cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interannual-to-Decadal Variations of Tropical–Subtropical Exchange in the Pacific Ocean: Boundary versus Interior Pycnocline Transports

Abstract Interannual-to-decadal variations of tropical–subtropical mass exchange in the Pacific Ocean are investigated using a near-global ocean general circulation model along with satellite observations of sea level and wind and a data assimilation product. The analysis focuses on the variability of pycnocline transports through the western boundary and interior near 10°N and 10°S. In contrast to time-mean exchange, where boundary and interior pycnocline transports are both equatorward, the variations of boundary and interior pycnocline transports are found to be generally anticorrelated to each other. Moreover, the variation of the boundary pycnocline transport is smaller than that of the interior, again different from time-mean exchange, where the boundary transport at 10°N is substantially larger than that through the interior. Interannual variations of the boundary and interior transports are consistent with near-surface geostrophic flow inferred from sea level data. Interior pycnocline flow into th...
46,XX Turner’s syndrome

A 25-year-old woman with gonadal dysgenesis, as manifested by estrogen deficiency, elevated urinary gonadotropins, primary amenorrhea, absence of ovarian masses by pelvic pneumography, and characteristic somatic features of Turner's syndrome, showed no demonstrable chromosome abnormality upon karyotypic analysis of cultured blood cells and skin fibroblasts. Buccal smears showed normal-sized Barr bodies and a normal sex chromatin index. Chromosome autoradiography disclosed allocyclic condensation of the late-replicating X chromosome during stages of metaphase. Although the cytologic and cytogenetic data do not exclude submicroscopic deletion or undetected translocation of the X chromosome, the possibility of intrachromosomal changes resulting in a genetically deficient X chromosome and Turner's syndrome is suggested as a probable etiologic mechanism.
Selective Early Hospital Discharge Does Not Increase Readmission but Unnecessary Return to the Emergency Department Is Excessive Across Groups After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background There has been much attention paid to the ability to optimize outcomes, limit complications, and reduce costs within the episode of care after total joint arthroplasty. Limiting the duration of postoperative hospitalization as well as reducing emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions are additional considerations in the paradigm of cost containment. Our purpose was to evaluate the safety of early hospital discharge after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to identify the diagnoses responsible for ED visits and readmissions in the postoperative period. Methods We investigated risk factors for readmission in 995 patients undergoing primary TKA. We compared 2 groups: length of hospital stay (LOS) ≤2 or ≥3 days. Analysis included LOS, Charlson score, history of DVT, discharge disposition, and postdischarge ED visits. Results Patients who stayed ≤2 postoperative days had a significantly lower mean Charlson score and more likely discharged home. Charlson score and history of DVT were predictive of return events. Patients discharged to home were less likely to have return events. More than half of the patients evaluated in the ED were not readmitted. Conclusion Among patients undergoing primary TKA, it is the health of the patient, and not their resultant LOS, that correlates to return events. The ED is overused for complaints that may otherwise be managed as effectively and more cost efficiently in outpatient settings. Cost containment must include unnecessary utilization of the ED.
Law, Literature, and History

This article explores the history of the twentieth century through the use of novels rather than more conventional materials. The books are arranged chronologically: Humphrey Cobb, Paths of Glory for World War I; Katherine Anne Porter, Ship of Fools, for the decades between the first and second world wars; James Gould Cozzens, Guard of Honor, for World War II; E.L. Doctorow, The Book of Daniel, for the McCarthy era; Joan Didion, A Book of Common Prayer, for the '60s and '70s; and Robert Stone, A Flag for Sunrise, for the 1980s to date. The premise is that young law students cannot understand the older persons with whom they will deal without some knowledge of what they lived through. The books also make clear what people say, what they want, and what they are willing to do to get it. The article invites students to ponder to what uses they will put the law, and more importantly, to what uses they ought to put it.
The Psycho-Social Needs of Health Professionals Providing On-Scene Disaster Care

As evidenced in a number of recent disasters, there appears to be an increasing trend, for health care professionals to leave the confines of the hospital to provide on-scene care. This trend may be due to a number of recommendations from a variety of sources such as the National Disaster Medical System, the implementation of the United States Military Disaster Response, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended airport disaster plans, trends in community disaster planning, and Emergency Medical Services practice.
The expanding landscape of diffusion-weighted MRI in prostate cancer

The added value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for the detection, localization, and staging of primary prostate cancer has been extensively reported in original studies and meta-analyses. More recently, DW-MRI and related techniques have been used to noninvasively assess prostate cancer aggressiveness and estimate its biological behavior. The present article aims to summarize the potential applications of DW-MRI for noninvasive optimization of pretherapeutic risk assessment, patient management decisions, and evaluation of treatment response.
Structure-Based Design of Dendritic Peptide Bolaamphiphiles for siRNA Delivery

