cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Childhood acromegaly: successful therapy with conventional radiation and effects of chlorpromazine on growth hormone and prolactin secretion.

ABSTRACT A pre-adolescent girl with gigantism is described in whom growth hormone, insulin, prolactin, thyrotropin and triiodothyronine measurements have been performed prior to conventional radiation therapy. An acute and chronic (62 days) trial and evaluation of chlorpromazine failed to decrease growth hormone or increase prolactin concentrations. Radiation therapy was associated with a prompt return to normal levels of fasting growth hormone concentrations 3 months following 5000 rad administration. A lack of fall in growth hormone levels while on chlorpromazine therapy suggests that chronic treatment with this drug is ineffective. Conventional x-ray therapy in this patient with childhood acromegaly was effective and may be the treatment of choice when non-invasive therapy is indicated.
Monte Carlo simulation of the terrestrial hydrogen exosphere

Methods for Monte Carlo simulation of planetary exospheres have evolved from early work on the lunar atmosphere, where the regolith surface provides a well defined exobase. A major limitation of the successor simulations of the exospheres of Earth and Venus is the use of an exobase surface as an artifice to separate the collisional processes of the thermosphere from a collisionles exosphere. In this paper a new generalized approach to exosphere simulation is described, wherein the exobase is replaced by a barometric depletion of the major constitents of the thermosphere. Exospheric atoms in the thermosphere-exosphere transition region, and in the outer exosphere as well, travel in ballistic trajectories that are interrupted by collisons with the background gas, and by charge exchange interactions with ionospheric particles. The modified simulator has been applied to the terrestrial hydrogen exosphere problem, using velocity dependent differential cross sections to provide statistically correct collisional scattering in H-O and H-H(+) interactions. Global models are presented for both solstice and equinox over the effective solar cycle range of the F(sub 10.7) index (80 to 230). Simulation results show significant differences with previous terrestrial exosphere models, as well as with the H distributions of the MSIS-86 thermosphere model.
Proximate versus nonproximate risk factor associated primary deep venous thrombosis: Clinical spectrum and outcomes

Objective Although the treatment for acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is uniform, the circumstances under which it develops vary widely and may impact outcomes. This study compared clinical features and outcomes in patients who developed a primary DVT associated with a defined risk to those without any proximate risk factor. Methods Consecutive patients with a primary DVT and no past venous thromboembolism history from 2000 to 2002 were abstracted for demographics, risk factors, DVT anatomical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of death and new pulmonary embolism. Comparison between patients with a proximate risk event within 30 days of DVT (Inpt) and those presenting with DVT with no defined proximate event (Outpt) was done by univariable and multivariable statistics. A validated survey was mailed to all living patients to assess long-term sequela. Results A total of 293 patients with a mean age of 55 years and 49% men had confirmed DVT by objective means (92% duplex) with a mean follow-up of 25 ± 21 months. Inpts were more likely to have recent surgery or blunt trauma, bilateral DVT, less use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and new pulmonary emboli (all P P P = .04) while bilateral DVT (OR = .26; 95% CI=.09-.76; P=.013) or subcutaneous heparin (OR = 22; 95% CI=.05-.98; P = .047) were associated with greater risk. Independent factors associated with survival included ambulation (OR = 3.0; 95% CI=1.3-7.2; P=.02), Coumadin use (OR = 2.7; 95% CI=1.2-6.1; P = .015), and tibiopopliteal DVT (OR = 2.4; 95% = 1.1-5.5; P = .03), while malignancy (OR = 0.1; 95% CI=.05-.24; P P = .04) were associated with lower survival. Conclusion Patients who develop DVT related to a defined proximate risk event (Inpt) generally have more extensive DVT, an increased risk of PE, but less long-term functional morbidity and no difference in long-term mortality compared to those with no proximate risk.
A study on the grammatical construction of function structures

Function structures are used during conceptual engineering design to transform the customer requirements into specific functional tasks. Although they are usually constructed from a well-understood black-box description of an artifact, there is no clear approach or formal set of rules that guide the creation of function structures. To remedy the unclear formation of such structures and to provide the potential for automated reasoning of such structures, a graph grammar is developed and implemented. The grammar can be used by a designer to explore various solutions to a conceptual design problem. Furthermore, the grammar aids in disseminating engineering functional information and in teaching the function structure concept to untrained engineers. Thirty products are examined as a basis for developing the grammar rules, and the rules are implemented in an interactive user environment. Experiments with student engineers and with the automated creation of function structures validate the effectiveness of the grammar rules.
Colonization models and initial genetic diversity in the Americas.

