cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a Hydrogen Sulfide End-of-Service-Life Indicator for Respirator Cartridges Using Cobinamide.

Abstract An inexpensive paper-based sensor was developed for detecting low ppm concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas. A piece of filter paper containing aquohydroxocobinamide [OH(H 2 O)Cbi] was placed on the end of a bifurcated optical fiber, and the reflectance spectrum of the OH(H 2 O)Cbi was monitored during exposure to 10.0 ppm hydrogen sulfide gas (NIOSH recommended exposure limit). Reaction of sulfide (HS - ) yielded an increase in reflectance from 400–450 nm, and decrease from 470–550 nm. Spectral changes were monitored as a function of time at 25, 50, and 85% relative humidity. Spectral shifts at high-er humidity suggested reduction of the Cbi(III) compound. The sensor was used to detect hydrogen sulfide breakthrough from respirator carbon beds and results correlated well with a standard electrochemical detector. The simple paper-based sensor could provide a real-time end-of-service-life alert for hydrogen sulfide gas.
Performance of a multisegment Nd:glass disk amplifier

We have constructed and measured the performance of a Nd:glass multisegment disk amplifier (MSA) containing four individual 29-cm square apertures arranged in a 2×2 array. The MSA offers reduced complexity and reduced cost in large devices by packaging more disks and lamps in a single mechanical structure and grouping beams so that they can be easily transported as a single larger beam.1 Our MSA, shown in Fig. 1, represents one-fourth of the 4 × 4 MSA that we have proposed in our Athena design for a multimegajoule laboratory microfusion facility.
Reactive adsorption of PS-PMMA block copolymers on concave alumina surfaces.

The influence of pore size, relative block size, and solvent quality on the extent of diblock copolymer adsorption on alumina surfaces was determined. To this end, the block copolymer that was chosen was poly(styrene)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA), in which the PMMA block strongly chemisorbs to the surface and the PS block weakly physisorbs. Several architectures (i.e., different ratios of MnPMMA and MnPS) of the PS-b-PMMA copolymers were adsorbed from various solvents onto porous alumina membranes with various pore sizes. It was determined that the diblock copolymer coverage decreased significantly as the pore size decreased, similar to the behavior of the PMMA homopolymer under the same conditions. However, the coverage decreased as the molecular weight of the anchoring block (PMMA) increased for all pore sizes, which is in contrast to the behavior of the PMMA homopolymer under the same conditions. The dependence of the coverage on the relative block size and solvent quality is analyzed on t...
Antigenic Crossings within Poliovirus Types.

SummarySeventy poliovirus strains, identified as single types by their reactions in the neutralization test, were studied in the complement-fixation reaction. For each strain an antigen was prepared in monkey kidney culture and this was tested against three standardized sera, each representing a different type. About half of the newly isolated strains were found to be ditypic and showed Type 1 and 2, or Type 2 and 3, antigens. A few strains were tritypic. The major antigen identified in the complement-fixation test agreed with the type assigned to the strain from its reaction in the neutralization test. The findings may help to explain the heterotypic antibody response in poliomyelitis infection of man, and the epidemiological correlations between the prevalence of Type 2 antibodies and immunity to Type 1 or Type 3 strains.
Diffusion of Organic Solutes in Squalane

The translational diffusion constants, D, of 26 hydrocarbons have been determined in squalane (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane) at room temperature using capillary flow techniques. These new ...
Intensity-dependent timing and precision of startle response latency in larval zebrafish

Key points Using high-speed videos time-locked with whole-animal electrical recordings, simultaneous measurement of behavioural kinematics and field potential parameters of C-start startle responses allowed for discrimination between short-latency and long-latency C-starts (SLCs vs. LLCs) in larval zebrafish. Apart from their latencies, SLC kinematics and SLC field potential parameters were intensity independent. Increasing stimulus intensity increased the probability of evoking an SLC and decreased mean SLC latencies while increasing their precision; subtraction of field potential latencies from SLC latencies revealed a fixed time delay between the two measurements that was intensity independent. The latency and the precision in the latency of the SLC field potentials were linearly correlated to the latencies and precision of the first evoked action potentials (spikes) in hair-cell afferent neurons of the lateral line. Together, these findings indicate that first spike latency (FSL) is a fast encoding mechanism that can serve to precisely initiate startle responses when speed is critical for survival. Abstract Vertebrates rely on fast sensory encoding for rapid and precise initiation of startle responses. In afferent sensory neurons, trains of action potentials (spikes) encode stimulus intensity within the onset time of the first evoked spike (first spike latency; FSL) and the number of evoked spikes. For speed of initiation of startle responses, FSL would be the more advantageous mechanism to encode the intensity of a threat. However, the intensity dependence of FSL and spike number and whether either determines the precision of startle response initiation is not known. Here, we examined short-latency startle responses (SLCs) in larval zebrafish and tested the hypothesis that first spike latencies and their precision (jitter) determine the onset time and precision of SLCs. We evoked startle responses via activation of Channelrhodopsin (ChR2) expressed in ear and lateral line hair cells and acquired high-speed videos of head-fixed larvae while simultaneously recording underlying field potentials. This method allowed for discrimination between primary SLCs and less frequent, long-latency startle responses (LLCs). Quantification of SLC kinematics and field potential parameters revealed that, apart from their latencies, they were intensity independent. We found that increasing stimulus intensity decreased SLC latencies while increasing their precision, which was significantly correlated with corresponding changes in field potential latencies and their precision. Single afferent neuron recordings from the lateral line revealed a similar intensity-dependent decrease in first spike latencies and their jitter, which could account for the intensity-dependent changes in timing and precision of startle response latencies.
Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy among 8-Year-Old Children in 2010 and Preliminary Evidence of Trends in Its Relationship to Low Birthweight.

