cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Underlying Conduction Slowing and Arrhythmogenesis in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Heart Failure (HF) is associated with an increased risk of sudden death caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Recent studies have implicated repolarization abnormalities and, in particular, exaggerated heterogeneity of transmural repolarization in the genesis of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in a canine model of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The presence and degree to which conduction abnormalities play a role in arrhythmogenesis in this model are uncertain. HF was produced in dogs by rapid RV-pacing for 3 to 4 weeks. High-resolution optical action potentials were recorded from epicardial and endocardial surfaces of arterially perfused canine wedge preparations isolated from LV and RV of normal and failing dogs. Cellular and molecular determinants of conduction were investigated using patch-clamp recordings, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry. HF was associated with marked prolongation (by 33%) of the QRS duration of the volume conducted electrocardiogram and significant (>20%) slowing of epicardial and endocardial conduction velocities (CV) in both LV and RV. Cx43 expression was reduced by >40% in epicardial and endocardial layers of the LV, but was unchanged in the RV of failing hearts. Despite greater epicardial than endocardial Cx43 expression, epicardial CV was consistently slower (P<0.01). Immunocytochemical analysis revealed predominant colocalization of Cx43 with N-cadherin in normal versus failing samples, because Cx43 was redistributed from the intercalated disk to lateral cell borders in failing tissue. Moreover, a significant (P<0.05) increase in hypophosphorylated Cx43 was detected in the LV and RV of failing hearts. Action potential upstroke velocities in isolated ventricular myocytes from normal and failing hearts were not different (P=0.8, not significant), and Masson trichrome staining revealed no significant change in fibrosis content in HF. Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with significant slowing of CV that was not directly related to reduced Cx43 expression. Changes in phosphorylation and localization of Cx43 may contribute to gap-junction dysfunction, CV slowing, and arrhythmias in HF.
The application of fuzzy mathematics in safety analysis

In the general consideration of probabilistic safety analyses (PSAs), inputs may be stochastically variable, subjectively uncertain and/or dependent. Conventional techniques (e.g. probabilistic calculus or various forms of Monte Carlo analysis) can account for stochastic variability and correlation. However, basic PSA methodology may not apply well to some situations, most significantly when the inputs lack precise definition. This suggests that new approaches could be helpful for realistic modeling. Fuzzy mathematics is one of the most appropriate approaches available for processing subjective uncertainty, but incompatibilities inherent in combining fuzzy analysis with conventional PSA must be addressed. In this paper, a technique based on fuzzy mathematics is described that accounts for arbitrary combinations of stochastic variability, subjective uncertainty and dependence.
Predictors of backrest elevation in critical care

Low backrest and supine positions are associated with increased mortality and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Data are not available across ICU settings about the level of backrest position used and its relationship to enteral feeding and hemodynamic status. The purpose of this descriptive study was to document the level of backrest elevation and position and identify factors associated with and predict positioning in a medical, surgical and neuroscience intensive care unit. Data were collected randomly in each unit over a 6-week period, resulting in 506 observations for170 patients. Backrest elevation was determined by electronic bed read-out or bed frame elevation gauge. BP, HR and enteral feeding status were retrieved from the medical record. Results showed that mean backrest elevation was 19.2 degrees and 70% of subjects were supine. No difference in backrest elevation among units was found. Significant correlations between backrest elevation and systolic BP (r=0.15, P=0.006); and backrest and diastolic BP (r=0.13, P=0.02) were found. There was no difference in backrest elevation between patients being fed and not being fed. Differences in backrest elevation for intubated versus nonintubated patients approached significance (P=0.07) with intubated patients at lower backrest elevations. In summary, use of higher backrest elevations (>30 degrees ) is minimal, is not related to feeding and minimally related to hemodynamic status. Strategies to meet published recommendations for backrest elevation (30-45 degrees ) must include repeated feedback about nurse's use of backrest elevation and estimates of elevation.
Comparative morphology and taxonomic status of Gracilariopsis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

The vegetative organization and reproductive development of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Bory) Dawson, Acleto et Foldvik [including Gracilaria sjoestedtii Kylin] were investigated. Our observations on spermatangial development and post-fertilization features establish that Gracilariopsis Dawson is distinct at the generic level from Gracilaria Greville, and ice propose the resurrection of Gracilariopsis Dawson as a result. Spermatangial parent cells of Gracilariopsis are superficial, initiated in pairs or groups of three by concavo-convex longitudinal and transverse divisions. Each spermatangial parent cell cuts off a single, colorless spermatangium distally by a transverse division. The female reproductive apparatus consists of a supporting cell that bears a two-celled carpogonial branch flanked by two sterile branches, as in Gracilaria. Likewise, up to six sterile cells fuse with the carpogonium after fertilization to produce a primary fusion cell that generates the gonimoblasts; however, a secondary fusion cell is absent. Inner gonimoblast cells unite with cytologically modified cells of the inner pericarp by means of secondary pit-connections. Tubular nutritive cells are absent. The gonimoblast consists of a central sterile tissue interconnected throughout by secondary pit-connections surmounted by a fertile layer composed of carposporangia aligned in straight chains. The distribution of Gracilariopsis is extended to Western Europe.
Transversality conditions and a strong maximum principle for systems of differential inclusions

