cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The significance of breastfeeding to incarcerated pregnant women: an exploratory study

Background Breastfeeding rates of incarcerated women in the United States are unknown but are likely to be low. Little is known about the breastfeeding views and experiences of incarcerated women. This exploratory study examined the breastfeeding knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of pregnant women incarcerated in New York City jails. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 pregnant women in a New York City jail. Research methods were inspired by grounded theory. Results Three main themes emerged from women's collective stories about wanting to breastfeed and the challenges that they experienced. First, incarceration removes women from their familiar social and cultural context, which creates uncertainty in their breastfeeding plans. Second, incarceration and the separation from their high-risk lifestyle makes women want a new start in motherhood. Third, being pregnant and planning to breastfeed represent a new start in motherhood and give women the opportunity to redefine their maternal identity and roles. Conclusions Breastfeeding is valued by incarcerated pregnant women and has the potential to contribute to their psychosocial well-being and self-worth as a mother. Understanding the breastfeeding experiences and views of women at high risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and inadequate newborn childcare during periods of incarceration in local jails is important for guiding breastfeeding promotion activities in this transient and vulnerable population. Implications from the findings will be useful to correctional facilities and community providers in planning more definitive studies in similar incarcerated populations. (BIRTH 39:2 June 2012)
Nine objections to Steiner and Wolff on land disputes

In the July 2003 Analysis, Hillel Steiner and Jonathan Wolff (2003) propose a framework for “resolving disputed land claims between competing nations or ethnic groups.” The idea is that we should auction off the land, with the loser of the auction getting the money. While this might mean that the richer party will normally end up with the land, and this is normally not thought to be a good thing, if the auction is conducted as they specify “it will turn out that the other party ends up with something which, in the circumstances, it prefers to the land: lots of money.” Actually, it isn’t so clear that this is what will result. Let’s say we have a particular parcel of land that groups A and B want. They each want it quite strongly, but B has deeper pockets than A, so while A would be prepared to pay 8 for the land, B would be prepared to pay 12. For the auction process to function, there must be a minimum bid increment, I’ll say it is 2 . Assume that B has just bid 4, A must now choose whether to bid 4 2 or accept B’s bid. And assume for now that A is not bidding tactically, it only makes a bid if it would prefer to win the auction with that bid than accept B’s bid. This assumption will be relaxed below. So for now, A must decide whether it prefers to be given 4, or to get the land for 4 2 . Since it values the land at 8, and since it will give up 8 1 2 to buy the land (the 4 1 2 it will pay, plus the 4 it would have received from B) it may well decide to just accept the bid. But now it has ended up with something it definitely does not prefer to the land, since it just accepted a bid for 4. There are two assumptions at play here. One is that A doesn’t bid tactically, which I shall return to a bit. The other is that how much A will pay for the land is not affected by receiving B’s 4. That is, I assume that the marginal utility of money is relatively constant for A over the ranges of money at play in the auction. This assumption might be false if we’re dealing with a very large or valuable body of land, but it’s not unreasonable in most circumstances. (Space prevents a complete study of what happens if we take the declining marginal utility of money completely into account. Roughly, the effect is that some of my criticisms are slightly vitiated.) Now while these assumptions might be false, Steiner and Wolff give us no reason to be certain they are false. So for all they’ve said we could have a situation just like this one, where the poorer party ends up with something it wants much less than the land. Hence
Assessment in Clinical Psychology: A Perspective on the Past, Present Challenges, and Future Prospects

Assessment emerged during the early twentieth century with the development of tests for assessing characteristics such as intelligence, personality, and suitability for employment. The long, interwoven relationship between clinical psychology and assessment began to change during the 1970s when many clinical psychologists became more involved in behavioral therapy and moved away from psychological testing and with the expanding role of managed care in the mental health services. Clinical assessment broadened into forensic, medical, and personnel applications with psychologists expanding professional roles. The status of assessment was reviewed and some challenges were highlighted. The potential for assessment to contribute to the understanding of mental health problems through collaborative cross-cultural study of psychopathology was suggested with the growing development of clinical psychology internationally.
Stepwise Fitting of Logit Models With Categorical Predictors in the Analysis of Parole Outcomes On the van Alstyne and Gottfredson Study

A stepwise procedure for fitting logit models with categorical predictors is present ed. The method provides for detecting nonrelevant predictor variables and collaps ing the table over them. The procedure is applied to data presented by van Alstyne and Gottfredson in a previous issue. We show that the previously reported dis crepancies between the models emerging from their construction and validation samples can be removed by collapsing the table over the nonrelevant variable age. The results emphasize the importance of properly screening the set of possible pre dictor variables and detecting the relevant ones. The method presented here can help the investigator in this task.
Heterosexual Ally Identity Development: A Conceptual Model

