probe was selected within the sequence of the PCR amplicon. The biotin-labeled probe was immobilized on a streptavidin sensor chip and tested for biospecific interaction with PCR products of F. culmorum. The SPR biosensor was applied to the detection of F. culmorum in fungal cultures and in naturally infected wheat samples.
African American Male College Athletes' Narratives on Education and Racism.

This study presents narrative case study vignettes of three elite African American male football athletes at a major historically White institution of higher education with a big-time athletics department. More specifically, I draw from critical race theory to garner insight into their secondary schooling background, what education means to them, and how racism impacts their holistic development. The focus group and individual interviews revealed each came from urban high schools in close proximity to the university, viewed education as more than classroom learning and obtaining a degree, and perceived racism as alive and well in college sport.
Change over time in parents’ beliefs about and reported use of corporal punishment in eight countries with and without legal bans

Stopping violence against children is prioritized in goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. All forms of child corporal punishment have been outlawed in 50 countries as of October 2016. Using data from 56,371 caregivers in eight countries that participated in UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, we examined change from Time 1 (2005-6) to Time 2 (2008-13) in national rates of corporal punishment of 2- to 14-year-old children and in caregivers' beliefs regarding the necessity of using corporal punishment. One of the participating countries outlawed corporal punishment prior to Time 1 (Ukraine), one outlawed corporal punishment between Times 1 and 2 (Togo), two outlawed corporal punishment after Time 2 (Albania and Macedonia), and four have not outlawed corporal punishment as of 2016 (Central African Republic, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, and Sierra Leone). Rates of reported use of corporal punishment and belief in its necessity decreased over time in three countries; rates of reported use of severe corporal punishment decreased in four countries. Continuing use of corporal punishment and belief in the necessity of its use in some countries despite legal bans suggest that campaigns to promote awareness of legal bans and to educate parents regarding alternate forms of discipline are worthy of international attention and effort along with legal bans themselves.
Wavelets transform of the method of moments matrix arising from electromagnetic scattering from 2D objects

An efficient method is presented for transforming the matrix of the method of moment, which is obtained due to the expansion of the unknown surface currents with pulse basis function and the use of point match testing to a matrix with wavelet basis and testing functions. The object is 2D made of composite materials and under oblique plane wave incidence. The wavelet transform is constructed in a way to accommodate the presence of different surface current components on the object surface. The proper wavelet transform is equivalent to the use of the wavelet functions in the MoM as an expansion and testing functions.
Recrudescence of Symptoms of Remote Ischemic Stroke After a Cerebral Angiogram

Background Ischemic stroke recrudescence, or reappearance of previously resolved symptoms of ischemic stroke, may occur after physiologic stress. Although generally thought to be uncommon, this syndrome may account for a significant proportion of stroke mimics. Case Description A 67-year-old man was admitted with a Hunt and Hess grade 2 spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. He underwent digital subtraction cerebral angiography as part of imaging evaluation. About 30 minutes after the procedure, he developed dysarthria, right facial droop, and right pronator drift. The patient and family denied a history of similar symptoms or previous ischemic stroke. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a remote left lacunar infarction. The symptoms resolved after 24 hours and were attributed to recrudescence of the patient's previous lacunar infarction. The physiological stress of the subarachnoid hemorrhage combined with the cerebral angiogram likely triggered the event. Conclusions Recrudescence of symptoms of a previous stroke may be initiated by subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or a cerebral angiogram. The possibility of ischemic stroke recrudescence should be kept in mind as a possible stroke mimic.
Learning to Labor, Love, and Live: Shaping the Good Neoliberal Citizen in State Work and Marriage Programs:

