cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term prognosis of early repolarization with J-wave and QRS slur patterns on the resting electrocardiogram: a cohort study.

Background The prognostic value of early repolarization with J waves and QRS slurs remains controversial. Although these findings are more prevalent in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, their ability to predict cardiovascular death has varied across studies. Objective To test the hypothesis that J waves and QRS slurs on electrocardiograms (ECGs) are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular death. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. Patients Veterans younger than 56 years who had resting 12-lead electrocardiography, 90.5% of whom were men. Measurements Electrocardiograms were manually measured and visually coded using criteria of 0.1 mV or greater in at least 2 contiguous leads. J waves were measured at the peak of an upward deflection or notch at the end of QRS, and QRS slurs were measured at the top of conduction delay on the QRS downstroke. Absolute risk differences at 10 years were calculated to study the associations between J waves or QRS slurs and the primary outcome of cardiovascular death. Results Over a median follow-up of 17.5 years, 859 cardiovascular deaths occurred. Of 20 661 ECGs, 4219 (20%) had J waves or QRS slurs in the inferior and/or lateral territories; of these, 3318 (78.6%) had J waves or QRS slurs in inferior leads and 1701 (40.3%) in lateral leads. The upper bound of differences in risk for cardiovascular death from any of the J-wave or QRS slur patterns suggests that an increased risk can be safely ruled out (inferior, -0.77% [95% CI, -1.27% to -0.27%]; lateral, -1.07% [CI, -1.72% to -0.43%]). Limitation The study consisted of predominantly men, and deaths could be classified as cardiovascular but not arrhythmic. Conclusion J waves and QRS slurs did not exhibit a clinically meaningful increased risk for cardiovascular death in long-term follow-up. Primary funding source None.
An Analysis of Chromatin Structure and Gene Regulation

We present here a compilation of our studies aimed at describing the architecture of the maize alcohol dehydrogenase genes (Adh). Specifically, we have sought a structural description of these genes at levels beyond primary sequence; i.e., the association of the DNA with nuclear proteins to form chromatin and the conformation of the DNA itself. The basic definition of chromatin is quite broad and refers to the nuclear DNA together with its associated histones and nonhistone chromosomal proteins in the complex structural array that packages and organizes the eukaryotic genome within the nucleus. What we hope to accomplish by elucidating the structural aspects of the Adh genes is an understanding of the mechanics involved in organizing these genes within the chromatin array, the structural changes involved in preparing the gene for transcriptional activation, and the identification of those sequences in the promoters of these genes that are responsible for regulating transcriptional activity.
United States Violation of International Law in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq

NATO's 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia, and the United States' 2001 war on Afghanistan, and its war on Iraq beginning in 2003, all violated international and United States law. None was prosecuted in self-defense, or with the approval of the Security Council - the only two instances in which a United Nations member state is permitted to use force. All three conflicts constituted wars of aggression. Aggressive war is prohibited by the Nuremberg Tribunal, and will eventually be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. The United States used cluster bombs and depleted uranium in all three countries, which violates Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions. Preemptive war and humanitarian intervention both violate the U.N. Charter. Forcible regime change is prohibited by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The targeting of civilian objects constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions, which is prosecutable as a war crime.
Corrosion of Electronic and Magnetic Devices and Materials

Corrosion of thin film structures commonly used in electronic and magnetic devices is discussed. Typical failure modes are presented, and galvanic corrosion is discussed in some detail since it is one common problem with such devices. A graphical explanation for the determination of the ohmic potential drop during galvanic corrosion is presented. The corrosion problem of thin film disks is shown to have changed during the past ten years owing to changes in disk structure. The corrosion susceptibility of two antiferromagnetic alloys used for exchange coupling to soft magnetic layers is discussed.
Downregulation of miR-15a and miR-16-1 at 13q14 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Featured Article: Calin GA, Dumitru CD, Shimizu M, Bichi R, Zupo S, Noch E, et al. Frequent deletions and down-regulation of micro-RNA genes miR15 and miR16 at 13q14 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002;99:15524–9.2 MicroRNAs (miRNAs)3 are involved in many biological processes due to their posttranscriptional gene regulation function. Consequently, their crucial role in many diseases, including cancer, is now well known. Nevertheless, the connection between miRNA deregulation and tumorigenesis was unclear for quite some time. In the 2002 article discussed here (1), Dr. Croce's group reported the very first direct association between miRNAs and cancer. In the time preceding this important discovery, Dr. Croce devoted himself to the study of the most common human leukemia: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is a malignancy of CD5-positive B cells occurring, for the most part, in individuals over the age of 60 years. At presentation the disease is usually indolent, although it often progresses to an aggressive form. An aggressive form at presentation occurs in 30% of patients. Consistent chromosomal …
ANOMALOUS CORONARY ARTERIES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH INCIDENCE OF CORONARY ARTERY ATHEROSCLEROSIS: A STUDY FOM A TERTIARY-CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