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) students represent a significant population of students who are commonly oppressed on college campuses; therefore, student affairs professionals should learn how to better affect social change on their campuses to support these students. Applying Edwards’ (2006) Conceptual Model on Aspiring Social Justice Ally Identity Development to Worthington, Savoy, Dillon & Vernaglia’s (2002) Heterosexual Identity Development Model, this paper provides a conceptual model for the ally identity development of heterosexual students.
Update: Effects of Antioxidant and Non-Antioxidant Vitamin Supplementation on Immune Function

The purpose of this manuscript is to review the impact of supplementation with vitamins E and C, carotenoids, and the B vitamins on parameters of innate and adaptive immune function as reported from clinical trials in humans. There is evidence to support causal effects of supplementation with vitamins E and C and the carotenoids singly and in combination on selected aspects of immunity, including the functional capacity of innate immune cells, lymphocyte proliferation, and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Controlled intervention trials of B vitamin-containing multivitamin supplements suggest beneficial effects on immune parameters and clinical outcomes in HIV-positive individuals.
Genetic risk, number of previous depressive episodes, and stressful life events in predicting onset of major depression.

OBJECTIVE: The association between stressful life events and the onset of major depression decreases as the number of previous depressive episodes increases. How do genetic risk factors for major depression impact on this “kindling” phenomenon? In particular, do those at high genetic risk exhibit an increase in the speed of kindling, or are they “prekindled”? METHOD: Using discrete-time survival analysis, the authors examined the interaction between genetic risk, number of previous depressive episodes, and life event exposure in the prediction of episodes of major depression in female-female twin pairs from a population-based registry. The twins were interviewed four times over a 9-year period, producing 92,521 person-months of exposure. RESULTS: The decline in the association between stressful life events and risk for major depression as the number of previous depressive episodes increased was strongest in those at low genetic risk and was weak to absent in those at high genetic risk. In the absence of p...
Meta-Analysis of Quantitative Sleep Parameters From Childhood to Old Age in Healthy Individuals: Developing Normative Sleep Values Across the Human Lifespan

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to identify age-related changes in objectively recorded sleep patterns across the human life span in healthy individuals and to clarify whether sleep latency and percentages of stage 1, stage 2, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep significantly change with age. Design: Review of literature of articles published between 1960 and 2003 in peer-reviewed journals and meta-analysis. Participants: 65 studies representing 3,577 subjects aged 5 years to 102 years. Measurement: The research reports included in this meta-analysis met the following criteria: (1) included nonclinical participants aged 5 years or older; (2) included measures of sleep characteristics by “all night” polysomnography or actigraphy on sleep latency, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, stage 1 sleep, stage 2 sleep, slow-wave sleep, REM sleep, REM latency, or minutes awake after sleep onset; (3) included numeric presentation of the data; and (4) were published between 1960 and 2003 in peer-reviewed journals. Results: In children and adolescents, total sleep time decreased with age only in studies performed on school days. Percentage of slow-wave sleep was significantly negatively correlated with age. Percentages of stage 2 and REM sleep significantly changed with age. In adults, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, percentage of slow-wave sleep, percentage of REM sleep, and REM latency all significantly decreased with age, while sleep latency, percentage of stage 1 sleep, percentage of stage 2 sleep, and wake after sleep onset significantly increased with age. However, only sleep efficiency continued to significantly decrease after 60 years of age. The magnitudes of the effect sizes noted changed depending on whether or not studied participants were screened for mental disorders, organic diseases, use of drug or alcohol, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or other sleep disorders. Conclusions: In adults, it appeared that sleep latency, percentages of stage 1 and stage 2 significantly increased with age while percentage of REM sleep decreased. However, effect sizes for the different sleep parameters were greatly modified by the quality of subject screening, diminishing or even masking age associations with different sleep parameters. The number of studies that examined the evolution of sleep parameters with age are scant among school-aged children, adolescents, and middle-aged adults. There are also very few studies that examined the effect of race on polysomnographic sleep parameters.
Review of vadose zone soil solution sampling techniques

Understanding the composition and fluxes of vadose zone soil water is extremely important to many environmental studies, and hence the monitoring of soil solution is of basic interest for different...
Double dissociation: circadian off-peak times increase emotional reactivity; aging impairs emotion regulation via reappraisal.

This study explored how the effectiveness of specific emotion regulation strategies might be influenced by aging and by time of day, given that in older age the circadian peak in cognitive performance is earlier in the day. We compared the benefit gained by 40 older (60–78 years; 20 women) and 40 younger (18–30 years; 20 women) adults during either on-peak or off-peak circadian times on 2 specific types of cognitive emotion regulation strategies: distraction and reappraisal. Participants rated their negative emotional responses to negative and neutral images under 3 conditions: a baseline nonregulation condition, a distraction condition involving a working memory task, and a reappraisal condition that involved reinterpreting the situation displayed using specific preselected strategies. First, as hypothesized, there was a crossover interaction such that participants in each age group reported more negative reactivity at their off-peak time of day. Second, a double dissociation was observed as circadian rhythms affected only negative reactivity—with reactivity highest at off-peak times—and aging diminished reappraisal but not distraction ability or reactivity. These findings add to growing evidence that understanding the effects of aging on emotion and emotion regulation depends on taking both time of day and type of regulatory strategy into account.
A 35-Year Evolution of Free Flap-Based Breast Reconstruction at a Large Urban Academic Center

