cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium Regulation in Smooth Muscle Through the CD38/Cyclic ADP-Ribose Pathway

An elevation of intracellular Ca2+ is required for smooth muscle contraction [1, 2]. Smooth muscle cells maintain a relatively low intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentration under unstimulated conditions. Upon stimulation with hormones, neurotransmitters or other agents, there is a rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i to a peak level, which then declines to a lower steady-state value [3, 4]. The mechanisms underlying this “biphasic” pattern of [Ca2+]i elevation have been the subject of intense investigation in different laboratories. There are two principal pathways by which elevation of [Ca2+]i in smooth muscle cells occurs. Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space and Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) can both account for the elevation of [Ca2+]i [5, 6]. The extent to which either or both of these processes contribute to the elevation of Ca2+ varies depending on the activating mechanism and/or the smooth muscle cell type.
VP anaphora and verb-second order in Danish

This paper argues that Danish verb-second clauses have two structural instantiations and that each structure is associated with distinct information-structural properties. Information-structurally undifferentiated V2 clauses are realized as TPs, whereas information-structurally differentiated V2 clauses are CPs. The evidence for this correlation comes from the behavior of the overt VP anaphor det, which exhibits a complex, but principled, positioning pattern in V2 clauses. I develop a feature-driven analysis of V2 clauses that accounts for previously unnoticed restrictions on the initial position in declarative V2 clauses.
The News Interview: Adversarial questioning: setting agendas and exerting pressure

In chapter 5, we looked at how journalists work to design their questions so as to be defensibly neutral and legitimate. In this chapter, we turn the issue around, and consider the various ways in which interviewers adopt an adversarial stance and exert pressure on their respondents. This topic is an important one: it is at the level of question design that interviewers fundamentally and necessarily handle the competing journalistic norms of impartiality and adversarialness with which we have been concerned throughout this book. In part, of course, the management of the tension between these two norms is handled by questioning itself. As chapter 4 showed, questioning is conventionally understood as a neutralistic action which does not take up a substantive position – involving either agreement or disagreement – vis-a-vis the interviewee. For this reason, interviewers work hard to package their actions as “questions,” and may invoke this packaging to defeat interviewee claims that they are pursuing some kind of agenda of their own. However, as we have suggested through the use of the term “neutralistic,” news interview questioning is not, and cannot be, strictly neutral. Because questions unavoidably encode attitudes and points of view (Harris 1986), interviewers must still design their questions to strike a balance between the journalistic norms of impartiality and adversarialness. The particular balance that is achieved between these two norms can be a distinctive, or even defining, characteristic of particular interviewing styles.
MINIMAL POLYNOMIALS OVER CYCLOTOMIC FIELDS

(1997). Minimal Polynomials Over Cyclotomic Fields. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 104, No. 3, pp. 258-260.
Ion chromatography for simultaneous determination of three disinfection by- products and six anions in drinking water

Objective To develop an Ion chromatography( IC) for simultaneous determination of three disinfection by-products and six anions in drinking water. Methods The IC separation was carried out with the TSKgel Super IC-AP column by using Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 eluent at the flow rate of 1. 0 ml / min,column temperature was 40 ℃,the injection volume was 500 μl.Results The linear concentration range was 0. 005 mg /L ~ 4. 0 mg /L for each anion. Limit of determination was low. Relative standard deviations( RSD) was less than 1. 5%,recoveries were between 82. 8% ~ 114. 2%. Conclusion The method is simple,practical and applicable to the simultaneous determination of anions in all kinds of drinking water.
Analysis of Test Result that Emission Test Laboratories Have Compared Test

This paper analyses the test result of three emission test laboratories about same vehicle using some analysis method. That is method of the mean, statistic, standard deviation, analysis of variance for single factor etc. The result of analysis indicates the different of emission test laboratories. Comparing the method of analysis data, this paper expatiates applying condition of those analysis method and defect.
Testing Results of Treated Hospital Sewage in Suzhou City

[Objective]To understand the water quality characteristics of treated sewage discharged from comprehensive hospitals of Suzhou City.[Methods]For Small,medium and large hospitals in Suzhou City,the sewage discharged from the hospital was tested,the main problem existed in sewage treatment and the effect on water environment were proposed.[Results]The total qualified rate of treated sewage was 95%. The total residual chlorine for large and medium-small hospitals was (2.854±1.612)mg/L,(1.875±1.454) mg/L,respectively,the difference was significant(t=2.2098,P0.05)[Conclusion]Disinfectant concentration of sewage from large hospital is significantly higher than that of medium-small hospitals. The treatment method determines the extent of sewage impact on environment.
The Poetics of Peripatetics and Peripety in Hamsun’sHunger

