cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathology of the ruptured spleen in acute vivax malaria.

1. Opportunity to study the pathologic changes in ruptured spleen of acute vivax malaria was afforded by splenectomy. 2. Subcapsular hematoma precedes rupture. 3. The capsular tear is an obvious consequence of the changes in the spleen occurring in acute malaria. Small hemorrhages occur in the vicinity of the capsule or deep in the tissues. 4. A rapidly enlarging spleen with underlying vascular alteration predisposes to rupture. Minimal trauma may be a precipitating element. 5. Diffuse cellular hyperplasia, subintimal and adventitial leukopoiesis, dilated sinuses and occasional thrombosis and infarction constitute the characteristic pattern in malaria. 6. Changes in the left lung base may serve as a diagnostic aid in cases in which the diagnosis of splenic rupture is considered.
Postictal ammonia as a biomarker for electrographic convulsive seizures: A prospective study

SummaryObjective Transient hyperammonemia (THA) was reported to follow generalized convulsions without sufficient evidence to confirm the epileptic nature of those events. We aimed to determine if postictal THA can differentiate between different types of events as confirmed electroencephalographically using video–electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring. Methods In our prospective cohort, we screened all consented adults (>18 years) admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit. Ammonia was checked at baseline, within 60 min of the event (for all patients) and 24 h after event (whenever possible). Patients were grouped into generalized convulsive seizures (GCS), psychogenic nonepileptic seizures with convulsions (PNES-C), or focal seizures (FS) based on vEEG. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and parametric/nonparametric methods. Results Of 78 patients enrolled, 13 had GCS, 8 had FS, and 9 had PNES-C. The groups were different with regard to gender (p = 0.04) and baseline ammonia (p = 0.02), but not age. The change in ammonia postictally from baseline was significantly different among the three groups (p = 0.004). The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for postictal ammonia to distinguish GCS from other groups was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.96) suggesting ammonia to be a good test differentiating epileptic GCS from other events. An ammonia level of ≥80 μmol/L correctly classified 80% of our patients (sensitivity 53.9%, specificity 100%). Significance Our results provide objective evidence for the association between THA and GCS seizures utilizing vEEG monitoring, and a basis for future studies to determine the role of postictal ammonia as an inexpensive diagnostic test to diagnose GCS.
Deconstructing the Emotion Regulatory Properties of Mindfulness: An Electrophysiological Investigation.

The present study sought to uncover the emotion regulatory properties of mindfulness by examining its effects—differentiated as a meditative practice, state of mind, and dispositional trait—on the late positive potential (LPP), an event-related potential indexing emotional processing. Results revealed that mindfulness as a meditative practice produced a reduction in the difference between the LPP response to negative high arousing and neutral stimuli across time. In contrast, a state mindfulness induction (i.e., instructions to attend to the stimuli mindfully) failed to modulate the LPP. Dispositional mindfulness, however, was related to modulation of the LPP as a function of meditation practice. Dispositional mindfulness was associated with a reduction of the LPP response to negative high arousal stimuli and the difference between negative high arousal and neutral stimuli in participants who listened to a control audio recording but not for those who engaged in the guided meditation practice. Together, these findings provide experimental evidence demonstrating that brief mindfulness meditation, but not deliberate engagement in state mindfulness, produces demonstrable changes in emotional processing indicative of reduced emotional reactivity. Importantly, these effects are akin to those observed in individuals with naturally high dispositional mindfulness, suggesting that the benefits of mindfulness can be cultivated through practice.
Attenuation of Na/K-ATPase Mediated Oxidant Amplification with pNaKtide Ameliorates Experimental Uremic Cardiomyopathy

We have previously reported that the sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase) can effect the amplification of reactive oxygen species. In this study, we examined whether attenuation of oxidant stress by antagonism of Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification might ameliorate experimental uremic cardiomyopathy induced by partial nephrectomy (PNx). PNx induced the development of cardiac morphological and biochemical changes consistent with human uremic cardiomyopathy. Both inhibition of Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification with pNaKtide and induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) markedly attenuated the development of phenotypical features of uremic cardiomyopathy. In a reversal study, administration of pNaKtide after the induction of uremic cardiomyopathy reversed many of the phenotypical features. Attenuation of Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification may be a potential strategy for clinical therapy of this disorder.
Mechanical property investigation of single polymer particles with different surfactant additive contain for monodisperse polymer particle synthesized

