cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Training and skills assessment for MRI/TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsy: End-fire vs. side-fire ultrasound probes.

e540Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion-guided prostate biopsy (FBx) has rapidly proliferated in prostate cancer evaluation. FBx success may be dependent on multiple factors, including skills learned with user experience and the type of ultrasound (US) probe used. Our objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of the MRI/TRUS FBx technique utilizing an end fire versus a side fire US probe on an FBx platform. Methods: The participants of the study consisted of three different experience levels (expert ( > 1000 FBx), Urology fellows with none to minimal FBx experience, Urology residents with no FBx experience). Each participant performed three trials of the FBx with the UroNav System in separate phantom models of the prostate. Each trial involved targeting the same set of fiducials through FBx platform and then using US only; first using an end fire US probe, and then using a side fire US probe. Fusion registration error (FRE) was defined as the distanc...
Analysis of cost variation in craniotomy for tumor using 2 national databases

BACKGROUND There is a significant increase and large variation in craniotomy costs. However, the causes of cost differences in craniotomies remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To examine the patient and hospital factors that underlie the cost variation in tumor craniotomies using 2 national databases: the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Vizient, Inc. (Irving, Texas). METHODS For 41 483 patients who underwent primary surgery for supratentorial brain tumors from 2001 to 2013 in the NIS, we created univariate and multivariate models to evaluate the effect of several patient factors and hospital factors on total hospital cost. Similarly, we performed multivariate analysis with 15 087 cases in the Vizient 2012 to 2015 database. RESULTS In the NIS, the mean inflation-adjusted cost per tumor craniotomy increased 30%, from $23 021 in 2001 to $29 971 in 2013. In 2001, the highest cost region was the Northeast ($24 486 ± $1184), and by 2013 the western United States was the highest cost region ($36 058 ± $1684). Multivariate analyses with NIS data showed that male gender, white race, private insurance, higher mortality risk, higher severity of illness, longer length of stay, elective admissions, higher wage index, urban teaching hospitals, and hospitals in the western United States were associated with higher tumor craniotomy costs (all P < .05). Multivariate analyses with Vizient data confirmed that longer length of stay and the western United States were significantly associated with higher costs (P < .001). CONCLUSION After controlling for patient/clinical factors, hospital type, bed size, and wage index, hospitals in the western United States had higher costs than those in other parts of the country, based on analyses from 2 separate national databases.
Performance Evaluation of Energy-Constrained Broadcast (EconCast) in Wireless Networks

Wireless object tracking applications are gaining popularity and will soon utilize emerging ultra-low-power device-to- device communication. However, severe energy constraints require much more careful accounting of energy usage than what prior art provides. To address these challenges, in [1] we focused on maximizing broadcast throughput between a set of heterogeneous ultra-low-power devices and presented the Energy-Constrained Broadcast (EconCast) protocol. EconCast is a simple asynchronous distributed protocol that can operate in groupput and anyput modes to respectively maximize two alternative throughput measures. In this paper, we evaluate the throughput performance of EconCast numerically and via extensive simulations in various heterogeneous and homogeneous networks. We also evaluate the latency performance of EconCast and compare its throughput-delay tradeoffs when operating in groupput and anyput modes.
Impact of animal health on reproduction of dairy cows

Many of the diseases that affect dairy cattle either in confinement or pasture-based systems typically occur in the first two months of lactation, before the first postpartum insemination. The increased susceptibility to metabolic and infectious diseases with parturition and the onset of lactation poses a major challenge to reproduction. A wealth of information in the scientific literature is available linking diseases with depressed reproduction in dairy cows. Unfortunately, only few studies have established a causal relationship between a specific disease and fertility, and little is known about the mechanisms that underlie the decrease in pregnancy in dairy cows that had disease in early lactation. It is clear that dairy cows that suffer from disease processes have impaired resumption of postpartum ovulation, compromised fertilization and preand peri-implantation conceptus development, altered conceptus gene expression, increased pregnancy loss and, ultimately reduced pregnancy per insemination that causes an extension in time to pregnancy. Because mechanisms are poorly understood, no target intervention is available at this time to reverse the poor reproduction in cows that develop periparturient diseases, except methods to induce cyclicity in anovular cows or to improve insemination rate in cows not detected in estrus. Regardless of a better understanding of the underlying biology of poor fertility in diseased cows, a pivotal approach is to implement strategies that mitigate the risk factors that predispose cows to disease. Such interventions include, but are not limited to, improving transition cow management and grouping, proper dietary formulation to prevent periparturient diseases associated with intermediary and mineral metabolism, strategies for reducing calving-related disorders, and methods to prevent mastitis and lameness. Future developments in target strategies to improve reproduction of cows suffering from peripartum diseases will require a better understanding of the impaired biological processes that compromise establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in this subfertile population of cows.
Models of Count with Endogenous Choices

