cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pharmacist-Led Community Bone Mineral Density Screenings

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis-associated fractures burden both individuals and the overall healthcare system. Bone mineral density (BMD) screening remains the gold standard measure for identifying patients at risk.OBJECTIVE:To determine the impact of convenient, pharmacist-led BMD screening and counseling sessions on identification and education of patients at risk for or with osteoporosis.METHODS:Nonpregnant persons >18 years of age were eligible for enrollment in this descriptive study. At an urban retail pharmacy, participants underwent risk factor assessment, peripheral BMD scanning, and personalized counseling. At 3 and 6 months after screening, subjects were questioned by telephone regarding any subsequent primary care provider (PCP) interactions, as well as any behaviors initiated and/or medications modified.RESULTS:Of the 102 subjects screened, 22.6% and 11.7% were identified as being at medium risk (T score −1.0 to −2.5) and high risk (T score −2.5 or less) for osteoporosis, respectively. By 6 months, ...
Electroanatomic Mapping of the Intercaval Bundle in Atrial Fibrillation

Maintenance of sinus rhythm by catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a common strategy for symptom control. The cornerstone of AF ablation is pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with both entrance and exit block. Wide area circumferential ablation (WACA) in the antrum has increasingly replaced pulmonary vein (PV) ostial ablation because of a higher success rate and reduced risk of PV stenosis.1 However, a percentage of patients require a second procedure for AF control.2,3 At repeat ablation, PV reconnection is a common finding, and occasionally, it is difficult to achieve true entrance and exit block, especially for the right pulmonary veins (RPVs). Editor’s Perspective see p 1268 When faced with difficulty in obtaining RPV isolation, we follow a stepwise approach (Figure 1) to successfully identify the area of persistent connection. If WACA fails to achieve RPV entrance and exit block, some alternatives include (1) ablation more ostially and into the carina region, which potentially risks PV stenosis; (2) wider encirclement, which requires a larger ablation region and more radiofrequency application, and may be unsuccessful as a result of anatomic factors (in many cases because of the presence of the phrenic nerve in the septal aspect of the RPVs); or (3) mapping the activation pattern of the persistent connection. Voltage mapping can demonstrate the extent of prior ablation lesions and can also document lesion maturity at the interface of healthy tissue and scar. Activation mapping during pacing from the reconnected PV can reveal the connection pathways, which could be either via the left atrium (gaps in the line of WACA ablation) or connection to adjacent structures (RPV to right atrium). During pacing, if the earliest signal is on the left atrial side of the WACA line, there is a gap in the line, which should be …
Language Acquisition Challenges for Preschoolers Residing in Low-SES Households: Implications for Speech-language Pathologists and Developmental Researchers

Young children who reside in low-socioeconomic households are at considerable risk for delays in their rate of language acquisition. Large numbers of these children, whose cultural and linguistic s...
Mapping the literature of emergency nursing.

Medical Library Association's Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section's project to map the nursing literature
Translational research design templates, Grid computing, and HPC

Design templates that involve discovery, analysis, and integration of information resources commonly occur in many scientific research projects. In this paper we present examples of design templates from the biomedical translational research domain and discuss the requirements imposed on Grid middleware infrastructures by them. Using caGrid, which is a Grid middleware system based on the model driven architecture (MDA) and the service oriented architecture (SOA) paradigms, as a starting point, we discuss architecture directions for MDA and SOA based systems like caGrid to support common design templates.
Distributed feedback control for an Eulerian model of the National Airspace System

This paper proposes an Eulerian model of traffic flows in the National Airspace System (NAS) and presents a distributed feedback control approach for managing the flows. The main contribution is the development of a model that reflects the way that air traffic controllers regulate traffic flows into their facilities, and of a feedback control approach that provides them with decision support, in a distributed manner that is consistent with the existing communication structure. The focus is on developing techniques that guarantee that the aircraft queues in each airspace sector, which are an indicator of air traffic controller workload, are kept small. It is shown that the problems of scheduling and routing aircraft flows in the NAS can be posed as the fluid approximation of a network of queues, and that under appropriate conditions, a MaxWeight policy can be used to determine a distributed feedback control law that stabilizes the system. Extensions to the problem of airport arrival/departure management, and to traffic flows that are driven by demand are also described.
Novel cause of sudden cardiac death: IgG4-related disease.

