cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thirty-Day Readmission After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy—a Predictable Event?

Thirty-day readmission post-bariatric surgery is used as a metric for surgical quality and patient care. We sought to examine factors driving 30-day readmissions after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We reviewed 1257 LSG performed between March 2012 and June 2014. Readmitted and nonreadmitted patients were compared in their demographics, medical histories, and index hospitalizations. Multivariable regression was used to identify risk factors for readmission. Forty-five (3.6 %) patients required 30-day readmissions. Forty-seven percent were readmitted with malaise (emesis, dehydration, abdominal pain) and 42 % with technical complications (leak, bleed, mesenteric vein thrombosis). Factors independently associated with 30-day readmission include index admission length of stay (LOS) ≥3 days (OR 2.54, CI = [1.19, 5.40]), intraoperative drain placement (OR 3.11, CI = [1.58, 6.13]), postoperative complications (OR 8.21, CI = [2.33, 28.97]), and pain at discharge (OR 8.49, CI = [2.37, 30.44]). Patients requiring 30-day readmissions were 72 times more likely to have additional readmissions by 6 months (OR 72.4, CI = [15.8, 330.5]). The 30-day readmission rate after LSG is 3.6 %, with near equal contributions from malaise and technical complications. LOS, postoperative complications, drain placement, and pain score can aid in identifying patients at increased risk for 30-day readmissions. Patients should be educated on postoperative hydration and pain management, so readmissions can be limited to technical complications requiring acute inpatient management.
The Importance of Electron Transfer Processes to the Wear Process

Abstract A description of the electron transfer processes which may occur under Boundary Lubricated conditions is presented. It is recognized that surface electron activation occurs during the wear process. As a consequence, chemical reactions may occur at the abraded surface which some times lead to the formation of surface product and the reduction of wear. Under other conditions, the chemical activation at the surface may lead to accelerated wear. A scheme, based upon electron transfer processes, has been proposed to explain some of the interactions between lubricants and surfaces. A generalization of these electron transfer processes suggests that wear may, in part, be similar to other processes recognized as being environmentally dependent porocesses such as liquid-metal embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking. This association has been strengthened by the measurement of self-generated voltages (SGV's) under Boundary Lubricated conditions which, in part, develop as a consequence of the electron transfer between adsorbate and metal.
Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Countries

This article reviews Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Countries, edited by M.A. Aksoy & J.C. Beghin (Washington DC: World Bank, 2004). The book examines key issues in agricultural trade policy that are of particular significance to developing countries. The book’s strength is its painstaking research and detailed and exhaustive analysis of agricultural trade and production policies in a variety of countries and across a variety of commodities. The book provides a clear explanation of the market distortions caused by agricultural protectionism and of the distributional impacts of agricultural trade liberalization. The book’s weakness is its failure to integrate its analysis and recommendations into broader debates about economic development, especially the relationship among agricultural production, industrial policy, and environmental protection. While there is a rich interdisciplinary literature addressing these issues, the book confines itself to extolling the benefits of agricultural trade liberalization without probing the long-term economic and ecological implications of its policy recommendations.
DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN AUTHOR SELF-DISCLOSURE AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY REPORTING OF PAYMENTS TO PHYSICIANS: AN ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY AND AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GUIDELINE AUTHORS

Industry manufacturers are required by the Sunshine Act to disclose their payments to physicians. These data recently became publicly available, but some manufacturers pre-released their data since 2009. Physicians, however, did not have the opportunity to review and request corrections to the pre-
Information security

Nowadays, information is one of the very important assets in almost all organizations. Once the internal networks of those organizations are connected to the Internet, it becomes a potential target for cyber attacks. In order to secure the systems and information, each company or organization should conduct a self-hacking-audit, analyze the threats and eliminate it beforegetting any problem. This paper explains about the main goals of information security, its major threats and some suggestions to prevent the systems from major threats.
Clinicopathologic features of neurothekeoma in children:a study of five cases

Objective To explore the pathological and clincal characteristics of neurothekeoma.Methods The histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of five cases were investigated and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results Five patients ranged in age from 2 month to 13 years and mean ages was 4.4 years old.Generally,it had a unclear edge with grey or black cut surface and moderate texture.A portion of the tumor showed mucoid.Microscopically,the tumor cells showed lobulated arrangement,interlobular fibrous septum,a large number of mucus within the loule.The tumor cells were stellate or spindle-shaped.Cell atypia and mitotic figures were rare.Immunohistochemical study showed that neurothekeoma was positive for PGP9.5,NSE,CD34 and Vimentin,partially positive for Calponin,HMB45 and Melan-A,and negtive for S-100.Allie New Zealand(pH1.0) staining indicated that the tumor stroma contained sulfuric acid mucus.The mucin was connective tissue type acidic mucopolysac charide and stained strongly with Allie New Zealand(pH2.5).Masson trichrome staining indicated that the tumor presented with type Ⅳ collagen in basement membrane-like material.Long term follow-up showed the neurothekeoma cases had a favourate prognosis after tumor excision.Conclusion It is helpful for diagnosis to master its histopatholigical characteristics combined with immunohistochemistry and special staining.
Evaluation on mechanical properties of ramie fabric under three-dimensional load