Promoting work and marriage were primary aims of the 1996 welfare reform bill, yet implementation of these dual goals has not been analyzed comparatively. In analyzing our respective ethnographic data from government-funded work and marriage classes, we identified similarities in the programs’ focus on teaching the cognitive and emotional skills presumed to comprise what we call the good neoliberal citizen. Drawing on the programs’ curricula and our class observations, we reveal how both pillars of welfare reform sought to promote individual responsibility and economic self-sufficiency among poor parents by teaching skill-based strategies for regulating participants’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We argue that by framing economic mobility as the result of learned capacities for skillful self-regulation and proper planning in the realms of work and family, welfare programs’ attempts to create good neoliberal citizens obscure the structural factors that sustain poverty and the need for welfare.
Salinity tolerance of three competing rangeland plant species: Studies in hydroponic culture

Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) is an invasive species that displaces Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri) on saline rangelands, whereas, forage kochia (Bassia prostrata) potentially can rehabilitate these ecosystems. Salinity tolerance has been hypothesized as the predominant factor affecting frequency of these species. This study compared relative salinity tolerance of these species, and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Plants were evaluated in hydroponics, eliminating the confounding effects of drought, for 28 days at 0, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, and 800 mmol/L NaCl. Survival, growth, and ion accumulation were determined. Alfalfa and tall wheatgrass shoot mass were reduced to 32% of the control at 150 mmol/L. Forage kochia survived to 600 mmol/L, but mass was reduced at all salinity levels. Halogeton and Gardner's saltbush increased or maintained shoot mass up to 400 mmol/L. Furthermore, both actively accumulated sodium in shoots, indicating that Na+ was the principle ion in osmotic adjustment, whereas, forage kochia exhibited passive (linear) Na+ accumulation as salinity increased. This study confirmed the halophytic nature of these three species, but, moreover, discovered that Gardner's saltbush was as saline tolerant as halogeton, whereas, forage kochia was less tolerant. Therefore, factors other than salinity tolerance drive these species’ differential persistence in saline-desert ecosystems.
On Detecting Partially Occluded Faces with Pose Variations

Face detection in unconstrained environments is a challenging problem due to partial occlusions with pose variations. Existing partial occluded face detection methods require training several models, computing hand-crafted features, or both. In this paper, our contributions are two-fold. First, we propose our Large-Scale Deep Learning (LSDL), a method that requires a single Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model without computing any hand-crafted features to detect faces. The model is trained with a large number of face training examples that cover most partial occlusions and non-partial occlusions facial appearances to detect unconstrained multi-view partially occluded and non-partially occluded faces. The LSDL face detection method is achieved by selecting detection windows with the highest confidence scores using a threshold. Second, we introduce new four image datasets consisting of large-scale labeled face dataset, noisy large-scale labeled non-face dataset, CrowdFaces dataset, and CrowdNonFaces dataset intended to be used for face detection training. Our evaluation results show that LSDL achieves the best performance on AFW dataset and a comparable performance on FDDB dataset compared to state-of-the-art face detection methods without manually extending or adjusting the square detection bounding boxes.
End-Stage Renal Disease and Mortality Outcomes Across Different Glomerulonephropathies in a Large Diverse US Population

Abstract Objective To compare renal function decline, incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and mortality among patients with 5 common glomerular diseases in a large diverse population. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study (between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011) of patients with glomerulonephropathy using the electronic health record of an integrated health system was performed. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change, incident ESRD, and mortality were compared among patients with biopsy-proven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous glomerulonephritis (MN), minimal change disease (MCD), immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and lupus nephritis (LN). Competing risk models were used to estimate hazard ratios for different glomerulonephropathies for incident ESRD, with mortality as a competing outcome after adjusting for potential confounders. Results Of the 2350 patients with glomerulonephropathy (208 patients [9%] younger than 18 years) with a mean follow-up of 4.5±3.6 years, 497 (21%) progressed to ESRD and 195 (8%) died before ESRD. The median eGFR decline was 1.0 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 per year but varied across different glomerulonephropathies ( P P =.24). Conclusion Our findings from a real-world clinical environment revealed significant differences in eGFR decline and ESRD risk among patients with 5 glomerulonephropathies. These variations in presentation and outcomes warrant different management strategies and expectations.
Awareness, Analysis, and Action: Curricular Alignment for Student Success in General Chemistry

