cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of nuclear factorkappa B in mouse model of alcohol-induced acute hepatocyte injury

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of nuclear factor-κappa B in alcoholinduced acute hepatocyte injury. METHODS:Forty mice were randomly divided into a control group and three alcohol treated groups(250,500,1000mmol/kg). Each group included ten mice. 16h after gavage,serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels were measured. After 24h,the liver was examined by HE staining and oil Red O staining. The expression of NF-κB protein in hepatocytes was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Serum AST and ALT levels in three alcohol-treated groups were significantly increased compared with that in the control group(P0.05). There was vacuolar degeneration in hepatocytes by HE staining. There were large amounts of Oil Red O staining droplets in the hepatocytes. In alcohol-treated groups(500, 1 000 mmol/kg),the integrated optical density expression of NF-κB protein in hepatocytes cytoplasm and nucleus were significantly higher(P0.05). CONCLUSION: This study successfully set up an alcohol-induced acute hepatocyte injury mouse model,and illustrated the role of NF-κB in the development and progression of acute alcoholic-induced hepatocyte injury.
Research on Community Digital Learning Mode

With the deepening of the concept of lifelong learning,traditional learning mode,has been difficult to meet the increasing demand of learning due to the limited learning resources,group and ways.The development of information technology makes us know that digital learning will effectively expand learning space and provide more open and equal and shared learning opportunity for citizens.In the face of a special group of the community residents,what kind of mode is more suitable for them in digital learning? We need to continue to explore in the community education practice to form a more scientific community digital learning mode.
Abstract B026: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C: a potential therapeutic target for primary and metastatic melanoma by microarray gene expression

Purpose: Melanoma cells are resistant to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Ubiquitin proteasome pathway is vital for cells to restore normal ER function. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) participates in cell cycle progression and checkpoint control by degradation of mitotic cyclins. We examined UBE2C9s biological function in melanoma cell growth. Experimental Design: Tissues from patients with primary and metastatic melanoma were collected. BRAF and NRAS mutation status were determined. We examined the gene expression profiles using cDNA microarray. 8261 differentially expressed genes were identified between primary and metastatic melanoma and were submitted to Panther classification system analysis for cluster analysis. The genes involved in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway were of most significant interest due to its role in the mediation of p53 degradation and ER stress mechanism. RNA was extracted from primary and metastatic melanoma tissue samples where cDNA was synthesized. Expression levels of UBE2C gene were determined based on the levels of the target message relative to the house keeping gene, GAPDH. Gene silencing was performed using UBE2C siRNA method. Growth inhibition was examined by treating melanoma cell lines with UBE2C siRNA and subsequently treating with PLX4032 at various concentrations. Results: The microarray analysis showed the basal level of UBE2C mRNA was highly expressed in several melanoma cell lines. UBE2C gene expression was higher in metastatic melanoma than that in primary melanoma of any tumor thickness ((1.23±0.14 vs 0.64±0.07, p Conclusions: Our data suggests that UBE2C may be a valuable target for primary and metastatic melanoma and those resistant to BRAF blockage associated with the MAPK pathway. The combination of a BRAF inhibitor and UBE2C silencing has a significant additive effect on the inhibition of melanoma cell growth. UBE2C gene silencing also sensitized the melanoma cells to BRAF inhibitor. UBE2C may be a powerful therapeutic target for melanoma therapy. Citation Format: Jenny Jimmy Hong, Kewei Gong, David Kaufman, Hsiaowang Chen, Richard Essner. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C: a potential therapeutic target for primary and metastatic melanoma by microarray gene expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B026.
Dissolution and growth of a multicomponent drop in an immiscible liquid

The mass flux at the surface of a drop in an immiscible host liquid is dictated by the composition of the drop surface. In a binary system, this composition is essentially constant in time and equals the solubility of the drop constituent in the host liquid. This situation has been treated in a classic study by Epstein and Plesset (J. Chem. Phys., vol. 18, 1950, pp. 1505–1509). The situation is very different for ternary and higher-order systems in which, due to the mutual interaction of the drop constituents, their concentration at the drop surface markedly differs from the respective solubilities and depends on time. This paper presents a thermodynamically consistent analysis of this situation, for both growing and dissolving drops, with and without an initial concentration of the drop constituents in the host liquid. In some cases the results, which have important implications e.g. for solvent extraction processes in the chemical and environmental remediation industries, show major deviations from the predictions of approximations in current use, including simple extensions of the Epstein–Plesset theory.
Repositioning of displaced guglielmi detachable coils after endosaccular embolisation using a modification of the neck plastic technique. A technical note.