For complex stress issues of fabric under practical working environment,mechanical properties of ramie textile were investigated under uniaxial and biaxial directions,bursting and three-dimensional load,and the strain fields of different force bearing modes were characterized by using digital speckle correlation.The poisson ratio is 0.311 4,warpwise and weftwise elastic modulus is 6 624 N /m and 2 656 N /m respectively under biaxial load.Breaking strength under uniaxial force is larger than that in warpwise,but smaller than that in weftwise.Coefficient of variations in both warp-and weftwise are larger when compared with unaxial tension.X direction strain-field under biaxial load fluctuations lies between unaxial tensions of weft and warp.Covariance and correlation analysis showed that the difference of bursting strength under three-dimensional load was primarily determined by bursting ways,correlation coefficient between breaking strength of warp and weft is-0.613.Partial correlation analysis showed that there is 13.72% generated by synergy effects of bursting strength.
Cortical Implications of Advancing Age and Disease Duration in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Postural Instability and Gait Dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's Disease patients with predominant gait dysfunction appear to have reduced cortical thickness compared to other motor phenotypes. The extent to which advancing age, or disease duration impact the pattern of these distinctions is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We examine if PD patients with predominant signs of postural instability and gait dysfunction are distinguished by distinct patterns of cerebral atrophy, and how these differences are influenced by age and disease duration. METHODS: The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Score (UPDRS) was administered to 196 PD patients (age = 61.4±8.9yrs) in the Off and On dopamine state. All completed a structural T1-weighted brain MRI. We defined 3 motor phenotypes: Tremor dominant, akinetic-rigid, and postural instability with gait disorder. General linear modeling quantified cortical thickness in relation to disease duration, and motor improvement after dopaminergic therapy. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were compared between the three motor subtypes, after controlling for disease duration and age. RESULTS: We identified 177/196 patients who met criteria for a motor subtype. When corrected for disease duration, postural-instability patients had marked cortical thinning of the bilateral frontal-temporal, and posterior cortical regions (cuneus/precuneus). After regressing for age, reduced frontal thickness was evident in patients with gait dysfunction. Widespread cortical thinning was associated with increasing disease duration and reduced motor improvement to dopaminergic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize that the profile of motor signs, especially prominent gait manifestations, relate to cortical thinning in distinct regions. Unique patterns of atrophy appear to be driven by advancing pathology related to age and disease duration. Language: en
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Resulting from the Prone Position on the Jackson Spine Table: A Case Report

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially fatal disorder that involves the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle and the release of its contents. Manifestations range from being asymptomatic with only mild abnormalities in serum creatine kinase (CK) levels to being life-threatening with acute renal failure, myoglobinuria, and a CK level upwards of 100,000 U/L. Myoglobin, one product of muscle breakdown, is harmful to the kidneys and can lead to acute renal failure. Rhabdomyolysis is usually associated with muscle pain, tenderness, edema, weakness, tea-colored urine, and oliguria1,2. Up to 33% of patients with rhabdomyolysis develop acute renal failure, and the mortality rate for these patients can exceed 20%3. There are numerous causes of rhabdomyolysis, including hypotension or obstruction of blood supply to muscles, traumatic compression of muscles, electrical shock, medications, infections, and drug abuse. In addition, use of cocaine, exercise, and immobilization are common causes. Prolonged immobilization leading to muscle compression is commonly seen in intoxicated patients, patients following a seizure, or elderly patients after a fall or stroke1. There have also been a few cases of rhabdomyolysis reported in association with prone positioning during surgery, with visceral hypoperfusion implicated in those cases4. When a surgical patient is in the prone position, increased pressure on muscles can lead to muscle hypoperfusion and ischemia as well as subsequent reperfusion injury with release of myoglobin. The most sensitive indicator of muscle injury is the serum CK level5. The CK level peaks at twelve hours after injury, and a high peak elevation is predictive of acute renal failure. The normal value ranges from 45 to 260 U/L, and a level of ≥5000 U/L is associated with renal failure1. The myoglobin that is released in the serum is excreted in the urine, which becomes …
Spatially Targeted Applications of Reduced-Risk Insecticides for Economical Control of Grape Berry Moth, Paralobesia viteana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key economic pest of vineyards in eastern North America, and prevention of fruit infestation is particularly challenging along vineyard borders that are adjacent to wooded areas containing wild grape ( Vitis spp.). For three years, infestation and damage in vineyards where reduced-risk insecticides were applied to borders at timings based on a degree day model (Integrated Pest Management program) were compared to that in vineyards where broad-spectrum insecticides were applied across the whole vineyard (Standard program). Infestation at vineyard borders immediately prior to harvest was consistently lower in IPM vineyards than in Standard program vineyards, and in two of the years this was also true at veraison (fruit coloring). Grape berry moth infestation was similar between treatments at vineyard interiors throughout the study, despite no insecticide applications to the interiors of the IPM program vineyards. Populations of two other key vineyard pests, the eastern grape leafhopper, Erythroneura comes (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), were not significantly different between programs, and natural enemy captures on yellow sticky traps were also similar. The per hectare cost of insecticides applied in the IPM program was consistently lower than for the Standard program, with a significant difference in the third year of this study. We demonstrate how spatially selective applications of reduced-risk insecticides can provide improved control of grape berry moth at lower cost than standard broad-spectrum insecticide-based programs.
Terahertz-Wave Characterization of LTG-GaAs Thin-Film Photoconductive Antenna

