cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Costs and Benefits of Improved Seismic Monitoring

I was a member of the National Research Council panel charged with the task of analyzing the costs and benefits of improved seismic monitoring (NRC, 2005). The main focus of the report was the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), a U.S. Geological Survey program authorized by Congress in 2000 whose implementation has proceeded at an appropriated annual funding level (approximately $4 million) that is about one tenth of the planned level. At this rate, it would take about 50 years to complete the planned implementation of ANSS. The plan for ANSS consists of equal numbers of strong-motion sensors (3,000 each) for installation on the ground (principally in urban regions throughout the United States) and in buildings and other structures, so the data obtained from ANSS are of equal importance for earthquake science and earthquake engineering. In the following paragraphs, I summarize what I consider to be the most important insights contained in the report. Earthquakes continue to cause an unacceptable level of damage in terms of lives lost, property destroyed, and service interruption. The combination of the earthquake hazard together with the vulnerability of the built and human environment creates earthquake risk. Earthquake risk in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, even in the face of remarkable advances in earthquake science and engineering (EERI, 2003). This phenomenon is the direct result of unprecedented …
Hot electron and hot hole degradation of UHV/CVD SiGe HBT's

We investigate the degradation in current gain and low-frequency noise of SiGe HBT's under reverse emitter-base stress due to hot electrons (forward-collector stress) and hot holes (open-collector stress). Contrary to previous assumptions we show that hot electrons and hot holes with the same kinetic energy generate different amounts of traps and hence have a different impact on device degradation. These results suggest that the accuracy of using forward-collector stress as an acceleration tool and reliability predictor must be carefully examined. We also present, for the first time, the effect of Ge profile shape on the reliability of SiGe HBT's, as well as discuss measurements on SiGe HBT's as a function of device geometry and temperature.
Effects of a Small, Extreme Third Party on Party Positioning and Electoral Prospects of the Major Parties

We consider a polity with a major leftist party/candidate and a major rightist party/candidate, and a small party or candidate either on the extreme left or on the extreme right, but with no realistic chance of winning, where winning is defined as achieving a plurality. Using a spatial analysis and assuming policy-seeking motivations for the major players, we investigate the effects of entry of the small party/candidate on both optimal positioning and the relative probabilities of winning of the two major players.
Solitons with Fermion Number 1/2

We study the structure of soliton-monopole systems when Fermi fields are present. We show that the existence of a nondegenerate, isolated, zero-energy, $c$-number solution of the Dirac equation implies that the soliton is a degenerate doublet with Fermi number \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} \textonehalf{}. We find such solutions in the theory of Yang-Mills monopoles and dyons.
Short QT Interval Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes in a Pediatric Population.

Background— Risk associated with short QT interval has recently received recognition. European studies suggest a prevalence of 0.02% to 0.1% in the adult population, but similar studies in pediatric patients are limited. We sought to determine the prevalence of short QT interval in a pediatric population and associated clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods and Results— Retrospective review of an ECG database at a single pediatric institution. The database was queried for ECGs on patients ≤21 years with electronically measured QTc of 140 to 340 ms. Patients with QTc of 140 to 340 ms confirmed by a pediatric electrophysiologist were identified for chart review for associated clinical characteristics, symptoms, and outcome. Patients with and without symptoms were compared in an attempt to identify variables associated with outcome. The query included 272 504 ECGs on 99 380 unique patients. Forty-five patients (35 men, 76%) had QTc ≤340 ms, for a prevalence of 0.05%. Median age was 15 years (interquartile range, 2–17), median QT 330 ms (interquartile range, 280–360), and median QTc 323 ms (IQR, 313–332). Women had significantly shorter QTc compared with men (312 versus 323 ms; P =0.03). Two deaths were noted in chart review—one from respiratory failure and the second of unknown pathogenesis in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusions— Short QT interval was a rare finding in this pediatric population, with a prevalence of 0.05%. Male predominance was identified, although the median QT interval was significantly shorter in women. There seem to be no unifying clinical characteristics for this pediatric patient cohort with short QT interval.
The Crash of the Philosophy of the Tractatus : The Testimony of Wittgenstein’s Notebooks in October 1929

One of the most crucial developments in Wittgenstein’s philosophy was his rejection of phenomenological languages in October 1929. His notebooks from that period show how he came to take that momentous step. In this paper, I will present a translation of the crucial entries together with a commentary. It will turn out that Wittgenstein’s brief notebook remarks are in reality connected with all sorts of different ideas in his overall philosophical thought and serve to illustrate them, even ideas that are not directly connected with his change of his main position vis-a-vis the contrast of physicalistic and phenomenological languages.
Campaign civility under preferential and plurality voting