Abstract: In transportation and traffic analysis count data arises frequently, collectively emerging from individual traveler choices from a choice set of alternatives. Examples include network origin-destination (OD) flow rates and visitor counts at transit stations. From a modeling perspective, these data are aggregate counts at the top level, but comprised of individual discrete choices at the lower level. Models of count data are widely applied in the transportation and traffic fields. However, only a moderate level of applications jointly model count observations at the top level with discrete choice models at the bottom level under a random utility maximization (RUM) framework. This paper considers modeling count data with an underlying choice process as a joint model that merges an observed event count process with a discrete choice process, where the count level is Poisson distributed. This model captures both processes within a single random utility framework that preserves a direct mapping between the count intensity and the utility of the chosen alternative, including unobserved variables and latent factors. The decision-making context presented examines discretionary activity type choice for activities completed within a one-day period. The estimation results for this model are compared against (i) a mixed-logit model and (ii) a mixed-Poisson model, each with normally distributed parameters. The results indicate that a model of count with endogenous choices can account for the randomness associated with the utility of choice alternatives from lower level discrete choices, consequently leading to significantly different utility parameter estimates for the Poisson rate parameter in the upper level. Furthermore, while the linkage between the maximizing utility and rate parameter is preserved in this joint model, identifying the contribution of attributes between the two levels requires further parameterization.
A new approach for damage detection in asphalt concrete pavements using battery-free wireless sensors with non-constant injection rates

Abstract This study presents a novel approach for detection of bottom-up cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements using self-powered wireless sensor (SWS) with non-constant injection rates. The performance of the sensors was evaluated through numerical and experimental studies on an asphalt concrete specimen under three-point bending configuration. Damage was introduced by making notches with different sizes at the bottom of the specimen. Different 3D finite element (FE) models were developed using ABAQUS to generate the sensor output data for different damage states. Thereafter, the laboratory tests were carried on the same specimen to validate the performance of the proposed damage detection approach. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film was used to harvest the strain energy from the host structure and empower the sensor. In order to protect the embedded sensor, an H-shape packaging system was designed and tested. The results indicate that the progression of bottom-up cracks can be accurately detected using the proposed self-powered sensing system.
Assessment of in vitro killing assays for detecting praziquantel-induced death in Posthodiplostomum minimum metacercariae.

Control of parasitic infections may be achieved by eliminating developmental stages present within intermediate hosts, thereby disrupting the parasite life cycle. For several trematodes relevant to human and veterinary medicine, this involves targeting the metacercarial stage found in fish intermediate hosts. Treatment of fish with praziquantel is one potential approach for targeting the metacercaria stage. To date, studies investigating praziquantel-induced metacercarial death in fish rely on counting parasites and visually assessing morphology or movement. In this study, we investigate quantitative methods for detecting praziquantel-induced death using a Posthodiplostomum minimum model. Our results revealed that propidium iodide staining accurately identified praziquantel-induced death and the level of staining was proportional to the concentration of praziquantel. In contrast, detection of ATP, resazurin metabolism, and trypan blue staining were poor indicators of metacercarial death. The propidium iodide method offers an advantage over simple visualization of parasite movement and could be used to determine EC50 values relevant for comparison of praziquantel sensitivity or resistance.
Predictors of pediatric blunt cerebrovascular injury.

Abstract Background/purpose Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is clinically challenging because these injuries are hard to detect and can have serious neurological consequences, and optimal screening criteria have not been established for children. This study aims to determine risk factors for BCVI in pediatric patients and to evaluate screening practices in a single institutional series. Methods A retrospective review of all pediatric blunt trauma patients evaluated over a 10-year period was performed. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were reviewed, including the presence of adult risk factors for BCVI. Logistic regression analyses were performed with statistical significance established at p Results Of the 11,596 patients evaluated during the study period, 1018 (8.8%) had at least one adult risk factor for BCVI, but only 62 (6.1% of those with risk factors) underwent angiographic evaluation. Overall, 11 BCVIs were observed, resulting in an incidence of 0.095%. All 11 patients with BCVI had at least one risk factor. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified cervical spine fracture (OR 36.88 [8.36, 169.95]), GCS score ≤ 8 (OR 16.42 [2.16, 102.33]), male gender (OR 10.52 [1.33, 363.30]), Le Fort II or III facial fracture (OR 63.71 [2.16, 1124.68]), and ISS (unit OR 1.10 [1.04, 1.17]) as independent risk factors for BCVI. Conclusion Adult screening criteria for BCVI appear appropriate for pediatric patients, but most at-risk children are not being screened. Level of evidence Level III (retrospective case-control study).
Weight loss in men in late life and bone strength and microarchitecture: a prospective study.

