cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Tissue Coring During Transseptal Catheterization When Using Electrocautery and a Standard Transseptal Needle

Background— The application of radiofrequency electrocautery to a standard, open-ended transseptal needle has been used to facilitate transseptal puncture (TSP). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of cardiac tissue coring when this technique is used. Methods and Results— A model using excised swine hearts submerged in a saline-filled basin was developed to simulate TSP with electrocautery and a standard transseptal needle. Punctures were performed without the use of electrocautery and by delivering radiofrequency energy to the transseptal needle using a standard electrocautery pen at 3 target sites (fossa ovalis, non–fossa ovalis septum, and aorta). The tissue of the submerged heart was gently tented, and the needle was advanced on delivery of radiofrequency. The devices were retracted, and the needle was flushed in a collection basin. None of the TSPs without cautery caused tissue coring. For TSPs using electrocautery, the frequency of coring was at least 21% for any puncture permutation used in the study and averaged 37% at septal sites ( P <0.001 compared with punctures without cautery). Tissue coring occurred in 33 of 96 (35%) punctures through the fossa ovalis and in 38 of 96 (40%) punctures through non–fossa ovalis septum. The frequency of tissue coring at aortic sites was 62 of 96 (65%), which was significantly higher than at the septal sites ( P <0.001). Conclusions— In an animal preparation, TSP at the level of the fossa ovalis using electrocautery and a standard open-ended Brockenbrough needle resulted in coring of the septal tissue in 35% of cases (33 of 96 punctures).
The association between prolonged breastfeeding and poor growth--what are the implications?

The smaller size of breastfed children in infancy and thereafter in malnourished and well-nourished populations has resulted in rushes to judgement that have been shown to be ill-advised. The reasons for the smaller size in malnourished populations is due to retaining the small and sickly child at the breast (reverse causality) and the consequent continuing sickliness of this breastfed child (negative confounding). Once the reverse causality and negative confounding have been taken into account breast-feeding improves growth at least through the second year of life. Thus prolonged breast-feeding should always be fostered especially in malnourished populations. An exception remains when breast milk may transmit disease to the suckling child. In well-nourished populations the magnitude of the difference between breastfed and weaned children is much less than in malnourished populations is observed to increase over the first year of life but to have disappeared by the end of the second year. One may nevertheless be concerned that complimentary feeding practices are not adequate for these children. (authors)
Known Secure Sensor Measurements Concept and Its Application for Critical Infrastructure Systems

The manipulation of critical physical processes and the falsification of system state is a relevant concern for many modern control systems. Common approaches to this problem such as network traffic and host based state information analysis feature difficulties such as high false alarm rate. Furthermore, issues in integrating the system state falsification detection into an existing control system such as cost or technical issues, impose additional difficulties. To alleviate these issues, a low cost and low false alarm rate method for improved cyber-state awareness of critical control systems, the Known Secure Sensor Measurements (KSSM) method, was proposed by the authors of this chapter. This chapter reviews the previously developed theoretical KSSM concept and then describes a simulation of the KSSM system. The presented KSSM method constitutes a reliable mechanism for detecting manipulation of critical physical processes and falsification of system state. Unlike other network based approaches, the method utilizes the physical measurements of the process being controlled to detect falsification of state. In addition, the KSSM method can be incrementally integrated with existing control systems for critical infrastructures. To demonstrate the performance and effectiveness in detecting various intrusion scenarios, a simulated experimental control system network was combined with the KSSM components. The KSSM method is intended to be incorporated into the design of new, resilient, cost effective critical infrastructure control systems.
Analytical Model of Filling Fine Features and Sharp Corners in Investment Casting of CMSX-4

When attempting to cast sharp corners, the wetting behavior of liquid metal in a mold will greatly affect the extent to which the corner will be filled. The contact angle, mold material, surface roughness, and applied pressure can alter the wetting behavior of the liquid metal. An analytical model was developed to predict the filling of sharp corners by a non-wetting liquid as a function of contact angle, corner angle, head height, and surface roughness. The effects of applied pressure on the final shape of the metal in the corners of various feature sizes and angles was investigated. The results from these predictions will help improve the casting of sharp corners, allowing more intricate turbine component designs.
The isotopic nature of the Earth’s accreting material through time

