cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myocardial dysfunction in the periinfarct and remote regions following anterior infarction in rats quantified by 2D radial strain echocardiography: An observational cohort study

Background: Heart failure from adverse ventricular remodeling follows myocardial infarction, but the contribution of periinfarct and remote myocardium to the development of cardiomyopathy remains poorly defined. 2D strain echocardiography (2DSE) is a novel and sensitive tool to measure regional myocardial mechanics. The aim is to quantify radial strain in infarcted (I), periinfarct (PI) and remote (R) myocardial regions acutely and chronically following anterior infarction in rats. Methods: The left anterior coronary artery of male Sprague-Dawley rats (270–370 g) were occluded for 20–30 minutes and 2DSE was performed in the acute setting (n = 10; baseline and 60 minutes post-reperfusion) and in the chronic setting (n = 14; baseline, 1, 3 and 6 weeks). Using software, radial strain was measured in the mid-ventricle in short axis view. The ventricle was divided into 3 regions: I (anteroseptum, anterior and anterolateral), PI – (inferoseptum and inferolateral) and R – (inferior). Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride in the acute group. Results: Following infarct, adverse remodeling occurred with progressive increase in left ventricular size, mass and reduced fractional shortening within 6 weeks. Radial strain decreased not only in the infarct but also in the periinfarct and remote regions acutely and chronically (I, PI, R, change vs. baseline, 60 minutes -32.7 ± 8.7, -17.4 ± 9.4, -13.5 ± 11.6%; 6 weeks -24.4 ± 8.2, -17.7 ± 8.3, -15.2 ± 8.4% respectively, all p < 0.05). Reduced radial strain in periinfarct and remote regions occurred despite minimal or absent necrosis (area of necrosis I, PI, R: 48.8 ± 23, 5.1 ± 6.6, 0 ± 0%, p < 0.001 vs. I). Conclusion: Following left anterior coronary occlusion, radial strain decreased at 60 minutes and up to 6 weeks in the periinfarct and remote regions, similar to the reduction in the infarct region. This demonstrates early and chronic myopathic process in periinfarct and remote regions following myocardial infarction that may be an under recognized but important contributor to adverse left ventricular remodeling and progression to ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Are there general causal forces in ecology

In this paper, I adopt the view that if general forces or processes can be detected in ecology, then the principles or models that represent them should provide predictions that are approximately correct and, when not, should lead to the sorts of intervening factors that usually make trouble. I argue that Lotka–Volterra principles do not meet this standard; in both their simple “strategic” and their complex “tactical” forms they are not approximately correct of the findings of the laboratory experiments and historical studies most likely to confirm them; nor do they instruct ecologists where to look for likely intervening factors. Evidence drawn from long-term case studies and other available data sets suggests that the populations of predators and their prey are not regulated by an interaction between them but are controlled by transient, contingent, and accidental events that affect each animal and each population individualistically. This paper argues that the presence of general forces or processes in ecology should be determined by comparing competing models of these forces not just to each other or to a null model but also to case studies that may challenge theoretical approaches with convincing individualistic causal accounts of the phenomena.
Spatial distribution of earthquakes: the two-point correlation function

Summary. The distribution of distances between pairs of earthquake epicentres and hypocentres has been determined for four local and two world-wide catalogues. These spatial correlation functions shows that the number of events per unit volume at distance R from any earthquake is proportional to R-α, where a is close to 1.0 for shallow earthquakes and increases to 1.5 or possibly larger for deeper events. This distribution of earthquakes is independent of magnitude and independent of the dimensions of the region under consideration. These results place limits on possible models of earthquake fault geometries.
Patterns of Victimization and Feelings of Safety Inside Prison: The Experience of Male and Female Inmates:

Little is known about the patterns of sexual victimization inside prisons and their relationship to inmates’ feelings of safety. This study examined patterns of sexual victimization with and without co-occurring physical victimization and feelings of safety as reported by 6,964 male and 564 female inmates. Respondents completed a computerized survey with questions about type of victimization (sexual/physical) and source of victimization (inmate/staff). Compared to sexual assault, inappropriate sexual touching was more common, especially among female inmates (22% versus 4%), whereas sexual assault was relatively less common for male and female inmates (< 2%). Sexual victimization often involved one to three types of sexually inappropriately behavior. Victimization perpetrated by staff was more frequently reported by male inmates. Most inmates, independent of gender and sexual victimization, reported feeling safe inside prison. Inmates who felt the most unsafe reported sexual victimization by staff or concu...
A capacitor-based D/A converter with continuous time output for low-power applications

A digital to analog converter has been developed using switched capacitors as the basic DAC elements. The use of switching capacitors provides excellent matching without sacrificing die area, and allows for very low-power operation. However, the architecture provides significant challenges when used in a continuous-time application requiring a "smooth" output. A realization of this architecture in a standard 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process achieved 10 bits of linearity while consuming less than 200 /spl mu/A of current.
Antisocial Personality in Alcohol- and Drug-Dependent Individuals

