cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of person-centered showering and the towel bath on bathing-associated aggression, agitation, and discomfort in nursing home residents with dementia : a randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of two nonpharmacological techniques in reducing agitation, aggression, and discomfort in nursing home residents with dementia. The techniques evaluated were person-centered showering and the towel bath (a person-centered, in-bed bag-bath with no-rinse soap). DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial, with a usual-care control group andtwoexperimental groups,withcrossover. SETTING: Nine skilled nursingfacilities in Oregon and six in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-three residents with agitation during bathing (69 completed the trial) and 37 nursing assistants who bathed them. MEASUREMENTS: Agitation and aggression were measured using the Care Recipient Behavior Assessment; discomfort was measured using a modification of the Discomfort Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer Type. Raters who were blinded to subject status coded both from videotaped baths. Secondary measures of effect included bath duration, bath completeness, skin condition, and skin microbial flora. RESULTS: All measures of agitation and aggression declined significantly in both treatment groups but not in the control group, with aggressive incidents declining 53% in the person-centered shower group (Po.001) and 60% in the towel-bath group (Po.001). Discomfort scores also declined significantly in both intervention groups (Po.001) but not in the control group. The two interventions did not differ in agitation/aggression reduction, but discomfort was less with the towel bath (P 5.003). Average bath duration increased significantly (by a mean of 3.3 minutes) with person-centered showering but not with the towel bath. Neither intervention resulted in fewer body parts being bathed; both improved skin condition; and neither increased colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria, corynebacteria, or Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Person-centered showering and the towel bath constitute safe, effective methods of reducing agitation, aggression, and discomfort during bathing of persons with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 52:1795–1804, 2004.
Role of central 5-HT2 receptors in mediating head bobs and body shakes in the rabbit.

Abstract Systemic administration of the 5-HT 2A/2C agonist DOI [(1(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane)hydrochloride] in rabbits elicits head bobs and body shakes, which are mediated by 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2C receptors, respectively. This study was designed to determine whether the receptors mediating these behaviors are primarily located in the brain or in the periphery. Systemic administration of the peripheral 5-HT 2A/2C antagonist xylamidine 30 min before systemic DOI challenge attenuated DOI-elicited body shakes by 50% without an effect on head bobs, suggesting a central origin for head bobs and a partial peripheral and a partial central origin for body shakes. Central administration of DOI into the lateral ventricle (ICV) elicited head bobs but not body shakes, demonstrating that the receptors mediating head bobs are centrally located. Pretreatment with ICV xylamidine blocked head bobs elicited by ICV DOI, indicating that the lack of inhibition, when systemically administered, is due to xylamidine's failure to reach central receptors. ICV pretreatment with the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin inhibited ICV DOI-elicited head bobs establishing that 5-HT 2A receptors activation elicits head bobs. In conclusion, 5-HT 2A receptors mediating head movements are located in the brain whereas 5-HT 2C receptors mediating the body movements appear to be located at different central sites as well as in the periphery.
Single-mode solid-core tellurite glass fiber with large mode area and low loss for infrared applications

We report on the fabrication of a single-mode solid-core tellurite glass fiber with large mode area of 103 µm2 and low loss of 0.24∼0.7 dB/m at 1550 nm. By using the continuous-wave self-phase modulation method, the non-resonant nonlinear refractive index n 2 is estimated to be 3.8×10−19 m2/W at 1550 nm.
Nalorphine: Conditioning of Drug Effects on Operant Performance

When the morphine treatment of a physically dependent organism is abruptly discontinued, intense physiologic and behavioral signs and symptoms appear within a few hours of the last drug dose, reach a peak in intensity in 24 to 48 hours, and then gradually subside (Eddy, Halbach, Isbell, and Seevers, 1965; Jaffe, 1965). This complex of signs and symptoms, called the morphine-abstinence syndrome, includes anxiety, restlessness, disruption of ongoing behavior, increases in behavior motivated by drug acquisition, perspiration, salivation, mydriasis, body temperature changes, muscular aching and twitching, elevation of heart rate and respiratory rate, anorexia, and vomiting (Jaffe, 1965).
Reply to Schmid, Snyder, and Gelman and Auerbach: Correlates of the increase in white non-Hispanic midlife mortality in the 21st century

