cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The hole truth and nothing but the truth: the resolution of a problem in flute iconography

THE portrait of a group of French musicians shown in illus.1 has been the subject of debate on many fronts since 1907, when it was purchased by the National Gallery from the Comtesse de Coullanges. Since the 1950os it has been attributed to the French painter Robert Tournieres. Before that it was ascribed first to Hyacinthe Rigaud, then to Frangois de Troy.' A black and white photograph of this painting taken in the early 1940s has circulated widely in recent decades. In North America an identical colour photo has for years served as a large promotional poster for a well-known summer early music academy, the Baroque Performance Institute at Oberlin College. It also appears in numerous textbooks and histories of music, as well as in books on musical instruments. A recent cleaning and restoration of the original portrait has uncovered a signature, revealing the true author of the portrait to be Andre Bouys (1656-1740), a student of de Troy, who is known for a portrait of the French viola da gamba player Marin Marais." In addition, the painting also has until now presented an organological mystery with regard to the construction of the ivory flute in the painting's foreground; it is now possible to set aside at least some of the speculation concerning these aspects of the painting. All the musical instruments are painted with great care and accuracy. The man on the left holds a seven-string viola da gamba. Three of the others are holding flutes whose style is typical of French instruments of the early 18th century. The flutes have long, ornate caps and turnings, and bear no visible maker's mark. The seated man in the front must be
Do As I Say, Not As I Do: Benevolent Deception in Romantic Relationships

In this study, men and women were surveyed about their attitudes toward the use of white lies and other forms of benevolent deception in their romantic relationships. We predicted that people would be more accepting of telling lies than of having lies told to them. Furthermore, we predicted that women would be more accepting than men of benevolent deception in their romantic relationships. We found that people were more tolerant of telling benevolent lies than they were of being told such lies. However, we found that men, not women, were more accepting of benevolent deception in their relationships.
Zoster-Like Lesions from Herpes Simplex Virus in Newborn Rats.

Summary and conclusionsNewborn rats are susceptible to infection and death by herpes simplex virus administered by many routes. When the virus is admitted intradermally a segmental skin eruption resembling herpes zoster develops. Hepatitis and encephalitis also occur. The etiologic role of herpes simplex virus in these skin and visceral lesions was demonstrated by neutralization and fluorescent antibody studies.
Dissociation between the adjuvant vs mitogenic activity of a synthetic muramyl dipeptide for murine splenocytes.

SummaryA relatively low-molecular-weight synthetic muramyl dipeptide was found to stimulate antibody formation by normal mouse splenocytes immunized with sheep red blood cells in vitro. This material also resulted in a marked stimulation of “background” antibody-forming cells to the erythrocytes in cultures incubated without antigen. In contrast, the muramyl dipeptide, regardless of concentration, did not induce a marked blastogenic response in vitro, as occurs with adjuvants such as bacterial lipo-polysaccharides. These results suggest that the nonspecific immunostimulatory properties of a low-molecular-weight substance such as the muramyl dipeptide tested, which is commonly found in bacterial cell walls, may not be dependent upon mitogenicity.
Paulo Freire’s blunt challenge to anthropology: Create a Pedagogy of the Oppressed for Your Times

Paulo Freire was a revolutionary educator. He founded an educational movement based on conducting an ethnographic evaluation of a community to identify the generative themes (or “dangerous words”) ...
Assessment of Verbal Fluency in Bilingual Zulu-English Speakers:

This study investigated verbal fluency abilities in a sub-group of Zulu-English bilingual speakers (n=35). Subjects were required to generate a list of animal names in English-only, Zulu-only, and ...
THEORY OF ACCELERATED ROCKET NOZZLES

Abstract The effect of the high acceleration of the rocket on the gas flow patterns in the nozzle and its performance characteristics are examined within one dimensional, quasi-steady formalism. The basic flow pattern in such a nozzle is predicted from the isentropic gas table through the use of “Equivalence Principle” established in the analysis. The result of the analysis indicates that for a given stagnation condition in the combustion chamber, the velocity and the pressure of the gas at the exit of the accelerated nozzle is larger than that in the non-accelerated nozzle with the same cross-sectional areas at the sonic throat, and also at the exit of two nozzles. The mass flow rate, the specific impulse and the total thrust are also found to be larger for the accelerated nozzles. The effect of the acceleration is found to be important for a highly accelerated nozzle with lower stagnation temperature. The exit Mach number dependence is important when the Mach number is lower than 5 with γ = 1.4. The coupling between the internal and external ballistic is found to induce time wise variation of the nozzle flow patterns despite the fact that the condition in the combustion chamber is held steady. Present approximations predict the flow variables vary linearly with respect to time.
Anomalous transport model study of chiral magnetic effects in heavy ion collisions

