cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of UV light as a means to reduce Salmonella contamination on tomatoes and food contact surfaces

The effectiveness of ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 254 nm to reduce Salmonella contamination on tomatoes and food contact surfaces was evaluated. Inoculated tomatoes were exposed to UV-C light at doses ranging from 0 to 223.1 mJ/cm2. All UV treatments significantly reduced Salmonella populations (p < 0.05). The effectiveness of UV-C light in reducing Salmonella contamination on different locations on tomato surfaces under various UV doses (0–117.2 mJ/cm2) was also explored. Results indicated that regardless of the locations, UV treatment was shown to be effective in decreasing Salmonella populations. Subsequent studies evaluated possible photoreactivation or dark repair of injured Salmonella post-UV treatment. Following UV light exposure at doses of 0, 22.3, 44.6, and 89.2 mJ/cm2, tomatoes were either exposed to visible light for 0, 3, and 5 h or stored in the dark for the same amount of time. Photoreactivation was not detected, nor was dark repair. UV light was also evaluated for its effectiveness to reduce Salmonella contamination on food contact surfaces (stainless steel, HDPE, waxed cardboard and PVC). Contaminated coupons were exposed to UV-C light at 0, 3.3, and 19.7 mJ/cm2. Significant differences were observed between coupons treated with UV light and the controls (p < 0.05). Coupons exposed for longer time had greater Salmonella population reductions, except for waxed cardboard coupons. Application of UV-C light to reduce Salmonella contamination in tomato handling facilities is feasible.
Creation and Global Deployment of a Mobile, Application-Based Cognitive Simulator for Cardiac Surgical Procedures

Several modern learning frameworks (eg, cognitive apprenticeship, anchored instruction, and situated cognition) posit the utility of nontraditional methods for effective experiential learning. Thus, development of novel educational tools emphasizing the cognitive framework of operative sequences may be of benefit to surgical trainees. We propose the development and global deployment of an effective, mobile cognitive cardiac surgical simulator. In methods, 16 preclinical medical students were assessed. Overall, 4 separate surgical modules (sternotomy, cannulation, decannulation, and sternal closure) were created utilizing the Touch Surgery (London, UK) platform. Modules were made available to download free of charge for use on mobile devices. Usage data were collected over a 6-month period. Educational efficacy of the modules was evaluated by randomizing a cohort of medical students to either module usage or traditional, reading-based self-study, followed by a multiple-choice learning assessment tool. In results, downloads of the simulator achieved global penetrance, with highest usage in the USA, Brazil, Italy, UK, and India. Overall, 5368 unique users conducted a total of 1971 hours of simulation. Evaluation of the medical student cohort revealed significantly higher assessment scores in those randomized to module use versus traditional reading (75% ± 9% vs 61% ± 7%, respectively; P
Abstract 19199: Cardiomyocyte Enriched MicroRNA, Mir-378, Regulates Hypertrophy Agonists Stimulated Growth of Cardiac Myocytes

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that have emerged as important negative regulators of gene expression. We recently described miR-378 as a cardiomyocyte enriched miRNA that targets IGF1/IGF1R signaling and regulates post-natal cardiac remodeling ( JBC 287(16):12913-26, 2012 ). In this study we tested the hypothesis that miR-378 regulates cardiomyocyte growth induced by hypertrophy stimuli. To test miR-378 involvement in cardiac hypertrophy, pressure overload was induced in adult mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 2 wks or 8 wks. TAC produced about 40% increase in HW / tibia length ratio with no overt cardiac dysfunction at 2 wks (hypertrophy, H group) and 30% reduction in %FS at 8 wks (heart failure, HF group). Expression of miR-378 was reduced by about 50% in H group but it was induced by 1.2-fold in HF group. Deficiency of miR-378 (30% to 60%) was also noted when neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVM) were exposed to hypertrophy agonists, phenylephrine (PE, 20uM), AngII (100 nM) or isoproterenol (10 uM) for 48 h. Inhibition of miR-378 in NRVM by 378-antimiR, resulted in enhanced PE stimulated cardiomyocyte growth as reflected by 25% increase in cardiomyocyte size by WGA staining. We also noted significatly more induction of ANF in response to PE treatment in 378-antimiR transfected NRVM as compared to scramble control. Conversely, over-expression of miR-378 by 378-mimic in NRVM led to significant inhibition of PE induced [3]Leu incorporation and ANF induction. It also counteracted PE-stimulated activation of Ras and downstream signaling cascade such as pERK1/2, p70S6K and pAKT. One of the well accepted markers of pathological remodeling is nuclear translocation of NFATC which activates hypertrophy gene program in response to hypertrophy stimulus. By confocal imaging we found 378-mimic totally obliterated nuclear occupancy of NFATC 48 h after PE treatment. Data indicate that deficiency of miR-378 contributes to the development of cardiac hypertrophy, and by inhibiting Ras-signaling, miR-378 acts as an anti-hypertrophy microRNA. Our findings implicate that over-expression of miR-378 will counteract pathological remodeling and protect the heart from maladaptive hypertrophy and heart failure.
299 RECOGNITION OF IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS IN THE IODINE-REPLETE ENVIRONMENT.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are prevalent in countries and regions with decreased iodine abundance and inadequate dietary iodine intake. Over 1.9 billion people are estimated to be at the risk of IDD worldwide. IDDs have been eradicated in North America and most affluent countries through the widespread introduction of iodized salt. We report four cases of IDD in patients resident in iodine-replete regions. All four patients were young females aged 24 to 34 years. All of them had goiter, whereas two patients had hypothyroidism in addition. Every one of them was cured with dietary correction of iodine deficiency. The clinical and ancillary diagnostic features and clinical course of IDD in an environment that has long had a policy of salt iodization is highlighted. Clues to iodine deficiency include a history of chronic low salt consumption, deliberate avoidance of iodized salt, and/or avoidance of fish or seafood consumption, as well as conditions requiring increased iodine intake, such as pregnancy and lactation. These cases underscore the need for considering iodine deficiency in the etiologic diagnosis of goiter and hypothyroidism, even in iodine-sufficient regions. It is imperative that a definitive diagnosis of iodine deficiency, which is easily treatable with iodized salt, be made as this will prevent placing patients on unwarranted lifelong thyroxine therapy.
Stair Matrices and Their Generalizations With Applications to Iterative Methods

