cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological sequelae of medulloblastoma in adults.

Purpose: To investigate the neuropsychological consequences of medulloblastoma in adults. Methods: Patients 18 years of age or older who had medulloblastoma and at least 3 years of disease-free survival -eligible. A battery of tests was conducted to assess global intellectual functioning, verbal ability, visuospatial ability, memory, reasoning, and academic proficiency. For the verbal memory performance, each patient was matched with two normal controls selected on the basis of age, sex, and level of education. Results: Review of the Neuro-Oncology database revealed 24 patients eligible for the study. Of these, 10 patients (6 good-risk and 4 poor-risk) agreed to participate; 7 patients were lost to follow-up; 5 lived too far away to come to the testing site, and 2 refused testing. There were four men and six women; their mean age was 36.5 years at testing and 29.9 years at surgical diagnosis. Mean dose of whole brain radiation was 34.5 Gy. Mean interval between diagnosis and testing was 79.1 months. Test results demonstrated below average intelligence quotients (mean intelligence quotient 90.2; range 67-103) and specific deficits in memory, reasoning, visuospatial ability, and arithmetic. Conclusion: Adults with medulloblastoma in a prolonged disease-free status may suffer significant cognitive deficits. We recommend further controlled, prospective studies to evaluate cognitive outcomes in this patient population in the hope that interventional strategies could be developed, or treatment modified to minimize such toxicities. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.
Utility of routine testing for patients with asymptomatic severe blood pressure elevation in the emergency department.

Study objective Recommendations for the treatment of emergency department (ED) patients with asymptomatic severely elevated blood pressure advise assessment for occult, acute hypertensive target-organ damage. This study determines the prevalence of unanticipated, clinically meaningful test abnormalities in ED patients with asymptomatic severely elevated blood pressure. Methods This was a prospective observational study at 3 urban academic EDs. Consecutive patients with systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 110 mm Hg on 2 measurements were enrolled if they denied symptoms of hypertensive emergency. A basic metabolic panel, urinalysis, ECG, CBC count, and chest radiograph were obtained. Treating physicians were interviewed about the indication for each test and whether an abnormal result was anticipated according to clinical findings. When test results were available, physicians were asked whether abnormal findings were clinically meaningful, defined as leading to unanticipated hospitalization, medication modification, or further immediate evaluation. The primary outcome was the prevalence of unanticipated clinically meaningful test abnormalities. Results One hundred nine patients with asymptomatic severely elevated blood pressure were enrolled. Unanticipated abnormal test results were noted in 57 (52%) patients. Clinically meaningful unanticipated test abnormalities were found in 7 (6%) patients: basic metabolic panel in 2 (2%), CBC count in 3 (3%), urinalysis in 3 (4%), ECG in 2 (2%), and chest radiograph in 1 (1%). Five patients (5%) had abnormalities assessed as possible manifestations of acute hypertensive target-organ injury; none had abnormalities clearly related to severely elevated blood pressure. Conclusion Screening tests of urban ED patients with asymptomatic severely elevated blood pressure infrequently detect unanticipated hypertension-related abnormalities that alter ED management.
Osteomyelitis of the pubis : a complication of a chronic indwelling catheter

Pubic osteomyelitis typically occurs after pelvic surgery or trauma. We present a case of pubic osteomyelitis ensuing from a chronic indwelling (for 8 years) urethral catheter in a 40-year-old woman. She presented initially with fever of unknown origin, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy was initiated. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis ultimately revealed cortical destruction of the pubic symphysis, and open biopsy confirmed osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis of the pubis is a rare entity that typically results from bacteremia, trauma, or the spread of an adjacent focus of infection from previous pelvic surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pubic osteomyelitis resulting from a chronic indwelling urethral catheter.
Evaluating hypotheses of instar-grouping in arthropods: a maximum likelihood approach

The ontogeny of arthropod exoskeletons is punctuated by short periods of growth fol- lowing each molt, separated by longer stages of unchanging morphology called instars. The rec- ognition of instar clusters in size distributions has been important in understanding the growth and evolution of fossil arthropods. Generally, these clusters have been identified by inspection, but this approach has been criticized for its subjectivity. In this paper, we describe a statistical frame- work for evaluating hypotheses of clustering based on maximum likelihood analysis of mixture models. The approach assumes that individuals are normally distributed within instars; thus an arthropod size distribution can be considered a mixture of normal distributions. This methodology provides an objective framework to compare various plausible hypotheses of grouping, including the possibility that there is no significant grouping at all. We apply this method to evaluate clustering in two trilobite species, Ampyxina bellatula and Pi- ochaspis sellata. Both of these data sets show statistically significant evidence of clustering, a phe- nomenon rarely documented for holaspid-stage trilobites. After consideration of alternative causes of clustering, we argue that the observed groupings are best explained as instar groups. In these two species, growth increments between molts were similar throughout the observed portion of ontogeny, although subtle yet significant variation can be seen within the ontogeny of Ampyxina bellatula.
Comparison of 1-Day Emergency Department Observation and Inpatient Ward for 1-Day Admissions in Syncope Patients.