We present reasons to expect that campaigns are less negative under preferential voting. We then examine if preferential voting systems affect how people perceive the conduct of elections. This paper reports results from surveys designed to measure voters‘ perceptions of candidates’ campaigns, comparing places with plurality elections to those that used preferential voting rules. Our surveys of voters indicate that people in cities using preferential voting were significantly more satisfied with the conduct of local campaigns than people in similar cities with plurality elections. People in cities with preferential voting were also less likely to view campaigns as negative, and less likely to respond that candidates were frequently criticizing each other. Results are consistent across a series of robustness checks.
Recommendations for Acceleration Lane Length for Metered On-Ramps

AASHTO’s A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book) is currently used by most state departments of transportation in the United States in determining the design length of acceleration lanes of metered on-ramps; however, the recommended acceleration lengths have not been updated for several decades. This study aimed to develop a method for determining acceleration lengths at metered on-ramps. Vehicle location versus time information was collected via parallel cameras at seven metered on-ramps in California; then, a piecewise constant acceleration model was proposed to calculate the spot speeds of individual samples at predetermined locations. The percentile distance-versus-speed profiles at each ramp were built, and regression models were generated to predict the required acceleration length at a given merge speed. The 85th percentile data were recommended as the minimum acceleration length to accommodate most drivers in accelerating to a safe merging speed. The new recommendation wa...
Quantum-mechanical interatomic potentials with electron temperature for strong-coupling transition metals.

In narrow $d$-band transition metals, electron temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{el}}$ can impact the underlying electronic structure for temperatures near and above melt, strongly coupling the ion- and electron-thermal degrees of freedom and producing ${T}_{\mathrm{el}}$-dependent interatomic forces. Starting from the Mermin formulation of density functional theory, we have extended first-principles generalized pseudopotential theory to finite electron temperature and then developed efficient ${T}_{\mathrm{el}}$-dependent model generalized pseudopotential theory interatomic potentials for a Mo prototype. Unlike potentials based on the ${T}_{\mathrm{el}}=0$ electronic structure, the ${T}_{\mathrm{el}}$-dependent model generalized pseudopotential theory potentials yield a high-pressure Mo melt curve consistent with density functional theory quantum simulations, as well as with dynamic experiments, and also support a rich polymorphism in the high-$(T,P)$ phase diagram.
Maintenance of Industrial Gas Turbines

This paper describes the maintenance requirements of the heavy-duty gas turbine. The various inspections and factors affecting maintenance are defined, and basic guidelines are presented for a planned maintenance program.Copyright © 1975 by ASME
On some Problems Discussed in the Teaching of International Trade Actual Practice Course

International trade actual practice combines theory and practice with the clear high vocational feature in foreign economic activity and strong policy and practice.For the name of this course,because service and technical trade have become two trade parts outside currency trade,the original high vocational international trade actual practice is renamed international goods trade or international currency trade actual practice.We should choose and compile the teaching materials from professional features and requirements of international trade to adapt to the whole system of vocational technical training.
Assisting protective effect of natural astaxanthin against irradiation injury in mice

Objective:To explore the protective effects of natural astaxanthin against irradiation injury in mice.Methods:144 mice were divided into irradiating control group and three experiment groups,treated with natural astaxanthin 100,200,600mg/kg·bw respectively for 20 days.All animals were irradiated by 60Co γ-ray and continued to be orally administered.The number of white blood cells was counted before irradiating,on the 3rd and 14th day after irradiating.The number of karyota of femur and the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatophilic erythrocytes(PCE) of bone marrow in mice were measured on the 3rd day after irradiating.The level of hemolysin was measured on the 14th day after irradiating.Results:Compared with the irradiating control group,the number of WBC and the level of hemolysin in the group of 600mg/kg·bw were increased significantly(P0.05),while karyota of femur and the frequency of micronuclei in PCE of bone marrow in the groups of 200mg/kg·bw and 600mg/kg·bw were decreased significantly(P0.05).Conclusion:Natural astaxanthin could protect mice from irradiation injury.
Psychometric Properties of the Power of Food Scale in a Community Sample of Preadolescents and Adolescents