Background This study aims to characterize the evolution and trends in free flap breast reconstruction at our institution. Methods The authors reviewed and analyzed a registry of free flap breast reconstructions performed at a large urban academic center. Results Between 1979 and mid-2014, a total of 920 patients underwent breast reconstruction with 1,254 flaps. The mean age was 47.7 years (range, 16–79 years). Over the past 10 years, patients were older than all patients seen in the prior decade (average age 48.9 vs. 46.1 years, p = 0.002). Overall, 82% of flaps were performed at our university hospital, 17% at a major urban county hospital, and p = 0.0008). There has been a steady increase in bilateral reconstructions since the first one was performed in 1987 ( p = 0.002). Conclusions Over the past 35 years, our institution has seen a significant evolution in free flap-based breast reconstruction. Besides a massive increase in flap numbers we have seen a significant trend toward bilateral reconstructions and perforator-based flaps.
A Robust Multilayer Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

We recently fabricated and characterized a new class of multilayer dielectric elastomer films comprising alternating layers of two different polymers, at least one of which is an elastomer. The films discussed here contain THV (a terpolymer of poly(vinylidene fluoride)) and poly(ethylene octene) [EO] elastomer. The multilayer structure provides improved dielectric and electromechanical performance relative to monolithic films of THV or EO. These properties are controlled by the composition and the layer structure. For example, increasing the concentration of the elastomeric EO component increases the maximum axial strain (sz). Layering EO with THV also increases the breakdown strength (EB ~ 265 - 300 V/µm) relative to monolithic EO (EB ~ 150 V/µm) or THV (EB ~ 245 V/µm) control films. This enhancement in breakdown strength is consistent with a barrier effect that is also observed in multilayer polymer capacitor films. The increase in breakdown strength allows 512-layer 75 vol% EO / 25 vol% THV films to achieve maximum axial strains of sz nearly 4%, higher than can be attained by either EO or THV films alone. In addition, layering reduces remnant strain and electromechanical hysteresis by limiting the effective field within the THV layers. The 75% EO/ 25% THV films show robust operational longevity with little loss in axial strain when subjected to repeated actuation at Emax = 225 V/µm (producing sz = 2.2%). Under these conditions, we observe 3,000 consecutive actuation cycles with no electrical breakdown. In comparison, single component EO control films undergo electrical breakdown at this field and THV control films survive only a few hundred actuation cycles under these conditions. The results demonstrate that multilayering is an effective technique to increase the dielectric strength of elastomer materials and in turn improve upon strain and operational longevity (repeated actuation cycles) characteristics.
Macrophage Oxygen-Dependent Killing of Intracellular Parasites: Toxoplasma and Leishmania

The importance of cell-mediated immunity in host resistance to infection caused by intracellular pathogens has been well-established. Similarly, it has been known for some time that monocytes and macrophages play primary roles in the efferent limb of the cellular response to such infections (1–9). The mechanisms by which these phagocytes exert antimicrobial activity, however, have been largely unexplored. During the past several years, work in this and other laboratories has indicated that the generation of toxic oxygen intermediates contributes importantly to the ability of mononuclear phagocytes to kill or inhibit the growth of ingested microbial pathogens (10–20). Thus, considerable evidence is now available to suggest that the well-recognized oxygen-dependent mechanism present in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which generates a number of toxic products including superoxide anion (O 2 - ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical (OH) (21–23), is also present and operative in monocytes and macrophages.
TYPIFICATION OF THE FAMILY STILBELLACEAE

Summary For some years there have been uncertainty and disagreement as to which name, Stilbella Lindau or Stilbum Tode ex Fr., more properly designates a genus of the Fungi Imperfecti and whether Stilbellaceae or Stilbaceae should be used as the family name. In view of the recent conservation of the latter family name for a taxon of phanerogamic plants (30) having as its type the genus Stilbe Bergius (1767), it seems appropriate to review the fungus nomenclatural problem.
The Lysine Requirement of Growing Chicks Fed Sesame Meal-Gelatin Diets at Three Protein Levels