Abstract Background In an era of increasing health care costs, the need for hospitalization is being scrutinized. In particular, 1-day hospitalizations are thought to be especially costly and unnecessary, and, increasingly, emergency department observation units (EDOUs) are being used as alternatives. Objective Our aim was to determine the differences in outcomes and diagnoses between 1-day inpatient and EDOU stays for syncope. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients with syncope who were seen in an urban ED with 1-day admission to an inpatient ward, EDOU, or full hospitalization. Etiology of syncope was classified as benign (vasovagal, dehydration), serious (dysrhythmia, sepsis, stroke/intracranial bleed, hemorrhage, valvular, ischemia, pulmonary embolism), or unknown. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and t -test. Results One hundred and seventy-two of 351 patients were >1-day admissions, 152 (85%) were admitted for 1 day, and 27 (15%) were admitted to EDOU. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age when admitted to the hospital was significantly higher at 72 (18.4) years for > 1-day admissions and 68.8 (19.6) years for 1-day admissions vs. 53.0 (18.9) years for EDOU patients ( p p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions EDOU patients were less likely than patients admitted to the hospital to be discharged with an etiology of their syncope. Future EDOU protocols can benefit from set admission criteria and standardized evaluation protocols to facilitate maximal use of EDOU for syncope.
Intragroup Subgroup Clustering, International Intervention, and Intergroup Interaction Patterning: Toward a Dynamical Model of Protracted Intergroup Conflict

Scholars and practitioners working with enduring conflicts have long recognized the complex and dynamical natures and relationships of intragroup and intergroup processes in these settings. The multitude of factors interacting within and between these systems, and their tendency to change over time, largely contributes to their intractable natures. Unfortunately, the ability of conflict scholars to conduct research on such dynamic phenomena has been constrained by the atomistic, linear assumptions of traditional research models and methods. Recent advances in dynamical systems theory have provided a new set of tools for building computer simulations that allow us to model the dynamic patterns emerging over time in these situations. This paper presents one such model: A dynamical model of protracted intergroup conflict. Using data collected from Israeli and Palestinian communities during the current Intifada, we modeled the impact of conflict escalation and international intervention on intragroup subgroup attitude clustering and patterns of intergroup interactions. Next steps and refinements for the model are discussed.
A model for evaluating the effect of son or daughter preference on population size

A discrete micro-stochastic model is suggested to describe the family building process over the reproductive period of a couple. The authors present the results of two simulation experiments that use data from the 1976 Egyptian census. The results indicate that "the increase in the absolute difference between the desired number of boys and the desired number of girls is associated with an increase in family size." (EXCERPT)
A single domain antibody fragment that recognizes the adaptor ASC defines the role of ASC domains in inflammasome assembly

Myeloid cells assemble inflammasomes in response to infection or cell damage; cytosolic sensors activate pro-caspase-1, indirectly for the most part, via the adaptors ASC and NLRC4. This leads to secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis. To explore complex formation under physiological conditions, we generated an alpaca single domain antibody, VHHASC, which specifically recognizes the CARD of human ASC via its type II interface. VHHASC not only impairs ASC(CARD) interactions in vitro, but also inhibits inflammasome activation in response to NLRP3, AIM2, and NAIP triggers when expressed in living cells, highlighting a role of ASC in all three types of inflammasomes. VHHASC leaves the Pyrin domain of ASC functional and stabilizes a filamentous intermediate of inflammasome activation. Incorporation of VHHASC-EGFP into these structures allowed the visualization of endogenous ASC(PYD) filaments for the first time. These data revealed that cross-linking of ASC(PYD) filaments via ASC(CARD) mediates the assembly of ASC foci.
Facilitating Safe Adaptation of Interactive Agents using Interactive Reinforcement Learning

In this paper, we propose a learning framework for the adaptation of an interactive agent to a new user. We focus on applications where safety and personalization are essential, as Rehabilitation Systems and Robot Assisted Therapy. We argue that interactive learning methods can be utilised and combined into the Reinforcement Learning framework, aiming at a safe and tailored interaction.
Linear envelope model for multicharge state linac

The traditional linear envelope model is widely used in linac design and on-line tuning. However, for the simultaneous acceleration of multicharge states, the associated transfer matrix acts differently on each species with different charge to mass ratios and the traditional linear envelope model cannot be utilized. A direct way to handle multicharge state acceleration is by using multiparticle tracking, which can be high in model detail, but is typically lacking in computational efficiency to the extent where it is not suitable for on-line beam tuning of a linac. In this paper, a new approach of adapting a conventional linear envelope model to multicharge state acceleration is developed. The lattice of the proposed Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is used to test this technique in both the linac and the bend/folding segments of the machine. Results are benchmarked with the multiparticle tracking code IMPACT to both verify the accuracy of the model and clarify improvements in computational efficiency.
TESTING MODELS OF MIGRATION AND ISOLATION AMONG POPULATIONS OF CHINOOK SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS TSCHAWYTSCHA).

The chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) is a behaviorally, morphologically, and ecologically variable species distributed over a large geographic range. Although previous genetic surveys have revealed considerable genetic differences among populations with different life history types and from different major river drainages, it is not clear to what degree these genetically distinct populations are connected by low levels of gene flow. The work described in this paper addresses this question by surveying DNA restriction site variation at six nuclear genes from nine populations encompassing most of the species's North American range, and then attempting to fit the patterns of variation observed at these genes to five different evolutionary models using computer simulations of the coalescent process. Two commonly used constant population size models, one hypothesizing no migration among populations and one hypothesizing equal rates of migration among populations, were found to be statistically inconsistent with the observed patterns of variation. The other three models, which involved either recent divergence among populations coupled with large changes in populations size, unequal migration rates among populations, or selection, were all found to be consistent with the observed patterns of variation. Assuming selective neutrality, these results suggest that either the populations have all descended from a common ancestral population within the last ~50,000 years and have all suffered large declines in effective population size since that time, or that they have a more ancient divergence time but are connected by low levels of gene flow. These conclusions rest on the assumption of selective neutrality. With the methods employed, it was not possible to simultaneously test hypotheses of both selective neutrality and population structure.
Potentiating effect of iproniazid on the pharmacological action of sympathomimetic amines.

SummaryIproniazid, in a dose of 0.18 millimoles/kg potentiates the action of phenylethylamine and tyramine upon the nictitating membrane of cats. The action of epinephrine is not changed significantly. Isoniazid does not have this effect when given in equivalent doses.
Interface stability of power interconnection device in electric power systems and improvement measures

For the safety and reliability of power interconnection device in electric power systems,its closed-loop stability is the key issue.The power interface delay and DC offset are two important influencing factors,for which the delay compensation and DC control loop are proposed respectively in a digital-analog hybrid interface scheme.Site experiments show that the proposed scheme has higher stability and better dynamic performance.
Crowds, Gigs, and Super Sellers: A Measurement Study of a Supply-Driven Crowdsourcing Marketplace.

The crowdsourcing movement has spawned a host of successful efforts that organize large numbers of globally-distributed participants to tackle a range of tasks. While many demand-driven crowd marketplaces have emerged (like Amazon Mechanical Turk, often resulting in workers that are essentially replace-able), we are witnessing the rise of supply-driven marketplaces where specialized workers offer their expertise. In this paper, we present a comprehensive data-driven measurement study of one prominent supply-driven marketplace – Fiverr – wherein we investigate the sellers and their offerings (called “gigs”). As part of this investigation, we identify the key features distinguishing “super sellers” from regular participants and develop a machine learning based approach for inferring the quality of gigs, which is especially important for the vast majority of gigs with little feedback.
Two types of K+ channel in thick ascending limb of rat kidney.

We have used the patch-clamp technique to study the apical K+ channels in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of the rat kidney. Two types of K+ channels, a low-conductance and an intermediate-conductan...
Abstract A042: Role of mTOR as a transcriptional regulator in breast cancer

There is substantial evidence that metformin, an anti-diabetic biguanide, correlates with improved breast cancer response to chemotherapy. The exact mechanism of metformin9s beneficial effect in breast cancer is yet to be fully understood. Metformin inhibits a serine/ threonine kinase called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is a central regulator of various intracellular and extracellular stimuli. mTOR transduces signaling from growth factors, such as insulin, to stimulate mRNA translation. Insulin activates mTOR through PI3K-Akt-mediated phosphorylation and consequent activation of protein machinery to promote protein synthesis. Increased protein synthesis in cancer cells contributes to cancer progression. Improved response of breast cancer cells response to chemotherapy following metformin treatment suggests inhibition of mTOR in breast cancer regression. Being a serine / threonine kinase, mTOR may also have a potential role in the regulation of gene transcription via modulating the activity of some transcription factors, particularly, those involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF-4) is one such transcription factor which is involved in epithelial cells differentiation and proliferation and it is potentially regulated by mTOR. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether mTOR regulates gene expression by modulating the activity of KLF-4 in breast cancer. Our hypothesis was that mTOR inhibition by metformin results in the upregulation of KLF-4, which functions as a tumor suppressor. Elucidation of the molecular basis of metformin9s effect on KLF-4 could provide the basis for adjuvant therapy in breast cancer. Western blot (WB) studies indicate overexpression of mTOR in some breast cancer cells compared to normal breast epithelial cells. In contrast, WB and Immunohistochemistry studies indicate overexpression of KLF-4 in normal breast cells compared to cancer breast cells. Metformin treatment, with and without insulin, resulted in decreased mTOR level with a concomitant increase in KLF-4 level in breast cancer cells. These results suggest a role of metformin in mediating the inverse relationship between mTOR and KLF-4 in breast cancer. Citation Format: Mohamed Alalem, Alpana Ray, Bimal Ray. Role of mTOR as a transcriptional regulator in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A042.
A Case of Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of endocrine hypertension with potentially fatal consequences if left untreated. A high index of suspicion is required of clinicians due to the nonspecific nature of symptoms, the risk of significant morbidity and mortality if the diagnosis is missed, and the high frequency of associated familial disease. Symptomatic patients typically present with complaints consistent with sustained or intermittent catecholamine excess, although pheochromocytomas may be clinically silent, particularly those diagnosed in the evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas. Plasma free metanephrines or 24-h urine-fractionated metanephrines are the initial screening tests of choice, and only if elevated, should be followed by imaging to localize the tumor. Surgical resection is the treatment of confirmed pheochromocytoma, however blood pressure must be controlled preoperatively to prevent a crisis. Following treatment, all patients with pheochromocytoma should undergo a clinical assessment for the associated familial syndromes and susceptibilities with subsequent genetic testing if any suspicion exists.
Die Lehre vom Schall. (Akustik.)

