cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Streptococcus anginosus Group Bacterial Infections

Abstract Background The Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) causes a variety of infections in adults. To better understand the burden of SAG infections and their associated morbidity and mortality, we conducted a retrospective analysis of these infections in adults at a tertiary care center. Methods A retrospective review of all cultures positive for SAG in adults and a corresponding review of their medical records were conducted at a tertiary care facility in Central New York. Patients with these cultures during the period of January 2007-December 2011 were included. Demographic data, area of residence, clinical features and underlying illnesses, site of infection, length of hospital stay, antibiotic susceptibility and antibiotic therapy were recorded and analyzed. Results There were 332 SAG cases; most patients were males (59%), mean age of 47 years and 84% lived in urban areas. Overall mortality was 3% with underlying conditions common such as diabetes (25%), hypertension (31%) and immunodeficiency (22%). Most of the infections were related to skin and soft tissue (72%) and polymicrobial (70%) with gram-negative anaerobes and Enterobacteriaceae commonly isolated with SAG. Conclusions We present the largest study, thus far, reviewing the clinical presentation, management and outcome of infections due to the SAG of organisms. Notable findings from our study are the low mortality associated with SAG infection, and the propensity to present as a skin, soft tissue and polymicrobial infection. Our findings will assist clinicians in managing patients with SAG infections and recognizing that Streptococcus anginosus may be one of several organisms responsible for infection.
Nonpharmacological treatment of panic disorder in a situation of crisis and emergency

The article provides a brief review of a number of the theories of panic and nonpharmacological interventions. In addition, the mention of pharmacological agents as well as ancillary suggestive techniques are also made in combination with the above.
High efficiency power converter with SiC power MOSFETs for pulsed power applications

This paper presents a high efficiency SiC power converter in pulsed power applications. SiC Power MOSFETs have 7∼10 times lower switching loss than Silicon counterparts. However, because of the large depletion capacitance, the SiC device switching loss will be higher than silicon device at zero current. Therefore, loss reduction method is proposed to further improve SiC gradient driver efficiency. A 2700V, 1300A SiC gradient driver prototype is designed, fabricated and tested.
Sex Trafficking, Reproductive Rights, and Sovereign Borders: A Transnational Struggle over Women’s Bodies

The aim of this chapter is to draw attention to an overlooked dimension of sex trafficking—namely, its abuse of women’s reproductive rights; to diagnose a tension between international anti-trafficking and refugee law and US anti-trafficking and immigration law; and to show that US anti-trafficking and immigration law is enforcing a misguided conception of victims that denies recognition to agentic victims of human rights abuse. Although women who have been trafficked into sex work should be prime candidates for legal protection, they aren’t. Criminal and legal practices amount to a three-way struggle over women’s bodily integrity and autonomy. Because misconceptions about victimhood perpetuate this cyclical struggle, I argue for legal reforms based on a credible conception of victimhood.
Package Design Optimization for Intel SoC Xeon-D

Xeon-D brings the high performance of Xeon processors into a dense, low-power system-on-chip. This paper addresses the importance of cost–performance tradeoff analysis for the Xeon-D package. It describes how to determine the low-cost package factors (size, footprint, pin map, and layer count) without compromising the performance of the system. The 10-GbE signal integrity design and high-speed differential cost-performance optimization are discussed. Low-power architecture and package power delivery features including fully integrated voltage regulator are presented in this paper as well.
A high-resolution photoelectron imaging and theoretical study of CP− and C2P−

The discovery of interstellar anions has been a milestone in astrochemistry. In the search for new interstellar anions, CP- and C2P- are viable candidates since their corresponding neutrals have already been detected astronomically. However, scarce data exist for these negatively charged species. Here we report the electron affinities of CP and C2P along with the vibrational frequencies of their anions using high-resolution photoelectron imaging. These results along with previous spectroscopic data of the neutral species are used further to benchmark very accurate quartic force field quantum chemical methods that are applied to CP, CP-, C2P, and two electronic states of C2P-. The predicted electron affinities, vibrational frequencies, and rotational constants are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The electron affinities of CP (2.8508 ± 0.0007 eV) and C2P (2.6328 ± 0.0006 eV) are measured accurately and found to be quite high, suggesting that the CP- and C2P- anions are thermodynamically stable and possibly observable. The current study suggests that the combination of high-resolution photoelectron imaging and quantum chemistry can be used to determine accurate molecular constants for exotic radical species of astronomical interest.
Differential Cued-Stroop Performance in Cognitively Asymptomatic Older Adults with Biomarker-Identified Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND There exists a need for more sensitive measures capable of detecting subtle cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE To advance the literature in Alzheimer's disease by demonstrating that performance on a cued-Stroop task is impacted by preclinical Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. METHOD Twenty-nine cognitively asymptomatic older adults completed a computerized, cued-Stroop task in which accuracy rates and intraindividual variability in reaction times were the outcomes of interest. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Aβ42 and tau were measured and participants were then grouped according to a published p-tau/Aβ42 cutoff reflecting risk for Alzheimer's disease (preclinical Alzheimer's disease = 14; control = 15). RESULTS ANOVAs indicated that accuracy rates did not differ between the groups but 4-second delay incongruent color-naming Stroop coefficient of variation reaction times were higher in the preclinical Alzheimer's disease group compared to the control group, reflecting increased within-person variability. Moreover, partial correlations showed no relationships between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and accuracy rates. However, increases in coefficient of variation reaction times correlated with decreased Aβ42 and increases in p-tau and the p-tau/Aβ42 ratio. CONCLUSION Results supported the ability of the computerized, cued-Stroop task to detect subtle Alzheimer's disease neuropathology using a small cohort of cognitively asymptomatic older adults. The ongoing measurement of cued-Stroop coefficient of variation reaction times has both scientific and clinical utility in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
Soft lithographic production of electroactive polyvinylidene fluoride microstructures for BioMEMS technologies

