cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simple devices for measuring complex ultrashort pulses

We describe experimentally simple, accurate, and reliable methods for measuring from very simple to potentially very complex ultrashort laser pulses. With only a few easily aligned components, these methods allow the measurement of a wide range of pulses, including those with time-bandwidth products greater than 1000 and those with energies of only a few hundred photons. In addition, two new, very simple methods allow the measurement of the complete spatio-temporal intensity and phase of even complex pulses on a single shot or at a tight focus.
Attenuated Coxiella burnetii phase II causes a febrile response in gamma interferon knockout and Toll-like receptor 2 knockout mice and protects against reinfection.

Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious obligate intracellular bacterium. The phase I form is responsible for Q fever, a febrile illness with flu-like symptoms that often goes undiagnosed. The attenuated C. burnetii phase II (having a truncated “O” chain of its lipopolysaccharide) does not cause disease in immunocompetent animals; however, phase II organisms remain infectious, and we questioned whether disease could be produced in immunodeficient mice. To study C. burnetii phase II infections, febrile responses in gamma interferon knockout (IFN- / ), BALB/c, Toll-like receptor 2 knockout (TLR2 / ), and C57BL/6 mice were measured using the Nine Mile phase II (NMII) strain of C. burnetii. Immunocompetent mice showed minimal febrile responses, unlike those obtained with IFN- / and TLR2 / mice, which showed elevated rectal temperatures that were sustained for 15 days with transient increases in splenic weights. Reinfection of IFN- / and TLR2 / mice with C. burnetii NMII 30 days after primary infection protected mice as evident by reduced febrile responses and a lack of splenic inflammation. Although minimal detection of Coxiella in TLR2 / mouse spleens was observed, greater colonization was evident in the IFN- / mice. Cytokine analysis was performed on infected peritoneal macrophages isolated from these mice, and immunocompetent macrophages showed robust tumor necrosis factor alpha, IFN-, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but no interleukin-12 (IL-12) responses. IFN- / macrophages produced elevated levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12, while TLR2 / macrophages produced GM-CSF, IL-12, and minimal IL-10. To distinguish immunity conferred by innate or adaptive systems, adoptive transfer studies were performed and showed that immune lymphocytes obtained from immunocompetent mice protected against a subsequent challenge with NMII, indicating that adaptive immunity mediates the observed protection. Thus, our data show that NMII is capable of eliciting disease in immunocompromised mice, which may help in evaluation of vaccine candidates as well as the study of host-pathogen interactions.
Effective pedagogies for teaching math to nursing students: A literature review

Improving mathematical competency and problem-solving skills in undergraduate nursing students has been an enduring challenge for nurse educators. A number of teaching strategies have been used to address this problem with varying degrees of success. This paper discusses a literature review which examined undergraduate nursing student challenges to learning math, methods used to teach math and problem-solving skills, and the use of innovative pedagogies for teaching. The literature was searched using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Education Resource Information Center databases. Key search terms included: math*, nurs*, nursing student, calculation, technology, medication administration, challenges, problem-solving, personal response system, clickers, computer and multi-media. Studies included in the review were published in English from 1990 to 2011. Results support four major themes which include: student challenges to learning, traditional pedagogies, curriculum strategies, and technology and integrative methods as pedagogy. The review concludes that there is a need for more innovative pedagogical strategies for teaching math to student nurses. Nurse educators in particular play a central role in helping students learn the conceptual basis, as well as practical hands-on methods, to problem solving and math competency. It is recommended that an integrated approach inclusive of technology will benefit students through better performance, increased understanding, and improved student satisfaction.
Land-based sources of pollutants to coastal waters of southern Belize: Comparison of predictive model with empirical data

A Level III fugacity-type model was applied to southern Belize (Stann Creek and Toledo Districts) to predict which of the pesticides most heavily used in banana and citrus farms are most likely to end up in streams and coastal waters via surface runoff. Concentrations of all target pesticides in coastal waters of southern Belize were then measured during two sampling campaigns (dry season and rainy season) in 2008. Several pesticides were measured in significant levels, including some as far out as waters overlying coral reefs. The presence of these pesticides in the coastal waters indicates that agricultural activities in southern Belize may have a potential impact on coral reefs offshore. Results of the predictive model were compared with the empirical data to determine how well the model works in a tropical region such as southern Belize. Overall, there is considerable agreement between the two, indicating that the model employed herein can be applied to other tropical areas. Concentrations of mercury and lead were also measured in the same study area. Mercury levels were uniform and low, suggesting natural sources. Lead levels varied and are most likely explained by the presence of unregulated and illegal waste dumps near streams in the region. An analysis was carried out to examine government policy on pesticide use. Findings indicate a lack of a coherent governmental policy on the sale and use of pesticides, most likely because vii of too many agencies/ministries being involved and the lack of national standards for these pesticides in the environment.
Extensional rheology of entangled granular materials