The Power of Food Scale (PFS) was developed to assess hedonic hunger, or how individuals think and feel about food and eating in the absence of metabolic need. The measure was originally developed and validated in two adult samples, and recent preliminary support has been provided for the validity in a sample of preadolescents. The aim of the current study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the PFS in a community sample of preadolescents and adolescents to examine the psychometric properties in youth. Participants were 148 youth ages 11–18 (M = 12.85) from two Midwestern communities in the United States. Participants completed the PFS to assess for hedonic hunger. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct multiple CFAs to test varying factor structures of the PFS in preadolescents and adolescents. Results suggested that the scale was best represented by the previously established 15-item version of the measure with an aggregate domain and three subscales based on food proximity (i.e., food available, food present, and food tasted). Results from the CFA revealed that the measurement model had a close fit (RMSEA = 0.033, CFI = 0.985). Cronbach’s α for the total scale and the three subscales ranged from 0.86 to 0.95. Findings suggest that the previously established factor structure of the 15-item PFS best represents the factor structure of the measure in a community sample of preadolescents and adolescents.
Synergistic effects of social media and traditional marketing on brand sales: capturing the time-varying effects

As social media gains more importance, managers are challenged to quantify its return on sales. The academic understanding in the effectiveness of social media is limited, and in fact the synergistic effects between social media and traditional marketing efforts have rarely been investigated. Despite the dynamics in marketing effectiveness on sales, the time-varying effectiveness of social media has never been studied either. In this study, we capture the time-varying effects of social media and the time-varying synergistic effects of social media and traditional marketing with a time-varying effect model (TVEM) approach. The empirical analyses of a large U.S. ice-cream brand sales reveal that a) the effectiveness of social media and traditional marketing vary over time, b) the synergistic effects vary over time for social media with product sampling and with in-store promotions, c) the proposed TVEM approach has a higher predictive accuracy than the benchmark models, and d) the proposed TVEM approach saves marketing costs by $0.4 million per year, compared to the time-invariant benchmark model. Overall, this study enables managers to not only better understand the synergistic effects of social media marketing and traditional marketing, but also the time-varying effectiveness of their marketing efforts with TVEM approach for better resource allocation.
Progress in acute leukemia 1975-1978.

During the three years which have elapsed between the second and third Wilsede conferences, the clinical management of acute leukemia has become almost routine. Every clinic has become the advocate of combination chemotherapy for remission induction and maintenance, early treatment of the central nervous system at least for childhood disease, and an appreciation of the need for supportive care measures and attention to metabolic abnormalities in the preparation for and sustenance of patients during chemotherapy. This has clearly led to the happy prospect of more patients receiving better care and thus a better chance for long-term survival and possible cure from this once uniformly uncured disease.
Posttraumatic Stress, Family Functioning, and Externalizing in Adolescents Exposed to Violence: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Exposure to community violence disproportionately impacts low-income, minority youth and is associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms and maladaptive adjustment. This study investigates whether posttraumatic stress mediates the relation between exposure to community violence and externalizing symptoms and the moderating role of family cohesion and daily family support in buffering these effects on later externalizing. Low-income, African American 7th-grade students (M age = 12.57 years; N = 254) from high-crime neighborhoods participated in a 2-year longitudinal study measuring the effects of community violence exposure. The students completed questionnaires administered by research staff over 5 consecutive days for each year of the study. Family cohesion and daily family support exhibited a significant buffering effect for several outcomes. Posttraumatic stress significantly mediated the effect of witnessing community violence on subsequent aggression. The strength of these indirect effects depended ...
Are imperfect reviews helpful in social learning

Social learning encompasses situations in which agents attempt to learn from observing the actions of other agents. It is well known that in some cases this can lead to information cascades in which agents blindly follow the actions of others, even though this may not be optimal. Having agents provide reviews in addition to their actions provides one possible way to avoid “bad cascades.” In this paper, we study one such model where agents sequentially decide whether or not to purchase a product, whose true value is either good or bad. If they purchase the item, agents also leave a review, which may be imperfect. Conditioning on the underlying state of the item, we study the impact of such reviews on the asymptotic properties of cascades. For a good underlying state, using Markov analysis we show that depending on the review quality, reviews may in fact increase the probability of a wrong cascade. On the other hand, for a bad underlying state, we use martingale analysis to bound the tail-probability of the time until a correct cascade happens.
Partial Biotinidase Deficiency

The symptoms, biochemical features and inheritance pattern of partial biotinidase deficiency have been studied at the Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA; the State Laboratory Institute, Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; the Lincoln Clinic, NB; and the Division of Human Genetics, university of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
A Review of Educational Practices for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students with Comorbid Autism

AbstractThe population of students who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) that have additional disabilities remains at over 40 per cent. One population of particular concern is the group of D/HH students with a comorbid diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The prevalence of ASD in the D/HH population is 1 in 59 (Szymanski et al., 2012. Deaf Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(10):2028–37.). This is thought to be an underestimate of the actual prevalence. The presence of two language-impacting disabilities increases the need for strong evidence-based practices. A review of existing literature on educational practices for D/HH students with comorbid ASD was conducted. The purpose of this review was to identify educational practices or interventions used with this population. Further, additional aspects related to educational practices were identified that were not specifically intervention research. A Boolean search across five databases in conjun...
Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of 5-[18F]fluoroleucine.