We present a method for the fabrication of electroactive polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microstructures via soft lithography for BioMEMS applications. Previously patterned PDMS stamps were used to produce arrays of PVDF microstructures with different geometries, dimensions, and configurations. The microstructures were electrically poled and the inverse piezoelectric effect was studied using a stimulating voltage between 0 and ± 8 V. Non-poled specimens served as controls. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for morphological characterization. Preliminary cytocompatibility studies were conducted using a bone marrow stem cell line and the direct contact assay. SEM observations revealed that PVDF structures presented highly defined geometry at the microscale. Feature dimensions ranged between ~ 3 and 20 μm. Poled microstructures were effectively deformed in response to the stimulating voltage. Control samples did not exhibit piezoelectric behavior. Cell culture experiments confirmed the cytocompatibility of PVDF (both flat and micropatterned). The cells exhibited strong interactions with tips and corners of the microfeatures. Piezoelectric PVDF microstructures could potentially be used in a number of BioMEMS applications, including the development of electroactive tissue engineering scaffolds, cell and tissue force sensing microdevices, microactuators, acoustic microtransducers, and energy harvesting microcomponents among others.
Cardiac Blood Flow Detection

Real time B-mode sector scanning combined with simultaneous pulse Doppler flow detection provides a method for the more accurate assessment of cardiac performance. The heart is a multi-chambered, multivalved, variable geometry pump whose comprehensive description requires a multidimensional measurement approach. Each functional defect can be described in terms of a set of interrelated measurements consisting of anatomical as well as flow dynamic components. The relative role of anatomical vs. flow dynamic data will vary with each defect. For example, regurgitant valves may be detected more easily by sensing the resultant flow jet rather than attempting to image the orifice of the regurgitant jet. Similarly small septal defects are detected more easily by flow sensing than by anatomical imaging. The true valve orifice shape and area associated with a stenotic valve might be better evaluated by blood flow rather than following the motion of the valve leaflets.
Unusual cause of sinusitis and cough

A 60-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) previously treated with ofatumumab was referred for evaluation of worsening productive cough, sinus pain and nasal congestion. She had received multiple courses of antibiotics, antifungals and steroids with partial symptomatic improvement. CT of the chest demonstrated bilateral bronchial wall thickening and bronchial dilatation associated with patchy opacities (figure 1A). An open lung biopsy revealed a dense monotonous lymphocytic infiltrate in a bronchiolocentric distribution sparing the lung parenchyma with associated vague non-caseating granulomatous inflammation and focal …
Tumor biologic characteristics and clinical outcomes in geriatric patients with breast cancer.

e21526Background: The probability of dying from breast cancer increases from 0.2% to 2% annually for women once they reach 70 years of age. However there is limited age-related information availabl...
Energy Transfer in Fe:Cr:ZnSe mid-IR laser materials

The room-temperature kinetics of Fe:Cr:ZnSe under 1560nm excitation shows that the energy transfer among Fe-Cr centers is as fast as 290ns and is promising as pump mechanism for Fe lasing.
Interweaving Task Design and In-Game Measurement

There are two important design issues related to game-based learning (GBL) in school settings: (a) the intrinsic integration of content-related tasks in gameplay and (b) the real-time capture and analysis of in-game performance data. In this chapter, we describe an integrative design approach that is aimed to interweave game-based task design with in-game assessment of learning. Extending other GBL projects in which the mechanism of data mining for assessment was created after game development, in E-Rebuild we have designed the evidence-centered, data-driven assessment during the course of game design. Design-based research findings on emergent core design processes and functional conjectures on the approaches of task generation and evidence accumulation are discussed, with support of infield observations on the implementation feasibility and outcomes of various design assumptions.
Water Infiltration Into Soils