Stair matrices and their generalizations are introduced.The definitions and some properties of the matrices were first given by Lu Hao.This class of matrices provided bases of matrix splittings for iterative methods.The remarkable feature of iterative methods based on the new class of matrices is that the methods were easily implemented for parallel computation.In particular,a generalization of the accelerated overrelaxation method(GAOR) was introduced.Some theories of the AOR method were extended to the generalized method to include a wide class of matrices.The convergence of the new method was derived for Hermitian positive definite matrices.Finally,some examples are given in order to show the superiority of the new method.
Adventitia as a source of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the rat aorta.

Abstract In the current study we used in vitro and in vivo models to determine the sites of nitric oxide production in rat aortic tissue following cytokine stimulation. In vitro studies in which intact rat aortic rings were incubated with endotoxin (1 μg/mL) or interferon-γ (600 U/mL) indicated that the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity was increased as measured by Northern blot analysis or determination of nitrite production. In situ hybridization showed iNOS mRNA in the endothelium and adventitia of the incubated aortic rings but not in the media. Immunohistochemical staining showed a similar localization for iNOS protein in the incubated rings. Additional studies were performed in which bacterial endotoxin (4 mg/kg) was administered to rats, and iNOS expression was assayed using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Clear increases in iNOS mRNA and protein were found in aortic tissue. Endothelial and adventitial cells were the major source of iNOS, with relatively low amounts of iNOS mRNA present in medial smooth muscle, consistent with in vitro findings. These studies indicate that the aortic adventitia is a potential source of NO, and suggest that the adventitial fibroblast may have an important paracrine role in regulating arterial structure and function.
The ‘Folk Theorem’ and Continuous Reaction Functions: A Synthesis

The theory of games and the theory of oligopoly have a long connection. Cournot (1838) invented the non-co-operative equilibrium in the context of homogeneous products oligopoly. Nash (1951) generalised the Cournot equilibrium, widening its reach to non-co-operative games in general. Game theory deals, in the main, with decision situations in which relatively few agents interact and have their interests at least partly in opposition, making it reasonable that each agent will concern himself with trying to understand the behaviour of each rival agent. Oligopoly is the most obvious context in economics where the same circumstances prevail. Furthermore, game-theoretic thinking entered oligopoly with Cournot, roughly a century before game theory made a good start as a discipline. The non-co-operative equilibrium is often called the Cournot-Nash equilibrium in honour of its parentage.
2 – Magneto-structural Correlations in π-Conjugated Nitroxide-based Radicals: Hydrogen-bonds and Related Interactions in Molecular Organic Solids