We study the response of collections of U-shaped granular particles to extensional loading. Cylindrical samples elongate in bursts, as existing particle entanglements yield and new ones are created. The probability of failure scales with applied force F as . Longer samples are weaker than shorter ones, with the mean yield force scaling with instantaneous length L as . Both results can be explained with a Weibullian weakest-link theory that posits that samples are comprised of smaller sub-units. We find the yield probability of a sub-unit to scales with applied force as Fm and, from experiments, determine . This is then used to capture the complete two-dimensional failure probability distribution .
A novel ELISA for measuring CD36 protein in human adipose tissue

CD36 is a transmembrane protein present in many tissues that is believed to facilitate inward fatty acid transport. Western blotting is the most widely used method to measure tissue CD36 protein content, but it is time consuming, technically demanding, and semiquantitative. To more precisely measure adipose tissue CD36 content we developed an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after establishing that: 1) the anti-CD36 antibodies gave a single distinct band on traditional Western blots, and 2) the vast majority of adipocyte CD36 resides in the plasma membrane. By using serial dilutions of each sample and including a calibrator sample and quality control sample on each plate, we could achieve inter- and intra-assay variability of ∼ 10%. We found that CD36 content in omental and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue varied over a 2–5-fold range depending upon the means of data expression (per units of tissue protein, weight, or lipid). Omental CD36 content in women decreased markedly (P = 0.01) as a function of fat cell size. For the most part, tissue CD36 content was not correlated with CD36 mRNA. This ELISA method for tissue CD36 content should enhance research into the role of this protein on tissue fatty acid uptake.
Assessing the Economic Importance of Dasineura oxycoccana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Northern Highbush Blueberries

Infestation by blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson, is common in northern highbush blueberries, but its effects on crop productivity are unknown. We examined whether infestation by blueberry gall midge reduces flower bud production when compared with uninfested shoots, and how infestation at different times affects the crop response. From the fall of 2009 to the spring of 2011, the number of flower buds on infested and uninfested shoots of blueberry bushes was counted and compared. Despite causing branching of vegetative growth, there was no significant effect of infestation on flower bud production. During the summer of 2010, damaged shoots were marked throughout the growing season in June, July, or August. The number of flower buds set per shoot declined with later infestation dates, and shoots damaged in August had significantly fewer buds than those damaged in June and July. We discuss the implications of these findings for management of blueberry gall midge in northern highbush blueberry.
A geographic information system framework for data visualisation in wireless sensor networks

There is an increasing need to effectively and efficiently manage the huge amount of data collected by a wireless sensor network WSN. Geographic information system GIS turns out to be a desirable solution to address this problem by archiving and presenting data over a large range of time scales and geographical area. We report our initial effort to interconnect our deployed prototype WSN and ArcGIS - a popular GIS to provide an infrastructure for making maps and geographic information available. Specifically, we present the details about converting files in technical data management streaming TDMS format to files utilises by ArcGIS. To enable the real time display of collected sensor data, we further store the collected data in a PostgreSQL database. A GIS application is developed to manage and represent data. Finally, we develop a web based map application for remote researchers to access collected sensor readings.
Fidelity After SECOND LIFE Facilitator Training in a Sexual Risk Behavior Intervention

Background. Intensive facilitator training is a critical component to enable the use of Evidence-Based Interventions EBIs by communities. Such training ensures that program's essential elements are implemented with fidelity. Many EBI training programs require resource- and time-intensive face-to-face training, eliminating participation from some community-based organizations due to significant costs and time away from work. The iCUIDATE! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! program aimed at improving the sexual health of Latino youth is one such EBI limited in widespread dissemination by its current face to face format. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of training by assessing whether facilitators who attended the virtual iCUIDATE! facilitator training in SECOND LIFE? implemented the iCUIDATE! curriculum with fidelity e.g. adherence to the curriculum and competent delivery to adolescent youth. Methods. Using a descriptive design, community-based facilitators n=19 attended virtual SECOND LIFE? iCUIDATE! training. Post-training facilitators implemented two identical iCUIDATE! sessions with two groups of adolescents and were instructed to audio record the sessions. The research team reviewed a random, stratified subset of the audio files n=57 using the standardized curriculum as the standard to determine implementation fidelity adherence and fidelity competency. Results. Fidelity adherence for the iCUIDATE! training for both sessions was high 91.2% e.g. the activities were presented as intended. Fidelity competency of facilitators was also high, with the overall quality of the program sessions being 3.95 SD 1.18, scale 1 to 5. Both fidelity measures i.e., adherence and competency improved from implementation of the first to the second session with 100% adherence to the curriculum reported for all facilitators in the second session. Overall quality of the program sessions also improved from the first x=3.67, SD 1.37 to the second x=4.43, SD 0.53 session. Discussion. The efficacy of facilitator training using a virtual platform was shown to result in high levels of implementation fidelity, and thus may be a viable platform for widespread national training. Virtual training provides an avenue for reaching community-based agencies that work with adolescent youth and have limited resources for training expenses. Future studies will explore the use of virtual reality for other types of inter-professional education.
Pressure-Dependent Enhanced Tc and Magnetic Behavior of the Metamagnetic and Ferromagnetic Polymorphs of [FeIIICp*2]•+[TCNQ]•– (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienide; TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-Tetracyano-p-quinodimethane)