Background The public health objective for cerebral palsy (CP) in the United States is to reduce the percentage of children with CP who were born low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) by 10% between 2006 and 2020. This study reports the prevalence of CP in a constant surveillance area for the years 2006, 2008, and 2010 and describes initial progress towards the CP public health objective. Methods Data on children with CP at age 8 years were ascertained by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, a population-based surveillance system that monitored CP in four areas of the United States. Results CP prevalence in 2010 was 2.9 per 1000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6, 3.2], down from 3.5 (95% CI 3.2, 3.9) in the same surveillance area in 2006. Among CP cases with no documented postneonatal aetiology, 49.1% (95% CI 42.9, 55.2) were born LBW in 2010 compared with 54.3% (95% CI 48.4, 60.1) in 2006. In 2010, 28.1% (95% CI 22.9, 30.4) were born very low birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g) compared with 35.4% (95% CI 30.0, 41.2) in 2006. The relative risks for associations between CP and both LBW and VLBW also declined, though not significantly, during the study period. Conclusions Declines in the associations between CP and LBW categories may have contributed to declines during the study period in both the prevalence of CP and the percentage of children with CP who were born LBW or VLBW. Ongoing monitoring of these trends is warranted.
Dorsal Fracture Dislocations of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

Dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint with or without subsequent instability require a careful initial clinical examination followed by appropriate operative or nonoperative treatment. Attention to detail is crucial in achieving a successful outcome, regardless of the treatment selected. This article outlines the various classification systems available for dorsal fracture dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint and the appropriate treatment. It further describes management of cases that present late and require secondary reconstructive procedures.
Geographic Approaches to LTSER: Principal Themes and Concepts with a Case Study of Andes-Amazon Watersheds

Analysis of current works and trends in geography is conducted, with emphasis on human-environment and nature-society geography (HE-NS) in order to identify areas of conceptual overlap, promising exchange, and potential collaboration with Long-Term Social-Ecological Research (LTSER). HE-NS geography resembles the defining focus of LTSER on the coupled interactions of human societies and environments. Important conceptual connections to LTSER are identified as follows: (i) Coupled Human-Environment Interactions; (ii) Sustainability Science, Social-Ecological Adaptive Capacity, and Vulnerability; (iii) Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC) and Land Change Science (LCS); (iv) Environmental Governance and Political Ecology; (v) Environmental Landscape History and Ideas; and (vi) Environmental Scientific Concepts in Models, Management, and Policy. Demonstrated promise and potential value of conceptual “points of contact” exist in each of these areas of HE-NS geography and LTSER. Concepts of spatial and temporal scale, human-environment and nature-society interactions, multi-scale and networked spatiotemporal designs, and socio-ecological science theories and methodologies offer specific examples of the bridges between HE-NS geography and LTSER in interdisciplinary environmental studies and policy, a case study of Andean watersheds in the upper Amazon basin, and conclusions.
An unusual soft tissue tumor with features of angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma composed of bimodal CD34 and factor XIIIa positive dendritic cell subsets. CD34 and factor XIIIa in angiomatoid MFH

CD34 and factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) antibodies delineate subsets of embryonic dendritic stromal stem cells that persist in adult mesenchyme. CD34 stains interstitial and adventitial dendritic cells that may function as multipotential precursor cells. FXIIIa+ dendrophages are tissue histiocytes active in tissue repair. Angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (AMFH) is an enigmatic fibrohistiocytic tumor with limited vascular features. We examined an unusual soft tissue tumor from the nasolabial subcutis of a 57 year old man that showed histologic features of AMFH. Most of the tumor cells expressed CD34. 10-30% of the tumor cells were FXIIIa+ dendrophages. Sinusoidal areas were largely composed of FXIIIa+ cells that also expressed HLA-DR and CD68 suggesting macrophage differentiation. CD31 and Factor VIII antigen highlighted capillaries and single cells among the CD34+ tumor cells. The vessels had actin+ myopericytes and there were single actin+ tumor cells. Electron microscopy showed primitive dendritic cells and fewer histiocyte-like cells. The Ki 67 index was 15% including both FXIIIa+ and CD34+ cells. The patient is disease free three years after wide excision. We conclude that this AMFH-like neoplasm is a fibrohistiocytic tumor in which CD34+ fibroblast-like precursors and FXIIIa+ tissue dendrophages combine to build both sinusoidal tissue with endothelial and macrophage elements as well as capillary vascular tissue that is invested with myopericytes. Study of additional AMFH lesions from this standpoint is desirable.
Fundamental limits and simulations on time difference of arrival source localization using ultrasound signals

