cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C viraemia after apparent spontaneous clearance

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from infected mothers to their infants occurs in less than 10% of cases, but is the main route of infection in children today following eff ective screening of blood and blood products. Diagnosis is made by detection of HCV RNA in blood at 4–12 weeks of age or at 12 months. Spontaneous seroconversion in this group, defi ned as absence of detectable HCV RNA on two occasions 6 months apart, is less than 10% in the UK, and to date has been considered to be permanent. In The Lancet, Indolfi and colleagues report an unusual case in which a child who was infected with HCV genotype 2a from his mother underwent spontaneous seroconversion at 55 months of age, but relapsed 3 years later. The authors discount reinfection because there were no relevant risk factors and the child’s mother had been successfully treated and was no longer infectious. Genetic sequencing confi rmed only minor changes in the viral genotype so the relapse was not due to a de-novo infection, and they found no evidence of immunodefi ciency or autoimmune disease, which might encourage latent infection to emerge. So what lies behind the relapse and what are its implications for current practice? The fi gure shows that HCV RNA was detected at 3 months of age when alanine transaminases (ALT) were normal. Over the next 52 months, there were fl uctuations of raised ALT associated with a steady fall in viral load until HCV RNA became undetectable. This clinical course would be compatible with the acute hepatitis described in adults and infants and could represent the activation of HCVcell mediated immunity seen in transiently infected children, which might not be present in tolerant children without evidence of hepatic injury. Although 40% of adults with acute hepatitis C seroconvert, these data are not available for infants in the UK because guidelines— unlike those in Italian practice—recommend testing only at 4–12 weeks of age and then annually, so would miss this clinical pattern. The child’s HCV RNA became undetectable by the assay used, and whether his immune status changed to allow more effi cient viral replication, or whether the infection was latent, is diffi cult to prove. It might be that the child did not seroconvert but the level of HCV RNA was too low for detection during that time, but this is less likely. This single case report is insuffi cient evidence to change practice, but if similar cases are reported, HCV RNA that is negative for more than 6 months might be a more reliable proof of seroconversion. While the child was negative for HCV RNA, the ALT levels remained normal and did not rise again until the HCV viral load rose substantially. The authors are planning to treat the child with invasive antiviral therapy, but my recommendation would be to wait and see a little longer because the hepatic infl ammation might again revive the child’s immunity and he could seroconvert once again.
The Use of Synthetics in Cranioplasty: A Clinical Review

Materials used to repair cranial defects have evolved tremendously over the past several decades. Advances in metallurgy, the development of acrylics, and the advent of modern imaging and histologic techniques all have played a role in improving cranioplastic materials. Discussed here is a case report depicting the use of synthetics in cranioplasty, followed by a review of the historical development of these materials.
What Is the Appropriate Sample Size One Should Submit from EUS Biopsies for Genotyping Lymphomas? Ask Your Pathologist before Embarking.

What Is the Appropriate Sample Size One Should Submit from EUS Biopsies for Genotyping Lymphomas? Ask Your Pathologist before Embarking
Lower intestinal hemorrhage

Lower intestinal hemorrhage, defined as bleeding originating below the ligament of Treitz, is a common clinical problem frequently requiring hospital admission. The two chief causes, vascular ectasia and diverticulosis, are degenerative diseases usually found in the elderly. This article focuses on those disease entities that potentially can result in significant lower intestinal blood loss. It also discusses a generalized approach to the diagnostic evaluation leading to specific management of the patient presenting with this problem.
Adjunctive pharmacologic therapy for acute myocardial infarction

Early reperfusion therapy, usually in the form of intravenous thrombolysis, is accepted as the standard therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction. While thrombolytic therapy has been conclusively shown to reduce mortality, a large percentage of patients are not candidates for this therapy and, even in those who are candidates, as many as 25-30% have persistent occlusion or reocclusion of the infarct-related artery. Adjunctive pharmacologic therapy evolved in an attempt to address these issues and is given in addition to reperfusion therapy. Adjunctive therapy includes administration of one or more of the following: aspirin, heparin, beta-adrenergic blockers, nitroglycerin, heart-rate slowing calcium antagonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Data are emerging that indicate that some of these agents provide additional reduction in morbidity and mortality when used as adjunctive strategies. Currently, a recommended combination includes, at minimum, soluble aspirin, intravenous heparin, an intravenous beta-blocking agent, and oral angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
Cytology of the Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients with Hodgkin’s Disease or Malignant Lymphoma

The cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of 18 patients with Hodgkin’s disease and 33 patients with malignant lymphoma were evaluated for the presence of malignant cells. The CSF cytology was correlated with the neuropathologic findings at surgery or autopsy. In the 51 patients included in the study there were seven false-negative CSF cytodiagnoses. Methods to improve detection in the false-negatives will be discussed. There were two false-positives. Explanations for the two false-positive cytodiagnoses will be presented. It is concluded that cytological examination of the CSF in patients with Hodgkin’s disease and malignant lymphoma is a useful and reliable diagnostic tool.
Linearized systems and a generalized Cayley–Hamilton theorem