This study contrasts the effects of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) on the phenomenology of alcohol and drug abuse for women compared with men. Eighty-five women and 116 men in inpatient programs for alcohol and drug treatment were interviewed. Both ASPD men and women displayed an early onset of alcohol problems and amphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine abuse and dependence. However, ASPD in women did not correlate with low socioeconomic status, intravenous drug use, or family history of ASPD. ASPD appears to have some shared and some specific effects on the phenomenology of alcohol and drug abuse in women.
Spatially Heterogeneous Dynamics in Supercooled Liquids

Although it has long been recognized that dynamics in supercooled liquids might be spatially heterogeneous, only in the past few years has clear evidence emerged to support this view. As a liquid is cooled far below its melting point, dynamics in some regions of the sample can be orders of magnitude faster than dynamics in other regions only a few nanometers away. In this review, the experimental work that characterizes this heterogeneity is described. In particular, the following questions are addressed: How large are the heterogeneities? How long do they last? How much do dynamics vary between the fastest and slowest regions? Why do these heterogeneities arise? The answers to these questions influence practical applications of glass-forming materials, including polymers, metallic glasses, and pharmaceuticals.
Extrinsic Influence of Environment-Induced Degradation on Load Carrying Capacity of Steel Beams

In this paper, the results of a study aimed at evaluating the strength of wide-flanged beams subjected to corrosion-induced damage, modeled using a standard finite element program (ABAQUS) is presented and discussed. Typical beams in consideration were subjected to different cases of corrosion-induced damage, such as non-uniform and varying degree of material loss that simulates pitting corrosion. Many variables, such as (a) shape of pitting damage, (b) location of pits along the length of the beam, (c) number of pits, and (d) depth of pits, were considered to facilitate a better understanding of the load carrying capacity of steel I-beams having damage quite similar to pitting damage to the web. The results are compared with an “as-new” beam for purpose of evaluation of the reduction in strength due to environment-induced deterioration. A “corrosion strength reduction factor (CSRF)” is introduced to help identify the reduction in load carrying capacity as a consequence of both height and depth of the damage due to corrosion. The results are presented in charts for purpose of practical beam design.
Harlequin syndrome in a patient with putative autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy

The author presents a patient with Harlequin and Horner syndromes as part of an autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy and suggests implication for work-up and management. In general, Harlequin and Horner syndromes are reported to be caused by either a structural lesion of the sympathetic pathway or, when no structural lesion is found, are presumed to be idiopathic. In this paper, a 76 year old man developed a Harlequin and Horner syndromes in the setting of subacute autonomic failure and other systemic features. The patient's symptoms improved with a short course of intravenous methylprednisolone. An autoimmune etiology should be considered in patients with Harlequin syndrome and immunomodulatory treatment could be attempted, especially when there is evidence of a more generalized autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy.
Legal Aspects in the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease

Legal issues and the practice of medicine are intrinsically intertwined. This is especially true in terms of the management of symptomatic lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD). This chapter focuses on some of the legal aspects as they relate to lumbar DDD with particular emphasis on the surgically treated patient. Medicolegal issues, as they relate to the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods, are individually addressed. Additionally perspectives on the management of worker’s compensation cases and injuries which are being litigated are included.
A boundary theory investigation of the product manager's role.

Boundary spanning theory and role theory are used to examine the product manager's role in consumer industries. A research model depicting associations between environmental uncertainty, boundary s...
ID: 31: VIRAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS

Introduction Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract commonly involves the esophagus, Stomach and colon. It frequently affects immune-compromised patients with Human immune deficiency (HIV), malignancy, organ transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive medications or long standing steroid therapy. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, odynophagia, abdominal pain, tenesmus and hematochezia. The endoscopic findings of CMV infection are variable from simple erosion, ulceration to pseudo-tumor formation. We present a rare case of CMV gastritis in an asymptomatic patient with history of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis on immunosuppressant. Case presentation A 62-year-old Hispanic female with past medical history of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, hypertension and End Stage Renal Disease on hemodialysis, was evaluated for chronic anemia. Review of symptoms was negative for diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, melena or hematochezia. Her medications included Furosemide, Amlodipine, Metoprolol, Prednisone and Cyclophosphamide. Physical exam was remarkable for pallor, normal oropharynx and negative for lymphadenopathy. Abdomen was soft, non-tender, non-distended, with normal bowel sounds. Rectal exam revealed external hemorrhoids, guaiac positive brown stools. Pertinent laboratory data included Hemoglobin/ Hematocrit (7.9 g/dL/23.5%), Mean Corpuscular Volume of 102fL, and Serum Albumin 3.1 gm/dL. Iron studies showed normal Iron-76 mcg/dL with low total iron binding capacity (TIBC)-195. Colonoscopy was significant only for diverticulosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed multiple erosions in the gastric antrum along with small non-bleeding clean based ulcer (Forrest class III). Biopsy of the gastric antrum showed intra-nuclear inclusions bodies (“owl eye”) with positive immune staining for CMV antigen pathognomonic for CMV gastritis. Patient received intravenous Ganciclovir treatment for one week followed by one week of oral ValGanciclovir. Discussion There have been reported cases of symptomatic CMV gastritis. However, CMV gastritis in our case patient was asymptomatic. CMV infection can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract with symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, odynophagia, abdominal pain, tenesmus and hematochezia (1). It frequently affects immune-compromised patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, malignancy, organ transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive medications or long standing steroid therapy but can affect immunocompetent individuals as well. CMV infection of the gastrointestinal tract commonly involves the esophagus, stomach and colon. The endoscopic findings of CMV infection are variable from simple erosion, ulceration to pseudo-tumor formation. In patients with persistent immune deficiency such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis, endoscopic evaluation is a reasonable approach to prevent potential serious complications such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage, progressive intestinal disease and death.
Time to ship: Some Examples from the Real-World

