cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of a Soluble TGF-β Receptor by Tumor Cells Enhances Dendritic Cell/Tumor Fusion Vaccine Efficacy

Dendritic cell (DC)-based antitumor immunotherapy is a promising cancer therapy. We have previously shown that tumor-derived TGF-beta limits the efficacy of the DC/tumor fusion vaccine in mice. In the current study we investigated the effect of neutralizing tumor-derived TGF-beta on the efficacy of the DC/tumor fusion vaccine. An adenovirus encoding human TGF-beta receptor type II fused to the Fc region of human IgM (Adv-TGF-beta-R) or a control adenovirus encoding LacZ (Adv-LacZ) was used to express a soluble form of the neutralizing TGF-beta receptor (TGF-beta-R). Murine breast carcinoma cells, 4T1, but not bone marrow-derived DCs, were successfully transfected with Adv-TGF-beta-R (4T1+Adv-TGF-beta-R) using a multiplicity of infection of 300. Immunization with irradiated 4T1+Adv-TGF-beta-R tumor cells conferred enhanced antitumor immunity compared with immunization with irradiated 4T1+Adv-LacZ tumor cells. The DC/4T1+Adv-TGF-beta-R fusion vaccine offered enhanced protective and therapeutic efficacy compared with the DC/4T1-Adv-LacZ fusion vaccine. Because TGF-beta is known to induce regulatory T cells (Tregs), we further showed that the DC/4T1+Adv-TGF-beta-R fusion vaccine induced fewer CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs than the DC/4T1+Adv-LacZ fusion vaccine in vitro and in vivo. The suppressive role of splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs isolated from mice immunized with DC/4T1+Adv-LacZ was demonstrated using a CTL killing assay. Similar enhanced therapeutic efficacy was observed in murine renal cell carcinoma, RenCa, which expresses a high level of TGF-beta. We conclude that the blockade of tumor-derived TGF-beta reduces Treg induction by the DC/tumor fusion vaccine and enhances antitumor immunity. This may be an effective strategy to enhance human DC-based antitumor vaccines.
ROPE: robust position estimation in wireless sensor networks

We address the problem of secure location determination, known as secure localization, and the problem of verifying the location claim of a node, known as location verification, in wireless sensor networks (WSN). We propose a robust positioning system we call ROPE that allows sensors to determine their location without any centralized computation. In addition, ROPE provides a location verification mechanism that verifies the location claims of the sensors before data collection. We show that ROPE bounds the ability of an attacker to spoof sensors' locations, with relatively low density deployment of reference points. We confirm the robustness of ROPE against attacks analytically and via simulations.
Modified Pulse-Adjustment Technique to Control DC/DC Converters Driving Variable Constant-Power Loads

Multiconverter-distributed DC architectures have been utilized for power distribution in many applications such as telecommunication systems, sea and undersea vehicles, an international space station, aircraft, electric vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, and fuel-cell vehicles, where reliability is of prime concern. The number of power-electronic converters (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC, and AC/AC) in these multiconverter electrical power systems varies from a few converters in a conventional land vehicle, to tens of converters in an advanced aircraft, and to hundreds of converters in the international space station. In these advanced applications, power-electronic converters might need to have a tight output-voltage regulation. From the output perspective, this property is highly desirable. However, since power-electronic converters are efficient, tight regulation of the output makes the converter appear as a constant-power load (CPL) at its input side. Dynamic behavior of CPLs is equivalent to negative impedance and, therefore, can result in instability of the interconnected power system. In order to mitigate the instability of the power converters loaded by CPLs, this paper presents the pulse-adjustment digital control technique. It is simple and easy to implement in application-specific integrated circuits, digital-signal processors, or field-programmable gate arrays. Moreover, its dynamic response is fast and robust. Line and load regulations are simply achievable using this technique. Analytical, as well as simulation and experimental results of applying the proposed method to a DC/DC buck-boost converter confirm the validity of the presented technique.
Proton beams to replace photon beams in radical dose treatments.

With proton beam radiation therapy a smaller volume of normal tissues is irradiated at high dose levels for most anatomic sites than is feasible with any photon technique. This is due to the Laws of Physics, which determine the absorption of energy from photons and protons. In other words, the dose from a photon beam decreases exponentially with depth in the irradiated material. In contrast, protons have a finite range and that range is energy dependent. Accordingly, by appropriate distribution of proton energies, the dose can be uniform across the target and essentially zero deep to the target and the atomic composition of the irradiated material. The dose proximal to the target is lower compared with that in photon techniques, for all except superficial targets. This resultant closer approximation of the planning treatment volume (PTV) to the CTV/GTV (grossly evident tumor volume/subclinical tumor extensions) constitutes a clinical gain by definition; i.e. a smaller treatment volume that covers the targ...
Histone Acetylation in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell Modulates Ethanol-Induced Locomotor Activity in DBA/2J Mice

