cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surfactant Effects on the Electrochemical Reduction of an α,β-Unsaturated Ketone

The effects of surfactants HTABr, SDS, and Brij 35 on the electrochemical reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketone 9at a Hg cathode were determined. In aqueous micellar media the yields of ketone 8were higher than in an Et0H-Na0C0Me-MeC02H-H20 buffer. The influence of HTABr was ascribed to a combination of micellar and ion pairing effects, and that of Brij 35 to the former. The origin of the increased yield of 8 with SDS was not clear.
Founding Fathers of Stone Chemistry

Introduction and Objective The beginnings of our now widely held philosophy that the ancient malady, urolithiasis, is understood and perhaps at the cusp of medical control had its alluvial beginnings at the dawn of clinical chemistry itself. In this section we will explore the details of early modern writings about urolithiasis with particular attention to those authors prior to the twentieth century.
Removal capacity and chemical speciation of groundwater iodide (I-) and iodate (IO3-) sequestered by organoclays and granular activated carbon.

Abstract Radioiodine (present mostly as 129I) is difficult to remove from waste streams or contaminated groundwater because it tends to exist as multiple anionic species (i.e., iodide (I−), iodate (IO3−) and organo-iodide) that do not bind to minerals or synthetic materials. In this work, the efficacy of organoclay OCB and OCM, and granular activated carbon (GAC) as sorbents to bind I− and IO3− from artificial groundwater (AGW) was examined. These sorbents were highly effective at removing I− and IO3− from AGW under oxic condition, with the adsorption capacity up to 30 mg I/g sorbent. Based on X-ray spectroscopy measurements, I− was bound to organic ligands in organoclays OCB and OCM, but when GAC was exposed to I− in groundwater, the sequestered I species was molecular I2. For IO3− interacting with organoclay OCB and GAC, the adsorbed I species remained being IO3−, but when organoclay OCM that contains both quaternary amine and sulfur was exposed to IO3−, the sulfur compound would reduce IO3− to I− that was then bound to organic ligands. Thus, the inexpensive and high-capacity organoclays and GAC may provide a practical solution for removing 129I contaminant from environmental systems and liquid nuclear wastes.
Ofatumumab in post‐transplantation recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a child

FSGS is a potentially devastating form of nephrotic syndrome. Treatment of SRNS can be difficult, especially post-transplantation. The current therapy of post-transplant SRNS includes plasmapheresis, ACE-I, CNI, and monoclonal antibodies (rituximab). Patients who are refractory to these interventions have limited therapeutic alternatives. We present a case of a patient with SRNS secondary to FSGS. He did not respond to immunosuppressive medications prior to transplant, progressed to ESRD, and was started on chronic hemodialysis. He received a DDKT which was complicated by post-transplant FSGS recurrence. A course of plasmapheresis, rituximab, and CNI were administered with some response. Ofatumumab was then given to the patient. As a result, the patient achieved partial remission. Ofatumumab may be a safe and effective option for post-transplant recurrence of FSGS.
Bathrooms and Bakers: How Sharing the Public Square Is the Key to a Truce in the Culture Wars in Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights, and the Prospects for Common Ground

In most of the US, access by LGBT persons to public places follows a red/blue fault line. In twenty-nine red states, businesses can tell LGBT people to get out, with impunity. In twenty-one blue states, nondiscrimination laws predating marriage equality, written without marriage in mind, do not account for religious views of marriage; here, the baker who cannot for religious reasons celebrate same-sex weddings can be told to “get out” – with the business fined and sometimes closing. The longstanding structure of public accommodations laws – that every service must be provided alike or nothing provided – perpetuates conflict, stalling new sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) nondiscrimination laws. Compounding matters, opponents have labelled SOGI protections “bathroom bills,” blocking public accommodations laws protecting the full LGBT community since 2008. This chapter argues that laws should regulate business, not individual owners. It is possible to authorize businesses to share restrooms in a way that preserves the dignity and privacy of all patrons, just as legislators can construct laws that ensure no one is turned away from a business on Main Street while keeping religious bakers in business. New models for sharing the public square are the key to a truce in the culture wars.
Smart Spaces, Information Processing, and the Question of Intelligence

As spaces increasingly come to be described as “smart,” “sentient,” or “thinking,” scholars remain in disagreement as to the nature of intelligence, knowledge, or the “human mind.” This article ope...
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin picking among adults with skin disease symptoms