To assess the pattern of atherosclerosis in congenital anomalous coronary arteries (ACA) as compare to anatomically normal coronaries. From January 2010 to June 2012, 410 ACA were observed in 18,289 individuals from 23,077 consecutive cardiac catheterization. 500 patients without ACA from the same
Line edge roughness frequency analysis for SAQP process

The line edge roughness (LER) and line width roughness (LWR) transfer in a self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) process is shown for the first time. Three LER characterization methods, including conventional standard deviation method, power spectral density (PSD) method and frequency domain 3-sigma method, are used in the analysis. The wiggling is also quantitatively characterized for each SAQP step with a wiggling factor. This work will benefit both process optimization and process monitoring.
The Human Animal

This chapter discuss the place of the human animal within a biological—specifically, comparative and evolutionary—context. It also introduces methods of studying the human animal and some of the methodological difficulties that make this self-reflection so controversial. According to the most commonly used taxonomy, within the order of primates, humans are the only extant members of the family Hominidae. Human's are also in the same group as the great apes. Most archaeologists and physical anthropologists believe that the “human family tree” consists of many species, which branched off from an ancestral lineage that separated from the other apes. Human species seems to take to an extreme those mammalian features already exaggerated in primates. Human life history is not one of a rapidly breeding species. It is the low mortality rate that has vaulted human's into that small category of highly successful “weedy” species that have populated most of the globe.
Pediatric Epilepsy: Neurology, Functional Imaging, and Neurosurgery

In this chapter we provide a comprehensive review of the current role that functional imaging can have in the care of the pediatric epilepsy patient from the perspective of the epilepsy neurologist and the epilepsy neurosurgeon. In the neurology section, the diagnosis and classification of epilepsy adapted by the International League Against Epilepsy as well as the etiology and incidence of the disease is presented. The neuroimaging section describes how advanced nuclear medicine imaging methods can be synergized to provide a maximum opportunity to localize an epileptogenic focus. This section described the value of FDG-PET and regional cerebral blood flow SPECT in the identification of an epileptogenic focus. The imaging section also emphasizes the importance on developing a dedicated epilepsy management team, comprised of an epilepsy imaging specialist, epilepsy neurologist and epilepsy neurosurgeon, to provide the maximum benefit to each child with epilepsy. An emphasis is placed on preparation for ictal SPECT injection procedures, including the critical role of an automated injector well as the use of state-of-the-art dedicated nuclear medicine imaging and analysis protocols to correctly localize the epileptogenic focus location. In the final section, surgical options, approaches and expected outcomes for the different classes of epilepsy is presented.
A regression model to predict tumor cellularity in patients with prostate cancer and low FDG uptake

1450 Objectives To explore underlying biological processes of low FDG uptake in prostate cancer using gene expression, measured by array chips (over 20,000 transcripts and variants). Methods We analyzed a U133A array dataset published by YP Wang et al. (GSE8218) that includes 136 prostate samples with documenting percentages of tumor, stroma, hypertrophy, and atrophy. Since glucose transporters (SLC2A), hexokinase (HK), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) are directly involved in FDG retention in cells, we used tumor percentage as dependent variable. Results Five of 17 SLC2A transcripts were significantly associated with tumor percentage. The regression model is yT=Tumor percentage= -96.01 + 0.174*(SLC2A1) + 0.170*(SLC2A8) +0.035*(SLC2A10) -0.016*(SLC2A3) - 0.068*(SLC2A5) with p-value Conclusions 55.3% of the increase in tumor percentage in 136 samples was explained by SLC2A family. SLC2A1 (Glut1) weighs more than other variable. For the combination, 47.8% of the variation is explained by SLC2A1 and SLC2A10 increases, HK1 decrease, and G6PC3 increase, suggesting that FDG increases in prostate cancer cell without enough phosphorylated FDG in prostate cancer cells for the imaging 1 hour post FDG injection. Research Support T32EB006351
Case 6-2017. A 57-year-old woman with fatigue, sweats, weight loss, headache, and skin lesions.

