cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paravalvular regurgitation after conventional aortic and mitral valve replacement: A benchmark for alternative approaches

Abstract Objective Paravalvular regurgitation is a known complication after transcatheter and sutureless aortic valve replacement. Paravalvular regurgitation also may develop in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve replacement. There are few studies on contemporary surgical valve replacement for comparison. We sought to determine the contemporary occurrence of paravalvular regurgitation after conventional surgical valve replacement. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective database review involving 1774 patients who underwent valve replacement surgery from April 2004 to December 2012: aortic in 1244, mitral in 386, and combined aortic and mitral in 144. Follow-up echocardiography was performed in 73% of patients. Patients with endocarditis were analyzed separately from noninfectious paravalvular leaks. Statistical comparisons were performed to determine differences in paravalvular regurgitation incidence and survival. Results During follow-up, 1+ or greater (mild or more) paravalvular regurgitation occurred in 2.2% of aortic cases and 2.9% of mitral cases. There was 2+ or greater (moderate or more) paravalvular regurgitation in 0.9% of aortic and 2.2% of mitral cases ( P = .10). After excluding endocarditis, late noninfectious regurgitation 2+ or greater was detected in 0.5% of aortic and 0.4% of mitral cases ( P = .93); there were no reoperations or percutaneous closures for noninfectious paravalvular regurgitation. Conclusions In an academic medical center, the overall rate of paravalvular regurgitation is low, and late clinically significant noninfectious paravalvular regurgitation is rare. The benchmark for paravalvular regurgitation after conventional valve replacement is high and should be considered when evaluating patients for transcatheter or sutureless valve replacement.
A Monte Carlo sampling method for drawing representative samples from large databases

Sampling is important in areas like data mining, OLAP, selectivity estimation, clustering, etc. It has also become a necessity in social, economical, engineering, scientific, and statistical studies where databases are too large to handle. In this paper, a sampling method based on the Metropolis algorithm is proposed. Unlike the conventional uniform sampling methods, this method is able to select objects consistent with the underlying probability distribution. It is a simple, efficient, and powerful method suitable for all distributions. We have performed experiments to examine the qualities of the samples by comparing their statistical properties with the underlying population. The experimental results show that the samples selected by our method are bona fide representative.
EUNUCHI CONJUGIUM: THE MARRIAGE OF A CASTRATO IN EARLY MODERN GERMANY

Although the castrato played a central role in seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century musical life, he occupied a position at the margins of early modern society. As a consequence of the surgical alteration of his body and the superior musical training that he received as compensation for his ‘acquiescence’ in that act, he found himself navigating a path through a bifurcated world. For him, the surgery had both public and private consequences: while society would publicly celebrate his vocal virtuosity, it would also circumscribe his private activities, and withhold from him the right to marry, or to enjoy an intimate relationship with a woman. As he soon realised, the realities of his special status meant that many of those who would revel in his phenomenal vocal abilities would also ridicule him as effeminate and as a sexual misfit, and would accuse him, ironically, of possessing a voracious sexual appetite that rendered him a threat to women. When he travelled north to work in German-speaking societies, particularly those in which the Lutheran confession held sway, that simple migratory act instantly compounded the number of those qualities that contributed to his ‘Otherness’: while in his homeland his standing as an emasculate and a musician already set him apart from others, in Lutheran regions, his status as a foreigner, an adherent of an outlawed (and highly suspect) confession, and a member of a privileged group that moved in the rarefied atmosphere of the local court all served to intensify his marginality.
Model Transport Studies Utilizing Lecithin Spherules II: Transport of 3-O-Methyl-14C-D-Glucose in D-Glucose Solution

Recently, quantitative methods were developed for determining the permeability coefficient of solutes in lecithin spherules. The technique involved following (a) the direct release of solutes from the dispersions, (b) the release after prior dilution, and (c) the release from dispersions partly equilibrated with the solutes for a predetermined period. A quantitative evaluation of several physical models indicated that the models that assume that the spherules are equally spaced, multiconcentric bilayers of lecithin were in satisfactory agreement with the experimental release data. In the present study, this technique was applied to the transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose in liposome dispersions prepared from lecithin-dicetyl phosphate (10:1) and lecithin-dicetyl phosphate-cholesterol (10:1:1). The transport results for 3-O-methyl-D-glucose yielded a permeability coefficient that was 50 times larger than that for D-glucose. The dispersions prepared from lecithin-dicetyl phosphate containing 10% cholesterol yielded a permeability coefficient that was 2.4 times smaller than the dispersions prepared without cholesterol. The analysis of the results indicated that, for relatively large permeability coefficients as obtained in these studies, the dilution-release experiments show greater sensitivity in the determination of this parameter compared to the direct-release experiments.
Transcriptional Expression of the tceA Gene in a Dehalococcoides-Containing Microbial Enrichment