Published in 1890, Hunger is probably Hamsun’s best known and,arguably, his best written novel. Sizeably autobiographical, it dealswith the time Hamsun existed in Kristiania (Oslo) and is extraordinaryin terms of psychological depth and poetic temperament. Butone cannot easily dismiss the effect starvation had on Hamsun andto that extent one cannot discount intentionality. As Robert Fergusonwrites of Hunger in his biography, Enigma: The Life of KnutHamsun: ‘In writing it he drew on the experiences he underwentduring his two most desperate periods in Kristiania in the wintersof 1880–81 and 1885–86, and probably, also drew on the experiencesof his winter in Chicago in 1886–87. The many small correspondencesof fact and fiction - the narrator’s visit to the castle, forexample, and his address at Tomtegaten II - as well as the autobiographicaldetails that crop up in letters to Erik Frydenlund andJohan Sorensen, indicate that the book is Hamsun’s self-portrait infiction’ (Ferguson, p. 110). Implicit in that notion is that the voice ofthe protagonist is often the voice of Hamsun not only in terms ofcontent, ‘The things I have written about in Hunger I have experiencedhere - and many more worse things besides. God how I havesuffered. But I live…’ (Hamsun, Naess and McFarlane [hereafterLetters], 97), but in terms of poetics, ‘My book! My book! Aboutthese delicate nuances. I would want to sift through the remotestnuances of the mind - I would let them listen to the mimosa’sbreathing - every word like brilliantly white wings - movementson the shining surface of language’ (Hamsun, Letters, p. 88).The course of the novel follows the nameless protagonist ashe virtually wanders throughout the city while dwelling on thenotions of life, death, homelessness, hunger and art all within theconfines of the city’s ethos. What one discovers about the character,if not with all people who are homeless, impoverished, and hungry.
A hup B gene based PCR for the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is clinically indistinguishable from disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In much of the developing world, bovine TB is uncontrolled placing young children who drink contaminated milk at risk. In many countries, its occurrence is reported to be sporadic and control measures based on test-and-slaughter policies and disease notification are not applied [1]. Despite efforts in certain areas to quantify the extent of zoonotic tuberculosis, the prevalence of M. bovis infection in humans throughout the developing world is essentially unknown. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) results in considerable morbidity and mortality without prompt diagnosis and treatment. Recent work has focused on finding a rapid means to differentiate meningitis caused by M. bovis from that due to M. tuberculosis using a hup B DNA targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay [2]. Such a tool would be invaluable in guiding therapy and public health control efforts, particularly in developing nations with limited laboratory facilities for culture and typing of tubercle bacilli. While historically it has been assumed that the vast majority of cases of TBM are due to M. tuberculosis, a recent study by Shah et al. [3] suggests that M. bovis
Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Attention Deficits

The effects of in utero exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on cognitive function in 212 children at 11 years of age were tested at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Recognition of Disproportion

Disproportion between the fetus and the amount of space available in the bony pelvis varies considerably in degree. In the great majority of patients nature has provided a comfortable margin for the fetus, so that large women will often bear normally large children easily, while small women bear normally small children just as easily. In certain cases, however, the fetus is too large for the pelvis regardless of the type of the pelvis. In other cases the shape of the pelvis is such that the space available for the child is reduced to a serious degree even though the various cardinal diameters may be of normal size.
On Simultaneously Generating Multiple Keys in a Joint Source-Channel Model

In this paper, the problem of simultaneously generating multiple keys over a cascade of a noiseless channel and a wiretap channel is considered. The problem consists of three legitimate parties (i.e., Alice, Bob, and Carol) and an eavesdropper (Eve), where Alice and Bob wish to agree with Carol on independent secret keys, both of which should be kept secret from Eve. Alice and Bob are connected via a noiseless channel, and Bob is connected with Carol via a wiretap channel, while there is no direct connection between Alice and Carol. To Alice and Carol, Bob acts as a relay. Under this model, a full characterization of the secret-key capacity region is provided for the case in which Eve has no side information. This result shows that there exists a tradeoff between the individual secret-key rates. Then, this result is generalized to the case in which Eve has side information, and the corresponding secret-key capacity region is fully characterized.
Proton Pump Inhibitor and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist Use and Iron Deficiency.

