cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small Pulmonary Nodules: Reproducibility of Three-dimensional Volumetric Measurement and Estimation of Time to Follow-up CT

PURPOSE: To determine reproducibility of volume measurements of small pulmonary nodules on computed tomographic (CT) scans and to estimate critical time to follow-up CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen pulmonary nodules for which two thin-section small–field-of-view CT scans were obtained and which were stable during 2-year observation were evaluated. A standard group of 94 nodules (with no or minimal artifact) and an expanded group of 105 nodules (including those with moderate artifacts) were examined. Percentage volume change (PVC) and monthly volumetric growth index (MVGI) were computed for each nodule pair. By using estimates of the variation in PVC in stable nodules as a function of initial diameter, critical time to follow-up CT was estimated; this time is the earliest point at which growth in a nodule of a given size can be reliably identified with repeat CT. RESULTS: The SD of PVC decreased with increasing nodule size from 18.5% in 2–5-mm nodules to 10.6% in 5–8-mm nodules and to 7.47% ...
Endothelial Differentiation in Multipotent Cells Derived from Mouse and Human White Mature Adipocytes

White mature adipocytes give rise to multipotent cells, so-called de-differentiated fat (DFAT) cells, when losing their fat in culture. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of DFAT cells to give rise to endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro and vivo. We demonstrate that mouse and human DFAT cells, derived from adipose tissue and lipospirate, respectively, initially lack expression of CD34, CD31, CD146, CD45 and pericyte markers, distinguishing them from progenitor cells previously identified in adipose stroma. The DFAT cells spontaneously differentiate into vascular ECs in vitro, as determined by real-time PCR, fluorescence activated cell sorting, immunostaining, and formation of tube structures. Treatment with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)4 and BMP9, important in regulating angiogenesis, significantly enhances the EC differentiation. Furthermore, adipocyte-derived cells from Green Fluorescent Protein-transgenic mice were detected in the vasculature of infarcted myocardium up to 6 weeks after ligation of the left anterior descending artery in mice. We conclude that adipocyte-derived multipotent cells are able to spontaneously give rise to ECs, a process that is promoted by BMPs and may be important in cardiovascular regeneration and in physiological and pathological changes in fat and other tissues.
A semiadiabatic spectral-spatial spectroscopic imaging (SASSI) sequence for improved high-field MR spectroscopic imaging.

Purpose MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) benefits from operation at 7T due to increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral separation. The 180° radiofrequency (RF) pulses used in the conventional MRSI sequences are particularly susceptible to the variation in the transmitted RF (B1) field and severe chemical shift localization errors at 7T. RF power deposition, as measured by specific absorption rate (SAR), also increases with field strength. Adiabatic 180° RF pulses may mitigate the effects of B1 variation. We designed and implemented a semiadiabatic spectral-spatial spectroscopic imaging (SASSI) pulse sequence to provide more uniform spectral data at 7T with reduced SAR. Methods The adiabatic Shinnar–Le Roux algorithm was used to generate a high bandwidth 180° adiabatic spectral-spatial (SPSP) pulse that captured a spectral range containing the main metabolites of interest. A pair of 180° SPSP pulses was used to refocus the signal excited by a 90° SPSP pulse in order to select a 3D volume of interest in the SASSI sequence. Results The SASSI pulse sequence produced spectra with more uniform brain metabolite SNR when compared with the conventional nonadiabatic MRSI sequence. Conclusion SASSI achieved comparable SNR to the current adiabatic alternative, semi-LASER, but with 1/3 of the SAR. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nativity and Health Disparities: Predictors of Immigrant Health

This study examines the differences in the social determinants of health and chronic health conditions of immigrants and nonimmigrants. The logistic regression results indicate that employment, education, poverty, residential status, and neighborhood safety have strong influence on the health of immigrants and native-born Americans; however, gender and place of residence are significant to only nonimmigrant health. For chronic health conditions, age and employment status are significant predictors for immigrants whereas race/ethnicity, age, gender, insurance coverage, and education are important predictors of chronic health conditions among nonimmigrants. Neighborhood safety, English proficiency, and marital status were not significant determinants of the health conditions of both subgroups. The study points to the importance of education, poverty/income, and neighborhood safety as essential determinants of immigrant and nonimmigrant health. However, there are variations in the health predictors for each group.
Nifa, Nifa: Technopolitics, Regionalism, and Authoritarianism in Acheampongs Ghana

In 1974, the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, declared that all drivers in Ghana should switch to the right side of the road. In changing driving practice, Acheampong state asserted the full independence of Ghana from colonial influence. The actions of Acheampong National Redemption Council were in some ways unsurprising. Operation Keep Right , or Nifa, Nifa , was part of a set of policies marked by the more famous Operation Feed Yourself , which sought to free the country from the shackles of colonialism and reverse the deleterious impact of neocolonialism. While the focus on Operation Feed Yourself  has contributed to an image of the Acheampong government as isolationist, this paper uses Operation Keep Right  to examine the ways in which the Acheampong regime used technopolitics and authoritarianism to establish closer economic connections to other countries in the region. The speed and efficiency with which the campaign achieved its goals raises important questions about the role of authoritarianism in postcolonial Ghana. For drivers and passengers, postcolonial technopolitics were marked not only by instability, violence, and decline, but also by dramatic demonstrations of authority and power.
Comprehensive analysis of the effects of CdSe quantum dot size, surface charge, and functionalization on primary human lung cells.