Background A growing body of literature suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, including histone acetylation, may play key roles in drug abuse and the development of addiction. Experiments in this study were designed to investigate the role of histone acetylation in ethanol (EtOH)-induced locomotor sensitization. Methods Immunohistochemical, Western blotting, and site-directed pharmacological techniques were used to explore the roles of histone acetylation at histone H3 (acH3K9) in both the expression of and acquisition of EtOH-induced locomotor sensitization. A commonly used sensitization protocol, in which animals were exposed to repeated injections of a low dose of EtOH while in their home cage, was used to examine this behavioral phenomenon. Additionally, site-directed administration of the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) Trichostatin A (TSA), in the absence of repeated EtOH injections, was used to examine the role of hyperacetylation in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) shell in EtOH-induced locomotor sensitization. Results Sensitized mice displayed elevated acH3K9 immunoreactivity (IR) localized to the shell of the NAC. This augmentation in acH3K9 IR was confirmed, in a separate experiment, using Western blot analyses. Next, repeated intra-accumbal infusions of TSA, in the absence of repeated EtOH injections, were sufficient to induce an augmented locomotor response to a later injection of a low dose (2.0 g/kg, intraperitoneally) of EtOH, indicative of cross-sensitization to this locomotor stimulation between TSA and EtOH. Finally, a local infusion of TSA into the shell of the accumbens was also associated with a significant increase in acH3K9 IR within this region. Conclusions Together, the present observations suggest that histone acetylation, particularly within the shell of the NAC, is important for the development and expression of EtOH-induced locomotor sensitization.
Droplet Spectra Broadening by Ripening Process. Part I: Roles of Curvature and Salinity of Cloud Droplets

Abstract The “ripening process” occurs due to thermodynamic instability of droplet size spectra in clouds. This instability results from the existence of droplets with different salinity and size in the droplet spectra. The ripening process is independent of turbulent fluctuations of supersaturation for a closed cloud parcel. Because of the ripening process, droplet number concentration continuously decreases with time after the initial peak supersaturation, which occurs during the initial updraft. Droplet spectra broaden to large sizes by evaporation of small droplets. Both mean droplet size and the standard deviation of droplet size spectra increase with time. This mechanism is suggested to be a potential physical mechanism for the formation of droplet size spectra in stratiform clouds.
Skelettmuskel und sarkoplasmatisches Retikulum

Die fur Skelett- und Herzmuskulatur charakteristische Querstreifung ist der Ausdruck des geordneten Gefuges der kontraktilen Fibrillen, welche das Zytoplasma jeder dieser langgestreckten, zylindrischen und mit mehreren Kernen versehenen Zellen oder Fasern anfullen. Einige dieser Fibrillen (*) in der Randzone einer Faser werden in dieser Aufnahme gezeigt. Sie selbst sind wiederum deutlich aus Filamenten zusammengesetzt, deren Verteilung im Zusammenhang mit den abwechselnd hellen und dunklen Querbandern steht. Da in isolierten Fibrillen diese Querbander in strenger Reihenfolge auftreten, bildet die Gesamtheit der Fibrillen die wohlbekannte Querstreifung der Zelle.
Providing Early Warnings of Specification Problems

A formal software verification system relies upon a software engineer writing mathematically precise specifications of intended behavior. Humans often introduce defects into such specifications. Techniques and tools capable of warning about common defects can help them develop correct specifications by finding subtle issues that would permit unintended behavior. New specification-checking techniques and a tool that implements them, SpecChec, are described.
Dietary status and eating out practices of college students

Dietary status and eating-out practices are of primary interest in designing nutrition education programs for College students. The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary status (energy, nutrients) of college students with locations and reasons for eating out and with students' use of dietary guidelines
Reducing Torsional Vibration in an Engine Cold-Test Cell for Improved Structural Reliability and Engine Assembly Defect Diagnostics

The driveline components of engine cold-test cells undergo large torsional vibrations during transient tests as the system resonances are excited by various engine harmonics. The excessive torsional vibrations not only compromise the structural reliability of the system but also make the fault detection process difficult by preventing accurate measurement of gear noise and by compromising the quality of diagnostic torque waveforms. This paper presents modeling of an engine cold-test cell and a methodology to quantify signal distortion levels by using the proposed distortion metrics which are based on harmonic order amplitude ratios. A rigorous validation of the simulation model using both torque amplitude and waveform distortion comparisons of experimental and simulation data is conducted. The model is used to identify the driveline inertia and stiffness parameters that can help reduce high torsional resonant amplitudes as well as waveform distortion. The design modifications are implemented in a production test cell which helped to control the torsional vibration and diagnostic signal degradation issues with a corresponding increase in the sensitivity to faults.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Spatial Model of Crisis Bargaining

