cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary organic aerosol formation from toluene photooxidation under various NO x conditions and particle acidity

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from photooxidation of toluene is studied using a 2 m3 indoor Teflon film chamber under three different NOx conditions: low (≤3 ppb), intermediate (90–105 ppb) and high (280–315 ppb). SOA experiments are conducted in the presence of either neutral or acidic sulfate seed aerosols under two different humidity levels (%RH 15–22 or 38–49). NOx concentrations in the chamber air affect not only SOA yields but also SOA growth described by the organic mass (OM) produced as a function of the toluene concentration consumed over the course of a single SOA experiment. The particle acidity effect on toluene SOA formation varies with NOx concentrations. For the low and the intermediate NOx experiments, SOA yields with acidic sulfate seed considerably increase by: 36%–115% at low %RH and 25–44% at high %RH compared to those with neutral seed. No significant particle acidity effect is observed for the high NOx experiments. The humidity effect on SOA formation is also different at the three NOx levels. For the low NOx experiments, SOA yields are 29%–34% lower at high %RH than those at low %RH in the presence of either neutral or acidic sulfate seed. For the intermediate NOx experiments, SOA yields at high %RH increase by 39% in the presence of neutral seed but slightly decrease by 7% in the presence of acidic sulfate seed compared to those at low %RH. For the high NOx experiments with a high NO fraction, no significant humidity effect on SOA yields is found with both neutral and acidic sulfate seeds.
Biochemical mechanism of nitroglycerin action and tolerance: is this old mystery solved?

Organic nitrates such as nitroglycerin (NTG) have been used as potent vasodilators in medicine for more than a century, but their biochemical mechanisms of action, particularly in relation to tolerance development, are still incompletely defined. Numerous candidate enzymes for NTG metabolism, as well as a multiplicity of tolerance mechanisms, have been proposed in the literature, but a consolidating hypothesis that links these phenomena together has not appeared. Here, we outline a “thionitrate oxidation hypothesis,” which attempts to link nitrate bioactivation and tolerance development in an overall mechanism. We also attempt to compare and contrast the proposed mechanism against existing theories of nitrate action and tolerance. Interactions between organic nitrates, which have been thought of as endothelium-independent agents, and the vascular endothelium and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are also discussed.
Robust Control Variates for Monte Carlo Integration

Monte Carlo methods are widely used tools employed to estimate functionals of a probability distribution that may be difficult to sample from directly. Given additional information about the distribution or functional of interest, it is often possible to employ variance reduction techniques such as the well-known method of control variates. However, as implemented in practice, this method essentially reduces the empirical sample variance, and is not robust to coefficient estimation error as the number of control variate functions increases. Here we propose two extensions that robustify the control variates method?diagonal and variable loading?and show how to realize them via an iterative implementation that significantly reduces computational cost. These methods are validated using test cases that clearly demonstrate the shortcomings of traditional control variates techniques.
Hydro-mechanical model for wetting/drying and fracture development in geomaterials

This paper presents a modeling approach for studying hydro-mechanical coupled processes, including fracture development, within geological formations. This is accomplished through the novel linking of two codes: TOUGH2, which is a widely used simulator of subsurface multiphase flow based on the finite volume method; and an implementation of the Rigid-Body-Spring Network (RBSN) method, which provides a discrete (lattice) representation of material elasticity and fracture development. The modeling approach is facilitated by a Voronoi-based discretization technique, capable of representing discrete fracture networks. The TOUGH-RBSN simulator is intended to predict fracture evolution, as well as mass transport through permeable media, under dynamically changing hydrologic and mechanical conditions. Numerical results are compared with those of two independent studies involving hydro-mechanical coupling: (1) numerical modeling of swelling stress development in bentonite; and (2) experimental study of desiccation cracking in a mining waste. The comparisons show good agreement with respect to moisture content, stress development with changes in pore pressure, and time to crack initiation. The observed relationship between material thickness and crack patterns (e.g., mean spacing of cracks) is captured by the proposed modeling approach.
Simulation and Mathematical Modelling in Ethanol Fermentation by A. aceti into Acetic Acid Product

The objective of this research was to study the following fermentation variables in a batch bioreactor of (a) ethanol concentration of 4, 6, and 8 percent by weight per volume, (b) inoculum concentration of 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 percent, (c) aeration rate of 0.47, and 0.76 volume of air flow rate per minute per volume of substrate, (d) agitation rate of 200, 250, 300 rotations per minute, and (e) fermentation time in order to produce the acetic acid product concentration,Cp and microbial growth of Acetobacter aceti (A.aceti) concentration, Cx and also to study how to simulate the values of Cp and Cx derived from a mathematical modelling that is to compare the values of Cp and Cx from the experiment data and simulation results. The benefit of this research is to convert from the research results at a laboratory scale to successful commercial size design. The method used in this research can be divided into three stages, namely; determination of kinetic parameters, simulation model, and validation of the results. The research results can be shown that ethanol concentration of 6 percent by weight per volume, agitation rate of 300 rotations per minute, inoculum concentration of 7.5 percent by volume, aeration rate between of 0.47, to 0.76 volume of air flow rate per minute per volume of substrate of ethanol in order to get acetic acid concentration, Cp and microbial cell of A.aceti concentration, Cx and the profile of Cp, and Cx from simulation model is the same as the profile of Cp and Cx from the experiment data.
A componential model of situation effects, person effects, and situation-by-person interaction effects on social behavior

