cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Young Women’s Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives

BACKGROUND: The present study explored 18- to 30-year-old womens knowledge and perceptions of the long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) Mirena and Implanon in a Midwestern state in the United States. METHODS: A telephone survey (n = 543) and 18 focus groups (n = 106) were conducted with women across a rural Midwestern state. During the telephone survey women answered questions related to their awareness and knowledge of two LARCs. During the focus groups participants were asked to respond to questions related to their awareness knowledge behaviors and perceptions of LARCs. RESULTS: In the telephone survey half of the women reported hearing of Mirena. Only 8.0% of women had heard of Implanon. In the focus groups most women reported knowing little about LARCs. Benefits associated with other contraceptives were not associated with LARCs. Women were concerned about potential side effects and problems stemming from using a contraceptive that is new to them. CONCLUSION: Increased use of LARCs would likely reduce the unintended pregnancy rate. As described although some young women are aware of these long-term contraceptive options there is still a need to educate women on their availability use and potential benefit. Copyright (c) 2010 Jacobs Institute of Womens Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The impact of chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes on pregnancy outcomes

Objective The objective of the study was to examine the impact of chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes on pregnancy outcomes. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of 532,088 women undergoing singleton births in California in 2006. Women were categorized into chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, both, or neither. Pregnancy outcomes were compared using the χ 2 test and multivariable logistic regression to control for potential confounders. Results We identified differences in perinatal outcomes between the groups. The rate of preterm birth in women with both conditions was 35.5% versus 25.5% in women with chronic hypertension versus 19.4% in women with pregestational diabetes ( P P Conclusion The impact of having both chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes in pregnancy varies, depending on the outcome examined. Although some had an additive effect (eg, stillbirth), others did not (eg, preeclampsia).
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction and Total Villous Atrophy of the Terminal Ileum: An Unusual Presentation of Untreated Celiac Disease

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a rare complication of celiac disease (CD) and has often resulted in laparotomy for diagnosis. We report an adult case of CD presenting as IPO with severe protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) and negative endomysial as well as tissue transglutaminase antibodies. This is the first case report of CD presenting with combined IPO, severe PCM, negative first-line celiac serologies, and terminal ileal atrophy that was diagnosed without laparotomy. A non-surgical diagnosis was achieved by expanded laboratory and endoscopic methods, including video capsule endoscopy. Extent of pathologic gut involvement and response to treatment with budesonide and gluten-free diet is described.
Three‐dimensional crack analysis using singular boundary elements

A multi-domain method of solving three-dimensional elastic crack problems in an infinite elastic body using the boundary element method is proposed. The displacement and traction behaviours near a crack front are incorporated in special crack elements. The elimination of singularities arising from the term combined with Kelvin's kernel for displacement in the integrals is discussed in detail. Stress intensity factors of modes I, II and III are obtained directly from crack-front nodal values, without any extrapolation as in some other methods. No differentiation of conventional boundary integral equations (with Kelvin's tensor kernels) is necessary in the current approach. This method is applicable to cracks of arbitrary shape. Infinite bodies are modelled precisely as such, not approximated as large finite bodies. Numerical solutions of stress intensity factors are given for several problems involving a penny-shaped crack.
Evaluation of International Friction Index Coefficients for Various Devices

This paper presents a research effort to compare and harmonize measurements of texture and skid resistance taken with various devices at the Virginia Smart Road in May 2008 by the members of the Virginia Consortium for Pavement Surface Properties. There have been numerous efforts by different countries and agencies to understand better the relationship and behavior of different friction-testing devices and the influence of texture, speed, and other external conditions on these measurements. Measurements obtained with different types of equipment on 24 pavement sections with a wide range of textures were compared, and the relationship between friction and speed for the different pavement sections and devices was studied. Data were collected with two lockedwheel skid trailers, a Griptester, and a dynamic friction tester. Nine asphalt sections were tested; six were Superpave® mixes, two were stone matrix asphalt, and one was an open-graded friction course. The concrete sections tested included one continuous...
Performance analysis of a new implementation efficient capacity allocation protocol for multimedia traffic in ATM networks

A. Burrell et al. (1993; 1994) described an implementation efficient capacity allocation protocol for multimedia traffic (voice, video, high and low speed data). The protocol determines the capacity allocation of each traffic dynamically, and induces moving boundaries within prespecified and fixed channel frames. The channel frames are selected to satisfy the jittering constraints of all the traffic, such as voice, video and high versus low speed data. The high level protocol, in conjunction with the channel frame structure and the specifics of the transmission policy, may satisfy all traffic and QOSs and may simultaneously attain high channel utilization, for certain variability conditions of the traffic rates and at relatively low implementation cost. In the work presented, the system stability, channel utilization, traffic rejection rate and packet/cell delay are examined. Performance evaluation results are presented. >
Frost Quakes: Forecasting the Unanticipated Clatter

