cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deposition apparatus to study the effects of polymers and asphaltenes upon wax deposition

Abstract The ability to predict and control the deposition of wax (also called paraffin) is critical to the efficient recovery of crude oil from cold environments, as part of the broader discipline of “flow assurance” in the petroleum industry. To this end laboratory-scale deposition tests have been useful to understand wax deposition. Previous studies have shown that wax deposition depends on temperature, flow stresses, oil composition (including wax) and the nature of the deposition surface. Furthermore, wax deposition is assessed not only through measurement of the amount of deposited wax, but also by the deposit composition as well as observation of microscopic structure and macroscopic effects on the wax deposit. We present here the first deposition system suitable for testing small volumes (∼ 750 mL) that provides control over the shear conditions and temperature field, and has the ability to measure and observe deposit height, composition, microscopic morphology and macroscopic structure of the deposit. Due to the parallel-plate geometry and the fact that deposition occurs only on one surface in this system, the shear stress at the wall can be varied over an order of magnitude from 2 to 60 Pa, and increases in stress during testing are lower than systems with pipe geometries. Deposit thicknesses to ∼ 150 μm are measured continuously via differential pressure, and the deposit samples are readily accessible at the end of testing for subsequent compositional and microscopic analyses. The parallel-plate geometry allows the wax deposit to be visually observed during testing. The thinness of the deposition channel allows observation of deposits for solutions with asphaltenes that are normally opaque. The small sample volume allows selective testing of special wax-inhibiting polymers and asphaltenes, which may be difficult to obtain in larger quantities required for other deposition devices. The temperature field inside the deposition cell is well defined and easily modeled. Tests with multi-component wax solutions showed results that were consistent with previous studies on wax deposition and wax gelation.
Predictors of a Top Performer During Emergency Medicine Residency.

Abstract Background Emergency Medicine (EM) residency program directors and faculty spend significant time and effort creating a residency rank list. To date, however, there have been few studies to assist program directors in determining which pre-residency variables best predict performance during EM residency. Objective To evaluate which pre-residency variables best correlated with an applicant's performance during residency. Methods This was a retrospective multicenter sample of all residents in the three most recent graduating classes from nine participating EM residency programs. The outcome measure of top residency performance was defined as placement in the top third of a resident's graduating class based on performance on the final semi-annual evaluation. Results A total of 277 residents from nine institutions were evaluated. Eight of the predictors analyzed had a significant correlation with the outcome of resident performance. Applicants' grade during home and away EM rotations, designation as Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, interview scores, “global rating” and “competitiveness” on nonprogram leadership standardized letter of recommendation (SLOR), and having five or more publications or presentations showed a significant association with residency performance. Conclusion We identified several predictors of top performers in EM residency: an honors grade for an EM rotation, USMLE Step 1 score, AOA designation, interview score, high SLOR rankings from nonprogram leadership, and completion of five or more presentations and publications. EM program directors may consider utilizing these variables during the match process to choose applicants who have the highest chance of top performance during residency.
The effects of body proportions on thermoregulation: an experimental assessment of Allen's rule

Numerous studies have discussed the influence of thermoregulation on hominin body shape concluding, in accordance with Allen's rule, that the presence of relatively short limbs on both extant as well as extinct hominin populations offers an advantage for survival in cold climates by reducing the limb's surface area to volume ratio. Moreover, it has been suggested that shortening the distal limb segment compared to the proximal limb segment may play a larger role in thermoregulation due to a greater relative surface area of the shank. If longer limbs result in greater heat dissipation, we should see higher resting metabolic rates (RMR) in longer-limbed individuals when temperature conditions fall, since the resting rate will need to replace the lost heat. We collected resting oxygen consumption on volunteer human subjects to assess the correlation between RMR and lower limb length in human subjects, as well as to reexamine the prediction that shortening the distal segment would have a larger effect on heat loss and, thus, RMR than the shortening of the proximal segment. Total lower limb length exhibits a statistically significant relationship with resting metabolic rate (p<0.001; R(2)=0.794). While this supports the hypothesis that as limb length increases, resting metabolic rate increases, it also appears that thigh length, rather than the length of the shank, drives this relationship. The results of the present study confirm the widely-held expectation of Allen's rule, that short limbs reduce the metabolic cost of maintaining body temperature, while long limbs result in greater heat dissipation regardless of the effect of mass. The present results suggest that the shorter limbs of Neandertals, despite being energetically disadvantageous while walking, would indeed have been advantageous for thermoregulation.
o‐Hydroxyphenylureas. Intermediates in the urea fusion synthesis of 2‐benzoxazolinones

o-Hydroxyphenylureas have been identified as intermediates in the urea fusion synthesis of 2-benzoxazolinones. The pyrolysis of these intermediates represents a new alternate synthesis of the benzoxazolinone ring system.
Effects of neuropeptide Y and ethanol on arousal and anxiety-like behavior in alcohol-preferring rats

