cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening of serum proteome biomarker of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by WCX2 protein chip

Background and purpose:Proteomics are useful in helping to identify the molecular changes closely related to esophageal carcinogenesis. In order to provide some theoretical evidence for screening and establishing serum indications of early diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) patients, the serum proteomics profiling difference of subjects with ESCC and healthy controls were analyzed to screen serum proteomic biomarker related to ESCC. Methods:Serum samples were collected from training set that included 44 ESCC before surgery and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. With WCX2 protein chip, surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the difference of serum protein profiling and a classification model for diagnosis of ESCC was established. The blind testing set containing another 44 ESCC patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the classification model.Results:84 effective protein peaks were detected at the molecular range of 2000 to 20000Da, among which 28 were significantly different between ESCC and controls(P0.05).Among them 6 candidate protein peaks with the M/Z values of 2 545、3 371、3 746、5 009、 5 021 and 15 886 were selected to establish a predictive model with 93.18%(41/44)sensitivity and 97.73%(43/44)specificity. After double blind examination of the testing set with that rule,the corresponding sensitivity was 77.27%(34/44)and the corresponding specificity was 75.00%(33/44).Conclusions:SELDI-TOF-MS Protein Chip combined with artificial intelligence classification algorithm helps find serum proteome biomarkers and the predictive model combining 6 protein peaks can discriminate ESCC patients from healthy controls, which may have some potential value for diagnosis of ESCC.
Effect of statins on insulin requirements during non-cardiac surgery.

Statins are thought to potentially impair glucose metabolism, increasing plasma glucose concentration. The effect of prolonged statin use on glucose metabolism among outpatients is thus well establ...
Masculinity and Race-Related Factors as Barriers to Health Help-Seeking Among African American Men

Men's tendency to delay health help-seeking is largely attributed to masculinity, but findings scarcely focus on African American men who face additional race-related, help-seeking barriers. Building principally on reactance theory, we test a hypothesized model situating racial discrimination, masculinity norms salience (MNS), everyday racism (ERD), racial identity, sense of control (SOC), and depressive symptomatology as key barriers to African American men's health help-seeking. A total of 458 African American men were recruited primarily from US barbershops in the Western and Southern regions. The primary outcome was Barriers to Help-Seeking Scale (BHSS) scores. The hypothesized model was investigated with confirmatory factor and path analysis with tests for measurement invariance. Our model fit was excellent CFI = 0.99; TLI = 1.00; RMSEA = 0.00, and 90% CI [0.00, 0.07] and operated equivalently across different age, income, and education strata. Frequent ERD and higher MNS contributed to higher BHHS s...
Strengthening Families Facing Breast Cancer: Emerging Trends and Clinical Recommendations

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer (after skin cancer) among American women, with one of eight women expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. Breast cancer not only impacts the patient, but also his or her family members. Family members commonly experience diminished psychological and physical well-being, particularly in the period following diagnosis, during active treatment, and in the terminal phase. Partners are vulnerable to distress because they often believe they need to be strong for the patient and other family members while simultaneously grappling with their own fear, sadness, and helplessness. There are many support systems for individuals with breast cancer (e.g., medical, friends and family, organizations, peer support groups), however, partners often provide rather than receive support. Families of breast cancer patients are healthier when each member of the couple is cared for and when the couple subsystem is supported. This chapter outlines common issues experienced by breast cancer patients and their family members, particularly intimate partners, during different phases of the cancer experience including diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. When managed effectively, breast cancer can change families in surprising and positive ways. For example, family members of cancer patients have reported increased self-esteem, enriched relationships, and improved adaptability. It is suggested that future research studies focus on family members of male, LGBT, and racial-ethnic minority breast cancer patients. Effective psychological interventions for couples in which one member has breast cancer and clinical recommendations for strengthening the family during this stressful time are provided.
St. Helens Blast Related Sedimentation Modeling and Planning Realities in the Toutle/Cowlitz/Columbia River System

Following the Mount Saint Helen’s eruption of May 18, 1980 a major planning effort was started by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to deal with potential flood and sedimentation problems related to that event. This paper reviews the four major reports to come out of that effort with emphasis on the role of sedimentation, frequency, and risk modeling in the planning process. New types of information concerning the assumptions of supporting models and the positive and negative consequences of selecting various management strategies were incorporated into the documents. The inherent stochastic nature of the modeling process emerged as an important issue in evaluation of recommendations from planners and engineers instead of being masked by single conclusions based on average conditions. A higher public profile for models and modelers and the attendant demands this new role implies is likely if the planning process exemplified in these documents is generally adopted.
Using Grafts and Granulation to Improve Nasal Repair