A Toronto, Canada, neighborhood blanketed by a few inches of snow glistens beneath the moonlight on a mid-January, winter night. The temperature outside is slightly above freezing as a weather syst...
Eigenvector selection with stepwise regression techniques to construct eigenvector spatial filters

Because eigenvector spatial filtering (ESF) provides a relatively simple and successful method to account for spatial autocorrelation in regression, increasingly it has been adopted in various fields. Although ESF can be easily implemented with a stepwise procedure, such as traditional stepwise regression, its computational efficiency can be further improved. Two major computational components in ESF are extracting eigenvectors and identifying a subset of these eigenvectors. This paper focuses on how a subset of eigenvectors can be efficiently and effectively identified. A simulation experiment summarized in this paper shows that, with a well-prepared candidate eigenvector set, ESF can effectively account for spatial autocorrelation and achieve computational efficiency. This paper further proposes a nonlinear equation for constructing an ideal candidate eigenvector set based on the results of the simulation experiment.
Globalization, Public Finance, and Poverty

Global economic forces might impact poverty in any number of direct ways—by reducing prices, providing access to larger pools of capital, or creating and destroying jobs. Such forces might also work indirectly, that is, through their effect on labor standards, unionization rates, or the development of labor-saving technology. In this research note, we emphasize the impact of “globalization” on the poor via the path of public finances. This is a topic that has received considerable attention from social scientists and particularly political scientists, who have suggested that global trade or finance has led to a reduction in corporate tax rates and receipts (Cao 2010; Jensen and Lindstadt 2012), a concomitant increase in consumption taxes (Wibbels and Arce 2003; Beramendi and Rueda 2007), and reductions in welfare spending. Though the findings might vary across the developed and developing worlds, the basic idea is that global economic forces are bad for the poor to the extent they constrain the progressivity of taxation and/or public spending. Despite the huge volume of research on the link between globalization and public finance, identifying causal effects running from the former to the latter is incredibly challenging. As Nielson (2015) notes in his piece in this forum, there are important opportunities on the research design side to expand on what we know. Here, we discuss some of the common data limitations that plague research in this area. We argue that there are two profound limitations on what we know: first, the reliance on standard cross-national public finance sources has elided broad budget categories with the actual incidence of taxing and spending across the income distribution; and second, almost no research has considered tax expenditures, which represent a black box in our knowledge of public finances. Indeed, just as Malesky's (2015) companion piece in this forum emphasizes how …
Genotypic Reactions to Boll Weevil Attack in Upland Cotton

Mutant lines of Upland cotton carrying any two of four mutant genes, H 1, H 2, gl and R 1 which promised to confer a certain degree of resistance to attack by boll weevil ( Anthonomous grandis Boh.) were tested together with lines having the same genetic background but differing by opposite alleles to the genes under test. All mutant lines showed varying degrees of resistance to boll weevil attack; the lines combining H 1 and H 2, to the highest degree, those combining gl and H 2, and gl and H 1, ranking second and third. Lines carrying the genes R 1 in combination with gl or H 2 were tested in a separate experiment. Both strains showed a relatively high degree of resistance. The main effects of the mutant genes, H 1, H 2 and gl, could only be estimated on the assumption that their interactions were unimportant. On this basis the data obtained in the experiments indicate that H 2,, contributed more to resistance than H 1 while gl had no significant effect.
A Method Employed in Rearing Thrips

A method used in rearing thrips is here described since it seems more work is being done, or contemplated, on thrips of economic importance. Sections of glass tubing were held upright by inserting them in a yucca block. A cap of “Cellophane” or bolting silk was placed over the upper end of the tube. A strip of cotton was twisted tightly around the petiole of the leaf used for food before being inserted in the tube, thus securely plugging the lower end. The yucca block was then set upon a small Petri dish containing water and the petiole, protruding from the tube below the lower edge of the block, had access to the water. Some of the advantages of this type of “cage” are (1) the leaves can be kept fresh and easily changed, (2) the thrips can be readily observed, (3) little space is required, and, (4) the whole unit is very inexpensive.
Clinical disturbances of sleep.