This article examines the ways that a shared faculty experience across five partner institutions led to a deep awareness of the curriculum and pedagogy of general chemistry coursework, and ultimately, to a collaborative action plan for student success. The team identified key differences and similarities in course content and instructional experiences. The comparative analysis yielded many more similarities than differences, and therefore, the team shifted its focus from “gap analysis” to an exploration of common curricular challenges. To address these challenges, the team developed content for targeted instructional resources that promoted the success of all STEM students across institutions. This article contextualizes the interinstitutional collaboration and closely examines the interactive components (awareness, analysis, and action), critical tools, and productive attitudes that undergirded the curricular alignment process of the STEM Transfer Student Success Initiative (t-STEM).
A Trip Through Chemical Space: Why Life Has Evolved the Chemistry That It Has

Earth life is built from a quite restricted set of chemicals. Is this an accident of evolution, or are there reasons for the patterns of similarity and diversity in metabolism? I summarize several studies looking at how life has explored “chemical space”, and seeking explanations for the nature of biochemistry. The properties of synthetic alternatives to DNA have lead to a hypothesis about what the features that any genetic material must have, providing a rationale for the incorporation of phosphate into DNA. Synthesis and computational studies of possible amino acids have been synergistic in understanding the limits to which the 20 main proteinaceous amino acids are chemically inevitable and the extent to which they are a frozen accident from the origin of life. A broader exploration of chemical space including all of metabolism shows that metabolism is actually crowded into a limited region of the space of possible chemicals. Using a wide dataset of measurement of the toxicity of chemicals, I have shown that this crowding has important implications for how new chemistry can be added to life, which could in principle be developed into a set of constraints on how any metabolism could evolve. Biochemistry is often constrained to specific chemical function, but not always limited to one molecule to carry out that function. These initial results provide hope that there are computationally tractable approaches to understanding why biochemistry is as it is.
An Assessment of the Ca:Al Ratios of Selected Pennsylvania Forest Soils

The Ca:Al status of selected Pennsylvania forest soils was assessed based on data compiled from various soil chemistry evaluations done between 1991–94. A total of 116 horizons (76 mineral, 40 organic) from 39 different soil profiles representing 18 different soil series were evaluated. Ca and Al were determined by extraction with 0.01M SrCl2. Non-linear regression analysis (logarithmic curve) showed a significant (p < 0.01) negative relationship between extractable Ca and Al across all horizons (R2 = 0.64). An acid soil infertility and aluminum stress risk assessment was conducted using the method suggested by Cronan and Grigal (1995). None of the soil organic horizons were found to be at risk; however, nearly 42% of the AE/E horizons were classified at a 50% or greater risk of producing aluminum stress to trees. The B horizons had the highest risk levels, with 91.2% classified at a 50% or greater risk level. The Ca:Al ratios of most of the mineral soil horizons included in this evaluation were low enough to present considerable risk of aluminum stress to trees growing on the sites from which these soils were collected. The application of Ca:Al ratio as a diagnostic tool in declining and nondeclining sugar maple stands in northcentral Pennsylvania generally produced consistent results for soil and roots but not for organic soil horizons and foliage of declining sugar maples.
The Theory and Background of Functional Electrical Rehabilitation

Currently, a spinal cord injury patient is confined to life in a wheelchair, with occupational and vocational rehabilitation being geared to the limitations thus imposed. On the other hand, the possibility of electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles to control (for example) bladder and limb function would considerably enhance the quality of life of a paraplegic. To control complex limb movements, a microprocessor can be used to control and stimulate muscles isometrically (i.e., to exert tension while muscle length remains constant), to stabilize the joints, as well as permit isotonic control (i.e., to enable muscle to shorten while exerting a constant force) while lifting a load.
The Impact of Scaling Factor Variability on Risk-Relevant Pharmacokinetic Outcomes in Children: A Case Study Using Bromodichloromethane (BDCM)