Background & Aims Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) suppress gastric acid production, which can inhibit iron absorption. However, few data exist regarding whether these medications increase the risk of clinical iron deficiency. Methods A community-based case-control study evaluated the association between acid-suppressing medication use and the subsequent risk of iron deficiency. It contrasted 77,046 patients with new iron deficiency diagnoses (January 1999−December 2013), with 389,314 controls. Medication exposures, outcomes, and potential confounders used electronic databases. We excluded patients with pre-existing risk factors for iron deficiency. Associations were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results Among cases, 2343 (3.0%) received a prior ≥2-year supply of PPIs and 1063 (1.4%) received H2RAs (without PPI use). Among controls, 3354 (0.9%) received a prior ≥2-year supply of PPIs and 2247 (0.6%) H2RAs. Both ≥2 years of PPIs (adjusted odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.35−2.64) and ≥2 years of H2RAs (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.46−1.71) were associated with an increased subsequent risk for iron deficiency. Among PPI users, the associations were stronger for higher daily doses (>1.5 vs P value interaction = .004) and decreased after medication discontinuation ( P -trend 1.5 pills per day for at least 10 years (odds ratio, 4.27; 95% CI, 2.53−7.21). No similar strong associations were found for other commonly used prescription medications. Conclusions Among patients without known risk factors for iron deficiency, gastric acid inhibitor use for ≥2 years was associated with an increased subsequent risk of iron deficiency. The risk increased with increasing potency of acid inhibition and decreased after medication discontinuation.
Contribution of Leukemia-Induced Alterations in Mesenchymal Cell Subpopulations to Altered Regulation of Leukemic and Normal Stem Cells in the CML BM Microenvironment

Abstract Specialized bone marrow (BM) microenvironmental niches are essential for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance. The function of microenvironmental niches in regulating leukemia stem cell (LSC) growth is not well understood. We have reported that alterations in chemokine and cytokine expression in the CML BM microenvironment, including reduction in expression of the critical hematopoietic chemokine CXCL12, may differentially alter CML and normal stem cell localization and growth, and provide a competitive growth advantage to CML LSC. Here we evaluated the contribution of leukemia-induced alterations in BM mesenchymal cell subpopulations to altered BM microenvironmental function in CML. Our group has used cell surface markers to characterize mesenchymal cells in the BM of adult mice. These studies have identified three distinct osteoprogenitor subpopulations [CD166+CD146- (CD166+);CD166-CD146+ (CD146+); and CD166-CD146-Sca1+ (Sca1+) cells] as well as a phenotypically defined population of CXCL12-adundant reticular (CAR) cells (Sca1-CD44+CD51+CD106+CD140a+) within CD45-Ter119-CD31- BM mesenchymal cells. We have shown that Sca1+ cells represent primitive mesenchymal progenitors that can generate the other mesenchymal populations, whereas CD146+ cells may represent an intermediate population between Sca1+ cells and CD166+ osteoblasts. Using the SCL-tTA-BCR/ABL mouse model of CML, we examined leukemia-induced alterations in distribution and LTHSC supportive function of mesenchymal cells in CML BM. We observed that the frequency of Sca1+ (p=0.001) and CD146+ (p=0.02) progenitors were significantly increased, and of CD166+ osteoblastic cells (p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Optimization-based network flow deadline scheduling

Many network flows nowadays, especially in a data center environment, have associated deadlines by which they must be fully transmitted. Nevertheless, traditional transport protocols such as TCP, focus on concepts like throughput and fairness, and do not aim to satisfy flow deadlines. Motivated by this limitation, several alternative transport designs and solutions have been recently proposed. These approaches generally achieve a better performance in terms of the number of satisfied deadlines and are usually built upon various heuristics. In contrast to these previous works, this article approaches the problem directly from an optimization perspective. We first prove that the problem belongs to the class of NP-hard problems that do not even admit a constant ratio approximation solution (unless P=NP), and formulate it as a mixed integer-linear optimization program. Then, using linear programming approximations, we further develop offline and online optimization-based rate control algorithms to approach the problem. Flow-level simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithms can be near-optimal, and hence they can be served as benchmarks against which other solutions to this problem can be evaluated. We additionally performed simulations incorporating such real network features as deployment delays and packet-level granularity to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms in a more realistic environment.
Highly porous CO2 hydrate generation aided by silica nanoparticles for potential secure storage of CO2 and desalination

We report a new way of storing CO2 in a highly porous hydrate structure, stabilized by silica nanoparticles (NPs). Such a porous CO2 hydrate structure was generated either by cooling down NP-stabilized CO2-in-seawater foams, or by gently mixing CO2 and seawater that contains silica NPs under CO2 hydrate-generating conditions. With the highly porous structure, enhanced desalination was also achievable when the partial meltdown of CO2 hydrate was allowed.
Acute Stroke Therapy: Highlighting the Ischemic Penumbra

The ultimate goal of acute stroke therapy is to rescue the affected brain tissues that are salvageable and to avoid or minimize the potential neurological outcome. The current available thrombolytic treatment is limited by the narrow therapeutic time window due mainly to the progressively reduced rescuable tissues (ischemic penumbra) after the onset of stroke. Therefore, preserving penumbral tissue can potentially widen the therapeutic time window and improve the quality of acute stroke therapy. Hence, ischemic penumbra is the key to stroke pathology and treatment. In this chapter, the basic concept of ischemic penumbra is examined and this is followed by the discussion of the identification and evolution of penumbral tissue in animal stroke models and stroke patients. Finally, the possible mechanism of penumbral cell death and the importance of preserving penumbral tissue in the acute stroke therapy are discussed.
Speaking Out or Staying Quiet on Climate Change: Broadcast Meteorologists Influenced by the Need to Be Pithy, Popular and Politically Cautious