The Earth formed by accretion of Moon- to Mars-size embryos coming from various heliocentric distances. The isotopic nature of these bodies is unknown. However, taking meteorites as a guide, most models assume that the Earth must have formed from a heterogeneous assortment of embryos with distinct isotopic compositions. High-precision measurements, however, show that the Earth, the Moon and enstatite meteorites have almost indistinguishable isotopic compositions. Models have been proposed that reconcile the Earth-Moon similarity with the inferred heterogeneous nature of Earth-forming material, but these models either require specific geometries for the Moon-forming impact or can explain only one aspect of the Earth-Moon similarity (that is, 17O). Here I show that elements with distinct affinities for metal can be used to decipher the isotopic nature of the Earth's accreting material through time. I find that the mantle signatures of lithophile O, Ca, Ti and Nd, moderately siderophile Cr, Ni and Mo, and highly siderophile Ru record different stages of the Earth's accretion; yet all those elements point to material that was isotopically most similar to enstatite meteorites. This isotopic similarity indicates that the material accreted by the Earth always comprised a large fraction of enstatite-type impactors (about half were E-type in the first 60 per cent of the accretion and all of the impactors were E-type after that). Accordingly, the giant impactor that formed the Moon probably had an isotopic composition similar to that of the Earth, hence relaxing the constraints on models of lunar formation. Enstatite meteorites and the Earth were formed from the same isotopic reservoir but they diverged in their chemical evolution owing to subsequent fractionation by nebular and planetary processes.
Introduction to JAX-RS

This chapter introduces basic concepts about JAX-RS. At the end there are exercises using XML and JSON representations with JAX-RS.
Particle Colliders and the Universe

Another scary headline appeared on CNET in 2014 proclaiming “Stephen Hawking: God particle could wipe out the Universe.” To understand what Hawking was referring to takes a little bit of work.First of all, what the media calls “the God particle” is what physicists call the Higgs boson.
Effects of fat supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acid analysis in ponies maintained on a forage‐based diet

The objective of this study was to observe how fat incorporated into an equine forage-based diet through supplementation altered levels of plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acids. Five Shetland/Hackney cross pony mares were fed alfalfa pellet diets top dressed with commercially available vegetable oil (blend of soya bean, canola and corn oils) at 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% of diet. Ponies were randomly assigned one of four diets to start, with a 14-day adjustment period between transitioning to another one of the four diets. Ponies were gradually adapted to the new diet within the 14-day period before a five-day trial period. Each pony received all four diets by the end of the study. Each trial was a five-day period with a three-day sample collection. Blood samples for each collection week were taken 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 270 min and at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hr post-feeding. Excess fat did not impact plasma glucose (p > .1), nor did it affect blood plasma insulin concentration. While there was no time alteration found for plasma fatty acid concentration (p > .1), C14:0 increased when ponies were fed 0% fat and C18:2 decreased when ponies were fed 0% fat. Plasma fatty acids (% of total FA) were higher in C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:1 in the added fat diets (p < .1). These findings suggest the amounts reported in this study of fat supplementation on a forage-based diet did influence the fatty acid analysis within the pony, but did not negatively impact blood glucose and insulin concentrations.
Cementless total knee arthroplasty: Patient selection and surgical techniques to optimize outcomes

Abstract Cementless fixation is a reliable, durable fixation option for patients undergoing primary TKA and is especially attractive for younger and more active patients. Advances in fixation materials such as modern highly porous metals provide an additional adjunct in promoting osseointegration and longer-term success. Proper patient selection, adequate exposure, meticulous surgical technique, and modern implant designs are significant factors for enacting a successful outcome. This article outlines the essential elements and details the surgical techniques that should be considered to facilitate optimal results when utilizing cementless fixation in TKA.
New peptide-type tripodal ligands and their metal complexes: Synthesis, thermodynamic and structural study, application in catalytic function

One of the most important directions of modern bioinorganic research is the development of artificial enzymes. One pathway of enzyme modeling strategy is the study of amino acid sequences present in the active centers of metalloenzymes. Linear peptides, however, have their limitations in reconstituting the active centers of metalloenzymes, since they do not possess the well-defined three dimensional structure, therefore their structure is vulnerable towards amide nitrogen coordination/hydrolysis. Improvement of metal binding capabilities of linear peptides can be obtained by e.g. their functionalization with tripodal ligands. Tripodal compounds may provide a rigid, less flexible platform for the coordinating amino acid side chains, creating pre-organized metal binding sites. In my thesis, I present synthesis and characterization of histidine containing tripodal peptide ligands and their complex formation in presence of copper(II) and zinc(II). Solution equilibrium was studied with pH potentiometric measurements, and several spectroscopic methods were used for structural characterization (UV-Vis, CD, ESR, NMR and MS methods). Beside thermodynamic and structural characterization, enzyme mimicking catalytical properties of the complexes have also been investigated (catechol oxidation, superoxide dismutation). Our results demonstrated that tripodal peptide ligands are capable of enhancing the stability of metal-peptide complexes, and they may provide convenient structures to efficiently mimic the catalytic functions of enzymes. With thorough and systematical solution equilibrium and spectroscopic studies, we uncovered the driving forces of metal coordination, and established the impact of the tripodal structure in stability, structure and catalytic properties of the forming complexes. Our findings confirm the beneficial effect of tripodal scaffolds in peptide-type ligand-metal complexes, and emphasize the possibilities lying within tripodal peptides in the field of enzyme mimicking
Adolescent Development of Value-Guided Goal Pursuit