A 57-year-old woman presented with fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, headache, abdominal pain, and skin lesions. Laboratory testing revealed hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia. Diagnostic tests were performed.
A phase I (Ph1) study of dasatinib (D) with cetuximab (Cet) /radiation (IMRT) +/- cisplatin (P) in stage II, III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

e17036 Background: In preclinical HNSCC models, combined EGFR and Src inhibition with radiation has additive and possibly synergistic effects. We conducted a 3+3 standard Ph1 trial to determine the...
Abstract WP421: A Peer-led Intervention Improves Stroke Survivors’ Blood Pressure Control

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke recurrence but it is poorly controlled among stroke survivors, particularly from minority groups. The Prevent Recurrence of All Inner-city Strokes through Education (PRAISE) trial tests whether a community-based, peer-led stroke education intervention improves stroke risk factors, primarily blood pressure control. Methods: Using community-based participatory research, clinicians, educators and stroke survivors developed a six-session peer-led workshop to help stroke survivors understand their illness, and identify and manage their recurrent risks, particularly hypertension. We recruited 600 individuals with a history of stroke or TIA within the past 5 years who were randomized to the intervention or a wait-list control group. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, we measured participants’ blood pressures, socio-demographics, beliefs and behaviors. Six-month data collection has been completed. Results: Participants have a mean of 63 years, the majority are female (60%), Black or Latino (81%) and live in poverty (56%). At baseline, 31% in both groups had uncontrolled blood pressure ( Conclusions: A peer-led educational program developed through a community-academic partnership was successful in improving blood pressure control at 6 months. While 12-month data will confirm the longevity of this impact, PRAISE is simple, culturally appropriate and inexpensive, and may represent an important and sustainable secondary stroke prevention strategy.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Has Unique Effects on Postprandial FGF21 but Not FGF19 Secretion

Context Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)19 and FGF21 are secreted by the intestine and liver in response to macronutrient intake. Intestinal resection and reconstruction via bariatric surgery may alter their regulation. Objective We tested the hypothesis that weight loss induced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, but not matched weight loss induced by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), increases postprandial plasma FGF19 and FGF21 concentrations. Design Glucose kinetics and plasma FGF19 and FGF21 responses to mixed meal ingestion and to glucose-insulin infusion during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure, with stable isotope tracer methods, were evaluated in 28 adults with obesity before and after 20% weight loss induced by RYGB (n = 16) or LAGB (n = 12). Results LAGB- and RYGB-induced weight loss increased postprandial plasma FGF19 concentrations (P < 0.05). However, weight loss after RYGB, but not LAGB, increased postprandial plasma FGF21 concentrations (1875 ± 330 to 2976 ± 682 vs 2150 ± 310 and 1572 ± 265 pg/mL × 6 hours, respectively). The increase in plasma FGF21 occurred ∼2 hours after the peak in delivery of ingested glucose into systemic circulation. Glucose-insulin infusion increased plasma FGF21, but not FGF19, concentrations. The increase in plasma FGF21 during glucose-insulin infusion was greater after than before weight loss in both surgery groups without a difference between groups, whereas plasma FGF19 was not affected by either procedure. Conclusions RYGB-induced weight loss has unique effects on postprandial FGF21 metabolism, presumably due to rapid delivery of ingested macronutrients to the small intestine and delivery of glucose to the liver.
Echo: Doppler I

Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as infection of the native or prosthetic valves, atrial and ventricular defects, pacemaker wires, or any intracardiac devices of the heart. It has an incidence of 3–10 per 100,000 patient-years. IE may result in severe valvular insufficiency, heart failure, septic emboli, septic shock, embolic, hemorrhagic stroke glomerulonephritis, and vasculitis. It has a high morbidity and mortality (in-hospital mortality between 15 and 20%). The mainstay of treatment is antibiotic therapy, but early surgical intervention is recommended in patients with large vegetation and in those with associated mitral and aortic regurgitation.
The role of purified Clostridium difficile glucosylating toxins in disease pathogenesis utilizing a murine cecum injection model

Abstract Most pathogenic Clostridium difficile produce two major exotoxins TcdA and TcdB, in the absence of which the bacterium is non-pathogenic. While it is important to investigate the role of each toxin in the pathogenesis of C. difficile infection (CDI) using isogenic strains, it is impossible to precisely control the expression levels of individual toxins and exclude bacterial factors that may contribute to the toxins' effects during infection. In this study, we utilized an acute intestinal disease model by injecting purified toxins directly into mouse cecum after a midline laparotomy. We evaluated the physical condition of mice by clinical score and survival, and the intestinal tissue damage and inflammation by histology. Depending on the dose of the toxins, mice developed mild to severe colitis, experienced diarrhea or rapidly died. We found that both purified TcdA and TcdB were able to induce clinical disease, intestinal inflammation, and tissue damage that resembled CDI. TcdA was significantly faster in inducing intestinal inflammation and tissue damage, and was approximately five times more potent than TcdB in terms of inducing severe gut disease and death outcomes in mice. Moreover, we found that the two toxins had significant synergistic effects on disease induction. Comparison of the in vivo toxicity of TcdB from clinical strains revealed that TcdB from an epidemic RT 027 strain was more toxic than the others. Our study thus demonstrates that both TcdA and TcdB, independent of other factors from C. difficile bacterium, are able to cause disease that resembles CDI and highlights the importance of targeting both toxins for vaccines and therapeutics against the disease.
A Replication Attempt of Stereotype Susceptibility (Shih, Pittinsky, & Ambady, 1999)