This study deals with the problem of determining whether states engaged in an international crisis will arrive at a negotiated settlement or go to war. A formal model of crisis bargaining that is based on a spatial representation of the theory of games is proposed as an analytical tool. The paper shows how the model can be used to derive probabilistic predictions regarding crisis outcomes and that these predictions are identical to the Nash bargaining solution when restrictive assumptions similar to Nash's are imposed on the model. A case study of the Fashoda crisis of 1898 is used to demonstrate the utility of the model as a conceptual framework.
Modulation of pulmonary alveolar type II cell phenotype and communication by extracellular matrix and KGF

The alveolar epithelium consists of two cell types, alveolar type I (AT1) and alveolar type II (AT2) cells. We have recently shown that 7-day-old cultures of AT2 cells grown on a type I collagen/fi...
Multi-source heterogeneous data fusion model in mobile geographic information system

In order to enhance the organization and management efficiency of multi-source heterogeneous data in field data collection process for mobile Geographic Information System(GIS),based on the analysis of the limitations of the existing methods and structural features of the data,a new kind of fusion model based on EXchangeable Image File(EXIF) was proposed in which the digital image was used as carrier to fuse the information of spatial location and general attributes.In the proposed model,associated spatial information and general attributes were embedded into digital image to achieve the purpose of being highly integrated.A field data collection system was designed and developed based on the model,and applications of this system in the fields of agricultural resources management and decision analysis verify the validity and actual result of the model.
Advance care directives: realities and challenges in Central California.

PURPOSE To discover where patients with advance directives (ADs) obtain them and to learn what patients' understanding is of how ADs function. METHODS Adult patients with ADs admitted to the four acute-care hospitals in Monterey County, California, were asked to participate in a survey during the study period 1 July to 8 September 2009. RESULTS Of 5,811 total admissions, 455 patients (7 percent) had an AD. Of these 455 patients, 204 (45 percent) completed our survey. Participants included 146 patients with a power of attorney for healthcare (72 percent), and 21 patients who were unable to identify the type of AD they had (10 percent). Attorneys provided ADs to 99 participants (49 percent) and personal physicians provided ADs to 12 participants (6 percent). Most participants (181, or 89 percent) had spoken to their family about their AD; fewer (131, or 65 percent) to their physician. Of the 146 participants with a power of attorney, only 73 (50 percent) said they had spoken specifically to their agent. Family members (38 percent) and attorneys (35 percent) were seen as helpful in completing ADs; physicians (1 percent) were not. CONCLUSIONS Few study participants had advance directives, and attorneys provided and discussed ADs with study participants more than physicians did. Because many patients with ADs seem not to fully understand them, new approaches to advance planning education must be developed.
Hydrothermal iron flux variability following rapid sea level changes

Sea level changes associated with Pleistocene glacial cycles have been hypothesized to modulate melt production and hydrothermal activity at ocean ridges, yet little is known about fluctuations in hydrothermal circulation on time scales longer than a few millennia. We present a high-resolution record of hydrothermal activity over the past 50 ka using elemental flux data from a new sediment core from the Mir zone of the TAG hydrothermal field at 26°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Mir sediments reveal sixfold to eightfold increases in hydrothermal iron and copper deposition during the Last Glacial Maximum, followed by a rapid decline during the sea level rise associated with deglaciation. Our results, along with previous observations from Pacific and Atlantic spreading centers, indicate that rapid sea level changes influence hydrothermal output on mid-ocean ridges. Thus, climate variability may discretize volcanic processing of the solid Earth on millennial time scales and subsequently stimulate variability in biogeochemical interactions with volcanic systems.
Associations of kidney injury markers with subclinical cardiovascular disease: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Author(s): Shlipak, Michael; Hsu, Chi-Yuan; Park, M; Shlipak, MG; Vittinghoff, E; Katz, R; Siscovick, D; Sarnak, M; Lima, JA; Hsu, CY; Peralta, CA
The Glass Transition and Structural Recovery Using Flash DSC

Rapid scanning chip calorimetry is a very useful tool for studying the glass transition and the related enthalpy relaxation kinetics. In this chapter, we review the practical aspects of making fictive temperature and enthalpy recovery measurements, including for ultrathin samples. The cooling rate dependence of the glass transition is discussed, as well as the Tg depression for ultrathin polystyrene and polycarbonate samples. The advantages of the short instrument response time and high cooling rates can be particularly exploited for enthalpy recovery measurements, and these are discussed in detail.
Relativistic Two-Component Particle-Particle Tamm-Dancoff Approximation.

With the recent introduction of the particle–particle random-phase and Tamm–Dancoff approximations to ab initio theory, routine queries of traditionally difficult systems, such as diradicals and doubly excited states, have been made possible. However, although a wealth of inquiry has been directed to investigating these methods, the current formulations have been restricted to spin-collinear systems, leaving the methods incapable of treating noncollinearity and spin–orbit relativistic effects in excited states. In this work, we extend the particle–particle Tamm–Dancoff approximation to suit two-component Hamiltonians to explicitly treat relativistic effects in excited states. After reviewing the theory and computational implementation, we demonstrate the accuracy of this extension by evaluating the fine structure splittings some of atomic and molecular systems.
The vulnerable plaque "hypothesis": promise, but little progress.

