cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations of body-image in response to aniseikonic spatial distortions.

Summary.-The impact of aniseikonic spatial distortion on body feelings and fantasies was studied. 16 males and 21 females responded to Holtzman inkblots both before and during aniseikonic alteration. This was done to evaluate alterations in the body-image boundary. Ss also responded to questionnaires measuring unusual body-image sensations and minor body symptoms, and they rated their perceptual experience on a variety of Semantic Differential continua. The major positive finding substantiated the hypothesis that the boundary of the male is more vulnerable to disruption than is the boundary of the female. The experiencing of spatial distortions produces psychological repercussions. Radical alteration of the sparial dimensions of one's world is threatening. Descriptions of the anxiety associated with spatial distortion have been provided by persons who have worn lenses reversing up and down or right and left (Kohler, 1964). Witkin, et al. (1962) observed that persons subjected to disorienting experiences in a dark room sometimes become acutely uncomfortable. High flying pilots have reported being so affected by their radical spatial disorientation that they "drifted off" from reality. Persons fitted with new glasses which produce spatial distortions may, until they adapt, suffer unpleasant experiences, e.g., depersonalization. Maintenance of a familiar spatial framework is important in the construccion of reality and self. Many frightening effects of drugs like LSD derive from the alterations they produce in the spatial characteristics of self and non-self objects. Some persons are obviously arrracted to spatial distortion. Presumably, part of the attraction of thrill rides at amusement parks or of unusual body positions during gymnastics is the break-up of the accustomed spatial framework. Schilder (1935 ) emphasized the role of spatial landmarks in defining one's own body and identity. He considered that learning right-left, front-back, and up-down help to organize one's body psychologically. A major objective of the present study was to determine the impact of experiencing spatial distortion upon the body image. A second objective was to test an hypothesis concerning the relative vulnerabiliry of the body boundary of males and females. Previous research (Fisher, 1972) demonstrated that men feel less secure about their boundaries than do women and furthermore that threatening conditions, e.g., injection of epinephrine, produce more disruption of boundary in men than women (Fast & Fisher, 1971; Fisher, 1972). Within this context, it was predicted that distorting an individual's spatial perceptions
SYNCOPE IN THE ELDERLY

Syncope is defined as a sudden transient loss of consciousness accompanied by loss of postural tone with spontaneous recovery that does not require resuscitative interventions. Although syncope occurs in adults of all ages, older adults are particularly vulnerable to syncope. 58,117 Approximately 3% of emergency department visits and 2% to 6% of hospital admissions are due to syncope or associated falls: 80% of these involve patients aged 65 years and older. 23,60,75 The annual incidence of syncope is 6% among institutionalized elderly. 85 Moreover, 30% of institutionalized older adults with syncope have recurrent episodes. In this population, recurrent syncope is associated with accelerated functional decline. As the U.S. population grows older, syncope is becoming increasingly important as a major cause of morbidity and medical resource utilization.
A color animation system: based on the multiplane technique

This paper describes an animation package currently under development at the Cornell Program of Computer Graphics.The basic algorithm employed is linear or non-linear interpolation between successive pairs of key frames. These key frames are composed of artwork input by the animator on a graphic tablet and displayed on either a black and white vector scope or a color halftone CRT. The initial working environment is two-dimensional, and the individual images are combined using a multiplane cel animation technique to produce depth and motion illusions. Real-time film previewing, utilizing an on-the-fly interpolation algorithm, provides the artist with instant playback of animated sequences.
Never too old for anonymity: a statistical standard for demographic data sharing via the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

Objective Healthcare organizations must de-identify patient records before sharing data. Many organizations relyontheSafeHarborStandardoftheHIPAAPrivacyRule, which enumerates 18 identifiers that must be suppressed (eg, ages over 89). An alternative model in the Privacy Rule, known as the Statistical Standard, can facilitate the sharingofmoredetaileddata,butisrarelyappliedbecause of a lack of published methodologies. The authors propose an intuitive approach to de-identifying patient demographicsinaccordancewiththeStatisticalStandard. Design The authors conduct an analysis of the demographics of patient cohorts in five medical centers developed for the NIH-sponsored Electronic Medical Records and Genomics network, with respect to the US census. They report the re-identification risk of patient demographics disclosed according to the Safe Harbor policy and the relative risk rate for sharing such information via alternative policies. Measurements The re-identification risk of Safe Harbor demographics ranged from 0.01% to 0.19%. The findings show alternative de-identification models can be created with risks no greater than Safe Harbor. The authors illustrate that the disclosure of patient ages over the age of 89 is possible when other features are reduced in granularity. Limitations The de-identification approach described in this paper was evaluated with demographic data only and should be evaluated with other potential identifiers. Conclusion Alternative de-identification policies to the Safe Harbor model can be derived for patient demographicstoenablethedisclosureofvaluesthatwere previously suppressed. The method is generalizable to any environment in which population statistics are available.
The Role of State Faith Community Liaisons in Charitable Choice Implementation