Abstract Despite its relevance, few studies have examined the prevalence and characteristics of skin picking in relation to skin disease. To address limitations in the literature, the current study examined in those with self-reported skin disease symptoms: (1) the prevalence of skin picking; (2) demographic, dermatological, and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with and without skin picking; and (3) associations between skin picking severity and psychosocial symptoms. Participants (N = 1129) were screened for skin disease symptoms through an online platform. Among those with active skin disease symptoms (N = 237), 45% reported some degree of skin picking and 22% reported pathological skin picking. Presence of skin picking was significantly associated with younger age and several dermatological characteristics (e.g., number of dermatological conditions, skin disease severity), as well as heightened psychiatric symptoms and greater impairment. Further, severity of skin picking was associated with psychiatric symptoms and impairment. The findings highlight clinical characteristics associated with skin picking that may improve detection of this psychological phenomenon in outpatient settings. Further, the presence of skin picking was associated with worse psychosocial outcomes, indicating the importance of increasing dermatology patients’ access to psychiatric treatments.
Integrated Financial Statements for Leveraged Buyouts

This paper presents integrated financial statements for a sample of large leveraged buyouts of publicly traded U.S. firms by private equity funds for a seven year window beginning three years prior to, and ending four years after, the leveraged buyout. The exposition is such that researchers and policy makers can read a set of financial statements, including cash flow statements, and understand the financial figures, investment, taxes, and their changes.
Strive to Win or Not to Lose? Age-Related Differences in Framing Effects on Effort-Based Decision-Making

Objectives This study sought to assess how framing effects modulate age-related differences in effort-based decision-making. Consistent with the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model's loss prevention account of aging, we predicted that older adults would be more willing to select high-effort options in loss contexts than gain contexts. Method Older and younger adults completed the effort expenditure for rewards task (EEfRT) in either a gain or loss context. The EEfRT is an effort-based decision-making paradigm in which participants choose between a low-effort, "easy" option and a high-effort, "hard" option for several trials. The probability and value of an outcome varies on a trial-by-trial basis. Results The results supported our prediction and the SOC model. Older adults chose more high-effort, difficult options in loss frames than gain frames. Older adults also chose more low-effort, easy options than younger adults in gain contexts, but did not differ from younger adults in loss contexts. Discussion These findings demonstrate that framing effects impact older adults' effort-based decisions. Older adults appear willing to incur a greater "cost" in the form of effort to prevent a loss than to attain a reward.
How Do Different Keyword Captioning Strategies Impact Students’ Performance in Oral and Written Production Tasks? A Pilot Study

As an increasingly popular format of input, the affordances of audio-visual materials have been widely studied. Past research has provided evidence that audio-visual input combined with different captioning strategies could benefit learners in terms of vocabulary learning, listening comprehension, and the development of grammatical knowledge. However, there is a lack of research on how manipulating captioning conditions could help learners use their own linguistic resources to produce L2. This study compares the effects of three captioning techniques, L1 glossed keyword captioning, keyword captioning, and no captioning on English learners’ oral and written recall of a short video. The results show that L1 glossed keyword captioning worked better in facilitating students’ oral and written production of the keywords than keyword captioning and no captioning. L1 glossed keyword captioning was also found to be more useful than keyword captioning and no captioning in helping students comprehend and reproduce the content of the video. Suggestions for further research on this topic are presented in the final part of this paper.
Epidemiological analysis of malaria situation in Wenzhou City in 2015

OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of malaria prevalence in Wenzhou City, so as to provide the evidence for improving the comprehensive control of malaria. METHODS The epidemiological data of malaria cases in Wenzhou City in 2015 were collected and analyzed with the descriptive epidemiological methods. RESULTS Totally 24 imported malaria cases were reported in Wenzhou City in 2015 with the incidence of 0.26 per 100 000 and no case was dead. Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, and P. ovale were identified in 1 (4.17%), 20 (83.33%), and 3 (12.50%) cases, respectively. The cases reported in Rui'an, Cangnan and Lucheng counties/districts accounted for 70.83% (17/24) of the total cases in Wenzhou City. The cases were mostly concentrated in male young adults and 23 cases (95.83%) were imported from Africa. CONCLUSIONS Malaria epidemic situation in Wenzhou City is relatively stable and no local malaria cases were reported in 2015. However, the control work of imported malaria should be strengthened.
Sex differences and the effects of intrauterine hypoxia on growth and in vivo heart function of fetal guinea pigs