We study linearized systems of equations in characteristic p≠0 of the form Ax = x(q) where A is a square matrix and q = pm. We present algorithms for calculating their solutions and for determining the minimum distance of their solution spaces. In the case when A has entries in &#x1d53d;q, the finite field of q elements, we explore the relationships between the minimal and characteristic polynomials of A and the above mentioned features of the solution space. In order to extend and generalize these findings to the case when A has entries in an arbitrary field of characteristic p, we obtain generalizations of the characteristic polynomial of a matrix and the Cayley–Hamilton theorem to square linearized systems.
Epigenetic gene expression—an introduction

Epigenetics research encompasses a wide range of areas, from basic research on chromatin structure to examination of growth and development of the organism, to investigations of the development and progression of complex diseases. Along the path, epigenetic research has developed tools and technologies that facilitate the rapid progression of discoveries and is now approaching a point of implementation. Presented is an overview of the ideas and range of current biomedical epigenetic research efforts underway, as well as a brief discussion of a few key issues hindering progress.
Hepatocyte growth factor in liver growth and differentiation

HGF was originally isolated from platelets and serum from hepatectomized rats in several laboratories during the early 1980s (Strain, McGowan and Bucher, 1982; Michalopoulos et al., 1983; Russell, McGowan and Bucher, 1984; Nakamura, Nawa and Ichihara, 1984). It was identified as hepatopoietin A in 1983 (Michalopoulos et al., 1983), was eventually purified to homogeneity and subsequently cloned and sequenced in 1989, and named hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (Miyazawa et al., 1989; Nakamura et al., 1989). Studies on factors related to cell motility also identified a protein called scatter factor (Stoker et al., 1987). Subsequent purification and cloning of scatter factor demonstrated that it was identical to HGF (Gherardi and Stoker, 1990). Similarly, research by Higashio et al. (1990) identified a substance that was mito-inhibitory to sarcoma cells. This substance, known as tumor cytotoxic factor (Higashio et al., 1990), was also subsequently identified as identical to HGF. This triple line of the discovery and characterization of HGF underlines much of the knowledge that has been accumulated since the original cloning and sequencing of the growth factor. More than 500 publications since 1989 have demonstrated the multiplicity of the effects of HGF on many tissues, and have highlighted a very complex biology that transcends from matrix to motility, from morphogenesis to embryogenesis, and also from neoplastic growth to tissue regeneration.
PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN MORPHOSPACE: GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRICS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

Focusing on geometric morphometrics (GMM), we review methods for acquiring morphometric data from 3-D objects (including fossils), algorithms for producing shape variables and morphospaces, the mathematical properties of shape space, especially how they relate to morphogenetic and evolutionary factors, and issues posed by working with fossil objects. We use the Raupian shell-coiling equations to illustrate the complexity of the relationship between such factors and GMM morphospaces. The complexity of these issues re-emphasize what are arguably the two most important recommendations for GMM studies: 1) always use multivariate methods and all of the morphospace axes in an analysis; and 2) always anticipate the possibility that the factors of interest can have complex, nonlinear relationships with shape.
85–110 GHz CMOS tunable nonreciprocal transmission line with 45 dB isolation for wideband transceivers

The first CMOS nonreciprocal transmission line (TL) for wideband tunable full-duplex transceiver front ends, having over 45 dB isolation in a bandwidth of 1.5 GHz and tuning range of 85–110 GHz, is demonstrated. Offering tunable nonreciprocal propagation, this structure is based on a parametric time-varying TL modulated by a 10 GHz signal through distributed capacitive mixing. Two capacitive mixers together with a biasing network form a resonant type of wideband matching. Implemented in a chip area of 0.245 mm2 in 65 nm CMOS, this nonreciprocal TL achieves over 45 dB isolation throughout its entire bandwidth, a maximum 6.5 dB insertion loss (IL) and over 10 dB return loss.
Quality Characteristics of Fresh Blue Crab Meat Held at 0 and 4°C in Tamper-Evident Containers

