cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling, analysis and optimization of uncertainties in robot manipulators

T accuracy and repeatability of robot manipulators is influenced by several uncertain factors such as manufacturing and assembly tolerances and deviations in the joint actuators and controllers. The effects of these uncertain factors must be carefully analyzed to obtain a clear insight into the manipulator performance. In order to ensure the position and orientation accuracy of a robot end-effector as well as to reduce the manufacturing cost of the robot, it is necessary to quantify the influence of the uncertain factors and optimally allocate the tolerances and clearances. For this, the direct and inverse kinematic analysis of robot end-effectors is to be conducted in the presence of uncertain factors. This work presents three different uncertainty models, namely, the probability-, fuzzyand intervalbased models, for predicting the performance of robot manipulators in the presence of uncertainties. The optimal allocation of joint tolerances with consideration of the positional error of the robot end-effector, the directional error of the robot end-effector and the manufacturing cost is also considered. The results given by the different models are compared for the Stanford manipulator for illustration. The cost-tolerance model is assumed to be of an exponential form during optimization. The effects of the upper bounds on the minimum cost and relative deviations of the directional and positional errors of the end-effector are also studied. Singiresu S. Rao, J Appl Mech Eng 2013, 2:3 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2168-9873.S1.004
The Pediatric Patient Cared for in the Adult ICU

There are many similarities between the physiology of pediatric and adult shock, including the types of circulatory shock: hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, and distributive (Table 37.1). Pediatric patients, however, may demonstrate more subtle manifestations of the shock state, leading to potential for delayed recognition. Additionally, the response to states of altered ventricular preload, cardiac contractility, and vascular resistance is different in pediatric patients than adults. Cardiac output (CO) is more heavily dependent on heart rate (HR) than stroke volume (SV) in the young pediatric population as ventricular myocyte mass is still developing. Additionally, children are able to mount a significant and lasting increase in systemic vascular resistance (Fig. 37.1). Therefore, in contrast to adults, pediatric patients in states of shock may manifest tachycardia without hypotension (McKiernan 2005). It is critical to recognize shock state before the development of hypotension. Upon recognition of shock, volume resuscitation, inotropic support, and vasoactive therapy must be rapidly implemented. Early consideration of adjunctive support measures such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), and ventricular assist devices (VADs) may improve outcomes for pediatric patients in refractory shock (ECLS 2013).
Machine Improvisation with Variable Markov Oracle: Toward Guided and Structured Improvisation

In this article, we describe the Variable Markov Oracle and how it can be used in stylistic machine music improvisation scenarios. A Variable Markov Oracle is a data structure capable of identifying repeated subsequences within a multivariate time series. A Variable Markov Oracle symbolizes a time series by maximizing an information theoretic measure. After symbolizing the time series, repetitive structures can be extracted and used for music improvisation. We present a machine improvisation framework, using a Variable Markov Oracle, that is capable of generating novel audio content for either real-time or stored audio input. This work focuses on guided improvisation and structured improvisation.
Role of retinoic acid in diet induced obesity

Obesity is a complex disease associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation of the adipose tissue, which promotes insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) with an inflammatory M1 profile are involved in the development and progression of obesity associated metabolic diseases. In contrast, alternatively activated M2 macrophages (AAMs) may promote anti-inflammatory responses and polarization of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), attenuating adipose tissue inflammation. We now show that AAMs in the adipose tissue promote the polarization and maintenance of Tregs, through expression of the enzyme retinal dehydrogenase 2 (Raldh2). Diet induced obesity reduces expression of Raldh2 by adipose tissue AAMs and disrupts the polarization of Tregs. Treatment of lean mice with a pan-retinoic acid receptor inverse agonist BMS493 disrupts polarization of Tregs in the adipose tissue. In contrast, retinoic acid (RA) treatment of obese mice reverses defects in Tregs. Induction of AAMs and Tregs in adipose tissue occurs through a Stat6 dependent mechanism. Conditional deletion of Raldh2 with LysM-Cre or CD11c-Cre resulted in the disruption of Treg polarization. These findings suggest that RA may be important for maintaining adipose tissue Tregs by AAMs under steady state non-obese conditions and could perhaps be used as a novel therapeutic agent for diet induced metabolic diseases.
Reply to Commentary on Our Paper "Palliative Care and Patient Autonomy."