An extension of the author's previous (1998) result on the finite-dimensional Pontryagin maximum principle (PMP), in which the classical transversality condition is replaced by an improved form, involving "weakly approximating cones". Our version of the PMP is similar in spirit to the classical statement, though much more general, and is proved using the same strategy of (a) reducing the optimal control problem to a geometric separation problem, (b) constructing needle variations, (c) using a topological argument, based on a result closely related to the Brouwer fixed-point theorem, to construct an "adjoint vector" that satisfies a finite subset of the collection of inequalities that occur in the Hamiltonian maximisation condition of the PMP, and (d) concluding with a compactness argument to end up with an adjoint vector that satisfies all the inequalities of the Hamiltonian maximization condition.
Integration in the nervous system: the starch for its mechanisms.

The problem of what kind of mechanisms the nervous system has developed to effect concerted action is one that scholars began to tackle as soon as they were released from the obligation to maintain that this was accomplished by a celestial deity.
A review of short pulse generator technology

Today's ultrafast, pulse generators are capable of producing high-voltage pulses, (>1 kV), with fast, leading-edge rise times, (<1 ns). A review of generator implementation methods is presented that includes a detailed discussion of the various circuit designs and a list of commercially available high-voltage pulse generators. All of these generators are capable of rise times less than a few ns and voltages greater than several hundred volts. Finally, a brief description of the three primary switch types, reed, spark gap, and solid state is presented.
Outness, Big Five personality traits, and same-sex relationship quality

This report examined the extent to which individuals from 60 same-sex romantic couples (30 gay male and 30 lesbian dyads) who disclosed their same-sex attractions to the world and family (i.e., were `out') were more likely than their relatively closeted counterparts to share higher quality relationships. Using a multimethod approach that included the `Big Five' personality dimensions as covariates, participants completed questionnaires about their relationships and discussed a disagreement in their relationship while being videotaped. Individuals who were out to the world — and individuals who had partners that reported being out — tended to (i) report greater relational satisfaction and (ii) display more positive relative to negative affect during dyadic interactions. Associations generally held controlling for personality traits among both gay male and lesbian couples.
Introduction to ultrasonography of ankle tendons

Ultrasound had its beginning in the military, and is based on SONAR technology developed in the 1950s. The diagnostic use of ultrasound to evaluate the musculoskeletal system came about in the late 1970s. The early systems were single dimension, plotted on the x-axis, and had limited use. Advances in technology and the push for less expensive diagnostic imaging modalities have given rise to the B (body) and M (motion) mode systems. These newer generation systems can capture a two-dimensional image and even show realtime motion. With advancement in resolution, ultrasonography is increasing in popularity. Other advantages include portability and accessibility. Ultrasound is currently the second most used imaging modality, behind only conventional radiography. Units are also less expensive, helping to make them much more readily available. Examinations are noninvasive and contain no ionizing radiation, making them more tolerable to the patient. A unique feature of ultrasound is the dynamic imaging capability. This allows a unique look at tendon function in real time, allowing for a more complete examination. In the hands of a skilled technician, examination of the foot and ankle should take 10 to 15 minutes, and it is easy to obtain dynamic imaging information to help in the diagnosis of ailments. The entire length of the tendon can be imaged, and bilateral examinations may be performed for comparison. The biggest disadvantage of this modality is the degree of dependence on technician and reader. It may be difficult to find a technician familiar with the technique of ankle ultrasonography, and equally difficult to find someone who will read results with a high level of confidence. This goes for the radiologist as well as the ordering physician. Because of unfamiliarity with ultrasound as a
Niacin Reduces Paraquat Toxicity in Rats

Rats poisoned with paraquat benefited from daily niacin therapy. Niacin-treated rats showed delayed and reduced dyspnea. Deaths began approximately 30 hours later. The time required for niacin-treated rats to reach 50 percent mortality increased from 60 to 120 hours, and the dealth rate was reduced form 75 to 55 percent. The benefit by niacin is consistent with the demonstrated role of niacin in preventing cellular decreases of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide during poisoning of bacteria by paraquat and by hyperbaric oxygen.
Optimal noise benefits in Neyman-Pearson signal detection