Social and personality psychology seek to understand the regularities of human behavior in social context and to separate critical causal variables assumed to reside in the social situation, in the person, and in the interaction between the two. A componential model is presented, which assumes that the three types of effect are theoretically and conceptually independent, although they may be confounded in practice. A review of past theory and research suggests that many social and personality psychologists have misconstrued situation and person effects as competing for a limited pool of behavioral variance. A conceptual re-orientation may overcome the limitations of both radical situationism and defensive dispositionism.
Congenital stenosis of pulmonary veins—failure to modify natural history by intraoperative placement of stents

Congenital pulmonary venous stenosis is a rare but important cause of pulmonary hypertension in infancy. The prognosis is uniformly poor, despite surgery and attempted balloon dilation of the narrowed veins. We performed intraoperative stenting of congenital pulmonary venous stenoses in two infants with initial clinical and hemodynamic improvement. Both patients subsequently died due to progressive pulmonary hypertension. Stenting of the pulmonary veins in this condition does not alter the natural history.
The regulation of synaptogenesis during normal development and following activity blockade

The mature neuromuscular junction is characterized by the tight spatial colocalization of synaptic vesicles and acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters. Although a large body of work exists on the interactions between motoneurons and myotubes leading to synaptogenesis in tissue culture, how the neuromuscular junction acquires its highly specialized structure in vivo is not well understood, particularly during the earliest period of synaptogenesis. In this study, the development of the neuromuscular synapse in chick hindlimb muscles was examined and quantified by simultaneously labeling the pre- and postsynaptic elements from the time the main nerve trunks leave the lumbosacral plexus region to enter the developing limb (St 24) through the end of the motoneuron cell death period (St 36). Based on these results, synaptogenesis can be divided into several distinct stages that are intimately connected to the innervation sequence described in a previous paper (Dahm and Landmesser, 1988). Briefly, as large nerve trunks approach the developing muscles and the first AChR clusters are induced to form on nearby myotubes, none of these initial receptor clusters are in direct contact with a nerve profile. The first appearance of nerve-contacted clusters (synapses) is coincident with the growth of large, unbranched nerve trunks into the muscles. The next step is initiated by the formation of small nerve side branches that grow out from the larger intramuscular nerve trunks to bring most axons and myotubes into contact for the first time. As side branches form, synapses appear around them, and non-nerve-contacted receptor clusters disappear from around the main intramuscular nerve trunks. The next step in synaptogenesis is the restriction of synaptic vesicle antigen to sites of synaptic contact. These early stages of synaptogenesis are also characterized by the growth of the presynaptic terminal to match the length of the postsynaptic receptor cluster. This study showed that AChR cluster formation during early in vivo neuromuscular development does not require close anatomical nerve contact, but that the presence of the nerves is necessary for AChR clusters to form. This suggests that the nerves normally induce AChR clustering via the release of a diffusible substance, a suggestion substantiated by the observation that AChR clusters do not form on aneural myotubes in vivo. In order to assess the role of synapse formation in the regulation of motoneuron number, synaptogenesis was quantitatively examined after chronic neuromuscular blockade, which prevents motoneuron cell death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Haematological malignancies developing in previously healthy individuals who received haematopoietic growth factors: report from the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports (RADAR) project

Pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) promote haematopoietic progenitor cell maturation. We reviewed the findings for healthy volunteers/donors who developed haematological malignancies following PEG-rHuMGDF or G-CSF administration. Information was reviewed for three of 538 volunteers who received PEG-rHuMGDF in clinical trials and two of 200 donors who underwent G-CSF mobilised stem cell harvesting procedures for sibling stem cell transplants. Mantle cell, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were diagnosed 1-5 years after PEG-rHuMGDF exposure among three volunteers. For one patient, thrombocytopenia due to autoantibodies to PEG-rHuMGDF developed shortly after PEG-rHuMGDF administration and persisted until chemotherapy was administered. All three achieved complete remission, although one patient relapsed. Acute myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed 4 and 5 years after G-CSF mobilisation in two donors who underwent peripheral blood stem cell donation for sibling allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Following intensive chemotherapy, one died from acute leukaemia and the second is in complete remission. Controversy exists over the appropriateness of administering haematopoietic growth factors to healthy individuals. While a causal relationship with haematological malignancies cannot be demonstrated, long-term follow-up among healthy individuals who receive haematopoietic growth factors is needed.
Reducing network laboratory costs: demonstrating connectivity with ping reflectors