There is new and exciting research work in analyzing and exploiting information from corpora with temporal information such as news, email, or social media. We review some of the current activities around extracting temporal information from social media and present a number of examples from real-world systems. We also outline a number of open problems and potential new research areas.
Hydrologic connectivity and implications for ecosystem processes - Lessons from naked watersheds

Abstract Hydrologic connectivity has received great attention recently as our conceptual models of watersheds and water quality have evolved in the past several decades. However, the structural complexity of most temperate watersheds (i.e. connections among shallow soils, deep aquifers, the atmosphere and streams) and the dynamic seasonal changes that occur within them (i.e., plant senescence which impacts evapotranspiration) create significant challenges to characterizing or quantifying hydrologic connectivity. The McMurdo Dry Valleys, a polar desert in Antarctica, provide a unique opportunity to study hydrologic connectivity because there is no vegetative cover (and therefore no transpiration), and no deep aquifers connected to surface soils or streams. Glacier melt provides stream flow to well-established channels and closed-basin, ice-covered lakes on the valley floor. Streams are also connected to shallow hyporheic zones along their lengths, which are bounded at ~ 75 cm depth by ice-cemented permafrost. These hydrologic features and connections provide water for and underpin biological communities. Hence, exchange of water among them provides a vector for exchange of energy and dissolved solutes. Connectivity is dynamic on timescales of a day to a flow season (6–12 weeks), as streamflow varies over these timescales. The timescales over which these connections occur is also dynamic. Exchanges between streams and hyporheic zones, for example, have been estimated to be as short as hours to as long as several weeks. These exchanges have significant implications for the biogeochemistry of these systems and the biotic communities in each feature. Here we evaluate the lessons we can learn about hydrologic connectivity in the MDV watersheds that are simplified in the context of processes occurring and water reservoirs included in the landscape, yet are sensitive to climate controls and contain substantial physical heterogeneity. We specifically explore several metrics that are simple and/or commonly employed in hydrologic analyses and interpret them in the context of connectivity between and among hydrologic features.
GLYCINE RECEPTORS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the methodologies utilized to investigate [ 3 H]strychnine binding within the central nervous systems of a variety of vertebrate species. [ 3 H]strychnine binding has been associated with central glycine receptors. The site on the receptor complex to which strychnine binds is probably not the glycine recognition site but a site more closely associated with the ionic conductance mechanism. The site to which strychnine binds is the site with which a variety of strychnine analogs, opiate alkaloids, and certain other convulsants interact. It is conceivable that strychnine binding sites may also be associated with inhibitory effects of substances, such as taurine and/or β -alanine in brain. Abnormalities in [ 3 H]strychnine binding have been found in rodent genetic disorders and human motor neuron disease. In the future, it may be possible to develop a suitable ligand for the agonist binding site, independently isolate the various receptor subunits, and develop the type of information about the glycine receptor that has been gathered for the nicotinic cholinergic receptor.
Carbamazepine and Thyroid Hormones

Changes in serum thyroid hormone levels in 37 children with epilepsy receiving carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA) were analyzed at the University of Chieti and University of Siena, Italy.
Characteristics and Consequences of Non-apneic Respiratory Events during Sleep.

