cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Don’t Call Me ‘Mom’”: How Parents Want to Be Greeted by Their Pediatrician

Background. Physician—patient interaction during the medical interview is essential in establishing the rapport necessary for a successful relationship. Physicians are generally encouraged to shake hands with patients, address patients by name, and identify themselves. Objective. To define parents expectations for greetings by pediatricians and to determine the frequency with which these expectations are met. Design and methods. A total of 100 parents visiting the General Pediatric Clinic at Childrens Hospital of Michigan were recruited. Parents were interviewed at the end of their medical encounter to determine expectations for greeting by their doctor. They were questioned about preferences for shaking hands, the doctors’ use of their names, and the way doctors should introduce themselves. They were then asked if the experience at this visit conformed to these expectations. Results. Overall, 81% of the parents were the childrens mother and 86% were African-American. Over 80% of parents expected physicia...
Impact of Improved Landscape Quality and Tree Cover on the Price of Single-Family Homes

Abstract Impacts of the quality of landscaping and percentage of tree cover on home prices were estimated from a sample of 75 home sales within the Melonie Park neighborhood in Lubbock, TX, from 20...
Magnetic ripple correction in tandem mirrors by ferromagnetic inserts

Magnetic ripple of 1% or more caused by discrete solenoid coils in the central cells of tandem mirrors may severely affect the MHD stability. The ripple amplitude can be reduced by an order of magnitude by ferromagnetic annuli inserted within the coils at the regions of ripple maxima. The inserts need not affect the accessibility, coil diameter, or capital cost, since large quantities of steel are required within the coils for the neutron blanket and shield. Design of the ripple correction is simplified and linearized by the cylindrical geometry and by the saturation of the ferromagnetic steel.
Why) Do Revolutions Spread

The research of revolutions - attempts to overthrow or change the government relying on mass movements - has been mostly limited to qualitative case studies. Big-N, quantitative studies have focused on events that are similar, but not identical to revolutions, like civil wars, political violence, democratization or general instability. This paper introduces a new dataset of revolutionary events, covering independent states between 1946 and 2007. It tests if such events are "contagious", because opposition leaders and citizens use the situation in neighboring, similar countries as a heuristic to gauge hidden support for a popular uprising in their own country. The spatial model employed provides evidence that revolutions do indeed spread between autocracies, but less so among democracies. This is consistent with the mechanism suggested, as preference falsification is more common in autocracies. Other factors that increase the chance of a revolutionary event occuring are the size of the population, having a neither highly authoritarian nor very democratic regime, democratic neighbors and the absence of free resources like oil. Sharing regime type and geographical region with a country in revolution makes it more likely that the unrest will spread, while sharing the same cultural zone does not.
Assessing the cardiovascular risk of hormonal therapy in patients with prostate cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which remains the first line of therapy for patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has been associated with metabolic abnormalities and significant risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). Based on observational studies and two meta-analyses, ADT increases the risk for cardiovascular events but results from randomized clinical trials and relevant subsequent meta-analyses did not confirm those conclusions (1). This literature discrepancy in cardiovascular outcomes in patients on ADT may be associated with lack of evaluation of different types of ADT including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, orchiectomy or anti-androgens, absence of comparison to age-matched patients without PCa, and not assessing pre-existing CVD as a confounding factor.
Degradable Dextran Nanopolymer as a Carrier for Choline Kinase (ChoK) siRNA Cancer Therapy

Although small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy has proven to be a specific and effective treatment in cells, the delivery of siRNA is a challenge for the applications of siRNA therapy. We present a degradable dextran with amine groups as an siRNA nano-carrier. In our nano-carrier, the amine groups are conjugated to the dextran platform through the acetal bonds, which are acid sensitive. Therefore this siRNA carrier is stable in neutral and basic conditions, while the amine groups can be cleaved and released from dextran platform under weak acid conditions (such as in endosomes). The cleavage and release of amine groups can reduce the toxicity of cationic polymer and enhance the transfection efficiency. We successfully applied this nano-carrier to deliver choline kinase (ChoK) siRNA for ChoK inhibition in cells.
Families, Fields, And Fighting For Land: The Spatial Dynamics Of Contention In Rural Brazil

This article analyzes the formation of the largest grassroots social movement in Brazilian history: the Movement of Rural Landless Workers (MST). In movement literature and academic discourse, MST's formation has been consistently attributed to three factors— agricultural restructuring, political transition, and religious organization. These three factors form what I call an "Official Genesis Story." I argue that although the Official Genesis Story fits together well at the macro level, it cannot explain who decided to join MST or why, because the story does not locate acts of resistance in either people or place. A comparison of MST members in two different regions of Brazil shows how the spatial constitution of production and reproduction informed individual decisions to join MST. By geographically situating the official story, we uncover the contentious actors behind the contentious actions.
Optimal singular control for nonlinear semistabilisation

