cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization and temperature mapping of an ultra-high thermal stability environmental enclosure

Abstract Precision metrology, lithography and machining systems will soon require sub-nanometer tolerances in order to meet the evolving needs of industry. This, in turn, requires thermal control of large environmental enclosures with sub-millidegree single-point stability and control of temperature gradients to several millidegrees. In order to optimize the system's thermal controls, it is essential to measure the open-loop transfer function. We report a technique that obtains the open-loop transfer function by utilizing a dynamic signal analyzer to perform a closed-loop frequency response measurement of the thermal system. Based on the transfer function, we designed a PI-lead compensation controller and achieved one-sigma air temperature stability of less than 1 m°C at a single point over 2 h. In order to rapidly map temperature gradients over large regions inside the 7 m 3 -volume enclosure, we have developed a measurement scheme that involves mechanically scanning a network of thermistors. Accurate cross calibration of the thermistors and a study of self-heating effects on temperature measurement in moving air have also been performed, which assures the relative accuracy of the thermistors is less than 1 m°C. Comparing temperature gradient maps taken before and after control improvements shows improved temperature stability over the mapped volumes.
Transcriptional regulation of the type I myosin heavy chain promoter in inactive rat soleus.

Chronic muscle inactivity with spinal cord isolation (SI) decreases expression of slow type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) while increasing expression of the faster MHC isoforms, primarily IIx. The pur...
Identifying careless responses in survey data.

When data are collected via anonymous Internet surveys, particularly under conditions of obligatory participation (such as with student samples), data quality can be a concern. However, little guidance exists in the published literature regarding techniques for detecting careless responses. Previously several potential approaches have been suggested for identifying careless respondents via indices computed from the data, yet almost no prior work has examined the relationships among these indicators or the types of data patterns identified by each. In 2 studies, we examined several methods for identifying careless responses, including (a) special items designed to detect careless response, (b) response consistency indices formed from responses to typical survey items, (c) multivariate outlier analysis, (d) response time, and (e) self-reported diligence. Results indicated that there are two distinct patterns of careless response (random and nonrandom) and that different indices are needed to identify these different response patterns. We also found that approximately 10%–12% of undergraduates completing a lengthy survey for course credit were identified as careless responders. In Study 2, we simulated data with known random response patterns to determine the efficacy of several indicators of careless response. We found that the nature of the data strongly influenced the efficacy of the indices to identify careless responses. Recommendations include using identified rather than anonymous responses, incorporating instructed response items before data collection, as well as computing consistency indices and multivariate outlier analysis to ensure high-quality data.
The Role of Denosumab for Prevention of Skeletal-Related Complications in Multiple Myeloma:

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the use of denosumab for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with osteolytic lesions associated with multiple myeloma (MM).DATA SOURCESMEDLINE/Ovid (1946-April week 3, 2013), EMBASE (1980–2013 week 16), abstracts of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (1983-April 22, 2013), American Society of Hematology (2004-April 22, 2013), European Hematology Association (1994-April 22, 2013), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (1990-April 22, 2013) were searched using the terms denosumab and multiple myeloma.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONClinical trials comparing the efficacy of denosumab with that of bisphosphonates in preventing or delaying SREs in patients with MM were included. Trials solely evaluating bone turnover markers were excluded. One Phase 2 trial, 1 Phase 3 trial, and 1 post hoc Phase 3 analysis were included.DATA SYNTHESISA Phase 2 trial compared denosumab to bisphosphonate continuation in patients with elevated urinary N-telopeptide l...
Test scheduling with thermal optimization for network-on-chip systems using variable-rate on-chip clocking

Chip overheating has become a critical problem during test of today's complex core-based systems. In this paper, we address the overheating problem in network-on-chip (NoC) systems through thermal optimization using variable-rate on-chip clocking. We control the core temperatures during test scheduling by assigning different test clock frequencies to cores. We present two heuristics to achieve thermal optimization and reduced test time. Experimental results for example NoC systems show that the proposed method can guarantee thermal safety and yield better thermal balance, compared to previous methods using power constraints. Test application time is also reduced.
Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors

Prior to seeking the counsel of a veterinary behaviorist many dog owners have attempted behavior modification techniques suggested by a variety of sources. Recommendations often include aversive training techniques which may provoke fearful or defensively aggressive behavior. The purpose of this study was to assess the behavioral effects and safety risks of techniques used historically by owners of dogs with behavior problems. A 30-item survey of previous interventions was included in a behavioral questionnaire distributed to all dog owners making appointments at a referral behavior service over a 1year period. For each intervention applied, owners were asked to indicate whether there was a positive, negative, or lack of effect on the dog’s behavior, and whether aggressive behavior was seen in association with the method used. Owners were also asked to indicate the source of each recommendation. One-hundred-and-forty surveys were completed. The most frequently listed recommendation sources were ‘‘self’’ and ‘‘trainers’’. Several confrontational methods such as ‘‘hit or kick dog for undesirable behavior’’ (43%), ‘‘growl at dog’’ (41%), ‘‘physically force the release of an item from a dog’s mouth’’ (39%), ‘‘alpha roll’’ (31%), ‘‘stare at or stare [dog] down’’ (30%), ‘‘dominance down’’ (29%), and ‘‘grab dog by jowls and shake’’ (26%) elicited an aggressive response from at least a quarter of the dogs on which they were attempted. Dogs presenting for aggression to familiar people were more likely to respond aggressively to the confrontational techniques ‘‘alpha roll’’ and yelling ‘‘no’’ compared to dogs with other presenting complaints (P < 0.001). In conclusion, confrontational methods applied by dog owners before their pets were presented for a behavior consultation were associated with aggressive responses in many cases. It is thus important for primary care veterinarians to advise owners about risks associated with such training methods and provide guidance and resources for safe management of behavior problems.
Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession for the Treatment of Isolated Gastrocnemius Contracture: A Prospective Study on 320 Consecutive Patients

Background:Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession has been proposed as a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of isolated gastrocnemius contracture. We report on the safety and efficacy of endoscopic gastrocnemius recession, as an isolated procedure or combined with other concomitant procedures in terms of improvement in ankle dorsiflexion, functional outcome, and postoperative morbidities.Methods:The data were prospectively collected in this case series. Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession was performed by a single surgeon in 320 consecutive patients (344 feet) who were diagnosed with isolated gastrocnemius contracture and failed nonoperative treatments between March 2009 and December 2012. There were 180 women and 140 men with mean age, 47.1 ± 15.7 years. The minimum follow-up was 1 year (mean, 18 months; range, 12 to 53 months). Pre- and postoperative ankle dorsiflexion, pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), SF-36, and Foot Function Index (FFI) were obtained and compared using paired sample t test and...
Evaluating the promise of health IT to enhance/expand the reach of mental health services

Abstract Objective A growing number of health information technologies (HIT) are being developed and tested to address mental health conditions. HIT includes Internet and smartphone programs or apps, text messaging protocols and telepsychiatry. We reviewed the promise and evidence that HIT can expand access to mental health care and reduce disparities in use of services across groups in need. Conclusions Limited reach of mental health services is a pervasive problem in the United States, and solving it will require innovations that enable us to extend our clinical reach into underserved populations without significantly expanding our workforce. In theory, HIT can extend access to mental health care in several ways: by enhancing the reach to priority populations, addressing system capacity issues, supporting training, improving clinical decision making, lowering the “consumer's threshold” for treatment, delivering preventive mental health services, speeding innovation and adoption and reducing cost barriers to treatment. At present, evidence is limited, and research is needed, focusing on consumer engagement strategies, the benefits and harms of HIT for the therapeutic relationship and the comparative effectiveness of various HIT alternatives.
Interactive influences of bioactive trace metals on biological production in oceanic waters

We present an overview of the oceanic chemistries of the bioactive trace metals, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn; we combine field data with results from laboratory phytoplankton culture-trace metal studies and speculate on the potential influences of these trace metals on oceanic plankton production and species composition. Most field studies have focused on the effects of single metals. However, we propose that synergistic and antagonistic interactions between multiple trace metals could be very important in the oceans. Trace metal antagonisms that may prove particularly important are those between Cu and the potential biolimiting metals Fe, Mn, and Zn. These antagonistic interactions could have the greatest influence on biological productivity in areas of the open ocean isolated from terrestrial inputs, such as the remote high nutrient regions of the Pacific and Antarctic Oceans. The emerging picture of trace metal-biota interactions in these oceanic areas is one in which biology strongly influences distribution and chemical speciation of all these bioactive trace metals. It also seems likely that many of these bioactive trace metals and their speciation may influence levels of primary productivity, species composition, and trophic structure. Future investigations should give more complete consideration to the interactive effects of biologically important trace metals.
Enumeration of the isomers of the gallium arsenide clusters (GamAsn)

Possible isomers of the gallium arsenide clusters of the formula GamAsn containing up to ten atoms and icosahedral clusters are enumerated. The possible parent polyhedrons up to ten vertices are constructed and then Polya's theorem is applied to each polyhedron to calculate the generating functions for the enumeration of the isomers of gallium arsenide clusters of the formula GamAsn. The distributions of clusters of GamAsn clusters observed by Smalley and co-workers using the laser vaporization method is explained. Specifically, generating functions obtained here together with the criteria of bond strengths explain the observed deviations from binomial distributions for smaller clusters.
A Second-Century Treatise on Egyptian Priests and Temples