The growing potential of quantum dots (QDs) in applications as diverse as biomedicine and energy has provoked much dialogue about their conceivable impact on human health and the environment at large. Consequently, there has been an urgent need to understand their interaction with biological systems. Parameters such as size, composition, surface charge, and functionalization can be modified in ways to either enhance biocompatibility or reduce their deleterious effects. In the current study, we simultaneously compared the impact of size, charge, and functionalization alone or in combination on biological responses using primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Using a suite of cellular end points and gene expression analysis, we determined the biological impact of each of these properties. Our results suggest that positively charged QDs are significantly more cytotoxic compared to negative QDs. Furthermore, while QDs functionalized with long ligands were found to be more cytotoxic than those functi...
A Simple Methodology for the Modeling of Carbon Black Aggregate Structure

A procedure for modeling some morphological characteristics of carbon black aggregates is presented. The method uses standard reaction limited aggregation algorithm to predict the location of the centers of primary particles within an aggregate. The shape of the aggregate is determined by drawing simple linear links between extreme points of primary particles centered on these loci. Analysis of the particle distribution function computed from the simulated structure leads to definitions of the interior and periphery of the aggregate structure. Direct comparisons between simulated aggregates and two commercial carbon blacks are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the approach. The perimeter fractal dimension of simulated aggregates can be made to match the perimeter fractal dimension of the commercial carbon black aggregates through proper choice of the sticking probability in the simulation algorithm. With this proper choice of sticking probability, the relative amounts of void in the periphery and interior of the simulated aggregate correspond to relative amounts of voids in actual aggregates that have been soaked for extented periods of time with processing fluids.*
Computational imaging for 3D fluorescence microscopy

Computational imaging approaches have been developed to address depth variability in 3D fluorescence microscopy of imaging of thick samples, using depth-variant restoration and/or point-spread function engineering. Results from simulated and experimental data are presented.
Thermoelectric properties of R x Ce 1-x Pd 3 s(R=Y, La 0.5 Y 0.5 , Nd)

The intermediate valent compound ${\mathrm{CePd}}_{3}$ has an unusually large thermoelectric power (from 100 to 300 K), which is interesting from the perspective of thermoelectric cooling devices. To optimize the thermoelectric properties, we have investigated rare-earth-substituted samples of the form ${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{3}$ where R=Y, ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.5}$ ${\mathrm{Y}}_{0.5}$ , and Nd. We have found that the intermediate valent state is highly dependent on the nature of the rare-earth dopant, and in particular to any local strains or bond distance changes. With Nd dilution, a small enhancement of the thermoelectric power factor ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{2}$ /\ensuremath{\rho} is observed.
Human leukemic B cell activation: functional consequence of membrane IgM interaction with anti-IgM ligand is an alterable cell characteristic

A functional study of several human malignant B cell populations has indicated that occasional leukemic clones are extraordinarily sensitive to signal transduction through membrane IgM. One isolated hairy cell leukemia (HCL) with low background DNA synthesis was stimulated to significant levels of DNA synthesis when cultured with high (100 micrograms/mL) concentrations of soluble anti-IgM ligands. In contrast to the activation of normal peripheral blood polyclonal B cells, this DNA synthesis was completely independent of accessory T cell factors. Although the HCL clone could also be induced to enter S phase by incubation in media supplemented with only activated T cell supernatant, culture of the clone with activated T cell supernatant plus anti-IgM Ab resulted in DNA synthesis that was significantly less than that induced by either activator alone. Factor(s) in T cell supernatant appear to modulate the leukemic clone so that the binding of ligand to membrane IgM is perceived as an inhibitory rather than a stimulatory signal for DNA synthesis. In terms of Ig Fc independence and low ligand dose requirements, anti-IgM-mediated inhibitory signal transduction in the T cell supernatant-activated HCL clone was found to mimic anti-IgM mediated suppression of the spontaneous DNA synthesis of an alternative HCL clone. The functional results suggest that the type of signal transduced anti-Ig ligands may reflect differences in the activation state of receptive leukemic B cells.
The electron transfer pathway upon H2 oxidation by the NiFe bidirectional hydrogenase of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in the light shares components with the photosynthetic electron transfer chain in thylakoid membranes

