cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Peer and Family Smoking Index: A Valid Measure of Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Adolescents

Abstract Purpose Nearly half of all adolescents in the United States are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) daily, primarily at home, resulting in respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and reduced lung function. A concise self-report measure is needed to identity adolescents exposed to SHS. The purpose of this study was to test whether nonsmoking adolescents who reported exposure to peer and/or family smoking on the Peer and Family Smoking Index had higher salivary cotinine levels than those reporting no exposure to either peer or family smoking. Methods A convenience sample of 135 English-speaking adolescents ages 15–18 years was recruited from two high schools. Those who reported use of nicotine replacement therapy, cigarette smoking (past 30 days), smokeless tobacco use (past 30 days), or who self-reported pregnancy were excluded. Salivary cotinine and self-report data from the Peer and Family Smoking Index were collected after obtaining parental consent and assent from the adolescent. Results Mean salivary cotinine levels differed by exposure group (none, family, peer, or family and peer), F (3, 130) = 5.44, p = .001. The post hoc analysis identified a significantly higher mean cotinine level among those exposed to SHS from both family and peers than among those with no exposure ( p = .001). Conclusions Known groups validity of the index was supported. Adolescents who reported family smoking or a combination of family and peer smoking had significantly higher salivary cotinine levels than unexposed adolescents. The Peer and Family Smoking Index is a concise and valid self-report measure for SHS exposure in adolescents.
Functional diversity of long non-coding RNAs in immune regulation.

Precise and dynamic regulation of gene expression is a key feature of immunity. In recent years, rapid advances in transcriptome profiling analysis have led to recognize long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as an additional layer of gene regulation context. In the immune system, lncRNAs are found to be widely expressed in immune cells including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), neutrophils, T cells and B cells during their development, differentiation and activation. However, the functional importance of immune-related lncRNAs is just emerging to be characterized. In this review, we discuss the up-to-date knowledge of lncRNAs in immune regulation.
Heat Capacities of Polyethylene III. One Linear and One Branched Sample from 5 to 350 K.

Heat capacities of two polyethylene samples, one linear with a density of 0.973 g cm-3 and one branched with a density of 0.91 g cm-3, have been determined by adiabatic calorimetry from 5 to 360 K in a different experimental arrangement then employed for studies of other polyethylene samples in this series. The heat capacity behavior of these two samples confirms expectations for samples with corresponding densities.
Effects of Moderate and Extreme Flow Regulation on Populus Growth along the Green and Yampa Rivers, Colorado and Utah

River regulation induces immediate and chronic changes to floodplain ecosystems. We analysed both short-term and prolonged effects of river regulation on the growth patterns of the keystone riparian tree species Fremont cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. wislizenii) at three upper Colorado River Basin rivers having different magnitudes of flow regulation. We compared cottonwood basal area increment on (i) the regulated Upper Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam; (ii) the adjacent free-flowing Yampa River; and (iii) the partially regulated Lower Green River below their confluence. Our goal was to identify the hydrologic and climatic variables most influential to tree growth under different flow regimes. A dendrochronological analysis of 182 trees revealed a long-term (37 years) trend of declining growth during the post-dam period on the Upper Green, but trees on the partially regulated Lower Green maintained growth rates similar to those on the reference Yampa River. Mean annual, mean growing season, and peak annual discharges were the multicollinear flow variables most correlated to growth during both pre-dam and post-dam periods at all sites. Annual precipitation was also highly correlated with tree growth, but precipitation occurring during the growing season was poorly correlated with tree growth, even under full river regulation conditions. This indicates that cottonwoods rely primarily on groundwater recharged by river flows. Our results illustrate the complex and prolonged effects of flow regulation on floodplain forests, and suggest that flow regulation designed to simulate specific aspects of flow regimes, particularly peak flows, may promote the persistence of these ecosystems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the Epidemiological Factors of Schistosomiasis in the Three Gorges Reservoir Areas

Objective To monitor the epidemiological factors and the import of Oncomelania snail as the infectious source of schistosomiasis in the Three Gorges reservoir areas, and to provide evidences of setting up the scheme of prevention and control. Methods The paper-making raw materials, flowers and grass, fruit trees, etc imported from the epidemic areas were investigated in Wanzhou District. The floating population migrated from others cities were investigated in 3 counties, such as Wanzhou, Fengdu, and Yubei. Their serum samples were examined by IHA. The passengers of the round trip train from Chongqing to Wuhan were investigated by the questionnaire. The cattle imported form prevailing areas at Wanzhou District were investigated. The schistosomiasis cases were investigated at the central Hospital of Sanxia and hospitals in Chongqing.Results Paper-making raw materials, flowers and trees were imported from schistosomiasis epidemic areas to the Three Gorges reservoir areas. 372 people of the floating population from the epidemic areas of schistosomiasis were investigated. 1.34% of their serum samples were sero-positive for schistosome. 3.76% of these people had a disease history of schistosomiasis. 133 people returning from epidemic areas were investigated. 1.5% of their serum samples were sero-positive for schistosome. 10 schistosomiasis cases were treated by hospitals in 1989～2004. None of cattle was imported from the epidemic areas of schistosomiasis. Conclusions The change in the ecological environment contributes some epidemiological factors of schistosomiasis. Monitoring and prevention of schistosomiasis should be enhanced in the Three Gorge areas.
Challenging Teacher Bias: Implementing a Community Learning Fair