Biotransformation rates extrapolated from in vitro data are used increasingly in human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. This practice requires use of scaling factors, including microsomal content (mg of microsomal protein/g liver, MPPGL), enzyme specific content, and liver mass as a fraction of body weight (FVL). Previous analyses indicated that scaling factor variability impacts pharmacokinetic (PK) outcomes used in adult population dose-response studies. This analysis was extended to pediatric populations because large inter-individual differences in enzyme ontogeny likely would further contribute to scaling factor variability. An adult bromodichloromethane (BDCM) model (Kenyon, E. M., Eklund, C., Leavens, T. L., and Pegram, R. A. (2016a). Development and application of a human PBPK model for bromodichloromethane (BDCM) to investigate impacts of multi-route exposure. J. Appl. Toxicol. 36, 1095-1111) was re-parameterized for neonates, infants, and toddlers. Monte Carlo analysis was used to assess the impact of pediatric scaling factor variation on model-derived PK outcomes compared with adult findings. BDCM dose metrics were estimated following a single 0.05-liter drink of water or a 20-min bath, under typical (5 µg/l) and plausible higher (20 µg/l) BDCM concentrations. MPPGL, CYP2E1, and FVL values reflected the distribution of reported pediatric population values. The impact of scaling factor variability on PK outcome variation was different for each exposure scenario, but similar for each BDCM water concentration. The higher CYP2E1 expression variability during early childhood was reflected in greater variability in predicted PK outcomes in younger age groups, particularly for the oral exposure route. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the most influential parameter for this variability was CYP2E1, particularly in neonates. These findings demonstrate the importance of age-dependent scaling factor variation used for in vitro to in vivo extrapolation of biotransformation rates.
Blood Pressure Circadian Variation, Cognition and Brain Imaging in 90+ Year-Olds

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between blood pressure (BP) variables, including circadian pattern, and cognition in 90+ year-olds. Methods: Twenty-four hour ambulatory BP monitoring was completed on 121 participants drawn from a longitudinal study of aging and dementia in the oldest-old. Various measures of BP and its variability, including nocturnal dipping, were calculated. Each person was given both a neuropsychological test battery covering different cognitive domains and a neurological examination to determine cognitive status. Seventy-one participants had a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Results: Participants ranged in age from 90 to 102 years (mean = 93), about two-thirds were female, and nearly 80% had at least some college education. Mean nocturnal dips differed significantly between cognitively normal (n = 97) and impaired individuals (n = 24), with cognitively normal participants having on average greater nocturnal dips [6.6% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.006 for systolic BP (SBP); 11% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.002 for diastolic BP (DBP)]. Nocturnal dips were also related to performance on select cognitive test scores (especially those related to language, recent memory and visual-spatial ability), with individuals who performed below previously established median norms having significantly smaller nocturnal dips (both SBP and DBP) than those above the median. DBP reverse dippers had larger mean white matter hyperintensities (WMH as percent of total brain volume; 1.7% vs. 1.2%, 1.1% and 1.0% in extreme dippers, dippers, non-dippers) and a greater proportion had lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMBs; 44% vs. 0%, 7%, 16%, p < 0.05). Impaired participants had higher mean WMH than those with normal cognition (1.6% vs. 1.0% p = 0.03) and more tended to have CMB (31% vs. 20%, p = n.s.). Conclusion: These findings suggest that cognitive dysfunction is associated with dysregulation in the normal circadian BP pattern. Further study is warranted of the potential role of WHM and CMB as mediators of this association.
Use of Air Arthrograms to Aid in Joint Distraction During Hip Arthroscopic Surgery Decreases Postoperative Pain and Opioid Requirements.