Disturbances of sleep, including insomnia, hypersomnia, somnambulism and nightmares, are symptoms of an underlying disorder which must be determined and treated specifically. In many cases the cause of the disturbance is psychologic, and the pattern of the disturbance can often help to identify the cause.Symptomatic treatment of the sleep disturbance is usually indicated, but only as an adjunct to management of the underlying problem.
Quantitative phase imaging to improve the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology.

BACKGROUND A definitive diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma in urine cytology is often challenging and subjective. Many urine cytology samples receive an indeterminate diagnosis. Ancillary techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have been used to improve the diagnostic sensitivity, but FISH is not approved as a routine screening test, and the complex fluorescent staining protocol also limits its widespread clinical use. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an emerging technology allowing accurate measurements of the single-cell dry mass. This study was undertaken to explore the ability of QPI to improve the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology for malignancy. METHODS QPI was performed on unstained, ThinPrep-prepared urine cytology slides from 28 patients with 4 categories of cytological diagnoses (negative, atypical, suspicious, and positive for malignancy). The nuclear/cell dry mass, the entropy, and the nucleus-to-cell mass ratio were calculated for several hundred cells for each patient, and they were then correlated with the follow-up diagnoses. RESULTS The nuclear mass and nuclear mass entropy of urothelial cells showed significant differences between negative and positive groups. These data showed a progressive increase from patients with negative diagnosis, to patients with atypical/suspicious and positive cytologic diagnosis. Most importantly, among the patients in the atypical and suspicious diagnosis, the nuclear mass and its entropy were significantly higher for those patients with a follow-up diagnosis of malignancy than those patients without a subsequent follow-up diagnosis of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS QPI shows potential for improving the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology, especially for indeterminate cases, and should be further evaluated as an ancillary test for urine cytology. Cancer Cytopathol 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Image of the month: A Rare Cause of Upper GI Bleeding: Metastatic Implantation at a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Site Presenting as a Bleeding Gastric Mass.

A Rare Cause of Upper GI Bleeding: Metastatic Implantation at a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Site Presenting as a Bleeding Gastric Mass
Simplified robotic thumb inspired by surgical intervention

Years of empirical trials have refined set angles for the arthrodesis, or surgical fusion, of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. We capitalize on this knowledge to simplify the design and operation of the thumb throughout a similar range of motion by eliminating a degree of freedom, as inspired by the Steiger arthrodesis. A novel rolling Carpal-Metacarpal joint with magnetic closure is developed that encapsulates abduction/adduction and flexion/extension in the same joint. Thumb workspaces and their volumes were generated from kinematic chain models for different thumb parameters, showing that the prototype's experimental workspace was in agreement with the theoretical model.
Multigate-Cell Stacked FET Design for Millimeter-Wave CMOS Power Amplifiers

To increase the voltage handling capability of scaled CMOS-based circuits, series connection (stacking) of transistors has been demonstrated in recently reported mm-wave power amplifiers. This paper discusses the implementation of stacked CMOS circuits employing a compact, multigate layout technique, rather than the conventional series connection of individual transistors. A unit multigate FET is composed of a single transistor with one source and drain and multiple (four) gate connections. Capacitances are implemented in a distributed manner allowing close proximity to the individual gate fingers using metal layers available within the CMOS back-end-of-line (BEOL) stack. The multigate structure is demonstrated to decrease parasitic resistances and capacitances, and has better layout for heat-sinking. The unit cell is replicated through tiling to implement larger effective gate widths. Millimeter-wave power amplifiers using the multigate-cell are presented which operate over the 25–35 GHz band and achieve 300 mW of saturated output power and peak power-added efficiency (PAE) of 30% in 45 nm CMOS SOI technology. To the authors’ knowledge, the output power is the best reported for a single stage CMOS power amplifier that does not use power-combining for this frequency range.
Use of a novel accounting and grouping method for major trunk injury-analysis of data from a statewide trauma financial survey