Using an anomalous transport model for massless quarks and antiquarks, we study the effect of a magnetic field on the elliptic flows of quarks and antiquarks in relativistic heavy ion collisions. With initial conditions from a blast wave model and assuming that the strong magnetic field produced in noncentral heavy ion collisions can last for a sufficiently long time, we obtain an appreciable electric quadrupole moment in the transverse plane of a heavy ion collision. The electric quadrupole moment subsequently leads to a splitting between the elliptic flows of quarks and antiquarks. The slope of the charge asymmetry dependence of the elliptic flow difference between positively and negatively charged particles is positive, which is expected from the chiral magnetic wave formed in the produced QGP and observed in experiments at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, only if the Lorentz force acting on the charged particles is neglected and the quark-antiquark scattering is assumed to be dominated by the chirality changing channel.
Clinical pharmacology in pediatrics

Clinical pharmacology as related to childhood lags far behind that for adults. This unfortunate circumstance plus the difference in the therapeutic milieu and the basic peculiarities in childhood, some of which have been delineated below, make most difficult the comparison between adults (volunteers and patients) and pediatric patients. In fact, adult studies may be misleading.
Abstract 1797: Loss of FoxO1 expression is associated with decreased IGF-1R levels and alters IGFBP-1 induction in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. The majority of breast cancers express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is commonly prescribed as adjuvant therapy for ERα-positive breast cancer patients. The development of chemoresistance is a common occurrence in treated patients, however, the molecular mechanisms associated with acquired tamoxifen resistance are not well defined. Previous work from our lab identified a novel mechanism of tamoxifen action that involved the accumulation of extracellular Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and modulates IGF-1-dependent signaling transduction. Tamoxifen-induced IGFBP-1 induction in this model was mediated by G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)-dependent CREB activation as shown by phosphorylation on serine 133. To determine IGFBP-1 induction is altered during the development of chemoresistance, this mechanism of action was studied in tamoxifen resistant MCF-7 (TamR) cells. Whereas CREB was constitutively phosphorylated in TamR cells, IGFBP-1 levels were not elevated when compared to parental cells and IGFBP-1 was not induced by tamoxifen treatment in TamR cells. These data suggest that another transcription factor(s) are also necessary for the induction of IGFBP-1 in breast cancer cells. FoxO1 is a known regulator of IGFBP-1 transcription and we tested whether FoxO1 contributes to tamoxifen-induced IGFBP-1 transcription. Our results indicate that FoxO1 expression levels were significantly reduced in TamR cells compared with parental cells. Furthermore, FoxO1 knockdown experiments demonstrated this transcription factor mediates tamoxifen-induced IGFBP-1 induction in MCF-7 cells. Consistent with previously published observations, IGF-1R expression was reduced in TamR cells compared to parental MCF-7 cells. To determine if loss of IGF-1R expression in involved in the loss of FoxO1 expression in TamR cells, IGF-1R was exogenously expressed and FoxO1 expression was measured. IGF-1R expression increases FoxO1 levels and partially restores tamoxifen-induced IGFBP-1 induction in TamR cells. These results suggest that FoxO1-mediated IGFBP-1 accumulation is altered during the development of tamoxifen resistance and is associated with decreased IGF-1R expression. Citation Format: Ali Vaziri-Gohar, Kevin D. Houston. Loss of FoxO1 expression is associated with decreased IGF-1R levels and alters IGFBP-1 induction in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1797.
Strategic Use of Marketing for a Targeted Constituent Group

Column description. The Marketing column features essays about a variety of creative and innovative marketing strategies used to highlight collections or promote services in all types of libraries. Its purpose is to provide real examples of how libraries are using marketing and outreach techniques in interesting ways. The column offers practical insight from libraries engaged with marketing. In addition to marketing, the column also features essays on successful programs and events that promote the library. The column editor researches examples of marketing techniques in libraries and invites guest columnists. Readers are invited to suggest topics or projects by contacting the column editor, Katy Kelly.
Loving, Knowing, and Illustrating Keats: The Louis Arthur Holman Collection of Keats Iconography

Ann Rowland’s chapter further examines the traffic of author-related artifacts across the Atlantic by turning to the massive scrapbooking project of Louis A. Holman, a Keats collector at the turn of the twentieth century. Holman spent over twenty-five years assembling a collection illustrative of Keats’s life, setting himself the task of finding an illustration, artifact, or photograph related to every person, place, or thing mentioned in one of Keats’s poems or letters. His quirky collection of Keatsiana toured the USA and England in the early 1900s as exemplary Keats scholarship and as a teaching tool for college English professors. In addition to examining the construction of ‘Keats’ through material objects and illustrations, this essay describes the fluid boundary between amateur and professional scholarship in these years, taking up the volume’s recurring aim of questioning the textual and professional biases of academic literary studies.
Evidence for a limit to human lifespan

Demographic analysis of life expectancy and maximum reported age at death provides evidence that human lifespan has reached its natural limit.
Evaluating the Lidar/HSI direct method for physics-based scene modeling