All teacher education programs require multicultural components, however these may treat existing prejudices superficially or even reinforce them. This article presents a culturally responsive approach to addressing teacher prejudice through activities founded on the Caring-Centered Multicultural Education framework. Based on input from the teachers and principal at a partner school, pre-service teachers prepare inquiry-based science lessons for a community event. As pre-service teachers interact with families, they recognize the children’s inquisitiveness and their parents’ value for education, dispelling negative stereotypes about culturally and linguistically diverse urban communities. A whole-class debriefing to promote reflection on personal and societal prejudice follows, offering an effective model of Caring-Centered Multicultural Education that bridges theory into practice.
Population Dynamics and Life History of Euphorbia rosescens, a Perennial Herb Endemic to Florida Scrub.

Euphorbia rosescens is a recently described plant that is narrowly endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge. Little is known of the ecology or life history of this diminutive, deeply rooted polygamodioecious perennial. We studied 13 subpopulations of this species from 2004–2012 from five habitats, sampling monthly during its growing season. Subpopulations were stable year-to-year with annual survivals > 90%, but with considerable within-year dynamics, peaking in density in April and dying back in the fall and winter. Stem densities did not vary among subpopulations, habitats, or by subpopulation gender. Annual plant dormancy was common and decreased subsequent survival. Belowground biomass averaged almost 50 times higher than aboveground biomass. Subpopulations either consisted of entirely female individuals or a mixture of male and functionally andromonoecious individuals and these subpopulation genders remained stable across years. Overall, flowering has been dominated by female plants. Plants produced modest numbers of inflorescences (cyathia), and fruit production was very low. Although most plants survived fire by resprouting, fire decreased survival and had a short-term positive effect on floral production. Lack of fecundity and recruitment are concerns for this state-endangered species, but more information is needed on its breeding system and clonality to make specific management recommendations.
Animating the machinery: prophecy and Lady Eleanor Davies

AbstractUsing Eric Santner’s text The Royal Remains, which explores the way the body politic possesses and yields the excess sovereignty from the king’s deposed and dead body, this essay argues that Lady Eleanor Davies’ anointing as a prophet and handmaid of the Holy Spirit parallels Santner’s masculine examples of political and artistic agency emerging at the time of King James I’s death. Applying this argument to Lady Eleanor Davies’ initial prophecies, A Warning to the Dragon (1625, 1633) and Given to the Elector, Charles of the Rhyne (1633), this paper demonstrates how Lady Eleanor Davies established her own sovereignty through her prophecies preceding the English Civil War. This essay focuses on A Warning and Given to the Elector as the moment at which she is “reborn” into the office of prophet and claims the title “Handmaid of the Holy Spirit.” Moving beyond political agency, Lady Eleanor claims sovereignty not only to predict the downfall of King Charles I’s claim to the throne, but also to anoint ...
Disaster Vulnerability in Anthropological Perspective

In the study of disasters, the concept of vulnerability has been primarily employed as a cumulative indicator of the unequal distributions of certain populations in proximity to environmental and technological hazards and an individual or group ability to “anticipate, cope with, resist and recover” from disaster (Wisner et al. 2004). This concept has influenced disaster research as a means to question how natural, temporary, and random disasters are and focused analysis on the human-environmental processes that produce disasters and subject some populations more than others to risk and hazards. Critics also point out that vulnerability frameworks elude measure, strip people of agency, and reify stereotypes of the Global South. In light of both the historical importance and the sustained critiques of the concept, this chapter looks to anthropological and related literature to explore several questions: is it possible that vulnerability has outlived its usefulness? Is it still analytically meaningful for anthropologists currently working in the area of risk, hazards, and disasters? And what are the potential consequences or benefits that could come with conveying the concept of vulnerability to policy and decision makers?
Quantum materials: The quest for ultrafast plasmonics

Black phosphorous, a van der Waals layered semiconductor, is reported to reveal a plasmonic response that can be initiated by photoexcitation with femtosecond pulses.
Academic course scheduling by simulated annealing