The magnetic behaviors of the metamagnetic and ferromagnetic polymorphs of [FeIIICp2*]•+[TCNQ]•– (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienide; TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) were studied as a function of hydrostatic pressure. Both polymorphs exhibit a reversible enhancement of magnetic properties with increasing pressure. The Tc for the ferromagnetic polymorph increased by 70% from 2.95 to 5.01 K at 10.3 kbar at a rate of 0.21 K/kbar, which is similar to the 0.22 K/kbar reported for [FeCp2*]+[TCNE]−. The coercive field and remnant magnetization exhibit exponential-like growth upon application of external pressure, increasing from zero at ambient pressure to 550 Oe and 8880 emu·Oe/mol at 10.3 kbar, respectively. The Tc for the metamagnetic polymorph was determined to be 2.10 K from the maximum in the Fisher specific heat data, that is, d(χT)/dT, and it increases by 38% to 2.90 K at 2.9 kbar at a rate of 0.28 K/kbar, before vanishing, in accord with a transition to a paramagnetic state. The metamagnetic...
Simulation of Wind Turbine Flow Using the Actuator Line Method in NEK5000

Wind turbine wake models are used to estimate the velocity profile and magnitude downstream of wind towers in large wind farms. Current models are based on simple geometric and empirical factors, which typically overestimate individual turbine output. Recent research has focused on using improved models of turbine rotors, combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) programs to simulate turbine wake flow.In this paper, we report on our efforts to simulate flow past wind turbines using a new adaptation of the actuator line method for turbine blade modeling. This method creates a geometric representation of each rotating turbine blade. Grid points in the CFD flow field are selected within the outline of the blades and near downstream planes, and the aerodynamic forces are calculated using traditional blade element equations. Blade forces are then input as body forces into the Navier Stokes equations in the host CFD program. This model is combined with the advanced parallel CFD code, NEK5000, which has been proven to provide high-resolution results with significantly reduced compute resources. Program subroutines are developed to generate the actuator line and blade geometry, and to calculate the blade lift and drag forces. Details of the actuator line setup and calculations, CFD flow simulation setup, and results from current development runs simulating a single turbine will be presented. Current results are consistent with published research. Lessons learned, and a roadmap to ongoing development are also discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Oral History and Industrial Heritage Museums

Plans for industrial heritage museums are proliferating all over the country from Birmingham, Alabama, to Butte, Montana, but especially in the rust belt regions of the Midwest and Northeast. As communities undergo the pangs of deindustrialization, the concept of the industrial heritage museum appeals to economic planners and cultural preservationists alike. Hamish Maxwell of the Philip Morris corporation asserted that business also has a stake in such institutions because they foster pluralism, "attract tourism dollars and contribute to urban renewal." In northwest Indiana, both East Chicago (once the self-proclaimed "most industrial of industrial cities") and Gary (its economically ravaged neighbor) have explored the concept of constructing museums of the steel industry.' Such institutions might prove to enjoy a longer run than the operating mills themselves. Perry K. Blatz has written,
Anterior Chamber Pathology in Alagille Syndrome.

Background: Alagille syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by neonatal cholestasis, characteristic facies, and cardiac abnormalities. Ocular abnormalities include posterior embryotoxon, mosaic pattern of iris stromal hypoplasia, microcornea, optic disc drusen, and pigmentary retinopathy. We present the second report of ocular pathology in two cases of Alagille syndrome. Methods: Gross and histologic preparations of four eyes of two patients. Results: Posterior embryotoxon is seen in both cases, with iris processes extending to the embryotoxon in case 1. Case 1 exhibited distinctly abnormal iris stroma with a prominent cleft separating the anterior and posterior stroma. Lacy vacuolization of the iris pigment epithelium was seen in case 2. Conclusions: Alagille syndrome is primarily a hepatic disorder but presents with several distinct ocular pathologic features, most specifically posterior embryotoxon. This and the unusual iris stroma may be caused by improper migration of neural crest cells due to mutation in the Jagged 1 gene that causes Alagille syndrome. Patients with Alagille syndrome rarely present to ocular autopsy. Pathology findings may help us better understand the pathophysiology of the ocular abnormalities in this disorder.
The Uninhibited Bladder in Children: Effect of Treatment on Recurrence of Urinary Infection and on Vesicoureteral Reflux Resolution