Abstract Diets providing three levels of protein (14, 18.5 and 23%) and six levels of lysine (3.43, 3.93, 4.43,4.93, 5.43 and 5.93% of C.P.) were fed to triplicate groups of eight male crossbred chicks for the period 14 to 28 days posthatching. The basal 23% protein ration contained protein from sesame meal and gelatin and was supplemented with quantities of essential amino acids equal to the difference between the level supplied by the dietary protein and that recommended by N.R.C. (1971). Amino acid pattern of the 14 and 18.5% protein diets was similar to that of the 23% protein diet since proteinaceous ingredients and crystalline amino acids were reduced in direct proportion to the reduction in protein level. The lysine requirement for maximal weight gain was estimated to be 4.73, 4.72 and 4.60% of the protein at 14, 18.5 and 23% dietary protein, respectively. Expressed as a percent of the diet the requirement values were estimated at 0.66, 0.88 and 1.05% at 14, 18.5 and 23% dietary protein, respectively. The results confirm earlier observations that the requirement for an essential amino acid remains essentially constant as dietary protein level is varied between deficiency and adequacy.
Reading Instruction in Science for Students With Learning Disabilities A Meta-Analysis

As a growing number of students with learning disabilities (LD) receive science instruction in general education settings, students with LD continue to perform significantly lower than their non-disabled peers. The shift from textbook-driven instruction to inquiry-based approaches to science learning supports students who struggle with reading. However, research continues to show that for students to fully access the science curriculum, it is critical to address effective ways to increase reading comprehension of expository science text. This meta-analysis identified 20 studies from 12 articles that evaluated the efficacy of such interventions. Effect sizes were calculated for each study. Across all studies, a mean effect size (ES) of 0.98 was obtained. Findings align with past research on reading comprehension of expository text indicating that students with LD benefit from explicit vocabulary instruction (ES = 1.25) and the use of multicomponent interventions (ES = 0.64) when reading science-related mat...
A Lead-Solder Alloy Casting Technique for Studying the Structure of Ants' Nests

A lead-solder alloy was found superior to other materials for making casts of the nest structure of ants. The method employed gave adequate penetration of the nests and the rigid, but not brittle, nature of the material simplified their excavation and handling. The method was also used successfully for the study of the burrows of other ground-nesting insects.
Bibliometrics Study on Domestic Special Medical Service

Taking Google Scholar,CNKI and VIP as information sources to retrieve documents related domestic special medical service, the paper conducts a bibliometrics analysis from the following indicators:publishing time,source journal,author's profession and the geographical distibution,sums up the research overview of domestic special medical service in recent years,in order to provide a useful reference for development of theory and practice in the field.
Advantages of blood cardioplegia over continuous coronary perfusion or intermittent ischemia: Experimental and clinical study

A safe, effective method of producing a quiet, bloodless heart for 2 hours or more has been developed experimentally and used clinically. Aliquots of oxygenated blood from the heart/lung machine are altered (calcium chelation, Ca++ 0.6 mEq. per liter; alkalinization, pH 7.8; hyperkalemia, 30 mEq. per liter; and cooling, 22° C.) and infused by the perfusionist from the pump console into the proximal aortic root or coronary ostia (during aortic valve replacement) every 20 minutes. Of 17 dogs placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, seven received continuous coronary perfusion for 4 hours. In 10 dogs, the aorta was clamped for 2 hours (myocardial temperature 22° C), and 150 c.c. of pump blood was injected into the aortic root every 20 minutes. In five dogs this blood was unaltered (simulating intermittent release of the aortic clamp), and in five others the blood was modified with the cardioplegic additives. The best myocardial protection occurred with blood cardioplegia with, near-normal compliance (80 percent recovery*), normal left ventricular contractility, and maintenance of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In contrast, with continuous coronary perfusion, ATP and contractility were preserved but compliance was reduced 60 percent.* With intermittent 22° C. ischemia, severe depression of ATP (42 percent*), compliance (83 percent*), and contractility (52 percent*) occurred. Next, the hospital course of 148 consecutive, nonrandomized patients was analyzed. In the 77 patients with continuous coronary perfusion or intermittent ischemia, there were 59 coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), 15 aortic valve replacements (AVR), and three AVR plus CABG. In 71 patients undergoing prolonged aortic clamping (longest 124 minutes) with blood cardioplegia, there were 55 CABG, 11 AVR, and five AVR plus CABG. The average ischemic time was much longer in the blood cardioplegic group (43 ± 33 versus 19 ± 18 minutes, 2 S.D.). Despite longer ischemia, results with blood cardioplegia were superior in regard to postoperative CK (796 versus 1,251 units per liter*), SGOT (59 versus 99 units per liter*), infarct rate (ECG, 1/71 versus 11/77*), cardiac output (5.2 versus 3.9 L. per minute*), need for circulatory support (1/71 versus 6/77*), and mortality (1/71 versus 5/77*). We conclude that blood cardioplegia, both experimentally and clinically, offers better myocardial protection and operating conditions than does intermittent ischemia or continuous coronary perfusion.
A Multimedia Tool to Deliver Professional Development of Vocabulary Instruction