We developed software to solve an academic course scheduling problem. A feasible solution to this problem allocates available instructional resources, such as instructors, classrooms, labs, and day/hours without conflicts. Course scheduling is a well-known NP complete timetabling problem. We used simulated annealing, which is often used to approximate solutions to problems of combinatorial explosion. We tested the software on data provided by our computer science department and the result is promising for practical use.
Mapping citizen journalism and the promise of digital inclusion: A perspective from the Global South:

This study maps the factors that impact and inform the practice of citizen journalism in the Global South, and asks how individuals in poor and marginalized communities produce contextually relevan...
The Role of Postural Support in Young Adults’ Control of Stationary Kicking

ABSTRACTPurpose: The requirement for postural stability during the performance of motor skills has been clearly demonstrated in infants, but the necessity for such a postural substrate is not well documented in adults. The present study investigated the role of postural stability during a ballistic ball-kicking task in adults by providing varying degrees of external postural support. Method: In the 1st experiment, 30 participants performed 20 maximal-velocity kicks under each of 3 conditions: grasping a rigid stable handle, light fingertip touch, and grasping a suspended elastic tube. A 2nd experiment with 16 participants varied the position of the stable handle to examine if the handle position in Experiment 1 might simply act as a fulcrum to enhance torque generation. Results: In Experiment 1, ball velocity was significantly higher in the stable-grasp condition in both men and women with the men showing greater improvement relative to the other conditions. Experiment 2 showed that the position of the st...
Third Generation Disadvantage among Mexican Americans

Among Mexican Americans, generational differences in education do not fit with assimilation theory’s predictions of significant improvement from the second to third generation; instead, education f...
Laser-excited gold nanoparticles for treatment of cancer cells in vitro

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have been performed to investigate the potential of Photothermal Therapy (PTT) as a cancer treatment strategy. However, there are still open questions concerning the optimal parameters for generating cavitation bubbles and acoustic shockwaves for increasing the damage to malignant cells, and the primary mechanism for cell damage in PTT is still a matter of debate. This study investigates PTT based on shockwaves from cavitation induced far from the cells, due to laser absorption by gold nanorods (GNR) colloidal solutions in vitro. The effects of laser energy and distance from the cavitation on cell viability is investigated in PC3 prostate cancer cells, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells, respectively.
Gender and Cultural Adaptations for Diversity: A Systematic Review of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Interventions for Latino Males.

Background: Latino men are disproportionately affected by the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse when compared to non-Latino white men. Latino men also face greater barriers to accessing, ...
Quaternization of Condensation Polymers

Although the preparation of quaternary ammonium containing resins from appropriately substituted vinyl monomers has been studied extensively1 elaboration of condensation polymers has not received comparable attention. Condensation polymers cannot be prepared with sufficiently high molecular weights or satisfactory chemical stability for most applications involving flocculation or viscosity enhancement. However, the excellent mechanical properties exhibited by many aromatic condensation polymers suggest that speciality applications, in particular, permselective membranes, could be served by suitably modified resins. We have observed that polymers containing oxy-phenylene repeat units are subject to facile electrophilic substitution including chloromethylation; the reactive derivatives can be cast into tough flexible films.2
Relapse Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Apparently Due to Somatic Cell Evolution via Epigenetic Variation and Immune Selection

In this brief commentary, I discuss a recently published study that documents the role of immune escape in relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Of particular interest, the mechanism identified by the authors for the ability of the malignant cells to evade destruction by host T cells is the loss of cell surface expression of HLA class II molecules based on processes other than mutation. The authors labeled this mechanism for altered cell surface display of HLA class II antigens "epigenetic." This study should be of strong interest for immunologists, oncologists and even specialists in infectious diseases for several reasons. First, the results extend the range of examples for which epigenetic mechanisms can play a critical role in resistance to therapy in oncology or infectious disease. Second, findings relating to decreased cell surface display of HLA class II molecules motivate investigation of novel approaches using cytokines to increase the numbers of HLA class II proteins on malignant myeloid cell membranes and reduce the extent of immune escape by these cells. Third, the data presented suggest experimental directions intended to clarify detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the cases of AML post-HCT relapse and raise questions relating to why some mechanisms of somatic cell evolution and not others are operative in different clinical settings.
P157 Determining E-Learning Preferences to Inform Beverage Policy Training for Georgia Child Care Providers