We hypothesized that the physiological adaptations of the fetus in response to chronic intrauterine hypoxia depend on its sex and the gestational age of exposure. Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to room air (normoxia, NMX) or 10.5% O2 (hypoxia, HPX) at either 25 days (early onset) or 50 days (late onset) of gestation until term (~65 days). We evaluated the effects of HPX on hemodynamic and cardiac function indices using Doppler ultrasound and determined sex-related differences in near-term fetuses. Indices of uterine/umbilical artery pulsatility (PI index) and fetal heart systolic and diastolic function [Tei index and passive filling (E-wave) to filling due to atrial contraction (A-wave) (E/A ratios), respectively] were measured in utero and fetal body (FBW) and organ weights measured from extracted fetuses. Both early- and late-onset HPX decreased FBW in both males and females, had no effect on placenta weights, and increased placenta weight-to-FBW ratios. Early- but not late-onset HPX increased uterine artery PI, but neither HPX condition affected umbilical artery PI. Early-onset HPX increased left ventricle E/A ratios in both males and females, whereas late-onset HPX increased the right ventricle E/A ratio in females only. Hypoxia had no effect on the Tei index in either sex. Early- and late-onset HPX induce placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction and increase diastolic filling depending on the sex, with female fetuses having a greater capacity than males to compensate for intrauterine hypoxia.
Reply to Nannini and to Lipworth et al

Peters et al reply to Nannini and to Lipworth et al Dr Nannini is concerned that IL-6 could be upregulated by overuse of β2-agonists This is unlikely because the SARP-III (Severe Asthma Research Program III) protocol included a bronchodilator medication hold for the blood collection visits Lipworth et al provide important commentary on the links between IL-6 biology and airway viral infections, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Generation of Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer and Induced Pluripotent Somatic Cells from African Green Monkeys

Patient-specific stem cells derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos or from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be used to treat various diseases with minimal immune rejection. Many studies using these cells have been conducted in rats and mice; however, there exist numerous dissimilarities between the rodents and humans limiting the clinical predictive power and experimental utility of rodent experiments alone. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) share greater homology to human than rodents in all respects, including genomics, physiology, biochemistry, and the immune system. Thus, experimental data obtained from monkey studies would be more predictive for designing an effective cell replacement therapy in humans. Unfortunately, there are few iPSC lines and even fewer SCNT lines that have been derived in NHPs, hampering broader studies in regenerative medicine. One promising potential therapy would be the replacement of dopamine neurons that are lost in Parkinson's disease. After dopamine depletion by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), the African green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) shows the most complete model of Parkinsonism compared with other species and brain pathology and behavioral changes are almost identical to those in humans after accidental exposure to MPTP. Therefore, we have developed a SCNT procedure to generate multiple pluripotent stem cell lines in this species for studies of possible treatment of Parkinsonism and for comparing with cells derived from iPSCs. Using 24 female monkeys as egg donors and 7 somatic cell donor monkeys, we have derived 11 SCNT embryonic stem cell lines that expressed typical stemness genes and formed all three germ layer derivatives. We also derived two iPSC lines using an episome-mediated reprogramming factor delivery system. This report describes the process for deriving these cell lines and proving their pluripotency for differentiation into various potentially therapeutic cells.
Artificial intelligence versus expert: a comparison of rapid visual inferior vena cava collapsibility assessment between POCUS experts and a deep learning algorithm.

Objectives We sought to create a deep learning algorithm to determine the degree of inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility in critically ill patients to enable novice point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) providers. Methods We used publicly available long short term memory (LSTM) deep learning basic architecture that can track temporal changes and relationships in real-time video, to create an algorithm for ultrasound video analysis. The algorithm was trained on public domain IVC ultrasound videos to improve its ability to recognize changes in varied ultrasound video. A total of 220 IVC videos were used, 10% of the data was randomly used for cross correlation during training. Data were augmented through video rotation and manipulation to multiply effective training data quantity. After training, the algorithm was tested on the 50 new IVC ultrasound video obtained from public domain sources and not part of the data set used in training or cross validation. Fleiss' κ was calculated to compare level of agreement between the 3 POCUS experts and between deep learning algorithm and POCUS experts. Results There was very substantial agreement between the 3 POCUS experts with κ = 0.65 (95% CI = 0.49-0.81). Agreement between experts and algorithm was moderate with κ = 0.45 (95% CI = 0.33-0.56). Conclusions Our algorithm showed good agreement with POCUS experts in visually estimating degree of IVC collapsibility that has been shown in previously published studies to differentiate fluid responsive from fluid unresponsive septic shock patients. Such an algorithm could be adopted to run in real-time on any ultrasound machine with a video output, easing the burden on novice POCUS users by limiting their task to obtaining and maintaining a sagittal proximal IVC view and allowing the artificial intelligence make real-time determinations.
Precursor engineering enhanced responsivity of lead sulfide quantum dots shortwave infrared photodiode

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) exhibiting the narrow bandgap (Eg < 0.9 eV) provide a promising avenue to high performance, inexpensive shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetector. However, most PbS-QD based SWIR photodiodes suffers from low responsivity and low external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the IR range due to insufficient ligand exchange. Here, we report a precursor engineering strategy that facilitates the commonly used Tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) ligand exchange. We synthesized the PbS QDs from Lead Oxide (PbO) and lead acetate trihydrate (PbAc2·3H2O). Compared with PbS QDs photodiode based on PbO, the responsivity and EQE of PbS QDs photodiode based on PbAc2·3H2O have been improved from 0.15 to 0.586A/W and 12.35 to 47.27%.
Gauss's Law, Gauge-Invariant States, and Spin & Statistics in Abelian Chern-Simons Theories