Awareness of stereotypes about a person’s in-group can affect a person’s behavior and performance when they complete a stereotype-relevant task, a phenomenon called stereotype susceptibility. Shih, Pittinsky, and Ambady (1999) primed Asian American women with either their Asian identity (stereotyped with high math ability) or female identity (stereotyped with low math ability) or no priming before administering a math test. Of the three groups, Asian-primed participants performed best on the math test, female-primed participants performed worst. The article is a citation classic, but the original studies and conceptual replications have low sample sizes and wide confidence intervals. We conducted a replication of Shih et al. (1999) with a large sample and found a significant effect with the same pattern of means after removing participants that did not know the race or gender stereotypes, but not when those participants were retained. Math identification did not moderate the observed effects.
Imaging structural and functional brain development in early childhood

In humans, the period from term birth to ∼2 years of age is characterized by rapid and dynamic brain development and plays an important role in cognitive development and risk of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Recent imaging studies have begun to delineate the growth trajectories of brain structure and function in the first years after birth and their relationship to cognition and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. This Review discusses the development of grey and white matter and structural and functional networks, as well as genetic and environmental influences on early-childhood brain development. We also discuss initial evidence regarding the usefulness of early imaging biomarkers for predicting cognitive outcomes and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Geen decongestiva bij kinderen met oorontsteking

Decongestiva zijn onnodig bij kinderen met otitis media met effusie (OME). De NHG-Standaard Otitis media met effusie bij kinderen stelde eerder al dat het middel geen toegevoegde waarde heeft en waarschuwde voor bijwerkingen. Recent onderzoek bevestigt dat decongestiva weinig effect hebben, maar toont ook aan dat bewijs voor ernstige bijwerkingen ontbreekt.
Latent therapeutic demand model for the immunoglobulin replacement therapy of primary immune deficiency disorders in the USA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Our research aim is to model latent therapeutic demand (LTD) for the immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgGRT) of primary immune deficiency disorders (PIDDs) in the USA. Given the high level of variability of IgGRT use and major differences among American and European practices in the management of patients with PIDDs, we develop a USA-specific LTD model for common variable immune deficiency (CVID), hyper IGM syndrome, severe combined immune deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). METHODS AND MATERIALS We use decision analysis methods to model the underlying IgGRT demand for PIDDs by assessing USA-specific epidemiology and treatment. Data for the epidemiology and treatment variables were obtained from the medical literature, USIDNET and Immune Deficiency Foundation. The uncertainty surrounding the variables was modelled using probability distributions and evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS The mean treatment dose from USIDNET and European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) was significantly different for treating CVID, and the number of annual infusions from USIDNET and ESID was significantly different for treating CVID and XLA. The mean and standard deviation of LTD for all PIDDs is 105·1 ± 88·5 g per 1000 population, with CVID contributing the most to LTD. CONCLUSION Estimating country-specific LTD is important to ensure an adequate supply of IgGRT and an optimal treatment for patients with PIDDs and for improving national healthcare policymaking and production planning.
Animal and Pasture Responses to Grazing Management of Chemically Suppressed Tall Fescue in Mixed Pastures

OF DISSERTATION ANIMAL AND PASTURE RESPONSES TO GRAZING MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALLY SUPPRESSED TALL FESCUE IN MIXED PASTURES Treatment of endophyte-infected tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh] with the broad leaf herbicide Chaparral® can mitigate fescue toxicosis and enhance forage quality by suppressing seedhead emergence. Applying the herbicide to fescue pastures also reduces forage mass and promotes severe spot grazing when pastures are continuously grazed. A grazing experiment was conducted with steers (2013) and heifers (2014) to evaluate animal and plant responses in fescue-bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) mixtures treated with Chaparral to determine the effects of grazing management on pasture carrying capacity, nutritive values, botanical composition, and animal performance. Continuous and rotational (i.e., four subdivisions to provide a 7-d grazing period and a 21-d rest period) grazing treatments were assigned to six, 3.0-ha fescuebluegrass pastures in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each pasture had six tester animals, and stocking rates were varied using put-and-take animals. Pastures were grazed from 16 April to 8 July 2013 (Year 1) and 20 May to 12 Aug (Year 2) and cattle were blocked by body weight for allotment to pasture. Pasture carrying capacities were greater (P = 0.07) for rotational compared to continuous pastures across both years. Calves on rotationally grazed pastures had greater average daily gain (P = 0.03) and gain per acre (P = 0.05) than those on the continuous treatment across both years. Canopies of continuously grazed pastures contained less (P = 0.01) tall fescue than those in rotationally grazed pastures. Herbage in pre-grazed paddocks had less NDF and ADF than post-grazed paddocks and continuously grazed pastures in 2013 (P 0.10). In vitro digestible dry matter was greater (P = 0.07) in pre-graze rotational pastures in 2013 compared with continuous and post-graze rotational, and IVDDM did not differ (P < 0.01) between pregraze rotational and continuous in 2014, but was greater than post-graze rotational. Crude protein was lower (P = 0.06) in both years in post-graze rotational pasture than in continuous or pre-graze rotational pasture, which did not differ. In 2013, there was no difference (P = 0.60) in root WSC among treatments; however, in 2014, WSC levels were greater (P = 0.01) in rotationally grazed pastures compared with continuously grazed pastures. This grazing experiment indicated that rotational grazing of Chaparral treated fescue-bluegrass mixtures can improve both animal performance and the sustainability of pasture productivity. 3 February 2015 Jessica A. Williamson
Diktuon: Mobile Devices and Libraries