Abstract After undergoing prior partial surgical clipping of an acutely ruptured internal carotid aneurysm, a 29-year-old woman was referred for endovascular treatment of the gradually enlarging aneurysm remnant. The aneurysm had a somewhat peculiar ellipsoid configuration due to placement of the clip, with the largest dimension measuring less than 4 mm, and the neck measuring approximately 2 mm. Using the conventional endosaccular coil embolisation technique, two small electrolytically detachable coils were carefully folded into the aneurysm sac to produce excellent tight packing. However, immediately after detachment,a loop of the second coil inadvertently herniated out of the aneurysm into the center of the parent artery, exhibiting substantial pulse synchronous displacement. This created a potentially unstable situation for the remaining coils within the embolised aneurysm. To correct this problem we attempted to reposition the loop into the aneurysm using a modification of the previously described neck plastic technique. This technique succeeded without untoward complication. Although there are theoretical risks and limitations, the modified neck plastic technique may be useful in selective cases of inadvertent coil misplacement during endosaccular coil embolisation of aneurysms with the GDC system.
Investigation of Deformation Using Squid Magnetometry

Most of the effort in the area of ferromagnetism has been directed towards improving magnetic properties of materials. For example, residual stress (strain) and defects are studied for their influence on magnetization, in order to produce magnetically hard materials etc., as opposed to studying the influence of magnetic properties of materials on their mechanical behavior or as a means of investigating micro-mechanical behavior. A few exceptions are studies of macro-mechanical behavior under very high magnetic fields [1], the “delta E” [2] and Barkhausen effect [3–5]. These are directed towards understanding mechanical behavior but usually use intrusive means, by perturbing the material with a magnetic field to produce measurable changes. A great deal of interest has been shown in the Barkhausen effect by the NDE community. Although this is a nondestructive technique, it is still somewhat intrusive.
IRMMW-THz in space: The golden age

The most significant application driver for Terahertz components and instruments has been in the areas of space, planetary and Earth science. Satellite instruments for performing direct detection and heterodyne spectroscopy measurements in the interstellar medium, in external galaxies, in the atmospheres of planets and comets and in the Earth's stratosphere have been flying for more than three decades. Fourteen orbital instruments containing THz sensors or sources have either completed their mission objectives or are currently operational. They originate in Russia, Japan, Europe and the US and cover applications in astrophysics and cosmology; planetary and small solar system body science; and pollution, ozone and climate monitoring on the Earth. At least a dozen serious future mission proposals are under consideration, including new areas of meteorology, terrestrial planet finding and planetary radar spectroscopy. It is truly a golden age for THz space science and applications. This talk will review past, present and future space instruments carrying infrared, millimeter wave and terahertz components and their science objectives.
64 CuCl 2 PET/CT imaging of mouse muscular injury induced by electroporation

Skeletal muscle injury is common in body injuries suffered in sports and car accidents. Development of new tracers is significant for assessing muscular injury with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and monitoring repair of muscle injury in response to treatment. Copper is required for wound healing and increased copper ions were detected in the soft tissue of wound in rodents and human. Based on the recent finding of increased 64Cu uptake in the traumatic brain injury, this study aimed to explore use of 64CuCl2 as a radiotracer for molecular imaging of muscular injury using PET/CT. Focally increased 64Cu uptake by the injured muscular tissue (5.4 ± 1.2% ID/g) was detected in the C57BL/6 mice with electroporation-induced skeletal muscle injury by PET/CT after intravenous injection of 64CuCl2 as a tracer, compared to low 64Cu uptake associated with muscular inflammation induced by intramuscular injection of lipopolysaccharides (0.82 ± 0.26% ID/g, P < 0.01) or physiological 64Cu uptake of the non-injured muscular tissues (0.78 ± 0.20% ID/g, P < 0.01). The findings support further investigation of 64CuCl2 as a new radiotracer for molecular imaging of skeletal muscle injury using PET/CT.
Crystal-Packing-Driven Enrichment of Atropoisomers

Crystal-packing forces can have a significant impact on the relative stabilities of different molecules and their conformations. The magnitude of such effects is, however, not yet well understood. Herein we show, that crystal packing can completely overrule the relative stabilities of different stereoisomers in solution. Heating of atropoisomers (i.e. “frozen-out” conformational isomers) in solution leads to complex mixtures. In contrast, solid-state heating selectively amplifies minor (<25 mole %) components of these solution-phase mixtures. We show that this heating strategy is successful for compounds with up to four rotationally hindered σ bonds, for which a single stereoisomer out of seven can be amplified selectively. Our results demonstrate that common supramolecular interactions—for example, [methyl⋅⋅⋅π] coordination and [C−H⋅⋅⋅O] hydrogen bonding—can readily invert the relative thermodynamic stabilities of different molecular conformations. These findings open up potential new avenues to control the folding of macromolecules.
Asset Conversion Cycle and Accruals Persistence

