cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevotella melaninogenica Meningitis and Abscess: A Complication of the Removal of a Midline Dermoid Cyst

Prevotella species are gram-negative anaerobic commensal bacteria of the oropharynx, which frequently cause periodontal disease but are otherwise rarely implicated in serious bacterial infections. Cranial dermoid cysts are benign neoplasms that grow along the planes of the embryonic neural tube closure. In infants, they most commonly present in frontal locations, including periorbital, nasal, and within the anterior fontanelle. Although dermoid cysts are slow growing, usually uncomplicated, and easily treated definitively with surgical excision, cranial cysts located on the midline are associated with a higher risk for persistent dermal sinus tract with intracranial extension of the tumor. We describe a case of a 10-month-old male patient with an occipital midline dermoid cyst with intracranial extension, infected with Prevotella melaninogenica, and complicated by intracranial abscess formation and meningitis. This case highlights two unusual disease entities: the uncommon occipital location of a dermoid cyst, and complications of that cyst caused by a serious bacterial infection with a normal oral flora. We discuss the recommendation for neuroimaging prior to surgical excision of a midline dermoid cyst, given the risk for dermal sinus tract with intracranial communication. We also discuss potential mechanisms for bacterial inoculation of this cyst with Prevotella melaninogenica. This pathogen has not previously been reported as a complication of dermoid cysts.
Sway Balance Mobile Application: Reliability, Acclimation, and Baseline Administration.

Objectives To describe historic baseline session administration practices, to assess the utility of a practice trial (an acclimation trial) before the official balance session, and to examine the within-session reliability of the Sway Balance Mobile Application (SBMA). Design Retrospective observational study. Setting Middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the United States. Participants More than 17 000 student-athletes were included in the Sway Medical database with 7968 individuals meeting this study's inclusion criteria. Independent variables The Sway Medical database included the following subject characteristics for each student-athlete: age, sex, weight, and height. Main outcome measures Balance assessment score generated by the SBMA. Results Variable administration practices with significant differences between baseline session averages across methods were found. Individuals who performed an acclimation trial had a significantly higher baseline session average than those who did not. Within-session reliability estimates were in the low to adequate range (r = 0.53-0.78), with higher estimates found for 2 consecutive baseline tests (r = 0.75-0.78). Conclusions For maximum clinical utility, a standardized protocol for postural control baseline acquisition is necessary. Acclimation trial should be administered before a baseline session to minimize variability, especially with only 1 to 2 baseline tests. The highest reliability was observed across 2 consecutive baseline tests within the same baseline session. We suggest obtaining baseline balance measurements with an acclimation trial followed by a baseline session with 2 baseline tests. Prospective studies are required for validation.
Draft Genome Sequences of Six Skin Isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes.

ABSTRACT Whole-genome shotgun sequences and bottom-up assembly of contigs of six skin isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, viz., NS88.3 (emm98.1), NS223 (emm91), NS455 (emm52), SS1448 (emm86.2), SS1572 (emm223), and SS1574 (emm224), are presented here. All contigs were annotated, and the gene arrangements and the inferred proteins were consistent with a pattern D classification.
ENERGY AUDITING AND CONSERVATION FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS

The Center for Technology Assessment (CEA) at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been contracted since April, 1979 by the New Jersey Department of Energy (NJDOE) to organize and administer a detailed energy audit program for all public schools, health care facilities, municipal buildings and State Colleges. A detailed computerized program and Manual was developed for each type of facility that allowed the local officials or available senior engineering students from NJIT to perform the audits. This paper will discuss the audit program and present generalized results and documented energy savings for the numerous buildings that were audited. In addition, an Operation and Maintenance (O & M) Manual was also created and presented to the people responsible for the public buildings at various training systems throughout the State. The response by the energy managers to this Manual and the overall audit and O & M training programs will be discussed.
Understanding the Factors Driving on Farm Crop Genetic Diversity: Empirical Evidence from Mexico

This chapter outlines an empirical approach to understanding the determinants of farmers’ access to, and use of, crop genetic resources (CGR) and the impacts of farmer behavior on crop populations. These are critical to modeling the current status of agricultural biodiversity on farm, as well as in designing and implementing effective programs for the in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity. A case study from applied fieldwork in Mexico is also provided to illustrate the concepts presented. Empirical evidence is presented to demonstrate the type of data to be collected from farm level surveys that is necessary to measure population level processes from farmer behavior.
Endogenous opiates and the placebo effect: a meta-analytic review