Development of safe and effective delivery vectors is a critical challenge for the application of RNA interference (RNAi)-based biotechnologies. In this study we show the rational design of a series of novel dendritic peptide bolaamphiphile vectors that demonstrate high efficiency for the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) while exhibiting low cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. Systematic investigation into structure–property relationships revealed an important correlation between molecular design, self-assembled nanostructure, and biological activity. The unique bolaamphiphile architecture proved a key factor for improved complex stability and transfection efficiency. The optimal vector contains a fluorocarbon core and exhibited enhanced delivery efficiency to a variety of cell lines and improved serum resistance when compared to hydrocarbon analogues and lipofectamine RNAiMAX. In addition to introducing a promising new vector system for siRNA delivery, the structure–property relationships and “...
Abstract 2250: PKR signaling pathway plays an important role in prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The role of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) in antiviral defence mechanisms and in cellular differentiation, growth, and apoptosis is well known, but the role of PKR in human lung cancer remains poorly understood. To explore the role of PKR in human lung cancer, we evaluated PKR's expression in tissue microarray specimens from both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and normal human bronchial epithelium tissue. The NSCLC cells showed lower levels of PKR expression than normal bronchial epithelium cells did. We also found a significant association between lower levels of PKR expression and lymph node metastasis. We found that loss of PKR expression is correlated with a more aggressive behavior, and that a high PKR expression predicts a subgroup of patients with a favorable outcome. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that a lower level of PKR expression was significantly associated with shorter survival in NSCLC patients. We further validated and confirmed that PKR to be a powerful prognostic factor in TMA-2 lung cancer (HR=0.22, P<0.0001). We also observed that the patients with high p-PKR or p-eIF2a expression had a significantly longer median survival than those with little or no p-PKR or p-eIF2a expression (P = 0.03 and P = 0.032, respectively). Combined expression of PKR and p-PKR or PKR and p-eIF2a increased patient survival (P = 0.001). Combined expression levels of PKR and p-PKR or p-eIF2a can be new markers for predicting the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2250. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2250
ADAPTIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF DELAYED ATTAINMENT OF PLUMAGE IN MALE AMERICAN REDSTARTS: TESTS OF TWO HYPOTHESES

Male American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) do not acquire full adult, orangeand-black plumage until the July after their first potential breeding season (Dwight, 1900; Bent, 1953). Prior to this first post-nuptial molt, the first-year males have a plumage very similar to that of females, and yet in their first spring many establish and defend territories and at least some obtain mates and fledge young (Bent, 1953; Ficken and Ficken, 1967). Such delayed attainment of adult male plumage, found in 31 of the 105 sexually dimorphic passerine bird species in North America and only in two parulid warblers (Rohwer et al., 1980), presents an evolutionary puzzle. What are the forces that select for this particular characteristic? What are the advantages, if any, to the first-year males of having female-like plumage? Two competing hypotheses have been offered to explain this phenomenon. Both are based on the assumption that first-year males may be at a disadvantage when competing with older, more experienced males for territories and/or mates. One, first developed by Lack (1954) and Selander (1965) and applied to redstarts by Ficken and Ficken (1967) suggests that female-like plumage is a product of selection for delayed sexual maturation. According to this hypothesis, two conditions could favor the evolution of delayed maturation: a high risk of mortality during reproduction and fecundity increasing with age (Wiley, 1974). If a young male, in attempting to breed, considerably reduces his probability of surviving to the next
The impact of fatigue and pain in elderly patients with cancer

of study participants was 75.61 years. Mesothelioma (20%), breast (12%), colorectal (12%), lung (10%), prostate (9%) and melanoma (6%) were the main tumours. Twenty -eight percent of patients were frail using the VES-13 while 34% were frail on the MGA. An impaired VES-13 predicted impairment in the SAS, ECOG, ADL’s, IADL’s, GUGT, GDS, MNASF, MNA, and geriatric syndromes. On ROC curve analysis, the VES-13 predicted impairment on the MGA with an AUC of 0.747. This improved to 0.848 when the MNA short form was added to the model. The VES-13 cut off ≤3 in this group gave a sensitivity to 55.6% and specificity of 87.9% for predicting impairment on the MGA while a cut-off to ≥ 2 increased the sensitivity to 67.7% while dropping the specificity to 82.7%. Increasing the cut-off to 4 increased the specificity to 94.8 at the expense of sensitivity. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a two stage geriatric screening programme is feasible. It also suggests that in this population using the locally available MGA/CGA items, a lower cut off of 2 maybe better at identifying the patients most likely to be frail for targeted interventions.
Oxygen Toxicity: From Cough to Convulsion