Die Sirene von Cagniard la Tour (Fig. 106) ist eine verbesserte Lochsirene. Bei ihr sind zunachst die Locher der Scheibe senkrecht zu den zugehorigen Radien schrag durch die Scheibe gebohrt. Letztere dreht sich ferner dicht uber dem Deckel eines Windkessels, in welchen vermittels eines Blasebalgs durch ein Ansatzrohr Luft eingeblasen wird. Unter dem Lochkranz der Scheibe besitzt der Deckel des Windkessels einen kongruenten Lochkranz. Auch die Locher dieses Lochkranzes sind senkrecht zu den zugehorigen Radien schrag gebohrt, aber so, dafs sie auf den Lochern der Scheibe senkrecht stehen. (S. Fig. 107. Diese stellt einen Schnitt des Deckels und der Scheibe dar, welcher senkrecht zu einem Radius durch ein Loch des Deckels und ein solches der Scheibe gefuhrt ist.) Die Scheibe sitzt fest auf einer Welle. Diese ist oben mit einem Schraubengewinde versehen, welches in ein aus Zahnradern bestehendes Raderwerk eingreift. Letzteres dreht zwei Zeiger vor Zifferblattern. (Zahlwerk des Apparats. An dem einen Zifferblatt werden die Hunderter, an dem anderen die Zehner und Einer der Zahl der Umdrehungen abgelesen, welche die Scheibe in einer bestimmten Zeit gemacht hat.) Das Raderwerk sitzt hinten an einer lotrechten Platte, welche etwas hin- und hergeschoben werden kann. Dadurch lafst sich das Zahlwerk nach Belieben ein- und ausschalten.
Taurine and osmoregulation: An assessment using in vivo and in vitro experimental systems

Taurine, 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, is present in nearly all body tissues and frequently is the most abundant free amino acid in the cytosol [1]. In invertebrate marine species, taurine serves an osmoregulatory role to maintain cell volume constant in the face of fluctuations in environmental osmolality [2]. In mammals, there is also circumstantial evidence in favor of a cerebral osmoprotective function of taurine. It is known that the brain content of taurine varies in direct relationship to the serum Na+ concentration in rats with chronic hyponatremia and hyper-natremia [3,4]. In order to gain a more complete picture of the role of taurine in osmoregulation, we conducted the following experiments with two goals in mind; 1) to directly evaluate the importance of taurine in cerebral osmoregulation by studying the impact of dietary manipulation of brain taurine content on animal tolerance of chronic hypo- and hypernatremia. Cats were utilized in these experiments since their limited capacity to synthesize taurine and obligatory use of this amino acid in bile conjugation make them critically dependent on taurine administration in the diet [5]; 2) to determine whether the contribution of taurine to cerebral osmoregulation during chronic hypo- and hypernatremia involves an adaptive increase in transmembrane taurine flux in brain synaptosomes. These are sealed, metabolically active, neuronal membrane fragments that can be used in in vitro assay systems to evaluate intrinsic changes in membrane function [6].
Building a Case for Consonance

A number of theories and practices lean toward the importance of achieving agreement among various stakeholders and practices in organizations. Consonance is such a concept applied to systems development and allows likelihood of success to be measured at the start of a project rather than the conclusion. This paper reviews theory and preliminary studies that support the concept of consonance.
Fetal-Maternal Microchimerism: Basis for a Potential New Therapy for Malignancy?.