Major trunk trauma is common and costly, but comparisons of costs between trauma centers (TCs) are rare. Understanding cost is essential to improve quality, manage trauma service lines, and to facilitate institutional commitment for trauma. We have used results of a statewide trauma financial survey of Levels I to IV TC to develop a useful grouping method for costs and clinical characteristics of major trunk trauma. The trauma financial survey collected billing and clinical data on 75 per cent of the state trauma registry patients for fiscal year 2012. Cost was calculated by separately accounting for embedded costs of trauma response and verification, and then adjusting reasonable costs from the Medicare cost report for each TC. The cost-to-charge ratios were then recalculated and used to determine uniform cost estimates for each patient. From the 13,215 patients submitted for the survey, we selected 1,094 patients with major trunk trauma: lengths of stay ≥ 48 hours and a maximum injury of AIS ≥3 for either thorax or abdominal trauma. These patients were then divided into three Injury Severity Score (ISS) groups of 9 to 15, 16 to 24, or 25+ to stratify patients into similar injury groups for analysis of cost and cost drivers. For abdominal injury, average total cost for patients with ISS 9 to 15 was $17,429. Total cost and cost per day increased with severity of injury, with $51,585 being the total cost for those with ISS 25. Similar trends existed for thoracic injury. Use of the Medicare cost report and cost-to-charge ratios to compute uniform costs with an innovative grouping method applied to data collected across a statewide trauma system provides unique information regarding cost and outcomes, which affects quality improvement, trauma service line management, and decisions on TC participation.
Smart memory: A neuromorphic semiconductor memory

After half a century of progress abiding by Moore's Law, the semiconductor industry is finding it harder to continue Moore's prediction forward. The transition from reliance on the shrinking transistors the current trend is tuning the silicon for Artificial Intelligent designs. Much of the trending AI designs are geared up to accelerate a proven machine-learning technique called Deep Learning. In this paper, we will examine an alternative neuromorphic approach.
Host-free survival of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) previously fed vegetative-stage regrowth cotton

The need to minimize populations of overwintering boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) in eradication programs is widely recognized, but the potential contribution of nonfruiting regrowth cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to weevil survival has not been directly examined. We conducted experiments in 2002 and 2003 to examine the host-free survival of weevils previously supplied vegetative-stage regrowth cotton. Weevils, 1-3 d after eclosion, were caged with vegetative regrowth cotton under ambient environmental conditions (2002), or in a controlled environment (23.9 ± 2°C, 13:11 [L:D] h photoperiod, 2003). Four cohorts of each weevil sex were examined each year. Of the 60 weevils dissected in 2002, 12% possessed the hypertrophied fat bodies associated with diapause and extended host-free survival. In both years, the majority of weevils (>75%) died during the initial 3 wks of the host-free period. No differences in host-free survival were detected between weevil sexes, but differences were observed among replicates of the experiment established on different dates. Survival patterns among replicates, however, did not strictly follow a seasonal pattern. Overall, approximately 5% of the weevils survived >=12 wks beyond the feeding period. Maximum observed host-free longevities were 21 wks in 2002 and 19 wks in 2003. Our findings suggest vegetative-stage regrowth cotton should not be disregarded in eradication zones, particularly in those experiencing unsatisfactory progress or resurgence of weevil populations.
SP0140 Patient engagement in research: a pcori exemplar

This session will discuss patient and stakeholder involvement as members of the research team on a grant funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Patients with a rare chronic disease, systemic sclerosis, and members from key stakeholder organizations were involved in evaluating, revising and testing the effectiveness of an internet self-management program. They participated at several levels of engagement including planning the study, conducting the study, and disseminating the results. This session will discuss how engagement occurred at each of these levels through different opportunities such as creating interventions, identifying outcomes, recruiting, presenting findings, and planning dissemination efforts. The benefits and challenges for both researchers and patient research partners will also be described. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Properties of emission from a low-dimensional paraboloidal emitter