Abstract Objective A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the ability of placebo administration to reduce self-report of pain and to examine whether placebo-induced pain reduction might have physiological and psychological underpinnings. Method Forty-five effect sizes and 1183 participants from 12 studies were meta-analyzed for the effects of placebo and the opioid antagonist, naloxone, on self-report of pain. Results Analyses showed that placebo administration was associated with a decrease in self-report of pain, and a hidden or blind injection of naloxone reversed placebo-induced analgesia. Furthermore, there were significant between-group differences for type of pain (experimental vs. postoperative/clinical) for placebo studies. Conclusions The results support the literature illustrating that the belief and expectation of analgesia induces discrete physiological changes, leading to relief from pain, and this response may be mediated by endogenous opioids. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the symbolic aspect of health care and mental health providers' words and context, and their potential impact on the course of illness and well-being.
Accounting for Student Success: Academic and Stakeholder Perspectives That Have Shaped the Discourse on Student Success in the United States:

The meaning of student success differs according to the goals, interests and roles among prospective students, their parents and extended family, educators, scholars, employers, legislators and oth...
In sickness and in health: partner’s physical and mental health predicts cortisol levels in couples

Individuals in stable relationships tend to be healthier than those not in stable relationships. Despite this general positive influence of relationships on health, the mechanisms for the impact of...
Nanotechnology and picotechnology: A new arena for translational medicine

Abstract During recent decades, nanotechnology has captured a great attention in materials science, medicine and biomedical engineering. Nanomedicine as one of the sub-disciplines of nanotechnology usually defines as “science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale”. Among different aspects of nanomedicine, tissue engineering mostly evolved from the field of biomaterials development and refers to the practice of combining scaffolds, cells, and biologically active molecules into functional tissues. In fact, assembly of functional constructs that can restore, maintain, or improve damaged tissues or whole organs is the main goal of tissue engineering. On the other hand, regenerative medicine is defined as medicine that replaces or regenerates human cells, tissue or organs to restore or reestablish normal function where the body uses its own systems, sometimes with the help of foreign biological materials. Indeed, emergence of nanotechnology has set high expectations in biological science and translational medicine, which is possibly due to the fact that the sizes of functional elements in biology are in the nanometer range and therefore promote the interaction between nanomaterials and biological systems. For instance, in the realm of utilizing biomaterials for regenerative medicine, promising biomaterials must simultaneously boost tissue regeneration while minimizing immune responses and preventing infection. On top of that, a newly developing technology field termed “pico-technology,” may be able to further take advantage of pico-scale elements of biological systems. Pico-technology as an approach to manipulate materials at the atomic and sub-atomic level provides a better tool for scientists to advance many fields such as biological systems, medicine, imaging and materials synthesis by designing of more personalized and accurate treatments.
Patient Body Mass Index (BMI) Knowledge in a Rural Primary Care Population.

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) is a traditional method of measuring obesity and an accepted quality measure in many health systems. However, little is known about how patients9 understanding of BMI has progressed/changed in the last several years. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the change in patients9 knowledge of BMI and weight-related risk factors. A secondary outcome of this study was to determine the incidence of physician discussion about BMI with the patient. Methods: We administered an anonymous survey to primary care patients in 33 rural family medicine clinics in 2013 and 2017. The survey included 8 questions regarding BMI knowledge and 5 demographic questions. Results: A total of 573 patients completed the survey. There were 345 participants from 2013 and 238 from 2017. The sample included more women than men. There was no significant difference in age or proportion of comorbidities across the 2 survey years. Compared with year 2013, more survey participants from year 2017 knew that BMI stood for “body mass index” (71.1% vs 61.2%, P = .02) and understood what medical concerns were related to BMI (65.5% vs 50.7%, P = .0005). The percentages of participants who reported that their doctor ever discussed BMI with them went up from 20.1% to 28.7% (P = .02). Conclusion: In this cross-sectional cohort study, it was found that patients9 knowledge about BMI and weight-related risk factors has increased modestly. However, despite the increase in patients9 knowledge and discussions about BMI with their primary care physician, there was not a decrease in BMI. Future studies are needed to provide more detailed information about the discussion between patients and providers in relation to the patient9s personal weight status.
Nursing home quality: what matters to patients

A recent BMJ Quality & Safety article and accompanying editorial highlighted key challenges with quality measurement in US nursing homes, including the challenge of identifying the impact of measures on observable patient outcomes and determining what matters in terms of measurement.1 2 Both pieces offer important insights into the issue of measuring what is meaningful and both offer ideas for improvements. Picking up a thread from the BMJ Quality & Safety editorial, this viewpoint advances the discussion of measuring what matters. However, this viewpoint shifts the focus to measuring what matters to patients . Considering the multiple types of care and people cared for in nursing homes, we can broaden our understanding of ‘patients’ to mean long-stay nursing home residents, short-stay postacute/rehabilitation patients, and families of residents and patients. While the focus of the editorial is on process and outcome measures of quality, the authors acknowledge that measuring quality of life is ‘often paramount’ to nursing home residents.2 Indeed, patient and resident perspective measures are critical for understanding the quality of any particular nursing home. Although measuring patient perspective matters in all care situations, it is particularly important in the case of nursing homes. Nursing homes can be understood as ‘total institutions’, in which all aspects of an individual’s life are lived out within the facility for that individual’s tenure there.3 For nursing home patients and residents, this means that they eat, sleep, socialise and receive care all within the walls of a nursing home. In this context, it makes sense that understanding patient and resident perspectives—their assessment of their quality of life, their satisfaction with the facility and services, and their experiences with staff and day-to-day life—matters tremendously. Given that families of patients and residents often serve as the voice for ill or impaired loved ones, …
NMR Structure Elucidation in the Presence of Heteroatoms: An In-Class Activity