We examine the relationship between the persistence of the accrual component of earnings and asset conversion cycle, i.e., the speed of accrual reversal. We argue that, as all accruals have to ultimately reverse, those reversing at a slower speed will exhibit more persistence. We use the operating cycle and investment cycle to measure the reversal speeds of working capital accruals and noncurrent accruals, respectively. Our results show that the investment cycle is positively associated with the persistence of noncurrent accruals. However, the operating cycle does not affect the persistence of working capital accruals, because by definition these accruals will reverse within one year. In addition, we find that analysts do not fully understand the effects of asset conversion cycles especially for long-horizon forecasts. Collectively, our study suggests that the lower persistence of accruals is not all attributable to estimation errors, and the asset conversion cycle is an important determinant of accrual persistence.
Exercise Programs to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Fall Risk in Diabetic Patients with Lower Extremity Disease

Balance, mobility, falls, and foot problems are serious problems for older adults with diabetes due to associated peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. In addition, individuals with diabetes are more vulnerable to any minor trauma than a healthy individual; thus, addressing fall prevention should be considered even more important than people without diabetes. Balance training is considered to be an important aspect of a fall prevention program. However, low compliance and low motivation to routine exercise, limited functional ability to exercise, as well as precautions when performing activities, which may increase risk of diabetic foot ulcers, are major barriers to effectively implementing exercise programs to prevent falls in senior individuals suffering from diabetes and foot disease. This chapter discusses mechanisms underlying diabetes and foot disease, which contribute in increased risk of falling in older adults, and reviews exercise programs designed to reduce risk of falls in senior individuals suffering from diabetes and foot disease.
Robust Control of Stochastic Structures Using Minimum Norm Quadratic Partial Eigenvalue Assignment Technique

The use of active vibration control technique, though typically more expensive and difficult to implement compared to the traditionally used passive control approaches, is an effective way to control or suppress dangerous vibrations in structures caused by resonance or flutter due to the external disturbances, such as winds, waves, moving weights of human bodies, and earthquakes. From control perspective, it is not only sufficient to suppress the resonant modes of vibration but also to guarantee the overall stability of the structural system. In addition, the no-spillover property of the remaining large number of frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes must be maintained. To this end, the state-space based linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and \(H_{\infty }\) control techniques and physical-space based robust and minimum norm quadratic partial eigenvalue assignment (RQPEVA and MNQPEVA) techniques have been developed in the recent years. In contrast with the LQR and \(H_{\infty }\) control techniques, the RQPEVA and MNQPEVA techniques work exclusively on the second-order model obtained by applying the finite element method on the vibrating structure, and therefore can computationally exploit the nice properties, such as symmetry, sparsity, bandness, positive definiteness, etc., inherited by the system matrices associated with the second-order model. Furthermore, the RQPEVA and MNQPEVA techniques guarantee the no-spillover property using a solid mathematical theory. The MNQPEVA technique was originally developed for the deterministic models only, but since then, further extension to this technique has been made to rigorously account for parametric uncertainty. The stochastic MNQPEVA technique is capable of efficiently estimating the probability of failure with high accuracy to ensure the desired resilience level of the designed system. In this work, first a brief review of the LQR, \(H_{\infty }\), and MNQPEVA techniques is presented emphasizing on their relative computational advantages and drawbacks, followed by a comparative study with respect to computational efficiency, effectiveness, and applicability of the three control techniques on practical structures. Finally, the methodology of the stochastic MNQPEVA technique is presented and illustrated in this work using a numerical example with a representative real-life structure and recorded data from a California earthquake.
Anhedonic behavior and γ-amino butyric acid during a sensitive period in female rats exposed to early adversity.

Abstract Early life adversity increases depressive behavior that emerges during adolescence. Sensitive periods have been associated with fewer GABAergic interneurons, especially parvalbumin (PV), brain derived growth factor, and its receptor, TrkB. Here, maternal separation (MS) and social isolation (ISO) were used to establish a sensitive period for anhedonic depression using the learned helplessness (LH) paradigm. Female Sprague-Dawley rat pups underwent MS for 4-h/day or received typical care (CON) between postnatal days 2–20; for the ISO condition, separate cohorts were individually housed between days 20–40 or served as controls (CON2). Anhedonia was defined by dichotomizing subjects into two groups based on one standard deviation of the mean number of escapes for the CON group ( 13 escapes). The number of escapes in MS subjects significantly correlated with PV and TrkB levels (PFC: r = 0.93 and 0.91 and amygdala: r = 0.63 and 0.81, respectively; n = 9), but not in CON/ISO/CON2 subjects. Calretinin, but not calbindin, was elevated in the amygdala of MS subjects. These data suggest that low levels of PV and TrkB double the risk for anhedonia in females with an MS history compared to normal adolescent females.
An Investigation into the Recent Increase in Gastric Cancer in the USA.