A PubMed search using the terms “vulnerable plaque” or “high-risk” plaque yields >2,000 references to journal articles published over the past 20 years. Indeed, few concepts in cardiovascular medicine have achieved such intense scientific interest over such a long duration. During this 20-
Adjuvant metabolic therapy for glioblastoma multiform

Summary Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with a median life span of only 12 months despite aggressive treatment. Current treatments do offer the patient an increase in life expectancy; however, this is still discouraging when considering that this is relative, and only translates to a few additional months of life. Research has shown an adverse relationship between life expectancy and hyperglycemic episodes in GBM patients who are undergoing treatment. In light of these studies and hypotheses regarding the glucose utilization on malignant cells, ketogenic and calorie restricted diets are being studied as adjuvant therapy. This review presents the available human data related to this information.
Academic makerspaces: contexts for research on interdisciplinary collaborative communication

A growing trend on university campuses is the design and implementation of spaces---sometimes called "design studios" or "invention studios" or, more generally, "makerspaces"---that support project-oriented collaboration among students in engineering, science, and other fields. Through an emphasis on making, they also foster the face-to-face communication essential for community building and allow for the mess that accompanies innovative, iterative, and productive group problem-solving and prototyping. Using the Design Studio of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware as a case study, our focus is on how---or whether---the physical environment of such a makerspace might indeed breed collaboration, an often cited goal of such spaces.
Frailty and maximal exercise capacity in adult lung transplant candidates.

Abstract Background Frail lung transplant candidates are more likely to be delisted or die without receiving a transplant. Further knowledge of what frailty represents in this population will assist in developing interventions to prevent frailty from developing. We set out to determine whether frail lung transplant candidates have reduced exercise capacity independent of disease severity and diagnosis. Methods Sixty-eight adult lung transplant candidates underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and a frailty assessment (Fried's Frailty Phenotype (FFP)). Primary outcomes were peak workload and peak aerobic capacity ( V ˙ O 2 ). We used linear regression to adjust for age, gender, diagnosis, and lung allocation score (LAS). Results The mean ± SD age was 57 ± 11 years, 51% were women, 57% had interstitial lung disease, 32% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 11% had cystic fibrosis, and the mean LAS was 40.2 (range 19.2–94.5). In adjusted models, peak workload decreased by 10 W (95% CI 4.7 to 14.6) and peak V ˙ O 2 decreased by 1.8 mL/kg/min (95% CI 0.6 to 2.9) per 1 unit increment in FFP score. After adjustment, exercise tolerance was 38 W lower (95% CI 18.4 to 58.1) and peak V ˙ O 2 was 8.5 mL/kg/min lower (95% CI 3.3 to 13.7) among frail participants compared to non-frail participants. Frailty accounted for 16% of the variance (R2) of watts and 19% of the variance of V ˙ O 2 in adjusted models. Conclusion Frailty contributes to reduced exercise capacity among lung transplant candidates independent of disease severity.
Imaging with multilayer hyperbolic metamaterials — what are the limits?

Using the Eigen-mode approach we analyze the imaging performance of multilayer hyperbolic metamaterials and show that resolution decreases with the number of layers and amount of metal loss.
A framework for planning and facilitating video-based professional development.

Recent transformative changes in science education require new learning opportunities for teachers—opportunities that include rich images of classroom enactment of the reform vision. One fruitful way for doing that is to use video clips of instruction. Teachers do not, however, learn how to improve their instructional practice from simply watching and reflecting on classroom videos. The videos need to be carefully selected and embedded in professional development in ways that—through facilitator-led, participant-centered discussion—can help teachers to notice and reason about important aspects of instruction and learning that occur in the video. Consistent with the recent efforts to identify planning and facilitation approaches that guide effective professional development (PD) programs, in this paper, we adapted the Five Practices Framework for orchestrating productive classroom discussions to describe how PD facilitators plan for and enact professional learning tasks to help science teachers learn within a video-based PD program. These practices include anticipating, sequencing, monitoring, selecting, connecting and two additional practices that set the stage for the five practices (i.e., setting goals and selecting tasks). Our analyses of the video-based discussions in the PD provide insights into how the facilitators engaged teachers in video-based conversations by using the practices of monitoring, selecting, and connecting. The monitoring moves, such as clarifying, countering, and redirecting, were used by the facilitator in nearly all the PD sessions. Similarly, selecting moves were used and were consistent with the goals of the PD. Finally, analysis of facilitators’ and participants’ connecting comments indicated their increased capacity to make connections to the bigger ideas of teaching science by maintaining the cognitive demand on students’ thinking. This paper provides elaborated descriptions of the five practices for planning and facilitating video-based PD and the ways in which they were enacted in a video-based PD program in science. In so doing, it proposes five practices as a guiding framework to support teachers’ learning from videos. Overall, the study’s results endorse the promise of a goal-driven, theory-informed design that foregrounds careful attention to teachers’ thinking in ways that support their understanding of complex classroom interactions.
Endoscopic partial corpectomy using anterior decompression for cervical myelopathy