Adolescents are challenged to orchestrate goal-directed actions in increasingly independent and consequential ways. In doing so, it is advantageous to use information about value to select which goals to pursue and how much effort to devote to them. Here, we examine age-related changes in how individuals use value signals to orchestrate goal-directed behavior. Drawing on emerging literature on value-guided cognitive control and reinforcement learning, we demonstrate how value and task difficulty modulate the execution of goal-directed action in complex ways across development from childhood to adulthood. We propose that the scope of value-guided goal pursuit expands with age to include increasingly challenging cognitive demands, and scaffolds on the emergence of functional integration within brain networks supporting valuation, cognition, and action.
Does isotretinoin cause depression and suicide

Isotretinoin is a retinoid that is approved for the treatment of cystic acne. There has been a growing interest in the possible relationship between isotretinoin use and increased risk of depression and suicide. The issue, however, remains controversial. This review examines the available evidence on this association, including published case reports, studies of challenge-rechallenge, reports to government agencies of isotretinoin-related adverse events involving suicide and depression, and possible biological mechanisms of action. Given the evidence to date, clinicians are advised to counsel their patients about the risk of depression and suicide as possible side effects of isotretinoin use, and to administer self-report questionnaires during treatment to screen for the development of depression. Further epidemiological and neurobiological studies are needed to assess the possible relationship between isotretinoin administration and depression and suicide.
Causes, Consequences, and Treatment of Hyperlipidemia in Patients with Renal Disease

It is well-established that abnormalities in lipoprotein metabolism are associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (1). Therapeutic strategies designed to reduce circulating lipid levels have also been shown to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (2, 3). Although these studies have been carried out exclusively in patients with normal renal function, hyperlipidemia is common in patients with renal disease, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease complications is high in this population. Thus, it is important to understand the pathophysiology and treatment of hyperlipidemia in patients with renal disease.
Introduction to the Food Dignity Values Statement

First paragraph: The Food Dignity Values Statement was drafted at a national project meeting in May 2014, three years into the community-university collaboration that was the Food Dignity action research project. The project brought together academics from four universities and community leaders from five community-based organizations working to streng­then their local food systems. The goal was an action-research collaboration to support and learn from and with these community organizations about how to build equitable, sustainable, and just local food systems: “Food dignity as a premise and Food Dignity as a research project are both steeped in recognizing that community people hold the knowledge and ability to ask the right questions and find the right answers to their own needs” (Porter, Herrera, Marshall, & Woodsum, 2014, p. 124)....
Contrasting roles of the RSC and ISW1/CHD1 chromatin remodelers in RNA polymerase II elongation and termination

Most yeast genes have a nucleosome-depleted region (NDR) at the promoter and an array of regularly spaced nucleosomes phased relative to the transcription start site. We have examined the interplay between RSC (a conserved essential SWI/SNF-type complex that determines NDR size) and the ISW1, CHD1, and ISW2 nucleosome spacing enzymes in chromatin organization and transcription, using isogenic strains lacking all combinations of these enzymes. The contributions of these remodelers to chromatin organization are largely combinatorial, distinct, and nonredundant, supporting a model in which the +1 nucleosome is positioned by RSC and then used as a reference nucleosome by the spacing enzymes. Defective chromatin organization correlates with altered RNA polymerase II (Pol II) distribution. RSC-depleted cells exhibit low levels of elongating Pol II and high levels of terminating Pol II, consistent with defects in both termination and initiation, suggesting that RSC facilitates both. Cells lacking both ISW1 and CHD1 show the opposite Pol II distribution, suggesting elongation and termination defects. These cells have extremely disrupted chromatin, with high levels of closely packed dinucleosomes involving the second (+2) nucleosome. We propose that ISW1 and CHD1 facilitate Pol II elongation by separating closely packed nucleosomes.
Fabrication, characterization and optimization of high conductivity and high quality nanocrystalline molybdenum thin films

Abstract The present study investigated the influence of substrate temperature (Ts) and working pressure (PAr) on tailoring the properties of nanocrystalline (nc) molybdenum (Mo) films fabricated by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The structural, morphological, electrical and optical properties of nc-Mo films were evaluated in detail. The Mo films exhibited (110) orientation with average crystallite size varying from 9 to 22 (±1) nm on increasing Ts. Corroborating with structural data, the electrical resistivity decreased from 55 μΩ cm to 10 μΩ cm, which is the lowest among all the Mo films. For Mo films deposited under variable PAr, the (110) peak intensity decrement coupled with peak broadening on increasing PAr. Lower deposition pressure yielded densely packed thin films with superior structural properties along with low resistivity of ˜15 μΩ cm. Optimum conditions to produce high quality Mo films with excellent structural, morphological, electrical and optical characteristics for utilization in solar cells as back contact layers were identified.
Modeling In-Plane Deviations of Shapes to Come Based on Prior Deviation Features in Additive Manufacturing