PEER REVIEW: One peer reviewer contributed to the peer review report. Reviewers’ reports totaled 27 words, excluding any confidential comments to the academic editor. FUNDING: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTS: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Author Contributions Both the authors contributed to all aspects of the manuscript.
Geothermal distribution network modeled as Heat Exchanger Network to be optimized with Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming

Abstract Geothermal energy is commonly harvested at either shallower depth (below 150ft/45.72m) for residential purposes (with ground source heat pumps), or deeper depths (beyond 8000ft/2.43 km) for Enhanced Geothermal Systems. The in-between depths are rarely visited due to high drilling costs, and the water harvested being unable to power turbines. Recent studies powered by the data released by the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) opened a new opportunity of harvesting the geothermal potential in post-production oil/gas boreholes in Pennsylvania. We are interested therefore in whether it is feasible to connect the different heat sources with different temperature availabilities to distribute to spatially scattered end-users. Presented in this paper is a project that generates heat exchanger network configurations through mixed nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem formulation and optimization in Python. With the case intentionally simplified, the computational costs of the optimization was found to be marginal.
Zika Virus Shedding in Semen of Symptomatic Infected Men

Abstract Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that has been linked to adverse birth outcomes. Previous reports have shown that person-to-person transmission can occur by means of sexual contact. Methods We conducted a prospective study involving men with symptomatic ZIKV infection to determine the frequency and duration of ZIKV shedding in semen and urine and to identify risk factors for prolonged shedding in these fluids. Specimens were obtained twice per month for 6 months after illness onset and were tested by real-time reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay for ZIKV RNA and by Vero cell culture and plaque assay for infectious ZIKV. Results A total of 1327 semen samples from 184 men and 1038 urine samples from 183 men were obtained 14 to 304 days after illness onset. ZIKV RNA was detected in the urine of 7 men (4%) and in the semen of 60 (33%), including in semen samples from 22 of 36 men (61%) who were tested within 30 days after illness onset. ...
Postinjury Issues and Ethics of Return to Play in Pediatric Concussion

Concussion management is an individualized process and therefore can be confusing to patients, parents, and other caregivers. There are guidelines to assist in identifying concussion symptoms and suggest return-to-play plans, but each patient deserves a unique approach to their injury. This chapter reviews the potential long-term complications of concussion, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, chronic headaches, and neurocognitive dysfunction. It also explores the possible management options for concussed children and adolescents, many of which are emerging and somewhat experimental. Long-term psychosocial concerns are addressed. The ethics of return-to-play are also discussed.
Danazol in the management of ureteral obstruction secondary to endometriosis

A case is reported in which a woman was diagnosed with ureteral obstruction secondary to endometriosis after cystourethrogram, retrograde pyelogram and a renal scan. After unsuccessful treatment with danazol, a retroperitoneal ureteroneocystotomy was performed. The ureter was found to be obstructed by dense fibrous tissue that contained endometrial glands. It was concluded that danazol is unlikely to relieve endometriotic ureteric obstruction once dense fibrosis has occurred. 8 references, 2 figures.
RELIABILITY OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL VIDEO-BASED RUNNING GAIT ANALYSIS

Background While two-dimensional (2D) video running analysis is commonly performed in the clinical setting, the reliability of quantitative measurements as well as effect of clinical experience has not been studied. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of six different raters using 2D video analysis of sagittal and frontal plane kinematic variables while running on a treadmill. Study design Cross-sectional Study. Methods Running videos from 10 individuals (five female, five male) with a mean age of 22.8 years were selected for analysis. Two raters had over 10 years of experience with running video analysis and the other four raters had no prior experience. Before beginning analyses, the senior investigator conducted two hours of training with all raters to review the measurement procedures and the movement analysis software program. After completing training and one practice analysis, each rater assessed four 60-second video clips for the 10 runners twice (20 total). A minimum of one week separated the two assessments on each runner. The order of the runner analyses were randomly assigned and each rater completed a single analysis within 24 hours. After the rater had completed their initial assessment on all 10 runners, a second analysis was completed one week later with a different order of randomization. Eight sagittal plane (SAG) and four frontal plane (FRT) quantitative variables were measured for the left and right lower extremities on all 10 runners. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of the measurement (SEM). Results The intra-rater ICC values for experienced raters ranged from 0.75 to 0.98 for the SAG and 0.45 to 0.96 for FRT variables. The inter-rater ICC values between the experienced raters ranged from 0.76 to 0.99 for the SAG and 0.82 to 0.98 for FRT variables. The intra-rater ICC values for inexperienced raters ranged from 0.54 to 0.99 for the SAG and 0.08 to 0.97 for FRT variables. The inter-rater ICC values between the inexperienced raters ranged from 0.93 to 0.99 for the SAG and 0.79 to 0.98 for FRT variables. Intra-rater SEM values based on average means of all raters ranged from 1 to 47% of the mean values obtained for the SAG and from 6 to 158% for the FRT variables. Conclusions The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability levels were higher for SAG quantitative variables assessed in this study in comparison to FRT variables. Experience does not appear to be a factor when consistency is required with repeated analyses on the same runner. Level of evidence 4, Controlled laboratory study.
BrowseWithMe: An Online Clothes Shopping Assistant for People with Visual Impairments