Symptomatic ventral cervical cord compressions have been treated by anterior discectomy with fusion, anterior corpectomy and fusion, discectomy with an artificial disc, and minimally invasive techniques. There are complications associated with the fusion procedure, especially when a long segment fusion is undertaken. Partial removal of the vertebral body without fusion could help in avoiding fusion and its associated complications. We are describing the detailed surgical technique, indications, limitations, and early results of endoscopic partially corpectomy. The detailed endoscopic technique of how to remove minimal portion of the anterior and middle part of the vertebra with the removal of compressing posterior portion is described. To the best of the author's knowledge, this procedure has not been described in the literature till date. This technique has the advantages of preservation of most of the vertebral body and disc. The stability of the spine is maintained without the patient having to undergo the additional procedure of spinal fusion. There is a shorter length of hospital stay. The technique can also be used in special conditions, such as when a migrated disc behind the vertebral body or any bony compression opposite the vertebral body is encountered. It avoids injury to the longus colli muscles and damage to most of the annulus fibrosis. It preserves motion segments at the operated and adjacent segments without any significant decrease in the disc and vertebral height. A relatively short follow-up and the experience in a relatively small number of patients till now, are the limitations to the widespread use of this technique. Although long-term follow-up of this procedure in a large number of patients is not currently available, endoscopic partial corpectomy seems to be an effective and an alternative method for dealing with anteriorly located cervical compression. Long-term follow-up in a large number of patients is required to assess for the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.
Opioid Prescribers to Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients Before and After Surgery: The Majority Are Not Orthopedists.

Abstract Background Improved narcotic pain management after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is necessary to help battle the opioid epidemic. The goal of this study was to determine the sources of prescriptions prescribed to TJA patients. Methods An evaluation of opioid use in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed between 2008 and 2012. Using a Total Joint Replacement Registry and pharmacy data, opioids dispensed to TJA patients were identified. The main outcome of interest was who prescribed opioids to patients in the year before and after surgery. Results Primary care (pre-TKA 31% TKA, post-TKA 38%, pre-THA 34%, post-THA 40%) and internal medicine (27% pre-TKA, post-TKA 37%, pre-THA 32%, post-THA 40%) were the highest prescribers in the year before, and after, TJA. For TKA patients, orthopedists prescribed 9% of the opioids in the year before surgery, 47% in days 1-90 after surgery, and 14% in days 271-360. Similarly, in THA patients, orthopedists prescribed 14% of the opioids in the year before surgery, 40% in days 1-90 after surgery, and 14% in days 271-360. Conclusion Patients receive opioid prescriptions from multiple physician types before, and after, TJA. The majority of preoperative, and late postoperative, narcotics were not provided by their surgeons. Orthopedic surgeons may not even know that their TJA patients continue to receive opioids. Coordination of opioid care with health-care providers and greater communication with patients on narcotic use expectations should be promoted.
Dissociating frequency and animacy effects in visual word processing: An fMRI study

Abstract In an fMRI investigation of the neural representation of word frequency and animacy, participants read high- and low-frequency words within living and nonliving semantic categories. Both temporal (left fusiform gyrus) and parietal (left supramarginal gyrus) activation patterns differentiated between animal and tool words after controlling for frequency. Activation patterns in a smaller ventral temporal region, a subset of the voxels identified in the animacy contrast, differentiated between high- and low-frequency words after controlling for animacy. Activation patterns in the larger temporal region distinguished between high- and low-frequency words just as well as patterns within the smaller region. However, in analyses by animacy category, frequency effects in these temporal regions were significant only for tool, not for animal, words. Thus, lexical word frequency information and semantic animacy category information are conjointly represented in left fusiform gyrus activation patterns for some, but not all, concrete nouns.
Neural Models of Psychodynamic Concepts and Treatments: Implications for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy can be a powerful agent of change on the levels of affect, cognition, and behavior. It has long been presumed that these changes reflect discrete therapy-related modulations of brain function. Until recently, though, there were no scientific methods available to examine directly the neural substrates of psychotherapy. The advent of modern neuroimaging techniques has provided, for the first time, a window into psychotherapy-related changes in brain physiology. Nevertheless, there remains much to learn about the effect of psychotherapy – and psychodynamic psychotherapy in particular – on brain function. This chapter will provide an introduction to the methods of functional neuroimaging in psychotherapy research, a tour through the remarkable findings that have emerged thus far, and a glimpse into the profound implications that this work could have on the future practice of psychotherapy.
Cigarettes, Little Cigars, and Cigarillos: Initiation, Motivation, and Decision-Making.