Geometric shape deviation models constitute an important component in dimensional accuracy control for additive manufacturing (AM) systems. The low-volume production inherent in AM results in the fundamental challenge of specifying deviation models for new classes of shapes to come in an AM system without data on their deviations. A methodology that can make full use of prior data and knowledge on deviation features for previously manufactured, and different, shapes is necessary to enable deviation modeling for new shapes to come in an AM system. We present a straightforward framework that addresses this requirement. Our framework specifies a new shape’s deviation model according to a decomposition of its computer-aided design model into convex and concave blocks, and simple, interpretable combinations of prior deviation feature models from previous shapes for the different blocks. We illustrate our framework for a freeform shape manufactured under stereolithography.
Quadratic modules over polynomial rings

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews quadratic modules over polynomial rings. Let A = F[X1… |Xd] be a polynomial algebra in d variables over a field F of characteristic ≠ 2. Let S = S(X1… Xd) be a symmetric r by r matrix over A whose determinant is a nonzero constant in F. The question may then be raised: is S equivalent to a matrix with coefficients in F; more precisely, is there a U in GLr(A) such that UStU = S0, where the t denotes transpose, and S0 = S(0, …, 0) ? A theorem of Harder implies that the answer is affirmative for d = 1. A theorem of Karoubi implies that the answer is stably affirmative. However, Parimala has recently given a remarkable counterexample showing that the answer is negative for F = ℝ, d = 2, and r = 4. She raised the question of whether the answer is affirmative for F = C. It is proved that the answer is affirmative whenever F is algebraically closed and d≤ 3. The proof uses Karoubi's theorem but not Harder's, thus giving a new proof of Harder's theorem in this special case. The proof also uses a general Witt Cancellation Theorem. The effect of the Cancellation Theorem plus Karoubi's theorem is to reduce the problem to one where r is small.
Developing a Smoke Screen: Tactics That Disguise Criminal Advances

Once aggressors and fraudsters have gained access to their targets, they are now ready to advance. As they prepare for assault, they can conceal their intentions by utilizing tactics that distract or divert their targets’ attention. These strategies help shift attention away from what is happening to some random issues, preventing the targets from setting up their defenses. While these aggressors would prefer to be trusted, they will settle for reducing their targets’ suspicion and increasing their level of confusion. Tactics that criminals use to disguise dangerous advances and confuse their targets may include offering numerous details, stereotyping, blaming, laying guilt, playing the role of a victim, shaming, or claiming to help others.
Support for regulatory and voluntary approaches to wildfire adaptation among unincorporated wildland-urban interface communities

Regulation of building standards and residential development practices in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) is increasingly advocated as a possible avenue for wildfire risk reduction. However, many documented instances of successful wildfire adaptation occur in incorporated communities with local governments or formalized structures for channeling such efforts. Less research has explored whether regulatory approaches might be a viable option for adaptation in unincorporated communities without local governments, particularly from the perspective of community members and local professionals. The research presented here attempts to understand strategies, programs or incentives that local residents think would best advance fire adaptation in their communities given local social context, with a focus on both regulatory and voluntary approaches. Data presented come from focus groups of residents and professionals in Story, Wyoming, and Timber Lakes, Utah. Participants in both communities displayed low support for regulatory approaches due to distrust in local, state, or federal governments, preferring instead to conduct wildfire risk reduction activities on a voluntary basis. Each population was willing to consider regulatory approaches only if associated standards or policies were specifically tailored to their community, channeled through a trusted organizing body and organized by community leaders. Residents were interested in regulatory efforts that allowed community members the opportunity to act at the local level, govern efforts themselves, and produce tangible benefits for their community. We discuss implications for identifying appropriate voluntary and regulatory wildfire risk reduction approaches in unincorporated or rural communities and provide suggestions for encouraging collective action in similar local contexts.
CHRONIC DEFIBRILLATION THRESHOLD TESTING IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SUBCUTANEOUS IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR GENERATOR CHANGE

Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing is recommended in patients undergoing initial subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation. There are little to no data on chronic DFT testing in patients undergoing S-ICD generator change at the end of service. Data on baseline
Structural basis for the hydrolytic dehalogenation of the fungicide chlorothalonil