This chapter discusses various aspects of hydrogen bonding in molecular magnetic materials with a focus on magnetic and exchange effects in π-conjugation organic nitroxide-based radicals where hydrogen bonding is important either to organize the molecules in the solid state, or as a direct electronic exchange linkage, or both. The attachment of phenolic groups to radical fragments provided some of the first examples of hydrogen-bond guided crystal assembly in organic magnetic materials. The balance of information indicates that 4HOPhNN acts as a quasi-2D or 3D organic ferromagnet. It is found that deuterium substitution on the OH groups of HQNN decreases the FM interaction, supporting an electronic role for the OH groups in the overall magnetic behavior. NMR measurements were used to deduce a negative spin density on the OH group that is ortho to the nitronylnitroxide group in HQNN. The chapter explains the bio-inspired molecular recognition for crystal assembly. The exchange and crystal assembly in nitronylnitroxides with hydrogen-bonding azaarenes is also elaborated.
Hypothalamic Hamartoma and Sexual Precocity

Four boys with hypothalamic hamartomas associated with sexual precocity are reported from the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, and the Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Bohr’s Como Argument: Complementarity and the Problem of Causality

This and the following chapter consider Bohr’s new ways (plural) of thinking about quantum phenomena and quantum theory in terms of complementarity that emerged in the wake of Heisenberg’s discovery of quantum mechanics and then of the uncertainty relations. Bohr’s thought on these subjects underwent several changes even at the earlier stages to be discussed in these two chapters, and then was further refined in the wake of EPR’s argument. The first change is the shift from Bohr’s pre-complementarity view of quantum theory in the wake of Heisenberg’s 1925 discovery of quantum mechanics to his view following Schrodinger’s wave mechanics, Dirac’s and Jordan’s transformations theory, and Heisenberg’s uncertainty relations—developments that were instrumental to the invention of complementarity, introduced in the Como lecture in 1927. This change will be discussed in this chapter. The second change, discussed in Chapter 7, was marked by Bohr’s rethinking of the question of causality in quantum theory and occurred under the impact of his exchanges with Einstein in 1927. Section 6.1 gives an introductory discussion of the developments of Bohr’s thought and of the concept of complementarity. Sections 6.2 and 6.3 offer an analysis of the Como lecture. Section 6.3 also critically examines some of the problematic implications of the Como argument, in particular those concerning quantum causality. Section 6.4 considers, from the same critical perspective, the arguments concerning quantum causality offered—in part following Bohr’s Como argument—by Dirac, Heisenberg, and von Neumann.
Center for Semiconductor Materials and Device Modeling: expanding collaborative research opportunities between government, academia, and industry

To increase Soldier readiness and enhance situational understanding in ever-changing and complex environments, there is a need for rapid development and deployment of Army technologies utilizing sensors, photonics, and electronics. Fundamental aspects of these technologies include the research and development of semiconductor materials and devices which are ubiquitous in numerous applications. Since many Army technologies are considered niche, there is a lack of significant industry investment in the fundamental research and understanding of semiconductor technologies relevant to the Army. To address this issue, the US Army Research Laboratory is establishing a Center for Semiconductor Materials and Device Modeling and seeks to leverage expertise and resources across academia, government and industry. Several key research areas—highlighted and addressed in this paper—have been identified by ARL and external partners and will be pursued in a collaborative fashion by this Center. This paper will also address the mechanisms by which the Center is being established and will operate.
Validation of satellite sea surface temperature analyses in the Beaufort Sea using UpTempO buoys

Abstract Many different blended sea surface temperature (SST) analyses are currently available and exhibit significant differences in the high latitude regions. It is challenging for users to determine which of these products is most accurate and best suited for their applications. Nine different SST analyses and two single sensor satellite products are compared with independent observations from Upper Temperature of the polar Oceans (UpTempO) buoys deployed in the Beaufort Sea in 2012 and 2013 during the Marginal Ice Zone Processes Experiment (MIZOPEX). The relative skill of the different SST products is evaluated using a combination of Taylor diagrams and two different verification scores that weight different statistical measures. Skill thresholds based on satellite accuracy requirements are chosen to map products with similar performance into three discrete skill categories: excellent, good, and poor. Results are presented for three subsets of the buoys corresponding to different regimes: coastal waters, northerly waters, and extreme weather. The presence of strong thermal gradients and cloudiness posed problems for the SST products, while in more homogeneous regions the performance was improved and more similar among products. The impact of variations in the ice mask between the SST products was mostly inconsequential. While the relative performance of the analyses varied with regime, overall, the best performing analyses for this region and period included the NOAA Optimal Interpolation SST (OISST), the Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) SST, and the Group for High Resolution SST (GHRSST) Multi-Product Ensemble (GMPE).
Vaginal vault prolapse in a patient with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a video case presentation.

Several reports have described vaginal prolapse in Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser (MRKH) syndrome patients after creation of a neovagina. To our knowledge, no reports of primary vaginal prolapse of a blind pouch without previous intervention, or surgery for this condition, have been described. In this case report, we describe a 19-year-old woman with MRKH and complete prolapse of her shortened vaginal pouch. Surgical correction utilizing permanent suture-based sacrospinous ligament fixation was performed. The patient had a successful outcome. Sacrospinous ligament fixation provided a safe and effective method for the management of vaginal pouch prolapse. Long-term follow-up is planned. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing surgical repair of primary prolapse of a blind vaginal pouch in the setting of MRKH.
Ligand Binding Constants to Lithium Hexamethyldisilazide Determined by Diffusion-Ordered NMR Spectroscopy.