Micro-sized metal coated polymer particles are widely used in the anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA). For ACF materials in driver IC package application, polymer particles with elasticity and monodisperse are crucial important for the processing and reliability. For this study, different surfactant concentration (SDS; 0.13wt% to 1.25wt%) with high cross linked micro-sized polymer particles were synthesized via seeded polymerization, using divinylbenzene as cross linking monomer and poly(methyl methacrylate) synthesized by soap-free polymerization as seed particles. The mechanical properties of single polymer particle, such as recovery rate, K-values, and breaking displacement were investigated using micro compression test. The relationship between mechanical properties and surfactant concentration of polymerization were studied in the research work. Due to the high temperature bonding process in driver IC package application, the stable mechanical property of particles of ACF at high temperature is important. The high temperature mechanical properties of polymer particles under different surfactant concentration of polymerization conditions were also investigated. The results revealed that high SDS concentration for seeded polymerization the microspheres have lower recovery rate and K values. After high temperature MCT compression test, the polymer particles synthesized with 0.75 wt% SDS concentration revealed partial fracture and with 1.25 wt% SDS concentration the microspheres even appeared entire fracture.
A Cost-Savings Analysis of Skin Closure Devices: Incorporating Opportunity Cost into Operating Time Efficiency:

Introduction:The surgeon's armamentarium of skin closure techniques is abundant. This research aims to show the potential costs savings using 3M's Steri-Strip S (3S) when compared with sutures for ...
Diffusion of Innovation in Social Networking

The purpose of this paper was is to present a model of innovation diffusion process applicable for analysis of innovation in social networking. Until recently, the innovation diffusion was measured by the rate of adoption expressed by the number of adopters versus time or by penetration rate within given population. On the basis of literature review and available empirical data, a new, additional dimension called “interactivity level” is proposed in this paper. It is specific to innovations in social networking, where the main purpose of innovation is to improve interactive contacts among actors in a network. The interactivity level reflects amount of active knowledge and effective use of social media/technologies. This dimension has not been systematically studied yet. However, some recent surveys of social media users demonstrate a need and suggest application of that dimension. It is possible to improve evaluation of diffusion of innovation in social networking by introducing a scale of interactivity level, expressed by the mode/scope and intensity of interactive contacts among users of different social media. Such approach implies that adoption of innovation should not be viewed just as an event but rather as a learning process of each adopter. Hence, some phases of that process need to be identified and assessed in terms of dynamics of learning. Six basic phases of this process are proposed in this paper. Comparative study of average interactivity levels of users in different countries is proposed as an indicator of evolution of social media in the global business environment.
Evaluation of assays for quantification of DNA in canine plasma as an indirect marker of NETosis.

Background Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), consisting of a filamentous DNA/chromatin-histone scaffold originating from neutrophils are part of the innate immune response, may be released under a variety of inflammatory conditions and are associated with an increased risk for thrombosis. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate a SYTOX green fluorescence assay and a histone–DNA complex (hisDNA) ELISA for quantification of NET-related DNA in canine plasma. Methods The influence of variations in blood sample handling on assay results was tested. Accuracy of the SYTOX green fluorescence and the hisDNA ELISA was evaluated with dilutional linearity using serial dilutions. Interference was assessed by addition of purified bilirubin or hemoglobin. Precision was determined by calculating the intra- and inter-assay CV. Results Preanalytic sample handling did not influence DNA measurements by either assay. Citrate and EDTA plasma samples were equivalent. For the DNA fluorescence assay, dilutional linearity was poor due to autofluorescence, which was corrected by addition of canine plasma to the diluent. The presence of bilirubin and hemoglobin also increased autofluorescence, and resulted in falsely low concentrations of DNA. On the hisDNA ELISA, pigmentemia had no effect. Conclusions Both assays as modified in this study are suitable for measuring DNA in canine EDTA or citrate plasma. However, performance of the fluorescence assay was impacted by pigmentemia, and it was less sensitive than the ELISA in detecting the presence of nucleosome material in the plasma.
An Examination of the Firm-Level Performance Impact of Cluster Hiring in Knowledge-Intensive Firms

This research investigates the firm-level performance impact of cluster hiring approaches to the acquisition of strategic human capital in knowledge-intensive firms. We theorize that factors such a...
Investigating Segmentation in Cascadia: Anisotropic Crustal Structure and Mantle Wedge Serpentinization from Receiver Functions