Abstract In anaerobic conditions the NiFe hydrogenase in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 catalyzes transient H2 production upon a darkness-to-light transition, followed by a rapid H2 uptake. We measured H2 uptake in Synechocystis mutants lacking photosystem I, photosystem II or terminal oxidases and in the wild-type strain with and without active cytochrome b6f. Rapid light-induced H2 uptake was dependent on cytochrome b6f and the presence of photosystem I. We propose light-dependent electron transport from H2 to plastoquinone, probably via NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, and on to cytochrome b6f and photosystem I. In darkness H2 uptake is ∼10-fold slower than in the light and is independent of thylakoid redox components. The plastoquinone redox state may be key in determining the ultimate H2 redox partner. H2 uptake and production in darkness likely use the same redox partners. NADH and NADPH, but not reduced ferredoxin, were confirmed as hydrogenase redox donors in vitro.
Diagnostic Yield of Repeat Pancreas Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

Pancreas endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is frequently diagnostic. In some cases, the initial FNA diagnosis does not correspond to the clinical impression and patients are subject to a repeat EUS FNA biopsy. A variety of clinical factors can influence the decision to perform a 2nd EUS FNA biopsy, including a clinical suspicion for malignancy or a …
PtCu bimetallic alloy nanotubes with porous surface for oxygen reduction reaction

A facile wet chemistry method was developed for the synthesis of PtCu bimetallic alloy nanotubes with controllable composition and porous surfaces by employing Te nanowire as a hard template. Due to the synergetic effect among the components as well as their one-dimensional porous nanostructure, the PtCu nanotubes present enhanced electrocatalytic activity and durability for oxygen reduction reaction in acid solution. The mass activity and specific activity of Pt76Cu24 reach 0.41 A mgPt−1 and 0.83 mA cm−2, and are about 3 and 5 times higher than that of Pt/C catalysts. The bimetallic alloys could be considered as an excellent candidate for electrocatalysts and other potential applications.
A Model of Visual Location Learning

Learning visual locations is a critical skill that allows people to understand and act in their environment, especially as part of a person’s situation awareness during complex tasks such as air-traffic control. Although a number of studies have examined visual location learning from a theoretical and/or empirical perspective, the goal of developing a rigorous computational model of this process remains an elusive one. In this work, we develop an initial model focused on acquiring, rehearsing, and recalling the locations of static objects in the visual field. We build this model on the foundation of the ACT-R cognitive architecture, specifically using its memory and vision components to better understand and specify the processes of visual scanning and location memory. We then demonstrate how this model accounts for human behavior and performance in two recent empirical studies. The resulting model can serve as the basis for future efforts to build a more rigorous general computational models of more comp...
Abstract 5319: Apoptotic properties of platinum antitumor agents phosphaplatins

Phosphaplatins, a group of non-DNA binding platinum compounds, exhibit excellent in vivo and in vitro efficacies against a variety of cisplatin- and carboplatin-sensitive and resistant ovarian cancers. Although, combinations of cis- or carbo-platin and paclitaxel therapies continue to be the choice of treatment for many ovarian cancer patients, many develop resistance to treatment. Phosphaplatins are pyrophosphate bound platinum-(II) and (IV)-platinum complexes that bi-negatively charged at or near neutral pH. Both Platinum (II) and platinum (IV) complexes did not overexpress any DNA repair genes consistent with the no-DNA binding property of phosphaplatins. In this report, we show the apoptotic properties of two representative compounds, (R,R-1,2-cyclohexanediamine)-(dihydrogen pyrophosphato)platinum (II) (RRD2) and (R,R-1,2-cyclohexanediamine)-trans-dihydroxo(dihydrogen pyrophosphato)platinum (IV) (RRD4) through a variety of experiments as described below. Phosphaplatins activate and upregulate death receptors on cell surface such as FAS, DR5, and TNFR1. These three death receptors follow the common signaling path to trigger apoptosis by an extrinsic pathway via Death Inducing Signaling Complex (DISC) by recruiting FADD and procaspase-8 and activating caspase-8. A direct binding of FAS by platinum is implicated as the platinum compound was found to be co-localized in the lipid rafts. The PTEN-PI3K pathway involvement was confirmed by the down regulation of both PI3K and p-AKT. Phosphoplatins also upregulate tumor suppression genes P53 and PTEN. Apoptosis by p53 signaling follows intrinsic pathways involving BCL-proteins. In particular up regulation of BAX, PUMA, and downregulation of BCL2 were observed. To further confirm p53-signailng, we have identified a number of p53 target genes that include AEN, CYFIP2, TP53I3, TP53INP1, DPYSL4, LRDD, DRAM1, and a few others. Our data shows that phosphaplatins have the potential to not only treat resistant but also advanced metastatic ovarian cancers. Citation Format: Homa Dezvareh. Apoptotic properties of platinum antitumor agents phosphaplatins. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5319. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5319
“Third-person Ventriloquism”: Microdialogues and Polyphony in George Saunders’s “Victory Lap”

