cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of fiber coating on the mechanical behavior of SiC fiber-reinforced titanium aluminide composites

The effects of fiber surface coatings on the mechanical behavior and damage mechanisms of SCS-6 fiber-reinforced titanium aluminide matrix composites have been studied. Two different coating layers are used as model material: a brittle TiB2 and a ductile Ag/Ta duplex layer. The role of the coating layer on the interfacial reaction, interfacial properties, and mechanical behavior of the composites was characterized. Results indicate that both TiB2 and Ag/Ta are effective diffusion barriers in preventing fiber/matrix interfacial reactions during composite consolidation. However, the deformation mechanisms and crack propagation characteristics in these two coated composites are quite different. The criteria for selecting an improved interlayer to tailor a strong and tough fiber-reinforced titanium aluminide matrix composite are also discussed.
Unique DNA Methylation Loci Distinguish Anatomic Site and HPV Status in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: We have used a genome-wide approach to identify novel differentially methylated CpG dinucleotides that are seen in different anatomic sites of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as well as those that might be related to HPV status in the oropharynx. Experimental Design: We conducted genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of primary tumor samples and corresponding adjacent mucosa from 118 HNSCC patients undergoing treatment at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, using the Illumina HumanMethylation27 beadchip. For each matched tissue set, we measured differentially methylated CpG loci using a change in methylation level ( M -value). Results: When datasets were individually analyzed by anatomic site of the primary tumor, we identified 293 differentially methylated CpG loci in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 219 differentially methylated CpG loci in laryngeal SCC, and 460 differentially methylated in oropharyngeal SCC. A subset of these differentially methylated CpG loci was common across all anatomic sites of HNSCC. Stratification by HPV status revealed a significantly higher number of differentially methylated CpG loci in HPV+ patients. Conclusion: Novel epigenetic biomarkers derived from clinical HNSCC specimens can be used as molecular classifiers of this disease, revealing many new avenues of investigation for this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5444–55. ©2013 AACR .
Estimation of K distribution parameters using neural networks

The K distribution is an accurate model for ultrasonic backscatter. A neural approach is developed to estimate K distribution parameters. Accuracy and consistency of the estimates from simulated K and envelope data compare favorably with other techniques. Neural networks can potentially be used as a complementary technique for tissue characterization.
Are serum cytokines early predictors for the outcome of burn patients with inhalation injuries who do not survive

Introduction Severely burned patients suffering from inhalation injury have a significantly increased risk for mortality compared with burned patients without inhalation injury. Severe burn is associated with a distinct serum cytokine profile and alterations in cytokines that contribute to morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was therefore to determine whether severely burned pediatric patients with concomitant inhalation injury who had a fatal outcome exhibited a different serum cytokine profile compared with burn patients with inhalation injury who survived. Early identification followed by appropriate management of these high-risk patients may lead to improved clinical outcome. Methods Thirteen severely burned children with inhalation injury who did not survive and 15 severely burned pediatric patients with inhalation injury who survived were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected within 24 hours of admission and 5 to 7 days later. Cytokine levels were profiled using multiplex antibody coated beads. Inhalation injury was diagnosed by bronchoscopy during the initial surgery. The number of days on the ventilator, peak inspiratory pressure rates, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2)/ fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio and incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome were recorded for those patients. Results Significantly altered levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, and IL-13 were detected within the first 7 days after admission in serum from burn pediatric patients with concomitant inhalation injury who did not survive when compared with similar patients who did (P < 0.05). Alterations in these cytokines were associated with increased incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, number of days under ventilation, increased peak inspiratory pressure, and lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio in this patient population. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with increased IL-6 and IL-10 as well as decreased IL-7 serum levels had a significantly greater risk for mortality (P < 0.05).
When style obscures substance: Visual attention to display appropriateness in the 2012 presidential debates

ABSTRACTAs with the first televised debates in 1960, the 2012 US presidential debates accentuated the importance of nonverbal behavior in political competition, with President Obama receiving widespread criticism for his disengaged and arguably inappropriate communication style in the first debate. To investigate the perceptual impact of such nonverbal expectancy violations, this study first employs an experimental design to examine the consequence of inappropriate leader displays, operationalized as nonverbal behaviors that are incongruent with the rhetorical setting. Theoretical explanations about the evaluative consequences of inappropriate leader displays are described in light of expectancy violations theory. Results of a repeated measures eye-tracking experiment find support for the prediction that inappropriate facial expressions increase visual attention on the source of violation, prompt critical scrutiny, and elicit negative evaluations. These findings are further explored with qualitative analy...
Effect of buffer charge on performance of air-cathodes used in microbial fuel cells