We present an algorithm to find near-optimal "stochastic resonance" (SR) noise benefits for Neyman-Pearson (N-P) hypothesis testing or signal-detection problems. The optimal N-P SR noise is no more than two randomized noise realizations when the optimal noise exists. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such optimal noise in fixed detectors. There exists a sequence of noise variables whose detection performance limit is optimal when such noise does not exist. An upper bound limits the number of iterations that the algorithm requires to find such near-optimal noise.
An investigation on microwave breast cancer detection by ultra-widebandwidth (UWB) microstrip slot antennas

A Ultra-Wide Bandwidth (UWB) microstrip slot antenna (MPA) design reported earlier by our research group was adopted in the investigation of malignant breast tumor detection. Scattered field results were generated by full wave analysis for compressed breast model with two antennas and six antennas. As an improvement towards the subtracted scattered field results, averaging of the signal returns at each of the antennas was performed and hence their results are also proposed here. Two antennas based breast model with and without tumor was realized and measured, the results of which are presented.
U. S. Foreign Policy and the Promotion of Racial and Ethnic Equality in Latin America: An Analysis of the Obama Administration's Joint Action Plans for Brazil and Colombia

The once ubiquitous racial utopian ideologies of mestizaje and the exceptionalist influenced racial democracy ideology are no longer pervasive in Latin America. Research of scholars from a plethora of disciplines along with the agency of Afrodescendants and Indigenous human rights activists has exposed the harsh realities of widespread poverty, staggering unemployment and systemic racial discrimination faced those populations through the Americas. It is important to understand how governments and institutions have responded to assuage the realities of inequities in countries that once presented themselves as a racial paradise. Toward that end, this paper examines the Obama Administrations policy initiative of promoting racial and ethnic equality in Latin America. The paper specifically focuses in a comparative manner on the Administration’s Joint Action Plans for Brazil and Colombia. The key factors contained within the plans are defined and then critically reviewed and compared. As a way of assessing the impact of the Joint Action plans a careful analysis of the purpose and scope of the plan, measures of success, partnerships and collaborations, implementation, and definition of the situation of existing racial and ethnic inequality in each country by the United States government is undertaken. The findings suggest that better analysis, sustained engagement and increased capacity to provide the type of technical assistance envisioned in the plans are required if the existing plans are to be effective. In addition, from a comparative perspective it is clear that bilateral strategies designed to promote racial and ethnic equality must be multilayered and tailored to specific context, culturally appropriate and be based on a careful analysis of what the drivers of racial and ethnic inequality are. Major elements of a successful plan would include periodic reviews of the commitment of the bilateral partner, in this case the governments of Brazil and Colombia, to racial and ethnic equality generally and the plans specifically. Moreover, a more realistic approach would also benefit from greater focus on political and economic exclusion as well as cautions against uncritical assumptions that progress in the area of racial and ethnic equality in the United States was achieved without serious cleavages and that lessoned learned are indeed lessons learned that are transferable, that the racial and ethnic situation in the United States is constantly improving or that the social forces constantly opposing any progress can be ignored.
Lymphoid Blast Crises of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Represent Stages in the Development of B-Cell Precursors

The origin and stage of differentiation of the blast-crisis cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia have remained uncertain. Because immunoglobulin heavy-chain and light-chain genes must undergo a DNA rearrangement during B-cell development but rarely do so in human non-B-cell lineages, we examined these genes in 18 episodes of chronic myelogenous leukemia. In eight of nine episodes of lymphoid blast crisis, heavy-chain genes were rearranged, and in three, rearrangements in light-chain genes were also present. In contrast, cells from chronic myeloid, myeloid blast, and erythroid-like phases retained germ-like immunoglobulin genes. The observed phenotypic markers and gene configurations revealed that most lymphoid blast crises represent stages of development of B-cell precursors. In two separate episodes of lymphoid crisis, cells from a single patient possessed identical heavy-chain but different light-chain-gene configurations. Thus, the precursor cells that monoclonally expand to produce a lymphoid crisis are capable of immunoglobulin-gene rearrangements and represent discrete steps in early B-cell maturation.
Latino immigrants in the borderlands: Transcultural lessons from the academy

The borderlands of any country offer special challenges and opportunities not only to their residents but also for immigrants who arrive in the new lands. The southwestern border of the USA, with its bicultural heritage and history, offers particular stresses and opportunities; for Latino immigrants in the academy, those challenges are felt in very specific ways. This paper addresses the experiences of the authors, as Latino academics in the southwestern USA. Lessons for transcultural understanding in other countries of the world are drawn from those experiences.
Quantitative study of the opticocarotid and carotid-oculomotor windows for the interpeduncular fossa, before and after internal carotid artery mobilization and posterior communicating division.