We report the direct measurement of ligand-binding constants of organolithium complexes using a 1H NMR/diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) titration technique. Lithium hexamethyldisilazide complexes with ethereal and ester donor ligands (THF, diethyl ether, MTBE, THP, tert-butyl acetate) are characterized using 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography. Their aggregation and solvation states are confirmed using diffusion coefficient–formula weight correlation analysis, and the 1H NMR/DOSY titration technique is applied to obtain their binding constants. Our work suggests that steric hindrance of ethereal ligands plays an important role in the aggregation, solvation, and reactivity of these complexes. It is noteworthy that diffusion methodology is utilized to obtain binding constants.
Multicultural Vasconcelos: The optimistic, and at times willful, misreading of La Raza Cósmica

This essay answers the following question: How did Vasconcelos’s 1925 theory of la raza cosmica, a product of Mexico’s nation-building project after the revolution, find its way into the contemporary US debate over the meaning of racial mixing and multiculturalism? To answer this question, I trace the intellectual genealogy of a widespread misreading of Vasconcelos’s raza cosmica as a theory of harmonious mestizaje that US Latinos can use to undo racial divisions and promote multiculturalism. I argue that the portrayal of Vasconcelos as a multicultural theorist was not first proposed by Chicanos, as it is often argued, but by Euro-American intellectuals.
Forging Alliances in Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research (FAIRR): A Logic Model

In a patient-centered care era, rehabilitation can benefit from researcher-clinician collaboration to effectively and efficiently produce the interdisciplinary science that is needed to improve patient-centered outcomes. The authors propose the use of the Forging Alliances in Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research (FAIRR) logic model to provide guidance to rehabilitation scientists and clinicians who are committed to growing their involvement in interdisciplinary rehabilitation research. We describe the importance and key characteristics of the FAIRR model for conducting interdisciplinary rehabilitation research.
The First Two Arrows of Abenomics: Monetary and Fiscal Politics in the 2017 Snap Election

This chapter addresses the puzzle of why opposition parties uniformly attacked Abenomics and the proposed consumption tax hike in the 2017 snap election, despite the seeming success of Prime Minister Abe’s signature reflationary policy. We demonstrate that the opposition was emboldened by two interconnected phenomena: first, the “social turn” of Abenomics toward prioritizing welfare outcomes, which signaled the LDP’s implicit understanding that its economic policy had not necessarily benefited the more vulnerable strata of society; and second, growing public anxiety toward the longer-term consequences of Abenomics. We examine the LDP’s dilemmas in maintaining a reflationary economy with the first two arrows of Abenomics, and discuss the key challenges facing the Abe administration as it navigates its renewed term in office.
Understanding Main and Interaction Effects

The first part of this book described the principles underlying experimental design and the associated statistical analyses. The second part focuses on the practical aspects of conducting experiments. Understanding the underlying principles is essential to conduct a successful study. In addition it is helpful to know how to put those principles into practice in an efficient manner that is respectful and beneficial to the different stakeholders.
Epilepsy, Headache, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

This chapter will discuss the connections between headaches and ­epilepsy in sleep-disordered breathing. In both adults and in children suffering from sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), headaches are a common complaint, and headache itself may be the presenting feature of obstructing sleep apnea (OSA). OSA has been found in children complaining of early morning headaches and as well as in specific headache syndromes, including migraine and tension-type headaches. Overall, the prevalence of OSA in patients with headache has been reported between 54% and 89%. In general, the most common complaints among the pediatric population with epilepsy have been related to poor quality sleep and anxieties about sleep resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness. Different aspects of epilepsy, such as use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), seizure frequency, and sleep-related seizures, may be possible contributing factors to sleep disturbances; however, some studies have found that OSA per se can be the sole predictor for daytime sleepiness in patients with epilepsy. Retrospective and prospective studies in children and adults have shown that up to 63% of patients with epilepsy are affected by SDB.
Effects of Malnutrition on Specific Cell-Mediated Immune Responses

Nutritional deficiency influences every organ in the body and adverse effects of protein-energy malnutrition on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, brain, skin and mucous membranes have been well described. The association of malnutrition and infection has received increasing attention in the last few years and there have been many comprehensive systematic studies of the influence of nutritional deficiency on both antigen-specific and non-specific immune responses in man and laboratory animals. Moderate to severe protein-energy undernutrition impairs several facets of host resistance. In this selective review the effects of malnutrition on specific cell-mediated immune responses are summarised; other aspects of the nutrition-immunity-infection interactions have been discussed elsewhere and reference should be made to exhaustive reviews(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9).
Towards a dependable architecture for internet-scale sensing