Recent technology news continues to affirm the growth and diversity of mobile devices, particularly smartphones that allow for web and app-based access to information and research tools. Indeed, the memory, processing power, and data speed once limited to a standard personal computer is now commonplace within phones. The “phone part” of the typical mobile device can be among the least used features. Today it is not uncommon for library researchers to approach the service desk with a phone displaying a catalog record, a citation from the ATLA Religion Database, or, indeed, even a digital photograph of the object of inquiry. With some limitations, researchers can interact with librarians, search across various library catalogs and databases, access free and library-licensed content, and manage their research process through their mobile devices. Theological libraries of all sizes can deliver a variety of library services and content to a user’s mobile devices
Genetic associations of T cell cancer immune response with tumor aggressiveness in localized prostate cancer patients and disease reclassification in an active surveillance cohort.

Determining prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness and reclassification are critical events during the treatment of localized disease and for patients undergoing active surveillance (AS). Since T cel...
The critical care literature 2017

Abstract An emergency physician (EP) is often the first health care provider to evaluate, resuscitate, and manage a critically ill patient. Between 2001 and 2009, the annual hours of critical care delivered in emergency departments (EDs) across the United States increased >200% [1]! This trend has persisted since then. In addition to seeing more critically ill patients, EPs are often tasked with providing critical care long beyond the initial resuscitation period. In fact, >33% of critically ill patients who are brought to an ED remain there for >6 h [1]. Longer ED boarding times for critically ill patients have been associated with a negative impact on inpatient morbidity and mortality [2]. During these crucial early hours of illness, detrimental pathophysiologic processes begin to take hold. It is during these early hours of illness where lives can be saved, or lost. Therefore, it is important for the EP to be knowledgeable about recent developments in critical care medicine. This review summarizes important articles published in 2017 pertaining to the resuscitation and care of select critically ill patients in the ED. We chose these articles based on our opinion of the importance of the study findings and their application to clinical care. The following topics are covered: sepsis, vasolidatory shock, cardiac arrest, post-cardiac arrest care, post-intubation sedation, and pulmonary embolism.
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa: Selected Readings, by Ravi M. Gupta and Kenneth R. Valpey

The Bhāgavata Purāṇa: Selected Readings, by Ravi M. Gupta and Kenneth R. Valpey. New York: Columbia University Press, 2016. xx + 303 pp., $105/£81 (hb), $35/£27 (pb), $34.99/£27 (ebook). ISBN 978-0-23116-900-4 (hb), 978-0-23116-901-1 (pb), 978-0-23154-234-0 (ebook).
The transition to turbulence in shock-driven mixing: effects of Mach number and initial conditions

The effects of incident shock strength on the mixing transition in the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) are experimentally investigated using simultaneous density–velocity measurements. This effort uses a shock with an incident Mach number of 1.9, in concert with previous work at Mach 1.55 (Mohaghar et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 831, 2017 pp. 779–825) where each case is followed by a reshock wave. Single- and multi-mode interfaces are used to quantify the effect of initial conditions on the evolution of the RMI. The interface between light and heavy gases ( for the higher Mach number case. This could possibly be related to the high anisotropy observed in this flow resulting from strong, large-scale streamwise fluctuations produced by large-scale shear.
Panel 2 Position Paper: AI could Solve the World’s Healthcare Problems and that too at Scale!

Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital technology in general, has the potential to transform healthcare in every setting, and even more in the developing world, where the current healthcare system simply cannot scale to the growing masses, often in more remote locations. Digital technology— mobile phones, remote sensing, and the Internet—can help improve quality of healthcare delivery, reduce cost of healthcare systems, and improve accessibility. However, in addition to AI, there is the need for an appropriate business model for solving healthcare problems. Digital technologies also have the potential to deliver preventative care, focusing on wellness, in addition to personalized disease treatment. In that context, mobile health platforms are more versatile because they can monitor events at a finer granularity and are often used by “healthy” individuals to track their daily fitness-centric activities. Further, molecular data is available at unprecedented levels and encompass different aspects of the “being”, be in genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, or metagenomic datasets, in other words offering a holistic view of the individual. This can then be integrated with fine-grained physiological signals obtained through wearables. Thus, there are volumes of datasets that need to be annotated, often in multiple formats, offering a multi-dimensional view of the healthy or diseased human. In fact, the human reference genome should have multiple representations based on the race, ethnicity, and the general well-being of the human. This calls for monitoring healthy people at scale, not just diseased people so we get a better understanding of the “ground truth” for the healthy human being. Overall, AI can therefore be thought of as augmented intelligence that can leverage both better observational and interventional capabilities for delivering precision healthcare and augmented monitoring capabilities to the masses at scale.
From Penny Capitalist to Server of the Multitudes

This chapter explores the nature of catering in the City before the advent of the mass market. John Pearce’s transformation from a penny capitalist operating a coffee stall in Hoxton (London) for thirteen years to a caterer running a depot in the City on Aldersgate Street structures this chapter.
Digital Signature Based Countermeasure Against Puppet Attack in the Internet of Things

In order to achieve the goal of smooth interaction and communication, a novel distance vector and source routing protocol, also officially referred to as RPL, has been proposed for IPv6-based Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) which serve as a major component in the architecture of Internet of Things (IoT). Unfortunately, IoT devices are often equipped with limited energy and extremely constrained with regard to the capabilities of computing and communicating, thus, IoT and its applications are seriously vulnerable to diverse cyber attacks, and investigating possible attacks against IoT-related routing protocol is a top priority to enhance the security of IoT systems in the future. In this paper, we propose a digital signature based countermeasure along with other techniques to defend against puppet attack in LLNs running with RPL. The experimental results indicate that the proposed digital signature based countermeasure can not only reduce the performance impact of puppet attack significantly, but also can accurately detect and effectively mitigate puppet attack.
National park entrance fee increase: a conceptual framework

With decreasing appropriation from public funding and increasing operational costs, public nature-tourism managers are facing ongoing pressure to increase self-generated revenue, such as entrance f...
Beyond survival: Readmissions and late mortality in pediatric ECMO survivors.

INTRODUCTION The objective of our study was to identify rates of readmission and late mortality in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients after discharge from their ECMO hospitalization. METHODS We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of children who were discharged after ECMO. Data were obtained from the State Inpatient Databases for 10 states. Time-to-event analyses were used to estimate the risk of readmission and to identify factors predictive of readmission and late mortality, including characteristics of initial hospital course and ECMO center volume. RESULTS A total of 1603 pediatric ECMO patients were identified, and 42.4% of these patients died prior to discharge. Of the 924 ECMO survivors, 35.6% had an unplanned readmission, and 3% died during readmission within 1 year. The risk of readmission was significantly related to the indication for ECMO, number of complex chronic conditions, transfer status, and discharge destination (all p<0.05). The risk of late mortality was significantly related to health insurance, transfer status, number of complex chronic conditions, and indication for ECMO (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric ECMO survivors have a high risk of hospital readmission with approximately 3% mortality during readmissions within 1 year of initial discharge. TYPE OF STUDY Retrospective Cohort Study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.
China's role in denuclearising North Korea

While the trajectories of China and North Korea are very different, both countries remain Communist nations. Even with this shared political ideology, China is not the ally Western powers wish it to be. As North Korea continues its nuclear weapons program and to push the limits of peace on the Korean peninsula, China appears to hold an unpredictable foreign policy. In reality, its foreign policy is one that is focused on protecting Chinese interests. To understand China's reactions to North Korean aggression, it is important to reflect on the history of diplomatic affairs between China and North Korea. For China, maintaining peace and economic stability is more important than North Korea denuclearising. With that in mind, the USA and other Western powers must develop strategies that recognise the balancing act China is in. The more China pushes North Korea, the more North Korea will turn away from China.
Durkheim’s Self-Regulating “Constitutive” Practices: An Unexplored Critical Relevance to Racial Justice, Consensus Thinking, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Durkheim had an ambitious plan to found a new sociology of modernity that would focus on how the conditions for making social facts had changed as societies diversified and modernized. This argument has an unexplored critical relevance for current issues of racial justice that are being exacerbated by a strong residual commitment to older consensus-based ways of making social facts. This paper contrasts two ways of making social facts—culture—in the US, tracing both back to Durkheim’s argument. One makes extensive use of “Dog-whistles” that rely on and maintain a consensus that resists change. The other is grounded in diversity, justice, and equality and promotes change. Because of the degree of reciprocity and cooperation the latter, which Durkheim called self-regulating constitutive practices require, justice and equality—what Garfinkel called “Trust Conditions”—are necessary prerequisites for their successful use. The crisis and division in the US in 2020 involving both anti-science and opposition to racial equality provides empirical evidence supporting Durkheim’s warning that if modern society does not guarantee the justice self-regulating practices required then it will fail.
Acute appendicitis severity during the early COVID-19 pandemic period.