Oxygen is by its chemical nature a toxic molecule and organisms that survive in its presence have evolved potent antioxidant defenses. Through basic and clinical research we have come to understand many of the mechanisms of oxygen (O2) toxicity as well as measures that mitigate its risks. When the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) is increased in the cell, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is enhanced at multiple locations, such as in the mitochondria. ROS attack biological macromolecules, which disrupts homeostasis and causes tissue and organ system dysfunction that will ultimately be lethal. An oxygen partial pressure (PO2) of 0.21 to 1.0 atm absolute (ATA) is in the normobaric range while a PO2 above 1.0 ATA is termed hyperbaric hyperoxia. As the PO2 in the normobaric range increases, specific physiological disturbances, such as disordered pulmonary gas exchange and retinopathy of prematurity appear, while others occur exclusively at hyperbaric pressures such as peripheral visual loss, seizures, and neurogenic pulmonary injury. Ultimately, the utility of O2 is limited by this toxicity and its therapeutic applications in medicine, aeronautics, and diving must be counterbalanced by the risk of harm.
Linking Datasets: A Practical Guide to Research Using Secondary Analysis

Abstract In this chapter, we provide an overview of free, open-source record linkage software. We then provide a step-by-step tutorial using two record linkage solutions using the R statistical/programming environment. The first solution is a custom application for deterministic record linkage. The second solution uses a general package, “RecordLinkage,” for probabilistic record linkage. Both solutions were applied to the real world problem of evaluating the birth outcomes of participants in the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) intervention program. Birth outcomes of MIHOW participants and a matched control group were obtained by linking participants to their birth record and then selecting matched controls. Results revealed that when compared to the controls, the MIHOW group had significantly better birth outcomes. The two linkage strategies produced overlapping but not exactly the same sets of matched birth results. However, analysis of the differences between the MIHOW and control groups produced very consistent results.
The Analysis of Immunity to Specific Proteins of Herpes Simplex and Varicella Zoster Virus and Its Clinical Applications

Herpes viral glycoproteins are considered likely to be important targets of virus-specific immunity because they are expressed on the membranes of infected cells and because monoclonal antibodies to the surface glycoproteins of human herpes viruses often have neutralizing activity (Corey and Spear, 1986; Friedrichs and Grose, 1984; Keller et al. 1984; Rasmussen et al. 1985). Recent studies in viral immunology also demonstrate a host response to the nonglycosylated, internal or nucleoproteins of several viruses (Townsend et al. 1984; Yewdell et al. 1986). The investigation of immunity to proteins of both herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has progressed over the past few years in parallel with the expansion of knowledge about the molecular virology of these herpes viruses. These advances have allowed the mapping of gene sequences for many of the major viral proteins and their expression in plasmids and by transfection of mammalian cells (Davison and Scott, 1986; Pachl et al. 1987). Similarities between HSV and VZV have been defined at the molecular level with the identification of homologies between several gene sequences and, in the case of the HSV gB and VZV gp II, the demonstration of antigenic crossreactivity.
Interviews and Discussion

In this chapter, the theoretical sample provides answers to the questions proposed in this study. The comments provided by the scholars and professionals are listed in sequential order under each question.
Aunting as a Call to Public Intellectualism: The Roles of (In)Visibility in Health Communication Research and Service

In this essay, the author identifies the theme of (in)visibility permeating her research on fathers of children with a rare genetic condition, Sturge-Weber syndrome. The tension between physical visibility of the condition and lack of awareness is explored, alongside issues of (in)visibility in coping and support-seeking strategies of fathers. Finally, the author examines her own experiences in the research process through the lens of (in)visibility, in both managing her own emotions and exploring her roles as a researcher, an aunt, and a public intellectual.
Example: Flahavan’s

THE MARKETING PLAN BELOW IS A hypothetical plan written for Flahavan’s, an Irish food company.
Roles of Conserved Residues of the Glycine Oxidase GoxA in Controlling Activity, Cooperativity, Subunit Composition, and Cysteine Tryptophylquinone Biosynthesis

GoxA is a glycine oxidase that possesses a cysteine tryptophylquinone (CTQ) cofactor that is formed by posttranslational modifications that are catalyzed by a modifying enzyme GoxB. It is the second known tryptophylquinone enzyme to function as an oxidase, the other being the lysine ϵ-oxidase, LodA. All other enzymes containing CTQ or tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) cofactors are dehydrogenases. Kinetic analysis of GoxA revealed allosteric cooperativity for its glycine substrate, but not O2. This is the first CTQ- or TTQ-dependent enzyme to exhibit cooperativity. Here, we show that cooperativity and homodimer stabilization are strongly dependent on the presence of Phe-237. Conversion of this residue, which is a Tyr in LodA, to Tyr or Ala eliminates the cooperativity and destabilizes the dimer. These mutations also significantly affect the kcat and Km values for the substrates. On the basis of structural and modeling studies, a mechanism by which Phe-237 exerts this influence is presented. Two active site residues, Asp-547 and His-466, were also examined and shown by site-directed mutagenesis to be critical for CTQ biogenesis. This result is compared with the results of similar studies of mutagenesis of structurally conserved residues of other tryptophylquinone enzymes. These results provide insight into the roles of specific active-site residues in catalysis and CTQ biogenesis, as well as describing an interesting mechanism by which a single residue can dictate whether or not an enzyme exhibits cooperative allosteric behavior toward a substrate.
Race and the genteel consumer: Class and African-American consumption, 1850–1930