Supporting teachers' implementation of evidence-based vocabulary practices with fidelity during instruction is critical. In this study, researchers investigated a multimedia-based intervention that...
Patient-Reported Outcomes After Revision of Metal-on-Metal Total Bearings in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Failure of metal-on-metal (MOM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) bearings is often accompanied by an aggressive local reaction associated with destruction of bone, muscle, and other soft tissues around the hip. Little is known about whether patient-reported physical and mental function following revision THA in MOM patients is compromised by this soft tissue damage, and whether revision of MOM THA is comparable with revision of hard-on-soft bearings such as metal-on-polyethylene (MOP). Methods We identified 75 first-time MOM THA revisions and compared them with 104 first-time MOP revisions. Using prospective patient-reported measures via the Veterans RAND-12, we compared Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score function at preoperative baseline and postoperative follow-up between revision MOM THA and revision MOP THA. Results Physical Component Score did not vary between the groups preoperatively and at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Mental Component Score preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively were lower in patients in the MOM cohort compared with patients with MOP revisions (baseline: 43.7 vs 51.3, P P P = .016). However, by 1 year, MCS scores were not significantly different between the revision cohorts. Conclusion Postrevision physical function in revised MOM THA patients does not differ significantly from the outcomes of revised MOP THA. Mental function is markedly lower in MOM patients at baseline and early in the postoperative period, but does not differ from MOP patients at 1 year after revision. This information should be useful to surgeons and physicians facing MOM THA revision.
Engineering with life: new tools for the 21st century

Integrative technology, the merging of nanotechnology, biotechnology and informatics offers an opportunity for realizing true advances in the manner in which technology interacts with humanity. Using the power of nanotechnology to manipulate matter, that is the placing of molecule's where we want, when we want, to perform functions that we want. Using the inspiration of biotechnology both to co-opt the tools of molecular manufacturing and to provide a baseline understanding of the way nature manipulates matter and information. And finally, using informatics to create a robust framework for transforming the information implicit in molecular and larger scale interactions to engineer complex adaptive systems that exhibit embedded higher-order behavior. Collectively these technologies established the basis for integrative technology, a new IT with emergent capabilities resulting from defined interactions within the system. The first examples of the implementation of integrated technology are manifested in the synthesis of a new class of smart materials. These materials have the potential to emulate much of the functionality associated with living systems such as the active transport and transformation of matter and information and, the transduction of energy into different forms. We will present the details of the technological demands and the results of efforts associated with the production of these new functional materials. Elements of the discussion will include the genetic engineering of active biological molecules into engineering building blocks, the precision assembly of these molecules into a stable, "active" material and, the promise of embedding intelligent behavior into the matrix of the assembled matter to a new class of intelligent therapeutics
Universal Context Tree PTH-Order Least Squares Prediction

We examine the sequential prediction of individual sequences under the square error loss using a competitive algorithm framework. Previous work has described a first-order algorithm that competes against a doubly exponential number of piecewise linear models. Using context trees, this first-order algorithm achieves the performance of the best piecewise linear first-order model that can choose its prediction parameters observing the entire sequence in advance, uniformly, for any individual sequence, with a complexity only linear in the depth of the context tree. In this paper, we extend these results to a these results to a sequential pr?dictor of order p ? 1, that asymptotically performs as well as the best piecewise linear pth-order model.
19.4 A 0.0049mm2 2.3GHz sub-sampling ring-oscillator PLL with time-based loop filter achieving −236.2dB jitter-FOM

High-performance phase-locked loops (PLLs) and clock multipliers with low jitter/phase noise are essential for numerous applications, such as digital microprocessors and SoCs, wireline/optical links, data converters and wireless radios. Given the increasing cost per unit area of advanced CMOS nodes and the need for a multitude of PLLs in complex digital systems, there is a need to miniaturize the area of PLLs while not sacrificing jitter and phase noise performance. Ring oscillators are extremely compact when compared with their LC counterparts, but exhibit typically 15-to-20dB worse phase noise performance. A conventional analog charge-pump PLL that exploits a passive loop filter can be low-noise but requires a large loop-filter capacitor for frequency compensation, which dominates the area in a ring-oscillator PLL. An analog sub-sampling PLL [1] dramatically lowers in-band phase noise, but requires an even larger loop-filter capacitor to achieve comparable loop dynamics unless pulsing is employed [1,2]. Digital PLLs are extremely compact but are plagued by quantization-noise and deterministic-jitter issues. Active loop filters can substantially lower the area requirements as well, but are associated with severe linearity and (phase) noise penalties, which are further exacerbated as CMOS technology scales. A time-based proportional-integral-controlled (PI-controlled) active loop filter was presented in [3] that uses a current-controlled ring oscillator (CCRO) as an ideal integrator, addressing linearity and DC gain challenges, but the loop filter noise results in a jitter Figure-of-Merit (FOM) that is >10dB inferior to state-of-the-art ring-oscillator PLLs.
Random sampling causes the low reproducibility of rare eukaryotic OTUs in Illumina COI metabarcoding