ABSTRACTThe singular optimal control problem for asymptotic stabilisation has been extensively studied in the literature. In this paper, the optimal singular control problem is extended to address a weaker version of closed-loop stability, namely, semistability, which is of paramount importance for consensus control of network dynamical systems. Three approaches are presented to address the nonlinear semistable singular control problem. Namely, a singular perturbation method is presented to construct a state-feedback singular controller that guarantees closed-loop semistability for nonlinear systems. In this approach, we show that for a non-negative cost-to-go function the minimum cost of a nonlinear semistabilising singular controller is lower than the minimum cost of a singular controller that guarantees asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. In the second approach, we solve the nonlinear semistable singular control problem by using the cost-to-go function to cancel the singularities in the cor...
A key challenge for motivational interviewing: training in clinical practice

Motivational interviewing (MI) has a strong evidence base supporting its clinical efficacy, yet provider fidelity is difficult to maintain over time, may be costly, and the effects of proficiency on client outcomes remain unknown. These issues need further research and may pose significant challenges to MI implementation in health care.
Reducing stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.

Warfarin or aspirin appears to prevent stroke in patients over age 60 with chronic or intermittent atrial fibrillation.
Hyperoxia: Influence of Food Deprivation on Protein Synthesis by Lung

SummaryRats which are deprived of food and exposed for 48 hr either to >98% oxygen or compressed air lose an equal amount of weight. Under these conditions the incorporation of leucine-14C into protein is less in lung slices from rats exposed to hyperoxia than in lung slices from rats exposed to compressed air.Supported in part by the John A. Hartford Foundation and the American Thoracic Society.
Role of insulin in mandibular growth and development.

AbstractThe effects of insulin deficiency and of its correction on mandibular growth in relation to bodily growth were investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a sc injection of alloxan (20 m...
Neurodevelopmental Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

Several lines of evidence are converging to suggest that schizophrenia may be a neurodevelopmental brain disorder. The evidence comes from studies of obstetric complications, brain imaging, postmortem morphology and histopathology, congenital anomalies, infant neurointegrative deficits, and premorbid childhood dysfunction. Various aspects and models of disrupted neurodevelopment in schizophrenia are discussed, with an emphasis on genetic-environmental interactions. Possible clinical implications are presented.
The Management of Chronic Interstitial Cystitis by Substitution Cystoplasty

AbstractA total of 19 patients with interstitial cystitis symptoms intractable to conservative management underwent supratrigonal excision of the symptomatic bladder. Reconstruction to produce a low pressure reservoir was accomplished with a segment of remodeled intestine anastomosed to the bladder remnant. Patients were selected because of a history of typical intractable severe symptoms in the presence of characteristic endoscopic features. Of the patients 12 were cured of the pain and frequency, 4 experienced improvement, and 3 failed to improve and underwent urinary diversion. Preoperative features did not predict the outcome, although poor results occurred more often in those with large preoperative bladder capacities while under anesthesia and those who had postoperative voiding problems requiring self-catheterization.
Vascular smooth muscle cells for studies of cellular aging in vitro; an examination of changes in structural cell lipids.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the experiments in which both the W138 cell strain and the smooth muscle cell cultured from explants of calf aorta are used to examine the content, composition, and aspects of the regulation of cellular lipids. Diploid cells introduced into culture accumulate a variety of medium components after repeated subcultures, including lipids. Morphologically such accumulation is associated with the appearance of increased numbers of lysosomes, autophagic vesicles, fat droplets, and residual bodies filled with myelin figures and other electron-dense material. Chemical studies provide evidence that documents both the accumulation of lipids by the cell and the changes in cellular lipid composition that occur as the cell “ages” in culture. In response to the accumulation of exogenous substrates, the cultured cell increases its levels of lysosomal enzymes to handle the influx of medium components. Accumulations of exogenous materials, including lipids, are observed in vivo , particularly in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the aortas of old or atherosclerotic individuals. In such cases, increases in cholesterol and its ester are most significant, but increased levels of phospholipids, particularly sphingomyelin, also occur.
Mobile COWs (Computer on Wheels): Hamburger or VEAL?