A catheter-mounted transducer transmits a signal that is received by a widely-spaced array of single element transducers. The signal time or time difference of arrival values at the transducers estimate the catheter position. System signal and noise characteristics dictate the lower bound jitter values for time delay estimates. Transducer placement in relation to the catheter dictates Dilution of Precision (DOP) values. DOP is the Cramer-Rao lower bound on position estimates given equal variance zero mean Gaussian errors. It multiplies jitter values to provide a volume of uncertainty for position estimation. This work presents simulations of several system configurations and evaluates the location tracking performance of a least-squared estimator.
Approaches for the discovery of novel positron emission tomography radiotracers for brain imaging

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a widely used imaging technique with many biomedical and drug development applications. The implementation of this technology requires the availability of selective radiotracers with suitable physicochemical characteristics relevant for each target, disease process/pathology, or physiological application. The purpose of the present review was to outline a typical high-level flow scheme for the discovery of PET radiotracers and discuss a variety of methods employed in the field to prosecute the flow scheme steps. In addition, techniques will be described which may be employed to overcome obstacles encountered during the execution of a radiotracer discovery flow scheme when specific challenges are encountered. Based on our experience and a survey of the available literature we critically reviewed the manner in which laboratories execute each radiotracer discovery flow scheme step according to the ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo resources available. We found that PET radiotracer identification requires that certain steps or scientific hurdles are met. The strategy or technology applied to answer these scientific challenges varies across laboratories as a function of access to resources. These resources may be accessed through collaboration with other scientists and laboratories. There has been an attempt by a number of research groups to define the optimal physiochemical property space for brain-penetrant PET radiotracers and to use these criteria to reduce the number of molecules further evaluated in vitro or in vivo. While these represent useful guidelines, they should not be taken as rules as none of them have demonstrated 100% accuracy in predicting success and failure of potential PET radiotracers. The advent and application of new technologies, such as protein target overexpression and viral vector administration, along with improvements in LC–MS/MS sensitivity, are expanding the ability of laboratories to initiate radiotracer discovery efforts for targets challenged by low rodent protein target expression or differences in protein sequences between rodent and human. The techniques and approaches available for the discovery of novel small molecule CNS PET radiotracers continue to evolve. As new research technologies and scientific input from a variety of disciplines are applied to the discovery effort, novel solutions are generated and expand the field of radiotracer discovery.
Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Hepatic Cirrhosis

Current risk prediction tools for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) do not include variables associated with clinically significant hepatic disease. Accordingly, outcome data of TAVI or SAVR in patients with liver cirrhosis are limited. We sought to assess contemporary trends and outcomes of TAVI and SAVR in patients with liver cirrhosis using a national database. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TAVI or SAVR between 2003 and 2014. Outcomes of propensity-matched groups of patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR were assessed. The reported number of TAVI and SAVR procedures in patients with liver cirrhosis increased from 376 cases in 2003 to 1,095 cases in 2014. A total of 1,766 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TAVI (n = 174) or SAVR (n = 1,592) were included in the analysis. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients who underwent SAVR versus TAVI (20.2% vs 8%, p
Quantum-state-selected integral cross sections for the charge transfer collision of O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: v+ = 1–2; J+) [O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: v+ = 22–23; J+)] + Ar at center-of-mass collision energies of 0.05–10.00 eV

By employing the sequential electric field pulsing scheme for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser pulsed field ionization-photoion (PFI-PI) detection, we have successfully recorded the spin–orbit and rovibronic state resolved VUV-PFI-PI spectra for O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: ν+ = 0–2; J+) and O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: ν+ = 21–23; J+), indicating that O2+(a4Πu) and O2+(X2Πg) ions in these spin–orbit and rovibronic states can be prepared for ion–molecule collision studies. The present experiment is concerned with the measurement of absolute integral cross sections (σ's) of the charge transfer reactions, O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: ν+ = 1, 2; J+) [O2+(X2Πg1/2,3/2: ν+ = 22, 23)] + Ar → Ar+ + O2. The fact that the O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: ν+ = 1) and O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: ν+ = 22) [O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: ν+ = 2) and O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: ν+ = 23)] states are in close energy resonance, makes these reactions ideal model systems for investigating the energy resonance and Franck–Condon factor (FCF) effects on the charge transfer reactivity of O2+. The σ(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: ν+ = 1, 2) values are found to be about ten-fold higher than the σ(X2Πg3/2,1/2: ν+ = 22, 23) values at Ecm = 0.05–10.00 eV, indicating that the FCFs play a predominant role in promoting these charge transfer reactions. The present ion–molecule reaction study also shows that σ(a4Πu) depends strongly on the spin–orbit as well as the vibrational states with the order: σ(a4Πu: v+ = 2) > σ(a4Πu: v+ = 1), and σ(a4Πu5/2: v+) > σ(a4Πu3/2: v+) > σ(a4Πu1/2: v+) > σ(a4Πu−1/2: v+), where v+ = 1 and 2. The high σ(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: v+ = 1, 2) values, along with their decreasing trend with increasing Ecm, are consistent with those expected for a long range charge transfer mechanism. However, the low σ(X2Πg3/2,1/2: ν+ = 22, 23) values and the lack of Ecm-dependence observed in the Ecm range of 0.05–10.00 eV point to the involvement of short-range collision dynamics.
Population modification of Anopheline species to control malaria transmission