Skin grafts offer a dynamic repair option for nasal defects of appropriate size, depth, and location. Granulation and grafting can successfully be used as stand-alone reconstructive options or in conjunction with flap repair. This article reviews suitable indications for graft and granulation use in nasal repair to achieve optimum functional and esthetic outcomes.
Don’t Be Such a Downer: Examining the Impact of Valence on Receivers of Word of Mouth (A Structured Abstract)

Recent research is beginning to place particular emphasis on investigating how receivers of WOM make use of it in their decision making. Receivers have been found to be selective in determining how much value they place on information gathered from WOM incidents and whether they will make use of it (Martin and Lueg 2013; Sen and Lerman 2007; Sweeney et al. 2008, 2012).
Active learning for low-resource speech recognition: Impact of selection size and language modeling data

Active learning aims to reduce the time and cost of developing speech recognition systems by selecting for transcription highly informative subsets from large pools of audio data. Previous evaluations at OpenKWS and IARPA BABEL have investigated data selection for low-resource languages in very constrained scenarios with 2-hour data selections given a 1-hour seed set. We expand on this to investigate what happens with larger selections and fewer constraints on language modeling data. Our results, on four languages from the final BABEL OP3 period, show that active learning is helpful at larger selections with consistent gains up to 14 hours. We also find that the impact of additional language model data is orthogonal to the impact of the active learning selection criteria.
Transperitoneal Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Posterior Approach

Since its initial description in 2000, robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has rapidly grown in popularity with the majority of men with prostate cancer seeking this approach over other surgical techniques. As compared to conventional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, RALP has experienced more rapid adoption by a broader range of urologists including those with limited laparoscopic training and in a brief few years has virtually supplanted the laparoscopic approach in the United States. While debate still remains as to its relative superiority over open surgery, its minimally invasive approach, superior optics, three-dimensional visualization and intuitive ergonomic movements of the wristed robotic instrumentation have made RALP more attractive to patients and surgeons alike. The technique of RALP has undergone considerable modifications since its early description, which was based upon the original standardized approach of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Herein, we describe the transperitoneal posterior approach to RALP.
Associations between treatment, scoliosis, pulmonary function, and physical performance in long-term survivors of sarcoma

Longer survival for children with sarcoma has led to the recognition of chronic health conditions related to prior therapy. We sought to study the association of sarcoma therapy with the development of scoliosis. We reviewed patient demographics, treatment exposures, and functional outcomes for patients surviving >10 years after treatment for sarcoma between 1964 and 2002 at our institution. The diagnosis of scoliosis was determined by imaging. Functional performance and standardized questionnaires were completed in a long-term follow-up clinic. We identified 367 patients, with median age at follow-up of 33.1 years. Scoliosis was identified in 100 (27.2%) patients. Chest radiation (relative risk (RR), 1.88 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21–2.92), p < 0.005) and rib resection (RR, 2.64 (CI, 1.79–3.89), p < 0.0001) were associated with an increased incidence of scoliosis; thoracotomy without rib resection was not. Of 21 patients who underwent rib resection, 16 (80.8%) had the apex of scoliosis towards the surgical side. Scoliosis was associated with worse pulmonary function (RR, 1.74 (CI, 1.14–2.66), p < 0.01) and self-reported health outcomes, including functional impairment (RR, 1.60 (CI, 1.07–2.38), p < 0.05) and cancer-related pain (RR, 1.55 (CI, 1.11–2.16), p < 0.01). Interestingly, pulmonary function was not associated with performance on the 6-min walk test in this young population. Children with sarcoma are at risk of developing scoliosis when treatment regimens include chest radiation or rib resection. Identification of these risk factors may allow for early intervention designed to prevent adverse long-term outcomes. Cancer survivors at risk of developing scoliosis may benefit from monitoring of pulmonary status and early physical therapy.
Introduction to surgical and perioperative clinical pharmacy for third-year pharmacy students: A pilot study of an elective course.

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to implement and assess an elective course that exposes pharmacy students to clinical pharmacy in the surgical and perioperative setting. Methods A blended-design elective that included synchronous and asynchronous learning was developed and offered to third-year pharmacy students. Students’ knowledge and perception regarding clinical topics in perioperative pharmacy was assessed using pre- and post-course assessments, online quizzes, a journal club, and course assignments. Knowledge of pharmacy operations was assessed using course assignments and reflective journal entries. Results Pre- and post-course assessment improvement was seen in the categories of perioperative optimization of pharmacotherapy (29.1–70.1%, p=0.006), common surgical complications (45.8–91.7%, p = 0.001), and anesthetic agents (25–71.9%, p Discussion and conclusions Students agreed that the course was valuable and helped them develop new skills otherwise not developed by the curriculum; this conclusion was supported by objective assessment data. A team-teaching model allowed for minimal resources to operate the course. Moving forward, an early lecture addressing perioperative operations may supplement an area the course was lacking. Additionally, a longer duration of operating room shadowing may provide requested opportunities for observation of direct patient care.
Implementing Family-Based Musical Interventions in Family Therapy: A Mixed-Methods Research