In the undergraduate curriculum, the focus of NMR spectroscopy is predominately on molecules containing 1H and 13C as the sole NMR-active nuclei. Teaching students about the impact of NMR-active heteronuclei such as 19F or 31P can be challenging to fit in the undergraduate curriculum, especially if NMR instrumentation and/or a range of compounds are not available. We present an activity to be conducted in class that exposes undergraduates to how heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy can be used to aid in structure elucidation when NMR-active heteroatoms are present. The purpose of the activity is both to expand student understanding of NMR applications as well as further their understanding of the underlying principles of NMR. The activity utilizes a comparative analysis of 1H and 13C NMR spectra of a compound containing no NMR-active heteroatoms with a structurally analogous compound containing I > 0 heteroatoms. Students are tasked with predicting the impact of the heteroatom on the NMR spectrum, followed by the assignment of signals in the actual NMR spectra.
Structural response of concrete pavement slabs under hygrothermal actions

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the structural response of concrete pavement slabs subjected to ambient environmental actions. Experimental data come from six bonded concrete overlay of asphalt pavements built with rapid strength concrete mixtures. The mixtures contained either portland cement or calcium sulfoaluminate cement, and included an internally cured concrete with pre-wetted lightweight aggregates. The pavement slabs were instrumented with temperature, relative humidity, and strain sensors. The measured temperatures and strains were analyzed by using a model that includes two components, one for moisture-related shrinkage and another for thermal deformations. The analysis of data collected over fifteen months shows that the ambient environment actions considerably impact the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of pavement slabs concrete. Because of drying, the thermal deformations of the slabs were up to 65% larger than predicted based on the CTE determined in the laboratory under saturated conditions following AASHTO T 336. The analysis of the experimental data supplements the understanding of how drying and autogenous shrinkage accumulates in concrete pavement slabs in the field, depending on mixture type and weather conditions. Experimental results from this study question the validity of a number of assumptions adopted in current mechanistic-empirical design procedures for concrete pavements, including the constant CTE of the concrete and the depth of drying penetration in pavement slabs.
Precursor effects and field-induced short-range order above the Verwey transition in single Fe3O4 crystals

The internal fields in single crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) have been previously studied through muon-spin rotation (μSR). By Maximum-Entropy (ME) μSR, we analyze Fe3O4 μSR data with external fields parallel to the , or axis. The ME peak-to-noise ratio is optimized by varying the filter time and time interval. Several μSR time series indicate a beat pattern. Using MEμSR, a second frequency signal is seen at non-zero fields in the temperature range above the Verwey transition (TV = ∼123 K). At zero field, MEμSR confirms with much-improved precision the existence of one frequency signal found earlier by curve fitting (CF) and Fourier transformation (FT). We compare our room temperature (RT) field-dependent MEμSR transforms for Fe3O4 with those found at 205 K to study a second order phase transition at the Wigner temperature (TW = ∼247 K). At RT and 205 K for fields below the demagnetization field and parallel to Fe3O4, a second MEμSR frequency is observed, missed by CF and FT. These extra magnetic fields fall on the extended magnetization curves below and above TW. At RT, a small field induces a short-range order similar to the precursor effects in the TV – TW interval. At 205 K within that precursor T-interval, we observe a comparable RT-disordered state. The existence of these additional internal fields is likely related to phonon-assisted 3d-electron(-spin) hopping and short-range order behaviors. Our MEμSR studies lead to a better understanding of the local magnetism in this Mott-Wigner glass.The internal fields in single crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) have been previously studied through muon-spin rotation (μSR). By Maximum-Entropy (ME) μSR, we analyze Fe3O4 μSR data with external fields parallel to the , or axis. The ME peak-to-noise ratio is optimized by varying the filter time and time interval. Several μSR time series indicate a beat pattern. Using MEμSR, a second frequency signal is seen at non-zero fields in the temperature range above the Verwey transition (TV = ∼123 K). At zero field, MEμSR confirms with much-improved precision the existence of one frequency signal found earlier by curve fitting (CF) and Fourier transformation (FT). We compare our room temperature (RT) field-dependent MEμSR transforms for Fe3O4 with those found at 205 K to study a second order phase transition at the Wigner temperature (TW = ∼247 K). At RT and 205 K for fields below the demagnetization field and parallel to Fe3O4, a second MEμSR frequency is observed, missed by CF and FT. T...
Effective Property Uncertainty of Graphite Electrodes from Computed Tomography Using Bayesian Convolutional Neural Networks