Weight loss in men in late life was associated with lower bone strength. In contrast, weight gain was not associated with a commensurate increase in bone strength. Future studies should measure concurrent changes in weight and parameters of bone strength and microarchitecture and evaluate potential causal pathways underlying these associations. Our aim was to determine associations of weight loss with bone strength and microarchitecture. We used data from 1723 community-dwelling men (mean age 84.5 years) who attended the MrOS study Year (Y) 14 exam and had high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans at ≥ 1 skeletal sites (distal tibia, distal radius, or diaphyseal tibia). Weight change from Y7 to Y14 exams (mean 7.3 years between exams) was classified as moderate weight loss (loss ≥ 10%), mild weight loss (loss 5 to < 10%), stable weight (< 5% change), or weight gain (gain ≥ 5%). Mean HR-pQCT parameters (95%CI) were calculated by weight change category using linear regression models adjusted for age, race, site, health status, body mass index, limb length, and physical activity. The primary outcome measure was estimated failure load. There was a nonlinear association of weight change with failure load at each skeletal site with different associations for weight loss vs. weight gain (p < 0.03). Failure load and total bone mineral density (BMD) at distal sites were lower with greater weight loss with 7.0–7.6% lower failure loads and 4.3–5.8% lower BMDs among men with moderate weight loss compared to those with stable weight (p < 0.01, both comparisons). Cortical, but not trabecular, BMDs at distal sites were lower with greater weight loss. Greater weight loss was associated with lower cortical thickness at all three skeletal sites. Weight loss in men in late life is associated with lower peripheral bone strength and total BMD with global measures reflecting cortical but not trabecular parameters.
The Invisible Forces That Create the Health of Populations: A Public Health of Consequence, April 2018.

An introduction for the issue is presented discussing reports on topics such as vaccination trends, U.S. health policies, and public health research.
Absence of leptin signaling allows fat accretion in cystic fibrosis mice.

We show that cystic fibrosis (CF) mice are able to accrue fat under conditions of carbohydrate overfeeding, increased lipogenesis, and decreased energy expenditure, although length was unaffected. ...
Dissociation of ⟨111⟩ dislocations on {11¯0} in pentaerythritol tetranitrate

Plastic deformation in the tetragonal explosive molecular crystal pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is mediated in part by dislocations with Burgers vector ⟨111⟩ on {11¯0}. This observation is un...
Alternative chemoradiotherapy to treat locally advanced (LA) anal carcinoma (AC) in patients (pts) with mutations in thymidylate synthase (TYMS) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) genes: A case series.

605Background: 5-FU and mitomycin-C (MMC) with radiotherapy (RT) remain an established treatment for pts with LA (T2-4, N0-1, M0 or T1-4, N2-3, M0) AC. Genetic mutations in 2 major metabolizing enz...
Direct detection of nanostar probes through a monkey skull using inverse surface-enhanced spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SESORS)

While the use of nanomaterials in medical diagnostics has received increasing interest, in vivo detection of nanoparticles using optical techniques is still a challenge. Among other techniques, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-labeled nanoparticles offer many potential applications in the field of disease diagnostics and biomedical monitoring, due to the advantages offered by SERS. We have previously developed a unique plasmonics-active nanoplatform, gold nanostars (GNS) for in vitro and in vivo multiplexed detection and diagnostics. To date conventional optical setups are typically limited in obtaining SERS signals at the sample surface, due to the strong attenuation caused by the highly scattering and absorbing tissue. Herein, we utilize spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) to overcome this depth limitation and obtain specific spectrochemical signatures of SERS-labeled nanoparticles, such as gold nanostars, beneath thick material and bone. In particular, we developed an optical setup for inverse spatially offset Raman spectroscopy to improve the robustness of the method developed. The efficacy of this method, referred to as inverse Surface-Enhanced Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SESORS) is demonstrated through the detection of layer-specific and subsurface SERS signals beneath different layers and substrates: (1) 4-mm tissue phantom, (2) 4-mm paraffin film, and (3) 5 mm bone of a macaque skull. Additionally, we show the possibility of recovering the pure SERS signal that belongs to a specific layer within a two-layer system using scaled subtraction. We will discuss the use of inverse SESORS in applications relevant to biomedical research.
Home-cage hypoactivity in mouse genetic models of autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Genome-wide association and whole exome sequencing studies from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patient populations have implicated numerous risk factor genes whose mutation or deletion results in significantly increased incidence of ASD. Behavioral studies of monogenic mutant mouse models of ASD-associated genes have been useful for identifying aberrant neural circuitry. However, behavioral results often differ from lab to lab, and studies incorporating both males and females are often not performed despite the significant sex-bias of ASD. In this study, we sought to investigate the simple, passive behavior of home-cage activity monitoring across multiple 24-h days in four different monogenic mouse models of ASD: Shank3b−/−, Cntnap2−/−, Pcdh10+/−, and Fmr1 knockout mice. Relative to sex-matched wildtype (WT) littermates, we discovered significant home-cage hypoactivity, particularly in the dark (active) phase of the light/dark cycle, in male mice of all four ASD-associated transgenic models. For Cntnap2−/− and Pcdh10+/− mice, these activity alterations were sex-specific, as female mice did not exhibit home-cage activity differences relative to sex-matched WT controls. These home-cage hypoactivity alterations differ from activity findings previously reported using short-term activity measurements in a novel open field. Despite circadian problems reported in human ASD patients, none of the mouse models studied had alterations in free-running circadian period. Together, these findings highlight a shared phenotype across several monogenic mouse models of ASD, outline the importance of methodology on behavioral interpretation, and in some genetic lines parallel the male-enhanced phenotypic presentation observed in human ASDs.
Humans store about 1.5 megabytes of information during language acquisition