The Cascadia subduction zone exhibits along-strike segmentation in structure, processes, and seismogenic behavior. While characterization of seismic anisotropy can constrain deformation processes at depth, the character of seismic anisotropy in Cascadia remains poorly understood. This is primarily due to a lack of seismicity in the subducting Juan de Fuca slab, which limits shear wave splitting and other seismological analyses that interrogate the fine-scale anisotropic structure of the crust and mantle wedge. We investigate lower crustal anisotropy and mantle wedge structure by computing P-to-S receiver functions at 12 broadband seismic stations along the Cascadia subduction zone. We observe P-to-SV converted energy consistent with previously estimated Moho depths. Several stations exhibit evidence of an “inverted Moho” (i.e., a downward velocity decrease across the crust-mantle boundary), indicative of a serpentinized mantle wedge. Stations with an underlying hydrated mantle wedge appear prevalent from northern Washington to central Oregon, but sparse in southern Oregon and northern California. Transverse component receiver functions are complex, suggesting anisotropic and/or dipping crustal structure. To constrain the orientation of crustal anisotropy we compute synthetic receiver functions using manual forward modeling. We determine that the lower crust shows variable orientations of anisotropy along-strike, with highly complex anisotropy in northern Cascadia, and generally NW-SE and NE-SW orientations of slow-axis anisotropy in central and southern Cascadia, respectively. The orientations of anisotropy from this work generally agree with those inferred from shear wave splitting of tremor studies at similar locations, lending confidence to this relatively new method of inferring seismic anisotropy from slow earthquakes.
Conceptual, methodological, and clinical considerations for a core outcome set for discourse

In their timely and carefully structured manuscript, Dietz and Boyle (this issue) discuss the need to develop a core outcome set for discourse (D-COS) research in aphasia. Their argument is associa...
Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization and Placement Methods for Corn-Soybean Rotations Managed with No-Till and Chisel Plow Tillage

Introduction A study was initiated in 1994 to evaluate phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer placement for corn and soybeans managed with no-till or chisel plow tillage. Tillage may affect crop yield and many soil properties. No-till management results in little incorporation of residues and fertilizers into the soil. Therefore, broadcast fertilization could be inefficient in notilled soils because P and K accumulate at or near the soil surface. The study consists of two trials: one P trial and one K trial. Corn and soybeans are grown each year by alternating crops between two halves of the area of each trial. Webster is the predominant soil but there are some areas of Canisteo. Treatments are applied for both crops, which are planted with a 30-in. row spacing. The chisel plow system involves chisel plowing of cornstalks in the fall and field cultivation in the spring, while soybean residue is field cultivated in the spring.
Physiological control of melatonin synthesis and secretion: mechanisms, generating rhythms in melatonin, methoxytryptophol, and arginine vasotocin levels and effects on the pineal of endogenous catecholamines, the estrous cycle, and environmental lighting.

Daily rhythms in pineal methoxyindole metabolism have been described in rodents and humans: serotonin levels in rat pineals are highest during the daylight hours and fall markedly soon after the onset of darkness, coincident with increases in the levels of pineal melatonin and 5-methoxy-tryptophol and the activities of pineal serotonin-N--acetyltransferase (SNAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT). The fact that the levels of melatonin and 5-methoxytryptophol vary in parallel suggests that the major factor generating the methoxyindole rhythms is not SNAT activity, as has been suggested, but a proximal step, perhaps a change in the availability (for metabolism) of "stored" serotonin. Melatonin levels in human serum and urine exhibit rhythms similar to those observed in rats, i.e., they rise sharply during the daily dark period. When the onset of darkness is delayed by 12 hours, human melatonin rhythms usually require 3 or 4 days to adjust to the new lighting regimen. Environmental factors, other than light, that activate the sympathetic nervous system or cause epinephrine to be secreted from the adrenal medulla (e.g., the stress of immobilization; insulin-induced hypoglycemia) can override the inhibitory effects of light and accelerate melatonin synthesis. Melatonin levels in rat blood and urine are lowest during the proestrous and estrous phases of the estrous cycle. Although this effect of the ovarian steroid hormones is accompanied by a reduction in urinary norepinephrine levels, it is not caused simply by a decrease in the quantity of norepinephrine acting on the pineal but also involves a direct action of the hormones. Ovariectomy increases serum melatonin levels, whereas the administration of estradiol plus progesterone (to ovariectomized animals) lowers melatonin levels. The spectral and intensity-response characteristics of the photic inhibition of melatonin synthesis have been established for the rat. Rhythms in melatonin synthesis apparently persist among animals placed in environments of continuous darkness; the source of the cyclic signal (mediated by the pineal sympathetic nerves) has not yet been identified. Preliminary evidence suggests that levels of a peptide hormone, arginine vasotocin, in rat pineals and sera also exhibit daily rhythms and are increased by norepinephrine.
The Mountains of Equatorial East Africa

The mountains of equatorial East Africa are of exceptional geographical, geological, ecological and biogeographical interest. An attempt is made in this chapter to give a brief outline of some of the outstanding peculiarities of the ecology and biogeography of the high altitude insects of tropical East Africa. Emphasis is laid on the fundamental differences between these mountains and other well known mountains like the Alps and the Himalaya Attention is also directed to the evident relation between the high altitude insect life and the Rift Valley System of Africa.
SETTLEMENT PATTERN ANALYSIS