Faith community liaisons (FCLs) - official contacts at the state or local level between government and faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) - had been established in at least 36 states and in many localities by the end of 2008. Their work typically entailed facilitating partnerships with and within the FBCO community, encouraging the organizational capacity of FBCOs, and educating both faith-based organizations and public agencies about the opportunities and requirements of the federal Charitable Choice and “equal treatment” provisions that sought to “level the playing field” for religious organizations collaborating with government. A recent study of the role of state faith community liaisons in Charitable Choice implementation conducted for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) explored the FCLs’ work in eight case-study sites - Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia. Sites were chosen where existing evidence indicated effectiveness in Charitable Choice implementation along a range of dimensions. In particular, the study explored the FCLs’ resources and contexts, and key practices related to outreach to the FBCO community, organizational capacity building, and education of faith-based organizations (FBOs) and public agencies about Charitable Choice opportunities and legal requirements. It also highlighted FCL initiatives to address pressing social issues. In brief, the study found that FCLs typically worked with a wider range of organizations than Charitable Choice would suggest or than was commonly perceived - including both FBOs and CBOs, and in particular small “grassroots” groups. FCLs often did not ask the organizations to identify themselves by type (secular vs. FBO), instead seeing their missions as assisting a range of groups working on social issues. The liaisons participating in the study largely focused on: development of both funded and unfunded partnerships; building the capacity of grassroots organizations; and, to a lesser extent, education of FBOs and public agencies about the opportunities and requirements of Charitable Choice. Many seemed cautious about implementing Charitable Choice policy, seeing the legal ground as complex and unsettled. None systematically monitored either FBOs’ or public agencies’ understanding of or compliance with Charitable Choice law. The approaches taken by FCLs in the eight sites varied and were shaped by their political cultures and socioeconomic conditions, among other factors. Ultimately, they were both more inclusive and more cautious than either proponents or opponents of Charitable Choice may have anticipated.
Task-aware variations in robot motion

Social robots can benefit from motion variance because non-repetitive gestures will be more natural and intuitive for human partners. We introduce a new approach for synthesizing variance, both with and without constraints, using a stochastic process. Based on optimal control theory and operational space control, our method can generate an infinite number of variations in real-time that resemble the kinematic and dynamic characteristics from the single input motion sequence. We also introduce a stochastic method to generate smooth but nondeterministic transitions between arbitrary motion variants. Furthermore, we quantitatively evaluate task-aware variance against random white torque noise, operational space control, style-based inverse kinematics, and retargeted human motion to prove that task-aware variance generates human-like motion. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of task-aware variance to maintain velocity and time-dependent features that exist in the input motion.
When Support Seeking Backfires: Co-Rumination, Excessive Reassurance Seeking, and Depressed Mood in the Daily Lives of Young Adults

Research has linked depression to maladaptive variants of support seeking, including co-rumination (CR) and excessive reassurance seeking (ERS), which may contribute to symptom onset and maintenance. Although both CR and ERS are associated with depression, insufficient research has examined how daily behaviors and experiences interact with trait-level CR and ERS to predict daily mood. Fifty-one undergraduates, over-selected for internalizing symptoms, completed baseline assessments, followed by a 14-day daily diary assessing behaviors, stressors, and mood. Daily problem-related talk was associated with elevations in depressed mood for participants with high (but not low) trait CR, particularly for those with major depression. Trait ERS similarly moderated the association between daily reassurance seeking and depressed mood. CR, ERS, and daily reassurance seeking each predicted greater affective reactivity to daily stressors. Results align with daily processes hypothesized by CR and ERS models, and suggest...
THE RATIONAL TREATMENT OF BONE TUBERCULOSIS

1. Since tuberculosis is a disease which may involve any part of the body, we must treat the whole individual in the best interests of that individual, no matter in what structure the disease is manifest clinically. 2. Treatment should be governed by the combined abilities of both the orthopaedic surgeon and the specialist in tuberculosis. 3. Proper surgical procedures at the right time, preceded and followed by the more conservative general therapy, afford better and more lasting results than conservative measures alone, or surgery without adequate preoperative observation. 4. Our present therapeutic regime has reduced hospital days from 1115 to 682 and recurrences in the first two years from twenty to two per cent.
Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter Complications in Children Receiving Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT)

OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency of and risk factors associated with complications necessitating removal of the peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in patients receiving outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) and to determine the appropriateness of OPAT in children with OPAT-related complications. METHODS A retrospective cohort of children who had a PICC inserted at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013, and were discharged from the hospital on OPAT was assembled. RESULTS A total of 1,465 PICCs were used to provide antibiotic therapy for 955 children after hospital discharge. Among these, 117 PICCs (8%) required removal due to a complication (4.6 of 1,000 catheter days). Children discharged to a long-term care facility were at increased risk of adverse PICC events (incidence risk ratio [IRR], 3.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79-6.17). For children receiving OPAT, age of the child (adjusted IRR [aIRR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98), noncentral PICC tip location (aIRR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.66-4.82), and public insurance (aIRR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.10-2.40) were associated with adverse PICC events. In addition, 34 patients (32%) with adverse events may not have required intravenous antibiotics at the time of hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS Of children discharged with PICCs on OPAT during the study period, 8% developed a complication necessitating PICC removal. Children discharged to a long-term care facility had an increased rate of complication compared with children who were discharged home. With improved education regarding appropriate duration of antibiotic therapy and situations in which early conversion to enteral therapy should be considered, PICC-related complications may have been avoided in 32% of children. Infect.
Assessing the Relationship Between BMI and Resource Utilization in a Pediatric Trauma Population.

In 2000, 15.5% of children surpassed the BMI for age at the 95th percentile; in 2010, this percentage increased to 16.9%.1,2 Children with higher BMIs are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular, endocrine, and mental disorders3 and may suffer more from diseases such as asthma and obstructive sleep apnea.4–7 Even more concerning is that approximately one-half of obese school-aged children become obese adults who are then at risk for diseases associated with adulthood obesity.8–10 The cost of treating adult obesity and its related comorbidities is significant, with estimates approaching $94 billion per year in 2002.11 Data related to health care utilization for overweight children are limited; 1 estimate suggests that obesity-associated inpatient hospitalization costs have risen threefold, from $35 million in 1979–1981 to $127 million in 1997–1999.12 Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for pediatric patients,13 typically requiring extensive resources and expensive hospital-based health care.14 Multiple studies have reviewed the association between obesity and trauma outcomes (eg, ICU and hospital length of stay [LOS], mortality), with varied results.15–20 Single institutional studies have concluded that obese patients experiencing traumatic injuries have a higher incidence of complications,15 increased risk for ventilator support,20 and longer hospitalizations15,20 for comparable injury severity scores (ISS) than those with normal BMIs.15 In contrast, other studies have determined that there are no differences in total ventilation days or PICU LOS18 and found no association with mortality15,19 after adjusting for ISS17 in obese pediatric patients. Because hospital resources are finite, current health care economics demand optimal patient care at the lowest cost; appropriate utilization is therefore crucial. For the purposes of hospital planning and management, patient populations …
Hydrogels Prepared from Cross-Linked Nanofibrillated Cellulose

Nanocomposite hydrogels were developed by cross-linking nanofibrillated cellulose with poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) and polyethylene glycol. The cross-linked hydrogels showed enhanced water absorption and gel content with the addition of nanocellulose. In addition, the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and modulus increased with an increase in the amount of nanocellulose in hydrogels, and this can be attributed to efficient cross-linking between the nanocellulose and the matrix. The addition of softwood nanocellulose showed much higher strength and strain properties in the hydrogels than with the addition of hardwood nanocellulose. The enhanced physical properties confirm that in situ cross-linking of nanofibrillated cellulose with the matrix polymer forms hydrogels that are not just blends of starting materials but are distinctively unique and formed by cross-linking interactions between the filler and matrix.
Spikelet Flowering Time: Cause of Sorghum Resistance to Sorghum Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Resistance of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett), has not been well understood. In this study, possible causes of resistance were examined by comparing time of oviposition with times spikelets of resistant and susceptible sorghums flowered and thus were vulnerable to damage. Spikelets of resistant genotypes began flowering during the night, at 0100 hours (CDT), and most were closed and no longer vulnerable by the time sorghum midges began to oviposit in the field at 0800 hours. Peak flowering of resistant sorghums was between 0300 and 0700 hours. Most spikelets of susceptible sorghums, however, were flowering after daylight, at 0800 hours, when sorghum midge abundance began to increase. At 1000 hours, the time most sorghum midges (2.5 per panicle) were in the field, percentages of spikelets penetrable by a pin the diameter of a sorghum midge ovipositor were 32 and 62% for resistant and susceptible sorghums, respectively. Damage to panicles of resistant sorghums averaged 29.6%, whereas susceptible sorghums were more than twice as damaged (68.2%). Delaying for 5 h the daily flowering period of a resistant hybrid to coincide with time of peak sorghum midge abundance in the field resulted in 3.2 times as many sorghum midges emerging and 2.2 times as much damage as to panicles of the resistant hybrid that flowered at the normal time. Damage and numbers of sorghum midges emerging were not significantly different between normal and changed panicles of a susceptible hybrid. Most spikelets of resistant sorghums flowered and closed early and thus evaded damage before ovipositing sorghum midges were in the field. These results support the hypothesis that resistance is caused by asynchrony between time of sorghum spikelet flowering and presence of sorghum midge.
Codling Moth: Egg and First Instar Mortality on Pear with Special Reference to Varietal Susceptibility