Broadcast meteorologists are in a position to convey knowledge about climate change to the public. These media professionals make deliberate choices about what information to omit or present to their audiences. Interviews with broadcast meteorologists revealed a wide range of attitudes about conveying climate science to their viewers. Three significant concerns emerged from conversations with participants: on-air time constraints are non-negotiable, pressure to be a “popular” personality is constant, and there is an enduring apprehension about taking a position associated with a perceived controversial topic or political viewpoint. Discomfort with these constraints affects the content choices of broadcast meteorologists who might otherwise take a stand representing the scientific consensus on climate change.
Missing children: Merzak Allouache and Rachid Bouchareb or, 2005 ten years later

ABSTRACTIn Jose Emilio Burucua and Nicolas Kwiatkowski's ‘The Absent Double: Representations of the Disappeared,’ the authors, writing about the ‘systematic and clandestine murders’ of thousands of Argentine citizens between 1976 and 1983, introduce the notion of ‘representational formulas,’ devices that bind together ‘fact, truth and narration’ in the various attempts of artists to confront a past of and present haunted by political violence. In particular, the authors claim that representational formulas are ways of coming to terms with ‘historical massacres,’ acts of political violence for which ‘a group rather than an individual is responsible, and exceptionally cruel methods are used. Moreover, the victims, dead or alive, are treated with utter contempt,’ while too often, ‘the perpetrators face no great physical risks.’ This essay develops the concept of representational formula in the work of Lisandro Alonso, proposes the voyage form or search for a missing child as one such formula, and examines it...
Mental health service utilization is associated with retention in care among persons living with HIV at a university-affiliated HIV clinic.

Mental health (MH) comorbidities reduce retention in care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) and are associated with poor health outcomes. Optimizing retention in primary care is vital, as poor retention is associated with delayed receipt of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, ARV non-adherence, and poor health outcomes, including failure to suppress viral load, decreased CD4 counts, and clinically significant ARV drug resistance. We hypothesized that MH service utilization would be associated with improved retention in care for patients with HIV and MH comorbidities. This is a retrospective analysis of PLWH initiating outpatient HIV health care at a university-affiliated HIV clinic between January 2007 and December 2013. We examined the association between MH service utilization and retention in care, the outcome of interest, using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. Overall, 627 (84.4%) out of 743 patients were retained in care using the Health Resources & Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau (HRSA/HAB) metric. A multivariable model adjusted for several sociodemographic factors, MH comorbidities, and MH service utilization. The results suggest that lack of health insurance (public ORadj = 0.3, p 45 years, ORadj. = 1.6, p = 0.14) and ≥ 3 MH service utilization visits (ORadj. = 6.8, p < 0.01) were associated with increased retention in care. Even in the absence of documented MH comorbidities, improved retention in care was observed with increasing MH service utilization. In order to achieve the US-based National HIV/AIDS Strategy goal of 90% retention in care for PLWH, MH service utilization should be considered along with other evidence-based interventions to improve retention for PLWH newly engaged in care.
Comparison of guidelines for the use of TNF inhibitors for psoriasis in the United States, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom: a critical appraisal and comprehensive review

AbstractPurpose: To compare and contrast evidence-based CPGs from leading dermatological organizations for the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in psoriasis.Materials and methods: Guidelines from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), and the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) were reviewed and compared.Results: Various guidelines are similar regarding treatment initiation but have significant differences regarding topics such as continuous versus intermittent therapy, use in erythrodermic and pustular palmoplantar psoriasis and special patient populations.Conclusion: TNF inhibitors remain valuable tools in psoriasis therapy, and guidelines for their use may help clinicians use them effectively.
New Developments in the Diagnosis, Therapy, and Monitoring of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Purpose of review Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has transformed over the past two decades from a little-known entity to a significant cause of morbidity in the adult and pediatric population. We reviewed the most recent advancements in the diagnosis, therapy, and long-term monitoring of EoE.
Concerns About Ankle Injury Prophylaxis and Acceptance of the Parachute Ankle Brace Among Jumpmaster Students.