We discuss topologically massive QED — the Abelian gauge theory in which (2+1)-dimensional QED with a Chern-Simons term is minimally coupled to a spinor field. We quantize the theory in covariant gauges, and construct a class of unitary transformations that enable us to embed the theory in a Fock space of states that implement Gauss's law. We show that when electron (and positron) creation and annihilation operators represent gauge-invariant charged particles that are surrounded by the electric and magnetic fields required by Gauss's law, the unitarity of the theory is manifest, and charged particles interact with photons and with each other through nonlocal potentials. These potentials include a Hopf-like interaction, and a planar analog of the Coulomb interaction. The gauge-invariant charged particle excitations that implement Gauss's law obey the identical anticommutation rules as do the original gauge-dependent ones. Rotational phases, commonly identified as planar 'spin' are arbitrary, however.
Patients with Hepatorenal Syndrome Should Be Dialyzed? CON

AKI is a common and notorious complication that affects up to 20% of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis (1). The incidence of AKI, however, increases in parallel with the progression of the liver disease. The incidence of AKI in patients with cirrhosis also varies according to how AKI was defined. For example, if the updated International Ascites Club definition of AKI in patients with cirrhosis is utilized to define AKI, the risk of AKI in patients with cirrhosis has been reported to occur in up to 30% of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis (2,3). Fortunately, almost two-thirds of AKI cases in patients with cirrhosis respond to volume expansion, especially with albumin infusion, whereas the remaining one-third is attributed to either hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) or acute tubular necrosis (ATN) (1). HRS is a specialized functional type of prerenal AKI that occurs exclusively in patients with advanced cirrhosis and those with fulminant hepatic failure. Although the overall pathophysiology of HRS is complex, the main underlying mechanism of AKI is intense renal vasoconstriction, and therefore, HRS AKI is resistant to volume expansion (4). Despite the continuous efforts to update the HRS diagnostic criteria, differentiating HRS from other causes of AKI, especially ATN, is often difficult in clinical practice (5). Irrespective of the etiology of AKI, it is well established that AKI in patients with cirrhosis is associated with worse prognosis, with the highest mortality being observed in the 20%–25% of patients with progressive AKI that necessitates RRT initiation (6,7). Recent studies have also demonstrated that there are no major differences in outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and AKI due to HRS compared with those with ATN after RRT has been initiated (8). Moreover, most studies that addressed the outcome of patients with cirrhosis who started RRT did not specify …
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an uncommon complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) that carries high morbidity and mortality. Limited contemporary data are available regarding the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for DAH. Research Question What are the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for DAH developing after HCT? Methods This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent HCT between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2016. The incidence and outcomes of DAH development were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze differences between survivors and nonsurvivors. Results Of 4,350 patients undergoing first-time HCT, DAH was diagnosed in 99 (2.3%). DAH was seen in 40 of 3,536 autologous HCT recipients (1.1%) and 59 of 814 allogeneic HCT recipients (7.2%). Mean age was 53 ± 13 years, and median time of DAH diagnosis was 126 days (interquartile range, 19-349 days) after HCT. In-hospital mortality and mortality 1 year after DAH diagnosis were 55.6% and 76.8%, respectively. DAH diagnosis more than 30 days after transplantation (OR, 7.06; 95% CI, 1.65-30.14), low platelet count (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-1.0; P = .02), elevated international normalized ratio (INR; OR, 4.08; 95% CI, 0.64-25.88; P = .046) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 8.18; 95% CI, 1.9-35.21) were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Steroid treatment did not alter mortality (P = .80) or length of stay (P = .65). However, among those who received steroids, survival was higher in whose who received modest-dose steroids ( Interpretation The mortality of DAH after HCT remains high, and DAH can occur long after transplantation. Later development of DAH (>30 days after HCT), need for invasive mechanical ventilation, thrombocytopenia, and elevated INR are all associated with worse outcomes.
CSAwesome: A Free Curriculum and Ebook for Advanced Placement Computer Science A (CS1 in Java)