Cleavage of aromatic carbon-chlorine bonds is critical for the degradation of toxic industrial compounds. Here, we solved the X-ray crystal structure of chlorothalonil dehalogenase (Chd) from Pseudomonas sp. CTN-3, with 15 of its N-terminal residues truncated (ChdT), using single-wavelength anomalous dispersion refined to 1.96 A resolution. Chd has low sequence identity (<15%) compared with all other proteins whose structures are currently available, and to the best of our knowledge, we present the first structure of a Zn(II)-dependent aromatic dehalogenase that does not require a coenzyme. ChdT forms a "head-to-tail" homodimer, formed between two α-helices from each monomer, with three Zn(II)-binding sites, two of which occupy the active sites, whereas the third anchors a structural site at the homodimer interface. The catalytic Zn(II) ions are solvent-accessible via a large hydrophobic (8.5 × 17.8 A) opening to bulk solvent and two hydrophilic branched channels. Each active-site Zn(II) ion resides in a distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry with His117, His257, Asp116, Asn216, and a water/hydroxide as ligands. A conserved His residue, His114, is hydrogen-bonded to the Zn(II)-bound water/hydroxide and likely functions as the general acid-base. We examined substrate binding by docking chlorothalonil (2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophtalonitrile, TPN) into the hydrophobic channel and observed that the most energetically favorable pose includes a TPN orientation that coordinates to the active-site Zn(II) ions via a CN and that maximizes a π-π interaction with Trp227 On the basis of these results, along with previously reported kinetics data, we propose a refined catalytic mechanism for Chd-mediated TPN dehalogenation.
In Search for a Cure: Recommendation With Knowledge Graph on CORD-19

The whole globe has cranked up for coping with the COVID-19 situation. The hands-on tutorial targets at providing a comprehensive and pragmatic end-to-end walk-through for building an academic research paper recommender for the use case of COVID-19 related study, with the help of knowledge graph technology. The code examples that demonstrate the theories are reproducible and can hopefully provide value for researchers to build tools that support conducting research to find a cure to COVID-19.
Government Intervention in Security Markets: Evidence of Contagion, Speculation, and Informed Trading

The Chinese regulatory authority’s interventions into the futures market for steel during 2016 provide a rare opportunity to study the unintended consequences of interventions. Although hot rolled coil (HRC) and rebar are products with nearly identical components, their futures contracts trade separately. The regulatory authority intervened into the futures market for rebar but refrained from doing so for HRC. We document impacts of interventions measured by increased volatility, trading volume, and spreads in rebar markets. There is also evidence of informed trading in both markets, reflected by abnormally high trading volumes and low open interests occurring the day before the announcement of interventions.
Leisure, Festival, Revolution: Ambedkarite Productions of Space

This article analyzes the town of Mahad in the state of Maharashtra, using it as a lens to examine protests and commemorations that are inseparable from Ambedkarite and Neo-Buddhist transformations of space. A key site of anti-caste struggle, Mahad witnessed two major protests led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1927: the claiming of water from Chavdar Tale, a tank located in a upper caste neighbourhood; and the burning of the Manusmriti. These events are commemorated every year with large-scale festivities. The article analyzes the ways that these protests and festivities have worked to produce a distinctly Ambedkarite space, one that is radically counterposed to hierarchical, Brahminical productions of space. Exploring the writings of Ambedkar and more recent Ambedkarite scholars, and putting these texts into dialogue with the spatial theories of Henri Lefebvre, the article contributes to a growing international literature on the spatiality of caste. The Navayana Buddhism pioneered by Ambedkar has been analyzed in terms of its ideology, its pragmatism, and its politics, but rarely in terms of its spatiality. Drawing on Lefebvre helps flesh out this spatial analysis while a serious engagement with neo-Buddhist practices helps to expand, critique and globalize some of Lefebvre’s key claims. Key words: Ambedkar, Lefebvre, Mahad, neo-Buddhism, festival, revolution
Spectroscopy of the White Dwarf Companions of PSR 0655+64 and PSR 0820+02*

We present spectra of the white dwarf companions of the radio pulsars 0655+64 and 0820+02. For the latter, we find a spectrum showing strong lines of hydrogen, i.e., that of a DA star. From modeling these lines, the mass of a white dwarf can, in principle, be determined accurately, thus leading to constraints on the evolution of the binary and the mass of the neutron star. Our present spectrum is not of sufficient quality to set a strong limit, but it does indicate that the white dwarf most likely has a low mass. This is consistent with the star being a helium white dwarf, as would be expected from considerations of the mass function and the preceding evolution. From similar considerations, the companion of PSR 0655+64 is expected to be a more massive, carbon-oxygen white dwarf. This is confirmed by our spectra, which show the Swan bands of molecular carbon, making it a DQ star. Unlike what is observed in other DQ stars, the strength of the Swan C2 bands changes drastically, by a factor of 2 in ~2 hr. We suggest this reflects large-scale surface inhomogeneities that are rotated in and out of the observed hemisphere. If so, this would imply that the white dwarf rotates supersynchronously.
How SNAP Reduces Food Insecurity