Introduction Cigarettes and little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) are the most prevalent dual-use tobacco combination; one-third of cigarette smokers use LCCs. Risk factors for multiple tobacco product use have been reported; however, there is little understanding of why some individuals transition to and maintain multiple product use. In this study, we examine narratives of tobacco product initiation and decision-making among LCC-only and LCC-cigarette smokers. Methods We audio-recorded in-depth interviews with 60 individuals, aged 14-28, who reported smoking more than or equal to 1 cigarillo per week; half also smoked cigarettes. Transcribed interviews were coded using a phenomenological approach to examine themes about smoking initiation, motivation, and product decision-making. Results Among dual users, 60% began smoking LCCs before or at the same time as cigarettes, and 40% began smoking cigarettes first. Reasons for smoking cigarettes in addition to LCCs included easier access when experiencing craving and less time to smoke the product. Cigarette smokers reported first smoking LCCs in social contexts when sharing LCCs with other smokers, or when they could afford a single LCC but not a pack of cigarettes. LCC-only smokers reported not smoking cigarettes because of their expense, unpleasant taste and/or smell, and fear of becoming addicted. Conclusions In this sample of current LCC users, half also used cigarettes. Product initiation order was almost evenly split, but reasons for initiating the second product differed, with immediacy of reducing cravings as a key reason for LCC users to smoke a cigarette and social and financial reasons for cigarette users to smoke an LCC. Implications Understanding how and why dual use is initiated and sustained can inform policies to help prevent increased nicotine dependence and initiation of additional tobacco products. This study demonstrates that the beliefs, perceptions, and practices of LCC-only and dual users inform their product selection. Our findings point to the need to apply the strategies that have been effective at decreasing cigarette consumption to LCCs.
The effect of patient-selected or preselected music on anxiety during cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Women undergoing cesarean delivery may have significant anxiety prior to surgery. Nonpharmacological approaches to anxiety reduction are favored in this patient population.Objective: Th...
Estuarine salinity recovery from an extreme precipitation event: Hurricane Harvey in Galveston Bay

With a warming climate and a more humid atmosphere, extreme precipitation events are projected to occur more frequently in future. Understanding how coastal systems respond to and recover from such acute events is of fundamental significance for environmental assessment and management. A hydrodynamic model was used to examine the estuarine responses in Galveston Bay to Hurricane Harvey, an extreme precipitation event with a return period of larger than 1000 years. The enormous freshwater input during Harvey caused long-lasting elevated water level, extraordinarily strong along-channel velocity, sharp decreases in salinity, and huge river plumes, all of which were well reproduced by the model. The salinity recovery time (TR) was estimated as a measure of the system resiliency to stormwater input. Over the entire bay, the TR had a mean of two months, but with great variability ranging from less than 10 days near the bay entrance to over three months in the inner part of Trinity Bay and the middle of East Bay. The spatially varying TR was explained by different contributions of exchange flow and tidal pumping to salt flux. At the bay entrance, tidal pumping facilitated by the shelf current was the dominant mechanism for salt influx, while exchange flow and tidal pumping had a comparable contribution to salt influx to Trinity Bay. The spatial pattern of the TR appears consistent with the changes in the phytoplankton community in the bay. A series of numerical experiments with different amounts of stormwater reveals a non-linear relationship between the bay-wide mean TR and the amount of stormwater, with the rate of increase in TR decreasing when stormwater input increases. The present approach using a hydrodynamic model will be able to provide a quick assessment of the environmental pressure from extreme events.
Novel understanding of high mobility group box-1 in the immunopathogenesis of incisional hernias

Introduction: Incisional hernias (IH) arise as a complication of patients undergoing laparotomy. Current literature has assessed the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) disorganization, alterations in type I and type III collagen, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases on IH. However, there is limited information on the underlying molecular mechanisms that lead to ECM disorganization. Areas covered: We critically reviewed the literature surrounding IH and ECM disorganization and offer a novel pathway that may be the underlying mechanism resulting in ECM disorganization and the immunopathogenesis of IH. Expert opinion: High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1), a damage-associated molecular pattern, plays an important role in the sterile inflammatory pathway and has been linked to ECM disorganization and the triggering of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Further research to investigate the role of HMGB-1 in the molecular pathogenesis of IH would be critical in identifying novel therapeutic targets in the management of IH formation.
On Common Belief in Future Rationality in Games with Ambiguous Orderings of Information Sets

Perea (Games Econ Behav 83:231–254, 2014) introduced common belief in future rationality for dynamic games whose information sets could be unambiguously ordered. It is shown that common belief in future rationality may be possible even in the absence of such an order. We characterize a class of dynamic game forms for which common belief in future rationality is always possible. We introduce a new concept, common belief in future$$^{\star }$$ rationality, which is attained in all dynamic games with perfect recall, regardless of the order of information sets.
Examining the prior authorization process, patient outcomes, and the impact of a pharmacy intervention: A single-center review.