In “The Hero, and the Position of the Author with Regard to the Hero, in Dostoevsky’s Art” in Problems of Dostoevsky’s Poetics, Mikhail Bakhtin provides a taxonomy of dialogue that, when used to examine “Victory Lap,” illuminates Saunders’s craft, identifies Saunders’s use of microdialogues, and highlights how Saunders’s characters are the echo chambers for competing voices. By using Bakhtin’s analysis of the hero as a “particular point of view” on her or his own world (and self), this essay illuminates the way that Saunders achieves this polyphonic design and concludes that the characters never congeal into types, or static, finalized objects in his fiction. The characters’ voices, captured in microdialogues, are always in the act of dialoguing with others. Additionally, the essay shows that Saunders’s narration never comprises a single, monologic voice, but instead remains on an equal plane with the voices of the characters.
The Sexually Dimorphic Characteristics of the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Cardiac arrhythmias are a prevalent clinical problem as it increases risk of stroke, heart failure, and overall morbidity. Treatment of arrhythmias may include blood thinners, rhythm control, as well as surgical ablation. In this chapter, we discuss the differences in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in men and women. Further understanding of the gender specific differences of various cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, long QT syndrome, and supraventricular arrhythmias may be helpful for more delivery of more personalized medicine.
Thioredoxin-1 attenuates sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy after cecal ligation and puncture in mice

Abstract Background Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality among patients in intensive care units across the USA. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is an essential 12 kDa cytosolic protein that, apart from maintaining the cellular redox state, possesses multifunctional properties. In this study, we explored the possibility of controlling adverse myocardial depression by overexpression of Trx-1 in a mouse model of severe sepsis. Methods Adult C57BL/6J and Trx-1Tg/+ mice were divided into wild-type sham (WTS), wild-type cecal ligation and puncture (WTCLP), Trx-1Tg/+sham (Trx-1Tg/+S), and Trx-1Tg/+CLP groups. Cardiac function was evaluated before surgery, 6 and 24 hours after CLP surgery. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis were performed after 24 hours in heart tissue sections. Results Echocardiography analysis showed preserved cardiac function in the Trx-1Tg/+ CLP group compared with the WTCLP group. Similarly, Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of Trx-1, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), survivin (an inhibitor of apoptosis [IAP] protein family), and decreased expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), caspase-3, and 3- nitrotyrosine in the Trx-1Tg/+CLP group compared with the WTCLP group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed reduced 4-hydroxynonenal, apoptosis, and vascular leakage in the cardiac tissue of Trx-1Tg/+CLP mice compared with mice in the WTCLP group. Conclusions Our results indicate that overexpression of Trx-1 attenuates cardiac dysfunction during CLP. The mechanism of action may involve reduction of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and vascular permeability through activation of Trx-1/HO-1 and anti-apoptotic protein survivin.
Extreme operation of IGBTs

This paper investigates the feasibility of utilizing IGBTs under extreme operating conditions which exceed their datasheet current rating by a factor of 5–10. Various types of 1200V/100A rated IGBTs experimentally demonstrated a peak current conduction capability greater than 1000A, and an RBSOA of 1200V/800A. The work is motivated by power converters with a large peak to nominal load ratio such as EV drivetrains, or infrequent and short pulse high power applications.
Demo: Garda - robust gesture-based authentication for mobile systems

This is a demo for a full paper in CHI'17 proceedings http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3025453.3025879 [6]. We designed and implemented a secure, robust and usable multi-expert recognizer, Garda, for gesture passwords. This demo demonstrates two real scenarios of using Garda as a gesture recognizer in mobile devices: under normal use and under a shoulder-surfing attack. As a supplement to the demo, we describe technical details of Garda in this report. Our demo shows the usability of our Garda gesture authentication method on mobile devices in daily life.
Status and trends of the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) in the lower Fox River and Green Bay

Abstract In the upper Great Lakes region, survival and population growth of the non-indigenous Asian clam Corbicula fluminea has been limited by cold climates that cause severe overwinter mortality. At these northern latitudes, Asian clam populations are often limited to thermal refugia – particularly warmwater discharges from industrial facilities. Several such facilities exist in the lower Fox River in Green Bay. Asian clams were first documented in the lower Fox River in 1999 and were extensively surveyed near the river mouth in 2011, but the few individuals found were restricted to the warmwater discharge from the Pulliam Power Plant. We performed a follow-up survey during 2017 to re-assess the population status of Asian clams in the lower Fox River at four industrial discharges, including the Pulliam Power Plant. We found more widespread evidence of Asian clams throughout the lower Fox River than previous surveys, but only one live individual was captured. We suspect that the back-to-back severe winters of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 caused widespread overwinter mortality. Our investigation highlights the significant challenges for establishment of Asian clam populations in the upper Great Lakes region, and provides an example of a potential invasive species struggling to establish a viable population in a hostile climate.
Multiple-Institution Comparison of Resident and Faculty Perceptions of Burnout and Depression During Surgical Training.