In this work, we analyze properties of cold field emission from a low-dimensional, paraboloidal emitter tip. We find that the entirety of the emitted current density (ECD) originates from a few high-energy, zero-angular-momentum subbands and from a region on the tip that is highly localized around the apex. In addition, Fowler-Nordheim (FN) plots for such emitters are non-linear and do not serve as a reliable tool for extracting emission parameters.
Association of Primary Tumor Site With Mortality in Patients Receiving Bevacizumab and Cetuximab for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Importance Biologic therapy (BT) (eg, bevacizumab or cetuximab) is increasingly used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Recent investigations have suggested that right- or left-sided primary tumor origin affects survival and response to BT. Objective To evaluate the association of tumor origin with mortality in a diverse population-based data set of patients receiving systemic chemotherapy (SC) and bevacizumab or cetuximab for mCRC. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based nonconcurrent cohort study of statewide California Cancer Registry data included all patients aged 40 to 85 years diagnosed with mCRC and treated with SC only or SC plus bevacizumab or cetuximab from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2014. Patients were stratified by tumor origin in the left vs right sides. Interventions Treatment with SC or SC plus bevacizumab or cetuximab. Main Outcomes and Measures Mortality hazards by tumor origin (right vs left sides) were assessed for patients receiving SC alone or SC plus bevacizumab or cetuximab. Subgroup analysis for patients with wild-type KRAS tumors was also performed. Results A total of 11 905 patients with mCRC (6713 men [56.4%] and 5192 women [43.6%]; mean [SD] age, 60.0 [10.9] years) were eligible for the study. Among these, 4632 patients received SC and BT. Compared with SC alone, SC plus bevacizumab reduced mortality among patients with right- and left-sided mCRC, whereas SC plus cetuximab reduced mortality only among patients with left-sided tumors and was associated with significantly higher mortality for right-sided tumors (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51; P P P KRAS tumors (n = 668), cetuximab was associated with reduced mortality among only patients with left-sided mCRC compared with bevacizumab (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.90; P = .002), whereas patients with right-sided mCRC had more than double the mortality compared with those with left-sided mCRC (HR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.83-3.25, P Conclusions and Relevance Primary tumor site is associated with response to BT in mCRC. Right-sided primary tumor location is associated with higher mortality regardless of BT type. In patients with wild-type KRAS tumors, treatment with cetuximab benefited only those with left-sided mCRC and was associated with significantly poorer survival among those with right-sided mCRC. Our results underscore the importance of stratification by tumor site for current treatment guidelines and future clinical trials.
Venerative Speech Theory and African Communalism: A Geo-Cultural Perspective

Language and speech are relationship, context, and culture based. Venerative speech code theory, illuminates a communication system where the speaker uses language, words, terms, or descriptions toward the other, that not only serves to identify or draw attention, but also symbolizes the worth, dignity, and esteem associated with speaker’s evaluation of the addressee and relationship. Using a geo-cultural perspective of African communalism, it posits that the way people communicate is a marker of their psycho-social environment. It extends speech codes theory from a grand theory to a grounded theory. It elaborates on how communication functions in time and place, and how it underpins the priorities and values of a cultural group. Venerative speech codes theory focuses on how African communalism informs relationships, interaction, and speech.
The Structure of Solar Active Regions from EUV and Soft X-Ray Observations

The structure of solar active regions derived from EUV and soft X-ray observations is reviewed. The methods by which the emission measure as a function of temperature can be interpreted are discussed. The models of density and temperature which can be made from a variety of combinations of the emission measure with information on the spatial distribution of material, are broadly consistent. They show that the plasma at low heights over the central parts of an active region is hotter and denser than that which extends to greater heights. It appears that much of the emitting material exists in the form of loop structures, presumably magnetically controlled flux tubes. Analytical relationships between the physically important parameters describing the properties of the active region at T e > 2 × 105 K are developed and discussed.
Current Patient Management Issues, Clinical Trial Design Challenges, and the Pathway Forward

Following the diagnosis and acute treatment of ischemic strokes, patients routinely undergo testing to classify the stroke in terms of potential causes. Ischemic strokes in the setting of a detected PFO may be differentiated into two major categories: (1) the negatively-defined cryptogenic category (i.e. the lack of a definitive cause with detection of a PFO) and (2) the cardio-embolic category where additional evidence supports a potential causal relationship with a paradoxical embolism related to PFO.
Using Satellite Links in the Delivery of Terrestrial Multicast Traffic

Multicast has been deployed and operating in the Internet since 1992. Through the provisioning of a multicast delivery service, researchers have been learning how to deliver scalable, one-to-many content. While much of the focus on multicast research continues to be on addressing the deployment challenges for the traditional Internet, other “non-traditional” infrastructures, like satellite, cable, and wireless networks are beginning to be recognized as important environments in which to provide and use multicast communication. The inherent broadcast nature of these networks suggests that multicast might be easier to provide as compared to the traditional Internet. In this chapter, we first examine how to configure a satellite network to support IP multicast. Next, we examine how to bridge Internet-based multicast sessions to a satellite network. Then, we report on our efforts to demonstrate the basic feasibility of delivering multicast sessions over a satellite network. Further, we focus on a quantitative analysis of the impact of satellite links on three network performance metrics: loss, jitter, and delay. In the final analysis, we answer the question on how and when to use satellite links in combination with terrestrial multicast-based sessions.
Socioeconomic gaps in science achievement