Publisher Summary Careful water management is essential to a stable and efficient agriculture, and efforts by a number of agencies are being directed toward water management and conservation activities, such as irrigation, drainage, flood prevention, and erosion control. A realistic planning of these water management and conservation activities requires accurate information on the rate at which different soils takes in water under different conditions. The rate of water entry into the soil fluctuates widely among soil types, and also wide differences can be found within a single soil type, depending upon the soil moisture level and management practices employed. It is apparent that full utilization of the soil profile for water storage is necessary. Research investigations are needed to provide a practical method for determining the infiltration rate at which water enters a soil, thus achieving maximum soil conservation and effective use of water supplies on farms.
Seniors and Self-tracking Technology

Technology designed to support self-tracking has grown in numbers and popularity as smartphones have become more powerful and more ubiquitous. However, these tools are not being used by the population that self-tracks the most: older adults. This chapter discusses the use and non-use of self-tracking technologies among seniors based on a review of literature published in HCI and Health Informatics. Known barriers to seniors’ adoption of self-tracking technologies largely result from a primary focus on younger users. Seniors’ needs, interests, goals, and self-tracking practices differ from what is assumed and addressed in the tools that are currently available. To address this issue, it is necessary for future work to investigate new designs that are more compatible with seniors’ priorities and self-tracking practices without diminishing seniors’ sense of agency or emphasizing stigmatized aspects of health or aging.
Use of High‐Cost Cancer Treatments in Academic and Nonacademic Practice

Background Academic physicians, such as those affiliated with National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, may have different practice patterns regarding the use of high-cost cancer drugs than nonacademic physicians. Materials and methods For this cohort study, we linked cancer registry, administrative, and demographic data for patients with newly diagnosed cancer in North Carolina from 2004 to 2011. We selected cancer types with multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved, National Comprehensive Cancer Network-recommended treatment options and large differences in reimbursement between higher-priced and lower-priced options (stage IV colorectal, stage IV lung, and stage II-IV head-and-neck cancers). We assessed whether provider's practice setting-NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center ("NCI") versus other location ("non-NCI")-was associated with use of higher-cost treatment options. We used inverse probability of exposure weighting to control for patient characteristics. Results Of 800 eligible patients, 79.6% were treated in non-NCI settings. Patients treated in non-NCI settings were more likely to receive high-cost treatment than patients treated in NCI settings (36.0% vs. 23.2%), with an unadjusted prevalence difference of 12.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1%-20.0%). After controlling for potential confounding factors, non-NCI patients remained more likely to receive high-cost treatment, although the strength of association was attenuated (adjusted prevalence difference, 9.6%; 95% CI -0.1%-18.7%). Exploratory analyses suggested potential heterogeneity across cancer type and insurance status. Conclusion Use of higher-cost cancer treatments may be more common in non-NCI than NCI settings. This may reflect differential implementation of clinical evidence, local practice variation, or possibly a response to the reimbursement incentives presented by chemotherapy billing. Implications for practice Oncology care delivery and practice patterns may vary between care settings. By comparing otherwise similar patients treated in National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers with those treated elsewhere, this study suggests that patients may be more likely to receive treatment with certain expensive cancer drugs if treated in the non-NCI setting. These practice differences may result in differences in patient costs and outcomes as a result of where they receive treatment.
A dyadic study of employment outcomes and quality of life in patients with breast cancer and their support persons.

176Background: Many women with breast cancer face job loss related to their diagnosis, but little is known about employment outcomes among their partners and other supporters. Moreover, virtually n...
Epitaxial growth of few-layer β-In2Se3 thin films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract Recent interest in the family of layered indium selenides has grown rapidly due to their intriguing properties such as photoresponsivity and ferroelectricity. However, practical applications require uniform crystalline films over large area. Here we report epitaxial growth of layered β-In2Se3 thin films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using trimethyl indium (TMIn) and H2Se in a hydrogen ambient. Epitaxy has been realized on both c-plane sapphire and Si (1 1 1) while different growth modes were observed on these two substrates. Few-layer β-In2Se3 films have been successfully achieved by precursor pulsing to minimize gas phase pre-reactions. Finally, top gate β-In2Se3 thin film transistors with field effect mobility near 1 cm2/V·s have been demonstrated. This work offers a scalable production of high-quality β-In2Se3 films and potential integration with 3D fabrication and flexible electronics under low processing temperature.
Chapter 3 – Enantioselective Hydrogenations