Background Limiting sugar-sweetened beverages served to children can help decrease childhood obesity risk. Early Care and Education (ECE) providers are key to promoting these beverage policies because they play a role in establishing healthy habits among young children. As a majority of Americans have Internet access, eLearning would be an appropriate format for a beverage policy training platform for ECE providers. Objective The specific aim of this study was to determine the preferred eLearning format of ECE providers in Georgia to inform the development of an eLearning beverage policy training. Study Design, Settings, Participants The target population for study included licensed and license exempt ECE providers in GA serving children ages 0-5. A randomized, stratified sample of facilities was selected. ECE providers completed an electronic or paper survey evaluating the degree in which their program implemented beverage policy recommendations and their eLearning preferences. Mock prototypes for preferred eLearning formats were developed. A convenience sample participated in semi-structured interviews to yield preferences for the development of the eLearning training. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine eLearning preferences. Qualitative data analysis was conducted to reveal themes from interviews. Results A total of 646 respondents completed the eLearning survey. Sixty eight percent of ECE providers reported participation in the Child and Adult Food Care Program. Participants had access to the internet (98.5%) and 44% would use the internet for a 15-minute educational session. Eighty five percent of participants reported having no beverage policy training. The preferred eLearning formats identified online were interactive video (46.8%), podcast (37.5%) and video-based learning (31.7%). A subset of ECE providers participated (N = 20) participated in interviews. Most participants chose interactive videos as the most effective training format. Findings showed that effective trainings should be engaging, concise, and hold trainees accountable. Conclusion Study results revealed that most participants have not received a beverage policy training. eLearning trainings is a promising method to educate ECE providers and improve the quality of beverages served to young children. Funding None.
Chapter Nine Loss of Control Among the Aging?: A Critical Reconstruction

Abstract An issue of relatively long-standing in the literature on aging in social psychology has been that of the effects of personal control or its absence on well-being. Theorizing and research by psychologists such as Rotter, Seligman, Bandura, Langer, Rodin and Schulz in general conclude that the risk of physical decline and death are increased as personal control is diminished. In addition psychological distress and impairment are also seen to increase with greater loss of control. This chapter briefly reviews the work of the major contributors mentioned above. The positivistic approach of this work is then criticized from a contemporary philosophy of science position. Research that avoids these limits is then presented. This study relies on discourse analysis, and is within a social constructionist paradigm. Sociological critiques that impugn the value of the self-controlled autonomous individual are then offered. These criticisms emphasize the limitations of the rhetoric of personal control and well-being. Special emphasis is given to feminist arguments that highlight the valuational biases adherent in the preferences given to high internal control. The advantages of reconceptualizing people as socially embedded and interdependent are advanced.
Weight perception among US adults predicts cardiovascular risk when controlling for body fat percentage.

Objectives Previous research has revealed that increased obesity prevalence in the US has occurred in concert with an increase in those in overweight and obese BMI categories perceiving their weight as "about right" since the 1980s. Using biological normalcy as a framework, we assess whether individual weight perception is related to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when controlling for body fat percentage (BF%). Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2006) included weight perception, BF%, covariates, and variables to calculate Framingham Risk Score (CVD risk) among 9489 US Americans aged 20-79 years. Results Logistic regression revealed that those perceiving themselves to be "overweight" had a significantly higher cardiovascular risk score compared to those considering their weight to be "about right" (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.12-2.11, P = .008) after controlling for BF%, age, gender, ethnicity, poverty-index-ratio, education, family history of myocardial infarction, smoking status, and physical activity. Conclusions Perceiving one's own weight as "overweight" was significantly associated with increased 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event when compared to those perceiving their weight to be "about right," regardless of body composition. This suggests that recent changes in normative beliefs in response to increased obesity prevalence over the past several decades could play a role in the distribution of CVD risk in the US, whereby perceiving oneself as "about right" rather than "overweight" may result from decreases in internalization of fat stigma.
A parallel Monte Carlo search algorithm for the conformational analysis of polypeptides

In recent years several approaches have been proposed to overcome the multiple-minima problem associated with nonlinear optimization techniques used in the analysis of molecular conformations. One such technique based on a parallel Monte Carlo search algorithm is analyzed. Experiments on the Intel iPSC/2 confirm that the attainable parallelism is limited by the underlying acceptance rate in the Monte Carlo search. It is proposed that optimal performance can be achieved in combination with vector processing. Tests on both the IBM 3090 and Intel iPSC/2-VX indicate that vector performance is related to molecule size and vector pipeline latency.
Urine Dipstick: Urinary Nitrites and Leukocyte Esterase – Dipping into Murky Waters