Recent work has been able to automate the process of generating three-dimensional, spectrally attributed scenes for use in physics-based modeling software using the Lidar/Hyperspectral Direct (LHD) method. The LHD method autonomously generates three-dimensional Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) scenes from input high-resolution imagery, lidar data, and hyperspectral imagery and has been shown to do this successfully using both modeled and real datasets. While the output scenes look realistic and appear to match the input scenes under qualitative comparisons, a more quantitative approach is needed to evaluate the full utility of these autonomously generated scenes. This paper seeks to improve the evaluation of the spatial and spectral accuracy of autonomously generated three-dimensional scenes using the DIRSIG model. Two scenes are presented for this evaluation. The first is generated from a modeled dataset and the second is generated using data collected over a real-world site. DIRSIG-generated synthetic imagery over the recreated scenes are then compared to the original input imagery to evaluate how well the recreated scenes match the original scenes in spatial and spectral accuracy and to determine the ability of the recreated scenes to produce useful outputs for algorithm development.
DC and low‐frequency double probe electric field measurements in space

The double probe technique for measuring DC and low frequency electric fields in space plasmas is described with an emphasis on uncertainties in the measurements, data analysis techniques, and methods for improving the electric field measurements in future missions.
Design Considerations for Silica-Particle-Doped Nitric-Oxide-Releasing Polyurethane Glucose Biosensor Membranes

Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing polymers have proven useful for improving the biocompatibility of in vivo glucose biosensors. Unfortunately, leaching of the NO donor from the polymer matrix remains a critical design flaw of NO-releasing membranes. Herein, a toolbox of NO-releasing silica nanoparticles (SNPs) was utilized to systematically evaluate SNP leaching from a diverse selection of biomedical-grade polyurethane sensor membranes. Glucose sensor analytical performance and NO-release kinetics from the sensor membranes were also evaluated as a function of particle and polyurethane (PU) chemistries. Particles modified with N-diazeniumdiolate NO donors were prone to leaching from PU membranes due to the zwitterionic nature of the NO donor modification. Leaching was minimized (<5% of the entrapped silica over 1 month) in low water uptake PUs. However, SNP modification with neutral S-nitrosothiol (RSNO) NO donors lead to biphasic leaching behavior. Particles with low alkanethiol content (<3.0 wt % sulfur) leach...
Corticotropin-releasing hormone improves survival in pneumococcal pneumonia by reducing pulmonary inflammation.

Abstract The use of glucocorticoids to reduce inflammatory responses is largely based on the knowledge of the physiological action of the endogenous glucocorticoid, cortisol. Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) is a neuropeptide released from the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis of the central nervous system. This hormone serves as an important mediator of adaptive physiological responses to stress. In addition to its role in inducing downstream cortisol release that in turn regulates immune suppression, CRH has also been found to mediate inflammatory responses in peripheral tissues. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a microorganism commonly present among the commensal microflora along the upper respiratory tract. Transmission of disease stems from the resident asymptomatic pneumococcus along the nasal passages. Glucocorticoids are central mediators of immune suppression and are the primary adjuvant pharmacological treatment used to reduce inflammatory responses in patients with severe bacterial pneumonia. However, controversy exists in the effectiveness of glucocorticoid treatment in reducing mortality rates during S. pneumoniae infection. In this study, we compared the effect of the currently utilized pharmacologic glucocorticoid dexamethasone with CRH. Our results demonstrated that intranasal administration of CRH increases survival associated with a decrease in inflammatory cellular immune responses compared to dexamethasone independent of neutrophils. Thus, providing evidence of its use in the management of immune and inflammatory responses brought on by severe pneumococcal infection that could reduce mortality risks.
Impact of pregnancy on pharmacokinetics of medications

Pregnancy is associated with significant physiological changes that alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications during pregnancy. This overview describes the effects of pregnancy on kidney filtration, drug transport, drug metabolism, protein binding, and their clinical implications for drug therapy.
Effectiveness of Computer-Based Scaffolding in the Context of Problem-Based Learning for Stem Education: Bayesian Meta-analysis

Computer-based scaffolding plays a pivotal role in improving students’ higher-order skills in the context of problem-based learning for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. The effectiveness of computer-based scaffolding has been demonstrated through traditional meta-analyses. However, traditional meta-analyses suffer from small-study effects and a lack of studies covering certain characteristics. This research investigates the effectiveness of computer-based scaffolding in the context of problem-based learning for STEM education through Bayesian meta-analysis (BMA). Specifically, several types of prior distribution information inform Bayesian simulations of studies, and this generates accurate effect size estimates of six moderators (total 24 subcategories) related to the characteristics of computer-based scaffolding and the context of scaffolding utilization. The results of BMA indicated that computer-based scaffolding significantly impacted (g = 0.385) cognitive outcomes in problem-based learning in STEM education. Moreover, according to the characteristics and the context of use of scaffolding, the effects of computer-based scaffolding varied with a range of small to moderate values. The result of the BMA contributes to an enhanced understanding of the effect of computer-based scaffolding within problem-based learning.
Factors Associated with Hospital Vertical Integration Into Sub-Acute Care

