cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques of digital arthrodesis: revisiting the old and discovering the new

Digital surgery is commonplace for foot and ankle surgeons. The techniques of arthrodesis are more exacting and complex than techniques of arthroplasty. They are generally performed in cases of more severe deformity or underlying biomechanical abnormalities, which strongly influence the development and propagation of the deformity. When performed properly in a patient with good compliance, the results are consistently good and rewarding to patients and surgeons. Attention to detail cannot be overemphasized in managing digital deformities. Failure to do so is likely to result in a less than satisfactory outcome for physician and patient. Traditional techniques are proven effective approaches. Meticulous attention to detail and precise execution of the procedure will minimize complications. The exact role of newer implants for fusion is yet to be determined. Further short-term and long-term experience will determine their role in foot surgery.
Measuring Disability and Function in Older Women: Psychometric Properties of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument

Background The recent development of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LL-FDI) was an important contribution to the measurement of function and disability in older adults. The present study examined the psychometric properties and construct validity of the LL-FDI measure in a sample of older women. Methods Older black (n = 81) and white (n = 168) women completed the LL-FDI, several measures of physical function, and physical activity measures, and had their body mass index assessed at baseline of an ongoing prospective study. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and correlational analyses were used to examine factorial and construct validity of the measure. Results The CFA, using an iterative model modification technique, resulted in an acceptable 15-item solution for the function component and an 8-item solution for the disability component. This abbreviated instrument demonstrated high correlations with the original scales. Construct validity for the LL-FDI was supported. Participants who demonstrated better physical function, reported being more active, and had lower body mass index reported less disability and less difficulty with function on the LL-FDI. Conclusions The LL-FDI appears to be an effective instrument for assessing function and disability in older women, and the abbreviated version reported here may prove useful in certain circumstances due to its brevity. However, continued determination of the construct validity of the complete and abbreviated scales is recommended.
Light-transmission Profiles in an Old-growth Forest Canopy:Simulations of Photosynthetically Active Radiation by Using Spatially Explicit Radiative Transfer Models

Light interception is a driving variable for many key ecosystem processes in forests. Canopy gaps, as natural irregularities, are common features of Pacific Northwest conifer forests and have profound importance on the within-canopy light environment. We used two spatially explicit radiative transfer models (OLTREE and SolTran) to understand better the vertical profile distribution of light penetration in an old-growth forest. Canopy access at the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility provided an opportunity to apply these models in a tall, old-growth, Douglas-fir–western hemlock forest. Both models required three-dimensional descriptions for every crown (location, orientation, and size) in a 4-ha area. Crowns were then simulated as foliage-filled ellipsoids through which light is attenuated following Beer’s law. We simulated vertical profiles (2-m height intervals) of transmitted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in 16 gaps previously measured by Parker (1997). Point-by-point comparisons (n = 480) between measured and modeled results showed little agreement because small errors in crown location yielded large local differences in PAR transmittance. However, average gap profiles (n = 16) of PAR transmittance showed excellent agreement (r2 = 0.94) between simulated and measured values. SolTran was used to simulate vertical profiles of daily PAR flux at different seasons for the whole 4-ha canopy, not just gaps. Overall, our results show that both models produced excellent simulations of spatially averaged vertical profiles of PAR transmission in the old-growth forest and are suitable for further investigations at other space and time scales.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to the protective antigen component of Bacillus anthracis toxin.

Thirty-six monoclonal antibodies to the protective antigen protein of Bacillus anthracis exotoxin have been characterized for affinity, antibody subtype, competitive binding to antigenic regions, and ability to neutralize lethal and edema toxin activities. At least 23 antigenic regions were detected on protective antigen by a blocking, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two clones, 3B6 and 14B7, competed for a single antigenic region and neutralized the activity of both the lethal toxin in vivo (Fisher 344 rat) and the edema toxin in vitro (CHO cells). These two antibodies blocked the binding of 125I-labeled protective antigen to FRL-103 cells. Our results support the proposal that binding of protective antigen to cell receptors is required for expression of toxicity. Images
The nature and development of social support systems for combatting job burnout

The author analyzes the nature of social support systems, the effects of social support systems in reducing burnout, and methods of facilitating a burnout's interactions with his/her social support systems. It is concluded that it may be difficult to form an effective social support system. Lack of trust and interpersonal and intergroup conflicts may inhibit open and constructive communication. Furthermore, inappropriate social interaction can be harmful. However, the overall conclusion is that the support group can be a powerful method for alleviating burnout. >
Splicing-Independent Expression of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Thymidine Kinase Gene Is Mediated by Three cis-Acting RNA Subelements