Vector control strategies based on population modification of Anopheline mosquitoes may have a significant role in the malaria eradication agenda. They could consolidate elimination gains by providing barriers to the reintroduction of parasites and competent vectors, and allow resources to be allocated to new control sites while maintaining treated areas free of malaria. Synthetic biological approaches are being used to generate transgenic mosquitoes for population modification. Proofs-of-principle exist for mosquito transgenesis, the construction of anti-parasite effector genes and gene-drive systems for rapidly introgressing beneficial genes into wild populations. Key challenges now are to develop field-ready strains of mosquitoes that incorporate features that maximize safety and efficacy, and specify pathways from discovery to development. We propose three pathways and a framework for target product profiles that maximize safety and efficacy while meeting the demands of the complexity of malaria transmission, and the regulatory and social diversity of potential end-users and stakeholders.
A Duality in Integral Geometry. Generalized Radon Transforms and Orbital Integrals

The inversion formulas in Theorems 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7, Ch. I suggest the general problem of determining a function on a manifold by means of its integrals over certain submanifolds. In order to provide a natural framework for such problems we consider the Radon transform f → f on ℝn and its dual ϕ → ϕ from a group-theoretic point of view, motivated by the fact that the isometry group M(n) acts transitively on both ℝn and on the hyperplane space ℙn. Thus (1) $$ {\mathbb{R}^n} = M(n)/0(n){\kern 1pt} ,{\kern 1pt} {\mathbb{P}^n} = M(n)/{\mathbb{Z}_2} \times M(n - 1) $$ (1) where 𝕆(n) is the orthogonal group fixing the origin 0 ϵ ℝn and Z2 × M(n-1) is the subgroup of M(n) leaving a certain hyperplane ξ0 through 0 stable. (Z2 consists of the identity and the reflection in this hyperplane.)
Dentists' participation and children's use of services in the Indiana dental Medicaid program and SCHIP: Assessing the impact of increased fees and administrative changes

ABSTRACT Background The authors conducted a study to evaluate whether administrative changes, including higher fee schedules for dental services in the Indiana dental Medicaid program and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), were associated with improved dentist participation and utilization of dental services by children. Methods The authors evaluated dentists' participation and children's use of services for the two years before fees were increased to 100 percent of the 75th percentile of usual and customary fees, compared with two years after the increase. They obtained administrative data from the Indiana Department of Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Public Health to determine participation rates and service use. Results The number of dentists seeing a Medicaid-enrolled child increased from 770 in fiscal year (FY) 1997 to 1,096 in FY 2000. The number of Medicaid-enrolled children with any dental visit increased from 68,717 (18 percent) to 147,878 (32 percent), with little difference between children enrolled through the Medicaid-SCHIP and traditional Medicaid programs by FY 2000. The mean number of visits per child per year and the mean number of procedures per child per year remained relatively constant. The cost per enrolled child increased from $1.70 to $6.70 per month, while the cost per child with a visit increased from $9 to $21 per month. Conclusion The increase in fees and changes in administration of the Indiana dental Medicaid program were positively associated with improved dentist participation and children's use of dental services. Practice Implications Changes beyond increasing fees to 100 percent of the 75th percentile may be needed if Medicaid-enrolled children are to have access to dental care commensurate with their lower oral health status and greater need for services. Sustained fee increases also are important. As of 2003, no increase in dental fees had occurred in the Indiana Medicaid program since the increase in FY 1998.
The Possible Role of Mitochondria and Phosphocitrate in Biological Calcification

Mitochondria from most vertebrate tissues and some invertebrates possess energy-dependent inner-membrane transport systems for both Ca2+ influx and efflux, whose rates are under regulation. Very large amounts of Ca2+, together with phosphate, can be taken up by mitochondria both in vitro and in situ in intact cells, yielding electron-dense granules that are amorphous by x-ray analysis, prevented from crystallizing by inhibitor(s). Chemical studies suggest the inhibitor to be 3-phosphocitric acid, which was synthesized and found to be extremely active in stopping hydroxyapatite crystal growth and in preventing kidney calcification in animal models in vivo.
Numerical investigation of the effect of heterogeneity on the attenuation of shear waves in concrete.