Codling moth ( Laspeyresia pomonella ) egg and 1st instar larval mortality was evaluated during 1970–1971 on ‘Bartlett’ pear in southern Oregon. Average egg mortality was 20 and 33% in 1970 and 1971 respectively. Parasitism by Trichogramma minutum Riley accounted for 10% of the total. Mortality to 1st instar larvae averaged 55% and total egg-1st instar mortality 69% for the 2-yr period. Favored sites for oviposition on pear were the lower surface of fruit cluster leaves; 80–90% of the fruit entries were through the calyx or beneath the calyx lobes. Susceptibility of various pear cultivars to entry by the first instar larvae was compared to the Golden Delicious apple variety. A moderate to high degree of antibiosis was detected in the D'Anjou, Bosc and Comice cultivars. This resistance is believed related to lignification and formation of stone cells which prevent or hamper larval entrance into the fruit.
Coverage of mental health and substance misuse topics in the Cochrane review system.

Aims.To assess the breadth of mental and substance coverage in the Cochrane review system.Methods.All mental health and substance entries were identified from the 2005 to April 2012 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.Results.A total of 1019 entries focused on mental health or substance misuse, with 698 (68.5%) being completed reviews. One out of every five entries focused on serious mental illness/psychosis. Systematic reviews addressing unipolar depression, dementia and certain substance disorders also appeared well-represented. In contrast, a number of impairing disorders frequently seen in practice received less attention, with bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism spectrum disorders each accounting for less than 2% of the entries. The majority of interventions reviewed involved medication (57.1%), although this was not the case for a number of childhood-onset disorders. Some diagnostic areas (sleep, anxiety, mood and substance) were addressed by multiple Cochrane review groups (CRGs).Conclusions.The Cochrane Collaboration is well poised to be a strong guiding influence to those seeking to employ evidence-based mental health care. Broadening its diagnostic coverage and diversifying types of intervention reviewed would probably further maximize its impact. A more centralized and directed approach of prioritizing topics could help ensure more comprehensive coverage.
OPTIMAL ACOUSTIC DESIGN OF FAN INLETS FOR TONE NOISE RADIATION

An acoustic design methodology for turbofan engine inlets is presented. A fan inlet tonal noise propagation computer model obtained by Galerkin projection of the time-harmonic linearized full potential equation is enhanced with its discrete adjoint formulation, thus allowing computation of all components of the gradient of the cost function with respect to the design variables at once. The adjoint is constructed such that any black-box computer code can be used for solving the associated linear system. One important result obtained from our numerical tests is that variations in the liner impedance due to manufacturing errors tend to have larger impact at higher frequencies.
The Implementation of an Evidence-Based Treatment for a Complex Case of School Refusal

ABSTRACTSchool refusal behaviors are widespread and have significant consequences, both short and long term, on children, families, schools, and communities. Treatment providers use a number of different interventions to help reduce school-refusing behaviors. One of the interventions is an evidence-based practice, specifically a cognitive behavioral model. This article highlights a case study of a marginalized child with a complex diagnostic presentation and suggests the effectiveness of a prescriptive cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention for school refusal. Results from the case study indicate that although cognitive-behavioral therapy for school refusal behaviors has been effective in mostly middle-class families, it can also be effective when working with a marginalized, traumatized patient. This study emphasizes the importance of further researching this treatment protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention with culturally diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Survival trend of colorectal cancer in Minhang District,Shanghai from 2002 to 2012

OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in Minhang district,Shanghai from 2002 to 2012to provide a epidemiological profile for further research.METHODS The data of colorectal cancer cases in Minhang district,Shanghai were collected by the Minhang,Shanghai Cancer Registry from January 1,2002 to December 31,2012.The rates of mortality and survival periods for colorectal cancer were presented.RESULTS There were 4 845 cases reported,and 2 139 cases dead.There were 323-539 colorectal cancer cases reported,and 173-234 cases died.The age-standardized annual mortality rates of colorectal cancer from 2002 to 2012were between 13.71/105 and4.35/105,with statistically significant difference(P=0.001 7).During this period,one-year survival rate,three-year survival rate and five-year survival rate were 70%vs 81%(P=0.078),61%vs 61%(P=0.004),57%vs 52%(P=0.97)respectively.CONCLUSIONS Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer in Minhang District Shangha,although short-term survival rate is improved significantly,the long-term survival rate is not changed during the past ten years.Prevention and control for colorectal cancer should be strengthened.
Application Experience of Checklist Method in Hygienic Evaluation of Construction Project