Herpes simplex virus genes are predominantly intronless. We identified cis-acting elements in the intronless herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene that facilitate intron-independent gene expression. TK sequences functionally replaced the hepatitis B virus (HBV) posttranscriptional regulatory element (PRE) by inducing the expression of the intronless HBV surface message. TK also activated the pDM138 assay by inducing the cytoplasmic accumulation of intron-containing RNA. Multiple cis-acting RNA sequences, or subelements, that induce cytoplasmic localization of unspliced RNA were mapped within the TK gene. The presence of multiple RNA subelements within the TK gene is reminiscent of the multiple subelements in the HBV PRE required for the cytoplasmic accumulation of intronless HBV RNAs. Similar to HBV PRE subelements, duplication of a single TK subelement resulted in greater-than-additive increases in activity. A reporter chimera containing a single TK subelement juxtaposed to an HBV PRE subelement demonstrated a commensurate increase in activity. These results suggest that viral intronless genes utilize a similar strategy for intron-independent gene expression that requires multiple cis-acting RNA signals. Furthermore, like HBV PRE-containing RNA, TK cytoplasmic localization is not sensitive to leptomycin B, a drug that inhibits the export of proteins containing nuclear export signals. From this, we conclude that proteins that bind TK and facilitate its cytoplasmic accumulation do not travel through a CRM1-dependent RNA transport pathway.
Architecture for Hierarchical Block Motion Estimation Using Variable Block Sizes

In this paper, we propose a new architecture for hierarchical block motion estimation (HBME) algorithms using variable block sizes. The binary tree architecture (BTA) is well suited to HBME with constant block size because of the interdependence between computations in different levels of search. However, HBME algorithms based on variable block sizes can decrease the processing element (PE) utilization of BTA. The modified binary tree architecture (MBTA) presented here improves the PE utilization and area efficiency of BTA with low overhead for HBME algorithms using variable block sizes. We describe the architecture of MBTA and present the comparison of the performance with BTA for wavelet-based multi-resolution motion estimation (MRME) algorithms.
Effect of dose stoichiometry on the structure of vapor-deposited polyimide thin films

PMDA-ODA polyimide thin films can be formed by vapor co-deposition of the precursor molecules PMDA (pyromellitic dianhydride) and ODA (4, 4′-oxydianiline) if the resulting polyamic acid film is heated to a 473 to 573 K cure step. We have used laser Raman spectroscopy to study how dose composition, dose rate, and substrate temperature influence the properties of the resulting polyimide films. We find that only doses with excess PMDA produce high quality films. Doses with 1 : 1 stoichiometry or excess ODA produce thermally unstable films that contain imine bonds; these films decompose below 575 K. Dosing onto substrates below 315 K produces the polyamic acid precursor of polyimide. At higher substrate temperatures, films with high defect densities or decomposed films are produced. The equilibrium vapor pressures of ODA and PMDA are reported.
Experimental Demonstration of Fanout for Nanomagnetic Logic

Nanomagnet logic (NML) shows great promise as an alternative to conventional digital architectures. We present the first experimental demonstration of fanout using magnetizations of nanomagnets in the NML scheme. Specifically, we show magnetic force microscopy images of functioning fanout circuits.
Ecology-driven stereotypes override race stereotypes

Why do race stereotypes take the forms they do? Life history theory posits that features of the ecology shape individuals' behavior. Harsh and unpredictable ("desperate") ecologies induce fast strategy behaviors such as impulsivity, whereas resource-sufficient and predictable ("hopeful") ecologies induce slow strategy behaviors such as future focus. We suggest that individuals possess a lay understanding of ecology's influence on behavior, resulting in ecology-driven stereotypes. Importantly, because race is confounded with ecology in the United States, we propose that Americans' stereotypes about racial groups actually reflect stereotypes about these groups' presumed home ecologies. Study 1 demonstrates that individuals hold ecology stereotypes, stereotyping people from desperate ecologies as possessing faster life history strategies than people from hopeful ecologies. Studies 2-4 rule out alternative explanations for those findings. Study 5, which independently manipulates race and ecology information, demonstrates that when provided with information about a person's race (but not ecology), individuals' inferences about blacks track stereotypes of people from desperate ecologies, and individuals' inferences about whites track stereotypes of people from hopeful ecologies. However, when provided with information about both the race and ecology of others, individuals' inferences reflect the targets' ecology rather than their race: black and white targets from desperate ecologies are stereotyped as equally fast life history strategists, whereas black and white targets from hopeful ecologies are stereotyped as equally slow life history strategists. These findings suggest that the content of several predominant race stereotypes may not reflect race, per se, but rather inferences about how one's ecology influences behavior.
Geochemical impact of O2 impurity in CO2 stream on carbonate carbon-storage reservoirs

Abstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is regarded as an effective, large-scale mitigation technology for reducing CO 2 atmospheric emissions from the use of fossil fuels. One of the major barriers for widespread deployment of the technology is the high cost of CO 2 capture from the flue gas of fossil-fuel power plants and other industrial emitters. In general, the purer the desired captured CO 2 stream, the more expensive the capture process. Coinjecting some of these impurities with CO 2 can reduce the operational cost of CCS. Potential detrimental effects, if any, of impurities on storage formations need to be identified and evaluated. Previous studies on the effects of impurities have focused on sandstone reservoir rocks and mudstone caprock, but little work has been done to evaluate potential impacts on carbonate reservoirs, which are major storage candidates. We conducted a series of autoclave experiments on Redwater Leduc limestone (Alberta, Canada) and SACROC dolostone (Texas, United States) to investigate the effect of O 2 impurity on CO 2 –brine–rock interactions. A total of eight reaction experiments were conducted with or without O 2 for ∼3 weeks each at 200 bar and 70 °C or 100 °C. Chemical analyses of the reaction fluids show that carbonate dissolution is the major mineral reaction caused by injection of CO 2 . The addition of 3.5% O 2 had no significant impact on the limestone, whereas it led to precipitation of iron hydroxides in dolostone experiments that contained ankerite and a small amount of siderite. Porosity and permeability increased when CO 2 was added, but the addition of O 2 did not lead to notable changes. The results suggest that the addition of O 2 impurity into the CO 2 stream will not cause significant damage to carbonate formations, which potentially allows significant cost reduction by retaining a small O 2 content in the injection gas stream.
Impact of Feedback Training in Cbt in Visual Inspection

Training has been a consistently effective intervention in improving inspection performance. For example, existing inspection training in the aircraft maintenance domain is mainly a combination of classroom and on-the-job training (OJT). Computer-based training (CBT) has been promoted ever since it was introduced to this domain. In this study we investigate how effectively feedback training can be combined with CBT to improve visual inspection performance. Specifically, we examine the potential positive impacts of performance and process feedback in CBT, given in an on-line manner, on a trainee's performance and process assessment in a visual inspection task. The CBT system for inspection we used was adopted from the ASSIST program (Chen, Gramopadhye and Melloy, 2000). In our computer simulation of a familiar situation, participants were asked to search certain areas inside of a car in order to detect certain targets (dropped coins) with the aid of computerized tools (e.g., a magnifying glass, a flashligh...
Preventing weight gain in adults: design, methods and one year results from the Pound of Prevention study.

Preventing weight gain in adults: design, methods and one year results from the Pound of Prevention study
Aging after spinal cord injury: an exploratory study

Objective To identify the relationship between two aspects of aging (age at injury onset and years since injury onset) with the post-injury prevalence of six classes of secondary conditions among a sample of participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design A cross-sectional study to identify the relationship between the two aging variables and secondary conditions after spinal cord injury. Setting A large southeastern rehabilitation hospital, with the collaboration of two midwestern hospitals. Participants Three hundred and forty-seven participants, all of whom had traumatic SCI of an average duration of 18.2 years. Main outcome measures The Secondary Conditions Questionnaire (SCQ), a 50-item self-report screening measure for secondary conditions after SCI, was used to measure the post-injury prevalence of six classes of secondary conditions. Results There was a significantly greater odds of kidney stones, non-urinary related infections, and three types of musculoskeletal conditions (ie, curvature of the spine, contractures, and fractures) among participant cohorts who were 20-29 years post-injury and 30 or more years post-injury. The odds of heart problems and bowel obstructions were higher with a greater age at injury onset, whereas the odds of seven other conditions decreased among older cohorts at injury. Among these seven conditions, the most dramatic findings were for kidney stones, where individuals who were less than 18 at injury had over 30 times the odds of having had the condition since injury than those who were injured at 40 or older. Conclusions Although the study was cross-sectional in nature, the results point to secondary conditions which may be problematic with increasing years since injury, as well as those conditions which are more or less likely to occur among individuals injured at different points in their lives.
Correlation Between Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Rheumatoid Factors and Anticardiolipin Antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective To evaluate whether the imbalance between IL-12 and IL-13 serum levels, reflecting Th1/Th2 activity is related to class-specific circulating rheumatoid factors (RF) and anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies in SLE. Methods The levels of serum IL-12, IL-13, RF and aCL antibodies were measured by ELISA in 31 patients with SLE and healthy controls. Serum auto antibodies and immuno-globulin were measured with the method of indirect immunofluorescence technique and radioimmunodiffusion. Results The serum level of IL-13 correlated with those of IgM-RF (rs=0.426, P0.01) and IgM-aCL (rs=0.328, P0.05), but there were no relationship between IgA-RF, IgG-RF, IgG-aCL and total IgG, IgA and IgM levels. The levels of IgM-RF and IgM-aCL in the group which the ratio of IL-12/IL-131 were significantly higher than those in other two groups. Conclusion The increased levels of both IgM-RF and IgM-aCL in patients with prevalent Th2 activity shows that the predominance of Th2 over Th1 could drive autoantibody production in SLE patients.
Benefits of adding anxiety-reducing features to a computer-based multimedia lesson on statistics