A 61-year-old black woman with hypertension, dyslipidemia, sickle cell trait, and α-thalassemia presented with a 3-week history of progressively altered mental status and seizures. Laboratory studies demonstrated multiple autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibody (speckled, titer 1:640) and anti-Smith and anti-ribonucleoprotein (both positive by enzyme immunoassay). Of note, her erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated at 86 mm/h (reference range 4–30 mm/h), her C-reactive protein was elevated at 4.2 mg/dL (0.0–0.5 mg/dL), and her serum IgG level was normal at 1510 mg/dL (751–1560 mg/dL). ECGs early in her hospitalization demonstrated normal sinus rhythm. Initial imaging studies including chest radiograph, echocardiogram, and thoracic computed tomography showed normal aortic root caliber with minimal arteriosclerosis and mild cardiomegaly. Two weeks after admission, follow-up imaging revealed slight dilation of the ascending aorta to 4 cm on chest computed tomography (Figure 1A) and minimal tortuosity of the descending aorta on chest radiograph, which was not explored further. Figure 1. A , Computed tomography of the chest with intravenous contrast 2 weeks after admission, demonstrating a slight (4 cm) dilation of the ascending aorta that was not noted previously. A indicates ascending aorta; D, …
Component framework for coupled integrated fusion plasma simulation

Successful simulation of the complex physics that affect magnetically confined fusion plasma remains an important target milestone towards the development of viable fusion energy. Major advances in the underlying physics formulations, mathematical modeling, and computational tools and techniques are needed to enable a complete fusion simulation on the emerging class of large scalecapability parallel computers that are coming on-line in the next few years. Several pilot projects are currently being undertaken to explore different (partial) code integration and coupling problems, and possible solutions that may guide the larger integration endeavor. In this paper, we present the design and implementation details of one such project, a component based approach to couple existing codes to model the interaction between high power radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves, and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) aspects of the burning plasma. The framework and component design utilize a light coupling approach based on high level view of constituent codes that facilitates rapid incorporation of new components into the integrated simulation framework. The work illustrates the viability of the light coupling approach to better understand physics and stand-alone computer code dependencies and interactions, as a precursor to a more tightly coupled integrated simulation environment.
Two contrasting alcoholism treatment programs: a comparison of outcomes.

Participants in two 60-day alcoholism treatment programs with contrasting treatment philosophies and rationale were followed-up 1 year after discharge from the hospital. Widely different resuits were obtained with distinctly different alcoholic veteran populations. Response to treatment was highly favorable for less symptomatic alcoholics when direct emphasis was placed upon the alcoholism per se and complete abstinence. Less favorable responses were achieved with overt neurotic alcoholics when treatment was designed to resolve underlying personality disturbances. Self-reports of marked depression, anxiety, and prior treatment for alcoholism were three pretreatment variables found significantly related to unsuccessful drinking outcome. The implication of these findings is that treatment outcome is largely dependent upon both the characteristics of the population treated and the treatment approach.
On the spectrum of neutrino mass in general relativity

The problem of neutrino mass is investigated in the context of the author’s research program on the possible origin of microphysics from general relativity. It is found that the role of the «neutrino» in this theory is that of a spin-one-half coupling field that participates in the weak interactions between baryons. It is shown that in a curved space-time, the neutrino field associates with an indefinitely extended mass spectrum, accompanying the spectrum of the lepton particles, e, μ, τ, …. The explicit form of the mass spectrum, in the linear limit of the theory, where there is a Hilbert-space representation, is demonstrated. This result is in contrast with recent conclusions from the results of high-energy physics experimentation, interpreted in the context of the «standard model» in quantum chromodynamics, that there is a limit of only three neutrinos, and the accompanying three lepton particles, e, μ, τ. The author’s theory then challenges QCD in its prediction of more than three types of neutrinos and their accompanying massive leptons.
Irreducible superolateral dislocation of the glenohumeral joint

The overwhelming majority of glenohumeral dislocations are anterior dislocations that either spontaneously reduce or are reduced at the point of care without significant complications. Posterior dislocations are uncommon, and superior and inferior dislocations are even rarer. We present a case of "superolateral" shoulder dislocation in which the entire rotator cuff was torn either off its insertion or at the musculotendinous junction in combination with a large longitudinal split tear of the deltoid muscle. This allowed the humeral head to dislocate both superiorly and laterally into a subcutaneous position through the tear of the anterolateral deltoid muscle with an associated de-gloving soft tissue lesion. Buttonholing of the humeral head through the deltoid and interposition of the dislocated long head of the biceps tendon and macerated rotator cuff prevented closed reduction of the glenohumeral joint. The resultant radiographic appearance and treatment of this dislocation is unique. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of this dislocation in the literature.
Semi-automated counting of axon regeneration in poly(lactide co-glycolide) spinal cord bridges.