This hands-on online workshop will introduce high school and college instructors to CSAwesome, a free Java curriculum and ebook at course.csawesome.org for the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science (CS) A course. This course is equivalent to a college-level CS1 course in Java. CSAwesome is an official College Board approved curriculum and professional development provider and has been widely adopted by AP high school teachers. The free ebook on the Runestone platform includes executable Java code examples and a variety of practice problems with immediate feedback: multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, write-code, mixed-up code (Parsons), and clickable code. It also includes coding challenges and support for pair programming. The curriculum is designed to help transition students from AP Computer Science Principles, which is equivalent to a CS0 course. Teacher lesson plans and resources are freely available. During this workshop, participants will register for the free ebook and work through example activities using object-oriented programming. If possible, participants will be divided into breakout groups according to their Java expertise. Participants will also learn how to create a custom course on the Runestone platform, create and grade assignments, use the instructor's dashboard to view student progress, contribute to the question bank, and use an interleaved spaced practice tool. We will also discuss online/hybrid teaching and engagement strategies.
Gossip drives vicarious learning and facilitates social connection

Complex language and communication is one of the unique hallmarks that distinguishes humans from most other animals. Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of our communication consists of social topics involving self-disclosure and discussions about others, broadly construed as gossip. Yet the precise social function of gossip remains poorly understood as research has been heavily influenced by folk intuitions narrowly casting gossip as baseless trash talk. Using a novel empirical paradigm that involves real interactions between a large sample of participants, we provide evidence that gossip is a rich, multifaceted construct, that plays a critical role in vicarious learning and social bonding. We demonstrate how the visibility or lack thereof of others' behavior shifts conversational content between self-disclosure and discussions about others. Social information acquired through gossip aids in vicarious learning, directly influencing future behavior and impression formation. At the same time, conversation partners come to influence each other, form more similar impressions, and build robust social bonds. Consistent with prior work, gossip also helps promote cooperation in groups without a need for formal sanctioning mechanisms. Altogether these findings demonstrate the rich and diverse social functions and effects of this ubiquitous human behavior and lay the groundwork for future investigations.
The role of the academic librarian in online courses: A case study

Abstract In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the number of college students in the United States learning virtually to an all-time high, leading the services that academic librarians provide to students enrolled in online courses to become more crucial than ever before. According to EducationData.org , some estimates show that 3278 higher education institutions and 22.3 million students have been impacted by a switch to online courses. The current study utilized an online survey of students, faculty, as well as academic librarians at The University of Southern Mississippi regarding the use of librarians in online courses. Questions focused on what library services are currently being provided for online students, what strategies for incorporating librarians into online courses have been utilized, and gathered perspectives from faculty, students, and librarians themselves in order to better establish best practices for providing the growing number of online students with the library services they need.
Computational modeling of the cephalic arch predicts hemodynamic profiles in patients with brachiocephalic fistula access receiving hemodialysis.

Background The most common configuration for arteriovenous fistula is brachiocephalic which often develop cephalic arch stenosis leading to the need for numerous procedures to maintain access patency. The hemodynamics that contributes to the development of cephalic arch stenosis is incompletely understood given the inability to accurately determine shear stress in the cephalic arch. In the current investigation our aim was to determine pressure, velocity and wall shear stress profiles in the cephalic arch in 3D using computational modeling as tools to understand stenosis. Methods Five subjects with brachiocephalic fistula access had protocol labs, Doppler, venogram and intravascular ultrasound imaging performed at 3 and 12 months. 3D reconstructions of the cephalic arch were generated by combining intravascular ultrasounds and venograms. Standard finite element analysis software was used to simulate time dependent blood flow in the cephalic arch with velocity, pressure and wall shear stress profiles generated. Results Our models generated from imaging and flow measurements at 3 and 12 months offer snapshots of the patient's cephalic arch at a precise time point, although the remodeling of the vessel downstream of an arteriovenous fistula in patients undergoing regular dialysis is a dynamic process that persists over long periods of time (~ 5 years). The velocity and pressure increase at the cephalic bend cause abnormal hemodynamics most prominent along the inner wall of the terminal cephalic arch. The topology of the cephalic arch is highly variable between subjects and predictive of pathologic stenosis at later time points. Conclusions Low flow velocity and wall pressure along the inner wall of the bend may provide possible nidus of endothelial activation that leads to stenosis and thrombosis. In addition, 3D modelling of the arch can indicate areas of stenosis that may be missed by venograms alone. Computational modeling reconstructed from 3D radiologic imaging and Doppler flow provides important insights into the hemodynamics of blood flow in arteriovenous fistula. This technique could be used in future studies to determine optimal flow to prevent endothelial damage for patients with arteriovenous fistula access.
Religion in the US during the time of a Pandemic: A Medical Perspective.