Low temperature grown (LTG) Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) thin-film based photoconductive antennas (PCAs) are fabricated and their terahertz (THz) performance is compared with conventional bulk LTG-GaAs PCAs. To fabricate the LTG-GaAs thin-film based PCAs, LTG-GaAs thin-films are separated from their semi-insulating (SI)-GaAs substrate and integrated onto bow–tie PCA electrode tips patterned on a silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer thermally grown on a silicon (Si) substrate. Conventional bulk LTG-GaAs PCAs are fabricated by direct photolithography and metallization on the surface of a conventional bulk LTG-GaAs material. THz waves radiated from each of the excited PCA emitters are characterized by a variation of applied bias voltages maintaining the incident optical pump power constant at 10 mW. It was observed that the peak THz radiation signal from the LTG-GaAs thin-film based PCA is higher than the one obtained from the conventional bulk LTG-GaAs PCA structure with the same bias voltage and optical pump laser beam conditions. The performance difference was analyzed using numerical simulations. Based on the unique integration structure, the LTG-GaAs thin-film based PCAs have a potential to improve the THz radiation and enable heterogeneously integrated THz systems.
Gender and Foreign Policy in the Clinton Administration by Garner, Karen

Karen Garner has written a comprehensive analysis of gender and foreign policy in the Clinton administration in which she argues that “in substantial ways, the Clinton Administration transformed it...
GoodFellow: An Electronic Portfolio System for Forensic Pathology Fellows

The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires documentation of the progress of residents and fellows in training, and the keeping of a portfolio is one method to comply w...
Periprosthetic hip joint infection with Aspergillus terreus : A clinical case and a review of the literature.

Fungal periprosthetic joint infections due to Aspergillus species are rare but are associated with significant cost and morbidity. We present a case of Asperigillus terreus prosthetic joint infection of the hip. The patient was successfully treated with a prolonged course of systemic antifungals along with surgical management.
P090 Development of a next generation sequencing based ABO blood group assay and typing software

Aim ABO typing of recipients and donors is important for optimal transplant outcomes. ABO typing by serology requires a fresh blood sample, whereas living donor evaluations as well as collection of samples for the donor registry often involve a buccal swab for DNA isolation. ASHI and CAP have recently released guidelines that allow DNA-based genetic ABO determination as a screening tool for initial donor evaluation or for listing donors on the registry. We sought to develop a targeted ABO next generation sequencing (NGS) assay, along with companion interpretive software, for automated data processing and ABO prediction. Methods To develop a target approach, a series of PCR primer combinations spanning the ABO gene were evaluated on blood and buccal swab isolated DNA. The DNA products were run on agarose gel and Agilent bioanalyzer to determine product size and quality. PCR products underwent Illumina TruSight NGS library preparation and sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. A curated ABO allele table was created, and customize software developed to detect and phase ABO alleles from NGS data. Results PCR primer evaluation showed reproducible PCR products spanning exons 6–7 of the ABO gene, which yielded good quality NGS data. These exons encode the major ABO specificities and variations. To verify the ABO NGS assay, a combination of 50 blood and buccal swab samples were tested and found to be 100% concordant with serologic ABO typing which included 19 Group A, 18 Group O, 12 Group B, and 1 Group AB. Conclusions A targeted ABO NGS based assay was developed and optimized for blood and buccal swab isolated DNA. Companion interpretive software, which automates NGS ABO analysis, was developed and correctly determined the ABO type when compared with serology. This assay and software interpretation provides a screening tool for prediction of ABO blood type when no blood sample is available.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery System Infections (Meningitis, Encephalitis, Pump Pocket Contaminants)

Intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) infections are one of the most feared complications associated with intrathecal drug therapy. It can range from an infection of the pocket containing the implanted intrathecal pump to a more clinically concerning meningitis or encephalitis. Risk factors include neutropenia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and poor nutrition. Diagnosis of an infection is based on a detailed history and physical examination as well as an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and confirmation of the microorganism in the pocket fluid or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Brain MRI may be beneficial in identifying meningitis, and ultrasound is beneficial in identifying fluid in the pump pocket or thoracic incision. Treatment varies from a course of oral antibiotics to intravenous antibiotics and explant of the IDDS.
Finding Contradictions in Feature Models

A feature model defines each product in a product-line by a unique combination of features. Feature compatibilities are expressed as constraints in feature models and may be contradictory. We suggest a run-time approach to expose contradictions in feature models when they are uncovered. However, the emphasis of this paper is to explore the possibility of finding contradictions statically using model checking and an incremental consistency algorithm.
Short-term lending: Payday loans as risk factors for anxiety, inflammation and poor health.

Abstract While research now consistently links consumer financial debt with adverse emotional health outcomes, specific forms of debt and their impact on measures of physical health are underexplored. This gap in knowledge is significant because different forms of loans and debt may have different experiential qualities. In this paper, we focus on a type of unsecured debt - short-term/payday loan borrowing – that has risen dramatically in recent decades in the United States and is characterized by predatory, discriminatory, and poorly regulated lending practices. Using data from a study of debt and health among adults in Boston, MA (n=286), we test whether short-term borrowing is associated with a range of emotional and physical health indicators. We find that short-term loans are associated with higher body mass index, waist circumference, C-reactive protein levels, and self-reported symptoms of physical health, sexual health, and anxiety, after controlling for several socio-demographic covariates. We discuss these findings within the contexts of regulatory shortcomings, psychosocial stress, and racial and economic credit disparities. We suggest that within the broader context of financial debt and health, short-term loans should be considered a specific risk to population health.
Characterisation of the dimorphic Deladenus beddingi n. sp. and its associated woodwasp and fungus

A new dimorphic species of Deladenus isolated from Sirex californicus from Washington, USA, is described as D. beddingi n. sp. Evolutionary relationships of the new species with other Deladenus species were assessed using multilocus sequencing. Phylogenetic relationships derived from analyses of mt CO1 and ITS showed D. beddingi n. sp. to be genetically distinct from other North American Deladenus parasitising Sirex . Molecular analyses indicated that D. beddingi n. sp. is a member of the D. siricidicola species complex, which also includes undescribed native Deladenus from Sirex cyaneus and S. nitidus , and D. siricidicola from S. noctilio . Mycophagous adults were characterised by the position of the excretory pore, which was located 32 (22-52) and 48 (38-69) μ m anterior to the hemizonid in mycophagous females and males, respectively. Typologically, the new species is most similar to D. siricidicola , D. proximus and D. nitobei , but can be distinguished from these species by several morphometric traits, including the value of ratios a, b, c of the mycophagous females and males, ratio b of the infective females, and the morphology of the tail of the mycophagous females, which is narrow and gradually tapering. This novel nematode species feeds on the fungus Amylostereum chailletii during its mycophagous phase. Experimental results showed very little reproduction by D. beddingi n. sp. when feeding on A. areolatum compared to robust reproduction when feeding on A. chailletii .
An Exploratory Evaluation of UAS Detect and Avoid Operations in the Terminal Environment

New technical standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) detect and avoid (DAA) systems mark recent progress toward realizing the goal of full integration of UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). The DAA system is intended to provide a means of compliance with operating regulations that required pilots on board manned aircraft to remain "well clear" of other aircraft which is accomplished through out-the-window visual acquisition of other aircraft and application of a subjective judgment of safe separation. The requirements for the DAA system, including the specification of a DAA well clear threshold as well as functional requirements for detecting, tracking, alerting and guidance processing, and displays, are specified in DO-365, Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for DAA Systems developed within RTCA (Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) Special Committee 228 (SC-228). Intended as the first in a series of phased versions, these requirements are frequently referred to as the "Phase 1" DAA system. The Phase 1 DAA system is limited for use by aircraft transitioning to and from Class A or special use airspace, through Class D, E, and G airspace. In particular, the Phase 1 DAA MOPS are not intended for terminal airspace operations, a critical gap for enabling a full range of UAS operations. The application of the Phase 1 DAA system and DAA well clear threshold within the terminal area is predicted to result in a high number of unnecessary alerts when the UAS is safely separated from other traffic. The goal of the present study was to examine pilot performance and operational issues related to the operation of the Phase 1 DAA system in a terminal area. This experiment was intended as an exploratory study that would be used to inform the development of a new terminal area-specific DAA well clear definition, and associated alerting and guidance requirements. The two main objectives of this study were to: 1) characterize pilot behavior in the terminal environment with the Phase 1 DAA system, and 2) investigate the effect of modifications to the Phase 1 DAA alerting and guidance structure. In particular, the authors were interested in determining whether the removal of specific alerting and guidance levels, without changing the DAA well clear definition or alerting thresholds, would impact pilot performance while conducting terminal operations. The results indicate that the Phase 1 well clear definition and alerting and guidance resulted in frequent alerting that degraded pilots' ability to discriminate between encounters where another aircraft was safely separated versus when a maneuver was necessary. The resulting impact on pilot performance was slower response times and higher frequency and severity of losses of DAA well clear compared to those observed for experiments examining pilot performance in the en route environment. There was no significant effect of alerting and guidance display configuration on pilot performance.
Glycosyltransferases and Glycoprotein Biosynthesis