We studied and treated prospectively 62 neurologically normal children with vesicoureteral reflux using urodynamic techniques to identify uninhibited bladder contractions with voluntary sphincteric obstruction (dyssynergia). All children received antibiotic prophylaxis. Anticholinergic drugs were used additionally to treat uninhibited bladder contractions. During 6 years of followup treatment of uninhibited contractions produced a 4-fold reduction in the incidence of recurrent urinary infection and tripled the rate of reflux resolution compared to controls. These data suggest that uninhibited contractions with voluntary sphincter obstruction are an important prognostic finding in children with reflux, which when treated successfully can alter the disease course and may make surgical therapy of reflux unnecessary for some.
Mitochondrial Myopathy with DNA Depletion

Five children with mitochondrial myopathy associated with depletion of muscle mtDNA are reported from the Departments of Neurology and Genetics and Development, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY and other centers in Germany, Belgium and the U.S.
Gendered Conceptions of Ethnicity: Latino Children in Middle Childhood

The current study examined gender differences in conceptions of ethnicity among Mexican immigrant children living in a predominantly White community (N = 213, M = 9.14 years). Results indicated that boys oriented more strongly toward their Mexican culture if they felt positively about it. Girls, however, showed a stronger preference for Spanish than boys, and this Spanish preference was not diminished even when they felt less positively about their ethnicity. Furthermore, boys’ academic attitudes were buffered from discrimination by their cultural orientation, whereas girls’ academic attitudes were not. Results are discussed in context of gendered cultural socialization pressures among Latino families.
Controlled Markov Decision Processes with AVaR criteria for unbounded costs

In this paper, we consider the control problem with the Average-Value-at-Risk (AVaR) criteria of the possibly unbounded L1-costs in infinite horizon on a Markov Decision Process (MDP). With a suitable state aggregation and by choosing a priori a global variable s heuristically, we show that there exist optimal policies for the infinite horizon problem for possibly unbounded costs.
Evidence for a Novel Splice Variant of the Gene for Platelet Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase 1B2 (PAFAH1B2), an Important Signal Terminator in the Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) Pathway.

Introduction: A genome-wide scan of linkage with venous thrombosis in a thrombophilic kindred with type I protein C deficiency identified a candidate region on chromosome 11q23 (P th exon. Methods: Identification of novel mRNA splice variants was achieved by sequencing PCR products obtained from amplifying known regions of PAFAH 1B2 mRNA. Confirmation of the exon 5 to 7 splice and exon 7 polyadenylation were obtained from sequencing 3′RACE products. Protein extracts were resolved by SDS- PAGE and Western blotted. Results: An alternative splice form of PAFAH 1B2 was isolated and sequenced. This isoform was observed in cDNA from human liver, moncytes, and T and B lymphocytes using PCR. This variant contains the first five exons of the native form protein and replaces exon 6 with an alternative 7th exon located downstream of exon 6. Exon 6 contains two residues involved in the protein’s active site triad, Asp and His, and are absent in exon 7. Computer modeling suggests replacement of exon 6 by exon 7 would abolish the active site and possibly alter the proteins’ ability to dimerize. Preliminary Western blots from selected tissues demonstrated the presence in liver of a new band consistent with the predicted size of the variant. Conclusions: We hypothesize that this alternative splice likely decreases the proteins ability to function as a regulator of inflammation. We are presently carrying out gene expression analysis to determine the relative levels of the splice variant in different tissues and changes in expression associated with activation of leukocytes.
Working toward quality in obstetric anesthesia: a business approach

Purpose of reviewPhysicians are increasingly required to demonstrate that they provide quality care. How does one define quality? A significant body of literature in industries outside of health care provides guidance on how to define appropriate metrics, create teams to troubleshoot problem areas,
Marginal maximum likelihood estimation methods for the tuning parameters of ridge, power ridge, and generalized ridge regression

This study introduces fast marginal maximum likelihood (MML) algorithms for estimating the tuning (shrinkage) parameter(s) of the ridge and power ridge regression models, and an automatic plug-in M...
Single-Stop Ebook Reader “SimplyE”: Is It APPlicable for Academic Libraries?

Accessing ebooks from different vendors often requires switching between multiple platforms, which can be unwieldy for library users. To offer readers a coherent and seamless reading experience, th...
Fibrinogen Availability and Coagulation Function After Hemorrhage and Resuscitation in Pigs