Our interviews with people who have visual impairments show clothes shopping is an important activity in their lives. Unfortunately, clothes shopping web sites remain largely inaccessible. We propose design recommendations to address online accessibility issues reported by visually impaired study participants and an implementation, which we call BrowseWithMe, to address these issues. BrowseWithMe employs artificial intelligence to automatically convert a product web page into a structured representation that enables a user to interactively ask the BrowseWithMe system what the user wants to learn about a product (e.g., What is the price? Can I see a magnified image of the pants?). This enables people to be active solicitors of the specific information they are seeking rather than passive listeners of unparsed information. Experiments demonstrate BrowseWithMe can make online clothes shopping more accessible and produce accurate image descriptions.
Sustained by the Sacred: Religious and Spiritual Factors for Resilience in Adulthood and Aging

There are many sources of strength when stressful events occur throughout life. Psychologists have identified factors such as social support, positive emotions, and self-compassion that contribute to resilience. Religion and spirituality offer an additional dimension in coping with adversity: the sacred . We argue that an integrated connection with the sacred is essential for accessing unique reservoirs of strength in difficult times. Religious resources serve as lifelines that route individuals towards wellbeing. On the other hand, unrelenting spiritual struggles can compound stress or exacerbate difficulties. Thus it is critical to assess the nature of one’s relationship with the sacred. In doing so, targeted interventions to build spiritual resilience and decrease spiritual risk factors can be applied at different points throughout adulthood and aging.
Potential of GABA B Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.

The orthosteric γ-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) receptor agonist baclofen is currently considered a therapeutic option for alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, the safety profile of baclofen is a concern, thus arousing interest in the positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAB receptor (GABAB PAMs), a new class of ligands expected to possess a better safety profile. The present paper summarizes the several lines of experimental evidence indicating the ability of GABAB PAMs to inhibit multiple alcohol-motivated behaviors in rodents. All GABAB PAMs tested to date have invariably been reported to reduce, or even suppress, excessive alcohol drinking, relapse- and binge-like drinking, operant oral alcohol self-administration, reinstatement of alcohol seeking, and alcohol-induced locomotor stimulation and conditioned place preference in rats and mice. The use of validated animal models of several aspects of AUD confers translational value to these findings. The reducing effects of GABAB PAMs on alcohol-motivated behaviors (1) occurred at doses largely lower than those inducing sedation, suggesting that GABAB PAMs may possess, if compared with baclofen, a higher therapeutic index and a more favorable safety profile, and (2) were often not associated with reductions on other non-drug consummatory behaviors. Additional findings with therapeutic potential were (1) the lack of tolerance, after repeated treatment, to the reducing effect of GABAB PAMs on alcohol drinking and self-administration; (2) the efficacy of GABAB PAMs after intragastric administration; and (3) the ability of GABAB PAMs to selectively potentiate the suppressing effect of baclofen on alcohol self-administration. The recent transition of the first GABAB PAMs to the initial steps of clinical testing makes investigation of the efficacy of GABAB PAMs in AUD patients a feasible option.
Effect of Community and Academic Surgical Rotation Sites on Medical Student Performance Outcomes and Career Choices.

Objective We hypothesize that students exposed to both academic and community surgery clerkship sites will have higher National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Exam in Surgery (NBME SES) scores and be more likely to pursue a career in a surgical specialty. Design The NBME surgery subject exam scores and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) results were collected for all medical students rotating through the surgery clerkship over 4 years. Permutations of sites were analyzed against exam scores and match rates into surgical and nonsurgical specialties. Setting This study was performed at the Tulane University School of Medicine, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America. Participants Data for a total of 910 students rotating through the surgery clerkship over a period of 4 years was collected and analyzed. Results There was no statistical difference in NBME subject exam scores (p = 0.44) or match rates into a surgical specialty (p = 0.13) as stratified by site placement. Average NBME surgery subject exam scores were higher for those pursuing a surgical specialty (p Conclusions The combination of sites experienced during the surgery clerkship did not affect NBME surgery subject exam scores nor lead to a tendency to match into a surgical specialty.
A Comparison of Team Sport Volume Surveyed Between High School and Club Sport Coaches

Background:Club sport participation is increasingly common among high school athletes. Sport participation characteristics may vary widely between the high school and club sport settings. However, ...
Depressive Symptoms and Sexually Transmitted Disease: Evidence from a Low-Income Neighborhood of New York City