Although rarely used by family therapists, musical interventions have the potential to become a more common technique in family therapy. Music’s unique therapeutic properties engage families, including young children and adolescents, in a meaningful, therapeutic, “here-and-now” creative process. Musical interventions act as catalysts, enable direct communication, and augment authentic communication patterns in a playful atmosphere. The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods research was to obtain a greater understanding of the clinical applicability, therapeutic value and future implementation of a musical intervention carried out by family therapists in a family therapy context. The study explored the outcomes of 35 participating family therapists who attended a designated workshop on a structured family-based musical intervention, 18 of whom then applied 38 family-based musical sessions focused on family roles in their clinical work. The results illustrate the family-based musical intervention is a noteworthy tool for family clinical assessment and treatment, easily applicable in a variety of private and public settings with diverse populations. Musical instruments used as intermediary objects are potent vehicles for growing family awareness, functioning, and congruence, as well as inducing opportunities for change. The family-based musical intervention manifests the potential of an interdisciplinary, holistic, biopsychosocial approach to promoting individual and family wellbeing. The article also addresses ethical considerations and implications for family therapy training and education programs.
Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities

The development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources results in the production of large volumes of wastewater containing a complex mixture of hydraulic fracturing chemical additives and components from the formation. The release of these wastewaters into the environment poses potential risks that are poorly understood. Microbial communities in stream sediments form the base of the food chain and may serve as sentinels for changes in stream health. Iron-reducing organisms have been shown to play a role in the biodegradation of a wide range of organic compounds, and so to evaluate their response to UOG wastewater, we enriched anaerobic microbial communities from sediments collected upstream (background) and downstream (impacted) of an UOG wastewater injection disposal facility in the presence of hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) additives: guar gum, ethylene glycol, and two biocides, 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) and bronopol (C3H6BrNO4). Iron reduction was significantly inhibited early in the incubations with the addition of biocides, whereas amendment with guar gum and ethylene glycol stimulated iron reduction relative to levels in the unamended controls. Changes in the microbial community structure were observed across all treatments, indicating the potential for even small amounts of UOG wastewater components to influence natural microbial processes. The microbial community structure differed between enrichments with background and impacted sediments, suggesting that impacted sediments may have been preconditioned by exposure to wastewater. These experiments demonstrated the potential for biocides to significantly decrease iron reduction rates immediately following a spill and demonstrated how microbial communities previously exposed to UOG wastewater may be more resilient to additional spills.IMPORTANCE Organic components of UOG wastewater can alter microbial communities and biogeochemical processes, which could alter the rates of essential natural attenuation processes. These findings provide new insights into microbial responses following a release of UOG wastewaters and are critical for identifying strategies for the remediation and natural attenuation of impacted environments.
Spectrum of Restrictive and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies: Part 2 of a 2-Part Series

Abstract Restrictive cardiomyopathies are the least common form of heart muscle disease. They are characterized as infiltrative and noninfiltrative, storage diseases, and endomyocardial disorders. Genetic diseases commonly present during childhood or adolescence. However, a growing percentage of elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are being recognized as having forms of restrictive cardiomyopathy, particularly cardiac amyloidosis. Noninvasive evaluation has replaced endomyocardial biopsy in the diagnostic evaluation of most suspected etiologies. The detection of infiltrative cardiomyopathies, particularly primary and secondary forms of iron overload, as well as inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis has slowly led to improved outcomes via disease-specific therapies.
An empirical analysis of differences in plagiarism among world cultures

ABSTRACTAcademic integrity issues, e.g. plagiarism, continue to plague higher education across the globe. Research has noted that the identification and tolerance of cheating behaviors varies depen...
A pilot study to standardize and peer-review shift handoffs in an academic internal medicine residency program: The DOCFISH method.