A major problem faced in constructing a teaching laboratory for data networking is the cost of the equipment. Multiple pieces of equipment are often needed to do little more than demonstrate connectivity. This paper describes approaches to configuring computers in a TCP/IP network that meet this need at a lower cost. Particular emphasis is placed on techniques that can be used with remote access laboratories. In addition to a novel technique described in detail, several well-known or obvious approaches are described for purposes of comparison. The approach described in greatest detail simulates multiple interfaces with a single interface by assigning multiple IP addresses to that interface. IP filters are then used to alter the behavior of the interface so that it closely resembles the behavior seen with wiring changes. With this approach, no actual wiring will be changed. This allows some assignments to be done remotely, which would be impractical otherwise, opens the laboratory for use in off-hours, and makes distance education possible.
Dynamic Behavior and Simulation of Nanoparticle Sliding During Nanoprobe-Based Positioning

In this paper, the behavior of nanoparticles, manipulated by an atomic force microscope nanoprobe, is investigated. Manipulation by pushing, pulling or picking nanoparticles can result in rolling, sliding, sticking, or rotation behavior. The dynamic simulation of the nanoparticle manipulation, using atomic force microscope (AFM), is performed. According to the dynamics of the system, the AFM pushing force increases to the critical value required for nanoparticle motion. Nanoparticle positioning is designed based on when the nanoparticle is stopped by the AFM in order to move on the substrate. Simulation results for gold particles on a silicon substrate showed that sliding on the substrate is dominant in nanoscales.© 2004 ASME
Qué es la Ilustración

Pese a todo el cuestionamiento y toda la enorme industria historica creada en torno a la Ilustracion, estamos aun lejos de estar seguros de lo que todo esto significa: ?Que era exactamente esa “luz”? ?Cual era su fuente? ?Estamos hablando de un proyecto filosofico o de un movimiento social —o de una combinacion de ambos, o de ninguna de las dos cosas? ?Tales terminos —“ilustracion”, “filosofia”, entre otros— significan lo mismo para todos en todas partes? Palabras clave: Ilustracion, Condorcet, filosofia, modernidad, razon. Abstract: Yet for all the questioning, and for all the massive historical industry which has grown up around the Enlightenment, we are still far from certain what all this means. What exactly was that light? What was its source? Are we talking about a philosophical project or a social movement—or a combination of both, or neither? There is a somewhat different question: did these terms —“enlightenment” “philosophy” and so on— mean the same thing to everyone everywhere? Keywords: Enlightenment, Condorcet, philosophy, modernity, reason.
The extent to which human language may have a materialist substrate: Language as a natural object: Comment on "Interaction between lexical and grammatical language systems in the brain" by Alfredo Ardila.

Ardila’s review [3] examines the interaction between the lexical/semantic and grammatical components of humanlanguage, focusing on their evolutionary, neuroanatomical, and cognitive differences and leaving discussion of exter-nalized pragmatics for another day. In particular, Ardila proposes that “early internal representations of action” arecentral to the emergence of grammar in humans. This thesis lends support for the idea of embodied consciousness [7]and for Noam Chomsky’s “internal language” organ, a computational capacity for syntax that evolved apart from anyneed to communicate [5,11].Chomsky proposes that internal language took root in the brains of Homo Sapiens long before the need to dialoguethrough human discourse. This stands in contrast with the view of Jackendoff [8], who, in retreat from minimalism,has proposed a social motivation for the emergence of language. Ardila’s discussion of grammar turns out to be morealigned with Chomsky than with Jackendoff: he suggests that the cognitive capacity for
Interchange Fees: A Review of the Literature

This paper summarizes the key contributions to the literature on the economics of interchange fees. The older literature tries to address the issue without rigorous modeling. Thus, it was possible even after Baxter's seminal contribution to suggest, as did Carlton and Frankel, that society might be better off mandating a zero interchange fee. The more recent literature still leaves many theoretical and empirical questions unanswered. However, several conclusions can be drawn from the efforts to model interchange fees formally by Rochet and Tirole, Schmalensee, and Wright. The cost and demand factors driving private fee-setting are closely related to those that determine socially optimal fees. Moreover, any deviation from social optimality will be the result of subtle differences between the two sides of the market - not from market power leading to excess profits for association members. No rigorous analysis supports the idea that a zero interchange fee or a fee set by regulators based on cost would generally raise welfare. Furthermore, while there is no guarantee that interchange fees set by associations will maximize social welfare, this does not imply that collective rate-setting is appropriate grist for antitrust scrutiny. The hallmark of anticompetitive pricing is excess profits and less-than-optimal output. Yet, there is no reason to believe that private setting of interchange fees generates excess profits for the colluding parties since competition in acquiring and issuing activities can be expected to dissipate any surplus revenue. The interchange fee has the effect of lowering costs on one side of the market and raising them on the other. Nor will interchange fees set above the socially optimal level generally restrict output.
Light Microscopic Observations of Karyology During Conidiogenesis in Scopulariopsis Koningii