In return for contributions to aid in excavations at Oxyrhynchus in the 1920's Sir Flinders Petrie sent to Washington University, St. Louis, several hundred papyri, very fragmentary for the most part, and ranging in date from the second century B.C. to the fifth or sixth century A.D. Following the death of Professor Frank Debatin of that university who had done some preliminary work on the collection, permission was given me to publish it. Many of the pieces had never been cleaned and remained creased and covered with dirt, evidently in the condition in which they had been found. After the collection had been cleaned, photographed and examined the five fragments that make up the present text seemed to be by far the most interesting and the most important of the lot. Though no continuous text was provided, their religious content was apparent from such words as προϕήτης, ἱeρόν, ἱeρeύς and μυστηριασθῆναι.
Williams, Walker, and Shine: Blackbody Blackface, or the Importance of Being Surface

At the turn of the last century, Bert Williams and George Walker performed as a minstrel duo in which only Williams wore burnt cork. By mixing the surfaces of blacking and their own black skin, Williams and Walker offered an aesthetic critique of the subject/object status of the black body — animating the inanimate substance of burnt cork while objectifying animate black skin. Examples from portrait photography and the visual art of Whitfield Lovell and Kara Walker support arguments about the agency of surface.
Saginaw Parts Co. and the General Motors Corp. Credit Default Swap

This two-page case demonstrates how to unbundle the cost of credit extensions from product prices by observing the price of a credit default swap. It also explores how credit default swaps work, and how trade creditors are treated under U.S. bankruptcy law. Finally it provides a quick overview of the bankruptcy of General Motors Corp.
Subclinical Atherosclerosis Is Inversely Associated With Gray Matter Volume in African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Relative to European Americans, African Americans manifest lower levels of computed tomography–based calcified atherosclerotic plaque (CP), a measure of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Potential relationships between CP and cerebral structure are poorly defined in the African American population. We assessed associations among glycemic control, inflammation, and CP with cerebral structure on MRI and with cognitive performance in 268 high-risk African Americans with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Associations among hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP), and CP in coronary arteries, carotid arteries, and the aorta with MRI volumetric analysis (white matter volume, gray matter volume [GMV], cerebrospinal fluid volume, and white matter lesion volume) were assessed using generalized linear models adjusted for age, sex, African ancestry proportion, smoking, BMI, use of statins, HbA1c, hypertension, and prior CVD. RESULTS Participants were 63.4% female with mean (SD) age of 59.8 years (9.2), diabetes duration of 14.5 years (7.6), HbA1c of 7.95% (1.9), estimated glomerular filtration rate of 86.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (24.6), and coronary artery CP mass score of 215 mg (502). In fully adjusted models, GMV was inversely associated with coronary artery CP (parameter estimate [β] −0.47 [SE 0.15], P = 0.002; carotid artery CP (β −1.92 [SE 0.62], P = 0.002; and aorta CP [β −0.10 [SE 0.03] P = 0.002), whereas HbA1c and CRP did not associate with cerebral volumes. Coronary artery CP also associated with poorer global cognitive function on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. CONCLUSIONS Subclinical atherosclerosis was associated with smaller GMV and poorer cognitive performance in African Americans with diabetes. Cardioprotective strategies could preserve GMV and cognitive function in high-risk African Americans with diabetes.
Hydraulic analog for simultaneous representation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: application to vecuronium.

Objective. To facilitate teaching the pharmacologic determinants of clinically observed drug effect, we expand on the hydraulic representation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous drugs. Introduction. There are two significant barriers to understanding the pharmacological determinants underlying clinically observed drug responses. The first obstacle is the mathematical nature of traditional descriptions of these phenomena; the second barrier to understanding is that most educational texts focus solely on pharmacokinetics. However, pharmacokinetics alone do not explain the action at the effect site. The scientific and educational literature has used analogs of pharmacokinetic phenomena to make the concepts more intuitive. This manuscript extends the use of a hydraulic analog to include the effect site, allowing a simultaneous representation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Methods. In the described hydraulic analog, fluid delivered into a central reservoir is representative of drug infusion, and the heights of the fluid columns in the central and peripheral reservoirs are representative of the drug concentrations in the corresponding pharmacologic compartments. The height of the fluid column in an ‘effect reservoir’ is representative of the apparent effect site concentration in a simultaneous pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. A non-linear scale on the effect reservoir represents the relationship between the effect site concentration and the clinical effect. Reservoir surface areas are equivalent to volumes of distribution and hydraulic resistances are inversely proportional to drug clearances. The proof of mathematical equivalency of the presented analog to simultaneous pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models is given in an appendix. Illustration of the educational application. The effect window can represent monitored twitch response following the administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent. Using pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameter values for vecuronium, we demonstrate how the hydraulic analog can be used to explain the priming principle and the clinically observed time-course disparity of two effect sites: the larynx and the adductor pollicis. (A companion web site: presents an interactive animation of the described analog.)
Reduction of Pharyngocutaneous Fistulae in Laryngectomy Patients by a Comprehensive Performance Improvement Intervention

