cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of weight loss on waist circumference and the components of the metabolic syndrome

Objective Central adiposity is a component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Little is known about the impact of medical weight loss and decreased waist circumference (WC) on the MetS. Our objective was to assess the impact of changes in WC on blood pressure, lipids and glycemia. Research design and methods We studied 430 obese patients enrolled in a 2-year, intensive, behavioral, weight management program. We report results for participants who completed 6-month and 2-year follow-up. Results Participants were 49±9 years of age (mean±SD), 56% were women and 85% were white. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was 41±6 kg/m 2 and baseline WC was 120±14 cm. At 6 months, BMI decreased by 6±3 kg/m 2 and WC by 14±9 cm. Relative change in WC was defined as the 6-month or 2-year WC minus the baseline WC divided by the baseline WC. Systolic blood pressure decreased by 8 mm Hg for the tertile of participants with the largest relative decrease in WC and by 2 mm Hg for those with the smallest relative decrease in WC (p=0.025). Similar patterns of improvement were observed in total cholesterol (−29 vs −12 mg/dL, p=0.017), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (−19 vs −4 mg/dL, p=0.033), and glycated hemoglobin (−1.2 vs −0.3%, p=0.006). At 2 years, BMI decreased by 5±4 kg/m 2 and WC by 11±11 cm and similar patterns of improvements were seen in components of the MetS. At both 6 months and 2 years, larger relative decreases in WC were associated with greater improvements in lipids and glycemia independent of sex. Conclusions In obese people, greater relative decreases in WC with medical weight loss are associated with greater improvements in components of the MetS independent of sex.
A Natural Language Processing Framework for Assessing Hospital Readmissions for Patients With COPD

With the passage of recent federal legislation, many medical institutions are now responsible for reaching target hospital readmission rates. Chronic diseases account for many hospital readmissions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been recently added to the list of diseases for which the United States government penalizes hospitals incurring excessive readmissions. Though there have been efforts to statistically predict those most in danger of readmission, a few have focused primarily on unstructured clinical notes. We have proposed a framework, which uses natural language processing to analyze clinical notes and predict readmission. Many algorithms within the field of data mining and machine learning exist, so a framework for component selection is created to select the best components. Naive Bayes using Chi-Squared feature selection offers an AUC of 0.690 while maintaining fast computational times.
Peptide Nucleic Acid Knockdown and Intra-host Cell Complementation of Ehrlichia Type IV Secretion System Effector.

Survival of Ehrlichia chaffeensis depends on obligatory intracellular infection. One of the barriers to E. chaffeensis research progress has been the inability, using conventional techniques, to generate knock-out mutants for genes essential for intracellular infection. This study examined the use of Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) technology to interrupt type IV secretion system (T4SS) effector protein expression in E. chaffeensis followed by intracellular complementation of the effector to determine its requirement for infection. Successful E. chaffeensis infection depends on the E. chaffeensis-specific T4SS protein effector, ehrlichial translocated factor-1 (Etf-1), which induces Rab5-regulated autophagy to provide host cytosolic nutrients required for E. chaffeensis proliferation. Etf-1 is also imported by host cell mitochondria where it inhibits host cell apoptosis to prolong its infection. We designed a PNA specific to Etf-1 and showed that the PNA bound to the target region of single-stranded Etf-1 RNA using a competitive binding assay. Electroporation of E. chaffeensis with this PNA significantly reduced Etf-1 mRNA and protein, and the bacteria’s ability to induce host cell autophagy and infect host cells. Etf-1 PNA-mediated inhibition of ehrlichial Etf-1 expression and E. chaffeensis infection could be intracellularly trans-complemented by ectopic expression of Etf-1-GFP in host cells. These data affirmed the critical role of bacterial T4SS effector in host cell autophagy and E. chaffeensis infection, and demonstrated the use of PNA to analyze the gene functions of obligate intracellular bacteria.
T1A: Time sensitive networks for industry 4.0

The digital revolution in manufacturing process demand a communication standard which meets the requirements of the manufacturing floor. Additional sensing technology for predictive maintenance add new quality of service requirements to the industrial network. Managing different communication requirements for motion control, programmable logic control and predictive maintenance is the key challenge of applying IEEE Time Sensitive Network (TSN) standard to the trends in industrial automation market.
Analytical Chemistry in the Regulatory Science of Medical Devices

In the United States, regulatory science is the science of developing new tools, standards, and approaches to assess the safety, efficacy, quality, and performance of all Food and Drug Administration–regulated products. Good regulatory science facilitates consumer access to innovative medical devices that are safe and effective throughout the Total Product Life Cycle (TPLC). Because the need to measure things is fundamental to the regulatory science of medical devices, analytical chemistry plays an important role, contributing to medical device technology in two ways: It can be an integral part of an innovative medical device (e.g., diagnostic devices), and it can be used to support medical device development throughout the TPLC. In this review, we focus on analytical chemistry as a tool for the regulatory science of medical devices. We highlight recent progress in companion diagnostics, medical devices on chips for preclinical testing, mass spectrometry for postmarket monitoring, and detection/characteri...
Characterization of glancing angle deposited (GLAD) optical coatings for UV applications