The USA has among the lowest gastric cancer incidence rates worldwide. To investigate whether increasing immigration from high cancer incidence countries has altered the GC incidence in a large US metropolitan area. This was a retrospective cohort study among an underprivileged, multiethnic population in Texas. Gastric cancer cases diagnosed during 2005–2015 were identified using the cancer registry of the public medical care system for Harris County. All cases were histologically confirmed; demographic and clinical data were obtained from review of electronic medical records. Census data were used to determine the distribution of the adult county population by race/ethnicity and age. Two time periods (2005–2009 and 2010–2015) were studied to correspond with census reporting intervals. In total, 299 cases were included: average age 55 years, 59% males and 63% Hispanics (predominantly recent immigrants of Central-American origin). The gastric cancer incidence remained stable among non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks but increased significantly among Hispanics (from 10 to 17 cases/100,000 persons/year, RR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.5, p = 0.001). Among Hispanics, gastric cancer incidence rose significantly among persons aged 40–59 years and ≥ 60 years and was likely to be at advanced stage at the time of diagnosis even in the younger age population. Gastric cancer incidence significantly increased among Hispanics residing in Houston resulting in changes in gastric cancer incidence becoming more unevenly experienced across the US population. Consideration should be given to gastric cancer preventive efforts, especially among immigrant populations from high gastric cancer risk countries.
Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAM) in Emergency Medicine: The Global Distribution of Users in 2016.

Author(s): Burkholder, Taylor W.; Bellows, Jennifer W.; King, Renee A. | Abstract: Introduction: Free open-access medical education (FOAM) is a collection of interactive online medical education resources—free and accessible to students, physicians and other learners. This novel approach to medical education has the potential to reach learners across the globe; however, the extent of its global uptake is unknown. Methods: This descriptive report evaluates the 2016 web analytics data from a convenience sample of FOAM blogs and websites with a focus on emergency medicine (EM) and critical care. The number of times a site was accessed, or “sessions”, was categorized by country of access, cross-referenced with World Bank data for population and income level, and then analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and geographic mapping. Results: We analyzed 12 FOAM blogs published from six countries, with a total reported volume of approximately 18.7 million sessions worldwide in 2016. High-income countries accounted for 73.7% of population-weighted FOAM blog and website sessions in 2016, while upper-middle income countries, lower-middle income countries and low-income countries accounted for 17.5%, 8.5% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: FOAM, while largely used in high-income countries, is used in low- and middle-income countries as well. The potential to provide free, online training resources for EM in places where formal training is limited is significant and thus is prime for further investigation.
DNA polymerase ζ deficiency causes impaired wound healing and stress-induced skin pigmentation

DNA polymerase ζ (pol ζ) is a specialized enzyme important for DNA damage tolerance, facilitating synthesis past lesions caused by radiation or chemical damage. Here we report that disruption of Rev3l (encoding the catalytic subunit of pol ζ) in mouse epidermis leads to a defect in proliferation that impairs cutaneous wound healing. A striking increase in epidermal skin pigmentation accompanied both wound healing and UV irradiation in these mice. This was a consequence of stress-induced migration of Rev3l-proficient melanocytes to the Rev3l-defective epidermis. This pigmentation corresponded with p53 activation in keratinocytes and was absent in p53-negative areas of the epidermis. Expression of the kit ligand (Kitl) gene, a p53-controlled mediator of keratinocyte to melanocyte signaling, was enhanced during wound healing or following UV irradiation. This study extends the function of pol ζ to the process of proliferation during wound healing. Rev3l-deficient epidermis may be a useful mouse model system for examining communication between damaged keratinocytes and melanocytes, including signaling relevant to human disease.
Inclusion of nuclear quantum effects for simulations of nonlinear spectroscopy.

The computation and interpretation of nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy is of vital importance for understanding a wide range of dynamical processes in molecular systems. Here, we introduce an approach to evaluate multi-time response functions in terms of multi-time double symmetrized Kubo transformed thermal correlation functions. Furthermore, we introduce a multi-time extension of ring polymer molecular dynamics to evaluate these Kubo transforms. Benchmark calculations show that the approximations are useful for short times even for nonlinear operators, providing a consistent improvement over classical simulations of multi-time correlation functions. The introduced methodology thus provides a practical way of including nuclear quantum effects in multi-time response functions of non-linear optical spectroscopy.The computation and interpretation of nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy is of vital importance for understanding a wide range of dynamical processes in molecular systems. Here, we introduce an approach to evaluate multi-time response functions in terms of multi-time double symmetrized Kubo transformed thermal correlation functions. Furthermore, we introduce a multi-time extension of ring polymer molecular dynamics to evaluate these Kubo transforms. Benchmark calculations show that the approximations are useful for short times even for nonlinear operators, providing a consistent improvement over classical simulations of multi-time correlation functions. The introduced methodology thus provides a practical way of including nuclear quantum effects in multi-time response functions of non-linear optical spectroscopy.
Accommodation and presbyopia in the human eye. Changes in the anterior segment and crystalline lens with focus.