ObjectivePharyngocutaneous fistula is a common complication in laryngectomy patients, particularly in previously irradiated cases. We initiated a comprehensive performance improvement intervention in all head and neck surgery patients intended to reduce postoperative infection and fistulae rates. We report our review of outcomes within laryngectomy patients.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic tertiary referral center.SubjectsNineteen laryngectomy patients at risk of postoperative fistula formation.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of all patients who had undergone laryngectomy procedures between January 2013 and April 2014. Clinicodemographic data were obtained, including history of diabetes, prior radiation therapy, type of reconstruction performed for closure of the pharyngeal defect, and the presence or absence of postoperative fistula.ResultsThe study population comprised 19 laryngectomy patients. Prior to implementation of our performance improvement intervention, 8 of 11 (...
Quantifying clinical change: discrepancies between patients’ and providers’ perspectives

Interpreting the clinical significance of changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is critically important. The most commonly used approach is to anchor mean changes on PRO scores against a global assessment of change. Whether the assessor of global change should be patients or their physicians is unknown. We compared patients’ and physicians’ assessments of change over time to examine which was more aligned with patients’ changes in PRO measures. A total of 459 chronic heart failure patients aged >30 years were enrolled from 13 US centers. Data were obtained by medical record abstraction, physical assessments, and patient interviews at a baseline clinic visit and 6 weeks later. Health status was measured with the disease-specific Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), and both patients and physicians completed a validated 15-level global assessment of change, ranging from large deterioration to large improvement. There was substantial variation between physicians/patients’ global assessment of clinical change (weighted kappa = 0.36, 95 % CI 0.28, 0.43). Overall, physician assessments were more strongly correlated with change on the KCCQ summary score than were patients’ assessments (physician R = 0.37, patient R = 0.29). There was substantial variation between patients’ and physicians’ global assessment of 6-week change in heart failure status. Physician assessments of the importance of clinical changes were more strongly associated with changes in all domains of patient-reported health status, as assessed by the KCCQ, and may provide a more consistent method for defining the clinical importance of changes in patients’ health status.
Coarse-Grained Modeling of Polystyrene in Various Environments by Iterative Boltzmann Inversion

We have developed mesoscale models for polystyrene (PS) oligomers in various environments following the Iterative Boltzmann Inversion Technique. Bond, bending angle, torsion angle distributions, and radial distribution functions between PS monomers show that local structures were reproduced very well, while a small discrepancy remained in the reproduction of global structures (radii of gyration and end-to-end distances), which is probably due to end effects. Speedup in polymer dynamics with each model was monitored by scaling factors calculated based on characteristic relaxation times of the end monomers as well as diffusivities of the chains. Results show that coarse-graining is most successful for the highest concentration system (melt) and least for the lowest concentration (dilute solution) due to the stronger slowdown of diffusive and rotational dynamics in atomistic simulations with concentration. The speedup in the confined solution system was found to be greater than in the unconfined solution sys...
Growth of monodisperse, submicron aerosol particles exposed to SO2, H2O2, and NH3

The growth of monodisperse particles (0.07 to 0.5 µm) exposed to SO2 (0–860 ppb), H2O2 (0–150 ppb) and sometimes NH3 (0–550 ppb) in purified air at 22 °C at relative humidities ranging from 25 to 75% were measured using the Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer technique. The experiments were performed in a flow reactor with aqueous (NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4 droplets. For (NH4)2SO4 droplets the fractional diameter growth was independent of size above 0.3 µm but decreased with decreasing size below that. When NH3 was added the fractional growth increased with decreasing size. Measurements were compared with predictions of a model that accounts for solubility of the reactive gases, the liquid phase oxidation of SO2 by H2O2, and ionic equilibria. Agreement between measured and predicted droplet growth is reasonable when the ionic strength effects are included. Theory and experiments suggest that NH3 evaporation is responsible for the decrease in relative growth rates for small aqueous ammonium sulfate particles. The observed droplet growth rates are too slow to explain observed growth rates of secondary atmospheric sulfate particles.
Transverse Lag Screw Fixation in Midline Mandibulotomy: A Case Series