We examined the association between sexually transmitted disease (STD) and depressive symptoms. Our analysis utilized the 2015 cross-sectional Washington Heights Community Survey. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the primary association between having a history of STD and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score while adjusting for potential confounders. Then in separate models, we adjusted for the interaction of social factors with PHQ-9 score to test for modification effect on the primary association. In this low-income neighborhood, STD history was not significantly associated with PHQ-9 score in the overall logistic regression model for the primary association. However, in interaction models, STD and depressive symptoms were associated in sub-groups defined by social factors, namely being Hispanic [odds ratio (OR) 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.15], foreign-born (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.15), and having low to moderate social support (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.02–1.15). Our results demonstrate a need for targeted interventions to be applied to vulnerable subgroups identified.
Effect of Coordinated Ligands on the Kinetics of Substitution Reactions in Metal Complexes

In recent years considerable progress has been made in the study of the fundamental kinetic steps which occur in coordination substitution reactions. Many of the rate constants for the substitution of coordinated water in aquo - metal complexes now have been determined (1). For the general case of metal ions which are not hydrolyzed, the rate of water substitution is the rate limiting reaction step. This rate step is characteristic for each metal ion and is found in substitution reactions where the aquo-metal ion is one reactant. The next piece of fundamental information needed is the effect which other coordinated ligands have on subsequent rates of water substitution. Many substitution reactions of interest involve the replacement of water not from the aquo -metal ion but rather from a metal complex which has several coordination sites occupied by other ligands. Information is sparse on this subject for the divalent metal ions but it has been suggested that an increase in the substitution rate accompanies a decrease in the charge of the complex. Thus, the mono-glycine complexes of nickel and cobalt are more labile to the substitution of a second glycine than are the aquo-metal ions (2). The same is known also for some metal hydroxo species as compared to the corresponding aquo-metal ions, cf. (1). On the other hand, the neutral imidazole complexes of the same metals do not appear to change the rate of the water substitution steps (2).
Polar Parity for Efficient Evaluation of Anisotropic Transverse Leakage in the 2D/1D Transport Method

A new method for calculating anisotropic radial transverse leakage (TL) in a two-dimensional (2D)/one-dimensional (1D) transport method is derived and implemented in MPACT. This method makes use of...
The Synthetic Hest Shock Protein (Hsp) 90 Inhibitor EC141 Induces Degradation of the Bcr-Abl p190 Protein and Apoptosis of Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph)-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Cells.

High dose chemotherapy of Ph+ ALL is rarely curative and clinical responses to protein kinase inhibitors have been transient. Although new regimens combining chemotherapy with Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors improve survival, the long-term prognosis of patients with Ph+ ALL remains guarded. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Hsp90 is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone protein required for the folding, activation and assembly of mediators of signal transduction, cell cycle control, and transcription regulation. The Hsp90 inhibitor EC141 (Biogen Idec, Inc.) blocks the chaperone activity of Hsp90 and induces proteasomal degradation of it’s client proteins. Because Hsp90 is a chaperone of Bcr-Abl we investigated the activity of EC141 against the Ph+ ALL B-cell lines Z-119, Z-181 and Z-33 (Estrov et al. J Cell Physiol166: 618, 1996; Leukemia10:1534, 1996). First we studied the effect of EC141 on Hsp levels in Ph+ ALL cells. EC141 (50 nM) down-regulated the protein levels of Hsp90 and upregulated those of Hsp70. Then, the effect of EC141 on the proliferation of Ph+ ALL cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. EC141 inhibited the growth and metabolic activity of Z-119, Z-181 and Z-33 Ph+ ALL cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 nM. Similar results were obtained with primary bone marrow cells from patients with Ph+ ALL. Using the ALL blast colony culture assay we found that EC141 inhibited the proliferation of marrow-derived ALL colony-forming cells in a dose-dependent fashion. To explore the mechanism of action Z-181 were incubated cells with increasing concentrations of EC141; immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblotting were used to detect changes in cellular protein levels. EC141 degraded the Bcr-Abl p190 protein and inhibited the phosphorylation of CrkL in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, exposure of Z-181 cells to EC141 resulted in a time- and dose-dependent activation of procaspase 3, cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase and apoptotic cell death as assessed by Annexin V. Taken together, our data suggest that EC141 degrades the Bcr-Abl p190 protein, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis of Ph+ ALL cells. Additional studies aimed at investigating the in vivo activity of EC141 in Ph+ ALL are warranted.
Calcifications on DBT and Synthetic Views: Update and Management Strategies