In contrast to the extensive research on socioeconomic gaps in reading and math achievement, little attention has been given to socioeconomic disparities in science skills, particularly during the early years of schooling. This emphasis on later years may be problematic because large socioeconomic disparities emerge in the early years, thus it is crucial to document the size of disparities in science achievement and begin unpacking the range of factors that contribute to these disparities. Additionally, it is crucial to know which components of socioeconomic status are more strongly linked to children’s science skills so that resources can be more effectively targeted to address disparities. Using nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (N = 9250), this study examines disparities in science achievement across elementary and middle school related to parental income and parental education separating their effects from each other and from a range of confounding factors. Additionally, it considers whether characteristics of children, families, and schools are pathways through which socioeconomic disparities emerge. Results show moderate gaps in science achievement related to both household income and parental education. The primary pathways through which parental education and family income influenced science achievement was through mathematics and reading achievement. For parental education gaps, smaller indirect effects also operated through access to informal science learning opportunities both inside and outside of the home environment. First, this study highlights the importance of considering the contributions of multiple measures of socioeconomic status, instead of a composite. Second, it shows that socioeconomic disparities in science achievement emerge early and that programs and policies aimed at addressing these gaps may need to target children during the early elementary and preschool years. Third, our findings suggest that elementary instructional approaches that simultaneously address science instruction with reading and/or mathematics instruction will likely be especially important for improving overall science outcomes.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: Current Status, Obstacles and Future Strategies

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T Cells) have led to dramatic improvements in the survival of cancer patients, most notably those with hematologic malignancies. Early phase clinical trials in patients with solid tumors have demonstrated them to be feasible, but unfortunately has yielded limited efficacy for various cancer types. In this article we will review the background on CAR T cells for the treatment of solid tumors, focusing on the unique obstacles that solid tumors present for the development of adoptive T cell therapy, and the novel approaches currently under development to overcome these hurdles.
Teaching children about hygiene: A primary prevention experience in Portugal.

Background: Children's knowledge on hygiene is often considered to be provided by parents or schools. It is something with a direct impact on health and linked with socio-cultural factors. Primary care plays a vital role in health education and promotion, so focusing on hygiene habits is part of primary prevention. Objectives: Improving the knowledge on hygiene and promoting healthy behaviors in students from the 4th to the 6th grade. Materials and Methods: Longitudinal, prospective study. Hygiene habits were assessed through a questionnaire, followed by a brief health education session organized by healthcare professionals at schools. Hygiene habits were then reassessed using the original questionnaire. Results: A total of 812 questionnaires (354 in the pre-session phase and 458 in the post-session phase) were collected, filled in by students with ages ranging between 8 and 16 (average, 10.8), being 52% boys. There were significant increases in the score in both genders, but this increase was slightly higher for boys, with an average increase of 0.98 points (P
Hydraulic conductance, resistance, and resilience: how leaves of a tropical epiphyte respond to drought.

Premise Because of its broad range in the neotropical rainforest and within tree canopies, the tank bromeliad Guzmania monostachia was investigated as a model of how varying leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf ) could help plants resist and recover from episodic drought. The two pathways of Kleaf , inside and outside the xylem, were also examined to determine the sites and causes of major hydraulic resistances within the leaf. Methods We measured leaf hydraulic conductance for plants in the field and laboratory under wet, dry, and rewetted conditions and applied physiological, anatomical, and gene expression analysis with modeling to investigate changes in Kleaf . Results After 7 d with no rain in the field or 14 days with no water in the glasshouse, Kleaf decreased by 50% yet increased to hydrated values within 4 d of tank refilling. Staining to detect embolism combined with modeling indicated that changes outside the xylem were of greater importance to Kleaf than were changes inside the xylem and were associated with changes in intercellular air spaces (aerenchyma), aquaporin expression and inhibition, and cuticular conductance. Conclusions Low values for all conductances during drying, particularly in pathways outside the xylem, lead to hydraulic resilience for this species and may also contribute to its broad environmental tolerances.
Current status of deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most focal method for stimulation of the human brain. It has been established as a useful adjunct therapy for severe, medication-refractory movement disorders, and it remains an investigational treatment for other neurological conditions as well as in neuropsychiatry. in movement disorders, DBS targets are based on those of earlier lesion procedures and on knowledge of anatomical networks thought to be involved in illness pathophysiology. In contrast to earlier techniques, DBS is nonablative, offering the advantages over previously available newosurgical treatments of reversibility and adjustability. The adjustable quality of DBS permits therapeutic effectiveness to be enhanced, or stimulation-related side effects to be minimized. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown effects of DBS on brain regions functionally connected to the target of stimulation. Although its mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated, several effects have been proposed to underlie the therapeutic effects of DBS in movement disorders, and potentially in other conditions as well. Understanding the mechanisms of action of DBS is the current focus of a number of clinical and preclinical laboratories. Experience to date suggests that DBS may have potential to offer a degree of hope for patients with severe and treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric illness. The most data are available for obsessive-compulsive disorder, with consistently positive results across multiple smaller-scale studies. In contrast, work in treatment-resistant depression, which also suggests therapeutic potential, is at a much earlier stage. Further development of DBS for these illnesses will require a major commitment of resources across disciplines, including psychiatry, neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology, bioengineering, and bioethics. Investigations into new therapeutic indications for DBS should proceed cautiously.
Abstract P497: Association Between Accelerometer-estimated Physical Activity Intensity and Heart Rate Variability: Mediation by Glycemic Measures and Triglycerides (from The Cardia Study)