Vertical midline mandibulotomy has provided a relatively simple and efficient means of obtaining access to intraoral tumors that are too large or too posterior to be removed transorally. Midline mandibulotomy has had the advantage of nerve and muscle preservation and places the osteotomy outside the typical field of radiotherapy, in contrast to lateral and paramedian osteotomies. Plate and screw fixation has been the usual means of osteosynthesis for these mandibulotomies; however, plate contouring over the symphyseal surface has been a time-consuming process. Unless the plate was contoured exactly, mandibular malalignment and malocclusion in dentulous patients has occurred. Use of parallel transverse lag screws has become a popular method of osteosynthesis for parasymphyseal fractures, and we have extended their use for mandibulotomy fixation. This paper reports our clinical experience with transverse lag screw fixation of midline mandibulotomies in 9 patients from 1994 to 1997. There were 7 men and 2 women with a mean age of 56 (range 35 to 71 years). The pathological diagnosis in all patients was squamous cell carcinoma; 8 cases were primary, and 1 patient presented with recurrent tumor. No tumors involved the mandibular periosteum. One patient had had previous radiotherapy, and 3 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. The mean follow-up has been 17 months (range 9 to 27). There was 1 minor complication and 1 major complication related to our technique. The major complication was a delayed nonunion of the mandibulotomy. This occurred because the 2 parallel screws were placed too close to one another, and this placement resulted in a delayed sagittal fracture of the anterior cortex and subsequent nonunion. Transverse lag screw fixation has not affected occlusion in our dentulous patients. Speech and diet were normal in the majority of our patients. Transverse lag screw fixation of the midline mandibulotomy has been a relatively safe, rapid, and reliable method for tumor access and postextirpation mandibular stabilization and has significant advantages over other current methods of mandibulotomy and fixation.
Regulation of interferon-impaired initiation factor activity in vitro by cAMP and dsRNA.

SummaryInterferon treatment of mouse L cells causes the reduction of activity of initiation factor (eIF-2) which forms a ternary complex with Met-tRNAf and GTP. The activity of eIF from the cells treated with interferon was specifically increased when incubated with 12 μM cAMP, but no effect of cAMP on the eIF-2 activity from untreated cells was observed. ATP (1 mM) also slightly increased the interferon-impaired eIF-2 activity. The restoration of activity of eIF-2 from interferon-treated cells was completely prevented by the addition of inhibitors of protein kinases (either aminopurine (2 mM) or a relatively high concentration (5 μg/ml) of dsRNA (poly rI:poly rC)) without a direct effect on normal eIF-2 activity. However, low concentrations of dsRNA (50 ng/ml) which activate certain protein kinases, strongly stimulated the reduction of eIF activity induced by interferon. Taken together, these observations suggest that different protein kinases may be involved in the interferon-induced reduction of eIF-2 ...
Synthesis of a redox-responsive quadruple hydrogen-bonding unit for applications in supramolecular chemistry.

A redox-responsive quadruple hydrogen-bonding module (eDAN) has been developed. The strong binding between the reduced form and its partner (DeUG) can be significantly decreased upon oxidation but restored upon subsequent reduction. This on–off switch was successfully applied to provide reversible control of macroscopic supramolecular polymer networks.
Epidemiology of hand foot and mouth disease in Yunfu,2010

Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Yunfu. Method Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of HFMD in 2010 obtained from the national disease reporting information system. Results The cumulative reported number of HFMD cases had reached 7 262 in Yunfu in 2010, with a reported morbidity of 299.33/lakh. The incidence rate in those living in urban areas(401.58/lakh)was higher than that in those living in rural areas(254.45/lakh).The incidence rate in male(381.39/lakh)was higher than that in female(208.86/lakh).Most cases were found in the children younger than 5 years old (83.27%).The differences on the case proportion in different age group were statistically significant. Most cases were sporadic ones. The number of incidence reached peak in March-July (50.94%) and October (9.14%). Conclusions The incidence of HFMD is high and had significant seasonal, regional, sex-specific and age-specific differences. Great attention should be paid to children younger than 5 years old in HFMD prevention and control in Yunfu district. The epidemiological and etiological studies would facilitate the development of improved prevention and control measures.
Comparison and Enlightenment of Judgment for Conducting Again in Administrative Litigation

Correct and effective application of judgment for conducting again is beneficial to realize the actual ef- fect of judgment for repeal,and protect the objective order of law.In order to bring the system function of judgment for conducting again into better play,we should make a comparison between judgment for conducting again and similar judgment in China,mainly including judgment for repeal and judgment for performance,and a comparison between judgment for conducting again and similar judgment in British and Austria,as well as the system of the validity of judgment for repeal in France,Germany and Japan,which will give an important enlightenment to the application of judgment for conducting again in administrative litigation in China.
A retrospective look at dysplastic nevi. What were they in 1978 and how have they fared since