The present study examined the effectiveness of techniques intended to reduce anxiety as students learn mathematical content from a computer-based lesson. In a between-subjects experiment, students learned statistical rules through worked examples in a computer-based learning environment that either did (treatment group) or did not (control group) include anxiety reducing features-a coping message delivered through the lesson by an online pedagogical agent concerning how to manage feelings of anxiety, and prompts for expressive writing, in which students summarize their thoughts and feelings. An independent samples t-test showed that the treatment group, which received added anxiety-reducing features, showed higher accuracy than the control group on solving practice problems (dź=ź0.71) and retention problems (dź=ź0.63) and reported higher perceived effort on learning the multimedia lesson (dź=ź0.66). In addition, a standard multiple linear regression found that anxiety, self-efficacy, and cognitive load as a set predicted performance (R2ź=ź0.56), with self-efficacy as the strongest predictor (βź=ź0.63). Adding anxiety-reducing features to an online lesson may encourage greater effort, which leads to better learning outcomes. The control group received an online multimedia lesson on statistics.The treatment group received the same lesson with anxiety-reducing features added.The added features were coping messages and expressive writing prompts.The treatment group performed better on solving practice and retention problems.The treatment group reported higher perceived effort for learning.
The Impact of Schooling and Cognitive Skills on Income from Non-Farm Self-Employment

The previous chapter examined the impact of cognitive skills on wages, but in Ghana wage earners constitute less than 20 per cent of the total labour force. Even most middle-school graduates in Ghana are self-employed, either in non-farm household businesses or in farming activities. The original objective of this chapter was to assess the impact of increased middle-school quality, particularly as it manifests itself in improved cognitive skills of middle-school graduates, on income from non-farm household business activities. Unfortunately, this effort has resulted in mixed success at best. Some evidence is found that human capital (measured in terms of either years of schooling or cognitive skills) has a positive impact on business income, but the precision of these findings is quite weak. Nonetheless, these imprecise findings are still of interest. In addition, the problems encountered here show how difficult this undertaking is and, thus, provide lessons for future research in this direction.
Moving beyond Assessment to Improving Students' Critical Thinking Skills: A Model for Implementing Change.

Abstract: This research examines how the use of the CAT (Critical thinking Assessment Test) and involvement in CAT-Apps (CAT Applications within the discipline) training can serve as an important part of a faculty development model that assists faculty in the assessment of students’ critical thinking skills and in the development of these skills within their courses. Seventy-five percent of faculty participating in a CAT scoring workshop at their institution reported greater understanding of students’ strengths and weaknesses in critical thinking and 45% reported that CAT scoring had changed their teaching practices and/or assessment. In addition, participants attending a training session on CAT-Apps reported a greater willingness to place more emphasis on critical thinking assessments and less on factual knowledge assessments in their courses as a result of participation in training.
Cannabidiol as a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex.

SummaryObjective Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant genetic disorder with highly variable expression. The most common neurologic manifestation of TSC is epilepsy, which affects approximately 85% of patients, 63% of whom develop treatment-resistant epilepsy. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound derived from the marijuana plant, as an adjunct to current antiepileptic drugs in patients with refractory seizures in the setting of TSC. Methods Eighteen of the 56 patients who have enrolled in our current expanded-access study of cannabidiol for patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy carry a diagnosis of TSC. After an initial baseline period of 1 month, patients began treatment with CBD. The initial dose of 5 mg/kg/day was increased by 5 mg/kg/day every week up to a maximum dose of 50 mg/kg/day, if tolerated. Weekly seizure frequencies, percent change in seizure frequencies, and responder rates were calculated during the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th month of treatment with CBD. Results The median weekly seizure frequency during the baseline period was 22.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 14.8–57.4), which decreased to 13.3 (IQR 5.1–22.1) after 3 months of treatment with cannabidiol. The median percent change in total weekly seizure frequency was −48.8% (IQR −69.1% to −11.1%) after 3 months of treatment. The 50% responder rates over the course of the study were 50%, 50%, 38.9%, 50%, and 50% after 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment with CBD, respectively. In patients taking clobazam concurrently with CBD (n = 12), the responder rate after 3 months of treatment was 58.3%, compared to 33.3% in patients not taking clobazam (n = 6). Twelve (66.7%) of 18 patients in this study experienced at least one adverse event thought possibly related to CBD; the most common adverse events were drowsiness (n = 8, 44.4%), ataxia (n = 5, 27.8%), and diarrhea (n = 4, 22.2%). Significance Although double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are still necessary, these findings suggest that cannabidiol may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with refractory seizures in TSC.
A 130nm hybrid low dropout regulator based on switched mode control for digital load circuits