We introduce theory-neutral estimates of the amount of information learners possess about how language works. We provide estimates at several levels of linguistic analysis: phonemes, wordforms, lexical semantics, word frequency and syntax. Our best guess is that the average English-speaking adult has learned 12.5 million bits of information, the majority of which is lexical semantics. Interestingly, very little of this information is syntactic, even in our upper bound analyses. Generally, our results suggest that learners possess remarkable inferential mechanisms capable of extracting, on average, nearly 2000 bits of information about how language works each day for 18 years.
Women's Experiences with Tandem Breastfeeding.

Background Choosing to breastfeed is a decision with far-reaching benefits; strengthened immune systems, all-encompassing nutrition, and fostering healthy attachment. For these and other reasons, some mothers are reluctant to wean their child due to a subsequent pregnancy. Mothers may breastfeed throughout their second pregnancy, give birth to their second child, and simultaneously breastfeed two children. This practice is known as tandem breastfeeding. Purpose We explore the biological and emotional considerations of tandem breastfeeding and offer practical suggestions for nurses. Methods Three mothers who engaged in tandem breastfeeding were identified and interviewed. Interviews were face-to-face or over the phone. One researcher conducted all interviews using the same questions that served as the foundation and guidance for the discussion-based interview. The interviews lasted 40 to 60 minutes and were audio recorded to minimize recall issues during data analysis. Results Three mothers shared their tandem breastfeeding journeys, challenges faced, and overall perspectives. This was an opportunity for mothers to share feedback on how nurses provided education and care as well as suggestions for nursing care of future mothers who choose to tandem breastfeeding. Clinical implications Through research and case-series interviews, we developed implications for nursing practice. Nurses must be informed and supportive of mothers' decisions to tandem breastfeed.
Activity, Purification, and Analysis of Condensed Tannins: Current State of Affairs and Future Endeavors

As a class of plant polyphenolic compounds contained in some forages (i.e., sainfoin [Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.], big trefoil [Lotus pedunculatus Cav.], birdsfoot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus L.]), condensed tannins (CTs), also referred to as proanthocyanidins (PAs or PACs), exhibit a variety of biological effects on ruminants. The potential positive impact of CTs on the agricultural industry stems from their ability to modulate proteolysis during forage conservation and ruminal digestion, to prevent bloat, to reduce intestinal parasite burdens, to abate methane and ammonia emissions from ruminants, and to inhibit the activity of soil-nitrifying bacteria. How CTs exert these effects on ruminants focuses on the interaction of CTs with proteins. The structure-activity relationship in CT–protein interaction is not well understood but is known to be dependent on the structure and properties of both the CT and the protein. The purpose of this perspective is fivefold. First, we provide the reader with a better understanding of the structural diversity of CTs present in plant material and enable the reader to appreciate that not all CTs are the same. Second, we provide examples of how CT structural diversity affects the interaction of CTs with the protein, which, in turn, dictates the biological response from the animal. Third, we describe the hurdles in obtaining highly pure and well-characterized CTs from natural sources for use in studies to attempt to elucidate how CTs impart each biological effect. We then describe improved and emerging techniques for CT analysis and, finally, we conclude this perspective with questions to address in future investigations and forward a list of recommendations for CT researchers to follow.
Correction to: Modular norm models: practical representation and analysis of contractual rights and obligations

The article “Modular norm models: practical representation and analysis of contractual rights and obligations.
Exponent Trade-off for Hypothesis Testing Over Noisy Channels