Background Dermatology experiences a disproportionately high burden of prior authorizations (PAs). Objective To examine the effect of a centralized pharmacy intervention on the PA process and the impact of PAs on patient outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of PAs submitted for medications before and after implementation of pharmacy intervention was conducted. Results PA was required for 8.1% of all prescriptions. PAs were most frequently submitted for topical steroids, topical antibiotics and antifungals, and topical retinoids. Most common indications included acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Biologic agents (55.2%) and brand-name only medications (42.8%) required PA at higher rates. Pharmacy intervention resulted in shorter time to PA submission (4 days vs 1 day, P Limitations Data were collected from a single academic institution. Patient medication compliance was not assessed. Conclusions The current PA process may result in delays in care and a negative impact on patients. A centralized pharmacy intervention is an effective measure but does not eliminate the overall burden of PAs.
A theory of angel hair: Analytic prediction of frictional heating of particulates in pneumatic transport

Abstract An analytic prediction of the frictional temperature rise of materials in pneumatic transfer systems is developed, with the aim of anticipating from first principles the onset of problematic formation of melt structures such as ‘angel hair’. Specifically, particulates of size d passing at velocity V through a 90° bend of radius R experience a maximum surface temperature rise ΔT = μdV2(Vρ/kcR)0.5, where μ,ρ,k,c are the particle friction coefficient, density, thermal conductivity and heat capacity respectively. Limits of applicability of this idealized (but conservative) model are discussed, and simple corrections for the mitigating effects of pipe texture and gas cooling are discussed. The expression predicts temperature increments of many tens of Kelvin for 5 mm polyethylene granules at speeds of >40 m/s, but only a few K for 1 mm organic grains at 30 m/s in a planned pneumatic sampling system for a planetary exploration mission.
A general, enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted thiomorpholines and thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxides

Abstract In the course of our drug discovery programs, we had need to access chiral, 2-substituted thiomorpholines and their oxidized congeners, thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxides. Here, we disclose a high-yielding, general protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of C2-functionalized thiomorpholines and thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxides.
The Dynamic Relationship Between Asthma and Obesity in Schoolchildren

Asthma and obesity are among the most prevalent chronic health conditions in children. Although there has been compelling evidence of co-occurrence of asthma and obesity, it is uncertain whether asthma contributes to the development of obesity or obesity contributes to the onset of asthma or both. In this study, we used a joint transition modeling approach with cross-lagged structure to understand how asthma and obesity influence each other dynamically over time. Subjects for this study included 5,193 kindergarten and first-grade students enrolled from 13 communities in 2002–2003 in the Southern California Children’s Health Study, with up to 10 years of follow-up. We found that nonobese children with diagnosed asthma at a study visit were at 37% higher odds of becoming obese by the next annual visit compared with children without asthma (odds ratio = 1.38; 95% credible interval: 1.12, 1.71). However, the presence of obesity at the current visit was not statistically significantly associated with asthma onset in the next visit (odds ratio = 1.25; 95% credible interval: 0.94, 1.62). In conclusion, childhood asthma appears to drive an increase in the onset of obesity among schoolchildren, while the onset of obesity does not necessarily imply the future onset of asthma, at least in the short term.
A tale of three cities: Mercury in urban deciduous foliage and soils across land-uses in Poughkeepsie NY, Hartford CT, and Springfield MA USA.

Abstract Mercury is a global pollutant that harms human and wildlife health through chronic exposure. The role of urban forests in Hg biogeochemistry has been understudied in cities without historical mining or current coal combustion. This study aimed to quantify total Hg concentrations and pools in urban forests to determine whether adjacent land-use impacts Hg accumulation. Three cities in the northeastern United States were studied: Hartford, Connecticut; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Springfield, Massachusetts. We identified ~20 urban forests sites in a ~10 km by ~10 km grid for each city and sampled foliage and soil at each site. Foliage from Populus exhibited significantly lower Hg concentrations (15.6 ± 2.1 ng g−1) than mean foliar Hg concentrations (23.7 ± 0.6 ng g−1) but most deciduous genera had comparable concentrations. Average forest floor Hg concentrations (195 ± 21 ng g−1) and Hg pools (1.9 ± 0.5 mg m−2) were similar to previous, non-urban studies in the region. Average A horizon (182 ± 19 ng g−1) and B horizon (125 ± 14 ng g−1) Hg concentrations were double those of regional forest soils. Mineral soil Hg pools for the top 30 cm (49 ± 6 mg m−2) averaged two to ten times higher than rural, montane forests in the region. Soil pH, LOI, and %clay were poorly correlated with mineral soil Hg concentrations. Instead, highest foliar and soil Hg concentrations and pools were in urban forests adjacent to high and medium intensity developed areas in Springfield and Hartford. To differentiate the impact of land-uses not captured by the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) system, we implemented new land-use categories. Industrial areas had highest foliar and soil Hg concentrations and pools of any land use. Our results show increasing land-use increases Hg accumulation in urban forests.
Process Heuristics: Extraction, Analysis, and Repository Considerations