Author(s): McCreedy, Dylan A; Margul, Daniel J; Seidlits, Stephanie K; Antane, Jennifer T; Thomas, Ryan J; Sissman, Gillian M; Boehler, Ryan M; Smith, Dominique R; Goldsmith, Sam W; Kukushliev, Todor V; Lamano, Jonathan B; Vedia, Bansi H; He, Ting; Shea, Lonnie D | Abstract: BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating event with multiple mechanisms of degeneration leading to life-long paralysis. Biomaterial strategies, including bridges that span the injury and provide a pathway to reconnect severed regions of the spinal cord, can promote partial restoration of motor function following SCI. Axon growth through the bridge is essential to characterizing regeneration, as recovery can occur via other mechanisms such as plasticity. Quantitative analysis of axons by manual counting of histological sections can be slow, which can limit the number of bridge designs evaluated. In this study, we report a semi-automated process to resolve axon numbers in histological sections, which allows for efficient analysis of large data sets.New methodAxon numbers were estimated in SCI cross-sections from animals implanted with poly(lactide co-glycolide) (PLG) bridges with multiple channels for guiding axons. Immunofluorescence images of histological sections were filtered using a Hessian-based approach prior to threshold detection to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and filter out background staining associated with PLG polymer.ResultsSemi-automated counting successfully recapitulated average axon densities and myelination in a blinded PLG bridge implantation study.Comparison with existing methodsAxon counts obtained with the semi-automated technique correlated well with manual axon counts from blinded independent observers across sections with a wide range of total axons.ConclusionsThis semi-automated detection of Hessian-filtered axons provides an accurate and significantly faster alternative to manual counting of axons for quantitative analysis of regeneration following SCI.
NEUROANATOMICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THIAMINE DEFICIENCY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

In this paper, the neuroanatomical locus of lesions produced by thiamine deficiency was examined. An attempt was made to analyse the relationship between the pattern of development of neuropathological lesions and such experimental variables as length of deficiency, species, and method of deprivation. There is evidence in all species studied that certain structures are selectively vulnerable to thiamine deficiency. Current theories concerning the pathogenesis of lesions, including metabolic, neurophysiological, and genetic mechanisms were also discussed. It was concluded that the selective vulnerability of certain structures to thiamine deficiency is the result of a complex interaction between cellular, neurochemical, and metabolic properties of various brain regions which make them more susceptible to a breakdown in thiamine-dependent systems.
Steganography of digital watermark by Arnold scrambling transform with blind source separation morphological component analysis

In this paper, a novel steganography of digital watermark scheme which contains digital watermark embedding and extraction processes is proposed. The proposed scheme is based on an iterative process of Arnold scrambling transform which is controlled by secret key shared by copyright owner and authorized users, and the extension of morphological component analysis theory which utilizes morphological diversity as the kernel role in blind source separation. Since both the original cover image and watermark are not needed for recovering received watermark, the proposed scheme can be categorized into blind watermarking technique. It is the most applicable watermarking technique due to the availability of the original cover image and watermark cannot be warranted in real-world applications. The proposed scheme overcomes the problem of too narrow hidden data bandwidth in traditional Least-Significant-Bit (LSB) replacement or LSB matching schemes. Instead of only hiding limited bits is allowed, we can embed a meaningful picture into the cover image by applying proposed scheme. Compared with classic Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) steganography schemes, the proposed steganography scheme has much higher embedding capacity and broader applicability scope. Images acquired in steganography experiments and the analysis of experimental results both prove the effectiveness of proposed scheme. Both subjective visual effect and objective quantitative results of the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) index, Structural Similarity (SSIM) index and Normalized Correlation (NC) index confirm its brilliant steganography capability as well as its fine robustness to different noise attacks through communication channel.
Learning with Adults: A Critical Pedagogical Introduction

As the subtitle indicates, this book is a critical pedagogical introduction to adult learning education. Yet it offers a surprisingly large breadth of analysis touching upon most, if not all, of th...
An isogeometric approach to topology optimization of multi‐material and functionally graded structures

Summary A new isogeometric density-based approach for the topology optimization of multi-material structures is presented. In this method, the density fields of multiple material phases are represented using the isogeometric non-uniform rational B-spline-based parameterization leading to exact modeling of the geometry, removing numerical artifacts and full analytical computation of sensitivities in a cost-effective manner. An extension of the perimeter control technique is introduced where restrictions are imposed on the perimeters of density fields of all phases. Consequently, not only can one control the complexity of the optimal design but also the minimal lengths scales of all material phases. This leads to optimal designs with significantly enhanced manufacturability and comparable performance. Unlike the common element-wise or nodal-based density representations, owing to higher order continuity of density fields in this method, their gradients required for perimeter control restrictions are calculated exactly without additional computational cost. The problem is formulated with constraints on either (1) volume fractions of different material phases or (2) the total mass of the structure. The proposed method is applied for the minimal compliance design of two-dimensional structures consisting of multiple distinct materials as well as functionally graded ones. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Dynamic Screening and Carrier-Carrier Scattering on Non-Equilibrium Dual Carrier Plasmas