Hemorrhagic coagulopathy (without neurological injuries) constitutes 40% of injury-related death in civilian hospitals and on the battlefield, and the underlying contributing mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of fibrinogen availability on coagulation function after hemorrhage in pigs. Sixteen crossbred commercial Yorkshire swine were randomized into the control group (group C) (n = 8) and hemorrhage group (group H) (n = 8). Hemorrhage was induced in group H by bleeding 35% of the estimated total blood volume, followed by resuscitation with lactated Ringer solution at three times the bled volume. Pigs in group C were not hemorrhaged or resuscitated. Blood samples were withdrawn at baseline, 15 min, 3 h, 6 h, and 24 h after hemorrhage and lactated Ringer (LR) resuscitation (H–LR). Coagulation was assessed by using thrombelastography. All baseline measurements were similar between groups C and H. Hemorrhage caused a decrease in mean arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate in group H, but LR resuscitation corrected these changes within 1 h. Compared to baseline values, fibrinogen concentrations in group H decreased at 15 min, 3 h and 6 h after H–LR, but increased to double that of the baseline value at 24 h; platelet counts decreased throughout the study; clot strength was decreased at 15 min, 3 h and 6 h, but returned to baseline value at 24 h after H–LR. Hemorrhage caused decreases in fibrinogen and platelets, and compromised clot strength. The rebound of fibrinogen at 24 h restored clot strength despite platelet deficit. These data suggest the potential compensatory role of fibrinogen in restoring coagulation function in vivo after hemorrhagic shock.
Thailand: an old relationship renewed

The relationship between Thailand and China has been both long and complicated, with periods of conflict associated with, for example, the cold war. In recent years, and especially following the As...
Effect of simvastatin on CSF Alzheimer disease biomarkers in cognitively normal adults.

Objective: To examine potential disease-modifying effects of statin drugs, we conducted a 12-month randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of simvastatin in cognitively normal adults using change in CSF Alzheimer disease biomarkers as primary outcome measure. Methods: Participants were 45–64 years old and statin-naive with normal cognition and normal or mildly elevated cholesterol. Forty-six participants completed the 1-year study per protocol (25 in the simvastatin and 21 in the placebo group). Simvastatin was titrated to 40 mg/d. CSF Aβ 42 , total tau, and p-tau 181 were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment using the INNO-BIA AlzBio3 assay. We used analysis of covariance to assess differences in biomarker change from baseline between treatment groups, adjusting for age, sex, and APOE e4 status. Results: Changes from baseline did not differ significantly between treatment groups for any CSF biomarker, with p values of 0.53, 0.36, and 0.25 for CSF Aβ 42 , total tau, and p-tau 181 , respectively. There was no significant modifying effect of sex, APOE e4, or baseline high-density lipoprotein or triglycerides on treatment group for any of the biomarkers (all p > 0.18). However, a significant interaction between treatment group and baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was observed for p-tau 181 ( p = 0.003), where greater decreases from baseline in CSF p-tau 181 concentrations were associated with higher baseline LDL level for the simvastatin group. Conclusions: Simvastatin-related reductions in CSF p-tau 181 concentrations may be modulated by LDL cholesterol. The potential disease-modifying effects of simvastatin on CSF phospho-tau should be further investigated in persons with hypercholesterolemia.
Family Presence During Resuscitation: The Education Needs of Critical Care Nurses.

Background Education on family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) has been shown to improve critical care nurses' support for FPDR; however, there have been limited studies in this area. Exploring nurses' perceived needs related to FPDR education is important to design educational interventions to promote FPDR in practice. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the FPDR education needs of critical care nurses to provide recommendations for future educational interventions. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used, and descriptive and qualitative data were collected online in 2016. A convenience sample of 395 critical care nurses was obtained. Participants completed online surveys, and descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were conducted. Results One-third of the participants had received FPDR education, and 83% desired to receive education on FPDR. Qualitative data revealed 4 themes: "nurses need education," "team training is important," "focus on implementation of FPDR," and "a variety of preferences." Discussion Critical care nurses' reported needs for FPDR education are currently not being met. It is important for nurse educators and researchers to design and test educational interventions to meet nurses' needs for guidance on implementing FPDR in clinical practice. In particular, online and simulation approaches should be investigated.
Packaging systems for adeno-associated virus vectors.

The promise and hopes that gene therapy vectors derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV) will make the leap from the laboratory bench to the clinic bedside are thoroughly described in this volume of Current Topics of Microbiology and Immunology. As more investigators enter this rapidly growing field, AAV’s ability to deliver genes of therapeutic potential will be explored for many acquired and hereditary diseases. AAV has several characteristics that make it an appealing human gene therapy vector: (1) the virus is naturally defective in that it requires the help of a coinfecting virus, usually adenovirus, for it to efficiently complete its life cycle, (2) in the absence of helper virus infection, AAV establishes a lysogenic state, usually in a site-specific locus on chromosome 19, (3) AAV is nonpathogenic because it has not been implicated as the causative agent of any known disease, (4) AAV’s small DNA genome (4680 nucleotides) allows for easy manipulation by standard recombinant DNA methodology. These characteristics have been described in other chapters of this volume but are briefly summarized here.
Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM), Surgical Treatment of