BACKGROUND Amino acid transporters, such as LAT1, are overexpressed in aggressive prostate and breast carcinomas, directly influencing pathways of growth and proliferation. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize a novel 18F labeled leucine analog, 5-[18F]fluoroleucine, as a potential imaging agent for aggressive tumors which may not be amenable to imaging by FDG PET. METHODS 5-fluoroleucine was synthesized and characterized, and its 18F-labeled analog was synthesized from a mesylate precursor. First, breast cancer cell line assays were performed to evaluate uptake of 3H- or 14C-labeled L-leucine and other essential amino acids. Both L-leucine and 5- [18F]fluoroleucine were tested for uptake and accumulation over time, and for uptake via LAT1. Biodistribution studies were performed to estimate radiation dosimetry for human studies. Small animal PET / CT studies of a breast cancer were performed to evaluate in vivo 5-[18F]fluoroleucine tumor uptake. RESULTS Breast cancer cell lines showed increasing high net accumulation of L-[14C]leucine. Both L-leucine and 5-[18F]fluoroleucine showed increasing uptake over time in in vitro tumor cell assays, and uptake was also shown to occur via LAT1. The biodistribution study of 5-[18F]fluoroleucine showed rapid renal excretion, no significant in vivo metabolism, and acceptable dosimetry for use in humans. In vivo small animal PET / CT imaging of a breast cancer xenograft showed uptake of 5- [18F]fluoroleucine in the tumor, which progressively increased over time. CONCLUSION 5-[18F]fluoroleucine is a leucine analog which may be useful in identifying tumors with high or upregulated expression of amino acid transporters, providing additional information that may not be provided by FDG PET.
Approximate receding-horizon control laws for linear time-varying systems

Abstract Closed-form control laws are developed for linear, time-varying systems based on approximate solutions to a receding-horizon control problem. These control laws can be derived in the first- or higher-order forms. Once obtained, the control laws need no iterations or online integration to implement. Stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed for sufficiently small values of a controller parameter.
Advances in asthma in 2016: Designing individualized approaches to management

In this year's Advances in Asthma review, we discuss viral infections in asthmatic patients and potential therapeutic agents, the microbiome, novel genetic associations with asthma, air quality and climate effects on asthma, exposures during development and long-term sequelae of childhood asthma, patient-centered outcomes research, and precision medicine. In addition, we discuss application of biomarkers to precision medicine and new information on asthma medications. New evidence indicates that rhinovirus-triggered asthma exacerbations become more severe as the degree of sensitization to dust mite and mouse increase. The 2 biggest drivers of asthma severity are an allergy pathway starting with allergic sensitization and an environmental tobacco smoke pathway. In addition, allergic sensitization and blood eosinophils can be used to select medications for management of early asthma in young children. These current findings, among others covered in this review, represent significant steps toward addressing rapidly advancing areas of knowledge that have implications for asthma management.
Beyond organizational identification: The legitimization and robustness of family identification in the family firm

Abstract This study explores family firms using principles from Social Identity Theory. Based on a survey of 173 employees working in family firms, we examine the different effects that organizational identification and family identification have on the commitment and citizenship behaviors of family firm employees. Results indicate that family identification and organizational identification represent two different constructs that affect the behaviors of employees within family firms. In particular, family identification is positively related to commitment and citizenship behaviors. Results also indicate that this relationship is affected by membership in the owning family. Our study extends the domain of organizational identification as a construct and acknowledges the importance of considering both family and organizational identification when exploring the behaviors of employees within family firms. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
The Viability of ADVANTG Deterministic Method for Synthetic Radiography Generation

Abstract Fast simulation techniques to generate synthetic radiographic images of high resolution are helpful when new radiation imaging systems are designed. However, the standard stochastic approach requires lengthy run time with poorer statistics at higher resolution. The investigation of the viability of a deterministic approach to synthetic radiography image generation was explored. The aim was to analyze a computational time decrease over the stochastic method. ADVANTG was compared to MCNP in multiple scenarios including a small radiography system prototype, to simulate high resolution radiography images. By using ADVANTG deterministic code to simulate radiography images the computational time was found to decrease 10 to 13 times compared to the MCNP stochastic approach while retaining image quality.
Genetic parameters for yield, fitness, and type traits in US Brown Swiss dairy cattle