Controlling for uniformity of an optical coating becomes increasingly difficult for optics with steep curvatures over a large aperture. The growth of a film will inevitably be affected as a function of deposition angle. By exploiting the porosity of a film grown at oblique angles, its refractive index can be tailored to specific applications. An anti-reflective coating deposited on a tilted Corning High-Purity Fused Silica (HPFS) 7980 substrate was characterized for surface and cross-sectional morphologies, crystalline structures, and spectroscopic homogeneity.
MMPI Correlates of Sleep and Respiratory Disturbance in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate associations between polysomnographic variables in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a variety of psychological responses (including depressive symptoms) as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING University sleep disorders center. PATIENTS One-hundred seventy eight consecutive clinical OSA patients. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Patients completed the MPI prior to overnight diagnostic polysomnography. Fifty-eight percent demonstrated at least one MMPI elevation (mean = 1.8 elevations), with Depression (D) elevated for 32%, Hypochondriasis (Hs) for 30%, and Hysteria (Hy) for 21%. Thirty-eight percent demonstrated two or more elevations, with several variations of Hs-D and Hs-D-Hy configurations evident. "Conversion V" profiles were fairly rare, and a large number of miscellaneous configurations occurred once. Significant correlations were detected between several MMPI scale scores and total sleep time, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) during REM, and particularly arterial oxygen saturation, even when partialling out variance related to body mass index (BMI). In contract, D scores were not correlated with any polysomnographic parameters. Based upon MMPI configuration, the sample was subdivided into the following seven profile groups: Nonelevated (n = 74); Single D (n = 11); Single non-D (n = 25); Combined D plus (a) HS or HY (n = 7), (b) Hs and Hy (n = 10), or (c) other (n = 29); and Multiple non-D (n = 22). Multivariate analysis controlling for age and gender indicated higher AHI in the Single non-D, Combined D plus other, and Multiple non-D groups, compared to the Single D group. Also, there was lower average oxygen saturation in the Multiple non-D group, compared to Single D, Single non-D, and Nonelevated groups. The Combined D plus HS and/or Hy groups did not differ from each other or from other groups, even when merged. The Multiple non-D findings were unattributable to any specific scale or overall number of elevations. CONCLUSIONS OSA patients who have core depressive symptoms (as measured by MMPI scale D) without significant psychological symptoms in other areas tend to have less severe OSA, whereas those with a diverse set of other psychological symptoms overshadowing depressive symptoms (e.g., somatic focus, emotional reactivity, family/marital problems, cognitive problems, etc.) tend to have greater AHI and lower oxygen saturation. Although it seems probable that these MMPI differences primarily reflect OSA effects, prospective research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Self-Interest versus Friendship in Medical School.

No clinical consensus exists about when to intervene in hyperkalemia, a common electrolyte imbalance complicated by the recent increased use of medications for hypertension that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Intrarenal renin-angiotensin system modulates glomerular angiotensin receptors in the rat

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulates glomerular angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors. In one protocol ANG II receptors were measured 7 days after unilateral denervation of the left kidney in rats. There were 50% more receptors in the glomeruli from denervated compared with innervated kidneys (right, 1,037 +/- 108 vs. left, 1,556 +/- 143 fmol/mg; P less than 0.01), which was associated with a 63% reduction (P less than 0.01) in left renal vein renin. The differences in ANG II receptors between the left and right kidneys were no longer present when angiotensin-converting enzyme was inhibited with enalapril or when pharmacological amounts of ANG II (50 ng/min) were infused. In a second protocol, renal cortical renin content was raised in the left kidney by placing a 0.20-mm clip on the left renal artery (two-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt model). At 7 days, glomerular ANG II receptors were reduced by 72.3% in the clipped compared with the contralateral kidneys (right, 1,232 +/- 105 vs. left, 341 +/- 170 fmol/mg; P less than 0.01). The differences in ANG II receptors were no longer present after enalapril treatment. Pharmacological maneuvers that either blocked ANG II formation or increased circulating ANG II resulted in an equal number of ANG II receptors in the right and left kidneys. The data indicate that the intrarenal RAS modulates the density of glomerular ANG II receptors and is a more important receptor modulator than plasma ANG II.
Neural Stem Cells in Response to Microenvironment Changes Inside and Outside of the Brain

Neural stem cells/neural progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) residing in the neurogenic regions of the brain play a crucial role in brain development, brain plasticity, and brain repair. Recent progress in NSC/NPC research has advanced our understanding of the NSC/NPC niche and signaling networks controlling NSC/NPC proliferation and differentiation. However, the natural behavioral of NSCs/NPCs in response to physiological and pathological changes inside and outside the brain remains poorly understood. This chapter has summarized recent findings concerning NSC/NPC activity in the early stage of cortical brain ischemia and the hematopoietic stem cell growth factors in regulating NSC/NPC proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, future directions for NSC/NPC research are also discussed in this chapter.
Recent Laboratory and Field Research on Polygraph Techniques