The effect of free carrier screening model on the physical behavior of non-equilibrium electron-hole plasmas is explored. Simplified approaches are found to fail badly for both the description of ultrafast carrier relaxation and high field transport. The existence of significant transient structure is found to make it unlikely any simple model could provide an adequate description.
Corpus Callosum in ADHD Children and their Siblings

The global brain size and a midline area of corpus callosum were measured by MRI in 15 boys with ADHD (mean age 10 years) and compared with 15 healthy male siblings of children with ADHD of the same age.
CHAPTER 67 – Modular Protein Interaction Domains in Cellular Communication

Protein phosphorylation frequently induces specific protein-protein interactions mediated by specific phosphotyrosine- or phosphoserine/threonine-binding domains. These phospho-dependent interaction domains are importantfor the specificity of signal transduction downstream of cell-surface receptors and serve as the prototype for a large family of binding modules that control many aspects of cellular organization. Cellular regulation is largely accomplished by proteins acting in a coordinated fashion to transmit signals from out-side and within the cell to produce a coherent output that guides the behavior of the cell. Intracellular signaling proteins are generally made up of modular domains that either have a catalytic function (such as kinase activity) or mediate the interactions of proteins with one another or with phospholipids, nucleic acids, or small molecules. These latter interaction domains typically fold in such a way that their N and C termini are juxtaposed in space, while their ligand binding site is located on the opposing surface; therefore, they are ideally configured for incorporation into a preexisting polypeptide while retaining their binding properties. Interaction domains play a critical role in the selective activation of signaling pathways through their ability to recruit target proteins to activated receptors and to regulate the ensuing assembly of signaling complexes. Such interaction domains can control not only the specificity of signal transduction but also the kinetics with which cells react to external and intrinsic stimuli, and they can thereby generate complex cellular behaviors. This chapter outlines these general themes and more detail is provided in a number of recent reviews.
Rap GTPase signaling in platelets and megakaryocytes

Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis and repair of the endothelium, but they also play a key role in the development of acute coronary syndromes and they contribute to cerebrovascular events [1, 2]. In humans, billions of platelets are produced by megakaryocytes and released into the blood stream every day. If they are not consumed in the hemostatic process, these platelets circulate for approximately 10 days before being destroyed by phagocytic cells in the spleen and the liver. While in circulation, platelets remain in a resting state even when exposed to high shear stress or small amounts of soluble agonists generated in the intact vasculature. Vascular injury, however, leads to exposure of platelets to strong agonists, rapid integrin activation, and thrombus formation.
Exploiting Efficient Densest Subgraph Discovering Methods for Big Data

Discovering the densest subgraph is important in graph analysis, which has wide-ranging applications from social network community mining to the discovery of biological network modules. However, the previous algorithms neglect the connectivity of the dense subgraph since it is a challenge to give consideration to both subgraph structure and time efficiency. As a result, it may lead to isolated subgraphs in the output though they aim to find one connected dense subgraph. Also, there are lack of efficient algorithms for big natural graphs, especially considering datasets become increasingly larger in this era of Big Data. Furthermore, previous algorithms fail to take advantage of various features of natural graphs (e.g., power-law degree distribution, homophyly of vertices, and power-law community size) which can be applied to improve the efficiency and precision of the densest subgraph discovery. To handle these problems, in this paper, we study the densest subgraph problem by designing two different algorithms based on different features that natural graphs have. First, by analyzing the features of natural graphs, we design a heuristic algorithm for discovering the connected densest subgraph for massive undirected graphs in a MapReduce framework by taking advantage of the features of natural graphs. Second, we propose an exact algorithm for big data for the problem of discovering the densest subgraph. Experimental results show that our algorithms are more time-efficient and precise than other algorithms.
The Awakening Movement: A Narrative-level Study of Mobilization

AbstractThis essay analyzes the link between mobilization and tribalism that developed in the Anbar Awakening. The Anbar Awakening exposed the Anbari tribal structure as a deeply entrenched and complex network deployed to mobilize support and generate behavior that would achieve the most advantageous strategy and position in a fight against al-Qaeda. Although this description supports David Kilcullen’s tribal society model, the rules of the Awakening movement that restored the tribal network were hardly explored by counter-insurgents for value and opportunity. The essay therefore draws on narratives from Anbari sheikhs to analyze the properties of tribalism (culture, identity, and problem-solving) as a non-linear social network, and demonstrates a paradigm in which mobilization of Anbari tribesmen is a valid indicator of security. The link between mobilization and tribalism in the Anbar Awakening therefore strategically develops to intervene in social life and address security locally.
Immunotherapy with single agent nivolumab for advanced leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: Results of a phase 2 study