A hybrid (digital and analog) low dropout regulator (LDO) utilizing switched mode control is designed in 130 nm CMOS for fine grain power management, fast droop recovery and robust small signal regulation of multi-V CC digital loads. The design provides an optimal trade-off of performance and accuracy by switching between a digital and an analog control loop. The hybrid topology achieves robust small signal regulation and fast recovery from large signal transients or power state transitions. Measurements from a 130nm test-chip show Near-Threshold Voltage (NTV) operation, fast transient response of 18 ns for a load step of 10.3mA and a peak current efficiency of 98.64%.
Open mHealth Architecture: A Primer for Tomorrow's Orthopedic Surgeon and Introduction to Its Use in Lower Extremity Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The recent private-public partnership to unlock and utilize all available health data has large-scale implications for public health and personalized medicine, especially within orthopedics. Today, consumer based technologies such as smartphones and "wearables" store tremendous amounts of personal health data (known as "mHealth") that, when processed and contextualized, have the potential to open new windows of insight for the orthopedic surgeon about their patients. Methods In the present report, the landscape, role, and future technical considerations of mHealth and open architecture are defined with particular examples in lower extremity arthroplasty. Results A limitation of the current mHealth landscape is the fragmentation and lack of interconnectivity between the myriad of available apps. The importance behind the currently lacking open mHealth architecture is underscored by the offer of improved research, increased workflow efficiency, and value capture for the orthopedic surgeon. Conclusion There exists an opportunity to leverage existing mobile health data for orthopaedic surgeons, particularly those specializing in lower extremity arthroplasty, by transforming patient small data into insightful big data through the implementation of "open" architecture that affords universal data standards and a global interconnected network.
Patterned wafer geometry grouping for improved overlay control

Process-induced overlay errors from outside the litho cell have become a significant contributor to the overlay error budget including non-uniform wafer stress. Previous studies have shown the correlation between process-induced stress and overlay and the opportunity for improvement in process control, including the use of patterned wafer geometry (PWG) metrology to reduce stress-induced overlay signatures. Key challenges of volume semiconductor manufacturing are how to improve not only the magnitude of these signatures, but also the wafer to wafer variability. This work involves a novel technique of using PWG metrology to provide improved litho-control by wafer-level grouping based on incoming process induced overlay, relevant for both 3D NAND and DRAM. Examples shown in this study are from 19 nm DRAM manufacturing.
Materials Characterization by a Time-Resolved and Polarization-Sensitive Ultrasonic Technique

Since first developed by Lemons and Quate in 1973 [1], scanning acoustic microscopy has been able to obtain images comparable to those from a high quality optical microscope [2]. In the meantime, many investigators [3–7] have developed that technology to determine the microscopic properties of materials. Among those developments, the line-focus-beam (LFB) acoustic microscopy work of Kushibiki and Chubachi [6–7] in the early 1980’s has been most widely recognized [8–10]. Since the LFB technique is a directional measurement, it can be used to study material anisotropy and stress.
Calculating theoretical base rates of score differences.

AbstractObjective: In this study, we developed new methods to calculate theoretical base rates of score differences when more than two test scores are involved in score comparisons. The study compares the results of theoretical and observed base rates, and then explores whether these methods can be used in practice. Methods: We proposed the formulas and the Monte Carlo methods calculating theoretical base rates of score differences between a single test score and a mean of several test scores by overall sample and subsamples. We also compared observed and theoretical base rates of score differences in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (5th ed.). using the normative sample data. Results: The theoretical base rates obtained from the new methods were close to the observed base rates. Conclusions: The new methods can derive reasonable theoretical base rates and are usable practically.
Duties to Oneself

Sensen analyzes Kant’s justification of duties to oneself. Why does Kant say that duties to oneself have priority over other duties? Sensen concludes that there is a common idea behind the different formulas of the categorical imperative: the idea that our human capacities have a high importance. Kant’s ethics needs anthropology to derive concrete duties from this general idea.
Populations of Phytophthora rubi Show Little Differentiation and High Rates of Migration Among States in the Western United States.