To provide an update on imaging appearance of calcifications on digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) compared to digital mammography (DM), and discuss the challenges in interpretation of DBT and synthesized views (SM). The quasi-3D feature of DBT reduces tissue overlap compared to DM improving visualization of lesions. However, early studies suggest that calcifications are less conspicuous on DBT. Two-dimensional SM created from tomosynthesis acquisition are FDA approved to replace DM and demonstrate improved conspicuity of calcifications. Reader and population-based studies suggested overall similar performance for SM+DBT when compared to DM+DBT. Reconstruction algorithms have improved calcification visualization; however, visualization of some calcifications can be challenging. On the other hand, DBT is increasingly being used for guiding biopsy of calcifications with increased success rate. Knowledge of the advantages and challenges of DBT and SM helps improve detection of suspicious calcifications while decreasing false-positive results. Improved lesion localization and shorter procedure time are major advantageous of DBT-guided biopsy of calcifications.
Does quality of research in otolaryngology correlate with academic impact

Objective To determine if the quality of otolaryngology-related journal articles correlates with traditional measures of article impact. Methods All articles published by Laryngoscope in 2011 were categorized according to level of evidence (LOE) according to the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine rubric. Articles without a level of evidence assigned were alphabetically subcategorized type with letters A-D corresponding to Contemporary Reports, Case Reports, Basic Science or Animal Studies, and Other respectively. Citations per article were then recorded per article each year from 2012 to 2018. Results A total of 494 articles were included for analysis, 315 had numerical LOE and 179 had alphabetical LOE. There was a strong negative correlation between numerical LOE and median and interquartile number of citations (R = -.9014, P = .037). Overall, numerical LOE had a significantly higher median number of citations per article compared with the non-number/alphabetical group (14 vs 6, P Conclusions Higher quality research as determined by level of evidence is in fact being cited more frequently than lower quality articles. Although the scope of this study was relatively limited, these data suggest that better designed studies may exhibit greater impact by traditional measures. Such findings should serve as an impetus for (and validation of) continued pursuit of high LOE research. Level of evidence NA.
Survivability of integrated fiber Bragg grating sensors in ballistic protection fabrics for high velocity impact testing

Abstract This research demonstrates that fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors can survive and provide useful strain information when integrated into a woven fabric subjected to ballistic impact testing. In this work, FBGs were integrated into a single-layer, Kevlar® fabric, sensing mat, placed between a 30-layer Kevlar® fabric shoot pack and clay backing material, and then impacted with an 8.23 g, 12.69 mm diameter, steel ball bearing at velocities up to 285 m/s. Three different optical fiber types, with differing fiber coatings and fiber diameters, were tested. The FBG strain response was determined from the full-spectrum FBG response which was interrogated at 100 kHz throughout the impact event. The difference in FBG strain response for the different coatings and fiber diameters were compared. Additionally, the degradation of the coatings after repeated impacts were visually characterized, showing that smaller diameter fibers behaved better with a more elastic coating.
ALK-Negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase–negative (ALK–) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30+ T-cell lymphoma that is morphologically similar to the most common variant of ALK+ ALCL, but lacking ALK expression.
Momentum-kick model description of the ridge in Δ φ - Δ η correlations in p p collisions at 7 TeV

The near-side ridge structure in the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\varphi}$-$\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\eta}$ correlation observed by the CMS Collaboration for $pp$ collisions at 7 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider can be explained by the momentum kick model in which the ridge particles are medium partons that suffer a collision with the jet and acquire a momentum kick along the jet direction. Similar to the early medium parton momentum distribution obtained in previous analysis for nucleus-nucleus collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{{}_{NN}}}=0.2$ TeV, the early medium parton momentum distribution in $pp$ collisions at 7 TeV exhibits a rapidity plateau as arising from particle production in a flux tube.
‘Radically Reasonable Politics: Animal Rights and Liberal Democracy’ Review of Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights, by Will Kymlicka and Sue Donaldson, Oxford UP

Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka maintain that the animal movement, a movement which, as they note, has never seen much success anyway, is mired in deficient theories. The authors suggest that animals do not have a chance without a meaningful place in politics. They seek to “shift the debate about animals from an issue in applied ethics to a question of political theory”. Donaldson and Kymlicka are on board with the objective of traditional animal rights theory — to end the human exploitation of nonhuman animals — but they believe that animal rights advocates have gone about it all wrong.
Square-root Palatoplasty: Comparing a Novel Modified-Furlow Double-opposing Z-palatoplasty Technique to Traditional Straight-line Repair