Rationale Current scoring criteria of non-apneic events (ie, hypopnea) require the presence of oxyhemoglobin desaturation and/or arousal. However, other sleep study parameters may help to identify abnormal respiratory events (REs) and assist in making more accurate diagnosis. Objectives To investigate whether non-apneic REs without desaturation or cortical arousal are associated with respiratory and cardiac consequences. Methods Thirteen participants with sleep disturbances (snoring and/or excessive day time sleepiness), were screened using attended in laboratory polysomnography (PSG) while monitoring pressure and airflow via a nasal mask with an attached pneumotach. To separate the contribution of the upper airway resistance (RUA) and total pulmonary resistance (RL), supraglottic and esophageal pressures were measured using Millar pressure catheters. RL and RUA were calculated during baseline and hypopneas. RL was defined as the resistive pressure divided by the maximal flow during inspiration and expiration. Hypopnea was defined 30% decrease in flow with 3% desaturation and/or cortical arousal. REs was defined as 30% decrease in the flow without desaturation and/or cortical arousal. In eight subjects continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was titrated to optimal pressure. R-R interval (RRI) was defined as consecutive beat-to-beat intervals on single lead electrocardiograph (ECG) during baseline, RE/hypopnea and on optimal CPAP. Results REs associated with increased expiratory RUA (14.6 ± 11.3 vs. 7.5 ± 4.5 cmH2O L-1 s-1; p < .05), and increased expiratory RL relative to baseline (29.2 ± 14.6 vs. 20.9 ± 11.0 and 23.7 ± 12.1 vs. 14.3 ± 5.6 cmH2O L-1 s-1 during inspiration and expiration, respectively; p < .05). RRI decreased significantly following RE and hypopnea relative to baseline (804.8 ± 33.1 vs. 806.4 ± 36.3 vs. 934.3 ± 45.8 ms; p < .05). Optimal CPAP decreased expiratory RUA (4.0 ± 2.5 vs. 7.5 ± 4.5 cmH2O L-1 s-1; p < .05), decreased inspiratory RL (12.6 ± 14.1 vs. 7.5 ± 4.5 cmH2O L-1 s-1; p < .05), and allowed RRI to return to baseline (p < .05). RRI dips index was an independent predictor of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) when non-apneic REs were accounted for in symptomatic patients (p < .05). Conclusions Non-apneic REs without cortical arousal or desaturation are associated with significant respiratory and heart rate changes. Optimal CPAP and the reduction of resistive load are associated with the normalization of heart rate indicating potential clinical benefit.
Exposure-Response Analysis of Alvocidib (Flavopiridol) Treatment by Bolus or Hybrid Administration in Newly Diagnosed or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Leukemia Patients

Purpose: To elucidate any differences in the exposure-response of alvocidib (flavopiridol) given by 1-hour bolus or a hybrid schedule (30-minute bolus followed by a 4-hour infusion) using a flavopiridol/cytosine arabinoside/mitoxantrone sequential protocol (FLAM) in patients with acute leukemia. The hybrid schedule was devised to be pharmacologically superior in chronic leukemia based on unbound exposure.Experimental Design: Data from 129 patients in three FLAM studies were used for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling. Newly diagnosed (62%) or relapsed/refractory (38%) patients were treated by bolus (43%) or hybrid schedule (57%). Total and unbound flavopiridol concentrations were fit using nonlinear mixed-effect population pharmacokinetic methodologies. Exposure-response relationships using unbound flavopiridol AUC were explored using recursive partitioning.Results: Flavopiridol pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a two-compartment model. No pharmacokinetic covariates were identified. Flavopiridol fraction unbound was 10.9% and not different between schedules. Partitioning found no association between dosing schedule and clinical response. Clinical response was associated with AUC ≥ 780 h*ng/mL for newly diagnosed patients and AUC ≥ 1,690 h*ng/mL for relapsed/refractory patients. Higher exposures were not associated with increases in severe adverse events (≥ grade 3).Conclusions: Pharmacokinetic modeling showed no difference in flavopiridol plasma protein binding for bolus versus hybrid dosing. Further trials in newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia should utilize the bolus FLAM regimen at the MTD of 50 mg/m2/day. Trials in relapsed/refractory patients should use the hybrid dosing schedule at the MTD (30/60 mg/m2/day) to achieve the higher exposures required for maximal efficacy in this population. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3592-600. ©2017 AACR.
Particle-in-cell simulations of an RF emission mechanism associated with hypervelocity impact plasmas

Radio frequency (RF) emission from hypervelocity impacts has been detected in multiple experiments, but the physical mechanism responsible is not well understood. Plasma is created by these impacts and rapidly expands into the surrounding vacuum; it's been argued that the observed RF emission is associated with a process in the plasma. A recent model proposes that coherent oscillations from a large scale charge separation due to the expansion of the plasma can produce RF. In this paper, we use a discontinuous Galerkin particle-in-cell technique to simulate this process. Initial conditions are drawn from hydrocode impact simulations, and the results are compared to experimental measurements. Under the assumption that there exists a difference in bulk speed of electrons and ions at a certain point in the expansion, we do find that radiation is produced by the plasma.
Calibration of Temperature Sensors in Preparation for the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

In preparation for the 2017 total solar eclipse, St. Catherine University developed a calibration protocol for the temperature sensors flown during thermal wake boom experiments. The calibration method used a standard two-point technique that corrected each individual sensor for both slope and offset errors using a high quality NIST certified thermocouple as the temperature standard. Our method is not absolute but corrects each sensor relative to the NIST standard so that we feel some confidence that individual sensor variations are mitigated. In preparation for the eclipse, calibration curves were generated for over 200 individual digital and thermistor temperature sensors.
Creating flexible motor memories in human walking