The mode and tempo of colonization of the Americas established the initial pattern of continental genetic diversity. Despite a long history of study, the process of settlement remains controversial in terms of date, rate, and pattern. While there is agreement that Asia was the source population, several different models have been proposed for the colonization process. A classic model postulates a rapid spread of population ("blitzkrieg") from a small band of hunters entering through the corridor between the continental ice sheets circa 11,000 years B.P. Colonization occurred as a wave of expansion across the land masses of North and South America. An alternative model envisions the original colonists initially limiting settlement to the coastline, using boats, and entering the Americas at an earlier date, circa 13,500 B.P. Range expansion along this linear habitat from North to South America could be rapid without requiring population saturation of entire continental regions. These models have markedly different implications for genetic variation among Native Americans. The blitzkrieg colonization process would have generated multiple founder effects leading to extreme loss of genetic variation. Computer simulation of this model shows nearly complete fixation in 30 generations. Simulation of the coastal model, on the other hand, requires less extreme demographic assumptions and maintains substantial genetic variability after 100 generations. Although with the coastal model continental interiors are occupied less rapidly than with the blitzkrieg model, the coastal model allows earlier entry and rapid expansion to the southern limits of the hemisphere.
A tobit regression analysis of the covariation between middle school students' perceived school climate and behavioral problems.

This study uses an ecological framework to examine how adolescents' perceptions of school climate in 6th grade covary with the probability and frequency of their engagement in problem behaviors in 7th and 8th grades. Tobit analysis was used to address the issue of having a highly skewed outcome variable with many zeros and yet account for censoring. The 677 participating students from 8 schools were followed from 6(th) through 8(th) grade. The proportions of students reporting a positive school climate perception decreased over the middle school years for both genders, while the level of problem behavior engagement increased. The findings suggested that students who perceived higher levels of school discipline and order, or more positive student-teacher relationships were associated with lower probability and frequency of subsequent behavioral problems.
Utilization of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) in Practice in the United States

Health literacy refers to the ability of a patient to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic information related to health and services. It is estimated that the majority of adult Americans may have difficulty understanding health information. In addition, limited health literacy of patients is linked to over $100 billion in health care costs. Measurement of health literacy may aid in improving communication with patients, and thus to improving outcomes and decreasing costs. The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) is a tool that has been used to assess health literacy in a variety of patients. It has been validated against other measures including the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Patients are categorized as high likelihood of limited health literacy, possible limited health literacy, or adequate literacy. The NVS has been used in a variety of settings and tested among a wide range of patient groups. The most common setting for use is in primary care, probably due to the relatively quick assessment of health literacy (within 3 minutes). The NVS has been used in Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and several other ethnicities. Assessment with the NVS has been conducted in adult patients across the age continuum, and with several different health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, and pain. This article seeks to review the published uses to date and to provide suggestions for potential uses of the NVS.
The Proper Role of Morality in State Policies on Sexual Orientation

In this Essay, which was previously titled “Gay is Good: Morality and the LGBT Rights Movement,” I explore the question of when may the State properly take into account notions of morality when setting policy in matters related to sexual orientation. My contention is that the State may do so when (1) it is expanding rather than restricting rights and benefits; (2) the moral considerations have empirical support; and (3) those considerations are consistent with our nation’s constitutional values.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of a mesoporous KxWO3 material having superior mechanical strength

Mesoporous materials with tailored properties hold great promise for energy harvesting and industrial applications. We have synthesized a novel tungsten bronze mesoporous material (KxWO3; x ∼ 0.07) having inverse FDU-12 type pore symmetry and a crystalline framework. In situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements of the mesoporous K0.07WO3 show persistence of a highly ordered meso-scale pore structure to high pressure conditions (∼18.5 GPa) and a material with remarkable mechanical strength despite having ∼35% porosity. Pressure dependent in situ SAXS measurements reveal a bulk modulus κ = 44 ± 4 GPa for the mesoporous KxWO3 which is comparable to the corresponding value for the bulk monoclinic WO3 (γ-WO3). Evidence from middle angle (MAXS) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Raman spectroscopy shows that the presence of potassium leads to the formation of a K-bearing orthorhombic tungsten bronze (OTB) phase within a monoclinic WO3 host structure. Our ab initio molecular dynamics calculations show that the formation of the OTB phase provides superior strength to the mesoporous K0.07WO3.
Information Quality and Relevance in Large-Scale Social Information Systems