The purpose of this study was to examine the market and organizational factors associated with hospital vertical integration into Sub-Acute Care (SAC). Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) provides a theoretical framework to examine the environmental factors associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Using a panel data set of US Hospitals (2008-2012), a logit regression model was used to assess the relationship between market and organizational factors and hospitals being vertically integrated into SAC. This study found that hospitals in rural areas were more likely to be vertically integrated into SAC. Hospitals in communities with larger Medicare eligible populations were also more likely to be vertically integrated into SAC. The results of this study suggest that not all market and organizational factors are associated with vertical integration strategies toward SAC. The findings of this study are of significant interest to policymakers and practitioners as they seek to improve outcomes for pa...
Driving With Hemianopia VI: Peripheral Prisms and Perceptual-Motor Training Improve Detection in a Driving Simulator.

Purpose Drivers with homonymous hemianopia (HH) were previously found to have impaired detection of blind-side hazards, yet in many jurisdictions they may obtain a license. We evaluated whether oblique 57Δ peripheral prisms (p-prisms) and perceptual-motor training improved blind-side detection rates. Methods Patients with HH (n = 11) wore p-prisms for 2 weeks and then received perceptual-motor training (six visits) detecting and touching stimuli in the prism-expanded vision. In a driving simulator, patients drove and pressed the horn upon detection of pedestrians who ran toward the roadway (26 from each side): (1) without p-prisms at baseline; (2) with p-prisms after 2 weeks acclimation but before training; (3) with p-prisms after training; and (4) 3 months later. Results P-prisms improved blind-side detection from 42% to 56%, which further improved after training to 72% (all P < 0.001). Blind-side timely responses (adequate time to have stopped) improved from 31% without to 44% with p-prisms (P < 0.001) and further improved with training to 55% (P = 0.02). At the 3-month follow-up, improvements from training were maintained for detection (65%; P = 0.02) but not timely responses (P = 0.725). There was wide between-subject variability in baseline detection performance and response to p-prisms. There were no negative effects of p-prisms on vehicle control or seeing-side performance. Conclusions P-prisms improved detection with no negative effects, and training may provide additional benefit. Translational Relevance In jurisdictions where people with HH are legally driving, these data aid in clinical decision making by providing evidence that p-prisms improve performance without negative effects.
Application of a High-Resolution Magnetic Spectrometer to Near-Surface Materials Analysis

Experimental data obtained using a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer is presented to illustrate the advantages, limitations and/or complications of using such an instrument for various types of surface-analysis experiments.
Centrifugal Evaluation of a Time-Dependent Numerical Model for Soft Clay Deformations

A series of centrifuge tests on embankment-type soil structures founded on soft clay is being conducted to evaluate a time-dependent constitutive model that incorporates the combined effects of creep and hydrodynamic consolidation. Because final coding of this new constitutive model has not yet been completed, a two-dimensional consolidation program (CON2D, developed by Chang and Duncan) is being used for preliminary analysis of test results. This paper describes the building, testing, and monitoring of the centrifuge models. The results of the centrifuge tests are interpreted and shown to compare well with predictions made using the CON2D computer program. Centrifuge testing is a valuable method for investigating the accuracy and usefulness of new soil behavior models, particularly in the absence of or as a supplement to detailed field records. The testing limitations imposed by centrifugal environment-the radial acceleration field and "curved" stress distribution-are examined. Stress histories and stress paths experienced by the centrifuged model are shown accountable in the numerical analyses. Data generated in this testing program can provide a reference for evaluating other constitutive relations or numerical models, thus assisting further development of predictive analytical techniques.
Between Urban Renewal and Nuova Dimensione: The 68 Effects vis-à-vis the Real

This article scrutinizes the effects of 1968 student protests and events on architectural pedagogy and epistemology within the European and American contexts. Through the juxtaposition of the transformations that followed the 1968 events, mainly within the north-American and Italian contexts, it shows how the approaches vis-a-vis the concept of urban renewal, in the case of Italy, and the concept of “nuova dimensione”, in the case of Italy, were reoriented and progressively abandoned. The central argument is that the strategies elaborated, in the American context, to criticize urban renewal architecture were based on principles that pushed architectural discourse away from the real, either neutralizing the real, as in the case of Peter Eisenman, or reducing the real city into its image, as in the case of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. In parallel and in contrast with the situation in the United States, in Europe, and mainly in Italy, the effects of a network of significant events that preceded and followed 1968, extending from the battles at Valle Giulia in 1963 to the occupation by students of the 15th Triennale di Milano in 1968 and the event “Utopia e/o Rivoluzione” at the Politecnico di Torino in 1969, triggered the rejection of the concept of “nuova dimensione” in favour of the rediscovery of the immediacy of reality, the "locus" and the civic dimension of architects' role in society. The purpose of the article is double-fold: firstly, it unfolds the mutations of pedagogical strategies and epistemological tools of architecture that were shaped because of the student protests in Italy and North America; secondly, it explains why the 1968 effects on architectural pedagogy and epistemology in Europe, and especially in Italy, were linked to the demand to reinvent and reinforce the relation of architecture to the real, in contrast with the North-American context, where the 1968 effects were associated with the invention of strategies that reinforced the liberation of architecture from the real.
A Dynamic Non-preemptive Priority Queueing Model with Two Types of Customers