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is abundant in the mammalian brain and plays a prominent role in behaviors related to negative affect and alcohol. NPY suppresses anxiety-like behavior and alcohol-drinking behaviors in a wide array of rodent models and also affects changes in these behaviors produced by fearful and stressful stimuli. Rats selectively bred for high alcohol preference (P rats) appear to be particularly sensitive to the behavioral effects of NPY. The dual purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of intraventricular NPY on (1) the acoustic startle response (ASR) of P rats in a high-anxiety setting and (2) social interaction behavior of P rats. In experiment 1, P rats were either cycled through periods of long-term ethanol access and abstinence or they remained ethanol naive. Rats were injected with one of four NPY doses and tested for ASR before and after footshock stress. NPY suppressed ASR in all P rats regardless of shock condition or drinking history. In experiment 2, rats received intraventricular infusion of one of four NPY doses and were then injected with either ethanol (0.75 g/kg) or saline and tested for social interaction. NPY increased social interaction in P rats even at doses that suppressed locomotor activity, regardless of ethanol dose. Suppression of anxiety-like and arousal behaviors by NPY in the present study confirm a role for NPY in alcohol-related behaviors in alcohol-preferring P rats.
Peridinialean dinoflagellate plate patterns, labels and homologies

Abstract Tabulation patterns for peridinialean dinoflagellate thecae and cysts have been traditionally expressed using a plate labelling system described by C.A. Kofoid in the early 1900's. This system can obscure dinoflagellate plate homologies and has not always been strictly applied. The plate-labelling system presented here introduces new series labels but incorporates key features and ideas from the more recently proposed systems of G.L. Eaton and F.J.R. Taylor, as modified by W.R. Evitt. Plate-series recognition begins with the cingulum (C-series) and proceeds from the cingulum toward the apex for the three series of the epitheca/epicyst and proceeds from the cingulum toward the antapex for the two series of the hypotheca/hypocyst. The epithecal/epicystal model consists of eight plates that touch the anterior margin of the cingulum (E-series: plates E1-E7, ES), seven plates toward the apex that touch the E-series plates (M-series: R, M1-M6), and up to seven plates near the apex that do not touch E-series plates (D-series: Dp-Dv). The hypothecal/hypocystal model consists of eight plates that touch the posterior margin of the cingulum (H-series: H1-H6,HR,HS) and three plates toward the antapex (T1-T3). Epithecal/epicystal tabulation patterns come in both 8- and 7- models, corresponding to eight and seven plates, respectively, in the E-series. Hypothecal/hypocystal tabulation patterns also come in both 8- and 7-models, corresponding to eight and seven plates, respectively, in the H-series. By convention, the 7-model epitheca/epicyst has no plates E1 and M1; the 7-model hypotheca/hypocyst has no plate H6. Within an 8-model or 7-model, the system emphasizes plates that are presumed to be homologous by giving them identical labels. I introduce the adjectives “monothigmate”, “dithigmate,” and “trithigmate” to designate plates touching one, two, and three plates, respectively, of the adjacent series. The term “thigmation” applies to the analysis of plate contacts between plate series as a guide to interpretation. Application of the proposed plate labelling system involves: (1) locating the cingulum and identifying the plate series, (2) identifying the landmark plates within each series, (3) assigning appropriate plate numbers to plates in the E- and H-series, (4) assigning appropriate plate numbers to the remaining plates using thigmation and interactions of diagonally opposite pairs of plates (quartets) as guides to interpretation. A “typical” gonyaulacoid tabulation pattern combines a 7-model epitheca/epicyst and an 8-model hypotheca/hypocyst. A “typical” peridinioid tabulation pattern combines an 8-model epitheca/epicyst and a 7-model hypotheca/hypocyst. The group that is presently termed partiform gonyaulacoid (which includes the modern genus Cladopyxis Stein and the fossil Microdinium Cookson and Eisenack) has an 8-model epitheca/epicyst and an 8-model hypotheca/hypocyst.
Mandating influenza vaccination for healthcare workers.