With increased oversight of residency work hours, there has been an increase in shift handoffs, which are prone to medical errors. To date, there are no evidence-based recommendations on essential elements of shift handoffs. We implemented a standardized shift-handoff rubric at an academic medicine residency program. Compliance, resident/faculty perceptions, and surrogate markers of patient safety were measured. Shift-handoff documents were collected January-February 2016 (control) April-June 2016 (intervention). Signouts were scored based on inclusion of seven elements: Daily events, Overnight events, Code status, Follow up tasks, If/then statements, ‘sick or stable’ and History present illness. The mnemonic ‘DOCFISH’ was taught in a grand-rounds forum then embedded into a shift-handoff tool within our electronic health record (EHR). Senior residents were assigned to supervise/provide feedback on shift handoffs from April-June 2016. Faculty and resident perceptions regarding quality of shift handoffs was measured by the annual ACGME (Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education) program survey. Patient safety was measured by number of rapid-response teams (RRT) initiated for unstable vital signs. Handoffs were 74% complete in intervention group and 60% in control group (p < .0001). Median DOCFISH features present in patients that required RRT was 3 of 7 whereas, total post-intervention group had 5 of 7 (p < .001). ‘Daily events’ and ‘follow -up tasks’ were less frequent in patients that required RRT (20%, 67% respectively, p < .001). Academic medical centers can implement standardized shift handoffs by embedding high-yield information in an EHR with peer-review. Information during shift changes that may have significant improvement on patient safety includes: ‘daily events’ and ‘follow -up tasks.’
"All the World’s a Stage”: Taiwan’s Human Rights Performance and Playing to International Norms

Taiwan’s engagement with the international regime for human rights has been exceptional for reasons related to Taiwan’s unusual status in the world. Taiwan’s precarious status has provided distinctive reasons to emphasize international human rights norms, including some of their more formal manifestations. In the 1980s and 1990s, the remarkable improvement in Taiwan’s human rights record was vital to maintaining U.S. support. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Taiwan’s commitment to human rights norms and values was an essential element in Taiwan’s efforts to preserve security and international stature. More recently, Taiwan has deepened its engagement with the UN-centered human rights regime, stressing compliance with that regime as if it were a member state, adopting domestic legislation to mirror the principal human rights covenants, and undertaking reports that parallel the requirements for States Parties to the major human rights conventions. While this approach has benefited Taiwan internationally and the lives of Taiwan’s citizens, Taiwan’s human rights engagement strategy faces new and difficult challenges: internationally, the benefits of a relatively strong human rights record may be waning; domestically, discourse about human rights is turning to more intractable or controversial problems, including issues that resonate with economic, social and cultural dimensions of human rights, and issues of transitional justice.
A Case Study into Impacts of Usage Patterns on Lithium-Ion Battery Aging through Incremental Capacity Analysis Based Health Monitoring

Incremental capacity (IC) analysis is an important tool in lithium-ion battery (LIB) health assessment, owing to its flexibility in utilizing data from readily available on-board sensors and its capability of interpreting LIB degradation mechanisms from a physics-based perspective. This paper identifies the optimal health feature (HF) as well as the state-of-charge (SOC) based optimal testing profile through IC analysis, which enables the LIB health monitoring through partial charging data that is practically achievable for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) application. Experimental data from various different aging profiles have been applied to validate the identified optimal HF and SOC-based optimal testing profile. Impacts of diverse usage patterns on LIB aging are analyzed through different combinations of four key characterizing stress factors, namely, depth-of-discharge (DOD), charging C-rate, operating mode and temperature. Results on impact analysis can be closely related with realistic automotive usage patterns, thus providing useful guidance to the design of battery management system (BMS) to achieve a more reliable prediction of LIB remaining useful life (RUL) and the improved lifetime control strategies.
Intracranial Hypotension With Mild Parkinsonism and Bulbar Dysfunction

Intracranial hypotension can present as a movement disorder. Documenting this phenomenology in video format raises awareness to help clinicians in differential diagnosis.
P16 A useful technique for patient activation and engagement in young adults with congenital heart disease: instructional conversation using the congenital heart health activation transition tool

Aims Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with congenital heart disease (CHD) are a high-risk group particularly during the transition period from pediatric to adult care. We aimed to create a clinic-based tailored CHD transition program to improve adolescent knowledge and activation, increase participation in shared-decision making, and facilitate patient empowerment through Instructional Conversations (IC). Methods We conducted a needs assessment with key stakeholders (pediatric and adult cardiologists, parents, and adolescents with CHD) to identify potential barriers to transition. A three-pronged approach was taken to spearhead transition education: (1) Streamlining dedicated transition visits; (2) Creating individualized learning plans (ILP) to encourage shared decision making and patient engagement: and (3) Utilizing motivational interviewing (MI) and instructional conversation (IC) to administer a novel patient activation tool: CHHATT- The Congenital Heart Health Activation Transition Tool. Results Six Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted and included streamlining educational/assessment materials, modifying teaching style, implementing MI and IC, and creating the CHHATT tool. During PDSA cycles, three major themes emerged regarding patient activation and engagement. First, families better received transition services if given advanced notice. Thus, we built separate clinic visits for program introduction (14 year old) and serial education/training visits (15 year old). Second, having a streamlined script for education of various CHD diagnoses and creating ILPs resulted in increased patient engagement and shared decision-making. Third, patient self-assessments poorly revealed true knowledge deficits. MI was used to reveal these deficits through creation of a CHHATT tool, which reveals knowledge/skills gaps and reinforces education through guided IC. Patients demonstrated increased confidence when using the CHHATT to teach-back to parents and ask physician questions. Parents’ verbalized satisfaction in the increased empowerment teens demonstrated after serial visits using CHHATT. Conclusion We created a CHD transition program for AYA with streamlined serial education, individualized learning plans, and motivational interviewing and instructional conversation. Patients demonstrated increased activation and engagement using our novel tool CHHATT. We strive to lead transitional clinical care and further patient success by (1) introducing additional assessment tools for health literacy and resilience and (2) guiding clinical practice by sharing our sustainable/billable program model for CHD transition programs.
Lasing from Finite Plasmonic Nanoparticle Lattices