In recent years there have been great advances in using 3D tomography in battery research, providing the ability to see as-manufactured electrodes at the mesoscale. These structures are subsequently used to find effective properties or perform detailed electrochemical simulations. A key step of this analysis is image segmentation, which differentiates particle and void phases. Image segmentation, however, is painstaking and fraught with subjectiveness. Removing this subjectiveness is paramount in having credible direct numerical simulations to bridge the gap of the computational and experimental regimes. To improve the image segmentation process and quantify its uncertainty, a Bayesian convolutional neural network (BCNN) is implemented to segment greyscale tomograms of graphite electrodes. The use of a BCNN allows for native and explainable uncertainty estimates. Two manually segmented tomograms were used to train the BCNN, which was in turn used to segment an additional four tomograms. This process was effective in creating high quality binary stacks, which in some cases presented a subjectively superior segmentation compared to the manual process. Additionally, BCNN-generated uncertainty estimates provide a range of possible image segmentations and structures. These nominal and uncertainty ranged structures are propagated through simulations of effective electrical conductivity and pore phase tortuosity, providing both nominal property predictions and geometric uncertainty estimates of those predictions. This work demonstrates a new method for quantifying geometric uncertainty from as-manufactured electrode images and the impact of that uncertainty regarding battery-relevant physical phenomena.
Subtle sensory and labeling modifications have minimal impact on expected appetitive sensations in chewy bars

Given the contribution of frequent hunger and overeating to the rising incidence of obesity, strategies to increase the satiating and satiety-inducing properties of snacks and meals are needed. In this study, we conducted three experiments to explore the contribution of sensory and labeling modifications to expected satiation and satiety in a popular and versatile snack: a chewy bar. For each experiment, we chose subtle interventions that could be incorporated into a variety of products without requiring significant reformulation. In experiment one, participants evaluated ten chewy bar samples (five flavors, two peanut form conditions) and rated five expected appetitive sensations. In experiment two, participants viewed one of six packaging images with various labeling interventions (control, protein bar label, "good for you" logo, meal bar label, calorie content logo, and "satisfies hunger longer" logo). The strongest sensory and labeling interventions from the first two experiments were combined and simultaneously evaluated in experiment three. Although we did not detect any significant effects of sensory or labeling modifications in any of the experiments, exploratory post-hoc analysis suggested that whole peanuts suppressed expected hunger and increased expected fullness, and that protein labeling increased expected satiety. Additionally, through a penalty-benefit analysis of check-all-that-apply (CATA) product characteristics, we identified several attributes that consumers may positively (wholesome, indulgent, sweet, heavy, rich) and negatively (processed) associate with expected appetitive sensations. Incorporation of sensory and packaging cues that elicit (or avoid, in the case of "processed") these attributes may aid in the creation of functional products to help manage appetite. Combining several intrinsic and extrinsic product modifications is likely necessary to meaningfully alter expected appetitive sensations.
High Volume Rate 3D Ultrasound Imaging Using Fast-Tilting Reflectors

3-D ultrasound imaging is essential for accurate measurement of volumes, proper interpretation of anatomy, and guiding interventional procedures in the clinic. Furthermore, 3-D ultrasound imaging with a high volume rate is critical for advancing emerging techniques such as elastography, blood flow imaging, functional ultrasound (fUS) and super-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy from 2-D to 3-D. However, current 3-D ultrasound techniques are burdened by the low imaging volume rate of methods based on 1-D arrays, and the high fabrication and computational costs of 2-D arrays. Although some of the drawbacks can be mitigated by techniques such as row-column-addressing arrays, sparse arrays, and micro-beamforming, a viable solution that provides high imaging quality, low-cost, and high volume rates remains elusive. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel 3-D ultrasound imaging technique: Fast Acoustic Steering via Tilting Electromechanical Reflectors (FASTER). FASTER uses a water-immersible and fast-tilting microfabricated electromechanical mirror to steer ultrafast plane waves in the elevational direction to achieve large field-of-view (FOV) 3-D imaging at a high volume rate with conventional 1-D transducers. A wire phantom study using a 15 MHz transducer demonstrated that FASTER could provide spatially accurate 3-D images (48 degree or 20 mm range at 25 mm depth in the elevational direction) with a 500 Hz imaging volume rate, which has comparable imaging resolution with conventional 3-D imaging based on the mechanical translation of the 1-D transducers. A tissue-mimicking phantom study shows that FASTER provides a comparable contrast level with mechanical translation-based 3-D imaging. FASTER offers a unique solution providing high imaging volume rates, large FOVs, and low-cost 3-D imaging that can be conveniently implemented on existing clinical systems with few hardware or software modifications.
Patient Insurance Status Is Associated With Care Received After Transfer Among Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department