As the surge of today’s pervasive social applications continues unabatedly, it has greatly expanded our horizons of putting the shared information artifacts to good use. Almost inconceivable scarcely a decade ago, on one hand, it has enabled researchers to study social processes on these systems at extremely large-scales. While on the other, it has streamlined the end user experience in terms of exploring real-time event based information ubiquitously via a variety of devices, almost anytime, anywhere. However, with several terrabytes of such information generated everyday, we are presented with the daunting question: how do we identify those pieces of information that are relevant and interesting? This book chapter sheds light on the significance, challenges associated with this problem domain and presents a case study geared towards addressing these challenges. Finally it identifies the impact of the vision to the larger data intensive computing community.
Ethylene C-H Bond Activation by Neutral Mn2O5 Clusters under Visible Light Irradiation.

A photo excitation fast flow reactor coupled with a single-photon ionization (118 nm, 10.5 eV) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument is used to investigate reactions of neutral MnmOn clusters with C2H4 under visible (532 nm) light irradiation. Association products Mn2O5(C2H4) and Mn3O6,7(C2H4) are observed without irradiation. Under light irradiation, the Mn2O5(C2H4) TOFMS feature decreases, and a new species, Mn2O5H2, is observed. This light-activated reaction suggests that the visible radiation can induce the chemistry, Mn2O5 + C2H4 + hv(532 nm) → Mn2O5*(C2H4) → Mn2O5H2 + C2H2. High barriers (0.67 and 0.59 eV) are obtained on the ground-state potential energy surface (PES); the reaction is barrierless and thermodynamically favorable on the first excited-state PES, as performed by time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The calculational and experimental results suggest that Mn2O5-like structures on manganese oxide surfaces are the appropriate active catalytic sites for visib...
A novel FGD1 mutation in a family with Aarskog–Scott syndrome and predominant features of congenital joint contractures

Mutations in FGD1 cause Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS), an X-linked condition characterized by abnormal facial, skeletal, and genital development due to abnormal embryonic morphogenesis and skeletal formation. Here we report a novel FGD1 mutation in a family with atypical features of AAS, specifically bilateral upper and lower limb congenital joint contractures and cardiac abnormalities. The male proband and his affected maternal uncle are hemizygous for the novel FGD1 mutation p.Arg921X. This variant is the most carboxy-terminal FGD1 mutation identified in a family with AAS and is predicted to truncate the FGD1 protein at the second to last amino acid of the carboxy-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Our study emphasizes the importance of the 3' peptide sequence in the structure and/or function of the FGD1 protein and further demonstrates the need to screen patients with X-linked congenital joint contractures for FGD1 mutations.
Conflict in a changing climate

A growing body of research illuminates the role that changes in climate have had on violent conflict and social instability in the recent past. Across a diversity of contexts, high temperatures and irregular rainfall have been causally linked to a range of conflict outcomes. These findings can be paired with climate model output to generate projections of the impact future climate change may have on conflicts such as crime and civil war. However, there are large degrees of uncertainty in such projections, arising from (i) the statistical uncertainty involved in regression analysis, (ii) divergent climate model predictions, and (iii) the unknown ability of human societies to adapt to future climate change. In this article, we review the empirical evidence of the climate-conflict relationship, provide insight into the likely extent and feasibility of adaptation to climate change as it pertains to human conflict, and discuss new methods that can be used to provide projections that capture these three sources of uncertainty.
Characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticle (nZnO) alginate beads in reducing gaseous emission from swine manure

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and greenhouse gases' emission from livestock production facilities are of concern to human welfare and the environment. Application of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a potential option for minimizing these gaseous emissions. Application of bare NPs, however, could have an adverse effect on plants, soil, human health, and the environment. To minimize NPs' exposure to the environment by recovering them, NPs were entrapped in polymeric beads for treating livestock manure. The objectives of the research were to understand the mechanism of gaseous reduction in swine manure treated for 33 days with zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) or nZnO-entrapped alginate (alginate-nZnO) beads by different characterization techniques. Headspace gases from treated manure flasks were collected in 2-6-day intervals during the experimental period and were analyzed for methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and H2S concentrations. The microbial analysis of manure was carried out using bacterial plate counts and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods. Morphology and chemical composition of alginate-nZnO beads were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Alginate-nZnO beads or bare nZnO proved to be an effective NP in reducing H2S (up to 99%), CH4 (49-72%), and CO2 (46-62%) from manure stored under anaerobic conditions and these reductions are likely due to the microbial inhibitory effect from nZnO, as well as chemical conversion. Both SEM-EDS and XPS analysis confirmed the presence of zinc sulfide (ZnS) in the beads, which is likely formed by reacting nZnO with H2S.
Predictors of premenstrual impairment among women undergoing prospective assessment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a cycle-level analysis.