Background:Positive-pressure air arthrography and venting of the hip capsule are techniques used to decrease the traction forces needed for joint distraction during hip arthroscopic surgery. Little...
Influence of fluorination on CO2 adsorption in materials derived from fluorinated covalent triazine framework precursors

Ultra-nanoporous materials derived from fluorinated covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) have been developed for highly efficient CO2 capture. A CO2 uptake capacity of 6.58 mmol g−1 at 273 K, 1 bar (2.45 mmol g−1 at 0.15 bar) is achieved. The excellent performance is due to the presence of ultra-micropores (0.6–0.7 nm) that tightly fit CO2 and strong electrostatic interactions from the residual fluorine atoms within the framework. Both molecular simulation and deep learning study predict that CTFs with a F content of ∼4.8 wt% and pore size distribution around ∼0.7 nm can give rise to the highest CO2 uptake capacity.
Towards comprehensive e-waste legislation in the United States: Design considerations based on quantitative and qualitative assessments

Abstract Comprehensive electronic waste (e.-waste) legislation is necessary to simplify and unify e-waste management in the U.S. and ultimately to improve the collection and recycling of end-of-life electronics. In lieu of federal activity, 25 states have passed legislation promoting e-waste recycling and/or prohibiting e-waste landfilling or incineration. However, each of these state programs differs from the next, and this regulatory ‘patchwork’ is in fact impeding e-waste recycling. A more unified and comprehensive approach to e-waste legislation must utilize the experience of existing programs as well as the wisdom of industry and policy experts. We performed a two-part assessment of the current e-waste recycling industry: (1) a quantitative analysis of existing state programs to discern legislative components that have a statistically positive influence on e-waste collection rates, and (2) a qualitative assessment of stakeholder inputs on the design of effective legislation, using Delphi technique of engaging respondents in multiple rounds of interviews. Results of the two assessments inform our development of a comprehensive legislative framework which can be adopted at any level of U.S. policy to effectively manage e-waste. Our proposed framework includes recommendations for legislative components that promote increased collection rates, uphold socially and environmentally sound treatment standards throughout the vendor chain, shift the cost of e-waste management from public to private organizations, and distribute regulatory authority such that regulation can evolve with the industry.
Power Optimization of Arduino-Based Sensor System for Salton Sea Environmental Monitoring

Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) microcontroller based embedded system and sensors are used to monitor the Salton Sea environmental hazard. Power consumption data of microcontroller CPU core, I/O buses (UART, SPI and I2C), and peripheral sensors (GPS and optical-based dust sensor) are first presented, followed by optimization techniques using software control and hardware-assisted power gating technique. A set of logic based on sensor input is introduced to create a conscious way to optimize system power. Caveats of hidden power cost during field operation of peripheral sensors are also discussed. Our findings show that a conscious power-optimized design can simultaneously extend system run time to collect additional data up to 84% higher compared to LEAP-like approach.
The Urine Microbiome of Healthy Men and Women Differs by Urine Collection Method

Purpose Compared to the microbiome of other body sites, the urinary microbiome remains poorly understood. Although noninvasive voided urine specimens are convenient, contamination by urethral microbiota may confound understanding of the bladder microbiome. Herein we compared the voiding- versus catheterization-associated urine microbiome of healthy men and women. Methods An asymptomatic, healthy cohort of 6 women and 14 men underwent midstream urine collection, followed by sterile catheterization of the bladder after bladder refilling. Urine samples underwent urine dipstick testing and conventional microscopy and urine cultures. Samples also underwent Illumina MiSeq-based 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results All organisms identified by urine culture were also identified by 16S amplification; however, next-generation sequencing (NGS) also detected bacteria not identified by cultivation. Lactobacillus and Streptococcus were the most abundant species. Abundances of the 9 predominant bacterial genera differed between the urethra and bladder. Voided and catheterized microbiomes share all dominant (>1%) genera and Operational Taxonomic Units but in similar or different proportions. Hence, urethra and bladder microbiomes do not differ in taxonomic composition, but rather in taxonomic structure. Women had higher abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotella than men. Conclusion Our findings lend credence to the hypothesis that Lactobacilli are important members of the healthy urine microbiome. Our data also suggest that the microbiomes of the urethra and bladder differ from one another. In conclusion, urine collection method results in different 16S-based NGS data, likely due to the sensitivity of NGS methods enabling detection of urethral bacteria present in voided but not catheterized urine specimens.
Foraging Behavior, Prey Selection, and Echolocation in Phyllostomine Bats (Phyllostomidae)