Abstract Objective To determine whether frequency of interfacility transfer varied by insurance status among pediatric emergency department (ED) patients. Secondarily, we tested for an association between insurance status and odds of transfer with discharge from the second ED without observation or admission. Methods We used the 2016 New York State ED and Inpatient Databases to identify all patients Results Of 1,303,575 pediatric ED visits, 6086 (0.5%) were transferred. Transfers were less frequent among patients with public or no insurance. Of 3801 ED-to-ED transfers, 1451 (38%) were without subsequent observation or admission. In bivariate and multivariable analysis, transferred patients with public and with no insurance were less likely to be discharged without observation or admission relative to privately insured patients. Conclusion Among ED-to-ED transfers, pediatric patients with public or without insurance were more often kept for observation or admission at the second hospital after transfer. Differences in disease acuity or in providers’ perception of follow-up availability may play a role in explaining these patterns. This disparity merits further investigation.
Analyzing Anatomic Pathology On-Call Summaries to Improve Resident Education.

Context.— Pathology on-call experiences help prepare trainees for successful transition from residency to independent practice, and as such are an integral component of training. However, few data exist on anatomic pathology resident on-call workload and experience. Objective.— To obtain an overall picture of the anatomic pathology on-call experience to inform and improve resident education. Design.— Retrospective and prospective review of the daily anatomic pathology on-call summaries from July 2016 to June 2020. Results.— During the first 2 years of the study (ie, retrospective portion), only 19% of on-call summaries (138 of 730) were available for review. After interventions, the on-call summary submission rate jumped to 98% (716 of 731). After-hours calls were most frequent on weekdays from 5 to 8 pm. The most frequent requests were for frozen sections (55%; 619 of 1125 calls), inquiries regarding disposition of fresh placentas (13%; 148 of 1125 calls), and inquiries regarding disposition of various other specimens (6%; 68 of 1125 calls). After-hours frozen section requests were most frequent for gynecologic and head and neck specimens. Notably, a significant number of after-hours calls were recurring preanalytic issues amenable to system-level improvements. We were able to eliminate the most common of these recurring preanalytic calls with stepwise interventions. Conclusions.— To our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the anatomic pathology resident on-call experience. In addition to obtaining a broad overview of the residents' clinical exposure on this service, we identified and resolved issues critical to optimal patient care (eg, inconsistent "patient hand-off") and improved the resident on-call experience (eg, fewer preanalytic calls increased resident time for other clinical, educational, or wellness activities).
Examining Visual Semantic Understanding in Blind and Low-Vision Technology Users

Visual semantics provide spatial information like size, shape, and position, which are necessary to understand and efficiently use interfaces and documents. Yet little is known about whether blind and low-vision (BLV) technology users want to interact with visual affordances, and, if so, for which task scenarios. In this work, through semi-structured and task-based interviews, we explore preferences, interest levels, and use of visual semantics among BLV technology users across two device platforms (smartphones and laptops), and information seeking and interactions common in apps and web browsing. Findings show that participants could benefit from access to visual semantics for collaboration, navigation, and design. To learn this information, our participants used trial and error, sighted assistance, and features in existing screen reading technology like touch exploration. Finally, we found that missing information and inconsistent screen reader representations of user interfaces hinder learning. We discuss potential applications and future work to equip BLV users with necessary information to engage with visual semantics.
CAMeleon: Reconfigurable B(T)CAM in Computational RAM

Embedded/edge computing comes with a very stringent hardware resource (area) budget and a need for extreme energy efficiency. This motivates repurposing, i.e., reconfiguring hardware resources on demand, where the overhead of reconfiguration itself is subject to the very same tight budgets in area and energy efficiency. Numerous applications running on resource constrained environments such as wearable devices and Internet-of-Things incorporate CAM (Content Addressable Memory) as a key computational building block. In this paper we present CAMeleon -- a novel energy-efficient compute substrate which can seamlessly be reconfigured to perform CAM operations in addition to logic and memory functions. CAMeleon has a similar level of latency to conventional CAM designs based on SRAM and emerging memory technologies (such as STT-MTJ, ReRAM and PCM), however, performs CAM operations more energy-efficiently, consumes less area, and can support traditional logic and memory functions beyond CAM operations on demand thanks to its reconfigurability.
Efficacy of a combination modified-live IBR-BVD-PI3-BRSV vaccine + Mannheimia haemolytica toxoid against challenge with virulent BVDV-1b and BVDV-2 viruses in young calves 60 days of age