The purpose of this study was to introduce a modification of the Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ)-the square-root palatoplasty (SRP)-and critically evaluate outcomes compared to children who underwent straight-line repair (SLR). Methods A retrospective review was performed of all nonsyndromic children undergoing primary cleft palate closure either by SRP or SLR at our institution between 2009 and 2017. Outcomes of interest included rates/location of oronasal fistula, secondary surgery, speech delay/deficits, resonance, nasal air emission (NAE), articulation errors, and velopharyngeal function. Logistic regression was used to assess for the effect of surgery type on outcomes while controlling for Veau cleft type, age, and gender. Results Seventy-eight patients were included; 46 (59%) underwent SRP, and 32 (41%) underwent SLR. The mean follow-up was 4.07 years. When compared to SLR, children who underwent SRP were less likely to have oronasal fistula [odds ratio (OR) 4.8, P = 0.0159], speech delay/deficits (OR 7.7, P < 0.001), NAE (OR 9.7, P < 0.001), articulation errors (OR 10.2, P < 0.001), or need for secondary speech surgery (OR 13.2, P < 0.0002). Patients who underwent SRP were also more likely to have normal resonance (78.26% versus 43.75%, respectively; P = 0.0043) and good VP function (84.78% versus 56.25%, respectively; P = 0.0094). Conclusions This study describes and evaluates outcomes following a modified-Furlow DOZ technique-the SRP. After adjusting for Veau classification, age, and gender in nonsyndromic children, SRP is associated with significantly less speech delay/deficits, NAE, articulation errors, and need for secondary speech surgery when compared to children who underwent SLR.
Perioperative and transfusion outcomes in women undergoing cesarean hysterectomy for abnormal placentation

Background Women with placenta increta (PI) and placenta percreta (PP) are at high risk of obstetric hemorrhage, however the severity of hemorrhage and perioperative morbidity may differ according to the degree of placental invasion. We sought to compare blood component usage and perioperative morbidity between women with PI vs. PP undergoing CH (Cesarean hysterectomy).
Serum uric acid, creatinine, and the assessment of antioxidant capacity in critical illness.

In their nice study on serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in sepsis [1] Chuang and coworkers have demonstrated an increase in TAC that was directly correlated to severity of illness and poor outcome, and to increasing levels of serum uric acid (UA). Although the increase in TAC might be interpreted as an extreme protective attempt against overwhelming inflammation, this must still be proved, as correctly commented on by the authors. A critical point is that, although increasing UA enhances TAC, the pathophysiological relevance depends on the underlying mechanism, which may include detrimental factors, such as renal dysfunction. In this case the obvious concern is the organ dysfunction causing UA to increase, while the consequent increase in TAC should be considered coincidental. To ease this interpretation one should at least examine the relationship between UA or TAC and plasma creatinine concentration (assuming that creatinine always accurately reflects renal function). Simply excluding patients with plasma creatinine >3.0 mg/dl or on hemodialysis [1] may not be sufficient to rule out an impact of moderate changes in renal function on UA. We are mentioning this because, in an on-going study on changes in UA on more than 100 surgical patients with moderate to extreme illness, we found that 34% of the variability of UA was still controlled by creatinine concentration, even when excluding cases with creatinine >1.8: UA = 0.5 + 3.4(creatinine); r = 0.58, r2 = 0.34, p < 0.001, n = 1,005 (means ± SD, ranges: UA = 3.6 ± 1.6 mg/dl, 0.2 to 9.2; creatinine = 0.9 ± 0.3 mg/dl, 0.3 to 1.8). Within this regression, septic patients showed a tendency for lower UA for any creatinine level, compared to nonseptics (p < 0.001). Constructively, it would be interesting to know details of the relationship between UA or TAC and creatinine in the patients studied by Chuang and colleagues [1]. This might help to assess the impact of even moderate changes in renal function on TAC, or it may be an idea for future investigations. We would like to congratulate the authors once more for their nice study.
What functions and features should be in driver information systems of the year 2000

This paper describes new driver-information systems that are suggested for cars of the 21st century and proposes a method for selecting them. This method will help government officials, product planners, engineers, designers, and scientists identify functions and features that will be most beneficial to drivers. The systems (functions) of interest were navigation, vehicle monitoring, traffic information, road-hazard warning, communications, motorist services, in-car signing, office functions, and entertainment. Features and information elements of these systems were identified and rated on three dimensions: effect on accidents, impact on traffic operations, and driver needs and wants. Based on the ranking of features, information about slick roads, accidents, congestion, construction, blocked views, emergency vehicles, and tire and brake problems would be particularly beneficial.
Organic and Multicultural Ways of Reading Bulosan

This essay argues that students in introductory classes read America Is in theHeart more perceptively than most professional “multicultural” critics. Students’indifference to the book’s genre, for example, allows them to see clearly the meaningand value of its Part One, and to read the closing paragraph not as a postmodernrefusal of closure but as a step on the way toward reconciling “America” with thework of “becoming Filipino.” Such engagement with the book is an example of“organic” reading.
Microbial communities in the deep subsurface