Abstract Although ultrasonic transducers that emit horizontal shear waves are widely used in practice, no investigation has been conducted to study the attenuation of shear waves in concrete due to scattering by aggregates and air voids. Horizontal shear waves preserve more energy in comparison with longitudinal waves when propagating in concrete in low frequencies. However, the lower wavelength of shear waves increases the potential of their scattering attenuation in concrete. In this paper, we developed a 3D numerical tool and used it to study the scattering attenuation of horizontal shear waves in concrete in the 20–150 kHz frequency range. We showed that the scattering attenuation in this frequency range strongly depends on the size and material properties of aggregates. The shape of the aggregates and the presence of air voids slightly affected the scattering attenuation.
Major sources of mercury emissions to the atmosphere: The U.S. case.

Abstract In 1989, the two major sources of mercury emissions to the atmosphere in the U.S. were coal-fired power plants (80 tons Hg) and waste to energy power plants (82 tons Hg). This paper examines what has happened to these two major sources of mercury emissions since 1989. A comparison within the waste management industry is, also, provided. The 2014 total anthropogenic emissions of mercury in the U.S. were 51.8 t. The results of the analysis of emissions by industrial sector showed that the largest source of anthropogenic mercury were coal-fired power plants. Among industrial processes, the ferrous metals recycling and the cement industries were the largest emitters of mercury. With regard to waste-to-energy power plants, all of which, since the nineties, have installed advanced emission control systems, the results have been very satisfactory: The authors obtained mercury emission data from operators of most of the waste-to-energy (WTE) power plants in the US. The results showed that in 2014 the 77 U.S. WTE plants in total emitted 0.4 tons of mercury, corresponding to 0.77% of the U.S. total. This number was one half of that reported by the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) for “municipal waste combustion’’ (0.64 t) due to the fact that the NEI survey included incinerators without energy recovery. A 2002 Earth Engineering Center study had shown that the mercury emissions of the U.S. WTE industry decreased from 81.8 t in 1989 to 2.2 t in 2001. The present study showed that between 2001 and 2014 the U.S. WTE industry mercury emissions were reduced further, by a factor of seven.
Three Topological Isomers of 1D- and 2D-Coordination Polymers Consisting of Tricopper Pyrazolate SBUs and 4,4′-Trimethylenedipyridine Linkers: Effect of Pressure on the Structure

Three topologically isomeric coordination polymers of formula [CuII3(μ3-OH)(μ-Cl)(μ-pz)3Cl(tmpy)]n, consisting of triangular CuII–pyrazolate structural building units and flexible 4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine linkers, have been prepared and structurally characterized as 1D- and 2D-coordination polymers. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns under variable pressure (ambient, 8 GPa) reveal a reversible compression of the lattice up to ∼4 GPa, followed by the loss of crystallinity at higher pressure. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected using synchrotron radiation under pressure of 1 GPa, corroborate the PXRD, showing a lattice compression forcing the C–C–C angles of the trimethylene moiety of the linkers to become more obtuse.
Revised and updated vascular plant checklists for the Baja California Northern Pacific Islands

In the last 3 years, significant advances have occurred in our knowledge of the flora of the northern Baja California Pacific Islands. The availability of herbarium specimen data has been significantly increased, and 2 expeditions were undertaken to 7 of the 8 islands in 2015 and 2016. These events have resulted in a wealth of new plant records from the islands, which are here reported with updated taxonomy for the archipelago. The results include 586 vascular plant taxa on the Baja California Northern Pacific Islands; 118 taxa were new, and 54 previously reported taxa were vouchered. The checklists include the nativity of the taxa and highlight new records discovered through fieldwork, as well as those that were hidden in herbaria until now. The declaration of these islands as a new UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in late 2016 makes these new records of particular conservation importance, bettering our baseline understanding of these islands’ ecosystems.
Chronic Pain, Physical Activity, and All-Cause Mortality in the US Adults: The NHANES 1999-2004 Follow-Up Study:

Purpose:The purposes of this study were (1) to examine the relationship between chronic pain and the risk of all-cause mortality and (2) to explore the role of physical activity (PA) in this relati...
Compassionate Use Cases Treated with Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers

One of the most elusive goals in the modern medical era has been to design a safe and effective asanquinous oxygen therapeutic (OT). After 80 years of research and dozens of clinical trials, most of the 17 billion people in the world are still without an alternative to blood; South Africa and Russia are currently the rare exceptions (Amberson 1933; www.opkbiotech.com, 2012).
Daily edge deformation prediction using an unsupervised convolutional neural network model for low dose prior contour based total variation CBCT reconstruction (PCTV-CNN).