Approximately 80% of Americans identify as religious. As physicians caring for patients with COVID-19, we have seen both positive and negative effects of religious activity during the pandemic. Religious worship generally supports close social interaction, which provides many benefits, especially in mental health, but it can also contradict infection control measures. These forces do not necessarily have to be in opposition to each other. Herein, we present three case vignettes of religious patients who were infected with and recovered from COVID-19. We review the potential benefits and risks of religious activity in the current pandemic, as supported by the medical literature. Finally, we offer some thoughts on how to engage with patients so that the benefits of both religious activity and public health measures are optimized.
Diseases and Clinical Applications that Can Benefit from Long Lasting Implants and Injections

Development of long-term implants is challenging due to stringent requirements of biocompatibility, necessitating minimal or absent adverse affects during the period of active utilization and thereafter. Implants designed for load-bearing applications must integrate with host tissue to create a stable environment. For instance, improvements that allow for better hip implant integration with the surrounding bone will prevent implant loosening and greatly improve the quality of patient life. Use of long-term implants significantly reduces the number of operative procedures while integration with drug-delivery techniques has tremendous potential to improve patient outcomes. Drug-delivery techniques have been utilized for contraception in the form of dermal-patches, vaginal rings, and intrauterine devices; all of which can be applied and removed by the patient thus minimizing medical appointments. This chapter will discuss implants for treatment of diabetes to contraception, from fracture healing to chemotherapy that are commercially available, and new treatment strategies that are being explored.
The cognitive structure of space: An analysis of temporal sequences

This paper discusses some methods for representing the structure of cognitive space as revealed through temporal sequences. The temporal sequences most commonly arise either through recalls of landmarks in memory experiments or through choice sequences in variants of the traveling salesman problem. Methods discussed include ordered trees, which capture hierarchical relationships, and path graphs, which include the explicit spatial information. The paper concludes with comments on the visualization and presentation of spatial information.
African American and White Adolescents' Strategies for Managing Cultural Diversity in Predominantly White High Schools

This study examined 3 strategies that African American and White participants (9th–12th grade) used to manage cultural diversity: multicultural, separation, and assimilation/acculturation strategies. Older African American adolescents endorsed multicultural strategies (integration/fusion and alternation) more strongly and separation less strongly than their younger African American peers. The reverse pattern was found for White adolescents. With respect to peer relations, separation and multicultural strategies were associated with cross-ethnic peer relations for both African American and White respondents. For African American adolescents, multicultural strategy endorsement was positively related to ethnic identity; particularly for older compared with younger African American adolescents, assimilation/acculturation was a strategy associated with a less strongly positive sense of ethnic identity. The results are discussed in relation to forces supporting adolescents' strategy development, and the implications of strategy usage for adjustment in predominantly White schools.
Some Issues in Future User Interface Management System (UIMS) Development

Much recent research has been directed at the development of better tools to support the design, specification, implementation, and evaluation of human-computer dialogues. Such tools have been variously named “user interface management systems” (Kasik 1982; Buxton et al 1983), “dialogue management systems” (Roach et al 1982), and “abstract interaction handlers” (Feldman & Rodgers 1982). User interface management systems (UIMS’s) build upon concepts developed in earlier user interface specification and prototyping systems (Newman 1968; Mason & Carey 1 983). The state-of-the-art is now at the point where UIMS packages are becoming commercially available (Rubel Software 1983; Wasserman & Shewmake 1982; Woodmansee 1983).
Regional patterns of dyssynchrony: lateral wall delay is desirable but not essential for left ventricular remodeling in biventricular pacing.

Background: Tissue synchronization imaging (TSI), a parametric imaging technique based on tissue velocity imaging, often demonstrates patterns other than lateral delay in patients evaluated for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The prevalence of these patterns and their response to CRT has not been well described. We hypothesized that regional patterns of dyssynchrony might correlate with the extent of reverse remodeling. Methods: A consecutive series of 32 patients underwent echocardiographic study prior to CRT implant and 3 months postimplant. TSI was used to color-code the time-to-peak positive systolic velocity at six basal and six mid-LV segments. Each patient was assigned to one of four groups based on the predominant location of greatest delay (≥2 segments): (1) posterolateral delay, (2) septal delay, (3) no dyssynchrony, or (4) other. Results: Patients were classified as follows: posterolateral delay in 44% of patients (n = 14), septal delay in 28% (n = 9), no dyssynchrony in 16% (n = 5), and other pattern in 13% (n = 4). At 3-month follow-up, the group with the lateral delay pattern was associated with the greatest decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and the largest improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (−45 mL and +9.3%, respectively, P < 0.05). The LVESV in the other three groups changed as follows: −24 mL (septal), −28 mL (no dyssynchrony), and −15 mL (other). Similar trends were observed for LVEF and left ventricular end-diastolic volume. Conclusions: Despite the presence of wide QRS and a left bundle branch block, the most delayed segment is not always the posterolateral wall. Posterolateral delay is associated with the best response to CRT, while other patterns respond at a lower magnitude. (Echocardiography 2012;29:554-559)
Teamwork Training in Organizations: The Case of Training Resource Management