Author(s): Jen, MD, Maxwell; Cho, BS, BA, Tiffany; Rudkin, MD, MBA, Scott; Wong, MD, MBA, Andrew; Almassi, BS, Negin; Barton, MD, MBA, Erik | Abstract: The HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act of 2009 galvanized the universal adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems to improve the quality, delivery, and coordination of patient care.1 Initial results demonstrated improvement in population health outcomes and increased transparency.2-3 Through the HITECH Act’s Meaningful Use (MU) incentives, EHR adoption also promised shorter hospital stays, reduced costs and improved access to healthcare data.4 These promises, however, never materialized; studies have demonstrated that EHR adoption causes decreased rates of patients seen per hour, highly variable documentation times, and increased order entry times.5 The unintended consequences of the HITECH Act are exacerbated in the emergency department (ED). While the few studies examining practical limitations of ED EHR use are limited to single-site studies with variable, non-validated outcomes, they suggest that MU obstructs ED best customs and practices and is potentially dangerous. 6-7 For instance, real-time computerized charting is difficult because it requires a bedside computer and Internet access, but installing the required hardware is limited by cost and regulations governing the use and renovation of hospital facilities.8 MU requirements also stipulate a transition to computerized physician order entry (CPOE); however, prior studies have demonstrated that CPOE increases order entry times, exacerbating the well-documented issue of ED crowding and boarding.1,5,9 In emergent situations, CPOE forces physicians to leave the deteriorating patient’s bedside to access a computer before treatment can be rendered.
The Impact of Freezing on Bone Mineral Density: Implications for Forensic Research†

It is common for researchers using animal or human remains for scientific study to freeze samples prior to use. However, effects of freezing on bone macro- or microstructure are relatively unknown. The research objective of this study was to determine whether freezing could potentially bias experimental results by analyzing changes in bone mineral density (BMD) with the freezing of remains over time. Eight fetal pigs were scanned to determine their initial BMD before freezing. Three piglets underwent a freeze-thaw cycle to assess the effects of the freezing process. Four piglets were frozen and scanned weekly for 20 weeks to assess freezing over time. The overall average between the fresh initial scan and final frozen scan was significantly different (p < 0.001). Per contra, the final thawed BMD scans did not differ from the initial fresh scan (p = 0.418). Thus, completely thawed remains are recommended for experimental studies.
Magnetically-Induced Optical Transparency on a Forbidden Transition in Strontium for Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy

In this Letter we realize a narrow spectroscopic feature using a technique that we refer to as magnetically induced optical transparency. A cold ensemble of ^{88}Sr atoms interacts with a single mode of a high-finesse optical cavity via the 7.5 kHz linewidth, spin forbidden ^{1}S_{0} to ^{3}P_{1} transition. By applying a magnetic field that shifts two excited state Zeeman levels, we open a transmission window through the cavity where the collective vacuum Rabi splitting due to a single level would create destructive interference for probe transmission. The spectroscopic feature approaches the atomic transition linewidth, which is much narrower than the cavity linewidth, and is highly immune to the reference cavity length fluctuations that limit current state-of-the-art laser frequency stability.
Design and experimental study of a velocity amplified electromagnetic vibration energy harvester

Dedicated sensors are widely used throughout many industries to monitor everyday operations, maintain safety and report performance characteristics. In order to adopt a more sustainable solution, intensive research is being conducted for self-powered sensing. To enable sensors to power themselves, harvesting energy from environmental vibration has been widely studied, however, its overall effectiveness remains questionable due to small vibration amplitudes and thus limited harvestable energy density. This paper addresses the issue by proposing a novel vibration energy harvester in which a metal compliant mechanism frame is used to house both a linear electromagnetic generator and proof mass. Due to the compliant mechanism, the proposed energy harvester is capable of amplifying machine vibration velocity for a dedicated electromagnetic generator, largely increasing the energy density. The harvester prototype is also fabricated and experimentally characterized to verify its effectiveness. When operating at its natural frequency in a low base amplitude, 0.001 in (25.4μm) at 19.4 Hz, during lab tests, the harvester has been shown to produce up to 0.91 V AC open voltage, and a maximum power of 2 mW, amplifying the relative proof mass velocity by approximately 5.4 times. In addition, a mathematical model is created based on the pseudo-rigid-body dynamics and the analysis matches closely with experiments. The proposed harvester was designed using vibration data from nuclear power plants. Further steps for improving such a design are given for broader applications.
I Hear, Therefore I Know Where I Am: Compensating for GNSS Limitations with Cellular Signals

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) have been the prevalent positioning, navigation, and timing technology over the past few decades. However, GNSS signals suffer from four main limitations.
Effect of barrier opening on brain edema in human brain tumors.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening was carried out in 10 patients with cerebral lesions, and the MRI findings were evaluated following the barrier opening. An intra-arterial injection of 10% glycerol (4 ml/kg, 1 ~ 2 ml/s) was given as a hyperosmotic solution. T2weighted MRI was undertaken using a TOSHIBA 22A at 30 minutes after BBB opening. Barrier-opening MRI was performed 10 times in 10 patients, including 5 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 2 cases of astrocytoma, 1 case of malignant lymphoma, 1 case of cerebral contusion and 1 case of neurinoma. The high-intensity area (HIA) was compared with that in MRI without barrier opening. Three types of changes of HIA in MRI were observed after BBB opening as follows. Type 1: Expansion of the HIA was noted in 4 of 5 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, the 1 case of malignant lymphoma and the 1 case of cerebral contusion. Type 2: Almost no change was observed in the 1 case of neurinoma. Type 3: A decrease in HIA was noted in the 2 cases of astrocytoma and in 1 case of glioblastoma multiforme.
Accountability en las entidades no lucrativas, una visión de derecho comparado. El caso de las universidades en Chile