Population genetics is a powerful tool to understand patterns and evolutionary processes that are involved in plant-pathogen emergence and adaptation to agricultural ecosystems. We are interested i...
Concept-Level Rules for Capturing Domain Knowledge

Formal ontology and rule-based approaches founded on semantic technologies have been gaining traction in capturing domain knowledge in numerous fields. This typically requires several iterations between a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and a modeling expert to capture domain knowledge; resulting in a time-consuming process. Recent advances in formal Controlled Natural Languages (CNL) improve the process as the SME can more easily evaluate and verify the captured domain knowledge. Such executable domain rules are usually represented in some encoding / representation language and typically use variables. This use of variables does not correspond to how we naturally think about a domain and hence the difficulty that SMEs encounter in directly authoring domain rules. Our goal is to enable the SMEs to directly author the rules in a formal yet English-like language. For this purpose, we introduce the notion of Concept Rules (Crules) where the domain rules are captured in terms of concepts and relationships without the need to use variables. The absence of variables makes the captured rules much more English-like and natural and correspond more closely with how we communicate in our day-to-day life. Use of Crules will make it easier for an SME to directly author domain rules. The Crules captured are automatically converted to a target language to leverage existing execution platforms.
Student academic support in the smartphone era: changes in mode selection

The rapid development of new communication technologies has facilitated an increase in student academic support. This descriptive study examines how the modes students use to communicate student academic support have evolved since the proliferation of smartphones. The findings indicate that students have shifted away from phone calls and computer-mediated modes of communication (e.g., email, Facebook, Blackboard, and Skype/FaceTime) toward text messaging to communicate academic support. Results also suggest overall increases in the frequency and perceived importance of student academic support. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed and suggestions for how smartphones can facilitate academic support among students are outlined.
Staffing Needs: Determined By Acuity, Need for Medical Nutritional Therapy, Research, and Other Job Responsibilities

Abstract In order to assess our current staffing and productivity levels and to predict our staffing needs in the future, Clinical Nutrition Services (CNS) decided to conduct a staffing study. A tool, The Medical Nutrition Therapy Time (MNTT), which was developed by the Clinical Nutrition Management Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association, was used for the analysis of patient populations to estimate staffing levels based on acuity or need for medical nutritional therapy. Another tool, the Clinical Staffing Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT), found in Schiller et al's Handbook for Clinical Nutrition Services Management, was utilized to account for job responsibilities other than direct patient care. CNS operates as a supportive department in a pediatric oncology hospital setting, which is committed to excellence in patient care, research, and teaching. The clinical dietitian's job responsibilities, in addition to patient care, includes: 1) providing nutrition information to patients, families, and employees; 2) conducting research related to nutrition and pediatric cancer, or other catastrophic childhood diseases, and 3) serving as an educational center. The medical nutritional therapy score data collection form was utilized to obtain a random sample of patients admitted to a patient care room. Acuity data on patients was collected for three weeks for each service: 1) Leukemia (LE), Infectious Disease (ID), and Hematology (HE); 2) Solid Tumor (ST), and Radiation Oncology (RO); and 3) Marrow transplant (TS) and Immunology (IM). A total of 139 patients were included in the study (LE/ID/HE = 51, ST/RO = 49, TS/IM = 39). Based on the two tools, it was determined that 4.15 FTE's are required to provide adequate service to patients, per hospital standards, to the present inpatient population. Therefore, we presented the findings of this inpatient acuity study to the patient care committee (PCC) and requested funds to hire the additional 1.15 Kit's above the present 3 FTE's. It was determined that a Dietitian's Assistant would best meet the needs of the department, because the work load was best split horizontally with tasks based on levels of acuity. Therefore, a Clinical Dietitian's Assistant has been hired.
Reliability and Uniformity Enhancement in 8T-SRAM based PUFs operating at NTC

SRAM-based PUFs (SPUFs) have emerged as promising security primitives for low-power devices. However, operating 8T-SPUFs at Near-Threshold Computing (NTC) realm is plagued by exacerbated process variation (PV) sensitivity which thwarts their reliable operation. In this paper, we demonstrate the massive degradation in the reliability and uniformity characteristics of 8T-SPUF. By exploiting the opportunities bestowed by schematic asymmetry of 8T-SPUF cells, we propose biasing and sizing based design strategies. Our techniques achieve an immense improvement of more than 55% in the percentage of unreliable cells and improves the proximity to ideal uniformity by 82%, over a baseline NTC 8T-SPUF with no enhancement.
Cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulation, exercise, and self-management for spinal pain using an individual participant data meta-analysis approach: a study protocol