Small lasers can generate coherent light for integrated photonics, in vivo cellular imaging, and solid-state lighting. Unlike conventional lasers, plasmonic lasers can generate coherent light at su...
Neural Mechanisms of Attitude Change Toward Stigmatized Individuals: Temporoparietal Junction Activity Predicts Bias Reduction.

Psychological and neural evidence suggests that negative attitudes toward stigmatized individuals arise in part from failures to perceive them as social targets. Here, we tested whether experimentally upregulating neural regions involved in social cognition would predict subsequent decreases in bias toward stigmatized individuals (i.e., people who use substances). Participants underwent fMRI while completing either a lovingkindness intervention task or a control task, and each task was reinforced via daily text messages for a month following the one-time fMRI scan. Changes in implicit bias against stigmatized individuals were measured by Implicit Association Tests. The lovingkindness intervention task, compared with a control task, elicited greater baseline activity in the right temporoparietal junction (RTPJ), implicated in mentalizing, or the process of making inferences about others’ mental states. The lovingkindness task compared with the control task also produced marginal decreases in bias over the month of the intervention. Individual differences in initial RTPJ activity at baseline during the fMRI intervention tasks further predicted improved implicit attitudes toward stigmatized individuals a month later. The current study suggests that individual differences in people’s tendency to engage brain regions that support taking others’ perspectives are associated with greater changes in bias reduction over time. It is possible that strategies that upregulate mentalizing activity, such as lovingkindness training and other strategies that increase social cognitive processing, may be effective in shifting people’s biases against stigmatized individuals.
Quality of Life Outcomes of Patients Receiving Palliative, Long-Term Continuous Intravenous Inotropic Support

Purpose Long-term, continuous intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) is frequently initiated for palliation of symptoms related to advanced heart failure (AHF) in patients who are not eligible for heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Although the use of CIIS has increased in prevalence over the past decade, robust data regarding quality of life (QOL) outcomes in these patients are lacking. We wished to describe healthcare utilization and QOL outcomes in patients on palliative CIIS. Methods Retrospective analysis of inpatients followed by the AHF service at MedStar Washington Hospital Center who were started on palliative CIIS between 2014 and 2016. Patients were excluded if they were being worked up for transplantation or MCS at the time of initiation. EHR were queried to obtain patient demographics, duration of CIIS, readmissions and emergency room encounters, transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU), code status at the time of initiation, documented goals of care discussions, palliative care consultation, and hospice referral. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results We identified 72 patients that fit the criteria for the study with a median of 106 days on CIIS (range 4-726 days). 68 patients (94%) began CIIS as full code and 5 (6%) as do not resuscitate/do not intubate (DNR/DNI). Fifty percent of those starting as full code changed to DNR/DNI and 22% remained full code until death. There was an average of 2.4 +/- 2.4 hospital readmissions, 0.7 +/- 1.2 ER visits, and 22.5 +/- 22.7 hospital days (range 0-126 days) during CIIS. Thirty three percent of patients admitted to the hospital were transferred to the ICU at least once. Ninety five percent of patients had documented goals of care discussions and 69% had a palliative care consult; however, only 58% were referred to hospice. Conclusion Patients in this cohort had high healthcare utilization. Although the majority of patients on CIIS had documented goals of care, we observed significant variation in palliative care and hospice involvement. This data may assist clinicians with educating and setting expectations for patients when initiation of CIIS is considered. Future studies should assess symptom benefit of CIIS, associated risks including central line infection and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator shocks, and explore barriers to hospice enrollment.
7 – Superplasticizing Admixtures