We welcome the letters of Schmid (1), Snyder (2), and Gelman and Auerbach (3), each of which usefully extends our original analysis (4), and points directions for further exploration. Three main findings of our study are useful to recap: first, contrary to previous trends in the United States, and contrary to current mortality trends in other industrialized countries, there has been an increase in all-cause mortality among white non-Hispanics (WNHs) aged 45−54 in the United States since 1999; second, the increase in mortality is largely among those with a high-school education or less; and third, the most rapidly rising causes of death are accidental and intent-undetermined poisonings, suicides, and alcohol-related diseases. There are also three important topics that we did not address, at least adequately: ( i ) We present a mortality breakdown by broad census regions, and we note that the deterioration in self-assessed health we report is observed in each state when analyzed separately, but we did not undertake further geographical analysis. ( ii ) Apart from noting parenthetically that the patterns of increase in these causes of death were similar for men and women, we did not focus on gender differences more broadly; in retrospect, the similarity between the sexes is itself surprising, and should have been investigated further and indeed, many press reports of our work incorrectly assumed that our results applied only to men. ( iii ) As noted in the Commentary by Meara and Skinner (5) that accompanied our article (4), we did not emphasize that the causes of death … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: Deaton{at}princeton.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Generic antiarrhythmic drugs: what constitutes equivalency.

The substitution of generic drugs (with or without physician awareness) is a rapidly growing phenomenon, and one that is for the most part vigorously supported by health insurors (including many government agencies), and at least tacitly supported by hospital and pharmacy managements, and some patient advocacy groups [1,2]. The motives for this enthusiasm vary. A third-party payor may be trying to save money. Hospitals and pharmacies may hope to reap a larger profit by being reimbursed about the same for a drug formulation which they acquire at lesser cost than a “brand” drug. The patient may simply be trying to strike a better deal for himself or herself by keeping their health premiums from rising, or their “out of pocket” expenses from skyrocketing. In many cases, replacement of a standard drug formulation by an apparently generic “pharmaceutical equivalent” or “pharmaceutical alternative” is safe and justifiable; however, this may not always be the case. There are concerns that periodic unexpected treatment failures or adverse reactions in patients who seemed to have been stable, may have been due to drug substitution. In cardiac electrophysiology, the greatest concern relates to the safety and efficacy of antiarrhythmic and anticoagulation treatment. Given the increasing importance drug substitution plays in clinical practice, the current standards used to determine whether a generic drug is deemed to be “bioequivalent” by regulatory authorities should be known to and agreed upon by physicians. Further, the appropriateness of such standards should be the subject of periodic critical review.
Effectiveness of systems changes suggested by simulation of adverse surgical outcomes

Background Simulation of adverse outcomes (SAO) has been described as a technique to improve effectiveness of root cause analysis (RCA) in healthcare. We hypothesise that SAO can effectively identify unsuspected root causes amenable to systems changes. Methods Systems changes were developed and tested for effectiveness in a modified simulation, which was performed eight times, recorded and analysed. Results In seven of eight simulations, systems changes were effectively utilised by participants, who contacted anaesthesia using the number list and telephone provided to express concern. In six of seven simulations where anaesthesia was contacted, they provided care that avoided the adverse event. In two simulations, the adverse event transpired despite implemented systems changes, but for different reasons than originally identified. In one case, appropriate personnel were contacted but did not provide the direction necessary to avoid the adverse event, and in one case, the telephone malfunctioned. Conclusions Systems changes suggested by SAO can effectively correct deficiencies and help improve outcomes, although adverse events can occur despite implementation. Further study of systems concepts may provide suggestions for changes that function more reliably in complex healthcare systems. The information gathered from these simulations can be used to identify potential deficiencies, prevent future errors and improve patient safety.
Nurse practitioners’ job satisfaction in rural versus nonrural areas

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of nurse practitioners’ (NPs) job satisfaction and its relationship to work conditions in rural versus nonrural areas. Data sources A secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2012 National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners. NPs in active practice in clinical settings were included in this study. The final analytic sample consisted of 9010 NPs. Conclusions and implications for practice Overall, NPs were satisfied with their positions (satisfied to very satisfied). Both rural and nonrural NPs were most satisfied with the proportion of their time spent in patient care, their level of autonomy, and the respect that they received from other colleagues. Nonrural NPs who said or stated that they performed to the fullest extent of their states’ legal scope of practice were more satisfied than nonrural NPs who did not. When nonrural NPs fully utilized their NP skills, their job satisfaction increased. For rural NPs, a similar pattern was found regarding full use of their NP skills. The evidence found in this study reminds us that given the increasing demands for NPs’ healthcare services, continuous effort should be made to recruit and retain rural NPs.
Dietary Cadmium, Iron, and Zinc Interactions in the Growing Rat:

SummaryWeanling rats were used in 4 experiments to determine the effect of Zn and Fe added to the diet alone and in combination in preventing Cd toxicity. Cd added to the diet at a level of 100 ppm depressed weight gain and blood hemoglobin in all 4 experiments. Supplemental Fe at 300 ppm in the diet offset the effect of Cd on weight gain and hemoglobin. Liver Cu was reduced and liver Zn was increased by Cd. Liver Fe was reduced by Cd at 100 ppm dietary Fe but not at 400 ppm. Depression of weight gain by Cd in one experiment was prevented by 68 ppm of Fe and 200 ppm of Zn added to a low Fe-low Zn diet, but not when either was added singly. Weight gain and hemoglobin of rats fed Cd were increased when rats were kept in galvanized cages as compared to stainless steel cages in one of two experiments. A Cd X Fe X Zn interaction appears to exist in the growing rat and environmental contamination with Zn is an important factor in determining the response to variable dietary Cd and Fe levels.
A probabilistic method for evaluating reactivity feedbacks and its application to Experimental Breeder Reactor II

The probability that reactivity feedbacks will fail to prevent damage is computed by propagating data and modeling uncertainties through transient calculations, with these uncertainties being constrained by experimental evidence. Screening processes are used to identify the most important parameters and accident initiators. The notion of treating an accident initiator in a probabilistic manner is introduced. The response surface method is used to facilitate the error propagation, and a Monte Carlo rejection technique is used to force the parameter variations to be consistent with the observed distribution of experimental quantities. The reliability of the failure probability estimates is evaluated. This method is illustrated by analyzing anticipated transients without scram for the Experimental Breeder Reactor 2. The rod run-in initiator is represented by using a reactivity insertion magnitude distribution, a much less threatening and more realistic description than the technical specification limit on rod worths. Reactivity feedbacks are shown to reduce damage frequencies by orders of magnitude, and the experimental constraints are found to have a large effect.
Cold tolerance of adult spotted and banded cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Spotted and banded cucumber beetles, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber and D. balteata LeConte, cold-acclimated and nonacclimated, shared a common range of supercooling points (−12 to −14°C); however, LD50 values showed that cold-temperature survival of the spotted cucumber beetle was higher relative to the banded cucumber beetle as the exposure temperature approached O°C. A considerable portion (41.5%) of spotted cucumber beetle adults survived ambient conditions during the winter of 1988 at Charleston, S. C, whereas all adults of the banded cucumber beetle died. Reproductive diapause did not contribute to cold hardiness in the spotted cucumber beetle, but cold acclimation increased survival to exposures of −10°C in both species.
Bladder metastasis presenting as neck, arm and thorax pain: a case report

A case of metastatic carcinoma secondary to urothelial carcinoma presenting as musculoskeletal pain is reported. A brief review of urothelial and metastatic carcinoma including clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment and chiropractic considerations is discussed. This patient presented in November 2014 with progressive neck, thorax and upper extremity pain. Computed tomography revealed a destructive soft tissue mass in the cervical spine and additional lytic lesion of the 1st rib. Prompt referral was made for surgical consultation and medical management. Distant metastasis is rare, but can present as a musculoskeletal complaint. History of carcinoma should alert the treating chiropractic physician to potential for serious disease processes.
Religious and Spiritual Struggles, Past and Present: Relations to the Big Five and Well-Being

ABSTRACTThe present research examined the relations between the Big Five factors of personality, religious/spiritual (r/s) struggles (tensions, conflicts, and strains pertaining to r/s life), and well-being. Participants comprised U.S. adults from an online sample (N = 1,047) and an undergraduate sample (N = 3,083). Regressions showed that people who reported higher Neuroticism and Openness, as well as lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, reported higher lifetime frequency of r/s struggles and a higher degree of current r/s struggles. In turn, both lifetime history of r/s struggles and current r/s struggles explained a modest amount of variance in different domains of well-being (psychological, hedonic, and social) above and beyond the Big Five. These results held when controlling for religiousness. Thus, lifetime history of r/s struggles and current r/s struggles may represent unique aspects of psychological experience with implications for well-being.
Cavernous Malformation of the Seventh Cranial Nerve: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background Cavernous malformations (CMs) arising in the cranial nerves are rare. Only a few cases of facial nerve CMs have been reported in the literature. Case Description A 52-year old woman presented with headache, unilateral worsening facial weakness, and hearing loss. Imaging was suggestive of a CM of the cerebellopontine angle. Intraoperatively, a mulberry-shaped lesion was seen arising entirely within the seventh nerve. The patient underwent complete resection with sural nerve interposition graft. Conclusions CMs are very rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of cerebellopontine angle masses.
Peri-Operative Nursing in Bronchoscopy of Children

Objective:To explore the experience of nursing in the bronchoscopy of children.Methods: To prepare the utensil for emergency treatment,to put the patient in a appropriate body position which could suitable for complete the operation successfully;to assist the anesthetist to complete the anaesthetic and rescure work.Results:All 58 cases with foreign bodies in airpassage were endured the bronchoscopy without any complications.Conclusion: Precision preoperative preparation and introperative nursing are important to complete bronchoscopy in children.
Theistic Dissonance Among Religious Jewish Holocaust Survivors: A Psychodynamic Perspective