The urine dipstick is used in combination with other clinical and microbiologic data to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is usually ‘first-line’ in diagnosis given the ease of testing, low cost, and ability to use as a point-of-care test. Two components of the dipstick that are utilized in assisting in the diagnosis of UTIs are leukocyte esterase and nitrites. Leukocyte esterase is an enzyme that is released by white blood cells (WBCs) and therefore correlates with pyuria. Some bacteria (such as E. coli) convert urinary nitrates that are routinely present in the urine into nitrite. Therefore, a positive nitrite test on the urine dipstick is suggestive of the presence of these organisms. Importantly, a positive dipstick result only suggests the presence of bacteriuria and does not help in distinguishing between asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic UTI. False positive and false negative dipstick tests are also common, and consideration should be given to the clinical context when interpreting results. When considering the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection, the dipstick result should therefore be used with careful interpretation of symptoms, urine microscopy, and urine culture along with consideration of other potentially confounding diagnoses such as sexually transmitted infections (STI) and vaginosis.
Spectroscopy of high spin states in /sup 23/Na using the /sup 12/C(/sup 12/C,p. gamma. )/sup 23/Na reaction. [Branching and mixing ratio, lifetimes]

Particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray angular correlations have been performed using the $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{12}\mathrm{C}, p\ensuremath{\gamma})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction at the resonant laboratory energy of 38.82 MeV. Branching ratios, mixing ratios, and lifetimes are determined for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of states up to 13 MeV excitation energy in $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$. These results are combined with the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{8}\mathrm{Be}$)$^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{12}\mathrm{C}, d)^{22}\mathrm{Na}$, and $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{12}\mathrm{C}, p)^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction analyses to produce the following spin and parity assignments: 6.114 MeV ($\frac{11}{{2}^{+}}$), 6.235 MeV ($\frac{13}{{2}^{+}}$), 7.267 MeV ($\frac{13}{{2}^{+}}$), 9.038 MeV ($\frac{15}{{2}^{+}}$), and 9.803 MeV ($\frac{11}{{2}^{+}}$). Shell-model calculations are superior to Nilsson model calculations in describing these results.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{12}\mathrm{C}, p\ensuremath{\gamma})$, ${E}_{^{12}\mathrm{C}}=38.82$ MeV, measured lifetimes, branching ratios, and $p\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ angular correlations. Deduced ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ levels. Compared results with shell and Nilsson models.
The impact of snow loss and soil moisture on convective precipitation over the Rocky Mountains under climate warming

Warm season moist diurnal convection can be particularly sensitive to changes in land surface characteristics such as snow cover and soil moisture. Over regions of mountainous terrain, climate change is expected to reduce snow cover along the low-elevation seasonal snowpack margin. These snow reductions alter surface albedo and soil moisture content, leading to changes in surface fluxes and alterations in mesoscale orographic circulations that act to transport moisture and provide ascent. A set of convection-permitting regional climate simulations centered on the Rocky Mountains of Colorado are conducted from April through July across a period of 12 years (2002–2013). These include a reanalysis forced control run (CTR), a pseudo global warming run (PGW), and an additional altered land surface run (DSURF) used to isolate the effects of the snow albedo and soil moisture changes on orographic convection. Over the mountains, daytime hourly precipitation accumulation (0900–1800 MST) decreased in PGW by an average of 4.2% while precipitation in DSURF increased by 12.5%. On days with weak synoptic forcing, the PGW response more closely follow the DSURF response with daytime hourly increases averaging 29.7% for PGW and 28.7% for DSURF. For PGW, hourly daytime precipitation intensity increases of up to 82% overcome reductions in precipitation frequency to produce higher accumulations. DSURF shows smaller increases in intensity of up to 23% and broad increases in daytime frequency indicating that surface changes act to moderate reductions in the frequency of convective precipitation. Reduced snow cover contributes to this convective response by increasing convective instability and boundary layer moisture and decreasing lifting condensation level over the high terrain. Alterations in orographic thermal circulations contribute to this response by converging moisture over the high terrain and enhancing mesoscale ascent.
Wooden chest syndrome: Fentanyl induced chest wall rigidity