Dynamic changes in the transcriptional expression of the tceA gene, which encodes a trichloroethene reductive dehalogenase, were characterized in a Dehalococcoides-containing microbial enrichment culture. Expression was quantified by real-time PCR as the number of tceA transcripts per tceA gene. Expression of tceA increased 40-fold after chlorinated ethene-starved cells were exposed to trichloroethene (TCE), cis-dichloroethene (DCE), or 1,1-DCE but did not increase after exposure to tetrachloroethene or vinyl chloride. Surprisingly, tceA expression also increased 30-fold after cellular exposure to the nonmetabolic substrate trans-DCE, indicating that expression of tceA is induced by both growth-supporting and non-growth-supporting chlorinated ethenes. Additional experiments revealed that the level of tceA expression was independent of the concentration of chlorinated ethenes (sum concentrations of TCE and DCEs of 2.2 to 333 μM), the concentration of the electron donor hydrogen (concentrations of 12 nM to 17 μM), and the presence of alternate bacterial electron acceptors (5 mM concentrations of fumarate, sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, nitrate, or nitrite) but was highly dependent on incubation temperature.
Shape-based recognition of targets in synthetic aperture radar images using elliptical Fourier descriptors

This paper primarily investigates the use of shape-based features by an Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system to classify various types of targets in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. In specific, shapes of target outlines are represented via Elliptical Fourier Descriptors (EFDs), which, in turn, are utilized as recognition features. According to the proposed ATR approach, a segmentation stage first isolates the target region from shadow and ground clutter via a sequence of fast thresholding and morphological operations. Next, a number of EFDs are computed that can sufficiently describe the salient characteristics of the target outline. Finally, a classification stage based on an ensemble of Support Vector Machines identifies the target with the appropriate class label. In order to experimentally illustrate the merit of the proposed approach, SAR intensity images from the well-known Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) dataset were used as 10-class and 3-class recognition problems. Furthermore, comparisons were drawn in terms of classification performance and computational complexity to other successful methods discussed in the literature, such as template matching methods. The obtained results portray that only a very limited amount of EFDs are required to achieve recognition rates that are competitive to well-established approaches.
Rigorous Error Bounds in Computerized Tomography

Practically speaking, how can one utilize x-ray projection data so that the reconstruction obtained is in fact an approximation to the attenuating object? An answer is given which depends on the use of special projeition angles but provides an upper bound in the L2 topology for the difference between the reconstruction and the x-ray attenuating object. The keys to this solution include two theorems and an important assumption: some a priori knowledge of the attenuating object. The article is somewhat of a review of [3], but focused on the development of the error bound.
Use of the vapor permeable membrane for cutaneous ulcers: details of application and side effects.

Vapor permeable membranes (VPM) are commonly being used to treat cutaneous wounds where partial or full thickness skin is lost. Five years of experience with one particular VPM has taught a great deal concerning its proper use. Correct preparation of the treatment site to allow adhesion followed by application of the VPM with the right amount of tension and border are of paramount importance or aggravation rather than improvement of the cutaneous defect may occur. Initially, the membrane should be changed frequently, once or twice a day in heavily contaminated or necrotic wounds. Side effects are usually related to improper application, with resultant leaking of fluid and irritation of normal skin. Recent success has been achieved by weekly application of VPM in the office, removal at home after several days, and subsequent use of 10%, benzoyl peroxide lotion until the next office visit. Extreme caution must be exercised if VPM is used to treat patients who are severely leukopenic or malnourished.
Anatomy of the psoas muscle and lumbar plexus with respect to the surgical approach for lateral transpsoas interbody fusion

Lateral transpsoas interbody fusion (LTIF) is a minimally invasive technique that permits interbody fusion utilizing cages placed via a direct lateral retroperitoneal approach. We sought to describe the locations of relevant neurovascular structures based on MRI with respect to this novel surgical approach. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive lumbosacral spine MRI scans in 43 skeletally mature adults. MRI scans were independently reviewed by two readers to identify the location of the psoas muscle, lumbar plexus, femoral nerve, inferior vena cava and right iliac vein. Structures potentially at risk for injury were identified by: a distance from the anterior aspect of the adjacent vertebral bodies of <20 mm, representing the minimum retraction necessary for cage placement, and extension of vascular structures posterior to the anterior vertebral body, requiring anterior retraction. The percentage of patients with neurovascular structures at risk for left-sided approaches was 2.3% at L1–2, 7.0% at L2–3, 4.7% at L3–4 and 20.9% at L4–5. For right-sided approaches, this rose to 7.0% at L1–2, 7.0% at L2–3, 9.3% at L3–4 and 44.2% at L4–5, largely because of the relatively posterior right-sided vasculature. A relationship between the position of psoas muscle and lumbar plexus is described which allows use of the psoas position as a proxy for lumbar plexus position to identify patients who may be at risk, particularly at the L4–5 level. Further study will establish the clinical relevance of these measurements and the ability of neurovascular structures to be retracted without significant injury.
Spontaneous Foetal Losses in Women Using Different Contraceptives Around the Time of Conception