BACKGROUND The management of basilar apex (BX) aneurysms remains problematic. OBJECTIVE We quantified the surgical exposure of the BX through the opticocarotid window (OCW) and the carotid-oculomotor window (COW), before and after mobilization of the internal carotid artery and division of the posterior communicating artery (PCoA). METHODS Eleven silicone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected bilaterally. The surgical dissection was divided into 4 major steps: (1) supraorbital modified orbitozygomatic craniotomy, (2) mobilization of the internal carotid artery after drilling out the anterior clinoid process intradurally and cutting the distal dural ring, (3) drilling out the posterior clinoid process and dorsum sellae, and (4) dividing the PCoA from the posterior third portion of the vessel. A frameless navigation system was used to quantify the surgical exposure area of the BX through the OCW and COW. RESULTS The total surgical area increased significantly from steps 1 to 4 (P < .001) in both OCW and COW groups. Overall, there was a larger total surgical area obtained in the COW compared with the OCW (P = .010). ICA mobilization increased the surgical area for temporary (P < .001) and permanent (P < .003) clip application in both windows. The division of PCoA significantly increased the overall surgical area for permanent clip application (P < .003). Compared with the OCW, the COW had a significantly increased change in the area for permanent clip application in the low-lying group (P = .03). CONCLUSION When approaching the BX via the pterion route, the appropriate surgical step and window should be selected according to characteristics of the PCoA and height of the BX.
Influence of SiO2 on M/TiO2 (M = Cu, Mn, and Ce) Formulations for Low-Temperature Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx with NH3: Surface Properties and Key Components in Relation to the Activity of NOx Reduction

A series of M/TiO2 and M/TiO2–SiO2 (with M = Mn, Cu, and Ce) catalysts were prepared by adopting a wet–impregnation method and investigated for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx in the temperature range of 100–500 °C with excess (10 vol %) oxygen in the feed at industrially relevant conditions. Our X-ray diffraction (XRD) results suggest that the growth of the crystalline TiO2 phase is strongly inhibited because of SiO2 migration into the TiO2 lattice. The increase of SiO2 molar content in the TiO2–SiO2 support led to the decrease in the anatase phase of the titania peak intensity of the XRD spectrum and also exhibited a lower crystallinity of TiO2 with no phase transition of anatase to rutile. Our X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profile analysis illustrated that the surface atomic ratio of Cu1+/ Cu2+ wasgreatly enhanced with an increase in TiO2 content in the TiO2–SiO2 support, and these results are consistent with the H2-TPR results in which the additional reduction peak evolve...
Application of PLC in Production Line for Aluminum Bar Cutting

s:This paper introduces the working principle of production line for alluminum bar cutting and the hardware and software of PLC control system. It emphatically introduces the application of PLC on this device.
Market Insurance and Self-Insurance through Retrofit: Analysis of Hurricane Risk in North Carolina

AbstractInsurance and retrofit are potentially effective but underutilized mechanisms to manage natural disaster risk (Mileti 1999). This project uses a North Carolina case study of residential buildings in North Carolina that includes a detailed, empirically based representation of the building inventory, risk, insurance, and retrofit strategies to examine voluntary choices between insuring, retrofitting, or doing nothing. Using an expected utility framework, changes in optimal choices in response to changes in retrofit cost, risk-based insurance premiums, and risk attitudes are investigated. Individual loss distribution functions that are specific to location and structural characteristics influence whether to optimally insure and/or retrofit or not. Findings include the conclusion that subsidizing retrofits has the potential to move the uninsured towards some form of risk reduction and is potentially cost effective. The analysis is novel in linking expected utility-maximizing homeowner decisions region...
Influence of corn rootworm insecticides on the response of field corn (Zea mays) to nicosulfuron

Field experiments were conducted in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to evaluate injurious interactions between nicosulfuron herbicide applied POST and nine insecticides applied at planting on 'Pioneer 3751' field corn in 1991. Insecticides were applied in-furrow, T-band, and surface band at planting. Corn injury from nicosulfuron and terbufos applications was more severe in Wisconsin than in Michigan. No corn injury was observed in Minnesota. Terbufos 15% ai granule (15G) or 20% ai controlled release granule (20CR) increased nicosulfuron injury to corn in Wisconsin. Nicosulfuron at 35 g ai/ha caused the greatest vigor reduction following terbufos 15G, intermediate vigor reduction following terbufos 20CR, phorate 20G, or phorate 20CR, and the least vigor reduction following fonofos, chlorpyrifos, chlorethoxyfos, tefluthrin, or carbofuran in Wisconsin. Nomenclature: Carbofuran, 2,3dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate; chlorethoxyfos, phosphorothioic acid, 0,0diethyl 0-(1,2,2,2-tetrachloroethyl)ester; chlorpyrifos, 0,0-diethyl 0-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)-phosphorothioate; fonofos, O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate; nicosulfuron, 2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-N,N-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide; phorate, 0,0diethyl S-[(ethylthio)methyl]phosphorodithioate; tefluthrin, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylphenyl)methyl cis-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate; terbufos, S-[[(1,1dimethylethyl)thio]methyl] 0,0-diethyl phosphorodithioate; corn, Zea mays L. Additional index words: Environment, herbicide injury, herbicide-insecticide interaction, insecticide formulation, insecticide placement, carbamate insecticides, organophosphate insecticides, pyrethroid insecticides, terbufos.
Manufacturing Process Technology for MOS VLSI