ABSTRACTCoining the term theistic dissonance to capture conflicted attitudes and feelings toward God, this article examines faith-based reactions to the Holocaust. The theological weltanschauung of religious Jewish Holocaust survivors is analyzed, with a particular focus on their attempts to reconcile the notion of a benevolent and caring God with their harrowing experience. Basic religious sources and contemporary literature are presented to elucidate the realm of resolutions of theistic dissonance. It is suggested that elements of defense mechanisms are adapted from the emotional into the cognitive realm, and are used by survivors to facilitate respective interpretations of God’s role during the Holocaust. Dissonance resolution is seen as being informed theologically and experientially for these victims who confronted stark challenges to their religious integrity.
Mathematical models to correlate amniotic fluid index and amniotic fluid volume.

PURPOSE To describe a predictable relationship that relates amniotic fluid index (AFI) to amniotic fluid volume (AFV) and improve the accuracy of AFI to detect true oligohydramnios. METHODS Data from 42 parturients (group I) who underwent measurements of amniotic fluid sonographically (amniotic fluid index) as well as by dye-dilution technique was used to relate AFI to AFV. Subsequently, 22 consecutive women (group II) were used to test the accuracy of the equation to predict true oligohydramnios. RESULTS In group II, 11 of 22 patients had true oligohydramnios and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of AFI < or = 5.0 to detect a confirmed AFV < 500 mL were 0%, 91%, 0%, and 48%, respectively. These values of AFI, when used in conjunction with the equation, improved to 73%, 55%, 62%, 67%, respectively. With AFI and the equation, significantly more patients in group II with true oligohydramnios (8 of 11) could be detected than with using AFI alone (0 of 11; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION AFI is poor predictor of true oligohydramnios. Using the mathematical model, the detection rate of oligohydramnios is significantly improved.
Carter, D. R., and G. S. Beaupré. 2001. Skeletal Function and Form: Mechanobiology of Skeletal Development, Aging, and Regeneration. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York, 318 pp. ISBN 0-521-79000-X

D. R. Carter, G. S. Beaupre. 2001. Skeletal Function and Form: Mechanobiology of Skeletal Development, Aging, and Regeneration. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York, 318 pp. ISBN 0-521-79000-X, price (cloth), $80.00. The preface to Skeletal Function and Form states that the main goal of the book is to demonstrate that function determines form. In a wide variety of ways, the authors succeed admirably. That form determines function is tacitly accepted by contemporary researchers working on diverse aspects of evolutionary biology, although answers to research questions are not usually framed in these terms. Therefore, this book is a valuable resource because it provides many anatomical examples that show how structure is shaped by selective pressures that favor the purposes they serve and how structure and function change in concert through time. In the first chapter, the authors set the stage by discussing development of the intellectual framework supporting these ideas with a recounting of historical approaches. They draw here, as elsewhere in the narrative, from the work of the earliest writers on “nature” to the first evolutionary theorists, from pre-Darwinian naturalist-philosophers to contemporary researchers and writers. Not only is this discussion informative, but it also provides background necessary for the reader to appreciate the complexity of the interrelationship between form and function and the correspondingly great significance of the historical dialogue, as well as its relevance to issues of significance to present functional studies of morphology. By identifying and tracing structural patterns observable in organisms, both through documenting evolutionary change and individual growth and maturation processes, it becomes possible to tease apart the effects of each. The authors initiate their contribution to this analysis with the discussion of long-established attributes of bone and cartilage. The skeletal system has many elements that are described using a complex and specialized vocabulary, and this book is one of the few places where the …
Film Use to Promote Understanding in Change and Diffusion of Innovation

The paper explores cinematic films as a pedagogical tool to promote critical thinking and student discussions in a doctoral-level learning, design, and technology seminar course at a major U.S. research university. These discussions focused on systemic change and systemic thinking concepts. The authors offer evidence from the literature that supports films’ power as a visual metaphor and neurocognitive stimulator to promote development of new perspectives in graduate students on case studies through articulation, reflection, and explanation of their thought processes on change and diffusion of innovation. There are theoretical, political, social, and technological issues that create tensions during any systemic change effort. The goal of using film in this seminar is to equip students with the requisite skills, theoretical frameworks, and interpersonal experiences needed to address these issues within organizations and communities. The change expected from systemic thinking is for students to think more deeply about the interconnectedness of systems and the importance of bottom-up change efforts that consider the perspective of all stakeholders.
Diversity in Host Defense Antimicrobial Peptides