Fentanyl induced chest wall rigidity, otherwise known as Wooden Chest Syndrome, is a rare complication of fentanyl characterized by a patient's inability to properly ventilate. We present a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who developed this syndrome in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) setting. A 61- year-old female with a history of prior episodes of pancreatitis presented with a chief complaint of left-sided, sharp, abdominal pain associated with nausea. Physical exam demonstrated epigastric tenderness without rebound or guarding. Chest exam demonstrated strong inspiratory effort and was negative for rales, rhonchi, or accessory muscle use. Vital signs demonstrated no abnormalities and she had oxygen saturation levels greater than 92% on room air. Laboratory findings revealed an elevated lipase of 1086 u/L. A diagnosis of pancreatitis was made. The patient was given intravenous fluids and made NPO. The patient developed respiratory distress and chest x-ray findings revealed bilateral infiltrates consistent with ARDS, requiring endotracheal intubation. She was sedated with intravenous fentanyl and midazolam to a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) goal of -4. The fentanyl infusion was incrementally increased and maximized to 300mcg/hr. Following maximizing the fentanyl infusion, the patient began experiencing periods of hypoxia. Physical exam at this time was significant for a tense abdomen, facial cyanosis, and episodes of what appeared to be breath holding spells. Ventilator readings revealed drastically elevated airway pressures. The patient required bag valve mask ventilation which was met by strong resistance. Passage of the suction catheter revealed no obstruction or mucus. An emergent bedside bronchoscopy confirmed these findings. A repeat chest X-ray revealed no pneumothorax. This presentation raised concern for Wooden Chest Syndrome. The fentanyl infusion was titrated down and she was transitioned to dexmedetomidine. The patient exhibited no further episodes was successfully extubated three days later. Chest wall skeletal muscle rigidity is a result of fentanyl bound mu opioid receptors on the central nervous system and activation of a dopaminergic pathway. The subsequent decreased chest wall compliance results in ineffective assisted and spontaneous ventilation, translating to elevated pressures within the ventilator circuit. Management of this syndrome is with the opioid receptor antagonist Naloxone, neuromuscular blocking agents such as rocuronium, or cessation of fentanyl infusion with supportive care. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and surge in ICU admissions, analgesic fentanyl use is rising. Therefore, an understanding of this rare complication is necessary.
Mechanically Induced Ferroelectric Switching in BaTiO 3 Thin Films

The ability to reverse or switching the polarization of a ferroelectric thin film through a mechanical force under an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip offers the exciting possibility of a voltage-free control of ferroelectricity. One of the important metrics for characterizing such a switching process is the critical force Fc required to reverse a polarization. However, the experimentally measured values of Fc display a large uncertainty and vary significantly even for the same ferroelectric film. Here, using BaTiO3 thin films as a model system, we systematically evaluate Fc using a combination of AFM-based experiments and phase-field simulations. In particular, we study the influence of the AFM tip radius, misfit strain, and film thickness on Fc as well as the interplay between the flexoelectric and piezoelectric effects. This work provides a deeper understanding on the mechanism and control of mechanically induced ferroelectric switching and thus guidance for exploring potential ferroelectric-based nanodevices based on mechanical switching.
A kinetic theory for quantum information transport

In this work we build a theoretical framework for the transport of information in quantum systems. This is a framework aimed at describing how out of equilibrium open quantum systems move information around their state space, using an approach inspired by transport theories. The main goal is to build new mathematical tools, together with physical intuition, to improve our understanding of non-equilibrium phenomena in quantum systems. In particular, we are aiming at unraveling the interplay between dynamical properties and information-theoretic features. The main rationale here is to have a framework that can imitate, and potentially replicate, the decades-long history of success of transport theories in modeling non-equilibrium phenomena.
Shouting Into the Wind: Medical Science versus “B.S.” in the Twitter Maelstrom of Politics and Misinformation About Hydroxychloroquine

In the social media marketplace of ideas during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, epidemiologists and other scientific and medical experts competed for attention with news media, government agencies, ...
Waking up in pain: an infographic.

In this prospective cohort study Rasmussen and colleagues[1][1] reported their findings of 3,702 patients who underwent a variety of surgeries and found that 20% of patients reported moderate or severe pain immediately following surgery until 15 minutes after post-anesthesia care unit arrival. The
Interprofessional veno-veno bypass simulation improved team confidence.

Abstract Background Rarely performed procedures can cause stress and communication challenges in emergency situations. A simulation was developed to practice and improve team performance and procedural workflow when it has been determined that a liver transplant patient will need veno-veno bypass. The scenario involved a patient predetermined to need veno-veno bypass to allow team members to practice procedural workflow and communication. The simulation used a checklist outlining steps of the procedure and expected communication needed among surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and perfusion team members. Perfusion and nursing supplied equipment to simulate the veno-veno bypass. Debriefing and a brief survey followed the simulation. Results During the simulation participants performed steps outlined in the checklist. During debriefing, discussion occurred regarding equipment usage, step order, time documentation, and medication use. Additional discussions occurred regarding modifying perfusion tubing and supplies. Participants rated their confidence in understanding communication (4.2), ability to work with others (4.6), knowledge of supplies (4.4), and use of closed-loop communication (4.4) on a scale of 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (extremely confident) (n = 5). Conclusion Participants concluded going through veno-veno bypass steps was a positive experience. Surgeons acknowledged there were multiple ways to perform this procedure and agreed it should be done the same way each time for standardization. Nursing staff commented they liked reviewing equipment in a nonemergency situation. The checklist will be turned into a resource for future operating room procedures. The perfusion team made modifications to their equipment based on surgeon recommendations. Future training is planned when new members join the team.
Applications of Duality