Introduction: We estimated cross-sectional associations between accelerometer-estimated light (LPA), moderate (MPA), and vigorous (VPA) intensity physical activity (PA) and heart rate variability (...
Abstract A31: Deregulation of NOTCH 1/NR4A2 signaling axis in head and neck cancer pathogenesis

Background: Notch1 and its intracellular cytoplasmic domain (NICD) are dysregulated in many solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and associated with disease initiation and progression. NICD-mediated upregulation of nuclear receptor related 1 (NURR1/NR4A2) is linked to differentiation/development, homeostasis, and cellular metabolism. However, the role and molecular mechanism(s) of Notch1/NICD- NR4A2 axis in HNSCC pathogenesis are still unknown and need to be investigated. Methods: The clinicopathologic importance of Notch1 and NR4A2 was investigated using HNSCC patient samples and publicly available databases. NR4A2 was stably knocked out (KO) and Notch1 signaling was blocked using small-molecule inhibitor (PF3084014) in HNSCC cell lines and analyzed for tumorigenic and metastatic potential. We also examined the whole-genome NR4A2 target genes using ChIP sequencing. Results: Both Notch1 and NR4A2 were highly overexpressed in HNSCC patients. Inhibition of Notch1 signaling or NR4A2 KO significantly decreased the clonogenicity and migratory potential of HNSCC cells. Our ChIP analysis revealed that NR4A2 regulates genes involved in metabolism, hypoxia, cell cycle progression, integrin and Wnt signaling. Interestingly, we observed that NR4A2 regulates stem cell markers including Sox2, Nanog, and CD44 and their expression was drastically reduced upon Notch 1 inhibition. Conclusion: Targeting Notch1-NR4A2 signaling axis may be crucial for inhibition of cancer stem cell-mediated HNSCC pathogenesis. Citation Format: Sanjib Chaudhary, Ramesh Pothuraju, Zafar Sayed, Dwight T. Jones, Surinder K. Batra, Muzafar A. Macha. Deregulation of NOTCH 1/NR4A2 signaling axis in head and neck cancer pathogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr A31.
Numerical Assessments of Key Aspects Influencing Supercritical CO2 Foam Performances When Using CO2 Soluble Surfactants

Experimentally, CO2 soluble surfactant foams have displayed significant superiorities over conventional aqueous soluble one in promoting foam strength, accelerating surfactant/foam propagation, and...
Microsurgery Fellowship Website and Social Media Presence: Are Programs Optimizing Recruitment Strategy?

Background Microsurgery fellowship applicants make decisions for future training based on information obtained from colleagues, mentors, and microsurgery fellowship program Websites (MFWs). In this study, we sought to evaluate the accessibility and quality of available information by microsurgery programs by analyzing the most commonly used web resources and social media outlets for applicants. Methods The San Francisco (SF) Match and American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery Websites were queried in April 2020 for microsurgery fellowship programs (MFPs) participating in the SF Match. Twenty-two independent variables of information were assessed on MFWs based on previously published data. Social media presence was also assessed by querying Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for official hospital, plastic surgery residency, and microsurgery fellowship accounts. Results All 24 MFWs participating in the SF Match had a webpage. Program description, faculty listing, operative volume, and eligibility requirements were listed for all programs (100%). The majority of MFWs listed affiliated hospitals (75%), provided a link to the fellowship application (66.7%), listed interview dates (66.7%), and highlighted research interests (50%). A minority of MFWs provided information on conference schedule (37.5%), current fellow listing (25%), previous fellow listing (16.67%), and positions held by previous fellows (8.33%). No MFWs (0%) presented information on selection process, or rotation schedule. All hospitals with an MFP had a Facebook page and nearly all had Instagram (83.3%) and Twitter accounts (95.8%). Plastic surgery residency programs at the same institution of an MFP had social media presence on Facebook (38.9%), Twitter (38.9%), and Instagram (66.7%). Only three MFPs had Facebook accounts (12.5%) and none had Instagram or Twitter accounts. Conclusion As the field of microsurgery continues to grow, the need for effective recruitment and training of microsurgeons continues to be essential. Overall, we conclude that both the accessibility and quality of information available to applicants are limited, which is a missed opportunity for recruitment.
TIME-DEPENDENT RADIATION TRANSFER IN THE INTERNAL SHOCK MODEL SCENARIO FOR BLAZAR JETS