Host defense antimicrobial peptides are part of the innate immune system of organisms in multicellular eukaryotes. Following the identification of the first insect antimicrobial peptide, cecropin, in moths in 1980 (Eur J Biochem 106(1):7–16, 1980; Nature 292(5820):246–248, 1981) and the first amphibian peptide magainin in 1987 (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84(15):5449–5453, 1987), scientists have been exploring the diversity of animal antimicrobial peptides through examination of their sequences, structures and functions. The sequences of antimicrobial host defense peptides are surprisingly diverse as is the lack of commonalities between animals across phyla. Although peptides are classified into categories such as cathelicidins and defensins, the similarity between the active peptides within these categories can sometimes be difficult to find. This is because these peptides share function, structure, and mechanism within groups but often have very different sequences (Clin Microbiol Rev 19(3):491–511, 2006). That is, they have significant structural conservation often without significant sequence conservation. Sorensen and Borregaard (Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 8(3):273–280, 2005) beautifully described the diversity of host defense and antimicrobial peptides as “nature’s attempt at combinatorial chemistry” (Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 8(3):273–280, 2005). In this chapter, we will discuss the diversity of antibacterial peptides from insects and oysters to reptiles and humans. Questions that could be of interest for future research and seem to be currently unanswered are highlighted in boxes throughout the text.
Post-transcriptional regulation of cytokine expression and T cell development

C produced by innate immune cells, especially IL-12 family cytokines, play essential roles in the development of specific adaptive immunity against invading pathogen. IL-12 is essential for the differentiation and proliferation of Th1 cells important for protection against intracellular infection, while IL-23 plays an important role for Th17 cell survival and expansion important for host defense against extracellular infection. Transcriptional regulation of these cytokines has been intensively studied for the past decades. Posttranscriptional regulation of these cytokines, however, remains largely elusive, due probably to technique barriers. Posttranscriptional regulation of many cytokines occurs by modulation of their mRNA stability through AREs in the 3’UTR. One of the best characterized ARE-associated RNA binding decay proteins is tristetraprolin (TTP). TTP is a member of CCCH tandem zinc finger proteins and involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses at the posttranscriptional level. TTP binds to AREs within the 3’UTR causing destabilization of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), cyclooxygenase 2, interleukin-2, interleukin-10 and the chemokine CXCL1. We have recently found that mice deficient of TTP show increased IL-12 and IL-23 expression. The suppression of IL-12 and IL23 expression by TTP is mediated through different mechanisms. As a result of IL-12 and IL-23 suppression, Th1 and Th17 cells are increased in mice deficient of TTP. Our date indicate that TTP is a critical protein involved in the control of inflammation and maintenance of homeostasis via affecting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and subsequent T help cell development.
Effect of current injection efficiency on efficiency-droop in InGaN quantum well light-emitting diodes

One of the most important issues in InGaN quantum well (QW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is the reduction in efficiency at high current density, which is referred as "efficiency-droop" [1]. Various possible explanations for the efficiency-droop in nitride LEDs include 1) carrier leakage, 2) Auger recombination, 3) decreased carrier localization at In-rich regions, 4) hole transport, and 5) junction heating. The origin of the efficiency-droop issue remains very controversial.
Use of a Digital Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers - Revised with Follow-up to Improve Quality of Screening for Autism.

Objectives To assess changes in quality of care for children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) due to process improvement and implementation of a digital screening form. Study design The process of screening for ASD was studied in an academic primary care pediatrics clinic before and after implementation of a digital version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers – Revised with Follow-up with automated risk assessment. Quality metrics included accuracy of documentation of screening results and appropriate action for positive screens (secondary screening or referral). Participating physicians completed pre- and postintervention surveys to measure changes in attitudes toward feasibility and value of screening for ASD. Evidence of change was evaluated with statistical process control charts and χ 2 tests. Results Accurate documentation in the electronic health record of screening results increased from 54% to 92% (38% increase, 95% CI 14%-64%) and appropriate action for children screening positive increased from 25% to 85% (60% increase, 95% CI 35%-85%). A total of 90% of participating physicians agreed that the transition to a digital screening form improved their clinical assessment of autism risk. Conclusions Implementation of a tablet-based digital version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers – Revised with Follow-up led to improved quality of care for children at risk for ASD and increased acceptability of screening for ASD. Continued efforts towards improving the process of screening for ASD could facilitate rapid, early diagnosis of ASD and advance the accuracy of studies of the impact of screening.
John Baptist de la Salle and interior prayer: Humility as an antidote to curiositas in the hospitable classroom:

This article explores a relationship which is related to recognition, hospitality, and the classroom, but does not get a lot of attention: the relationship between the teacher and the subject of st...
Impact of a risk model based on routine lab results on colorectal cancer screening in average risk population.