Introduction Several studies have shown that the parachute ankle brace (PAB) is safe, cost-effective, and reduces the rates of ankle injuries during military parachuting. However, the acceptability and usability of the PAB has not been well established in units that regularly do airborne exercises. Many anecdotal concerns in the past may be limiting common use. The purpose of the study is to ascertain the attitudes toward the PAB among experienced paratroopers. Methods One hundred experienced paratroopers training to be jumpmasters at the Advanced Airborne School (Fort Bragg, NC) voluntarily responded to a 13-item, paper questionnaire to assess attitudes toward the PAB, its use, and concerns about future ankle injuries. The survey was offered to all 100 students enrolled in an Advanced Airborne School course. Results were input into an online database using Qualtrics and qualitative responses were evaluated for thematic content and categorized appropriately. Analysis was performed using Qualtrics and SPSS for descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and chi-square tests. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to evaluate Likert-type responses. Results Of the 100 paratroopers who responded to the survey 32% had over 10 yr of military service, 58% had over 5 yr of service, and 32% had over 5 yr on active jump status. Results show that none of the respondents had ever used the PAB; 62% had never heard of the PAB, and 72% had never observed use of the PAB. A majority of respondents (87%) had never injured an ankle during a parachute landing fall (PLF), but 79% believed that an ankle injury could affect their career potential as a paratrooper. Almost one-half of the respondents (47%) had seen that ankle injuries affect another paratrooper's career. A third of the respondents (35%) said that they had concerns that would keep them from using the PAB, whereas 21% were uncertain, as they had never heard of it. Only 19% of the respondents were willing to use measures such as taping, lace-up bracing, semi-rigid brace inside a normal boot, specialized jump boot with stabilizing braces built in, or outside-the-boot braces to prevent ankle injury. However, 40% said that they were likely to use these measures on jumps after experiencing an ankle injury. Discussion Previous research clearly establishes the advantages of the PAB. None of the participants had ever used the PAB but expressed a fear about how an ankle injury might impact their future career potential. Yet half of the jumpmasters indicated a willingness to use prophylactic measures after an ankle injury. Conclusion This survey assessed the attitude and knowledge related to the PAB among jumpmaster students. Results show that despite the benefits of the PAB, a negative attitude exists toward the PAB, and it is not currently being used. This survey clearly demonstrates the need either to educate paratroopers on the existence of the PAB or to explore other designs that may be more readily accepted in the airborne community.
Caspar David Friedrich, Canaletto, and Edvard Munch

Caspar David Friedrich, one of Germany’s greatest painters from the nineteenth-century Romantic era, is famed for his spectacular twilight scenes. An important series of three similar works began with Two Men Contemplating the Moon (Galerie Neue Meister, Dresden). He altered the foreground figures for the canvas Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon (Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin), and then he reintroduced the two male figures for a third version titled Two Men Contemplating the Moon (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). In all three paintings a bright “star” appears close to a thin crescent Moon in a twilight sky.
Introduction: Ying-Yang Hypothesis of Immunomodulation

Originally the inspiration for this book stemmed from a Symposium on Enkephalins; Endorphins: Stress and the Immune System held at the Annual meeting of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in Philadelphia 1983. Since that meeting a significant increase in research has occurred and prompted us to compile this book. Recent research has shown that the immune system is exceedingly sensitive to the effects of enkephalins and endorphins. This sensitivity was illustrated by the immunodepressant effects of morphine on T-cells. In contrast the enkephalins and endorphins have shown to enhance T-cell function.
Pneumoperitoneum in the Treatment of Giant Hernias, with Special Reference to Obesity

Pneumoperitoneum, the injection of air into the abdominal cavity, is an accessory treatment that should be considered in the successful and permanent repair of giant hernias. Pneumoperitoneum was used for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis from 1931 until the introduction of streptomycin. Increased pressure within the abdomen caused elevation of the diaphragm, decreased the intrathoracic space, and thus assisted in the obliteration of cavities. Ivan Goni-Moreno, in Argentina, first used pneumoperitoneum in 1940 to reestablish space in the abdominal cavity of patients with giant hernias. Koontz reported his experience with pneumoperitoneum in 1954 with four patients and again in 1958 with five more patients. The experience with pneumoperitoneum in patients with giant hernias at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics began in 1953.
Food Industry and Political Influences on American Nutrition

We eat what we buy and decisions about what we buy are heavily influenced by the food industry, government policies, and our personal beliefs about food. A nutritionist’s viewpoint with respect to eating is expected to be governed largely by objective, peer-reviewed science, but the beliefs of most people are insulated from that primary layer of information. In modern industrialized nations, most people’s beliefs and behaviors about nutrition are influenced directly or indirectly by, amongst other factors, governmental nutritional policy. For all of us, appreciating the influence placed on our nutrition habits can be a tough pill to swallow.
Prevalence of Novel Candidate Sjogren Syndrome Autoantibodies in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) Study.