Abstract Fetal-maternal microchimerism [MC] occurs during gestation or delivery, as cells traffic from the fetal circulation to the maternal circulation (and vice versa) via the placenta, and persist for decades post-partum. The reported incidence of MC is 33% in normal parous women. To explore the incidence and extent of MC among normal females and cancer patients for potential therapy, we obtained blood samples from 162 normal parous women, and 21 parous cancer patients. 30 non-parous women served as controls. The presence of male DNA was detected using two rounds of PCR with nested sets of primers specific for the Y chromosome. The sensitivity of the assay was validated at 1 male cell per 1 million female cells using DNA prepared from serial dilutions of (male) KG-1 cells in (female) K562 cells. The observed frequency of MC was dependent on the amount of DNA assayed: with 1 ug DNA [~300,000 genomes] per test, the frequency of MC was 18%. At 5 ug DNA [1.5 million genomes], this rose to 46%, and at ≥ 25 ug DNA [7.5 million genomes], 66% of normal parous women had MC. Among parous cancer patients, MC was present at 20% with 5 ug DNA, rose to 76% when ≥ 25 ug DNA or more was tested. The lower frequency of MC among cancer patients at 5 ug DNA may reflect the effects of prior chemotherapy. 2 out the 30 normal non-parous donors were chimeric; this number did not increase when more DNA was assayed. The reason for the MC among non-parous subjects is unclear. Our results indicate the MC is much more frequent among parous women than previously reported. Provided that MC confers long-lasting tolerance of fetal tissue antigens, this suggests that son-to-mother cellular therapy may be feasible for treatment of malignancy.
Research Microcultures as Socialization Contexts for Underrepresented Science Students

How much does scientific research potentially help people? We tested whether prosocial-affordance beliefs (PABs) about science spread among group members and contribute to individual students' motivation for science. We tested this question within the context of research experience for undergraduates working in faculty-led laboratories, focusing on students who belong to underrepresented minority (URM) groups. Longitudinal survey data were collected from 522 research assistants in 41 labs at six institutions. We used multilevel modeling, and results supported a socialization effect for URM students: The aggregate PABs of their lab mates predicted the students' own initial PABs, as well as their subsequent experiences of interest and their motivation to pursue a career in science, even after controlling for individual-level PABs. Results demonstrate that research labs serve as microcultures of information about the science norms and values that influence motivation. URM students are particularly sensitive to this information. Efforts to broaden participation should be informed by an understanding of the group processes that convey such prosocial values.
INTERACTION OF MECHANICAL AND AEROELASTIC INSTABILITIES OF A CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL SHELL

Abstract Experimental results on the interaction between buckling and flutter of a circular cylindrical shell subjected to axial compression and placed in an axial supersonic flow are reviewed. It is pointed out that local buckling near one of the ends of the cylinder usually occurred when the axial load was increased. When local buckling occurred on a fluttering cylinder, the buckled portion usually did not flutter while the unbuckled portion fluttered violently. A simplified theoretical problem for the static buckling of a shell in a supersonic stream is formulated. A special assumption with regard to the aerodynamic drag force or skin friction is introduced to simplify the algebraic work. The analytical results show that the nonconservative aerodynamic force lowers the buckling load, but this lowering is small for practical values of aerodynamic parameters. Detailed boundary conditions are examined, and are shown to have profound effects. In the four cases examined the leading edge buckling is affected more severely by the supersonic flow than the corresponding trailing edge.
A Review of Preparation Methods for Supported Metal Catalysts

Abstract To gauge the efficacy of the various methods to synthesize supported metal catalysts, over 1500 literature articles from the past 3 years have been surveyed. Platinum catalysts over silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), titania (TiO2), and carbon (C) supports have been selected as examples. We include our work on the methods of strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) and a newer version of it, charge-enhanced dry impregnation (CEDI). These methods are compared and contrasted to those most prevalent in the literature. SEA and CEDI yield ultra-small nanoparticles, usually less than 1.5 nm average particle size, and are simple and scalable, especially CEDI, which is a simple adaptation of common incipient wetness impregnation. These methods can be extended to the synthesis of supported bimetallic nanoparticles with equally efficacious results.
Diversity, Pay Equity, and Pay in Social Work and Other Professions:

Does the social work labor force reflect the field’s commitment to social and economic justice? Using individual-level census data for 1980–2014 on self-identified social workers and on other colle...
Augmenting Code with In Situ Visualizations to Aid Program Understanding

Programmers must draw explicit connections between their code and runtime state to properly assess the correctness of their programs. However, debugging tools often decouple the program state from the source code and require explicitly invoked views to bridge the rift between program editing and program understanding. To unobtrusively reveal runtime behavior during both normal execution and debugging, we contribute techniques for visualizing program variables directly within the source code. We describe a design space and placement criteria for embedded visualizations. We evaluate our in situ visualizations in an editor for the Vega visualization grammar. Compared to a baseline development environment, novice Vega users improve their overall task grade by about 2 points when using the in situ visualizations and exhibit significant positive effects on their self-reported speed and accuracy.
Poverty in America: New Directions and Debates