Between the Civil War and the 1920s, a consumer culture emerged which attempted to evade class tension by focusing on contrived racial differences. The vast majority of American-born whites and European immigrants alike embraced the illusion of a classless consumer culture in which opportunity was available to white citizens alone. African Americans were caricatured as being racially unsuited to those citizen privileges in consumption and labor space. Archaeological assemblages from Annapolis, Maryland demonstrate, however, that African-American consumers actively sought the opportunities consumer culture promised and articulated an anti-racist class struggle in consumer space.
The Cell and Protoplasm as Container, Object, and Substance, 1835-1861.

This article revisits the development of the protoplasm concept as it originally arose from critiques of the cell theory, and examines how the term “protoplasm” transformed from a botanical term of art in the 1840s to the so-called “living substance” and “the physical basis of life” two decades later. I show that there were two major shifts in biological materialism that needed to occur before protoplasm theory could be elevated to have equal status with cell theory in the nineteenth century. First, I argue that biologists had to accept that life could inhere in matter alone, regardless of form. Second, I argue that in the 1840s, ideas of what formless, biological matter was capable of dramatically changed: going from a “coagulation paradigm” (Pickstone, 1973) that had existed since Theophrastus, to a more robust conception of matter that was itself capable of movement and self-maintenance. In addition to revisiting Schleiden and Schwann’s original writings on cell theory, this article looks especially closely at Hugo von Mohl’s definition of the protoplasm concept in 1846, how it differed from his primordial utricle theory of cell structure two years earlier. This article draws on Lakoff and Johnson’s theory of “ontological metaphors” to show that the cell, primordial utricle, and protoplasm can be understood as material container, object, and substance, and that these overlapping distinctions help explain the chaotic and confusing early history of cell theory.
Mechanisms of growth control in normal and malignant breast epithelium.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses that the development of malignancy depends on interactions of inherited genetic factors, exposure to chemical carcinogens, damaging radiation, oncogenic viruses, mitogenic hormones, and other promotional agents. Studies of experimental animal model systems have allowed considerable insight into the mechanisms at work in the action of each of these components; however, the exact etiology of any human cancer is yet to be established. The chapter discusses the mechanisms of systemic estrogen actions in the breast cancer process. It explores mechanisms of loss of endocrine control in experimental and clinical breast cancer, commonly observed following systemic therapy. Loss of estrogenic control of breast cancer growth during malignant progression implies the existence of other growth control processes which take over in its place. Genetic events which evoke the malignant phenotype probably involve activation of dominant oncogenes and inactivation of dominant cancer suppressive genes. The mutation of cellular protooncogenes to yield highly active oncogenes is extremely important in chemical- and radiation-induced carcinogenesis.
Efficient Removal of UO22+ from Water Using Carboxycellulose Nanofibers Prepared by the Nitro-Oxidation Method

Carboxycellulose nanofibers (NOCNF) were extracted from untreated jute fibers using a simple nitro-oxidation method, employing nitric acid and sodium nitrite. The resulting NOCNF possessed high surface charge (−70 mV) and large carboxylate content (1.15 mmol/g), allowing them to be used as an effective medium to remove UO22+ ions from water. The UO22+ (or U(VI)) removal mechanism was found to include two stages: the initial stage of ionic adsorption on the NOCNF surface following by the later stage of uranyl hydroxide mineralization, as evidenced by the Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy capabilities, transmission electron miscroscopy, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction results. Using the Langmuir isotherm model, the extracted NOCNF exhibited a very high maximum adsorption capacity (1470 mg/g), about several times higher than the most efficient adsorbent reported (poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel). It was also found that the remediation of UO22+ ions by N...
The Toxicity of Bullying by Teachers and Other School Staff

Abstract Although the toxic effects of peer bullying among middle school students are widely recognized, bullying by teachers and other school staff has received little attention. This study compar...
Increases in tibial force imbalance but not changes in tibiofemoral laxities are caused by varus-valgus malalignment of the femoral component in kinematically aligned TKA

