cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Student Learning in Physical and Simulated Unit Operations Experiments

Industries are tending toward computer-based simulation, monitoring, and control of processes. This trend suggests an opportunity to modernize engineering laboratory pedagogy to include computer experiments as well as tactile experiments. However, few studies report the impact of simulations upon student learning in engineering laboratories. We evaluated the impact of computer-simulated experiments upon student learning in a senior unit operations laboratory. We compared data on control and test groups from three sources: 1) a comprehensive exam over the course; 2) a questionnaire answered by students regarding how well the areas of ABET Engineering Criterion 3 (a-k) were met; and 3) oral presentations given by the students. Our results indicate that student learning is not adversely affected by introducing computer-based experiments. We therefore conclude that, while the tactile laboratory should remain in the engineering curriculum, the pedagogy can reflect the increasing use of information technology in the manufacturing industries without compromising student learning.
Kinetic Studies of Mouse Brain Transketolase

The activity of transketolase in mouse brain was 5.7 nmol/min/mg protein measured by an enzyme-coupled spectrophotometric assay. The apparent Km for ribose-5-phosphate was 330 microM, for D-xylulose-5-phosphate was 120 microM, and for thiamine pyrophosphate was 7 microM. However, thiamine pyrophosphate remained tightly bound to transketolase in homogenates in which it dissociated completely from another thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. These data suggest that loss of transketolase activity is likely to be a later consequence of thiamine deficiency in mammalian brain than is decreased activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.
DOES THE SYSTOLIC PRESSURE VARIATION CHANGE IN THE PRONE POSITION

The Systolic pressure variation (SPV) is known to be a sensitive indicator of hypovolemia. However, the SPV may be elevated due to other reasons, such as changes in lung compliance or tidal volumes. Using the SPV to monitor the hemodynamic status of patients in the prone position may, therefore, be problematic due to possible effects of increased abdominal pressure on both venous return and lung compliance. The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not the SPV changes significantly when placing the patient in the prone position. The arterial pressure waveform was recorded and SPV measured in 25 patients undergoing spine surgery. Patients that were elderly (age>65 years), obese (BMI >30), or had history of lung disease (COPD, Asthma), were excluded. Measurements were taken in the supine and prone position and the results were compared using the Paired Student’s t-test. A P<0.05 was considered significant. Values expressed are for mean±standard deviation. The SPV was 6.9±1.9 and 7.0±1.8 mmHg in the supine and prone position respectively. These two results were not statistically significant. This study is important because it shows for the first time that the SPV does not change significantly in the prone position, and may therefore continue to be used as an indicator of the volume status. It also would appear to indicate that our methods for protecting the chest and abdomen in the prone position are effective.
Targeting of a Germ Cell-specific Type 1 Hexokinase Lacking a Porin-binding Domain to the Mitochondria as Well as to the Head and Fibrous Sheath of Murine Spermatozoa

Multiple isoforms of type 1 hexokinase (HK1) are transcribed during spermatogenesis in the mouse, including at least three that are presumably germ cell specific: HK1-sa, HK1-sb, and HK1-sc. Each o...
Structure-Property Relationships of Photopolymerizable Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Dimethacrylate Hydrogels

Photopolymerized hydrogels from poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) and similar derivatives have been extensively used as scaffolds for tissue regeneration and other biological applications. A systematic investigation into the structure and mechanical properties of PEGDM hydrogels was performed to characterize the relationships between the network structure and gel properties. Gels were prepared from oligomers of different molecular masses (1000−8000 g/mol) at various concentrations. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to characterize the structural features of hydrogels with respect to their semidilute solution precursors. A well-defined structural length scale manifested as a maximum in the scattering intensity was observed for hydrogels derived from high molecular mass PEGDMs and/or high oligomer mass fractions. Mechanical testing showed that PEGDM hydrogels are mechanically robust, consistent with gel structures that contain reinforcing cross-linked clusters. Shear moduli were determined ...
The Association Between Fundraising Efficiency, Financial Vulnerability, And Subsequent Donations To Not-For-Profits

In this paper, we empirically study the association between past year fundraising efficiency and current year donations to not-for-profit organizations. First, our data show that prior year fundraising inefficiency (fundraising expenses as a proportion of total donations) is negatively associated with current year donations and is robust to an inclusion of prior year financial vulnerability as an explanatory variable. Secondly, we find that prior year levels of fundraising expenses and program expenses are positively associated with current year donations. Finally, prior-year financial vulnerability, which is measured in our paper consistent with Greenlee and Trussel (2000), is negatively associated with current year donations.
U(1) symmetry of the spin-orbit coupled Hubbard model on the kagome lattice