Food insecurity has emerged as a central measure of well-being in the USA due to both its magnitude and its serious health and other consequences. Over 40 million people in the USA are food insecure. The number of food insecure persons would be far higher were it not for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. SNAP supplements a family’s income, helping them to buy nutritious food. In this chapter, I provide a brief history of SNAP and discuss SNAP’s eligibility and benefit structure. There would be no need for SNAP were it not for food insecurity. I discuss measurement of food insecurity, its determinants and health consequences, and the effect of SNAP on food insecurity. I conclude with a discussion of proposals that would enhance SNAP and proposals that would impede SNAP in meeting its goals.
Large Lytic Defects Produce Kinematic Instability and Loss of Compressive Strength in Human Spines: An in Vitro Study.

Background In patients with spinal metastases, kinematic instability is postulated to be a predictor of pathologic vertebral fractures. However, the relationship between this kinematic instability and the loss of spinal strength remains unknown. Methods Twenty-four 3-level thoracic and lumbar segments from 8 cadaver spines from female donors aged 47 to 69 years were kinematically assessed in axial compression (180 N) and axial compression with a flexion or extension moment (7.5 Nm). Two patterns of lytic defects were mechanically simulated: (1) a vertebral body defect, corresponding to Taneichi model C (n = 13); and (2) the model-C defect plus destruction of the ipsilateral pedicle and facet joint, corresponding to Taneichi model E (n = 11). The kinematic response was retested, and compression strength was measured. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test the effect of each model on the kinematic response of the segment. Multivariable linear regression was used to test the association between the kinematic parameters and compressive strength of the segment. Results Under a flexion moment, and for both models C and E, the lesioned spines exhibited greater flexion range of motion (ROM) and axial translation than the control spines. Both models C and E caused lower extension ROM and greater axial, sagittal, and transverse translation under an extension moment compared with the control spines. Two-way repeated-measures analysis revealed that model E, compared with model C, caused significantly greater changes in extension and torsional ROM under an extension moment, and greater sagittal translation under a flexion moment. For both models C and E, greater differences in flexion ROM and sagittal translation under a flexion moment, and greater differences in extension ROM and in axial and transverse translation under an extension moment, were associated with lower compressive strength of the lesioned spines. Conclusions Critical spinal lytic defects result in kinematic abnormalities and lower the compressive strength of the spine. Clinical relevance This experimental study demonstrates that lytic foci degrade the kinematic stability and compressive strength of the spine. Understanding the mechanisms for this degradation will help to guide treatment decisions that address inferred instability and fracture risk in patients with metastatic spinal disease.
Public Health Perspective of Racial and Ethnic Disparities During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Health professionals have warned about the threats of flu (influenza)-like pandemics, for decades. As of February 2021, over 109 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. The USA counts for one-fifth of all infection cases worldwide. In the USA, racial and ethnic minority groups, such as African Americans and Hispanics, have been disproportionately impacted compared to their white counterparts due to their work and living conditions, lack of healthcare access and lower health insurance, long-standing structural forms of discrimination, pre-existing economic and social inequalities, and high rates of underlying chronic conditions. The inability to socially distance due to crowded living and working conditions, inability to take time off from work or work from home, and the lack of adequate testing and tracing protocols have put low-income communities, including service workers, farmworkers, and frontline workers, at high risks of infection. Worldwide, the inability to socially distance due to crowded living and working conditions, inability to take time off from work or work from home, and the lack of adequate testing and tracing protocols have put low-income communities, including service workers, farmworkers, and frontline workers, at high risks of infection. Some countries, however, have been less impacted than others due to good public health practice and early implementation of social measures, such as the ban on international travels, rigorous testing, implementation of contact tracing protocols, and social distancing. For many vulnerable communities, these measures must be rethought of and adapt to the specific local community.
Workers’ Acquiescence to Air Pollution: A Qualitative Study of Coal Miners in China

Coal extraction releases pollutants to the air that affect the health and well-being of not only the coal communities but also societies at large. However, coal also provides people with stable liv...
Positional release therapy and therapeutic massage reduce muscle trigger and tender points.