At present,the hygienic evaluation of construction projects is carried out throughout the country mainly including assessment of occupational hazard,hygienic evaluation of public places and central air conditioning ventilation systems.The content of hygienic evaluation is various and many methods may be used.The checklist method is most widely used for project design,construction and operation.The implementation steps and application experiences are summarized in this paper.
Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia

Primary muscle tension dysphonia (PMTD) is a voice disorder of indeterminate cause, thought to be multifactorial. Emerging research is improving its diagnosis, but the lack of standard diagnostic testing for PMTD still creates challenges in accurate diagnosis and treatment. Review of the recent literature demonstrates the scarce validity and reliability of subjective laryngeal palpation measures, which are commonly used to assess the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal tension in PMTD. An initial study with transcranial magnetic stimulation shows promise in the differential diagnosis between adductor spasmodic dysphonia and PMTD. Current and past review of the literature continues to demonstrate the need for future investigation to determine the true pathophysiology of PMTD and its accurate differential diagnosis.
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Joints correlated to the Oral Tissues

This chapter discusses the diseases of the musculoskeletal system and joints correlated to the oral tissues. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare hereditary and congenital disease involving the ossification of bones. The disease is characterized by imperfect ossification of bones with ensuing multiple fractures of long bones, blue scleras, deafness, weakness of ligaments, and peculiar shape of bones. Oral manifestations of osteogenesis imperfecta are discernible in the jaws and skull. Osteogenesis imperfecta tarda produces marked fragility, multiple pathologic fractures and deformity result from improper healing of the fracture site. Dentinogenesis Imperfecta may occur with osteogenesis imperfecta or may develop independently of this disease. When dentinogenesis imperfecta is present, the teeth have a peculiar brown color with obliteration of the pulp chamber and canals of both deciduous and permanent teeth. The latter situation is termed hereditary opalescent dentine. Achondroplasia or dwarfism is because of a disturbance in endochondral bone formation. The disease is transmitted by a Mendelian dominant characteristic. Cleidocranial Dysostosis is a congenital and on occasion a Mendelian dominant hereditary malformation of the skeleton. The malformation is characterized by partial or complete absence of the clavicles and defects of the skull. Craniofacial Dysostosis is a malformation of the cranium associated with facial and ocular deformities. The deformities of the skull are similar to those described for cleidocranial dysostosis; however, the clavicles are normal. Craniofacial dysostosis is accompanied by exophthalmos and strabismus.
Sleep-apnea risk and subclinical atherosclerosis in early-middle-aged retired National Football League players

Purpose Limited data from former National Football League (NFL) players suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be highly prevalent after retirement. It remains unclear whether the high prevalence of OSA in retired players is comparable to nonathletes. This retrospective analysis compared sleep apnea (SA) risk in retired NFL players to a community cohort (CARDIA Sleep study), and examined associations between SA risk and cardiovascular risk factors, including subclinical atherosclerosis. Materials and methods Retired NFL players (n=122) were matched to CARDIA Sleep participants by age ±2 years (range 37-55 years), body mass index ±2 kg/m2, race, and male sex. Participants underwent electron-beam computed tomography to measure coronary artery calcium (CAC) and completed the Berlin Questionnaire to determine SA risk. The presence of CAC was defined as an Agatston score >0. Results Retired NFL players had a greater prevalence of high SA risk than the matched CARDIA Sleep participants (27% vs 11.5%, P=0.002). Compared to the CARDIA Sleep participants, retired players were less likely to smoke, and had higher blood pressure, lower fasting glucose levels, and higher cholesterol levels. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of detectable CAC (30% vs 30%, P=1). In both players and the community cohort, SA risk was not significantly associated with CAC after controlling for age, race, and body mass index. Conclusion Retired NFL players have a greater prevalence of high SA risk but similar prevalence of CAC compared with a well-matched community cohort.
States of Reform: Polarization, Long-term Services and Supports, and Medicaid Waivers

A growing percentage of state budgets has been focused on caring for individuals who receive long-term services and supports (LTSS). States have an important tool to reduce the costs of caring for ...
Group concept mapping: An approach to explore group knowledge organization and collaborative learning in senior medical students

AbstractIntroduction: Group concept mapping may be used as a learning strategy that can potentially foster collaborative learning and assist instructors to assess the development of knowledge organization in medical students.Methods: Group concept maps were created by 39 medical students rotating through a fourth year medicine rotation. The group maps were developed based on a clinical vignette. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of students’ evaluations were performed.Results: Evaluations indicated that students enjoyed the collaborative nature of the exercise and the knowledge sharing activities associated with it. Group maps can demonstrate different knowledge organizationDiscussion: Group concept mapping can be used to explore students’ organization and integration of knowledge structures in a collaborative setting. Additional research should focus on how group mapping and learning progresses over time and, whether group mapping can help identify curricular strengths and needs.
Prevalence and risk factors of intra-dialytic hypotension: a 5 year retrospective report from a single Nigerian Centre.