Duality theory has proved extremely useful both as an analytical device and as an aid to the applied researcher. With respect to the latter, duality accommmodates a wide range of behavioral objectives, including the budget and revenue constrained cases which are the focus of this study. By developing equivalent representations of technology under varying objectives, duality affords the researcher a range of options which differ in their data requirements. Finally, duality can be exploited to derive shadow values or virtual prices. The purpose of this chapter is to elaborate on these points.
Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS)

The Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS; http://acadpsychclinicalscience.org) is an organization whose members are PhD programs in clinical psychology and clinical psychology internships that strongly value psychological clinical science. Richard McFall organized a “Clinical Science in the 21st Century” conference in April 1994. The attendees voted to create APCS. APCS held its first meeting in July 1995 with 26 member programs. By 1998, eight internships were members of APCS. Since then, APCS has supported clinical science in many domains. In 2006–2009, APCS created the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). PCSAS was recognized in September 2012 as an accrediting body by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As of May 2013, APCS had 55 graduate programs and 11 internships as members, and PCSAS had accredited 21 programs. Keywords: accreditation; Boulder model; clinical psychology training; clinical scientist
Interference Patterns in Family Y-1 of Saccharomyces.

HE chromosome maps of Saccharomyces in the Lindegren Breeding Stock show the locations of 20 genes (LINDEGREN, LINDEGREN, SHULT and DESBOROUGH 1959). The present communication is a detailed analysis of one family (Y-1) heterozygous for ten genes not yet located in the chromosome maps, as well as five established genes. The genetic factors controlling resistance and sensitivity to actidione, 3-amino-l , 2, Ctriazole and allyl glycine are of special interest Sensitivity or resistance to actidione has been shown to be under the control of two genes located on different chromosomes (LEE 1959). Only one gene (AC-I) is studied in this family since genotypes within tetrads from a hybrid heterozygous for both genes are not distinguishable. That the phenotypes of cultures resistant or sensitive to allyl glycine and 3-amino-l , 2,4-triazole are each controlled by a single gene is shown through tetrad analysis in this family. The gene AD-a controlling the synthesis of adenine is not associated with any visible coloration and is recorded in this breeding stock for the first time. (The adenine locus corresponding to this mutant has not yet been determined (ROMAN 1956).) Position of genes not previously located on the chromosome maps is attempted through tetrad analysis.
Learning intrinsic dimension and intrinsic entropy of high-dimensional datasets

Populations of measurements of objects such as faces, genes or internet data traces, lie in lower dimensional manifolds of their high dimensional embedding spaces, e.g. face images, gene microarrays, or multivariate time series records. Knowing the intrinsic dimension and relative entropy of these manifolds is important for discovering structure, classifying differences, or performing dimensionality reduction (compression). In this paper we apply a new family of entropic graph methods to the estimation of intrinsic dimension and entropy of datasets supported on synthetic manifolds and of a high dimensional dataset of handwritten digits.
Atorvastatin Regulates Apoptosis in Chronically Ischemic Myocardium

Background We previously demonstrated that atorvastatin upregulates proangiogenic proteins and increases arteriolar density in ischemic myocardium. Despite this, there was a lack of collateral-dependent perfusion, possibly related to apoptosis. We utilized a swine model of metabolic syndrome and chronic myocardial ischemia to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on apoptosis. Materials and methods Sixteen Ossabaw miniswine were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 14 weeks then underwent surgical placement of an ameroid constrictor to their circumflex artery inducing chronic ischemia. Eight pigs additionally received supplemental atorvastatin (1.5 mg/kg daily). Myocardium was harvested six months later for western blotting and TUNEL staining. Results Animals supplemented with atorvastatin had significant increases in markers associated with apoptosis including p-38, BAX, and caspase 3 (p < 0.05). Atorvastatin supplementation also resulted in significant increases in expression of cell survival proteins Bcl-2 and P-ERK and an overall decrease in apoptosis demonstrated by TUNEL staining (p < 0.05). Conclusions Atorvastatin acts on multiple pathways and its effects on angiogenesis remain unclear. Although there is increased expression in several markers of apoptosis, key anti-apoptotic proteins were also upregulated with an overall decrease in apoptosis. Further investigation of these pathways may provide insight into the role of statins on myocardial protection after ischemia. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12488 (J Card Surg 2015;30:218–223)
Welfare and optimum dynamic taxation of consumption and income

Abstract This paper estimates that the US could attain large welfare gains by implementing an optimal Ramsey tax policy that taxes consumption and income. It is also found that the welfare implications associated with taxing consumption are quantitatively more important than those associated with dynamically taxing income. Indeed, replacing income taxes with a constant consumption tax leads to a welfare gain that is only slightly lower than that attained by a dynamic policy that taxes consumption and income. In computing these welfare gains, careful attention is given to the dynamic path of tax rates and the transitional dynamics associated with how the economy responds to a new tax policy.
Technology projections for solar dynamic power