Abstract In microbial fuel cells (MFCs), buffers are typically used to improve performance by stabilizing the electrode pH and increasing the electrolyte conductivity, but the importance of the buffer net charge at current densities typical of MFCs on cathode performance has received little attention. Current production results in an electric field that drives positive ions towards the cathode, and negative ions to the anode. A series of biological buffers were selected with positive, negative, and neutral charges that had pKas ranging from 5 to 10.8. Cathodic current production using these different buffers in solutions with different pHs and conductivities was compared using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). At lower pHs, buffers with positive charge increased cathodic current by as much as 95% within certain ranges (potential windows) of cathode potentials. No difference in cathodic current was shown in current for buffers with neutral or negative charge. The reason for this increase with the net positive charge buffers was likely due to a more stable electrode pH produced by electric field driving the positively charged ions towards the cathode. The potential window for the positively charged buffers was positively correlated to the concentration of cationic buffer in the electrolyte. At a pH higher than 9, no improvement in cathodic current was shown for buffers with positive charge, indicating at these higher pHs diffusion dominated buffer transport.
Thermodynamic Considerations of Covalency in Trivalent Actinide-(poly)aminopolycarboxylate Interactions

ABSTRACTThe complexation thermodynamics of trivalent actinides with (poly)aminopolycarboxylates (APCs) are reviewed to assess aspects of covalency and selectivity in actinide-amine interactions. The preferential interaction of APC ligands with trivalent actinides over trivalent actinides has been interpreted to suggest that the amine donors on the APC ligand are able to interact covalently with the actinides. This potentially covalent interaction could allow APC ligands to serve as a thermodynamic probe for covalency in actinide interactions. This review considers enthalpic binding signatures associated with actinide-APC systems, linear free energy relationships that compare the chemistry of comparably sized trivalent lanthanides and actinides and, through examination of the TALSPEAK system, evaluation of a separation system where understanding the chemistry of the heaviest actinides could be relevant. An overarching observation of this review is the lack of thermodynamic data that would be instructive in...
Analysis of Target Localization With Ideal Binary Detectors via Likelihood Function Smoothing

This letter deals with noncooperative localization of a single target using censored binary observations acquired by spatially distributed sensors. An ideal, noise-free setting is considered whereby each sensor can perfectly detect if the target is in its close proximity or not. Only those detecting sensors communicate their decisions and locations to a fusion center (FC), which subsequently forms the desired location estimator based on censored observations. Because a maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE) does not exist in this setting, current approaches have relied on heuristic, centrality-based geometric estimators such as the center of a minimum enclosing circle (CMEC). A smooth surrogate to the likelihood function is proposed here, whose maximizer is shown to approach the CMEC asymptotically as the likelihood approximation error vanishes. This provides rigorous analytical justification as to why the CMEC estimator outperforms other heuristics for this problem, as empirically observed in prior studies. Since the Cramer-Rao Bound does not exist either, an upshot of the results in this letter is that the CMEC performance can be adopted as a benchmark in this ideal setting and also for comparison with other more pragmatic binary localization methods in the presence of uncertainty.
Protein kinase Cα participates in activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels in human glomerular mesangial cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in activating store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOC) in human mesangial cells (MC). The present study was performed to determine the specific isoform(s) o...
The Kinetics of Si1-xGex/Si Relaxation using Large Area Dislocation Imaging Techniques

Annealing experiments in the 450-1000 °C temperature range on various MBE grown Si 1-x Ge x /(100)Si heterostructures have revealed an abrupt thermally activated transition from coherently strained to partially relaxed microstructures. Misfit dislocations at densities 1 to 10 4 cm -2 have been monitored using Nomarski interference microscopy of defect etched surfaces and charge collection microscopy (EBIC) of Si 1-x Ge x /Si heterojunctions in the scanning electron microscope. The kinetics of misfit relaxation by dislocation glide can be characterized by a relaxation temperature which for 30 minute furnace anneals was ~500 °C for an uncapped Si 0.83 Ge 0.17 stramed layer, and ~600 °C for a similar buried strained layer typical of heterojunction bipolar transistor geometries. Rapid thermal anneals (5s) delayed the onset of relaxation to higher temperatures (~ 200 °C increase) and allowed misfit dislocation velocities to be determined for the temperature range 500-900 °C. The activation energy for dislocation glide was found to be 2.2±0.1eV for a Si 0.9 Ge 0.1 /Si strained layer superlattice, 1.6±0.2eV for a Si capped Si 0.88 Ge 0.12 layer and 1.6±0.2eV for a Si 0.83 Ge 0.17 uncapped strained layer.
Command Decision: Leadership Lessons from the Strategic Air War Against Germany