Purpose Previously we developed a PCTV method to enhance the edge sharpness for low-dose CBCT reconstruction. However, the iterative deformable registration method used for deforming edges from planning-CT to on-board CBCT is time-consuming and user-dependent. This study aims to automate and accelerate PCTV reconstruction by developing an unsupervised CNN model to bypass the conventional deformable registration. Methods The new method uses unsupervised CNN model for deformation prediction and PCTV reconstruction. An unsupervised CNN model with a u-net structure was used to predict deformation vector fields (DVF) to generate on-board contours for PCTV reconstruction. Paired 3D image volumes of prior CT and on-board CBCT are inputs and DVF are predicted without the need of ground truths. The model was initially trained on brain MRI images, and then fine-tuned using our lung SBRT data. This method was evaluated using lung SBRT patient data. In the intra-patient study, the first n-1 day's CBCTs are used for CNN training to predict nth day edge information (n = 2, 3, 4, 5). 45 half-fan projections covering 360˚ from nth day CBCT is used for reconstruction. In the inter-patient study, the 10 patient images including CT and first day's CBCT are used for training. Results from Edge-preserving (EPTV), PCTV and PCTV-CNN are compared. Results The cross-correlations of the predicted edge map and the ground truth were on average 0.88 for both intra-patient and inter-patient studies. PCTV-CNN achieved comparable image quality as PCTV while automating the registration process and reducing the registration time from 1-2 min to 1.4 s. Conclusion It is feasible to use an unsupervised CNN to predict daily deformation of on-board edge information for PCTV based low-dose CBCT reconstruction. PCTV-CNN has a great potential for enhancing the edge sharpness with high efficiency for low-dose CBCT to improve the precision of on-board target localization and adaptive radiotherapy.
Multimodal Anticipated versus Actual Perceptual Reactions

We introduce an experimental method where subjects watch and rate humorous versus neutral videos while their reactions are collected in three modes: non-linguistic verbalizations (laughter), facial expressions, and skin response. We use unimodal analysis and predictive modeling to examine the relationship between the reactions and the perceptions anticipated by experimenters versus the subjects’ reported actual ones. We find expected associations for facial expressions and amusement, but not skin response. Laughter, while relatively infrequent, strongly indicates amusement when it occurs. Our method can apply generally for comparing anticipated versus actual responses when collecting data for learning affective human response.
Carbodiimide Synthesis via Ti-Catalyzed Nitrene Transfer from Diazenes to Isocyanides.

Simple Ti imido halide complexes such as [Br2Ti(NtBu)py2]2 are competent catalysts for the synthesis of unsymmetrical carbodiimides via Ti-catalyzed nitrene transfer from diazenes or azides to isoc...
Improving Premedication for Non-emergent Intubation in the Neonatal Unit: A Quality Improvement Project

Background: Neonatal intubation is one of the most common painful procedures performed in the unit and is associated with significant physiologic changes. A recent national survey showed only 43.6% of national fellowship programs use premedication. A review of current premedication rates in our NICU, a 174 bed quaternary care center, showed medications were being given in only 20% of all possible events and practice among choice of …
How the Rich Get Riskier: Parenting and Higher-SES Emerging Adults' Risk Behaviors

Many parents continue to parent their emerging-adult children, but what becomes developmentally appropriate for such children differs from that of earlier ages. In addition, culture and context shape parenting and in turn child outcomes. Among an adolescent sample, higher-SES youth engage in higher levels of risk behaviors to manage the pressures they face from trying to live up to their parents’ high expectations for achievement compared to low- and middle-SES youth. Researchers have not yet examined the role of SES on emerging adults’ likelihood of engaging in risk behaviors in response to controlling parenting. Therefore, the current study explored the role of SES on the associations among emerging adults’ perceptions of their parents’ parenting behaviors (i.e., behavioral control, psychological control, and helicopter parenting) and change in their own risk behaviors. Undergraduate students (N = 551; Mage = 19.87, SD = 2.00; 60.6% women; 61% European American; 28.6% higher-SES) from four universities throughout the U.S. completed both waves of the study. Participants completed scales on each of their parents’ behavioral control, psychological control, and helicopter parenting, as well as a self-report measure of their own engagement in risk behaviors. Results indicated that maternal and paternal psychological control were associated positively with change in risk behaviors. Additionally, maternal and paternal behavioral control were associated with greater change in risk behaviors for higher-SES, but not lower-SES emerging adults. The findings provide new insights into the role of SES on the differential influence of parental behavioral control, psychological control, and helicopter parenting on change in emerging adults’ risk behaviors.
Persistent Challenges in the Hepatitis C Virus Care Continuum for Patients in a Central Texas Public Health System