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the advantages derived from the use of superplasticizing admixtures, including production of concrete having high workability, and production of high-strength concrete having normal workability and lower water content. Another possible application is the fabrication of concrete with less cement, having normal strength and workability. Superplasticizers have also been used with advantage in concretes containing fly ashes, silica fume, rice husk ash, and slags. A study of the hydration of cement and cement compounds in the presence of superplasticizers is useful for theoretical and practical considerations. Investigations have included the measurement of heat of hydration, the mechanism of reactions, strength development, microstructure, permeability, durability aspects, compatibility problems between cement and superplasticizers, the prediction of some properties, material characterization and selection, mathematical modeling of hydration, development of test methods, and cement superplasticizer interactions.
Development and validation of a steep incline and decline metabolic cost equation for steady-state walking.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a data-supported prediction equation (Lankford equation) for walking metabolic cost ( $$C_{\text{W}}$$ ), and to compare this equation to the ACSM, Pandolf, Minetti, and LCDA equations. The current study also investigated how kinematics of incline walking relates to mechanical efficiency and metabolic cost. Subjects consisted of 145 recreationally fit individuals. Walking speeds were between 1 AND 3 mph with grades ranging from − 18 to 40%. The Lankford equation was then compared to four other reference equations using adjusted R-squared (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as primary metrics to determine correlation with measured CW. Kinematics data collected from reflective markers placed on bony landmarks were compared to CW, incline, and metabolic efficiency to determine the interrelationship between these variables. The Lankford equation for estimating $$C_{\text{W}}$$ was validated with an adjusted R2 = 0.89 and a RMSE of 5.92 Kj min−1, shown to have the highest accuracy among all equations tested. A 0.21 efficiency plateau was observed above 15% incline, and hip, knee, HAT, thigh, and shank angles at foot touch down were found to be highly correlated with $$C_{\text{W}}$$ (r > 0.980). The Lankford equation is a validated and highly accurate prediction equation for steady-state walking across a wide range of inclines and speeds and is applicable to the general public. Altered leg swing observed above 15% incline was found to account for the mechanical efficiency plateau and the rectilinear increase in $$C_{\text{W}}$$ with increasing incline.
Model of Tree Swaying and Fracturing Based on Classical Mechanics

In order to establish the model of realistic trees,the tree model is divided into static model and dynamic model.The static modeling constructs with expanding two and a half dimensional modeling method and collision principle.The object suffers wind power that the force is calculated by momentum theorem.The value of rupture limit is compared with Young modulus.It is determined object to fracture or sway,and constructs tree dynamic model in the nature.Simulation results show that,using this method can quickly and efficiently build tree model.
Sexual Orientation and Teacher Identity: Professionalism and LGBTQ Politics in Teacher Preparation and Practice: by Jenlink, P. M., Lanham, Maryland, Rowman and Littlefield, 2020, 165 pp., $30.00, ISBN 978167099222

“Nowhere is the challenge of being a teacher in today’s schools more difficult than at the intersection of sexual orientation and teacher identity … ” (p. 1)Patrick Jenlink prioritizes the fundamen...
Mannose-Binding Lectin and Complement Mediate Follicular Localization and Enhanced Immunogenicity of Diverse Protein Nanoparticle Immunogens

Nanoparticle (NP) vaccine formulations promote immune responses through multiple mechanisms. We recently reported that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) triggers trafficking of glycosylated HIV Env-immunogen NPs to lymph node follicles. Here, we investigated effects of MBL and complement on NP forms of HIV and other clinically-relevant antigens. MBL recognition of oligomannose on gp120 nanoparticles significantly increased antigen accumulation in lymph nodes and antigen-specific germinal center (GC) responses. MBL and complement also mediated follicular trafficking and enhanced GC responses to influenza, HBV, and HPV particulate antigens. Using model protein nanoparticles bearing titrated levels of glycosylation, we determined that mannose patches at a minimal density of 2.1x10-3 mannose patches/nm2 were required to trigger follicular targeting, which increased with increasing glycan density up to at least ~8.2×10-3 mannose patches/nm2. Thus, innate immune recognition of glycans has a significant impact on humoral immunity, and these findings provide a framework for engineering glycan recognition to optimize vaccine efficacy.
Evaluating the Effects of Technology-Based Self-Monitoring on Positive Staff–Consumer Interactions in Group Homes

The quality and frequency of positive interactions between staff and consumers are related to reductions in consumer problem behavior and increases in other desired outcomes, such as leisure and self-help skills. Unfortunately, the frequency with which group home staff positively interact with consumers is often low and regularly requires intervention. We evaluated the effects of technology-based self-monitoring on positive interactions between staff and consumers during consumer leisure time. Participant data were collected off-site through video recordings from cameras already present in the group homes. During baseline, participant interactions were low. Upon introduction of an intervention containing self-monitoring completed via a tablet device, staff interactions increased and maintained when the intervention was in effect. Supplemental feedback via text message was provided to two of the three participants to reach criterion. These findings demonstrate the utility of technology-based self-monitoring for some individuals to increase positive staff–consumer interactions in group homes.
Towards flexible 3-D digitizing systems