PURPOSE To characterize changes in the sagittal dimensions of the human crystalline lens and anterior segment as a function of accommodation, to determine the potential age dependence of these changes, and to evaluate these changes in relation to the development of presbyopia. METHODS Scheimpflug slit-lamp photography, as well as a variety of standard ophthalmologic methods, was used to collect information about lens and anterior segment sagital dimensions in a population of 82 adults with refractive error < or = magnitude of 2.0 diopters and at least 0.25 diopter of accommodation for subjects 18 to 70 years of age. Data were analyzed statistically for dependence on accommodation, age, and age dependence of accommodative rate. RESULTS The rate of change per diopter of accommodation for each measured variable within the lens is independent of age for the entire adult age range. With increasing accommodation, the lens becomes thicker and the anterior chamber shallower along the polar axis. This increase in sagittal lens thickness is entirely because of an increase in the thickness of the lens nucleus. Because the anterior and posterior halves of the nucleus increase in thickness at approximately the same rate with accommodation, the increase in lens thickness results from equal changes in the lengths of the anterior and posterior portions. CONCLUSIONS Because changes along the sagittal axis of the anterior segment with accommodation are independent of age, any explanation of presbyopia that relies on simple changes in the rates of lens thickening and anterior chamber shallowing with age does not hold. In light of other age-related changes in the anterior segment and lens (e.g., increased sharpness of lens curvature, increased lens sagittal thickness, decreased anterior chamber depth), it appears that compensatory mechanisms to preserve far vision with age also preserve the rate of change per diopter of sagittal spacings.
Ocular Toxicity of Sulfur Mustard

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the consequences of sulfur mustard (SM) exposure to the eyes and their treatments. Corneal SM exposure causes injuries that range from mild conjunctivitis to advanced corneal disease. As a warfare agent, SM is extremely effective because even mild ocular exposure causes some visual incapacitation and a panic and fear of blindness whose psychological impact cannot be underestimated. As for clinical symptoms, extensive military data have documented that the effects of SM vary widely according to the exposure time and concentration of the vesicant, as well as individual susceptibility. Most descriptions of the degree of ocular injury in humans characterize the phenotypes into three classes, each being a variant of mild, moderate, or severe. One of the worst consequences of SM exposure is corneal perforation. This effect can occur many weeks after exposure, and animal data are beginning to suggest that treatments for SM injury may, in themselves, contribute to toxicity. There is much research being done to identify countermeasures against mustards. There are many other promising therapies for mustard exposure but still in experimental phase.
Family Life Education in Taiwan

This chapter includes a brief overview of families in Taiwan through social-economic, historical, and cultural contexts. Family strength and needs in Taiwan are briefly discussed. The development of family life education which led to Family Education Act being passed in January, 2003, is explored and explained. Taiwan is the first country that nurtures and strengthens individuals and families through a family education law. Detailed information is given on the guidelines of Family Education Act and how it is translated in school, community, and city settings. Helpful resources, government and NGO websites, and family-related department websites at various universities are provided to learn how this policy has shaped the landscape of family education in Taiwan. Recommendations for future research are also given.
Inspection of Aircraft Engine Components Using Induction Thermography

Induction thermography technique is assessed experimentally on aircraft engine parts with fatigue cracks using a three-loop coil. Results show that induction thermography can detect cracks in engine parts, with inspection time of less than 1 s. Coating surface to increase the part emissivity improved the signal to noise ratio but was not necessary for the crack detection. Despite high local heat gradient resulting from the parts' edges, cracks were still detectable. This edge effect introduced more challenges to detect short cracks. Relatively, longer cracks were easier to detect. The optimal observation time, in the experiments, was between 0.1 s and 0.25 s. Inspection of the engine disc with complex geometry was feasible using the induction thermography technique. However, in this case only some of the cracks were detected. Similar findings were also obtained from the 3D multiphysics finite element modelling.
Cardiogenic Shock and Short-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support Options in the Current Era: Focus on Adverse Events