Despite considerable influenza-related morbidity and mortality, the recent introduction of a novel influenza A/H1N1 virus, and transmission of oseltamivirresistant seasonal and (rarely) pandemic influenza A viruses, unacceptably few healthcare workers (HCWs) receive influenza vaccination [1,2]. Although evidencebased recommendations have been made to remedy this important problem, data from a recent survey by the CDC indicate that in 2007 only 44% of USA HCWs were vaccinated against influenza [3,101]. This is despite CDC recommendations since 1981 that all HCWs be vaccinated annually against influenza [4], and the significant visibility given to this issue by numerous recent calls by federal bodies and professional societies for HCWs to receive annual influenza vaccination [102]. These recommendations are derived from evidence that inf luenza vaccination of HCWs reduces influenza infection, presenteeism (reporting to work ill) and absenteeism among the vaccinees, reduces transmission to other staff and, most importantly, prevents morbidity and mortality among the patients they care for [5–8]. In addition, influenza immunization is cost effective [9]. Here, we brief ly review the problem, report proposed solutions, and provide recommendations which we believe best achieve the goals of patient safety and HCW protection. The problem Seasonal influenza epidemics result in an average of more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the USA every year [10,11]. The total economic burden of annual influenza epidemics in the USA has been estimated at US$87.1 billion [12]. Influenza-related morbidity and mortality are significantly increased in populations served by HCWs, including the elderly, infants and young children, immunocompromised and pregnant patients, as well as those with chronic medical conditions [13].
Integration of Kano's Model Into QFD for Multiple Product Design

Simultaneous multiple product design is essential to meet customer expectations faster and with a focus on shortening life cycles, and new methodologies are needed to address the complexities related to it. quality function deployment (QFD) can help gather customer needs and link them to product design. However, understanding customer needs accurately is a challenge for traditional QFD analysis, and for this reason, Kano's model of customer satisfaction is associated with QFD in the literature. However, incorporating the results of Kano's model into QFD presents another challenge. The objective of this research is to provide a step-by-step methodology that fine-tunes the QFD method by combining Kano's model and QFD in a robust manner, from the perspective of simultaneous multiple product design. This research also includes an application of this proposed methodology on cockpit weather information system (CWIS) design, a part of NASA's Aviation Weather Information (AWIN) project, to demonstrate its usefulness
Vibro-Impact Behavior of Two Orthogonal Beams

Structural interaction between two beam-like structures is a situation that occurs in piping systems, among other applications relevant to the nuclear, petroleum, biomedical, and automotive industries, for instance. This paper analytically investigates the repetitive impact dynamics of two orthogonal pinned–pinned beams subjected to base excitation at specified frequency and acceleration. The orthogonal beam configuration restricts the contact to a single point, and the contact interface is modeled by a spring. Although many approaches have been developed for multibody dynamics, the constraint and modal mapping method is efficiently applied herein to obtain the forced response through modal analysis. The vibration is described in a piecewise fashion as switching between the linear in-contact and not-in-contact states, and compatibility conditions are applied at their junctions. The development of the conjoined mode shapes and their orthogonality is derived in detail. The contact impulse is used to describ...
Structure of exhaust jets produced by magnetic reconnection localized in the out‐of‐plane direction

Three-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations are used to investigate the structure of exhaust jets produced by magnetic reconnection localized in the out-of-plane direction. The localized reconnection is produced by periodically blocking the cross-tail current density, a procedure that has effects analogous to those produced by the assumption of a region of anomalous resistivity in fluid treatments of reconnection. The width of the blocking region is varied between 4 and 24di, where di is the ion inertial length. After an initial displacement in the electron-drift direction, the jet front undergoes a marked expansion in the ion-drift direction, reaching a total cross-tail width of 15–20di regardless of the initial width. The jet front breaks up into small-scale finger structures of the order of 1–2di in width, which appears to be due to the action of the ballooning/interchange instability. Ahead of the front, the ion pressure Pixx is increased due to reflection of ions from the moving front and the penetration of high-speed ions in the jet through the front. The ion temperature Tixx exhibits a minimum within the front, while the electron temperature is enhanced in the front. The properties of the reconnection-generated fronts are compared and contrasted with those of interchange heads produced by a decreasing entropy profile.
Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs in diabetic macular oedema.