Background Women who experience significant premenstrual symptoms differ in the extent to which these symptoms cause cyclical impairment. This study clarifies the type and number of symptoms that best predict premenstrual impairment in a sample of women undergoing prospective assessment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a research setting. Central research goals were to determine (1) which emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of PMDD are uniquely associated with premenstrual impairment, and (2) how many cyclical symptoms optimally predict the presence of a clinically significant premenstrual elevation of impairment. Method A total of 267 naturally cycling women recruited for retrospective report of premenstrual emotional symptoms completed daily symptom reports using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and occupational, recreational, and relational impairment for 1–4 menstrual cycles (N = 563 cycles). Results Multilevel regression revealed that emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms differ in their associations with impairment. The core emotional symptoms of PMDD were predictors of impairment, but not after accounting for secondary psychological symptoms, which were the most robust predictors. The optimal number of premenstrual symptoms for predicting clinically significant premenstrual impairment was four. Conclusion Results enhance our understanding of the type and number of premenstrual symptoms associated with premenstrual impairment among women being evaluated for PMDD in research contexts. Additional work is needed to determine whether cognitive symptoms should receive greater attention in the study of PMDD, and to revisit the usefulness of the five-symptom diagnostic threshold.
Combined whole genome copy number genotyping and multiplex somatic mutation profiling of FFPE brain tumor specimens for clinical diagnosis and trial selection.

2030 Background: Multi-dimensional cancer genotyping is increasingly needed for clinical diagnostics and trial selection. Whole genome copy number is relevant for glioblastoma and other brain tumor...
Trending theory of the public sphere

ABSTRACTMost references to public sphere theory in the literature of media and communication research today focus on Jurgen Habermas’s early book The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere. Since this book’s publication the theory of the public sphere has advanced in a number of ways. Early criticisms have in many ways been accommodated. The public sphere has been elaborated within theories of deliberative democracy and social evolution. Most recently, Habermas and other theorists of the public sphere have turned towards the challenges of transnational power and the growing public prominence of religious thought and belief. Recent books on the public sphere review and advance this more recent thinking. This essay reviews three of these books.
Lattice realization of a bosonic integer quantum Hall state–trivial insulator transition and relation to the self-dual line in the easy-plane NCCP1 model

We provide an explicit lattice model of bosons with two separately conserved boson species [U(1)×U(1) global symmetry] realizing a direct transition between an integer quantum Hall effect of bosons and a trivial phase, where any intermediate phase is avoided by an additional symmetry interchanging the two species. If the latter symmetry is absent, we find intermediate superfluid phases where one or the other boson species condenses. We know the precise location of the transition since at this point our model has an exact nonlocal antiunitary particle-hole-like symmetry that resembles particle-hole symmetry in the lowest Landau level of electrons. We exactly map the direct transition to our earlier study of the self-dual line of the easy-plane NCCP1 model, in the mathematically equivalent reformulation in terms of two (new) particles with π statistics and identical energetics. While the transition in our model is first order, we hope that our mappings and recent renewed interest in such self-dual models will stimulate more searches for models with a continuous transition.
Fibroblast-like synoviocyte metabolism in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

An increasing number of studies show how changes in intracellular metabolic pathways alter tumor and immune cell function. However, little information about metabolic changes in other cell types, including synovial fibroblasts, is available. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the most common cell type at the pannus–cartilage junction and contribute to joint destruction through their production of cytokines, chemokines, and matrix-degrading molecules and by migrating and invading joint cartilage. In this review, we show that these cells differ from healthy synovial fibroblasts, not only in their marker expression, proto-oncogene expression, or their epigenetic changes, but also in their intracellular metabolism. These metabolic changes must occur due to the stressful microenvironment of inflamed tissues, where concentrations of crucial nutrients such as glucose, glutamine, and oxygen are spatially and temporally heterogeneous. In addition, these metabolic changes will increase metabolite exchange between fibroblast and other synovial cells, which can potentially be activated. Glucose and phospholipid metabolism as well as bioactive lipids, including sphingosine-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid, among others, are involved in FLS activation. These metabolic changes likely contribute to FLS involvement in aspects of immune response initiation or abnormal immune responses and strongly contribute to joint destruction.
The Sodium Salts of Sulfonated Polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) : Preparation and Characterization