Background In the absence of robust evidence from randomized controlled trials, clinicians treating cardiogenic shock (CS) often make decisions on short-term Mechanical Circulatory Support (s-t MCS) based on individual center or clinical team preferences. We sought to investigate whether description of device-related adverse events (AE) could help identify targets to advance the field. Methods Our institution's CS database was queried for CS patients who underwent placement of s-t MCS based on predefined criteria, between Jan 2014 - Mar 2017. Patients who needed Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, central cannulation or had a post-cardiotomy CS were excluded from the analysis. We identified 61 who required s-t MCS with Impella, peripheral Veno-Arterial Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) or combination of these devices as a sequela of escalating support strategy. Results Of the total patients, 23 (37.7%) were treated with Impella, 10 (16.4%) with VA-ECMO and the remaining 28 (45.9%) with combinations of devices. Groups were of similar demographics and CS etiology. Severity of CS pre-MCS revealed no differences in vital signs, number of vasoactive agents used, left ventricular ejection fraction, use of mechanical ventilation and CPR. The VA-ECMO compared with Impella and Combination groups had higher baseline lactate (11.1 vs 4.9 vs 5.3; p=0.002) and lower baseline pH (7.05 vs 7.27 vs 7.27; p=0.004) pre-MCS. The mean length of support was similar between Impella and VA-ECMO groups, however it was longer in the Combination vs Impella group (p=0.001). Major AE are shown in the Table . The mean ICU stay was 15 days and did not differ among the groups. Exchange to durable LVAD was performed in 6 patients: 3/23 (Impella) and 3/28 (Combination) group. The overall survival to hospital discharge was 43% and did not differ between the groups (p=0.2). Conclusions Despite significant advances in the technology of s-t MCS options, morbidity and mortality remain high and the device-related AE could provide practical quality improvement targets for CS programs.
A comparison of postoperative outcomes with PDA ligation in the OR versus the NICU: a retrospective cohort study on the risks of transport.

Although patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have been an accepted practice, many are still performed in the Operating Room (OR). Whether avoiding transport leads to improved perioperative outcomes is unclear. Here we aimed to determine whether PDA ligations in the NICU corresponded to higher risk of surgical site infection or mortality and if transport was associated with worsened perioperative outcomes. We performed a retrospective cohort study of NICU patients, ≤37 weeks post-menstrual age, undergoing surgical PDA ligation in the NICU or OR. We excluded any infants undergoing device PDA closure. We measured the incidence of perioperative hypothermia, cardiac arrest, decreases in SpO2, hemodynamic instability and postoperative surgical site infection, sepsis and mortality. Data was collected on 189 infants (100 OR, 89 NICU). After controlling for number of preoperative comorbidities, weight at time of procedure, procedure location and hospital in the mixed-effect model, no significant difference in mortality or sepsis was found (odds ratio 0.31, 95%CI 0.07, 1.30; p = 0.107, and odds ratio 0.40; 95%CI 0.14, 1.09; p = 0.072, respectively). There was an increased incidence of hemodynamic instability on transport postoperatively in the OR group (12.4% vs 2%, odds ratio 6.93; 95% CI 1.48, 35.52; p = 0.014). PDA ligations in the NICU were not associated with higher incidences of surgical site infection or mortality. There was an increased incidence of hemodynamic instability in the OR group on transport back to the NICU. Larger multicenter studies following long-term outcomes are needed to evaluate the safety of performing all PDA ligations in the NICU. Patent ductus arteriosus, Newborn infant, Neonatal intensive care unit, Surgical wound infection, Postoperative period, Hemodynamics
Irregular Migration and International Economic Asymmetry

The world is on the point of a stunning reversal. Nationalism and isolationism have surged against the global laws and institutions that have advanced economic liberalization and integration for half a century. Hostility is rising against international trade and international migration, both of which the new cadre of self-styled “anti-globalists” see as interrelated and threatening to national security and economic stability.
The Landscape of PPM Informatics and the Future of Medicine

This chapter summarizes and synthesizes the key areas of today’s precision medicine landscape as described by the book’s contributing authors. We also attempt to project into the future by developing a view of likely developments in the short and longer term horizons.
How might we increase system trustworthiness

Summarizing some of the changes that seem increasingly necessary to address known system and network deficiencies and anticipate currently unknown vulnerabilities.
Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery presenting with features of entrapment syndrome.