Background Immunotherapy has changed the therapeutic landscape in oncology. Advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) remains an incurable disease in most cases, and despite new drug approvals, improvements in overall survival have been modest at best. The goal of this study was to evaluate programmed-death 1 (PD-1) inhibition with nivolumab in this patient population. Methods This single-center phase 2 trial completed enrollment between May and October 2015. Patients received 3 mg/kg of intravenous nivolumab on day 1 of each 2-week cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. We assessed PD-1, PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and PD-L2 expression in archival tumor samples and variations in immune-phenotyping of circulating immune cells during treatment. Results Twelve patients were enrolled in the first stage of the 2-stage design. A median of 5 (range, 2-6) 2-week cycles of nivolumab were administered. Of the 12 patients, none responded to treatment. The overall median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval, 0.8-unknown). The study did not open the second stage due to lack of benefit as defined by the statistical plan. Archival samples were available for 83% of patients. PD-1 (>3% of cells), PD-L1, and PD-L2 (>5% and >10% of tumor cells, respectively) expression were observed in 20%, 20%, and 90% of samples, respectively. No significant differences were observed between pre- and posttreatment cell phenotypes. Conclusion Single-agent nivolumab did not demonstrate a benefit in this cohort of previously treated advanced ULMS patients. Further biomarker-driven approaches and studies evaluating combined immune checkpoint-modulators should be considered. Cancer 2017;123:3285-90. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Effects of launch tube shock dynamics on initiation of ram accelerator operation

Normal operation of the University of Washington’s ram accelerator involves the use of a perforated tube to vent gases from the light gas gun into an evacuated tank before the projectile enters the ram accelerator tubes. Because there is residual air in the launch tube and gases from the gun that blow by the obturator, a shock is generated and reflects between the moving projectile/obturator and the entrance diaphragm. The vent tube perforations relieve the resulting pressure rise, such that it does not become significant until after the projectile has passed the vent section. Experiments were performed to determine the feasibility of eliminating the venting process. It was found, as expected, that the pressure increase from the shock reflections was much higher for ventless operation than for vented operation and in some cases prevented initiation of the ram acceleration process. The effect of increasing residual launch tube pressure on the starting process of the ram accelerator was also investigated. It was found that for initial gun launch tube pressures of 21 kPa or less, successful starting of the ram accelerator was possible at a fill pressure of 5.0 MPa.
Topology of black hole binary–single interactions

We present a study on how the outcomes of binary–single interactions involving three black holes (BHs) distribute as a function of the initial conditions; a distribution we refer to as the topology. Using a N-body code that includes BH finite sizes and gravitational wave (GW) emission in the equation of motion (EOM), we perform more than a million binary–single interactions to explore the topology of both the Newtonian limit and the limit at which general relativistic (GR) effects start to become important. From these interactions, we are able to describe exactly under which conditions BH collisions and eccentric GW capture mergers form, as well as how GR in general modifies the Newtonian topology. This study is performed on both large- and microtopological scales. We further describe how the inclusion of GW emission in the EOM naturally leads to scenarios where the binary–single system undergoes two successive GW mergers.
Normal EEG Variants and Artifacts

Recognition of normal EEG variants and artifacts is crucial for accurate EEG interpretation. Normal EEG variants and artifacts often present with distinctive electrographic features that may include morphology, distribution, and occurrence in specific stages (wakefulness, drowsiness, or sleep). In addition, some benign EEG variants and artifacts are better visualized when displayed in a preferred EEG montage. Several of these normal EEG patterns and EEG artifacts may actually mimic pathologic EEG findings, leading to potential misinterpretation of an otherwise normal EEG. Some of these normal patterns may even mimic ictal discharges, leading to potential overtreatment.
Predicting the risk of cucurbit downy mildew in the eastern United States using an integrated aerobiological model

Cucurbit downy mildew caused by the obligate oomycete, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is considered one of the most economically important diseases of cucurbits worldwide. In the continental United States, the pathogen overwinters in southern Florida and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Outbreaks of the disease in northern states occur annually via long-distance aerial transport of sporangia from infected source fields. An integrated aerobiological modeling system has been developed to predict the risk of disease occurrence and to facilitate timely use of fungicides for disease management. The forecasting system, which combines information on known inoculum sources, long-distance atmospheric spore transport and spore deposition modules, was tested to determine its accuracy in predicting risk of disease outbreak. Rainwater samples at disease monitoring sites in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina were collected weekly from planting to the first appearance of symptoms at the field sites during the 2013, 2014, and 2015 growing seasons. A conventional PCR assay with primers specific to P. cubensis was used to detect the presence of sporangia in rain water samples. Disease forecasts were monitored and recorded for each site after each rain event until initial disease symptoms appeared. The pathogen was detected in 38 of the 187 rainwater samples collected during the study period. The forecasting system correctly predicted the risk of disease outbreak based on the presence of sporangia or appearance of initial disease symptoms with an overall accuracy rate of 66 and 75%, respectively. In addition, the probability that the forecasting system correctly classified the presence or absence of disease was ≥ 73%. The true skill statistic calculated based on the appearance of disease symptoms in cucurbit field plantings ranged from 0.42 to 0.58, indicating that the disease forecasting system had an acceptable to good performance in predicting the risk of cucurbit downy mildew outbreak in the eastern United States.
Erythrocyte aggregation during normal pregnancy.