(1977). Light Microscopic Observations of Karyology During Conidiogenesis in Scopulariopsis Koningii. Mycologia: Vol. 69, No. 2, pp. 417-421.
Improved Holding Technique for Infested Commodities Used for Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Quarantine Treatment Research

A technique was developed for holding treated and control commodities on trays containing larval diet for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) quarantine treatment research. This new technique gives maximum C. capitata recovery in controls, even when the commodity deteriorates too rapidly for completion of larval development or the commodity is otherwise a poor host. The technique increases quarantine treatment research efficiency by decreasing the amount of time required to service and maintain holding facilities, to collect pupae, and to obtain test results. It also decreases the number of replications required to develop efficacy data, the costs of individual holding boxes, and the costs for commodities.
Lower Intraprocedural Systolic Blood Pressure Predicts Good Outcome in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: It is unknown if intraprocedural blood pressure (BP) influences clinical outcomes and what BP parameter best predicts outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who undergo intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for emergent large vessel occlusion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 147 patients who underwent IAT for anterior circulation AIS from January 2008 to December 2012 at our institution. Baseline demographics, stroke treatment variables, and detailed intraprocedural hemodynamic variables were collected. Results: The entire cohort consisted of 81 (55%) females with a mean age of 66.9 ± 15.6 years and a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 16 (IQR 11-21). Thirty-six (24.5%) patients died during hospitalization, 25 (17%) achieved a 30-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2, and 24 (16.3%) suffered symptomatic parenchymal hematoma type 1/2 hemorrhage. Patients who achieved a good outcome had a significantly lower admission NIHSS score, a higher baseline CT ASPECTS score, and a lower rate of ICA terminus occlusions. Successful recanalization was more frequent in the good-outcome group, while symptomatic hemorrhages occurred only in poor-outcome patients. The first systolic BP (SBP; 146.5 ± 0.2 vs. 157.7 ± 25.6 mm Hg, p = 0.042), first mean arterial pressure (MAP; 98.1 ± 20.8 vs. 109.7 ± 20.3 mm Hg, p = 0.024), maximum SBP (164.6 ± 27.6 vs. 180.9 ± 18.3 mm Hg, p = 0.0003), and maximum MAP (125.5 ± 18.6 vs. 138.5 ± 24.6 mm Hg, p = 0.0309) were all significantly lower in patients who achieved good outcomes. A lower maximum intraprocedural SBP was an independent predictor of good outcome (adjusted OR 0.929, 95% CI 0.886-0.963, p = 0.0005). Initial NIHSS score was the only other independent predictor of a good outcome. Conclusion: Lower intraprocedural SBP was associated with good outcome in patients undergoing IAT for AIS, and maximum SBP was an independent predictor of good outcome. SBP may be the optimal hemodynamic variable to monitor intraprocedurally during IAT and may predict outcome.
Expressive and Strategic Behavior in Legislative Elections in Argentina

In this paper I study strategic voting behavior in the Argentine Senate election for the City of Buenos Aires in 2013. I estimate and analyze the voter transition matrix between the primary and general elections using a Bayesian hierarchical model for ecological inference, utilizing a rich data set of ballot box data. The results show that strategic behavior is not widespread among the electorate in Buenos Aires. In particular, at least 75 % of voters who had the opportunity to avoid vote wasting by behaving strategically did not. I also find high levels of vote wasting when analyzing other provinces during the same election cycle. These results suggest that these electorates might be composed of a mixture of voters with strategic and expressive motivations, where the expressive factions dominate.
Influence of Different Indwelling Catheter Methods and Fixation Methods in Unplanned Extubation of Gastric Tube