Purpose:To evaluate the prevalence of novel candidate Sjogren syndrome (SS) autoantibodies [salivary protein-1 (SP-1), parotid secretory protein, carbonic anhydrase 6] in the DRy Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) cohort, a study evaluating the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for
Impact of Early Life Failures in Services of Engineering Asset Fleets

Services and warranties of large fleets of engineering assets is a very profitable business where original equipment manufacturers and independent service providers offer contracts designed to cover events in day-to-day service as well as major maintenance and repairs over the life of the asset. Accurate reliability modeling, as a way to understand how the complex stochastic interactions between operating conditions and component capability define useful life, is key for services profitability. The modeling task is daunting as factors such as aggressive mission mixes introduced by operators, exposure to harsh environment, inadequate maintenance, and problems with mass production (bad batch of materials) can lead to large discrepancies between designed and observed useful lives. This paper is focused on how to quantify the impact of infant mortality in fleets of industrial assets. A simple numerical experiment is used to address the fundamental question: how does number of observations and fleet size interact with each other in fleet management? The results demonstrate that material capability, penetration of bad batch of material in the fleet, and commissioning time can drastically influence fleet unreliability. Moreover, infant mortality due to manufacturing problems/material capability is a manifestation of an outlier problem. As a consequence, the propensity to observe first failures depend on the actual fleet size. Since failure observations are used to build/update the reliability models, small fleet operators have to deal with large uncertainties when quantifying infant mortality. This impacts their ability to make provisions for service and maintenance (inventory, labor, loss of productivity, etc.). Although the large number of failure observations causes a financial burden in large fleet operators, it also allows for reduced uncertainty in building/updating the reliability models. In turn, this improves their ability to forecast future failures and make provisions for service and maintenance.
Fiber spinning with airfields enhanced by airfoil louvers

Airfields are used in common polymer fiber spinning processes, such as melt blowing and spunbonding. A pair of louvers was installed in the air flow field of a melt blowing slot die. Previous resea...
High Efficiency SHG in Heterogenous Integrated GaAs Ring Resonators

We demonstrate the first integrated gallium arsenide (GaAs) ring resonators for second-harmonic generation (SHG). The GaAs-on-insulator platform offers high quality factors exceeding 2 × 105. We demonstrate 4% absolute internal SHG efficiency with a 61-μW pump coupled to the resonator.
History of Heart Transplantation

This chapter reviews the history of heart transplantation, with emphasis on the early progress and advances which made the current state of the art possible, and reviews the evolution of the clinical field of transplant cardiology.
Optimal Extortion and the Fear of Ruin

The paper analyzes a principal/supervisor/agent hierarchy threatened by two forms of information-based corruption: bribery and extortion. Strictly positive bribes and extortion payments may be accommodated in equilibrium. A tradeoff emerges, with respect to the bargaining power of the agent (relative to that of the supervisor), between the standard information rent and the corruption rent that is paid indirectly to the supervisor through illicit transfers. Increasing the agent’s bargaining power increases the information rent and decreases the corruption rent, and the overall effect on the principal’s welfare is ambiguous: Strong agents are preferred under stronger institutions and strong supervisors are preferred under weaker institutions.
Evaluation of a Home Urinalysis Kit in Dogs.

Dry reagent strip evaluation of urine is a standard screening and diagnostic test used to assess overall health and help detect or rule out specific disease conditions. A commercial at-home urinalysis reagent strip kit using a smartphone app to evaluate free-catch urine is being marketed directly to dog and cat owners. We compared agreement between simultaneous urinalysis using the commercial kit and standard reference methods in 48 canine urines submitted to our referral laboratory. Agreement was defined by analyte based on clinical impact. Sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen's kappa evaluated categorical data, and a paired t test was used for continuous variables (significance P < .05). The commercial kit had ≥1 disagreement with the reference method per sample and produced results if the test strip was absent or reversed. Specific gravity and pH concurred with the reference method in only 31% (P < .011) and 27% (P < .001) of cases, respectively. The sensitivity was low for all analytes except ketones, which had 77% false positives. False-positive nitrites and leukocytes were also frequent (36 and 19%, respectively). False negatives for blood (27%), nitrites (38%), and protein (54%) were common. This kit is inaccurate; its use for clinical decisions is not recommended.
Current Trends in Vitreoretinal Anesthesia

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the current practices in anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery in a variety of practice locations and types. Design Cross-Sectional Survey Based Study Participants 2,638 retinal specialists from academic and private practices. Methods Participants were questioned in detail regarding their preferences for topical, regional, or general anesthesia for a variety of case types. Main Outcome Measures Utilization of local or general anesthesia, providers of anesthesia, and selection of anesthesia for vitreoretinal procedures and open globe injuries. Results The cumulative response rate was 23% (597/2,638). Of the 556 respondents who regularly perform surgery, regional anesthesia was more commonly administered by ophthalmologists than anesthesiologists. Intraconal anesthesia was used in 319/555 (57%) of cases and was more commonly used in the United States (US) than non-US where extraconal and sub-Tenon’s anesthesia were more common (p Conclusion Regional anesthesia with MAC is the most common method for vitreoretinal procedures, but GA is still a common option especially for scleral buckling and trauma.
Non-enthalpic enhancement of spatial distribution and orientation of CNTs and GNRs in polymer nanofibers