We theoretically study the symmetry properties of the single-band Hubbard model with general spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the kagome lattice. We show that the global U(1) spin-rotational symmetry is present in the Hubbard Hamiltonian owing to the inversion symmetry centered at the sites. The corresponding spin Hamiltonian has, therefore, SO(2) spin-rotational symmetry, which can be captured by including SOC nonperturbatively. The exact classical ground states, which we obtain for arbitrary SOC, are governed by the SU(2) fluxes associated with SOC threading the constituent triangles. The ground states break the SO(2) symmetry, and the associated Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature is determined by the SU(2) fluxes through the triangles, which we confirm by a finite temperature classical Monte Carlo simulation.
Respiratory controversies in the critical care setting. Should recruitment maneuvers be used in the management of ALI and ARDS

Lung recruitment maneuvers are being used in the management of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but recruitment maneuvers are controversial. The proponents argue that when properly applied to appropriately selected patients, they are effective and can be safely applied. The expectation is that the recruitment maneuver will change the course of ARDS and improve outcomes. Those opposed to recruitment maneuvers argue that no data indicate better outcomes with recruitment maneuvers and that they are potentially unsafe. Outcome data are clearly needed before recruitment maneuvers can be fully incorporated into clinical practice. If a recruitment maneuver is conducted, a decremental positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) trial must be done to determine the minimum PEEP that sustains the benefits of the recruitment maneuver. We explore both sides of the lung recruitment controversy.
Perturbations of the Natural Lead Depth Profile in the Sargasso Sea by Industrial Lead

Concentrations of dissolved lead were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry in 17 seawater samples of a depth profile collected under strict contamination control at a station in the northern Sargasso Sea, 250 km northwest of Bermuda. Dissolved lead concentrations were about 170 pmol•kg −1 from the surface down to 400 m, then declined sharply to relatively constant values of 25 pmol•kg−1 below 2000 m depth. This large concentration enrichment in the upper part of the water column is concordant with the distribution observed earlier in the central northeast Pacific, and it confirms the unique character of the occurrence of lead in open ocean water columns: the depth profile for lead differs markedly from those for most other trace metals, which show concentration depletions in surface waters instead.
Joint Least-squares Inversion of Up- And Down-going Signal For Ocean Bottom Data Sets

We present a joint least-squares inversion method for imaging the acoustic primary (up-going) and mirror (down-going) signals for ocean-bottom seismic processing. Joint inversion combines the benefits of wider illumination from the mirror signal and better signal-to-noise ratio from the primary signal into one image. Results from two modified 2D Marmousi models show a better illumination of the subsurface and improved resolution in geologically complex areas.
Natural Enemies of the Spotted Alfalfa Aphid in Utah

Seven main groups of predators of the spotted alfalfa aphid were collected from alfalfa fields near Delta, Utah: Coccinellidae, Orius, Nabis, Geocoris, Collops, Chrysopa and syrphid flies. These predators fed largely on the pea aphid ( Macrosiphum pisi (Harris)) until the spotted alfalfa aphid ( Therioaphis maculata (Buckton)) invaded the area. The effectiveness of predators depended on the availability of host insects and climatic conditions. The coccinellids, as a group, proved to be the most effective predators. Within this group, Hippodamia convergens G.-M. was the most beneficial, numerous and widely distributed predator. The species of Orius and Collops were abundant enough in many cases to be of real importance in the control of this aphid. The predatory species, without question, exerted a considerable controlling effect on the spotted alfalfa aphid populations. The predators held the overwintered spotted alfalfa aphid population in cheek until insecticides were applied for lygus bug control. The chemical treatments of alfalfa fields had generally adverse effects on the predators. The decrease in the number of predators and favorable environmental conditions enabled aphids to build up to the point that the application of insecticides for their control became quite generally necessary. The use of chemicals produced a sudden but temporary reduction in the population of aphids.
An Automated Transient Stability Constrained Optimal Power Flow Based on Trajectory Sensitivity Analysis

This paper presents an automated transient stability constrained optimal power flow (ATSC-OPF). ATSC-OPF automates the design of linear transient stability constraints without online human interference thus is adaptive to the change of real-time operating conditions and suitable for applications in industrial dispatch programs. The design of transient stability constraints uses trajectory sensitivities to separate the integration of time-domain simulation from the online computing of optimal power flow. For identified unstable cases, a generic iterative algorithm is proposed to search corresponding stable base cases required to calculate trajectory sensitivities. ATSC-OPF identifies and limits only the key generators at critical time to minimize the extra computational burden brought by the transient stability constraints. The designed transient stability constraints are incorporated into ATSC-OPF only when needed in operation. The limits in the transient stability constraints are determined with manageable stability margin to avoid unnecessary increase of operational cost. The performance of ATSC-OPF is studied with the New England 39-bus system for a single-contingency situation and a 140-bus simplified NPCC system for a multicontingency situation.
Simulating Codling Moth Population Dynamics: Model Development, Validation, and Sensitivity