Spontaneous losses between the 5th and 27th weeks of pregnancy were measured in a prospective study of 32 123 women whose contraceptive history around the time of conception was known. Diaphragm use prior to conception was associated with a significant reduction in second-trimester losses, after taking into account the effects of age, parity, race, marital status, alcohol use, and previous spontaneous or induced abortions. Women who used oral contraceptives and stopped them more than one month prior to their LMP experienced a deficit of first-trimester losses but conceptions occurring immediately after stopping the pill were followed by a small but nonsignificant increase in spontaneous abortions. After oral contraceptive failures there was an increase in first-trimester losses, but no change in the incidence of second-trimester ones. IUD failures were followed by a significant two-fold increase in the risk of both first and second-trimester losses: no differences were detected between the different brands.
Assessment of the mobile delivery of infrared light (1100-1800 nm) for the treatment of facial and neck skin laxity.

Background: Previous studies have shown that although infrared light and radiofrequency delivered by stationary application is safe and effective for the treatment of rhytides, a mobile delivery of radiofrequency energy can render the treatment as painless. In addi- tion, few studies have defined and assessed efficacy of these infrared treatments in treating laxity by quantitative grading. Objective: This prospective study assesses the safety, efficacy, and pain profile of the application of infrared light with a mobile delivery method for the treatment of facial and neck skin laxity as assessed by a tested, quantitative grading scale. Methods: In this study, 22 female subjects (aged 40-75 years; Caucasian and Asian ancestry) with a clinically observable excess of laxity (minimum grade 2 out of 4) on the face received 1 to 3 treatments with incoherent infrared (1100-1800 nm) light at 2-week to 4-week intervals. Each light pulse was administered in a mobile continuous fashion within a localized area measuring approximately 1 handpiece tip-width laterally and vertically. A series of 4 to 5 pulses were administered across small grid areas, followed by 6 to 8 passes to each grid area, totaling approximately 300 to 450 pulses per treatment. Each mobile pulse was delivered at fluences of 45 to 46 J/cm 2 to the face, 45 J/cm 2 to the mandible, and 44 J/cm 2 to the neck. Clinical results were evaluated employing a comprehen- sive 4-point grading scale from photographs at baseline, and the 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits after the final treatment. Pain ratings were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) gradings and patient questionnaire immediately following treatment. Results: All subjects completed and responded to treatment. The mean treatment number was 2.1 (+/- 0.9) and the mean follow-up interval was 1.9 (+/- 1) months. The quantitative evaluations demonstrated: a mean baseline laxity grade of 2.9 +/- 0.5 and mean post- treatment laxity grade of 2.5 +/- 0.6; and a mean difference in prelaxity grades versus postlaxity grades of 0.4 +/- 0.3 (95% CI; 0.2540- 0.5415). The data demonstrated a statistically significant difference between before and after measurements (P 5) or persistent heat-related pain sensation during the treatment. Other side effects included minimal erythema which resolved within 1 to 3 hours. No crusting, dyspigmentation, or scarring was observed. Conclusion: This prospective clinical study with quantitative grading of laxity and VAS pain scores demonstrated that mobile delivery of infrared light appears to be safe, clinically effective, and painless in reducing facial and neck laxity. The mobile infrared light delivery allowed for delivery of approximately 30% higher fluence dosages and increased passes to each pulse area. The clinically observable and quantified decreases in skin laxity following treatment were statistically significant. AbstrAct
Online versus traditional classroom instruction: an examination of developmental English courses at an Alabama community college

AbstractA study was conducted at a community college in northeast Alabama to determine how the format of developmental English courses impacted student withdrawal rates and final grades. The two course formats examined were online/hybrid and face-to-face courses. Data were obtained from a 4-semester time frame: fall 2012, spring 2013, summer 2013, and fall 2013. It was determined that students enrolled in the online course were far more likely to withdraw from the course or attain a nonpassing, nontransferable grade than their counterparts who chose the face-to-face course format. The researchers found similar results to larger studies at community colleges in Virginia and the state of Washington.
Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices in Pulsed Power