Importance Prior studies demonstrate a high prevalence of burnout and depression among surgeons. Limited data exist regarding how these conditions are perceived by the surgical community. Objectives To measure prevalence of burnout and depression among general surgery trainees and to characterize how residents and attendings perceive these conditions. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used unique, anonymous surveys for residents and attendings that were administered via a web-based platform from November 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017. All residents and attendings in the 6 general surgery training programs in North Carolina were invited to participate. Main Outcomes and Measures The prevalence of burnout and depression among residents was assessed using validated tools. Burnout was defined by high emotional exhaustion or depersonalization on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Depression was defined by a score of 10 or greater on the Patient Health Questionnaire–9. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess predictive factors for burnout and depression. Residents’ and attendings’ perceptions of these conditions were analyzed for significant similarities and differences. Results In this study, a total of 92 residents and 55 attendings responded. Fifty-eight of 77 residents with complete responses (75%) met criteria for burnout, and 30 of 76 (39%) met criteria for depression. Of those with burnout, 28 of 58 (48%) were at elevated risk of depression ( P = .03). Nine of 77 residents (12%) had suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Most residents (40 of 76 [53%]) correctly estimated that more than 50% of residents had burnout, whereas only 13 of 56 attendings (23%) correctly estimated this prevalence ( P P = .002). Sixty-six of 73 residents (90%) and 40 of 51 attendings (78%) identified the same top 3 barriers to seeking care for burnout: inability to take time off to seek treatment, avoidance or denial of the problem, and negative stigma toward those seeking care. Conclusions and Relevance The prevalence of burnout and depression was high among general surgery residents in this study. Attendings and residents underestimated the prevalence of these conditions but acknowledged common barriers to seeking care. Discrepancies in actual and perceived levels of burnout and depression may hinder wellness interventions. Increasing understanding of these perceptions offers an opportunity to develop practical solutions.
Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens in Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections

The management of ear, nose, and throat infections requires an accurate clinical and bacteriological diagnosis, followed by an initial empiric antimicrobial therapy that may be adjusted once the identification of the causative organisms is available. The increasing antimicrobial resistance of many bacterial pathogens has made the treatment of these infections more challenging. This chapter presents the microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial therapy of resistant acute and chronic head and neck infections pathogens.
An Active Visible Nanophotonics Platform for Sub-Millisecond Deep Brain Neural Stimulation

We demonstrate the first visible-range nanophotonic switch network and create an implantable probe for in-vivo deep-brain stimulation. The probe enables stimulation patterns of single neurons with the timing and spatial precision to decode animal behavior.
HSS Dysphagia and Dysphonia Inventory (HSS-DDI) Following Anterior Cervical Fusion: Patient-Derived, Validated, Condition-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Outperforms Existing Indices.

Background Dysphagia and dysphonia are common complications after anterior cervical spine surgery; however, reported prevalences vary greatly due to a lack of reliable clinical standards for measuring postoperative swallowing and speech dysfunction. The Hospital for Special Surgery Dysphagia and Dysphonia Inventory (HSS-DDI) was developed as a patient-derived, patient-reported instrument to measure dysphagia and dysphonia more accurately after anterior cervical spine surgery than existing indices. Methods This multiphase survey-development study implemented a mixed-methods approach. Phase 1 involved qualitative assessment of postoperative patient-reported swallowing or speaking deficiencies to assemble a draft survey. Phase 2 established test-retest reliability and finalized the 31-item HSS-DDI. Phase 3 compared the HSS-DDI with the Swallowing-Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) for validity and responsiveness. Results Phase 1, performed to formulate the draft survey, included 25 patients who were asked about speech and swallowing dysfunction after anterior cervical spine surgery involving at least 3 vertebral levels. Phase 2 included 49 patients who completed the draft survey twice. The mean scores (and standard deviation) for each administration of the HSS-DDI were 67 ± 24 and 75 ± 22, the Cronbach alpha coefficients were both 0.97, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.80. The 31-item HSS-DDI was finalized with all but 2 items having weighted kappa values of ≥0.40. Phase 3 included 127 patients and established external validity, with most correlation coefficients between the HSS-DDI and the SWAL-QOL and MDADI ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. Internal validity was established by identifying worsening HSS-DDI scores with increases in the number of vertebral levels involved (p = 0.02) and in the Surgical Invasiveness Index (p = 0.006). HSS-DDI responsiveness ascertained by effect size (0.73) was better than that of the SWAL-QOL and MDADI. The average administration time for the HSS-DDI was 2 minutes and 25 seconds. Conclusions The HSS-DDI is efficient, valid, and more responsive to change after anterior cervical spine surgery than existing surveys. Clinical relevance The HSS-DDI fills a gap in postoperative assessment by providing a reliable, more clinically sensitive, patient and condition-specific evaluation of dysphagia and dysphonia prospectively and longitudinally.
Celebrity and the Environment: Fame, Wealth and Power in Conservation