Since the discovery that sialic acid was the receptor site for influenza virus on the red blood cell (Gottschalk, 1960), recognition of the biological importance of glycoproteins and glycolipids has been increasing. Oligosaccharide moieties of these complex carbohydrates function as the primary antigenic determinants of blood-group substances, and may be involved in such diverse biological phenomena as contact inhibition and cell-cell adhesion of cultured cells, gamete recognition, transplant rejection, and recognition of specific receptor sites for hormones, viruses, and agglutinins. In addition, a large and increasing number of pathological conditions have been shown to be related to complex carbohydrates, including the glycosphingolipid storage diseases (see Chapter 11), cholera (Holmgren et al., 1973), herpes (Nahmias and Roizman, 1973), neoplasia (Burger and Martin, 1972), diabetes (Spiro and Spiro, 1971) hepatic cirrhosis (Marshall et al., 1974), and hemostasis (Barber and Jamieson, 1971). A better understanding of the chemistry and the mechanisms of biosynthesis of these complex molecules may provide information leading to the control of these diseases.
THE SCOPE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

There are over 100 computer science curricula in universities in the United States. Practically, every one of them includes a course entitled artificial intelligence. In fact, it appears that more people study programming techniques developed for artificial intelligence research than the study techniques for business-data processing. The educational programs are matched by comparable research activity. Programming techniques originally developed for artificial intelligence research have become widespread in computer programming. Psychology has undeniably been influenced by the concepts of artificial intelligence in a number of fields. In chemistry, artificial intelligence techniques have been applied in the analysis of data from mass spectroscopes and in planning the synthesis of organic molecules. There appears to be a meaningful body of knowledge whose unifying principles are difficult to identify. The problem seems to lie in the definition of intelligence. This chapter provides an overview of the various fields of artificial intelligence.
Failure of dietary bentonite clay, Silent Herder® mineral supplement, or parenteral Banamine® to alleviate locoweed toxicosis in rats

To evaluate treatments purportedly beneficial for livestock grazing locoweeds (LW), growing rats were fed diets containing 10 or 20% whole-plant Oxytropis sericea (LW) with and without Silent Herder mineral mix (1.5% of diet) or bentonite clay (1.5% of diet). Pregnant female rats fed 10% LW were treated i.m. with Banamine (a prostaglandins suppressor) or saline. The LW contained swainsonine (430 micrograms/g DM) and elicited toxicosis within 10 d at intake of 2 mg/kg BW. In Trial 1, 96 immature male Sprague-Dawley rats (BW approximately 100 g) were fed commercial rat feed (CRF) with and without LW, as follows: 100% CRF, free choice; 100% CRF, restricted intake to equal average intake of rats consuming 10 and 20% LW; 90% CRF+10% LW free choice; and 80% CRF+20% LW free choice. Diets with LW contained either no supplement or supplemental mineral mixture (Silent Herder, 1.5% of diet) or added bentonite clay (1.5% of diet). Twelve rats received each of eight dietary regimens through 28 d. Locoweed depressed (P .5) or numbers of offspring at parturition (P > .10). Banamine did not alleviate LW toxicosis of dams (P > .10). Provision of Silent Herder or bentonite in the diet or Banamine i.m. had no benefit for rats fed toxic locoweed.
Accessory Cell Requirements for the Proliferation of Antigen Specific Human T Cells

The availability of antigen specific human T cell clones has provided the tools to investigate the mechanisms of triggering activated T cells by antigen. In this review we will show that several types of cells e.g. monocytes, B cell lines and fibroblasts can trigger antigen specific proliferation of human T cell clones. The requirements for this triggering differ from those of freshly isolated human peripheral blood T cells particularly in regard to interleukin-1. The results presented suggest that whereas several cell types can successfully present antigen to a previously activated T cell, only certain cells such as monocytes/macrophages may be.
Analysis of Urinary Nucleosides