The history of strategic bombing in World War II is well-documented, but is also found in the unlikeliest of places, in a theatrical production performed in the New York theater—on Broadway— in 1947. The play, Command Decision , by William Wister Haines, is an examination of the decision making process involved with the strategic bombing campaign in the European Theater of Operations. This paper uses Command Decision to examine real events in 1943—notably the raids on industrial targets of Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Stuttgart, where the 8th USAAF sustained punishing losses. Out this terrible episode of the war, when thousands of airmen lost their lives, the lessons of the bombing campaign’s Combined Bomber Offensive are significant. The leaders, events and decisions that influenced this intense and deadly episode of World War II remain relevant. The powerful lessons of leadership and command— mixed with human failing and the suffering of mankind, make a compelling story.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Intermittent Vibration of 300 MW Turbine HP-IP Rotors

This paper introduces the intermittent vibration occurred in a 300 MW turbine HP-IP rotors, which is up to 130～141 ?m and exceeds the protection value, and points out that the vibration wave is caused by rub-impact fault due to the deposition and carbonization of oil sludge at oil catch in No.2 and No.3 bearings. Through the clean-up of the oil catch and the improvement of thermal insulation property of HP-IP cylinder end region, the intermittent vibration of units recovered to normal patterns.
Examination Result and Epidemiology Analysis of Different Crowd HIV Serology in A City 2007-2010 Year

Objective Understands QuFu the city near four year HIV epidemic situation the popular characteristic.Methods "Examines Technology standard according to National AIDS" the working instruction to January,2007-December,2010 local the QuFu HIV monitor network high-risk group,the key crowd's blood serum specimen carries on the HIV immune body examination,initially will sieve the masculine gender to deliver the province AIDS to confirm the laboratory confirmed will draw the conclusion.To confirmed the masculine case of illness carries on the epidemiology investigation,forms the investigation material to carry on the analysis.Results In January,2007-December,2010,the whole city altogether examines 56837 human of blood serum samples,picks out the HTV immune body masculine gender 12 examples,the masculine gender rate is 0.021%,in which male is 5 examples,the feminine 7 examples.The infection way by the opposite sex dissemination primarily,accounts for 41.7% (5 examples); Next blood transfusion way is 16.7% (2 examples),the paid blood donor,the drug adict,the maternal infant disseminator accounts for 8.3% (each 1 example).Conclusion The QuFu city AIDS popular tendency is steady,the existence many kinds of dissemination way,mainly is other provinces woman marries into the QuFu city countryside,as well as the local female egresses the work to return to the QuFu city local infected people primarily,therefore needs to monitor the external woman strictly and to egress works returns the family personnel's HIV immune body to sieve looks up the situation.
Reproductive uterine surgery.

SUMMARY Uterine reconstructive surgery may be accomplished through both the abdomen and the hysteroscope. It is important to obtain a complete evaluation of infertility or repeated pregnancy wastage prior to surgery. Newer approaches include the hysteroscopic resection of the uterine septum and medical therapy with GnRH analogues for reduction of fibroid size, volume, and symptoms. In some instances, larger fibroids may be approached through the hysteroscope or resectoscope after medical therapy.
Cis-Diamminebichloroplatinum as a Therapeutic Agent in Metastatic Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Cis-platinum as single agent therapy was investigated in 8 patients with stage D transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Dramatic responses were obtained in some patients and the quality of life was improved for as long as 8 months but no cures were obtained. Also noted was an occasional marked loss of renal function as measured by creatinine clearance despite a carefully managed protocol to avert this known side effect of cis-platinum (nephrotoxicity). No auditory problems were noted in these 8 patients.
Consistent scaling of population structure across landscapes despite intraspecific variation in movement and connectivity

Understanding the spatial scale of population structure is fundamental to long-standing tenets of population biology, landscape ecology and conservation. Nonetheless, identifying such scales has been challenging because a key factor that influences scaling - movement among patches or local populations - is a multicausal process with substantial phenotypic and temporal variation. We resolve this problem via a novel application of network modularity. When applied to movements, modularity provides a formal description of the functional aggregation of populations and identifies potentially critical scales for ecological and evolutionary dynamics. We first test for modularity using several different types of biologically relevant movements across the entire geographic range of an endangered bird, the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus). We then ask whether variation in movement based on (i) age, (ii) sex and (iii) time (annual, seasonal and within-season movements) influences spatial population structure (i.e. modularity) in snail kites. We identified significant modularity in annual dispersal of snail kites (all adults, males only, females only, and juveniles only) and in within-breeding season movements of adults, yet no evidence of modularity in seasonal (non-breeding) movements. For those movements with observed modular structure, we found striking similarities in the spatial configuration of population structure, even though movement properties varied considerably among these different types of movements. Our results suggest that the emergence of modularity in population networks can be robust despite movement heterogeneity and differences in patch-based measures of connectivity. Furthermore, our comparison of the population structure and connectivity across multiple movement phases helps to identify wetland patches most critical to population connectivity at multiple spatiotemporal scales. We argue that understanding modularity in populations may provide a robust complement to existing measures of population structure and connectivity and will help to clarify the limiting roles of movement for populations. Such information is increasingly needed for interpreting population persistence and guiding effective conservation strategies with ongoing environmental change.
Abstract P58: Anxiety Burden from Cardioverter Defibrillators