This paper describes some of the major procedures and issues concerning uses of polygraph techniques in criminal investigation. The methods and aims of the control question test (CQT) are discussed, together with a brief review of the scientific literature and controversies concerning its validity. A major field research project on the validity of the CQT is described, which demonstrates that the accuracy of the CQT can exceed 90% when properly employed by skilled examiners. Some of the practical and psychometric problems of the CQT are discussed, together with techniques employed in the directed lie test (DLT). Laboratory and field research with the DLT are described, and the results indicate that it is at least as accurate as the CQT, produces fewer false positive errors, is simpler to construct and administer, and provides a good substitute for the CQT in criminal investigation. Finally, extensive analyses of data are presented to assess the generalizability of laboratory results to criminal investigative uses of the CQT. The results show substantial similarity between data sets obtained from laboratory subjects and criminal suspects when comparable procedures are used. The findings indicate that laboratory experiments can shed a great deal of light on the processes involved in the use of the CQT on criminal suspects, but adjustments in decision criteria should be made to reduce the false positive errors caused by overprediction of deceptive field outcomes using criteria derived from laboratory experiments. Finally, it is argued that available computer methods can be used effectively to further our scientific understanding of polygraph techniques and to increase the objectivity and accuracy of credibility assessment of criminal suspects.
When Does the Fed Care About Stock Prices

We propose a novel identification approach based on a predictable change in the intraday volatility of index futures to estimate the Federal Reserve’s reaction to stock returns. This identification approach relies on a weaker set of assumptions than required under identification through heteroskedasticity based on lower frequency data. Our approach also allows the examination of changes in the reaction of monetary policy to the stock market. We document an asymmetric response of policy expectations to changes in stock prices in adverse and positive economic environments. Specifically, the results show a sharp increase in the response of monetary policy expectations to stock returns during recessions and bear markets. This finding is consistent with the existence of the so-called “Fed put.”
First-Line Therapies for VTE Treatment and Secondary Prophylaxis in Patients With Cancer: A New Direction.

Objective:To review evidence behind anticoagulants in cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a focus on low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) and the role of direct oral anticoagulants ...
Motivating landowners to recruit neighbors for private land conservation

Encouraging motivated landowners to not only engage in conservation action on their own property but also to recruit others may enhance effectiveness of conservation on private lands. Landowners may only engage in such recruitment if they believe their neighbors care about the conservation issue, will positively respond to their conservation efforts, and are likely to take action for the conservation cause. We designed a series of microinterventions that can be added to community meetings to change these beliefs to encourage landowner engagement in recruitment of others. The microinterventions included neighbor discussion, public commitment making, collective goal setting, and increased observability of contributions to the conservation cause. In a field experiment, we tested whether adding microinterventions to traditional knowledge-transfer outreach meetings changed those beliefs so as to encourage landowners in Hawaii to recruit their neighbors for private lands conservation. We delivered a traditional outreach meeting about managing the invasive little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) to 5 communities and a traditional outreach approach with added microinterventions to 5 other communities. Analysis of pre- and post-surveys of residents showed that compared with the traditional conservation outreach approach, the microinterventions altered a subset of beliefs that landowners had about others. These microinterventions motivated reputationally minded landowners to recruit and coordinate with other residents to control the invasive fire ant across property boundaries. Our results suggest integration of these microinterventions into existing outreach approaches will encourage some landowners to facilitate collective conservation action across property boundaries.
Bayesim: A tool for adaptive grid model fitting with Bayesian inference

Abstract Bayesian inference is a widely used and powerful analytical technique in fields such as astronomy and particle physics but has historically been underutilized in some other disciplines including semiconductor devices. In this work, we introduce bayesim , a Python package that utilizes adaptive grid sampling to efficiently generate a probability distribution over multiple input parameters to a forward model using a collection of experimental measurements. We discuss the implementation choices made in the code, showcase two examples in photovoltaics, and discuss general prerequisites for the approach to apply to other systems. Program summary Program Title: Bayesim Program Files doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/fch5m6p3nn.1 Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License 2 Programming language: Python 3 Supplementary material: uncertainty _ figure.png Nature of problem: Many parameters in forward numerical models, e.g. for photovoltaic (PV) device behavior, are difficult to measure via direct experiment. In addition, in early-stage PV materials (and many other systems of interest), there are many unknown parameters and a desire to know their values in a small amount of time to enable high-throughput materials screening, making the time investment for direct measurement prohibitive. However, measurement of electrical properties of devices is comparatively easy, cheap, and automatable. Solution method: We employ Bayesian inference to “invert” the device models using the high-throughput experimental data, running the model forward with many combinations of parameters and generating a probability distribution over the inputs. This enables fitting of a number of parameters limited only by the quantity of experimental data and computational power available. The code is available open-source as a Python package and includes features such as adaptive grid fitting, model uncertainty calculation, and a variety of visualization options. Additional comments: The code is freely available on Github ( https://github.com/pv-lab/bayesim ) and thoroughly documented online ( https://pv-lab.github.io/bayesim/_build/html/index.html ).
Maternal mRNA Knock-down Studies: Antisense Experiments Using the Host-Transfer Technique in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis

The ability to inhibit the activity of maternally stored gene products in Xenopus has led to numerous insights into early developmental mechanisms. Oocytes can be cultured and manipulated in vitro and then implanted into the body cavity of a host female to make them competent for fertilization. Here, we summarize the methods for obtaining, culturing, and fertilizing Xenopus oocytes, with the goal of inhibiting maternal gene function through antisense oligonucleotide-mediated mRNA knock-down. We describe a simplified technique for implanting donor oocytes into host females using intraperitoneal injection. Also, we present optimized methods for performing the host-transfer procedure with Xenopus tropicalis oocytes.
The impact of build orientation policies on the completion time in two-dimensional irregular packing for additive manufacturing

The study investigates the impact of build orientation policies on the production time in additive manufacturing (AM) for mass customisation business models. Two main orientation policies are consi...
Free Energy, Exergy, and Energy: The Exergetic Content of Energy

Kelvin had introduced the general idea of available energy. The advent of the entropy principle led to, in quick succession, the formulation of equilibrium thermodynamics by Gibbs—which was the prized fruit of the Kelvin–Clausius synthesis. One of its important results was the concept of free energies, which provided the general idea of available energies with specific examples—especially the Gibbs free energy of electrochemical energy→electrical work. Further development of available energy has evolved into the theory of exergy. Significantly, both the first law and the theory of exergy can be formulated for an engineering device’s control volume. In that formulation, the exergy treatment is reducible to the Carnot–Kelvin formula, a key tool in mechanical engineering, as well as to the Gibbs free energy, a key tool in chemical engineering.
Abnormal glucose tolerance and the 50-gram glucose challenge test in Cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Diabetes has emerged as a major co-morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF). The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is used to screen for CF-related diabetes (CFRD) but is inconvenient, and adherence to screening is poor. The 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) is shorter, performed non-fasting, and may serve to pre-screen the subset of individuals requiring confirmatory OGTT. We performed a pilot study in twenty-seven CF individuals across the glucose tolerance spectrum to test whether the GCT could identify subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance defined as 2-h OGTT glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L (2 h-AGT) or 1-h defined as 1-hr OGTT glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L (1 h-AGT). A GCT threshold of 8.1 mmol/L was 73% sensitive and 63% specific for 2hr-AGT and 80% sensitive and 65% specific for 1hr-AGT. Therefore, a screening GCT may reduce need for confirmatory OGTT for identifying AGT but a larger study is warranted to identify a robust cutoff for CFRD.
Pediatric Late-Onset Acute and Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Single Center Cohort Study 2007-2017

Objectives Late acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in children is not well described. The 2014 NIH Chronic GVHD Consensus Criteria have not been studied in pediatric populations. We examined the incidence, organ involvement, severity by 2014 NIH criteria, and outcomes of late acute GVHD (L-aGVHD), overlap cGVHD, (O-cGVHD) and classic-chronic GVHD (C-cGVHD) in children. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 573 children, median age 7 (range 0.1-17.9) years who underwent first allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) at the University of Minnesota (2007-2017). 377 (66%) had a non-malignant disease. Graft sources included bone marrow (47%), peripheral blood (2%) and cord blood (51%). The majority (76%) received myeloablative regimens. GVHD prophylaxis was calcineurin-based (93%), sirolimus-based (2%) or ex vivo T-cell depletion (5%). Results While 79 patients (14%; 95%CI: 11–17) developed early onset (ie, ≤ day +100 after HCT) acute GVHD by 3 years, 9 patients had developed L-aGVHD (> day +100; cumulative incidence 2%, 95%CI: 1–3), 16 patients developed O-cGVHD (3%; 95%CI: 1–4) and 6 patients C-cGVHD (1%; 95%CI: 0–2) (Figure 1). Patients with prior grade II–IV early onset acute GVHD had a higher incidence of O-cGVHD or C-cGVHD (8% vs. 3%, p=0.02). No other patients or graft characteristics were associated with the 32 patients with L-aGVHD, O-cGVHD, or C-cGVHD. Skin was the most common involved organ at GVHD diagnosis across all the GVHD subtypes (Figure 2). No cases with joint or genitourinary chronic GVHD were reported. 6 patients had mild, 4 moderate and 13 severe chronic GVHD. 24/32 patients with L-aGVHD, O-cGVHD, or C-cGVHD received systemic therapy as initial treatment. Systemic therapies included steroids alone (17%, 4/24), steroids and sirolimus (8%, 2/24), steroids and cyclosporine (58%, 14/24), and CSA alone (17%, 4/24). At 6 months, CR/PR was achieved in 78% L-aGVHD patients, 44% O-cGVHD patients, and 43% C-cGVHD patients. 2 year CR/PR was achieved in 89% L-aGVHD patients, 63% O-cGVHD patients, and 71% C-cGVHD patients. The 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 11% (95%CI: 0–30) for L-aGVHD, 13% (95%CI: 0–29) for O-cGVHD, and 14% (95%CI: 1–28) for C-cGVHD as compared to 34% (95%CI: 23–47) for early onset acute GVHD. Patients with L-aGVHD, O-cGVHD and/or C-cGVHD had higher 2-year NRM than those without (Hazard Ratio: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.0–7.9, p=0.049). Conclusion Patients with L-aGVHD, O-cGVHD, and/or C-cGVHD had a higher likelihood of poor NRM. These data suggest that pediatric patients with L-aGVHD may respond better to treatment than those with O-cGVHD or C-cGVHD. Future research should further investigate the risks and nature of L-aGVHD, O-cGVHD and C-cGVHD to better understand how to prevent and treat GVHD in children.
4 – Nonlinear Optical Phase Conjugation