This article discusses the uses of settlement pattern surveys to understand the long-term development of ancient civilizations. The major general point considers the changing views of those civilizations that have received significant and broad settlement pattern coverage, emphasizing the discovery of far greater ranges of variation among constituent sites and regions. Case studies from Mesoamerica, Mesopotamia, and the Southwest are used to illustrate.
The Value of Absence

Setting aside, though by no means discounting, the lucid, explicitly developed and formalized theory of value of the Nachlass texts, there is a simpler, and in this sense, conceptually more elegant, but not for this reason alone, a deeper, axiology implicit in Husserl’s reconstruction of the prethematic interest which sustains our recurrence to identity. Our reflections will orient themselves by reference to the value-theory lying tacit, and awaiting voice, in salient ruminations extracted from Experience and Judgment. But it is not alone for the simple sake of expositing an outlook of unquestionable interest and philosophical penetration that we take up this task. For Husserl’s view will form the backdrop of a dramatic departure. Though reticent to appear merely disputatious, I must urge the precise opposite of Husserl’s implicit opinion: The primordial value pursued in every conscious act and orienting all conscious interest is, pace Husserl, not presence, but rather absence, the absence even of “absence” inasmuch as absence is itself regarded as a modality of presence. Succeeding years, if not inevitably increasing wisdom, have found me a doctrinal apostate from the Husserlian straight and narrow. I now see in the non-polar, non-processive and atelic “emptiness” (śūnyatā) central to Buddhist thought a fund of values which a Buddhist revisioning of primordial interest alone makes available. It is not, however, in the breach that I would honor Husserl. Replication of his conclusions pays no tribute to the integrity of his spirit. And it is to his spirit, the spirit of the perpetual beginner, the painstaking fidelity to experience, his peerless rectitude and philosophical vigilance, that my own divergence bears allegiance.
Pre-Service Teachers Learn to Teach with Serious Games.

The goal of this study was to determine whether a game-based immersion experience in an introductory undergraduate course in education had an impact on pre-service teachers’ skills, beliefs, and confidence using games for teaching academic content. 55 pre-service secondary-education teachers participated in the study. Their first course in the education sequence provided examples of game-based technologies in physics. They developed game-based lesson plans, assessments, and videos of their own on topics of their choosing in Minecraft. We used a mixed methods design using quantitative data (pre - posttest comparisons) and qualitative data (reflection essays) to examine the impact of the curriculum on students preparation to design technology based lessons for use in their classroom. Most groups chose to create lessons in STEM topics regardless of their declared major. At the start of the course, the pre-service teachers were very skeptical of using game based technologies in the classroom. Pre-post tests and reflection essays provide strong support for changes in confidence and skills during the semester.
Hyaluronic acid, CD44 and RHAMM regulate myoblast behavior during embryogenesis.

Abstract Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) component that has been shown to play a significant role in regulating muscle cell behavior during repair and regeneration. For instance, ECM remodeling after muscle injury involves an upregulation in HA expression that is coupled with skeletal muscle precursor cell recruitment. However, little is known about the role of HA during skeletal muscle development. To gain insight into the way in which HA mediates embryonic myogenesis, we first determined the spatial distribution and gene expression of CD44, RHAMM and other HA related proteins in embryonic day (E)10.5 to E12.5 murine forelimbs. While HA and CD44 expression remained high, RHAMM decreased at both the protein (via immunohistochemistry) and RNA (via qPCR) levels. Next, we determined that 4-methylumbelliferone-mediated knockdown of HA synthesis inhibited the migration and proliferation of E11.5/E12.5 forelimb-derived cells. Then, the influence of CD44 and RHAMM on myoblast and connective tissue cell behavior was investigated using antibodies against these receptors. Anti-RHAMM, but not anti-CD44, significantly decreased the total distance myogenic progenitors migrated over 24 h, whereas both inhibited connective tissue cell migration. In contrast, anti-CD44 inhibited the proliferation of connective tissue cells and muscle progenitors, but anti-RHAMM had no effect. However, when myoblasts and connective tissue cells were depleted of CD44 and RHAMM by shRNA, motility and proliferation were significantly inhibited in both cells indicating that blocking cell surface-localized CD44 and RHAMM does not have as pronounced effect as global shRNA-mediated depletion of these receptors. These results show, for the first time, the distribution and activity of RHAMM in the context of skeletal muscle. Furthermore, our data indicate that HA, through interactions with CD44 and RHAMM, promotes myogenic progenitor migration and proliferation. Confirmation of the role of HA and its receptors in directing myogenesis will be useful for the design of regenerative therapies that aim to promote the restoration of damaged or diseased muscle.
The nutritional risk and short-, medium- and long-term mortality of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation

To determine the association between the level of nutritional risk and the mortality of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation. In a prospective cohort study, we included patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation in an internal medicine department in 2007. We calculated the nutritional risk with the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and conducted a 10-year follow-up. To determine the variables associated with mortality in the short (3 months), medium (1 year) and long term (10 years), we constructed a Cox proportional hazards regression model and calculated the Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The study included 282 patients with a mean (SD) age of 81.2 (7.9) years. The mean CONUT score was 4.7 (2.8) points. Thirty-six patients had zero nutritional risk, 110 had a low risk, 106 had a moderate risk, and 30 had a high risk. The median survival of the patients with zero, low, moderate and high risk was 33 months, 21 months, 10 months and 60 days, respectively. The CONUT score was independently associated with mortality at 3 months (HR 1.144; 95% CI 1.062–1.233), 12 months (HR 1.102; 95% CI 1.030–1.179) and 10 years (HR 1.051; 95% CI 1.000–1.103). Nutritional risk is associated with the short-, medium- and long-term mortality of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation.
Big data in public transportation: a review of sources and methods

The collection of big data, as an alternative to traditional resource-intensive manual data collection approaches, has become significantly more feasible over the past decade. The availability of s...
Evaluation of the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool for Postoperative Disposition Needs After Cervical Spine Surgery.

Background Bundled care payment models are becoming more prevalent in neurosurgery. Such systems place the cost of postsurgical facilities in the hands of the discharging health system. Opportunity exists to leverage prediction tools for discharge disposition by identifying patients who will not benefit from prolonged hospitalization and facilitating discharge to post-acute care facilities. Objective To validate the use of the Risk Assessment and Predictive Tool (RAPT) along with other clinical variables to predict discharge disposition in a cervical spine surgery population. Methods Patients undergoing cervical spine surgery at our institution from June 2016 to February 2017 and over 50 yr old had demographic, surgical, and RAPT variables collected. Multivariable regression analyzed each variable's ability to predict discharge disposition. Backward selection was used to create a binomial model to predict discharge disposition. Results A total of 263 patients were included in the study. Lower RAPT score, RAPT walk subcomponent, older age, and a posterior approach predicted discharge to a post-acute care facility compared to home. Lower RAPT also predicted an increased risk of readmission. RAPT score combined with age increased the predictive capability of discharge disposition to home vs skilled nursing facility or acute rehabilitation compared to RAPT alone (P Conclusion RAPT score combined with age is a useful tool in the cervical spine surgery population to predict postdischarge needs. This tool may be used to start early discharge planning in patients who are predicted to require post-acute care facilities. Such strategies may reduce postoperative utilization of inpatient resources.
City power: Urban governance in a global age, by Richard Schragger

For me, reading City Power was like looking at a landscape in a shattered mirror: most of the pieces are there, but they are reflected back from unfamiliar angles. I found it exhilarating and chall...
A Case Series of Patients With Concurrent Otosclerosis and Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

Objective To describe the presentations and treatment results for patients with concurrent otosclerosis and superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD). Study design Retrospective case series and literature review. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Patients Patients with concurrent diagnoses of otosclerosis (radiographically and/or surgically confirmed) and SCD (radiographically confirmed) in the same ear. Intervention(s) Review of medical records. Main outcome measure(s) Clinical presentations, outcomes following stapedotomy. Results Eight patients with 10 affected ears were identified. All patients presented with slowly progressive conductive hearing loss, normal otoscopy, absent acoustic reflexes, and without other symptoms of SCD syndrome. Seven patients were treated with stapedotomy and 1 with hearing aids. Of those treated with stapedotomy, a persistent conductive hearing loss was the most common hearing result. One patient had near-complete closure of their air bone gap. None had a profound sensorineural hearing loss. Four patients had unmasking of SCD symptoms. Conclusions The clinical and audiometric presentations of patients with concurrent otosclerosis and SCD are often indistinguishable from those of patients with only otosclerosis. Computed tomography of the temporal bone is the only way to identify concurrent SCD. Stapedotomy in these patients typically results in a persistent conductive hearing loss, though 14 to 33% of patients experience near-complete closure of their air bone gap. SCD symptoms are unmasked in 57 to 63% of patients who undergo stapedotomy. Further work is needed to delineate the utility of routine preoperative computed tomography scan in otosclerosis patients, and to identify prognostic factors for patients with concurrent otosclerosis and SCD who wish to undergo stapedotomy.
Will the Effect of New Federal Breast Density Legislation Be Diminished by Currently Available Online Patient Educational Materials