Abstract Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their unzipped counterparts graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are promising materials for energy storage applications, due to their unique architecture and properties. However, spatial distribution and orientation in polymer matrices plays a crucial role in determining the charge and mass transfer effectiveness of the nanocomposite. Here, we report a controlled enhancement of dispersion and spatial alignment of CNTs and GNRs via gas-assisted electrospinning (GAES). This methodology obviates the use of surface modifications to ensure effective enthalpic interactions between a substrate and filler, and offers a “single-step” procedure for electrode fabrication. We conducted a rigorous TEM image analysis of as-spun PVA nanofibers and observed an average of 60 and 90% improvement in dispersion area due to the application of high but controlled air flow for CNTs and GNRs, respectively. Alignment results demonstrate that stiff CNTs respond uniformly to the external deformation applied by GAES, while more flexible GNRs have a limited response.
Rate of conversion to an open procedure is reduced in patients undergoing robotic colorectal surgery: A single-institution experience

Background: Robotic-assisted surgery is becoming increasingly used in colorectal operations. It has many advantages over laparoscopic surgery including three-dimensional viewing, motion scaling, improved dexterity and ergonomics as well as increased precision. However, there are also disadvantages to robotic surgery such as lack of tactile feedback, cost as well as limitations on multi-quadrant surgeries. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of conversion to an open surgery in patients undergoing robotic-assisted colorectal surgery and traditional laparoscopic surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery for neoplastic and dysplastic disease from 2009 to 2016 were identified and examined retrospectively. The statistical software SAS, manufactured by SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina. Continuous variables were analysed using analysis of variance test. Chi-square test was used to analyse categorical variables. P Results: Two hundred and thirty-five patients were identified that underwent minimally invasive colorectal surgery. One hundred and sixty-four underwent laparoscopic resection and 71 underwent robotic-assisted resection. There was no statistical difference in gender or race between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Patients that underwent robotic-assisted resection were slightly younger than patients that underwent laparoscopic resection (61.6 years vs. 65.6 years; P= 0.02). When examining conversion to an open procedure, patients that underwent robotic-assisted resection had a significantly lower chance of conversion than did the patients undergoing a laparoscopic approach (11.27% vs. 29.78%; P= 0.0018). Conclusion: Conversion rates from a minimally invasive procedure to an open procedure appear to be lower with robotic-assisted surgery compared to laparoscopic surgery.
A review of language regression in autism spectrum disorder and the role of language theories: Towards explanation:

Background & aims The purpose of this study is to summarize characteristics of language regression—a phenomenon most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder, outline language theories of ...
Teaching software engineering using a traceability-based development methodology

Instructors of Software Engineering (SE) classes in small Computer Science programs face the challenge of selecting a coherent set of SE concepts that can be taught in a one-semester course. This challenge is more significant when the students' background lacks significant exposure to Object-Oriented (OO) design. A second challenge is the design of "right-sized" case studies that rigorously illustrate the application of the selected SE concepts, can be comprehensively presented in the classroom and assigned as term projects. In this paper, we address the first challenge by proposing the use of a traceability-based methodology for SE instruction. We address the second challenge by advocating the use of a particular type of problem -- namely, "GUI-based workflow applications". We present an ATM case study in class and focus on how the issues inherent in this problem can be tackled by choosing appropriate OOSE concepts. We have found that this approach allows us to teach concepts such as design patterns and coding idioms as they naturally arise in the problem. Our experience with a small group of students indicates that, with this approach, they were able to better understand the SE process itself and come up with high-quality software designs in a similar term project.
Toward a Comprehensive Developmental Model of Prescription Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE To develop a comprehensive etiologic model of DSM-5 prescription opioid use disorder (POUD) based on Kendler and colleagues' development model for major depressive disorder. METHODS Data were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (2012-2013). Risk factors were divided into 4 developmental tiers (childhood/early adolescence, late adolescence, adulthood, past year). Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to examine the independent contribution of each risk factor. Separate models were built to predict 12-month nonmedical use of prescription opioids and risk of POUD among those with 12-month nonmedical use. RESULTS After adjustment for other risk factors, the odds of past 12-month nonmedical use of prescription opioids were increased by history of trauma, social deviance, and use of drugs other than opioids in adulthood and by past-year pain, alcohol use disorder (AUD), tobacco use disorder, any Axis I disorder other than SUD, and number of stressful events. History of POUD in adulthood and pain, AUD, tobacco use disorder, and any Axis I disorder other than substance use disorders (SUD) in the past year increased the odds of 12-month POUD. History of SUD other than POUD in adulthood was associated with lower odds of POUD. For both outcomes, the effect of earlier development tiers was mediated by more proximal ones. CONCLUSIONS A modification of Kendler and colleagues' model for major depressive disorder provides a useful foundation for a comprehensive developmental model of nonmedical opioid use and opioid use disorder.
Chapter 7 – Diagnostic Validity