* Preface * Introduction * 1. Combining Celebrity and the Environment * 2. Conserving Celebrities * 3. Wildlife Presenters and Wildlife Film * 4. Celebrity Conservation * 5. Concentrations of Wealth and Power * 6. Criticisms * 7. Saving the World * Notes * References
Analyzing the rod drop accident in a boiling water reactor

The center rod drop accident was calculated for a boiling water reactor using the two-dimensional (R,Z) core dynamics code BNL-TWIGL. Analysts frequently neglect moderator feedback under the assumption that it leads to conservative results. The present study shows that the peak of the power burst and peak fuel enthalpy can indeed be reduced by a factor of 2 or more by including this effect. The magnitude of the effect depends on reactor conditions. Moderator feedback is particularly important when there are voids in the core initially (i.e., at power conditions) or when the core is near saturation condition. When the reactor is initially at zero power and considerably subcooled, moderator feedback will influence the power peak by < 10% but will have a much larger effect on the peak fuel enthalpy, which occurs later in time. The moderator feedback is the result of heat conducted from the fuel rod and direct energy deposition. At power conditions, the time constant for heat conduction is small and this is the primary mechanism for changing the steam void content during the accident. At zero power, the initial thermal constant is very large and, hence, any generation of voids at short times is duemore » to direct energy deposition in the moderator. The effect of a different initial power level, flow rate, and inlet subcooling, as well as the effect of delayed neutron fraction, rod drop speed, and accident rod worth, was calculated. In all cases, with moderator feedback accounted for, the maximum fuel enthalpy during the accident is well below presently established limits. Accident consequences are insensitive to the delayed neutron fraction and rod drop velocity. The parameters of most significance are inlet subcooling and accident rod worth.« less
Tick⁻Virus⁻Host Interactions at the Cutaneous Interface: The Nidus of Flavivirus Transmission.

Tick-borne viral diseases continue to emerge in the United States, as clearly evident from the increase in Powassan encephalitis virus, Heartland virus, and Bourbon virus infections. Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs) are transmitted to the mammalian host along with the infected tick saliva during blood-feeding. Successful tick feeding is facilitated by a complex repertoire of pharmacologically active salivary proteins/factors in tick saliva. These salivary factors create an immunologically privileged micro-environment in the host’s skin that influences virus transmission and pathogenesis. In this review, we will highlight tick determinants of TBFV transmission with a special emphasis on tick–virus–host interactions at the cutaneous interface.
From connective to final particle: Korean tunci “or” and cross-linguistic comparisons

Abstract This study demonstrates that the Korean connective tunci “or” has developed into a sentence-final particle, which carries varied discourse functions, expressing a) suggestions, proposals, requests, and offers, b) threats and criticisms and c) free choice and indifference. Final tunci first emerged as a suggestion marker from its connective use and this function remains its primary function. Using 240 hours of Korean TV drama data, this study elucidates the emergence process of these discourse functions of final tunci, which has not yet been properly researched. This study also demonstrates that final tunci has reached an advanced stage of grammaticalization based on its high frequency of use and its prosodic feature of final lengthening. Building on previous studies on turn-final uses of English or and Swedish eller “or”, this study argues that in turn-final position, tunci, or, and eller share a core function: they can relax the preference organization in conversational interactions and allow the addressee to utter a dispreferred response more freely. This is a new “intersubjectified” function that the connectives do not have when they combine two conjuncts (Traugott 2014).
Vegetation Health for Insuring Drought-Related Yield Losses and Food Security Enhancement

This chapter discusses how to use high-resolution (compare to weather data) vegetation health (VH) indices derived from operational polar-orbiting satellites for crop insurance purposes. The experiment was done in two main grain-producing regions of Kazakhstan, which grow spring wheat. The results have shown that 16 km2 resolution of VH-based vegetation condition index (VCI) and the temperature condition index (TCI), derived from space during the critical period of crop growth, are excellent predictors of farmers’ wheat yields. The selected indices were used to design index-based insurance contracts by applying the copula approach. Empirical results for 47 grain-producing farms in the northern Kazakhstan show that insurance contracts built on the two VH-based indices can provide substantial risk reductions for a group of farms. For the entire sample, risk reduction was moderate. Providing reliable VH-based farmers’ insurance would simplify crop losses verification, make insurance cheaper, and provide compensation in case of drought impacts. These advantages would help farmers to survive in case of weather disasters and enhance food security situation. The effectiveness of insurance contracts can be improved using higher resolution (4 and 1 km2) satellite data and measuring indices at more disaggregated levels.
Combining cold sintering and Bi2O3-Activated liquid-phase sintering to fabricate high-conductivity Mg-doped NASICON at reduced temperatures