A population model of the codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), is presented which simulates population behavior over several years. Derivation of the theoretical and biological structure of this model is discussed on a state by state basis. Each transition equation is developed around a central framework which separates density-dependent and -independent effects. These equations are then fitted to observed data. The transition equations are assembled into a computer program, CODMOTH. Output from this program shows acceptable agreement with observed data from field and laboratory, indicating that the model can adequately simulate population behavior for at least 5 yr. Model sensitivity to equation parameters and program constants is examined to determine the allowable error for these values. Model output varies by only 10% if a parameter is changed by an avg of 45%. The significance of the density-dependence component of each equation is examined. Feedback processes are found to be most important in the fecundity and 1st-instar survival equations. Sex ratio and voltinism are least affected while larval survival within the apple and survival to cocooning sites are intermediately affected.
Determination of 25 Organophoshorus Pesticide Residues in Vegetables by PFPD Detector with QuEChERS Method

[Objective]To establish the method of treating vegetable sample with QuEChERS reagent box and determining 25 organophoshorus pesticide residues in vegetables by PFPD detector.[Methods]The sample was extracted with acetonitrile,after QuEChERS reagent box purification processing,gas chromatography PFPD detector was used for detection.[Results]The 25 Organophosphorus pesticide were separated well,the recovery was good.When the density ranged from 0.05 ～ 1.0 mg/kg,the recovery was 70% ～ 120%,RSD was 4% ～ 14%.[Conclusion]The method is accurate,with few impurity disturbs,simple operation,saving labor and time,and suitable for organic phosphorus residues detection in vegetables.
Poison Function on the Alga of Heavy Metal

Pollution situation of the heavy metals, poison function to alga and the poisonous response of alga have been summarized in this paper.
Fate, mass balance, and transport of phosphorus in the septic system drainfields

Abstract Septic systems can be a potential source of phosphorus (P) in shallow groundwater. Our objective was to investigate the fate, mass balance, and transport of P in the drainfield of a drip-dispersal septic system. Drainfields were replicated in lysimeters (152.4 cm long, 91.4 cm wide, and 91.4 cm high). Leachate and effluent samples were collected over 67 events (n = 15 daily; n = 52 weekly flow-weighted) and analyzed for total P (TP), orthophosphate (PO 4 P), and other P (TP – PO 4 P). Mean TP was 15 mg L −1 (84% PO 4 P; 16% other P) in the effluent and 0.16 mg L −1 (47% PO 4 P, 53% other P) in the leachate. After one year, 46.8 g of TP was added with effluent and rainfall to each drainfield, of which, 95% in the drainfield. Effluent dispersal increased water extractable P (WEP) in the drainfield from 10 mg kg −1 . Using the P sorption maxima of sand (118 mg kg −1 ) and soil (260 mg kg −1 ), we estimated that ∼18% of the drainfield P sorption capacity was saturated after one year of effluent dispersal. We conclude that despite the low leaching potential of P dispersed with effluent in the first year of drainfield operation, a growing WEP pool in the drainfield and low P sorption capacity of Florida’s sandy soils may have the potential to transport P to shallow groundwater in long-running septic systems.
Leaving the Bench: Supreme Court Justices at the End

Suffering from a bad heart, emphysema, glaucoma, and deafness, Thurgood Marshall finally retired from the Supreme Court at the age of 82 in spite of having always claimed "I was appointed to a life term, and I intend to serve it." Many observers felt he should have left much earlier. Life appointments make Supreme Court justices among the most powerful officials in government and allow even dysfunctional judges to stay on long after they should have departed. For that reason, when a justice leaves the bench is often as controversial as when he's appointed. This first comprehensive historical treatment of their deaths, resignations, and retirements explains when and why justices do step down. It considers the diverse circumstances under which they leave office and clarifies why they often are reluctant to, showing how factors like pensions, party loyalty, or personal pride come into play. It also relates physical ailments to mental faculties, offering examples of how a justice's disability sometimes affects Court decisions. David Atkinson examines each of the nearly 100 men who have left the bench and provides anecdotal glimpses into the lives of famous and obscure justices alike. He reveals how men like Salmon Chase and William O. Douglas determinedly continued to serve after suffering strokes, how Joseph McKenna persevered despite knowing he was professionally unqualified, and how, long before Thurgood Marshall, the ailing octogenarian Gabriel Duvall finally retired after struggling to protect another ideological position on the Court. Ultimately, Atkinson shows just how human these people are and enhances our understanding of how the Court conducts its business. He also suggests specific ways to improve the present situation, weighing the pros and cons of mandatory retirement and calling for reform in the delegation of duties to law clerks who in recent years have dominated the actual writing of many justices' decisions. As the current Court ages, how long might we expect justices to remain on the bench? Because our next president will likely make several appointments, now is the time to consider what shape the Supreme Court will take in the next century. Offering a wealth of information never before collected, "Leaving the Bench" provides substantial grist for that debate and will serve as an unimpeachable reference on the Court."
Recombination Hotspots Promote the Evolvability of Modular Systems