The convergence of embedded sensors and pervasive high-performance networking is giving rise to a new class of distributed applications, which we refer to as Internet-scale sensing (ISS). ISS systems consist of a large number of geographically distributed data sources tied into a framework for collecting, filtering, and processing potentially large volumes of real-time data. In this paper, we discuss the issues involved in building dependable ISS systems. ISS systems differ from conventional distributed systems in a number of respects, including the number of data sources, differing data quality requirements, and necessity to continue operating despite intermittent link and node failures. Such failures should result in graceful degradation of the quality of the results returned by the system, rather than loss of results. In this paper, we argue that conventional approaches to achieving consistency do not scale to the requirements of ISS systems. We outline a lightweight approach to dependability based on a set of metrics that reflect on the quality of the answers returned by the system. We argue that answers returned by an ISS system should include a measure of the harvest and freshness of the data sources participating in the result, and these metrics in turn can be used to drive fault-tolerance mechanisms in the system. We also propose three simple techniques to achieve scalability and graceful degradation in the face of failure.
Printing, Securing, and Sharing Documents

In this chapter, we’ll look at how you can share your documents with other people. You’ll start by seeing how to print an entire document or the relevant pages or sections of it, how to choose whether to include markup, and how to print other parts of the document, such as markup and document properties. After that, I’ll show you how to secure your Word documents by removing sensitive information, locking the documents with passwords, and marking the documents as read-only.
IML Language Structure

READ, UPDATE, RESET, PRINT? Many commands, functions, calls, and operators are pretty easy to figure out without explanation — It might be expected that the READ statement read values into a matrix, the NCOL function identify the number of columns in a given matrix, and the + operator add elements in a matrix. However, some of the commands, functions, calls, and operators used in IML are less obvious. This section will help the reader understand the basic use of commands, functions, calls, and operators with some examples.
Monsters, Creatures, and Pets at Hogwarts: Animal Stewardship in the World of Harry Potter

Though Harry Potter’s England is a tangible and familiar one in many outward respects, superimposed on it and suffused imperceptibly throughout it is a shadow world of wizards and witches, of curious creatures and fantastic beasts. Many aspects of this hidden world of wizardry, of course, prove upon closer inspection to be parallels or parodies of features characterizing our own society. Bureaucratic politicians, unscrupulous tabloid journalists, inter-racial tension (cast as inter-species tension), and institutional injustice provide an endless stream of moral challenges for a young man already struggling with friendships, schoolwork, and hormones. Among numerous other real-world social and moral issues reinterpreted in fantasy terms, J. K. Rowling devotes significant attention to animals and animal sentience, the nature of monstrosity, and the relationship between humans (or “wizards”) and the natural world. The responsibilities of stewardship over the realm of “magical creatures” is a continuous anxiety in the Harry Potter series, and one that maps interestingly-in capturing many of the same successes and hypocrisies alike-onto the actual human relationship with animals at the turn of the third millennium.
Application of the Sandia Array Performance Model to Assess Multiyear Performance of Fielded CIGS PV Arrays

Copper indium gallium (di)serenade (CIGS) photovoltaic cell technology has long been promoted as a cost-effective alternative to traditional PV modules based on crystalline silicon cells. However, adoption of CIGS is hindered by significant uncertainties regarding long-term reliability and performance stability, as well as a lack of accurate modeling tools to predict CIGS system performance. Sandia is conducting a multi-year study of fielded CIGS systems that range in age from 3–6 years and represent a cross-section of commercial manufacturing and packaging. Most of these arrays include modules that were thoroughly characterized prior to deployment. In this paper, we explore uncertainty in the long-term reliability and performance stability of CIGS modules by analyzing real world performance and degradation rates of these systems.
Chapter 5 – Synthesis of Mass-Exchange Networks