DNA metabarcoding, the PCR-based profiling of natural communities, is becoming the method of choice for biodiversity monitoring because it circumvents some of the limitations inherent to traditional ecological surveys. However, potential sources of bias that can affect the reproducibility of this method remain to be quantified. The interpretation of differences in patterns of sequence abundance and the ecological relevance of rare sequences remain particularly uncertain. Here we used one artificial mock community to explore the significance of abundance patterns and disentangle the effects of two potential biases on data reproducibility: indexed PCR primers and random sampling during Illumina MiSeq sequencing. We amplified a short fragment of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) for a single mock sample containing equimolar amounts of total genomic DNA from 34 marine invertebrates belonging to six phyla. We used seven indexed broad-range primers and sequenced the resulting library on two consecutive Illumina MiSeq runs. The total number of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) was ∼4 times higher than expected based on the composition of the mock sample. Moreover, the total number of reads for the 34 components of the mock sample differed by up to three orders of magnitude. However, 79 out of 86 of the unexpected OTUs were represented by <10 sequences that did not appear consistently across replicates. Our data suggest that random sampling of rare OTUs (e.g., small associated fauna such as parasites) accounted for most of variation in OTU presence-absence, whereas biases associated with indexed PCRs accounted for a larger amount of variation in relative abundance patterns. These results suggest that random sampling during sequencing leads to the low reproducibility of rare OTUs. We suggest that the strategy for handling rare OTUs should depend on the objectives of the study. Systematic removal of rare OTUs may avoid inflating diversity based on common β descriptors but will exclude positive records of taxa that are functionally important. Our results further reinforce the need for technical replicates (parallel PCR and sequencing from the same sample) in metabarcoding experimental designs. Data reproducibility should be determined empirically as it will depend upon the sequencing depth, the type of sample, the sequence analysis pipeline, and the number of replicates. Moreover, estimating relative biomasses or abundances based on read counts remains elusive at the OTU level.
Bonnevillamides, Linear Heptapeptides Isolated from a Great Salt Lake-Derived Streptomyces sp.

Streptomyces sp. GSL-6B was isolated from sediment collected from the Great Salt Lake and investigation of its organic extract led to the isolation of three new linear heptapeptides, bonnevillamides A (1), B (2), and C (3). The bonnevillamides represent a new class of linear peptides featuring unprecedented non-proteinogenic amino acids. All three peptides contain the newly characterized bonnevillic acid moiety (3-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyacrylic acid), as well as a heavily modified proline residue. Moreover, in bonnevillamide A, the terminal proline residue found in bonnevillamides B and C is replaced with 4-methyl-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester. The structures of the three heptapeptides were elucidated by NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS), and LC-MS/MS, and the absolute configuration of all proteinogenic amino acid residues were determined by advanced Marfey’s method. Bonnevillamides A, B and C were evaluated for their effects on zebrafish embryo development. All three heptapeptides were shown to modulate heart growth and cardiac function, with bonnevillamide B having the most pronounced effect.
Circulating cell-free DNA mutation patterns in early and late stage colon and pancreatic cancer

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease harboring diverse subclonal populations that can be discriminated by their DNA mutations. Environmental pressure selects subclones that ultimately drive disease progression and tumor relapse. Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) can be used to approximate the mutational makeup of cancer lesions and can serve as a marker for monitoring disease progression at the molecular level without the need for invasively acquired samples from primary or metastatic lesions. This potential for molecular analysis makes ccfDNA attractive for the study of clonal evolution and for uncovering emerging therapeutic resistance or sensitivity. We assessed ccfDNA from colon and pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients using next generation sequencing of 56 cancer-associated genes at the time of primary resectable disease and metastatic progression and compared this to the mutational patterns of the primary tumor. 28%–47% of non-synonymous mutations in the primary tumors were also detected in the ccfDNA while 71%–78% mutations found in ccfDNA were not detected in the primary tumors. ccfDNA collected at the time of progression harbored 3–5 new mutations not detected in ccfDNA at the earlier collection time points. We conclude that incorporation of ccfDNA analysis provides crucial insights into the changing molecular makeup of progressive colon and pancreatic cancer.
Data-Driven Nonlinear Adaptive Optimal Control of Connected Vehicles

This paper studies the cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) problem of connected vehicles with unknown nonlinear dynamics. Different from the existing literature on CACC, a data-driven optimal control policy is developed by global adaptive dynamic programming (GADP). Interestingly, the developed control policy achieves global stabilization of the nonlinear vehicular platoon system in the absence of the a priori knowledge of system dynamics. Numerical simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the developed approach.
Comparative effectiveness of upfront esophagectomy versus induction chemoradiation in clinical stage T2N0 esophageal cancer: A decision analysis.