Sir, I read the article by Forte et al1 with interest. I congratulate the authors for evaluating different treatment options in diabetic macular oedema (DME). I would like to comment about the treatment of DME with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) alone. The half-life of IVB in the vitreous cavity of a rabbit eye has been shown to be 4.32 days.2 Most in-vivo studies have shown that IVB either plateaus or decreases macular thickness in most eyes between 3–6 weeks. This demands a need for repeat injections. According to Parravano et al,3 multiple studies have shown only short-term benefit of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs as compared with present treatment modalities. There is no sufficient high-quality evidence from large randomized controlled trials supporting the use of either single or multiple anti-VEGF intravitreal injections to treat DME. The systemic safety of IVB is not yet established. Bevacizumab has the potential to inhibit the important physiological functions of VEGF, such as wound healing and development of collaterals deemed significant in myocardial or peripheral ischaemia, thus potentially causing systemic adverse events.4 Regarding intravitreal steroid as an adjunct has also shown a temporary effect on macular oedema, with no long-term benefit on visual acuity, but being associated with side effects. The studies have not shown any additional benefit of intravitreal steroid over laser photocoagulation.5 In conclusion, anti-VEGF or steroid can be used in gross macular oedema as an adjunct for short-term benefit, to reduce the macular thickness, followed by focal or grid laser to give a sustained response. Macular laser photocoagulation is still the gold-standard treatment. Multi-centre controlled trials are needed to compare IVB alone and in combination with laser photocoagulation in DME, to assess the long-term benefit and safety, the number of injections needed for maintenance of the effect, and the associated risk.
A New Layer to Inclusion: Creating Singles-Friendly Work Environments

This chapter discusses the ethical concerns surrounding providing support for employees’ family demands in a way that is inclusive and does not exclude workers who are single and/or do not have children. Empirical research and public policy issues are discussed which demonstrate ways in which singles workers are perceived poorly or disadvantaged in society. Research on the work-life issues that single workers face is discussed and recommendations are provided for creating a singles-friendly work culture in which the work-life needs of singles without children are supported by the organization, just as work–family needs are supported for employees with spouses and children.
Human Factors in Clinical Judgment: Discussion of Scriven’s ‘Clinical Judgment’

It would be quite impossible to comment in detail on each of the main points in Scriven’s wide-ranging paper. Much of it is concerned with the issue of clinical versus statistical prediction and with the implications of the well replicated research finding that clinical judgments can be reproduced or even improved upon by simple statistical formulas derived from a representative sample of prior judgments [11]. This appears to be a puzzling, contra-intuitive, controversial research finding. For surely its implications have been only slowly incorporated in clinical practice, and have perhaps been more resisted and avoided than attended to. This discussion, therefore, will focus on one major question: Why do simple formulas for judgment so consistently equal or exceed the accuracy of human inference? I shall answer this question in two ways: first, by offering a critique of human judgment from an information-processing perspective, and second, by critically examining the research model that produced this finding My concern will be, then, with the psychological processes of clinical judgment and with ascertaining what research on clinical judgment has actually studied. The overall thrust of the discussion will be to agree with the main line of Scriven’s argument, while pointing out that there is still an “on the other hand”.
(Dis) Union at 150: Collective Memories of Secession

AbstractThis article reports on the results of an exploratory qualitative study of the collective memories of Secession held by a diverse group of university students (n = 54) at a large southern research institution. Participants completed a survey that asked them to produce a narrative of Secession as well as to rank a selection of heroes and provide an explanation for their ranking. We found that the majority of responses contained elements from different, and even opposing, collective-memory traditions, including the Lost Cause and freedom-quest narratives of the Civil War. The article explores the responses using a theoretical framework based on the socio-cultural theories of language and narrative developed by Bakhtin and Wertsch in light of historical work done on collective memory of the Civil War.
The human spongiform encephalopathies: kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and the Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome.

Kuru and the transmissible virus dementias Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) belong to the group of virus-induced slow infections that we have described as subacute spongiform virus encephalopathies because of the strikingly similar histopathological lesions they induce (Table 1). Scrapie, mink encephalopathy, chronic wasting disease with spongiform encephalopathy of captive mule deer and of captive elk, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy all appear from their histopathology, pathogenesis, and the similarities of their infectious agents to belong to the same group. The basic neurocytological lesions in all these diseases are a progressive vacuolation in the dendritic and axonal processes and cell bodies of neurons and, to a lesser extent, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes; an extensive astroglial hypertrophy and proliferation; and spongiform change or status spongiosis of gray matter with extensive neuronal loss.
Liposome Encapsulated Hemoglobin: Long-Term Storage Stability and in Vivo Characterization