We describe the time-dependent radiation transfer in blazar jets within the internal shock model. We assume that the central engine, which consists of a black hole and an accretion disk, spews out relativistic shells of plasma with different velocities, masses, and energies. We consider a single inelastic collision between a faster (inner) and a slower (outer) moving shell. We study the dynamics of the collision and evaluate the subsequent emission of radiation via the synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton processes after the interaction between the two shells has begun. The collision results in the formation of a forward shock and a reverse shock that convert the ordered bulk kinetic energy of the shells into magnetic field energy and accelerate the particles, which then radiate. We assume a cylindrical geometry for the emission region of the jet. We treat the self-consistent radiative transfer by taking into account the inhomogeneity in the photon density throughout the region. In this paper, we focus on understanding the effects of varying relevant input parameters on the simulated spectral energy distribution and spectral variability patterns.
Naproxen treatment inhibits articular cartilage loss in a rat model of osteoarthritis

The effects of naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on articular cartilage degeneration in female Sprague-Dawley rats was examined. Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in each knee. Rats were treated with acetaminophen (60 mg/kg), naproxen (8 mg/kg), or 1% carboxymethylcellulose (placebo) by oral gavage twice daily for 3 weeks, beginning 2 weeks after surgery. OA severity was assessed by histological Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring and by measuring proximal tibia cartilage depth using contrast enhanced µCT (n = 6 per group) in specimens collected at 2, 5, and 7 weeks after surgery as well as on pristine knees. Medial cartilage OARSI scores from the DMM knees of naproxen-treated rats were statistically lower (i.e., better) than the medial cartilage OARSI scores from the DMM knees of placebo-treated rats at 5-weeks (8.7 ± 3.6 vs. 13.2 ± 2.4, p = 0.025) and 7-weeks (9.5 ± 1.2 vs. 12.5 ± 2.5, p = 0.024) after surgery. At 5 weeks after DMM surgery, medial articular cartilage depth in the proximal tibia specimens was significantly greater in the naproxen (1.78 ± 0.26 mm, p = 0.005) and acetaminophen (1.94 ± 0.12 mm, p < 0.001) treated rats as compared with placebo-treated rats (1.34 ± 0.24 mm). However, at 7 weeks (2 weeks after drug withdrawal), medial articular cartilage depth for acetaminophen-treated rats (1.36 ± 0.29 mm) was significantly reduced compared with specimens from the naproxen-treated rats (1.88 ± 0.14 mm; p = 0.004). The results indicate that naproxen treatment reduced articular cartilage degradation in the rat DMM model during and after naproxen treatment.
Routine Postoperative Laboratory Testing: Necessity or Habit?

Objective: Health care expenditures continue to rise, and there is significant pressure on clinicians to minimize costs while practicing evidence-based medicine. Postoperative laboratory testing ad...
Designing Analytics for Collaboration Literacy and Student Empowerment

Collaboration has garnered global attention as an important skill for the 21st century. While researchers have been doing work on collaboration for nearly a century, many of the questions that the field is investigating overlook the need for students to learn how to read and respond to different collaborative settings. Existing research focuses on chronicling the various factors that predict the effectiveness of a collaborative experience, or on changing user behaviour in the moment. These are worthwhile research endeavours for developing our theoretical understanding of collaboration. However, there is also a need to centre student perceptions and experiences with collaboration as an important area of inquiry. Based on a survey of 131 university students, we find that student collaboration-related concerns can be represented across seven different categories or dimensions: Climate, Compatibility, Communication, Conflict, Context, Contribution, and Constructive. These categories extend prior research on collaboration and can help the field ensure that future collaboration analytics tools are designed to support the ways that students think about and utilize collaboration. Finally, we describe our instantiation of many of these dimensions in our collaborative analytics tool, BLINC, and suggest that these seven dimensions can be instructive for re-orienting the Multimodal Learning Analytics (MMLA) and collaboration analytics communities.