Introduction : Intra-dialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication of haemodialysis that impacts negatively on the patient's quality of life and can induce serious cardiovascular events. Methods : Records of all adults who had haemodialysis treatments from Jan 2012-Jan 2016 were reviewed. Socio-demographic data, health status of patient, aetiology of renal disease, clinical and biochemical parameters such as systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), packed cell volume, were collated using Microsoft Excel. Results : The overall prevalence of intra-dialytic hypotension was 8.6%. Of all haemodialysis patients, 45.7% experienced a drop in SBP > 20mmHg, 28.5% required nurses' intervention and 8.6% had symptoms. Diagnosis of obstructive nephropathy (OR: 3.1, CI:1.43-6.60, p = < 0.004) and sepsis (OR: 3.57, CI: 1.31- 9.75, P = 0.013) increased the odds of experiencing IDH. Only 5% of patients with predialysis SBP < 100mmHg developed IDH (OR: 0.12, CI: 0.02-0.93, P = 0.04). Conclusion : IDH was common among the patients studied. It was more prevalent among patients with obstructive nephropathy and sepsis; however other traditional risk factors of IDH such as older age and anaemia, were not found to be significantly associated with IDH. Surprisingly, prevalence of IDH was significantly less among patients with pre-dialysis hypotension compared to those without.
Efficient Data-Driven Geologic Feature Characterization from Pre-stack Seismic Measurements using Randomized Machine-Learning Algorithm

Conventional seismic techniques for detecting the subsurface geologic features are challenged by limited data coverage, computational inefficiency, and subjective human factors. We developed a novel data-driven geological feature detection approach based on pre-stack seismic measurements. Our detection method employs an efficient and accurate machine-learning detection approach to extract useful subsurface geologic features automatically. Specifically, our method is based on kernel ridge regression model. The conventional kernel ridge regression can be computationally prohibited because of the large volume of seismic measurements. We employ a data reduction technique in combination with the conventional kernel ridge regression method to improve the computational efficiency and reduce memory usage. In particular, we utilize a randomized numerical linear algebra technique, named Nystr\"om method, to effectively reduce the dimensionality of the feature space without compromising the information content required for accurate detection. We provide thorough computational cost analysis to show efficiency of our new geological feature detection methods. We further validate the performance of our new subsurface geologic feature detection method using synthetic surface seismic data for 2D acoustic and elastic velocity models. Our numerical examples demonstrate that our new detection method significantly improves the computational efficiency while maintaining comparable accuracy. Interestingly, we show that our method yields a speed-up ratio on the order of $\sim10^2$ to $\sim 10^3$ in a multi-core computational environment.
A mini-library system to investigate non-essential residues of lipid-phosphatidylserine (PS) binding peptide–peptoid hybrid PPS1

We recently identified a peptide-peptoid hybrid, PPS1, which specifically recognized lipid-phosphatidylserine (PS). PPS1 consists of distinct positively charged and hydrophobic residue-containing regions. PPS1 monomer was inactive, but the dimeric form, PPS1D1, displayed strong cytotoxicity for lung cancer cells compared to normal cells in vitro, and reduced the tumor growth in vivo. The minimum pharmacophore of PPS1D1 showed that the first (methionine) and fourth (N-lysine) residues were not important for PPS1D1 cytotoxic activity. In this study, we further investigated these two residues, in particular the fourth residue that lies between the most important four residue hydrophobic region and two positively charged residues, to determine whether replacements of these moieties could gain activity improvements, or render PPS1D1 totally insensitive for binding recognition. The positively charged fourth residue N-lysine was replaced with the substituents having varied physiochemical properties, such as aromatic-hydrophobic, aliphatic-alicyclic, heterocyclic, and negatively charged residues, developing a mini-library of 39 derivatives. The standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) colorimetric and/or the calcein AM cell viability assays performed on HCC4017 lung cancer cells indicated that the fourth position of PPS1D1 was insensitive to most changes, except reversal to the negative charge significantly affected the activity. This observation may be due to the neutralization of the nearby positively charged residue that is essential for binding. In addition, shortening each monomeric sequence by eliminating the methionine at the first position did not affect the activity.
Single-tube biosynthesis and extraction of U-13C and U-14C arachidonic acid from microcultures of Mortierella alpina for in vivo pharmacology and metabolic tracing studies.