Publisher Summary Enantioselective catalytic surfaces can be synthesized by three basic ways—attach a catalyst to, or embed a catalyst in, a chiral matrix, create a chiral arrangement of active sites on a catalytic surface, and adsorb or attach chiral molecules onto a catalytic surface. An excellent enantioselective heterogeneous metal catalyst should be one in which the active metal sites are set in a chiral arrangement fulfilling the Ogston principles. Three factors seem to be important for enantioselectivity to occur on surfaces—the steric factor, the polar factor, and the mobility factor. Each of these factors affects the chiral environment in ways that determine its magnitude and stability. The steric factor results from physical interactions between atoms. From this factor comes the basic chirality. For the cases of solid metal catalysts, chirality may come from the support, the arrangement of active sites on the metal surface, or from an adsorbed or attached chiral entity. The polar factors address how the modifier interacts with the prochiral substrate, and the mobility factor acknowledges the fact that organic molecules seem to move about on surfaces.
Expression and significance of growth factor receptor binding protein 2-associated binding protein-1 and glioma-associated oncogene homologue-1 in pediatric medulloblastoma

Objective To explore the expressions of growth factor receptor binding protein 2-associated bin-ding protein-1(Gab-1) and glioma-associated oncogene homologue-1(Gli-1) in pediatric medulloblastoma, and to analyze their correlation between clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis in pediatric medulloblastoma. Methods Elivision immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Gab-1 and Gli-1 protein in tissue microarray of 40 paraffin embedded pediatric medulloblastoma specimens.Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to analyze the correlation between Gab-1 and Gli-1 protein expressions with gender, age, tumor location and pathological subtypes.Follow-up data were handled by using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis. Results Positive expression ratios of Gab-1 and Gli-1 protein in 40 pediatric medulloblastoma were 35.0% and 55.0%, respectively.The positive expression rate of Gab-1 in medulloblastoma tissues had no statistical significance between different genders[male: 30.4%(7/23 cases) vs.female: 41.2%(7/17 cases)], age[ 0.05). There were statistical differences of positive expression rate of Gli-1 protein in different age groups[ 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the age, the expressions of Gab-1 and Gli-1 protein were correlated with prognosis of pediatric medulloblastoma(all P<0.05). Cox regression indicated that the age, pathological subtypes and the expression of Gli-1 protein were independent prognostic indicators in pediatric medulloblastoma(all P<0.05). Conclusion Expression of Gab-1 and Gli-1 protein is significantly correlated with the prognosis of medulloblastoma, and the positive expression is a marker of unfavorable prognosis. Key words: Growth factor receptor binding protein 2-associated binding protein-1; Glioma-associated oncogene homologue-1; Child; Medulloblastoma; Prognosis
Characteristics of Transgender Patient Cases Managed by a Toxicologist: an Analysis of the Toxicology Investigator's Consortium (ToxIC) Registry: January 2017-June 2019.

The Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) database, created in 2010 by the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), compiles data recorded by medical toxicologists. In January 2017, the data field for transgender (and if transgender, male-to-female or female-to-male) was added to the ToxIC form. Little is known regarding trends in poisonings among transgender patients. We sought to review consultations managed by a bedside toxicologist and provide descriptive data in trends among types of exposures within the transgender demographic. A retrospective ToxIC database evaluation of cases in which the patient identified as transgender were reviewed from January 2017–June 2019 and descriptive demographics reported. The registry contained 113 cases that involved transgender patients. Of those with complete data, 41 (36.6%) were male-to-female, 68 (60.7%) were female-to-male, and 3 (2.7%) identified as gender non-conforming. Of those with complete data, the most common reason for encounter was intentional use of a pharmaceutical drug (N = 97, 85.8%), of which 85 (87.6%) were classified as intentional pharmaceutical use intended for self-harm. Analgesics were the most common class of drugs used out of those reported (N = 24, 22%). Forty-six (90.2%) patients aged 13–18 with complete data were identified as encounters due to self-harm. Attempt at self-harm was the most common reason for intentional pharmaceutical encounter among the sample of transgender patients with complete data (N = 85, 87.6%); with female-to-male patients having an N = 53 (77.9%). Among transgender patients in the ToxIC registry, the most common primary reason for the encounter was intentional use of a pharmaceutical drug intended for self-harm. In this small cohort, there were some age and transition differences in prevalence. These findings may inform poisoning prevention practices as well as sex- and gender-based management of patients in this vulnerable population.
Crystalline Nature of Colloids in Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskite Precursor Inks Revealed by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Metal halide perovskites have generated interest across many fields for the impressive optoelectronic properties achievable in films produced using facile solution-processing techniques. Previous research has revealed the colloidal nature of perovskite precursor inks and established a relationship between the colloid distribution and the film optoelectronic quality. Yet, the identity of colloids remains unknown, hindering our understanding of their role in perovskite crystallization. Here, we investigate precursor inks of the prototypical methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and show, for the first time, that the colloids are neither amorphous nor undissolved lead iodide, as previously speculated, but are a crystalline, non-perovskite material. We identify this as a perovskite precursor phase and discuss this as a potential means to understanding the role of chloride in processing. This work establishes cryo-EM as a viable technique to elucidate the nature of colloids in perovskite inks, a vital step toward a fundamental understanding of thin-film crystallization.
Preparing Students With Disabilities and Police for Successful Interactions

Students with disabilities are likely to have contact with a police officer as either a victim or a perpetrator of a crime; however, media outlets often underreport the presence of a disability. Th...
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic and Behavioral Risk Factors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seropositivity Among a Sample of U.S. College Students.