There has been a regulatory movement toward the required use of tamper-evident containers for fresh blue crab meat. North Carolina passed tamper-evident regulations in 1993. Blue crab processors had little information on possible changes in head-space gases, microbial growth, chemical decomposition, sensory quality, or shelf life caused by the new containers. Chemical, microbiological, physical, and sensory changes in fresh crab meat were monitored during 18 days of storage in ice and 13 days of storage refrigerated at 4 degrees C. "Special" blue crab meat, chosen for the study, is the least expensive commercial form of white crab meat. The crab meat was packaged in four retail containers: copolymer polyethylene cups with polyethylene snap-on lids, copolymer polyethylene cups with snap-on polyethylene lids fastened to the cup with heat-shrink low-density polypropylene seals, copolymer polyethylene cans with aluminum easy-open ends, and copolymer polypropylene cups with a tamper-evident pull-tab on the lid. Control samples packaged in industry standard copolymer polyethylene cups maintained higher oxygen levels than meat stored in tamper-evident containers. No consistent differences in quality or shelf life were detected among the containers. Market shelf life was limited to 6 days for meat held at 4 degrees C and 15 days for meat held at 0 degrees C. Sensory quality deteriorated 6 days earlier for crab meat held at 4 degrees C than meat held at 0 degrees C. Collateral work showed that toxin production by Clostridium botulinum neither occurred following 18 days of storage at 4 degrees C nor after 15 days of storage at 10 degrees C. Definite spoilage occurred before any toxin production. The study suggests that blue crab processors can safely use the new tamper-evident packaging, which has little or no effect on product quality or shelf life. Processors may choose appropriate packaging options using price, packaging quality, market appearance, and ease of production as the deciding criteria.
3-O-Substituted-3',4',5'-trimethoxyflavonols: Synthesis and cell-based evaluation as anti-prostate cancer agents.

Abstract Twenty-two 3- O -substituted-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonols have been designed and synthesized for their anti-proliferative activity towards three human prostate cancer cell lines. Our results indicate that most of them are significantly more potent than the parent 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonol in inhibiting the cell proliferation in PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell models. 3- O -Substituted-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonols have generally higher potency towards PC-3 and LNCaP cell lines than the DU145 cell line. Incorporation of an ethyl group to 3-OH of 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonol leads to 3- O -ethyl-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonol as the optimal derivative with up to 36-fold enhanced potency as compared with the corresponding lead compound 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonol, but with reversed PC-3 cell apoptotic response. Introduction of a dipentylaminopropyl group to 3-OH increases not only the antiproliferative potency but also the ability in activating PC-3 cell apoptosis. Our findings imply that modification on 3-OH of trimethoxyflavonol can further enhance its in vitro anti-proliferative potency and PC-3 cell apoptosis induction.
Chapter 38 – Future advances

Future advances in the auditory systems are difficult to predict, and only educated guesses are possible. It is expected that innovative technologies in the field of neuroscience will be applied to the auditory system. Optogenetics, Brainbow, and CLARITY will improve our knowledge of the working of neural auditory networks and the relationship between sound and language, providing a dynamic picture of the brain in action. CLARITY makes brain tissue transparent and offers a three-dimensional view of neural networks, which, combined with genetically labeling neurons with multiple, distinct colors (Optogenetics), will provide detailed information of the complex brain system. Molecular functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will allow the study of neurotransmitters detectable by MRI and their function in the auditory pathways. The Human Connectome project will study the patterns of distributed brain activity that underlie virtually all aspects of cognition and behavior and determine if abnormalities in the distributed patterns of activity may result in hearing and behavior disorders. Similarly, the programs of Big Brain and ENIGMA will improve our understanding of auditory disorders. New stem-cell therapy and gene therapies therapy may bring about a partial restoration of hearing for impaired patients by inducing regeneration of cochlear hair cells.
The Microbiome and Bone and Joint Disease

Changes in the constituents and activity of the microbiome have been associated with a number of conditions linked to bone and joint disease. This review concentrates on ways in which the microbiome is known to influence osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Animal studies have demonstrated that changes in the microbiome can mediate the effects of obesity on cartilage degeneration. Additionally, the microbiome influences the amount of the bone (bone quantity), as well as bone tissue material properties (bone quality). Early clinical findings support the effects of the microbiome on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Although animal studies implicate the microbiome in the development of bone and joint disease, available results are limited and can be conflicting. Further investigation of the mechanisms linking from changes in the microbiome to alterations in the bones and joints are necessary.
Pedicle Screw With Increased Cortical Purchase Can Be Inserted With Same Accuracy as the Screw in Straightforward Trajectory Using 3D Modeling Landmarks