Objective To explore the influence of different indwelling catheter methods and fixation methods in the incidence of unplanned extubation of gastric tube. Methods 189 patients with gastric tube in our hospital from August 2013 to February 2014 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. 95 cases of observation group were given polyurethane nasal feeding tube and fixed with 3M stretch tape, while 94 cases of control group were given plastic nasogastric tube and fixed with ordinary tape. The situations of unplanned extubation of two groups were observed and compared. Results The incidence rate of unplanned extubation of observation group was2.11%, significantly lower than 8.51% of control group(P 0.05). The excellence and good rate of observation group was 97.89%,significantly higher than 95.11% of control group(P 0.05). Conclusions Correct analysis of the situations and reasons of unplanned extubation of gastric tube can effectively reduce the risk of unplanned extubation.
The Contribution of Psychosocial Stressors to Sleep among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Studies have shown that psychosocial stressors are related to poor sleep. However, studies of African Americans, who may be more vulnerable to the impact of psychosocial stressors, are lacking. Using the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) baseline data, we examined associations of psychosocial stressors with sleep in 4,863 African Americans. METHODS We examined cross-sectional associations between psychosocial stressors and sleep duration and quality in a large population sample of African Americans. Three measures of psychosocial stress were investigated: the Global Perceived Stress Scale (GPSS); Major Life Events (MLE); and the Weekly Stress Inventory (WSI). Sleep was assessed using self-reported hours of sleep and sleep quality rating (1 = poor; 5 = excellent). Multinomial logistic and linear regression models were used to examine the association of each stress measure (in quartiles) with continuous and categorical sleep duration ( 9 h ("long") versus 7 or 8 h ("normal"); and with sleep quality after adjustment for demographics and risk factors (body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, physical activity). RESULTS Mean age of the sample was 54.6 years and 64% were female. Mean sleep duration was 6.4 + 1.5 hours, 54% had a short sleep duration, 5% had a long sleep duration, and 34% reported a "poor" or "fair" sleep quality. Persons in the highest GPSS quartile had higher odds of very short sleep (odds ratio: 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.02, 4.08), higher odds of short sleep (1.72, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.12), shorter average sleep duration (Δ = -33.6 min (95% CI: -41.8, -25.4), and reported poorer sleep quality (Δ = -0.73 (95% CI: -0.83, -0.63) compared to those in the lowest quartile of GPSS after adjustment for covariates. Similar patterns were observed for WSI and MLE. Psychosocial stressors were not associated with long sleep. For WSI, effects of stress on sleep duration were stronger for younger (< 60 y) and college-educated African-Americans. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial stressors are associated with higher odds of short sleep, lower average sleep duration, and lower sleep quality in African Americans. Psychosocial stressors may be a point of intervention among African Americans for the improvement of sleep and downstream health outcomes.
A Posteriori Data-Derived Dietary Patterns and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: Making Sense of Inconsistent Findings

Inconsistent findings have been reported from numerous prospective studies for the relations of the 'Western' (unhealthy) and 'Prudent' (healthy) diet patterns, derived using factor, principle components, or cluster analysis methods, with incident coronary heart disease (CHD). Among contemporary prospective studies, the 'Prudent' diet pattern was inversely related to CHD risk in 7 of 12 studies, while the 'Western' diet pattern positively related to risk in only 3 of 11 studies. To explain these inconsistent findings, we compared the methods and results from these prospective studies conducted in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. A 'Prudent' diet pattern was consistently related to 18-65% lower risk of incident CHD in 7 studies conducted in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In 3 of 4 U.S. studies, but not cohorts in Europe or Asia, the 'Western' diet pattern was related to 37-64% greater CHD risk. In Asian cohorts, the 'Western' diet pattern was not related to increased CHD risk, which may be partially explained by the overall higher fish intake among Asians. The 'a posteriori', or data driven, approach to diet patterns is based on reported dietary intake and we found the components of each dietary pattern differed by geographic location and diet assessment instrument. We discuss how the non-standardized methods used to discern diet patterns from the dietary data may contribute to discrepant results. Further, the disparate findings may also be explained by differing sample characteristics, follow-up period, and CHD ascertainment. In summary, 'a posteriori' derived 'Prudent' diet pattern was related to cardiovascular health.
Nutritional Iron Bioavailability and Characterization of the Iron Binding Components of Pinto Beans

Beans constitute a significant portion of the diet of people of developing nations. Many seeds of vegetable origin such as lentils and beans are rich in carbohydrates and also contain a relatively high concentration of trace elements such as iron, zinc and copper1. The bioavailability of iron in a meal is governed by complex factors. These include: (1) the chemical properties of iron-binding food components (2) the presence of heme and non-heme iron, (3) randomization of food iron during cooking and digestion and (4) food interactions that influence iron complexation and oxidation-reduction processes. Iron bioavailability is an area of public health concern and has attracted the attention of scientists from many disciplines.
Family Limitation and Family Economy in Bradford 1851–81

In 1885, a correspondent to the Cotton Factory Times calling himself ‘A Weaver’ wrote in support of family limitation, arguing that If the working man wished to raise himself from the position he now occupies, it must be by self-help; and I consider conjugal prudence, combined with cooperation and trades unionism, to be the very essence of self-help.1
Management’s Responsibility

Management of the health-care workplace in particular requires sustained administrative focus and support to shape positive relationships. According to Sotile and Sotile [1], “Managing workplace conflict is one of the most important, stressful, and time-consuming tasks faced by today’s medical leaders.” Although this comment seems to be describing contemporaneous events, ironically it was made in a 1999 article concerning health-care relationships. Since then, it has been recognized that poorly managed workplace conflicts may alienate patients, demoralize staff, increase employee turnover, and adversely affect referral relationships and third-party insurers focused on customer satisfaction (Table 18.1).
Readability of pediatric otolaryngology information by children's hospitals and academic institutions.