Numerous research efforts have been undertaken to improve the feasibility of fielding compact pulsed power systems for a wide variety of applications. Each of these research efforts focuses on specific areas of pulsed power, but few papers have focused on the performance of a grid independent prime power source. This critical component is often overlooked in mobile pulsed power systems. Though not within the pulsed power community, a great deal of work has been performed by those in the electrochemical energy storage community to improve the energy density, power density, working voltage, and cycle life of electrochemical cells. This paper has helped to develop new energy storage technologies for applications such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and electrical grid energy storage. However, these electrochemical cells were not developed with pulsed power applications in mind. For that reason, a large amount of research is needed to understand how to effectively use electrochemical cells in pulsed power applications. In this paper, a number of different energy storage chemistries, including lithium-ion batteries, lead acid batteries, and bi-polar nickel metal hydride batteries, have been evaluated for use in pulsed power applications as a result of their high power and energy densities.
The vibrational spectra and structure of organogermanes-V: Low wavenumber vibrations of some triphenylgermanes

Abstract The infrared spectra of the series (C 6 H 5 ) 3 GeX (where X is bromine, chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen and deuterium) have been recorded from 4000 to 33 cm −1 . The Raman spectra have also been recorded and depolarization values have been measured for the chloride, hydride and deuteride. The spectral region below 700 cm −1 have been interpreted in detail for all five molecules and the complete assignments are given for the hydride and deuteride to 3200 cm −1 . The assignments are based on previous data for phenylgermanes and other monosubstituted benzenes as well as Raman depolarization values where they have been measured. It has been possible to make consistent assignments for the low wavenumber vibrations for the five molecules and the assignments are in agreement with previous investigations for the similar triphenylsilane and triphenylstannane molecules.
Clinical application of portable surface plasmon resonance biosensors in serum sample measurement

In last decade,biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance(SPR) have been widely used for biomedical and clinical researches,and the biosensors based on SPR are becoming higher accurate and more portable.The SPR technique has the advantages of real-time response,high accuracy,and it is reusable.Advanced surface chemistry helps to combine more and more receptors onto the surface of the SPR biosensors to increase the specificity,which enables the real-time serum sample measurement.This paper focuses on the physical mechanism and the marketing of the main stream commercialized SPR instruments and their clinical applications.
An exploratory study of hospitality internships: Student perceptions of orientation and training and their plans to seek permanent employment with the company

ABSTRACTThis study explores the perceptions of hospitality students regarding their orientation and training during their internship and their plans to seek permanent employment. The results indicate that the majority of the students felt that they did receive a sufficient level of training. In addition it was a close split between those who would return to work for their host company with the majority of students indicating that they would not leave the industry as a whole. This demonstrates that internships played a role as a realistic job preview for some of the students because many planned on continuing toward a career in the hospitality industry. However the research also indicated that 42.9% of the students did not plan on returning to the same location for future employment. While students overall enjoyed their experience during the internship, the fact that they would not return to their internship location could indicate that students want to pursue other companies or other opportunities within ...
Differential Laser-Induced Perturbation Spectroscopy for Analysis of Mixtures of the Fluorophores l-Phenylalanine, l-Tyrosine and l-Tryptophan Using a Fluorescence Probe

Quantitative detection of common endogenous fluorophores is accomplished using differential laser-induced perturbation spectroscopy (DLIPS) with a 193-nm UV fluorescence probe and various UV perturbation wavelengths. In this study, DLIPS is explored as an alternative to traditional fluorescence spectroscopy alone, with a goal of exploring natural fluorophores pursuant to biological samples and tissue analysis. To this end, aromatic amino acids, namely, l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine and l-tryptophan are mixed with differing mass ratios and then classified with various DLIPS schemes. Classification with a traditional fluorescence probe is used as a benchmark. The results show a 20% improvement in classification performance of the DLIPS method over the traditional fluorescence method using partial least squares (PLS) analysis. Additional multivariate analyses are explored, and the relevant photochemistry is elucidated in the context of perturbation wavelengths. We conclude that DLIPS is a promising biosensing approach with potential for in vivo analysis given the current findings with fluorophores relevant to biological tissues.
Breakthrough Cancer Pain

Breakthrough pain is a relatively new concept, first coined by Portenoy and Hagen in 1990 [1], and anecdotal observation suggests that awareness of breakthrough pain as a distinct clinical entity remains relatively low [2]. Cancer pain is often variable, with a waxing and waning course throughout a day. For example, variations in activity level may be associated with exacerbations of pain that are somewhat predictable. On the other hand, sudden and significant changes in pain intensity may also occur spontaneously. While these are both examples of breakthrough pain, the strategy for addressing each scenario may be quite different. Breakthrough pain may also have variable pathophysiologic underpinnings, sometimes from a neuropathic process, while at other times from more nociceptive or mixed etiologies. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of breakthrough cancer pain (BtCP) as a distinct clinical entity, a separate chapter dedicated to its assessment and management is appropriate. BtCP can have a dramatic impact on the quality of a patient’s life, as well as key pain-related outcomes, and therefore warrants focused attention and expert management.
An Introductory Microeconomics In-class Experiment to Enhance Critical Thinking and the Integration of Modern Theory