Two complementary methods were developed to produce sulfonated poly(oxy-1.4-phenylene-oxy-1,4-phenylene-carbonyl- 1,4-phenylene) (SPEEK) with homogeneous compositions ranging from zero to one sulfonate group per repeat unit. The sodium salts (Na-SPEEK) were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, water uptake measurements and Small Angle X ray Scattering. Tg was found to increase sigmoidally from 145°C for unsulfonated PEEK to 415°C for 100% Na-SPEEK. Preliminary SAXS data showed a typical ionomer peak for 10% Na-SPEEK and above. The Bragg spacing dropped rather abruptly from about 27A to about 17A around 50% sulfonation.
The price of incivility

We've all heard of (or experienced) the "boss from hell." But that's just one form that incivility in the workplace can take. Rudeness on the job is surprisingly common, and it's on the rise. Whether it involves overt bullying or subtle acts of thoughtlessness, incivility takes a toll. It erodes productivity, chips away at morale, leads employees to quit, and damages customer relationships. Dealing with its aftermath can soak up weeks of managerial attention and time. Over the past 14 years the authors have conducted interviews with and collected data from more than 14,000 people throughout the United States and Canada in order to track the prevalence, types, causes, costs, and cures of incivility at work. They suggest several steps leaders can take to counter rudeness. Managers should start with themselves-monitoring their own behavior, asking for feedback on it, and making sure that their actions are a model for others. When it comes to managing the organization, leaders should hire with civility in mind, teach it on the job, create group norms, reward good behavior, and penalize bad behavior. Lest consistent civility seem an extravagance, the authors caution that just one habitually offensive employee critically positioned in an organization can cost millions in Lost employees, lost customers, and lost productivity.
Dr. Philip L. Doughty

Dr. Philip L. Doughty is widely known for being a dynamic teacher who loves helping students. Whether it is working to uncover strengths or motivating students to accomplish their goals, Dr. Doughty has had a lasting impact at Syracuse University, including bringing widespread esteem to the Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation (IDD&E) Department. Dr. Doughty began his own educational journey at Kansas University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Social Science and Education in 1965 and a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 1965. His academic journey then took him to Florida State University, where he completed a doctorate in Instructional Systems Design in 1972. Although Dr. Doughty established and served out his career at Syracuse University, advancing to the rank of Professor Emeritus, he continues to be active on campus and in professional organizations.
Semantic crash bucketing

Precise crash triage is important for automated dynamic testing tools, like fuzzers. At scale, fuzzers produce millions of crashing inputs. Fuzzers use heuristics, like stack hashes, to cut down on duplicate bug reports. These heuristics are fast, but often imprecise: even after deduplication, hundreds of uniquely reported crashes can still correspond to the same bug. Remaining crashes must be inspected manually, incurring considerable effort. In this paper we present Semantic Crash Bucketing, a generic method for precise crash bucketing using program transformation. Semantic Crash Bucketing maps crashing inputs to unique bugs as a function of changing a program (i.e., a semantic delta). We observe that a real bug fix precisely identifies crashes belonging to the same bug. Our insight is to approximate real bug fixes with lightweight program transformation to obtain the same level of precision. Our approach uses (a) patch templates and (b) semantic feedback from the program to automatically generate and apply approximate fixes for general bug classes. Our evaluation shows that approximate fixes are competitive with using true fixes for crash bucketing, and significantly outperforms built-in deduplication techniques for three state of the art fuzzers.
Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Adolescents who present with nephrotic syndrome frequently have relapsing, steroid-dependent, or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and are more likely to have a renal biopsy, in which case FSGS may be diagnosed. FSGS generally features progressive glomerular scarring leading to decline of renal function and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), though with a variable clinical course depending on the underlying etiology and response to therapy.
Chain rotation significantly reduces thermal conductivity of single-chain polymers

Kevlar (polyparaphenylene terephthalamide) and PBDT (poly(2,2′-disulfonyl-4,4′-benzidine terephthalamide))-derivatives have very similar chemical structures with aromatic rings. In this study, thermal conductivities of their single chains were calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. Chain rotation was found to be the key to reducing the thermal conductivity. By introducing a new chain rotation factor (CRF), we can easily quantify chain rotation level of single-chain polymers. We demonstrated that thermal conductivity decreases as the CRF increases. We performed further calculations on phonon properties and unveiled that the small thermal conductivity led by large chain rotation can be attributed to reduced phonon group velocities and shortened phonon mean free paths. Insights obtained in this study can be used for tuning thermal conductivity of various polymers and facilitating their various applications including thermal energy conversion and management.
Are Slotting Allowances Legal under the Antitrust Laws