Reviewing recent research on poverty in the United States, we derive a conceptual framework with three main characteristics. First, poverty is multidimensional, compounding material hardship with human frailty, generational trauma, family and neighborhood violence, and broken institutions. Second, poverty is relational, produced through connections between the truly advantaged and the truly disadvantaged. Third, a component of this conceptual framework is transparently normative, applying empirical research to analyze poverty as a matter of justice, not just economics. Throughout, we discuss conceptual, methodological, and policy-relevant implications of this perspective on the study of extreme disadvantage in America.
Electrophysiologic Considerations After Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Background Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) remains a major public health concern, accounting for more than 50% of cardiac deaths. The majority of these deaths are related to ischemic heart disease, however increasingly recognized are non-ischemic causes such as cardiac channelopathies. Bradyarrhythmias and pulseless electrical activity comprise a larger proportion of out-ofhospital arrests than previously realized, particularly in patients with more advanced heart failure or noncardiac triggers such as pulmonary embolism. Patients surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) have a substantial risk of recurrence, particularly within 18 months post event. The timing of tachyarrhythmias complicating acute infarction has important implications regarding the likelihood of recurrence, with those occurring within 48 hours having a more favorable long-term outcome. In the absence of a clear reversible cause, implantable cardioverter defibrillators remain the mainstay in the secondary prevention of SCD. Post defibrillation electromechanical dissociation is common in patients with cardiomyopathy and can lead to SCD despite successful defibrillation of the primary tachyarrhythmia. Antiarrhythmic agents are highly effective in preventing recurrent arrhythmias in specific diseases such as the congenital long QT syndrome. Conclusion Catheter ablation is used most commonly to prevent recurrent ICD therapies in patients with structural heart disease-related ventricular arrhythmias, however recent publications have shown substantial benefit in other entities such as idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.
Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis

Vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and arteriogenesis are terms used to describe the formation of blood vessels. Embryonic neovascularization by vasculogenesis refers to the formation of primitive blood vessels inside the embryo and its surrounding membranes and involves the in situ differentiation of mesoderm-derived angioblasts, which aggregate and form de novo blood vessels. Vascularization of the brain occurs primarily through angiogenesis. Angiogenesis involves the formation of new blood vessels via sprouting or splitting from pre-existing vessels and occurs both pre- and postnatally. Arteriogenesis refers to the enlargement of pre-existing collateral arterioles to form larger arteries. Specific angiogenic factor signaling systems choreograph each step of blood vessel formation. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are not exclusive processes but instead constitute complementary mechanisms for postnatal neovascularization.
On-Line Fault Recovery for Wormhole-Routed Two-Dimensional Meshes

Most parallel computers having a two-dimensional mesh interconnection network sacrifice fault-tolerance for routing simplicity. Unfortunately, many applications that require days or weeks of computation time are simply unable to complete their computations before one or more components fail, thus rendering these systems unusable. In this paper, the authors briefly review a livelock- and deadlock-free, fault-tolerant, wormhole routing strategy known as NAFTA that successfully routes messages between all safe nodes in the presence of up to N − 1 permanent faults detected via off-line testing in an N × N two-dimensional mesh, while requiring only four virtual channels per physical link. The authors then present a fault-tolerant routing protocol that can be used to guarantee the delivery of a message in the presence of permanent or intermittant faulty nodes and links within aniN × N two-dimensional mesh while the system is on-line. The authors show that the modified version of NAFTA prevents fault-induced deadlock. The proposed methodology provides guaranteed delivery of exactly one copy of each unicast message when fewer than N permanent or intermittent faults occur. The proposed fault-tolerant routing algorithm (NAFTA), in conjunction with the layered fault detection and recovery protocols, will allow parallel computers to solve problems that must satisfy real-time constraints. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is deadlock — and livelock-free and does not require global fault knowledge.
Fixed point property for 11-element sets

We introduce retractable points and show how this notion provides the key for a classification of all sets with 11 elements that have the fixed point property.
To be a bee

Given the necessity of bees, the signs that they are in trouble are concerning. Although maladies of the domesticated honey bee ( Apis mellifera ), such as colony collapse disorder, have captured the most public attention, declines in the world9s 20,000 wild bee species have the potential to be even more ecologically catastrophic. In Buzz , Thor Hanson deftly presents the predicament of bees today, in part by recounting conversations with scientists and practitioners who are leading the effort to understand and conserve bees.
From the Heavens to the Markets: Governing Agricultural Drought under Chinese Fragmented Authoritarianism

The applicability of liberal governance models in authoritarian contexts has been widely debated. This study contributes to this debate by using a Foucauldian analytic of apparatuses of security to...
Skin tone and asset inequality in Latin America

ABSTRACTMuch of our information about the relationship between skin tone, race/ethnicity, and wealth inequality centers on the U.S. context. Latin America, characterised by the highest levels of in...
Scaling the Fast x86 DVB-S2 Decoder to 1 Gbps