Liposome Encapsulated Hemoglobin (LEU) has been the focus of research and development at the Naval Research Laboratory in an effort to find a viable oxygen-carrying resuscitative fluid. Previous reports from our laboratory have shown that LEH binds and releases oxygen in a manner similar to red blood cells, and that it can sustain life when red cell hematocrits are decreased to critical levels. We have also reported on LEH with regards to preparative methods, scale-up feasibility, toxicity, hemodynamics, hemoglobin P50 modification by coencapsulation of organic phosphates, liposomal surface modification, and storage strategies. In this report, the issue of LEH efficacy following long-term storage in the dry state will be addressed. We have shown that hemoglobin, liposomes, and LEH may be successfully lyophilized and rehydrated to viable states. The modification of the LEH formulation by addition of the carbohydrate trehalose results in the successful lyophilization and storage of LEH. In vitro characteriz...
The inhibitory effect of Facebook use on stress recovery: A pilot study

findings warrant reviewing the effects of oxytocin on cortisol in a larger sample than in previous studies. Using a 2×2 double-blind design, 100 healthy men received 24 I.U. of intranasal oxytocin or a saline placebo before participating in the Trier Social Stress Task (Kirschbaum et al., 1993) or a control procedure. Men who were given oxytocin and exposed to stress (the oxytocin/stress group) had significantly greater cortisol than the groupswhoonly received oxytocin or were only exposed to stress. The group difference in cortisol occurred in the absence of significant differences in selfreported state mood. However, the oxytocin/stress group reported higher trait neuroticism, which could increase stress-induced cortisol. When controlling neuroticism, the oxytocin/stress group still exhibited significantly greater cortisol. This is the first study to suggest that oxytocin may increase stress-induced cortisol in humans. One explanation for these results is that sufficient doses of oxytocin bind with receptors of the structurally similar hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP); AVP is known to synergize with CRH to cause ACTH release and increase cortisol. Future research to assess oxytocin and AVP receptor binding will benefit from the development of tools such as oxytocin radioligands for use in positron emission tomography imaging in humans.
VVNC in Kamituumbi and Kikongo

Vowels before NC sequences in Bantu languages are often long. In certain languages, morphophonemic length alternations provide support for a synchronic rule turning VNC into VVNC; in other languages, we find root-internal VVNC, but no length alternations which directly support a lengthening rule. The question arises whether, in such languages, vowel length before tautomorphemic NC is governed by phonological rule or by redundancy statement on underlying forms. In this study Kikongo and Kimatuumbi are compared on this point. It is shown that the languages are alike in having root-internal VVNC, but no direct vowel length alternations. However, these languages give different solutions to the redundancy problem. In Kimatuumbi vowels are simply redundantly long within roots before NC clusters. In Kikongo, analysis of tonal alternations demonstrates that long vowels before NC derive from underlying short vowels. Owing to borrowing, there are many stems in Kikongo where short vowels survive before NC, a fact wh...
Benzoquinone-Promoted Reaction of O2 with a PdII−Hydride

Benzoquinone (BQ) and O2 are among the most common stoichiometric oxidants in Pd-catalyzed oxidation reactions. The present study provides rare insights into mechanistic differences between BQ and O2 in their reactivity with a well-defined Pd−hydride complex, Pd(IMes)2(H)(O2CPh) (1). BQ promotes the reductive elimination of PhCO2H from 1 and catalyzes the formation of a PdII−OOH complex when this reaction is carried out under aerobic conditions. These results have important implications for Pd-catalyzed oxidation reactions.
Observational themes of social behavioral disturbances in frontotemporal dementia

ABSTRACT Background: Caregivers report early disturbances in social behavior among patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD); however, there are few direct observational studies of these social behavioral disturbances. This study aimed to identify social behavioral themes in bvFTD by direct observation in naturalistic interactions. The identification of these themes can help caregivers and clinicians manage the social behavioral disturbances of this disease. Methods: Researchers observed 13 bvFTD patients in their homes and community-based settings and recorded field notes on their interpersonal interactions. A qualitative analysis of their social behavior was then conducted using ATLAS.ti application and a constant comparison method. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes: (1) diminished relational interest and initiation, indicating failure to seek social interactions; (2) lack of social synchrony/intersubjectivity, indicating an inability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships; and (3) poor awareness and adherence to social boundaries and norms. These themes corresponded with changes from caregiver reports and behavioral scales. Conclusion: This analysis indicates that real-world observation validates the diagnostic criteria for bvFTD and increases understanding of social behavioral disturbances in this disorder. The results of this and future observational studies can highlight key areas for clinical assessment, caregiver education, and targeted interventions that enhance the management of social behavioral disturbances in bvFTD.
Racist comments at online news sites: a methodological dilemma for discourse analysis

In 2004, awash with the hope for a public sphere reinvigorated by the popular internet, the online arms of many U.S. newspapers opened their websites for comments. Now, nine years into this experiment, many newspapers have abandoned the practice of allowing comments. Online news sites have adopted a variety of strategies to deal with offensive comments, including turning “comments off,” not archiving comments, and adopting aggressive comment moderation policies. These strategies present researchers who wish to understand how racism operates in the new public sphere of mainstream news sites with a set of methodological dilemmas. In this article we (1) lay out the methodological pitfalls for the systematic investigation of the prevalent pattern of racism in online comments in the public sphere and (2) suggest steps by which scholars may deal with these methodological intricacies. We conclude by pointing to the broader implications of online content moderation.
Global myocardial function, regional myocardial function, and the Daemon of Laplace.