This ongoing study identifies the prevalence of specific anxiety disorders and the clinical and self-reported functional effects of these disorders in a large sample of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) recipients. To date, 143 recipients of ICDs were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders (SCID) to establish past and current anxiety disorder diagnoses. These data represent the largest sample of ICD recipients assessed using a structured clinical interview, the gold standard in psychiatric assessment. Self-report questionnaires were also administered to assess anxiety, depression, device-related appraisals, and functional impairment in work, social, and family life. Participants were 73% White, 80% male, 70% married and 27% currently working with a mean age of 64 (±11.5) years. Seventy shocked and 73 non-shocked ICD recipients were interviewed. History of an anxiety disorder was common. The greatest lifetime prevalence rates were for anxiety disorder due to general medical condition (GMC; 30%) and panic disorder (30%). The most common current anxiety disorders were anxiety disorder due to GMC (24%), generalized anxiety disorder (18%) and panic disorder (14%). Shocked participants were more likely to receive lifetime diagnoses of anxiety disorder due to GMC ( t = −2.21, p<.05) and posttraumatic stress disorder ( t = −2.32, p<.05), as well as current diagnoses of panic disorder ( t = −2.23, p<.05) and anxiety due to GMC ( t = −2.42, p<.05). Shocked participants also reported greater worry related to thoughts of receiving a shock ( t = −4.17, p<.01) and were more likely to report disability and impairment in their work ( t = −3.02, p<.01), social ( t = −3.38, p<.001), and family life ( t = −2.72, p<.01) in comparison to their non-shocked counterparts. No significant differences were found in self-reported symptoms of anxiety or depression between shocked and non-shocked participants. Findings characterize the extent, nature, and impact of clinical levels of anxiety among ICD recipients, including differences among shocked versus non-shocked individuals. Clinical applications and the development of appropriately tailored interventions will be discussed.
Domestic helpers as frontline workers in China’s home-based elder care: A systematic review

We conducted a systematic review of the existing empirical studies focusing on Chinese domestic helpers in mainland China and foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong who provide care for community-dwelling older adults. There are very limited studies specifically focusing on this population. The findings synthesized domestic helpers' characteristics, acknowledged their contributions to elder care in China, and showed multiple challenges facing them, such as issues related to their physical health and emotional well-being, lack of legal rights protection, difficulties of adapting life in the host city, lack of training, and risk of abuse and sexual harassment. Our findings support the need for developing training and educational programs about legal rights protection and cultural competency for domestic helpers and the need to promote domestic helpers' access to health care and social welfare and opportunities for career advancement, and provide respectful working conditions.
A Gata2-Dependent Transcription Network Regulates Uterine Progesterone Responsiveness and Endometrial Function

Altered progesterone responsiveness leads to female infertility and cancer, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Mice with uterine-specific ablation of GATA binding protein 2 (Gata2) are infertile, showing failures in embryo implantation, endometrial decidualization, and uninhibited estrogen signaling. Gata2 deficiency results in reduced progesterone receptor (PGR) expression and attenuated progesterone signaling, as evidenced by genome-wide expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation. GATA2 not only occupies at and promotes expression of the Pgr gene but also regulates downstream progesterone responsive genes in conjunction with the PGR. Additionally, Gata2 knockout uteri exhibit abnormal luminal epithelia with ectopic TRP63 expressing squamous cells and a cancer-related molecular profile in a progesterone-independent manner. Lastly, we found a conserved GATA2-PGR regulatory network in both human and mice based on gene signature and path analyses using gene expression profiles of human endometrial tissues. In conclusion, uterine Gata2 regulates a key regulatory network of gene expression for progesterone signaling at the early pregnancy stage.
Influence of browsing damage and overstory cover on regeneration of American beech and sugar maple nine years following understory herbicide release in central Maine