The next generation of 3-D digitizing systems based on a laser range sensor must be more flexible. Systems must be portable, easy to set up, easy to use and could be hand-held. To reach this goal, three important issues are addressed: i) the integration of a hand-held sensor with a positioning device, it) the portability and system set up, and iii) the user interaction with the digitizing system. The discussion is supported by the implementation of a prototype system.
Portfolio assessment in aerodynamics [engineering education]

This paper discusses a new way of assessing student learning in an "aerodynamics" course through the use of portfolios. The approach is general enough so that it can be used in any engineering course, perhaps with a few modifications depending on content. The main idea is allowing the students more responsibility for their own learning. Instead of having all the students in the class perform identical activities (homework, experiments, tests, etc.), a cadre of assignments is made available to them and they may choose and perform (within reason) the ones that suit them better in terms of their own strengths and learning styles. The ultimate goal is for each student to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in all basic skills (analytical, computational, experimental, design, and communication) while pursuing excellence in at least one of them. The paper describes the various assignments and options the students have for achieving their learning objectives. It also discusses my observations on the effects of this approach to student learning as well as the response of the students.
Major Cancer Surgery in the Elderly: Results From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Objective:To examine the association between older age and short-term outcomes after major oncologic resections.Summary Background Data:The effect of older age on outcomes from major cancer surgery remains conflicting because of limitations in measuring coexisting comorbidities. Given the critical r
Pervasive properties of the genomic signature

The dinucleotide relative abundance profile can be regarded as a genomic signature because, despite diversity between species, it varies little between 50 kilobase or longer windows on a given genome. Both the causes and the functional significance of this phenomenon could be illuminated by determining if it persists on smaller scales. The profile is computed from the base step "odds ratios" that compare dinucleotide frequencies to those expected under the assumption of stochastic equilibrium (thorough shuffling). Analysis is carried out on 22 sequences, representing 19 species and comprised of about 53 million bases all together, to assess stability of the signature in windows ranging in size from 50 kilobases down to 125 bases. Dinucleotide relative abundance distance from the global signature is computed locally for all non-overlapping windows on each sequence. These distances are log-normally distributed with nearly constant variance and with means that tend to zero slower than reciprocal square root of window size. The mean distance within genomes is larger for protist, plant, and human chromosomes, and smaller for archaea, bacteria, and yeast, for any window size. The imprint of the global signature is locally pervasive on all scales considered in the sequences (either genomes or chromosomes) that were scanned.
A novel presentation of an ocular geste antagoniste in cervical dystonia: a case report.

Background: A geste antagoniste or sensory trick is a well described phenomenon associated with primary cervical dystonia. Craniocervical tactile stimulation or stereotyped limb movements allow patients to transiently ameliorate dystonic activation of cervical musculature. Case Report: We report a patient with primary cervical dystonia who presented with a novel “ocular” geste antagoniste. Through a sensory trick of tonic left eye deviation, the patient transiently reduces cervical dystonic activity (improved range of motion and reduced dystonic tremor). Multi‐channel surface electromyography and video are used to illustrate these findings. Discussion: This case presents a unique clinical observation of specific voluntary eye movements attenuating cervical dystonia. The phenomenon is phenotypically consistent with previously described limb sensorimotor tricks.
Novel entry to the tropane system by reaction of rhodium(II) acetate stabilized vinylcarbenoids with pyrroles

Abstract Rhodium(II) acetate catalyzed decomposition of vinyldiazomethanes in the presence of N-alkoxycarbonylpyrroles provides a direct entry to the skeleton of tropane alkaloids. Similar reactions with N-alkylpyrroles result in the formation of alkylation products.
Disrupting the Official Curriculum: Cultural Biography and the Curriculum Decision Making of Latino Preservice Teachers

This multiple case study traces the influence of cultural biographies on the curriculum decision making of two Latino preservice teachers who student taught in standards-based schools. These participants drew on their personal and cultural experiences to disrupt the “official” curriculum, which they believed failed to address fundamental issues of race and inequity. Findings suggest that personal encounters with discrimination and economic injustice informed the curricular decisions of participants. In addition, participants held a constructivist view of the social studies, allowing them to teach using multiple perspectives that challenged dominant narratives in the social studies.
New Scanning Electron Microscopic Method for Determination of Adipocyte Size in Humans and Mice