Mass-exchange units are ubiquitously used in industrial facilities. A mass exchanger is any direct-contact mass-transfer unit that employs a mass-separating agent (MSA) or a lean phase (e.g., a solvent, an adsorbent, a stripping agent, an ion exchange resin) to selectively remove certain components (e.g., pollutants, products, byproducts) from a rich phase (e.g., a waste, a product). Examples of mass-exchange operations include absorption, adsorption, stripping, solvent extraction, leaching, and ion exchange. Appendix 2, Modeling of Mass-Exchange Units for Environmental Applications, provides an overview of the principles of modeling, designing, and operating individual mass-exchange units. In many industrial situations the problem of selecting, designing, and operating a mass-exchange system should not be confined to assessing the performance of individual mass exchangers. Instead, multiple mass exchange operations are involved and several candidate MSAs are considered. In such situations, there are several rich streams (sources) from which mass has to be removed and MSAs can be used for removing the targeted species. Therefore, adopting a systemic network approach can provide significant technical and economic benefits. In this approach, a mass-exchange system is selected and then designed by simultaneously screening all candidate mass-exchange operations to identify the optimum system. This chapter defines the problem of synthesizing mass-exchange networks (MENs) discusses its challenging aspects and provides graphical and algebraic approaches for the targeting and synthesis of MENs.
Co-cultures of Glioma Stem Cells and Primary Neurons, Astrocytes, Microglia, and Endothelial Cells for Investigation of Intercellular Communication in the Brain.

Intercellular communication within complex biological and pathological systems via extracellular vesicles (EV) and secreted factors is a highly attractive area of research. However, cell models enabling investigation of such communication in vitro are limited. Commonly utilized is the supplementation of super physiologically concentrated EVs or other extracellular factors to the recipient cell cultures. This approach requires purification of the secreted complexes and is confounded by the contamination of media components. Two-chamber co-cultures of donor and recipient cells separated by a pore membrane may represent a more physiological and better-controlled system for the investigation of intercellular communication. Yet, distinct culture conditions for different neural cell types often make them incompatible for co-culturing. Here we optimized short-term co-cultures of patient-derived low-passage glioma-initiating stem cells with normal cells of the brain microenvironment, such as primary neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and brain endothelial cells. We demonstrate the culture compatibility of these cell types and internalization of glioma-derived extracellular RNA by the normal recipient cells. The presented protocols are valuable for the investigation of intercellular communication between glioma brain tumor and cells of its microenvironment, including but not limited to the EVs-mediated communication.
Analysis of Factors Associated with Large Kidney Stones: Stone Composition, Comorbid Conditions, and 24-H Urine Parameters—a Machine Learning-Aided Approach

We aim to describe factors that are associated with kidney stones 20 mm or larger. This information would potentially guide research regarding factors of kidney stone growth. We retrospectively reviewed a patient cohort who underwent surgical treatment for kidney stones. Patients with detailed demographics, 24-h urine testing, and kidney stone profiling were included. Large stone was defined as measuring 20 mm or more. Univariate analysis was conducted to assess variables associated with kidney stones larger than 20 mm. Multivariate logistic regression and statistical machine learning methods were used to infer prediction models. The specific composition of kidney stones, laboratory testing results, and detailed demographics of 277 patients were included in our analysis. Multiple variables were significantly associated with large stones in univariate analysis. The final model that predicts large stone size includes several variables from different domains: hypertension (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.06, 3.43), older age (60+ vs 20–40) (OR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.07, 5.63), decreased calcium oxalate supersaturation (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.85, 0.99), and higher percentage of protein in stone composition (OR = 5.64; 95% CI 2.04, 15.58). This model yields a sensitivity 83% and specificity of 56%. Models using machine learning algorithms identified similar predictors, but the performance varies. Our model yielded good performance, and it could potentially be used as a clinical tool for predicting large stones and identifying factors affecting kidney stone growth. Similar analysis in other cohorts should be pursued to externally validate findings.
Extended Abstract: Using Bayesian Priors to Assess and Communicate Risk in Professional Communication

The practice of identifying, determining, and reevaluating the numerical values known as “priors” used in Bayesian statistical analysis differs from the more traditional frequentist statistical method for improving the accuracy of a study by increasing the sample size. Professional communicators need to be cognizant of this method as it allows them to better assess data in an effort to determine and communicate risk. More specifically, this process creates a forward- looking mindset that allows communicators to work with others to better imagine and determine the “unknown unknowns” that precipitate tragic events or damaging phenomena in our global society or natural world.
Europeanisation, good governance, and corruption in the public sector: the case of Turkey: by Diğdem Soyaltın, London, Routledge, 2017, 188 pp., $124.00, ISBN 978-1-138227737-8

Political corruption in Turkey is the product of both the party system and the bureaucracy. Turkey’s history of state capitalism and dominant party rule established clientelistic linkages among vot...
Mental health issues experienced by jail inmates in Texas: An overview of diagnostic problems

Mental health issues experienced by jail inmates in Texas: An overview of diagnostic problemsThe main purpose of the article is to show selected aspects of prisoners’ mental health in the United States using the example of the state of Texas. The article indicates the nature and scope of needs in the area of inmates’ mental health in various correctional units and shows some aspects of the diagnosis problems. The authors analyze the reasons for the transfer of responsibility for mental health of prisoners sentenced to the administration of correctional facilities, especially jails. The article also shows the needs of the Prison Administration regarding convicts’ mental health training and classification systems for prisoners in Texas.
Sexual function in hook-up culture: The role of body image.