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the manufacturing process technology for MOS VLSI. The requirements for VLSI manufacturing process technology are defined by the circuit design rules inherent in the implementation of VLSI functions and by the continued decrease in the cost per function. The manufacturing of integrated circuits includes die fabrication and die assembly. The chapter reviews horizontal scaling techniques required to implement VLSI circuit functions through cost-effective manufacturing processes. While more complex circuit designs and larger die will both evolve, horizontal scaling will continue to be the dominate method in achieving more functions per chip. The primary thrusts in manufacturing technology, focused on continuing feature size and defect density reduction. To achieve these reductions, significant changes will occur in patterning tools and technology, while the remaining process operations will move toward lower-temperature processing, more extensive use of dry process, both for etching and deposition, and increased automation. To satisfy electrical requirements and provide design flexibility, processes will become longer, necessitating improved process control techniques.
Irreversibility in a Reversible Lattice Gas

A simple lattice gas model, a microscopically reversible cellular automaton, is described and shown to exhibit thermodynamic irreversibility in processes similar to those in real gases. The model, which has no random elements, develops a long-lasting equilibrium state within a Poincare cycle. This state is an attractor resulting from the nonlinear nature of the collective particle collisions and motions. The results illustrate how the Second Law of Thermodynamics applies to real systems governed by reversible microscopic dynamics.
Guanfacine in Comorbid ADHD & Tourette’s Syndrome

An open-label study of guanfacine (1.5 mg/d), an a-adrenergic agonist, in 10 children with TS + ADHD, aged 8 to 16 years, was reported from the Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.
Development of advanced energy storage system using fuzzy control

In the last few decades, energy storage systems (ESS) have become a major research area in electric, hybrid-electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs) [1]. ESS mainly consists of a battery and ultra-capacitor (UC) connected together to build a system with high energy and power that can provide a high speed and acceleration for EVs. Major characteristics of ESS systems are the energy density, that a battery should provide, and the power rate which an ultra-capacitor can provide. In this paper, the focus will be on developing a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) to improve characteristics of the advanced energy storage system (AESS) in order to achieve a quick and accurate response to the output speed which enhance the system performance.
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Quality of Life, Functioning, and GI/Psychiatric Symptom Severity in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Background:Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for psychiatric disorders that impact symptom experience and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Therefore, comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments should be considered in ambulatory care settings. Patient-Reported Outcomes
The Next Mr. Putin? The Question of Succession

Vladimir Putin, the person and the president, is the wild card in Russian politics. After what could be a quarter of a century in power by 2024 (either as president or prime minister), Putin's departure could prove utterly destabilizing. Russia's principal political problem is determining who or what replaces Putin as the fulcrum of the state system in the decade ahead. This essay considers the question of whether “Putin's Russia” – a hyperpersonalized presidency supported by informal elite networks – can transform into a depersonalized system that is rooted in formal institutions with clear, predictable mechanisms to mitigate the risks of a wrenching presidential succession.
Surprising states of order for linear diblock copolymers.

Two polymers that are immiscible would separate on a macroscopic scale—like oil and water—to minimize interfacial area. However, when the different polymer chains are linked with a covalent bond to form a linear diblock copolymer, the forced interaction drives a self-assembly into periodic domains at the scale of 10 to 100 nm ( 1 ). The shapes and arrangements of these domains are often very simple, such as spherical micelles in a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice. One notable exception was the discovery that spherical micelles can assemble into a Frank-Kasper (FK) σ phase ( 2 ), a complex low-symmetry structure common in metals and alloys. Many other metallurgical FK structures are known, so if similar principles govern lattice selection in these distinct materials classes, then it is possible that many linear diblock copolymer phases remain undiscovered. On page 520 of this issue, Kim et al. ( 3 ) predict that several FK phases have nearly degenerate free energies, and show how clever thermal treatments can control the ordering pathway to access two of these previously undocumented structures.
The Victorian Woman Suicide: “The Idiots,” The Secret Agent, and Chance

The figure of the nineteenth-century female suicide, a young woman who drowns herself to escape disgrace, serves as a poignant moral reminder for Victorian women to value their sexual purity. Conrad repeatedly invokes the figure of the female suicide from his early story “The Idiots” to the novels The Secret Agent, and Chance. Departing from the more familiar sentimentalized notion of this figure, Conrad frames the suicides in the former two texts ironically as the remedy to the impossible liberation provided by murder. This contrasts with Flora in Chance, who considers suicide repeatedly as a remedy to her sensationalized tragic role yet chooses to live. Conrad’s treatment of the figure of the woman suicide legitimates the women’s frustration with their conventional roles.
Wheeze in pregnancy: Sometimes a pain in the neck to diagnose