Abstract Objectives We compared the effectiveness of upfront esophagectomy versus induction chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy for overall survival in patients with clinical T2N0 (cT2N0) esophageal cancer. We also assessed the influence of the diagnostic uncertainty of endoscopic ultrasound on the expected benefit of chemoradiation. Methods We created a decision analysis model representing 2 treatment strategies for cT2N0 esophageal cancer: upfront esophagectomy that may be followed by adjuvant therapy for upstaged patients and induction chemoradiation for all patients with cT2N0 esophageal cancer followed by esophagectomy. Parameter values within the model were obtained from published data, and median survival for pathologic subgroups was derived from the National Cancer Database. In sensitivity analyses, staging uncertainty of endoscopic ultrasound was introduced by varying the probability of pathologic upstaging. Results The baseline model showed comparable median survival for both strategies: 48.3 months for upfront esophagectomy versus 45.9 months for induction chemoradiation and surgery. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated induction chemoradiation was beneficial, with probability of upstaging > 48.1%, which is within the published range of 32% to 65% probability of pathologic upstaging after cT2N0 diagnosis. The presence of any of 3 key variables (size larger than 3 cm, high grade, or lymphovascular invasion) was associated with > 48.1% risk of upstaging, thus conferring a survival advantage to induction chemoradiation. Conclusions The optimal treatment strategy for cT2N0 esophageal cancer depends on the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound staging. High-risk features that confer increased probability of upstaging can inform clinical decision making to recommend induction chemoradiation for select cT2N0 patients.
Fatal air embolism following local anaesthetisation: does needle size matter?

A 76­-year­-old male cigarette smoker presented with a 2-week history of cough and haemoptysis. Chest CT on admission revealed multiple new lung nodules concerning for malignancy. CT-­guided biopsy of the nodule in left lower lobe was attempted in prone oblique position for tissue diagnosis. Local anaesthetic (lidocaine) was administered using a 25-­gauge (1.5-inch) needle to anaesthetise the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This was followed by insertion of a 25-gauge (3.5-inch) Whitacre needle to anaesthetise deeper tissues and parietal pleura. Due to patient’s coughing and proximity of the nodule to the diaphragm, the circumstances were judged to be too risky for a needle biopsy. Therefore, it was decided to biopsy another nodule in the left lung that was visible on the same CT section. During this portion of the procedure, the patient became hypoxic and developed pulseless electrical activity arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was unsuccessful and the efforts ceased after 45 min. Subsequent review of CT scan revealed air in the left ventricle.
The Symphony of Sentience, in Cosmos and Life: In Memoriam Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka

In this tribute to Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, I examine whether phenomenology, as a cognitive enterprise of sentience, extends beyond the death of the physical body. The symphonic form of this paper is inspired by Tymieniecka’s Metaphysical Rhapsodies of Faith. The paper’s First Movement, Allegro, sets the stage by drawing distinctions between the concept of sentience in the Phenomenology of Life and that of the intentionality of consciousness as viewed in cognitive phenomenology with its strong Husserlian legacy. The Second Movement, Moderato, follows the thread of sentience in the labyrinth of life through the ontopoietic patterns of complexity and emergence in both animate and inanimate nature. The Third Movement, Minuet, shows the hylomorphic unity of sentience and patterns of complexity in the nonlinear dynamics of the brain, and discusses qualia of thought, and the informational patterns of consciousness. Sentience is claimed to be a cosmic property which is appropriated by the phenomenologically material subjectivity. Since the intuition of life is the self-revelation of sentience, intuition of life continues in dying and has no reason not to continue beyond. The Fourth Movement, Finale Glorioso, describes patterns of sentience in the soul’s final ascent, and honors the intuitional gifts that proceed from the passage of a great soul.
948 THE IMPROVING SURVIVAL OF ≤ 1000 BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS - 1963–76

Of approximately 6,000 deliveries/yr., 4.8/1000 were ≤ 1000 gms. in the years 1963-76. In 1976 the survival rate of this weight group, for the first time, rose above 20%. Since 1971 when it began being documented, gestational age of all the infants was 25.8 wks. but for those who lived it was 27.1 wks. Analyzing in 50 g. weight group increments, we found that the survival rate for the 950-1000 weight group did not exceed 50% until 1974. In 1974 there was a 55% survival rate, in 1975 a 78% survival rate and in 1976 a 67% rate for this group (950-1000 g). In the years 1975-76, analyzing the use of respirators for this weight group (≤ 1000 g.) as to the day of onset of respirator use and ultimate survival, we found that no infant survived whose birth weight was 900 g., some infants survived when treated with respirators less than one day of age. We conclude that very low birth weight infants have increased survival when treated in perinatal centers wedding neonatal intensive care with obstetric intensive care.
The Principal Ideal Theorem and Systems of Parameters

It is elementary that a principal prime ideal in a Noetherian ring can have codimension at most 1. A sharper statement is this: Any prime properly contained in a proper principal ideal has codimension 0. Proof: If on the contrary, Q ⫋ P ⫋ (x) in a ring R, with P and Q prime, then factoring out Q we can assume that Q = 0, and thus that R is a domain. If y ∈ P, then y = ax for some a, and since x ∉ P it follows that a ∈ P; thus P = xP. By Corollary 4.7, (1 - b)P = 0 for some b ∈ (x). Since R is a domain, we must have b = 1, so (x) is not proper, a contradiction.
Analysis in Automatic Recognition of Speech

The chapter describes the purpose and origins of some of the methods used for speech analysis. The first part discusses the history of the development of some of the early speech analysis techniques. The focus of the second half is on a currently active area of research on auditory modeling in speech analysis.
The New Breed of Managers

“Is the Indian manager becoming professionalized?” This is the question with which this chapter is concerned. Historical data were analyzed in the previous chapter to discuss this question of paramount importance in India’s economic development.
Vasopressin Administration Is Associated With Rising Serum Lactate Levels in Patients With Sepsis.