Objectives/hypothesis Evaluate the readability of pediatric otolaryngology-related patient education materials from leading online sources. Study design Cross-sectional analysis. Methods All pediatric otolaryngology-related articles from the online patient health libraries of the top 10 US News & World Report-ranked children's hospitals, top 5 Doximity-ranked pediatric otolaryngology fellowships, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery were collected. Each article was copied in plain text format into a blank document. Web page navigation, appointment information, references, author information, appointment information, acknowledgements, and disclaimers were removed. Follow-up editing was also performed to remove paragraph breaks, colons, semicolons, numbers, percentages, and bullets. Readability grade was calculated using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, Gunning-Fog Index, Coleman-Liau Index, Automated Readability Index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were assessed. Results A total of 502 articles were analyzed. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were both excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 and 0.96, respectively. The average readability grade across all authorships and readability assessments exceeded the reading ability of the average American adult. Only 142 articles (28.3%) were written at or below the reading ability of the average American adult, whereas the remaining 360 articles (71.7%) were written above the reading level of the average adult. Conclusions Current online health information related to pediatric otolaryngology may be too difficult for the average reader to understand. Revisions may be necessary for current materials to benefit a larger readership. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 127:E138-E144, 2017.
Bayesian Inference Identifies a Candidate Region Associated with Canine Cryptorchidism that Includes the AMHR2 Gene

Cryptorchidism, or retained testicles, is one of the most common congenital developmental defects in purebred dogs. A genome wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the CanineHD BeadChip. Genotyping data was analyzed by case-control analysis in PLINK software and the BayesB approach in GenSel software with the genome partitioned into 1Mb windows of SNPs or haplotypes. No significant association was observed in the case-control analyses after corrections for False Discovery Rate (FDR) in PLINK. In contrast, the BayesB analysis identified a 1Mb region on dog chromosome 27 (CFA27) containing the AMHR2 (anti-mullerian hormone type II receptor) gene that explained a high percentage of genetic variance. In conclusion, we identified a putative candidate region at the 4th Mb on CFA27 (CanFam2.0) harboring a very promising functional candidate gene AMHR2associated with the development of cryptorchidism in our Siberian Husky population.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: perspective from the United States.

Despite being a relatively rare cancer, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States with over 41,000 patients succumbing to the disease in 2016 alone (1).
Susceptibility of germinating cruciferous seeds to Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) feeding injury

Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a serious pest that attacks both germinating and seedling stages of a variety of cruciferous crops grown in the Central Coast of California. B. hilaris feeding on germinating seeds can cause severe stunting and plant mortality, and little is known about the feeding preference of B. hilaris for germinating seeds of major cruciferous hosts and varieties of hosts. No-choice and choice experiments were conducted in which germinating seeds in soilless and soil settings were exposed to B. hilaris adults for 7 days. Susceptibility scores were developed using B. hilaris feeding injury sites, distorted leaves, and deformed and dead plants to determine the overall B. hilaris preference for germinating host seeds. Based on the scores, the order of preference was arugula (Eruca sativa L.) > turnip (B. rapa L. var. rapa) > mizuna (B. rapa L. nipposinica) > kale (B. oleracea L. acephala) > choi (Brassica rapa L. var. chinensis) > broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica Plenck) > cauliflower (B. oleracea L. var. botrytis) > lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) > sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima [L.] Desv.). The lowest feeding injury was recorded on germinating lettuce and sweet alyssum seeds. Furthermore, no-choice and choice experiments were conducted with four varieties each of arugula and mizuna, twelve varieties each of kale and choi, and nine varieties/types of leafy Asian greens. The arugula varieties ‘Wild Rocket’ and ‘Spirit’ were more damaged by B. hilaris than other varieties tested. Among mizuna varieties, ‘Beira F1’ was more attractive to B. hilaris than ‘Scarlet’ or ‘Starbor F1.’ The choi varieties ‘Tokyo Bekana,’ ‘Feng Qing Choi F1,’ ‘Joi Choi F1,’ and ‘Win-Win Choi F1’ were more attractive than ‘Rosie F1.’ The leafy Asian greens variety ‘Carlton F1’ was more attractive to B. hilaris than ‘Yukina Savon,’ ‘Tatsoi OG,’ ‘Komatsuna Summerfest F1,’ ‘Red Rain F1,’ and ‘Shungiku.’ Therefore, the results suggest that not all varieties were equally susceptible to B. hilaris feeding and possibly be utilized for further field evaluation as a trap crop or developing more resistant varieties to B. hilaris.
Predictive maintenance based on event-log analysis: a case study