This paper presents an in-class experiment used as a teaching tool in an introductory microeconomics class at the undergraduate college level. It is directed at a critical but challenging concept for principles students — constrained utility maximization and a methodology to intuit preferences. The experimental project is nested in the literature pertaining to the current transition in microeconomic theory motivated by contributions from behavioral economics and transactions-cost economics, among other elements; modern pedagogical models; experimental economics; and experiments as in-classroom teaching tools. While not dispositive as to the general efficacy of in-class experiments, the paper provides an example of an alternative instructional approach which is helpful to students under strictly defined protocols. The benefits to students include heightened understanding of the core subject topic, greater interest in the subject matter, a closer connection to real-world economics, and enhanced critical thinking capabilities.
Industry Payments to Urologists in 2014: an Analysis of the Open Payments Program.

Abstract Introduction Physician-industry relationships are common in the U.S. and a source of considerable public scrutiny. The Open Payments program is a public database of all physician-industry financial interactions in the U.S. administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In this study we describe payments received by urologists for research and nonresearch purposes. Methods The number and value of payments to urologists were determined using Open Payments program data. The nature of each payment and identity of industry partners were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were calculated separately for research and nonresearch payment data. The total number of practicing physicians per specialty was obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges Physician Specialty Data Book for 2014. Results In 2014, 8,620 urologists had nonresearch financial relationships with industry for a total value of $32.4 million, with 2,698 urologists receiving more than $1,000 in total nonresearch payments. Urologists as a whole had the 8th highest total value received of all specialties. A total of $22.4 million was spent by industry for urology directed research funding, representing a small proportion of the more than $3 billion spent by industry on medical research in 2014. The majority (93.1%) of urology directed research funding was provided to nonteaching institutions. Conclusions The Open Payments program database is an important public database of financial transactions between industry and physicians. A large proportion of urologists received nonresearch related transfers of value from industry sources. Industry supported research funding is primarily awarded to nonteaching institutions.
Large Scale Expansion of Activated T Cells: Defining Procedures and Cryopreservation Methods for Clinical Use as Adoptive Cellular Therapy Post-Transplant.

We previously demonstrated a laboratory model of ex vivo expansion of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) that acquire the CD8+CD56+ NKT cell phenotype and aggressively destroy targets through the NKG2D receptor (Cytotherapy. 2006;8:141–8). We developed a large scale culture method for clinical use that allows growth, expansion and cryopreservation of these expanded cells for infusion post-transplant. PBMNC were collected by large volume leukapheresis from healthy donors (n=3). Unselected MNC cells (2.5 × 106/ml) were cultured in Life Cell Bags (Nexell Therapeutics) with serum-free AIM V medium (Invitrogen), IL-2 (Chiron, 1000 IU/ml)and OKT3 (Ortho Biotech, 500 ng/ml) at 37° C and 5% CO2. Six bags were arranged from each collection. Fresh cytokines and medium were added on Days 3 and 5, and the cells were harvested on Day 7. The viability of the ex vivo expanded cell populations was 95% +/− 1.8%. Total MNC cell numbers expanded from 2.5 × 106/ml to 6.4 × 106/ml (2.5 +/− 0.5% fold increase). Phenotypic analyses showed CD3 cells increased from 55% (Day 0) to 94% (Day 7; +/−1.42%); the CD4 cells increased from 30% to 58% (+/− 1.48%); the CD8 cells increased from 11% to 48% (+/−3.98%); the CD56 cells increased from 17.2% to 47.8% (+/− 6.2). Cytotoxicity of Day 7 expanded cells was markedly increased at 74% (+/−7.1%) (Targets: K562 cells; E:T ratio 100:1) compared with 33% (+/− 5.4%) at baseline. We also tested if the ex vivo expanded cells could be cryopreserved for future clinical use. After 7 days in liquid nitrogen, cells were promptly thawed, washed and analyzed. The viability was 91% (+/− 2.1%) and the cytotoxicity against K562 cells was only slightly decreased (65%, +/− 5.4%), when compared to non-cryopreserved expanded cells (p = 0.18). The phenotype was not affected by cryopreservation and thawing. This large scale culture method results in growth and expansion of aggressive effector cells that are cytotoxic against tumor cells. The majority of the expanded cells are CD3+ T cells (equally distributed between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells). NK cells (CD56+) also readily expanded. After cryopreservation of the ex vivo expanded cells and a short-term storage, viability and phenotype of the cells did not change. There is minimal decrease in cytotoxicity that is not statistically significant. This large scale expansion model will be used in clinical trials at our institution to expand cells for adoptive cellular therapy following autologous PBSC transplantation in patients with a hematologic malignancy.
Role of Visualization Technologies in Safety Planning and Management at Construction Jobsites