Spinal pain is a common and disabling condition with considerable socioeconomic burden. Spine pain management in the United States has gathered increased scrutiny amidst concerns of overutilization of costly and potentially harmful interventions and diagnostic tests. Conservative interventions such as spinal manipulation, exercise and self-management may provide value for the care of spinal pain, but little is known regarding the cost-effectiveness of these interventions in the U.S. Our primary objective for this project is to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, and self-management for spinal pain using an individual patient data meta-analysis approach. We will estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, and self-management using cost and clinical outcome data collected in eight randomized clinical trials performed in the U.S. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed from both societal and healthcare perspectives using QALYs, pain intensity, and disability as effectiveness measures. The eight randomized clinical trials used similar methods and included different combinations of spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, or self-management for spinal pain. They also collected similar clinical outcome, healthcare utilization, and work productivity data. A two-stage approach to individual patient data meta-analysis will be conducted. This project capitalizes on a unique opportunity to combine clinical and economic data collected in a several clinical trials that used similar methods. The findings will provide important information on the value of spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, and self-management for spinal pain management in the U.S.
Invasion by comedo type ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and the expression of CXCL7 and VEGF-D

547 Introduction: Extracellular heparanase activity in malignant breast cancer is important for angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. However, breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) presents clinical challenges with evidence of invasion found in at least 20-30% of cases. The purpose of this study is to determine expression of heparanases, VEGF-D, and invasion in DCIS cells compared to malignant breast cancer cells. Experimental procedures: Using variant cell lines producing xenografts of comedo carcinoma in situ (MCF10DCIS.com) and rapidly growing invasive and metastatic ductal carcinoma (MCF10CA1.cl1), cell invasion assays were performed in BioCoat Matrigel invasion chambers. The gene (VEGF-D and VEGF-C) expression determined by RT-PCR and Western blot was normalized to beta-actin and expressed as a fold difference between the cell lines. Expression of the heparanases HPSE-1 and CXCL7 were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. Data: Using invasion at 24 and 48 hours, malignant MCF10CA1.cl1 invasion was 61.4% compared with 23.8% by MCF10DCIS.com. VEGF-C protein and m-RNA expression were the same for both cell lines, but VEGF-D expression was 30% higher in MCF10DCIS.com than in MCF10CA1.cl1. HPSE-1 mRNA and protein expression was similar in both cell lines, but CXCL7 mRNA expression was significantly higher in MCF10DCIS.com cells than MCF10CA1.cl1 or premalignant cells (p Conclusions: The comedo type DCIS cells express more CXCL7 mRNA and VEGF-D protein and mRNA than malignant MCF10CA1.cl1 cells. Though less invasive by standard assays than the malignant variant, the comedo MCF10DCIS.com cells are still five times more invasive than premalignant isogenic cells. The ability to invade through basement membrane by comedo DCIS cells may be associated with CXCL7 expression and VEGF-D expression. #
Preoperative Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Is a Marker for Postoperative Complications Following Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an increasingly common procedure, but complication rates are higher than for primary TKA. A requirement for dialysis has been shown to predict postoperative complications in this patient population, but the impact of less severe, but clinically significant, renal impairment has not been addressed. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program Database. All patients who underwent revision TKA between 2007 and 2014 were identified and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated for each patient. The incidence and predictors of adverse events following surgery were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses where appropriate. Results Patients with lower eGFRs ( Conclusion Patients with decreased eGFRs have greater risk for many postoperative complications, but this increased risk is generally related to the greater number of comorbidities in this patient population. When controlling for these comorbidities, poor renal function is an independent risk factor for extended length of stay as well as postoperative renal injury and renal failure, and patients may benefit from perioperative measures to limit this excess renal risk.
The FMCAD 2018 Graduate Student Forum

The FMCAD Student Forum provides a platform for graduate students at any career stage to introduce their research to the wider Formal Methods community, and solicit feedback. In 2018, the event took place in Austin, Texas, as integral part of the FMCAD conference. Fourteen students were invited to give a short talk and present a poster illustrating their work. The presentations covered a broad range of topics in the field of verification, such as from SAT/SMT solving and theorem proving, analysis and verification of hardware, software, and cyber-physical systems.
Fast Mapping-Based High-Level Synthesis of Pipelined Circuits

High level synthesis (HLS) is often employed as a frequently called kernel in design space exploration (DSE). Therefore, its nontrivial runtime becomes a bottleneck that prevents extensive solution search in DSE. In this work, we develop a mapping-based HLS technique that is fast and friendly to local incremental changes. It exploits the static-single assignment (SSA)-form intermediate representation (IR), starts with direct mapping from the IR to a fully pipelined circuit and performs incremental resource sharing in an iterative manner, which then alters the fully pipelined circuit to a partially pipelined or nonpipelined circuit. An algorithm is also proposed for automatic synthesis of pipeline interlocks to avoid structural hazards incurred by resource conflicts. Experimental results show that the proposed method is fast without loss of circuit performance in terms of throughput.
A fully-coupled quadratic strip theory/finite element method for predicting global ship structure response in head seas