Publisher Summary The diagnostic validity is the most important type of criterion-related validity for clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists selecting tests to inform the diagnostic process. The diagnostic validity of tests has traditionally been evaluated with null-hypothesis significance testing of mean group differences. While these null-hypothesis significance testing analyses provide general information about how groups with various disease entities perform on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) and Wechsler Memory Scale-III (MWS-III), such group comparisons are less useful to the clinician wishing to determine the utility of these measures as aides in diagnosing individual patients. Traditionally, group descriptive statistics intended to characterize test reliability and validity such as test-retest correlation coefficients and convergent and broadly applicable means of communicating about and comparing test properties. The provision of such statistics is an obligation of test developers and has been critical to test users' ability to compare and select instruments that meet minimum measurement standards. The diagnostic validity of a test can be reflected in indices such as sensitivity, specificity, overall diagnostic accuracy or hit rate, and odds ratios.
Electron confinement by laser-driven azimuthal magnetic fields during direct laser acceleration

A laser-driven azimuthal plasma magnetic field is known to facilitate electron energy gain from the irradiating laser pulse. The enhancement is due to changes in the orientation between the laser electric field and electron velocity caused by magnetic field deflections. Transverse electron confinement is critical for realizing this concept experimentally. Using analytical theory, we show that the phase velocity of the laser pulse has a profound impact on the maximum transverse size of electron trajectories. The transverse size remains constant only below a threshold energy that depends on the degree of the superluminosity, and it increases with the electron energy above the threshold. We illustrate this finding using 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The described increase can cause electron losses in tightly focused laser pulses, so it should be taken into account when designing high-intensity experiments at high-power laser facilities.
Everyday Googling: Results of an Observational Study and Applications for Teaching Algorithmic Literacy

Abstract Students, and internet users generally, rely heavily on search engines for academic and personal research. Search engines, driven by algorithms, are so central to students’ research practices as to be nearly invisible. Yet, the role of algorithms in research is not typically addressed within information literacy instruction in composition. To learn the role that search engines play in everyday research processes, I observed participants search personal health topics and tracked their use of search engines. Findings showed that 1) Google was the driver for all participants’ searches, 2) search terms influenced the search process and results, and 3) rankings influenced the sources chosen. Most importantly, these sophisticated searchers were not especially aware of how the search interface and algorithms influenced their process. I recommend that writing instructors incorporate algorithmic literacy instruction into their classrooms. A Search Reflection assignment, in which students record, analyze, and evaluate their search practices, helps students become more critical and intentional as they research.
Outcomes of microvascular bone flaps versus osteocutaneous flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of head and neck (HN 95%CI 0.430-0.989; p = .044) compared to patients receiving BBFs. CONCLUSION: The incidence of complications following osseous reconstruction of the H&N is considerable. Although several complication outcomes do not seem to differ between BBF or OCF reconstructions, OCFs is associated with a decreased likelihood of wound complications.
‘For us climate action never dies’: a legislative process analysis of environmental movement tactics in Oregon

In this article, I discuss how environmental groups in Oregon have intervened in the legislative process in the last 5 years to advocate for climate policy. Methodologically, I draw on 76 interview...
Widespread Behavioral Responses by Mammals and Fish to Zoo Visitors Highlight Differences between Individual Animals

The impact that humans have on zoo animals can vary based on the species of animal, exhibit design, and individual differences in behavioral responses. We independently analyzed data from 10 never-published studies that examined the impact of zoo visitors on zoo animal behavior. Of the 16 species studied, 90.9% of the mammal species and 60.0% of the fish species demonstrated a change in at least one behavior based on zoo visitor abundance or visitor behavior (e.g., noise, solicitation of interactions from zoo animals). In addition, behavioral changes associated with zoo visitors were present in animals housed in exhibits where there was direct contact with zoo visitors, as well as in exhibits where there was indirect contact and no direct contact. Individuals often varied in their behavioral responses, and some individuals appeared to seek out interactions with visitors. Our findings demonstrate that short-term research projects can provide valuable insight into individual animal-level and species-level responses to visitor abundance and visitor behavior in the zoo setting. We recommend that behavioral assessments focus on the analysis of behaviors of individual animals whenever possible, and we recommend that exhibits provide areas that allow for animals to retreat from the public view.
Effect of Housing System and Nutrition on Claw Hom Growth and Abrasion in Beef Steers

Lameness results in economic losses in cattle populations worldwide. Most lameness lesions are associated with the lower foot, especially the claw. Major risk factors for lesions of the claw are high grain rations and concrete flooring.