Abstract Cystic adventitial disease is an uncommon cause of lower extremity claudication resulting from accumulation of mucinous fluid in an arterial subadventitial layer, typically of the popliteal artery. A popliteal bruit and/or reduced distal pulses with knee flexion may be seen on examination. Alternatively, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome triggers claudication via an aberrant arterial pathway or muscular hypertrophy. Decreased distal pressures with plantar or dorsiflexion is a key finding. This report details the case of a middle-aged male with cystic adventitial disease whose diagnosis was complicated by concurrent features of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Treatment consisted of venous interposition grafting, which yielded excellent results.
An exploration of NIIRS, image quality, and machine learning

The interpretability of an image indicates the potential intelligence value of the data. Historically, the National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) has been the standard for quantifying the intelligence potential based on image analysis by human observers. Empirical studies have demonstrated that spatial resolution is the dominant predictor of the NIIRS level of an image. Today, the value of imagery is no longer simply determined by spatial resolution, since additional factors such as spectral diversity and temporal sampling are significant. Furthermore, analyses are performed by machines as well as humans. Consequently, NIIRS no longer accurately quantifies potential intelligence value for an image or set of images. We are exploring new measures of information potential based on mutual information. Our research suggests that new measures of image “quality” based on information theory can provide meaningful standards that go beyond NIIRS. In our approach, mutual information provides an objective method for quantifying divergence across objects and activities in an image. This paper presents the rationale for our approach, the technical description, and the results of early experimentation to explore the feasibility of establishing an information-theoretic standard for quantifying the intelligence potential of an image.
Variation analysis of amino acid site of VP1 coding region of enterovirus 71 in Jilin Province in 2009-2012

Objective To analyze the variation of amino acid site of VP1 coding region of Enterovirus 71 in Jilin Province in 2009-2012.Methods To choose 70 EV-A71 virus strains isolated from the HFMD cases to do the RT-PCR and sequences of VP1 genes of EV-A71 strains,and analyzed the variation of amino acid site and gene phylogenetic by the software of bioedit and Mega4.0.Results All 70 EV-A71 strains belong to C4a subgenotype in Jilin Province in 2009-2012,among them,69 strains have the closest homology with Fuyang strain of the year of 2008,and the 69 strains have the same variation site from Q to H with that Fuyang strain in the 22th amino acid site in VP1 coding region.Conclusion The EV-A71 which caused HFMD epidemic in Jilin Province in 2009-2012 maybe from continuing transmission of Fuyang strains. Key words: Hand foot and mouth disease; Enterovirus; Amino acid substitution
Using interpretive phenomenological analysis to advance theory and research in educational psychology

Researchers in the field of health psychology developed interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore how individuals make sense of, and meaning from, experiences of personal significance...
Designing Printed Circuit Boards to Drastically Reduce the Occurrence of Tombstoned Components

Electronic components continue to shrink as electronic printed circuit boards become denser. Smaller discrete passive devices such as surface mount capacitors and resistors are increasing in use and approaching sizes that require magnification to recognize. Unfortunately, during the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly process these smaller devices are the primary source of defects during soldering. One of the leading defects during SMT is “Tombstoning,” a condition where a capacitor or resistor only solders on one end due to vertical rotation of the component creating an open circuit. Rework is costly and potentially induces additional factors that can decrease overall reliability because rework requires heating the defect location multiple times with a soldering iron; once to remove and once to replace for each pad. This defect can be drastically reduced by using the correct printed circuit board design parameters when laying out the board pad geometries. Printed Circuit Board pad size and geometry play a significant role in reducing and eliminating “tombstoning.” This paper presents the results from a comprehensive Designed Experiment illustrating the effects of different pad designs and their effect on the amount of defects. The results show that smaller pad geometries are a major factor in the reduction of “tombstoning.” This combined with the elimination of solder mask between the pads yield significant reduction in SMT soldering defects. This paper will delineate the major factors involved and how a comprehensive Design of Experiment (DOE) was planned and performed to drastically reduce this type of defect.
Teacher Perceptions of Equity in High School Computer Science Classrooms

Effective and equitable CS teaching is contingent on teachers’ robust understanding of equity issues in CS classrooms. To this end, this study examined high school teachers’ perceptions of equity during their participation in a CS teacher certificate program over two years. The participants are from various disciplines and from schools that serve under-represented students. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted content analysis of the teachers’ written reflections and responses to semi-structured interviews. Based on the justice-centered framework, we analyzed the major themes that emerged from the content analysis. The findings provide insights into high school CS teachers’ understanding of equity, the strategies that teachers use to address equity issues, and how teachers interpret the causes of inequities in CS classrooms. This research presents frameworks for examining teachers’ conceptualizations of equity and can inform the implementation of future professional development programs for CS teachers.
Super-Liens to the Rescue? A Case Against Special Districts in Real Estate Finance