Random recombination in evolutionary algorithms can be counterproductive in systems that evolve increasing modularity, because such operators do not preserve community structures during their development. Partly because of this, methods have been proposed that derandomize recombination by placing potential crossover locations under evolutionary control. Since crossover is likely to be particularly useful when genetic material that generates incipient phenotype modules is recombined, there may be an advantage to seeking such modularity directly in the phenotype and probabilistically focusing recombination at such "hotspot" locations. Here we show that such phenotypically-aware crossover operators can outcompete random or evolved crossover points as the size of the system being evolved grows. As this crossover operator can be viewed as epigenetic, and as epigenetic processes seem to be common in biological systems, other such epigenetic mechanisms may further improve future evolutionary algorithms.
Complications of robotic foregut surgery: risks and advantages.

Introduction Laparoscopic foregut surgeries are highly complex procedures that carry a high potential for morbidity and mortality should complications should occur. The robotic-assisted platform offers improved visualization of anatomy, optimal fine motor control, and a higher degree of instrumentation range of motion, which may potentially lead to better outcomes. This paper reviews the risks and benefits of the robotic platform in foregut procedures. Evidence acquisition A web-based literature search was performed, in August 2016 using Pubmed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from cited English publications from 1996 to 2016. We included randomized control trials, non-randomized comparison studies, and cohort studies in robotic foregut surgery. Abstracts, letters, editorials, expert opinions, review papers, and meta-analyses with no original statistical analyses were not included. Evidence synthesis A total of 619 articles were identified of which 98 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies were divided into areas of benign and malignant foregut procedures that utilized robotic assistance. Intraoperative complications related to both the surgery itself as well as robotic hardware malfunction, short-term and long-term clinical outcomes were extracted. Conclusions Intraoperative and postoperative complications of robotic assistance during foregut surgery are comparable or superior to those of traditional laparoscopic techniques. Our review suggests improved outcomes in Heller myotomies, gastrectomies, and esophagectomies.
Does Citrulline Sit at the Nexus of Metformin's Pleotropic Effects on Metabolism and Mediate Its Salutatory Effects in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes?

For more than two decades, physicians have prescribed metformin as the frontline pharmacological therapy to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) despite knowing little about its underlying mechanisms of action (1). Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production (1) and has pleotropic effects on multiple tissues, including liver (1), muscle (2), and adipose (3) tissue, as well as on immune cells (4). Clinically, metformin also reduces the risk for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and other diseases (5,6). Pharmacometabolomics provides an opportunity to measure changes in absolute and/or relative concentrations of hundreds to thousands of small molecules in biofluids and tissue extracts to determine the response and variations in response to therapy (7). Pharmacometabolomics could facilitate identification of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of action that contribute to metformin’s widespread salutatory effects (7). In this issue of Diabetes , Adam et al. (8) utilize this approach to “uncover” metformin’s effect on citrulline metabolism in individuals with and without T2D participating in the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg) study. Adam et al. should be commended on conducting a thorough investigation of metformin’s impact on serum metabolites in individuals with T2D using nontargeted, semiquantitative liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry coupled with rigorous statistical and bioinformatic analyses. The cross-sectional “human discovery” study revealed that out of a total of 353 identified serum metabolites, the concentrations of citrulline were significantly lower and X-21365 significantly higher in metformin-treated participants with T2D compared with nontreated participants. The longitudinal “human validation” study further demonstrated that the initiation of metformin treatment during the 7-year follow-up significantly reduced citrulline and increased X-21365 serum concentrations. Subsequently, the “translational” study showed that daily treatment with metformin in db/db diabetic mice decreased plasma, skeletal muscle, and epididymal …
Structure and Thermochemistry of Perrhenate Sodalite and Mixed Guest Perrhenate/Pertechnetate Sodalite