We re-examined histologic sections of 305 melanocytic lesions consecutively received for diagnosis in 1978. Of 237 lesions previously diagnosed as banal melanocytic nevi, 28% were reinterpreted to be dysplastic nevi. Clinical follow-up 5 years later of 28 incompletely removed dysplastic nevi revealed neither persistence of pigment nor development of malignant melanoma at their sites of biopsy. We conclude, therefore, that dysplastic melanocytic nevi were common melanocytic neoplasms in 1978. Furthermore, based on our findings, they may be managed safely by observation with periodic clinical follow-up. Of 61 malignant melanomas studied during the same period in 1978, none occurred in association with a dysplastic nevus. The concept that malignant melanomas commonly arise in dysplastic melanocytic nevi therefore should be re-examined.
Endoscopic fibrin sealant closure of duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Traditionally, perivaterian duodenal perforation can be managed conservatively or surgically. If a large volume of leakage results in fluid collection in the retroperitoneum, surgery may be necessary. Our case met the surgical indication for perivaterian duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation. The patient developed a retroperitoneal abscess after the procedures, and a perivaterian perforation was suggested on computed tomography (CT). CT-guided abscess drainage was performed immediately. We unsuccessfully attempted to close the perforation with hemoclips initially. Subsequently, we used fibrin sealant (Tisseel) injection to occlude the perforation. Fibrin sealant injections have been previously used during endoscopy for wound closure and fistula repair. Based on our report, fibrin sealant injection can be considered as an alternative method for the treatment of ERCP-related type II perforations.
Overview of medical therapy of peptic ulcer disease

Medical management of peptic ulcer disease continues to evolve with the recent introduction of new H2-receptor antagonists, prostaglandin analogs, and a proton pump inhibitor, and clarification of the relationship between suppression of gastric acidity and ulcer healing. Nizatidine and roxatidine acetate, the new H2 blockers, are safe and effective but do not appear to have new properties of clinical importance. The modes of action of omeprazole and the prostaglandins have been clarified. Omeprazole is a prodrug that is protonated and secured in the secretary canaliculus of the parietal cell where the active derivative covalently binds sulfhydryl groups of H+/K(+)-ATPase, thereby irreversibly and profoundly blocking acid secretion. Prostaglandins bind a receptor on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cell, releasing a protein that inhibits cyclic AMP, the second messenger of histamine-stimulated acid secretion. The ulcer-healing properties of prostaglandins can be attributed largely if not entirely to their inhibition of acid secretion. Antacids, on the other hand, may heal ulcers by effects other than acid neutralization, as the low-dose regimens that heal ulcers only weakly neutralize acid. The way in which sucralfate and colloidal bismuth heal ulcers remains unclear; they may do so through multiple effects including, in the case of bismuth, eradication of C. pylori. H2-receptor antagonists continue as first-line treatment for acute DU and GU and the prevention of recurrence. The antacid and sucralfate regimens are less convenient but safe and effective. Misoprostol has a disadvantageous safety profile relative to available agents but is effective in preventing NSAID-induced gastric ulcers. The efficacy of omeprazole in acid-peptic disease is established but the way in which it should be used is still unclear because of long-term safety concerns.
A Programmable Analog-to-Information Converter for Agile Biosensing