The purposes of this study were to quantify the increase in tibial force imbalance (i.e. magnitude of difference between medial and lateral tibial forces) and changes in laxities caused by 2° and 4° of varus–valgus (V–V) malalignment of the femoral component in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and use the results to detemine sensitivities to errors in making the distal femoral resections. Because V–V malalignment would introduce the greatest changes in the alignment of the articular surfaces at 0° flexion, the hypotheses were that the greatest increases in tibial force imbalance would occur at 0° flexion, that primarily V–V laxity would significantly change at this flexion angle, and that the tibial force imbalance would increase and laxities would change in proportion to the degree of V–V malalignment. Kinematically aligned TKA was performed on ten human cadaveric knee specimens using disposable manual instruments without soft tissue release. One 3D-printed reference femoral component, with unmodified geometry, was aligned to restore the native distal and posterior femoral joint lines. Four 3D-printed femoral components, with modified geometry, introduced V–V malalignments of 2° and 4° from the reference component. Medial and lateral tibial forces were measured during passive knee flexion–extension between 0° to 120° using a custom tibial force sensor. Eight laxities were measured from 0° to 120° flexion using a six degree-of-freedom load application system. With the tibial component kinematically aligned, the increase in the tibial force imbalance from that of the reference component at 0° of flexion was sensitive to the degree of V–V malalignment of the femoral component. Sensitivities were 54 N/deg (medial tibial force increasing > lateral tibial force) (p medial tibial force) (p < 0.0077) for varus and valgus malalignments, respectively. Varus–valgus malalignment did not significantly change varus, internal–external rotation, anterior–posterior, and compression–distraction laxities from 0° to 120° flexion. At only 30° of flexion, 4° of varus malalignment increased valgus laxity 1° (p = 0.0014). At 0° flexion, V–V malalignment of the femoral component caused the tibial force imbalance to increase significantly, whereas the laxities were relatively unaffected. Because tibial force imbalance has the potential to adversely affect patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction, surgeons should strive to limit errors in resecting the distal femoral condyles to within ± 0.5 mm which in turn limits the average increase in tibial force imbalance to 68 N. Because laxities were generally unaffected, instability resulting from large increases in laxity is not a clinical concern within the ± 4° range tested. Therapeutic, Level II.
The effectiveness of mailed patient reminders on mammography screening

Abstract background: Researchers have tried to increase mammography screening rates by using patient-oriented reminders. This paper compares the effectiveness of mailed patient reminders at increasing mammography screening. Methods: Sixteen published articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. To assess the association between reminders and mammography screening, the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Among U.S. studies in which controls did not receive any type of reminder, women who received reminders were approximately 50% more likely to get a mammogram (OR 1.48; χ 2 MH (1) = 38.27, P χ 2 MH (1) = 4.70, P Conclusions: Patient reminders are effective at increasing mammography screening. More research is needed to assess (1) the cost-effectiveness of patient reminders and (2) their effectiveness across race, education, income, and type of insurance.
Black Holes and the Origin of Radio Sources

Powerful, extragalactic radio sources might be fuelled by energy release near a massive black hole. In this article we describe some relativistic effects which may be relevant to this process. We use Newtonian language so far as possible and illustrate the effects with “simple” analogies. Specifically, we describe the gravitational field near a black hole, Lens-Thirring and geodetic precession, electromagnetic energy extraction of the spin energy of a black hole and the structure of accretion tori around a black hole.
Influence of Hatha yoga on physical activity constraints, physical fitness, and body image of breast cancer survivors: a pilot study.

Abstract Breast cancer survivors often experience changes in their perception of their bodies following surgical treatment. These changes in body image may increase self-consciousness and perceptions of physical activity constraints and reduce participation in physical activity. While the number of studies examining different types of yoga targeting women with breast cancer has increased, studies thus far have not studied the influence that Hatha yoga has on body image and physical activity constraints. The objective of this study was to explore the changes that occur in breast cancer survivors in terms of body image, perceived constraints, and physical fitness following an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention. This study used a nonrandomized two-group pilot study, comparing an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention with a light exercise group, both designed for women who were at least nine months post-treatment for breast cancer. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the areas of body image, physical activity constraints, and physical fitness. Findings indicated that quantitatively, yoga participants experienced reductions in physical activity constraints and improvements in lower- and upper-body strength and flexibility, while control participants experienced improvements in abdominal strength and lower-body strength. Qualitative findings support changes in body image, physical activity constraints, and physical fitness for the participants in the yoga group. In conclusion, Hatha yoga may reduce constraints to physical activity and improve fitness in breast cancer survivors. More research is needed to explore the relationship between Hatha yoga and improvements in body image.
Simulation in Military and Battlefield Medicine