In a time of limited resources and sluggish economic growth, competition between cities has become palpable, and the race for new investment often dictates the public agenda. To that end, the explosive growth of public-private partnerships between local governments and private investors has resulted in the creation of a myriad of special taxing districts, the purposes of which are limited only by the imagination. Of particular concern has been the growth of certain real estate development-related districts. Although first conceived to fund critical improvements where conventional credit was not available, in more recently years these special districts have been used to finance improvements for private developments in areas that do not suffer from economic distress in the least.Of particular note, because special district assessments constitute super liens that are accorded priority on par with real property taxes, existing rights of secured parties are unjustly subordinated to the rights of the special district (the board of which is often controlled by the developer himself). This impact on priority has an adverse effect not only on the property rights of pre-existing lien creditors, but also on the overall availability of credit as lenders become more hesitant to make real estate-backed loans in special district areas (particularly low-income and blighted areas), and community lending as a whole suffers.This Article argues for the reconsideration of the widespread delegation of municipal power to real estate-special districts by analyzing the private benefit-oriented nature of these public-private financing devices. This Article concludes by urging courts to adopt a flexible two-pronged test for the equitable subordination of special district liens. In adopting such a test not only are the property rights of private parties accorded needed protection, but also the legitimate use of real estate-related special district financing, including community lending more broadly, is preserved.
Using Donor–Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts to Teach Photochromism in the Undergraduate Laboratory

There has been dramatic growth in interest and research regarding organic photochromism in recent decades. Despite this, the topic is seldom addressed in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Herein, we present a straightforward and robust experiment for the second semester organic chemistry laboratory curriculum which combines multistep synthesis, photochromism, and optical characterization. Over the course of a three-step synthesis, students prepare both the open and closed isomers of a Donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct. At each stage of the synthesis, the pure products are isolated by filtration and characterized by traditional means (FTIR, 1H NMR). Additionally, students collect UV–vis data on the photoisomerization process and use this to calculate kinetic parameters. An inquiry-based variant of the experiment is also presented.
Toward precision regional anesthesia: is the PENG block appropriate for all hip fracture surgeries?

To the Editor We applaud Lin et al for their clinical trial comparing the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block with the femoral nerve block in hip fracture surgery,[1][1] the results of which we read with great interest. They found that the PENG block conferred statistically significant
The association between cannabis use disorder and the outcome following primary total hip arthroplasty : analysis of a nationwide administrative claims database.

Aims Although there is increasing legalization of the use of cannabis in the USA, few well-powered studies have evaluated the association between cannabis use disorder and outcomes following primar...
Characterization of a gamma spectrometer–neutron counter background correlation in mobile radiological search systems

Abstract The mobile radiological search system (MRSS) is frequently employed to locate radiological material that may be used in nuclear terrorism. Because they are mobile, an MRSS has difficulties characterizing the radiation background during operations, particularly in their neutron counters . Operators of these systems noted a potential relationship between the MRSS’s background neutron count rate and the count rate in its scintillator’s “overflow” channel (a channel that counts all signals with energies greater than 3 MeV). Previous work indicated that this overflow channel is the result of muons . That result coupled with the fact that both muons and background neutrons are produced by cosmic ray interactions meant that the neutron-overflow channel relationship is non-trivial. To fully characterize the neutron–muon relationship, this research collected and analyzed MRSS data from throughout the continental United States. These data were collected by three different organizations (one university and two MRSS operators), each with a unique MRSS setup. The locations measured accounted for the changes in neutron and muon background as a result of three variables: elevation, latitude, and the local environment (i.e. nearby buildings). Analysis of this data indicated that the average neutron count rate varied with the average muon count rate by a power law function. This relationship sufficiently accounts for all three variables that change both count rates, and its presence indicates that an MRSS can estimate its background neutron count rate by simply measuring the muon count rate. However, the data also indicated one complication with applying this relationship more broadly: each organization’s relationship had slightly different power law equations, which appears to be dependent on individual MRSS setup.
The effects of virtual human’s verbal persuasion strategies on user intention and behavior

Abstract Prior work has found that computers can effectively use six persuasion strategies characterized by Cialdini to influence people’s intentions and behaviors. However, researchers are yet to examine the effectiveness of Cialdini’s persuasion strategies with virtual humans. Virtual humans provide a human representation to computers, which influences how people respond to persuasion attempts from computers. To evaluate Cialdini’s persuasion strategies with virtual humans, we conducted an online study ( N = 183 ), where a virtual human promoted a coping skill for good mental health using Cialdini’s six persuasion strategies. Our results reveal that strategies that persuaded users by increasing the feeling of liking and reciprocity towards the virtual human were most successful in changing user intentions to perform the recommended behavior. Furthermore, the relative effectiveness of strategies that involved persuasion using expertise and normative beliefs varied for different user personality types. We draw conclusions and design implications for using Cialdini’s persuasion strategies with virtual humans.
Screening for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Are We Asking the Impossible?-Response.

We appreciate the thoughtful comments of Katona and colleagues ([1][1]) on our recent work. Regarding pancreatic cancer screening in high-risk patients, we agree screening is a reasonable strategy to improve outcomes in this cohort. As pointed out, for at-risk patients, screening guidelines have