The human nervous system has the ability to save newly learned movements (i.e. re-learn faster after initial learning) and generalize learning to new conditions. In the context of walking, we rely on savings and generalization of newly learned walking patterns to navigate changing environments and make progressive improvements with gait rehabilitation. Here, we used a split-belt treadmill to study how different perturbation parameters can influence savings and generalization of learning during walking. In Experiment 1, we investigated the effect of split perturbation size on savings of a newly learned walking pattern. We found that larger perturbations led to better savings than smaller perturbations. In Experiment 2, we studied how different features of the initial split perturbation influenced the generalization of learning. Interestingly, we found that practicing the same thing twice did not lead to fastest learning. Instead, initial exposure to larger perturbation ratios led to faster subsequent learning of smaller perturbation ratios as compared to repeated exposures to small perturbations. Collectively, our findings reveal that initial learning conditions can be leveraged to increase savings and shape flexible motor memories during walking.
Handwriting watcher: A mechanism for smartwatch-driven handwriting authentication

Despite decades of research on automated handwriting authentication, there is yet to emerge an automated handwriting authentication application that breaks into the mainstream. In this paper, we argue that the burgeoning wearables market holds the key to a practical handwriting authentication app. With potential applications in online education, standardized testing and mobile banking, we present Handwriting Watcher, a mechanism which leverages a wrist-worn sensor-enabled device to authenticate a user's free handwriting. Through experiments capturing a wide range of writing scenarios, we show Handwriting Watcher attains mean error rates as low as 6.56% across the population. Our work represents a promising step towards a market-ready, generalized handwriting authentication system.
The Pannexin1 membrane channel: distinct conformations and functions

The Pannexin1 (Panx1) membrane channel responds to different stimuli with distinct channel conformations. Most stimuli induce a large cation- and ATP-permeable conformation, hence Panx1 is involved in many physiological processes entailing purinergic signaling. For example, oxygen delivery in the peripheral circulatory system is regulated by ATP released from red blood cells and endothelial cells through Panx1 channels. The same membrane channel, however, when stimulated by positive membrane potential or by cleavage with caspase 3, is highly selective for the passage of chloride ions, excluding cations and ATP. Although biophysical data do not allow a distinction between the chloride-selective channels induced by voltage or by caspase cleavage, there must be other subtle differences in the structure, because overexpression of wtPanx1 is well tolerated by cells, while expression of the truncation mutant Panx1Δ378 results in slow cell death. Thus, in addition to the well-characterized two open conformations, there might be a third, more subtle conformational change involved in cell death.
Macroeconomic Prospects for China's Outward FDI

We present evidence from panel data on overseas foreign direct investment (OFDI) by Chinese firms in 103 countries during 2003-2007. The data suggest that Chinese imports, unlike Chinese exports, stimulate investment in the country of origin. This article supports the theory that Chinese investment abroad is horizontal and designed to serve the Chinese local market (import platform investment). Estimates suggest that a 1% change in imports from China will lead to a 0.15% change in Chinese OFDI. We also find that an appreciation of the Chinese exchange rate will have a strong influence on firm entry decisions.
Novel Metabolic Risk Factors for Incident Heart Failure and Their Relationship With Obesity. The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) Study

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine the associations of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, and insulin resistance with incident congestive heart failure (CHF), beyond established risk factors, and to examine whether these risk factors may provide the link between obesity and CHF. Background Recently, increasing interest has emerged on the potential role of novel risk factors such as systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and albuminuria in the pathophysiology of CHF and their relationship with obesity. Methods The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study is a community-based multicenter cohort study of 6,814 participants (age 45 to 84 years, 3,601 women) of 4 ethnicities: Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and Chinese Americans. Participants were recruited between 2000 and 2002 from 6 U.S. communities. Median follow-up time was 4 years. Participants with history of symptomatic cardiovascular disease were excluded. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the associations of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, and albuminuria with incident CHF, independent of established risk factors (age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular hypertrophy, obesity, serum total cholesterol, and smoking), an interim myocardial infarction, and baseline magnetic resonance imaging parameters of left ventricular structure and function. Results A total of 79 participants developed CHF during follow-up, and 26 participants (32.9%) had a myocardial infarction prior to CHF and 65% of the cases had CHF with preserved function (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%). In multivariable analyses, serum interleukin-6 (hazard ratio [HR] for 1 standard deviation 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 2.03) or C-reactive protein (HR for 1 standard deviation 1.38; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.86) and macroalbuminuria (HR 4.31, 95% CI 1.58 to 11.76) were predictors of CHF, independent of obesity and the other established risk factors. Although obesity was significantly associated with incident CHF, this association was no longer significant after adding inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 or C-reactive protein) to the model. Conclusions Inflammatory markers and albuminuria are independent predictors of CHF. The association of obesity and CHF may be related to pathophysiologic pathways associated with inflammation.
Simultaneous Tracking, 3D Reconstruction and Deforming Point Detection for Stereoscope Guided Surgery