Abstract Workplace safety is significant to the construction industry throughout the world. Despite rigorous efforts of safety professionals and strong governmental enforcement of safety laws and regulations, there has not been a significant decline in fatalities, injuries and illnesses in the construction industry. Extensive research on this topic has indicated that the dynamic nature of the construction industry is one of the main reasons. Each construction project is unique and identifying all possible hazards and safety risks is always challenging. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of visualization technologies in different phases of the construction project life cycle. Visualization technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), 4D simulations, and 3D Immersive Virtual Reality Environments can result in improved occupational safety by allowing architects, engineers, and contractors to visually assess jobsite conditions and recognize possible hazards before the construction proceeds. This paper presents three case studies that investigated the effectiveness of above-mentioned visualization technologies in developing, communicating and implementing construction site safety plans. The case studies results indicated that 3D/4D dynamic tools are more effective in safety planning and management as compared to the 2D static drawings because they closely simulate the actual jobsite conditions. In addition, the visualization technologies are found to be very effective in construction safety education and training in both formal and informal settings.
Temporal extension of ripening beyond its physiological limits imposes physical and osmotic challenges perturbing metabolism in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries

Abstract Fruit ripening can be delayed or hastened by chemical means to time harvest at desired dates; however, it is not clear if the ripening window can be extended merely by delaying harvest in nonclimacteric fruits such as grape to optimize fruit quality. In this study, we investigated the consequences of extending ripening known as “hang time” in viticultural parlance on primary and secondary metabolites typically sought for making wine. Field-grown grapevine cultivar Merlot was harvested at three different times to simulate extended ripening; the first date coincided with the commercial harvest and the latter two harvests 25 and 34 days after the first harvest constituted extended ripening. Berry growth measured at weekly intervals showed a double sigmoidal growth trajectory interrupted by a lag phase. Physiologically possible highest total soluble solids (24 Brix) was observed at first harvest and coincided with osmotic potential of −3 MPa, thereafter Brix increased during the extended ripening due to dehydration manifested as reductions in berry weight, volume, and a very negative osmotic potential (−6 to −7 MPa). The osmotic stress resulting from solute concentration increased the pH whereas the titratable acidity and malic acid first declined and then increased as the berries dehydrated during the extended ripening. While the tartaric and oxalic acids declined, citric acid increased throughout the whole ripening period. Among the secondary metabolites, the skin and seed phenolics and seed tannins remained unaffected whereas the skin tannins, small polymeric pigments (SPP) and large polymeric pigments (LPP) increased throughout the extended ripening period. The peduncle underwent secondary growth as well as periderm formation with extensive accumulation of callose in secondary phloem sieve tubes and starch in the xylem parenchyma cells. The mesocarp showed loss of cell integrity especially in berries with extended ripening. The study clearly demonstrated that vine holding of ripe fruit beyond the attainment of maximum sugar levels does not extend ripening rather instill negative osmotic challenges.
Impact de la douleur sur les processus cognitifs chez l’animal : approche comportementale et structures cérébrales impliquées

La douleur est une experience multidimensionnelle souvent associee a des deficits cognitifs. En recherche preclinique, peu d’etudes ont tente de reproduire ces phenomenes chez l’animal de laboratoire, et developper cet axe de recherche devrait permettre de mieux comprendre les interactions complexes liant douleur et repercussions cognitives. Cette revue presente les principaux tests comportementaux et etudes evaluant les performances cognitives chez l’animal douloureux, ainsi que les structures cerebrales et mecanismes potentiellement impliques dans cette problematique.
Mixed spine metastasis detection through positron emission tomography/computed tomography synthesis and multiclassifier

Bone metastases are a frequent occurrence with cancer, and early detection can guide the patient's treatment regimen. Metastatic bone disease can present in density extremes as sclerotic (high density) and lytic (low density) or in a continuum with an admixture of both sclerotic and lytic components. We design a framework to detect and characterize the varying spectrum of presentation of spine metastasis on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) data. A technique is proposed to synthesize CT and PET images to enhance the lesion appearance for computer detection. A combination of watershed, graph cut, and level set algorithms is first run to obtain the initial detections. Detections are then sent to multiple classifiers for sclerotic, lytic, and mixed lesions. The system was tested on 44 cases with 225 sclerotic, 139 lytic, and 92 mixed lesions. The results showed that sensitivity (false positive per patient) was 0.81 (2.1), 0.81 (1.3), and 0.76 (2.1) for sclerotic, lytic, and mixed lesions, respectively. It also demonstrates that using PET/CT data significantly improves the computer aided detection performance over using CT alone.
Triarylmethyl Radical OX063d24 Oximetry: Electron Spin Relaxation at 250 MHz and RF Frequency Dependence of Relaxation and Signal-to-Noise.