The real-time information processing and manipulation of electromagnetic waves using nonlinear optical techniques has resulted in a myriad of new insights and applications in diverse fields such as quantum electronics, real-time adaptive optics, image processing and optical computing. The field has also motivated basic study in such areas as nonlinear laser spectroscopy, coherent and quantum optical phenomena, and in essence, has unified many classes of nonlinear optical interactions, occurring in most natural and synthesized states of matter. In this chapter, we review and explore the field, provide a historical perspective, analyze several of the nonlinear interactions useful for the generation of phase-conjugate replicas, and conclude with a brief survey of potential applications and suitable nonlinear media.
Family nurture intervention alters relationships between preterm infant EEG delta brush characteristics and term age EEG power

Abstract Objective Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) facilitates mother/infant emotional connection, improves neurodevelopmental outcomes and increases electroencephalogram (EEG) power at term age. Here we explored whether delta brushes (DB), early EEG bursts that shape brain development, are altered by FNI and mediate later effects of FNI on EEG. Methods We assessed DB characteristics in EEG data from a randomized controlled trial comparing infants with standard care (SC, n = 31) versus SC + FNI (n = 33) at ~35 and ~40 weeks GA. Results Compared to SC infants, FNI infant DB amplitude increased more from ~35 to ~40 weeks, and FNI infants had longer duration DBs. DB parameters (rate, amplitude, brush frequency) at ~35 weeks were correlated with power at ~40 weeks, but only in SC infants. FNI effects on DB parameters do not mediate FNI effects on EEG power or coherence at term. Conclusions DBs are related to subsequent brain activity and FNI alters DB parameters. However, FNI’s effects on electrocortical activity at term age are not dependent on its earlier effects on DBs. Significance While early DBs can have important effects on later brain activity in preterm infants, facilitating emotional connection with FNI may allow brain maturation to be less dependent on early bursts.
Technology-enhanced visual desensitization home exercise program for post-concussive visually induced dizziness: a case series

Purpose: Post-concussive visually induced dizziness (VID), in which symptoms are provoked by exposure to complex visual motion, is associated with protracted recovery. Although vestibular rehabilit...
Incorporating Oral Language Assessment into MTSS/RTI Frameworks: The Potential of Personal Narrative Assessment.

In Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) models, the reading achievement of English Learners (ELs) is assessed multiple times during the school year to monitor st...
Revolutions and Expatriates: Social Networking, Ubiquitous Media and the Disintermedia of the State

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!1 You ask me about that country whose details now escape me, I don’t remember its geography, nothing of its history And should I visit it in memory, It would be as I would a past lover, After years, for a night, no longer restless with passion, with no fear of regret. I have reached that age when one visits the hear merely as a courtesy.2
Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis in US Mothers and Children Aged 0-2: PREVAIL Cohort Study