Abstract Objective To determine if positional release therapy (PRT) or therapeutic massage (TM) was more effective in the treatment of trigger and tender points in the upper trapezius muscle. Background Trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle are common and can be painful. Trigger points are commonly treated using TM however, PRT is a novel treatment that deserves further investigation. Methods Sixty healthy male (24) and female (36) participants, (age = 27.1 ± 8.8 years, wt = 75.2 ± 17.9 kg, ht = 172.8 ± 9.7 cm) presenting with upper trapezius pain and a trigger point were recruited and randomized into either the TM or PRT group. Upper trapezius trigger points were found via palpation. Pain level was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT) was assessed using a pressure algometer. Muscle thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasound, while muscle stiffness was measured by shear-wave elastography (SWE). Participants were measured at baseline, posttreatment and again 48 h later. Results Both treatments were effective in treatment of pain and muscle stiffness. Although no statistical group differences existed, treatment using PRT showed decreased pain averages and decreased pressure sensitivity at both post treatment, and 48 h later. Neither treatment was able to maintain the reduced muscle stiffness at the 48-h measure in males. Conclusion Both treatments showed a significant ability to reduce pain and acutely decrease muscle stiffness. Although not statistically different, clinically PRT is more effective at decreasing pain, and decreasing pressure sensitivity. Neither treatment method produced a long lasting effect on muscle stiffness in males.
The Influence of Informal Financial Enactment on SMEs

The present study examines the prominence of informal financial enactment on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Conceptual variables like self-help group finance, trade credit, family and friend’s finance and shylock finance have been considered. Data was collected through questionnaires distributed to hundred sample SMEs selected based on the systematic random sampling method. Data has been analyzed by central tendency and Pearson’s correlation test. The findings reveal that informal finance moderately influences the performance of SMEs. Furthermore, the results reveal that there is a positive and significant relationship between informal finance and enactment of SMEs. Suggestions for flexible rules and regulations, extension of the repayment period without additional cost and lower interest rate are made.
Endoscopic Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Many variations to the endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have emerged through the past two decades, ranging from endoluminal suturing devices, staplers, fasteners, injectable implants, to radiofrequency ablation. The literature investigating these endoscopic treatments is limited by small sample size and relatively short follow-up (typically 6–12 months). Parameters studied included symptoms, quality of life, esophageal acid exposure, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and need for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Most of these studies are observational and few are randomized sham-controlled trials. Within these limitations, several of these treatments have been demonstrated to be safe, but further research is still required to prove that they are effective in the long term. Most studies yielded better results with subjective parameters such as heartburn and quality of life than with objective measures such as pH monitoring. The most common complications with these devices include bleeding and perforation. The greatest body of literature investigated Stretta, which employs radiofrequency ablation to decrease compliance of the LES. Only Stretta and Esophyx (a transoral incisionless fundoplication) remain commercially available today. This chapter reviews the published data describing past and present modalities of endoscopic treatment of GERD.
Bulk contribution to tunnel magnetoresistance in Co based magnetic tunnel junction

In this paper, we discuss about magnetic tunnel junction with Co electrode to show this bulk like contribution. Its tunneling properties length in ferromagnetic electrode is analyzed.
Intrapleural alteplase decreases parapneumonic effusion volume in children more than saline irrigation.

SummaryObjective In this prospective, double-blind, randomized crossover trial, we determined the effect of intrapleural fibrinolysis with alteplase compared to that of normal saline irrigation on the thoracostomy tube output and pleural effusion volume in children with complicated parapneumonic effusion. Methods Twenty seven children, median age 3.5 years, referred to the interventional radiology service for thoracostomy tube drainage of a parapneumonic effusion were studied. Seventeen patients with pleural fluid thickness greater than 2 cm or >20% ipsilateral chest volume after 8 hr of thoracostomy tube drainage entered the treatment arm. They were randomized to receive alteplase 0.1 mg/kg twice a day on days 1 and 3, or on days 2 and 4, with normal saline irrigation on the alternate days. Daily pleural fluid volume measured by low dose chest computed tomography (CT) and thoracostomy tube output was compared between the saline and alteplase groups. Results Compared to normal saline irrigation, alteplase irrigation resulted in increased thoracostomy tube drainage and to a greater decline in pleural fluid volume. Earlier alteplase administration resulted in increased fluid mobilization compared to administration later in the hospital course. There were no bleeding complications. Conclusions Intrapleural fibrinolysis with alteplase safely increases pleural drainage and decreases the volume of pleural inflammatory debris compared to intrapleural administration of normal saline. The benefit of intrapleural alteplase on decreasing the volume of pleural inflammatory debris occurs for up to 72 hr with repeated twice daily dosing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:1328–1335. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Creating Web Portals for a Multi-Type Library System: The Use of Open Source Code in the Chicago Library System

Institutions of higher education are among the most prominent proponents of portals. A group of resident librarians at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has targeted a larger audience by creating a customized Web portal to be used by library patrons throughout the Chicago area, whether they are academic, public, school or special library users. The portal project has raised issues of maintenance and administration, as well as those of the collaborative process between libraries in a system.
Coordinate Analysis of Murine Immune Cell Surface Markers and Intracellular Phosphoproteins by Flow Cytometry