Red blood cell aggregation induced by fibrinogen is a major determinant of the non-Newtonian flow behavior of blood and has been suggested as a possible contributing factor for thrombogenesis. Given the elevated fibrinogen levels and the incidence of thrombotic accidents in pregnancy, a study was designed to assess red blood cell aggregation at selected gestational periods. Three separate in vitro aggregation assays were used: (1) aggregation half time, (2) zeta sedimentation ratio, and (3) microscopic aggregation index. Our results indicate that red blood cell aggregation is increased throughout normal pregnancy (i.e., at 10, 25, and 36 weeks and during labor) in comparison to that in nonpregnant women. Significant correlations between plasma fibrinogen concentration and zeta sedimentation ratio (p less than 0.001) or aggregation half time (p less than 0.02) were demonstrated, but the correlation coefficient for the microscopic aggregation index technique did not reach significance (p greater than 0.20). Type O-positive red blood cells suspended in plasma from pregnant women also exhibited increased aggregation (p less then 0.001), thus suggesting plasma rather than cellular factors for the enhanced aggregation. Possible influences of abnormal fibrinogen structure during pregnancy are considered and the implications of increased red blood cell aggregation vis-a-vis altered blood viscosity are discussed.
Transgenerational sterility of small RNA genome silencing mutants in response to germ granule dysfunction

Deficiency for small RNA nuclear silencing proteins that promote heterochromatin maintenance leads to defects in germ cell immortality where fertile mutant strains become sterile over successive generations. The transgenerational sterility of small RNA nuclear silencing is associated with mis-wiring of small RNA pathways and with progressive deterioration of heterochromatin, which leads to increased levels of transposon expression, transposition and RNA-DNA hybrids. However, the cause of transgenerational sterility in small RNA nuclear silencing mutants is not understood. We found that sterile small RNA genome silencing mutants display altered perinuclear germ granules. Moreover, germ granule dysfunction was sufficient to induce phenotypes associated with sterile small RNA genome silencing mutants, including germline atrophy, reproductive diapause and univalents in oocytes. We conclude that germ granules, which are intimately associated with small RNA nuclear silencing proteins and RNAs, orchestrate the transgenerational sterility of small RNA genome silencing mutants.
Children of Violent Marriages: The Forgotten Victims:

The intensity and relationship characteristics of violent marriages overshadow the developmental and emotional needs of the children of these marriages. The dynamics, the communication patterns, an...
The social rate of discount for nuclear waste storage: economics or ethics?

The traditional economic approach for evaluating alternative policies has been the use of benefit-cost analysis. Application of this tool, however, to broad social questions, such as the choice to store nuclear wastes, has been unsuccessful because of several philosophical and ethical problems raised, first, by the need to value risks to human life and, second, with valuing in present terms events which may occur thousands of years hence. This paper is an attempt to look beyond traditional ethical and economic perspective. Formal economic models of alternative decision criteria for nuclear waste storage are developed which are based on alternative ethical positions.In particlular, three ethical positions are developed for comparison to benefit-cost analysis. First, the utilitarian ethic is used to explore the notion that the proper goal for society is to pursue the greatest good for the greatest number. Secondly, a simplified libertarian viewpoint is explored where the protection of individual rights is more important than the good of the whole. The final ethical position is based upon the democratic ethic. (JMT)
Conceptualizing and creating sustainable food systems: How interdisciplinarity can help

This chapter suggests that devising an ironclad definition of sustainable food systems is neither possible nor desirable. The movement for sustainable food systems has become one of the more exciting and pivotal movements of our time, tying together issues of urgent importance and animating growing numbers of sometimes disparate people and social groups. The qualified and still incomplete experience in Pennsylvania measuring and monitoring sustainability-relevant trends in the food system illustrates some of the broad challenges of reductionism, agenda-setting and politics that Bell and Morse identify in efforts to develop sustainability indicators. Sustainable agriculture has most readily focused on the environmental or ecological soundness of the production system or agro-food commodity chain. Arising from recognition of the intractable food and income security challenges facing the rural poor in many developing countries, sustainable livelihoods are to be analyzed and facilitated at the household and community levels.
Quorum Sensing and the Gut Microbiome