Background: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) cause significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Developing childhood vaccines against major enteric and respiratory pathogens should be guided by the natural history of infection and acquired immunity. The United States currently lacks contemporary birth cohort data to guide vaccine development. Objective: The PREVAIL (Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis Longitudinal) Cohort study was undertaken to define the natural history of infection and immune response to major pathogens causing AGE and ARI in US children. Methods: Mothers in Cincinnati, Ohio, were enrolled in their third trimester of pregnancy, with intensive child follow-up to 2 years. Blood samples were obtained from children at birth (cord), 6 weeks, and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Whole stool specimens and midturbinate nasal swabs were collected weekly and tested by multipathogen molecular assays. Saliva, meconium, maternal blood, and milk samples were also collected. AGE (≥3 loose or watery stools or ≥1 vomiting episode within 24 hours) and ARI (cough or fever) cases were documented by weekly cell phone surveys to mothers via automated SMS text messaging and review of medical records. Immunization records were obtained from registries and providers. follow-up ended in October 2020. Pathogen-specific infections are defined by a PCR-positive sample or rise in serum antibody. Results: Of the 245 enrolled mother–child pairs, 51.8% (n=127) were White, 43.3% (n=106) Black, 55.9% (n=137) publicly insured, and 86.5% (n=212) initiated breastfeeding. Blood collection was 100.0% for mothers (n=245) and 85.7% for umbilical cord (n=210). A total of 194/245 (79.2%) mother–child pairs were compliant based on participation in at least 70% (≥71/102 study weeks) of child-weeks and providing 70% or more of weekly samples during that time, or blood samples at 18 or 24 months. Compliant participants (n=194) had 71.0% median nasal swab collection (IQR 30.0%-90.5%), with 98.5% (191/194) providing either an 18- or 24-month blood sample; median response to weekly SMS text message surveys was 95.1% (IQR 76.5%-100%). Compliant mothers reported 2.0 AGE and 4.5 ARI cases per child-year, of which 25.5% (160/627) and 38.06% (486/1277) of cases, respectively, were medically attended; 0.5% of AGE (3/627) and 0.55% of ARI (7/1277) cases were hospitalized. Conclusions: The PREVAIL Cohort demonstrates intensive follow-up to document the natural history of enteric and respiratory infections and immunity in children 0-2 years of age in the United States and will contribute unique data to guide vaccine recommendations. Testing for pathogens and antibodies is ongoing.
Exploring the Association Between the “Big Five” Personality Traits and Fatal Opioid Overdose: County-Level Empirical Analysis

Background: Opioid-related deaths constitute a problem of pandemic proportions in the United States, with no clear solution in sight. Although addressing addiction—the heart of this problem—ought to remain a priority for health practitioners, examining the community-level psychological factors with a known impact on health behaviors may provide valuable insights for attenuating this health crisis by curbing risky behaviors before they evolve into addiction. Objective: The goal of this study is twofold: to demonstrate the relationship between community-level psychological traits and fatal opioid overdose both theoretically and empirically, and to provide a blueprint for using social media data to glean these psychological factors in a real-time, reliable, and scalable manner. Methods: We collected annual panel data from Twitter for 2891 counties in the United States between 2014-2016 and used a novel data mining technique to obtain average county-level “Big Five” psychological trait scores. We then performed interval regression, using a control function to alleviate omitted variable bias, to empirically test the relationship between county-level psychological traits and the prevalence of fatal opioid overdoses in each county. Results: After controlling for a wide range of community-level biopsychosocial factors related to health outcomes, we found that three of the operationalizations of the five psychological traits examined at the community level in the study were significantly associated with fatal opioid overdoses: extraversion (β=.308, P<.001), neuroticism (β=.248, P<.001), and conscientiousness (β=.229, P<.001). Conclusions: Analyzing the psychological characteristics of a community can be a valuable tool in the local, state, and national fight against the opioid pandemic. Health providers and community health organizations can benefit from this research by evaluating the psychological profile of the communities they serve and assessing the projected risk of fatal opioid overdose based on the relationships our study predict when making decisions for the allocation of overdose-reversal medication and other vital resources.
A Survey of Provider-Reported Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Medications for Symptom Management in Telemedicine and Outpatient Visits for Mild COVID-19.

Many patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have symptoms requiring acute and follow-up care. The aims of this study were to assess (1) provider-reported use of medications and their perceived effectiveness and (2) degree of difficulty managing specific symptoms at episodic COVID-19 care sites and in a longitudinal monitoring program. We sent an online survey to physicians, advanced practice providers, and registered nurses redeployed to COVID-19 care sites at an academic medical center from March to May 2020. We asked about the use of medications and perceived effectiveness of medications to treat symptoms of COVID-19 and the perceived challenge of symptom management. Comparison was made by provider type (episodic or longitudinal site of care). Responses from 64 providers were included. The most frequently used medications were acetaminophen (87.1% of respondents), benzonatate (83.9%), and albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDI) (80.6%). Therapies for lower respiratory tract symptoms were reported as more commonly used by longitudinal follow-up providers compared to episodic providers including guaifenesin (90.6% vs 60.0%, p = 0.007), benzonatate (93.8% vs 73.3%, p = 0.04), nebulized albuterol for patients with asthma (75.0% vs 43.3%, p = 0.019), and albuterol MDIs for patients without asthma (90.6% vs 66.7%, p = 0.029). Medications found to have the highest perceived efficacy by respondents using the therapy (> 80% reporting “very efficacious”) included albuterol, acetaminophen for fever, non-sedating antihistamines, nasal steroid spray, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for myalgia, arthralgia, or headache. Lower respiratory symptoms and anxiety were rated as the most challenging symptoms to manage. Providers reported that clinical care of mild COVID-19 with medications in common use for other respiratory infections is effective, both at episodic care and longitudinal sites of care, but that specific symptoms are still challenging to manage.
Turnout for What? Do Colleges Prepare Informed Voters?:

One of the traditional aims of higher education is to prepare informed citizens who are civically engaged. Although many voters are underinformed, there are multiple social benefits to having an in...
Increased dense erythrocytes in flame-burned patients.