Recently, phosphospecific flow cytometry has emerged as a powerful tool to analyze intracellular signaling events in complex populations of cells because of its ability to simultaneously discriminate cell types based on surface marker expression and measure levels of intracellular phosphoproteins. This has provided novel insights into the cell- and pathway-specific nature of immune signaling. However, we and others have found that the fixation and permeabilization steps necessary for phosphoprotein analysis often negatively affect the resolution of cell types based on surface marker analysis and light scatter characteristics. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive profile of >35 different murine surface marker Abs to understand the effects of fixation and permeabilization on surface Ag staining. Fortuitously, ∼80% of the Abs tested resolved cell populations of interest, although with decreased separation between positive and negative populations and at very different titers than those used on live cells. The other 20% showed either complete loss of separation between populations or loss of intermediately staining populations. We were able to rescue staining of several of these Ags by performing staining after fixation, but before permeabilization, although with limited fluorophore choices. Scatter characteristics of lymphocytes were well retained, but changed dramatically for monocyte and neutrophil populations. These results compile a comprehensive resource for researchers interested in applying phosphospecific flow cytometry to complex populations of cells while outlining steps necessary to successfully apply new surface marker Abs to this platform.
Investigation of 35 Elements as Single Metal Oxides, Mixed Metal Oxides, or Dopants for Titanium Dioxide for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A total of 35 elements were investigated as single component metal oxides and as dopants for TiO2 for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). An array dispenser and scanner system was utilized for high-throughput testing of the single component metal oxides and hundreds of doped TiO2 compositions. The optimal dopant concentrations were identified and summarized according to their effect on short circuit current (ISC) and open circuit voltage (VOC). New dopant candidates were discovered, including several post-transition metals, which showed improvements in DSC performance when incorporated at compositions of 6% In TiO2, 6% Sn TiO2, and 6% Sb TiO2 (metals basis). These compositions were used to synthesize scaled-up DSC devices for detailed characterization. Incorporation of 6% In into TiO2 enhanced VOC substantially and increased ISC slightly, 6% Sn improved ISC while preserving VOC, and 6% Sb increased ISC significantly but decreased VOC. When coincorporated, Cr and Sb showed a complementary interaction...
Spectroscopic Survey Telescope Design I: Primary Mirror Structure And Support

McDonald Observatory has joined in the effort to produce a workable design for a spectroscopic survey telescope utilizing a segmented spherical primary mirror, elaborating on ideas initiated by astronomers at the Pennsylvania State University. The spherical primary figure requires that a secondary focus assembly be driven at the tracking rate in an attitude normal to the spherical focal surface while the telescope as a whole, being tilted at a predetermined angular zenith distance, need only be "set" (and clamped) occasionally in azimuth. The spherical primary mirror segments, all figured to an identical radius of curvature, are potentially simpler to manufacture than off-axis aspheric segments. The overall diameter of the primary (that is, the diameter of the smallest circle that circumscribes the entire set of segments) is approximately 10 m, enough to provide a significant aperture increase for current spec-troscopic research. The radius of curvature is 26 m. The glass segments are supported on a fully triangulated space frame of Invar and 304 stainless steels. A structural analysis using standard techniques of finite elements shows that the expected static performance of both the individual segments and the overall space frame present reasonable goals to be achieved by modern engineering design practice. The design has been implemented in a full-scale prototype consisting of a seven-segment central portion of the telescope's primary mirror structure.
A Climatology of Arabian Sea Cyclonic Storms

On average 1‐2 tropical cyclones form over the Arabian Sea each year, and few of these storms are intense enough to be classified as very severe or super cyclonic storms. As such, few studies have explicitly identified theseasonaltointerannualchangesin environmental conditionsthatare associated with Arabian Sea tropical cyclogenesis. However, over the last 30 yr several intense Arabian storms did form and make landfall, with large impacts, which motivates this new study of the basin. The conclusions of earlier studies are visited by utilizingmodernobservationalandreanalysisdatatoidentifythelarge-scalefeaturesassociatedwithArabian tropical cyclone variability on seasonal time scales. Then year-to-year changes in environmental conditions that are related to interannual variability in Arabian storms during the pre- and postmonsoon periods are elucidated. The analysis of the relationship between large-scale environmental variables and seasonal storm frequency supports conclusions from work completed more than 40 yr prior. Investigation of the year-to-year changes in premonsoon storm frequency suggests that May (June) storms are associated with an early (late) onsetof the southwestmonsoon.Thefindingsalso demonstratethatNovembercyclones (the monthwhen the majority of postmonsoon cyclogenesis occurs) primarily form during periods when the Bay of Bengal experiencesabroadregionofhighsealevelpressure,implyingthatNovemberstormsformineithertheArabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal but not in both during the same year. Finally, the analysis of changes in a genesis potentialindex suggeststhat long-term variabilityin the potential for a storm to form is dictated by changes in midlevel moisture.