Rationale and Objectives To evaluate readability of commonly accessed online patient educational materials (OPEM) on breast density in setting of recently passed federal breast density legislation. Materials and Methods The term “breast density” was queried using an online search engine to identify the top 50 commonly accessed websites based on order of search results on December 15, 2018. Location, cookies, and user account information were disabled prior to our query. Only websites with OPEM, defined as any educational material on breast density targeted towards the general public, were evaluated in our study. Sponsored hits and research journal articles were excluded. Available patient-directed information from websites meeting inclusion criteria was then downloaded. Grade-level readability was then determined from formatted content using generalized estimating equations, with observations nested within readability metrics from each website. Results were compared to American Medical Association recommended readability parameters (sixth-grade reading level). All interval estimates were calculated for 95% confidence. Results Fouty-one websites met inclusion criteria representing patient-directed OPEM on breast density. Average grade-level readability of health information on breast density in our study ranged from 8.5–16.5 years with an average grade reading level of 11.1 years across all websites. Of websites fitting into a specific category, academic websites had the highest average grade reading level (12.0), while nonprofit websites had the lowest average grade reading level (10.4). Nearly half (19/41) of all websites in our study had diagrams to aid in patient comprehension, while few websites (2/41; 4.8%) displayed videos in addition to written content. The website with the lowest average grade reading level was WebMD, which had an average reading level of 8.5. No individual website in our study met American Medical Association recommended parameters of a sixth-grade reading level Conclusion Readability of currently available OPEM on breast density may be written at a level too difficult for the general public to comprehend, which may represent a barrier to educational goals of newly passed federal breast density legislation.
The complexities of trust between urban water utilities and the public

This paper discusses the dynamic and complicated relationship between customers and their water utility in a highly urbanized area within eastern Palm Beach County. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials from five separate Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), and 96 surveys were administered in-person with residents throughout the study area. We discuss the intersection of three key components that comprise the dynamics of the relationship between the public and their WTP: public trust in the regulatory process of drinking water, the water utility’s role in communicating with the public, and the influence of media reports (e.g., Flint, Michigan) on trust between both parties. We argue that effective communication strategies fill critical information gaps about the water treatment process, which are vital to improving issues of trust. This paper concludes with suggestions for policy makers, water utilities and the public about how communication can enhance the trust between parties and ultimately, protect drinking water quality.
Prosocial Orientations: Distinguishing Compassionate Goals From Other Constructs.

The compassionate goals scale was developed to assess the intentions underlying prosocial behaviors. Over the past 10 years, it has been shown to predict prosociality. However, research has not yet examined how compassionate goals relate to other measures of prosocial orientations or demonstrated that compassionate goals predict unique variance beyond them. Three studies addressed this shortcoming in the existing literature. Across studies, participants completed measures of compassionate goals, compassionate love, communal orientation, communion, unmitigated communion and empathic concern. Participants also reported giving to strangers (Study 1), giving to close others (Study 2). Study 3 was dyadic in nature - participants reported their reasons for giving to friends and gratitude and friends reported their gratitude toward participants. Despite strong correlations between the compassionate goals scale and other prosocial orientation measures, compassionate goals items are empirically distinct from items assessing other prosocial orientations. The compassionate goals measure accounts for unique variance in giving, reasons for giving, and gratitude. Path analyses support a dyadic process - that compassionate goals predict more other-focused reasons for giving, which then predict friends’ gratitude toward participants. While the compassionate goals measure does overlap with other well-establish and commonly used measures of prosocial orientation measures, it accounts for unique variance in giving-related outcomes, suggesting that intentions are an important aspect of prosocial orientations.
County Demographics and COVID-19 Death Rates: Comparison of relationship in the first and current stage of the pandemic in the United States of America

Previous studies have discovered disparity in death rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States during the initial stages of the pandemic. Specifically, the death rates were higher in the population in poverty and communities of color across the United States. In the current study, we perform the secondary analysis of death rates due to COVID-19 data, obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results indicate that in the first phase of the pandemic (February 1 to August 1, 2020), counties with higher percentage of White, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, and two or more races populations were found to have lower per-capita COVID-19 death rate. Whereas counties with population having higher percentage of females, Black or African American people, and persons in poverty had higher death rates. Analysis of the death rates from August 1 to September 10, 2020, indicate that disparity continues with counties having higher population of Black or African American people and female having higher death rates. Poverty is not a significant variable in determining the death rates due to COVID-19. Based on the current data and lack of detailed molecular mechanism of the disease, we suggest that more resources must be diverted to counties with higher percentages of Black or African American and female populations.
Case series demonstrating the value of computed tomography perfusion in differentiating ischemic strokes from seizures in patients with isolated aphasia

The value of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging in suspected stroke patients who are not candidates for mechanical thrombectomy is promising. This case series demonstrates how CTP imaging aided in distinguishing seizure from stroke in 5 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute onset of isolated aphasia.
Building Community, Still Thirsty for Justice: Supporting Community Development Efforts in Baltimore