Background:Vasopressin is used in conjunction with norepinephrine during treatment of patients with septic shock. Serum lactate is often used in monitoring of patients with sepsis; however, its imp...
Lessons in Scientific Computing: Numerical Mathematics, Computer Technology, and Scientific Discovery

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this new book provides a modern introduction to scientific computing, exploring numerical methods, computer technology, and their interconnections, which are treated with the goal of facilitating scientific research across all disciplines. Each chapter provides an insightful lesson and viewpoints from several subject areas are often compounded within a single chapter. Written with an eye on usefulness, longevity, and breadth, Lessons in Scientific Computing will serve as a "one stop shop" for students taking a unified course in scientific computing, or seeking a single cohesive text spanning multiple courses. Features: Provides a unique combination of numerical analysis, computer programming, and computer hardware in a single text Includes essential topics such as numerical methods, approximation theory, parallel computing, algorithms, and examples of computational discoveries in science Not wedded to a specific programming language
Novel extrusion punch design for elimination of punch ejection load and enhanced lubrication

Abstract The extreme surface expansion and pressures observed during the backward cup extrusion process can adversely affect the surface of the work-piece and diminish the life of the punches. To reduce or eliminate punch ejection load and galling commonly encountered in the backward extrusion process, a punch system composed of a main body punch and a punch nose insert is proposed. The nose insert is both an elastic strain field generator to facilitate punch removal and a gateway for lubricant transport. The preliminary test results have shown a marked reduction in both galling and the load required to eject the punch.
Perioperative analgesia for patients undergoing otologic surgery: An evidence-based review.

Objectives/hypothesis Opioid misuse and diversion is a major concern, with a negative impact on both the individual and society. The objective of this study was to perform an evidence-based systematic review of the efficacy of perioperative analgesic regimens following otologic surgery. Methods Embase, Cochrane Library, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases (January 1, 1947 to June 30, 2018) were searched for studies investigating pain management in otologic surgeries. All studies were assessed for quality and bias using the Cochrane bias tool. Patient demographics, type of surgery, medication class, dose, administration characteristics, pain scores, and adverse events were reported. Results Twenty-three studies encompassing 1,842 patients met inclusion criteria. In 21.4% of studies, an overall reduction in pain scores was reported when the treatment group included more than one analgesic. Nausea and vomiting were the most common adverse events across all medication types (10.2%), with local anesthetic patients experiencing these side effects most frequently (38.0%). Perioperative acetaminophen was reported to have the fewest adverse drug reactions overall (6.1%), but did not reduce pain scores as much as other modalities, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or combination analgesics. Conclusions There is evidence that combination analgesics, such as acetaminophen plus codeine, provide superior pain relief to monotherapy analgesics in the perioperative pain management of otologic surgeries. NSAIDs, α-agonists, and nerve blocks may also be viable single-therapy options. Further prospective randomized controlled trials into perioperative analgesia for patients undergoing otologic surgery may be helpful in establishing a definitive consensus. Laryngoscope, 130:190-199, 2020.
A facile and novel synthesis of 1,6‐naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐ones

A new and convenient procedure for the synthesis of 1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones and their derivatives is described. In the first scheme 5-acetyl-6-[2-(dimethylamino)ethenyl]-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile (4) obtained by the reaction of N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal with 5-acetyl-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile (3) was cyclized to 1,2-dihydro-5-methyl-2-oxo-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile (5) by the action of ammonium acetate. Thermal decarboxylation of acid 7 obtained from the hydrolysis of nitrile 5 led to a mixture of 5-methyl-1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one (8) and its dimer 9. Hydrazide 11 obtained from nitrile 5 in two steps was converted to 3-amino-5-methyl-1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one (12) by the Curtius rearrangement. The amino group of 12 was readily replaced by treatment with aqueous sodium hydroxide to yield 3-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one (13). In the second scheme, Michael reaction of enamines of type 20 with methyl propiolate, followed by ring closure gave 5-acyl(aroyl)-6-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinones (21) which in turn were treated with Bredereck's reagent to produce 5-acyl(aroyl)-6-[2-(dimethylamino)ethenyl]-2(1H)-pyridinones (22). Treatment of 22 with ammonium acetate led to the formation of 1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones 23.