Northern hardwood stands, notably those with American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), are abundant across the forested landscapes of northeastern USA and southeastern Canada. Recent studies have reported an increasing dominance of American beech in the understory and midstory of these forests. Beech is a commercially less desirable tree species due to its association with beech-bark disease, and because it commonly interferes with the regeneration of other more desirable tree species. We examined hardwood regeneration characteristics nine years after application of a 3 × 4 factorial combination of glyphosate herbicide (0.56, 1.12, and 1.68 kg ha−1) and surfactant concentrations (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% v v−1) to release sugar maple regeneration from beech-dominated understories using three stands that received shelterwood seed cutting in central Maine. Measurements nine years after treatment showed that glyphosate rate increased both absolute (AD) and relative density (RD) of sugar maple regeneration, but not its height (HT). In contrast, beech AD, RD, and HT were all significantly reduced with increasing glyphosate rate. Post-release browsing by ungulates and a high residual overstory basal area resulted in reduced sugar maple HT. Our results indicated that glyphosate herbicide applied in stands that have been recently shelterwood seed cut can significantly increase the abundance of sugar maple regeneration. However, subsequent browsing damage combined with the negative influence of the residual overstory cover can limit the longer-term benefit of understory herbicide treatments. Subsequent removal of the overstory and browsing-control measures may be needed to promote sugar maple regeneration over beech in similar northern hardwood stands.
Outcomes of cervical laminoplasty-Population-level analysis of a national longitudinal database.

Abstract Objective Cervical laminoplasty is an important alternative to laminectomy in decompressing of the cervical spine. Further evidence to assess the utility of laminoplasty is required. We examine outcomes of cervical laminoplasty via a population level analysis in the United States. Methods We performed a population-level analysis using the national MarketScan longitudinal database to analyze outcomes and costs of cervical laminoplasty between 2007 and 2014. Outcomes included postoperative complications, revision rates, and functional outcomes. Results Using a national administrative database, we identified 2613 patients (65.6% male, mean 58.5 years) who underwent cervical laminoplasty. Mean length of stay was 3.1 ± 2.8 days and mean follow-up was 795.5 ± 670.6 days. The overall complication rate was 22.5% (N = 587), 30-day readmission rate was 7.5% (N = 195), and mortality rate was 0.08% (N = 2, elderly patients only). The complication rate was significantly increased in elderly patients (age >65 years) compared to non-elderly patients (OR 0.751, p Conclusions Our national analysis of cervical laminoplasty found the procedure to be clinically effective with low complication rates and postoperative symptomatic improvement.
Midfoot Arthritis and Disorders of the Hallux

The two most common disorders of the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint are hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. Non-operatively, these can be treated with shoe modifications, shoe inserts, and cortisone injections for hallux rigidus. For patients with recalcitrant symptoms, surgical intervention may include joint debridement, reconstruction, or arthrodesis. In the midfoot, arthritis may similarly be treated with shoe inserts and cortisone injections, with the latter ideally being performed under image guidance. Thereafter, patients with persistent pain may be candidates for joint debridement or arthrodesis.
What Works? A Qualitative Examination of the Factors Related to the Academic Success of African American Males at a Predominantly White College in the South

Our study examined the factors related to the retention/academic success of African American males at a mid-sized, regional, predominantly white university in the south. The selected university has an African American male graduation rate, of approximately twenty-three percent, which is thirteen percentage points below the national Black male average. Feagin's (1998) theory of cumulative discrimination was used to analyze in-depth interview responses from fifteen African American males who were selected using convenience sampling.
PDE-based Parameter Reconstruction through Schur and Schwarz Decompositions

where Ω ⊂ R, with n = 2 for the results in section 4. Q and ∂Q are defined as Q ≡ Ω× (0, T ) and ∂Q ≡ ∂Ω× (0, T ), respectively. See [8] for details on system parameters. The objective of the parameter identification is to reconstruct the reactive coefficient α(x) in the first equation from boundary measurements of the electrical potential u. Our aim here is to present a numerical algorithm that can solve the reconstruction problem in large-scale (parallel) environments. The algorithm is of NewtonKrylov-Schur-Schwarz type; it combines Newton’s method for numerical optimization with Krylov subspace solvers for the resulting reduced Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) systems. Schwarz preconditioning is used to solve the partial differential equations that are involved in the inversion procedure.
Comparative analysis of genomic DNA methylation status and field performance of plants derived from embryogenic calli and shoot meristematic cultures

Genomic instability has been widely observed in in vitro-derived plants; it is proposed to result from the break-down of normal cellular control (Phillips et al, 1994). Following DNA introduction into scutella directly or embryogenic callus derived from the scutella of immature embryos (IEs), numerous transgenic barley lines were produced (Wan and Lemaux, 1994; Lemaux et al, 1996). Evaluation of these lines revealed severe reduction in agronomic performance in field tests (Bregitzer et al., 1998) and instability of the transgene and its expression (Bregitzer et al., unpublished data). We propose that poor performance may be in part due to in vitro-induced genetic or epigenetic variability. Plants derived from alternative culture methods were analyzed to study the effects of these methods on genomic stability. Plants were regenerated from tissue obtained using methods of standard embryogenic culture (Wan and Lemaux 1994), modified embryogenic callus (Cho et al., 1998) and cultured shoot meristems. Initial results with plants derived from the various methods will be compared relative to methylation polymorphism and field performance.
A Review of MD STARnet’s Research Contributions to Pediatric-Onset Dystrophinopathy in the United States; 2002-2017:

Population studies of rare disorders, such as Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (dystrophinopathies), are challenging due to diagnostic delay and heterogeneity in disorder milestones. To address these challenges, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STAR net) in 2002 in the United States. From 2002 to 2012, MD STAR net longitudinally tracked the prevalence, clinical, and health care outcomes of 1054 individuals born from 1982 to 2011 with pediatric-onset dystrophinopathy through medical record abstraction and survey data collection. This article summarizes 31 MD STAR net peer-reviewed publications. MD STAR net provided the first population-based prevalence estimates of childhood-onset dystrophinopathy in the United States. Additional publications provided insights into diagnostic delay, dystrophinopathy-specific growth charts, and health services use. Ongoing population-based surveillance continually improves our understanding of clinical and diagnostic outcomes of rare disorders.
Postpartum LARC use in low-risk women in CenteringPregnancy® versus traditional certified nurse midwife prenatal care

Contraception satisfaction and utilization is linked to pre-use clinical counseling. Group prenatal care may offer increased opportunity for education on postpartum contraception options. This study evaluated postpartum long acting reversible contraception (LARC) rates in women who attend CenteringPregnancy® group prenatal (CP) care versus individual prenatal care with Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM).
Phonological interaction in Spanish-English bilinguals: effects of cognate usage on voice onset time of voiced stops

This study compared Spanish-English bilinguals’ and English monolinguals’ VOT values for /b, d, g/ in cognates and non-cognates. Twenty-six young adult participants (fourteen bilinguals and twelve ...
Reducing space sensing and other mission cost with 3D printing infill optimization

Reducing spacecraft and structure mass and volume can significantly reduce overall mission cost. The use of 3D printing provides one solution to this challenge. This paper analyzes ways to optimize support and infill structures by minimizing material usage while maintaining structural integrity to reduce the amount of material required to complete the 3D print and reduce overall cost. Specifically, a software method for generating 3D infill and support structures for 3D printing is proposed. The implementation of the method and the theory behind it are discussed. Results are presented from simulated and physical tests conducted on the method’s generated structures.
Competing forces on a liquid bridge between parallel and orthogonal dissimilar fibers.

This paper presents a detailed investigation on the mechanical forces acting on a liquid bridge between dissimilar fibers in parallel and orthogonal configurations. These forces were measured experimentally, using a sensitive scale, and were also predicted computationally, via numerical simulation. Special attention was paid to the fiber–fiber spacing at which the liquid bridge detached from the fibers, and to how a transition from an equilibrium liquid bridge to a spontaneously (time-dependent) detaching bridge took place. It was found that, while varying the spacing between the fibers affects a liquid bridge differently for fibers with different relative angles with respect to one another, the spacing at which the bridge detaches from the fibers is independent of the fibers’ relative angle. This paper also formulates the contribution of the geometrical and wetting properties of the fibers competing for the droplet that results from a liquid bridge detachment, and presents a mathematical expression to predict the fate of that droplet.
Scripting the Way for the 21st-Century Disney Princess in The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog (2009) offered Disney audiences a story unlike any other the animation pioneer had ever told: the tale of its first Black princess. Engaging scripting theory and critical ...
Investigations of some quality parameters and mathematical modeling of dried functional chips

In this study, the production of green olive, chickpea and haricot bean added potato chips was investigated in order to produce a functional snack food appealing to consumers from all age groups. Chips were produced by hot air drying (75–85 °C), vacuum drying (75–85 °C, 250 mbar), and microwave drying (90 W and 180 W). The effective diffusion coefficient of chips was calculated as between 4.25 × 10−9- 4.38 × 10−8. When the drying behavior of samples was examined; vacuum drying, convectional drying and microwave drying fitted in Page and Modified Page models. Total acidity, pH, salt, protein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity analyses were conducted in chips and chips doughs. In olive added chips, the highest total phenolic content was determined in the sample produced by vacuum drying method at 85 °C. Moreover, for chickpea-olive added chips, the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined in microwave dried (180 W) samples. In haricot bean and olive added chips, antioxidant activity showed differences according to drying methods. Chickpea and haricot bean addition into chips doughs were increased the protein content in dried samples.
Sky1: at the intersection of prion-like proteins and stress granule regulation