The distributed hypothesis testing (DHT) problem is considered, in which the joint distribution of a pair of sequences present at separated terminals, is governed by one of two possible hypotheses. The decision needs to be made by one of the terminals (the "decoder"). The other terminal (the "encoder") uses a noisy channel in order to help the decoder with the decision. This problem can be seen as a generalization of the side-information variant of the DHT problem, where the rate-limited link is replaced by a noisy channel. A recent work by Salehkalaibar and Wigger has derived an achievable Stein exponent for this problem, by employing concepts from the DHT scheme of Shimokawa et al., and from unequal error protection coding for a single special message. In this work we extend the view to a trade-off between the two error exponents, additionally building on multiple codebooks and two special messages with unequal error protection. As a by product, we also present an achievable exponent trade-off for a rate-limited link, which generalizes Shimokawa et al..
Out-of-band phase conjugation for auto-focusing and communications in the shallow ocean

Time-reversal methods in which received sound is inverted in the time domain and retransmitted back towards the source allows effective temporal and spatial auto-focusing in complex and dynamically changing environments such as the ocean. However, time-reversal typically involves significant time lapses between the receipt of a signal and its time-reversed retransmission. Given the continuously changing nature of the ocean significantly affecting higher frequencies, demonstrations of time-reversal systems were limited to low frequencies below 5 kHz. The closely related phase conjugation methods remove the time gap between signal receipt and its retransmission but are difficult to implement because of additional hardware needed to decouple the receiver and transmitter operating on the same frequency band. Moreover, phase conjugation preserves only the spatial focusing of time-reversal and loses the temporal focusing ability. In this presentation we will introduce the concept of out-of-band phase conjugation in which the phase conjugated sound is on a higher harmonic of the received sound thus effectively decoupling the transmitter and receiver. At the same time, out-of-band phase conjugation improves the resolution of the auto-focused phase conjugated sound. We will also discuss methods to mitigate the effects of imperfect temporal focusing.Time-reversal methods in which received sound is inverted in the time domain and retransmitted back towards the source allows effective temporal and spatial auto-focusing in complex and dynamically changing environments such as the ocean. However, time-reversal typically involves significant time lapses between the receipt of a signal and its time-reversed retransmission. Given the continuously changing nature of the ocean significantly affecting higher frequencies, demonstrations of time-reversal systems were limited to low frequencies below 5 kHz. The closely related phase conjugation methods remove the time gap between signal receipt and its retransmission but are difficult to implement because of additional hardware needed to decouple the receiver and transmitter operating on the same frequency band. Moreover, phase conjugation preserves only the spatial focusing of time-reversal and loses the temporal focusing ability. In this presentation we will introduce the concept of out-of-band phase conjugatio...
Influence of Nutrition and Weight Loss on Reproduction and Early Embryonic Death in Cattle

Maintaining acceptable levels of reproductive performance in cattle is a challenging problem, particularly when cows are producing high yields of milk or when nutrient intake is below the demand for extended periods of time. In such situations, the associated negative energy balance may result in prolonged postpartum anestrus, lower levels of progesterone secretion by corpora lutea (CL) and lower rates of conception. Fertility in high-producing cattle also may be affected by excessive intake of protein, inadequate intake of fibrous feeds or other nutritional imbalances. There is some evidence that such factors affect embryonic survival. This paper will review some of the current thinking in these areas and provide insights into potential biological mechanisms through which fertility is influenced by these factors. The paper will focus primarily on the postpartum dairy cow.
Adventures with historical physics apparatus

The past is always with us, not only the physics history that we revere and try to put into our classroom presentations. Two hundred years of teaching natural philosophy (physics) have left us a significant amount of physics history in the form of early apparatus. In this article, I will tell stories about how I have become involved in the study of early physics apparatus. Because of my website on Historical Physics Teaching Apparatus, I have fielded a series of queries since the year 2000: I have inherited this apparatus, what is it and how much is it worth? My students turned up this interesting piece of apparatus and think that they might use it in an experiment—what is it and tell me how it can be put into the curriculum?
Community Engagement Plans: A Tool for Institutionalizing Community Engagement.

The University of Louisville guided the development of community engagement plans by its academic and administrative units to strengthen their ability to assess and improve their partnership, outreach, and engaged scholarship with community partners. Using a common template, each unit developed a process for engaging with the community, building on its particular strengths and interests. The engagement plans serve as a road map to get each unit engaged with the larger community and institutionalize engagement across the university. Discussion centers around the template used to develop the engagement plans and the role they play in institutionalizing community engagement. A further look is taken at the process used to develop and implement the plans as well as some of the challenges and opportunities that were encountered along the way.
Socioeconomic status and beyond: a multilevel analysis of TIMSS mathematics achievement given student and school context in Turkey