Conventional diagnosis, disease staging, and evaluation of therapy for cancer and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) rely heavily on clinically observable measurements rather than biochemical tests. In the case of cancer, these measurements include tumor imaging and tissue biopsy and are accurate only after many cancer cells have been produced as a consequence of disease progression. A diagnosis of AIDS is established by detection of host-produced antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), whereas staging, measurement of response to therapy, and determining the type and severity of opportunistic infections (OI) suffered by AIDS patients is determined by measurement of the T- and CD-4 cell populations (1). For both cancer and AIDS, these methods can be unreliable; also, in some instances, they are painful and increase risk to the patient. For example, detection of mesothelioma (cancer of the pleural covering of the lung, most often the result of exposure to asbestos fiber) is an invasive procedure requiring rib resection to obtain tissue biopsy for cytological analysis. A dangerous level of unreliability in detecting HIV infection has been observed and results in a long lead time between HIV infection and production of antibodies. In a recent study (2), patients were shown to be infected with HIV for as long as 35 months before antibodies were detected. As a result of these deficiencies in clinical test methods, considerable research effort has been expended toward finding alternative indicators or “biomarkers” of cancer and AIDS.
Hip Arthroplasty in Femoral Neck Fractures

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for femoral neck fracture is gaining popularity. Improved functional outcomes and fewer complications are noted in patients younger than 75 with displaced femoral neck fractures that are community ambulators and are healthy enough to tolerate the increased blood loss and longer operative time when compared to hemiarthroplasty. Surgical approach matters with the posterolateral approach having the highest risk of dislocation. Cemented implants should be considered to lower cost and decrease the risk of early revision and femur fractures. Cobalt-chromium femoral heads at least 28 mm have the lowest risk of early revision for dislocation. TXA (regardless of route) has been shown to decrease blood loss and can be considered in all patients undergoing THA. DVT prophylaxis remains important following hip replacement and aspirin has now become an acceptable option. Rehabilitation should focus on mobilization, and outpatient physical therapy is generally not necessary.
Utility and prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT scan in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

8023Background: Positron emission tomography–Computed tomography (PET/CT) can identify bony lesions, assess disease burden and detect extramedullary disease in patients with newly diagnosed multipl...
Coalesced thermal and electrotransfer mediated delivery of plasmid DNA to the skin.

Abstract Efficient gene delivery and expression in the skin can be a promising minimally invasive technique for therapeutic clinical applications for immunotherapy, vaccinations, wound healing, cancer, and peripheral artery disease. One of the challenges for efficient gene electrotransfer (GET) to skin in vivo is confinement of expression to the epithelium. Another challenge involves tissue damage. Optimizing gene expression profiles, while minimizing tissue damage are necessary for therapeutic applications. Previously, we established that heating pretreatment to 43 °C enhances GET in vitro. We observed a similar trend in vivo, with an IR-pretreatment for skin heating prior to GET. Currently, we tested a range of GET conditions in vivo in guinea pigs with and without preheating the skin to ~43 °C. IR-laser heating and conduction heating were tested in conjunction with GET. In vivo electrotransfer to the skin by moderately elevating tissue temperature can lead to enhanced gene expression, as well as achieve gene transfer in epidermal, dermal, hypodermal and muscle tissue layers.
Heterochromatin anomalies and double-stranded RNA accumulation underlie C9orf72 poly(PR) toxicity

How hexanucleotide GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansions in C9orf72 cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not understood. We developed a mouse model engineered to express poly(PR), a proline-arginine (PR) dipeptide repeat protein synthesized from expanded G4C2 repeats. The expression of green fluorescent protein-conjugated (PR)50 (a 50-repeat PR protein) throughout the mouse brain yielded progressive brain atrophy, neuron loss, loss of poly(PR)-positive cells, and gliosis, culminating in motor and memory impairments. We found that poly(PR) bound DNA, localized to heterochromatin, and caused heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) liquid-phase disruptions, decreases in HP1α expression, abnormal histone methylation, and nuclear lamina invaginations. These aberrations of histone methylation, lamins, and HP1α, which regulate heterochromatin structure and gene expression, were accompanied by repetitive element expression and double-stranded RNA accumulation. Thus, we uncovered mechanisms by which poly(PR) may contribute to the pathogenesis of C9orf72-associated FTD and ALS.
Bubble Column Reactors

This chapter introduces some fundamental bubble dynamics in liquid media. Understanding bubble dynamics is critical for bubble column design since the hydrodynamic behaviors are induced and dictated by the gas phase in the form of bubbles. Complex hydrodynamic behavior in bubble columns is closely related to the characteristics of rising bubbles and bubble wake structures. The interaction between a rising bubble and the surrounding liquid medium produces the bubble shape and determines the extent of the disturbance in the surrounding flow field. In gas-liquid contacting systems, the velocity distribution in the wake region controls the diffusion/dispersion of gas from bubbles into liquid media. For gas-liquid systems, the experimental results available in the literature indicate that an increase of pressure retards the bubble coalescence. In bubble column reactors, the hydrodynamics, transport, and mixing properties, such as pressure drop, holdup of various phases, gas-liquid interfacial areas, and mass and heat transfers, depend strongly on the prevailing flow regime.
Functional and descriptive contextualism