Software implementation of LDPC decoders has been an active area of development for the last 10 years. Researchers have focused on implementing the computationally expensive algorithm on both GPPs and GPUs. A major leap in performance was reported in the groundbreaking paper by Bertrand le Gal [2]. This paper builds on the work in [2] by considering the scaling of that implementation on modern many-core processors. We look at the performance of LDPC code specified in the DVB-S2 standard. The large block size of the DVB-S2 code makes the memory architecture of the processor just as important as the clock rate and instruction set. We present results for two generations of Intel Xeons, an Intel Phi (KNL), the recently released AMD EPYC. The key finding is that performance scaling is limited by the amount of available cache memory rather than the number of cores. We also find that heavily multi-threaded, but deterministic software architecture benefits from explicit allocation of threads to cores vs. allowing the operating system to manage threading. The maximum throughput of 1 Gbps was achieved on a mid-range AMD server - issuing a new era of all-software receivers for very high rate waveforms. We also present the performance of the algorithm ported to a low-power ARM processor and compare that to a low-end Intel Core.
Large Vessel Vasculitis as a Possible Mechanism of Vascular Side Effects of Ponatinib: A Case Report.

Arterial occlusive events (AOEs) such as cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral arterial events are known side effects of ponatinib, assumed due to the rapid development and increase of arteriosclerosis, while the definitive pathomechanisms therefore are still unclear. We present a case of clinically apparent large vessel vasculitis and discuss this phenomenon as a possible mechanism of AOEs beside arteriosclerosis. J Hematol. 2019;8(2):83-85 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh519
Control of Ganglioside Biosynthesis by a Rate Limiting UMP-ASE and Product Ganglioside Inhibition

The removal of UMP by UMP-ase is a rate limiting step in the synthesis of GM1 ganglioside by UDP-Galactose: GM2 Ganglioside Galactosyltransferase (I). I and UMP-ase were found to possess similarities not shared by UDP-ase in homogenates of ten day old rat brain. All three enzymes required Mn++ for activation. Ca++ was equally effective in activating UDP-ase, but did not activate I or UMP-ase. The activity of I and UMP-ase were doubled by raising the incubation temperature from 37° to 45° while UDP-ase activity was unaffected by the temperature increase. Preincubation of the homogenate for 20 min with 0. 25% trypsin resulted in a 50% loss of activity for I and UMP-ase and no loss of activity for UDP-ase. Sulfhydryl group reactive reagents NEM or PCMB totally abolished I and UMP-ase activity, while UDP-ase was only partially inhibited by these reagents. I and UMP-ase had a half life of 2 days in isolated microsomes while UDP-ase does not display this lability. UDP-ase had ten times the activity of UMP-ase. UDP also inhibits UMP-ase. It is concluded that during the course of in vitro GM1 biosynthesis where I is inhibited by UDP and UMP, UDP, a product of I is rapidly cleaved by UDP-ase to UMP, which is more slowly removed by UMP-ase and is therefore a rate limiting enzymatic step in ganglioside biosynthesis. Gangliosides can also regulate the activities of their own biosynthetic metalloenzymes by virtue of their affinity for these metal ions. This affinity by product ganglioside for metal ions would in addition control ganglioside biosynthesis by also inhibiting the metal ion activated UDP-ase and the rate limiting UMP-ase. This would prevent the removal of UDP and UMP which are demonstrated inhibitors of the key ganglioside biosynthetic enzyme I.
Hepatopulmonary Fusion: A Rare Variant of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Abstract Background Hepatopulmonary fusion (HPF), a rare anomaly associated with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), is characterized by a fibrovascular fusion between herniated liver and lung parenchyma. We aimed to clarify patient characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes in HPF. Methods Data on infants with HPF were obtained from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Registry (CDHR). Patient characteristics, management, and outcomes were compared with the results of a literature review. Results Ten cases of HPF were identified in the CDHR. Five patients survived. The median estimated gestational age was 38 weeks (range 36–40). Median birth weight was 2.7 kg (range 2.0–3.8 kg), but non-survivors had a lower median birth weight (2.3 kg vs. 3.5 kg). All patients had at least 1 congenital anomaly in addition to CDH. Operative approach varied, but most surgeons performed only partial separation of the liver and lung (n = 6). The 2 patients who underwent complete separation both ultimately died, 1 due to significant postoperative complications and 1 due to severe pulmonary hypertension with multiple vascular anomalies. Conclusion Partial separation of liver and lung appears to be the wisest surgical approach in HPF, as complete separation has resulted in catastrophic complications due to frequent underlying vascular anomalies. Level of evidence IV.
36 – Ureteral Plethysmography