Predictive maintenance techniques are designed to help anticipate equipment failures to allow for advance scheduling of corrective maintenance, thereby preventing unexpected equipment downtime, improving service quality for customers, and also reducing the additional cost caused by over-maintenance in preventative maintenance policies. Many types of equipment--e.g., automated teller machines (ATMs), information technology equipment, medical devices, etc.--track run-time status by generating system messages, error events, and log files, which can be used to predict impending failures. Aiming at these types of equipment, we present a general classification-based failure prediction method. In our parameterized model, we systematically defined four categories of features to try to cover all possibly useful features, and then used feature selection to identify the most important features for model construction. The general solution is sufficiently flexible and complex to address failure prediction for target equipment types. We chose ATMs as the example equipment and used real ATM run-time event logs and maintenance records as experimental data to evaluate our method on the feasibility and effectiveness. In this paper, we also share insights on how to optimize the model parameters, select the most effective features, and tune classifiers to build a high-performance prediction model.
Compromised Stability And Security In The “Race To The Bottom”

Complex webs of global supply chains are rooted in low wage labor abroad. Transnational corporations (TNCs) – large global corporations that do not identify with a single country as its headquarters – have gained power over producers through these arrangements at the expense of the workers’ rights and job security. We present the hypothesis that the flexibility and inherent lack of accountability of global supply chains combined with the constant pursuit of lowest production costs has the potential to destabilize countries inadvertently. Evidence supports the proposition that exploitative conditions at the bottom can threaten the physical security and political/economic stability of those at the top. This is tangibly evident in the garment industry, which is explored in depth in this article. Governments and corporations in developed countries must take a more proactive role guaranteeing the rights of workers throughout global supply chains to ensure long-term socioeconomic stability for all. Multitudes employed in sweatshop factories are plunged further into destitute poverty when the global economy wavers. The failure of subcontractors to comply with basic labor standards or fulfill their contracts to workers as well as the TNCs’ lack of accountability for their supply chains has jeopardized the job security, well-being, and stability of fragile communities. Unfair labor practices perpetuated by U.S. corporations exacerbate global class polarization, domestically as well as abroad. A global crisis emerges on many levels; to apparel workers and their communities, to the financial and social stability of the producer countries, and potentially to U.S. national security interests. The global linkages of apparel supply chains provide a poignant example of how injustices anywhere can affect everyone everywhere, in negative ways that even the most ardent security-driven conservatives must recognize.
Metastatic Lung Cancer and Distress: Use of the Distress Thermometer for Patient Assessment.

Background Patients with metastatic lung cancer experience high levels of distress related to their disease trajectory and treatment. Oncology nurses are experts in patient care and symptom management, giving them an opportunity to screen and treat patients' distress. . Objectives The objectives of this study were to screen patients for distress and manage their symptoms to positively affect their quality of life, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes, and to reduce healthcare costs. . Methods This quality improvement project was conducted to pilot the Distress Thermometer (DT) into the care of patients with thoracic cancer and to evaluate the effect of a multifaceted intervention, consisting of a patient education pamphlet and a nurse coaching call, on distress levels. . Findings Severe distress was reported in more than half the patients. A paired-sample t test revealed a significant decrease in distress scores following the intervention.
Micro- and Nanotechnologies to Probe Brain Mechanobiology

In this chapter, I discuss the limitations of conventional tools for probing the mechano-biology of the brain and summarize published literature on micro- and nanotechnologies to investigate neural mechanobiology with greater spatiotemporal resolution.
Changes in extreme events and the potential impacts on human health.

Extreme weather and climate-related events affect human health by causing death, injury, and illness, as well as having large socioeconomic impacts. Climate change has caused changes in extreme eve...
Examining Race/Ethnicity Differences in the Association Between the Experience of Workplace Racial Discrimination and Depression or Negative Emotions

Please note that the name of coauthor Shauna Carlisle was presented incorrectly in this article as published: The correct rendering of her name is Carlisle, S.K. (instead of the incorrect rendering of Carlisle, S.E., which incorrectly notes E. [surname] as her middle initial).
The Sociocultural Context of Exceptional Creativity: Historiometric Methods

The social nature of creativity becomes rather conspicuous when studying creative genius. Not only do exceptional creators exert a phenomenal impact on the larger society and culture, but they are also very much the products of the sociocultural system. Yet several methodological problems confront the application of standard research methods in the case of creative genius. First, to comprehend this phenomenon fully requires that these creators be deceased, for only then can their sociocultural impact be accurately accessed (e.g., the “test of time”). That requirement immediately rules out laboratory experiments, surveys, psychometric assessments, and interviews. Second, a comprehensive understanding requires a transhistorical and cross-cultural perspective that examines the full range of social conditions responsible for the emergence (and non-emergence) of creative genius. Standard methods, in contrast, are extremely limited with respect to both time and place—to wit, contemporary creators living in Western or at least highly-Westernized societies. Hence arises a method uniquely designed to study the “psychology of genius” by applying quantitative measurement and statistics to historical and biographical data—the technique known as historiometrics or historiometry. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to outlining the key features of this method, including case sampling, unit definition, variable measurement, and statistical analysis.
Escherichia coli on the internet: The power of YouTube to educate and influence consumer behavior regarding pathogenic bacteria