Between wars and combat deployments, the US military simulates combat scenarios better than any other military in the world. Simulation for military healthcare provider preparedness, up until a short while ago, was not thought necessary since their daily civilian or military base job, caring for patients, would be similar to that which would be encountered during deployment. However, it is now well known and appreciated that there are clear and significant differences between peacetime and wartime military practice and that training for one does not imply proficiency in practicing the other. Simulation in both military and civilian medical practice relies on curricula-based simulation platforms that involve a variety of techniques and technologies including part-task training, hybrid teaching models, and immersive environments that include corporately managed education centers to insure efficient and timely acquisition and maintenance of vital and perishable patient care skills. While we have not measured the skill decay in seasoned providers, cycling from deployed environments to US-based practices allows for unique training opportunities and the need for multidisciplinary simulation-based curricula to refresh and enhance skills for maximal performance. When injected efficiently into this cycle, the roll of simulation will continue to expand into frontiers unseen.
On a Class of Solutions in the Theory of Nematic Phases

Solutions are obtained for the equations of equilibrium of nematic liquid crystals in the case in which the elastic constants are equal and the director field d is a function of x and y, but d is not everywhere parallel to the (x, y)-plane. These solutions generalize the now familiar examples, obtained by Cladis & Kleman and Meyer, of lines of disclination that have finite energy because of their “escape to the third dimension”. Collections of such lines are described, and their energy is calculated using arguments from the theory of harmonic maps of R 2 to S 2. A result with surprising physical implications is the following: the total energy of a large region containing two lines of unit intensity but opposite polarity (i.e., an “escaped s = +1” and an “escaped s = -1” line) is independent of the separation of the lines, and this energy equals the energy the region would have if it contained only one line of unit intensity.
(E)-1,2-Difluoro-1-iodo-2-trialkylsilanes — A Useful Synthon for the Addition of the [IFC=CF] Unit to Activated Electrophiles.

(E)-1,2-Difluoro-1-iodo-2-trialkylsilanes (I) are shown to be useful synthons for the addition of the [IFC=CF] unit to activated electrophiles such as aldehydes (II), carboxylic acid chlorides (VI) or perfluoroaromatics (VIII).
Factory girls and 'comfort' girls: A feminist theo-ethical reflection on Korean girl soldiers in Japanese empire

This chapter theo-ethically contemplates the soldiering of girls in colonial Korea by examining Japan’s mobilization of girls during its Asia Pacific War (1931–1945). More specifically, soldiering girls in Korea is argued as the manifestation of the idea of sovereignty’s right to kill (e.g., necropolitics). Through the lens of “necropolitical labor,” which means that the extraction of labor from those who are condemned to death happens for the fostering of lives of others (i.e., state), the soldiering of girls in the late colonial Korean context reveals the militarized incorporation of girls into the body of the nation. The chapter will further generate a Christian feminist ethic of peace that is strong enough to stop the nation-state from exercising its right to kill the vulnerable for the fostering of the lives of others.
An Evolutionary Perspective on Sexual Assault and Implications for Interventions

Interventions to reduce sexual assault at institutions of higher learning often have not been shown to be effective and may actually do more harm than good with men at high risk for sexual aggression. We argue that to design more effective interventions, it is essential to incorporate knowledge about the risk factors increasing the likelihood of sexual aggression. The single best predictor of risk for being a perpetrator is being a male and the best predictor of being a victim is being a female. Understanding why this is so may be aided by an approach incorporating evolved psychological mechanisms calibrated by cultural, social, and developmental factors. We consider hypotheses regarding evolved mechanisms for both males and females. We review evidence supporting the hypothesis of specialized mechanisms in women designed to avoid or limit the costs of forced sex. There is also some supportive evidence for the possibility that for males, evolved mechanisms may be calibrated by factors such as perceived negative experiences with women to increase the likelihood of committing sexual aggression. We illustrate such a mechanism by focusing on sexual arousal to forced sex, which may serve as an approach emotion facilitating sexual aggression. In using both evolutionary and proximate analyses, we address not only the question of what characteristics predict male sexual aggression but also why are these the risk factors. Finally, we outline a series of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of sexual assault prevention programs, including exercises to reduce the possibility of hostile/reactive aggression in high-risk men.
Ability of Positive Sequence Aggregated Distributed Energy Resource Model to Represent Unbalanced Tripping of Distribution Inverters

With the spread of distribution connected inverters on a feeder being hidden from a transmission planner, the ability to represent the under voltage tripping characteristic of an aggregation of distribution inverters in a transmission planning study is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, parameters of the partial voltage trip characteristic of a recently approved positive sequence aggregated distributed energy resource model will be developed. In deriving these parameters, the uncertainty associated with the location of the inverters on the feeder, the impact of $1-\phi$ transmission voltage events, and power imbalance across the feeder, will be considered. These variations are common variations that occur in the power system. The positive sequence aggregated model's behavior is compared with detailed $3-\phi$ feeder level simulations performed on the IEEE 8500 node feeder.
Access to information vs blocking of information during COVID-19 pandemic: a governance dilemma in the era of crowdsourcing based on ICT

Information is considered critical currency in today's knowledge-driven, well-informed global society. Nowadays, in this Internet-connected world, a piece of information or data can generate money ...
PyMTL3: A Python Framework for Open-Source Hardware Modeling, Generation, Simulation, and Verification