Efficacy of attenuated (att) bovine viral diarrhea virus (types 1 and 2) as antigen fractions in a modified-live multivalent vaccine were evaluated following single, subcutaneous (SC) administration and intranasal (IN) challenge 35 to 38 d after vaccination, with either virulent BVDV-1b (Study 1) or BVDV-2 (Study 2) viruses in young calves. A total of 80 BVDV-seronegative Holstein calves, 53 to 61 d of age at the time of vaccination, were used in 2 separate studies with 40 animals per study. In each study, calves were allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups (20 animals per group) which received either a single dose of combination modified-live bovine rhinotracheitis (BHV-1)-bovine virus diarrhea-parainfluenza 3-respiratory syncytial virus vaccine + Mannheimia haemolytica toxoid, or corresponding placebo formulation without targeted test antigen fractions attBVDV-1a and attBVDV-2. In the respective studies, multivalent vaccine induced significantly higher virus neutralizing antibody responses and reduced incidence and duration of leukopenia and viremia in vaccinated animals compared to placebo-treated animals. Post-challenge leukopenia, a hallmark of BVDV infection, was observed in 75% and 100% of control calves compared to only 26.3% and 25% in vaccinated animals in Study 1 and Study 2, respectively (p=0.006; p=0.0001). In addition, duration of leukopenia was significantly shorter in vaccinates compared to placebo controls (p=0.0091 Study 1; p<0.0001 Study 2). Furthermore, 100% of placebo-treated calves in both studies were viremic compared to 57.9% (Study 1) and 25% (Study 2) of vaccinated animals, resulting in significant reduction of post-challenge viremia (p=0.0012, Study 1; p=0.0001, Study 2). The duration of viremia was significantly shorter (p<0.0001) in vaccinated groups compared to control calves in both studies. In conclusion, data from the current studies demonstrated vaccine efficacy in 60-day-old calves against BVDV-1b and BVDV-2 infection.
Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing a Novel Motion-Assistive Device to Standard Physical Therapy for Initial Management of Knee Range of Motion after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

This prospective randomized clinical trial assessed a novel device for initial management of knee range of motion (ROM), pain, and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Primary TKA patients with preoperative ROM of at least 5° to 115° were randomized to initial knee motion management: Mizzou BioJoint Flex—novel motion-assistive device with prescribed physical therapy or standard physical therapy—prescribed physical therapy. ROM, pain score, and knee injury and osteoarthritis score for joint replacement (KOOSjr) were obtained preoperatively and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively. Patient satisfaction for both cohorts and subjective assessments of the MBF device were assessed at 3 months. Readmissions, reoperations, and complications were assessed through 1 year. Nineteen patients were randomized to each cohort, with no significant preoperative differences in demographics, pain score, KOOSjr score, or ROM. Six SPT (31.6%) and 3 MBF (15.8%) patients failed to regain preoperative ROM (p = 0.044). One SPT (5.3%) and eight MBF (42%) patients exceeded 125° ROM (p = 0.019) by 3 months. Total ROM (p = 0.039), pain (p = 0.0068), and function (p = 0.0027) were significantly better for MBF at 3 months. MBF patients reported significantly higher satisfaction (mean, 9.4 ± 1.1 vs. 8.0 ± 1.8, respectively; p = 0.0084). One patient in each group underwent manipulation under anesthesia. No other readmissions, reoperations, or complications were reported. A novel durable medical equipment device can provide a safe and effective patient-controlled method for initial management of knee ROM, pain, and function after primary TKA with potential clinically meaningful advantages over physical therapy alone. In conjunction with physical therapy, management with this novel knee flexion device more effectively restored knee ROM and early patient function when compared with therapy alone and was associated with higher proportions of patients regaining minimum (115°) and desired (125°) levels of knee ROM and clinically meaningful differences in pain scores, knee function, and patient satisfaction. This is a Level 1, prospective trial study.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of precipitation and austenite reversion during aging of Ti-free grade 300 maraging steel manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)

Austenite reversion and intermetallic precipitation are two key phase transformations in maraging steels which determine the strength and ductility. Usually, an optimum aging temperature/time is determined using trial and error approach with inputs from thermodynamic databases and a-posteriori microscopy/hardness evaluations. In this study, a thermo-kinetic model is developed to predict the precipitation and austenite reversion kinetics during various post-fabrication heat treatments in a Ti-free variant of grade 300 maraging steel manufactured using laser powder bed fusion. The thermo-kinetic model was based on the principles of Scheil solidification and the classical nucleation theory. The predictions from the thermo-kinetic model were verified using suitable microscopy techniques, and the results from the thermo-kinetic model agree well with the experimental measurements. Results highlight the fact that an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering approach can be used to predict the precipitation and austenite reversion kinetics, and be used as an input for an efficient design of heat treatments for achieving optimum mechanical properties.
The Federal Circuit Dataset Project