Background Direct-acting antiviral treatment regimens cure >95% of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, but recent studies indicate that <25% of patients in the United States receive treatment. Patients need to overcome barriers on the steps of the care continuum in order to be prescribed treatment. We aimed to examine the steps of the HCV care continuum up to prescription of HCV therapy among patients receiving care within a large safety net health care system in Houston, Texas. Methods We used electronic medical records to identify patients with positive screening tests for HCV antibodies between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, and abstracted data on their advancement through the care continuum for HCV. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with patient navigation through the continuum. Results Of the 2450 patients screening positive for HCV antibodies, 2016 (82.3%) received quantitative RNA testing, of whom 1081 (53.6%) exhibited chronic infection. Providers referred 915 (84.6%) to specialty care for evaluation, 540 of these patients (50.0%) received their specialist evaluation, and 299 (27.7%) received a prescription for treatment. Patients with history of substance use were less likely to be prescribed treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.88). Conclusions We found substantial attrition at each stage of the HCV care continuum. In particular, history of substance abuse was a predictor of nonprescription. Challenges in the care continuum motivate increased provider education as well as the adoption of recent innovations in patient care.
GOES-R Series EXIS Remote Monitor and Command

For large spaceflight systems, engineers, operators, and support staff are distributed across a variety of subcontractors and physical locations. These physical separations can create logistical challenges for large missions which directly translate to negative mission costs and schedule impacts. In an ever increasingly interconnected world, there are numerous benefits to remote connectivity. This paper discusses the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, R Series (GOES-R) Extreme ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) Remote Monitor and Command (RMC) system used to support the GOES-17 (formerly GOES-S) Spacecraft Integration and Test (I&T) campaign at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) in Boulder, Colorado. While remote access to flight-critical Ground Support Equipment (GSE) is standard for many I&T campaigns, the RMC takes this paradigm further by providing real-time operations and test support from the sub-contractor's home location to the spacecraft integration facility. Programmatic benefits of the RMC include reduced logistics, reduced travel, and associated cost savings. Personnel and team benefits of the RMC include reduced time away from home, less interruption to personal lives, and greater flexibility for personnel absence due to illness or other matters. Network and data security is the largest concern when operating remotely. This paper presents the RMC solution for data security and the architecture to support secure operations in realtime utilizing flight critical GSE that includes encrypted access over the internet to the remote testing facility. Virtual presence of the test-team at the spacecraft integration facility is another major concern and this paper will present the RMC solution for keeping teams integrated and connected even while each sub-contractor remains at their home location by utilizing the long-standing Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) operational voice network. A programmatic cost benefit comparison between the GOES-16 (formerly GOES-R) traditional I&T and the GOES-17 Remote I&T campaigns is presented. Risk reduction in system implementation, current limitations, and recommendations for future improvements or new systems is also discussed in detail.
Graphic Migrations: Precarity and Gender in India and the Diaspora: By Kavita Daiya, Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 2020, 226 pp. $34.95, EAN: 978-1-4399-2025-1

Kavita Daiya’s new monograph is a critical intervention in South Asian Partition Studies: a work which links the mid-twentieth century production of statelessness in the Indian subcontinent to the ...
Predictors of patient satisfaction and perceived quality of healthcare: College healthcare providers and students' communication.

Background: Prior research indicates that healthcare provider-patient communication influences health outcomes such as patient satisfaction, compliance with diagnosis or treatment, and general heal...
Benchtop NIR method development for continuous manufacturing scale to enable efficient PAT application for solid oral dosage form.

Abstract A Near Infrared (NIR) method was developed using a small benchtop feed frame system to quantify Saccharin potency in a powder blend during continuous manufacturing process. A 15-point Design of Experiments (DoE) was created based on the NIR spectral response and compositions of the formulation to develop a calibration set. The calibration set was designed to create compositional and raw material lots variation using minimum resources. The calibration experiments utilized around 0.5 kg Saccharin (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) surrogate) and 1.8 kg of excipients. Partial Least Square (PLS) modeling was used to develop a quantitative NIR method from the calibration data. The NIR method was implemented during 5 test batches in two different manufacturing sites across different potency levels at a continuous manufacturing platform for direction compression. Acceptable prediction performance was achieved from the NIR method at both sites. The NIR method was robust against changes in process scale and NIR instruments. The variance information built into the calibration set was found to be critical to successful model performance. This study shows a benchtop feed frame can be used for material sparing calibration method development without operating at a full-scale process line and applied across multiple sites, instruments at different potency levels.
Effect of pressure on pull-off of flat cylindrical punch adhered to circular membrane

Pressure can sometimes be utilized to increase or decrease the strength of adhesion. This phenomenon is analyzed for pull-off of a flat, circular cylindrical punch from a circular membrane. The pre...
An Analysis of Medicare Reimbursement for Neurosurgeon Office Visits: 2010 Compared to 2018.