Abstract Attempts have been made to characterize the psychological philosophy of Functional Contextualism by contrasting it with Descriptive Contextualism, the latter having been clarified by the example of Interbehaviorism. The argument is made that this strategy has not served the purpose of clarifying Functional Contextualism because Interbehaviorism is completely mischaracterized in these efforts. Misunderstandings pertaining to both the philosophy of Interbehaviorism and the system of Interbehavioral Psychology are corrected, along with the suggestion that Functional Contextualism would be better clarified by system-building efforts than by inaccurate comparisons with Interbehaviorism.
N-of-1 Trials as a Decision Support Tool in Clinical Practice: A Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis

The n-of-1 trial can utilized in clinical practice as a decision support tool, which may improve patient outcomes by providing both the patient and the clinician with objective evidence to inform personalized treatment decisions. As its use broadens, it will be important to study whether the added time and effort of an n-of-1 trial results in measurable improvements in important patient outcomes compared to usual clinical practice. Parallel-group randomized clinical trials testing the n-of-1 approach versus usual care have been undertaken in a number of medical settings. A systematic review will be performed according to PRISMA guidelines, using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science to search for randomized clinical trials in humans, without date or language restriction. Reports from the gray literature and ongoing studies in trial registries will be included. Articles will be screened by two independent reviewers with a third reviewer consulted to adjudicate disagreement. The quality of included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. A narrative synthesis will explore the differing methodological approaches of the included studies. The protocol will be registered in the PROSPERO registry, and the results of the review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. To our knowledge, this systematic review will be the first to comprehensively assess the existing research on randomized trials testing the n-of-1 trial approach in clinical practice.
Reoperation After Robotic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair

There is not much literature regarding reoperation after robotic diaphragmatic hernia repair. Because robotic technology use in foregut surgery is increasing, more patients will require reoperation. Until more studies offer guidelines for treatment of patients requiring reoperation after robotic diaphragmatic hernia repair, principles derived from laparoscopic experience with antireflux repairs and reoperations can be applied. This chapter discusses the rationale and indications for reoperation after robotic diaphragmatic hernia repair and provides surgeons with suggestions for operative management.
Use of partitioned GMM marginal regression model with time-dependent covariates: analysis of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study

Elderly population’s health is a major concern for most industrial nations. National health surveys provide a measure of the state of elderly health. One such survey is the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. It collects data on risk factors and outcomes on the elderly. We examine these longitudinal survey data to determine the changes in health and to identify risk factors as they impact health outcomes including the elderly’s ability to do a physical check. We use a Partitioned GMM logistic regression model to identify risk factors. The model also accounts for the correlation between lagged time-dependent covariates and the outcomes. It addresses present and past measures of time-dependent covariates on simultaneous outcomes. The relation produces additional regression coefficients as byproduct of the Partitioned model, identifying the immediate, delayed effects (lag − 1), further delayed (lag-2), etc. Therefore, the model presents the opportunity for decision makers to monitor the covariate over time. This technique is particularly useful in healthcare and health related research. We use the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey data to identify those risk factors and to display the utility of the model. We found that one’s ability to make own decisions, frequently consuming vegetables, exercise frequently, one’s ability to transfer without assistance, having visual difficulties and being able to pick book from floor while standing had varying effects of significance on one’s health and ability to complete physical checks as they get older. The partitioning of the covariates as immediate effect, delayed effect or further delayed effect are important measures in a declining population.
Magnetic skyrmion-based programmable hardware

Magnetic skyrmions are quasiparticle configurations in a magnetic film that can act as information carrying bits for ultrasmall, low power nonvolatile memory. Skyrmions can be nucleated and driven by spin-orbit torque from a current driven in a heavy metal underlying a ferromagnetic layer, the configuration commonly called a racetrack. Recently it has been shown that by hybridizing the skyrmion between Neel and Bloch types the magnus effect on skyrmion motion, which makes it veer from a straight path down a racetrack, can be effectively canceled which provides them a self-focused naturally converging lane" to travel through. This is achieved by exploiting the voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy effect whereby the magnetic anisotropy of the ferromagnetic racetrack can be positionally modulated by a gate voltage. In this work we show, using detailed micromagnetic simulations, that by using hybrid skyrmions we can obtain demultiplexer functionality out of a racetrack. We further propose a hybrid skyrmionic reconfigureable computing fabric. In conventional CMOS based field programmable gate arrays, SRAM cells are used to build a LUTs storing pre-computed truth-table of a Boolean function and a multiplexer selects one of the storage cells as the output. We show that non-volatile hybrid skyrmions can also act as the memory element and the gateable self-focused nature of the hybrid skyrmions can be exploited to program the proposed CMOS-skyrmion hybrid design to perform different logic operations. The low driving energy and non-volatility of magnetic skyrmion in a racetrack promises the development of energy efficient programmable architecture for future system-on-a-Chip (SoC) designs.
Ultra-Compact, Scalable, Energy-Efficient $VO_{2}$ Insulator-Metal-Transition Oxide Based Spiking Neurons for Liquid State Machines