In this paper, we study a single-server non-preemptive priority queueing model with two types of customers. The customers arrive according to two independent Poisson processes, and the service times are exponential with possibly different parameters. While Type 1 customers, who have non-preemptive priority over Type 2 customers, have a finite waiting room, Type 2 customers have no such restriction. A new dynamic rule based on a predetermined threshold is applied in offering services to lower-priority customers (when higher-priority customers are present) whenever the server becomes free. Using matrix-analytic methods, we analyze the model in steady state and bring out some qualitative and interesting aspects of the model under study. We also compare our model to the classical two-customer non-preemptive priority model to show a marked improvement in the quality of service to customers under the proposed threshold model.
Sleep disturbance and cognition in people with TBI

Background Sleep disturbance plays a significant role in cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Objectives To summarize recent findings that examine sleep disturbance and cognition in TBI. Methods Epidemiological information on sleep disorders in people with TBI is presented. A simple introduction to the role of sleep in normal cognition provides context for the literature on clinical populations. Current theory on the mechanisms underlying cognitive problems in people with sleep disorder is briefly described. Findings on the relationship between sleep disorder and cognitive problems in TBI is examined in more detail. Results Consistent reports of an association between sleep duration and cognition include several studies noting positive associations (shorter sleep duration accompanies cognitive impairment) and others observing negative associations (longer sleep duration accompanies cognitive problems). Both insomnia and hypersomnolence are forms of sleep disturbance that disrupt key mental processes such as memory consolidation. Obstructive sleep apnea, cerebral structural abnormalities, neurochemical changes and psychiatric pathology are implicated. Conclusions Additional information is needed on how severity of injury impacts sleep and cognition. Hypothesized mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep on cognition in TBI should be empirically tested. Further, discrepancies between objective and subjective measures of sleep and cognition must be explored.
Trends and Outcomes of Cardiovascular Surgery in Patients With Opioid Use Disorders.

Importance Persistent opioid use is currently a major health care crisis. There is a lack of knowledge regarding its prevalence and effect among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Objective To characterize the national population of cardiac surgery patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and compare outcomes with the cardiac surgery population without OUD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective population-based cohort study, more than 5.7 million adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery (ie, coronary artery bypass graft, valve surgery, or aortic surgery) in the United States were included. Pregnant patients were excluded. Propensity matching was performed to compare outcomes between cardiac surgery patients with OUD (n = 11 359) and without OUD (n = 5 707 193). The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried from January 1998 to December 2013. Data were analyzed in January 2018. Exposures Persistent opioid use and/or dependence. Main Outcomes and Measures In-hospital mortality, complications, length of stay, costs, and discharge disposition. Results Among the 5 718 552 included patients, 3 887 097 (68.0%) were male; the mean (SD) age of patients with OUD was 47.67 (13.03) years and of patients without OUD was 65.53 (26.14) years. The prevalence of OUD among cardiac surgery patients was 0.2% (n = 11 359), with an 8-fold increase over 15 years (0.06% [262 of 437 641] in 1998 vs 0.54% [1425 of 263 930] in 2013; difference, 0.48%; 95% CI of difference, 0.45-0.51;P Conclusions and Relevance The population of patients with persistent opioid use or opioid dependency undergoing cardiac surgery has increased over the past decade. Cardiac surgery in patients with OUD is safe but is associated with higher complications and cost. Patients should not be denied surgery because of OUD status but should be carefully monitored postoperatively for complications.
Pretreatment with pyridostigmine bromide has no effect on seizure behavior or 24 hour survival in the rat model of acute diisopropylfluorophosphate intoxication

Acute intoxication with organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitors (OPs) is a significant human health threat, and current medical countermeasures for OP poisoning are of limited therapeutic efficacy. The rat model of acute intoxication with diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) is increasingly being used to test candidate compounds for efficacy in protecting against the immediate and long-term consequences of acute OP toxicity. In this model, rats are typically pretreated with pyridostigmine bromide (PB), a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor, to enhance survival. However, PB pretreatment is not likely in most scenarios of civilian exposure to acutely neurotoxic levels of OPs. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine whether PB pretreatment significantly increases survival in DFP-intoxicated rats. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with DFP (4 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (VEH) followed 1 min later by combined i.m. injection of atropine sulfate (2 mg/kg) and 2-pralidoxime (25 mg/kg). Animals were pretreated 30 min prior to these injections with PB (0.1 mg/kg, i.m.) or an equal volume of saline. DFP triggered rapid and sustained seizure behavior irrespective of PB pretreatment, and there was no significant difference in average seizure behavior score during the first 4 h following injection between DFP animals pretreated with PB or not. PB pretreatment also had no significant effect on survival or brain AChE activity at 24 h post-DFP exposure. In summary, PB pretreatment is not necessary to ensure survival of rats acutely intoxicated with DFP, and eliminating PB pretreatment in the rat model of acute DFP intoxication would increase its relevance to acute OP intoxication in civilians.
A comparison of fusion breeder/fission client and fission breeder/fission client systems for electrical energy production