The objective of this research was to evaluate heritabilities and genetic correlations among yield, fitness, and type traits for US Brown Swiss cattle born in 2000 and later. The data set used consisted of 108,633 first through fifth lactation records from 45,464 cows for yield, somatic cell score (SCS), days open, and productive life. Approximately half of the records had observations for 17 type traits and 41,074 had observations for milking speed. These data were analyzed using a series of 3 trait models. Heritability estimates of each trait were similar to previously reported values for both Holsteins, and Brown Swiss in other countries. Milk, fat, and protein yield had strong positive genetic correlations with productive life (0.67 to 0.71), whereas days open and SCS had strong negative correlations with productive life (-0.60 and -0.69, respectively). Days open was more unfavorably correlated with dairy form (angularity) than with yield. The genetic correlation of udder depth and milk yield was unfavorable (-0.40), whereas rear udder height (0.20) and width (0.48) were favorably correlated with milk yield. Udder depth had a favorable genetic correlation with SCS (-0.26). Type traits with the strongest genetic correlations with productive life were fore udder attachment, mobility, and final score (0.44, 0.50, and 0.57, respectively). These updated genetic parameters will allow for improved genetic selection within the Brown Swiss breed.
A biomedical microfluidic mixer in MEMS application using inkjet

Herein we present a low-cost method for fabrication of a paper-based micromixer controlled by active electrokinetic by inkjet printing. Hydrophobic inks create the barriers for the paper channels. After the evaporation of ink solvent, hydrophobic carbon dust remains and forms hydrophobic barriers in the paper. Then how electronic flow transport is discussed in this paper.
Time Is Muscle: Translation Into Practice

In the future, advances in the care of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) will not come from the analysis of trials that do not reflect current practice in an effort to rationalize extending the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related delay time. We must move beyond such arguments and find ways to shorten total ischemic time. With the launching of the American College of Cardiology's D2B Alliance and the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline programs, the focus is now on systems improvement for reperfusion in patients with STEMI. The D2B Alliance was developed to focus on improvement in door-to-balloon times for patients with STEMI who are undergoing primary PCI. The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline program is a broad, comprehensive national initiative to improve the quality of care and outcomes of patients with STEMI by improving health care system readiness and response to STEMI. Improvements in access to timely care for patients with STEMI will require a multifaceted approach involving patient education, improvements in the Emergency Medical Services and emergency department components of care, the establishment of networks of STEMI-referral hospitals (not PCI capable) and STEMI-receiving hospitals (PCI capable), as well as coordinated advocacy efforts to work with payers and policy makers to implement a much-needed health care system redesign. By focusing now on system efforts for improvements in timely care for STEMI, we will complete the cycle of research initiated by Reimer and Jennings 30 years ago. Time is muscle ... we must translate that into practice.
Racial boundaries, stigma, and the re-emergence of “always being foreigners”: Iranians and the refugee crisis in Germany

The 2015 refugee crisis is at the center of public and political discourse across Europe, especially among nations that have accepted refugees. Utilizing ethnographic fieldwork and 48 in-depth inte...
Family typology and gender empowerment: the labour market performance of married immigrants

This paper examines the impact of gender empowerment on labor market performance of U.S. married immigrants across different family types. Three types of families are defined based on the nationality of immigrants’ spouses; ‘Home-country Marriage’ where both spouses come from the same home-country, ‘Native Marriage’ where one spouse is an immigrant and the other is a Native, and ‘Foreign Marriage’ where both spouses are immigrants, but each comes from a different country of origin from the other. Recognizing the role of gender ideology across different family structures, this study provides empirical evidence of the impact culturally based gender status has on immigrants across family types. Labor market performance is measured by wages and the labor force participation decision of immigrants, using the Ordinary Least Squares and Logit models. The gender empowerment measure is utilized to reflect different cultural and institutional conditions, which shape gender status in the immigrants’ home countries. Results indicate the positive effect of gender equality on women’s earnings and labor force participation, as well as that home-country gender status strongly influence women’s labor force participation and earnings when they share the same cultural norms as their husbands. Interestingly, women are more influenced by their spouses’ gender norms than men when immigrants come from a different cultural gender norm than their spouse.
Model-Driven Development of Mobile Applications: A Systematic Literature Review