The diversity of microbial populations and microbial communities within the earth's subsurface is summarized in this review. Scientists are currently exploring the subsurface and addressing questions of microbial diversity, the interactions among microorganisms, and mechanisms for maintenance of subsurface microbial communities. Heterotrophic anaerobic microbial communities exist in relatively permeable sandstone or sandy sediments, located adjacent to organic-rich deposits. These microorganisms appear to be maintained by the consumption of organic compounds derived from adjacent deposits. Sources of organic material serving as electron donors include lignite-rich Eocene sediments beneath the Texas coastal plain, organic-rich Cretaceous shales from the southwestern US, as well as Cretaceous clays containing organic materials and fermentative bacteria from the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Additionally, highly diverse microbial communities occur in regions where a source of organic matter is not apparent but where igneous rock is present. Examples include the basalt-rich subsurface of the Columbia River valley and the granitic subsurface regions of Sweden and Canada. These subsurface microbial communities appear to be maintained by the action of lithotrophic bacteria growing on H2 that is chemically generated within the subsurface. Other deep-dwelling microbial communities exist within the deep sediments of oceans. These systems often rely on anaerobic metabolism and sulfate reduction. Microbial colonization extends to the depths below which high temperatures limit the ability of microbes to survive. Energy sources for the organisms living in the oceanic subsurface may originate as oceanic sedimentary deposits. In this review, each of these microbial communities is discussed in detail with specific reference to their energy sources, their observed growth patterns, and their diverse composition. This information is critical to develop further understanding of subsurface geochemical processes and to develop new approaches to subsurface remediation.
When and why is civil society support “made-in-America”? Delegation to non-state actors in American democracy promotion

One of the United States’ main strategies of democracy promotion involves supporting civil society abroad. According to original data, most of the money spent by the United States on that task supports American NGOs working abroad rather than local NGOs in transitioning and non-democratic countries. Yet there are also significant variations across countries in donor officials’ reliance on American NGOs. Why do American donor officials fund American NGOs as a strategy of aiding democracy abroad more in some cases than in others? This paper argues that donor officials find it easier to observe American NGOs than other NGOs and that American NGOs are more likely to share donor officials’ preferences. Donor officials are therefore more likely to pursue a strategy of “made-in-America” democracy support in countries that are salient for U.S. foreign policy. Evidence from a new data set of democracy assistance programs supports the argument. The findings have implications for the study of American foreign policy, foreign aid effectiveness, and NGOs in world politics.
Continuity of Behavior and Parenting from Childhood Through Adolescence

This chapter presents data from a longitudinal study spanning 9 years of data collection looking at how early childhood characteristics and parenting practices, as well as the parent–adolescent relationship and parenting practices during adolescence, impact adolescents’ behaviors. We specifically looked at both externalizing (community and school problem behaviors and alcohol use) and internalizing behaviors (depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems) of the adolescents and looked at the relationships separately for boys and girls and mothers and fathers. We found some continuity of behavior from childhood to adolescence, especially for boys, and that parental conflict and worry when the child is in elementary school is related to adolescent outcomes. Further, parental monitoring of the adolescents’ behaviors, as well as actual knowledge about those behaviors, interacted with the parent–adolescent relationship in predicting adolescent outcomes. From this work, we highlight what pediatricians might say to parents who are struggling with their adolescents. We advocate for an integrative primary care framework that utilizes a screening instrument to detect problem behaviors early and encourage primary care providers to share their impressions of parents’ interactions with their children.
Effect of tensile capping layer on 3-D stress profiles in FinFET channels

Strained-silicon technologies have been widely investigated to enhance the performance of CMOS devices (Thompson, et. al., 2005). In particular, strain induced by the use of a stressed SiNx capping layer is advantageous because of its process simplicity and its extendibility from bulk-Si to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs (Komoda, 2004, Pidin, 2004). In this paper, the effect of a tensile capping layer on the stress profile in the channel of a FinFET is studied for different channel-surface crystalline orientations and different fin aspect ratios, using the Ansys5.7 simulator
Magnetic circular dichroism of the R' center in LiF

Abstract A temperature-dependent magnetic circular dichroism proportional to the derivative of the 8328 A absorption line has been measured for the R′ center in LiF in the range 1.6° ⩽ T ⩽ 4.2°K and H ⩽ 24 kG. The results imply that the transition is 3 A 2 → 3 E and that the orbital moment in the excited state is strongly reduced by dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion.
Attitudes toward Science of Urban Seventh-Grade Life Science Students Overtime, and the Relationship to Future Plans, Family, Teacher, Curriculum, and School