1567 Background: Risk scores for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening use limited variables and have low predictive values. We sought to develop and validate a novel CRC risk prediction model based on routinely available data from electronic medical records including laboratory results. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study using a population-based database. The cohort was randomly divided into test and validation datasets. Cases were defined as those with a diagnostic code of CRC, aged 50-85. Subjects with CRC syndromes or IBD were excluded. For every case, 4 controls matched on practice site and duration of follow-up were selected using incidence-density sampling. Lifestyle parameters, medical history, medications, and lab results were examined as CRC risk factors using univariate conditional logistic regression. Variables with p-value < 0.25 were evaluated for the multivariate model, after correcting for linearity, using backward elimination. Discrimination ability was calculated using receive...
Sir Gowther: Table Manners and Aristocratic Identity

The anomalous verse romance of Sir Gowther (ca. 1400) has long perplexed critics with its insistent anti-heroism and spectacular violence. Rather than seek resolution in penitential ideology, this article looks to the secular practices of aristocratic table manners as an important context of the romance's bizarre action. This context was immediately available to fifteenth-century readers of the romance in one of its manuscripts, the "Heege Manuscript," which links Sir Gowther to a conduct poem called the "Urbanitatis." The strictures of personal comportment provide a standard of normative behavior, which provides a foundation for Sir Gowther's imaginative, satirical exploration of romantic humanity.
3D-Printed Biohybrid Robots Powered by Neuromuscular Tissue Circuits from Aplysia californica

Biohybrid robotics offers the possibility of compliant, bio-compatible actuation and adaptive behavioral flexibility via the use of muscles as robotic actuators and neural circuits as controllers. In this study, neuromuscular tissue circuits from Aplysia californica have been characterized and implemented on 3D-printed inchworm-inspired biohybrid robots, creating the first locomotive biohybrid robots with both organic actuation and organic motor-pattern control. Stimulation via the organic motor-controller is shown to result in higher muscle tension and faster device speeds as compared to external electrical stimulation.
Aclacinomycin A in the treatment of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Efficacy and toxicity in the rabbit eye.

PURPOSE Aclacinomycin A is an oligosaccharide anthracycline that, by contrast with daunomycin, lacks carcinogenicity. The authors evaluated the efficacy of aclacinomycin A in prevention of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and its toxicity on the rabbit retina. METHODS Dutch-belted rabbit were used to create a model for traction retinal detachment. Seven to 10 days after vitreous gas compression, 25,000 homologous fibroblasts were injected into the vitreous cavity. Subsequently, the eyes received either sham injections or doses of 6, 30, or 60 nmol of aclacinomycin A, respectively. The fundus findings were documented on days 7, 14, and 28 after the fibroblast injection. The toxicity studies were conducted according to the same protocol as was used for the efficacy evaluation but without the fibroblast injection. Simultaneous electroretinograms were recorded on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 from the right eyes that were injected with 30 or 60 nmol of aclacinomycin A and the left eyes that were sham injected. Morphologic studies were conducted on the eyes enucleated on days 3, 7, and 14 after drug exposure. RESULTS Intraocular administration of 30 nmol of aclacinomycin A on day 2 after fibroblast injection resulted in a detachment rate of 37.5% (controls, 100%; P < 0.01, by Fisher's exact test). Administration of 60 nmol of aclacinomycin A 3 days after fibroblast injection resulted in a detachment rate of 26.7% (controls, 100%; P < 0.0001). Six nanomoles of aclacinomycin A 3 days after fibroblast injection had no effect. No electroretinogram changes were present in eyes treated with 30 nmol of aclacinomycin A. Such recordings from eyes exposed to 60 nmol of aclacinomycin A demonstrated decreased a- and b-waves on day 3; these completely recovered by day 7. Morphologic studies of these eyes revealed no damage to the retina. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aclacinomycin A should be considered an alternative to daunomycin for treatment of human PVR because, in addition to its lack of carcinogenicity, it shows good efficacy and causes less retinal toxicity.
Another Imaginary World: The ICER Claims for the Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness and Pricing of Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) Inhibitors in Tardive Dyskinesia