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital vascular lesions composed of an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that can grow over time carrying significant morbidity and mortality. The natural course of these lesions is usually unpredictable and can be influenced by many factors. AVMs commonly become symptomatic with hemorrhage. Current practice emphasizes the importance of a case-by-case and multimodal approach to the treatment of these lesions. When possible, surgery remains the treatment of choice for many lesions. Staged embolization preceding surgery can be greatly beneficial. Embolization for cure is only possible in a minority of cases. Radiosurgery is primarily used for surgically inaccessible lesions.
A Call to Arms: Rescuing Universities and Small Businesses from Fully Loaded Patents

Acacia Technology Group recently initiated “one of the most widespread patent licensing programs ever . . . .”1 The technology purportedly covered by Acacia’s patents is termed Digital Media Transmission (DMT),2 otherwise known as streaming media. The broad nature of the patent involved is shocking, to say the least, given the countless number of Internet users who stream media files daily. Who is subject to Acacia’s licensing demands? The answer is virtually any company with a website that streams stored audio or video.3 Understandably, commentators suggest that “few topics hold greater potential implications for streaming business then Acacia Research’s patent claims . . . .”4
A Multicenter Study on the Use of Transdermal Clonidine in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Non-diuretic antihypertensive agents now are frequently used in the treatment of patients with mild essential hypertension (Campese 1980; Mroczek 1983). In these patients, blood pressure is often controlled using oral therapy with a single agent. Recently, a new delivery system for monotherapy with the centrally-acting sympatholytic agent clonidine has become available. In this study, we describe the results of a multicenter study using an adhesive skin device containing clonidine (Catapres-TTS). The results indicate that treatment with a transdermal delivery system for clonidine is effective and well tolerated in patients with mild hypertension.
Stress, Aging, and Central Nervous System Interactions

Throughout life, human beings are challenged by various physically and psychologically stressful conditions. Although certain types of mild stressors, such as moderate caloric restriction, have been associated with increased lifespan in several species, more often excessive and prolonged stress is considered to be detrimental and may, in the long term, predispose to illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome via multiple mechanisms, including disruptions of the neuroendocrine system.
Arts and Cultural Management: Critical and Primary Sources

Where is the research basis of arts administration going, and how best to develop it? As Antonio Cuyler (2014) has noted, these are longstanding questions for those interested in professionalizing ...
Use of polygenic risk scores of nicotine metabolism in predicting smoking behaviors

Aim This study tests whether polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for nicotine metabolism predict smoking behaviors in independent data. Materials & methods Linear regression, logistic regression and survival analyses were used to analyze nicotine metabolism PRSs and nicotine metabolism, smoking quantity and smoking cessation. Results Nicotine metabolism PRSs based on two genome wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analyses significantly predicted nicotine metabolism biomarkers (R2 range: 9.2-16%; minimum p = 7.6 × 10-8). The GWAS top hit variant rs56113850 significantly predicted nicotine metabolism biomarkers (R2 range: 14-17%; minimum p = 4.4 × 10-8). There was insufficient evidence for these PRSs predicting smoking quantity and smoking cessation. Conclusion Results suggest that nicotine metabolism PRSs based on GWAS meta-analyses predict an individual's nicotine metabolism, so does use of the top hit variant. We anticipate that PRSs will enter clinical medicine, but additional research is needed to develop a more comprehensive genetic score to predict smoking behaviors.
Youth Reactions to Bullying: Exploring the Factors Associated with Students' Willingness to Intervene.

ABSTRACTThe response patterns of youth who witness bullying have potential to influence future occurrence and persistence of bullying behaviors. Prevention efforts have included an increased focus ...
Efficacy of Incentive Structures for Boundedly Rational Dispatchers in Large-Scale Queueing Networks

This paper employs computational approaches to model and explore the efficacy of different incentive structures on the decision making behavior of dispatchers in complex queueing networks, and the subsequent effects of these decisions on teams working within the network and on network performance itself. Computational models that express network structure and function, as well as the decision making process of dispatchers operating within the network and the effect these decisions have on team performance, are presented. Performance of the network under status quo and other incentive structures and decision making processes is illustrated via simulation, validated against data from a large-scale debris removal mission that followed a series of tornadoes in the U.S. state of Alabama in 2011. Results of the simulation experiments suggest that the optimal incentive structure assuming a rational decision maker remains optimal under lower levels of rationality. Furthermore, a simple uniform reward structure is likely to produce performance improvements over the status quo incentive structure under most scenarios.
Perceptions of Inclusive Education in Mexico City: An Exploratory Study

Research on inclusive education (IE) documents benefits for both students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Internationally, IE is frequently aligned with the Salamanca Statement...
Direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits demonstrate decreased antibiotic prescribing quality in paediatric clients with acute respiratory infections.