Treatment and immobilization of technetium-99 (99Tc) contained in reprocessed nuclear waste and present in contaminated subsurface systems represents a major environmental challenge. One potential approach to managing this highly mobile and long-lived radionuclide is immobilization into micro- and meso-porous crystalline solids, specifically sodalite. We synthesized and characterized the structure of perrhenate sodalite, Na8[AlSiO4]6(ReO4)2, and the structure of a mixed guest perrhenate/pertechnetate sodalite, Na8[AlSiO4]6(ReO4)2-x(TcO4)x. Perrhenate was used as a chemical analogue for pertechnetate. Bulk analyses of each solid confirm a cubic sodalite-type structure (P43n, No. 218 space group) with rhenium and technetium in the 7+ oxidation state. High-resolution nanometer scale characterization measurements provide first-of-a-kind evidence that the ReO4– anions are distributed in a periodic array in the sample, nanoscale clustering is not observed, and the ReO4– anion occupies the center of the sodalit...
Cascade high-gain observers in output feedback control

Abstract High-gain observers proved to be a useful tool in the design of output feedback control of nonlinear systems. However, the observer faces a numerical challenge when its dimension is high. For an observer of dimension ρ and a high-gain parameter k , the observer gain is of the order of k ρ and the observer variables could be of the order of k ρ − 1 during the transient period. This paper presents a new high-gain observer that is based on cascading lower-dimensional observers with saturation functions in between them. The observer gain in the new observer is of the order of k and its variables are limited to be of the order of k during the transient period. It is shown that the cascade observer has properties similar to the standard one. In particular, a nonlinear separation principle is proved.
Throughput Comparison of Shuffle-Exchange Networks with Additional Stages due to Resource Scheduling

Several approaches are introduced to increase the throughput and reliability of Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs), mostly by changing the network architecture. When multiple sources in such a network try to send data, collision of packets and blocking problems are inevitable. Time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol are used to address these issues. However, TDMA protocol based on fixed slot allocation has low throughput and high delay in computer networks with high load. To improve the performance of this protocol, we propose an adaptive slot allocation strategy using Monte Carlo random sampling method. We apply the proposed slot allocation approach on a well-known type of MIN, Shuffle-exchange network (SEN). Then, the effects of proposed approach on SEN with one additional stage (SEN+), and SEN with two additional stages (SEN+2) are investigated. Simulation results show that the SEN+(TDMA) and SEN+2(TDMA) outperform the regular ones in terms of throughput and reliability. SEN+2(TDMA) also shows improvement in network throughput and reliability compared to regular SEN+2, about 3% and 2% respectively.
A New Class of Local Correlation Models

Allowing correlation to be local, i.e., state-dependent, in multi-asset models allows better hedging by incorporating correlation moves in the delta. When options on a basket, be it a stock index, a cross FX rate, or an interest rate spread, are liquidly traded, one may calibrate a local correlation to these option prices. In this article we introduce a new family of local correlation models from which one can pick a model that not only calibrates to the basket smile but also has extra desirable properties, like fitting a view on correlation skew, mimicking historical correlation, or matching prices of exotic options. The family is built using the particle method and the procedure is easily adapted to calibrate path-dependent volatility models, path-dependent correlation models, and to include stochastic rates, stochastic dividend yield, and stochastic volatility.
Relamorelin for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Introduction: Current treatments for gastroparesis are limited. Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) has more treatment options, but none are efficacious for severe cases.Areas covered: Molecular ...
Messing with the attractiveness algorithm: a response to queering code/space

AbstractResponding to the collection of articles, ‘Queering Code/Space,’ this article discusses how algorithms affect the production of online lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) spaces, namely online dating sites. The set of articles is well timed: lesbian bars have closed en masse across the US and many gay male bars have followed suit so that online spaces fill – or perhaps make – a gap in the social production of LGBTQ spaces. I draw on Cindi Katz’s idea of ‘messy’ qualities of social reproduction and the necessity of ‘messing’ with dominant narratives in order to think about the labor, experience, and project of queering code/space.
Offspring sex impacts DNA methylation and gene expression in placentae from women with diabetes during pregnancy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that diabetes during pregnancy (DDP) alters genome-wide DNA methylation in placenta resulting in differentially methylated loci of metabolically relevant genes and downstream changes in RNA and protein expression. METHODS We mapped genome-wide DNA methylation with the Infinium 450K Human Methylation Bead Chip in term fetal placentae from Native American and Hispanic women with DDP using a nested case-control design (n = 17 pairs). RNA expression and protein levels were assayed via RNA-Seq and Western Blot. RESULTS Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed 465 CpG sites with significant changes for male offspring, 247 for female offspring, and 277 for offspring of both sexes (p<0.001). Placentae from female offspring were 40% more likely to have significant gains in DNA methylation compared with placentae from male offspring exposed to DDP (p<0.001). Changes in DNA methylation corresponded to changes in RNA and protein levels for 6 genes: PIWIL3, CYBA, GSTM1, GSTM5, KCNE1 and NXN. Differential DNA methylation was detected at loci related to mitochondrial function, DNA repair, inflammation, oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings begin to explain mechanisms responsible for the increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring of mothers with DDP.
Ventral pallidal encoding of reward-seeking behavior depends on the underlying associative structure