Background: Upper airway obstruction can present with stridor or wheeze and is sometimes misdiagnosed as asthma. As asthma is common amongst pregnant women, upper airway obstruction can remain hidden. Case: We describe the case of goitre-related life threatening upper airway obstruction which was initially thought to be poorly controlled asthma in a pregnant woman. Careful history, high clinical suspicion and directed imaging was required to make the diagnosis. A multi-disciplinary team and meticulous planning was required to safely treat the parturient. Conclusion: As asthma has an incidence of 3%-12% among pregnant woman; wheezing is likely to be diagnosed as asthma. Our case illustrates the importance of detailed history, examination and imaging in the parturient who presents with wheeze. It also highlights the added complexity of managing a patient with a life threatening airway problem while she is pregnant.
Review of A-R Music Anthology

The A-R Online Music Anthology provides a flexible set of materials that are in some ways traditional but in others can allow new approaches to the music history survey.
Fusion of Ribs

One of the most frequent congenital anomalies seen in this anatomic area is a fusion of the first and second ribs. This may occur throughout the entire length of the rib or only in a segment (Fig. 27.1). Patients with this anomaly usually become symptomatic in early youth, especially when they become involved in sports and other recreational physical activities.
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Orbital and Rotational Atherectomy in Calcified Narrowings in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA) during percutaneous coronary intervention in an all-comer population with severely calcified lesions. We included all patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with OA or RA in our institution from October 2013 until October 2016. Comparison of baseline and procedural characteristics, along with acute complication rates and postprocedural cardiac enzyme elevation, was performed. There were 191 RA and 57 OA patients. Other than creatinine clearance, which was lower in patients with OA (p = 0.01), there were no differences in baseline characteristics. OA was more frequent in left anterior descending artery lesions (p = 0.02), whereas RA was more common in right coronary artery lesions (p = 0.01). Intracoronary imaging rates were above 60% in both groups. There was a higher rate of coronary dissections with OA compared with RA (p = 0.003), but there was no difference in periprocedural events. Maximal troponin levels were similar in both groups. Residual stenosis measured by intravascular ultrasound in 29 patients revealed no significant differences between OA and RA (p = 0.58). In conclusion, RA and OA have similar safety and efficacy profiles in treating patients with calcified coronary lesions, and intracoronary imaging is highly beneficial in identifying coronary injury after atherectomy procedures.
Hazards of Hazard Ratios - Deviations from Model Assumptions in Immunotherapy.

Look Beyond Hazard Ratios Many trials are based on the proportional-hazards assumption that an event is equally likely in different treatment groups over time and deviations are related to the intervention. Full Kaplan–Meier estimates from earlier trials may be more informative than summary statistics.
Evaluating the Home for Promoting Motor Skill Development

It is a well-accepted notion that the environment plays a critical role in infant and early childhood development. Complementing that idea is acknowledgement that the level of motor development is a significant factor in child behavior, including cognitive and social-emotional aspects. Of the various factors comprising the environment, family and home characteristics are primary agents for learning and developing the foundation for positive lifelong behaviors. This chapter discusses the importance of the home and family in promoting child motor development with the idea that affordances (conditions and opportunities) in the home are critical to the developmental process. We provide a brief description of contemporary home assessment instruments and research findings. A summary of those findings suggests that indeed, rich environments and strong contextual support produces positive developmental change. This chapter includes with suggestions for clinical and parental applications.
Fate and Effects of the Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Surface-active agents, or surfactants, are detersive chemicals characterized by having two different moieties, one polar and the other nonpolar, at opposite ends of a single molecule. The polar moiety is referred to as hydrophilic or lipophobic, and the nonpolar as hydrophobic or lipophilic. The nonpolar end is generally a long-chain hydrocarbon, which can be linear, branched, or aromatic. Surfactants are broadly categorized as an-ionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric (zwitterionic) according to the nature of the hydrophile yielded in aqueous solution. In currently marketed household, personal, and industrial cleaners, anionic surfactants are the most common class.
Asymmetry of ocular motor and perceptual vestibular processing in humans with unilateral vestibular deafferentation