Abstract Purpose Colleges and universities across the United States are developing and implementing data-driven prevention and containment measures against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Identifying risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity could help to direct these efforts. This study aimed to estimate the associations between demographic factors and social behaviors and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test. Methods In September 2020, we randomly sampled Indiana University Bloomington undergraduate students. Participants completed a cross-sectional online survey about demographics, SARS-CoV-2 testing history, relationship status, and risk behaviors. Additionally, during a subsequent appointment, participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a fingerstick procedure and SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG rapid assay kit. We used unadjusted modified Poisson regression models to evaluate the associations between predictors of both SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 infection history. Results Overall, 1,076 students were included in the serological testing analysis, and 1,239 students were included in the SARS-CoV-2 infection history analysis. Current seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 4.6% (95% confidence interval: 3.3%, 5.8%). Prevalence of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection history was 10.3% (95% confidence interval: 8.6%, 12.0%). Greek membership, having multiple romantic partners, knowing someone in one's immediate environment with SARS-CoV-2 infection, drinking alcohol more than 1 day a week, and hanging out with more than five people when drinking alcohol increased both the likelihood of seropositivity and SARS-CoV-2 infection history. Conclusion Our findings have implications for American colleges and universities and could be used to inform SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control strategies on such campuses.
An Adaptation for Iterative Structured Matrix Completion

Matrix completion is the task of predicting missing entries of matrix from a subset of known entries. Notions of structured matrix completion include any setting in which whether an entry is observed does not occur uniformly at random. In recent work, a modification to the standard nuclear norm minimization for matrix completion has been made to take into account sparsity-based structure in the missing entries, which is motivated e.g. in recommender systems. In this work, we propose adjusting an Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares (IRLS) algorithm for low-rank matrix completion to take into account sparsity-based structure. We also outline an iterative gradient-projection-based implementation of the algorithm that can handle large-scale matrices. Lastly, we present preliminary numerical experiments showcasing the performance of the proposed method compared to the standard IRLS algorithm in structured settings.
The Corsi Block-Tapping Test: Evaluating methodological practices with an eye towards modern digital frameworks

Abstract Spatial memory is the part of memory that allows us to remember where things are in the environment. It is critical to everyday function and interaction. A number of tests have been developed for measuring spatial memory. One of the most commonly used tests is the Corsi Block-Tapping Test (CBT). The CBT offers researchers a simple way to measure spatial spans. Unfortunately, the CBT has suffered from a lack of methodological consistency over the years. This article conducts a systematic review of CBT literature to evaluate modern methodological practices. Thirty-nine CBT studies, conducted over the last twenty years, are evaluated for how closely they adhere to a standard version of the test. Particular focus is placed on analyzing parameters within the CBT and advancing avenues of future work. The review is intended to highlight the need for a common digital framework that can be used in conducting CBTs and other spatial span tests.
Strength analysis of fillet welds under longitudinal and transverse shear conditions

Abstract In support of the development of improved fillet weld sizing criteria for lightweight shipboard structures, a comprehensive static strength test program using longitudinal and transverse shear specimens according to AWS B4.0 Standards has been conducted. This test program covers base material with strength ranging from 71 ksi (490 MPa) to 96 ksi (660 MPa) and weld size ranging from 1/8″ (3 mm) to 3/8″ (10 mm). This paper focuses on a traction stress based analysis of the test data as an effort to establish a unified shear strength definition for load-carrying fillet weld specimens regardless of shear loading conditions. The proposed shear strength definition proves to be effective in correlating the fillet weld strength test data of the longitudinal and transverse shear specimens. The results of this investigation demonstrate that existing shear strength definitions used by various weld sizing criteria such as those given by Class Societies have two major limitations: (1) it cannot be related to a critical stress state on experimentally observed failure plane in transverse shear specimens; (2) it underestimates shear stress at failure due to severe stress concentration at weld end in typical longitudinal shear specimens. These two limitations have been shown to be the major cause for having two significantly different shear strength values: one is transverse shear strength obtained from transverse shear specimens and the other is longitudinal shear strength obtained from longitudinal shear specimens.
Esophageal electrocardiography in acute cardiac care: Efficacy and diagnostic value of a new technique