Abstract Heavy and radioisotope labeling are commonly used methods to trace the pharmacological activity and metabolic fate of a biochemical or pharmaceutical in vivo. Recent years witnessed increased demand for molecules uniformly labeled with heavy carbon-13 (U-13C) or radioactive carbon-14 (U-14C) isotopes over singly labeled isotopic versions. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) represent one classic example where uniform 13C or 14C isotopic enrichment of the hydrocarbon backbone has numerous technical, metabolic and pharmacological advantages. PUFAs are usually produced in fungi or algae and uniform 13C or 14C enrichment of the hydrocarbon chain is achieved by feeding the microorganism a suitable U-13C or U-14C substrate. Previous literature methods describing the biosynthesis of U-13C or U-14C fatty acids reported variable isotopic enrichments that were less than anticipated and suffered from inconsistent growth of the microorganism due to radiotoxicity. In the present study, a single-tube method is described for the biosynthesis and extraction of U-13C and U-14C arachidonic acid (AA), a standard PUFA, from microcultures of the soil fungus Mortierella alpina. To produce U-13C-AA, a suspension of fungal spores and mycelial fragments was directly inoculated and grown into submerged cultures in a medium composed of U-13C-glucose and NaNO3 as the respective and only sources of carbon and nitrogen. The total 13C enrichment of AA was in excess of 95% and the percentage of U-13C-AA was in the range of 60–70%. These values have not been surpassed by previously reported methods. To produce U-14C-AA, the procedure was modified to limit the radiotoxic effects of 14C on fungal growth. Submerged cultures were initially grown on common 12C-glucose. Then, following glucose depletion, the biomass was collected and immediately cultured on U-14C-glucose. This approach is unprecedented in reported literature and has significantly limited the radiotoxic effects of 14C on the microorganism. Biomass transfer from 12C to 14C substrates was timed to keep an uninterrupted supply of carbon required to sustain the microorganism in the fatty acid synthesis mode and suppress β-oxidation, a metabolic status that is prerequisite for enhanced isotopic purity of the 14C product. The specific activity of 14C enriched AA was estimated at 864 Ci/mol (range of 708–1020 Ci/mol) suggesting 69.2% (range of 56.7–81.7%) 14C enrichment along the AA hydrocarbon backbone. The present method used a single tube for microbial culture and lipid extraction to minimize manipulative losses and oxidative degradation of the labeled products. Production cost is comparatively cheaper to custom labeling and yields of U-13C and U-14C-AA are comparable to literature methods and sufficient for small scale in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanosensors for in vivo detection of nucleic acid targets in a large animal model

Although nanotechnology has led to important advances in in vitro diagnostics, the development of nanosensors for in vivo detection remains very challenging. Here, we demonstrated the proof-of-principle of in vivo detection of nucleic acid targets using a promising type of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor implanted in the skin of a large animal model (pig). The in vivo nanosensor used in this study involves the “inverse molecular sentinel” detection scheme using plasmonics-active nanostars, which have tunable absorption bands in the near infrared region of the “tissue optical window”, rendering them efficient as an optical sensing platform for in vivo optical detection. Ex vivo measurements were also performed using human skin grafts to demonstrate the detection of SERS nanosensors through tissue. In this study, a new core–shell nanorattle probe with Raman reporters trapped between the core and shell was utilized as an internal standard system for self-calibration. These results illustrate the usefulness and translational potential of the SERS nanosensor for in vivo biosensing.
Material Properties of Fluoropolymers and Perfluoroalkyl-based Polymers

All of the unique properties imparted by fluorocarbons can be traced back to a single origin: the nature of the C—F bond. These properties include low surface tension, excellent thermal and chemical stability, low coefficient of friction, and low dielectric constant. However, not all of these properties are possessed by the entire inventory of available fluorocarbons. The fluorocarbons can be assigned to two major categories: (1) fluoropolymers, which are materials that are comprised mainly of C—F bonds and include such examples as PTFE, and (2) fluorochemicals (FA) based on the perfluoroalkyl group, which are materials that generally have fewer C—F bonds and often exist as derivatives of other classes of molecules (e.g., acrylates, alcohols, esters). In addition, the properties that dictate the uses of fluorocarbons can be classified into: (1) bulk properties (e.g., thermal and chemical stability, dielectric constant) and (2) surface properties (e.g., low surface tension, low coefficient of friction). The types of materials available and properties imparted are not exclusive and overlap substantially. From this array of fluorocarbons and attributes, a large variety of unique materials can be constructed.
Trends and Cost of Heart Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Impact of Proposed Federal Cuts