Mobile application development for cross platform has been struggling with the increase in numbers of mobile devices and their specifications (i.e. screen sizes, resolutions etc.). Model-Driven Development (MDD) is a significant method to cope with this problem and allow the ultimate solution to change management as well. MDD is the next level in harnessing UML and development environments to manage software development. Although researchers have devised many MDD techniques, languages and tools in the domain of mobile application development. Our conjecture to the best of our knowledge is, no research study is available yet that analyzes and summarizes the modern trends, tools and techniques in this context. Therefore, in this article, we performed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that recognizes 30 studies (2013–2018) where MDD is utilized for MAD. This leads to identification of 11 models, and 21 tools. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of MDD tools for mobile application is presented. The researchers and practitioners of mobile application domain shall find these findings amply valuable.
Convolutional analysis operator learning: Application to sparse-view CT : (Invited Paper)

Convolutional analysis operator learning (CAOL) methods train an autoencoding convolutional neural network (CNN) in an unsupervised learning manner, to more accurately solve inverse problems. Block Proximal Gradient method using a Majorizer (BPG-M) achieved fast and convergent CAOL, by using sharp majorizers and the momentum terms. This paper proposes a model-based image reconstruction (MBIR) method using autoencoding CNNs trained via CAOL, for sparse-view computational tomography (CT). We apply BPG-M to rapidly and stably solve the corresponding block multi-nonconvex optimization problem. Numerical experiments show that, for sparse-view CT, 1) the proposed MBIR method outperforms the standard MBIR method using edge-preserving regularization; 2) larger parameter dimensions of autoencoding CNNs improve reconstruction accuracy of the proposed MBIR method; and 3) when using BPG-M, sharper majorization is more critical for accelerating its convergence than giving more weights on extrapolation.
Zenker’s Diverticulum: Transoral Repair

Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD) is a rare acquired outpouching of esophageal mucosa that typically occurs during the 7th or 8th decade of life. The outpouching is associated with halitosis, dysphagia, and aspiration. The traditional approach to repair has been via cervical dissection with myotomy and excision of the diverticulum. Alternatively, both rigid and flexible endoscopic transoral approaches have been available for more than 20 years with demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety. Data to guide technique selection is currently limited to retrospective observational and case-control studies demonstrating a slight advantage in safety profile to favor use of transoral techniques; however, there are no randomized controlled trials comparing techniques. The requirement of specialized flexible endoscopic training has limited adoption of the flexible endoscopic technique in the surgical community. Appropriate technique selection should be based on local expertise, patient characteristics, and ZD characteristics.
Sick of sitting

Sitting too much kills. Epidemiological, physiological and molecular data suggest that sedentary lifestyle can explain, in part, how modernity is associated with obesity, more than 30 chronic diseases and conditions and high healthcare costs. Excessive sitting--sitting disease--is not innate to the human condition. People were designed to be bipedal and, before the industrial revolution, people moved substantially more throughout the day than they do presently. It is encouraging that solutions exist to reverse sitting disease. Work environments, schools, communities and cities can be re-imagined and re-invented as walking spaces, and people thereby offered more active, happier, healthier and more productive lives.
Effects of Weight History on the Association Between Directly Measured Adiposity and Mortality in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND It is controversial whether an altered relationship between adiposity and mortality occurs with aging. We evaluated associations between adiposity and mortality in younger and older participants before and after considering historical weight loss. METHODS This study used whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in adults at least 20 years of age. Fat mass index (FMI), determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, was converted to age-, sex-, and race-specific Z-Scores. Percent change in weight from the maximum reported weight was determined and categorized. Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between quintile of FMI Z-Score and mortality. Sequential models adjusted for percent weight change since the maximum weight. RESULTS Participants with lower FMI were more likely to have lost weight from their maximum, particularly among older participants with lower FMI. Substantially greater risk of mortality was observed for the highest quintile of FMI Z-Score compared to the second quintile among younger individuals [HR 2.50 (1.69, 3.72) p < .001]. In contrast, a more modest association was observed among older individuals in the highest quintile [HR 1.23 (0.99, 1.52) p = .06] (p for interaction <.001). In both the younger and older participants, the risks of greater FMI Z-Score were magnified when adjusting for percent weight change since maximum reported weight. CONCLUSIONS Older people with low fat mass report greater historical weight loss, potentially explaining substantially altered relationships between fat mass and mortality in older individuals. As a result, epidemiologic studies performed in older populations will likely underestimate the causal risks of excess adiposity.
GA with Wisdom of Artificial Crowds for Solving Mastermind Satisfiability Problem

In this paper we present a new approach for solving the mastermind game. The game is known to be NP-complete and many algorithmic approaches were proposed since the early days of the game invention. Existent techniques vary from full enumeration to meta-heuristics. Our approach differs from the literature by strengthening a classical genetic algorithm with the Wisdom of Artificial Crowds Approach. This blending of both techniques made the program play moves more "wisely". Our first experimental results are very promising.
Engagement science: The core of dissemination, implementation, and translational research science.