Sounds or other cues associated with receiving a reward can have a powerful effect on an individual’s behavior or emotions. For example, the sound of an ice cream truck might cause salivation and motivate an individual to stand in a long line. Cues may prompt specific actions necessary to receive a reward, for example, approaching the ice cream truck and paying to get an ice cream. This is called instrumental conditioning. Some cues predict reward delivery, without requiring a specific action. This is called Pavlovian conditioning. Pavlovian cues can still prompt actions, such as approaching the truck, even though the action is not required. But exactly what happens in the brain to generate these actions during the two types of learning, is unclear. Learning more about these reward-driven brain mechanisms might help scientists to develop better treatments for people with addiction or other conditions that involve compulsive reward-seeking behavior. Currently, scientists do not know enough about how the brain triggers this kind of behavior or how these processes lead to relapse in individuals who have been abstinent. Basic studies on the brain mechanisms that trigger reward-seeking behavior are needed. Now, Richard et al. show that a greater activity in neurons, or brain cells, in a part of the brain called the ventral pallidum predicts a faster response to a reward cue. In the experiments, some rats were trained to approach a certain location when they heard a particular sound in order to receive sugar water, a form of instrumental conditioning. Another group of rats underwent Pavlovian training and learned to expect sugar water every time they heard sound even if they did nothing. Both groups learned to approach the sugar water location when they heard the cue, despite the different training requirements. Richard et al. measured the activity of neurons in the ventral pallidum when the rats in the two groups heard the reward-associated sound. The experiments showed that the amount of activity in the brain cells in this area predicted whether a rat would approach the sugar-water delivery area and how quickly they would approach the reward after hearing the cue. The predictions were most reliable for rats that had to do something to get the sugar water. When Richard et al. reduced the activity in these cells they found the rats took longer to approach the reward source, but only when this action was required to receive sugar water. The experiments show that the ventral pallidum may provide the motivation to undertake reward-seeking behavior.
1667d Osh in india: challenges and opportunities

The occupational safety and health (OSH) scenario in India is complex while catering to the needs of 63% productive age group with, 92.38% of this working in the informal economy, predominantly, agriculture and services and facing a triple burden of Non-communicable and Communicable diseases and Violence, Injuries. No comprehensive legislation for occupational health and safety exists that covers all the economic sectors except for mining, manufacturing, ports, and construction sectors. Factories Act, 1948 has been unable to build up the workers’ rights against occupational diseases and related hazards, with over 90% of Indian labour falling outside its purview. OSH services in informal sector are non-existent and dysfunctional, depriving these workers of basic occupational health care. Further, occupational health is not integrated with primary health care, falling under the Ministry of Labour, and not the Ministry of Health. Newer service industries like Information Technology (IT), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) are increasing rapidly; so is the proportion of females in the workforce, multiple job changes/insecurity and increasing numbers of migrant workers adding to job-related stress. Major challenges are: Lack of National OSH Policy, legislation and mechanisms for provision of Occupational health services for Informal/unorganised sector and SMEsApathy & lack of sensitization about OSH among stakeholders and stakeholder networks/linkages Inadequate OSH infrastructure and OSH professional capacities to manage emerging health risks Addressing the NCD burden through Workplace Wellness Movement Opportunities are: Utilisation of primary health care ecosystem for delivery of BOHS for informal sector Accreditation Mechanism under Ministry of Labour Regulatory framework under Factories’ Act and governance apparatus under National Skills’ Mission to develop requisite OSH human resources Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to set up Risk Observatory Mechanisms with multisectoral linkages
Developmental aspects of sleep slow waves: Linking sleep, brain maturation and behavior

Sleep slow waves are the major electrophysiological features of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Although there is growing understanding of where slow waves originate and how they are generated during sleep, the function of slow waves is still largely unclear. A recently proposed hypothesis relates slow waves to the homeostatic regulation of synaptic plasticity. While several studies confirm a correlation between experimentally triggered synaptic changes and slow-wave activity (SWA), little is known about its association to synaptic changes occurring during cortical maturation. Interestingly, slow waves undergo remarkable changes during development that parallel the time course of cortical maturation. In a recent cross-sectional study including children and adolescents, the topographical distribution of SWA was analyzed with high-density electroencephalography. The results showed age-dependent differences in SWA topography: SWA was highest over posterior regions during early childhood and then shifted over central derivations to the frontal cortex in late adolescence. This trajectory of SWA topography matches the course of cortical gray maturation. In this chapter, the major changes in slow waves during development are highlighted and linked to cortical maturation and behavior. Interestingly, synaptic density and slow-wave amplitude increase during childhood are highest shortly before puberty, decline thereafter during adolescence, reaching overall stable levels during adulthood. The question arises whether SWA is merely reflecting cortical changes or if it plays an active role in brain maturation. We thereby propose a model, by which sleep slow waves may contribute to cortical maturation. We hypothesize that while there is a balance between synaptic strengthening and synaptic downscaling in adults, the balance of strengthening/formation and weakening/elimination is tilted during development.
Ceratophyllum demersum - phosphorus interactions in nutrient enriched aquaria