El presente articulo propone un estudio respecto del problema de lucro desde un punto de vista doctrinario, aplicado brevemente al caso de las universidades en Chile, distinguiendo que actividades podrian encuadrarse dentro de la legalidad de las actividades de organizaciones no lucrativas, y cuales podrian considerarse cuestionables desde la legislacion nacional. Asismismo, explica algunos criterios de fiscalizacion utilizados en derecho comparado, asumiendo dos realidades disimiles, la espanola y la norteamericana, buscando diversas perspectivas regulatorias para las organizaciones sin fines de lucro en nuestro pais.
Use of Teratocarcinoma Stem Cells as a Model System for the Study of X-Chromosome Inactivation In Vitro

One of the main obstacles to the study of the mechanism of X-chromosome differentiation or “X inactivation” is the difficulty of obtaining a population of embryonic cells in which both X chromosomes are functioning. The primary reason for this is that male embryos cannot be easily distinguished from female embryos, and therefore half of any random population of embryos will be males that contain only one X chromosome. Furthermore, since it is now apparent that X inactivation probably does not occur in all the cells of the embryo at the same time, there would be the additional difficulty of identifying and separating those cells in which both X chromosomes are active, even if a pure population of female embryos could be obtained. Since teratocarcinoma stem cells are closely similar to normal early embryonic cells and they are available in almost unlimited quantities, the goal of the research described here was to determine whether it might be possible to use clonal cultures of female teratocarcinoma stem cells, in place of embryonic cells, to study the phenomenon of X-chromosome inactivation. The results of this study have been described previously (Martin, Epstein, Travis, Tucker, Yatziv, Martin, Clift, and Cohen 1978).
Identification of Listeria monocytogenes from Unpasteurized Apple Juice Using Rapid Test Kits

A microbiological survey of 50 retail juices was conducted in the fall of 1996. These juices were analyzed for Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, coliforms, fecal coliforms, and pH. Two unpasteurized juices were positive for L. monocytogenes: an apple juice and an apple raspberry blend with a pH of 3.78 and 3.75, respectively. Three L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized. The colonies were typical for Listeria sp. on Oxford and lithium chloride-phenylethanol-moxalactam agars and were beta-hemolytic on sheep blood agar. The isolates required 5 days of incubation at 35 degrees C to produce a positive rhamnose reaction in a phenol red carbohydrate broth. This slow rhamnose utilization resulted in these isolates not being identified using the Micro-ID test strip (Organon Technika). However, the isolates were positive for L. monocytogenes using the API Listeria strip (BioMerieux) and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of the hemolysis (hyla) and invasion-associated protein (iap) genes.
Strength in numbers: Crowdsourcing the most relevant literature in pediatric cardiology.

Objective The growing body of medical literature in pediatric cardiology has made it increasingly difficult for individual providers to stay abreast of the most current, meaningful articles to help guide practice. Crowdsourcing represents a collaborative process of obtaining information from a large group of individuals, typically from an online or web-based community, and could serve a potential mechanism to pool individual efforts to combat this issue. This study aimed to utilize crowdsourcing as a novel way to generate a list of the most relevant, current publications in congenital heart disease, utilizing input from an international group of professionals in the field of pediatric cardiology. Design and setting All members of the PediHeartNet Google group, an international email distribution list of medical professionals with an interest in pediatric cardiology, were queried in 2017 to submit literature that they considered to be most relevant to their current practice. A Google Form submission platform was used. The articles were evaluated by a multi-institutional panel of four experts in pediatric cardiology using the Delphi method via an electronic evaluation form until a consensus was reached regarding whether the article merited inclusion in the final list. Results In total, 260 articles were submitted by members of the PediHeartNet Google group. Expert review using the Delphi method resulted in a list of 108 articles. The final collection of articles was published on a publicly available educational website. Conclusions Crowdsourcing represents a novel approach for generating a high-yield, comprehensive, yet practical list of the most relevant recent publications in pediatric cardiology. The same techniques could be easily applied to any medical subspecialty. By enlisting the input of frontline providers, the value and relevance of such a list will be significant. A web-based platform for publication of the list allows for real-time updates to ensure continued relevance.
Developing a Personal Theory of Counseling: A Brief Guide for Students

This article presents a brief guide to assist counselors-in-training in understanding a process by which a personal theory of counseling evolves.
Handwriting to Learn: Embedding a Crucial Study Skill in a Gateway Science Course.