Pierre-Simon Laplace, the famous 18th century French mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, expressed in his book ‘Essai philosophique sur des Probabilites’ his deterministic view on the world with the idea that if a hypothetical intellect would be aware of all laws of nature and the exact condition of all its components at a certain point in time, any past or future state of the universe could be calculated from that.1 This intellect became later popular as ‘Daemon of Laplace’, and the idea was challenged by both philosophers and physicists. Not only that in final consequence such a deterministic world spirit would exclude the existence of a free will, it also causes a logical problem as this intelligence would be part of the system and had to calculate itself. Finally, modern quantum mechanics tells us that both location and velocity of a particle cannot be measured at the same time. Determining the regional work performed by the ventricular myocardium leaves us with a less philosophic problem on a smaller scale, but with a comparable intellectual challenge. And also here Laplace was involved in laying the foundations. In a joint work with Lavoisier, they confirmed in 1780 that oxygen consumption of an animal has an energetic equivalent in the body heat that can melt the ice inside a calorimeter.2 The same principle is …
Postpartum psychiatric disorders.

The literature on postpartum psychiatric disorders (PPD) is reviewed with particular reference to recent advances in the field. Despite the prevailing tendency to consider PPD as a manifestation of other pre-existing psychiatric disorders (i.e. affective, schizophreniform, organic, neurotic, etc.) a growing number of studies point to the uniqueness and specificity of postpartum symptomatology. Theories of etiology, psychosocial as well as biological, are still wide-ranging and unconvicing. Attempts to predict PPD and/or to identify mothers-to-be at risk are based largely on retrospective studies or else are hindered by the use of nonspecific instruments. Society's implicit belief in the "joys of motherhood" may have further contributed to the obscurity surrounding these frequently occurring disorders. Interventions follow conventional methods of psycho- and pharmacotherapy but the multidisciplinary treatment approach especially for women with acute PPD who require hospital admission is gaining wider acceptance. The inpatient psychiatric mother-baby intensive care unit model is part of this approach.
Infundibulopelvic Stenosis: A Long-Term Followup

We followed 21 patients with congenital infundibulopelvic stenosis, a rare obstructive disorder of the intrarenal collecting system, for a median of 11 years (range 2 to 28 years). Of these patients 19 (90%) had evidence of bilateral renal disease. In particular, 10 patients had bilateral infundibular pelvic stenosis, 6 a contralateral cystic dysplastic kidney and 3 a congenitally absent kidney. Extended observations of the patients with this disorder revealed that end stage renal disease or renal insufficiency developed in 8 patients (37%), all with bilateral renal anomalies. Renal biopsies in patients with end stage renal failure revealed widespread areas of renal dysplasia proximal to the stenotic infundibulum with focal or global glomerulosclerosis of the glomeruli, which was not involved in the dysplastic process. These pathological findings are consistent with the presence of a renal hyperfiltration injury. Our data suggest that the prognosis of infundibulopelvic stenosis is dependent upon the extent of total renal mass involved with the disease process and the duration of followup.
Antimicrobial Host Defense

The traditional view of platelets is often limited to anuclear cells that only function in hemostasis. That view is outmoded: platelets have clear roles in antimicrobial host defense, immune modulation, and wound healing. Platelets have explicit structures and functions of host defense effector cells, including recently specified toll-like and other receptors that enable detection of microbial threats. Platelets engage microorganisms directly and indirectly through multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms. In so doing platelets mediate temporally- and mechanisticially-orchestrated responses that coordinate with complementary immune defenses to optimally protect the host. Platelets respond to infection via opsonophagocytosis, degranulation of an array of microbicidal polypeptides, and convergence of synergistic molecular and cellular host defenses. Thus, platelets serve as key immune effector cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Consistent with these perspectives, deficiencies in platelet quantity or quality are recognized to increase clinical risk and severity of infection. Likewise, certain pathogens may subvert platelet-mediated host defenses to exploit platelets as adhesive surfaces. Collectively, platelet immunobiology is rapidly evolving to shed new light on platelet roles in host-pathogen relationships and antimicrobial host defense.
The Clinical and Pathological Manifestations of Renal Tumors in Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