Tissue deformation is one of the major difficulties in the registration of pre-operative and intra-operative data. Vision based techniques have shown the potential to simultaneously track the endoscope and recover a sparse 3D structure of the tissue. However, most of such methods either assume a static environment or require the tissue organ to have a periodic motion such as respiration. To deal with the general tissue deformation, a new framework is proposed in this paper with the ability of simultaneous stereoscope tracking, 3D reconstruction and deforming point detection in the Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) environment. First, we adopt a Parallel Tracking and Mapping (PTAM) framework and extend it for the use of stereoscope in MIS. Second, this newly extended framework enables the detection of deforming points without restricted periodic motion model assumptions. Our proposed method has been evaluated on a phantom model, and in vivo experiments demonstrate its capability for accurate tracking in nearly real time speed as well as 3D reconstruction with hundreds of 3D points. Those experiments have shown that our method is robust towards tissue deformation and hence have promising potential for information integration by registration with pre-operative data.
Drainage of Pelvic Fluid Collections

Image-guided catheter drainage has become the treatment of choice for most pelvic abscesses developing secondary to recent surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease, perforated appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and perforated diverticulitis. Percutaneous abscess drainage is curative in more than 80% of the cases.1 In other cases, percutaneous abscess drainage may play a role in managing critically ill patients improving their sepsis while they get better in order to undergo definitive surgery.
Chapter 11 – Diagnostics

From the earliest days of the commercial sale of the automobile, it has been obvious that maintenance is required to keep automobiles operating properly. Of course, automobile dealerships have provided this service for years, as have independent repair shops and service stations. Until the early 1970s, however, a great deal of the routine maintenance and repair was done by car owners themselves, using inexpensive tools and equipment. However, the Clean Air Act affected not only the emissions produced by automobiles but also the complexity of the engine control systems and, as a result, the complexity of automobile maintenance and repair. Car owners can no longer, as a matter of course, do their own maintenance and repairs on certain automotive subsystems (particularly, the engine). In fact, the traditional shop manual used for years by technicians for repairing cars is rapidly becoming obsolete and is being replaced by electronic technician aids.
Disaster Communication, Posttraumatic Stress, and Posttraumatic Growth following Hurricane Matthew.

Disaster survivors may experience a range of mental health reactions that can include posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). The current study examines the associations between ...
Adolescent Gang Membership and Adverse Behavioral, Mental Health, and Physical Health Outcomes in Young Adulthood: A Within-Family Analysis:

Research suggests that adolescent gang membership increases the likelihood of adverse behavioral and mental health outcomes during adolescence. Less research, however, has examined whether gang mem...
Mapping the Violence of the Cold War Age

I am grateful to Dirk Moses for organizing this roundtable and to the five reviewers for their thoughts on my book. Moreover, I have never considered myself a historian of genocide and thus, I am d...
Negative Feedback By Dusp6 Modulates Myeloproliferation Induced By Oncogenic Nras

Hematological malignancies frequently contain oncogenic mutations in NRAS . Expression of Nras G12D/+ from the endogenous locus in mice causes a spectrum of neoplastic phenotypes, with some mice developing a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that recapitulates human chronic and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and others developing lymphoid neoplasia. Recent findings show that hematological disease (MPN and T-ALL) is accelerated in Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/G12D mice, clearly demonstrating that the expression level of the Ras oncoprotein is critical to Ras-induced transformation and cellular responses. Ras signal output is tightly regulated by negative feedback mechanisms. Dusp6 (also known as MKP-3 or Pyst-1) is both a transcriptional target of Ras and an Erk1/2 phosphatase, effectively forming a negative feedback loop that dampens Ras signal output. However, the physiological function of Dusp6 in Ras transformation and hematological disease remains poorly characterized. We previously showed that Dusp6 loss exacerbates anemia in mice expressing oncogenic Kras , but there was not effect observed on peripheral myeloid cell counts. Here we examined the functional consequence of Dusp6 loss in Nras -driven disease. We generated Dusp6 knockout mice that conditionally express Nras G12D/+ from the endogenous locus ( Dusp6 -/- ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ ) and found that, although survival is minimally impacted, Dusp6 loss in the hematopoietic compartment accelerates the development of MPN. Peripheral blood from 32-week-old Dusp6 -/- ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice showed an elevated leukocyte count (42.6 ± 14.2 K/ul, n=7) compared to age-matched Dusp6 +/+ ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice (8.6 ± 1.2 K/ul, n=7) and wild-type mice (10.6 ± 1.0 K/ul, n=9). Ineffective erythropoiesis is also evident at 32 weeks of age as the level of hemoglobin was decreased in Dusp6 -/- ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice (9.8 ± 1.4 g/dl, n=7), whereas Dusp6 +/+ ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice contained hemoglobin amounts similar to wild-type animals (13.3 ± 1.0g/dl, n=7 and 13.7± 0.3g/dl, n=9, respectively). A concomitant rise in reticulocytes was observed in Dusp6 -/- ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice (8.0 ± 1.7%, n=7) versus Dusp6 +/+ ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice (4.5 ± 1.1%, n=4) and wild-type mice (2.7 ± 0.15%, n=9). Although Dusp6 +/+ ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice showed splenomegaly at 32 weeks of age (321.1 ± 91.8 mg, n=3), the spleens from Dusp6 -/- ; Mx1-Cre Nras G12D/+ mice were 3.5-fold larger (1154.0 ± 119.7 mg, n=5). No difference in thymus weight was observed at 32 weeks, suggesting that Dusp6 loss does not accelerate lymphoproliferation, a characteristic often observed in Nras mutant mice at 24 weeks of age. Together, these data show that Dusp6 plays a critical role in Ras transformation. While the role of Dusp6 in anemia is consistent in both Kras G12D/+ and Nras G12D/+ models, the leukocytosis in Nras G12D/+ mice newly demonstrates a functional role for Dusp6 in modulating myeloid phenotypes in MPN. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Historic and recent trends in county-level coronary heart disease death rates by race, gender, and age group, United States, 1979-2017