Abstract Study Design Comparison, in terms of insertion accuracy and biomechanical performance, between an increased cortical purchase and straightforward pedicle screw trajectory. Objective This study aims to compare a trajectory with increased cortical purchase to the more common straightforward trajectory in terms of strength and insertion accuracy using real-time navigation. Summary of Background Data In previous studies, it was suggested that pedicle screw pullout strength is strongly correlated with bone mineral density, and using a more cortical tract allows a greater portion of the denser bone, the cortex, to be in contact with the screw. In light of this advantage, an insertion technique has been proposed more recently, to increase the cortical purchase to maximize screw thread contact with cortical bone. It is performed inserting the screw with reduced transverse inclination and results in cortical bone purchase in the lateral portion of the pedicle. Methods Eight T1 and eight T3 vertebra models were reconstructed in Mimics Suite (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) using CT data obtained with a Medtronic O-arm. Using a previously developed computer algorithm, we calculated all achievable safe trajectories for pedicle screw placement ensuring a minimal distance of 0.5 mm between screw and pedicle edges. For both vertebrae, among these, the straightest and the most convergent trajectories with the calculated insertion region greater than 15% of the total were selected to safely instrument the vertebrae, respectively, as ICP and straightforward techniques. The straightforward technique was planned with a transverse angle of 22.50° in both vertebrae whereas the ICP was planned with a transverse angle of 12.50° for T1 and 2.5° for T3. The screws were implanted by a surgeon experienced in straightforward insertion, and other independent investigators measured placement accuracy and mechanical performance. Results The transverse screw angles for T1 and T3 with straightforward technique had average values of 24.93° ± 2.96° and 23.53° ± 2.70°, respectively. For the ICP technique, the average values were 15.60° ± 2.95° for T1 and 2.29° ± 1.55° for T3. The resultant errors associated with screw placement for T1 and T3 were not significantly different (p > .05). The pullout failure loads with straightforward techniques ranged from 756 ± 164 N in T1 to 703 ± 74 N in T3 and were not significantly different (p > .05) from the values of 699 ± 84 N for T1 and of 732 ± 113 N measured for the ICP. Conclusions For the upper thoracic vertebrae tested, despite the use of shorter screws, the insertion technique with increased cortical purchase, in biomechanical terms, is comparable with the straightforward trajectory. Using guidance, the proposed ICP technique was performed with the same accuracy as the popular straightforward technique. Level of Evidence Level V.
Behavioral avoidance predicts treatment outcome with exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND Many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) display behavioral avoidance related to their obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviors. However, how these avoidance behaviors impact treatment outcomes with exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) remains unclear. We examined pretreatment avoidance behaviors as predictors of EX/RP outcomes. METHODS Data came from a randomized controlled trial of augmentation strategies for inadequate response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors comparing EX/RP (N = 40), risperidone (N = 40), and placebo (N = 20). Baseline avoidance was rated with the avoidance item from the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Primary analyses examined avoidance behaviors as predictors of EX/RP outcomes. To test specificity, we explored whether avoidance also related to outcomes among patients receiving risperidone and placebo. RESULTS More than half (69%) of the full sample had moderate or severe avoidance behaviors at baseline. In EX/RP, controlling for baseline severity, pretreatment avoidance predicted posttreatment YBOCS symptoms (β = 0.45, P < .01). Avoidant individuals were less likely to achieve remission with EX/RP (odds ratio = 0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] range 0.01-0.28, P = .001). Baseline avoidance was also associated with degree of patient adherence to between-session EX/RP assignments, which mediated the relationship between baseline avoidance and EX/RP outcomes (P < .05). Baseline avoidance did not predict outcomes or wellness among patients receiving risperidone or placebo. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that avoidance behaviors are an important clinical factor in EX/RP outcomes and indicate that assessing avoidance may provide an efficient method for predicting EX/RP outcomes. Avoidance may be particularly relevant in EX/RP as compared to medication treatment, though future replication of these initial results is required.
High-Pressure Synthesis: A New Frontier in the Search for Next-Generation Intermetallic Compounds

ConspectusThe application of high pressure adds an additional dimension to chemical phase space, opening up an unexplored expanse bearing tremendous potential for discovery. Our continuing mission is to explore this new frontier, to seek out new intermetallic compounds and new solid-state bonding. Simple binary elemental systems, in particular those composed of pairs of elements that do not form compounds under ambient pressures, can yield novel crystalline phases under compression. Thus, high-pressure synthesis can provide access to solid-state compounds that cannot be formed with traditional thermodynamic methods. An emerging approach for the rapid exploration of composition–pressure–temperature phase space is the use of hand-held high-pressure devices known as diamond anvil cells (DACs). These devices were originally developed by geologists as a way to study minerals under conditions relevant to the earth’s interior, but they possess a host of capabilities that make them ideal for high-pressure solid-s...
Covert Conditioning: A Learning-Theory Perspective on Imagery

In recent years there has been a trend in behavioral psychology toward the speculation and development of procedures that manipulate imagery to modify behavior. This is a dramatic departure from the tenets of conventional behaviorism, which held that mentalistic concepts had no place in the scientific study of psychology (Watson, 1919, p. viii). However, Wolpe legitimatized the investigation of covert processes within a behavioristic framework with systematic desensitization (1958). Since then a number of investigators who label themselves behavior therapists have developed techniques to modify behavior involving the manipulation of imagery events. These investigators have somewhat different conceptual models. Some label themselves as cognitive behavior modifiers (Meichenbaum, 1974; Lazarus, 1971; Mahoney, 1974; Goldfried and Davison, 1976). In this model, cognitions (such as talking to oneself, problem-solving, or imagery) are conceptualized as mediators of behaviors, and faulty cognitive patterns are assumed to be at least partly responsible for aberrant affect and behavior. In the cognitive model therapeutic improvement depends upon the alteration of such patterns.
A novel technique for mitigating motion artifacts in 3D brain imaging systems