Stakeholder engagement is acknowledged as central to dissemination and implementation (DI (b) coordination and intentionally testing a variety of stakeholder engagement strategies; (c) tool kit development; and (d) identification of fundamental motivators and logic models for stakeholder engagement to help align stakeholders and researchers.
Magnetic properties of aligned multiferroic Janus nanofiber agglomerates measured with the Scattered Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect

We report magnetic properties of electrospun multiferroic nanofibers assembled into linear aggregates with an external magnetic field, and measured with the Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) in a non-specular or scattering geometry (ScMOKE). Compared with bulk magnetometry, ScMOKE's sensitivity to subtle differences between aggregates offers a route to determine local multiferroic coupling in disordered nanomaterials. CoFe2O4-BaTiO2 nanofiber agglomerates are assembled prior to measurement by suspending and aligning the fibers in a transparent air-cured polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution. We detect the polarization change in light scattered from the fibers, collected at an off-specular angle in order to eliminate the background caused by substrate reflection. Averaged hysteresis loops from different aggregates show a variety of unique structures. For our optical spot size of 15 μm, multiple fibers, within a single agglomerate, are detected simultaneously, suggesting ScMOKE can distinguish local magnetization reversal fields that vary from fiber to fiber, as well as magnetic interactions between fibers.
From biomimicry to bioelectronics: Smart materials for cardiac tissue engineering

Effective strategies in cardiac tissue engineering require matrices that recapitulate the mechanical, topographic and electrical cues present in the native extracellular matrix. In this review, we discuss recent efforts in materials science and nanotechnology to achieve functional three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that modulate and monitor cardiac tissue function. We consider key design considerations, including choice of biopolymer matrix, cell sources, and delivery methods for eventual therapies. We then discuss how solid-state nanomaterials may be integrated within these systems to provide unique electrical and nanotopographic cues that improve electromechanical synchrony. We describe how these approaches may be extended to complex, spatially heterogeneous constructs using 3D bioprinting techniques. Finally, we describe how scaffold materials may be augmented with bioelectronic components to achieve hybrid myocardium that monitors or controls electrophysiological activity. Collectively, these approaches provide a framework for achieving cardiac tissues with tunable, rationally-designed functionalities. We discuss future prospects and remaining challenges for clinical translation.
The Development of Therapeutics for the Treatment and Prevention of CMV Disease in the Transplant Population: A Regulatory Perspective

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains an important pathogen in the transplant population. As such, the US Food and Drug Administration has published a guidance to encourage and inform the development of therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of CMV disease in this population. This review summarizes important phase 3 trial design considerations for industry and provides rationale for some of the recommendations included in the guidance.
Predictors of Early Preterm Birth Despite Vaginal Progesterone Therapy in Singletons with Short Cervix.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the incidence of and risk factors for early preterm birth (PTB) (delivery <34 weeks) in women without prior PTB and current short cervix (≤20 mm) prescribed vaginal progesterone. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of singletons without prior PTB diagnosed with short cervix (≤20 mm) between 180/7 and 236/7 weeks. Women who accepted vaginal progesterone and had delivery outcomes available were included. Demographic/obstetric history, cervical length, and pregnancy characteristics compared between women with early PTB versus delivery ≥34 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analysis used to identify predictors; odds ratio for significant factors used to generate a risk score. Risk score and risk of early PTB assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROCC). Perinatal outcomes compared by risk score. RESULTS Among 109 patients included, 29 (27%) had a spontaneous PTB <34 weeks. In univariate analysis, only gestational age at ultrasound, presence funneling, and mean cervical length were significantly different between those with and without early sPTB. With multiple logistic regression analysis, only gestational age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.96; p = 0.028) and index cervical length (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76-0.93; p = 0.001) remained significantly associated with early PTB. ROCC for the risk score incorporating cervical length and gestational age was predictive of early PTB with an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67-0.86; p < 0.001). A high-risk score was predictive of early PTB with a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 54%, and negative predictive value of 91%. Women with a high-risk score had worse perinatal outcomes compared with those with low-risk score. CONCLUSION A total of 27% of patients with short cervix prescribed vaginal progesterone will have a sPTB < 34 weeks. Patients at high risk for early PTB despite vaginal progesterone therapy may be identified using gestational age and cervical length at diagnosis of short cervix. Given the narrow window for intervention after diagnosis of short cervix, this has important implications for clinical care.
Estimating Altitude of Drones Using Batteries