Socioeconomic status (SES) is considered a major predictor of student and school achievement. In most cases, SES is not malleable or available for manipulation to improve students’ learning and achievement. Therefore, we explored other student and school-related factors that may be malleable to reduce achievement differences between students and schools in Turkey. We used the TIMSS 2015 fourth-grade mathematics data and analyzed it using hierarchical linear modeling. We found that SES at both student and school levels is a dominant factor related to mathematics achievement and a much stronger predictor at the school level. Early literacy and numeracy activities, preschool education, intrinsic motivation, and engagement in instruction were found to be significantly and positively associated with higher achievement within schools. Similarly, among the school-level variables, we found significant and positive associations between schools’ mathematics scores and instruction quality and school readiness, in the presence of SES. We recommend that preschool education and early literacy and numeracy activities at home should be promoted. Additionally, although the findings of this study indicate possible SES-based school segregation; parents, teachers, and school leaders, as well as students, should work toward a more positive school climate to reduce achievement disparities due to SES.
Waste-to-wealth application of wastewater treatment algae-derived hydrochar for Pb(II) adsorption

Abstract Hydrochar, as an energy-lean solid waste, is generated from an advanced biofuel conversion technique hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and always leads to environmental pollution without appropriate disposal. In this study, HTL-derived hydrochar is recycled and prepared as adsorbent used for Pb(Ⅱ) removal from wastewater. As the original porous structure of hydrochar is masked by oily volatiles remained after HTL, two types of oil-removal pretreatment (Soxhlet extraction and CO2 activation) are explored. The result shows that CO2 activation significantly enhances the adsorption capacity of Pb(Ⅱ), and the maximum adsorption capacity is 12.88 mg g−1, as evaluated using Langmuir adsorption model. Further, apart from oily volatiles, most inorganic compounds derived from wastewater-grown algae is enriched in hydrochar, causing a smaller surface area of hydrochar. An ash-removal alkali treatment following CO2 activation is introduced to dramatically increase the adsorption capacity to 25.00 mg g−1 with an extremely low Pb(II) equilibrium concentration of 5.1×10-4 mg L−1, which is much lower than the maximum level of Pb concentration in drinking water (set by World Health Organization). This work introduces an approach to reuse HTL-hydrochar as an inexpensive adsorbent in Pb-contaminated water treatment, which not only provides another possible renewable adsorbent candidate applied in the field of lead adsorption, but also finds an alternative route to reduce solid waste effluent from HTL process.
Sedation and Analgesic Considerations for Gastrointestinal Procedures

Gastrointestinal (GI) procedures are performed in various settings and are important for prevention and treatment of various disease states. For many years, these procedures were commonly performed with a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines. However, in recent years, there has been a significant shift to propofol, allowing for both moderate and deep sedation. Propofol has been popular with patients and has sedative effects with no known antidote. Baseline vital signs, physical examination, and past medical history are always required for any patient who is to receive anesthesia. Further, sedation involving propofol requires airway expertise, since its delivery can result in hypoxia and respiratory depression. Of note, standard monitoring nationwide requires temperature, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, and quantitative continuous end tidal CO2 monitoring. Given that many GI procedures are performed in the lateral and prone positions, it is essential for safety to utilize all five standards monitors to provide safe anesthesia for these patients. While midazolam and fentanyl remain popular for many patients needing moderate sedation, a deeper level of sedation is most typically achieved with propofol related to increased patient satisfaction and ideal pharmacokinetics. New anesthetic agents such as the alpha-2 agonist dexmedetomidine are being evaluated to aid GI sedation. To reduce potential adverse events during GI procedural anesthesia, anesthesiology services are recommended for most patients and particularly in high-risk populations requiring deep sedation. In summary, the strongest emphasis should be placed on utilization of ASA standard monitors for all patients undergoing GI procedures. Continuous quantitative end tidal CO2 monitoring must be employed for safe delivery of sedation for any GI procedure.
Neuropsychological predictors of driving hazard detection in autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.

Driving is a neuropsychologically complex task; this can present challenges for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such asautism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention–deficit/hype...
Transcutaneous CO2 monitoring as indication for inpatient non-invasive ventilation initiation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction/aims Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by profound muscle weakness, including diaphragmatic weakness resulting in hypercapnic respiratory failure. While non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is usually initiated in the home, patients presenting with hypercapnic respiratory failure may be at high risk of adverse outcomes with delays in treatment. We aim to describe the clinical utility of transcutaneous CO2 (TCO2) to assess the need for inpatient initiation of NIV. Methods Eight patients from the University of Michigan Pranger ALS clinic were directly admitted to the hospital for urgent initiation of NIV between May 2020-May 2021. A retrospective review of electronic medical records, including pre-hospital pulmonary function assessments, hospitalization blood gases and NIV use metrics was performed. Results All eight patients had symptoms of respiratory insufficiency at time of admission, though not all patients had forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements that would identify need for NIV. All patients had measured TCO2 > 45 mmHg. Seven of eight patients had worsening hypercapnia after admission, indicating advanced respiratory failure. All patients were titrated to tolerance of continuous nocturnal NIV while in the hospital, with an average length of stay of 6.5 days (range 3-8). All patients demonstrated compliance with NIV, >4hours, at post-hospital follow up. Discussion Many current ambulatory measurements underestimate, or incompletely evaluate, respiratory dysfunction, and arterial blood gases are not typically readily available. Outpatient TCO2 measurements can serve as a useful screening tool to identify ALS patients who would benefit from inpatient initiation and titration of NIV.
Breakout Session Report: Mechanical Property Measurements