A thorough knowledge of food habits and feeding behavior is essential to appreciate the adaptive significance of different bat echolocation call types (Simmons et al. 1979, Neuweiler 1984). This paper describes prey selection, foraging behavior and echolocation in 12 species of phyllostomine bats (Phyllostomidae) from Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI). Little is known about the natural history of these bats, but they are onmivorous, feeding on insects, fruit, pollen, nectar and small vertebrates (Gardner 1977). Most species have long ears and hover, and are thought to glean prey from foliage and other substrates (Hill & Smith 1984). In addition, Trachops cirrhosus (Tuttle & Ryan 1981) and Micronycteris megalotis M. hirsuta and Tonatia silvicola (Tuttle et al. 1985, Belwood & Morris, in press) use prey produced sounds (frog and insect calls, respectively) to locate food.
Auranofin-Based Analogues Are Effective Against Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma In Vivo and Display No Significant Systemic Toxicity.

Effective pharmacological treatments for patients with advanced clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) are limited. Bimetallic titanium–gold containing compounds exhibit significant cytotoxicity agains...
Anti-HMGCR myopathy mimicking limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and the response to Rituximab.

Abstract Background Anti-HMGCR (hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase) myopathy is a form of myopathy described in patients on statins and Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) Case summary We present the case of a 44-year-old female, who presented with progressive, bilateral, proximal muscle weakness. She was diagnosed with anti-HMGCR myopathy and showed an improvement in weakness after Rituximab therapy. Conclusion Anti-HMGCR myopathy has a wide variety of clinical presentations and the diagnosis of the rare, chronic, LGMD-like phenotype is particularly challenging. A mild to moderate elevation of CK is seen and imaging shows asymmetric muscle involvement. Definitive diagnosis is made by demonstrating anti-HMGCR antibodies in the serum. Treatment is individualized and should be initiated immediately with immunosuppressive therapy. Current therapeutic regimens lack strong substantial evidence however, a multi-drug regime is usually required. Rituximab may be used in patients with refractory disease as it can help wean off IVIG and taper steroids.
Serious Falls in Middle-Aged Veterans: Development and Validation of a Predictive Risk Model

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Due to high rates of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and hazardous alcohol and opioid use, middle-aged Veterans are at risk for serious falls (those prompting a visit with a healthcare provider), posing significant risk to their forthcoming geriatric health and quality of life. We developed and validated a predictive model of the 6-month risk of serious falls among middle-aged Veterans. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Veterans Health Administration (VA). PARTICIPANTS Veterans, aged 45 to 65 years, who presented for care within the VA between 2012 and 2015 (N = 275,940). EXPOSURES The exposures of primary interest were substance use (including alcohol and prescription opioid use), multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. Hazardous alcohol use was defined as an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) score of 3 or greater for women and 4 or greater for men. We used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), codes to identify alcohol and illicit substance use disorders and identified prescription opioid use from pharmacy fill-refill data. We included counts of chronic medications and of physical and mental health comorbidities. MEASUREMENTS We identified serious falls using external cause of injury codes and a machine-learning algorithm that identified serious falls in radiology reports. We used multivariable logistic regression with general estimating equations to calculate risk. We used an integrated predictiveness curve to identify intervention thresholds. RESULTS Most of our sample (54%) was aged 60 years or younger. Duration of follow-up was up to 4 years. Veterans who fell were more likely to be female (11% vs 7%) and White (72% vs 68%). They experienced 43,641 serious falls during follow-up. We identified 16 key predictors of serious falls and five interaction terms. Model performance was enhanced by addition of opioid use, as evidenced by overall category-free net reclassification improvement of 0.32 (P < .001). Discrimination (C-statistic = 0.76) and calibration were excellent for both development and validation data sets. CONCLUSION We developed and internally validated a model to predict 6-month risk of serious falls among middle-aged Veterans with excellent discrimination and calibration.
Influence of near-wall PIV data on recirculation hemodynamics in a patient-specific moderate stenosis: Experimental-numerical comparison.