To investigate the effect of asymmetrical vestibular input on the perceived straight-ahead direction, we compared 7 subjects (age 59 +/- 8 yrs, mean +/- SD) who had chronic (>10 mos) unilateral vestibular deafferentation with 10 age matched controls (age 61+/-6 younger controls (age 28 +/- 7 yrs). Despite the age difference, the two control groups performed similarly and were therefore pooled. Eye and head movements were recorded using search coils as subjects underwent 30 s trials of sinusoidal, whole body oscillation (0.4-2 Hz, peak velocities 0-120 degrees /s) in darkness while attempting to maintain gaze on a remembered target 5 m distant. As a control, most stimulus oscillations were randomly superimposed on an imperceptible, constant velocity of +/-0.5 degrees /s that produced a whole-body offset of 15 degrees by the end of the trial. Following oscillation, subjects remained motionless in darkness and were asked to orient both gaze and a manipulandum to the remembered target location. In control subjects, mean final gaze and manipulandum positions were within 15 degrees of the target for all testing conditions. There was no dependence of final gaze and manipulandum positions on the frequency or velocity of the preceding whole-body oscillations (p > 0.05). In four of seven unilaterally deafferented subjects there was an ipsilesional bias of final eye position of > or =10 degrees. These subjects moved both eye and manipulandum to the ipsilesional side, with the error increasing at higher stimulus velocities. For the 120 degrees /s peak head velocity, mean ipsilesional gaze bias ranged from 10-37 degrees and mean manipulandum bias ranged from 26-108 degrees. Although the errors depended on velocity p 0.1). In the remaining three subjects with vestibular deafferentation, final gaze and manipulandum positions [were not statistically different from controls.] Early gain (eye velocity / head velocity) of the VOR averaged 0.82 +/- 0.01 for the first 10 s of all trials and was similar in all groups (p > 0.1). Gain during the final 10 s gain averaged 0.78 +/- 0.01 for control subjects, but was significantly lower at 0.70 +/- 0.01 for unilaterally deafferented subjects, whose eye positions reached the limit of the ocular motor range. We conclude that many humans with chronic unilateral vestibular deafferentation have a large ipsilesional dynamic bias of eye position and the perceived straight ahead direction reflecting persistent asymmetry of vestibular processing.
How to Protect SiC FETs from Short Circuit Faults-Overview

SiC FETs significantly increase system efficiency and power density because of faster switching and lower ON resistance versus Si devices. However, SiC FETs behave differently at power system short circuit and overcurrent faults versus widely used in such applications IGBTs. Reliable protection of high voltage and high power systems is critical from safety and economic view. The paper reviews and analyzes SiC FETs overcurrent and short circuit detection and protection technique and provides recommendation for optimal approaches supported by experimental data.
Evaluation of Methods to Correct the Effect of Temperature on Electrical Conductivity of Mortar

Nondestructive methods to obtain the electrical conductivity (σ) or resistivity (ρ) of concrete are gaining popularity for durability evaluation. However, these methods are susceptible to the effects of curing and conditioning, primarily temperature and degree of saturation. Before σ of concrete at varied temperatures can be used for durability assessment, appropriate corrections must be made to account for the effect of temperature (T). In this study, two existing and one new temperature correction methods were evaluated for 12 mortar mixtures varying in water-to-cementitious material ratio (w/cm) and the content and types of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). Mortar specimens instrumented with embedded sensors were cured in sealed conditions for 11–13 months. After this period, the sealed specimens were subjected to stepwise temperature change in 5–50°C range while σ was recorded using the embedded sensors. Linear, bilinear, and Arrhenius temperature correction (LTC, BLTC, and ATC, respectively) were fitted to the obtained σ-T datasets and were evaluated for fitness. LTC provided an acceptable fit to the σ-T data (R2 > 0.81) but was found the most suitable in 5–30°C temperature range. BLTC was defined as a combination of two distinct LTC below and above the reference temperature at 23°C and had a better fit to the data (R2 > 0.96). Lastly, ATC showed the best fit among the tested methods (R2 > 0.98) and was found applicable for the full tested temperature range. Comparison of correction coefficients among the mixtures indicated that increase in w/cm results in less sensitivity of σ to temperature. Mixtures with SCM generally exhibit higher temperature sensitivity compared to the corresponding plain mixture. Since the variations in correction coefficients were not substantial (less 18% variation among 10 of 12 mixtures), a single value of activation energy of conduction (Ec) at 32 kJ/mol was identified as the general recommendation for all the tested mixtures.
Behavioral analysis of HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer: Do you know your patients?

Abstract Objective Evaluate the epidemiologic makeup of a population of HPV+ OPSCC patients treated at one institution over approximately a decade. Study design Prospective survey study of HPV+ OPSCC treated between 2007 and 2016. Setting Mount Sinai Health System Subjects and methods Patients aged 18+ who underwent treatment for HPV+ OPSCC. 223 patients were asked to complete a health survey including substance use and sexual history in order to specifically characterize the social behaviors of patients with HPV + OPSCC. Results Eighty-two patients responded, 70 male (85.4%) and 12 female (14.6%). While half of patients were nonsmokers, 18.3% had a smoking history of 100 sexual partners. Conclusions HPV+ OPSCC was more prevalent in white males with a high number of lifetime sexual partners, as expected. Careful evaluation revealed other findings of significance that are not generally associated with this population. Half of our patients had significant historical tobacco and alcohol consumption. One quarter of patients had a history of another malignancy. These findings highlight the importance of taking a comprehensive history when determining appropriate treatment or designing future de-escalation trials in HPV+ OPSCC.
Detection and Diagnosis of Multiple-void Discharge Sources in On-site 550kV GIS Insulating Spacer