Retail grocers are currently requiring many packaged goods manufacturers to make up-front cash payments, called slotting allowances, before they will put a new product on their shelves. Manufacture...
Voxel-based micro-finite element analysis of dental implants in a human cadaveric mandible: Tissue modulus assignment and sensitivity analyses

The success of dental implant treatment is related to the complex 3-dimensional (3D) biomechanics of the implant-bone interaction. In this work, 3D numerical models are built based on micro X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) images of a cadaveric mandible specimen with implants placed in it. The simulation results show that the computed strain values in bone are sensitive to the uncertainties in trabecular tissue modulus and fairly insensitive to the modulus of implants and teeth and the detailed geometry of the fixed boundary condition. A bone-volume-fraction (BV/TV) based method is proposed to assign the tissue moduli of bone elements based on their BV/TV to increase the connectivity of the mesh and to improve the accuracy of the models. These models are potentially powerful for calculating the 3D full-field bone strain under implant loading, enabling in silico testing of different implant designs, but demand validation of the models. The computed results reveal high strain concentration at bone-implant contact areas and, more importantly, in the buccal (lip-side) bone that is not making contact with the implant. The computed strain concentration patterns are found to be in good agreement with the observations from our prior experiments using 3D full-field mechanical testing coupled with micro-CT and digital volume correlation. The buccal bone is thinner and less stiff than other areas of bone and is also the commonly observed area of bone resorption after dental implant treatment.
The paradox of hearing at the lek: auditory sensitivity increases after breeding in female gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis)

Both behavioral receptivity and neural sensitivity to acoustic mate attraction signals vary across the reproductive cycle, particularly in seasonally breeding animals. Across a variety of taxa receptivity to signals increases, as does peripheral auditory sensitivity, as females transition from a non-breeding to breeding condition. We recently documented decreases in receptivity to acoustic mate attraction signals and circulating hormone levels, but an increase in peripheral auditory sensitivity to call-like stimuli following oviposition in Cope’s gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis). However, it is not known if changes in auditory sensitivity are confined to the frequency range of calls, or if they result from more generalized changes in the auditory periphery. Here, we used auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to evaluate peripheral frequency sensitivity in female Cope’s gray treefrogs before and after oviposition. We found lower ABR thresholds, greater ABR amplitudes, and shorter ABR latencies following oviposition. Changes were most pronounced and consistent at lower frequencies associated with the amphibian papilla, but were also detectable at higher frequencies corresponding to the tuning of the basilar papilla. Furthermore, only ABR latencies were correlated with circulating steroid hormones (testosterone). Changes in peripheral processing may result from changes in metabolic function or sensorineural adaptation to chorus noise.
First Drug Approved for Children with Rare Autoimmune Disorder.

Amifampridine (Ruzurgi) is the first drug approved for children ages six to 16 years with the rare autoimmune disorder Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome. The drug can cause seizures and severe hypersensitivity.
How many models/atlases are needed as priors for capturing anatomic population variations?

Abstract Many medical image processing and analysis operations can benefit a great deal from prior information encoded in the form of models/atlases to capture variations over a population in form, shape, anatomic layout, and image appearance of objects. However, two fundamental questions have not been addressed in the literature: “How many models/atlases are needed for optimally encoding prior information to address the differing body habitus factor in that population?” and “Images of how many subjects in the given population are needed to optimally harness prior information?” We propose a method to seek answers to these questions. We assume that there is a well-defined body region of interest and a subject population under consideration, and that we are given a set of representative images of the body region for the population. After images are trimmed to the exact body region, a hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm partitions the set of images into a specified number of groups by using pairwise image (dis)similarity as a cost function. Optionally the images may be pre-registered among themselves prior to this partitioning operation. We define a measure called Residual Dissimilarity (RD) to determine the goodness of each partition. We then ascertain how RD varies as a function of the number of elements in the partition for finding the optimum number(s) of groups. Breakpoints in this function are taken as the recommended number of groups/models/atlases. Our results from analysis of sizeable CT data sets of adult patients from two body regions – thorax (346) and head and neck (298) – can be summarized as follows. (1) A minimum of 5 to 8 groups (or models/atlases) seems essential to properly capture information about differing anatomic forms and body habitus. (2) A minimum of 150 images from different subjects in a population seems essential to cover the anatomical variations for a given body region. (3) In grouping, body habitus variations seem to override differences due to other factors such as gender, with/without contrast enhancement in image acquisition, and presence of moderate pathology. This method may be helpful for constructing high quality models/atlases from a sufficiently large population of images and in optimally selecting the training image sets needed in deep learning strategies.
Conflicts with diarrheal pathogens trigger rapid evolution of an intestinal signaling axis