As organizations increasingly rely on teams to accomplish operational and strategic goals, attention has centered on both the identification and training of requisite team skills. The structured approach to team training know as Crew Resource Management (CRM) training offers a highly effective paradigm that can be adapted to the specific needs of many organization. The major highlights of this paper are: (a) a discussion of the requirements for training teams to work together effectively, (b) a presentation of five case studies that demonstrate how CRM training designed for aviation enviornments can be adapted to meet the unique conditions of other organizations, and (c) recommended guidelines for CRM implementation in non-aviation seetings. Finally, the authors recommend extending CRM training, which is applicable to high-impact work organizations, to include the types of teams more frequently found in organizations.
Negative Externalities and Oil Spills: A Case for Reduced Brand Value to the State of Florida

Despite recent advances in measuring and compensating for environmental damages, several challenges remain. States have a vested interest in claiming economic damages, especially those that reduce the value of investments. Because place-brand values are considered personal property, Florida may seek additional compensation from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Linking the Foundations of Physics and Mathematics

The concept of definability of physical fields within a set-theoretical foundation is introduced. We propose an axiomatic set theory and show the Schroedinger equation and, more generally, a nonlinear sigma model come naturally out of the mathematics of this theory when a physical null postulate is added. Space-time is relational in this theory and quantization of the field proves to be equivalent to definability. Some additional examples of applicability to physics are given.
The Brittle Thread of Life: Backcountry People Make a Place for Themselves in Early America – By Mark Williams

The author of this book tells mostly parallel stories of two New England backcountry communities, Salmon Brook (later Granby), Connecticut, and Huntstown (later Ashfield), Massachusetts, situated i...
The effects of Paraloid B-72 and Butvar B-98 treatment and organic solvent removal on δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O values of collagen and hydroxyapatite in a modern bone

Stable isotopes in bones are a powerful tool for diet, provenance, climate, and physiological reconstructions, but necessarily require well-preserved specimens unaltered by postmortem diagenesis or conservation practices. This study examines the effects of Paraloid B-72 and Butvar B-98, two common consolidants used in field and museum conservation, on δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O values from bone collagen and hydroxyapatite. The effects of solvent removal (100% acetone, 100% ethanol, 9:1 acetone:xylenes, 9:1 ethanol:xylenes) and drying methods (ambient air, vacuum, oven drying at 80°C) were also examined to determine if bones treated with these consolidants can successfully be cleaned and used for stable isotope analyses. Results show that introduction of Paraloid B-72 or Butvar B-98 in 100% acetone or 100% ethanol, respectively, with subsequent removal by the same solvents and drying at 80°C facilitates the most successful removal of consolidants and solvents. The δ13C values in collagen, δ15N in collagen, δ18O in hydroxyapatite phosphate, and δ13C in hydroxyapatite structural carbonate were unaltered by treatments with Paraloid or Butvar and subsequent solvent removal. The δ18O in hydroxyapatite structural carbonate showed nonsystematic variability when bones were treated with Paraloid and Butvar, which is hypothesized to be a result of hydroxyl exchange when bones are exposed to consolidants in solution. It is therefore recommended that δ18O in hydroxyapatite structural carbonate should not be used in stable isotope studies if bones have been treated with Paraloid or Butvar. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:330–338, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
POTATO FLAVOR AS RELATED TO CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

SUMMARY— A study was made on the relationship of flavor of potatoes to their phenolic and ascorbic acid content. Material for the study was from two main sources: (1) clones that are hybrids between varieties of Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum grown in New York and varieties of Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigenum grown in Peru; (2) established commercial American varieties such as Ontario, Pontiac, and Katahdin. Bitterness and astringency were selected as the character notes most related to phenolic content. A significant correlation was found between phenolic content and bitterness and a highly significant correlation between phenolic content and astringency. No significant correlation was found between ascorbic acid content and flavor.
Merger Performance and Antitrust Review: A Retrospective Analysis

Many empirical studies have shown negative abnormal returns to occur shortly after a once promising merger is consummated. There are few consistent explanations for the poor performance of so many mergers. This article considers mergers of concern to antitrust authorities to examine how structural factors, including market concentration and R&D intensity, as well as valuation metrics, such as merger premiums and merger waves, affect abnormal returns. Our results suggest that acquirer R&D intensity, market concentration of the deal premium, and deal size have a negative impact, whereas the target's intangible asset intensity and the presence of a merger wave positively influence merger performance.
Multiple Parasitism : Its Relation to the Biological Control of Insect Pests