Given recent slowing of declines in national all-cause, heart disease, and stroke mortality, examining spatiotemporal distributions of coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates and trends can provide data critical to improving the cardiovascular health of populations. This paper documents county-level CHD death rates and trends by age group, race, and gender from 1979 through 2017. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System and a Bayesian multivariate space-time conditional autoregressive model, we estimated county-level age-standardized annual CHD death rates for 1979 through 2017 by age group (35-64 years, 65 years and older), race (white, black, other), and gender (men, women). We then estimated county-level total percent change in CHD death rates during four intervals (1979-1990, 1990-2000, 2000-2010, 2010-2017) using log-linear regression models. For all intervals, national CHD death rates declined for all groups. Prior to 2010, although most counties across age, race, and gender experienced declines, pockets of increasing CHD death rates were observed in the Mississippi Delta, Oklahoma, East Texas, and New Mexico across age groups and gender, and were more prominent among non-white populations than whites. Since 2010, across age, race, and gender, county-level declines in CHD death rates have slowed, with a marked increase in the percent of counties with increasing CHD death rates (e.g. 4.4% and 19.9% for ages 35 and older during 1979-1990 and 2010-2017, respectively). Recent increases were especially prevalent and geographically widespread among ages 35-64 years, with 40.5% of counties (95% CI: 38.4, 43.1) experiencing increases. Spatiotemporal differences in these long term, county-level results can inform responses by the public health community, medical providers, researchers, and communities to address troubling recent trends.
Incidence and Prognostic Impact of Incomplete Revascularization Documented by Coronary Angiography 1 Year After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Complete revascularization (CR) at the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery improves long-term cardiac outcomes. No studies have previously reported angiographically confirmed CR rates post-CABG. This study's aim was to assess the impact upon long-term outcomes of CR versus incomplete revascularization (IR), confirmed by coronary angiography 1 year after CABG. Randomized On/Off Bypass Study patients who returned for protocol-specified 1-year post-CABG coronary angiograms were included. Patients with a widely patent graft supplying the major diseased artery within each diseased coronary territory were considered to have CR. Outcomes were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization) over the 4 years after angiography. Of the 1,276 patients, 756 (59%) had CR and 520 (41%) had IR. MACE was 13% CR versus 26% IR, p
Dose-dependant protective effect of lactation against breast cancer in ever-lactated women in Korea

3220 For the last twenty years in Korea, breast cancer has been steadily increasing and it became the most frequent female neoplasm from 2002. Rapid changes in westernized dietary habits and reproductive behaviors may contribute to the extraordinary increase of breast cancer incidence in Korean women. Among the risk factors, lactation might have a crucial role in the recent changes of breast cancer in Korea. National Health and Nutrition survey reported the proportion of women who had experienced breastfeeding has changed from 19.2% in 1995 to 7.4% in 2002. This hospital-based case-control analysis was performed to evaluate whether lactation associate with breast cancer risk among ever-lactated women in Korea. Of the 5 major eligible university hospitals, women who had previous cancer, benign breast tumor, ovarian removal, other severe systematic conditions and missing information on breast feeding were excluded. Finally, 541 histologically confirmed incident cases and 541 age-hospital-matched controls were analyzed using conditional logistic regression models. Family history, body mass index, age at menopause, age at first full-term pregnancy, and the number of live births showed clear significant trends in the risk of breast cancer, as known by other investigations. Among ever-lactated women, breast cancer risk significantly decreased according to the number of breastfed children (p for trend=0.004). Women who had ever lactated for 3 or more children showed the lowest risk of breast cancer (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.23-0.77). The trend of decreasing risk with increasing average months of breast feeding was statistically significant (p for trend=0.01). Particularly noteworthy was that the decreasing trend in the breast cancer risk was apparent when analysis was restricted to the first breastfed child. This study reconfirms a dose-dependent protective effect of lactation against breast cancer in Korean women. The role of breastfeeding of the first child should be pursued in further investigations.
MCMV Dissemination from Latently-Infected Allografts Following Transplantation into Pre-Tolerized Recipients