BACKGROUND Trends in Medicare billing and procedural reimbursement for outpatient office visits remain unclear within the field of neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE To analyze financial trends of neurosurgeon reimbursement for Medicare office visits in 2010 compared to 2018. METHODS The 2010 and 2018 physician/supplier files from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website were utilized. All payments submitted by neurosurgeons (provider ID 14) were included. Trends in office visit Current Procedural Terminology codes 99201 to 99205 and 99211 to 99215 were analyzed. RESULTS Neurosurgeons billed for 1 109 979 office visits (463 611 h) in 2010 and Medicare denied 63 704 payments (totaling $11 205 283). Neurosurgeons billed for 1 189 046 office visits (508 526 h) in 2018 and Medicare denied 57 048 payments (totaling $15 103 879). This is a 7.1% increase in total neurosurgery office visits billed to Medicare, 9.7% increase in total office hours, and 34.8% increase in the payment amounts denied over 8 yr. Furthermore, after adjusting for inflation, the average amount paid to physicians by Medicare decreased by 8.3% per office visit. Additionally, Medicare paid 36.1% of the total neurosurgeon submitted charge amount for all office visits in 2010 but paid only 27.8% in 2018 (-8.3%). CONCLUSION Neurosurgeons are performing more office visits and billing for more time with patients. Meanwhile, Medicare has been paying physicians less per office visit, denying higher amounts of payments and reimbursing a decreasing percentage of submitted charges for office visits. An understanding of these trends is necessary to ensure continued equity and quality access to neurosurgical care in the United States.
Event Management for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries

Event Management for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries provides a theoretical and practical approach to teach students of Tourism and Hospitality the basics of planning, managing and evaluating all types of events. Chapters cover skills such as visitor segmentation, product analysis, developing a budget, promotion and after-event assessment. Special emphasis is placed on critical issues now facing event managers such as environmental sustainability and awareness of cultural diversity, technology and community engagement. The reader will learn the necessity of connecting events with the community heritage and culture to provide the local, personalized experienced desired by visitors. Each chapter covers a unique step in the planning process and corresponds to a section of a detailed event plan outline found at the end of the book that can be submitted as a semester-long assignment. Making use of international case studies in every chapter, this book provides real-world examples to contextualize the information given. This will be essential reading for all Tourism and Hospitality students with an interest in Events Management and Design, and for practitioners employed in tour companies, cruise ships, destination management organizations and cultural festivals.
United States Standards of Review Versus the International Standard of Proportionality: Congruence and Symmetry

Part I of this article notes that rights review in the United States is based on two distinct lines of authority: tier review and reasonableness balancing review. Under tier review, courts focus on whether to adopt strict scrutiny, intermediate review, or minimum rationality review. Under reasonableness balancing review, courts balance the benefits of the government regulation against the burden on the individual, and then ask whether given the benefit the burden is “unreasonable,” “clearly excessive,” “grossly excessive,” “grossly disproportionate,” or in some other fashion goes “too far.” Rights review in constitutional courts around the world use one approach: proportionality. Proportionality analysis has three basic steps: suitability, necessity, and balancing “stricto sensu.”Despite these surface differences, each approach uses the same building blocks in developing the relevant standard of review. As discussed in Part II, each is based on a means/end analysis, focusing on the ends the government is seeking to advance and the means by which those ends are advanced. Each focuses on the extent to which the government action is narrowly tailored to not burden individual rights more than is viewed as appropriate. Each is concerned with whether the government’s interests are strong enough to justify the burden on individual rights. Given this backdrop, Part III discusses the international proportionality analysis and American tier and reasonableness review in greater depth. Part IV considers these standards of review against a backdrop of civil law and common law decisionmaking styles. Finally, in Part V, the standards of review are related to the philosophic divide between positvist and natural law theories of justice, and to stages of cognitive and moral developmental psychology. As discussed in Part V, both the current majority on the United States Supreme Court and international constitutional rights decisionmaking reject review based on a limited positivist vision of protecting only clearly identified specific rights in the Constitution, consistency with customs and traditions of society, and limited review to ensure the government action is not irrational. Instead, the current majority of the United States Supreme Court and international constitutional decisionmaking reflect a commitment to protecting human dignity against government infringement and giving individuals equal concern and respect.
Characterization of tumor dormancy and the liver cancer stem cell, uncovered upon MYC inactivation in hepatocellular cancer

2056 We have previously shown that inactivation of the MYC oncogene is sufficient to induce sustained tumor regression of invasive liver cancers while uncovering the ability of the tumor cells to remain dormant. Upon MYC inactivation, tumor cells differentiate into normal cells including, hepatocytes and biliary cells, which form bile duct structures. Tumors rapidly lose expression of the tumor marker α-fetoprotein, increase expression of liver cell markers cytokeratin 8 and carcinoembryonic antigen, and in some cells the liver stem cell marker cytokeratin 19. Some of these differentiated tumor cells remained in a dormant state as long as MYC remains inactivated; however, MYC reactivation immediately restored their tumorigenic properties. We are investigating the clongenic ability of these tumor cells to regain their neoplastic properties and characterizing the molecular signature of these dormant cancer cells. Our results are consistent with the possibility that MYC induces hepatocellular carcinoma by malignantly transforming a liver stem cell.