Abstract Background Proper education about food safety and hand hygiene helps to reduce the risk of exposure to Escherichia coli associated disease. The purpose of this study was to describe the 100 most widely viewed YouTube videos on the subject of E. coli to determine what consumers are viewing related to the hazards of, and reducing risk of exposure to, bacteria such as E. coli. Methods The search term was conducted using the keywords "E. coli." The 100 videos with the top view counts were included in this study. The sampling frame for this study included only videos that were in English. The source of the upload of each video was determined to be one of the following: (1) consumer, (2) professional (MD, RN)/government, (3) any news (television-based, internet-based, or print/radio). Content categories were created using a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results Videos uploaded by a news source tended to have been uploaded more recently (2015–2018) compared to other sources (p Conclusions YouTube videos on the topic were widely divergent, and varied in content, emphasizing different aspects of concern over hazards associated with E. coli. Consumer sources, rather than experts, were the most common source of upload of the most highly viewed videos. Government agencies, which collect and analyze public health data, do not appear to use YouTube effectively to disseminate information. This underscores the need for media to work with government agencies to provide accurate, timely information to the public.
Dietary Protein and Changes in Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort.

Background Chronic inflammation is thought to be a major characteristic of aging, which may increase need for substrates, specifically protein, to support anti-inflammatory processes. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess associations between dietary protein and changes in biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress over the long term in a community-dwelling population. Methods In 2061 participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort who attended exams 7 (1998-2001; mean ± SD age 60.0 ± 8.8 y, 56% female) and 8 (2005-2008), total, animal, and plant protein intakes were assessed by food-frequency questionnaire at each exam, energy adjusted, and averaged. We defined an inflammation and oxidative stress score as the sum of rank-normalized values of 9 circulating biomarkers (C-reactive protein, osteoprotegerin, P-selectin, tumor necrosis factor receptor II, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin 6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and lipoprotein phospholipase A2 mass and activity), and urinary isoprostanes, along with 2 subscores. Adjusted least-square means of changes in the scores and log individual biomarkers in quartile categories of intake were estimated with the use of linear regression models, across mean ± SD 6.6 ± 0.7 y of follow-up. Results Protein intake was inversely associated with changes in the inflammation and oxidative stress score (mean ± SE in Q1 compared with Q4: 0.77 ± 0.17 compared with 0.31 ± 0.19; P-trend = 0.02), indicating overall inflammation/oxidative stress increased less in those with the highest intake than in those with the lowest. Favorable associations were observed for plant protein (Q1 compared with Q4: 0.89 ± 0.25 compared with 0.14 ± 0.25; P-trend = 0.001), but only trended toward significance for animal protein (Q1 compared with Q4: 0.70 ± 0.26 compared with 0.31 ± 0.26; P-trend = 0.05). Total protein and plant protein intakes were also inversely associated with changes in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (total: Q1 compared with Q4: 0.19 ± 0.01 compared with 0.15 ± 0.01 log-pg/mL; P-trend = 0.03; plant: Q1 compared with Q4: 0.21 ± 0.01 compared with 0.16 ± 0.01 log-pg/mL; P-trend = 0.003). Conclusions Dietary protein, particularly from plant sources, may be associated with beneficial changes in the inflammatory burden in aging populations.
With PIPs, you get ZIPs and blips.

Two-pore Na+ channel 3 (TPC3) is a voltage-gated ion channel with a topology resembling that of the superfamily of voltage-gated ion channels. A distinguishing feature of members within the TPC family is that two functional voltage-gated channel units are concatenated to form a subunit, which
Marginalized Youth, Mental Health, and Connection with Others: A Review of the Literature

For marginalized youth, the transition to adulthood is a stage of life in which inequalities can be either magnified or reduced. While most descriptions of these young people highlight their difficulties achieving self-sufficiency, the ability to form connections with others is an equally significant marker of adult maturity. Given that social isolation poses serious risks to health and well-being, the relational experiences of marginalized youth are a critical component of the transition to adulthood. Experiences of trauma, marginalization, and involvement in public systems of care can place these youth at heightened risk for mental health difficulties, all of which can pose particular challenges for interpersonal relationships. This critical review of the literature explores the research on the relational experiences of marginalized young people living with emotional and behavioral challenges. It discusses the unique developmental context of marginalized youth, including experiences with trauma, mental illness, marginalization, and involvement in public systems of care. It then reviews the benefits young people derive from mutually empathic connections with others. The review explores facilitators of connection for marginalized youth, as well as barriers to connection for these young people. Following this review, the article identifies several gaps in the literature, and ends with a call for both practitioners and researchers to focus on the importance of connection as an underappreciated and crucial resource for marginalized youth.