Handwriting is a multisensory process known to enhance memory, focus, engagement, and cognition in the learner, thereby making it a valuable study skill. In an attempt to embed handwriting as a study skill in a gateway science course, I used a combination of scaffolding and individual student consultations. Scaffolding emphasized the use of desirable difficulties and retrieval practice through the implementation of techniques such as the flipped learning approach and take home-in class hybrid essay exams. While the former helped to increase overall student success the latter technique was aimed at enhancing written fluency in the subject, curbing procrastination, and providing opportunities for high impact retrieval practice during the in-class essay exams. One-on-one student consultations that emphasized rewriting and maintaining good notes were used as interventions throughout the semester to promote positive study behavior and also as a crucial stage in preparing for each unit exam. Level of student engagement in using handwriting as a study skill was traced within the context of a typical threshold experience. Handwriting as a study skill was successfully embedded in this course and showed positive results in terms of student retention, engagement, and overall success.
2158-P: GLIS3 Is Crucial for Maintenance of Neonatal ß Cells

The Krupple-like zinc finger transcription factor, GLI-similar 3 (GLIS3), is critical for pancreatic β cell development and insulin production. Mutations and single nucleotide variants in the GLIS3 gene have been linked to the development of neonatal diabetes and increased risk of type 1 and 2 diabetes. Early during postnatal development pancreatic β cells proliferate and mature; however, little is known about the role of GLIS3 during this stage of β cell development. In this study, we examined the role of GLIS3 on gene expression in β cells during early mouse postnatal development. Immunohistochemistry, QRT-PCR, and transmission electron microscopy indicated that postnatal GLIS3KO islets still contain a large population of β cells that express PDX1, NKX6.1, and ISL-1; however, neonatal insulin production and insulin-secretory granules were greatly reduced in INS low PDX1 + NKX6.1 + cells. Gene expression profiling by RNA-Seq with islets from WT and GLIS3KO mouse and identification of GLIS3 target genes by ChIP-Seq analysis showed that GLIS3 directly regulates the expression of a number of genes involved in β cell function and maturation, including Insulin1 and 2 (Ins1, Ins2), Solute Carrier Family 2 member 2 and 1(Slc2a2, Slc2a1), Activating Transcription Factor 4 and 6b (Atf4, Atf6b), and MAF BZIP Transcription Factor A (MafA), and as well as the expression of a number of metabolic genes. Our study indicates that GLIS3 plays a critical role in the maturation and maintenance of pancreatic β cells during early postnatal development by directly regulating genes with key β cell functions. Disclosure H. Kang: None. D. Scoville: None. K. Jeon: None. S. Grimm: None. A.M. Jetten: None.
Waquant en la villa

Ademas de "lnarginalidad industrial", America Latina experimenta una nueva clase de marginalidad vinculada a algunos procesos que Wacquant senala en su analisis del ghetto negro nortealnericano: desproletarizacion e informalizacion. Las caracteristicas centrales de esta "nueva marginalidad" son: el caracter estructural del desempleo (destruccion masiva de emleos industriales), masificacion del subempleo y creciente inseguridad de la fuerza de trabajo, la desconexion funcional de los cambios macroeconomicos y una particular combinacion de "benigno" y "maligno" abandono estatal.
Determination of distance advanced by the waterfront in a border strip land using Laplace transformation

Among various methods of surface irrigation, border method is widely applicable to cultivate most cereal crops like wheat, maize etcetera and rice (Amiri et al., 2016). The waterfront advance data has to be synchronised with the infiltration depth, especially at the head end along with the consideration of sufficiency of infiltrated depth of water at the tail end. With that point of view, this study was undertaken to calculate the waterfront advance distance from the head end using Laplace transformation. Values for the constants for infiltration equation were collected and used in the Laplace transformation equations and found to match the calculated and actual waterfront advance data with a very reasonable discrepancy. The actual waterfront distance was only 0.51 m shorter than that was calculated by Laplace transformation. This might have caused due to soil cover, irregular tillage operation, huge potholes, and discontinuation of the uniformity of slope of the border strip. Application of this method will help to increase the water application efficiency with respect to flow size, border strip slope, depth of water requirement infiltrated in certain time to meet the crop water requirement.
Resident cognitions associated with branding Thompson, Manitoba as the Wolf Capital of the World

A nonprofit tourism organization, Spirit Way Inc., has been attempting to brand Thompson, Manitoba as the “Wolf Capital of the World” (WCOTW). Success of this initiative, however, requires local su...
A differential theory of radiative transfer