Spiking neural networks, inspired by biological neural systems, could process immense volumes of spatio-temporal data by representing them as spikes. Here, we propose to implement compact, scalable, energy-efficient spiking neurons based on the unique insulator-metal transition in Vanadium dioxide $(VO_{2})$ which interact through memristive synapses, to emulate a Liquid State Machine (LSM). Further, we demonstrate the implementation of this recurrent neural network as a temporal auto-encoder, and adaptive channel equalizer for application in neuromorphic signal processing. Our approach provides a pathway to reduce component count $(50\ -100X)$ and improve energy efficiency $(> 50X)$ over conventional CMOS based implementations.
Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Balloon Placement for Weight Loss in Patients With Cirrhosis Awaiting Liver Transplantation.

The efficacy and safety of a fluid-filled intragastric balloon (IGB) for weight loss in patients with cirrhosis on the liver transplantation (LT) waiting list is unknown. We enrolled stable compensated patients with body mass index >35 kg/m2 and on the waiting list for IGB placement endoscopically for a maximum of 6 months. A total of 8 patients (7 men) aged mean ± SD, 56 ± 4.6 years with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-sodium (MELD-Na) scores 14.1 ± 3.4 experienced weight reduction (146 ± 22.2 kg versus 127 ± 21.6 kg [P = 0.005] with IGB in place and 130 ± 24.6 kg [P = 0.014] at 6 months), with a total body weight loss of 12.2% ± 8.8% with IGBs in place and 10.9% ± 8.9% at 6 months. Body fat decreased from 48.6% ± 5.8% to 40.6% ± 6.4% (P = 0.001) and lean mass increased from 51.3% ± 6% to 59.4% ± 6.4% (P = 0.001). No change in MELD-Na scores occurred (P = 0.770). Early balloon retrieval was attributed to accommodative symptoms (n = 2) and liver decompensation (n = 1). Mallory Weiss tears (n = 3), but no portal hypertensive bleeding, occurred. Liver decompensation and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in 3 patients. A total of 4 patients with LT ± sleeve gastrectomy maintained overall weight loss. Of 4 patients who did not receive transplants, 2 experienced weight regain. IGB results in short-term weight loss in patients with cirrhosis awaiting LT, with body fat loss without lean mass loss. Adverse effects were common. Decompensation and HCC did occur, with uncertainty of the relation to weight loss, and thus careful patient selection and close follow-up are required.
Perceived Organizational Support, Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Transfer, and Learning Performance: An Empirical Study of Higher Education Institutions in Siem Reap, Cambodia

The study investigated the structural relationships among perceived organizational support, knowledge creation, knowledge transfer, and students’ learning performance in Higher Education Institutions and then extended the mediating effect of knowledge creation to explain the relationship between perceived organizational support and knowledge transfer. Knowledge transfer served as mediator between knowledge creation, perceived organizational support, and students’ learning performance. The target samples were drawn from six Higher Education Institutions in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A total of 763 respondents were used as the research sample. Structural equation modeling and Sobel’s were employed to test the proposed research framework. The results indicated that all the direct path relationships among the research variables were statistically significant. Knowledge creation and knowledge transfer, moreover, were confirmed as mediation the relationship among research constructs. Direct effect of knowledge creation was positively significant to students’ learning performance, whereas expected perceived organizational support was not found to directly effects on students’ learning performance. The findings of this study are used to fulfill the gap of literature and empirical study.
Long-Term Outcomes and Mortality Following Carpal Tunnel Release in Patients Older Than 80 Years of Age.

Objective The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the long-term patient-reported outcomes of carpal tunnel release (CTR) in patients 80 years of age or older, and 2) to determine the long-term mortality rate of this population after CTR. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 96 patients who underwent CTR at 80 years of age or older from July 2008 to June 2013. Mortality was assessed by medical records, the Social Security Death Index, and telephone contact. Living patients were contacted for long-term follow-up, and functional outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed. Results The mean age of the 96 patients at time of CTR was 84.1 years, including 89 octogenarian patients and 7 nonagenarian patients, and 67% were female. At an average of 9 years from surgery, the mortality rate of our cohort was 53% (51 of 96 patients). Five patients died within 1 year after CTR; no factor associated with early mortality after CTR was identified in the bivariate analysis. Telephone follow-up at an average of 9 years after CTR was available for 15 patients. Mean Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire symptom severity score was 1.6 points, mean Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire functional status score was 1.8 points, mean Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 27.9, and mean satisfaction was 7.1. Eighty percent of patients reported that they would rechoose CTR. Conclusions There are long-term benefits from CTR in patients 80 years of age or older. The mortality rate of this cohort mirrors that of the general population, and CTR is justified in this elderly age group both for the magnitude and duration of treatment effect.