The recently released value assessment of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors in tardive dyskinesia by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) relies upon a long-term modeling exercise to support recommendations for what the ICER sees as the appropriate pricing for these products if prices are to be judged ‘cost-effective’. In this case, the recommendations are for a substantive price reduction of some 90% over WAC. Needless to say, this recommendation is unlikely to be welcomed with open arms by the respective manufacturers of valbenazine and deutetrabenazine. Unfortunately, as has been argued in a number of commentaries published over the past 18 months in INNOVATIONS in Pharmacy, the ICER endorsed health technology assessment methodology that underpins this exercise in building a modeled imaginary world to justify product pricing recommendations is fatally flawed: it does not meet the standards of normal science. Rather than addressing the issue of claims validation for VMAT2 products, the question of generating modeled evaluable claims, among others, for clinical, quality of life and resource utilization outcomes, the analysis focuses on claims that are neither credible nor evaluable and, of course, non-replicable. A more positive and useful approach would be for ICER to focus on a framework where claims could be assessed in the short term to provide feedback to health system decision makers, physicians and patients. Instead, we are asked to believe that we can model 20 or 30 years into the future to establish non-evaluable claims for pricing and, ultimately, access. Conflict of Interest: None Type: Commentary
Measuring the impact of casino proceeds on total per pupil expenditures for education in Mississippi

The Mississippi Legislature adopted casino gaming in 1990 for the purpose of curing financial ills that have long plagued the Magnolia state. Local policy makers were given the opportunity to tax the casino industry at 3.2 percent of gaming wins, with an additional .8 percent if these local government stakeholders deemed it necessary to extract additional supplemental revenue from the casino industry. One program designated as a beneficiary of this revenue-generating source was education. This paper borrows research techniques from the lottery literature in an effort to measure the impact of casino gaming dollars on per pupil spending in Mississippi. The conclusions reached by this research suggests that the thirteen school districts receiving casino proceeds for education are significantly benefiting from this supplemental source of revenue.
Structure of the sheath of bacteriophage T4: II. Rearrangement of the sheath subunits during contraction

Abstract Electron micrographs of the T4 extended sheath confirm Anderson's (1963) and Bradley's (1963) interpretation of the cross-striations, and show that the number of “coarse” helices (Daems, van de Pol & Cohen, 1961) is four or six. This implies that the rotation axis of the extended sheath is 4- or 6-fold; the requirements of the contraction mechanism indicate that it is actually 6-fold. By comparison of the structures of extended and contracted sheath, there can be deduced six displacive transformations of the helical lattice that could occur during contraction. A discussion of the physical basis of the contraction mechanism predicts that only two of these six are at all likely, and the more plausible of the two is illustrated (Fig. 3) and briefly discussed.
What Explains Associations of Researchers’ Nation of Origin and Scores on a Measure of Professional Decision-Making? Exploring Key Variables and Interpretation of Scores

Researchers encounter challenges that require making complex professional decisions. Strategies such as seeking help and anticipating consequences support decision-making in these situations. Existing evidence on a measure of professional decision-making in research (the PDR) that assesses the use of decision-making strategies revealed that NIH-funded researchers born outside of the U.S. tended to score below their U.S. counterparts. To examine potential explanations for this association, this study recruited 101 researchers born in the United States and 102 born internationally to complete the PDR and measures of basic personal values, values in scientific work, discrimination between the seriousness of rules in research, exposure to unprofessional research practices, and acculturation to American culture. Several variables were associated with PDR scores-discrimination between types of rules in research, exposure to unprofessional research practices, acculturation, and the basic personal values of power, security, and benevolence. However, only security, benevolence, acculturation, and rule discrimination were also associated with nation of origin. In multivariate models, the variance explained by these variables in accounting for the association of nation of origin and PDR scores was somewhat overlapping, thus, only security and benevolence remained as unique, statistically significant predictors. Thus, this study identified some important variables in the association of nation of origin and PDR, but more research is needed. In a secondary analysis to examine the "clinical significance" (the practical importance) of scores on the PDR, this study examined aggregated PDR score data from the present sample and past samples of investigators. This analysis identified scores that may suggest a concern versus those scores that may be interpreted as excellent, proficient, or marginal. Implications for training and mentoring, along with considerations for future research are discussed.
Constructing Inductive-Inductive Types in Cubical Type Theory.

Inductive-inductive types are a joint generalization of mutual inductive types and indexed inductive types. In extensional type theory, inductive-inductive types can be constructed from inductive types, and this construction has been conjectured to work in intensional type theory as well. In this paper, we show that the existing construction requires Uniqueness of Identity Proofs, and present a new construction (which we conjecture generalizes) of one particular inductive-inductive type in cubical type theory, which is compatible with homotopy type theory.
Machine learning for phenotyping opioid overdose events.