Physics-based differentiable rendering is the task of estimating the derivatives of radiometric measures with respect to scene parameters. The ability to compute these derivatives is necessary for enabling gradient-based optimization in a diverse array of applications: from solving analysis-by-synthesis problems to training machine learning pipelines incorporating forward rendering processes. Unfortunately, physics-based differentiable rendering remains challenging, due to the complex and typically nonlinear relation between pixel intensities and scene parameters. We introduce a differential theory of radiative transfer, which shows how individual components of the radiative transfer equation (RTE) can be differentiated with respect to arbitrary differentiable changes of a scene. Our theory encompasses the same generality as the standard RTE, allowing differentiation while accurately handling a large range of light transport phenomena such as volumetric absorption and scattering, anisotropic phase functions, and heterogeneity. To numerically estimate the derivatives given by our theory, we introduce an unbiased Monte Carlo estimator supporting arbitrary surface and volumetric configurations. Our technique differentiates path contributions symbolically and uses additional boundary integrals to capture geometric discontinuities such as visibility changes. We validate our method by comparing our derivative estimations to those generated using the finite-difference method. Furthermore, we use a few synthetic examples inspired by real-world applications in inverse rendering, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) and biomedical imaging, and design, to demonstrate the practical usefulness of our technique.
Liberation On and Off Screen: Black Panther and Black Liberation Theory

2018's Black Panther is arguably a revolutionary film. Revolutionary as it is the first blockbuster superhero film that features a predominately black cast, allowing people of color to see themselves represented in the film's heroes. It also places women of color in the forefront of the action, breaking down common sexist tropes within the superhero genre. Beyond those issues of representation, 'Black Panther recreates what is possibly the most significant and enduring debate in radical politics, the debate between resistance and revolution. Indeed, it was this debate, personified by the conflict between Huey P. Newton and Eldridge Cleaver, which terminally fractured the Black Panther Party. This article first looks at Black Panther's use of space and setting (Oakland, California versus the fictional utopic Wakanda) in an analysis of the formation of conflictual black political identities. The article then examines how the conflict between the protagonist, the Wakandan king and Black Panther T'Challa, and the principle antagonist Eric "Killmonger" Stevens, recreates the pivotal debate, a debate that defines much of radical politics. Finally, this article uses Edward Soja's concept of "Thirdspace" to examine the character of Nakia, arguing that she presents an alternative resistant approach to black emancipation.
Risk assessment of pharmacies & electronic prescriptions

Software for electronic prescriptions offers healthcare providers numerous benefits including increased patient safety, prescribing effectiveness, workflow efficiencies, and financial savings. Particularly due to recent legislation, an increasing number of organizations are adopting this software. Yet, there are many concerns and risks associated with e-prescription technologies. Despite increased prescribing effectiveness, there is still the potential for human error. Many software concerns including integration and the implementation of specific transactions like CancelRx still need to be addressed. Additionally, some patients have negative perceptions of e-Rx that must be overcome. To this effect, this research conducts risk assessment of two real world cases (the CVS Pharmacy (retail setting) and the Ascension Seton (inpatient setting)) using the NIST risk model. The study concludes that the top three challenges in the pharmacy domain are comprised of a lack in the implementation of essential software functionalities, the loss and theft of portable devices, and errors due to email phishing attacks.
First Genome Sequence of the Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), a Keystone Species and Player in the Transmission of Sylvatic Plague.

Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) are a charismatic symbol of the American West. Their large social aggregations and complex vocalizations have been the subject of scientific and popular interest for decades. A large body of literature has documented their role as keystone species of western North America's grasslands: They generate habitat for other vertebrates, increase nutrient availability for plants, and act as a food source for mammalian, squamate, and avian predators. An additional keystone role lies in their extreme susceptibility to sylvatic plague (caused by Yersinia pestis), which results in periodic population extinctions, thereby generating spatiotemporal heterogeneity in both biotic communities and ecological processes. Here, we report the first Cynomys genome for a Gunnison's prairie dog (C. gunnisoni gunnisoni) from Telluride, Colorado (USA). The genome was constructed using a hybrid assembly of PacBio and Illumina reads and assembled with MaSuRCA and PBJelly, which resulted in a scaffold N50 of 824 kb. Total genome size was 2.67 Gb, with 32.46% of the bases occurring in repeat regions. We recovered 94.9% (91% complete) of the single copy orthologs using the mammalian Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs database and detected 49,377 gene models (332,141 coding regions). Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent showed support for long-term stable population size followed by a steady decline beginning near the end of the Pleistocene, as well as a recent population reduction. The genome will aid in studies of mammalian evolution, disease resistance, and the genomic basis of life history traits in ground squirrels.
Suspected Septic Sacroiliitis Following Recent Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia.