This paper outlines the theoretical development and some validation of a quadratic strip theory method coupled to a global finite element model to predict the global structural response of the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) hull geometry due to regular, head seas waves in the time-domain. The method attempts to capture some body-nonlinear effects of the dynamic problem due to time-varying underwater hull geometry by drawing a relationship between the coefficients, A 33 , B 33 , and C 33 and the local draft, T s . In addition, the hull girder is considered flexible and structural damping may be included. A segmented model test in head seas was also performed, and the linear and nonlinear numerical results are compared to the experimental data. It is found that the theory shows reasonably good agreement with the model test data, and that nonlinear effects account for a significant increase in predicted bending moment.
Micro Actions Support Culture of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in an Academic Library

As student workers at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Library, we wanted to better understand the role of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in an academic library. In conversations with staff, both in person and through emailed questions and responses, we have found that personal values are a driving force behind many smaller, continuous staff actions in promoting EDI throughout different departments. Across libraries and larger institutions, EDI values are often built into larger strategic visions. However, guidance for the practical implementation of these values may be less specific, leaving staff to make their own decisions on how to achieve these larger institutional goals. Diversity and inclusion are top values at OHSU.... However, there are no clear policies or guidelines for how to do this. For example, within the library’s collection development policy, there is no mention of EDI (Oregon Health & Science University Library, 2018). This does not mean, however, that there is not a culture of EDI at OHSU Library.
Can we manage fisheries with the inherent uncertainty from eDNA

Environmental (e)DNA, as a general approach in aquatic systems, seeks to connect the presence of species' genetic material in the water and hence to infer the species' physical presence. However, fisheries managers face making decisions with risk and uncertainty when eDNA indicates a fish is present but traditional methods fail to capture the fish. In comparison with traditional methods such as nets, electrofishing and piscicides, eDNA approaches have more sources of underlying error that could give rise to false positives. This has resulted in some managers to question whether eDNA can be used to make management decisions because there is no fish in hand. As a relatively new approach, the methods and techniques have quickly evolved to improve confidence in eDNA. By evaluating an eDNA based research programmes through the pattern of the eDNA signal, assay design, experimental design, quality assurance and quality control checks, data analyses and concurrent search for fish using traditional gears, the evidence for fish presence can be evaluated to build confidence in the eDNA approach. The benefits for fisheries management from adopting an eDNA approach are numerous but include cost effectiveness, broader geographic coverage of habitat occupancy, early detection of invasive species, non-lethal stock assessments, exploration of previously inaccessible aquatic environments and discovery of new species hidden beneath the water's surface. At a time when global freshwater and marine fisheries are facing growing threats from over-harvest, pollution and climate change, we anticipate that growing confidence in eDNA will overcome the inherent uncertainty of not having a fish in hand and will empower the informed management actions necessary to protect and restore our fisheries.
Cytopenias Following CAR-T Cell Therapy - a Single Center Experience

Introduction Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an FDA approved treatment for diffuse large B cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS), primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMLBCL), high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma with two commercial products currently in clinical use: Tisagenlecleucel and Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel). A number of products are in clinical trials for other indications including multiple myeloma. The long-term consequences of cellular therapy are largely unknown. Objectives Grade 3 or higher cytopenias have been reported in 17% of patients treated with axi-cell [1]. We sought to further characterize the duration and intensity of cytopenias following cellular therapy using commercial and research products i.e, axi-cell, anti-BCMA bb2121 and anti-BCMA bb21217. We also aimed to assess current practice regarding management of cytopenias in patients treated with cellular therapy. Methods We evaluated patients with DLBCL and multiple myeloma treated at the Mount Sinai Hospital between April 2017 and September 2019. Counts at apheresis, and days 0, 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 post-treatment were recorded. Administration of G-CSF, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-agonist); and red blood cell and platelet transfusions between days 0 and 180 were also recorded. The data was censored at last follow up, progression or death. Results A total of fifty patients were identified; 41 with multiple myeloma and nine with DLBCL. At day 30, grade 3-4 neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were present in 54% (26/48), 17% (8/48) and 50% (24/48) of patients, respectively (table 1). G-CSF, ESA, TPO-agonist, PRBC and platelet utilization beyond day 30 is shown in table 2. 70.8% (34/48) patients required G-CSF support beyond day 30. Conclusion Prolonged cytopenias can be seen in over 50% of patients beyond day 30 after cellular therapy and require frequent monitoring for management. By day 90, majority of the patients had improvement in their counts. We will be further examining data to determine the relationship of cytopenias with risk of infectious complications, antibiotic therapy utilization, re-hospitalization and duration of hospital stay.