Abstract Objective To develop machine learning models for classifying the severity of opioid overdose events from clinical data. Materials and methods Opioid overdoses were identified by diagnoses codes from the Marshfield Clinic population and assigned a severity score via chart review to form a gold standard set of labels. Three primary feature sets were constructed from disparate data sources surrounding each event and used to train machine learning models for phenotyping. Results Random forest and penalized logistic regression models gave the best performance with cross-validated mean areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for all severity classes of 0.893 and 0.882 respectively. Features derived from a common data model outperformed features collected from disparate data sources for the same cohort of patients (AUCs 0.893 versus 0.837, p value = 0.002). The addition of features extracted from free text to machine learning models also increased AUCs from 0.827 to 0.893 (p value Conclusion Random forest models using features derived from a common data model and free text can be effective for classifying opioid overdose events.
Putting “Place” in a multiscale context: Perspectives from the sustainability sciences

Abstract This paper summarizes a number of perspectives that have emerged from the sustainability sciences in recent decades that shed light on the role of place in multi-scale sustainability science and vice versa, related to such topics of broad interest as “resilience” and “adaptation” and ranging from the importance of the “co-production” of knowledge for sustainable development to threats to a “sense of place” from global environmental and economic changes. Clearly, scholarly attention to place in a multiscale concept is shared by a number of research communities, especially a rich tradition of research on place as politically contested space. These two traditions intersect in ways that have been little-explored. For example, sustainability science traditions have been focused on challenges in integrating knowledge about nature and society as a research objective, where “scale” is used as one of a number of structural organizing concepts in unraveling natural system – human system interactions in geographical areas from microbial to global, where it has found that a small regional scale is the one where such integrative analysis is often most fruitful but “place” is not usually an organizing concept. Concurrently, the political-economy oriented place traditions have viewed place as a frequent focus of struggles over power, control, and equity, with scale only one of many factors shaping how places work. These intersections, some of them noted below, offer potentials for integrated research that might interest both communities and benefit a number of space/place research discourses.
Neural anticipatory mechanisms predict faster reaction times and higher fluid intelligence

Higher cognitive ability is reliably linked to better performance on chronometric tasks (i.e., faster reaction times, RT), yet the neural basis of these effects remains unclear. Anticipatory processes represent compelling yet understudied potential mechanisms of these effects, which may facilitate performance through reducing the uncertainty surrounding the temporal onset of stimuli (temporal uncertainty) and/or facilitating motor readiness despite uncertainty about impending target locations (target uncertainty). Specifically, the contingent negative variation (CNV) represents a compelling candidate mechanism of anticipatory motor planning, while the alpha oscillation is thought to be sensitive to temporal contingencies in perceptual systems. The current study undertook a secondary analysis of a large data set (n = 91) containing choice RT, cognitive ability, and EEG measurements to help clarify these issues. Single-trial EEG analysis in conjunction with mixed-effects modeling revealed that higher fluid intelligence corresponded to faster RT on average. When considered together, temporal and target uncertainty moderated the RT-ability relationship, with higher ability being associated with greater resilience to both types of uncertainty. Target uncertainty attenuated the amplitude of the CNV for all participants, but higher ability individuals were more resilient to this effect. Similarly, only higher ability individuals showed increased prestimulus alpha power (at left-lateralized sites) during longer, more easily anticipated interstimulus intervals. Collectively, these findings emphasize top-down anticipatory processes as likely contributors to chronometry-ability correlations.
Sheaves are the canonical data structure for sensor integration

Abstract A sensor integration framework should be sufficiently general to accurately represent many sensor modalities, and also be able to summarize information in a faithful way that emphasizes important, actionable information. Few approaches adequately address these two discordant requirements. The purpose of this expository paper is to explain why sheaves are the canonical data structure for sensor integration and how the mathematics of sheaves satisfies our two requirements. We outline some of the powerful inferential tools that are not available to other representational frameworks.
FIB-SEM Three-Dimensional Tomography for Characterization of Carbon-Based Materials

A review on the recent advances of the three-dimensional (3D) characterization of carbon-based materials was conducted by focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) tomography. Current studies and further potential applications of the FIB-SEM 3D tomography technique for carbon-based materials were discussed. The goal of this paper is to highlight the advances of FIB-SEM 3D reconstruction to reveal the high and accurate resolution of internal structures of carbon-based materials and provide suggestions for the adoption and improvement of the FIB-SEM tomography system for a broad carbon-based research to achieve the best examination performances and enhance the development of innovative carbon-based materials.
Participatory Sensing and Digital Twin City: Updating Virtual City Models for Enhanced Risk-Informed Decision-Making

AbstractThe benefits of a digital twin city have been assessed based on real-time data collected from preinstalled Internet of Things (IoT) sensors (e.g., traffic, energy use, air pollution, water ...
The power of story in identity renegotiation: Clinical approaches to supporting persons living with aphasia

Purpose This clinical focus article provides an overview of the relationship between narrative, identity, and social co-construction for persons with aphasia and of narrative treatment approaches t...
Autonomic Molecular Transport for Ultrasensitive Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

Nanoantenna-based surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) is a powerful platform for the detection of biological and chemical species due to its ability to strongly enhance infrared absorption...