Septic sacroiliitis is sacroiliac (SI) joint inflammation secondary to microbial invasion of the synovial space characterized by tenderness over the sacroiliac joint, difficulty walking, and lower back pain that can radiate to the buttocks. Clinicians can easily overlook septic sacroiliitis as a potential diagnosis due to its rare occurrence and non-specific symptoms. A 30-year-old female (G2P2A0) who presented acutely to the ED nine days after an uncomplicated Cesarean section performed under spinal anesthesia. The patient experienced progressive lancinating, electric-shock pain originating from the coccyx radiating to the right buttock and lower back with the inability to bear weight. MRI pelvis demonstrated edematous changes of the right SI joint, indicative of septic sacroiliitis. Patient's condition improved after empiric intravenous antibiotics and was discharged home on the continued intravenous course. Rapid empiric administration of intravenous antibiotics may have prevented the onset of severe complications of an infective SI joint.
Under Pressure: The Effect of Antioxidants on Health Consequences Related to Oxidative Stress:

We examine the relationships between oxidative stress (i.e., manifestations of physiological stress), antioxidants, potentially negative health outcomes (i.e., triglyceride levels), and self-employ...
Mobile signals in systemic acquired resistance

Plants possess a unique form of broad-spectrum long-distance immunity termed systemic acquired resistance (SAR). SAR involves the rapid generation of mobile signal(s) in response to localized microbial infection, which transport to the distal tissue and ‘prime’ them against future infections by related and unrelated pathogens. Several SAR-inducing chemicals that could be classified as the potential mobile signal have been identified. Many of these function in a bifurcate pathway with both branches being equally essential for SAR induction. This review reflects on the potential candidacy of the known SAR inducers as mobile signal(s) based on historical knowledge of the SAR signal and recent advances in the SAR signaling pathway.
Phylogenetics-based identification and characterization of a superior 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase for Zymomonas mobilis expression.

Zymomonas mobilis has recently been shown to be capable of producing the valuable platform biochemical, 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO). Despite this capability, the production of high titers of 2,3-BDO is restricted by several physiological parameters. One such bottleneck involves the conversion of acetoin to 2,3-BDO, a step catalyzed by 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (Bdh). Several Bdh enzymes have been successfully expressed in Z. mobilis, although a highly active enzyme is yet to be identified for expression in this host. Here, we report the application of a phylogenetic approach to identify and characterize a superior Bdh, followed by validation of its structural attributes using a mutagenesis approach. Of the 11 distinct bdh genes that were expressed in Z. mobilis, crude extracts expressing Serratia marcescens Bdh (SmBdh) were found to have the highest activity (8.89 µmol/min/mg), when compared to other Bdh enzymes (0.34–2.87 µmol/min/mg). The SmBdh crystal structure was determined through crystallization with cofactor (NAD+) and substrate (acetoin) molecules bound in the active site. Active SmBdh was shown to be a tetramer with the active site populated by a Gln247 residue contributed by the diagonally opposite subunit. SmBdh showed a more extensive supporting hydrogen-bond network in comparison to the other well-studied Bdh enzymes, which enables improved substrate positioning and substrate specificity. This protein also contains a short α6 helix, which provides more efficient entry and exit of molecules from the active site, thereby contributing to enhanced substrate turnover. Extending the α6 helix to mimic the lower activity Enterobacter cloacae (EcBdh) enzyme resulted in reduction of SmBdh function to nearly 3% of the total activity. In great contrast, reduction of the corresponding α6 helix of the EcBdh to mimic the SmBdh structure resulted in ~ 70% increase in its activity. This study has demonstrated that SmBdh is superior to other Bdhs for expression in Z. mobilis for 2,3-BDO production. SmBdh possesses unique structural features that confer biochemical advantage to this protein. While coordinated active site formation is a unique structural characteristic of this tetrameric complex, the smaller α6 helix and extended hydrogen network contribute towards improved activity and substrate promiscuity of the enzyme.
The Case for Measuring Long Bone Hemodynamics With Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Diseases and associated fragility of bone is an important medical issue. There is increasing evidence that bone health is related to blood flow and oxygen delivery. The development of non-invasive methods to evaluate bone blood flow and oxygen delivery promise to improve the detection and treatment of bone health in human. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to evaluate oxygen levels, blood flow, and metabolism in skeletal muscle and brain. While the limited penetration depth of NIRS restricts its application, NIRS studies have been performed on the medial aspect of the tibia and some other prominent bone sites. Two approaches using NIRS to evaluate bone health are discussed: (1) the rate of re-oxygenation of bone after a short bout of ischemia, and (2) the dynamics of oxygen levels during an intervention such as resistance exercise. Early studies have shown these approaches to have the potential to evaluate bone vascular health as well as the predicted efficacy of an intervention before changes in bone composition are detectable. Future studies are needed to fully develop and exploit the use of NIRS technology for the study of bone health.
Nicotine-mediated recruitment of GABAergic neurons to a dopaminergic phenotype attenuates motor deficits in alpha-synuclein Parkinson's model.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Previous work revealed an inverse correlation between smoking and Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is associated with nicotine-induced neuroprotection of dopaminergic (DA) neurons against nigrostriatal damage in PD primates and rodent models. Nicotine, a neuroactive component of tobacco, can directly alter the activity of midbrain DA neurons and induce non-DA neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) to acquire a DA phenotype. We investigated the recruitment mechanism of nigrostriatal GABAergic neurons to express DA phenotypes, such as transcription factor Nurr1 and DA-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the concomitant effects on motor function. METHODS Wild-type and α -syn-overexpressing (PD) mice treated with chronic nicotine were assessed by behavioral pattern monitor (BPM) and immunohistochemistry/in-situ hybridization to measure behavior and the translational/transcriptional regulation of neurotransmitter phenotype following selective Nurr1 overexpression or DREADD-mediated chemogenetic activation. RESULTS Nicotine treatment led to a transcriptional TH and translational Nurr1 upregulation within a pool of SN GABAergic neurons in wild-type animals. In PD mice, nicotine increased Nurr1 expression, reduced the number of α-syn-expressing neurons, and simultaneously rescued motor deficits. Hyperactivation of GABA neurons alone was sufficient to elicit de novo translational upregulation of Nurr1 in non-DA neurons. Retrograde labeling revealed that a fraction of these GABAergic neurons project to the dorsal striatum. CONCLUSIONS Nicotine exposure initiates neuroprotective mechanisms counteracting the neurodegenerative effects of α-syn accumulation in DA neurons and contributing to Nurr1-mediated therapeutic effects. Revealing the mechanism of nicotine-induced DA plasticity protecting SN neurons against nigrostriatal damage could contribute to developing new strategies for neurotransmitter replacement in PD.
Mechanical stress determines morphogenesis and cell ordering in confined bacterial biofilms