This study was conducted to determine changes in attitude toward science over time from the end of the first semester to the end of the second semester among seventh-grade life science students in a southeastern urban school system. The average attitude toward science of the 299 seventh graders changed from an undecided to a positive attitude toward science: 54 percent of the student sample remained the same in their attitude toward science, 46 percent had a change in attitude, 36 percent maintained a positive attitude toward science, and 20 percent of the student sample changed from a negative or undecided attitude to a positive attitude. Forty-four percent of the sample ended with a negative or undecided attitude toward science. Attitudinal subscales for this study included attitude toward the science teacher; science curriculum, and school. Significant relationships were found among the attitudinal subscales.
A fixed point theorem for analytic functions

We prove that each analytic self-map of the open unit disk which interpolates between certain -tuples must have a fixed point.
Duloxetine: review of its pharmacology, and therapeutic use in depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Background. The discovery of antidepressant medications has revolutionized the treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses. The coming of the selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) marked a new era in the treatment of depression. These therapies frequently fall short of getting the patient to remission. Agents with a dual action have subsequently been developed which inhibit the reuptake of both 5-HT and NE, getting more patients to remission. Physical symptoms are associated with depression, preventing the patient from obtaining complete recovery. This article provides an overview of the pharmacology, efficacy, and techniques for the clinical use of duloxetine, a dual reuptake inhibitor, which has recently become available.Methods. The English literature has been reviewed including both controlled and uncontrolled studies.Results. Duloxetine is a dual reuptake inhibitor with actions on serotonin as well as norepinephrine. It has been shown to have efficacy in treating depressi...
Interleukin-8: An Important Neutrophil Chemotaxin in Some Cases of Exudative Pleural Effusions

It was hypothesized that IL-8, a neutrophil chemotaxin, contributes to the influx of neutrophils into the pleural cavity of patients with pleural effusions. Pleural fluids were collected from 57 patients including 13 with effusions due to congestive heart failure, 28 with pleural involvement by carcinoma, 5 with empyema, 4 with parapneumonic effusions complicating bacterial pneumonia, 3 with hemothorax, 3 with tuberculosis, and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis. All exudate groups had significantly higher IL-8 concentrations than the CHF group (p < .001). In 18 of the exudate fluids, the concentrations of IL-8 was equal to or in excess of the optimal concentration of IL-8 which causes neutrophil chemo-taxis in vitro. Between 20 and 90% of the chemotactic activity in the fluids was removed by absorbing the IL-8 with an IL-8 affinity column. These data showed that IL-8 is a major chemotaxin in the fluid. The percentage of neutrophils in the fluids was not correlated with the IL-8 concentration. Although TNFα, a p...
Thermochemical investigations of nearly idela binary solvents. II. Standard heats of solution in systems of nonspecific interactions

Standard heats of solution at 25°C are reported for squalane in mixtures ofn-heptane + iso-octane and in binary mixtures of chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and cyclohexane; for cyclohexane in chloroform + carbon tetrachloride; and for chloroform in carbon tetrachloride + cyclohexane. General equations based on simple mixing models are developed for the excess thermodynamic properties of a solute at infinite dilution in a binary solvent. For the systems studied, mixing equations based on volume fractions give better agreement than those based on mole fractions, and the agreement is further improved by the use of weighting factors based on the properties of the solute + solvent binary systems.
Strain-dependent differences in responses to chronic administration of morphine: Lack of relationship to brain catecholamine levels in mice☆

Abstract When measured for weight loss, mortality and degree of physical dependence, 4 strains of mice exhibited widely differing sensitivities to chronically administered morphine. However, no obvious relationship existed between the pharmacological responses to morphine and the steady-state levels of either norepinephrine or dopamine in brain striatal sections of the strains tested. In addition, the injection of naloxone into morphine-dependent mice, which elicits withdrawal jumping, brought about an increase in dopamine levels in the striatal sections of only 1 of the 3 strains tested. Thus, the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping response may not be associated with an elevation of brain dopamine levels.
Cross-border acquisitions of US financial institutions: Impact of macroeconomic factors

Abstract This study investigates the impact of mergers and acquisitions on US bidders and targets involved in cross-border mergers of financial institutions. The findings indicate that while US targets experience positive significant wealth gains, US bidders encounter insignificant wealth gains during the merger announcements. There are also differences in wealth gains with respect to industry classification and to the regional location of foreign targets and bidders. The macroeconomic variables, including foreign and US economic conditions, level of economic development of target country, exchange rate volatility along with the effectiveness of foreign government, relative size of participants, and control of target largely explain the wealth gains to bidders and targets.