High macrophyte density in shallow lakes is often associated with clear water, especially when the non-rooted, submerged angiosperm Ceratophyllum demersum is dominant. Lack of true roots and high surface area:volume ratio suggest that nutrient uptake from the water column by C. demersum may be high. Therefore, possible competition for nutrients, including phosphorus (P), could contribute to phytoplankton inhibition.
Four Weeks of Muscular Endurance Resistance Training Does Not Alter Fatigue Index

Background of Study: The implementation of a muscular endurance resistance training (MERT) program has been shown to be beneficial in augmenting the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). However, the effects of MERT on local muscular endurance has not been investigated. Objectives: The purposes of the current study were to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of MERT on local muscular endurance, and the relationship between OBLA and fatigue index (FI). Methods: Endurance trained males were randomly designated to either the experimental (EX) or control (CON) group: 9 EX and 8 CON. All participants continued current aerobic training. Baseline measures included OBLA, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for: leg press (LP), leg curl (LC), and leg extension (LE). FI of the quadriceps was assessed via a dynamometer and the Thorstesson protocol. In addition, the EX group performed supervised MERT training for four weeks. A two way ANOVA was used to assess group and time differences in performance measures. The relationship between OBLA and FI was assessed using Pearson’s Correlation. Results: No significant group differences were observed in all baseline measurements (p>0.05). There were no significant group or time differences for OBLA and FI (p>0.05). Pearson’s correlation revealed no significant relationship (p>0.05, r=<0.01) existed between FI and OBLA. Conclusions: It was observed that four weeks of MERT provided an insufficient stimulus to improve OBLA and FI, and no significant relationship existed between OBLA and FI. Athletes using MERT should include additional mesocycles for favorable adaptations to local muscular endurance and OBLA.
Use of ECT in Major Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder with Treatment-Resistant Behavioral Disturbance following an Acute Stroke in a Young Patient

The following case describes the utilization of bitemporal ECT as a treatment of last resort in a 47-year-old woman with profoundly treatment-resistant behavioral disturbance poststroke. The use of ECT led to improvement in symptoms sufficient for discharge from an inpatient psychiatric unit to the nursing home. Neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke include poststroke depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, apathy, pathological laughter and crying, catastrophic reaction, and mild and major vascular neurocognitive disorders. Behavioral disturbance is common and may pose diagnostic and therapeutic difficulty in the poststroke patient. In most cases, first-line treatment includes pharmacologic intervention tailored to the most likely underlying syndrome. Frequent use of sedating medications is a more drastic option when behaviors prove recalcitrant to first-line approaches and markedly affect quality of life and patient safety. ECT is generally safe, is well tolerated, and may be effective in improving symptoms in treatment-resistant behavioral disturbance secondary to stroke with major neurocognitive impairment, as suggested in this case.
Range-adaptive Impedance Matching of Wireless Power Transfer System Using a Machine Learning Strategy Based on Neural Networks

This work describes the implementation of a machine learning (ML) strategy based on the neural network for real-time range-adaptive automatic impedance matching of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) applications. This approach for the effective prediction of the optimal parameters of the tunable matching network and classification range-adaptive transmitter coils (Tx) is introduced in this paper aiming to achieve an effective automatic impedance matching over a wide range of relative distances. We propose a WPT system consisting of a tunable matching circuit and 3 Tx coils which have different radius controlled by trained neural network models. The feedforward neural network algorithm was trained using 220 data and classifier’s in pattern recognition accuracy were characterized. The proposed approach achieves a Power transfer efficiency (PTE) around 90% for ranges within 10 to 25cm, is reported.
Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) for Risk Stratification and Prognostication of Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract Background The categorization of pulmonary embolism (PE) as non-massive, sub-massive, and massive helps guide acute management. The presence of right ventricular (RV) strain differentiates sub-massive from non-massive PEs. Unlike laboratory markers and electrocardiogram changes, the classic parameters used in the echocardiographic diagnosis of RV strain have a technical component that is operator-dependent. Objective This narrative review will describe the physiologic effects of a PE on the RV and how this affects prognosis. It will summarize the literature evaluating the accuracy and prognostic ability of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in the echocardiographic assessment of RVfunction. The review will describe the appeal of TAPSE for this purpose, provide cutoff measurements, and then illustrate how to perform the technique itself, while offering associated pearls and pitfalls in this bedside evaluation. Discussion RV function and dynamics undergo acute changes in the setting of a PE. RV dysfunction predicts poor outcomes in both the short and long term. However, RV strain is difficult to capture on echocardiography due to the chamber's complex geometric shape and contraction. From the apical four-chamber window, TAPSE offers a quantitative measure that is more easily performed with high interobserver reliability for evaluating systolic RV contraction. This measurement carries prognostic value in patients diagnosed with PE. Conclusions Along with other more qualitative echocardiographic parameters, TAPSE can be used as a simple quantitative measure of RV dysfunction for differentiating sub-massive from non-massive PEs. This categorization helps guide acute management and disposition.
Super Central Configurations In the Collinear 5-Body Problem