This article introduced a case of on-site detection, return test and diagnostic analysis of a multiple voids discharge in 550 kV GIS insulating spacer. First, the abnormal signal of the on-site 550 kV GIS insulating spacer is detected by employing the UHF method, whose UHF signal pattern presents as void discharge. After the replacement of the insulating spacer, the withstand voltage, partial discharge (PD) test, X-ray inspection, lightning impact test are applied to this insulating spacer. The pulse current and UHF method are combined together to investigate the discharge characteristics of multiple voids in this insulating spacer. The discharge characteristics including initial discharge voltage and the extinction voltage, are compared before and after the lightning impact voltage test. Finally, the UHF signals of this insulating spacer are clustered by multisource discharge separation method. It is found that, there are eight voids linearly distributed inside the insulating spacer. The amplitudes of UHF and pulse current signals are positively correlated, and the discharge spectrum characteristic changes from single-void discharge to multiple-void discharge with the increase of voltage. The PD initial voltage of the insulating spacer decreases while the PD extinction voltage keeps same after the lightning impact voltage test, and the signal amplitudes of the UHF and pulse current methods increase rapidly. The discharge multiple source separation shows that the UHF signal of the insulating spacer can be divided into two clusters, which is consistent with the two distribution areas of voids. This article provides on-site experience for insulation detection and diagnosis of GIS.
La escritura argumentativa en español como lengua heredada

This study presents a descriptive linguistic analysis of 18 essays written by speakers of Spanish as a heritage language (SHL). The purpose of the essays is to analyze the socio-political role of the Mexican American corrido. Previous studies (Montano-Harmon, 1991; Spicer-Escalante M. L., 2002) have characterized the rhetorical and lexico-grammatical repertoire of speakers of SHL as limited to the addition of information, the personal experience, and the ‘everyone knows’ type of data. However, the results of this study suggest that rhetorical and lexico-grammatical repertoire of this group of speakers is more comprehensive since it includes different rhetorical strategies valued in a written academic register. I focus on analyzing the use of the evaluative definition of a concept, as this was the dominant argumentative strategy employed with varying degrees of effectiveness in the corpus.
Towards AR-assisted visualisation and guidance for imaging of dental decay

Untreated dental decay is the most prevalent dental problem in the world, affecting up to 2.4 billion people and leading to a significant economic and social burden. Early detection can greatly mitigate irreversible effects of dental decay, avoiding the need for expensive restorative treatment that forever disrupts the enamel protective layer of teeth. However, two key challenges exist that make early decay management difficult: unreliable detection and lack of quantitative monitoring during treatment. New optically based imaging through the enamel provides the dentist a safe means to detect, locate, and monitor the healing process. This work explores the use of an augmented reality (AR) headset to improve the workflow of early decay therapy and monitoring. The proposed workflow includes two novel AR-enabled features: (i) in situ visualisation of pre-operative optically based dental images and (ii) augmented guidance for repetitive imaging during therapy monitoring. The workflow is designed to minimise distraction, mitigate hand-eye coordination problems, and help guide monitoring of early decay during therapy in both clinical and mobile environments. The results from quantitative evaluations as well as a formative qualitative user study uncover the potentials of the proposed system and indicate that AR can serve as a promising tool in tooth decay management.
14 “A TOOL FOR MODERN TIMES”: IBM AND THE PERSONAL COMPUTER

We screwed up. … We did not see the PC as a platform. — Samuel J. Palmisano, 2015 1 Philip Donald "Don" Estridge (1937–1985) introduced IBM's PC to the world on August 12, 1981, at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in Midtown Manhattan. With that announcement, IBM brought forth another computer revolution; however, few realized that at the time. As the press generally put it, "OK, so IBM now, too, has a microcomputer product. Big deal." Soon the world embraced little computers by the millions. IBM's share of those sales dominated for several years, but by 1986 the company was at risk of becoming a PC also-ran. In 2005, Chinese computer maker Lenovo purchased IBM's PC business. 2 What occurred in the intervening years between IBM's success entering the PC business and exit from it nearly a quarter of a century later? From IBM's perspective, in the first half of the 1980s, something terrible began happening, turning a new and vast market into an ugly battleground with many rivals. From the second half of the 1980s until its end 20 years later, the PC story degenerated into a disappointing chapter in IBM's history. IBM's customers became unnerved, the company stumbled badly, and the PC business became the graveyard for the careers of a slew of employees and potential future CEOs. Over time, it became clear that the disappointing story of IBM's PC mirrored the declining performance of the entire company.