Transplantation tolerance is achieved when recipients are unresponsive to donor alloantigen yet mobilize against third-party antigens, including virus. After transplantation, cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in latently-infected transplants reduces allograft viability. To determine if pre-tolerized recipients are resistant to viral dissemination in this setting, we transfused chemically-fixed donor splenocytes (1-ethyl-3- (3'-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbo-diimide (ECDI)-treated splenocytes (ECDIsp)) to induce donor antigen tolerance without immunosuppression. In parallel, we implanted donor islet cells to validate operational tolerance. These pre-tolerized recipients were implanted with murine CMV (MCMV) latently-infected donor kidneys (a validated model of CMV latency) to monitor graft inflammation and viral dissemination. Our results indicate that tolerance to donor islets was sustained in recipients after implantation of donor kidneys. In addition, kidney allografts implanted after ECDIsp and islet implantation exhibited low levels of fibrosis and tubulitis. In contrast, kidney cellular and innate immune infiltrates trended higher in the CMV group and exhibited increased markers of CD8+ T cell activation. Tolerance induction was unable to prevent increases in MCMV-specific CD8+ T cells or dissemination of viral IE-1 DNA. Our data suggest that latently-infected allografts are inherently more susceptible to inflammation that is associated with viral dissemination in pre-tolerized recipients. Thus, CMV latently-infected allografts require enhanced strategies to protect allograft integrity and viral spread.
Betting on Better Buoyancy? Be Careful What You Wish For

The study of buoyancy is common in physics classrooms. In the last 20 years, several educators have described, theoretically and experimentally, buoyant forces and Archimedes’ principle, both in The Physics Teacher and elsewhere. However, as far as I know, no one has reported on the pedagogical implications and experimental results of measuring the buoyant force acting on a submerged object using the overflow can method and a surface tension lowering agent (soapy water), as described in an online YouTube video aimed at teachers and produced by PASCO. This article critically examines the claims presented in this video using experimental data and teacher advice.
Smart city technologies in the USA: Smart grid and transportation initiatives in Columbus, Ohio

Abstract Since the 1960s, the United States has been instrumental in the development of the technologies that operationalize smart cities. Research, development, and implementation is typically driven by a mix of private sector technological development and public sector initiative. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and more convenient local transportation have been driving factors. This chapter gives an overview of the recent history of smart city development across the U.S. with an emphasis on smart grids. Columbus, Ohio’s smart grid on-going implementation, is used as a case study to examine funding, technology, and effectiveness of smart city implementation.
Mapping the temperature-dependent and network site-specific onset of spectral diffusion at the surface of a water cluster cage

We explore the kinetic processes that sustain equilibrium in a microscopic, finite system. This is accomplished by monitoring the spontaneous, time-dependent frequency evolution (the frequency autocorrelation) of a single OH oscillator, embedded in a water cluster held in a temperature-controlled ion trap. The measurements are carried out by applying two-color, infrared-infrared photodissociation mass spectrometry to the D3O+·(HDO)(D2O)19 isotopologue of the “magic number” protonated water cluster, H+·(H2O)21. The OH group can occupy any one of the five spectroscopically distinct sites in the distorted pentagonal dodecahedron cage structure. The OH frequency is observed to evolve over tens of milliseconds in the temperature range (90 to 120 K). Starting at 100 K, large “jumps” are observed between two OH frequencies separated by ∼300 cm−1, indicating migration of the OH group from the bound OH site at 3,350 cm−1 to the free position at 3,686 cm−1. Increasing the temperature to 110 K leads to partial interconversion among many sites. All sites are observed to interconvert at 120 K such that the distribution of the unique OH group among them adopts the form one would expect for a canonical ensemble. The spectral dynamics displayed by the clusters thus offer an unprecedented view into the molecular-level processes that drive spectral diffusion in an extended network of water molecules.
Interaction of Microwave Biased n-GaAs and 337 μm Radiation

n-GaAs cooled to 4.2°K is impact ionized with X-band microwave pulses. Fast rise-time modulation of 337 μm radiation is observed. The GaAs is less absorptive in the ionized state than in the unionized state.
Rapid Autonomous Semantic Mapping

A semantic understanding of the environment is needed to enable high level autonomy in robotic systems. Recent results have demonstrated rapid progress in underlying technology areas, but few results have been reported on end-to-end systems that enable effective autonomous perception in complex environments. In this paper, we describe an approach for rapidly and autonomously mapping unknown environments with integrated semantic and geometric information. We use surfel-based RGB-D SLAM techniques, with incremental object segmentation and classification methods to update the map in realtime. Information theoretic and heuristic measures are used to quickly plan sensor motion and drive down map uncertainty. Preliminary experimental results in simple and cluttered environments are reported.