OBJECTIVE: We have studied dense erythrocytes separated on Arabinogalactan (Stractan) ultracentrifuged gradients in flame-burned patients and in normal individuals. In each case, the percentage of erythrocytes in the densest layers was increased when compared to age and sex matched controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using an in vitro system, we showed that as human whole blood is warmed to 48.6°C, the number of dense erythrocytes increases. In addition, the reduced glutathionine (GSH) content of the densest red blood cells is decreased compared to those in lighter fractions on the same gradient or to dense erythrocytes separated from blood incubated at room temperature. These dense red cells were largely composed of spherocytes and spheroechynocytes, two forms of erythrocytes which have been shown by others to have markedly abnormal flow characteristics in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that in vivo dense erythrocytes can be generated in the setting of flame burns. Thus, the underlying reason may be oxidant injury as represented by the reduced level of GSH that we found in association with the generation of dense erythrocytes.
Heating Methods and Detection Limits for Infrared Thermography Inspection of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to strengthen existing civil infrastructure is expanding rapidly. Many FRP systems used to strengthen reinforced concrete are applied using a wet lay-up method in which dry fibers are saturated on site and then applied to the surface. This research investigated using infrared thermography (IRT) as a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) tool for detecting air voids and epoxy-filled holes in FRP systems bonded to a concrete substrate. Four small-scale specimens with FRP thicknesses ranging from 1 to 4 mm (0.04 to 0.16 in.) containing fabricated defects were constructed and inspected in a laboratory setting. Three heating methods (flash, scan, and long pulse) were employed and a quantitative analysis of resulting IRT data was used to establish detection limits for each method. Scan heating was shown to be most effective for basic defect detection. Air-filled defects at the FRP/concrete interface as small as 2. 9 cm 2 (0.45 in. 2 ) were detected in a 4 mm (0.16 in.) thick FRP system. Defects as small as 0.3 cm 2 (0.05 in. 2 ) were detected in a 1 mm (0.04 in.) thick FRP system.
Relative motions of fragments of the split comets. I - A new approach

A hypothesis is proposed which interprets the relative motion of two fragments of a split comet in terms of a slight difference between their effective solar attraction rather than in terms of the impulse imparted to them at separation. A quantitative version of this hypothesis is formulated by assuming that the difference in effective solar attraction varies with heliocentric distance in direct proportion to the actual solar attraction so that the ratio of the two forces is constant and equal to a measure of the relative effect between the two fragments under consideration. Results obtained using this formulation are compared with observational evidence on the split comets P/Biela, Liais 1860 I, 1882 II, P/Brooks 2 1889 V, Swift 1899 I, Kopff 1905 IV, Mellish 1915 II, Taylor 1916 I, 1947 XII, Wirtanen 1957 VI, Ikeya-Seki 1965 VIII, Kohoutek 1970 III, and West 1975n. The hypothesis is found to fail only in the case of comet Wirtanen 1957 VI. Some unusual phenomena associated with split comets are examined.
Studies in Carcinogenesis: III. Isomers of Cholanthrene and Methylcholanthrene

In a continuation of the study of the carcinogenic action of polycyclic compounds which is being carried on jointly with Professor L. F. Fieser and his colleagues of the Division of Chemistry of Harvard University, a number of new hydrocarbons have been tested. The present report describes the results 1 obtained with several of the compounds synthesized by Fieser and his collaborators. In all cases pure strain mice (Strain A albino mice unless otherwise stated) were employed. The hydrocarbons were introduced subcutaneously, as crystals, employing glycerol as a lubricant, as was done in previous experiments (Shear, 1936, a ). Each mouse received only one injection, of approximately 10 mg., of crystalline hydrocarbon. In the experiments in which these conditions were modified, the modifications are specified. A specimen of this compound, synthesized by Fieser and Seligman (1935, a ), was introduced into 14 mice. Ulceration occurred in some of the mice after one month, as had been noted previously with other active hydrocarbons. The first tumor was observed after 98 days, and the second one after 131 days. The latter tumor gave 100 per cent takes on transplantation.
Calculation of adsorption-related parameters from a.c. polarographic data:: Basis and Computer Programs

Abstract Phase-selective alternating current polarography can be advantageously used for the observation and quantitative description of adsorption at a solution—electrode interface; for example, in the absence of a faradaic process, the quadrature current component is simply related to the interfacial differential capacity. Such a.c. measurements are especially advantageous for the occasional investigation of adsorption. The basis of using such measurements is considered; the data analysis is examined; specifics for computer calculation of differential capacity, surface charge density, and relative surface excess, and the requirements for data smoothing are described. The computer programs developed are sufficiently general for handling special situations.
Ground Validation of the Third Generation JPL Electronic Nose