Over the past several years,there have been substantial improvements in the area of three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam Computed Tomography (CT) imaging systems. Nevertheless, more improvement is needed to detect and mitigate motion artifacts in the clinical follow-up of neurological patients with multiple sclerosis, tumors, and stroke, etc., in which failure to detect motion artifacts often leads to misdiagnosis of disease. In this paper, we propose a marker-based innovative approach to detect and mitigate motion artifacts in 3D cone-beam brain CT systems without using any external motion tracking sensors. Motion is detected by comparing the motion-free ideal marker projections and the corresponding measured marker projections. Once motion is detected, motion parameters (six degrees-of-freedom of motion) are estimated using a numerical optimization technique. Artifacts, caused by motions, are mitigated in the back projection stage of the 3D reconstruction process by correcting the position of every reconstruction voxel according to the estimated motion parameters. We refer to this algorithm as the MB_FDK (Marker-based Feldkemp–Davis–Kress) algorithm. MB_FDK has been evaluated on a modified 3D Shepp–Logan phantom with a range of simulated motion. Simulation results demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative validation of motion detection and artifact mitigation techniques.
Uncovering the Dynamics of Emotion Regulation and Dysfunction in Daily Life with Ecological Momentary Assessment

The Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) method permits researchers to overcome some of the limitations of typical self-report methods and enable study of the dynamics of experiences and behaviors as they occur over time and across settings in daily life. Since Myin-Germeys and colleagues (Psychological Medicine:1533–1547, 2009) recently published an excellent general overview of EMA applications in psychopathology research, this chapter focuses specifically on EMA applications for understandingemotion in psychopathology. We briefly survey EMA methods developed over the past 30 years. Next, we explain the utility of using EMA to study emotional functioning, highlighting selected areas in emotion research where the potential of EMA modalities for clinical description, assessment, and clinical interventions are beginning to be realized. Our discussion of applications draws upon our own work with mood and anxiety disorders. Finally, we discuss the promise of EMA for improving the assessment and treatment of emotional disorders, as well as highlighting several priority areas for future investigation.
Mechanical Circulatory Support as a Bridge to Transplantation

Left ventricular assist devices represent the standard of care for bridging patients with end-stage heart failure to cardiac transplantation. Significant progress has been made over the last 10 years with respect to evolution of devices technology, patient selection, surgical techniques, and postoperative management of patients with LVADs. In this chapter, we review options for device therapy for bridge to transplant, important factors that relate to patient selection, surgical implantation technique, concomitant procedures performed with LVAD implantation, postoperative management, and complications of device therapy.
Indirect Reports and Pragmatics

An indirect report typically takes the form of a speaker using the locution “said that” to report an earlier utterance. In what follows, I introduce the principal philosophical and pragmatic points of interest in the study of indirect reports, including the extent to which context sensitivity affects the content of an indirect report, the constraints on the substitution of co-referential terms in reports, the extent of felicitous paraphrase and translation, the way in which indirect reports are opaque, and the use of indirect reports as pragmatic vehicles for other speech acts such as humor, insult, or irony. Throughout I develop several positions: (1) that a semantic analysis of indirect reports is insufficient, (2) that the distinction between direct and indirect reports is not clear and that indirect reports are the predominate way of reporting while direct reports may be a para-linguistic variation on them, (3) that most questions about the semantics and pragmatics of indirect reports will rely on a full understanding of the nature of what is reported and how it gets reported, (4) that an analysis of reporting requires the pragmatic tools of metarepresentation and a social, inter-personal understanding of relevance and shared knowledge.
Spin qubits: spin relaxation in coupled quantum dots

The spin-flip scattering mechanism in coupled self-assembled quantum dots made with InAs/GaAs with the use of realistic material parameters is theoretically and numerically investigated. The electron wave functions within the coupled system have been calculated by the 8-band strain dependent [Formula: see text] theory. The phonon coupling to electrons is described by deformation potential and piezoelectric acoustic phonons. First order perturbation theory has been employed to evaluate the spin relaxation rates and spin-flip time T1. The numerical results show that parameters like the interdot distance and the applied static magnetic field are of crucial importance in spin-flip mechanism. The spin relaxation time has been also studied by varying the lattice temperature and by showing the differences between the quantum computing operation temperature ([Formula: see text] K) and large temperatures.
Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals

Importance Age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent and has recently been associated with numerous morbid conditions of aging. Late-life depression is also prevalent and can be resistant to available treatments. Preliminary studies examining the association between hearing loss and late-life depression have been limited by subjective hearing measures, small sample sizes, and primarily white populations. Objective To assess whether a cross-sectional association exists between objective audiometric hearing loss and depressive symptoms in older Hispanic adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study uses 2008-2011 Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos data collected in Miami, Florida, San Diego, California, Chicago, Illinois, or the Bronx, New York, from 5328 Hispanic adults 50 years or older who had exposure, outcome, and covariate data. Data analyses were conducted from March 2018 to September 2018. Exposure Audiometric hearing loss (pure-tone average). Main Outcomes and Measures Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, 10-item version (CESD-10) score of 10 or higher, which indicates clinically significant depressive symptoms. Results The median age (interquartile range) of the 5328 participants was 58 (53-63) years, and 3283 participants (61.6%) were female. The mean (SD) CESD-10 score was 7.7 (6.4). Of the 5328 included participants, 1751 (32.9%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms. The odds of having these symptoms increased 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27-1.63) times for every 20 dB of hearing loss, adjusting for hearing aid use, age, sex, educational level, study site, geographic background, cardiovascular disease, and antidepressant use. Compared with those for individuals with normal hearing (0 dB), the odds of having clinically significant depressive symptoms was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.48-2.22) times as high in individuals with mild hearing loss (median threshold, 32.5 dB), 2.38 (95% CI, 1.77-3.20) times as high in individuals with moderate hearing loss (median threshold, 47.5 dB), and 4.30 (95% CI, 2.61-7.09) times as high in individuals with severe hearing loss (median threshold, 80 dB). Conclusions and Relevance Objective hearing loss appears to be associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms in older Hispanic people, with greater hearing loss seemingly associated with greater odds of having depressive symptoms. Given the high prevalence of untreated hearing loss in older adults, hearing loss may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for late-life depression.
Perceived risk of colorectal and breast cancers among women who are overweight or with obesity.

Abstract Many overweight women or women with obesity do not acknowledge their high weight status and may be unaware of their elevated cancer risk. We explored the relationship between weight status and women's perceived risk of colorectal (CRC) and breast cancers, overall and by race/ethnicity, in a nationally representative sample. Data was combined from NHIS 2005, 2010, and 2015 sample adult questionnaires and cancer control supplements. The analytic sample included females aged 18 years and over without reported history of cancer diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed and adjusted estimates for perceived risk of CRC and breast cancers were examined, stratified by body mass index and race/ethnicity. Data were reported using predicted marginal risk ratio (PMR). Colorectal cancer risk perception remained lowest among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black women regardless of weight status (PMR = 0.53 obesity, 0.65 overweight, 0.55 normal) compared to NH White women after adjustment for all covariates. Hispanic women who were overweight or had obesity also saw themselves at lower risk of CRC compared to NH White women, however these findings were statistically insignificant. Breast cancer risk perception also remained low for NH Blacks and Hispanics at any weight compared with NH Whites. Greater effort is needed to develop, disseminate, and widely adopt or institutionalize multilevel weight management interventions and programs. These programs increase awareness of excess weight as a risk factor for cancer and empower women in diverse communities to achieve and maintain a healthy weight by adopting healthy behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity.
The motion of the plasma between the red cells in the bolus flow.

Abstract : The motion of the plasma trapped between two adjacent red blood cells moving with a constant speed in a capillary blood vessel is studied. The convective inertia force of the plasma is neglected in comparison with the viscous stresses on the basis of the smallness of the Reynolds number of the flow in the capillary. The red cells are approximated by cylindrical pill boxes whose radii are the same as that of the blood vessel. The capillary blood vessel is approximated by a circular cylindrical tube with impermeable wall. With such an ideal model the velocity and pressure fields are determined. (Author)
Longitudinal Detection of Radiation-Induced Peripapillary and Macular Retinal Capillary Ischemia Using OCT Angiography.

Purpose To study longitudinal changes in retinal capillary circulation in eyes treated with iodine 125 (I125) plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma using OCT angiography (OCTA). Design Longitudinal prospective study of 21 patients undergoing treatment for uveal melanoma with I125 plaque brachytherapy. Eyes with melanoma were imaged with OCTA before treatment and at 12-month intervals until 2 years after brachytherapy. Participants After institutional review board approval, participants were enrolled prospectively from an academic ocular oncology clinic. Methods Peripapillary (4.5 × 4.5-mm) and macular (3 × 3-mm) OCTA scans were acquired with AngioVue (Optovue, Inc, Fremont, CA). Main Outcome Measures The peripapillary nerve fiber layer plexus capillary density (NFLP_CD), macular superficial vascular complex vessel density (mSVC_VD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were calculated. Results Before treatment, no significant difference was found in the NFLP_CD, mSVC_VD, or FAZ area between eyes with melanoma and normal fellow eyes. By 24 months, 11 eyes had developed clinical signs of radiation retinopathy, radiation optic neuropathy, or both. In treated eyes, the NFLP_CD (48.4±4.1%) was reduced at 12 months (46.7±5.0%; P = 0.04, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and 24 months (44.5±6.1%; P Conclusions OCT angiography demonstrated early emergence of peripapillary and macular capillary vasculature changes after I125 plaque brachytherapy. OCT angiography provided a quantitative measurement of retinal capillary changes associated with ischemia that correlated with visual acuity and radiation dose and may predict future development of radiation-induced retinal toxicity.
Fast basin stability estimation for dynamic systems under large perturbations with sequential support vector machine