The motivation for this article is to present a method for extracting heuristics from a team of mission architects, referred to in this article as “designers” at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The method for this study includes both focus group and individual interviews, as well as artifact analysis. The interviews led to insights about the role of heuristics within a design team and how documenting those heuristics can be of value to the team. The heuristics generated allowed for an overview of how designers at JPL perceived their own process heuristics. It was found that most heuristics were comprised a single, positively framed step to be carried out within the team, not just by an individual. Participants were also able to produce mainly informal actions they take, rather than formalized textbook approaches to design. It is hypothesized that the process heuristics generated are universal enough to be transferred out of the mission design domain and into another, if desired.
ATYPICAL PRESENTATION OF ARVC

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) has a variety of presentations, some of which can masquerade as non-cardiac conditions. Herein, we present a patient who was initially thought to have had a seizure. A 32-year-old otherwise healthy male experienced loss of consciousness after
ADOLESCENTS REPORT SLEEP QUALITY IMPAIRMENTS ACUTELY POST-CONCUSSION

Background:Recently, the association between concussion and sleep has been explored. Few studies have used validated patient-reported outcome measures to examine how sleep quality differs between a...
Imaging of the Carotid Artery

This chapter describes different methods for imaging the carotid artery in the clinical diagnosis of disease including the workup of potential stroke sources. We review carotid artery imaging by multiple techniques including digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and vessel wall MRI (vwMRI). The interpretation of each technique, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Imaging examples of each modality are also provided. This will serve as a primer for the interpretation of currently available diagnostic imaging techniques and will aid in surgical and interventional planning.
United States Bureau of Prisons’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spread across the United States in spring 2020, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) made the startling announcement that of its 2,700 initial screenings of inmates for ...
All in the Family: Cataloging the Alice Hoffman Collection

The acquisition and cataloging of the Alice Hoffman Collection at University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) of the Adelphi University Libraries allowed for a successful collaboration betwe...
One-year results from a randomized comparative trial of targeted steroid injection via epidural catheter versus standard transforaminal epidural injection for the treatment of unilateral cervical radicular pain.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of catheter-directed cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection with triamcinolone compared with cervical transforaminal steroid injection with dexamethasone for the treatment of refractory unilateral radicular pain. Design Prospective, randomized, comparative trial. Methods The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with ≥50% Numeric Rating Scale ‘dominant pain’ (the greater of arm vs neck) reduction from baseline. Secondary outcomes included ≥30% Neck Disability Index reduction and Patient Global Impression of Change response indicating ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’. Results Data from 117 participants (55.6% women; 52.3±12.5 years of age; body mass index, 28.2±6.5 kg/m2) were analyzed. The proportion of participants who experienced ≥50% pain reduction at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months has been previously reported. At 1 year, 61.2% (95% CI, 46.9% to 73.9%) of the catheter group compared with 51.9% (95% CI, 38.4% to 65.2%) of the transforaminal group reported ≥50% ‘dominant’ pain reduction (p=0.35). The proportion of participants who experienced ≥30% improvement in Neck Disability Index score was 60.4% (95% CI, 45.9% to 73.3%) and 47.1% (95% CI, 33.7% to 60.8%) in the catheter and transforaminal groups (p=0.18). Patient Global Impression of Change improvement was similar in both groups: 60.5% (95% CI, 44.2% to 74.8%) and 57.5% (95% CI, 41.7% to 71.9%) of the catheter and transforaminal groups reported being ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’, respectively (p=0.79). Conclusion Both cervical catheter-directed interlaminar epidural injection and cervical transforaminal steroid injection were effective in reducing pain and disability in the majority of participants with refractory unilateral cervical radiculopathy for up to 1 year.
Are there “Better” and “Worse” Ways to be Consensually Non-Monogamous (CNM)?: CNM Types and CNM-Specific Predictors of Dyadic Adjustment

Research on consensual non-monogamy (CNM) has largely been restricted to comparisons between monogamous and CNM people, with researchers paying little attention to various CNM styles. The current research elucidated differences among three styles of CNM: open relationships, polyamory, and swinging. Across three studies, we demonstrated that people in polyamorous or swinger-style relationships have higher levels of relationship satisfaction and other relational outcomes (e.g., passionate love, trust) than those in open relationships. That is, people in open relationships consistently fared more poorly in their relational outcomes than those in other types of CNM relationships. In Studies 4 and 5, we isolated some of the reasons for these differences. We found that differences in relational outcomes between open-style and other styles of CNM dissipated when controlling for (a) couples' approach to communication, (b) extrinsic versus intrinsic motivations for participating in CNM, (c) adherence to pro-monogamy beliefs and (d) degree of contact with one's partner's partners ("metamours"). Thus, CNM-specific relational dynamics are associated with dyadic adjustment in these relationships.