Abstract Biofilms are aggregates of bacterial cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix. Much progress has been made in studying biofilm growth on solid substrates; however, little is known about how biofilms develop in three-dimensional confined environments. Here, combining single-cell imaging, continuum mechanical modeling, and mutagenesis, we reveal the key morphogenesis steps of Vibrio cholerae biofilms embedded in hydrogels. We demonstrate how mechanical stress determines the global morphology and gives rise to bipolar cell ordering in confined biofilms. Our analysis shows that cell ordering arises from stress transmission across the biofilm-environment interface, mediated by specific matrix components. Our results open an avenue to understand how organisms grow within complex environments by means of a compromise between their inherent developmental program and the constraints imposed by the environment. One sentence summary Embedded biofilms mechanically interact with the confining environment, leading to the emergence of an anisotropic architecture and a precise cell organization.
Insights into genetic factors contributing to variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we applied colocalization to compare summary statistics for 16 GWASs from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative to investigate similarities and differences in their genetic signals. We identified 9 loci associated with susceptibility (one with two independent GWAS signals; one with an ethnicity-specific signal), 14 associated with severity (one with two independent GWAS signals; two with ethnicity-specific signals) and one harboring two discrepant GWAS signals (one for susceptibility; one for severity). Utilizing colocalization we also identified 45 GTEx tissues that had eQTL(s) for 18 genes strongly associated with GWAS signals in eleven loci (1-4 genes per locus). Some of these genes showed tissue-specific altered expression and others showed altered expression in up to 41 different tissue types. Our study provides insights into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying inherited predispositions to COVID-19-disease phenotypes.
Marching Towards Disaster: Examining the Commerce Department’s Administration of the Bayh-Dole Act and Whether March-In Rights Should Be Used to Reduce Drug Costs

This paper explores the history of the Bayh-Dole Act, its administration by the Department of Commerce, and the question that faces every new administration that has campaigned to lower the cost of prescription drugs: should Bayh-Dole's march-in rights be exercised to reduce the cost of drugs created with federal funding? This paper concludes that while the National Institute of Standards and Technology, within Commerce, has the authority to promulgate regulations requiring federal agencies to march in on companies to address the cost of federally funded technology, including prescription drugs, doing so would likely disrupt the success of the country’s technology transfer program and be less effective than stand-alone legislation that tackles the high cost of drugs.
The Use of Simulation in Disaster Medicine Preparedness

The need for mass casualty preparedness has become increasing recognized by the medical community and by regulatory organizations. Due to the cost and scheduling constraints of full-scale live drills, many institutions have chosen to do minimal or no planning for a disaster. While live drills provide the most realistic simulation of a mass casualty event, there are other more economical modalities such as computer or tabletop exercises. Rapid advances in the field of computer science and the gaming industry make the ability to prepare for mass casualties available to institutions that were previously unable to participate.