A parametric study that evaluated the economic performance of breeder/client systems is described. The linkage of the breeders to the clients was modelled using the stockpile approach to determine the system doubling time. Since the actual capital costs of the breeders are uncertain, a precise prediction of the cost of a breeder was not attempted. Instead, the breakeven capital cost of a breeder relative to the capital cost of a client reactor was established by equating the cost of electricity from the breeder/client system to the cost of a system consisting of clients alone. Specific results are presented for two breeder/client systems. The first consisted of an LMFBR with LWR clients. The second consisted of a DT fusion reactor (with a /sup 238/U fission suppressed blanket) with LWR clients. The economics of each system was studied as a function of the cost of fissile fuel from a conventional source. Generally, the LMFBR/LWR system achieved relatively small breakeven capital cost ratios; the maximum ratio computed was 2.2 (achieved at approximately triple current conventional fissile material cost). The DTFR/LWR system attained a maximum breakeven capital cost ratio of 4.5 (achieved at the highest plasma quality (ignited device) and triple conventional fissile cost).
Speech perception in children with reading disabilities: Phonetic perception is the problem

Reading disability (RD) is widely accepted as a key obstacle in the development of literacy. Studies show that 15–20% of grade-school students are RD. Many quit high-school and go to jail. We shall show that RD for 8–12 yrs is related to inadequate phonetic identification ability, rooted in pre-school language development. We used two tests (10 thousand responses/child): (1) A 3-interval forced choice procedure (Syllable Confusion Oddball Task: SCO). (2) A single CV/VC presentation task with oral response, to label CV/VC phones (Nonsense Syllable Confusion Matrix: NSCM). The experimental results showed that for the SCO task the 10 RD cohort had, on average 5 times the error compared to the 6 RC reading control (RC) cohort. The errors were highly idiosyncratic, analyzed by logit. (1) RDs have significant speech perception problems, despite normal pure-tone hearing and language ability. (2) When comparing the SCO and NSCM results, our findings are consistent with a reduced ability to label CV/VC sounds presented in random temporal order. This seems consistent with phone memory dysfunction. (3) These conclusions are at odds with previous studies finding no indication of phone identification impairment.
Heart sounds: a pilot randomised trial to determine the feasibility and acceptability of audio recordings to improve discharge communication for cardiology inpatients protocol.

Introduction Ineffective hospital discharge communication can significantly impact patient understanding, safety and treatment adherence. This may be especially true for cardiology inpatients who leave the hospital with complex discharge plans delivered in a time-pressured discharge discussion. The goal of this pilot trial was to determine if providing supplemental audio-recorded discharge instructions is feasible and to explore its impact on cardiology patients9 ability to understand and self-manage their care . Methods and analysis We will conduct a parallel-group, randomised controlled trial in adult cardiology inpatients with balanced blocking by a physician. Patients (n=50) will be randomised to usual care (verbal discussion and written summary) or intervention (usual care, plus audio-recorded discharge discussion provided to patients on a portable electronic recording device). Enrolled patients will complete study assessments immediately prior to the discharge discussion, immediately postdischarge discussion and 1 week after hospital discharge by telephone. Primary outcomes include the proportion of eligible providers and inpatients who agree to take part in the trial, the proportion of inpatients who receive the audio recording in accordance with a fidelity checklist, and the proportion who use the audio recording. We will analyse preliminary data about the impact of audio recording on patient activation, health confidence, provider communication ability, adherence and 30-day readmissions. Ethics and dissemination This trial was approved by The Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) at Dartmouth College (CPHS# 00031211). Findings will be disseminated in scientific journals and at meetings. Trial registration number NCT03735342 Protocol version 1.0
Findings in an Elderly Patient after a Fall

A 76-year-old male presented with neck pain beginning a month earlier, when he tripped over a ledge while exiting his truck. The patient landed on his face and lost consciousness. In the emergency room, the initial work up, including a head computed tomography scan, came back negative, but the fall work-up was incomplete. He was discharged with a physical therapy appointment to manage his neck pain but did not go. The patient’s pain continued for another four weeks before he went to the clinic. The pain was located at the midline of his posterior cervical spine with limited range of motion. He was otherwise asymptomatic. A more comprehensive fall assessment and work-up was completed. An immediate neck computed tomography scan was ordered and revealed subacute Stage 2 odontoid fractures. The patient was placed in a neck collar. An urgent appointment with the neurosurgery clinic was requested. The neurosurgeon reviewed the neck computed tomography scan; a follow up by magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the findings. After discussing treatment options, the patient agreed to proceed with fusion surgery. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a complete fall assessment and workup to ensure early detection and prevention of serious or life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary study of heavy metals pollution in the sandy dust storms and its human risk assessment from middle and south of Iraq.