Abstract The cold sintering process (CSP) and Bi2O3-activated liquid-phase sintering (LPS) are combined to densify Mg-doped NASICON (Na3.256Mg0.128Zr1.872Si2PO12) to achieve high densities and conductivities at reduced temperatures. As an example, a cold-sintered specimen with the addition of 1.1 wt % Bi2O3 sintering additive achieved a high conductivity of 0.91 mS/cm (with ∼96% relative density) after annealing at 1000 °C; this conductivity is >70% higher than that of a cold-sintered specimen without adding the Bi2O3 sintering additive, and it is >700% of the conductivity of a dry-pressed counterpart with the same amount of Bi2O3 added, all of which are subjected to the same heating profile. The highest conductivity achieved in this study via combining CSP and Bi2O3-activated LSP is > 1.5 mS/cm. This study suggests an opportunity to combine the new CSP with the traditional LPS to sinter solid electrolytes to achieve high densities and conductivities at reduced temperatures. This combined CSP-LPS approach can be extended to a broad range of other materials to fabricate the “thermally fragile” solid electrolytes or solid-state battery systems, where reducing the processing temperature is often desirable.
Successful Intubation of a Difficult Airway Using a Yankauer Suction Catheter.

Abstract Background Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is used to effectively manage a patient’s airway. Failure of ETI may lead to ineffective ventilation or oxygenation, potentially causing organ damage and eventually death. Approximately 8% of ETIs are difficult and 1% are unsuccessful. Tools and techniques to successfully obtain airway access are essential. Case Report A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented to the emergency department in acute respiratory distress. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was unsuccessful in improving the patient’s tidal volume and work of breathing. The patient was unable to be intubated by conventional techniques because of a mass obstructing the view of her vocal cords. A cricothyrotomy was considered, but not initially performed because of her distorted anatomy. After multiple intubation attempts from several different physicians, the patient was successfully intubated with the aid of a suction Yankauer, which was used to move the mass peripherally and further served as a conduit through which a bougie was passed. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? The risk for complications rises with each intubation attempt. While there are a variety of tools and aids that can be used to assist in difficult intubations, rapid airway access is essential, and common tools do not always work. We hope that knowledge of this novel, yet simple and effective technique will help physicians successfully intubate patients with distorted oropharyngeal anatomy who cannot be intubated using conventional methods.
Cable-stayed columns and their applications in building structures

Abstract Stayed columns have been used as architecturally expressive lightweight elements in buildings and tensioned-membrane structures. Their structural merits of reduced core size and enhanced compression strength even outweigh the architectural elegance. The main emphases of this paper, as such, is to reveal the structural benefits, the counter-intuitive structural behaviour, and to raise research interest in this special type of column through a series of case-studies. Structural behaviour of one and two-tier cross-arm cable-stayed columns are investigated for both symmetric and anti-symmetric modes. The use of prestressed tension elements (cables or rods as stays) along with a compression member (tube or solid core) and the pinching effect of cross-arms contribute to their anomalous structural behaviour. A Strength Enhancement Ratio (SER) is defined that evaluates the enhanced strength resulting from transforming a steel tube into a cable-stayed column. This provides a criteria for designers to determine when cable-stayed action should be considered as a useful and efficient means of providing the required strength to slender columns. The latter part of the paper presents various architectural applications of stayed columns through a series of case-studies.
Elective Surgery for Diverticulitis and the Risk of Recurrence and Ostomy

Objective To assess the comparative risk of recurrence and ostomy after elective resection or medical therapy for uncomplicated diverticulitis, incorporating outpatient episodes of recurrence. Background While surgeons historically recommended colon resection for uncomplicated diverticulitis to reduce the risk of recurrence or colostomy, no prior studies have quantified this risk when considering outpatient episodes of disease. It remains to be determined whether surgery actually decreases those risks. Methods Retrospective cohort study employing an adjusted time-to-event analysis to assess the relationship of medical or surgical treatment with diverticulitis recurrence and/or receipt of an ostomy. Subjects were adults with ≥1 year continuous enrollment treated for ≥2 episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis from a nationwide commercial claims dataset (2008-2014). Results Of 12,073 patients (mean age 56 ± 14 yr, 59% women), 19% underwent elective surgery and 81% were treated by medical therapy on their second treatment encounter for uncomplicated diverticulitis. At 1 year, patients treated by elective surgery had lower rates of recurrence (6%) versus those treated by medical therapy (32%) [15% vs 61% at 5 years, adjusted hazard ratio 0.17 (95% confidence interval: 0.15-0.20)]. At 1 year, the rate of ostomy after both treatments was low [surgery (inclusive of stoma related to the elective colectomy), 4.0%; medical therapy, 1.6%]. Conclusions Elective resection for uncomplicated diverticulitis decreases the risk of recurrence, still 6% to 15% will recur within 5 years of surgery. The risk of ostomy is not lower after elective resection, and considering colostomies related to resection, ostomy prevention should not be considered an appropriate indication for elective surgery.
Constituting the Trinity