Esophageal electrocardiography can detect atrial electrical activity during tachyarrhythmias when P waves are not evident by surface electrocardiography. However, patient discomfort, the difficulty of accurately interpreting cardiac signals against a background of electrical noise, and the complexity of use have limited widespread application. In this study, esophageal electrocardiography was used in 48 acutely ill patients with a new "pill electrode" system, consisting of a bipolar electrode pair (3 by 20 mm) attached to 0.5 mm diameter Teflon wires contained in a standard gelatin capsule. The capsule with enclosed electrodes was voluntarily swallowed, and the recording electrodes were positioned posterior to the left atrium. A preamplifier system with a low-frequency filter and a standard three-channel electrocardiographic recorder were used. Esophageal "pill" electrocardiographic recordings were made in 48 of 50 eligible study patients (96 percent) with tachyarrhythmias and absent or equivocal atrial activity on surface electrocardiography. In these patients, a high-quality esophageal electrocardiographic recording was obtained within one to 10 minutes with minimal patient discomfort. In 25 of 48 study patients (52 percent), the original diagnosis, based on the surface electrocardiographic recording, was incorrect after review of the esophageal recording. Results of esophageal recording altered management in 19 of 48 (40 percent) patients. This new and simple technique facilitates diagnosis and management of perplexing tachyarrhythmias in acutely ill patients by physicians with minimal training in the technique.
Unresponsiveness in hapten-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. III. Influence of H-2 and non-H-2 gene loci on the in vitro trinitrophenyl-specific CTL response following either acute or chronic in vivo treatment with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Abstract The regulation of the in vitro generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) directed against hapten-modified syngeneic cells has been investigated. The results indicate that acute intravenous pretreatment with water-soluble hapten, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), can either positively or negatively affect the in vitro generation of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific CTLs. In general, mice bearing the H-2 d haplotype are most likely to develop a reduced in vitro response pattern following a single acute in vivo TNBS treatment, wheras mice bearing the H-2 k or H-2 b haplotypes display either unchanged or augmented in vitro response patterns. We have shown that, in addition to the influences of H-2 genes, non-H-2 genes can also influence the in vitro haptenspecific CTL response following intravenous pretreatment with water-soluble hapten. Further, in two (H-2 k X H-2 d ) F 1 combinations between an H-2 k strain displaying an unchanged in vitro response pattern following acute in vivo TNBS treatment and an H-2 d strain displaying a reduced in vitro response pattern following similar treatment, it was observed that a single in vivo TNBS pretreatment did not induce the unresponsive state when F 1 ,-TNP stimulator cells were used. These results suggest that the mechanisms responsible for the reduced in vitro response pattern are not dominant within the F 1 environment. However, when TNP-modified parental stimulators are used, a split-response pattern is observed in cells from TNBS-treated F 1 , mice which reflect the response patterns of the respective parents. These latter results again emphasize the influence of gene loci on the in vitro response patterns following acute TNBS treatment. In contrast to the significant influence of H-2 and non-H-2 genes on the in vitro TNP-specific response following acute in vivo TNBS treatment, these genes do not appear to significantly influence the in vitro TNP-specific response pattern following chronic TNBS treatment. Chronic TNBS treatment renders all strains tested specifically unresponsive.
Studies in the tetraarylborates: Part VI. The preparation and reagent properties of sodium tetrakis(m-chlorophenyl) borate

Abstract Sodium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate was synthesized. It formed precipitates with K+, Rb+, Cs+, quarternary ammonium and protonated basic nitrogen compounds. The potassium salt was more soluble than potassium tetraphenylborate but flocculated more readily and filtered more easily. The salts formed with nitrogen compounds offer possibilities as derivatives suitable for qualitative analysis.
Precision‐guided sampling schedules for efficient T1ρ mapping

Purpose To describe, assess, and implement a simple precision estimation framework for optimization of spin-lock time (TSL) sampling schedules for quantitative T1ρ mapping using a mono-exponential signal model. Materials and Methods A method is described for estimating T1ρ precision, and a cost function based on the precision estimates is evaluated to determine efficient TSL sampling schedules. The validity of the framework was tested by imaging a phantom with various sampling schedules and comparing theoretical and experimental precision values. The method utility was demonstrated with in vivo T1ρ mapping of brain tissue using a similar procedure as the phantom experiment. To assist investigators, optimal sampling schedules are tabulated for various tissue types and an online calculator is implemented. Results Theoretical and experimental precision values followed similar trends for both the phantom and in vivo experiments. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of theoretical estimates of T1ρ map signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was typically 5% in the phantom experiment and 33% in the in vivo demonstration. In both experiments, optimal TSL schedules yielded greater T1ρ map SNR efficiency than typical schedules. Conclusion The framework can be used to improve the imaging efficiency of T1ρ mapping protocols and to guide selection of imaging parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:242–250. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Azotobacter vinelandii Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase VIII. PYROPHOSPHATE EXCHANGE