Sandy dust storms in Iraq represented a serious problem for human health, not only in Iraq but also extended to be in other countries. Therefore, this study has assessed five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Fe) in the sandy dust storms from ten locations in the middle and south of Iraq. Contamination levels in the dust were evaluated by using various pollution indices. Heavy metals recorded a high pollution load index (PLI) that considered as baseline pollution in the dust. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values were moderately contaminated for Cd, and Pb, in case of potential ecology risk ($$ {\mathbf{E}}_{\mathbf{r}}^{\mathbf{i}} $$), was a considerable risk for Cd. Based on multivariate analysis which is performed by principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis (r2) and cluster analysis (CA) revealed that heavy metals in sandy dust storms were possible from anthropogenic activities. The Cd, Ni, Zn, and Fe were from the same pollution sources, while Pb element was from the different pollution sources. Therefore, this data will be useful as sources to the Quality Control Department in Iraq to establish perfect qualitative standards and also to acquire a better quality of the atmosphere in Iraq and the region.
Stimulated-echo diffusion-weighted imaging with moderate b values for the detection of prostate cancer

Conventional spin-echo (SE) DWI leads to a fundamental trade-off depending on the b value: high b value provides better lesion contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image quality, and quantitative reliability. A stimulated-echo (STE) DWI acquisition is evaluated for high-CNR imaging of prostate cancer while maintaining SNR and reliable apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping. In this prospective, IRB-approved study, 27 patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) were scanned with three DWI sequences (SE b = 800 s/mm2, SE b = 1500 s/mm2, and STE b = 800 s/mm2) after informed consent was obtained. ROIs were drawn on biopsy-confirmed cancer and non-cancerous tissue to perform quantitative SNR, CNR, and ADC measurements. Qualitative metrics (SNR, CNR, and overall image quality) were evaluated by three experienced radiologists. Metrics were compared pairwise between the three acquisitions using a t test (quantitative metrics) and Wilcoxon rank test (qualitative metrics). Quantitative measurements showed that STE DWI at b = 800 s/mm2 has significantly better SNR compared to SE DWI at b = 1500 s/mm2 (p < 0.0001) and comparable CNR to high-b value SE DWI at b = 1500 s/mm2 (p < 0.05) in the peripheral zone. Qualitative assessment showed preference to STE b = 800 s/mm2 in SNR and SE b = 1500 s/mm2 in CNR. The overall image quality and lesion detectability among most readers showed no significant preference between STE b = 800 s/mm2 and SE b = 1500 s/mm2. Further, STE DWI had similar ADC contrast between lesion and normal tissue as SE DWI at b = 800 s/mm2 (p = 0.90). STE DWI has the potential to provide high-SNR, high-CNR imaging of prostate cancer while also enabling reliable ADC mapping. • Quantitative analysis showed that STE DWI at b = 800 s/mm2is able to achieve simultaneously high CNR, high SNR, and reliable ADC mapping, compared to SE b = 800 s/mm2and SE b = 1500 s/mm2. • Qualitative assessment by three readers showed that STE DWI at b = 800 s/mm2has significantly higher SNR than SE b = 1500 s/mm2. No preference between SE b = 1500 s/mm2and STE b = 800 s/mm2was determined in terms of CNR with no missed lesions were found in both acquisitions. • A single STE DWI acquisition at moderate b value (800–1000 s/mm2) may provide sufficient image quality and quantitative reliability for prostate cancer imaging within a shorter scan time, in place of two DWI acquisitions (one with moderate b value and one with high b value).
Black men teaching: toward a theory of social isolation in organizations

While there continues to be increasing research about Black male teachers’ school-based experiences, there is less empirical evidence on the variation in these experiences for this subgroup. Drawin...
Central bank independence and low inflation: who leads the dance?

One strand of empirical literature finds that central bank independence (CBI) lowers inflation. Another strand of literature finds that low inflation is a key determinant of reform towards increase...
The INFINITY Total Ankle Prosthesis: Outcomes at Short-Term Follow-up.

BackgroundThe INFINITY total ankle prothesis remains the most widely used fourth-generation total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) system in the United States. The purpose of the present study was to asses...
The relationship between a combinatorial processing rule and a continuous mate preference function in an insect.