AbstractThe protean nature of renal lesions in von Hippel-Lindau disease has made surgical management difficult. To develop a sensible surgical approach the pathological and clinical manifestations of renal involvement in von Hippel-Lindau disease patients were defined. A total of 87 lesions in 9 kidneys from 6 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease was examined for size, presence of renal cell carcinoma, cystic or solid qualities and local invasion. There was no correlation between the size of the lesion and renal cell carcinoma. All 44 benign lesions were cystic, while 35% (15 of 43) of malignant lesions were cystic and 65% (28 of 43) were solid. All 9 locally invasive tumors were solid. The distribution of lesions in our patients was compared to the findings in 138 cases we collected from the literature. The 3 patterns of clinical presentation recognized were solitary, multiple and diffuse. We recommend that all lesions, cystic or solid, be excised at the time of nephron sparing surgery, with a wider ...
The effects of common footwear on stance-phase mechanical properties of the prosthetic foot-shoe system

Background:Prosthetic feet are prescribed based on their mechanical function and user functional level. Subtle changes to the stiffness and hysteresis of heel, midfoot, and forefoot regions can inf...
Comparing Youth Opinions Toward Compulsory Voting Across Five Countries

This study uses a comparative case study design to examine youth (ages 13-20) opinions toward compulsory voting across five democratic countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. Youth responses to questionnaire items concerning compulsory voting were coded and analyzed with the guidance of a political socialization conceptual framework. Youth responses toward compulsory voting demonstrate how youth come to learn about citizen rights and responsibilities with varied understandings of what it means to participate in a democracy. Five themes represent the most notable variations of reasons given by youth to support and oppose compulsory voting: rights and duties, corruption, inclusion of minorities, informed citizenry, and strong democracy. Further, the majority of students gave at least one reason for and against compulsory voting demonstrating students’ ability of perspective-taking, to give reasons for the perspective with which they disagree. This study provides an analysis of how youth political opinions are constructed and negotiated by social and political influences. The findings have implications for educational researchers and social studies teachers as they work to improve civic education.
Children at Risk: Effects of a Four-Year Head Start Transition Program on Special Education Identification

Children in Head Start are at risk for school learning or behavioral problems. While Head Start has decreased special education placement, there has been little systematic data until recently on identification of children in disability categories following preschool. In this study, two cohorts of 6,162 children across 30 sites were followed through third grade. Approximately half of these children were provided transition assistance from kindergarten through third grade. This included school transition and curricular modifications, parent involvement activities, health screening or referrals, and family social services, all similar to those received in Head Start. They were compared to a similar group of Head Start children who did not receive such services beyond the Head Start experience. Special education eligibility was determined from school records in the spring of third grade. Only 0.89% of children in the transition group were identified in the mental retardation category compared to 1.26% in the non-transition group. In the category of emotional disturbance, these same figures were 1.21% and 1.65% respectively. Both differences were statistically significant, but an opposite effect was found in the category of speech or language impairment. Findings are discussed in relation to differences in disability categories and implications for early identification.
Clonality and mutational profiling of a case of composite hairy cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We report a unique case of composite hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) phenotype evaluated comprehensively through cell sorting and deep sequencing. The patient presented with decreased exercise tolerance and complete blood count revealed neutropenia, monocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The peripheral blood film was suggestive of HCL. However, a bone marrow evaluation was suspicious for composite HCL and CLL. Flow cytometry not only confirmed monoclonal kappa light chain restricted HCL and CLL populations, but also identified a kappa restricted population with co-expression of bright CD20, bright CD22, and CD11c without CD25 or CD103. Each population was isolated by cell sorting and subsequent B-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis showed distinct rearrangements in each population. Likewise, next-generation sequencing (NGS) showed distinct mutation patterns in each of the monoclonal B-cell populations. The HCL clone harbored the signature BRAF V600E mutation, the CLL clone harbored an RB1 (L343fs*6) mutation, and the third clone was essentially negative for either mutation. In HCL, the BRAF V600E has been found in hematopoietic stem cells, raising the possibility of a common stem cell origin for composite HCL/CLL. However, our findings suggest a process of independent clonal development of multiple neoplastic B-cell populations in composite lymphoma, likely occurring somewhere after the common lymphoid progenitor stage.
Calibration trending in the Spitzer beyond era