Background Recirculation zones within the blood vessels are known to influence the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Quantification of recirculation parameters with accuracy remains subjective due to uncertainties in measurement of velocity and derived wall shear stress (WSS). Objective The primary aim is to determine recirculation height and length from PIV experiments while validating with two different numerical methods: finite-element (FE) and -volume (FV). Secondary aim is to analyze how FE and FV compare within themselves. Methods PIV measurements were performed to obtain velocity profiles at eight cross sections downstream of stenosis at flow rate of 200 ml/min. WSS was obtained by linear/quadratic interpolation of experimental velocity measurements close to wall. Results Recirculation length obtained from PIV technique was 1.47 cm and was within 2.2% of previously reported in-vitro measurements. Derived recirculation length from PIV agreed within 6.8% and 8.2% of the FE and FV calculations, respectively. For lower shear rate, linear interpolation with five data points results in least error. For higher shear rate either higher order (quadratic) interpolation with five data points or lower order (linear) with lesser (three) data points leads to better results. Conclusion Accuracy of the recirculation parameters is dependent on number of near wall PIV data points and the type of interpolation algorithm used.
Military combat, mental health, and crime: A preliminary test of a general strain theory model

Research has shown that military combat experience can shape later mental health in a negative fashion and increase subsequent antisocial behaviors. Limited research to date has attempted to explor...
Characteristics and Prevalence of Domestic and Occupational Inhalational Exposures Across Interstitial Lung Diseases

Background Inhalational exposures are increasingly recognized as contributing factors in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, the characteristics of both exposures and exposed patients are not well understood. We hypothesized that domestic and occupational inhalational exposures would be common and associated with differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, and transplant-free survival in patients with all forms of ILD. Research Question What is the prevalence of inhalational exposures across all ILD diagnoses, and are these exposures associated with differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, and transplant-free survival? Study Design and Methods Patients from a tertiary ILD clinic underwent an interview designed to capture inhalational exposures including occupational, home, hobbies, and tobacco. Demographic and survival data were collected from the electronic medical record. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression to compare exposed vs unexposed patients and adjusted for gender-age-physiology score and smoking. Results One hundred and fifty-six patients seen between May and October 2018 were analyzed. Patients had a wide variety of multidisciplinary diagnoses, with a minority of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (14%). One hundred and one patients (65%) had potentially relevant inhalational exposures. More men than women had a history of any exposure (82% vs 51%; P Interpretation A standardized interview revealed most patients across all types of ILD had potentially relevant inhalational exposures. Exposures were markedly different based on demographics and were associated with worse transplant-free survival, but this survival difference was not significant after multivariable adjustment. Identification and avoidance of exposures represent actionable targets in ILD management.
An Algorithm for Pairing Interventionalists and Surgeons for the TAVR Procedure