Abstract The vulnerability of real-world dynamic systems or processes to large perturbations has nullified the conventional linear stability analysis. Despite the theoretical advance on computation of Lyapunov functions for dynamics analysis, they oftentimes enlist subtle construction technique and confounding process, and thus lack broad applications. As a global stability measure, basin stability utilizes the volume of the basin of attraction to quantify the stability of system dynamics, and has been thrown to sharp relief recently. Concretely, the perturbation manifests as a distribution of the initial conditions of system states. Monte Carlo simulation, or the Bernoulli trials of the time-domain simulation at the accessible realization of initial conditions, is the state of the art to quantify basin stability. However, this inevitably involves daunting computational budget. At its core, basin stability estimation is a classification problem on each sampling point in the state space at the onset of the possibly large perturbation. Hence, we propose a sequential support vector machine (SVM) framework to efficiently locate the stability boundaries and delineate the basin of attraction. The high-fidelity time-domain simulation is only called upon those sampling points that are predicted by SVM to be close to the boundaries, and the SVM as well as the boundaries are sequentially updated with the addition of those newly evaluated sampling points. This innovative sequential approach reduces over 90% of the computational cost in the conventional time-domain simulation.
Hog wild: the battle for workers’ rights at the world’s largest slaughterhouse: by Lynn Waltz, Iowa City, University of Iowa Press, 2018, 280 pp., ISBN 978-1609385859

In her most recent book Hog Wild: The Battle for Workers’ Rights at the World’s Largest Slaughterhouse, author and journalist Lynn Waltz confronts union rights in U.S. slaughterhouses. While comple...
Raids on Immigrant Communities During the Pandemic Threaten the Country's Public Health.

Reports of a cluster of people with pneumonia of unknown etiology surfaced in Wuhan City, China, on December 31, 2019. In early January 2020, the novel coronavirus was isolated and identified as se...
Pediatric orbital floor fractures and the oculocardiac reflex: Experience from a level I trauma center

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether bradycardia associated with the oculocardiac reflex is a significant source of morbidity in the post injury period following orbital floor fractures in children. Materials/methods A retrospective review of all pediatric patients who presented to our emergency department with an orbital floor fracture from May 1, 2016 to June 1, 2018 were included. Basic demographic data was collected as well as mechanism of injury, presence of bradycardia, and time to operating room. Morbidity was based on the need for medications to treat bradycardia. Results Thirty-five pediatric patients with orbital floor fractures were reviewed. 6 (17.1%) patients had post injury bradycardia, with one patient requiring medication to stabilize their heart rate. There was no statistically significant difference in sex, race/ethnicity, or age in patients with or without bradycardia (p > 0.05) however there was a significant relationship between bradycardia and need for operative repair (X2 = 7.88, df = 1, p = 0.005). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (45.7%). The average time to the operating room was 145 h (6.04 days). Conclusions While activation of the oculocardiac reflex is a legitimate concern in the post injury period, there is unlikely to be significant morbidity due to bradycardia, and the greater concern should be for the ischemic muscle injury incurred from the fracture.
Return of Results in a Global Sample of Psychiatric Genetics Researchers: Practices, Attitudes, and Knowledge

Abstract Purpose Patient-participants in psychiatric genetics research may be at an increased risk for negative psychosocial impacts related to the return of genetic research results. Examining psychiatric genetics researchers’ return of results practices and perspectives can aid the development of empirically-informed and ethically-sound guidelines. Methods A survey of 407 psychiatric genetics researchers from 39 countries was conducted to examine current return of results practices, attitudes, and knowledge. Results Most respondents (61%) reported that their studies generated medically relevant genomic findings. Although 24% have returned results to individual participants, 52% of those involved in decisions about return of results plan to return or continue to return results. Respondents supported offering medically actionable results related to psychiatric disorders (82%), and the majority agreed non-medically actionable risks for Huntington’s (71%) and Alzheimer’s disease (64%) should be offered. About half (49%) of respondents supported offering reliable polygenic risk scores for psychiatric conditions. Despite plans to return, only 14% of researchers agreed there are adequate guidelines for returning results, and 59% rated their knowledge about how to manage the process for returning results as poor. Conclusion Psychiatric genetics researchers support returning a wide range of results to patient-participants, but they lack adequate knowledge and guidelines.
Preparation for Challenging Cases: What Differentiates Expert From Novice Surgeons?