In recent years, the analog-to-information converter (AIC), based on compressed sensing (CS) paradigm, is a promising solution to overcome the performance and energy-efficiency limitations of traditional analog-to-digital converters (ADC). Especially, AIC can enable sub-Nyquist signal sampling proportional to the intrinsic information in biomedical applications. However, the legacy AIC structure is tailored toward specific applications, which lacks of flexibility and prevents its universality. In this paper, we introduce a novel programmable AIC architecture, Pro-AIC, to enable effective configurability and reduce its energy overhead by integrating efficient multiplexing hardware design. To improve the quality and time-efficiency of Pro-AIC configuration, we also develop a rapid configuration algorithm, called RapSpiral, to quickly find the near-optimal parameter configuration in Pro-AIC architecture. Specifically, we present a design metric, trade-off penalty, to quantitatively evaluate the performance-energy trade-off. The RapSpiral controls a penalty-driven shrinking triangle to progressively approximate to the optimal trade-off. Our proposed RapSpiral is with log(n) complexity yet high accuracy, without pretraining and complex parameter tuning procedure. RapSpiral is also probable to avoid the local minimum pitfalls. Experimental results indicate that our RapSpiral algorithm can achieve more than 30x speedup compared with the brute force algorithm, with only about 3% trade-off compromise to the optimum in Pro-AIC. Furthermore, the scalability is also verified on larger size benchmarks.
Sedentary time and breast cancer incidence in African American women.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether time spent sitting at work or watching television was associated with breast cancer risk among African American women. The Black Women’s Health Study (analytic cohort = 46,734) is an ongoing prospective cohort study of African American women ages 21–69 at baseline (1995). Questionnaire data were used to estimate sedentary time. Total time spent sitting at work and watching television (individually and combined) at baseline and updated through follow-up (1995–2001) and breast cancer incidence (n = 2,041 incident cases, 1995–2013) was evaluated using proportional hazards regression. Higher total time spent sitting at baseline (≥10 vs. <5 h/day, HR 1.27, 95 % CI 1.06, 1.53) and updated through follow-up (≥10 vs. <5 h/day, HR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.14, 1.66) was associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Associations were stronger for hormone receptor-negative tumors (≥10 vs. <5 h/day, HR 1.70, 95 % CI 1.12, 2.55) compared to hormone receptor-positive tumors (≥10 vs. <5 h/day, HR 1.16, 95 % CI 0.88, 1.52), but tests for heterogeneity were not statistically significant (p heterogeneity = 0.31). Positive associations between total time spent sitting and breast cancer incidence did not differ by physical activity level or body composition measurements. Our findings suggest that high sedentary time may increase risk for breast cancer among African American women.
Implementing Event and Agent Metadata for Digital Preservation

Event metadata is structured (human and machine readable) information that documents actions or activities that have happened and which relate to one or more objects that an organization is tasked with preserving. It is crucial to enabling the people, processes, and technologies involved in preserving digital objects to successfully preserve those objects. Event metadata is the glue that joins metadata about objects that are managed by an organization, to metadata about the people, systems, or software that interact with those objects while they are being managed. Events are defined in PREMIS as follows: [An event is] an action that involves or impacts at least one Object or Agent associated with or known by the preservation repository. [1] Event metadata is necessary for ensuring that there is evidence of interactions between digital objects and agents within digital preservation systems. This evidence can be used for many purposes including ensuring success in security and trustworthiness audits and in proving the provenance and authenticity of digital content preserved by an organization. Decisions about where and how to store event metadata are often dependent on the environment in which the preservation is being undertaken. While it can be important to store at least one copy of any event metadata alongside the data it pertains to, this can be avoided if the metadata storage systems have equally rigorous bit-preservation processes governing them. Tough decisions often need to be made by organizations implementing the capture of event metadata in order to ensure they don’t succumb to costly “metadata bloat.” Therefore, organizations need to consider what metadata is important to the long-term preservation of their content before they begin capturing and preserving unnecessary additional metadata.
Habitual and Recent Sleep Durations: Graded and Interactive Risk for Impaired Glycemic Control in a Biracial Population.

Abstract Background We examined how habitual sleep duration interacts with recent sleep (2 nights) to predict morning oral glucose tolerance test results. We hypothesized that short habitual and recent sleep durations would be additive for poor glucose control. Methods A biracial population of adults (n = 1559) without known diabetes and recruited from the workforce of 2 urban universities was assessed for glycated hemoglobin and underwent oral glucose tolerance testing. We used plasma 2-hour postloading (75 g) measurements. Participants answered sleep questions using 30-minute forced-choice formats. We employed multivariable logistic regression to derive odds ratios. Results Shorter habitual sleep duration was associated with greater odds ratios of glycated hemoglobin ≥6.0% increasing by 30-minute intervals beginning at Discussion Short habitual and recent sleep durations interact in predicting abnormal glucose on oral glucose tolerance testing. Self-reported data are sufficiently sensitive to reflect 30-minute differences in sleep between individuals. Future studies examining other aspects of sleep, such as perceived sleep quality and objectively measured sleep duration and architecture, would be necessary to confirm these findings. Conclusions Short sleep duration for 2 nights prior to morning oral glucose tolerance testing may elevate glucose levels, this effect being detected among individuals habitually obtaining
Thalidomide for the Treatment of Chronic Bleeding Secondary to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Gastrointestinal Vascular Malformations.