This paper introduces the third generation of the Federal Circuit Dataset Project. The third generation builds on the existing Compendium of Federal Circuit Decisions with the following enhancements: • The addition of a dataset of all dockets for the Federal Circuit since 2000. These dockets are linked to the documents in the Compendium through the Appeal_Dockets field in both datasets. • New fields containing additional information about Federal Circuit decisions • More complete data in existing fields that require manual coding • Parallel archiving of the document and docket datasets on the Dataverse. In addition to describing the third generation of the Federal Circuit Dataset Project, this paper also provides updated descriptive statistics about Federal Circuit decisions and new statistics on appeal dockets.
Improving Fractal Pre-training.

The deep neural networks used in modern computer vision systems require enormous image datasets to train them. These carefully-curated datasets typically have a million or more images, across a thousand or more distinct categories. The process of creating and curating such a dataset is a monumental undertaking, demanding extensive effort and labelling expense and necessitating careful navigation of technical and social issues such as label accuracy, copyright ownership, and content bias. What if we had a way to harness the power of large image datasets but with few or none of the major issues and concerns currently faced? This paper extends the recent work of Kataoka et. al. (2020), proposing an improved pre-training dataset based on dynamically-generated fractal images. Challenging issues with large-scale image datasets become points of elegance for fractal pre-training: perfect label accuracy at zero cost; no need to store/transmit large image archives; no privacy/demographic bias/concerns of inappropriate content, as no humans are pictured; limitless supply and diversity of images; and the images are free/open-source. Perhaps surprisingly, avoiding these difficulties imposes only a small penalty in performance. Leveraging a newly-proposed pre-training task -- multi-instance prediction -- our experiments demonstrate that fine-tuning a network pre-trained using fractals attains 92.7-98.1\% of the accuracy of an ImageNet pre-trained network.
Social Clubs in a Princely State: The Case from Hyderabad, Deccan

Social clubs began in India in the late eighteenth century in the wake of British colonial expansion. Clubs flourished in colonial India’s two great administrative divisions: those areas under dire...
Premenopausal hysterectomy and cardiovascular disease

A premenopausal simple hysterectomy is associated with a threefold increase in the subsequent incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease during the remaining premenopausal years. During the 10 years following a premenopausal hysterectomy, there is an approximately 4% probability of developing coronary heart disease and a 0.4% probability of dying from it. For every 28 uterine cancer deaths prevented by hysterectomy in 30-year-old women, there is an operative death. To be assured that premenopausal hysterectomies do not cause more deaths from cardiovascular disease than they save by prevention of uterine cancer requires a prospective study of 20,000 women observed until death. Pending further elucidation of this phenomenon, gynecologists should consider advising premenopausal women considering hysterectomy on the risks of coronary heart disease following the procedure.
The impact of effort-oriented epistemological beliefs on mentoring support

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of mentor beliefs about effort related to the knowledge and learning process on their extent of mentoring at work, and to determine the role that the mentor’s perception of psychological safety plays in tempering this relationship. Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted at an 820-member organization maintenance and operations organization consisting of a number of professions in which apprenticeship-style learning is prevalent. Data collection resulted in 570 members self-identifying as having mentored a less experienced colleague. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm that the measurement instrument represents one unified factor, and a structural equation modelling approach was used to assess the relationships among the study’s latent variables. Findings – Results reveal that mentors who hold sophisticated effort-oriented beliefs are more likely to offer psychosocial support to their proteges. Further, although the rela...
Properties of Conjugated Protein Immunogens Which Selectively Stimulate Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity

If bovine serum albumin (BSA) is covalently conjugated with dodecanoic acid, its ability to stimulate delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is enhanced whereas its ability to stimulate antibody production is suppressed. Conjugates of BSA prepared with negatively charged succinyl groups and positively charged amidine groups were unable to stimulate any detectable DTH to BSA even though their ability to bind anti-BSA antibody in a radioimmunoassay was similar to that of dodecanoyl-BSA which stimulated strong, sustained DTH. By analyzing a series of conjugates of BSA with fatty acids of varying chain length, we found that enhancement of the ability of a preparation to stimulate DTH to BSA could be separated from the suppression of its ability to stimulate antibody formation. The ability of a preparation to stimulate DTH correlated with the covalent conjugation of a large number of hydrophobic groups whereas the suppression of the ability to stimulate antibody formation correlated with covering of antibody-combining sites as measured in a radioimmunoassay.
Neurobiology of traumatic stress disorders and their impact on physical health

Every emotion, thought and action that a person experiences is preceded and accompanied by changes in the biology of the body. Although DesCartes asserted that the body and mind are fundamentally different, he (and philosophers and scientists for centuries since) recognized that the biology of the body is highly related to the activity of the mind. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a good example. Scientific studies have shown that people suffering from PTSD are biologically different than other people, although it is not yet fully understood whether (and when) those biological differences are the causes or effects of PTSD—or the byproducts of other disorders that occur along with PTSD (“comorbidities”). This chapter therefore summarizes the rapidly growing scientific evidence base that has shown that PTSD is associated with three essential types of biological changes: (a) alterations in the body's stress response systems; (b) alterations in brain chemistry, structure and functioning; and (c) physical health problems or diseases.
Sub-Doppler molecular-iodine transitions near the dissociation limit (523-498 nm).