Approximately 20 of the workshop attendees participated in the two breakout sessions devoted to discussions of the needs for mechanical property data and issues concerning measurements of the properties in small volumes. Since the devices under discussion are required to perform some sort of mechanical function, successful design, manufacture and performance require information on the mechanical properties of the material(s) of choice. Just as important is a knowledge of changes in properties caused by the manufacturing procedures and the operating environments.
A Marijuana Legalization Model Using Benefits, Opportunities, Costs and Risks BOCR Analysis

Marijuana has been regarded as an evil in our society because of abuse and addiction. However, its legalization and use in several states have shown that from the standpoint of its benefits, opportunities, costs and risks BOCR the overall decision should be to legalize it in our greater society. This is an elementary application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process to analyze that decision that is now before Congress for action.
Outsourceable Privacy-Preserving Power Usage Control in a Smart Grid

The smart grid systems, in replace of the traditional power grid systems, have been widely used among some well-known telecommunication, IT and power industries. These systems have multiple advantages such as energy efficiency, reliability and self-monitoring. To prevent power outage, threshold based power usage control (PUC) in a smart grid considers a situation where the utility company sets a threshold to control the total power usage of a neighborhood. If the total power usage exceeds the threshold, certain households need to reduce their power consumption. In PUC, the utility company needs to frequently collect power usage data from smart meters. It has been well documented that these power usage data can reveal a person’s daily activity and violate personal privacy. To avoid the privacy concern, privacy-preserving power usage control (P-PUC) protocols have been introduced. However, the existing P-PUC protocols are not very efficient and the computations cannot be outsourced to a cloud server. Thus, the utility company cannot take advantage of the cloud computing paradigm to potentially reduce its operational cost. The goal of this paper is to develop a P-PUC protocol whose computation/execution is outsourceable to a cloud. In addition, the proposed protocol is much more efficient than the existing P-PUC protocols. We will provide extensive empirical study to show the practicality of our proposed protocol.
Predictive model for Clostridium perfringens growth in roast beef during cooling and inhibition of spore germination and outgrowth by organic acid salts

Spores of foodborne pathogens can survive traditional thermal processing schedules used in the manufacturing of processed meat products. Heat-activated spores can germinate and grow to hazardous levels when these products are improperly chilled. Germination and outgrowth of Clostridium perfringens spores in roast beef during chilling was studied following simulated cooling schedules normally used in the processed-meat industry. Inhibitory effects of organic acid salts on germination and outgrowth of C. perfringens spores during chilling and the survival of vegetative cells and spores under abusive refrigerated storage was also evaluated. Beef top rounds were formulated to contain a marinade (finished product concentrations: 1% salt, 0.2% potassium tetrapyrophosphate, and 0.2% starch) and then ground and mixed with antimicrobials (sodium lactate and sodium lactate plus 2.5% sodium diacetate and buffered sodium citrate and buffered sodium citrate plus 1.3% sodium diacetate). The ground product was inoculated with a three-strain cocktail of C. perfringens spores (NCTC 8238, NCTC 8239, and ATCC 10388), mixed, vacuum packaged, heat shocked for 20 min at 75 degrees C, and chilled exponentially from 54.5 to 7.2 degrees C in 9, 12, 15, 18, or 21 h. C. perfringens populations (total and spore) were enumerated after heat shock, during chilling, and during storage for up to 60 days at 10 degrees C using tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine agar. C. perfringens spores were able to germinate and grow in roast beef (control, without any antimicrobials) from an initial population of ca. 3.1 log CFU/g by 2.00, 3.44, 4.04, 4.86, and 5.72 log CFU/g after 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 h of exponential chilling. A predictive model was developed to describe sigmoidal C. perfringens growth curves during cooling of roast beef from 54.5 to 7.2 degrees C within 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 h. Addition of antimicrobials prevented germination and outgrowth of C. perfringens regardless of the chill times. C. perfringens spores could be recovered from samples containing organic acid salts that were stored up to 60 days at 10 degrees C. Extension of chilling time to > or =9 h resulted in >1 log CFU/g growth of C. perfringens under anaerobic conditions in roast beef. Organic acid salts inhibited outgrowth of C. perfringens spores during chilling of roast beef when extended chill rates were followed. Although C. perfringens spore germination is inhibited by the antimicrobials, this inhibition may represent a hazard when such products are incorporated into new products, such as soups and chili, that do not contain these antimicrobials, thus allowing spore germination and outgrowth under conditions of temperature abuse.
Regional anesthesia in children: the future