Abstract RNA polymerase directed by d(A-T) carries out an active exchange of 32PPi into UTP in the presence of catalytic amounts of ATP. In reactions directed by d(I-C), an active exchange of 32PPi into CTP is absolutely dependent on GTP. In the d(A-T)-directed 32PP-UTP exchange reaction, ATP can be replaced (with varying efficiency) by adenosine tetraphosphate, ADP, 5'-AMP and AMP 5'-morpholidate, but not by 2',3'-AMP or cyclic 3',5'-AMP. Only UTP, and not UDP or dUTP, will accept 32PP in the exchange reaction. A model for RNA polymerase is proposed where the initiating purine triphosphate binds to the product terminus site and the pyrimidine triphosphate engaging in PPi exchange binds to the substrate site. 32PPi exchange is the result of a polymerization step followed by pyrophosphorolysis by 32PPi prior to translocation.
A likelihood framework for nonlinear signal processing with finite normal mixtures

We introduce a likelihood framework for nonlinear signal processing using partial likelihood and use the result to derive the information geometric em algorithm for distribution learning through information-theoretic projections. We demonstrate the superior convergence of the em algorithm as compared to least relative entropy (LRE) algorithm by simulations. The performance of finite normal mixtures (FNM) based equalizers with different number of mixtures and different dimension observation vectors is also discussed.
Fistula of the uterus

Abstract Fistula of the uterus is relatively infrequent as a postoperative complication. The diagnosis can be made almost entirely from the existence of a postoperative abdominal fistula which periodically discharges blood-tinged fluid coincident with menstruation. Operations in the presence of acute pelvic inflammation, abscess or tuberculosis, especially when they involve the incomplete removal of the inflammatory tissue, and the use of nonabsorbable suture material, are the outstanding causes of the formation of fistula of the uterus. Radical surgical removal of the fistulous tract, inflammatory tissue, and foreign bodies, when present, is usually indicated. This procedure is attended by a low mortality rate and good results.
Nuclear and neutron matter with isobars — A transition potential model☆

Abstract The Δ(1236) resonance plays an important role in saturating nuclear matter and in determining the properties of neutron star matter. In transition potential models, the Δ is explicitly excited and de-excited by predominantly tensor forces. The many-body aspects of these models suggest a simple prescription for calculating the energy in a two-body cluster approximation. With one parameter, we generate the energy of bulk matter as a function of total baryon density and neutron fraction. Nuclear matter saturates at subnuclear density with reasonable symmetry energy and estimated compressibility. Neutron matter is unbound at all densities and leads to appealing neutron star models. The extra degree of freedom associated with transition potential models may make it (too?) easy to obtain saturation of nuclear matter at nuclear matter density.
Falls and spinal muscular atrophy: exploring cause and prevention.

Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USAAccepted 24 August 2012ABSTRACT: Introduction: Falls can cause injury and may com-promise function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. Weak-ness and gait variability are associated with falls in otherneurological disorders, and fatigue is well documented in SMA.The relationship of weakness, fatigue, and gait variability to fallshas never been investigated. Methods: Seven ambulatory patientswith SMA completed a falls history questionnaire, 6MWT, gait anal-ysis, and strength testing. Pearson correlation coefficients wereused to examine associations between thesevariables. Results: All7 subjects reported falls in the previous year. Stride-length variabili-ty was significantly associated with falls, unlike strength, fatigue, orother gait variables. Conclusions: Stride-length variability was thekey variable associated with falls. Preventive strategies to avoidfalls should be incorporated into patient management plans. Gaitanalysis provides actionable information not revealed by standardassessments and should be included in clinical trials designed toaddress the prevention of falls in the SMA population.
A functional equation proof of the distributive-triples theorem

A 1987 article studied the fact that some attributes can be measured in two ways: via concatenations and via decomposition in a conjoint fashion. The measures were shown to be the same provided a distribution law is satisfied. The proof was algebraic and indirect. A direct proof is provided using functional equation arguments.
Numerical study of macrosegregation in Aluminum alloys solidifying on uneven surfaces

Solidification of Aluminum alloys is modeled on uneven surfaces characterized by sinusoidal curves. Wavelengths and amplitudes of these surfaces are varied to study the effect of changing surface topography on fluid flow, macrosegregation and inverse segregation in the solidifying alloy. Solidification is initiated by convective heat removal from the uneven surfaces and simulations are carried out in both vertical and horizontal configurations. Stabilized finite element methods, recently used for modeling solidification in the presence of shrinkage and buoyancy driven flows, are used to discretize and solve the governing transport equations derived by volume averaging. The effect of varying amplitudes and wavelengths is observed in heat transfer, fluid-flow, macrosegregation and inverse segregation processes. In vertical solidification, inverse segregation, that usually occurs at the bottom of the cavities, is studied for different sinusoidal topographies quantified by a particular wavelength and amplitude. The fluid flow here is driven by a combination of shrinkage and thermosolutal buoyancy. Shrinkage driven flow arises due to different densities of solid and liquid phases. During horizontal solidification of an Aluminum alloy from uneven surfaces, thermosolutal buoyancy plays a dominant role in fluid flow and the effect of shrinkage is neglected by assuming the individual phase densities to be equal. Convection in this case is much stronger than that in the vertical case and large scale redistribution of the solute element occurs. To measure variation in macrosegregation with changing surface topography, global extent of segregation and difference between maximum and minimum solute concentrations are calculated for different amplitudes and wavelengths. In both the cases, the main aim is to quantify changes in macrosegregation due to changing surface topography accomplished by varying amplitudes or wavelengths or both.
Basic routines for the Rank-2k update: 2D torus vs reconfigurable network