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare trends of use, in-hospital mortality, and annual expenditures associated with orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. In view of the changing health care landscape, we assessed the impact of federal funding cuts on Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking these procedures. Background Use and cost trends associated with OHT and LVAD are not well defined. Moreover, little is known about the economic contribution of Medicare and Medicaid for these procedures. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample from 2009 through 2014, the study identified index hospitalizations for OHT and LVAD. The aforementioned trends and inflation-adjusted cost analyses were performed. Results A total of 28,765 hospitalizations associated with OHT or LVAD were identified. The number of index hospitalizations for OHT increased from 1,795 to 2,140, whereas the number of LVAD implants increased from 2,205 to 3,645 (ptrend Conclusions With increasing use and annual expenditure, OHT and LVAD account for more than 1 billion dollars of the health care budget. In-hospital mortality associated with LVAD has continued to decline but has remained higher than that with OHT. Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking these procedures would be adversely affected by the proposed cuts.
Letter by Dan et al Regarding Article, "Treatment Effect of Drug-Coated Balloons Is Durable to 3 Years in the Femoropopliteal Arteries: Long-Term Results of the IN.PACT SFA Randomized Trial".

We read with great interest the report by Schneider et al,1 in which they described the efficacy and safety of IN.PACT drug-coated balloon (DCB) to treat femoropopliteal lesions. The patency and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization were better compared with standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Nevertheless, there was a higher rate of death in the DCB group. In a previous publication, patients with below-the-knee lesions treated with IN.PACT DCB …
Postscript—Letter to a daring young reader

Now that you, dear reader! have worked your way through this difficult book. and some of you have probably worked your way through all three of my Springer volumes, I would like to state my conclusions, my views, much more emphatically. I would like to summarize as forcefully as possible my new viewpoint. These three books are my justification for these strong claims!I’ll make my polemical points in haphazard order:s
Development of a three-dimensional model of sedimentary texture in valley-fill deposits of Central Valley, California, USA

A three-dimensional (3D) texture model was developed to help characterize the aquifer system of Central Valley, California (USA), for a groundwater flow model. The 52,000-km2 Central Valley aquifer system consists of heterogeneous valley-fill deposits. The texture model was developed by compiling and analyzing approximately 8,500 drillers’ logs, describing lithologies up to 950 m below land surface. The lithologic descriptions on the logs were simplified into a binary classification of coarse- and fine-grained. The percentage of coarse-grained sediment, or texture, was then computed for each 15-m depth interval. The model was developed by 3D kriging of the percentage of coarse-grained deposits onto a 1.6-km spatial grid at 15-m depth intervals from land surface down to 700 m below land surface. The texture model reflects the known regional, spatial, and vertical heterogeneity in the aquifer system. The texture model correlates to sediment source areas, independently mapped geomorphic provinces, and factors affecting the development of alluvial fans, thus demonstrating the utility of using tcdrillers’ logs as a source of lithologic information. The texture model is upscaled to a layered groundwater flow model for use in defining the hydraulic properties of the aquifer system.
Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated γ-Amino Esters/Lactones via Umpolung Strategy.

Enabled by the discovery of new cinchonium salts and coadditives, a direct and efficient asymmetric access to trifluoromethylated γ-amino esters/lactones has been realized through the enantioselective and diastereoselective umpolung reaction of trifluoromethyl imines with acrylates or α,β-unsaturated lactones as carbon electrophiles. At 0.5–5.0 mol % catalyst loadings, the newly developed catalytic system activates a variety of imine substrates as unconventional nucleophiles to mediate highly chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective C–C bond forming reactions. The developed synthetic protocol represents an excellent strategy to target a series of versatile and enantiomerically enriched γ-amino esters/lactones in good to excellent yields from the readily available starting materials. Additionally, we found that the epi-vinyl catalysts based on cinchonidine and quinine promote a similarly high enantioselective reaction generating the opposite configuration of chiral products in a highly efficient ma...
Nurses' Perspective on Caring for Women Experiencing Perinatal Loss.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of caring for women with a perinatal loss from the perspective of the nurse and to determine the extent to which the response to perinatal loss reflects a process. Study design and methods A purposive study was conducted with nine labor and birth nurses with experience in caring for women with a perinatal loss. The nurses were from two acute care hospitals within one healthcare system in Southeastern Massachusetts. A qualitative descriptive design with in-depth interviewing based on was used to gather and analyze data. Results Several themes depicting nurses' experience were identified: struggling with emotions, carrying on in the moment, being present for the patient, expressing conflict, and taking care of self. A process was identified by nurses describing their response to perinatal loss. The process began with recognition of the loss and progressed through phases including the recognition of their emotional impact, connecting with the mother, dealing with emotions, acting professionally, preparing to return to work, and never forgetting the woman. Clinical implications Nurses identified a need for more education and managerial support for excellence in care of women with a perinatal loss. Education to prepare nurses to meet the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of women is recommended. Debriefing after caring for a woman with a loss was suggested by the nurses. When nurses' needs are met, they are better prepared to care for women experiencing a perinatal loss.