Objective The study of expert performance provides a rich field for exploration in the surgical literature. This study aimed to examine the difference between expert and novice surgeons in their preparation for challenging cases. Design Expert (attending) and novice (postgraduate-year 2) surgeons were presented two cases of complicated cholecystitis and were asked how they would prepare, what they would expect to encounter intraoperatively, and how they would deal with these challenges. Their responses were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Setting Academic teaching hospitals. Participants Two group of expert and novice surgeons. Results Nine experts and eleven novices from two academic centers participated. The majority of novices focused on patient history, work-up, preoperative optimization, anatomy, and anticipation of intraoperative challenges. In addition to the patient's presentation and preoperative optimization, most experts’ thoughts were directed toward preparation for surgery (level of urgency, required skills in surgical team, case difficulty, and risk of conversion to open). Experts would involve the patient in the decision-making and were more likely to communicate with the operating room team. While novices attempted to predict challenges depending on gallbladder condition and intra-abdominal adhesions, the experts highlighted the importance of various elements of the operative field, the detail of the technique and possible challenges, and their troubleshooting plans. Regarding operative planning to address anticipated challenges, novices would tailor their plan to patient characteristics and verbalized an analytical “if-then” approach for all possibilities they might encounter. Experts would start with their standard technique regardless of case complexity and would deal with contingencies as they arise. Safety was a critical part of expert surgeons’ plans. Conclusions Novices mostly conveyed descriptive knowledge based on presented facts while experts demonstrated an ability to paint a richer mental image of possible future events by creating comprehensive anticipation of the operative field. Further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.
Quality of systematic reviews in HIV: The case of clinical outcomes associated with patient medication adherence

AIM Use of systematic reviews (SRs) as first-level evidence for guideline recommendations hinges on review quality. In particular, US guidelines for adherence-related recommendations in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not based on available SRs of adherence-outcome relationships; it is unclear why. No published studies report on the quality of SRs on HIV adherence and outcomes, which may be driving the lack of use. We describe the quality of this body of literature. METHODS Literature searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed Central, the Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index, Web of Science, ScIELO Citation Index, and Ovid Emcare. Screening and quality assessments were performed in duplicate using AMSTAR 2. Funding sources and impact factors of publishing journals were also extracted, and correlations between quality rankings and numbers of critical weaknesses versus impact factors were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS Nine SRs of 1141 records met eligibility criteria. Overall confidence in the results was critically low for most (78%) SRs. Underperformance was found across all AMSTAR 2 domains. Impact factor (a surrogate or journal reputation) did not correlate with quality. CONCLUSIONS SRs do not necessarily comprise top-level evidence despite the availability of quality appraisal tools and reporting guidance, which could explain the lack of SR evidence in US HIV medication adherence-related guideline recommendations. All parties to evidence synthesis publication should require quality assessment of studies.
Flexible amorphous metal–organic frameworks with π Lewis acidic pore surface for selective adsorptive separations

Selective separation of light hydrocarbons (LHs) and adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain expensive and complex scientific challenges in the petrochemical industry. Shape-selective adsorbent materials can cost-effectively face these demands. Two new porous, dynamic and amorphous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), NEU-3 [= Zn(PMDA)(Py)2] and NEU-4 [= Fe(PMDA)(Py)2] are disclosed. These MOFs along with NEU-1c [= Zn(BPDI)(Py)2] and NEU-2 [= Fe(BPDI)(Py)2] display an electron-deficient pore surface due to predesigned π-electron-deficient ligands. They are unique smart guest-responsive materials owing to their π Lewis acidic pore surface and presumably their framework flexibility. A variety of effective adsorptions and adsorptive separations is achieved by using beds of NEU-1c, NEU-2, NEU-3 and NEU-4. Promising for further investigations into the petrochemical industry, NEU-4 shows ultrahigh benzene adsorption, recognition capability, selectivity for benzene over its analogues, and high stability and regenerability.
Investigations of the photochemical charge-transfer reduction of uranyl UO22+(VI) to uranyl UO2+(V) by benzene-1,4-diol (1,4-C6H4(OH)2) and oxalate (C2O42−) by UV–Vis, electron paramagnetic resonance, and luminescence spectroscopies

Abstract The aqueous mixtures of UO22+(VI) (as the nitrate salt) with benzene-1,4-diol (hydroquinone, HQ) 1,4-C6H4(OH)2 and those with oxalate C2O42− (as the sodium salt) exhibited broad absorptions at 350–400 nm in their UV–Vis spectra. The intensities of the absorptions for both the UO22+(VI)–HQ and UO22+(VI)–C2O42− mixtures, represented by the absorbance at 375 nm, were shown to be directly proportional to the molar concentrations of HQ and C2O42−, respectively. For each mixture, the absorbance was also found to be directly proportional to the molar concentration of UO22+(VI). The broad absorptions are characteristic of the charge-transfer (CT) bands from the electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes formed between UO22+(VI) and HQ and between UO22+(VI) and C2O42−. Upon photolysis of the UO22+(VI)–HQ and UO22+(VI)–C2O42− mixtures, UO22+(VI) was found by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to be reduced to UO2+(V) (g = 2.08) by HQ and C2O42−, respectively (CT reductions), and the hydroquinone radical 1,4-HOC6H4O. (HQ.) (g = 2.00) was identified simultaneously by EPR spectroscopy. Both HQ and C2O42− at the very low molar ratios of [HQ]/[UO22+]