Abstract Our aim is to provide the Rank-2k update on different parallel machines. In this paper, we compare the performance obtained on a fixed 2D torus topology and on a reconfigurable system. This results in the development of two basic communication subroutines, namely scattering and matrix-transposition. And two basic computation subroutines, namely matrix product and Rank-2k update (both belongs to the level 3 BLAS). The preceding distributed-memory machines generation used fixed networks such as grid, multidimensional tori or hypercubes. Today, vendors propose machines with networks that can be reconfigured during program execution are available. A large number of possibilities are therefore available to the programmer, who can adapt his configuration during runtime to suit both best algorithm and data distribution. This dynamical reconfiguration obviously introduces an overhead through the setting of the network switch(es). This overhead must be taken into account in the cost of the whole computation. Using complexity analysis and experiments on a machine issued from the SuperNode Esprit project, we compare for each subroutine studied, one method using a 2D torus topology and another one using a dynamically reconfigurable network. For each solution, performance evaluations and experiments exhibit interesting speed-ups for the algorithms on a reconfigurable network.
Dynamics of Syncytium-Inducing and Non-Syncytium-Inducing Type 1 Human Immunodeficiency Viruses during Primary Infection

Syncytium-inducing (SI) type 1 human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1) replicate faster in vitro and are generally more cytopathic to T cells than non-syncytium-inducing (NSI) HIV-1. Early in infection, the virus population typically consists of NSI viruses, with SI viruses appearing later. This is true even when both SI and NSI viruses are transmitted, and when SI viruses dominate the virus population peak seen during primary infection. Here, Phillips's model of HIV dynamics during primary infection {Science 271:497-499) is modified to map the growth trajectories of SI and NSI subpopulations. The model predicts that with certain rate constants, SI viruses may show a more precipitous decline in their numbers during primary infection than NSI viruses, and this may account for the observed dominance of NSI viruses early in infection.
Albumin Therapy Augments the Effect of Thrombolysis on Local Vascular Dynamics in a Rat Model of Arteriolar Thrombosis A Two-Photon Laser-Scanning Microscopy Study

Background and Purpose— Results of our recent pilot clinical trial suggest that the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke may be enhanced by the coadministration of high-dose albumin. Here, we explored the microvascular hemodynamic effects of this combined therapy in a laboratory model of cortical arteriolar thrombosis. Methods— We studied the cortical microcirculation of physiologically monitored rats in vivo by two-photon laser-scanning microscopy after plasma-labeling with fluorescein-dextran. We induced focal thrombosis in 30- to 50-μm cortical arterioles by laser irradiation and measured arteriolar flow velocity by repeated line-scanning. At 30 minutes post-thrombosis, we treated animals with the thrombolytic agent, reteplase, which was coadministered with either human albumin, 2 g/kg, or with saline control. Results— Baseline arteriolar flow velocity averaged 3.8±0.7 mm/s, was immediately reduced by thrombosis to 22% to 25% of control values, and remained unchanged before treatme...
CSF Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Impact on Disease Concept, Diagnosis, and Clinical Trial Design

Data from clinicopathologic and biomarker studies have converged to support the view of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a continuum, with pathology developing decades prior to the onset of cognitive symptoms which culminate as dementia at the end stage of the disease. This concept is impacting disease nomenclature, diagnostic criteria, prognostic potential, and clinical trial design. Revisions to diagnostic criteria to incorporate biomarker results have recently been proposed in order to increase the confidence of AD as the underlying etiology of a clinical impairment and to permit a diagnosis of AD across the disease continuum, eventually perhaps in the asymptomatic period. Individuals in this preclinical stage are receiving intense focus as a targeted population for secondary prevention trials aimed at identifying disease-modifying therapies that have the best chance of preserving normal cognitive function. The goal is to bring validated biomarkers to clinical practice for the purpose of disease diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy once disease-modifying treatments become available. Realization of this goal requires worldwide biomarker standardization efforts, consensus among researchers and clinicians regarding the clinical utility of assessing biomarkers in patient care settings, and eventually the endorsement and adoption of such procedures and practices into global health care systems.