Serine‐arginine (SR) protein kinases regulate diverse cellular activities, including various steps in RNA maturation and transport. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae expresses a single SR kinase, Sky1. Sky1 has a bipartite kinase domain, separated by an aggregation-prone prion-like domain (PrLD). The assembly of PrLDs is involved in the formation of various membraneless organelles, including stress granules; stress granules are reversible ribonucleoprotein assemblies that form in response to a variety of stresses. Here, we review a recent study suggesting that Sky1’s PrLD promotes Sky1 recruitment to stress granules, and that Sky1 regulates stress granule dissolution by phosphorylating the RNA-shuttling protein Npl3.
Making the ‘invisible’ visible: transforming the detection of intimate partner violence

On 25 November 2018, the United Nations chillingly reported that the most dangerous place for women is inside their own homes. Each year more than half of female homicides are committed by current or former intimate partners or family members.1 Intimate partner violence (IPV), within the domestic violence spectrum, is defined as physical, sexual or emotional violence between partners or former partners.2 It is a serious public health concern with millions of people experiencing violence at the hands of an intimate partner. WHO recognizes IPV as a global issue, prevalent at epidemic proportions in every society, socioeconomic and educational group. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, one in four women and one in nine men in USA have reported severe form of physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.3 Despite the high prevalence and urgency of this critical public health issue, IPV continues to be profoundly underdiagnosed and is considered a persistent hidden epidemic. In addition to physical injuries, IPV has both short-term and long-term negative health consequences including asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, poor reproductive health, chronic pain syndrome and mental health problems.4 With victims of IPV seeking medical care more often, healthcare providers can play a vital role in reducing the devastating impact of IPV by representing a trusting source of divulging abuse. The major obstacle to its early detection and intervention is victim under-reporting of physical violence to healthcare providers. Screening for IPV can be an effective tool for detecting and preventing future violence. However, several barriers limit the use and success of these screening programs. Due to shame, privacy, economic dependency, fear of retaliation, legal factors or lack of trust of providers, a patient may not self-report and even fabricate the history of her injury.5 …
An Analysis of Specialty-Specific Microsurgical Head and Neck Reconstruction: A Look at a Single Institution and National Trends Over a Decade.

INTRODUCTION Head and neck free flap (HNFF) reconstructions have historically utilized a multidisciplinary approach between otolaryngology head and neck surgery (OHNS) and plastic surgery (PS). However, there seems to be a trend toward both the extirpative and reconstructive portions being performed by OHNS. We aimed to elucidate the volume trend in HNFF reconstruction over the last decade. METHODS Data were collected by 3 modalities: electronic medical record search of patients who underwent HNFF surgery at our institution (2013-2018), survey data from microsurgery fellowship programs (2007-2017), and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) query of cases receiving designated HNFF Current Procedural Terminology codes (2011-2016). Data were analyzed with trends in HNFF reconstruction as our primary outcome. RESULTS At our institution, HNFF reconstructions increased 4-fold (59-227). Percentage of cases by PS decreased from 18.6% to 6.0%, whereas that of OHNS increased 81.4% to 94.0% (P = 0.009). Survey data, completed by microsurgery fellowship program directors (23/81 [27.2%]), revealed the number of OHNS programs in 2007 performing 100 or more HNFF cases compared with PS was 40% (6/15) to 12.5% (1/8) (P = 0.172). By 2016, that number increased significantly for OHNS to 73.3% (11/15), whereas that of PS remained stagnant at 12.5% (1/8) (P = 0.005). According to NSQIP data, the percentage of cases performed by PS in 2011 was 52%, which was greater than OHNS's share of 43%. The other 5% was allotted to either orthopedic, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or general surgery. In 2013, those numbers reached a peak for PS at 55% and a nadir for OHNS at 36%. However, by 2016, the percentage of HNFF cases reversed. where 58% of cases were performed by OHNS and only 38% by PS. When comparing the 2011 data to the 2016 data, OHNS had a 134% increase, whereas PS had a 27% decrease (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Head and neck free flap reconstruction has grown dramatically over the last 10 years. Plastic surgeons are performing fewer cases, whereas otolaryngology head and neck surgeons perform more as indicated by institutional, microsurgery fellowship program director survey, and NSQIP data.
Service Dogs for Veterans and Military Members With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Replication With the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