Abstract This paper studies the existence and classifications of super central configurations of the collinear 5-body problem. A super central configuration is a central configuration q for a mass vector m such that q is also a central configuration for at least one different arrangement m(τ) of the same mass vector m. Instead of investigating case by case as in previous papers for the collinear 3-body or 4-body problems, we first prove some properties of necessary conditions for super central conditions that exclude impossible cases. After excluding those impossible cases from total 120 permutations of the collinear 5-body problem, there are only 18 pairs of derangements which are possible for super central configurations. We further prove that a super central configuration has at most one different arrangement in the collinear 5-body problem. We provide numerical examples for such possible arrangements.
Regulating Conflicts of Interest through Public Disclosure: Evidence from a Physician Payments Sunshine Law

Hospital and health care administrators have often named prescription drug costs as one of their largest cost problems. Relatedly, a significant body of research demonstrates that meals and honoraria from pharmaceutical firms to physicians leads to higher prescribing of expensive, brand name drugs. Some administrators and scholars have advocated for mandatory disclosure of these payments in order to reduce this conflict of interest, but many practitioners believe disclosure has little effect on prescribing. This paper uses a quasi-experiment of a 2009 payment disclosure policy in Massachusetts to estimate the causal impact of public disclosure on prescribing. The comprehensive dataset includes all retail prescriptions for 262 drugs in 9 drug classes written by 5730 physicians in five states over 48 months. We show a significant post-disclosure reduction in brand name drug prescriptions by Massachusetts physicians, relative to control doctors in other states. These effects are driven by heavy prescribers of brand name drugs in the pre-policy period, particularly for drugs with large pre-policy sales forces. Effects are also detected before the first data were released, implying that the effects are not because patients or administrators responded to the disclosed payments. Instead, some physicians may have reduced payments after disclosure is mandated, leading to changes in their prescriptions. Taken in tandem with the many studies showing that industry payments influence prescribing, this study suggests a strong role for mandatory public disclosure in reducing conflicts of interest in medicine and costly prescribing of brand name drugs.
An Experimental-Computational Approach to Quantify Blood Rheology in Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract In sickle cell disease, aberrant blood flow due to oxygen-dependent changes in red cell biomechanics is a key driver of pathology. Most studies to date have focused on the potential role of altered red cell deformability and blood rheology in precipitating vaso-occlusive crises. Numerous studies, however, have shown that sickle blood flow is affected even at high oxygen tensions, suggesting a potentially systemic role for altered blood flow in driving pathologies, including endothelial dysfunction, ischemia, and stroke. In this study, we applied a combined experimental-computation approach that leveraged an experimental platform that quantifies sickle blood velocity fields under a range of oxygen tensions and shear rates. We computationally fitted a continuum model to our experimental data to generate physics-based parameters that capture patient-specific rheological alterations. Our results suggest that sickle blood flow is altered systemically, from the arterial to the venous circulation. We also demonstrated the application of this approach as a tool to design patient-specific transfusion regimens. Finally, we demonstrated that patient-specific rheological parameters can be combined with patient-derived vascular models to identify patients who are at higher risk for cerebrovascular complications such as aneurysm and stroke. Overall, this study highlights that sickle blood flow is altered systemically, which can drive numerous pathologies, and this study demonstrates the potential utility of an experimentally parameterized continuum model as a predictive tool for patient-specific care.
Updated results of single-agent ibrutinib in recurrent/refractory primary (PCNSL) and secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL).

7515Background: PCNSL is an aggressive primary brain tumor with median progression free survival (PFS) after upfront methotrexate-based chemotherapy of 2-3 years. Outcome and treatment options are ...
Effect of Proposed Episode-Based Payment Models on Advanced Radiotherapy Procedures.

PURPOSE:An episode-based payment model, the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO-APM), has been proposed for Medicare reimbursement of radiation services provided to oncology patients. ...