The triarylmethyl radical OX063d24 is currently used for pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry at 250 MHz. Both 1/T1 and 1/T2 increase with increasing oxygen concentration. The dependence of 1/T1 on probe concentration is smaller than for 1/T2. To inform the selection of the optimum frequency for in vivo oximetry 1/T1, 1/T2 and signal-to-noise were measured as a function of frequency between 400 and 1000 MHz on a variable-frequency spectrometer with an adjustable-frequency cross-loop resonator. 1/T1 and 1/T2 decrease with increasing frequency and signal-to-noise increases with increasing frequency, which are all favourable for imaging at higher frequencies. However, depth of penetration of the radio frequency (RF) into an animal decreases with increasing frequency. Assuming that the RF loss in the animal to be studied determines the resonator Q, our results indicate that the optimum frequency for in vivo imaging will be determined by the desired depth of penetration in the tissue.
Delayed treatment with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protects cortical neurons from injury after transient MCA occlusion

P92 Background and Purpose: Inhibiting interleukin-1 action with its receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCA-O) reduces the volume of brain infarction and improves neurological function in Wistar rats. We varied the times of IL-1ra administration and tested if IL-1ra treatment reduces the lesion produced by transient MCA-O (tMCA-O). Methods: One MCA was transiently occluded for 1hr in 49 adult male Wistar rats. These animals were grouped according to time of starting IL-1ra treatment (100 mg/Kg, 3 times/day): A) before MCA occlusion; B) at time of reperfusion); C) after 1hr of reperfusion; and D) controls, i.e., placebo given at time of reperfusion. Neurological function and body weight were measured on the day of tMCA-O and daily thereafter. After 7 days of reperfusion, fixed brain sections were obtained and either stained with HE B = 556 ± 33; and C = 588 ± 31) than the untreated group (D = 276 ± 14). Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects derived from reopening the artery after 1 hr of MCA-O were enhanced by administering IL-1ra even when treatment was started 1hr after beginning reperfusion. The protection induced by treatment with IL-1ra seems to be more effective in cortex than striatum.
Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect in aortic valve prolapse and aortic regurgitation.

Abstract Objective To report intermediate follow-up result of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in presence of aortic valve prolapse (AVP) with or without aortic regurgitation (AR). Method This is a retrospective review of 19 patients with VSD with AVP with AR who underwent transcatheter closure in between September 2011–July 2014. Mean age was 8 years (1–16 years, standard deviation [SD] 4.08 years) and mean weight was 26.03 kg (9–81.5 kg, SD 16.57 kg). Among them 2 had subarterial VSD, 6 had subaortic VSD and 11 had perimembranous VSD. All of them had mild AVP and 13 of them had AR (trivial or mild). Median VSD size was 4.3 mm (4–6 mm). Transcatheter closure was done either by retrograde technique using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II in 17 patients or antegrade technique using the Duct Occluder-I in 2 cases. Mean follow-up period was 18 months (12–36 months). Result Immediate major complications were encountered in 2 (10.5%) cases. Significant aggravation of device related AR was seen in one case & device embolised to right pulmonary artery in another case and both of them were managed surgically. During follow up, 1 child had significant additional VSD requiring device closure. One child developed moderate AR, requiring surgery. None of the other had shown any increase in severity of AR. Conclusion Device closure of VSD in presence of mild AVP and mild AR appears to be safe. Longer follow-up is necessary to draw final conclusion.
The Immigrant as Victim: The Minimal Research

Despite the common observation that immigrants are frequently victims of crimes, research on the topic has been limited in part due to the lack of good data and in part because claims makers have constructed the problem in other, more socially and politically compelling terms: “modern slaves;” trafficking victims; domestic violence; hate crime; child abuse and elder abuse. Another aspect of the problem is that the concept “immigrant” over-aggregates, lumping into one category people with widely differing characteristics. Victimologists have approached the subject from distinct traditions: the humanistic/human rights vs. the positivist or “conservative.”
Electro-Optics of Viruses and Bacteriophage

Bacteriophage and viruses have been given much attention by workers in the area of electro-optics. There are several reasons for this activity. The first is that these particles have the right sizes, shapes, and electrical anisotropies to exhibit considerable electro-optic effects. The second is that these particles offer a progression of structural complexity. It is possible to find very simple particles consisting of only a cylinder, to very complex particles which possess many structural components with movable and extendable portions. The third reason to study these materials is that they are simple systems which embody many of the essential genetic processes of life. Whether virus particles are to be considered alive or not, they are very near the threshold of life. They provide an ideal means to study many of the steps important in molecular biology. The area of electro-optics of bacteriophage and viruses has been previously reviewed by Houssier and Fredericq (1) and by Maestre (2). In this survey we shall deal mainly with developments which have appeared since the time of the previous contributions.
Regional Distributions of Lake Chemistry Predicted by Mechanistic and Empirical Lake Acidification Models