Abstract Hook-up mobile apps are increasing in popularity and research suggests sexual function may be lower among those who hook-up compared to those who have sex in a longer-term relationship. Sexual function is an important predictor of well-being; however, we know little about the psychosocial antecedents of sexual function, such as body image, among those who use hook-up apps. The current study aims to examine two measures of positive body image and one measure of body image self-consciousness during intimate activity among a sample of adult women and men who have hooked up in the previous month using a hook-up mobile app (N = 243). Our results suggest that higher body image self-consciousness during intimate activity was related to lower sexual function composite score and several specific domains (i.e., pain, arousal, orgasm, and lubrication) among women. Higher body appreciation was related to higher sexual satisfaction among women. Higher body image self-consciousness during intimate activity was related to higher erection difficulty, but not ejaculation difficulty, among men. These findings highlight the nuanced nature of body image and sexual function and provide further evidence that interventions for women and men aiming to improve some body image constructs may improve sexual function as well.
Optimizing Perioperative Use of Opioids: a Multimodal Approach

The main purpose of this article is to review recent literature regarding multimodal analgesia medications, citing their recommended doses, efficacy, and side effects. The second part of this report will provide a description of drugs in different stages of development which have novel mechanisms with less side effects such as tolerance and addiction. Multimodal analgesia is a technique that facilitates perioperative pain management by employing two or more systemic analgesics along with regional anesthesia, when possible. Even though opioids and non-opioid analgesics remain the most common medication used for acute pain management after surgery, they have many undesirable side effects including the potential for misuse. Newer analgesics including peripheral acting opioids, nitric oxide inhibitors, calcitonin gene–related peptide receptor antagonists, interleukin-6 receptor antagonists, and gene therapy are under intensive investigation. A patient’s first exposure to opioids is often in the perioperative setting, a vulnerable time when multimodal therapy can play a large role in decreasing opioid exposure. Additionally, the current shift towards faster recovery times, fewer postoperative complications, and improved cost-effectiveness during the perioperative period has made multimodal analgesia a central pillar of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
Dual Learning for Speech Processing and Beyond

In this chapter, we first introduce dual learning for speech synthesis and recognition in speech processing, with particular focus on speech synthesis, and then briefly describe several tasks beyond natural language, computer vision, and speech processing.
Implementation of Technology-Delivered Diabetes Self-care Interventions in Clinical Care: a Narrative Review.

Evidence is growing for the positive effects of technology-delivered diabetes self-care interventions on behavioral and clinical outcomes. However, our understanding of how to effectively implement these interventions into routine clinical practice is limited. This article provides an overview of the methods and results of studies examining the implementation of technology-delivered diabetes self-care interventions into clinical care. We focus specifically on patient-facing behavioral interventions delivered with technology (e.g., text messaging, apps, websites). Eleven articles were included in the review. Most studies (n = 9) examined barriers and facilitators to implementation, while about half (n = 5) integrated the intervention into clinical care and evaluated implementation and/or effectiveness. Only six studies applied a theory or framework. The most common determinants of implementation were time constraints for clinic staff, familiarity with technology, knowledge of the intervention, and perceived value. We found substantial variation in implementation outcomes, including which were reported, how they were assessed, and the results. In the four studies that evaluated effectiveness, hemoglobin A1c improved. Successful implementation of technology-delivered interventions has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve diabetes health on a population level. Promising strategies to address common determinants of implementation include appointing a clinic champion, developing staff training and educational materials, and adapting intervention processes to the clinic context. Future research should evaluate these implementation strategies to understand when and how they impact outcomes. Frameworks such as Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) can help ensure outcomes are systematically reported and allow for comparison across studies.
Exploring the Linkages Between Women’s Paid and Unpaid Work and Their Experiences of Intimate Partner and Non-Partner Violence in Nepal

Economic bargaining models contend that women’s paid work reduces violence experienced due to increased bargaining power, while male backlash models argue that violence is likely to increase as the...
Low-Dose Aspirin Administered for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Reduces the Incidence of Heterotopic Ossification in Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, the pathophysiology of HO is not entirely understood. Inflammation may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HO as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in the prevention of HO. The purpose of this study is to examine if aspirin (ASA), when used as venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, influenced the rate of HO formation following TJA. Methods We queried our longitudinally maintained database to identify all patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis between January 2016 and June 2018 with at least 3-month radiographic follow-up. In total, 1238 THAs and 1051 TKAs were included for analysis. Radiographs were reviewed and HO formation graded according to the Brooker classification. Patient demographic and VTE prophylaxis data were collected and reviewed for accuracy. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of ASA on HO formation. Results The overall rate of HO was 37.5% after THA and 17.4% after TKA. Patients receiving ASA were less likely to develop HO after THA (34.8% vs 45.5%; P Conclusion Patients undergoing primary TJA receiving ASA for VTE prophylaxis were less likely to develop HO compared to patients who were administered non-ASA VTE prophylaxis.
Critical consciousness among rural adolescents: the roles of school connection and positive relationships with teachers