Baltimore is a city of many challenges, but it possesses true community-based strength. The city’s residents and community organizations are its greatest assets. This article highlights some of the community’s work and how the Community Development Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law (CDC) supports this work through its experiential learning curriculum.The challenges facing Baltimore’s communities (systemic disinvestment, structural racism, vacant buildings, unemployment, and the criminalization of poverty, to name a few) existed long before the national media coverage and uprising surrounding the death of Freddie Gray, an unarmed Black man who suffered a fatal spinal injury while in Baltimore police custody in April 2015. In the days that followed Gray’s death, thousands of Baltimoreans took to the streets to protest state-sanctioned violence in low-income Black neighborhoods across the city.After the Baltimore Uprising, and in the spirit of the city’s long history of community organizing, new community-based groups formed and existing organizations created wide-tent coalitions to collectively advance their organizing efforts. These groups have fostered public discourse not only about police violence, but also about the economic violence that poses an everyday threat to individual and community safety and security, such as the lack of access to basic human needs — food, water, and housing.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Length of Stay in Patients Hospitalized With Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus in the United States

Objective Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a severe complication of epilepsy, which typically requires extended hospitalization, resulting in substantial resource utilization, hospital expenditures, and patient costs. In this nationwide analysis, we examined hospital length of stay (LOS) patterns for GCSE, and the factors that influence prolonged LOS. Methods We extracted data for adult patients (age 18 years and above) with a primary discharge diagnosis of GCSE from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006-2014, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States. We computed LOS (≤1, 2-6, and ≥7 days), overall, and across pre-specified patient-related, hospital-related, and healthcare system-related variables available in the NIS. We identified factors independently associated with prolonged hospitalization (2 or more days), using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results Of 57,832 discharged with a primary diagnosis of GCSE, 6,133 (10.7%) had a LOS ≤1 day, 27,327 (7.3%) stayed for 2-6 days, and 24,372 (42.1%) stayed for ≥7 days. After adjusting for confounders, patients who were older, female, Black, and Hispanic, who underwent continuous EEG video monitoring, were Medicare beneficiaries, had medical comorbidities, or were admitted to large/urban hospitals, were all significantly more likely to have prolonged LOS. Conclusion Over 40% of patients hospitalized for GCSE in the United States spend at least a week in the hospital. Efforts to shorten hospitalization for GCSE may need to primarily focus on patient groups with select sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
Measurement, Meaning and Purpose: Exploring the M-Lab NDT Dataset

The speed of a data transfer over the Internet connection is a measure of great interest. It can directly influence quality of experience, it can serve as a measure of equitable access, and it can reveal whether or not the speed matches that which was advertised. One of earliest and longest-standing tools to contain a speed test is the Network Diagnostic Tool (NDT), currently supported by Measurement Lab (M-Lab). NDT, in its various forms, has been used across the globe since 2003. There are billions of measurements archived by M-Lab, with a rich collection of metadata for each measurement. This data allows an in-depth analysis of each measurement, and potentially supports analysis across aggregates of measurements. The original purpose of NDT was diagnostic: why is my connection operating as it is? However, the archive of this data invites its use in aggregate form to draw conclusions about the overall behavior of the Internet. Such use, however, is confounded by the fact that the individual measurements are triggered by users for a range of reasons: simple curiosity, debugging, anger, bragging rights, or automated checking of operational status (in some cases as often as once a minute). NDT measures network speed, but it equally - if indirectly - measures human behavior. The goals of this paper are to explore the archived NDT data in order to provide insights about how it can be interpreted; and to distinguish between appropriate uses of the data from uses that may lead to unwarranted conclusions.
The Perception of the Floating Experience by the Private Floater on the Snake River in Grand Teton, National Park, Wyoming

In Grand Teton National Park, one of the most exciting experiences that a visitor can have is floating the Snake River; even though not far removed from the road while floating, one has the impression of being deep in the wilderness. In the past decade private floating within the Park boundaries has increased six-fold, and this use is expected to continue to increase in the future. This study is investigating the recreational social carry capacity, the amount and kind of use an area can support over time without causing an unacceptable change in the experience, of the Snake River by investigating the two user groups, the commercial floater and the private floater.
An experiment in the use of radioactive gold for cervical cancer

Abstract Forty-four unselected patients were treated for invasive cervical carcinoma. Alternate patients were treated with radioactive gold and radium while the other patients of the series received tradional radium and x-ray treatment. The errors inherent in clinical staging methods are presented. The results of treatment in the two groups of patients are analyzed. Patients treated with radioactive gold suffered a high percentage of immediate and delayed complications of treatment when compared to the group treated by traditional irradiation methods. The 4 to 6 year survival rate in the gold-treated group was but 19 per cent, as compared to 48 per cent 4 to 6 year survival rate in the group treated with radium and x-ray.
Neurospora: a model of model microbes