At present there is no effective medical treatment for bleeding from telangiectatic lesions in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and gastrointestinal vascular malformations (GI AVMs). We report the results of a trial using thalidomide (thal), an antiangiogenic agent, for the treatment of patients with chronic bleeding from GI AVMs or HHT. Methods: Eligible patients received thal starting at 100mg/day to a maximum tolerated daily dose of 400 mg for a total of 24 weeks. Afterwards, responsive patients could elect to continue with thal. Transfusion and iron therapy were assessed during a 6 month baseline evaluation and during treatment with thal. Results: 6 patients were enrolled in this trial, one patient expired during the baseline evaluation prior to initiation of study drug. Patient 1 had severe epistaxis from HHT and bleeding from gastroduodenal AVMs. There appeared to be no response during the 4.5 months of thal treatment. He underwent nasal septodermoplasty and elected to stop thal. Patient 2 required weekly parenteral iron therapy for continued bleeding. During the first 6 months of thal therapy, there was a modest increase in hemoglobin, improved ferritin level and InFed was discontinued. Problems with drowsiness resulted in noncompliance and eventual discontinuation of thal. He has again required weekly parenteral iron therapy. Patient 3 had GI bleeding and transfusion dependence that lessened on thal. When this was discontinued because of multiple other comorbidities, he required transfusion of 10 units pRBC in a span of 3 months. He has recently restarted thal therapy. Patient 4 had bleeding from GI AVMs requiring transfusion of 21 units pRBC and parenteral iron therapy every other week in the 6 months prior to enrollment. She was lost to follow up after 3 months of treatment after she sustained a fall and fractured her hip. Patient 5 had GI bleeding from AVMs requiring 38 units of pRBC over 6 months prior to starting thal. He is currently on the maximum dose of thal 400 mg/day. Follow-up is still early but during the 3 months he has been on thal, he has required 14 units pRBC. Conclusion: This study suggests that thal may decrease the transfusion requirement of patients with chronic bleeding from GI AVMs and HHT. Side effects such as somnolence, constipation and neuropathy however limit dose escalation. It will be of interest to see if other antiangiogenic agents such as lenalidomide have a similar effect on these patients with less side effects.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Other Complications

Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs in patients who have been intubated for two to three days with significant exposure to hospital-acquired organisms. Treatment should be initiated rapidly and cover P. aeruginosa, Escheriochia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Acinetobacter species as well as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Within 72 h or with the availability of culture results, antibiotics should be narrowed. Active research is on-going to identify patients at risk for ventilator-associated complications and to minimize the likelihood of infection in these patients.
From “Knife Men” to “Streamlining with Curves”: Structure, Skill, and Gender in British Columbia’s Meat-Packing Industry

This article examines the industrial labour process in meatpacking unique to British Columbia from the angles of industrial structure, skill, and gender. The British Columbia meatpacking industry forged out and maintained a place within a changing industry with significant corporate concentration on a continental scale. Based on a diverse set of sources—including reports, industrial census data, photographs, company newsletters, and oral history interviews with owners and workers—the article finds that workers in BC also resisted the forces of corporatization and concentration at the scale of the work floor. Workers used skill to leverage management for practical gains vis-a-vis management as well as personal pride and happiness. However, skill was not evenly distributed across the industrial labour process. And since jobs were sex segregated, gender served to naturalize de-skilling by capitalism.
Influence of density-dependent competition on foraging and migratory behavior of a subtropical colonial seabird

Density-dependent competition for food resources influences both foraging ecology and reproduction in a variety of animals. The relationship between colony size, local prey depletion, and reproductive output in colonial central-place foragers has been extensively studied in seabirds; however, most studies have focused on effects of intraspecific competition during the breeding season, while little is known about whether density-dependent resource depletion influences individual migratory behavior outside the breeding season. Using breeding colony size as a surrogate for intraspecific resource competition, we tested for effects of colony size on breeding home range, nestling health, and migratory patterns of a nearshore colonial seabird, the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), originating from seven breeding colonies of varying sizes in the subtropical northern Gulf of Mexico. We found evidence for density-dependent effects on foraging behavior during the breeding season, as individual foraging areas increased linearly with the number of breeding pairs per colony. Contrary to our predictions, however, nestlings from more numerous colonies with larger foraging ranges did not experience either decreased condition or increased stress. During nonbreeding, individuals from larger colonies were more likely to migrate, and traveled longer distances, than individuals from smaller colonies, indicating that the influence of density-dependent effects on distribution persists into the nonbreeding period. We also found significant effects of individual physical condition, particularly body size, on migratory behavior, which in combination with colony size suggesting that dominant individuals remain closer to breeding sites during winter. We conclude that density-dependent competition may be an important driver of both the extent of foraging ranges and the degree of migration exhibited by brown pelicans. However, the effects of density-dependent competition on breeding success and population regulation remain uncertain in this system.
Gears of War 4: custom high-end graphics features and performance techniques

In this technical post mortem we talk about how The Coalition implemented new custom graphics features and optimized the rendering technology to achieve the performance needed for the high visual bar for Gears Of War 41.
Soliton Microcombs at Gigahertz-Repetition-Rates

Soliton microcombs with repetition rates as low as 1.86 GHz are demonstrated. Low repetition rate frequency combs are important in spectroscopy and relax requirements on comb processing electronics.