Mate choice involves processing signals that can reach high levels of complexity and feature multiple components, even in small animals with tiny brains. This raises the question of whether and how...
ON THE NUMERICAL RANGE OF EP MATRICES

In this work we study the numerical range $W(T)$ of EP matrices or operators having a canonical form $T = U(A\oplus 0)U^* $ in the case when $0 \notin W(A)$. As a result, we define the distance $d(W(A,T))$ between the sets $W(A)$ and $W(T)$ and investigate their connenctions, giving also upper and lower bounds for the distance $d(W(A^{-1},T^\dagger))$. Finally we present the form of their angular numerical range $F(T)$ and its connection with $F(T^\dagger)$.
Intervention Reporting of Published Trials Is Insufficient in Orthopaedic Surgery Journals: Application of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication Checklist.

Purpose Outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been shown to influence clinical decision making. Thus, the quality and reliability of these outcomes are essential for both patients and medical care providers. To date, no study has assessed the quality of intervention reporting of RCTs in orthopaedics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of intervention reporting of published RCTs in the field of orthopaedics using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, we applied the TIDieR checklist to assess the quality of intervention reporting in orthopaedic RCTs. Additionally, we evaluated the TIDieR checklist’s influence on intervention reporting by comparing overall adherence to checklist items in trials published before the TIDieR checklist’s release versus trials published after its release. Finally, we assessed whether certain factors were associated with the quality of intervention reporting. Results From a random sample of 300 publications in orthopaedic journals, 175 parallel-arm and cluster RCTs were identified. The overall rate of adherence to TIDieR items was 58.4%. Only 31.4% of orthopaedic RCTs adhered to at least 6 of the 12 TIDieR checklist items, whereas 0% adhered to all 12 items. We found no significant improvement in the quality of intervention reporting in studies published after the TIDieR checklist’s release compared with studies published before its release (P = .97). Additionally, preregistered trials were associated with more complete intervention reporting. Conclusions Our results suggest suboptimal reporting of orthopaedic RCT interventions. In addition, the TIDieR checklist’s intended effect—to better the quality of RCT intervention reporting—appears to have fallen short of its goal. Clinical Relevance Because outcomes of RCTs are used to guide clinical decision making, it is essential that orthopaedic surgeons and clinical practice guideline panels are equipped with high-quality published research. Increasing the accuracy of intervention reporting may lead to more accurate clinical application. Thus, adoption of more stringent reporting of trial interventions by researchers, authors, and journal editors may improve the quality of orthopaedic research, as well as improve patient outcomes.
Itching-like behavior: A common effect of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist 5′-guanidinonaltrindole and the biased kappa opioid receptor agonist 6′-guanidinonaltrindole in mice

Abstract Activation of the KOR produces antipruritic effects. In this study, we investigated three KOR ligands for their abilities to cause scratching behaviors in mice, an animal model of itch, and the involvement of the KOR in these behaviors. Two regioisomers are especially interesting: 6′-guanidinonaltrindole (6′-GNTI, a reportedly KOR G protein-biased agonist) and 5′-guanidinonaltrindole (5′-GNTI, a KOR antagonist). 5′-GNTI is known to precipitate frenzied, excessive scratching in mice. Here we report for the first time that 6′-GNTI causes comparable itching-like behavior in this species, which was not affected by KOR deletion in mice, indicating that it is not mediated by the KOR. We further studied the KOR antagonist LY2456302 (Aticaprant), which is in clinical trials for treatment of substance abuse, for scratching effect in both wild type and KOR knock out mice. Similar numbers of scratches were observed in wild type and KOR knock out mice. We call attention to pruritus as a possible negative side effect of KOR antagonists and 6′-GNTI in humans.
Sustainable community movement organizations. Solidarity economies and rhizomatic practices: edited by Forno, Francesca and Richard R. Weiner, Abingdon, OX, Routledge, 2020, xii +131 pp., indices., £44.99 (hardback), ISBN: 9780367342234, £16.99 (ebook), ISBN: 9780429324550

Following the rise of social justice and environmental concerns and a growing popular distrust in dominant institutions, political and ethical considerations are transforming consumption practices ...
Anaerobic reductive bioleaching of manganese ores

Abstract The increasing demand of manganese in the industries and various hindrances in its production from low grade ores by conventional method has made it imperative for researchers around the world to develop a method of manganese extraction from low grade ores that is both environment-friendly and economical. Bioleaching has shown significant potential in manganese extraction and efficiencies of extraction have been found to be 70–98% with the help of various bacteria and fungi. This study focuses on extraction of manganese with the help of mixed bacterial strains that have been collected from their natural anaerobic environment where manganese reducing activity was evident. The extraction of manganese from reagent grade manganese dioxide and high grade manganese ore has been studied over 180 days in an anaerobic environment at room temperature and pH around 5, without the addition of any mineral acids. Highest concentrations of dissolved manganese have been found to be 928.58 mg Mn/L for reagent grade manganese dioxide and 864.54 mg Mn/L for ore grade manganese, corresponding to 650 mg and 400 mg of cumulative manganese, respectively.