In the 1940s, studies with Neurospora pioneered the use of microorganisms in genetic analysis and provided the foundations for biochemical genetics and molecular biology. What has happened since this orange mould was used to show that genes control metabolic reactions? How did it come to be the fungal counterpart of Drosophila? We describe its continued use during the heyday of research with Escherichia coli and yeast, and its emergence as a biological model for higher fungi.
The importance of the equilibrium zincate ion concentration in modeling a cylindrical alkaline cell

Abstract A mathematical model of the Zn/MnO2 cylindrical alkaline cell is revised by using a more appropriate expression for the equilibrium zincate ion concentration. The new expression models the equilibrium behavior of solid zinc oxide in alkaline electrolyte, whereas the previous expression models the solid zinc dihydroxide equilibrium. The new expression results in the prediction of lower and more uniform zincate ion concentration profiles. The influence of the equilibrium zincate ion concentration is analyzed through the precipitation rate of zinc oxide. The zincate ion concentration profiles for the revised case are responsible for the simulated improvement in cell performance. Adverse cell voltage fluctuations near the end of discharging are determined to be caused by a localized region where the zincate ion concentration is zero. These fluctuations are considered numerical discrepancies and are not physically realistic. Numerical remedies that successfully remove the cell voltage fluctuations are provided, but they are employed by weakening the assumption of concentrated ternary electrolyte theory.
Recognition of Thymine Adenine Base Pairs by Guanine in a Pyrimidine Triple Helix Motif

Oligonucleotide recognition offers a powerful chemical approach for the sequence-specific binding of double-helical DNA. In the pyrimidine-Hoogsteen model, a binding size of greater than 15 homopurine base pairs affords greater than 30 discrete sequence-specific hydrogen bonds to duplex DNA. Because pyrimidine oligonucleotides limit triple helix formation to homopurine tracts, it is desirable to determine whether oligonucleotides can be used to bind all four base pairs of DNA. A general solution would allow targeting of oligonucleotides (or their analogs) to any given sequence in the human genome. A study of 20 base triplets reveals that the triple helix can be extended from homopurine to mixed sequences. Guanine contained within a pyrimidine oligonucleotide specifically recognizes thymine.adenine base pairs in duplex DNA. Such specificity allows binding at mixed sites in DNA from simian virus 40 and human immunodeficiency virus.
Laser shock wave consolidation of micropowder compacts of fully stabilised zirconia with addition of nanoparticles

AbstractAbstractLaser shock waves were utilised to sinter green micropowder compacts (average particle size = 16 μm) of cubic crystalline form of ZrO2/8 mol.‐%Y2O3 (yttria stabilised zirconia) with and without the addition of nanoparticles (average particle size = 45 nm) of identical composition for 0, 25 and 50% molar concentrations. Results indicated that yttria stabilised zirconia micropowder compacts with 0% nanoparticles excessively cracked and chipped, while those containing 25 and 50% nanoparticles underwent smooth sintering without any crack formation. Hardness increase of up to 64% was found in the laser shock compacted samples; however, the per cent increase in hardness was lower for the compacts with higher concentration of nanoparticles. Thermal conductivity measurements indicated that the addition of nanoparticles dramatically reduced the conductivity by nearly 50%. Laser shock waves have thus potential to make novel advances in the state‐of‐the‐art densification of ceramics.
Mathematical Modeling of Hexavalent Chromium Decontamination from Low Surface Charged Soils

Abstract A new electrokinetic technology has been developed for in-situ decontamination of hexavalent chromium in sand. Imposition of a constant potential gradient across the soil matrix through a graphite cathode and iron anode resulted in successful migration of chromate towards the anode. The hexavalent chromium ions are reduced to the harmless trivalent form by chemical reaction with the anodic electrochemical dissolution product, Fe2+. The alkaline front generated at the cathode due to water reduction flushes across the cell and favors faster transport of chromate by enhancing its conductivity. The acidic front generated due to water oxidation at the anode remains adjacent at the electrode-sand interface due to its consumption by the corrosion reaction with iron. The lower production rate of H+ is also due to the competing anodic dissolution reaction. The low pH at the anodic region favors the reduction of hexavalent chromium to its trivalent state. The experimental results are compared with a theoretical model developed from first principles. The water electrolysis reactions at both electrodes, the sorption processes in sand and the water hydrolysis reaction have been included in the model. Concentration profiles for the movement of ionic species under a potential field were simulated for different times. The model predicts the sweep of the alkaline front across the cell due to the transport of OH− ions. Comparison of the chromate concentration profiles with experimental data after 28 days of electrolysis shows good agreement. The potassium cations are positively charged and remained at the cathode where they had been placed initially. The good agreement between the model and the data demonstrates that the analysis is likely to be an accurate estimation of the physical situation, within the limits of the assumptions made.