The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure requires an initial consultation and a subsequent procedure by an interventionalist (IC) and surgeon. The IC-surgeon pair coordination is extremely challenging, especially at Mayo Clinic due to provider time commitments distributed across practice, research, and education activities. Current practice aims to establish the coordination manually, resulting in a scheduling process that is cumbersome and time consuming for the schedulers. We develop an algorithm for pairing ICs and surgeons that minimizes the lead time (days elapsed between the clinic consult and procedure). As compared to current practice, this algorithm is able to reduce average lead time by 59% and increase possible IC-surgeon pairs by 7%. The proposed algorithm is shown to be flexible enough to incorporate practice variations such as lead time upper bound and two procedure days for a single consult day. Algorithm alternatives are also presented for practices who may find the proposed algorithm infeasible for their practice.
Editorial Commentary: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tunnel Aperture Overlap Determines Need for 1- Versus 2-Stage Revision: Setting the Stage.

Abstract Despite general agreement that tunnel widening ≥14 mm necessitates a 2-stage approach for revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there is very little literature describing the effect of tunnel overlap between the previous tunnel and new tunnel with 1-stage ACL revisions. Tunnel overlap, particularly at the aperture, should be minimized without compromising anatomic tunnel location(s). This can often be accomplished with a 1-stage revision, but 2-stage revisions are sometimes required. Revision ACL reconstruction can be challenging and it is helpful for the surgeon to carefully plan preoperatively and have several options available to him/her intraoperatively, including the possibility of a 2-stage revision.
Contemporary business analytics: An overview

We examine the state-of-the-art of the business analytics field by identifying and describing the four types of analytics and the three pillars of modeling. Further, we offer a framework of the interplay between the types of analytics and those pillars of modeling. The article describes the architectural framework and outlines an analytics methodology life cycle. Additionally, key contemporary design issues and challenges are highlighted. In this paper, we offer researchers and practitioners a contemporary overview of business analytics. As business analytics has emerged as a distinct discipline with the key objective to gain insight to make informed decisions, this state-of-the art survey sheds light on recent developments in the business analytics discipline.
Extubating trauma patients in the emergency department.

Abstract Background Trauma patients often require endotracheal intubation for urgent or emergent airway protection or to allow expeditious imaging when they cannot cooperate with the needed evaluation. These patients may occasionally be extubated in the emergency department (ED) when the trauma workup is negative for consequential injuries and eventually discharged from the ED. The timing and safety of discharging these patients is unclear. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the adverse outcomes and evaluate the safety of extubating trauma patients who are clinically well following evaluation in the ED. Methods Records of trauma patients who were intubated and then extubated in the ED at a single level 1 trauma referral center during the 4-year study period (Jan 2014 – Dec 2017) were retrospectively abstracted. The primary outcome was the incidence of a post-extubation complication, including desaturation, emesis, aspiration, need for sedative administration, or unplanned reintubation. Additional outcome measures included final disposition, duration of observation following extubation, ED length of stay and return to the hospital within 72 h. Results There were 59 eligible patients identified over the study period, of whom 95% presented following blunt trauma. One patient (1.7%; 95% confidence interval 0–9) required unplanned reintubation and developed aspiration pneumonia following re-extubation. Forty-two (71%) of the patients were discharged from the ED following extubation and a period of post-extubation observation with a mean of 5.8 h (0.6–16.7 h). None of the patients who were discharged returned to the ED within 72 h with complications related to extubation (0%; 95% confidence interval 0–6%). Conclusions Patients presenting to the ED with possible acute traumatic injuries who are intubated and then extubated after trauma evaluation and resolution of the indication for intubation appear to have a low incidence of complication or return visit when discharged from the ED after a brief period of observation. Specific extubation and discharge criteria should be developed to ensure the safety of this practice. Further validation is required in the form of larger and prospective studies.
“I Am Fortunate to Have a Transgender Child”: An Investigation into the Barriers and Facilitators to Support among Parents of Trans and Nonbinary Youth

Research has demonstrated that parental support is a key factor in protecting trans and nonbinary youth from elevated mental health risks including depression and suicide. However, little research ...
Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 14, pp. 9236–9240, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd., with an updated Bibliography section supplied by the Editor.