Objective: To evaluate a new scanning electronic microscopic (EM) method for assessing fat cell sizes and compare fat cell size distribution in human adipose tissue from different fat depots before and after weight loss. Research Methods and Procedures: Identical human fat tissue biopsies were separated into two fractions: one used to prepare a fat cell suspension by collagenase digestion followed by photomicrography (collagenase method) and the other fixed in formalin for EM analysis. The EM method was evaluated further by determining fat cell sizes from lean and ob/ob mice. Finally, the EM method was used to assess fat cell sizes in biopsies of different human depots from before and after weight loss. Results: Fat cell size distributions measured by the two methods were not identical, but differences were generally small. The EM method reproduced the well-documented fat cell size difference between lean and ob/ob mice. Large variation was detected in fat cell distributions among three depots in humans. Weight loss reduced fat cell sizes in subjects with large baseline fat cells but had no effect in subjects with small baseline fat cell sizes. Discussion: Our results suggest that the EM method may be a useful alternative for fat cell size analysis of clinical samples.
Non-traditional Student Retention: Exploring Perceptions of Support in a Social Work Graduate Program

This study examines non-traditional student perceptions of social support in the context of a group intervention offered by a graduate program at a predominantly white university in the southern United States of America. The goal of the group intervention was to enhance perceptions of social support, as measured by a standardized instrument administered pre and post the group intervention. Data analysis showed no significant differences in pre–post changes in perceptions of social support between intervention and comparison groups. A follow-up survey questionnaire administered to group intervention participants provided feedback that shed light on these unanticipated results: it is recommended that future interventions for improving non-traditional student retention focus on supporting the development of social support networks among incoming and first-year graduate students.
State-Resolved Scattering at Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid−Vacuum Interfaces: Anion Dependence and the Role of Dynamic versus Equilibrium Effects

Supported room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) membranes are of industrial interest as possible carbon-sequestration and CO2-scrubbing agents, specifically in natural gas reforming processes. We re...
Accurate standard cell characterization and statistical timing analysis using multivariate adaptive regression splines

This paper proposes a methodology for standard cell characterization which contains three models: an input capacitance model, a sensitivity model for variational resistive-capacitive loads, and gate and interconnect delay models via multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Our MARS-based methodology has several advantages. Firstly, MARS captures nonlinearities and interactions for high-dimensional problems. Secondly, MARS is an adaptive and intelligent procedure that can ‘filter out’ negligible parameters without manual intervention while characterizing a complex cell with over 40 devices. Thirdly, our timing methodology has implemented block-based statistical timing analysis (StTA) (for path selection) and path-based StTA (for timing accuracy). We verified our method by comparing our results to SPICE using ten ISCAS85 benchmark circuits. The average errors in the circuit-delay mean and standard deviation (SD) are 1.47% and −1.15% respectively. We also compared our method with traditional quadratic delay models and achieve significant accuracy improvement and consume 38% less run time.
Skin lesions associated with circulating lupus anticoagulant

SUMMARY This retrospective study of 295 patients extends the earlier findings of an association between lupus anticoagulation and thrombosis by demonstrating the occurrence of cutaneous lesions related to the coagulation defect in 70 patients. The most frequent cutaneous associations were thrombophlebitis, skin ulcer, gangrene, haemorrhage, and cutaneous necrosis. Of the patients with skin lesions, 41% had the skin lesion as the first sign of the disease. It is important to recognize this association because nearly 40% of the patients with skin lesions have multisystem thrombotic phenomena in the course of the disease.
Long-Lifetime Lipid Probe Containing a Luminescent Metal-Ligand Complex

We describe the chemical synthesis and spectral properties of a long-life- time luminescent probe for membranes. A ruthenium metal-ligand complex was cova- lently coupled to the amino group of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. When incorporated into model membranes, this probe displays decay times near 500 ns. Importantly, the probe displays polarized emission and can be used to study membrane motions on the microsecond timescale. q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biospect 3: 155-159, 1997
Spectral collocation and waveform relaxation methods for nonlinear delay partial differential equations

We investigate Chebyshev spectral collocation and waveform relaxation methods for nonlinear delay partial differential equations. Waveform relaxation methods allow to replace the system of nonlinear differential equations resulting from the application of spectral collocation methods by a sequence of linear problems which can be effectively integrated in a parallel computing environment by highly stable implicit methods. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated by numerical experiments on the Hutchinson's equation. The boundedness of waveform relaxation iterations is proved for the Hutchinson's equation. This result is used in the proof of the superlinear convergence of the iterations.
JETS AND FLOW EFFECTS ON TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM FLUCTUATIONS

We briefly review the nonequilibrium description of parton thermalization then extend the formulation to account for contributions to fluctuations from flow and the energy loss of the high transverse momentum particles. Calculations are then compared to the measured ransverse momentum fluctuations.