“ The condor lays a couple of eggs and the ostrich a score, and yet in the same country the condor may be the more numerous of the two ; the Fulmar petrel lays but one egg, yet it is believed to be the most numerous bird in the world. One fly deposits hundreds of eggs, and another, like the hippobosca, a single one ; but this difference does not determine how many individuals of the two species can be supported in a district.”—Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species.
Toward an Analytical Structure for Evaluating the Ethical Content of Decisions by Advertising Professionals

This article proposes a model for conceptualizing advertising ethics theory based on a distinction between philosophical and occupational ethical systems and the assumption that the fundamental goal of occupational ethics is to address the imbalance of power between the practitioner group and the community or communities they serve through practices that cultivate a relationship of trust. An analytical model is proposed as the basis for future empirical research to test and clarify the suggested relationships. It is suggested that a more refined theoretical meta-model could provide a common framework within which research in specific advertising ethics issues might be revisited.
Automated assistance for program restructuring

Maintenance tends to degrade the structure of software, ultimately making maintenance more costly. At times, then, it is worthwhile to manipulate the structure of a system to make changes easier. However, manual restructuring is an error-prone and expensive activity. By separating structural manipulations from other maintenance activities, the semantics of a system can be held constant by a tool, assuring that no errors are introduced by restructuring. To allow the maintenance team to focus on the aspects of restructuring and maintenance requiring human judgment, a transformation-based tool can be provided—based on a model that exploits preserving data flow dependence and control flow dependence—to automate the repetitive, error-prone, and computationally demanding aspects of restructuring. A set of automatable transformations is introduced; their impact on structure is described, and their usefulness is demonstrated in examples. A model to aid building meaning-preserving restructuring transformations is described, and its realization in a functioning prototype tool for restructuring Scheme programs is discussed.
Reliability and validity of an accelerometry based measure of static and dynamic postural stability in healthy and active individuals.

Abstract Postural stability is an important measure in both research and clinical practice. A portable, easy to use device that can provide higher resolution than current clinical tests may allow for better identification of patients or athletes with postural stability deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a tri-axial accelerometer to quantify postural stability in a healthy athletic population. Ten subjects were recruited to determine the reliability of the accelerometer to measure dynamic postural stability and thirteen were recruited to compare the accelerometer measures across tasks of varying difficulty. Subjects were asked to complete four static postural stability tasks with eyes open and eyes closed and two dynamic postural stability tasks for a total of ten tasks. During each task postural stability was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer and force platform. Differences between postural stability scores between tasks and the correlation between the two measures were assessed. The accelerometer demonstrated moderate to good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.732 to 0.899). Only the medial–lateral axis of the accelerometer showed significant differences between static tasks but all directions were able to show significant differences between static and dynamic tasks. Additionally, Spearman's ranked correlations showed little to no correlation between the accelerometer and force platform scores. Accelerometers are a reliability tool for postural stability that measure low difficulty tasks best in the medial–lateral direction. Low correlation between the accelerometer and force platform suggest that these two methods are not measuring the same components of postural stability.
Magnetic fields in prominences: Inversion techniques for spectropolarimetric data of the He I D3 line

We propose the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to invert spectropolarimetric data from prominences. Observation of the full Stokes profiles in prominences is very important for a deeper understanding of magnetic-field topology in these solar structures, and for the testing of theoretical models. The line formation problem, however, is complicated by the special conditions of prominences: anisotropy of light, low magnetic intensities, temperature and density ranges, etc. We created a code to solve this problem in the limit of optically thin plasma and of a collisionless regime, and use it in combination with PCA techniques to invert synthetic data. The results show that inversion is feasible.
A receptor-grounded approach to teaching nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug chemistry and structure-activity relationships.

Objective. To describe a receptor-based approach to promote learning about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) chemistry, structure-activity relationships, and therapeutic decision-making. ...
Intrinsic healing of the laceration site in human superficialis flexor tendons in vitro

The intrinsic capability of the human superficialis flexor tendon to heal a reapproximated laceration site in vitro was examined. Segments of lacerated and sutured human superficialis flexor tendons from zone II were cultured for two, four, or eight weeks in vitro and analyzed by use of light and electron microscopy. We noted a specific pattern of intrinsic healing at the repair site during the incubation period. After two weeks, the cells of the epitenon from both tendon stumps proliferated and appeared to migrate into the repair site. Elongated cells of the thickened epitenon bridged the laceration and synthesized new collagen fibers. By eight weeks, a smooth contiguous tendon surface was restored and the internal collagen bundles were brought into intimate contact. The fibroblasts bridging the laceration, both in the epitenon and centrally in the repair site, were oriented perpendicular to the cut surfaces. The cells in the repair site were active in protein synthesis, and new collagen fibers were present. No cellular necrosis was observed in the internal repair site. Our results indicate that human superficialis tendons possess an intrinsic capacity to heal with diffusion and without dependence on extratendinous cells or on adhesions.