Psychiatric service dogs are an emerging complementary intervention for veterans and military members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent cross-sectional studies have documented significant, clinically relevant effects regarding service dogs and PTSD symptom severity. However, these studies were conducted using the PTSD Checklist (PCL) for the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The present study aimed to replicate and advance these findings using the latest version of the PCL for the fifth edition of the DSM (PCL-5). Participants included 186 military members and veterans who had received a PTSD service dog (n = 112) or who were on the waitlist to receive one in the future (n = 74). A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the association between having a service dog and PCL-5 total and symptom cluster scores. After controlling for demographic variables, there was a significant association between having a service dog and lower PTSD symptom severity both in total, B = -14.52, p < .001, d = -0.96, and with regard to each symptom cluster, ps < .001, ds = -0.78 to -0.94. The results replicated existing findings using the largest sample size to date and the most recent version of the PCL. These findings provide additional preliminary evidence for the efficacy of service dogs as a complementary intervention for military members and veterans with PTSD and add to a growing body of foundational research serving to rationalize investment in the further clinical evaluation of this emerging practice.
Delayed stroke after hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia from common and internal carotid artery thrombosis

Large vessel arterial thrombosis has been reported to complicate a subset of cases of COVID-19. Thrombosis of the extracranial carotid arterial system may lead to devastating stroke in some patients with COVID-19. We present a patient previously hospitalized with COVID-19 for oxygen supplementation who presented after discharge with delayed stroke from a right common artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis. The thrombotic occlusion resolved with anti-thrombotic medications and no invasive intervention. The report highlights the complicated and heterogenous nature of COVID-19 and provides one approach to managing the devastating complication of stroke from carotid arterial thrombosis.
Synergistic metalloproteinase-based remodeling of matrix by pancreatic tumor and stromal cells

The process by which tumor cells mechanically invade through the surrounding stroma into peripheral tissues is an essential component of metastatic dissemination. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation plays an important role in this invasive process. Defining the contribution and interaction between these MMPs during invasion remains a key interest in the development of targeted anti-metastatic therapies. In this study we have utilized multiple different stromal fibroblasts and tumor cells to define the relative contributions between cancer cells and stromal cells during MMP-dependent matrix remodeling and pancreatic (PDAC) tumor cell invasion. We find that tumor cells co-cultured with the conditioned medium from stromal fibroblasts exhibited a substantial increase in invadopodial-based matrix degradation and transwell invasion. This increase is dependent on pro-MMP2 expressed and secreted by stromal fibroblasts. Further, the pro-MMP2 from the stromal fibroblasts is activated by MT1-MMP expressed on the tumor cells. Depletion of MT1-MMP, the known activator of MMP2, in tumor cells largely blocked matrix remodeling, even in the presence of stromal cell medium. In summary, these findings implicate an important interplay between MT1-MMP from tumor cells and MMP2 from fibroblasts as a key component for ECM remodeling and invasion.
Adiabatic matching of particle bunches in a plasma-based accelerator in the presence of ion motion

Witness beam stability and preservation of its ultra-low emittance have been identified as critical challenges toward realizing a TeV-class, plasma-based linear collider. In fact, the witness bunch parameters required by a future TeV-class collider have been expected to trigger hosing instability and background ion motion, leading to emittance degradation and, potentially, to bunch loss. Recently, it has been shown that ion motion suppresses the hosing instability, and proper longitudinal bunch shaping can eliminate the ion-motion-induced emittance growth. In this paper, we propose and analyze a plasma-based method to generate the shaped bunches that enable emittance preservation in the presence of ion motion. The method is based on an adiabatic matching procedure, where a bunch with an initially untapered profile is injected in the plasma accelerator stage with an energy low enough that ion motion effects are initially small. As the bunch accelerates, it is adiabatically compressed, ion motion is gradually triggered, and the bunch slowly but continuously readjusts itself in the ion motion-perturbed wakefield acquiring the desired taper. The production of tapered witness bunch profiles that minimize energy spread and preserve emittance for collider-relevant parameters could enable the use of plasma-based accelerators for high-energy physics applications.
Critical Narrative Intervention for Health Equity Research and Practice: Editorial Commentary Introducing the Health Promotion Practice Critical Narrative Intervention Special Collection.

This special collection of Health Promotion Practice introduces critical narrative intervention (CNI) as a key theoretical framing for an asset-based, narrative, and participatory approach to promo...
The Representation of Numbers in Quantum Mechanics

Abstract. Earlier work on modular arithmetic of k-ary representations of length L of the natural numbers in quantum mechanics is extended here to k-ary representations of all natural numbers, and to integers and rational numbers. Since the length L is indeterminate, representations of states and operators using creation and annihilation operators for bosons and fermions are defined. Emphasis is on definitions and properties of operators corresponding to the basic operations whose properties are given by the axioms for each type of number. The importance of the requirement of efficient implementability for physical models of the axioms is emphasized. Based on this, successor operations for each value of j corresponding to +k j-1 are defined. It follows from the efficient implementability of these successors, which is the case for all computers, that implementation of the addition and multiplication operators, which are defined in terms of polynomially many iterations of the successors, should be efficient. This is not the case for definitions based on just the successor for j=1 . This is the only successor defined in the usual axioms of arithmetic.