The pathogenesis of infectious diarrheal diseases is largely attributed to enterotoxin proteins that disrupt intestinal water absorption, causing severe dehydration. Despite profound health consequences, the impacts of diarrhea-causing microbes on the evolutionary history of host species are largely unknown. We investigated patterns of genetic variation in mammalian Guanylate Cyclase-C (GC-C), an intestinal receptor frequently targeted by bacterial enterotoxins, to determine how hosts might adapt in response to diarrheal infections. Under normal conditions, GC-C interacts with endogenous guanylin peptides to promote water secretion in the intestine, but signaling can be hijacked by bacterially-encoded heat-stable enterotoxins (STa) during infection, which leads to overstimulation of GC-C and diarrhea. Phylogenetic analysis in mammals revealed evidence of recurrent positive selection in the GC-C ligand-binding domain in primates and bats, consistent with selective pressures to evade interactions with STa. Using in vitro assays and transgenic intestinal organoids to model STa-mediated diarrhea, we show that GC-C diversification in these lineages results in substantial variation in toxin susceptibility. In bats, we observe a unique pattern of compensatory coevolution in the endogenous GC-C ligand uroguanylin, reflecting intense bouts of positive selection at the receptor-ligand interface. These findings demonstrate control of water physiology as a previously unrecognized interface for genetic conflict and reveal diarrheal pathogens as a source of selective pressure among diverse mammals.
Media Effects in the Viewer’s Choice Era: Testing Revised Agenda-Setting and Priming Hypotheses

One of the not-so-minimal effects of media exposure is the ability of the media to set the agenda for political discussion and debate, to tell voters what to think about, if not what to think. Most...
Crude Opium, Morphine, Codeine, and Heroin: Past and Present

Abstract Opium use was known to ancient cultures as early as 3500 BCE by Sumerians who called it “Hul Gil,” which means “joy plant.” The Sumerians passed the knowledge of poppy cultivation to the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and ultimately, the Egyptians. The description found on the Ebers Papyrus (1500 BC) from Egypt indicated use of poppy seeds as a remedy for pain relief as well to prevent excessive crying in children. The major active ingredient of opium “morphine” was characterized in 1817. Morphine is probably the most potent alkaloid present in opium because it is responsible for analgesic, euphoric, sedative, and also addictive behavior. However, morphine is also responsible for many adverse effects of opium. During 1830s, morphine became a very common analgesic, and after American Civil War, many wounded veterans were addicted to morphine. Heroin, the first designer drug, was synthesized from morphine in 1874. Heroin was first marketed as an antitussive for patient with asthma and tuberculosis in 1898, but later its abuse potential was discovered. Today, heroin is a schedule I drug with no known medical use but has high abuse potential. Heroin overdose is a serious public health issue due to high fatality rate from overdose. Detection of 6-monoacetylmorphine, the first deacetylated metabolite of morphine in blood, indicates that death may have occurred within 20–30 min of heroin overdose.
Acute Cases to Teach Facile Assessment, Synthesis and Treatment (ACT FAST): A Tool for Educating and Assessing Medical Students and Residents

Purpose: Trainees rarely participate in acute medical crises early in their careers, but are quickly expected to manage them independently upon advancement. This poses a threat to patients and creates anxiety among inexperienced clinicians. The ability to “recognize a patient requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate evaluation and management” is a core Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) expected of graduating medical students as defined by the AAMC. A prior low-fidelity, oral boards-style simulation exercise developed for surgical residents and students showed significant utility as an evaluation and educational device. We hypothesize that our pediatric adaptation …
Risk communication in a double public health crisis: the case of Ebola and cholera in Ghana

During 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, many West African countries experienced perennial outbreaks of various infectious diseases. Given the geographic dynamics of disease outbreaks in the region, it see...
Shared control for switched motorized FES-cycling on a split-crank cycle accounting for muscle control input saturation