The Spitzer Space Telescope currently operates in the "Beyond Era", over nine years past an original cryogenic mission. As the astronomy community continues to advance scientific boundaries and push beyond original specifications, the stability of the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) instrument is paramount. The Instrument Team (IST) monitors the pointing accuracy, temperature, and calibration and provides the information in a timely manner to observers. The IRAC IST created a calibration trending web page, available to the general astronomy community, where the team posts updates of three most pertinent scientific stability measures of the IRAC data: calibration, bias, and bad pixels. In addition, photometry and telescope properties from all the staring observations (>1500 as of April 2018) are trended to examine correlations with changes in the age or thermal properties of the telescope. A long, well-sampled baseline established by consistent monitoring outside anomalies and space weather events allows even the smallest changes to be detected.
Lessons for Liberalism: Lord Brougham's Philosophy of Italian Politics

In this paper I attempt to give an historically accurate statement of the fundamentals of Henry Peter Brougham, First Baron Brougham and Vaux's (1778-1867) political philosophy and to show how he seeks guidance in his development of this philosophy from the materials of history in general and Italian history in particular. The article seeks to explain Brougham's view that history should be written in a "non-historicist," "objective," "absolutist" and "judgmental" manner and that this position is linked to his belief that there are rationally demonstrable supreme objects of legitimate government which can be shown to be obligatory on all governments at all times however much the prevailing historical conditions may limit or condition actual practical choices. Brougham will be shown to be a proponent of representative, popular government over an extended territory as the best means to attaining the legitimate objects of government in the form of domestic order and external security. Brougham comes to this conclusion while being aware of the great advantages to be had from the absolute rule of one wise and virtuous monarch and the necessity for a purely democratic constitution when the conditions of public enlightenment and social advancement have reached their apogee. In outlining this portrait the article indicates some of the connecting links between Brougham's thought and that of both ancient and modern political philosophers as it was known to him. We find in Brougham a certain blend or melding of various strands within the tradition of liberal thought which as a central figure in the politics of the British Empire during the first third of the nineteenth century he was able to advance on the practical level. It is the hope of this article to contribute in some small way to the re-discovery of a heretofore undeservedly neglected or at least underestimated historical figure.
Aging-associated Alteration in the Cardiac MIF-AMPK Cascade in Response to Ischemic Stress

An important role for a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in ameliorating myocardial damage following ischemia/reperfusion has been described. An aging-associated reduction in AMPK activity may be associated with a decline in the ability of cardiac cells to activate the MIF-AMPK cascade, thereby resulting in reduced tolerance to ischemic insults. To test this hypothesis, in vivo regional ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in young (4-6 months) and aged (24-26 months) mice. The ischemic AMPK activation response was impaired in aged hearts compared to young ones (p<0.01). Notably, cardiac MIF expression in aged hearts was lower than in young hearts (p<0.01). Dual staining data clearly demonstrated larger infarct size in aged hearts following ischemia and reperfusion compared to young hearts (p<0.05). Ischemia-induced AMPK activation in MIF knock out (MIF KO) hearts was blunted, leading to greater contractile dysfunction of MIF KO cardiomyocytes during hypoxia than that of wild type (WT) cardiomyocytes. Finally exogenous recombinant MIF significantly reversed the contractile dysfunction of aged cardiomyocytes in response to hypoxia. We conclude that an aging-associated reduction in ischemic AMPK activation contributes to ischemic intolerance in aged hearts.
BLOGS, RSS, and WIKIS

During the past few years several populist Web technologies have mushroomed into phenomenal use. These include Weblogs, RSS News feeds, and to a lesser extent wiki sites. Together, they facilitate individual and collective publishing and propagation of web documents and lend themselves quite naturally to educational uses. I have used all three in a social and ethical issues course, and currently use blogs and news feeds in a security course. The tutorial session covers all three technologies. Participants will work through setting up and posting to a Weblog, setting up and accessing RSS feeds, and will participate in creating and contributing editorial content to a wiki.
Forces Shaping the Cyber Threat Landscape for Financial Institutions

Protecting financial networks not only requires financial institutions to improve the security of their own systems, but to change the security balance of the entire internet environment. Cyber threats to financial institutions increasingly come from insecure low-cost mobile and IoT devices outside their own networks. This requires new approaches to defense, including developing new authentication and monitoring technologies for bank networks, and supporting the development of security solutions for these new devices outside the banks’ own networks. Improving cybercrime education and awareness for new internet users in the developing world and supporting efforts to build law enforcement capacity to combat cybercrime around the world is also critical. Many financial institutions recognize the growing risks of cybercrime and are investing in their cyber defenses, but as changes in the attack surface, attacker incentives, and defenses evolve, so will the threats. Understanding the forces that shape the threat landscape is essential for financial institutions to get ahead and stay ahead of their adversaries in cyberspace.