Commentary on: Ray, KN, Shi, Z, Gidengil, CA, et al . Antibiotic prescribing during pediatric direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits. Pediatrics 2019;144(2);doi:10.1542/peds.2019-1786B. DTC telemedicine consultations are becoming increasingly common. The literature identifies that for non-paediatric patients antibiotic prescribing quality is similar compared with face-to-face medical visits. …
King Lear, Without the Mathematics: From Reading Mathematics to Reading Mathematically

Shakespeare’s King Lear is notable for the amount of mathematical language it contains, and for the imprecision of that language. Imprecise mathematics is a correlative of the increasing incapacity of both characters and audience to parse the circumstances they encounter. This argument relates the deconstructive supplement to imaginary numbers, which were simultaneously used and denigrated in early modern mathematics. As a purely mental creation for a specific purpose (finding roots of negative numbers), the imaginary number and its liminal respectability called into question the role of the imagination as a reliable faculty for engaging with reality. Readings of King Lear demonstrate that an audience’s imagination is manipulated and degraded in a similar manner, but with a supplement of unavoidable and uncomfortable ethical compromise.
Development and Use of Natural Language Processing for Identification of Distant Cancer Recurrence and Sites of Distant Recurrence Using Unstructured Electronic Health Record Data

PURPOSELarge-scale analysis of real-world evidence is often limited to structured data fields that do not contain reliable information on recurrence status and disease sites. In this report, we des...
Robotic Assisted Hysterectomy for Delayed Placenta Percreta

Study Objective This is a novel approach to delayed hysterectomy in a case of placenta percreta. Abnormal placentation ranges 0.01 to 1.1% of pregnancies and is increasing in incidence due to rising cesarean delivery rates. Median estimated blood loss (EBL) ranges 2.5-7.8 liters with a median of 6.5 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused. Management most often includes cesarean-hysterectomy at time of delivery, however, with advancements in endovascular intervention and advanced minimally invasive techniques, certain patients may be ideal for delayed surgical intervention with lower blood loss, less morbid surgery, and more rapid recovery. Design Novel case description. Setting The patient was positioned in dorsal lithotomy position with extremities well-padded and arms tucked. A uterine manipulator was placed. Patients or Participants The patient was a 30-year-old G6P3 with documented placenta percreta with preterm labor and vaginal bleeding at 28 weeks five days Interventions The patient underwent cesarean delivery and placental preservation at 28 weeks, EBL 1500ml, 4units PRBCs transfused. After delivery she underwent bilateral uterine artery embolization. Her postpartum course was uncomplicated; she was discharged on postpartum day five and followed with weekly laboratory evaluations. Postpartum MRI confirmed placenta percreta at the bladder dome. On postpartum day number 41 the patient underwent a robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy, with cystotomy and repair, total EBL was 1000ml and she received 2 units of PRBCs, with discharge on POD2. Measurements and Main Results Total EBL between the two procedures was 2500ml, with a total of 6 units of PRBCs transfused. Combined length of stay was 7 days between the two procedures. No ureteral injury or significant surgical morbidity occurred. Conclusion Surgical management of delayed hysterectomy using robotic surgery may be a safer and less morbid procedure. Multidisciplinary care and planning are paramount to ensure patient selection and safety.
Contemporary practice patterns of transurethral therapies for benign prostate hypertrophy: results of a worldwide survey

To perform a global survey to identify contemporary practice patterns of transurethral therapies for benign prostatic hypertrophy. A REDCap survey was distributed to the ~ 3500 members of the Endourological Society. Surgeons completed demographic information and then selected the BPH therapies they perform 10 cases/year. There were four categories of BPH therapies: ablation, enucleation, resection/vaporization, and MIST (minimally invasive surgical technique). Within each category, there were subcategories to account for different energy modalities. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. A total of 175 surgeons responded to our survey. Prostate resection/vaporization remained the most commonly utilized technique (51.9%, n = 147/283) followed by enucleation (22.6%, n = 64/283). Bipolar TURP (bTURP) was the most common modality for prostate resection (69.4%, n = 102/147). Holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) was the most common modality for enucleation (46.9%, n = 30/64). Urolift® was performed more often than Rezūm™ (55.9% vs. 44.1%, n = 19/34 vs. 15/34, respectively). Among surgeons performing ablation, country of practice was a significantly associated with length of stay (LOS), p < 0.0001. For surgeons performing enucleation, academic institution and completion of a fellowship were associated with postoperative day (POD) 1 catheter removal (p = 0.0240 and p = 0.020, respectively). In this contemporary, global survey of the Endourology Society, resection/vaporization techniques were the most commonly performed. Rates of MISTs remained relatively low at 12.1%. Academic institution and fellowship status were associated with shorter catheterization times and LOS for certain surgical categories.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Community-Based Exercise Classes for People With Parkinson Disease.