A widely tunable and high-resolution spectrometer based on a frequency-doubled Ti:sapphire laser was used to explore sub-Doppler transitions of iodine molecules in the wavelength range 523 –498 nm. The wavelength dependence of the hyperfine transition linewidth of iodine was mapped out in this region, and the narrowest linewidth was 4 kHz near 508 nm. The hyperfine-resolved patterns were found to be largely modified toward the dissociation limit. The observed excellent signal-to-noise ratio should lead to high-quality optical frequency standards that are better than those of the popular 532-nm system. © 2002 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 020.2930, 120.3940, 120.4800, 300.1030, 300.3700.
Insulin and its role in chronic kidney disease

The body's resistance to the actions of insulin (type II diabetes defect) results in compensatory increased production and secretion by the pancreas and leads to hyperinsulinemia in order to maintain euglycemia. When insulin secretion cannot be increased adequately (type I diabetes defect) to overcome insulin resistance in maintaining glucose homeostasis, hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance ensues. Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance has been well recognized in patients with advanced chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The etiology may involve uremic toxins from protein catabolism, vitamin D deficiency, metabolic acidosis, anemia, poor physical fitness, inflammation, and cachexia. Glucose and insulin abnormalities in nondiabetic CKD patients are implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia and may represent important risk factors for accelerated atherosclerosis in these patients. Insulin secretion inadequacy has been associated with growth retardation in adolescents with CKD. Normal adolescents demonstrate an increase in insulin secretion as they go into puberty. It seems that the puberty growth spurt in adolescents both with normal health and renal failure may require increased insulin secretion as one of its hormonal requirements. Finally, insulin resistance has been associated with CKD. Whether insulin resistance is an antecedent of CKD or a consequence of impaired kidney function has been a subject of debate. The goal of this review was to provide an update of the literature on insulin pathophysiology in CKD, current understanding of its mechanisms, and epidemiological association of insulin resistance and CKD.
Thermal decomposition of 2,4,4,5,5-pentaphenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane

Certain five-membered dioxaheterocyclic compounds (hetero atoms may be P, Si, S, etc.) contain a strained carbon–carbon bond which may undergo homolytic thermolysis at modest temperatures to generate a diradical capable of initiating vinyl polymerization. If substituents contain flame-retarding moieties this represents a convenient method for imparting flame retrdancy to a polymeric material. Of particular interest has been 2,4,4,5,5-pentaphenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane. The thermal degradation of this compound has been studied using 13C NMR spectroscopy. This may conveniently be done by monitoring the intensity of the signal for the benzylic carbon atom as a function of time and temperature. A simple transformation is the conversion of the cyclic compound to the linear polymer.
Effects of Age and Sex on the Development of Personal Space Schemata towards Body Build

Abstract This study assessed personal space schemata of white male and female children from kindergarten through third grade (total N = 202) towards stimulus figures representing male and female Endomorphs, Mesomorphs, and Ectomorphs. Results indicate that greater distances were used towards the Endomorph than towards the other two physique types at all grade levels, and that there was a grade-associated increase in the use of space. Greater distances were generally maintained towards female stimuli; in addition, children tended to come closer to same-sex stimuli than towards opposite-sex stimuli. These sex differences were greater at higher grade levels, but were less pronounced at all grade levels in reaction to the Endomorph stimulus. The results were discussed in light of previous studies of the development of personal space and of body build stereotypes.
Electron resonance linewidth anisotropy of CsMnCl3

Abstract The angular dependence of the EPR linewidth in the paramagnetic region for CsMnCl 3 is accurately represented by A(1+cos 2 θ ) + B in accord with conventional exchange narrowing theory but the spin fluctuations in this material are not in the short correlation time limit.
Some thoughts on paper notes and electronic messages

At two institutions, with which I am familiar, there are two very noticeable differences in the ways in which people communicate. One has to do with the use of the computer mail system. The other with a far more mundane communication device: pregummed notepads. A brief look at similarities and differences between these two media and their use at two different locations may be illuminating with respect to design criteria for message systems. While some of the extrapolations seem to give silly or dull results, others seem to be very suggestive. Most important is the suggestion of a broader definition of message recipient.