Critical consciousness (CC) has been linked to academic and civic engagement for students from marginalized backgrounds, but little work has examined CC for students from more privileged groups. In addition, research indicates that school characteristics may promote the development of CC, but this literature has yet to be fully developed. Specifically, research on school climate has focused primarily on structural and instructional aspects (e.g., democratic school culture, classroom discussions of current events) but has not examined more emotional and relational aspects, such as feelings of connection to teachers and school community. Thus, the current study expands the literature by examining relations between the agency and action components of critical consciousness and two indicators of school climate (school connection and positive relationships with teachers), using a predominantly White sample of middle and high school students (ages 13–18) from a rural school district. Results indicated that both school connection and positive relationships with teachers were positively related to critical agency. School climate variables were generally unrelated to critical action, with the exception of a negative relation between positive relationships with teachers and critical action for middle school students.
A Civic Republican Perspective on Market De-encapsulation

Amitai Etzioni argues that capitalism has run amock, with serious and detrimental consequences for social health and welfare. This reply offers a civic republican perspective on these issues, and argues that while the critique may be sound, the response must be tailored to the current socio-economic context.
Improving high rate cycling limitations of thick sintered battery electrodes by mitigating molecular transport limitations through modifying electrode microstructure and electrolyte conductivity

For batteries, thicker electrodes increase energy density, however, molecular transport limits the rate of charge/discharge for extracting large fractions of available energy. Mitigating transport limitations by increasing electrolyte conductivity and aligning the pores in the electrode microstructure are described.
The Hormone-like Action of 1,25-(OH)2-Cholecalciferol (A Metabolite of the Fat-Soluble Vitamin D) in the Intestine

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the hormone-like action of 1, 25- (OH) 2 -cholecalciferol in the intestine. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in vertebrate systems and is the most important structural component of the body. Calcium ions participate in a wide variety of physiological and biochemical processes, including nerve transmission, blood clot formation, maintenance of membrane integrity, muscle contraction, egg shell formation, and bone formation. The major pathways of calcium metabolism are intake and absorption by the intestinal mucosal tissue, transport within the body through the blood to various sites, deposition and resorption from bone and other calcified structures, and excretion in the urine and feces. The consequences of incubation of filipin in vitro with - CC ileal tissue was found to mimic many aspects of dietary vitamin D administration in terms of calcium transport. The rate-limiting step of calcium translocation from the brush border side to the serosal side of the cell would appear to be, in a calciferol-deficient chick, at the brush border side of the cell. The filipin, when applied to the brush border membrane, can affect a permeability increase on this membrane that results in a higher internal calcium concentration in the cell.
Abbreviated case report. Intraoral acinic cell adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Intraoral acinic cell adenocarcinoma is a rare tumor, of which only six cases have previously been reported in the literature. In the present case the tumor appeared to be derived from minor salivary gland tissue.
The Irrigation System Fed from Biaxial PV Panels

In this study, an irrigation system which has an adaptive control system fed from the photovoltaic panels was designed and developed. The control system was designed as an electromechanical system which photovoltaic panel follows the sun on two axes, including both azimuth angle and zenith angle. In the executed system, the tracking of the sun was performed in both axes using dsPIC. Moreover, the control circuit with dsPIC processes the data obtained from the calculations of current-voltage and liquid levels. Differently from other studies in the literature, in this study, the source which feeds the irrigation system was determined according to the power obtained from the panel and PV panel was moved in two axes. The power generated by the panel is fed from battery if the power is below the determined power value and the panel is used if the power is above it. Through this developed algorithm, it was aimed to keep the tank full when the water is needed and prevent unnecessary discharge of the battery and lengthen its economic life depending on the quantity of charging-discharging of it. As a result of this study, the system was optimal activated without the requirement of any other energy except PV panel.
Low-power interface circuits for bio-implantable microsystems

Low-power interface circuits used in wireless bio-implantable microsystems are described. Regulators have line regulation of 3mV/V, load regulation of 8mV/mA, and ripple rejection of 45dB. An ASK demodulator achieves a bit rate of 60kb/s, and the frequency of the recovered clock reaches 10MHz. An on-chip active transmitter achieves a bit rate of 2Mb/s. Total power dissipation is 2.17mW for a 4.84mm/sup 2/ IC fabricated in 0.8/spl mu/m CMOS.