OBJECTIVE he purpose of the study was to determine the impact of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions on community-based exercise classes for people with Parkinson disease (PD) and their instructors. METHODS Data were collected via custom-designed electronic surveys for people with PD and class instructors who reported attending or teaching PD-specific exercise class ≥1 time/week for ≥3 months prior to pandemic restrictions (March 2020). The PD group also completed the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire, Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale, Schwab-England scale, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 8. RESULTS Eighty-seven people with PD (mean = 70 [7.3] years old) and 43 instructors (51 [12.1] years old) from the United States completed surveys (October 2020 to February 2021). Mean Schwab-England (84 [16]) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 8 (21 [15]) scores indicated low-to-moderate disability in the PD group. Ninety-five percent of the PD group had COVID-19 exposure concerns, and 54% reported leaving home ≤1 time/week. Although 77% of the PD group scored "active" on the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire, the mean Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale score (55 [24]) indicated only moderate exercise self-efficacy, and >50% reported decreased exercise quantity/intensity compared with pre-COVID. There was decreased in-person and increased virtual class participation for both groups. The top in-person class barrier for the PD (63%) and instructor (51%) groups was fear of participant COVID-19 exposure. The top virtual class barriers were lack of socialization (20% of PD group) and technology problems (74% of instructor group). CONCLUSION During COVID-19, there has been less in-person and more virtual exercise class participation in people with PD and decreased exercise quantity and intensity. Virtual classes may not fully meet the needs of people with PD, and primary barriers include technology and lack of socialization. IMPACT As COVID-19 restrictions wane, it is imperative to help people with PD increase exercise and activity. The barriers, needs, and facilitators identified in this study might help inform approaches to increase participation in exercise and activity for people with PD. LAY SUMMARY During COVID-19, there has been less in-person and more virtual exercise class participation in people with PD and a decrease in exercise quantity and intensity. If you have PD, virtual classes might not fully meet your needs. Primary barriers may include technology problems and lack of social interaction.
Prevention of neural allograft rejection in the mouse following in vivo depletion of L3T4+ but not LYT-2+ T-lymphocytes.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the prevention of neural allograft rejection in a mouse following an in vivo depletion of L3T4 + but not LYT-2 + T-lymphocytes. In the experiment described in the chapter, a mouse model for fetal neural transplantation as a means of determining the degree of immunological privilege afforded neural tissue following transplantation to the central nervous system (CNS). Although L3T4 + T-cells consistently outnumbered LYT-2 + T-cells in isolates from neural allograft, the relative numbers of LYT-2 + cells increased with time such that the L3T4:LYT-2 ratio decreased from 5.2 at 1 month after transplantation to 2.2 at 4 months after transplantation. This suggested a possible role for the LYT-2 T-lymphocyte late in the rejection process. The success of T-cell depletion in vivo was established using flow cytometry. The results of a blinded histological evaluation of transplants from the 4 treatment groups are presented in the chapter.
Correlation between arterial spin labeling MRI and dynamic FDG on PET-MR in Alzheimer’s disease and non-Alzhiemer’s disease patients

Regional hypoperfusion on Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI and corresponding regions of hypometabolism on FDG PET have been reported in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). To our knowledge these correlations have not been studied under simultaneous acquisition. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of ASL with FDG PET under simultaneous acquisition on PET-MR and to explore this correlation as a possible biomarker for AD. Dynamic FDG and ASL imaging was performed using a simultaneous TOF-enabled PET-MR scanner in 7 subjects without AD and 3 subjects with AD. Average age was 68±5 years. Automated atlas-based segmentation was performed using T2 MRI using the Talairach atlas. Quantitative analysis of ASL and FDG (delayed 45-75 minute scan) was performed in five regions using the pons as a reference region for both perfusion and metabolism. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s correlation and student’s t-test. Significant correlation of relative perfusion and metabolism was found in two of the five brain regions including the putamen (p = 0.018) and the hippocampus (p = 0.031). In addition, there was significant difference between the relative perfusion and metabolism of the thalamus (p = 0.04). No difference was seen between the AD and non-AD groups. Simultaneous PET-MR demonstrates a positive correlation of perfusion of ASL with metabolism on FDG PET in the hippocampus and putamen. The putamen correlation has previously been reported in the literature on a non-simultaneous ASL and FDG imaging. The thalamus was noted to have a difference in the relative perfusion and metabolism representing a perfusion-metabolism mismatch. Future studies should explore the correlation in additional brain regions and the meaning of perfusion-metabolism mismatches as potential imaging biomarkers for patients with and without AD.
Unconditional Convergence and Bases

We shall be interested in applications mainly in weak and norm topologies of a Banach space, but first we describle several possible forms of convergence of a series of elements of an LCS L.
Generator Modeling for Distributed Wind Interconnection Analysis

Many challenges face the distribution engineer when customers request to interconnect wind generation to the distribution grid. Distributed generation within itself presents certain challenges, but combined with wind generation's widely varying technologies, generator output variability and nondispatchability, distributed wind generation presents rather unique challenges. This panel summary provides various modeling methods for performing distribution system analysis of distributed wind generation