The Third Generation ENose is an air quality monitor designed to operate in the environment of the US Lab on the International Space Station. It detects a selected group of analytes at target concentrations in the ppm regime at an environmental temperature range of 18 30 o C, relative humidity from 25 - 75% and pressure from 530 to 760 torr. The abilities of the device to detect ten analytes, to reject confounders as “unknown” and to deconvolute mixtures of two analytes under varying environmental conditions has been tested extensively in the laboratory. Results of ground testing showed an overall success rate for detection, identification and quantification of analytes of 87% under nominal temperature and humidity conditions and 83% over all conditions.
Fuzzy logic for control applications

Fuzzy logic is becoming recognized as an effective method for writing algorithms for control systems. As with everything else, the robustness of fuzzy lies in the system designer's ability to fully define the system and write effective "rules" for how the system should operate. What is new about fuzzy is that it allows parameters to fall within certain ranges and based upon where input data falls within these ranges, a definite result can be generated.
Former Students Feedback On A Liberal Arts Undergraduate Course In Entrepreneurship

We present initial and preliminary results from a questionnaire survey in early 2005 of former students who took the only entrepreneurship class taught once/year at Macalester College. The objective was to elicit their opinions of what should be taught, the importance of alternative classroom pedagogies, and judgments on how to evaluate student performance. Highest encouragement was given to having outside guest entrepreneur speakers. They were not enthusiastic about the importance of journal articles or even textbooks. They would counsel entrepreneurial students facing constraints on what other courses they might consider, to take especially accounting/finance. They believe grades should be based more so on projects and participation than on performance on exams. They would emphasize the courses focus to be more on starting than growing a firm.
Biomimetic perfusion and electrical stimulation applied in concert improved the assembly of engineered cardiac tissue

Maintenance of normal myocardial function depends intimately on synchronous tissue contraction, driven by electrical activation and on adequate nutrient perfusion in support thereof. Bioreactors have been used to mimic aspects of these factors in vitro to engineer cardiac tissue but, due to design limitations, previous bioreactor systems have yet to simultaneously support nutrient perfusion, electrical stimulation and unconstrained (i.e. not isometric) tissue contraction. To the best of our knowledge, the bioreactor system described herein is the first to integrate these three key factors in concert. We present the design of our bioreactor and characterize its capability in integrated experimental and mathematical modelling studies. We then cultured cardiac cells obtained from neonatal rats in porous, channelled elastomer scaffolds with the simultaneous application of perfusion and electrical stimulation, with controls excluding either one or both of these two conditions. After 8 days of culture, constructs grown with simultaneous perfusion and electrical stimulation exhibited substantially improved functional properties, as evidenced by a significant increase in contraction amplitude (0.23 ± 0.10% vs 0.14 ± 0.05%, 0.13 ± 0.08% or 0.09 ± 0.02% in control constructs grown without stimulation, without perfusion, or either stimulation or perfusion, respectively). Consistently, these constructs had significantly improved DNA contents, cell distribution throughout the scaffold thickness, cardiac protein expression, cell morphology and overall tissue organization compared to control groups. Thus, the simultaneous application of medium perfusion and electrical conditioning enabled by the use of the novel bioreactor system may accelerate the generation of fully functional, clinically sized cardiac tissue constructs.
Automating metadata for dynamic datasets

Data and metadata are intrinsically connected. Both are vital components of a complete dataset and neither should be viewed as separate entities. Real-time and hourly data collections are dynamic, driving the need for amended metadata to record these types of observations.
The Structured Interview for the Treatment of the Hepatitis C Virus (SIT-HCV)

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Structured Interview for the Treatment of the Hepatitis C Virus (SIT-HCV). This comprehensive interview expands upon a standard psychiatric interview by including those medical, psychological, and behavioral factors that are essential to determining a patient’s psychological appropriateness for interferon therapy. A detailed description of the SIT-HCV is provided, highlighting its utility in developing recommendations that positively impact patients’ treatment outcomes. The advantages of the SIT-HCV will be presented, including a discussion on how this approach can ensure comprehensive assessment and facilitate research, training, and patient education.
Producing reusable object-oriented components: a domain-and-organization-specific perspective

Developing reusable object-oriented software requires a designer to determine how to structure a software system so as to achieve the necessary functionality, while at the same time increasing the reuse potential of the software. We introduce a set of reusability metrics intended to be iteratively applied during the design and implementation parts of the software life-cycle to help guide the production and identification of reusable components. Component identification centers on the application's domain, with reuse focusing specifically on an organization's future systems. Our approach requires the developer to subjectively categorize classes, identify component boundaries, and specify where components are related. Our metrics provide reuse valuations on the couplings between components. Based upon the results of applying our metrics, we provide refactoring guidelines to increase the separation between components in a manner that improves component reusability. We include an application of our metrics to a commercial objec-oriented framework.