Summary Pediatric regional anesthesia continues to evolve. Education and attention to anatomical detail remain key elements to successful outcomes. New techniques, some adapted from adult practice, provide analgesia for pediatric surgical procedures such cleft palate or congenital hip dysplasia. Despite technological advances a number of controversial issues remain unresolved.
Corporate Lawyers after the Big Quake: The Conceptual Fault Line in the Professional Duty of Confidentiality

Bost examines the convulsion and consequent seismic shift in the roles, duties, expectations, and liabilities of corporate lawyers that occurred as a result of the corporate scandals of 2000-2002. Lawyer reform came first from the Securities and Exchange Commission, in response to the mandates of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and then from the American Bar Association. The primary focus of reform has been on the lawyer's duty of confidentiality, and the primary effect of the SEC and ABA initiatives has been to create or confirm significant exceptions to that duty. Bost begins with an examination of the corporate scandal resulting in the sudden demise of Enron Corporation, and focuses on the activities of Enron's lawyers. He then takes a look at the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and SEC rules promulgated under this law and their impact on corporate attorneys. Bost analyzes the comprehensive 2003 amendments to Rules 1.6 and 1.13 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the twenty-one jurisdictions that have either adopted or proposed rule changes that would partially or fully conform to the new ABA rules. He focuses particularly on confidentiality, attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine. He then outlines the ABA's efforts in 2005 to enhance the interests of corporate clients in maintaining confidentiality, thereby diminishing the competing law enforcement interests of government. Bost concludes with a discussion of the vision of lawyering that will best achieve the goal of the corporate lawyer functioning as a trusted counselor for her client, rather than merely as an implementer or transaction engineer.
Ribozyme-targeted destruction of RNA associated with autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE. To design ribozymes-catalytic RNA molecules-to cleave the P23H and S334Ter mutant mRNA selectively and to test them in vitro to determine their potential as therapeutic agents in the prevention of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. METHODS. Synthetic RNA targets were used in cleavage assays to determine the catalytic efficiencies of the ribozymes in vitro. Cleavage products were analyzed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Total retinal RNA was also used as a substrate, and opsin mRNA cleavage was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS. All three ribozymes cleaved the mutant target specifically. Substrate cleavage was seen in less than 5 mM magnesium and was detectable after 15 minutes of incubation. The most active ribozyme against the P23H target was the hammerhead (k cat :K m |Michaelis-Menton constant| ratio = 5 X 10 - M/min), then the P23H hairpin ribozyme (k cat :K m ratio = 9 X 10 5 M/min) and the S334Ter hammerhead (k cat :K m ratio = 8 X 10 5 M/min). No cleavage activity was observed, when wild-type target sequences or inactive control ribozymes were used. The ribozymes bound and specifically digested the intact mutant opsin mRNA in the presence of all normal retinal RNA. CONCLUSIONS. Ribozymes can discriminate between the mutant and wild-type sequences of mRNA associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The kinetics and specificity of ribozyme cleavage indicate that they should reduce the amount of aberrant rhodopsin in the rod cells and may have potential as therapeutic agents against genetic disease.
Pharmacometrics: Impacting Drug Development and Pharmacotherapy

Drug development continues to be expensive, time consuming, and ineffi cient, while pharmacotherapy is often practiced at suboptimal levels of performance (1–3). This trend has not waned despite the fact that massive amounts of drug data are obtained each year. Within these massive amounts of data, knowledge that would improve drug development and pharmacotherapy lays hidden and undiscovered. The application of pharmacometric (PM) principles and models to drug development and pharmacotherapy will signifi cantly improve both (4, 5). Furthermore, with drug utilization review, generic competition, managed care organization bidding, and therapeutic substitution, there is increasing pressure for the drug development industry to deliver high-value therapeutic agents. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed its concern about the rising cost and stagnation of drug development in the white paper Challenge and Opportunity on the Critical Path to New Products published in March of 2004 (3). In this document the FDA states: “Not enough applied scientifi c work has been done to create new tools to get fundamentally better answers about how the safety and effectiveness of new products can be demonstrated in faster time frames, with more certainty, and at lower costs. . . . A new product development toolkit—containing powerful new scientifi c and technical methods such as animal or computer-based predictive models, biomarkers for safety and effectiveness, and new clinical evaluation techniques—is urgently needed to improve predictability and effi ciency along the critical path from laboratory concept to commercial product. We need superior product development science to address these challenges.” In the critical path document, the FDA states that the three main areas of the path that need to be addressed are tools for assessing safety, tools for demonstrating medical utility, and lastly tools for characterization and manufacturing. Pharmacometrics can be applied to and can impact the fi rst two areas, thus positively impacting the critical path.