With the rise of drone technology, both new possibilities and new problems are presented in an expanding variety of applications. One such application is the use of drones to establish temporary mobile networks over a small area in the event of a catastrophe or environmental disaster, however this may require establishing the location of a drone without GPS data or other location sensors. In such cases, external battery readings may be used to characterize drone behavior and predict its location. Alternatively, to defend against cyberattacks drone battery data may be used as an authentication method by verifying internal sensor readings against separate measurements from an external system, validating of internal readings and detecting abnormalities. By analyzing certain characteristics of battery current draw and voltage readings, specific drone behaviors can be determined or predicted. The focus of this research study is to determine what classifications or predictions of drone flight behavior may be made using external battery readings alone, and to explore if the problems outlined above are solvable through this method. Data was collected using a DJI Mavic Air drone with an externally attached microcontroller over a series of controlled flight patterns. Internal sensor readings from the DJI Mavic Air drone, including altitude and acceleration, are stored in onboard flight logs and were used to validate the externally measured data. Battery readings were taken externally using an Arduino-based system that bridges the physical connection between the battery and the drone body, measuring and logging the cumulative current draw and voltage of the battery while the drone is in flight. From this data we were able to develop programs to accurately classify the drone state as being in takeoff, hovering, ascending, descending, or landing. We were also able to find a relationship mapping cumulative battery current draw to acceleration. Using the detected flight state in conjunction with the calculated acceleration, our program is able to accurately estimate the altitude of the drone using only externally measured cumulative battery current.
Use of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents and Survival Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia and Chronic Hepatitis C.

Background Many patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) have chronic hepatitis C due to the high prevalence of both conditions among elderly populations. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are effective in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the complexity of ADRD care may affect DAA use and outcomes among patients with HCV and ADRD. Little information exists on uptake of DAAs, factors associated with DAA use, and health benefits of DAAs among patients with HCV and ADRD. Objective To examine use and survival benefits of DAAs in Medicare patients with HCV and ADRD. Methods The study included Medicare patients with HCV between 2014 and 2017. We estimated Cox proportional hazards regressions to examine the association between having ADRD and DAA use, and the relation between DAA use and survival among patients with HCV and ADRD. Results The adjusted hazard of initiating a DAA was 50% lower in patients with ADRD than those without ADRD (adjusted HR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.46-0.54). The hazard of DAA use among ADRD patients with behavioral disturbances was 68% lower than non-ADRD patients (adjusted HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.28-0.37). DAA treatment was associated with a significant reduction in mortality among ADRD patients (adjusted HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.44-0.61). Conclusion The rate of DAA treatment in patients with HCV and ADRD was low, particularly among those with behavioral disturbance. The survival benefits of DAA treatment for patients with ADRD were substantial.
Do competing causes of mortality contribute to overdiagnosis in lung cancer screening

Overdiagnosed cancers are those that are screen-detected but never would have been symptomatic during patients' lifetimes. Indolent cancers are overdiagnosed cancers. Non-indolent cancers can be overdiagnosed when patients die of causes other than the screen-detected cancer and would have, in the absence of screening, been asymptomatic and undiagnosed at the time of death. This is termed competing cause of mortality (CCM) overdiagnosis. Deaths soon after screen detection may represent CCM overdiagnosis. We examined time from screen-detection to death among the 35 participants in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) low-dose computed tomography arm with screen-detected lung cancer and died of non-lung-cancer causes. Seven participants died within 6 months, and 20 died more than 24 months after diagnosis. Deaths due to non-lung cancer causes soon after screen detection were uncommon, arguing against widespread CCM overdiagnosis in the NLST. However, CCM overdiagnosis is likely more frequent in community-based screening given the higher prevalence of comorbidities.
Effects of multimodal pain management strategies on acute pain behavior and physiology in disbudded neonatal goat kids

Disbudding of goat kids is a common husbandry procedure in the dairy goat industry, typically carried out in the first week of life via a hot cautery iron without the application of pain relief. The objective of this study was to identify a practical, efficacious pain management strategy for disbudding by monitoring acute changes in behavior and plasma biomarkers in goat kids disbudded with varying combinations of pain relief.