Recently several authors have developed accounts of the Trinity employing the metaphysical notion of constitution. I expound one such proposal and defend it against objections from Keith Yandell and Brian Leftow. In the process, I propose an improved definition of the constitution relation as applied to the Trinity. I then compare the resulting trinitarian metaphysics with Leftow's own view.
Let’s start here: relationships, resilience, relevance

The occupational therapy profession has been experiencing substantial growing pains, and the environment presents uncertainty and opportunities. The profession has experienced the swing from the celebratory high of the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) 2017 Centennial Celebration to the reality of internal and external challenges related to entry-level professional preparation, payment and practice shifts, and new service delivery directives-all during a contentious political, economic, and societal climate. Three Rs-relationships, resilience, and relevance-can guide the profession in a focus on restoring and creating meaningful yet strategic relationships, embracing a collective strength and capacity for personal and professional resilience, and committing to innovative action to ensure occupational therapy's relevance as a health and human services profession. This Inaugural Presidential Address offers a message of simplicity and hope for the occupational therapy profession as well as a declaration of the AOTA president's own grounding values and focus.
Co-Creation in the Classroom: Challenge, Community, and Collaboration

As strategies for co-creation in teaching and learning, the democratic classroom and students-as-partners pedagogies seek to empower students by equally distributing the responsibilities of decisio...
A Growing Gap between the RNAP and the Lead Ribosome

In prokaryotes, transcription-translation coupling is thought to guarantee the synthesis of high-quality mRNAs and surveil foreign genes. Surprisingly, Johnson et al. show that translation is uncoupled from transcription in Bacillus subtilis, arguing that bacteria utilize very diverse gene expression strategies to meet their unique regulatory needs.
Identification of diverse targets of arginine phosphorylation in Mycolicibacterium smegmatis by shotgun proteomics

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of worldwide infectious mortality. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections drives an urgent need to exploit new drug targets. One such target is the ATP-dependent protease ClpC1P1P2, which is strictly essential for viability. However, few proteolytic substrates of mycobacterial ClpC1P1P2 have been identified to date. Recent studies in Bacillus subtilis have shown that the orthologous ClpCP protease recognizes proteolytic substrates bearing post-translational arginine phosphorylation. Several lines of evidence suggest that ClpC1P1P2 similarly recognizes phosphoarginine-bearing proteins, but the existence of phosphoarginine modifications in mycobacteria has remained in question. Here, we confirm the presence of post-translational phosphoarginine modifications in Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (Msm), a nonpathogenic surrogate of Mtb. Using a phosphopeptide enrichment workflow coupled with shotgun phosphoproteomics, we identify arginine phosphosites on a diverse collection of targets within the Msm proteome. Physicochemical and functional characterization of targets suggest that arginine phosphorylation is applied in a sequence-independent manner as part of a proteome-wide quality control pathway. Our findings provide new evidence supporting the existence of phosphoarginine-mediated proteolysis by ClpC1P1P2 in mycobacteria and other actinobacterial species. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=112 SRC="FIGDIR/small/438432v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (22K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@607043org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16a4614org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1efaf5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ee2247_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Long-Term Outcomes of Bilateral Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation for Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to explore the long-term arrhythmic outcomes of bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation (BCSD). Background BCSD has been associated with improved arrhythmic outcomes in patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias. However, whether BCSD antiarrhythmic effects are sustained long after the procedure is still uncertain. Methods We included consecutive patients who underwent BCSD because of refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) and had at least 18 months of follow-up. VT recurrence after BCSD was evaluated to assess arrhythmic outcomes. The occurrence of VT episodes within the first 12 weeks after the procedure was assessed to explore the impact of early VT recurrence on late arrhythmia-free survival. Results Twenty patients (42 ± 16 years; 55% male) were included in the analysis. Nineteen (95%) patients had structural heart disease (left ventricular ejection fraction: 0.46 ± 0.14). Class I or class III drugs failed for all patients, and the mean number of VT ablation procedures was 2.5 ± 1.6. Over a mean follow-up of 1,300 ± 321 days (median: 1,276 days [Interquartile range (IQR): 1,181 to 1,480 days), 11 (55%) patients remained VT free after sympathectomy. Freedom from sustained VT or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock was 60% (95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.77) and 54.5% (95% confidence interval: 0.31 to 0.73) after BCSD at 1 and 4 years. Early VT recurrence was not associated with worse late arrhythmia-free survival rates. Conclusions BCSD was associated with longstanding antiarrhythmic effects in patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias. The occurrence of VT episodes early after the procedure was not associated with worse late arrhythmic outcomes.