In this article, we present PyMTL3, a Python framework for open-source hardware modeling, generation, simulation, and verification. In addition to compelling benefits from using the Python language, PyMTL3 is designed to provide flexible, modular, and extensible workflows for both hardware designers and computer architects. PyMTL3 supports a seamless multilevel modeling environment and carefully designed modular software architecture using a sophisticated in-memory intermediate representation and a collection of passes that analyze, instrument, and transform PyMTL3 hardware models. We believe PyMTL3 can play an important role in jump-starting the open-source hardware ecosystem.
Gender Influence on Weight and Body Composition Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: Outcomes Suggest Potential Bariatric Surgery Body Composition Goals

Background: Bariatric surgery nutrition guidelines have not yet addressed body composition analysis. To formulate potential body composition goals, 12 months' weight and body composition outcomes f...
Vision and Hearing Impairments Affecting Activities of Daily Living among Malaysian Older Adults by Gender.

Vision and hearing impairments are common among older adults and can cause undesirable health effects. There are limited studies from low- and middle-income countries exploring gender differences between vision and hearing impairment with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) disability. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gender differences between vision and hearing impairments with ADL disability among older adults in Malaysia. Cross-sectional data from 3977 respondents aged 60 and above from the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018 were used. We used logistic regression analysis to measure associations between vision and hearing impairments with ADL disability, adjusted for covariates. The prevalence of ADL disability was higher among females than males (p < 0.001). The adjusted associations between vision impairment and ADL disability were significant among males (aOR 3.79; 95%CI 2.26, 6.38) and females (aOR 2.66; 95%CI 1.36, 5.21). Similarly, significant adjusted associations were found between hearing impairment and ADL disability among males (aOR 5.76; 95%CI 3.52, 9.40) and females (aOR 3.30; 95%CI 1.17, 9.33). Vision and hearing impairments were significantly associated with ADL disability, with no gender differences identified. Early detection and effective management of vision and hearing impairments are important to prevent ADL disability and improve older adults’ level of independence.
Assessing the Merits of a PPI Trial-Based Diagnosis for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Speculations on Efficacy and Pitfalls:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a highly prevalent condition which can lead to complications in affected individuals. Given the economic implications of widespread testing, there has been intere...
Removal of partial Fourier-induced Gibbs (RPG) ringing artifacts in MRI.

PURPOSE To investigate and remove Gibbs-ringing artifacts caused by partial Fourier (PF) acquisition and zero filling interpolation in MRI data. THEORY AND METHODS Gibbs ringing of fully sampled data, leading to oscillations around tissue boundaries, is caused by the symmetric truncation of k-space. Such ringing can be removed by conventional methods, with the local subvoxel shifts method being the state-of-the-art. However, the asymmetric truncation of k-space in routinely used PF acquisitions leads to additional ringings of wider intervals in the PF sampling dimension that cannot be corrected solely based on magnitude images reconstructed via zero filling. Here, we develop a pipeline for the Removal of PF-induced Gibbs ringing (RPG) to remove ringing patterns of different periods by applying the conventional method twice. The proposed pipeline is validated on numerical phantoms, demonstrated on in vivo diffusion MRI measurements, and compared with the conventional method and neural network-based approach. RESULTS For PF = 7/8 and 6/8, Gibbs-ringings and subsequent bias in diffusion metrics induced by PF acquisition and zero filling are robustly removed by using the proposed RPG pipeline. For PF = 5/8, however, ringing removal via RPG leads to excessive image blurring due to the interplay of image phase and convolution kernel. CONCLUSIONS RPG corrects Gibbs-ringing artifacts in magnitude images of PF acquired data and reduces the bias in quantitative MR metrics. Considering the benefit of PF acquisition and the feasibility of ringing removal, we suggest applying PF = 6/8 when PF acquisition is necessary.
Bracketing sustainability: Carbon footprinting March Madness to rethink sustainable tourism approaches and measurements

Abstract Amidst a backdrop of a global climate emergency, tourism continues to contribute to Earth's carbon footprint. In recognition of the negative environmental impacts of sport and event tourism, this study quantifies the carbon footprint of the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Tournament by considering the travel of fans and teams, food, waste, lodging, and stadium operations. The footprint is approximated at 210 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents. Broken down, this equates to about 500 kg per participant. Travel is responsible for nearly 80 percent of that total which underscores the positive relationship between distance traveled and greenhouse gasses emitted in tourism. This paper presents a valuable linear model by which carbon footprints can be calculated with accessible data. This will, in turn, allow for the democratization of sustainability models for industries and organizations to introspectively quantify their environmental impact as an initial assessment for internal purposes or comparison to outside audits. This study's results demonstrate the need to make mega sport-tourism events like March Madness more sustainable. However, this can only be done by tourism managers closing the environmental value-action gap that too often manifests as inaction. By leveraging quantitative frameworks such as this study's methodology, sport and event managers can more easily use readily available data to evaluate their event's environmental impacts and thus begin to actionably mitigate their negative contributions to global climate change in more targeted ways.
Retrospective Exploratory Analysis of Task-Specific Effects on Brain Activity after Stroke