Abstract Closed-loop functional electrical stimulation (FES) control methods are developed to enable motorized assistive split-crank (i.e., a cycle without mechanical coupling between the lower limbs) cycling for rehabilitation efforts for people with lower limb movement disorders. The non-dominant side tracks a desired range of cadence and the dominant side tracks a range of position offsets centered around the position of the non-dominant side. A multi-level switched system with switched control objectives is applied to both sides of the cycle-rider system. Assistive, uncontrolled, and resistive modes for the dominant and non-dominant subsystems are based on position and cadence, respectively. Global exponential tracking to upper and lower bounds of an uncontrolled desired region is proven for each side via Lyapunov-based analysis using switched system methods. Experiments on both able-bodied participants and participants with neuromuscular conditions show the performance of the switched control system for split-crank FES-cycling. From volitional to controlled pedaling in able-bodied participants, average RMS cadence error of the non-dominant, RMS position error of the dominant, and cadence differential between the two legs improved by 76.2%, 65.3%, and 58.0%, respectively. On average, experiments on participants with neuromuscular conditions resulted in RMS errors that were 45.8%, 92.6%, and 52.0% higher than controlled trials on able-bodied participants, but 65.3%, 33.3%, and 36.3% lower than volitional-only trials of able-bodied participants.
Significant learning and public administration education: The impact of short-term courses:

This paper considers online courses in human resources, public budgeting, and public procurement, within a public administration program, developed and taught during one calendar year at a public r...
Full-Coverage Chiropractic in Medicare: A Proposal to Eliminate Inequities, Improve Outcomes, and Reduce Health Disparities Without Increasing Overall Program Costs.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article is to discuss evidence that supports the resolution of inequities for Medicare beneficiaries who receive chiropractic care. Discussion Medicare covers necessary examinations, imaging, exercise instruction, and treatments for beneficiaries with back pain when provided by medical doctors, osteopaths, and their associated support staff such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and physical therapists. However, if the same patient with back pain presents to a chiropractor, then the only service that is covered by Medicare is manipulation of the spine. Current evidence does not support this inequity in Medicare beneficiary service coverage. There is no evidence to show an increase in serious risks associated with chiropractic treatment of neck or back pain in Medicare beneficiaries. Chiropractors support national public health goals and endorse safe, evidence-based practices. Chiropractic care for Medicare beneficiaries has been associated with enhanced clinical outcomes such as faster recovery, fewer back surgeries a year later, reduced opioid-associated disability, fewer traumatic injuries and falls, and slower declines in activities of daily living and disability over time. Further evidence points to lower costs, fewer medical physician visits for low back pain, less opioid-related expense, and less back-surgery expense with chiropractic utilization. Use is lower among vulnerable populations: seniors, lower income women, and black and Hispanic beneficiaries who may be most affected by current inequities associated with the limited coverage. In this era of evidence-based and patient-centered care, beneficiaries who receive chiropractic care are very satisfied with the care they receive. Conclusion The current evidence suggests a need for change in US policy toward chiropractic in Medicare and support for HR 3654. Ending inequities by providing patients full coverage for chiropractic services has the potential to enhance care outcomes and reduce health disparities without increasing program costs.
Canada and Public Diplomacy: The Road to Reputational Security

The chapter serves as an introduction to the book and to field of public diplomacy studies. It defines the term public diplomacy and the five practices that have been central to its operation historically: listening, advocacy, cultural diplomacy, exchange diplomacy, and international broadcasting. It also considers the key international relations approach to the subject—soft power—and emerging concepts like Civic Diplomacy. Each of these themes and approaches is linked to the contributions presented in the book. The chapter concludes with a survey of some of the emerging ideas in public diplomacy and relates them to the country’s current performance, noting its recent strength in indices of nation brand strength and the opportunity to work with such actors as museums, indigenous groups, and diasporas. The bottom line is that reputation is part of twenty-first-century security and for all Canada’s advantages it has to work to ensure success in this field.
What Is Real? What Is Fake? Transitional Chinese Hip-Hop Culture and the War of Authenticity

There is nothing more important in hip-hop than "keeping it real," and yet real-ness – or authenticity – itself is a constantly contested concept. Drawing upon half a year of extensive fieldwork throughout China as well as online content analysis from 2017-2019, this thesis pulls from global hip-hop studies, media theory, Chinese and Western philosophy, and cultural studies to investigate the functional role of authenticity in contemporary Chinese hip-hop. It builds upon an extremely scarce body of literature on this recent youth culture phenomenon, presenting the first Western ethnography of the Chinese subculture in the current new media era. In doing so, this thesis constructs a novel conceptual framework to clarify the complex power dynamic between the key players of state, industry, artist, and fan positioned within the subculture’s rapid post-2017 mainstream transition. Situating the principle of authenticity at the center of these relations, the thesis identifies how Chinese hip-hop simultaneously cooperates/complies with and opposes/subverts the forces of state and industry. It also formulates a multi-stage process whereby individuals in Chinese hip-hop culture wrestle with their own subjective conceptions of authenticity, arguing that the concept of real-ness leads participants to embark on an existential project of self-understanding that transcends hip-hop altogether.