Abstract The GI tract is a complex environment heavily affected by both host and microbial processes. The microbiota plays essential functions in maintaining human health by providing the host with nutrients, promoting maturation of the immune system, and preventing enteric infections. These activities depend on effective communication from the host, the microbiota, and between them. This exchange of information among bacteria and between bacteria and the host is known as quorum sensing, interspecies and interkingdom signaling, respectively. This communication relies on host- and microbiota-produced chemicals that range from nutrients to signaling molecules. Insults that disturb the stability of these interactions by altering the structure of the microbiota or silencing this chemical communication have been implicated in various diseased states. In this article, we explore relevant classes of molecules produced or altered by the host, the microbiota, or enteric pathogens that cause transcriptional changes important for the colonization of the gut environment.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Methods Used in the Development of the Space Launch System Liftoff and Transition Lineloads Databases

The objective of this paper is to document the reasoning and trade studies that supported the selection of appropriate tools for constructing aerodynamic lineload databases for the Liftoff and Transition phases of flight for launch vehicles. These decisions were made amid the maturation of an evolving workflow for generating databases on variants of the Space Launch System launch vehicle, with most being based on results from brief developmental studies performed in response to specific, unforeseen challenges that were encountered in analyzing a given configuration. This report is intended to provide a summary of the results and the decision-making processes chronologically over the design cycles of various configurations, starting with isolated free-air bodies for the Block 1 Crew, then the Block 1B Crew and Cargo configurations, and most recently the Block 1B Crew configuration in proximity to the launch tower. The results from these analyses led to the selection of the CREATE-AV Kestrel flowsolver for simulating these problems. The need to accurately capture the expected leeward-wake flow field characteristics required the use of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) method, for which the vorticity magnitude was employed as the solution Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) function over the off-body Cartesian grid region. In addition, the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) model is used to account for the flow turbulence effects.
Cultural Adaptations in Human Space Settlement

Just as the human genome will be changed as it adapts to conditions beyond Earth, our second channel of adaptive capacity—culture—will also change. Indeed it has been more than a million years since biology was our main mode of adaptation; rather, since the evolution of complex cultural behaviors including complex tool use, symbolism, and language, we as a species have survived and adapted less because of our biology than despite our biology. It is behavioral flexibility that led Inuit people of the high Canadian Arctic to invent effective cold-weather clothing and to mark their broad landscapes with cairns and statuary as aids to navigation, and it is behavioral flexibility that led Australian aborigines to carve hunting territory maps directly on their hunting tools. In the same way, adapting our “ways of living’’, our cultures, to conditions new to the human experience will allow us to survive and ultimately thrive, long-term, beyond Earth. And we need not simply guess about how our cultures will change, or what parts of them will change, we can once again use the tools and insight of evolutionary processes to help us predict, or at least anticipate, cultural adaptation beyond Earth. In this chapter we use these tools to describe and evaluate the adaptive potential of some ‘Cultural Universals’, complex, nongenetically-transmitted behaviors or domains of behavior found globally in all cultures, but somewhat differing by both the cultures’ material and cultural selective environments. We may expect these—at least—to change as new environments are encountered beyond Earth, and we may productively predict some of this change so that it does not come as a shock, and even productively make recommendations about how to tailor some of our behavior in these domains to the new conditions of space settlements. At the least, this allows a structured, evolutionarily-informed approach to the obvious and fascinating—but very fuzzy and open-ended—question, ‘what will change when we go to space?’.
Abstract 178: Development of a New Structural Family of Microbial Choline Trimethylamine Lyase Inhibitors for the Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Ashraf Duzan, BPharm., MS1,2; Xiaodong Gu, Ph.D. 1,3; Adam Roberts, Ph.D.1,3; Jennifier Buffa, MS1,3; James Anderson1,3, Valentine Gogonea, Ph.D 1,2,3 Stanley L. Hazen, MD, Ph.D.1,2,3. 1Department ...
Is sleep disturbance linked to short- and long-term outcomes following treatments for recurrent depression?