Abstract Background Evidence supports cortical reorganization in sensorimotor areas induced by constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). However, only a few studies examined the neural plastic changes as a function of task specificity. This provoked us to retrospectively analyze a previously unpublished imaging dataset from chronic stroke survivors before and after participation in the signature CIMT protocol. This exploratory analysis aims to evaluate the functional brain activation changes during a precision and a power grasp task in chronic stroke survivors who received two-weeks of CIMT compared to a control group. Materials and methods Fourteen chronic stroke survivors, randomized to CIMT (n=8) or non-CIMT (n=6), underwent functional MRI (fMRI) before and after a two-week period. During scan runs, participants performed two different grasp tasks (precision, power). Pre to post changes in laterality index (LI) were compared by group and task for two predetermined motor regions of interest: dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and primary motor cortex (MI). Results Two weeks of CIMT resulted in a relative increase in activity in a key region of the motor network, the PMd of the lesioned hemisphere, under precision grasp task conditions compared to a non-treatment control group. However, no changes in LI were observed in MI for either task or group. Conclusion These findings provide evidence for the task specificity effects of CIMT in the promotion of recovery-supportive cortical reorganization in chronic stroke survivors.
Observations of annual and El Nino thermal and flow variations at 0 deg, 110 deg W and 0 deg, 95 deg W during 1980-1985

The paper describes the low-frequency (i.e., time scales longer than a month) upper ocean (above 250 m) current and temperature moored measurements conducted from March 1980 to September 1985 at 0, 110 deg W and from July 1981 to November 1983 (i.e., including the period of the 1982-1983 El Nino) at 0, 95 deg W. Estimates of the annual cycle were removed from the observations to determine the current and temperature fluctuations due to the 1982-1983 El Nino. The circulation of the upper ocean was found to be dramatically altered during the El Nino: the normally westward flowing surface current in autumn months reversed direction, and the equatorial undercurrent, normally considered to be a permanent feature, disappeared. Associated with the El Nino was a massive redistribution of heat throughout the mixed layer and the thermocline.
Financing the Deal: Private Equity, Hedge Funds, and Other Sources of Financing

This chapter begins with a discussion of common sources of merger and acquisition (M&A) financing. The role of private equity firms in financing highly leveraged transactions is discussed in detail. Highly leveraged transactions, typically referred to as leveraged buyouts (LBOs), are discussed in the context of a financing strategy. This chapter also describes the changing nature of LBOs, their impact on innovation, firm performance, and employment, as well as factors contributing to their success, typical capital structures, and the pitfalls of improperly structured LBOs.
Menace: Methamphetamine in Rural Communities

Over 35 million persons worldwide regularly use or abuse methamphetamines (WHO, 2008). This statistic then puts methamphetamine as the second most common abused drug after cannabis. Methamphetamine addiction differs from other illicit drugs such as cocaine or heroin. Drug addicts describe this drug as “one hit, one hook.” This defining characteristic of crystal methamphetamine is that addiction appears to occur upon first use. Methamphetamine use causes multiple anatomical defects in the brain and damages the frontal decision-making center. The action of the drug on the dopamine and serotonin-containing neurons creates false circuits. Even upon discontinuation of the drug, antipsychotic treatments are often required (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2006). The consequences of these illicit drugs can be the destruction of families, depression, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, cardiovascular events, sexual abuse, and child endangerment (Grant, Kelley, Agrawal, Meza, Meyer, & Romberger, 2007). DEA (2008) statistics report that 20 percent of the meth labs seized last year had children present on site. Children are even more vulnerable to the life time consequences of the toxins of methamphetamines on both pulmonary and neurological systems. Methamphetamines are at the epicenter of circles of addiction that cause health consequences throughout our global community.
Recent Developments in Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Advances in laser technology and probe chemistry are resulting in a rapid introduction of novel fluorescence measurements. One area of rapid growth has been multi-photon excitation, which is now practical due to the increasing availability of ps and fs lasers. The interest in multi-photon excitation is driven in part by the possibility of three-dimensional “confocal” cellular imaging based on the localized excitation possible with multi-photon excitation. In this paper we will show that using the fundamental output of a fs Titanium:Sapphire laser it is possible and practical to observe three-photon excitation of proteins, DNA stains, calcium probes, and labeled membranes.
The diptych: Nazi and Japanese bioscience war crimes.

Diptychs are often enigmatic. The right and left images contrast or complement each other. One might appear to depict a husband and a wife as facing images. When the diptych is closed, the backs of...