A comparison is made between regional distributions of lake ANC predicted by the mechanistic MAGIC model and the empirical Direct Distribution model. The MAGIC model is calibrated and applied to a set of lakes in the southernmost region of Norway. The MAGIC simulation is used to calculate the distribution of watershed neutralization fractions for the region as determined by the change in lake ANC values from their initial, preindustrial condition relative to the acid deposition input. The distribution of neutralization fractions is shown to be very similar to the F factor distribution, which measures the change in lake water calcium and magnesium relative to sulfate. The neutralization fraction distribution from MAGIC is characterized by its mean and variance, and these quantities are used by the Direct Distribution model to predict the initial distribution of ANC, which follows a lognormal probability curve. The initial distribution predicted by the Direct Distribution model is very similar in shape and location to that predicted by MAGIC. However, analysis of the MAGIC simulations indicates ongoing reductions in the mean of the regional neutralization fraction associated with losses in the base saturation of soils. These reductions must be considered if the empirical model is to provide predictions of future regional response which are consistent with those of the mechanistic model.
The Measurement Problem in Physics, Computation, and Brain Theories

Two types of brain model are currently the center of a fundamental controversy in cognitive science. Traditional artificial intelligence models are based on the discrete, programmable symbol systems normally associated with Turing/von Neumann computation, and for which language and logic are the essential tools. This type of model is now being challenged by the rebirth of concurrent, distributed networks that are based on analog models of physical systems, and that also claim some similarity to neural architecture. In the former, discrete symbols are local, sequential, and rewritten under total program control. In the latter, symbols are only the end result of coherent network dynamics that need little explicit program control. The behavior of these networks is determined by the constraints within the network and the initial conditions. In this respect, network behavior is functionally similar to a complex measurement process, since measurement in physics discriminates and classifies implicate dynamical patterns by mapping them to explicit symbols. But what determines when a measurement is completed is an unresolved problem in physics, especially in quantum theory. It involves complementary modes of description, one based on the rate-dependent, continuous, time-symmetric dynamics of inexorable physical laws, and the other based on the rate-independent, discrete, irreversible constraints of programmable symbol systems. In physics, these modes are both distinguished and related only by measurement, but when a measurement occurs appears to be a matter of arbitrary choice. The brain uses many complementary modes of description, and must constantly choose among them, but the ultimate nature of this choice remains a problem.
Leaving Contaminated Trauma Laparotomy Wounds Open Reduces Wound Infections But Does Not Add Value.

Abstract Background The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) has become a key quality indicator following clean and clean/contaminated surgical procedures. In contrast, contaminated and dirty wounds have garnered little attention with this quality metric because of the expected higher complication incidence. We hypothesized that wound management strategies in this high-risk population vary significantly and might not add value to the overall care. Materials and methods This is a retrospective, observational study of trauma patients who underwent an exploratory laparotomy at an urban, academic, level 1 trauma center from 2014 to 2016. Deaths before hospital discharge were excluded. Wounds were classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition on review of the operative reports. SSI was determined by review of the medical record, also per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Wound management strategies were categorized as either primary skin closure or closure by secondary intention. Outcomes were compared using Chi square or Kruskal–Wallis test. Results There were 128 patients who met study criteria. Fifty-five (42.9%) wounds were left open to close by secondary intention. In the wounds that were closed primarily (n = 73), eight (10.9%) developed an SSI. There were significant differences in the average length of stay (25.0 versus 11.6 d, P = 0.032), number of office visits (3.0 versus 1.8, P = 0.008), and time from last laparotomy to the last wound care office visit (112.8 versus 57.4, P = 0.012) between patients who were treated with secondary intention closure compared to those closed primarily who did not suffer from SSI. Conclusions There is significant incidence of SSI in contaminated and dirty traumatic abdominal wounds; however, wound management strategies vary widely within this cohort. Closure by secondary intention requires significantly more resource utilization. Isolating risk factors for SSI may allow additional patients to undergo primary skin closure and avoid the morbidity of closure by secondary intention.
Surge of Piety: Norman Vincent Peale and the Remaking of American Religious Life. By Christopher Lane. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2016. Pp. 224. $28.00.)

After being told in the 1952 presidential campaign that he had been invited to address a group of Texas Baptists only as a courtesy because they had already been told by Norman Vincent Peale not to...