Solar Dynamic power systems can offer many potential benefits to Earth orbiting satellites including high solar-to-electric efficiency, long life without performance degradation, and high power capability. A recent integrated system test of a 2 kilowatt SD power system in a simulated space environment has successfully demonstrated technology readiness for space flight. Conceptual design studies of SD power systems have addressed several potential mission applications: a 10 kilowatt LEO satellite, a low power Space Based Radar, and a 30 kilowatt GEO communications satellite. The studies show that with moderate component development, SD systems can exhibit excellent mass and deployed area characteristics. Using the conceptual design studies as a basis, a SD technology roadmap was generated which identifies the component advances necessary to assure SD systems a competitive advantage for future NASA, DOD, and commercial missions.
A checkpoint on the road to cancer

Mutations that disrupt a cell-division checkpoint, thereby causing alterations in chromosome number, have been identified in cancer cells. The accompanying increase in mutability helps to explain how tumours acquire large numbers of mutant genes during their development.
Trusted Storage: Putting Security and Data Together

State and Federal breach notification legislation mandates that the affected parties be notified in case of a breach of sensitive personal data, unless the data was provably encrypted. Self-encrypting hard drives provide the superior solution for encrypting data-at-rest when compared to software-based solutions. Self-encrypting hard drives, from the laptop to the data center, have been standardized across the hard drive industry by the Trusted Computing Group. Advantages include: simplified management (including keys), no performance impact, quick data erasure and drive re-purposing, no interference with end-to-end data integrity metrics, always encrypting, no cipher-text exposure, and scalability in large data centers.
What Life‐Span Data Do We Really Need?

This chapter reviews various methodological innovations in life-span research that have come as a direct result of advances in dealing with incomplete data using structural equation models (SEMs). As with most topics in methodology, the newest approaches are not radically new at all, and much of what we present here is based on classical considerations from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The broad methodological topics include statistical power, multivariate scale and item measurement, and longitudinal and dynamic measurements. This presentation emphasizes the use of available longitudinal data to examine the statistical approximations that would result if less data were actually available—a technique used by Bell (1954). This same technique is used to deal with approximations resulting from having less people, less scales, less items, less occasions, and less dynamic information. Recent examples from the Berkley-Bradway longitudinal data are presented to illustrate the life-span data we really do need. Keywords: structural equation modeling; incomplete data; life-span data; convergence; acceleration; anova designs; adaptive testing; selection effects; dynamic effects
Chapter 4 Membrane and cellular signaling of integrity and acute activation

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces some of the primary players and pathways for the molecular integration and coordination of the membrane and cellular signaling of integrity and acute activation. The very complex and dynamic existence of endothelium—based on two states, quiescence and activation—makes a simplistic division of signaling into acute and long-term mechanisms. By “acute,” it means processes that can be altered in a matter of seconds or perhaps minutes, involving the release of intracellular second messengers and rapid responses, such as altered phosphorylation, redox, and conformational states of proteins. Such signals are often triggered by the binding of external mediators to membrane receptors and the consequent changes in cellular proteins often result in their translocation to membranes or to complexes with other proteins. Signaling is also divided based on the two states of the endothelium. Some pathways are primarily associated with the establishment of the architecture of quiescent endothelial cells, formation of cell–cell junctions, and maintenance of barrier integrity. The chapter describes the signaling of quiescence and barrier integrity.
Molecular characterization of a fimbrial adhesin, F1845, mediating diffuse adherence of diarrhea-associated Escherichia coli to HEp-2 cells.

Abstract A fimbrial adhesin, designated F1845, was found to be responsible for the diffuse HEp-2 cell adherence of a diarrheal Escherichia coli isolate. The genetic determinant of F1845 was cloned, and the order of the genes necessary for production of F1845 was determined by maxicell analysis. Five polypeptides with apparent sizes of 10, 95, 27, 15.5, and 14.3 kilodaltons (kDa) were found to be encoded in that order by the F1845 determinant. The nucleotide sequence of the 14.3-kDa subunit gene was determined and found to share extensive homology in its signal sequence with the gene encoding the structural subunit of the AFA-1 hemagglutinin of a uropathogenic E. coli strain (A. Labigne-Roussel, M.A. Schmidt, W. Walz, and S. Falkow, J. Bacteriol. 162:1285-1292, 1985) but not in the region encoding the mature protein. Southern blot hybridizations indicated that the F1845 determinants are of chromosomal origin. Hybridization studies using a probe from the region encoding the 95-kDa polypeptide indicated that related sequences may be plasmid associated in some strains and chromosomal in others. Additional hybridization studies of E. coli isolates possessing sequence homology to the F1845 determinant suggest that the sequences in the 5' region of the F1845 structural subunit gene are more highly conserved than sequences in the 3' region.