Background The early COVID-19 pandemic period significantly strained the US healthcare system. During this period, consultations and admissions for acute medical conditions decreased, which was associated with an increase in disease-specific morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to determine what, if any, effect the early COVID-19 pandemic period had on the presentation, management, and histopathologic severity of acute appendicitis. Methods We performed a retrospective, observational study to compare the frequencies with which patients presented with acute appendicitis, the proportion of whom were managed surgically, and the distribution of histopathologic disease severity among all resected appendix specimens during the early COVID-19 pandemic period (March 6–June 30, 2020) to equivalent time periods for the 3 preceding/pre-pandemic years (2017–2019). Results Compared with equivalent pre-pandemic time periods, during the COVID-19 pandemic period there was no significant difference in the number of patients who presented for acute appendicitis, there was a decreased rate of surgical management (81% vs 94%; p=0.014), and there was an overall increase in the incidence of perforated appendicitis (31% vs 16%; p=0.004), including by histopathologic diagnosis (25% vs 11%; p=0.01). Discussion Despite potential patient hesitancy to present for care, the early COVID-19 pandemic period was associated with no significant change in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis; however, there was a significant increase in the incidence of perforated appendicitis. This study highlights the need to encourage patients to avoid late presentation for acute surgical conditions and for the robust planning for the medical management of otherwise surgical abnormalities during episodes of restricted or limited resources. Level of evidence Level III.
Legitimately luxurious: Creating authentic luxury brands

Abstract In recent years, greater polarization in incomes and growth in wealthy consumers have fueled new opportunities in luxury markets. As firms launched luxury brands, some have thrived as others stumbled. One very important difference between those who succeed and those who struggle, we suggest, is brand authenticity. Scholars have studied authenticity extensively, and research has isolated different sources of authenticity. How firms draw on these sources to create legitimate luxury brands has, however, received surprisingly little attention. In this paper, we discuss the research on the sources of brand authenticity, and explore how brands rely on those sources to craft authentic luxury brands. Using the experience of Canada Goose and Shinola, we illustrate how one firm drew on multiple sources of authenticity and, through the symbolism of its actions, successfully created an authentic luxury brand. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for other firms seeking to enter the luxury market.
Pills in the Public's Mind

Abstract We investigate the sources of public attitudes toward RU 486 to determine whether the drug will change public attitudes toward abortion. Not surprisingly, public attitudes toward RU 486 are influenced by the same factors that influence abortion opinion more generally. Two other considerations seem to influence opinion toward RU 486. First, the fact that the drug is administered early in pregnancy increases support, for many Americans take an emergent view of fetal rights and oppose abortions in the last several months of pregnancy. Second, opposition to the drug is highest among those who insist on consultation about the abortion decision, suggesting that at least some Americans fear that the drug will allow women to make hasty decisions about abortion without consulting family and friends. This latter finding suggests that pro-choice advocates should emphasize that RU 486 is prescribed after consultation with a doctor
Timing of elective delivery in gastroschisis: a decision and cost-effectiveness analysis

Objective To determine the most cost-effective timing of delivery in pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis, using a decision-analytic model. Methods We created a decision-analytic model to compare planned delivery at 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 weeks' gestation. Outcomes considered were stillbirth, death within 1 year of birth and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Probability estimates of events (stillbirth, complex gastroschisis and RDS for each gestational age at delivery and risk of death with simple and complex gastroschisis), utilities and costs assigned to the outcomes were obtained from the published literature. Cost analysis was assessed from a societal perspective, using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per surviving infant. Outcomes and costs were considered throughout 1 year of postnatal life. Multiway sensitivity analysis was performed to address uncertainties in baseline assumptions. Results In the base–case analysis, delivery at 38 weeks' gestation was the most cost-effective strategy. Planned delivery at 35 weeks was associated with the fewest stillbirths and deaths within 1 year of delivery, owing largely to a lower ongoing risk of stillbirth. In Monte Carlo simulation when every variable was varied over its entire range, delivery at 38 weeks was cost-effective compared to delivery at 39 weeks in 76% of trials and delivery at 37 weeks was cost-effective in 69% of trials. Delivery at 38 weeks resulted in three additional cases of RDS for every 100 stillbirths or deaths within 1 year that were prevented. Conclusions For pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis, the most cost-effective timing of delivery is at 38 weeks. Few additional cases of RDS are caused for every one stillbirth or death within 1 year that was prevented with delivery at 37–38 weeks compared with at 39 weeks. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A Matter of Perspective: Thoughts on the Multiple Realities of Research:

Patricia Shehan Campbell is the recipient of the MENC 2002 Senior Researcher Award. The following speech was presented on April 12, 2002, at a special session of the Society for Research in Music Education at MENC's National Biennial In-Service Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Fatty Acid Composition of Thermophilic, Mesophilic, and Psychrophilic Clostridia

The fatty acid composition of two thermophilic anaerobes was determined, and the results were compared with those from a mesophilic and a psychrophilic anaerobe. Notable differences were that the thermophiles contained a higher content of saturated straight- and branched-chain fatty acids, and, of the latter, iso C15 was the predominant type. The mesophile and psychrophile were characterized by having a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. An unidentified fatty acid, present in all of the organisms, was purified from the psychrophile. By physical and chemical analysis the structure of the unknown acid was resolved and found to be the unsaturated cyclopropane fatty acid, 12,13-methylene-9-tetradecenoic acid.
Observer error linearization for sampled-data systems

The effects of time sampling on the solvability conditions for the observer linearization design methodology are investigated. It is shown that the class of systems for which this design method can be applied for an open set of sampling times is quite small. In particular, when the dimension of the state space is two, it consists only of those systems that are state-equivalent to a linear system. The practical implication is that digital implementations of this methodology will have to be approximate. >
Reliability and Validity of Parent- and Child-Rated Anxiety Measures in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety frequently co-occur. Research on the phenomenology and treatment of anxiety in ASD is expanding, but is hampered by the lack of instruments validated for this population. This study evaluated the self- and parent-reported Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale in Children—2 among 46 youth with ASD. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were acceptable, but inter-rater reliability was poor. Parent–child agreement was better for youth with higher IQs, less severe ASD symptoms, or more social cognitive skills. Convergent and divergent validity were acceptable. Demographic characteristics were considered as predictors of anxiety: they were unrelated to parent-report, but younger age and more severe ASD were related to increased self-reported anxiety.
Groups, Decision Rules, and Negotiation Outcomes: Simulating the Negotiator's Dilemma

The negotiator’s dilemma is a vexing problem (structurally similar to the prisoner’s dilemma), but it is made more complicated by the fact that many negotiations involve teams of negotiators. Although it is widely recognized that the behavior of groups of people can deviate in important ways from the behavior of individuals, the implications of this for the negotiator’s dilemma are unclear. For this article, I have used a computer simulation to explore the impact of different decision rules (majority rule, consensus, and weakest link) on how the approach of groups to negotiations might differ. The results suggest that the use of different decision rules can greatly complicate negotiations. While the majority rule is quite versatile in multiple contexts, a pairing of weakest link and consensus decision rules is highly problematic for finding a negotiated settlement.
Commentary on ‘Continuous heparin infusion to prevent thrombosis and catheter occlusion in neonates with peripherally placed percutaneous central venous catheters’

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Shah PS, Shah VS. Continuous heparin infusion to prevent thrombosis and catheter occlusion in neonates with peripherally placed percutaneous central venous catheters. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002772. DOI: 10.1002/14 651 858.CD002772.pub3. Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables. Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Statistical Inference when Classroom Quality Is Measured with Error.

Abstract A dramatic shift in research priorities has recently produced a large number of ambitious randomized trials in K-12 education. In most cases, the aim is to improve student academic learning by improving classroom instruction. Embedded in these studies are theories about how the quality of classroom must improve if these interventions are to succeed. The problem of measuring classroom quality then emerges as a major concern. This article first considers how errors of measurement reduce statistical power in studies of the impact of interventions classroom quality. We show how to use information about reliability to compute power and plan new research. At the same time, errors of measurement introduce bias into estimates of the association between classroom quality and student outcomes. We show how to use knowledge about the magnitude of measurement error to eliminate or reduce this bias. We also briefly review research on the design of studies of the reliability of classroom measures. Such studies ...
Unidirectional Plasmon Propagation in Metallic Nanowires

We report the observation of unidirectional plasmon propagation in metallic nanowires over distances >10 μm. Through control of the incident excitation wavelength and rod composition, we demonstrate the selective coupling of photons into the plasmon mode of a 20 nm diameter nanowire. This mode then propagates in a nonemissive fashion down the wire length before being emitted as an elastically scattered photon at the distal end. As expected from previous studies of plasmon excitation in nanoparticles and thin films, we observe a strong wavelength and material dependence of this phenomenon. This metal-dependent plasmon propagation is exploited to produce a wire through which plasmons propagate unidirectionally. A bimetallic wire with a sharp Au/Ag heterojunction is shown to display both wavelength dependence and unidirectionality with respect to plasmon propagation across the heterojunction. It is expected that these results will contribute to the growing interest in optical energy transport in molecular-le...