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the ureteral plethysmography. The usual air- or fluid-filled plethysmograph cannot be applied to the ureter because sealing the plethysmograph may also occlude the ureter. The device, which encircles the ureter, consists of a length of thin-walled rubber tubing contained within a hollow plastic ring. The inner wall of the plastic ring contains an open groove, within which the very slightly inflated rubber tube is partly embedded. The partly exposed surface of the balloon comes in contact with the outer surface of the ureter. Changes in pressure recorded by connecting the tube to a transducer reflect changes in ureteral volume.
The Discomfort of Death Counts: Mourning through the distorted lens of reported COVID-19 death data

In data science, there's long been an acknowledgment of the way data can flatten and dehumanize the people they represent. This limitation becomes most obvious when considering the pure inability of such numbers and figures to truly capture the reality of lives lost in this pandemic.
Symptom burden, validity, and cognitive performance in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

The present study evaluates the complex relationships between symptom burden, validity, and cognition in a sample of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to identify key characteristic symptoms and validi...
Perception and memory have distinct spatial tuning properties in human visual cortex

Abstract Reactivation of earlier perceptual activity is thought to underlie long-term memory recall. Despite evidence for this view, it is unknown whether mnemonic activity exhibits the same tuning properties as feedforward perceptual activity. Here, we leveraged population receptive field models to parameterize fMRI activity in human visual cortex during spatial memory retrieval. Though retinotopic organization was present during both perception and memory, large systematic differences in tuning were also evident. Notably, whereas there was a three-fold decline in spatial precision from early to late visual areas during perception, this property was entirely abolished during memory retrieval. This difference could not be explained by reduced signal-to-noise or poor performance on memory trials. Instead, by simulating top-down activity in a network model of cortex, we demonstrate that this property is well-explained by the hierarchical structure of the visual system. Our results provide insight into the computational constraints governing memory reactivation in sensory cortex.
Type 2 Diabetes Subgroups, Risk for Complications, and Differential Effects Due to an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention

OBJECTIVE We reevaluated the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) intervention, incorporating diabetes subgroups, to identify whether intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) is associated with differential risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by diabetes subgroup. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In the Look AHEAD trial, 5,145 participants, aged 45–76 years, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to 10 years of ILI or a control condition of diabetes support and education. The ILI focused on weight loss through decreased caloric intake and increased physical activity. To characterize diabetes subgroups, we applied k-means clustering to data on age of diabetes diagnosis, BMI, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin. We examined whether relative intervention effects on the trial’s prespecified CVD outcomes varied among diabetes subgroups. RESULTS We characterized four subgroups related to older age at diabetes onset (42% of sample), poor glucose control (14%), severe obesity (24%), and younger age at diabetes onset (20%). We observed interactions (all P 1.32). Among the three other diabetes subgroups, ILI was not associated with increased risk for CVD. CONCLUSIONS Among overweight and obese adults with T2D, a lifestyle intervention was associated with differential risk for CVD that was dependent on diabetes subgroup. Diabetes subgroups may be important to identify the patients who would achieve benefit and avoid harm from an ILI.
Natural Language Processing Performance for the Identification of Venous Thromboembolism in an Integrated Healthcare System

Real-time identification of venous thromboembolism (VTE), defined as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), can inform a healthcare organization's understanding of these events and be used to improve care. In a former publication, we reported the performance of an electronic medical record (EMR) interrogation tool that employs natural language processing (NLP) of imaging studies for the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. Because we transitioned from the legacy electronic medical record to the Cerner product, iCentra, we now report the operating characteristics of the NLP EMR interrogation tool in the new EMR environment. Two hundred randomly selected patient encounters for which the imaging report assessed by NLP that revealed VTE was present were reviewed. These included one hundred imaging studies for which PE was identified. These included computed tomography pulmonary angiography-CTPA, ventilation perfusion-V/Q scan, and CT angiography of the chest/ abdomen/pelvis. One hundred randomly selected comprehensive ultrasound (CUS) that identified DVT were also obtained. For comparison, one hundred patient encounters in which PE was suspected and imaging was negative for PE (CTPA or V/Q) and 100 cases of suspected DVT with negative CUS as reported by NLP were also selected. Manual chart review of the 400 charts was performed and we report the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of NLP compared with manual chart review. NLP and manual review agreed on the presence of PE in 99 of 100 cases, the presence of DVT in 96 of 100 cases, the absence of PE in 99 of 100 cases and the absence of DVT in all 100 cases. When compared with manual chart review, NLP interrogation of CUS, CTPA, CT angiography of the chest, and V/Q scan yielded a sensitivity = 93.3%, specificity = 99.6%, positive predictive value = 97.1%, and negative predictive value = 99%.
Young children's comprehension of similarities underlying metaphor

The comprehension of similarity by forty-eight 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds was investigated using a set of binary choice tasks. These tasks were composed of contrasting concepts that were to be matched to conceptually related target stimuli on the basis of relationships underlying object/personality metaphor, color/personality metaphor, concrete metaphor, taxonomic similarity, and functional association. The youngest children were able to comprehend each of the metaphoric and nonmetaphoric relationships, and this ability improved with age.