Abstract Background Pre-treatment sleep disturbance has been shown to predict antidepressant treatment outcomes. How changes in sleep disturbance during acute treatment affect longitudinal outcomes, or whether continuation-phase treatment further improves sleep disturbance, is unclear. Methods We assessed sleep disturbance repeatedly in: a) 523 adults with recurrent MDD who consented to 12–14 weeks of acute-phase cognitive therapy (A-CT) and b) 241 A-CT responders at elevated risk for depression relapse/recurrence who were randomized to 8 months of continuation-phase treatment (C CT vs. fluoxetine vs. matched pill placebo) and followed protocol-treatment-free for 24 months. Trajectories of change in sleep and depression during and after A-CT were evaluated with multilevel models; individual intercepts and slopes were retained and input into Cox regression models to predict remission, recovery, relapse, and recurrence of MDD. Results Sleep disturbance improved over the course of A-CT, but most patients continued to report clinically significant sleep complaints. Response and remission were more likely in patients with less overall sleep disturbance and those with greater reduction in sleep disturbance during A-CT; these patients also achieved post-A-CT remission and recovery sooner. Sleep improvements endured throughout follow-up but were not enhanced by continuation-phase treatment. Sleep disturbance did not predict relapse or recurrence consistently. Limitations Objective sleep disturbance was not assessed. Analyses were not specifically powered to use sleep changes to predict outcomes. Conclusions Improvements in sleep disturbance during A-CT are linked to shorter times to remission and recovery, supporting consideration of monitoring and targeting sleep disturbance in adults with depression.
Exercise alters cerebellar and cortical activity related to working memory in phenotypes of Gulf War Illness.

Gulf War Illness affects 25-32% of veterans from the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. Post-exertional malaise with cognitive dysfunction, pain and fatigue following physical and/or mental effort is a defining feature of Gulf War Illness. We modelled post-exertional malaise by assessing changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T during an N-Back working memory task performed prior to a submaximal bicycle stress test and after an identical stress test 24 h later. Serial trends in postural changes in heart rate between supine and standing defined three subgroups of veterans with Gulf War Illness: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (GWI-POTS, 15%, n = 11), Stress Test Associated Reversible Tachycardia (GWI-START, 31%, n = 23) and Stress Test Originated Phantom Perception (GWI-STOPP, no postural tachycardia, 54%, n = 46). Before exercise, there were no differences in blood oxygenation level-dependent activity during the N-Back task between control (n = 31), GWI-START, GWI-STOPP and GWI-POTS subgroups. Exercise had no effects on blood oxygenation level-dependent activation in controls. GWI-START had post-exertional deactivation of cerebellar dentate nucleus and vermis regions associated with working memory. GWI-STOPP had significant activation of the anterior supplementary motor area that may be a component of the anterior salience network. There was a trend for deactivation of the vermis in GWI-POTS after exercise. These patterns of cognitive dysfunction were apparent in Gulf War Illness only after the exercise stressor. Mechanisms linking the autonomic dysfunction of Stress Test Associated Reversible Tachycardia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome to cerebellar activation, and Stress Test Originated Phantom Perception to cortical sensorimotor alterations, remain unclear but may open new opportunities for understanding, diagnosing and treating Gulf War Illness.
Double Photoionization of Helium

The helium double-photoionization cross section has been evaluated using a Hylleraas wave function for the ground state in order to include correlation between the atomic electrons more directly than in previous calculations. Good agreement is found between the present results, the experimental data, and the theoretical work of Byron and Joachain. An interpretation of the differential electron spectrum is used to motivate an asymptotic calculation of the double-photoionization cross section which agrees well with the more exact treatment at high energies.
CHAPTER 1-2 – THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the calibration of spectra and the methods of expressing results. From the organic chemist's point of view, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is principally a spectroscopic method that, like infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, provides numbers characteristic of atoms and their arrangements in complex molecules. The chapter focuses on the measurement of absorption intensities as this forms the basis of the use of NMR spectroscopy for quantitative analysis in organic chemistry. The factors that are important in the design of magnets for spectrometers are the constancy of the field strength, the homogeneity or uniformity of the field, and the maximum obtainable strength of the field. A highly constant magnetic field strength is necessary for the accurate determination of relative line positions in a spectrum. Permanent magnets are capable of maintaining fields that are sufficiently constant, provided they are very carefully thermostated and are located in situations that are well away from variable magnetic influences, such as large moving iron objects.
Reconsidering insurance discrimination and adverse selection in an era of data analytics

This article demonstrates how replacing age- and gender-based pricing variables with telematics data in auto insurance risk classification systems minimises insurance discrimination and increases cream skimming adverse selection. The study explains how incorporating telematics data into insurance pricing schemes reduces pricing heterogeneity, consistent with the anti-discrimination objective of Aristotelian equality. It also describes how anti-discrimination prohibitions of age- and gender-based insurance pricing can result in regulatory adverse selection; traditional adverse selection, where asymmetric information favouring applicants can result in an overpopulation of high-risk drivers in risk pools; and cream skimming adverse selection, where asymmetric information favouring telematics-based insurers supports premium discounts that attract safer drivers, prompting an underpopulation of low-risk drivers among non-telematics insurers. The study explains how insurers minimise their vulnerability to cream skimming by quickly entering the pricing “arms race” with their own telematics-based products and how incorporating telematics data increases the efficiency of risk classification systems.